Regardless, with the resale value of these luxury flagships dropping like a stone, I suspect they will sell lots, but lots will remain at the dealership. Wait a year or two and you will be able to pick them up at basement bargain prices.

The original Press Release:

NEW PATHS TO EFFICIENCY: BMW AT THE 2008 LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

North American debuts for all-new BMW 7 Series as well as the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid and BMW Advanced Diesel models with BluePerformance

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - November 19, 2008… BMW today showcased a wide range of models and technologies as part of its ongoing EfficientDynamics strategy that exemplifies the German firm’s commitment to reducing harmful emissions and to help protect the environment. Rather than focus on just a few models and one or two types of technology, BMW applies its principles to all of its vehicles using a wide variety of technologies. Immediately prior to their market launch in the US and Canada, the 335d Sedan and the X5 xDrive35d Sports Activity Vehicle(R), featuring BluePerformance technology, are being presented to the public in California. Parallel to the North American debut of the all-new BMW 7 Series, the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid, BMW’s second ActiveHybrid Concept, the BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid, will also be seen in Los Angeles. Also featured will be the updated 2009 BMW 3 Series Sedan and Sports Wagon.

BMW 7 Series again sets the benchmark
The all-new fifth generation of the BMW 7 Series radiates a natural presence, inherent sportiness and an elegance born of precision in concept and execution. A new V-8 engine with direct injection and twin turbochargers expresses BMW EfficientDynamics at the highest level of performance. The 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V-8 delivers 400 hp and 450lb-ft of torque. New, exclusive BMW driver-assistance systems and comfort-related features further add to a truly exceptional driving and riding experience.

Inside the new 7, the ambiance is luxurious, of transcendent quality and - most important of all - inviting. The driver-oriented control center features Black Panel technology. More functions than ever are conveniently accessible to the driver from the multi-function steering wheel.

The new 7 is BMW’s first passenger car with multi-link double-wishbone front suspension. The new Integral V rear suspension incorporates extensive use of aluminum. On the long wheelbase 750Li, self-leveling air suspension is standard. Also new, and a world premiere: Integral Active Steering, which adds speed-sensitive rear-wheel steering. With the standard Driving Dynamics Control, the driver can choose between four settings for shock-absorber firmness, transmission shift characteristics, engine-throttle response and power-steering assist.

An array of innovative driver-assistance options unique in the luxury segment includes Active Cruise Control with new stop-and-go capability, Lane Departure Warning, Active Blind Spot Detection, Head-up Display, High Beam Assistant, BMW Night Vision with new Pedestrian Detection, Side View and Back-up Cameras.

All of this will make the new 7 once again the benchmark for performance, luxury, efficiency and safety when it arrives in the US in early 2009.

BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid: The BMW of hybrids
As an integral part of the BMW EfficientDynamics strategy, the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid previews the potential of BMW ActiveHybrid technology in a luxury sedan. In typical BMW fashion, this new concept car combines a significant reduction of fuel consumption and emissions with a level of driving dynamics never seen before even in this class of hybrid cars.

The BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid is an intelligent symbiosis of BMW’s new twin-turbo V8 engine and electric drive as a mild hybrid concept. A compact electric motor, integrated into the transmission housing, replaces the conventional alternator as well as the starter. Power to run all electrics on-board the car is generated by means of Brake Energy Regeneration. The combination of internal combustion engine and electric motor take the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8’s already potent 400 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque and supplies an additional 20 horsepower and up to 155 lb-ft of torque as needed. The drivetrain technology featured in the concept car allows enhanced driving dynamics together with a reduction of fuel consumption and emissions by 15 percent in the EU test cycle compared to the same car running on a combustion engine alone. At the same time the use of BMW ActiveHybrid technology does not require any compromises in driving qualities and features of the BMW 7 Series.

Energy is stored in a compact lithium-ion battery housed in the luggage compartment. An Auto Start Stop function helps to ensure optimum efficiency in all driving situations.

