BMW X1 comes to the US in the Fall 2012

Elmhurst BMW is pleased to inform that having demonstrated that it is the perfect blend of sports sedan-like driving dynamics and SUV utility in markets around the world, the BMW X1 is setting out to conquer the US. The talented Sport Activity Vehicle® of the premium compact segment will make its US market debut armed with state-of-the-art powertrain technology, innovative features, selective design modifications and extensive interior refinements. The new 2013 BMW X1 celebrated its US premiere at the New York International Auto Show and will arrive in authorized BMW Centers in the fall of 2012, starting at an MSRP of $31,545 (including $895 Destination and Handling).

 

The smallest BMW X model – produced at BMW Plant Leipzig – will take the leap across the pond with a renewed spring in its step, the result of a carefully judged honing of its core qualities. The design of the BMW X1 body now provides an even more intense expression of the vehicle’s muscular presence, contemporary allure and versatile sporting capability. Its interior includes newly designed surfaces, more polished controls and high-quality touches exuding the exclusive premium ambiance of a compact BMW X model.

 

The smallest BMW X model – produced at BMW Plant Leipzig – will take the leap across the pond with a renewed spring in its step, the result of a carefully judged honing of its core qualities. The design of the BMW X1 body now provides an even more intense expression of the vehicle’s muscular presence, contemporary allure and versatile sporting capability. Its interior includes newly designed surfaces, more polished controls and high-quality touches exuding the exclusive premium ambience of a compact BMW X model.

Elmhurst BMW is Chicagoland's only recipient of the 2011 BMW Center of Excellence award. Visit us for best pricing and customer service in the region.

Nomination of the finalists of the BMW Welt Jazz Awards 2012

Elmhurst BMW the leading Chicagoland BMW dealer in Illinois is pleased to inform you that the short list of this year’s finalists is out. Throughout the course of the 2012 edition of the BMW Welt Jazz Awards, the jury was most impressed by the ensembles Agustí Fernández’ Aurora Trio - Barcelona and Mathias Eick Quintet - Oslo. Only four years after its creation and following this year’s motto “Jazz and the City“, BMW has established the BMW Welt Jazz Award firmly as a renowned award in the field of music. Following a total of six matinees from January to March, a jury of experts nominated two outstanding ensembles after the final matinee on March 25. The two nominated finalists will compete on May 5, 2012 at 7 p.m. in the Grand Auditorium of BMW Welt as part of the final concert of this year’s cycle.

Agustí Fernández’ Aurora Trio - Barcelona

Since becoming a professional musician at the age of 13, pianist Agustí Fernández has been a part of Barcelona’s vibrant jazz scene. There, the stylist from Palma de Mallorca founded several orchestras, was director of numerous Catalan festivals, worked for stage, film and television, for puppet theatre and for the most renowned choreographers of the Spanish dance scene. He taught at the Catalan College of Music and was involved in over 50 CD productions. Since 2005, he has concentrated predominantly on the Aurora Trio along with British Bassist Barry Guy and drummer Ramón López, likewise a figurehead of Barcelona’s music scene. The three multi-award winners are working on a new, most suggestive jazz vocabulary reduced to its minimum structures.

Mathias Eick Quintet - Oslo
 
In addition to the excellent musical education there are several other reasons why so many outstanding jazz musicians come from Norway, a relatively small country in terms of its population. A prime example is 32-year-old Mathias Eick, who complements the proud line of Scandinavian trumpet players such as Nils Petter Molvaer or Arve Henriksen, musicians that excel with an unconventionally lyrical and weightless tone. Eick uses it untiringly for virtually all styles of jazz in the bands of varying top performers such as Jacob Young, Mike Stern or Manu Katché, in the NuJazz formation Jaga Jagist as well as with the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra. Most recently he has focused on his own quintet, which will now also be performing at BMW Welt.

The high-ranking jury of experts includes Oliver Hochkeppel (music and culture journalist at the daily newpaper “Süddeutsche Zeitung”), Andreas Kolb (editor-in-chief of the publications “JazzZeitung” and “neue musikzeitung”), Roland Spiegel (music editor, main focus on jazz, at the Bavarian radio station “BR-KLASSIK”), Heike Lies (MA in musicology, working in the field of music and musical theatre at the Department of Culture of Munich), and Christiane Böhnke-Geisse (artistic director at jazz club “Unterfahrt”).

