BMW NEWS- April, 2008

2009 BMW 7 Series Due to Make Debut at Paris Auto Show.
BMW will offer more subdued styling and an improved iDrive when the next generation 7 series arrives for the 2009 model year at the Paris Auto Show. According to BMW sources the console will again replace the shifter control to the center console, from the steering column, and it will house the mechatronic shifter of the 5 & 6 Series, X5, and X6. A ZF 8-speed automatic will be offered. 4-wheel-drive is being considered as Mercedes-Benz offers the S-Class with this feature. The Dynamic Performance Control newly introduced with the X6 may also be available.

HAMANN 455HP BMW E92 M3 Coupe
HAMANN’S BMW M3 Coupe has been released with the power to compete with the 450-hp Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG. HAMANN offers 2 performance upgrade packages for the BMW M3. The first offers 20 extra hp for a total of 440-hp while increasing torque up to 313 lb-ft. Top speed is raised to 186mph. The Sportkit HM/M + 35 performance kit, boosts horsepower to 455-hp with peak torque at 330 lb-ft, producing a top speed of 199mph. HAMANN visually redesigned the BMW M3 Coupe with a new aerodynamic package. The package includes a new front spoiler, side skirts, rear skirt, rear spoiler and roof spoiler.

New Generation BMW Z4 to come with hard and soft tops.
Spy photos of a new BMW Z4 would seemed to suggest that the next-generation BMW will offer a retractable hardtop, as with the new 3 Series convertible and the competing Mercedes SLK. Rumors suggest that the new Z4 may offer both soft and hard top options, as Mazda does with it's MX5. There has been no official announcement from BMW as of late.

New AC Schnitzer 310hp 6-Series package for 635d
AC Schnitzer has offered new tuner kits for the facelifted BMW 6-Series, AC Schnitzer offers European BMW 635d diesel owners a little more power. The AC Schnitzer 6-Series offers new front skirt with triangular road lights, side skirts, rear skirt and a rear muffler with chrome exhaust tailpipe. The new Type VI 20-inch alloy wheels are also offered with this package. For BMW 650i owners, AC Schnitzer offers a performance package to boost output of the standard engine's horsepower from 367 to 411.

LAND ROVER NEWS- April, 2008

Official Sale of Land Rover & Jaguar Announced by Ford
Ford Motor Co., the world's third- largest automaker, issued an official press release announcing the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover to Indian manufacturing giant Tata Motors Ltd. for $2.3 billion. The sale to Tata Motors, India's largest truck maker, will end Ford's 21-year investment as the weak U.S. economy reduces demand for high end luxury vehicles. Ford, which lost $15.3 billion over the past two years, bought Jaguar in 1989 for $2.5 billion and Land Rover in 2000 for $2.73 billion. Ford will continue to supply powertrains and other components to Tata, as well as R&D research, environmental and platform technologies. While Land Rover has remained relatively profitable, Jaguar has proven to be a drain on Ford's strained resources. The sell off will allow Ford to focus it's remaining resources on rebuilding it's core brands.

2008 Land Rover LRX Hybrid Concept
Land Rover's LRX cross-coupe concept makes its debut at the New York International Auto Show after the original white LRX was revealed earlier to widespread acclaim at the NAIAS show, in Detroit, this January. Land Rover has produced a new version of its LRX concept for the New York International Auto Show. A new black and silver version of the LRX designed to highlight the concept's suitability for personalization was designed to be capable of having a range of powertrains, including a 2.0-liter turbodiesel hybrid that demonstrates Land Rover’s commitment to new technologies, lightweight design and environmentally-safe materials.