The hybrid technology showcased in the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid is perfectly suited to the new benchmark in the full-sized performance luxury sedan segment just as the two-mode hybrid technology used in the BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid, also on display in Los Angeles, is well matched to the world’s first Sports Activity Coupe.

BMW Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance: efficiency and dynamics in abundance
With the introduction of the new BMW Advanced diesel powered 335d and X5 xDrive35d models, the BMW Group announces another step in its strategy for EfficientDynamics. Both models will feature a 50-state emission compliant version of BMW’s award winning sequential-turbo 3.0-liter diesel engine - the first performance-oriented and efficient Advanced Diesel engine in BMW’s U.S. line.

The sequential-turbo 3.0-liter diesel engine powering both models employs both a very small and a larger turbocharger combined with an innovative intake system enabling the engine to develop 265 hp. Even more impressive are the torque characteristics. Fully 80% of the torque is available from 1100rpm to 4200rpm. The peak torque is 425 lbs-ft at 1750rpm - almost as much as BMW’s 6.0-liter V12. The performance is what the enthusiast would expect from a BMW. The 335d is capable of sprinting from 0 - 60 mph in six seconds flat. The X5 xDrive35d will do it in 6.9 seconds. No other diesels in the US will perform like this pair of BMW Advanced Diesel models.

Coupled with this performance potential is impressive fuel economy. The EPA mileage estimates for the 335d are 23 city and 36 highway. The X5 xDrive35d is rated at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Both offer the convenience of travelling approximately 580 miles between fill-ups.

Thanks to BluePerformance technology, this unparalleled blend of performance and efficiency can only be found in a BMW Advanced Diesel.

2009 BMW 3 Series Sedan and Sports Wagon: The quintessential sports sedan and wagon once again raise the bar
The 2009 3 Series Sedan and Sports Wagon are poised to maintain market leadership with updated exterior and interior styling, new technologies, enhanced ergonomics and the introduction of BMW Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance in the 335d Sedan.

A Subtle freshening of exterior design features a new front end, more dynamic profile, and wider rear stance. Headlights and taillights are new, yet present a typically BMW look, innovative lighting technology and 3-dimensional effects. The refinement of the interior design reflects and complements the distinctive exterior design. Among functional updates are ergonomically enhanced placement of power-window controls for the driver and new, expanded storage possibilities.

The optional onboard navigation system features an all-new iDrive control concept and display. It offers new menus, new direct-select keys and Programmable Memory Keys. Subscribers to the optional BMW Assist Convenience Plan can access “BMW Search” to quickly find a desired business or other point of interest with just a key word search, using Google search technology and intelligence, even from the convenience of your home or office. Once a destination has been found, route guidance or a hands-free call from a Bluetooth® -linked phone is available at just a simple push of a button.

For 2009, BMW maintains its position as a leader in technology while providing the most innovative blend of performance and fuel economy that are the hallmarks of BMW EfficientDynamics.

BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 models and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and the upcoming X6 Sport Activity Coupe. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 83 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

About Audi
AUDI AG sold a total of 964,151 cars in 2007 and thus achieved its twelfth consecutive record year. With revenue of €33,617 million and profit before tax of €2,915 million, the company attained its best figures ever. Audi produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Györ (Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium). At the end of 2007, production of the Audi A6 started in Aurangabad, India. The company is active in more than 100 markets worldwide. AUDI AG’s wholly owned subsidiaries include Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A. in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy, and quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm. Audi employs about 54,000 people worldwide, including 45,000 in Germany. The brand with the four rings invests more than € 2 billion each year in order to sustain the company’s technological lead embodied in its “Vorsprung durch Technik” slogan. Audi plans to nearly double the number of models in its portfolio by 2015, from the 25 currently on offer to 40.

