Hugo Becker

Hugo Becker is our resident curmudgeon and technology maven. Having had a driver’s license for over 40 years, he also has seat time in a large number of cars, from the silly to sublime. He brings a Sputnik era emphasis on science and technology to BMWBLOG, along with a passion for automotive history. Did we mention he’s old and crotchety?
Design Analysis: 2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe

Design Analysis: 2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe

BMW considers the new 6 series the top of their model range. Its role is to be the pinnacle of BMW’s coupe offerings. And yet it encompasses a true coupe and a convertible. The British…

Editorial: The Convoluted Corporate Roots of BMW

BMW celebrates its corporate birthday on 6 March. That was the date in 1916 that Gustav-Otto-Flugmaschinenfabrik, founded 15 March 1911, became Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW). So BMW was BFW at one time? No, it never was BFW. BFW eventually…

Video: BMW N20 Engine Animation

Video: BMW N20 Engine Animation

BMW releases a new video of the highly praised N20 engine. The four-cylinder TwinPower engine is replacing the six-cylinder naturally aspirated engines found in several BMW models. First vehicle to receive the new four banger…

Analysis: MINI Rocketman

BMWBLOG Analysis: 2012 BMW M5 Transmission Choices

BMWBLOG Analysis: 2012 BMW M5 Transmission Choices

Well what’s all this brouhaha over the next M5’s transmission choices. A little logic may help in understanding what the possibilities will be. Let’s start with what we know and what we’re willing to bet the farm…

Poll: BMW X3 sDrive? Why Not!

Poll: BMW X3 sDrive? Why Not!

Try buying a 4×4 truck with the options and colors you want off the dealer’s lot in Dallas, Texas. Odds are you’ll find the options and colors in rear wheel drive only because 4×4’s don’t…

Editorial: Brutus – BMW Aero Power

This has been making its way through the enthusiast communities on the intertubes. Brutus, a racer resto-mod, essentially takes what looks like a pre-war two seat open wheel race car and inserts a big aero…