In conjunction with the reveal of the BMW iX3, BMW also revealed a slightly altered BMW roundel that will be rolled out to all new and refreshed vehicles. The biggest change is the drop of some of the chrome outlines of the center circle and color quadrants. Of course, this isn’t the first time BMW has updated their signature logo. Read the official history here, which points out that no, the BMW logo isn’t a propeller, though some ads did depict it that way regarding their plane engines.

Oliver Heilmer, Head of BMW Design for the Neue Klasse, was interviewed by BMWBlog about the update. “We wanted to keep the heritage, but bring more precision to the logo,” Heilmer told BMWBlog. “The chrome is still there, the letters have been refined with a shiny pattern you often find in watches, and the white surfaces now sit closer to the outer ring. It’s flat, but when you touch it you can still feel the ridges.”

While this is a design choice, it also likely has some roots in practical production. While I’m not certain what process is being used for the new style, we here at BMW CCA headquarters are familiar with the previous process utilized. It goes by a couple of names, but is most often called Cloisonné, which is a very old technique for decorating metal work. It involves creating a base metal shape and then isolating the individual areas for color either by stamping in a deep design or using wire work to completely enclose the areas.

The “wells” for the various colors are then filled with liquid enamel or powered enamel, with the metal separations preventing the colors from mixing. Then the piece is fired in a kiln or otherwise cured, then polished, creating the finished item.

BMW CCA members will know that the club itself has it’s own trademarked map logo it produces in various forms, including the popular grille badge form. The Cloisonné process is used both for items such as BMW CCA grille badges as well as custom pins, custom badges, and other metalwork items.

BMW CCA offers a variety of collectible grille badges that use the Cloisonné process to create durable, long-lasting color designs. You can purchase these at https://shop.bmwcca.org.

This time-tested process (it’s been around since at least the 12th century BC) creates long-lasting, color-fast products, but has always required a physical barrier between elements of color. Here’s a quick video that shows the process: The production process of enamel pins.

So yes, BMW has further streamlined it’s logo. They’re reportedly also dropping the blue outer ring that was used to designate fully-electric vehicles since 2013 and the original i3 and i8. EVs are now just considered to be standard BMWs and will share the same updated logo.

Time will tell whether the new production process for the iconic BMW roundels will be as durable and color fast as the prior process. But I expect it will continue to impress just as smartly as BMW’s new Ultimate Driving Machines do.

The post BMW Logo Updated…Slightly appeared first on BimmerLife.

So while the full details and images of the 2026 Neue Klasse iX3 have been kept under wraps, BMW has been fairly open about what enthusiasts can expect from the first of the new generation of all-electric models. Martin Kaufmann, SVP of global Powertrain Development at BMW AG stated, “The efficient design of the powertrain together with the high energy content of the high-voltage battery, enable a range of up to 800 km (WLTP) in the BMW iX3, the first model of the Neue Klasse.”

The iX3 will primarily be built in Hungary at BMW’s new, entirely fossil-fuel-free plant in Debrecen. The Debrecen plant will be the primary hub for the first Neue Klasse EV models, though later models will be built at other plants. Future Neue Klasse all-electric iX5, iX6, and iX7 will be assembled at BMW Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina, benefitting from BMW Plant Woodruff, which is also in South Carolina, and the manufacture of BMW’s Gen6 batteries.

Interior and Controls

BMW released images and details for the new BMW Panoramic Vision and BMW Operating System X earlier this year. Expect the iX3 to have a similar look and feel.

Expect major changes to the interior of the iX3 compared to the traditional X3.

Back in January of 2025, BMW released information on the new configuration and technology called BMW Panoramic Vision and the accompanying BMW Operating System X. BMW Panoramic Vision is a new, expansive heads-up display technology that will occupy the lower portion of the whole windscreen and be visible to all occupants. The Vision will appear from A-pillar to A-pillar with the most important information being in line-of-sight for the driver. The system also has an optional BMW 3D Heads-Up Display that can display integrated navigation and automated driving information directly in the driver’s field of vision.