AUDI AG’s commitment to the region was confirmed through the foundation of its fully owned subsidiary in 2005: Audi Middle East. Sales in the Middle East rose by 38.2 percent to 6,380 cars in 2007 (2006: 4,616). The current Middle East model range comprises the A3, A3 Sportback, A4 Saloon and Cabriolet, the A5, A6 and S6, TT Coupe and Roadster, the A8, S8, the Q7 and the R8.

visit www.AudiForum.ca for more details on Audis

Audi presents long-wheelbase A4 for the Chinese market

* First long-wheelbase version in China’s premium B segment
* Marketing and Sales Board Member Schwarzenbauer: “We will export the success of the new Audi A4 to China”
* Market launch in January 2009

Audi is the first premium brand to introduce a prestigious long-wheelbase version in the upper mid-size category exclusively for the Chinese market: the Audi A4L’s wheelbase is 60 millimeters (2.36 inches) longer, which benefits rear-seat passengers in particular. The A4L thus offers unrivalled spaciousness in its segment.

Manufactured at the plant in Changchun, China, the new Audi A4L made its debut yesterday in Beijing. Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG, and the President of the FAW-VW joint venture, An Tiecheng, emphasized the importance of the new Audi A4L for the Chinese market.

Schwarzenbauer said: “The long-wheelbase version of the Audi A4 is being produced exclusively in China for the Chinese market. With this premium product, we chose to go even further than elsewhere in the world to meet the requirements of our Chinese customers.”

Since its worldwide market launch last year, over 200,000 units of the Audi A4 have been sold. It was recently voted “Most Beautiful Car of the Year” by readers of Auto Bild, a German automotive magazine, and thus overall winner of the „Auto Bild Design Award 2008“.

“Our goal is to export the success of the new Audi A4 to China. With the customized Chinese A4L, which we subjected to rigorous testing in China, we are impressively demonstrating our market leadership in China’s premium segment,” added Schwarzenbauer.

With the A4L, Audi has created an automobile which outdoes the competition in terms of driving comfort, luxury, spaciousness, and design. The chassis was tailored to Chinese road conditions to provide exceptional suspension comfort. The wheelbase – 60 millimeters (2.36 inches) longer than the A4 sedan’s wheelbase – makes the A4L a unique vehicle. The longer wheelbase lends the A4L an especially roomy feel and makes getting into the rear seats even easier. In addition, the longer wheelbase is of particular benefit to rear-seat passengers, who can enjoy legroom unparalleled in this vehicle segment. Thanks to the increase in length and high-quality technology, the A4L injects full-size class into the mid-size category.

For the time being, two engine versions will be available for the Audi A4L in the Chinese market: the 2.0 TFSI with 132 kW (180 hp) and the six-cylinder 3.2 FSI with 195 kW (265 hp).

Audi has been offering a long-wheelbase version of the A6 in China since 2000. Now in its second generation, it provides better driving comfort, spaciousness, and design than the competition. Drivers and passengers of the 4.76 meter (15.62 feet) long A4L will enjoy similar advantages as it can be enjoyed as both a driver’s car and a chauffeured luxury sedan.

The Audi A4L, which will be rolled out starting at the Guangzhou Motor Show on November 18, will be at Chinese dealerships as of January 2009.

AUDI AG sold a total of 964,151 cars in 2007 and thus achieved its twelfth consecutive record year. With revenue of €33,617 million and profit before tax of €2,915 million, the company attained its best figures ever. Audi produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Györ (Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium). At the end of 2007, production of the Audi A6 started in Aurangabad, India. The company is active in more than 100 markets worldwide. AUDI AG’s wholly owned subsidiaries include Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A. in Sant’Agata Bolognese (Italy) and quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm. Audi currently employs around 57,000 people worldwide, including 45,000 in Germany. The brand with the four rings invests more than €2 billion each year in order to sustain the company’s technological lead embodied in its “Vorsprung durch Technik” slogan. Audi plans to significantly increase the number of models in its portfolio by 2015 to 40.

