2009 BMW 3 Series Facelift by AC Schnitzer

AC Schnitzer 2009 BMW 3 Series Facelift has been premiered as the latest upgrade package by AC Schnitzer at the Essen Motor Show.

The new body kit of AC Schnitzer 2009 BMW 3 Series Facelift is included with a new front spoiler, a rear spoiler insert with a diffuser look, a rear roof spoiler, new sports mirrors, and also side skirts.

AC Schnitzer 2009 BMW 3 Series Facelift sits on 18″ or 19″ Type IV BiColor wheels and get some performance upgrades package includes new springs, a strut brace kit front and rear, and a sports antiroll bar.

AC Schnitzer 2009 BMW 3 Series Facelift also comes with power upgrades on the 3.0d engine, that delivers 209 kW / 284 HP and 570 Nm of torque.

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BMW 1, 3, 5 Series and Z4 Edition Models Upgrades

BMW announced that the models listed below will get upgrades of up to 3,000 pounds:
The BMW 1 Series Edition ES models, BMW 3 Series Edition SE, Edition ES, and Edition M Sport models, BMW Z4 Roadster 2.0i Edition Exclusive and Edition Sport, and BMW 520d.

Press Release
Edition models and specification enhancements strengthen BMW 1, 3 and 5 Series and Z4 line up

Up to £3,000 of added value on four-cylinder cars
Hot on the heels of a record sales year in the UK, BMW has launched a new specification tier on BMW 1, 3, 5 Series and Z4 models, offering even greater value for money and personalisation. Edition models feature a range of specific colour choices and interior options as well as specification enhancements on four-cylinder cars.

BMW 1 Series Edition ES models
The line up of BMW 1 Series 3- and 5-door Sports Hatch derivatives has been extended to offer even more customer choice. BMW 1 Series Edition ES models are available in 116i and 118d guises and, for a nominal price increase of £250 over the current ES model, offer substantial added value.

All 1 Series Edition ES models feature a 17-inch star-spoke alloy wheel, sport seats covered in upgraded cloth upholstery, three-spoke multi-function leather steering wheel and front fog lights. This package of additional equipment would normally add up to £1,340 to the cost of a standard ES model. The £250 upgrade benefits residual values too. CAP and Glass’s have indicated that Edition ES models are set to boost the BMW 1 Series’ already strong residual values.

BMW 3 Series Edition ES, Edition SE and Edition M Sport models

BMW 3 Series Edition models offer an even broader range of models and customer choice, with 24 new models available. All four-cylinder petrol- and diesel-powered 3 Series Saloon and Touring models are available in Edition ES, Edition SE or Edition M Sport models. These models will add further driver appeal and offer even higher levels of standard equipment to the compact executive car of choice for retail and corporate buyers alike.

Edition ES and SE models come as standard in a choice of Carbon Black, Titanium Silver or Sparkling Graphite colours. To complement the exterior colour, these models also feature Dakota leather upholstery and Brushed Aluminium interior trims. In addition, they are all equipped with a 17-inch V-spoke alloy wheel (currently standard on 335i/d Coupé and Convertible models) and a three-spoke M multi-function leather steering wheel.

Both the Edition ES and Edition SE models add £750 to the price of the existing car but, at retail prices, add around £3,000 of equipment value to the car.

For those drivers who appreciate the sporting credentials of the 3 Series, Edition M Sport Saloon and Touring models are available. Building on the sporting pedigree of the 3 Series, the Edition M Sport models come as standard in Carbon Black, Titanium Silver or Sparkling Graphite. Like the Edition ES and SE models, Dakota leather seat coverings are standard.

The Edition M Sport also recognises BMW’s continued success in the World Touring Car Championship. It features the same 18-inch WTCC-style alloy wheel as is fitted to the triple championship-winning BMW 320si.

In addition, the Edition M Sport models feature Business Navigation system, complete with map guidance, Bluetooth mobile telephone connectivity and BMW’s new ConnectedDrive Online and Assist telematics package as standard.