In addition to the new heads-up displays, a new, larger central touchscreen display will provide customizable options to access preferred functions and can be reconfigured with widgets to control various functions. The new multifunction steering wheel should carry over the styling seen on the concept vehicle and provide context-illuminated controls and buttons that should be familiar to drivers of recent BMW models.

The iX3 should also be the first model featuring the new BMW Operating System X. Based on an Android Open Source Project software stack, it offers significant upgrade capabilities ready to grow with available options and functions, including advanced personalization options. Stephan Durach Senior Vice President Connected Company BMW Group stated, “It offers intuitive operation, emotionally engaging experiences and specific personalization. The new BMW iDrive with Operating System X demonstrates the potential of a software-defined vehicle.”

The new operating system includes the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, which is being constantly enhanced with new functionality and language models to better respond to spoken commands, such as “Take me to a charging station which is close to a food store.” It will also make suggestions based on prior driving choices and routes.

Learn more about the new BMW interior, displays, controls, and software.

Four Superbrains

In March, BMW announced the new “digital nervous system” to be rolled out initially with the Neue Klasse vehicles. According to the press release, “It is more intelligent, more powerful and more efficient and will be rolled out for the first time in the models of the Neue Klasse. Four high-performance computers, also called “Superbrains”, consolidate the computing power for the most important customer functions: infotainment, automated driving, driving dynamics, and basic functions such as vehicle access, climate control, and comfort. The four Superbrains provide more than 20 times the computing power compared to the current vehicle generation and are already designed for upcoming software and function updates, including AI-powered customer experiences.”

Learn more about the Superbrains. Learn more about how the four Superbrains coordinate.

Exterior Look

BMW released images and information about the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X concept vehicle in 2024. The iX3 should bear a resemblance.

Currently, any photos of an uncamoflauged iX3 remain under embargo. But keen observers can likely pick out many details from the published camoflauged shots as well as taking a close look at the concept BMW Vision Neue Klasse X introduced in 2024.

CarScoops published patent drawings and renderings in November 2024.

Electric Mobility

In February 2025, BMW released information on its advances in all-electric driving. As the new iX3 should be the first to benefit from these new technologies, expect to see faster charging, significantly increased range, and more efficient operation.

Utilizing BMW’s new sixth-generation battery technology, the iX3 is expected to have a greatly-increased range and charging speeds, with a 10 minute charge reportedly giving a driver about 220 miles of range using a fast charging station.  While official mileage and charging specifications won’t be released until September 5, expect the numbers to get a lot of attention.

Watch the Premiere

BMW will be live-streaming the premiere of the iX3 on September 5, 2025, starting at 5 a.m. EST for U.S. enthusiasts. So set your alarms early to watch the reveal of the brand new generation of all-electric BMWs.

Watch the live premiere on YouTube.

View the preview video below.

Watch test drive videos of the new iX3.

The post Get Ready for the BMW iX3 appeared first on BimmerLife.

For months, Head Chef Jens Madsen has worked with BMW Group Designworks to launch a new concept restaurant at BMW’s visually stunning headquarters in Munich. Dubbed “THE CLOUD by Käfer,” the new restaurant will feature seasonal themes and “elite-level cuisine.” The first season of the restaurant’s vision of “culinary nomadism” will be called “Nomadic Earth.”

“With Nomadic Earth, we are writing the first chapter in our new travelogue. We want to offer our guests a special experience of elite-level cuisine that expands their horizons and blends aromas and textures from around the world with the finest produce from our local region – with surprising yet cohesive results. In Jens Madsen, Mona Röthig and Luigi Pecchia, we have assembled a team who are turning this ambitious vision into masterful reality with exceptional skill and passion,” explains Michael Käfer.

THE CLOUD team consists of Michael Käfer (Käfer Gruppe); Sandra Wittemer (Leiterin BMW Welt), Mona Röthig (Restaurant Manager THE CLOUD), and Jens Madsen (Head Chef THE CLOUD).Käfer came to the BMW Welt in 2012 and operates several dining establishments at the Welt, including Cooper’s Garden bistro, Biker’s Lodge cafe, Bavarie restaurant, and now THE CLOUD. The variety of dining options is meant to provide choices for every taste. THE CLOUD is the most recent addition and aimed at those who want a bespoke, high-end dining experience.

