Road Tripper

I have just previously mentioned about new, upcoming future BMWs, right? Well, here it comes. Paving the asphalt is the new, ultimate hot hatch, the ’09 BMW 135i.

The six-cylinder engine in the 135i is the same 300-hp turbocharged unit as in the 335i, giving a top speed of 155 mph and a 0-to-62-mph time of high-speed and swiftness. It is ridiculously fast – in a good way. It’s one of BMW’s awesome innovative moves also featuring a piezo direct injection and not a whiff of turbo lag.

Exterior car parts marks a distinct characteristic involving dual chrome tailpipes, chrome-plated grille slats and seventeen-inch wheels and tires.

Inside the cabin, it styles sports seats and a leather sport steering wheel. Active Steering will also be an option.

This 135i three-door hatchback could come as soon as 2008 as a 2009 model but it won’t land on U.S shores (the German automaker is still harboring thoughts about making its U.S. delivery). But what we all can count on is that BMW will offer new sedan, coupe and convertible versions sometime next year.

The convertible and facelifted 3-Series will sport its first hardtop. The BMW 3-series bids a few puffing surprises with the two variants.

The 328i will use a 230-hp, 3.0-liter I-6, and the 335i gets a 300-hp, twin-turbo version of the same engine. The additional weight and compromised center of gravity of that three-section top will undoubtedly find a middle ground performance. It has a wide, long roof squeezed into the trunk and the deck lid is wide with cutlines that drop down the vehicle’s side. No choppy rear ends here.

The convertible unfortunately weighs 400 pounds more than the sedan. But this special convertible has infrared-reflecting leather that stays cool in the sun along with the air intake. Talk about tech-heavy.

The 335i sedan will have a deeply sculpted front and rear bumpers and modified BMW parts such as the headlamp units that clear turn signal lenses as featured facets. The Z4-like gouge in the driver door, sources say seems to be accidental.

We’ll have a grasp on these babies in early 2007.

Excitement is in the air! For me anyway, as BMW uncovered the latest future car brushing past its rear against other upcoming rivals. It is set to stretch out the competition considering Jaguar, Volkswagen and Audi’s most recent efforts. BMW is readying a stretched version of the next 6-series, which would feature four doors and four seats under a coupe like roof.

The car, codenamed LC5, will do without B-pillars. Structural integrity of the body will be supported by overlapping doors (the rear ones always shut first and open last) plus reinforced sills and side panels. All seats feature integrated belts and side air bags. The oval-shaped lateral aperture and the connected door skins are supposed to help spread out the energy in the event of a side impact.

The engine line-up: a 300-hp, 3.0-liter turbocharged six; a 400-hp, 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8; an M version powered by a 550-hp, 5.5-liter V-10; and a 3.0-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder diesel.

Transmission offerings are to include a conventional six-speed manual and two automatics, one a dual-clutch design. Both automatics will feature seven speeds and optional paddle-shift operation.

Now onto the gears: the gear selector is a joystick with two parallel shift modes: flick it to the left, and you’re in manual; flick it to the right, and you’re in automatic. Pushing a button on top of the lever engages park. We also should see new electrohydraulic brakes active steering and wheels and rims ranging in size from eighteen to twenty inches.

It is not yet clear whether the new arrival will be part of the 6-series family or whether BMW would rather launch it as a 7-series coupe but let’s just wait for its news.

The car is expected to reach showrooms in 2011. Time runs fast so it’s not really a long wait. At least, we’ll have something to look forward to.

Introducing the all-new 2007 BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle. This is definitely the golden standard of the luxury SUV segment. No wonder, BMW has expanded its idea based on the BMW X5 model released last 2000

Performance: new, more powerful engine, excellent aerodynamic efficiency, low engine placement, advanced lightweight materials, high-performance powertrain parts and six-speed STEPTRONIC automatic transmission. 

Of course, alterations have anything to do with it. The right coupe has been a part of every car consumer and junkie out there. But one can never know what’s going to happen on the road so its safety features are attributed to the convenience among you road users: run flat tires, optional head-up display (an ingenious concept of active safety), enhanced stability control, rearview camera (yes, backing up can be precarious and it offers good visibility) and airbags.

Better feedback means more control so this X5 SAV hasn’t compromised any while choosing your own driving dynamics. There’s the advanced suspension, near perfect balance, active steering, unique sport package option and xDrive – all-wheel-drive system.

The interior cabin’s elements are designed to your satisfaction with its premium details. It’s a seven-seater vehicle with comfort at every turn, multi-contour seats yielding more room with innovative entertainment options.

So saddle up on your seatbelts and plan an extreme sightseeing with this SAV. Don’t forget to have fun.

The totally new roadster dubbed, by most, as the Z9 -though it could be called Z6. Pictures of the prototype that were sent last January were taken in Munich. If it’s really the Z9 (or Z6) then we have a future successor to the retro-styled BMW Z8 with its BMW parts and a possible competitor to the Mercedes SL. But some people (such as your typical auto spies and analysts) are still frazzled on what to name it. Really, even though the camouflaged roadster masquerading on its wheels is obviously much larger than the Z4.

Some sources are still saying that the next-generation Z4 will be doing a bit of growing up to make room for an entry-level 1-series-based roadster dubbed Z2. On the other hand, noticing the side window covers and the folding metal roof, were very sure that were seeing the Z9, as we highly doubt that the next-gen Z4 will be fitted with an electric hard-top.

In accumulation, sources attending the Chicago Auto Show today have all but confirmed that this is NO Z4! Still on the null about its auto model name, but we are sure that BMW will be giving other car editions a run for their money!