For the most part we use the Wagner BMW of Shrewsbury blog to share the latest and greatest with BMW models, or new technologies being developed from BMW. This time though we are taking a different approach and focusing on a man instead. This man is Mr. Alex Zanardi and he is someone that really knows how to get the most out of life.

For all you racing fans out there you may recognize the name from CART (where he was champion twice) and Formula One (also a success for him) from the late 1990's. A bad crash in…

During its North American introduction in Detroit, the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 was a real head turner. We at Wagner BMW of Shrewsbury in Shrewsbury were expecting just that. As the launch date for the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is rapidly approaching, many of the cars amazing technological advancements are over shadowed by the hybridization. One piece the we would like to point out is the navigation system.

We admit, it might sound boring. But believe us when we tell you it's anything but.

The navigation system for the ActiveHybrid 3 does more than just "turn left onto Willow St." or…

If you are like us here at Wagner BMW of Shrewsbury then you are a BMW 3 Series enthusiast and love to stay up to date with the latest. We were at the edge of our seats when we heard that the Bavarian brand plans to stretch the already agile body of the 3 Series.

We can all take settle back now knowing that the extended wheelbase 3 Series will only be available in China. A little while back BMW launched an extended wheelbase 5 Series to the Chinese market and it was a home run. And because of the…

For a while now there has been a lot of buzz about the BMW ActiveE at Wagner BMW of Shrewsbury. The BMW ActiveE is the first 100% electric luxury car, setting a stepping stone for not only BMW, but the auto industry itself. None of BMW's luxury competitors are close to offering a all electric luxury automobile, which puts BMW is a great position to take the lead.

Since the BMW ActiveE is not…

For ten years Lexus, aka the Big L, has been the leader in luxury brand purchases in the US. From the end of the year sales for 2011 has shown that there is a new leader in town, BMW.

its true, BMW has over taken the Big L as the top selling luxury brand. Not only did BMW out sell Lexus and Mercedes but they achieved double digit grown over 2010 and the Big L was 13% behind their numbers from 2010.

Some would say that because of the devastation from the earthquake, Toyota's luxury brand was at a…

We have to admit, we were a little scared when rumors about BMW's plans discontinue the 3 Series Touring wagon surfaced. Call us nostalgic, but we just weren't ready to see the beloved wagon go. We know. We know...consumers seem to favor CUVs over wagons. But, wagons have an old-school charm we simply can't resist. Plus, with more and more drivers going the CUV route, it's an easy way to stand out from the crowd. And, we're willing to bet, we weren't the only one's shaking in our proverbial boots.

That's the problem with rumors, though. Isn't it?  While sometimes they're true, more often than not, they cause a log of unnecessary angst - which happily is the case with whisperings surrounding the supposed discontinuation of the 3 Series Touring wagon. They have no merit.

BMW has recently denied the discontinuation of the 3 Series Touring wagon. While the wagon will land in European markets first, within the next year, it's slated to make its grand entrance in the U.S., shortly thereafter. And, get this: A diesel variant of the 2012 3 Series sedan is expected to make it to the States, too.

Similar to the other seven models in the BMW 3 Series, (i.e., the Sedan, ActiveHybrid 3, Touring, Coupe, Convertible, M3 Sedan, M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible), the Touring wagon is expected to gain a lot of features from the 1 Series and 5 Series, including a lot of first-ever additions (i.e.,  optional XDrive all-wheel drive to personalization packages).

Be sure to stay tuned to learn more about the redesigned 2012 BMW 3 Series Touring wagon. Wagner BMW of Shrewsbury, located at 770 Boston Turnpike Shrewsbury, MA 01545, will have more details to share, following the 2012 Detroit Motor Show, in January.

Are you a new BMW driver who uses a smartphone based on Google's Android platform? We wouldn't be surprised. Android is, after all, currently the fastest growing platform for smartphones and tablets available. As such, Wagner BMW of Shrewsbury is thrilled to announce that the long-awaited, Android-compatible My BMW Remote app is now available.

Downloading the free app is easy - and comes at no additional cost. All you have to do is meet the three following requisites:

Whisperings of an imminent increase in fuel economy standards are getting louder. Understandably, such news has many speed hounds full with angst. After all, the tactic of most automakers is simply to sacrifice power. But, not BMW.

It's not that we blame other automakers for sacrificing power...It certainly is one of the easiest solutions available. But, BMW isn't worried about making their life easier.  They're concerned with continuing to meet luxury drivers' scrupulous standards for power.

That's not to say BMW is any less interested in the environment, or upping the ante on fuel economy…

G Power is a tuning company that specializes in BMW vehicles and they do an exceptional job. They revamped the last-gen BMW X5 with a Typhoon body kit. Now, they're doing the same with the 2011 model.  Given the plethora of aerodynamic enhancements the finely tuned BMW X5 is nearly undistinguishable from its pure, unadulterated counterpart. And, thanks to their SK III program, they've upgraded the engine, too!

Among the changes imparting the most significant impact on both the design and performance of the 2011 BMW X5 are an enormous pair of wing extensions on the front and rear ends; a new bumper with huge air intakes and LED lights; a super lightweight, carbon-fiber vented bonnet; a custom diffuser; and 23-inch Silverstone Edition forged wheels wrapped in high-performance Michelin tires. Plus, G Power added custom-made side skirts to the sides of the BMW X5 SUV, making it look drag-race ready.

The aggressive, asphalt-shredding look of the G-Power-tuned BMW X5 is backed by the aforementioned engine upgrade. Via their SK III engine upgrade program, G Power amplified the output of the BMW X5 xDrive48's engine (170-hp 4.8-liter V8) to 525 horsepower at 6,100 rpm. Similarly, they raised torque to 443 lb.-ft. at 5,300 rpm. Translated into speed, these numbers convey a 4.7-second 0-62 mph acceleration time, and top speed of over 170 mph (up from 155 mph).

Inside, G Power was a little more conservative. The only real changes are an exclusive, new sport steering wheel, speedometer and aluminum accents.

Interested in more BMW news? Stay tuned. Wagner BMW of Shrewsbury, located at 770 Boston Turnpike Shrewsbury, MA 01545, is dedicated to keeping you informed.

What does BMW have in store next for the BMW M5? Now, why would Wagner BMW of Shrewsbury go and ruin the surprise like that? Oh, right because we're dedicated to keeping you informed, that's why. BMW recently showed off a prototype for the at next-gen M5 at the Laguna Seca Raceway, just outside Monterey, California, and we've got the inside scoop just for you!

At the forefront of the new M5's upgrades is, of course, performance. But, that is not all BMW has packed into the redesigned offering from their M brand. As Brian Watts…