New BMW Engine, 3.0 I6 TwinPower Turbo (N55)

[Betty Swollocks]

What BMW strive for is to come close to Jaguar image: being both sporty & luxurious. Having a perfect balance.

Thanks God Jaguar is now kind a limited brand - without serious volume anbitions. Otherwise BMW would be toasted.

What!!?? I can't believe nobody has jumped on this statement. Dear God, it's a sad day when I read someone who works for BMW saying that BMW are striving to have an image like Jaguar's. Jaguar's have an image that they are for flat-capped-driving old people. Even more so than MB. They have been trying to get a younger customer base for years, and have been relatively successful, but they are still a long way off.

Believe me, Jaguar are not seen as sporty and luxurious.

Jaguar very nearly came close to going bankrupt. It's only the recent XF which has helped them to some extent.

 

[Mr Robert]

Well, at least here, Jaguar stands for just that. A gentlemans sportscar. Far, far from the German ideal. If that image, not product, is what BMW seeks then they might be on to something. There will, however, not be any hardcore-ish models if that is the image they are seeking.

 

[EnI]

Believe me, Jaguar are not seen as sporty and luxurious.

Jaguar brand is perceived exactly as said: sporty & luxury. Same group as eg. Porsche, Aston Martin & Maserati.

While BMW still lack the luxury part - mainly due to the image of brand which specializes in "entry luxury compact classes". The "less luxury".

Therefore striving for the Jaguar image: image of sporty & luxury sedans & coupes / cabrios. As Dunkel says: gentleman's brand. Oozing perfect combination of sport & luxury.

And even more: latest Jag cars have added another component targeted by BMW: modern avant-garde.ness

BMW would kill to have brand cache IMAGE more similar to Jaguar. More balanced.

 

[Sayyaaf]

But Eni from their current products (i.e. BMW) they seem to abandon the luxury approach especially in the interior department, they are going to their roots, sporty driver oriented cabins with everything closer to the driver than the passenger. I still find that 2 tone interior with the always black steering wheel and the driver tilted center consol is never luxury, it is a sporty with some luxurious materials like the wood and ceramics. If they want a pure luxury approach they should take a look at Porsche. The new panamera has an all leather interior. Door/top consol even air vents if you wish are all leather. Luxury must not be only defined by a smooth drive or comfort suspension. I find it more in those details (natural leather - metalic buttons - unified cabin color .. etc).

 

[Mr Robert]

But Eni from their current products (i.e. BMW) they seem to abandon the luxury approach especially in the interior department, they are going to their roots, sporty driver oriented cabins with everything closer to the driver than the passenger. /.../Luxury must not be only defined by a smooth drive or comfort suspension. I find it more in those details (natural leather - metalic buttons - unified cabin color .. etc).

It is so strange, because I think BMW is abandoning the in-your-face sporty elements and products while focusing on heavy, comfortable luxury transport vehicles like the 5 GT.

The new 7-series is about as luxurious as a car needs to be. Well, according to me, that is.

 

[martinbo]

^ Yes, absolutely.

To my mind a driver-oriented centre console is hardly a limiting factor in a vehicle's status as a luxury car. Remember, we've analysed the concept of luxury before on this forum until the cows come home. One man's practicality is another man's luxury - and so on...

 

[Sayyaaf]

But in that sense the I find the Panamera/S class sportier than the BMW 7 series. For instant, both offer the adaptive seats, both offer a sportier gearbox. Both offer less body roll ... I don't know but sometimes I think that BMW missed the point by going 2 opposing directions.

 

[martinbo]

Folks, there's a very nice debate going on in the 7er vs S-Klasse vs A8 thread around this issue of sport / luxury / image etc.

Let's keep this on topic regarding BMW's new engine and intended powerplant direction. I'm also at fault for digressing.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Jaguar brand is perceived exactly as said: sporty & luxury. Same group as eg. Porsche, Aston Martin & Maserati.

I may be guilty of focusing on Jaguar's image in the UK but I can assure you, Jaguar is seen as an old man's car and far from sporty. As for mentioning Jaguar in the same group as Porsche? Utter nonsense!!

 

[Zafiro]

Where can I find BMW's own pressrelease about this?

 

[EnI]

Where can I find BMW's own pressrelease about this?

It's included in a 5er GT press release.

 

[Human]

Martin is correct, this is the I6 forum. Forgive me Martin, I have to get this off my mind. The BLACK steering wheels is BMW brand identity IF they choose in future not toe use black steering wheels in BMW's they can keep their cars! I am a BMW fan young and sporty at heart and love innovation and change BUT that is how I and many BMW owners an enthusiasts alike view and want our favourite brand....keeping with tradition NEVER hurt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[klier]

Thanks EnI, now I must ask - when?

Will we see the new turbo'd four in the E90 still? Maybe in the 3rd LCI phase?

I wish you were right, but there is not going to even be a 2nd LCI phase.
BMW cars get ONE major upgrade hlfway through their life, and after that (and before too) only small changes for a new model year...

Turbo 4 maybe in the 1er SS, but I hope they'll use the I6 for the SuperSports.

 

[martinbo]

klier, you're quite correct. I was wrong to say 3rd LCI phase. I meant to say third phase or 2nd LCI. You don't think that rumoured 2nd LCI is going to happen? Perhaps a technical LCI? Just asking?

 

[klier]

Well obviously I'm not an insider like Eni and Scott, but if you ask me, I wouldn't say it's likely. The 3er LCI looks completely fresh and up to date next to it's main rivals, and there are so many parts you can get for the car to individualise (like all performance parts, M parts, aero parts), I don't think there is a need for a major upgrade anymore for the E90/91 line. Just some small stuff, like a chrome ring around the radio on/off button and stuff like this.

And for the SuperSports, I really hope they'll use the I6.
I had a dealer testdrive in an 130i hatch the day before yesterday, and all I can say is I need that I6 (or the N54/N55) for the ultimate 1er What an utterly sublime car.

 

[south]

klier, you're quite correct. I was wrong to say 3rd LCI phase. I meant to say third phase or 2nd LCI. You don't think that rumoured 2nd LCI is going to happen? Perhaps a technical LCI? Just asking?

I don't know if it's likely but it's definitely possible. The E90 already got some engine changes without an LCI back in fall 2007 (N52 -> N53, N46 -> N46N). So there could be some changes coming with the E92/93 LCI in spring 2010 which might be taken over for the E90. Again, that's just speculation, but we can't rule it out for sure.


Best regards,
south

 

[siko]

BMW USA One Day University presentation:

http://www.bmwusanews.com/Universit...University Raoul Holder Nov 10 2009_final.pdf

 

[bugattiveyron]

Great Article!