The final concert will be hosted by Beate Sampson, jazz expert and editor at Bayerischer Rundfunk. The award trophy will be presented by Frank-Peter Arndt, member of the board of BMW AG. The winner of the first prize will receive 10,000 Euro and the ensemble receiving second prize will receive a sum of 5,000 Euro. In addition, the audience’s favourite ensemble will also be honored with the audience award, donated by Schloss Elmau. The audience award offers the winning ensemble a residence and the opportunity to give an exclusive concert at Schloss Elmau.

The final concert will be held at the Grand Auditorium at BMW Welt. Tickets can be purchased at BMW Welt or München Ticket*.

Further information as well as photographic material regarding program, artists, jury, and sponsors is available at the BMW PressClub under www.press.bmw.de and www.bmw-welt.com/JazzAward .

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BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe to Make North American Debut

The all-new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe four-door Coupe will make its North American debut at the 2012 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. The all-new, fifth generation M5 Sedan as well as the new 3 Series Sedan will also be highlighted. As part of the Concours’ celebration of the 60th 12 Hours of Sebring, two winning BMWs, the 3.5 CSL from 1975 and the V12 LMR from 1999 will also be featured. The company will bestow the BMW Award for Engineering Excellence to the car in the Concours that best represents cutting-edge technology in its day. .  

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe

 

The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe – a new 4-door, 4+1 seat addition to the 6 Series line successfully combines the stunning proportions, design and driving dynamics of the 6 Series Coupe with interior room and amenities for up to five passengers. Harmonious proportions, precise lines and sleekly contoured surfaces give the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe the unique ability to satisfy the driver who wants a luxurious and sporty coupe yet needs a car capable of carrying four adults in comfort and luxury. The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe will be offered as three distinct models in the US. The TwinPower Turbo inline 6 powered 2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe is the initial model and arrives early this summer. Later in the summer, the TwinPower Turbo V-8 powered 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe and the all-wheel drive 2013 BMW 650i xDrive Gran Coupe will join the range.

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London Symphony Orchestra and BMW announce major new partnership

The London Symphony Orchestra and BMW announce today a new long-term partnership, BMW LSO OPEN AIR CLASSICS which will bring outstanding music performed in the open air - free for everyone in an informal atmosphere. The first in a groundbreaking series of annual concerts will be conducted in Trafalgar Square by Principal Conductor of the LSO, Valery Gergiev, on Saturday 12 May at 6.30 pm. Large screens will be mounted on either side of the stage to allow the audience to witness the concert close up.
The programme will feature works by Igor Stravinsky including the highly popular “Firebird Suite” and “The Rite of Spring”. 100 young musicians from LSO Discovery, the Orchestra’s award-winning music education and community programme, will play alongside the LSO players and perform “The Lite of Spring”,  an interpretation of Stravinsky’s work by Gareth Glyn. LSO animateur Paul Rissman will present the concert and guide the audience through the repertoire.

Valery Gergiev celebrates this new project:
“I congratulate the LSO and BMW on this initiative. I believe it is so important to take music beyond the concert hall. I hope that performing these great pieces in such an impressive outdoor space will encourage many new people to experience the very special sound and experience of a truly great orchestra.”

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said:
“This fantastic partnership will give Londoners the chance to enjoy the delight of a live orchestra for free, as well as help promote our city's vibrant and diverse music scene to new audiences. The LSO concert is just one example of a series of feel-good, outdoor events taking place in the run up to the Olympics, creating a summer like no other."

Dr. Ian Robertson (HonDSc), Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG:
“We are very proud of this new cooperation between the London Symphony Orchestra and BMW. With such an outstanding orchestra, we look forward to thrilling and passionate live concerts. Our thanks to the LSO’s innovative Managing Director Kathryn McDowell and the charismatic Principal Conductor Valery Gergiev for their enthusiasm and commitment in bringing this partnership to life. The free to the public “BMW LSO Open Air Classics” concert series on Trafalgar Square is the first international location of similar partnerships in Munich and Berlin. For BMW Group’s international cultural engagement, this cooperation is an important milestone towards the future of corporate citizenship. This is the start of a long-term partnership between the LSO and BMW — a partnership which we hope will be enjoyed by Londoners for years to come.”
Kathryn McDowell, Managing Director of the LSO, stated:
“The LSO is delighted to have found such an original and creative partner in BMW to bring outstanding music to everyone in London for free! We hope that this open air concert will appeal to first time concert goers as well as classical music enthusiasts. Trafalgar Square is an iconic London location and represents the perfect venue to launch this initiative.”
 
