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BMW released a bevy of new 2009 7 Series images and even some video today in anticipation of the big sedan’s appearance next month at the Paris Motor Show. Officially unveiled at the Moscow Motor Show in early July, the 2009 7 Series will appear at the Paris show in at least six different models: the 730d powered by a 3.0L straight-six diesel engine, the 740i and long-wheelbase 740il, the 750i and the also long-wheelbase 750il, as well as a hybrid version. The 7 Series will also be packed with more high technology than NORAD, including a Side View camera system, Park Distance Control system, Lane Departure Warning system, Head-up display, a four-wheel steering system called Integral Active Steering, and, of course, the latest generation of BMW’s iDrive.

With the arrival of the BMW 7 Series ActiveHybrid, which will make its initial debut at the Paris Motor Show, both BMW and Mercedes-Benz are set to enter the luxury hybrid market that has so far only seen action in the form of the Lexus LS600h. Although BMW was one of the brands that helped develop the sophisticated Two-Mode hybrid system that’s currently being used in the full-size ‘utes from both GM and Chrysler, the Bavarian automaker has chosen instead to equip its 7 Series with the same mild hybrid architecture that it helped to develop and is used by cross-country rival Daimler. Like the S400 BlueHYBRID, a 120-volt lithium ion battery will be kept underhood along with a small helper motor that’s hooked up to the engine, in the case of the BMW, a twin-turbocharged, direct injected 4.4-liter V8. Expect well over 400-horsepower from the gas/electric combo along with combined fuel mileage in the low 20’s.

BMWBMW has achieved sales increases in the US for 16 straight years, but that impressive streak is going to end in 2008. BMW USA CEO Jim O’Donnell has decided to stop shipment of 44,000 vehicles destined for the States by the end of this year. The move was made to prevent pushing increased sales in a down market because too many incentives were needed to entice consumers. The weakness of the US Dollar vs. the euro makes high incentives unprofitable. Some vehicles, like the X3, are coming to the US in smaller numbers even though they are selling well without incentives. Leases are also a cause of concern, with 63% of its vehicles leaving BMW showrooms with a down-payment and a mileage limit. O’Donnell wants to cut that number by 10% or more, and in August, leases were down to 50% of sales.

The German automaker is also looking to cut expenses in the U.S, with plants to slash 90 jobs in the States, along with reducing marketing expenditures. The largest short-term change is that BMW will not end December with a high incentive sales blowout, which means if you’re waiting for the big Bimmer sales event, it probably won’t happen.

Rumors of a new four cylinder engine from BMW have been confirmed by BMW’s North American leader Jim O’Donnell. Questions on whether it will be offered in the United States, though, are still very much in the air. “We can’t really confirm or deny when it is going to come into the US, or if it is going to come into the US, until after the election and the government makes it clear what is going to be the platform that manufacturers have got to work to,” says O’Donnell. It really seems so simple to us. If an automaker has a new engine that offers both good performance and good fuel economy, it should be offered in the U.S. market.

Granted, the last effort to sell four-cylinder Bimmers in the States didn’t go over so well. But BMW’s reputation was earned first by cars like the 2002, which was motivated by a sprightly little four-banger. Considering the fact that BMW owns the MINI brand, the automaker should know better than anyone else that Americans are now willing to spend a good deal of money on small cars with small engines. We’ll gladly support a revival of the tii badge on a lightweight 1 Series platform powered by a nice turbo four.

Over a year ago we told you about the Indy-Cator, an LCD-equipped shift knob that displayed your gear selection. Now, the German tuning powerhouse AC Schnitzer has come up with its own version for BMWs and MINIs, and we’re still left wondering if it has any practical use.

According to AC, drivers have to rely solely on feel to know which gear they’re in at any given time (gasp), so the digital display takes all that pesky guesswork out of gear selection. The red LED on the shift knob has a light sensor which dims or brightens the display depending on conditions, matches the stock interior lighting, features a position sensor and can be installed in just a few minutes.

AC Schnitzer hasn’t released pricing, but just like the Indy-Cator, its worth is in the hand of the beholder.

