Just like the 7-series and 5-series range, Chris Bangle’s design legacy reeks in the new 6-series but it veered away from the classic BMW look, and instead, went with a fresher style.  Moreover, BMW forego the option of a V12 engine in the 6-series top-of-the-line model and opted for an engine inspired by no less than Formula One—a 5.0L V10 engine that enabled them to create a brand new M6 that comes with an snazzy carbon fiber roofing and BMW’s SMG III gearbox.

The original Z9 Gran Turismo concept car was revealed at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1999 while the Z9 Convertible concept car was shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2000.  A lot of the original concept designs didn’t make the production but we could see that they kept the trademark double kidney grilles.  The E63/ E64 also received a nice roofline, a wheelbase, and an interior design that resembles that of the Z9 Convertible concept car.  The E63 and E64 models will soon hit the market.

A little trivia though.  Did you know that BMW’s Z9 Grand Turismo model was launched with “the world’s first V8 turbodiesel engine” which was first found in the BMW 740d?

Now, normally, I would attempt to make some type of joke regarding BMW but this time … it is not all that funny.  One of the most expensive brands of cars is actually upping their prices for 2010 and honestly, I do not think that is right.  BMW is raising their prices about 0.4% across the board in North America and while that might not seem like all that much … to be perfectly honest, it is.  It is a lot.

For example, if you are buying yourself a 760Li, the new price is $136,600 — a raise of about $600.00.  For me?  That’s a heck of a lot of money!  While you might not agree because you are one of the lucky ones able to afford it, it is still a huge deal for those of us just trying to get by and keep our BMW status.

Why is BMW doing this?  Well, I can tell you that they are not saying.  No reports have been published on the exact reason why BMW decided to suddenly raise their prices.