With a nominal cost of £1,000 on top of the cost of the ‘standard’ M Sport models, the Edition M Sport derivatives add up to £3,100 of additional customer value to the car.

BMW 520d Business Navigation offer

2007 was a record sales year for 5 Series Saloon and Touring models in the UK with nearly 20,000 cars sold and 520d models being the most popular derivative. BMW is now adding even more value to the class-leading executive car. For a nominal £350 contribution, buyers of 520d Saloon and Touring models will receive BMW’s Business navigation system, complete with map and arrow view, normally valued at £1,365. In addition, a six-CD changer, usually costing £295, is added to the package, representing a total customer saving of £1,310.

BMW Z4 Roadster 2.0i Edition Exclusive and Edition Sport models

Four-cylinder open-topped Z4 customers also benefit from the same added value and financial benefits of an Edition model. Buyers are able to choose between the Z4 2.0i Edition Exclusive and Edition Sport models. Uniquely, Z4 Edition models will be produced in limited numbers, with less than 300 planned in 2008.

Z4 Edition Exclusive models are offered in a range of metallic colour choices; Sapphire Black, Stratus Grey, Space Grey, Titan Silver or Montego Blue. This is complemented by BMW’s Individual upholstery in full Soft Nappa leather. BMW Individual interior trim in high-gloss Piano Black and an upgraded 17-inch Star-spoke alloy wheel round off the offering. The Z4 Edition Exclusive model costs an additional £1,045 representing a customer saving of £1,835.

Customers who enjoy more sports-oriented roof-down driving will select the Z4 2.0i Edition Sport. The Edition Sport is available in a choice of metallic colours; Carbon Black, Black Sapphire, Space Grey, Titanium Silver and Montego Blue. And the sporting exterior design of the Z4 matches the interior with the Edition Sport models featuring BMW Individual Bi-colour New England leather covering the sports seats as well as Individual Bi-colour interior trim. The model is rounded off by visually-dynamic 18-inch Composite Star-spoke light-alloy wheels. The Z4 2.0i Edition Sport model costs just £775 more than the ‘standard’ Sport model but adds nearly £2,500 of options to the car.

All Edition models will start production in March 2008.

2008 PLAYBOY Hottest Cars

Playboy magazine has chosen its best cars for the next year and the Audi R8 won the spot of the hottest car for 2008. If Mr. Hefner says the Audi R8 is hot, it has to be.

Playboy hottest car for 2008 winners are:

PLAYBOY’S 2008 CAR OF THE YEAR: Audi R8
This mid engine sexpot boasts a 420 bhp, 4.2-liter V8, and hits zero to 60 in a sexy 4.4 seconds

BEST LUXURY SPORTS COUPE: Maserati GranTurismo
Features a 405 bhp, 4.2-liter double overhead cam V8 packs 339 foot-pounds of torque

SMARTEST PURCHASE: Smart Fortwo
Sits eight feet by eight inches long and weighs a whopping 1,807 pounds

BEST SPORTS SEDAN: Cadillac CTS
With a base engine of a 3.6-liter V6 that develops 263bhp, it is just as quick as the CTS-V

BEST SUV: Land Rover LR2
Equipped with a Terrain Response feature that adjusts the AWD and suspension for driving conditions

BEST CROSSOVER: Buick Enclave CXL
Proudly sits on 19-inch wheels and is available with a luxury package including articulated headlights

BEST CONVERTIBLE: BMW 335i
Not only does it whip from zero to 60 in 5.5 seconds, its light-weight steel top retracts in 22 seconds.

BEST EARTH-DAY CAR: Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec
Outfitted with three catalysts and a filter in the exhaust that erases every trace of smoke and N2O

BEST PINT-SIZE PERFORMANCE: Volvo C30
Dances on the sporty side with its full-width glass hatch and clipped Manx bobtail

For criteria used to select these cars, an extended photo gallery, and a chance to vote for your favorite machine of 2008, you may go to www.playboy.com/caroftheyear.