First off, as you get near it, it’s very size seems larger and greater than it was in the showroom. As you open the door, the interior waiting for you is the one of the best you can get today, at any price for any model or make. Audi has made magnificent interiors for decades, but if you thought those were impressive, wait until you see the A5. The driver and passengers can tell right away that extra care was taken with the seating and assembling the details, since they are not only comfortable but also pleasing. Clearly, this is a car for getting around in comfort.

Visit www.AudiForum.ca for more info on the new A5

Interview and more pixx after the jump…

Name: Kimmie Jay

Date Of Birth: June 24th

Location: Toronto

Marital Status: in love…with life!

Favorite Ride?: Lotus Exige S

Nationality: Jamaican & Grenadian

Hobbies: Dancing, reading, modeling, spending time with my girls, and enjoying the nightlife

Ideal Date: Cuddled up on the couch together watching a scary movie

Aspirations: I want to meet everyone in Toronto at least once and charm them..just a little haha.

Turn ons: Beautiful eyes, strong chest, nice abs, speaking a foreign language

Turn offs: Bad teeth, arrogance, close-mindedness

How did you get started modeling in the auto scene?: When I was 16, I was asked by a friend of mine to help him hand out flyers at Darknights Nationals, and had a lot of fun. I didn’t appear in the auto scene again until I joined Kayce Model Management in 2008 and appeared at Darknights Auto Salon..now that I have the taste for import modeling, I know I won’t be quitting anytime soon

At the SEMA show in Las Vegas, HRE in collaboration with Dymag has displayed their new Carbon Fiber wheels. The wheels are made of Carbon Fiber with a magnesium hub. The carbon portion is supplied by Dymag, while the magnesium centerpiece is supplied by HRE.

By reducing unsprung mass the vehicle’s handling is greatly improved. This is where HRE comes in. HRE Performance Wheels is a wheel designer/manufacturer located in Cali. which has been in operation since 1978. Their attention to detail is exemplary and their wheel designs are found on many supercars in the world today. The company also offers a custom fit service, where each individual wheel is crafted for the specific vehicle with proper backspacing and finishing options.

The 20″ version of this rim, according to the companies COO Alan Peltier will weigh in at just 21lbs, which is huge savings from the regular 35+lb weight that a normal 20″ rim weighs.

Only a few designs are available and the delivery is expected to commence in February 2009. Pricing is set at $2500 to $4000 per wheel depending on size and style.

The Tesla Roadster below got a bunch of Brabus goodies that are mostly cosmetic. Wheel and tire package and interior/exterior styling. So if you want funky lights and some great sill plates for your Tesla, hit up Brabus.

They have even come up with a sound generator, which they call the “space sound generator” which imitates the sound of a few selectable motor noises. I hear a V8 and turbo are on the menu.

The selection would not be complete without front and rear diffusers, side sills, front lights and a crazy matte white paintjob.

Over the years there is more I have come to expect from Brabus, who back in my day did wonders for the Benzes of our time in terms of both looks and performance. I miss the large brakes, wild interior clusters and crazy horsepower.

What this means to you is that we might get cheaper gas in the future. We might hit $0.70/L which would be heaven for many commuters, and the inflationary pressures that have been threatening the economy will be subdued for a while. Lower gas prices will bring lower food prices, as transportation takes up a large portion of on shelf consumer products.

Look for great deals on vacations, getaways and a decline in shipping surcharges when shipping with couriers. The decline in oil prices will hit a great number of people financially that invested their money in the gas craze looking to make a buck. Chances are if you’ve got any petroleum based stocks or mutual funds, don’t bother looking at where they are now, save the heartache for later.

This is a blurb from CNN on oil:

Oil prices settled at a 21-month low Wednesday as investors worried about a global slowdown in crude demand ahead of the latest U.S. government inventory report.

Light, sweet crude for December delivery settled down $3.17 to $56.16 a barrel Wednesday. The last time prices traded at this level was Jan. 29, 2007.