The release states, “With THE CLOUD by Käfer, we are adding a new dimension to the BMW Welt experience. In addition to vehicle handovers, we can now also offer our guests an inspirational culinary journey in a unique setting created by BMW Group Designworks Munich. Here, in the upper reaches of BMW Welt on its third level, guests enjoy an impressive view over the inside of the building, while immersed in a fine-dining experience,” adds Sandra Wittemer, Head of BMW Welt.”

The release continues, “The experts at BMW Group Designworks and Käfer have worked together closely since 2023 to create a space for all the senses and make a visit to THE CLOUD by Käfer truly unforgettable. Light, music, visual and haptic features flow into one another; every light and every piece of furniture contributes to the experience as a whole. For the execution of the project, BMW Group Designworks collaborated with renowned partners including architectural and design studio hildmannwilke, German lighting design brand Occhio, the artist Oscar Zabala – known for his generative audio-visual performances and installations – and innovative Swiss fabric manufacturer Jakob Schlaepfer, supplier to haute couture fashion houses around the world.”

So if you’re in Munich, plan to visit the Welt and are looking for a very high-end dining experience, consider drifting up to THE CLOUD.

Read the full press release here.

The post THE CLOUD at BMW’s Welt Isn’t Digital. It’s Delicious. appeared first on BimmerLife.

Until now.

Maybe.

BMW has tapped the Jung von Matt Hamburg agency to create a new video to make the Heart of Joy and its role in managing the functions of Ultimate Driving Machines easier to understand. And what could be easier to understand than comparing a quartet of automotive computers to a saltwater cephalopod?

“Okto the Octopus,” a digital aquatic creature that serves as an analogy to explain the new Superbrain’s ability to handle multiple tasks with coordination and grace.

The press release states, “The “Meet Okto the Octopus” video translates the new “superbrain’s” power into cinematic poetry. The star of the video is an octopus. A fascinating animal that uses a decentralized nervous system to enable independent control of individual parts of its body. Much like a modern car has separate control units for braking, acceleration and steering. In the new BMW brand video, this scenario is reversed: the octopus is given a central nervous system and then moves in a synchronized, precise and controlled manner to perform an underwater waltz – while simultaneously avoiding hazards.”

So while the electric Neue Klasse won’t have cylinders, the new well-armed mascot can definitely be described as an 8.

When released, you’ll be able to see it online. But you’ll also get to see the synchronized tentacular creation in the cinema during the ads running before that new summer blockbuster starts.

Read the full release here.

The post Explaining BMW’s Heart of Joy: Well, It’s Kind Of Like an Octopus appeared first on BimmerLife.

Find even more events on the official BMW Car Club of America Event Calendar.

NATIONAL EVENTS

July 18-20, 2025 – Pittsburg Vintage Grand Prix – BMW CCA Gathering

Get ready for a weekend where BMW passion meets vintage racing adrenaline! Registration is now open for the 2025 BMW Gathering at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, July 18–20.

August 14, 2025 – Legends of the Autobahn – Presented by Continental Tire

Experience the ultimate celebration of German automotive elegance with this all-German marque Concurs d’Elegance at the Pacific Grove Golf Links during Monterey Car Week. Legends unites Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts!

August 15-16, 2025 – BMW CCA Festorics

The BMW CCA Festorics at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion with our Turn 5 Hospitality and Corral members enjoy prime track side seating, views and sounds from the historical legends on track at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

October 8-12, 2025 – BMW CCA O’Fast 2025 – Presented by Continental Tire

Get ready to immerse yourself in the ultimate BMW enthusiast experience at O’Fast 2025, the BMW Car Club of America’s premier BMW enthusiast event (formerly known as O’Fest). We’re headed to Road America, one of America’s most iconic Tier 1 racetracks, for five thrilling days of driving excitement, camaraderie, and unforgettable memories.

REGIONAL EVENTS

July 27, 2025 – BMW CCA Boston Chapter Concours d’Elegance

August 22-24, 2025 – BMW CCA Car Corral at Michelin GT Challenge at VIR

EXHIBITS

Peterson Automotive Museum Celebrates 50 Years of the BMW 3 Series in Motorsports

BMW CCA Foundation Ultimate Driving Museum Exhibit: ALPINA

Don’t miss out! BMW CCA members can find hundreds more events at bmwcca.org/calendar.