London Symphony Orchestra
In addition to its season at the Barbican, its London home, the LSO has annual residencies at New York’s Lincoln Center, Paris’ Salle Pleyel and the Aix-en-Provence Festival. The LSO also tours extensively throughout Europe, and Japan and has recently visited India, China and the Middle East. The LSO is set apart from other international orchestras by its depth of commitment to music education, reaching over 60,000 people each year. The award-winning programme, LSO Discovery works locally, nationally and internationally, with thriving community projects both in London and the UK and abroad. LSO Live is the Orchestra’s record label and has released over 80 recordings with many of the world’s leading conductors including Valery Gergiev, Sir Colin Davis, Bernard Haitink, Mariss Jansons and André Previn. The LSO was the first symphony orchestra ever to record a film soundtrack, with Sir Arthur Bliss’s score for Things to Come in 1935. It has since built up a reputation as the world’s pre-eminent film orchestra and has recorded landmark soundtracks such as Henry V (William Walton, 1944), and Star Wars (John Williams, 1977). Recent film scores include The King’s Speech, Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows and The Ides of March.

Valery Gergiev: LSO Principal Conductor

Valery Gergiev is one of the world’s most electrifying and charismatic musical personalities and his thrilling performances are much anticipated. Principal Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra since January 2007, Valery Gergiev performs regularly with the LSO at the Barbican, at the Proms and at the Edinburgh Festival, as well as on regular tours of Europe, North America and Asia. His inspired leadership of the Mariinsky Theatre since 1988 has taken the Mariinsky ensembles to 45 countries and has brought universal acclaim to this legendary institution, now in its 227th season. Valery Gergiev’s many awards include Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun, a Grammy, the Dmitri Shostakovich Award, the Golden Mask Award, People’s Artist of Russia Award, the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award, Sweden’s Polar Music Prize, Netherlands’ Knight of the Order of the Dutch Lion, Valencia’s Silver Medal, the Herbert von Karajan prize and the French Order of the Legion of Honour.

About BMW’s Cultural Commitment

For more than 40 years now, the BMW Group has initiated and engaged in over 100 cultural cooperations worldwide. The company places the main focus of its long-term commitment on modern and contemporary art, jazz and classical music as well as architecture and design. In 1972, three large-scale paintings were created by the artist Gerhard Richter specifically for the foyer of the BMW Group's Munich headquarters. Since then, artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Olafur Eliasson, Jeff Koons, Zubin Metha, Daniel Barenboim and Anna Netrebko have co-operated with BMW. The company has also commissioned architects such as Karl Schwanzer, Zaha Hadid and Coop Himmelb(l)au to design important corporate buildings. In 2011, the BMW Guggenheim Lab, a global initiative of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, the Guggenheim Museum and the BMW Group celebrated its world premiere in New York. The BMW Group takes absolute creative freedom in all the cultural activities it is involved in for granted – as this is just as essential for groundbreaking artistic work as it is for major innovations in a successful business.

Further information: www.bmwgroup.com/culture and www.bmwgroup.com/culture/overview

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BMW 3 Series's automatic climate control operates using advanced thermal management

For a long time, motorists regarded air conditioning merely as a guarantee of a cool workplace when behind the wheel. During the early 1980s, the optional extra was predominantly ordered as protection against the midsummer heat inside the car, true to the motto: the heat has to stay out, irrespective of how hot the sun is. The greater the “refrigerator feeling” experienced by occupants was, the more effective an air conditioning system was considered to be.

However, over the years, consumers have changed their attitude and the demands on interior climate comfort have increased significantly. Whether in extreme heat, heavy rainfall or severe cold, a cosy interior climate has become a must.

In the case of the new BMW 3 Series , air conditioning experts go even a step further, as particularly good air quality is also crucial for best possible interior climate comfort.

As a result, unpleasant environmental odours such as those sometimes experienced in industrial areas or in the streets of large cities are almost entirely eliminated. The perfect interaction between the automatic air circulation control and the filter system noticeably enhances air quality inside the BMW 3 Series. Even when the air conditioning is not in use, the additional filter remains active.

When opting for a two-zone automatic climate control system, both the driver and the front seat passenger are able to set the desired temperature for their seat area individually and according to preference. The temperature of the air leaving the air vents as well as the amount and distribution of air are automatically regulated.

Depending on intensity and radiation angle of the sun, the automatic climate control system adapts its degree of effectiveness (solar compensation) and individually adjusts the interior temperature to the desired level on both the driver and front seat passenger sides. Additional air vents, likewise variably adjustable and located in the rear compartment, ensure that backseat passengers are also able to enjoy a pleasant interior climate. In order to avoid fogged-up windows, particularly during the cold and damp season, the new BMW 3 Series is also equipped with an automatic sensor-controlled anti-fogging function, which intervenes by means of targeted ventilation as soon as visibility is restricted.

