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Exclusive: Latest news on the 2009 BMW 7 Series and 3 series facelift

BMWBlog submitted on 04/15/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 10:13 AM
from: www.bmwblog.com

[29] user comments | category: Spy News

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Tags: bmw, bmw 7 series, bmw 3 series, facelift

Tag Links: bmw, bmw 7 series, bmw 3 series, facelift

Exclusive: Latest news on the 2009 BMW 7 Series and 3 series facelift

Yesterday, I was reading an article on the upcoming 2009 BMW 7 Series, which apparently will be featuring an 8 Speed transmission. Even though it's not really latest news, many car blogs have reported that last year, it was still a nice reminder for all the bimmer fans out there.

Today, I have something even better for you. The same 2009 BMW 7 Series will have four wheel steering as optional extra. Now that's something to be excited about that.

Next, let's focus a bit on the 3 Series facelift that will probably be released by the end of this year. Here are some of the things we have learned about the facelifted 3er's.

inside got a bit more "chromy"
larger mirrors like the c-class
the air scoop at the front is a bit like the five series.. turned up instead of down
Let's move next to the BMW X5 M, which we have already announced a while back that it won't be named M. The X5 will be a 4.8L with a twin-turbo engine and it will include an upgraded suspension.

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Vendetta - 4/15/2008 10:43:48 AM

-12 Boost

EL34's mom will be buying these facelifted cars in the toy department at Wal-Mart as soon as they come out.

Then he will have 10 BMW's in his Matchbox garage playset.

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Dr550 - 4/15/2008 1:17:29 PM

+2 Boost

You can add them to your Hot Wheels Infiniti Classic Car collection series. The G20, I30, QX4, and J30 included. You remember the J30 in silver or gold? Beautiful

Kraut_god - 4/15/2008 1:20:02 PM

-2 Boost

This face lift is like putting make up on a horses bum.

Vendetta - 4/15/2008 4:10:29 PM

-2 Boost

I didn't know you owned a J30. It was not beautiful in any way. It was actually a sales failure. Don't be so sore, that the 5-Series lost yet another comparison test.

MadibaP - 4/15/2008 11:32:39 AM

-6 Boost

Rednecks rejoice! Glance away from the Springer show here are your cars...

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w209w114 - 4/15/2008 11:42:36 AMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

4 wheel steering was first tried out by GM dubbed "quadrasteer" 5 years ago and it was phased out due to cost and lackluster improvement over the regular system.

I'll opt out of that option.

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Lavic - 4/15/2008 11:54:33 AM

+2 Boost

Honda at it on the 1988 Honda Prelude 2.0Si 4WS. There was a great wave of interest for 4 wheels steers among asian manufacturers in the 90's.

M35MT - 4/15/2008 12:08:39 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

The 1990 Q45 had 4wheel steering...dubbed the "Q45a" for active steering.

It's nothing 'new' w209w114.

w209w114 - 4/15/2008 12:59:41 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Right guys, The point i was trying to make is its nothing new. And it has been phased out before.

w209w114 - 4/15/2008 1:03:03 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Previously, Honda had four-wheel steering as an option in their 1987-2000 Prelude, and Mazda also offered four-wheel steering on the 626 and MX6 in 1988. Neither system was very popular, in that whatever improvement they brought to these already excellent-handling vehicles was offset by an unavoidable decrease in sensitivity caused by the increased weight and complexity.

Vendetta - 4/15/2008 4:14:41 PM

+4 Boost

M35MT,

Q45a didn't mean have 'Active-Steering', it had "Full-Active Suspension".

The Q45t had 4-wheel steering.

M35MT - 4/16/2008 11:59:01 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

^ You're right, my bad.

Rupert - 4/15/2008 11:54:37 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

4 wheel steer - they have copied that directly from Renault

Basically, Renault just launched the Laguna GT, which has a new 4 wheel steer system. Guess who the first buyer was? None other than our friends at the Bavarian Motor Works.

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M35MT - 4/15/2008 12:13:21 PMView My AgentSpace

+7 Boost

Another one that had it in the early 90's, the Mitsubishi Galant VR-4.

07G35J - 4/15/2008 4:44:55 PM

+4 Boost

XeroKOOL: "Nissan has had 4WS long before Renault"

That's right. Didn't they introduce it in the US during the early 90's with the 300ZX? I think they called it Super HICAS, right?

MadibaP - 4/15/2008 5:01:50 PM

-1 Boost

Nissan and Renault are the same company fellas.

kablaam - 4/15/2008 9:00:33 PM

+2 Boost

Renault has a majority stake in Nissan shares(voting). They call it an alliance, but it was Renault acquiring a stake in Nissan.