With their scopes aimed squarely at the upcoming Porsche Panamera and Mercedes-Benz CLS, BMW’s M performance division is rumored to be working on their own four-door luxury GT for a 2010 launch. With its styling based heavily on the BMW Concept CS (pictured above), the platform for the new flagship will be shared with the new 7 Series. Under the hood, most expect to see a 6.0-liter V12 based on the current M5’s V10, or a twin-turbocharged V8 like the one rumored for the next-gen M5. Even though both of those engines promise prodigious amounts of power, and the lightened chassis will be tuned for performance, BMW insists the new car will not be badged an M8. Regardless, we seem to recall that the lack of an M badge on the mid-90’s BMW 850CSi didn’t seem to deter enthusiasts.

There got across 1,400 cases of the BMW e46 M3 CSL built, and by all accounts properties got extremely far received. However, according to Ludwig Willisch, the boss of the automaker’s M division, the recent e92 M3 will not get the same treatment. He – or more than likely the accountants – feel so “based on new numbers, there is a multitude of inherent insufficient requirement for the M3 CSL.”

If a up to date scorching version of the e92 got to exist, it is able to own continued bumped by anywhere based on what i read in 36 to 56 horsepower, shed 200 pounds or more, worn a good deal of weird tires and a set of higher lungs. In sunbeams of the would&wshyp;be volume, though, that could be small, BMW – or again, its accountants – ought to fairly focus on the X6 and X5 for now.

BMW made it official today, after we told you about it “unofficially” last week. As expected, the German automaker is raising prices across its model range an average of 2.1 percent for the 2009 model year due to “…significant structural and economic changes in the marketplace.” Regardless, the direct price increase of vehicle MSRP doesn’t tell the whole story. BMW has also increased pricing on popular options (the Sport Package is up $450 on the 335i sedan and coupe) and removed some standard features (the premium Logic 7 audio system is no longer standard on the 335i — now it’s an $875 option) driving the consumer’s cost even higher than it initially appears. If that isn’t bad enough news for those hoping to put a Roundel in their driveway, we are also hearing rumors that BMW’s latest lease residuals and money factors aren’t as sweet as they were over the summer.

During a recent Bimmer-hunting expedition at the Nurburgring, ace photog Hans Lehmann was able to procure a shot of the engine bay of a development mule for the 2010 BMW 7-series. When inspecting the layout, he noticed two intercoolers, and the best guess now is that the V8 fitted to the new 7-series could be the same engine employed in the new M3. With over 400 horsepower on tap in naturally-aspirated guise, it’s not a stretch to think that this blown motor could produce upwards of 500 HP with limited tweaking. M7 anyone?

When the new 7-series goes on sale in late 2009, those suspicions will be confirmed.

[Source: Straighline]

Those incorrigible folks over at 1addicts threw up several more “official” pics of the 1-series coupe, along with BMW USA’s press release (dated for 6/30/07 - oops!), which is posted below the fold.

Now that we’ve got some official information to work off, we know that BMW will be debuting the 1-series in Frankfurt this September, with sales to begin in North America sometime in the spring of next year. We’ll be getting two different versions — a 128i and a 135i – the former producing 230 HP and 200 lb.-ft. of torque, while the latter, turbocharged mill will be making 300 HP (at 5,800 RPM) and 300 lb.-ft. of torque (at least). The 135i is obviously the range-topper and is the central focus of the press release, with performance stats that are truly impressive (0-62 in 5.3 seconds, 155 MPH top speed, 50-75 MPH in five seconds in 4th gear), placing it a step beyond the Porsche Cayman S for outright acceleration.

On the handling tip, the 1-series will have an ideal 50:50 weight distribution, keeping with BMW tradition, while MacPherson struts in the front and a five-link arrangement in the rear keep things suspended. Driving aids are included, but a variable diff isn’t. Plus, 18-inch rollers are standard on all four corners, with 7.5 inches of width in the front and 8.5 inches of rubber in the back.

BMW’s doing a lot to tie the 1-series to the 2002 of yore, but they also draw parallels to the M-division, it styling cues and general philosophy. BMW still maintains that there won’t be an M1, but in the meantime, we get the closest thing to an original M3 that we’ve seen in well over a decade.