After a frosty night or when it is bitterly cold, the new climate control system quickly generates a remarkably high heat output. Within the defrosting area of the windscreen, the field of vision is evenly defrosted only shortly after a cold start. The increased heating performance is of particular benefit to customers in Scandinavia, as temperatures there often drop below minus 20 degrees in the winter. Even in temperatures as low at that, the two-zone automatic climate control system featured in the BMW 3 Series ensures that the car is cosy and warm within the foot and head areas after around ten minutes, and that includes the rear compartment.

Each air vent of the automatic climate control system is controlled by a compact and centrally located flap mechanism, rendering additional stepper motors unnecessary. This all results in a saving of weight and space beneath the dashboard. Thanks to the compact design of the automatic climate control system, it is possible for the first time to offer the new BMW 3 Series with Head-Up Display – a new feature in the premium middle class. Furthermore, in this way, space has been created in the centre console for two cupholders.

Within the framework of EfficientDynamics measures, BMW engineers paid special attention to improving the fuel consumption of the new BMW 3 Series. When the driver switches to the ECO PRO mode, the new automatic climate control system operates using an optimised heating/climate strategy. Without any noticeable loss in comfort, fuel-efficiently is enhanced through reduced air-drying and cooling in the interior as well as through the intermittently deactivated air-conditioning compressor.

In BMW’s own environmental wind tunnel, engineers are working intensively on additional fuel savings and further optimisation of in-car climate comfort. In this facility, it is possible to simulate every climate zone on the planet, highly efficiently and within the shortest time. There, mainly cold starts and de-icing tests are carried out under the most extreme conditions. The aim of BMW developers is to further shorten the engine warm-up phase, as higher temperatures reduce friction, which in turn facilitates lower fuel consumption and emission levels - totally in keeping with the BMW EfficientDynamics philosophy.

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BMW 3 Series and M3 listed among 10 Best Cars in 2012

The BMW 3 Series and M3 have been named by U.S. Magazine Car and Driver as one of the 10 Best Cars in 2012.Here is what the magazine had to say about the popular bimmers:

“The competition should have figured out a way to beat the BMW 3-series by now. It’s not for lack of trying: Every so often, another carmaker will pitch a worthy competitor into the mix, but none has been able to knock the 3-series from its pedestal or even maintain its consistent brilliance.

After 21 consecutive years on the 10Best list, BMW continues to evolve the 3-series toward some platonic ideal of sportiness. You don’t notice the seats, the steering, the suspension, or the brakes because everything feels natural. Everything feels right. And how has no other automaker matched the silkiness of BMW’s inline-six engines?

Don’t forget the M3, either, which remains magnificent in the twilight of a celebrated life, thanks largely to that lusty 414-hp, 8300-rpm V-8. The 3-series sedan is on hiatus until a new model drops in February. In other words, even as the entire current 3-series lineup is on the way out the door, it still roasts the competition. The biggest threat to its dominance is not from another carmaker but from BMW itself. An increased focus on gizmology has robbed a couple of recently introduced BMWs of the athletic, connected feeling that made the old Ultimate Driving Machine tag line ring so true. Here’s to hoping BMW doesn’t screw up the best one.”

Chicago Politics Theme in Movies and TVs

With Kelsey Grammer’s new series, “Boss,” about to premiere, Ward Room looks at other movies and TV shows that portrayed Chicago politics.

The new TV series, Boss, will be premiered next Friday on the Starz network. The show will revolve round the story of Kelsey Grammer, a Chicago mayor, who is trying to hide a degenerative brain disease from his family and political rivals. Boss is the first program that has adapted Chicago politics as its theme. However, Chicago politicians have been featured in many TV shows and movies in the past. Here is a list of some of the all-time best movies and TV shows where we get to see a glimpse of Chicago politics.

In Old Chicago: This 1937 melodrama highlights the famous Chicago Fire. Don Ameche played the role of Jack O’Leary, son of the woman whose cow kicked the lantern on a barn and thus started the fatal conflagration. 

Mahogany: Is a story of an ambitious fashion designer, Diana Ross, from the South Side of Chicago. Billy Dee Williams plays the role of her boyfriend, who is running for alderman.

Medium Cool: This film about a television cameraman features footage of the riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

Good Times (TV): Among the ghetto hustlers the Evans family has to deal with is Ald. Fred Davis, who passes up Florida for a bus driver’s job so he can hire his niece.

Continental Divide: The story revolves around John Belushi who plays the role of Ernie Souchak, a Mike Royko-esque columnist who has to get out of town after he’s beaten up by cops connected to a corrupt alderman he’s investigating.