Not a BMW CCA member yet? You can get all the benefits of membership for less than $5 a month! Visit bmwcca.org/jointoday to join the world’s largest official BMW enthusiast club today!

The post Exciting Upcoming BMW CCA Member Events appeared first on BimmerLife.

Many BMW CCA members express (sometimes quite vehemently) their preference for manual-transmission vehicles. And they often voice concerns that BMW will fully abandon the clutch-pedal experience they grew up with. And while that may eventually be the case, it certainly isn’t today. Jalopnik declares, “The Manual BMW Z4 Won’t Die Because Too Many People Have Good Taste.” We have a lot of the enthusiasts they’re referring to as members of the BMW CCA.  And CarBuzz calls the manual Z4, “The Performance Car Designed Specifically for Manual Shifter Lovers.” Autoblog states, “BMW is doing the most to keep manuals alive,” in one of the subheads of it’s recent coverage of the Z4 manufacturing extension.

And Autoblog is right. The Z4 isn’t the only manual-transmission car BMW offers. Manual options exist for the M2, M3, and M4 performance vehicles. But if you want a sleek two-seater BMW convertible, the Z4 ranks at the top of the list.

So, for now at least, BMW continues to offer new choices for manual-transmission enthusiasts. And it’s likely they will continue to do so. Well, at least as long as the sales numbers continue to make it a solid business decision.

Read more about the manual Z4 here.

Read more about this story here: CarBuzz  Jalopnik  Autoblog

The post BMW Will Keep Making the Manual Z4 appeared first on BimmerLife.

BMW CCA also recently announced the 2025 BMW CCA Dream Car Raffle Grille Badge: Celebrating 50 Years of the 3 Series. This exclusive BMW CCA Grille Badge is available only to BMW CCA members who purchase 10 tickets for the 2025 BMW CCA Dream Car Raffle.

The shield-shaped design includes motorsport colors and the grille designs of all seven generations of the iconic BMW 3 Series.

BMW is celebrating the fifth decade of the 3 Series. “For half a century, the BMW 3 Series has embodied the essence of the brand and set the standard for pure driving pleasure in the premium mid-size class. It has driven innovation in design, performance, and technology across seven generations. A journey through the development history of the BMW 3 Series: from the past to the future.”

Learn more about BMW’s celebration of the 50 years and seven generations of the 3 Series here.

Each of the seven generations of the 3 Series have distinct grille designs. (Images courtesy of BMW AG).

Don’t Miss A Chance To Be a 2025 Dream Car Winner!

This M3 Didn’t Roll Off the Line. It Landed

This is not your ordinary M3. Powered by a 3.0L BMW M TwinPower Turbo Inline-6, delivering 503 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, this machine rockets from 0-60 mph in a blistering 3.4 seconds. With BMW’s intelligent xDrive all-wheel drive, and the option to switch to rear-wheel drive, the M3 Competition is built for wherever your passion leads. Inside, M Carbon Bucket Seats and a tech-forward curved display redefine what it means to drive in comfort and style.

Spec’d with precision and built to thrill, this Ruby Star Neo M3 is an absolute head turner. It didn’t just roll off the production line – it landed, ready to take you light years ahead of the ordinary.

Tickets go on sale this week. At just $25 each, your chance to win this extraordinary M3 – and other incredible prizes – has never been closer. Plus, for every ten tickets you purchase, you’ll earn an exclusive grille badge, created just for 2025 Dream Car Raffle participants.

Learn more about the prizes, the bonus drawings, and how to secure your entry. Your dream ride is almost within reach.

Here are more details about the 2025 BMW CCA Dream Car:

Every Inch, Engineered for Power

The 2025 BMW M3 Competition xDrive is a powerhouse built to thrill. This year’s Grand Prize is equipped with M-specific engineering that blends everyday drivability with pulse-pounding precision.

