BMW introduces a wide range of vehicle concepts each year. Ever wonder what they do with these cars? At the company HQ in Germany, BMW erected a monstrous warehouse, with stacks of moveable shelves hefty enough to lift their concepts.

This compound is a car thief’s dream. Pictured is a 2007 BMW CS concept, being lifted to its final destination – several stories above ground. A tour of the facility would most definitely be more exciting than seeing the few cars spread over BMW’s headquarters.

This 1:18 scale model, which will be limited to 5000 units, is of a 2010 BMW M3 GT2 Art Car designed by American artist Jeff Koons.

“Bearing his unmistakable style, the entire body of the artwork is adorned with vivid, streamlined colors against a black background, giving the viewer an impression of motion and speed from every angle,” according to The Motor Authority.

The model is a fully detailed representation of BMW’s original car. Its removable hood lets you see the engine underneath, and vents over the trunk allows you a peek inside. The model’s axle is completely steerable, and the smallest details, such as cockpit and lettering, are shockingly similar to those on the full sized vehicle.

Source: Motor Authority

The upcoming 4-seat SUV, and larger sibling to X5, BMW’s X6 has been spied smack dab in the middle of their latest ad campaign.

Seen above in a snagged YouTube clip, it appears this future X6 will include a redesign to the lights and bumpers. The shading and focus are not because the car was in motion, either. This blurring effect appears to be added into the commercial during post production.

According to Automobile Mag, BMW has been testing a disguised model (about the size of an X6) at their Nürburgring site in Germany.

A tri-turbo, 3.0-liter diesel V6 twin-turbo diesel powerplant is rumored to be hiding under X6 M’s hood, offering 555 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. Regular X6 models can hit 300-hp, thanks to a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. A optional twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 is also available, making 400-hp.

There are rumors that BMW has a diesel 5 Series (named M550dX) in the works, which can offer up 381 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.

Source: Automobile Mag

BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer confirmed the company will build the X4 crossover in an interview with Auto Motor und Sport.

“The executive declined to give additional information, but the magazine says the model will measure approximately 4.65 meters (15.25 feet) long and share engines with the X3.”

Reports indicate the X4 should hit foreign and domestic markets by 2014. We’ll have more details as they emerge.

Source: WCF

Out in Oakville, Ontario sits an abandoned BMW dealership. It has sat in this spot, untouched, for almost a decade. Frozen in time behind the dealership front doors sits two 20-year-old BMWs. And we wonder, how have they not been stolen yet?!

The shop is Endras BMW, and what happened to it has been a fun mystery that car nuts online have been investigating for years.

According to the sources: In 1988 the dealer, using the name Citation Motors, “had its license revoked for unknown reasons.” Owners moved their operations to Toronto under a new name, Downtown BMW. That dealer finally closed in 2002.

As Jalopnik adds: “The owner, apparently a well-off business man, seemed to have no interest in selling the place, or even the inventory, as everything seems to have been left behind intact. One hundred percent frozen in time is the only description that seems fitting when describing this ultimately interesting place.”

In the showroom, you’ll find two 23 year old cars left behind, an E24 and 635csi BMW in mint condition. The 635csi apparently has less than 100 kilometers on the odometer. It’s also a classic 1980′s showroom interior, featuring furnishings, architecture, and design of that era.

Source: Jalopnik

BMW is going to bring their Performance Edition package to the United States. This enhancement option, available currently for 1-Series and 3-Series models overseas (also known as the 135i and 335i) will add horsepower to an already powerful vehicle.

The package includes a kit providing an increase to the 3-Series of 20 bhp and 32 lb-ft of torque to the 3.0 liter inline-six. The boost will pump up the car’s output to 322 bhp. 3-Series Performance Edition also comes with black kidney grilles and Performance Edition badges.

Pricing for the BMW Performance Edition comes to $550, all you have to do is provide a BMW vehicle.

Source: WCF

It’s funny to think about SUV’s being safe, as they were once known to be the most dangerous vehicles on the road. But with roll-over air bags, early detection systems and better construction, these vehicles, specifically luxury models with more options, have become the best rides to own.

Findings based on research by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety compared statistics of driver death rates over the years.

Between 2006 and 2009, the number of driver deaths per million registered vehicles was 48. “This represents a decline of 39 percent from the 79 per million vehicles identified in a similar study conducted back in 2007, showing a marked improvement in safety for the auto industry,” according to Motor Authority.

Researchers also discovered in the SUV segment, “the number of driver deaths per million registered vehicles fell from 65 in the 2007 study to just 28 in the most recent one–easily the most dramatic decline in any segment for overall death rates. ”

“By comparison, there were 56 driver deaths per million registered vehicles for cars and 52 per million registered vehicles for pickups in the latest study. The safest segment, meanwhile, remains minivans, which resulted in just 25 driver deaths per million registered vehicles.”

Source: Motor Authority

According to WCF: “Only 464 units of the classic BMW 328 were ever made, with just 200 of them still around today.”

To fans and collectors, this make BMW’s 328 one of rarest and most cherished classic automobiles in existence.

328 initially made its debut in 1936. Its 2.0 liter engine was tuned to various outputs, which led the car to set a record top speed of 143 mph for a BMW car. The 328 Kamm Coupe went on to win the 1940 Mille Miglia challenge in Italy, a historic performance.

BMW’s Aaron Singer-Englar touted “It’s the first car that we’re happy to say is 100 percent electric and 100 percent BMW at the same time,” meaning expect a wholly electric but still stylish, luxurious and fun-to-drive vehicle.

According to shared specs, the ActiveE charges in a short 4-5 hours with a 32kwh li-ion battery, and will take you 100 miles before needing a recharge. If you don’t have the time for a full charge, you can get 25 miles after one hour of being plugged in. For charging, you will need a special dock installed at your home.

If you’re interested in a new BMW in Los Angeles, the experienced staff at McKenna BMW can help you.

Photo Credit: John Hietter, BMWblog