The Untouchables: Eliot Ness’s anti-bootlegging squad gets its nickname from an alderman who unsuccessfully tries to bribe Ness into calling off his investigation of Al Capone.

E.R. (TV): This T.V show tells the story of Dr. Kerry Weaver who secretly treats an alderman for syphilis and gets a promotion.

The Chicago Code (TV): Delroy Lindo played a sinister, gang-connected alderman whose ward stretched from Cabrini Green to Chinatown.

The Playboy Club (TV): It only lasted three episodes, so we never got to find out whether Eddie Cibrian’s character was elected state’s attorney with the Outfit’s help.

Source: Ward Room, Accessed on October 10, 2011

Image source - www.aoltv.com

Carbon Fiber Age – A new Era Begins for BMW

Elmhurst BMW, the leading BMW dealership in Elmhurst, IL, is pleased to inform all BMW admirers that finally the “Carbon Age” begins for BMW!

BMW in a joint venture with SGL Group has opened the 60-acre new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Moses Lake, Washington. Ultra lightweight carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) produced at the plant are dedicated for use in BMW i series.

Carbon fiber has two ‘believe it or not’ like properties; it weighs just one-fifth of steel but is much stiffer and stronger. Unlike aluminum and steel, it does not corrode or rust. What is the wonderful portent for a car owner? It can eventually reduce the weight of a car by an astounding 60% and in turn, cut fuel consumption drastically. Carbon fiber so far has been too expensive and difficult to manufacture. BMW has taken the bold step to bring lighter, safer and durable BMW i3s and BMW i8s. The green initiative does save quite a number of dollars for car owners.

SGL Group and BMW have each invested $100 million in the Moses Lake plant, strategically close to a clean readily available hydroelectric facility. Life cycle emission numbers (emission estimated through the life of car) for the BMW i3 or i8 could be at least 33% lower compared to even an efficient combustion-engine! BMW is putting in place an emission-free drive train and has designed a value added chain that is sustainable all through the line to achieve this goal. If you drive an i3-BMW with electricity generated from renewable sources, the emission number may come down to 50%!

All-electric BMW i3 will be the first car to have Carbon Fiber Passenger Cell, crux of the LifeDrive architecture from BMW. Passenger cells will be made from the high-strength, exceptionally light carbon fibers reinforced plastic (CFRP.) The new BMW-i3 (earlier known as Megacity vehicle) promises emission-free and sustainable individual mobility to densely populated urban areas. 

About 3,000 metric tons per annum will come out of the two production lines at the Moses Lake plant to start with. Apart from integrating social, economic and most importantly the ecological aspects of the entire supply chain, SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers took just 10 months; from groundbreaking in July 2010 to opening the plant in April 2011. Carbon fibers and downstream composite materials recycling processes are also in place. 

The BMW- SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers has a global saga. The Carbon Fibers made at Moses Lake will be converted into lightweight carbon fiber fabrics at Wackersdorf, Germany. BMW will manufacture CFRP components from these fabrics at Landshut, Germany and roll out i3 from Leipzig. 

High-octave euphoria has hit BMW (understandably so); but it is underlined by firm conviction. BMW AG’s CEO and Chairman Dr. Norbert Reithofer, sees Carbon fibers as a key construction material that will change the way 21st century’s cars are developed and built. To say it verbatim, ‘BMW i3 and the BMW i8 are cars like no other’ and their ‘purpose built design’ will set new standards for clean individual mobility of the future.’

SGL Group’s CEO, Robert Koehler is determined to ensure that the new Moses Lake Greenfield will be a milestone in large-scale adoption of carbon fibers in automotive industry. 

Washington’s Governor, Christine Gregoire was jubilant, having garnered the industry for the state. ‘We will be the premier location for this in-demand product.’ She feels.

Time to crunch some remarkable numbers: in 2010, BMW sold 1.46 million cars and 110,000 motorcycles worldwide, earned revenues of euro 60.5 billion and posted pretax profits of euro 4.8 billion. Combined diligence of 95,500 employees working in 25 production/assembly facilities in 14 countries, returned these awesome results. (Remember BMW is a luxury brand and it is not all that easy to churn out such sales-numbers) 

American affinity: BMW has an exclusive unit in South Carolina for BMWX5/X3 Sports Activity Vehicles and BMWX6 Sports Activity Coupes. The automaker carries out strategic design consultancy at DesignworksUSA (California) and technology office in Silicon Valley apart from distributing the famed Rolls-Royce throughout the States. 

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