BMW Reports Unconcern for Rise in Euro

German company BMW has acknowledged that it can withstand the euro's gain on the dollar. Contributing to this position by BMW is the protection against currency swings, which BMW says will allow them to benefit from another year of export growth.

BMW also expects the euro to be close to its current value of $1.36 against the dollar at the end of 2005. This is in line with several other large European Operations' forecasts for 2005.

"Exchange-rate risks can be minimized with hedging contracts as well as producing and purchasing abroad,'' said BMW spokesman, the world's second-largest maker of luxury cars, which manufactures the BMW Z-4 Roadster and BMW X-5 luxury SUV in Spartanburg, South Carolina. BMW also said it currently "doesn't engage in additional hedging because we consider the dollar to be undervalued.''

Falling oil prices have also contributed to BMW's unconcern about the effect of the euro's current rise.

BMW Recalls 75,000 5 & 7 Series Cars Worldwide

Officials from BMW announced a recall of 75,000 of its BMW 5 Series and 7 Series model cars worldwide due to potential problems with their seat heating systems.

A BMW spokesperson stated more specifically that the heating mats in the seats could damage driver and passenger clothing and theoretically even lead to burns. The models affected were built between February 2003 and June 2004. BMW said it was writing to the cars' owners and asking them to take the cars into BMW garages to remedy the problem with the 5 and 7 Series seat heating systems.

The recall is estimated to cost BMW around $22million, the German maker of luxury cars said.

BMW to Possibly Supply Engines to Second Formula One Team in 2006

BMW is rumoured to be considering supplying BMW engines to a second team when the 2.4 litre V8 Formula One rule is enforced in 2006. BMW said such a decision would in no way impact its currently stong relationship with the Williams racing team.

"From the capacity point of view it would be possible to give engines to another team beyond 2005, but there is no decision about that yet," BMW Motorsport head Mario Theissen said. "If such a decision has been taken, we would announce it."

Through supplying BMW engines to a second team, it is thought that BMW could benefit from the additional data they could collect as restrictions on testing become more prevalent. BMW currently produces one of the most powerful engines in Formula One.

New Internal BMW Bike Rack to be Promoted Jointly by Pro Cyclist Chris Hoy & BMW-Williams Driver Mark Webber

Scottish gold medal cyclist in Athens, Chris Hoy, and BMW powered Williams Team driver, Mark Webber, are reported to be negotiating with BMW to work together in promoting a new internal BMW bike rack on a 2005 model BMW yet to be officially launched by the company.

BMW Unveils New BMW M6; Their Fastest Accellerating Model Ever

BMW has recently announced the new BMW M6. BMW sources state that the M6 will be the quickest-accelerating road car it has ever manufactured. The BMW M6 uses the two-door bodyshell of the latest 6-series and the aggressive 500bhp 5 litre V10 engine of the new BMW M5. BMW has not offered a high-performance coupé in this class since the M635 CSi of the 1980s.

The new M6 is lighter and faster than the BMW M5. This new coupé accomplishes 0-62mph in 4.6sec, outclassing the latest, similarly-priced, Porsche 911 Carrera S. In will be delivered with a top-speed limiter set at 155mph, but is reported to achieve 200 mph.

BMW also noted that a seven-speed sequential manual gearbox (SMG) has the option of steering-column paddles the driver can use to change gear. A power button by the gearlever also allows the driver to choose maximum engine output of 400 or 507bhp.

In an effort to minimize weight the BMW M6 uses techniques used in the BMW M3 CSL — lightweight body panels in aluminium and plastics and a carbon fiber roof. And the M6 weighs in at 3,770lb — 100lb less than the M5.

Apart from Porsche, the BMW M6 coupé is also able to compete with the AMG version of the Mercedes CLS, which outputs 476bhp.

BMW & Honda to Drop Opposition to New 2006 F1 Engine Rules

BMW and Honda are reported to have dropped their challenge to the Formula One governing body's new engine rules for 2006. BMW & Honda decided that legal action would be poor publicity for motor racing.

"The BMW Williams F1 team has decided, in accord with BAR Honda, not to appeal against the engine regulations ... scheduled for 2006," BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen said. "A legal challenge to the content and form of the modified regulations would take up too much time - time in which all manufacturers would be forced to undertake costly parallel developments. "That would not be in the interests of the sport, whose future we aim to strengthen. With this decision we want to contribute to a united position of the engine manufacturers in Formula One."

A spokesman for the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) confirmed it was indeed aware of the BMW Honda mutual decision.

BMW, Honda and Mercedes originally opposed the reduction of engine capacity from the current 3.0 litre V10s to 2.4 litre V8s in 2006 as part of a group of measures pushed through by the FIA. BMW's Theissen had declared over the summer that any introduction of a V8 engine "would be seen as a serious issue by the board (of BMW) and I cannot really say what the outcome would be".

All three carmakers had talked about possibly taking FIA to arbitration, arguing that the governing body had gone beyond its remit. FIA president Max Mosley pushed the rule changes through on safety grounds, arguing that more engine power equals more speed and more speed means more danger for both drivers and spectators.

Under the sport's 'Concorde Agreement' any technical changes have to be agreed unanimously by the teams unless there are safety issues involved. "All of us agree on engine life extension ... but the main issue for us is the three litre V10," BMW's Theissen stated when the engine rules were first confirmed in October.

BMW, Honda and Mercedez argued that, at a time when Formula One was trying to cut costs, it could be more expensive to switch from V10 units to V8. Other Formula One rule changes for 2005 include the requirement that engines have to last for two race weekends rather than one.