BMW has jumped into the Super Bowl Commercial Game to score big with about 6 spots advertising the new 3 Series. Many of them are focused on new features offered on the new BMW 3 Series and the idea of BMW building only one thing, The Ultimate Driving Machine. These commercials are pretty clever and are sure to give other automotive ads a run for the money during Super Bowl XLVI. Enjoy!

BMW's M550d xDrive sedan. Image: BMW Group

After months of rumor and speculation, BMW has finally confirmed what most of us already knew. The Munich-based automaker is building not one, but a full range of M-badged diesel vehicles, including a sedan, a wagon, an SUV and a crossover. The models will make their debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, and will go on sale in Germany shortly thereafter.

BMW's M550d xDrive Touring. Image: BMW Group

It’s likely that they’ll be sold throughout the E.U., but Motor Authority is reporting that U.S. customers are out of luck. Perhaps it’s a question of price and volume, based on the myth that Americans don’t buy diesels. More likely, however, is the issue of emissions compliance, since (until 2014) the EU has less stringent standards for passenger car diesel emissions than we do.

BMW's X5 M50d. Image: BMW Group

Whatever the reason, we’re missing out on some choice rides. The M550d xDrive sedan will usher you from 0 – 62 mph in just 4.7 seconds, while delivering an average fuel economy of 37 miles per gallon (in European cycle testing, anyway). If wagons are your thing, the M550 xDrive Touring will run from 0 – 62 mph in 4.9 seconds, returning an average of 36.7 mpg. If you want an SUV with a dash of schnell, the X5 M50d will take 5.4 seconds to get you to 62 mph, yet still return 31.4 mpg. Finally, the X6 M50d crossover will go from 0 -62 mph in 5.3 seconds, but sucks down the most fuel, delivering a still-impressive 30.5 mpg average.

BMW's X6 M50d. Image: BMW Group

All four get a new inline-six engine with BMW’s TwinPower Turbo technology (which actually uses three turbos), producing 381 horsepower and 546 pound-feet of torque. Ensuring that the power goes to the ground (instead of up in tire smoke), all four utilize all-wheel-drive and all get an eight-speed automatic transmission. A manual gearbox, as far as we can tell, isn’t an available option.

Don’t expect these to make it stateside in 2012 or 2013, but we’ve got our fingers crossed that we’ll see one or two models in 2014, after the U.S. and E.U. emission standards reach parity.

MINI's Rocketman Concept. Image: BMW Group

MINI’s Rocketman city car took last year’s Geneva Motor Show by storm. The small (even by MINI’s standards) urban commuter seemed destined for production, giving MINI another weapon to counter attacks from Toyota (the iQ and Scion iQ), Audi (the A1) and even Mercedes-Benz (the A-Class).

MINI's Rocketman Concept. Image: BMW Group

As Left Lane News, via Car Magazine, reports, the Rocketman’s size (just under 135 inches in length) may have been its undoing. After researching the project, parent BMW realized that the car couldn’t be built to meet E.U. standards for crashworthiness, stability and handling, at least not economically. Building the Rocketman would have required the design of an all-new platform, and BMW couldn’t justify the expense for a single vehicle.

MINI's Rocketman Concept. Image: BMW Group

While the Rocketman may be resigned to the hangar, it’s funky-fresh designs may live on. We liked the idea of articulating doors for easier entry into the rear seats, and really liked the concept of a slide-out rear cargo tray. We wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see these features re-appear on future MINI concepts, and maybe even on future MINI production vehicles.