And remember:

• Ruby Star Neo Exterior: A bold, custom BMW Individual color that demands attention and rewards it with awe.
• Ivory White Full Merino Leather Interior: Soft-touch luxury that perfectly contrasts the aggressive performance beneath the hood.
• M Carbon Bucket Seats: Race-inspired design with everyday comfort. Lightweight, sculpted, and unforgettable.
• Carbon Fiber Trim & Galvanic Controls: Premium finishes that exude precision, elevating the cockpit to a true M driving environment.
• M Compound Brakes with Black Calipers: Serious stopping power, as stylish as it is performance-driven.
• Performance Suspension: Tuned for sharp handling and complete control — whether you’re carving corners or opening it up on the straight.
• Executive Package: Includes luxury upgrades like heated steering wheel, head-up display, and Gesture Control.
• Driving Assistance Professional Package: Advanced safety meets convenience with Active Driving Assistant Pro and Traffic Jam Assist.
• Parking Assistance Package: Make tight spots effortless with a surround view camera, active park distance control, and more.
• M Shadowline Lights: Sleek, smoked detailing that gives your M3 an unmistakable edge.

Every element of this vehicle is designed to elevate your driving experience. The BMW M3 Competition xDrive is a machine that doesn’t compromise – and neither should you.

CTA: Explore the Dream Car Raffle and Read Official Rules

The post Dream Car Special Drawings Offer More Ways To Win! appeared first on BimmerLife.

While they may lack the isometric feel and oddball adventures of Minecraft, these vintage configurators let you play with the color, options, and more for several models of older BMWs. Once cutting edge, two decommissioned configurator versions (3.3 and 12) were uploaded to the Internet Archive, a vast collection of online sites and programs available to everyone. Anyone running Windows can download the configurators and use them to configure a few select past models with a variety of accessories and features.

The Autopian website discovered these gems and did a full report here. After giving their fun article a read, I tested both versions and successfully ran them on my Windows 11 workstation.

Requirements: You will need to be running Microsoft Windows to use these. Macs and others can download the files, but they won’t run on non-Windows operating systems. The instructions indicate that either Windows 10 or Windows 11 should work.

1. Download the file.
   1. Download version 3.3 with this link. 3.3 is about 580 MB, which would fit on a burned CD.
   2. Download version 12 with this link. 12 is about 3.2 GB, which would fit on a burned DVD.
2. Open the .iso file
   1. Double click the file
   2. View the contents of the file, looking for “Configurator.exe”
3. Open or double-click on “Configurator.exe”
4. Override the Windows Security nanny
   1. In the pop-up window that states “Windows protected your PC,” click the “More Info” link.
   2. A “Run Anyway” button should appear.
   3. Click “Run Anyway”
5. That should start the software and present a language-selection screen. Select your preferred language and start having fun!

The screens that greet you will look pretty small window by today’s 4k screen standards. Those of us old enough to remember when computers still used CRT screens will experience another wave of nostalgia at the sight of the compact interface.

Select your language and just have fun! The interface is easy to navigate and does a good job of showing off the various options.

Version 12 has a slightly larger and more complex interface, but has more detail.

For version 3.3, you’ll be greeted with an Accessories Configurator screen, letting you see a wide variety of models and configuration choices. The 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, X3, X5, Z3, and Z4 are included along with subcategories of the models. You can play with paint color, wheel rims, interior, communication, and other options.

With version 12, you’ll have a slightly different interface, but most of the same models.

So enjoy a bit of time travel entertainment with these archived tools! And see! It’s much more fun than Minecraft. For a while, at least.

The post Forget Minecraft. The Real Fun Is Found With Vintage BMW OEM Accessory Configurators. appeared first on BimmerLife.

With my lack of style and sophisitication showing, I had to ask “seriously? an automative branded perfume?”  To which the internet answered, “This has been a thing for a while, doofus.” Apparently Bentley, Ferrari, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce, and even Ford already have signature scents on the market. Ferrari’s Scuderia Red entered the olfactory competition back in 1996.

But it is a new endeavor for BMW, so I don’t feel completely ignorant.

BMW recently released details about their two new signature fragrances, which are apparently important enough to title exclusively in capital letters: AMBERNESS and BERGAMOOD.

