Automotive Einstein

I know BMWs are expensive because they are premium cars with premium equipment and lots of technology inside. But this car is far too expensive. How can a roadster that’s no more fun than a Miata start at $49,525? That feels about $8,000 too expensive for a four-cylinder roadster in my book. Yes, the Z4 is far more refined than the Miata, but it doesn’t bring as big of a smile to my face as the little Mazda does.

Photo Gallery: 2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i – Editors’ Notebook – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i – Editors’ Notebook – Automobile Magazine

At BMW, hybrid powertrains have gotten off to a slow start, but they’re about to pick up steam. The company rolled out a mild hybrid version of the 7-series and a full-hybrid X6 in 2009. The X6, however, was quietly dropped at the end of last year, and the ActiveHybrid 7 hasn’t exactly been a big seller. This year, however, sees the debut of the hybrid 5-series, out this spring, followed this fall by a hybrid version of the new 3-series sedan.

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 – Automobile Magazine

The sixth generation of the BMW 3-series arrives this February in the United States — in sedan form, at least — and it’s safe to say that the biggest question on the mind of most enthusiasts is: did BMW screw it up?

Photo Gallery: German Icons: 2012 BMW 328i – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: German Icons: 2012 BMW 328i – Automobile Magazine

For nearly four decades, the BMW 5-series has walked the tightrope between luxury and sport, satisfying the demands of both buttoned-up executives and driving purists. It has been the benchmark — often an unmatched one — for just about every automaker looking to build a mid-size sport sedan. Even the last-generation 5-series, distracted by flawed iDrive technology and controversial “flame surfacing,” possessed the magical ability to indulge and engage.

Photo Gallery: 2011 BMW 535i – Four Seasons Wrap-Up – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2011 BMW 535i – Four Seasons Wrap-Up – Automobile Magazine

Fun fact: if you try to spec and price out a 2012 135i on BMW’s site, the configurator tacks on the dual-clutch gearbox — a $450 option — without your input. Talk about a sign of the automatic-obsessed times. Still, it isn’t exactly a curse — the seven-speed transmission, which is a new option for 2012, behaves fairly respectably. When cold, it occasionally is reticent to engage off the line, but otherwise proves smooth and lightning quick.

Photo Gallery: 2012 BMW 135i Coupe – Editors’ Notebook – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 BMW 135i Coupe – Editors’ Notebook – Automobile Magazine

My colleague Kelly Murphy and I both live out in the country and frequently make use of the high beams on test cars. Like him, I was very impressed by the candlepower that the 7-series headlights throw out onto the road. BMW has done brilliant headlights for years, but, wow, these are really amazing. The German car companies REALLY know how to make good headlights; the ones in a Porsche Panamera that I drove recently were also superb.

Photo Gallery: 2012 BMW 740i Sedan – Editors’ Notebook – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 BMW 740i Sedan – Editors’ Notebook – Automobile Magazine

BMW’s 6 Series has traditionally consisted only of two-door offerings, the new 2013 6 Series Gran Coupe may throw that convention to the wind.

Photo Gallery: First Look: 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Look: 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe – Automobile Magazine