The 2011 MINI Cooper John Cooper Works

BMW has announced the recall of some 89,000 Cooper S and John Cooper Works models built for the 2007 – 2011 model year. The recall includes the turbocharged Clubman, Convertible and Countryman models as well, specifically:

- MINI Cooper S, model years 2007-11
- MINI Cooper S Clubman, model years 2008-11
- MINI Cooper S Convertible, model years 2009-11
- MINI Cooper S Countryman, model year 2011
- MINI Cooper John Cooper Works, model years 2009-11
- MINI Cooper John Cooper Works Clubman, model year 2009
- MINI Cooper John Cooper Works Convertible, model years 2010-11

At issue is a circuit board that runs an auxiliary water pump to cool the turbocharger. Under certain conditions, the circuit board can malfunction, leading to failure of the auxiliary water pump and potential overheating of the board and pump assembly. In a limited number of cases, this overheating resulted in an engine compartment fire. To date, BMW in unaware of any accidents or injuries relating to this condition.

MINI dealers will replace the auxiliary water pump assembly (which contains the potentially defective circuit board) when the recall begins next month. Owners of affected MINI vehicles with questions or concerns can reach BMW’s customer service at (866) 275-6464; alternatively, updates are also available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, reached at (888) 327-4236.

BMW's latest M5, soon available in diesel. Image: BMW AG

Stories of a diesel-powered BMW M-Series vehicle are nothing new. Like Bigfoot, an occasional sighting of a mysterious BMW diesel test mule reignites interest, and websites light up reporting that an M-Series diesel is just around the corner. BMW itself has added to the intrigue, releasing video of a fuzzed-out X6 M allegedly powered by an oil-burner engine.

If Germany’s Auto Zeitung (“The Auto Newspaper”) is correct, we’ll soon see a 5-Series sedan with both an M badge and diesel power. It will reportedly make 376 horsepower, but a serious 546 lb.-ft. of torque, thanks to a unique tri-turbo forced induction system fitted to its 3.0-liter engine. Despite this amount of grunt, the diesel-powered 5-Series M will get nearly 57 percent higher fuel economy than a gasoline-powered M5 sedan.

The 5-Series M will also have BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, ensuring that all that torque makes it to the pavement regardless of weather or road surface. Confirmation of the sedan comes from Dr. Friedrich Nitschke, the head of BMW’s M Division, and production is said to begin in March. Confirmation of the diesel M sedan doesn’t mean that diesel M crossovers are off the table, either: in fact production of both the diesel M X5 and X6 is set to begin later this spring.

All this is good news for those living in Europe, but the question remains: will we ever see an M diesel, in any version, on this side of the pond?

Probably one of the most recognized slogans for a luxury car brand is BMW’s “Ultimate Driving Machine”. BMW wants to be sure that you know the motto by heart, which is why they have released a new commercial titled “We Only Make One Thing”.

Reportedly, BMW will take its reemphasized slogan to new heights as they become crowned the best-selling luxury brand in the U.S. That in itself says a lot about a single car company. I know at least one of us here at AutomotiveAddicts.com choose to drive a BMW vehicle and have been doing so for over 10 years now.

Check out BMW’s Ultimate Car Commercial for the brand that makes “The Ultimate Driving Machine” below.

[source: BMW YouTube]

The all-new BMW 3 Series continues to offer an exceptional level of driving dynamics and will once again prove to be a benchmark setter for new 6 generation models. At this year’s North American International Auto Show, BMW’s Group Chief Designer Adrian van Hooydonk showcases their new line of 3 Series vehicles in the exclusive video presentation below.

While on the floor at this year’s North American International Auto Show, our friends at BMWBlog were able to listen in on BMW officials confirming that the 2013 BMW M5 will be available from the start of production with a 6-speed manual transmission.

For some time we were swayed in a certain direction with reports that BMW’s M5 would only get the 7-speed M-DCT (M-Double Clutch Transmission). It is good news to hear that BMW will keep enthusiasts and purists alike in the market for a 4-door rocket ship satisfied with a real clutch pedal and 6 manually-shifted forward gears.

Reportedly, the 6-speed manual gearbox will be a no-cost option and have ratios optimized for acceleration, flexibility and fuel economy while maintaining the initial final drive ratio and special M differential.

The new 2013 BMW M5 will be hitting showroom floors late summer 2012.