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. 

Visit Elmhurst BMW for all your BMW car needs in and around Elmhurst. Elmhurst BMW is the most trusted BMW dealership in Elmhurst. Select your BMW car from our vast inventory of new and pre-owned cars. Drive home today your dream BMW car with a special offer!

BMW Invests in New Workforce Programs, Adds Jobs

Elmhurst BMW, your friendly Chicago BMW car dealer in Elmhurst, Illinois, is pleased to let you know that BMW is investing in two new workforce programs and additional jobs. Supporting the BMW’s commitment through sustainable growth in its South Carolina plant, the BMW will hire one hundred employees shortly. A new manufacturing recruitment program including BMW Scholars and a $5 million Associate Family Health Center have been included in the workforce program. BMW will employ engineers, IT professionals and Production Management associates. 

BMW has a tie up with three local technical colleges for launching the BMW Scholars program which will provide work experience to students interested in taking up a career in skilled manufacturing. The students can attend full-time classes, receive book assistance and work at the plant for at least 20 hours a week. They will get the benefits of a conventional apprentice program and also receive a college degree. Most importantly, the BMW Scholars can be considered for jobs in BMW itself. They can also pursue careers in affiliated areas like Robotics Technology, Machine Tool Technology and Automotive Technology. Elmhurst BMW, known for Chicago BMW cars and Illinois used cars, feels the BMW Scholars program will help sustain the future of BMW and skilled manufacturing in South Carolina. 

BMW cares for its employees and the Associate Family Health Center is just a small example of its commitment towards employees. The center offers a first-class facility to all BMW Associates, eligible retirees and their dependants. It will be new option in their overall healthcare management. The center aims at health care education, early detection and prevention of diseases.

 Visit Elmhurst BMW for all your BMW car needs in and around Elmhurst. Also take advantage of their great offers on Chicago new BMWs and Illinois used cars anytime.

All-New 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe: a preview from Chicagoland

Here is some good news from Elmhurst BMW, Chicagoland’s only BMW dealer that has earned the 2011 Center of Excellence award, for all those who are waiting for something new from BMW stable. For the first time, the popular M badge has been given to the coveted BMW 1 Series in the form of the all-new BMW 1 Series M Coupe.

The 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe delivers exceptional power and performance in line with BMW tradition. The result of a painstaking work of BMW M engineers carried out for two years, the 1 Series M Coupe blends the raw features of a race car with the nimbleness, flexibility and seating position of a compact BMW Coupe and comes across as an Ultimate Driving Machine. This ace coupe takes forward the eigenwillig (a German word for “self-willed,” “individual,” and “determined to go its own way”) tradition of BMW M in the most appealing manner ever. Its robust 3.0-liter, in-line 6 cylinder engine with TwinPower Turbo technology rated at 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque mated to a six-speed manual transmission satisfies your driving spirits. The 1 Series M Coupes complete the sprint from a standstill to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. With a powerful exterior and racing-inspired interior, the 1 Series M Coupe oozes dominance from every angle. It is one of those kinds of vehicles that should be seen to believe what it offers.

Contact Elmhurst BMW anytime to know about this brawny BMW coupe. Elmhurst BMW is the most trusted BMW dealership in Elmhurst. Select your BMW car from our vast inventory of new and pre-owned cars. Drive home today your dream BMW car with a special offer!

*Photos Courtesey BMWUSADotCom

BMW Stands for Innovation – A New Way of Communication

Elmhurst BMW, a leading BMW dealership in Elmhurst, IL, proudly announces that BMW Group and its brands BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce stand for innovation. BMW is one of the most innovative companies in the automotive industry and it has proved it on several occasions. Over the years, the company has come up with innovative ideas not only in the areas of design and technology but has also set new trends in the field of communications. And now the company has developed a new audiovisual film to introduce the new BMW 1 Series.

“Check My Machine” is a film project which has been created in collaboration between BMW Group’s Electronic Media Department and creative Munich artists Jonas Imbery and Mirko Borsche. Brainstorm Club and Eyetrip did the production for the project.

The soundtrack, composed by Jonas Imbery, is one of the most innovative compositions that makes use of only vehicle sounds, such as the blinkers, GPS voice, seat belts, doors, safety alarm, closing noises, etc.

Official from Eyetrip says that various visual design resources were used in this film project to transform technical environment to an emotional setting to connect with the world. The team worked closely on selective focus, targeted lighting and reflections incorporated through crystals to bring the desired effect.

Elmhurst BMW is the most trusted BMW dealership in Elmhurst. Select your BMW car model from our vast inventory of new and pre-owned cars. Drive home today your dream BMW car with a special offer!

Click here to view the latest videos from the BMW Group

BMW M3 Fitted With M Performance Exhaust

BMW recently announced a new M Performance Exhaust system specially designed for the BMW M3 Coupe, Sedan and Convertible. The new exhaust has been built from an extremely heat-resistant and lightweight chrome-nickel alloy called Inconel. This flow optimized exhaust system reduces exhaust backpressure and allows the M3’s 414 horsepower V8 engine to produce an even more powerful sound.

Inconel’s unique qualities allowed engineers to reduce the thickness of the tubing from 1.5mm to 0.8mm. This resulted in a weight reduction of approximately 40%, or about 20 lbs. when compared to the stock exhaust system. Inconel has also proven to be very corrosion resistant and has been used at the highest level of Motorsports.

The M Performance Exhaust includes perforated inner pipes and polished titanium tips, which are laser engraved with the M logo. It represents the ultimate in technology and sportiness, accentuating the individual character of the BMW M3. The exhaust was developed using state-of-the art CAD and FEM technology ensuring optimum fit and OEM quality.

The new exhaust may be installed at any Authorized BMW Center. M Performance parts carry the New Vehicle Limited Warranty if they were installed prior to delivery to the owner. If the installation is made after the retail sale of the vehicle, the accessory will be warranted for the balance of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period or two years from its date of installation, whichever is greater, all at a price of $4,374 plus installation.



Blog content courtesy BMWUSA.com

2011 BMW 3 Series in Car and Driver 2011’s 10 Best Cars List

Elmhurst BMW, the leading new and used BMW car dealer in Chicago, IL , is proud to bring some great updates on the popular BMW 3 Series. The BMW 3 Series has made it to the Car and Driver's acclaimed 10 Best List for a consecutive 20th year. The car has been on every 10Best List since 1992 and quite incredibly, it is a feat that remains unmatched by any other vehicle on the market.
The BMW 3 Series is known around the world for its unique qualities such as sporty looks, superior handling and powerful engines. The BMW 3 Series remains one of the most desirable cars because of its superb combination of athletic handling and premium ride comfort.
Engine choices in the new BMW 3 Series include a smooth inline-six cylinder; powerful, turbocharged inline-sixes; and the M3’s screaming, 8400-rpm V-8 engine. And isn’t it just great that the 2011 BMW 3 Series is available in sedan, wagon, coupe and hardtop-convertible body styles! Standard safety features on the 2011 BMW 3 Series include antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags.Please contact Elmhurst BMW, a leading BMW dealer near Chicago, Illinois, to learn more about this redesigned 3 series model and other BMW cars.