The release states: “For BMW, joy is a statement – about sheer driving pleasure, and the conscious enjoyment of life. Joy is as much a motivator as it is a promise. Most of all, it is a powerful feeling that creates an optimistic view of what lies ahead. For the first time, this joy can now also be experienced through the sense of smell, with the two new BMW fragrances AMBERNESS and BERGAMOOD.”

The scents were created in cooperation with renowned perfumers Frank Voelkl and Alexandra Monet of Mavive, a company owned by the Vidal family, which has been developing fragrances for over 120 years.

Stefan Karch, Head of BMW Lifestyle & Licensing, explains: “The new BMW fragrances AMBERNESS and BERGAMOOD convey the hallmark BMW joy in a new way. Like the BMW brand, they are immersive, inviting and expressive. As daily companions, they make a special statement that customers can identify with, and that emphasises the emotional aspect of the BMW brand.”

Marco Vidal, CEO of Mavive S.p.A., adds: “Developing AMBERNESS and BERGAMOOD was an exciting challenge. BMW has shaped the automotive world and Mavive stands for pushing boundaries within the fragrance industry. The synergy arising from this collaboration resulted in two new fragrances and a unique sensory experience.”

Why two scents instead of just one? Because you can somewhat customize your wafting aura by using them individually or combining them in different concentrations.

The release describes the scents:

“Fresh and invigorating, sensual and calm, or a combination of both.

The new BMW fragrances deliberately transcend gender boundaries and will smell equally gorgeous on everyone. Both eaux de parfum work as standalone scents or develop very special and highly individual fragrance experiences when combined and/or applied in different concentrations. Mavive goes beyond using the highest-quality ingredients to create an experience of joy and turn it into an everyday companion. It uses EmotiWaves, developed by dsm-firmenich, a company specializing in fragrances and flavors. This technology is grounded in leading-edge, patented and certified neuroscientific findings. It uses natural ingredients to influence and amplify emotions.

AMBERNESS offers a sensual experience that conveys tranquillity and a feeling of beauty. French clary sage and Guatemalan cardamom provide an earthy accord that is followed by Italian bergamot and Egyptian geranium. Madagascar vanilla, Indonesian patchouli and Haitian vetiver create an enchanting allure.

BERGAMOOD has a fresh and invigorating effect. The top note rings with the scents of Italian bergamot and mandarin, enriched with pink pepper. Lavender and petitgrain leave a lasting impression. Liquidambar and musk round off the fragrance, for a lively and stimulating effect.”

If you find the prospect of adding a new, company-approved sensory aspect to your BMW, then you can do so at the BMW Lifestyle Online Shop and at selected BMW dealerships at some point in May. Pricing should be about 62 euros (about $70 U.S.) for 50 ml or 80 euros (about $90) for 100 ml. That’s about the same as Mercedes-Benz Man: Blue cologne, but surprisingly higher than Bentley For Men Intense, which costs only $48 for 100 ml. If you want to put your nose up high enough to get the Fueguis & Rolls-Royce The Spirit scent, it’ll cost closer to $675.

The post Ultimate Driving . . . Scent? appeared first on BimmerLife.

May 3–4, 2025 –  The Circuit at Buttonwillow Raceway Park

Buttonwillow, CA

Hosted by the San Diego and Los Angeles CCA Chapters

Join us for the BMW Car Club debut at the newest road course on the West Coast — Buttonwillow Raceway’s all new Circuit!

Years in the making, the brand new Circuit is a wide, 10 turn, 2.56 mile course next door to Buttonwillow’s Classic track.

Come out for a full weekend of high-speed driving and learning, exploring your vehicle’s capabilities and refining your driving skills! The driving school is open to all levels of drivers, from first-timers to very advanced, and almost any automobile make/model. You’ll drive your own car on the track in groups based on experience level, accompanied by tailored classroom sessions. Trained in-car instructors will help coach you to get the most out of your track experience (except A-Solo group.)

The Advanced Data Coaching program is an option available for a limited number of A-Solo students.

REGISTER BY APRIL 20! For more information visit sdbmwcca.com.

Get to the track and enjoy the fun with like-minded club members!

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