BMW and Other Car News

The new BMW 3 Series sedan hasn't changed much stylistically from its old model, but BMW's chief designer Adrian van Hooydonk is calling it "identifiable" and "the core of the brand" in an effort to defend it. The 3 Series, although slightly larger and lighter than its predecessor, sports few exterior styling changes other than its elongated headlights and new grille.

"All our cars are part of the BMW family," said Hooydonk, who went on to imply that the 3 Series is the more serious sibling in the BMW family, unlike the more outgoing and risk-taking 1 Series.

Massachusetts BMW buyers will be able to see the new 3 Series in person when it arrives at Massachusetts BMW dealers like Viti BMW in February of 2012. Sales figures should determine whether or not BMW made a mistake in playing it safe this time. However, as BMW's best-selling vehicle, the 3 Series obviously has something going for it that works. Its design team was probably right not to mess with it.

The new BMW 6 Series will star alongside Tom Cruise in the next installment of the Mission: Impossible movie franchise, called Mission Impossible 4: The Ghost Protocol. The vehicle will reportedly be featured in the movie's car chase scenes, and will be one of a few BMW vehicles appearing in the movie.

The current BMW 6 Series, available at dealerships like Viti BMW in Massachusetts, can put out up to 400 horsepower thanks to a TwinPower turbo V8 engine. That number alone would make it an interesting vehicle to follow during a high-speed chase, but we wouldn't be surprised if Cruise tried some physics-defying stunts while in the driver's seat of the presumably more powerful new 6 Series. It's been reported that Cruise even got a preview of the latest 6 Series model at BMW's headquarters in Munich.

We'll have to keep an eye out for the new 6 Series when The Ghost Protocol hits theatres on December 16, although it probably won't be hard to spot.

Every once in a while I'll find news that I think is interesting and I'll share it with you! No it's not always BMW oriented, but you can count on it always being auto news!

Earlier this year, Chevy introduced the most powerful production Camaro to ever hit Massachusetts Chevy dealer showrooms in the form of the Camaro ZL1; now another Camaro has earned a top title, but this time in the arena of safety. The 2012 Chevy Camaro Coupe recently received the highest safety rating ever earned by a vehicle from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program, the only vehicle to ever receive the highest score of five stars on every single assessment.

The Camaro Coupe's six air bags, StabiliTrak electronic stability control, four-wheel disc brakes, seatbelt pretensioners and keyless entry, standard on all models, helped the Coupe to secure its safe spot. In addition to these standard features, Chevy also offers a rearview camera in its Rear Vision Package, standard on the 2LT and 2SS trims and optional on the 1LT and 1SS trims. OnStar is also available.

That the Camaro Coupe's five-star achievement is particularly notable because the NHTSA recently made its safety standards more stringent for the 2011 model year. Changes to the program's testing included adding more impact scenarios, such as a side barrier impact test and a side pole impact test.

The quality of the BMW 3 Series has stayed consistent for 21 years, according to automotive reporters at Car and Driver because for the 21st time in a row, BMW's best-selling vehicle has been named one of Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars. The 3 Series' naturally comfortable seats, steering and suspension helped it capture its well-worn spot on the list, along with its as-of-yet matchless inline-six engines and overall lack of class competition.

The new 3 Series will make its first appearance on New York BMW dealer showroom floors in February, and all-wheel drive versions will go on sale next summer. A hybrid model, called the ActiveHybrid 3, will be available in the fall of 2012. Until then, interested BMW fans can purchase the Car and Driver favorite with a choice of either automatic or manual transmission, and three engines: a 200-horsepower 3.0-liter inline-six that delivers 200 pound-feet of torque, a turbocharged and intercooled 3.0-liter and 300-horsepower inline-six, or a 4.0-liter V-8, found in the M3, that delivers up to 414 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.

A new four-cylinder engine will be available on the 2013 model, which will also be slightly larger and lighter than its predecessor. The 2-13 328i will also feature auto start-stop and regenerative braking technologies, and will be offered with the choice of either a six-speed manual or new eight-speed automatic transmission.