07G35J - 4/15/2008 11:02:50 PM

+1 Boost

MadibaP: "Nissan and Renault are the same company fellas"

I beg to differ on your statement, MadibaP. As Kablaam said, Nissan and Renault formed an ALLIANCE. No one owns the other. What's more, one of the conditions of the alliance is that each company would keep its own identity. I should know because I had to write a term paper on the Renault Nissan alliance for my Marketing course.
BTW, Nissan introduced the Super HICAS system back in the early 90's. The Renault Nissan Alliance was formed in 1999. Renault had nothing to do with Nissan back then.

M35MT - 4/15/2008 12:16:33 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Some info on it:

In most active four-wheel steering systems, the rear wheels are steered by a computer and actuators. The rear wheels generally cannot turn as far as the front wheels. Some systems, including Delphi's Quadrasteer and the system in Honda's Prelude line, allow for the rear wheels to be steered in the opposite direction as the front wheels during low speeds. This allows the vehicle to turn in a significantly smaller radius — sometimes critical for large trucks or vehicles with trailers.

General Motors offers Delphi's Quadrasteer in their consumer Silverado/Sierra and Suburban/Yukon. However, only 16,500 vehicles have been sold with this system since its introduction in 2002 through 2004. Due to this low demand, GM will not offer the technology on the 2007 update to these vehicles.

Previously, Honda had four-wheel steering as an option in their 1987-2000 Prelude, and Mazda also offered four-wheel steering on the 626 and MX6 in 1988. Neither system was very popular, in that whatever improvement they brought to these already excellent-handling vehicles was offset by an unavoidable decrease in sensitivity caused by the increased weight and complexity.

Here's your's Rupert:

A new "Active Drive" system is introduced on the 2008 version of the Renault Laguna line. It was designed as one of several measures to increase security and stability. The Active Drive should lower the effects of under steer and decrease the chances of spinning by diverting part of the G-forces generated in a turn from the front to the rear tires. At low speeds the turning circle can be tightened so parking and maneuvering is easier.

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M35MT - 4/15/2008 12:19:49 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Production Cars with Active 4 Wheel Steering:

Efini MS-9 (high and low speed)
GMC Sierra (2002) (high and low speed)
Honda Prelude (high and low speed, fully mechanical from 1987 to 1991)
Honda Accord (1991) (high and low speed, mechanical)
Infiniti G35 Sedan (option on Sport models) (2007-Present) (high speed only?)
Infiniti G35 Coupe (option on Sport models) (2006-Present) (high speed only) [3]
Infiniti M35 (option on Sport models) (2006-Present) (high speed only?)
Infiniti M45 (option on Sport models) (2006-Present) (high speed only?)
Infiniti Q45t (1989-1994) (high speed only?)
Mazda 626 (1988) (high and low speed)
Mazda MX-6 (1989-1997) (high and low speed)
Mazda RX-7 (optional, computerized, high and low speed)

Mitsubishi Galant/Sigma (high speed only)
Mitsubishi GTO (also sold as the Mitsubishi 3000GT and the Dodge Stealth) (high speed only)
Nissan Cefiro (A31) (high speed only)
Nissan 240SX/Silvia (option on SE models) (high speed only)
Nissan 300ZX (all Twin-Turbo Z32 models) (high speed only)
Nissan Laurel (later versions) (high speed only)
Nissan Fuga/Infiniti M (high speed only)
Nissan Silvia (option on all S13 models) (high speed only)
Nissan Skyline GTS, GTS-R, GTS-X (1986) (high speed only)
Nissan Skyline GT-R (high speed only)
Renault Laguna (option on 3rd generation which was launched october 2007, standard on sport version)
Toyota Aristo (1997) (high and low speed?)
Toyota Celica (option on 5th and 6th generation, 1990-1993 ST183 and 1994-1997 ST203) (Dual-mode, high and low speed)
Toyota Soarer (UZZ32)

reply to this comment

1995e34 - 4/15/2008 1:35:11 PM

+3 Boost

4 wheel steering always seemed like a heavy gimmick to me.

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M35MT - 4/15/2008 2:39:16 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Agree, we dont need it in real world driving.

hybridfarce - 4/15/2008 9:34:35 PM

+1 Boost

+1. I can't think of any racecar series that uses 4WS.

ghosthunter - 4/15/2008 3:54:49 PM

+1 Boost

8 sp trans, in car internet, 4w steering, and before you know it, bmw gonna get auto park and surronding camera view and hybird technology.

only then, can everyone start agreeing to those technology because german start using it ( at least here at autospies)

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bmwfan1513 - 4/15/2008 4:08:43 PM

+2 Boost

I like the 3 Series the way it is. It just needs the new transmissions from the 5 Series, X5, and X6.

reply to this comment

TopGear - 4/15/2008 5:22:05 PM

-1 Boost

I guess 3-series won't get any benefit from the increased size of M3 sedan. If they still have run flat tire, I don't see any improvement on this car.

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