Wednesday is also the second day in a row during which oil traded below $60 a barrel, bringing the two-day loss to nearly $7.

The price of oil has steadily been declining for months, falling about 60% from July’s all-time high above $147 a barrel as fears about global economic weakness continue to undermine demand for gasoline and other petroleum products.

“The extent of the retreat in demand has caught many people by surprise,” said John Kingston, director of oil at Platts, the energy information arm of McGraw-Hill Cos. “Demand destruction is due to higher [gas] prices, which have caused U.S. drivers to change habits.”

Investors have also sloughed off talk of further production cuts from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. OPEC president Chakib Khelil recently said OPEC would consider further output reductions if the price of oil continues to fall.

Inventory on tap. Thursday brings the latest reading on crude inventories from the Energy Information Administration.

Forecasts call for an increase of 1.1 million barrels, according to a survey by Platts. Rising inventories exacerbate demand worries.

“Demand is falling all over the world and is now driving oil and commodities in a historic readjustment in the world economy,” wrote Phil Flynn, senior market analyst at Alaron Trading, in a note to clients.

Demand concerns were briefly tempered Tuesday after the Chinese government announced a $586 billion plan to boost economic activity in one of the world’s key consumers of oil. But investors now appear less optimistic about the plan, which will take time to implement.

“China has to stimulate its demand for commodities in the first place and that fact is still reverberating around the pits,” wrote Flynn.

Gasoline: Retail gas prices fell for the 56th day in a row to just above the $2.20-a-gallon mark, according to a survey released Wednesday by motorist group AAA.

The average price of unleaded regular gas dropped 1.8 cents to $2.202 a gallon from $2.22, according to AAA.

Wednesday’s national average has now dropped 46.5%, or $1.912, from the record high of $4.114 a gallon set July 17.

Dollar: The dollar soared to a 6-year high against the British pound Wednesday on concern that the Bank of England may make aggressive cuts to a key interest rate to combat a deepening recession.

The British pound plummeted 4.2 cents to $1.496 from $1.538 late Tuesday as the country’s central bank released a pessimistic monthly inflation report and hinted at a key interest rate cut. The pound traded at its lowest level since June 2002, when the British currency bought $1.487.

Because oil and other commodities are traded in dollars, a stronger dollar makes crude more expensive for foreign investors.

General Motors has announced that they need help and will need help in the future to stay afloat. This comes amidst wide speculation that GM’s stock might be worth $1 sometime soon. The stock value of GM is the lowest it’s been in a long time. The company is being constantly downgraded by analysts, which makes it’s comeback even more unlikely.

We can only hope that the federal government can provide enough money for the auto giants to stay afloat, as according to CNN for every 1 person working for one the Big Three, 9 others work for them at the second tier supplier level. With the destruction of the auto industry, one can only imagine where the countries economy might be headed.

Having had a hand in several of the vehicles in the performance division of General Motors, Heinricy is leaving behind a legacy that will be hard to match. Not only a decorated engineer, but also a world class driver, Heinricy ends his career with GM after 40 years. Perhaps he wanted to call it quits before GM went belly up, who knows. He will be sadly missed.

John Heinricy, the man behing General Motors Performance Division, has announced that he will be retiring from GM. Heinricy started with GM almost 40 years ago and has had a hand in some of the automaker’s most exciting and important vehicles.

Even if you don’t know Heinricy by name, you know his creations. He was responsible for the original Cadillac CTS and the new CTS-V, the Corvette Z06 and ZR1, and the Chevy Cobalt SS, among others.

In addition to his duties as an engineer, Heinricy was also one of GM’s most decorated drivers. Heinricy recently took home an SCCA title behind the wheel of a Cobalt SS and holds the Nurburgring lap record for a stock sedan – 7 minutes and 59 seconds — accomplished in the new CTS-V.

Heinricy will be greatly missed at GM and we only hope that his passion will be carried out in future GM products.