You’re looking at a concept version of the all-new BMW M4. At least that’s the claim from Belgian website Auto55 who also says the F82-based M4 Concept will be on show in Frankfurt next month.
If nothing else it is the same colour as the car featured in the official video preview we got from BMW earlier in the week.
There’s no mention of performance specs, so we’re still expecting the new M3/M4 to be powered by an twin-turbo inline six cylinder with around 335kW (450hp).
[Source: Auto55]
They’ve not given us much to go on but this 18 second video from BMW’s M people is the first official preview of the upcoming M3/M4. Well, we’re saying it’s for the M3, BMW just says they’re “preparing something new”.
It’s expected BMW will release details for the F80 M3 and F82 M4 in the next few months. Hmm, there’s only a few weeks until the Frankfurt Motor Show. Too soon?
Hot on the heels of its i3 city car, BMW has given an official preview of its i8 plug-in hybrid sportscar ahead of its debut at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The rear wheels are powered by a 170kW/320Nm 1.5 litre three cylinder turbo and the front axle is powered by a 96kW/250Nm electric motor. The total combined output of the i8 is 266kW/570Nm.
Weighing in at around 1490kg, BMW says the i8 can accelerate to 100km/h in around 4.5 seconds and has a top speed limited to 250km/h. In full electric mode the i8 is limited to 120km/h and has a predicted range range of around 35km. Its overall range will be closer to 500km, thanks largely to the three cylinder petrol engine sipping fuel at the rate of just 2.5l/100km on the combined cycle.
A reliance on carbon-fibre reinforced plastic and aluminium has helped keep weight down, which has been distributed at close to 50:50 over each axle. Slick aerodynamics result in a drag coefficient value of 0.26, which is pretty good.
The i8 can trace its roots back to the spectacular Vision EfficientDynamics, first shown in 2009. Now, almost ready for production, BMW describes the i8 driving experience by saying:
Variable front-rear power splitting in line with changing driving conditions makes for excitingly dynamic cornering. On entering the corner, the power split is biased towards the rear wheels to improve turning precision. For more vigorous acceleration out of the corner, the powertrain controller returns to the default split as soon as the steering angle becomes smaller again.
You can read more about the BMW i8 by downloading the abridged press release (295kb PDF) and we’ll bring you full details at Frankfurt Motor Show time.
This spy shot is one we welcome very much, it shows the F20 BMW 1 Series LCI (life cycle impulse) model is drawing closer to release. To you and I that means the facelifted 1 Series should look a lot better than it does now.
Based on this photo we’re not sure it will look quite as smart as the M235i we saw a few months back, but anything will be better than what is currently offered up on the F20 hatch.
Our tip hope is the headlights and grille will be connected, as seen on that M235i and first seen on the F30 3 Series.
[Source: Autoblog | Pic: CarPix]
Last month we gave you the inside word on Australian pricing for the new F32 BMW 4 Series Coupe. Today the official confirmation of those figures has come through from BMW. Here is the list pricing for the models BMW has announced:
You can read BMW’s full press release after the break, which also details the reasonably high levels of specification the range will come with.
However, what it won’t tell you is there will be a 135kW/270Nm 420i Coupe added to the range early next year (from November 2013 production onwards). It will be priced from $70,900.
After an early unofficial preview, here is the BMW i3, Munich’s first all-electric city, now car ready for daily duties. It’s the first model in BMW’s i generation, which will also see the i8 sportscar revealed in time.
The i3 was revealed simultaneously at launch events in Beijing, London and New York. Speaking at the New York premiere Norbert Reithofer, BMW Chairman, said: “Innovation drives change. The i3 is more than just a car. It’s a revolutionary step towards sustainable mobility. It is purpose-built around an electric power train to serve the needs of our megacity customers.â€
Powered by a lithium-ion battery the i3 produces 125kW/250Nm and can reach 100km/h in 7.2 seconds, top speed is limited to 150km/h. BMW reckons with normal use the four-seat i3 has a range of 130–160km. When driven in its most efficient Eco Pro+ mode the predicted range is 200km.
A 25kW two-cylinder 650cc petrol engine “range extender†is available as an option and increases the claimed maximum distance available in everyday driving to 300km.
Through the use of carbon fibre body panels, along with a carbon fibre passenger cell mated to an aluminium chassis, the i3 weighs in at a relatively lightweight 1195kg.
The i3 is fitted with a tailored version of BMW ConnectedDrive functionality and has a SIM card included, BMW says it’s the “world’s first fully networked electrically powered car.” With the BMW i Remote app you can use your smartphone to check on your i3’s battery status, remotely activate on board systems such as the air conditioning (while charging), send navigation information to the car and more.
Deliveries will commence in Germany and selected European countries from November, with China, Japan, USA and other markets to follow in the first half of 2014. There’s no official word yet on plans for an Australian release, although it’s expected to be on sale mid mid-next year. Expect to pay around $50,000 for your first BMWi experience.
Chris Harris takes the BMW Vegetable Bum Water 435i out for a drive this week. He likes this new 4 Series a lot. But then doesn’t. Watch the video to find out why.
After watching this clip there’s two things for you to remember. First, if you’d like to buy a new BMW 4 Series we’ve got the skinny on local pricing. Second, no drifting!
BMW’s i generation is due to begin in earnest next Monday when the all-electric i3 city car is officially launched. We’ve seen it concept form before, most recently as the i3 Concept Coupé, but now leaked pics of the production model have emerged.
Earlier this month BMW released technical details of the i3, including a 24 page press kit (185kb PDF). The i3 will be powered by a 125kW/250Nm electric motor capable of covering up to 200km in its most efficient Eco Pro+ driving mode. In regular daily use BMW says the i3 has a range of 130–160km.
A two-cylinder 650cc petrol engine “range extender” is available as an option and increases the claimed maximum distance available in everyday driving to 300km.
The i3 is pretty quick too, with a claimed 0–100km/h time of 7.2 seconds, it’s as fast as a Mk5 Golf GTI (6sp manual).
Electric cars will be a new experience for many, especially when you consider the i3 has just one pedal. That means you press the pedal to accelerate and braking commences the moment you lift your foot off the pedal. BMW explains it like this:
The single-pedal control concept in the BMW i3 – configured by the BMW Group’s drive system development engineers – also contributes to the engaging driving experience. Recuperation mode is activated the moment the driver takes his foot off the accelerator. The electric motor switches from drive to generator mode, feeding power into the lithium-ion battery. At the same time, it generates a precisely controllable braking effect. This recuperation is speed-sensitive, which means the car “coasts†with maximum efficiency at high speeds and generates a strong braking effect at low speeds.
There’s been no word on Australian pricing for the i3, but we do know it will set you back €34,950 in Germany, £25,680 (after a £5,000 government subsidy) in the UK and $41,350 in the US. Averaged out that equates to around AU$45,650. We’re not sure if that is a realistic price expectation for our market, but we remain hopeful.
We’ll bring you full details of the i3 once BMW releases them. In the meantime there’s another eight leaked images for you after the break.
[Source: Autblog.nl]
The local launch of the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo is drawing closer, and if you’re keen on this car the official word is you’ll have to wait until 1 September. But we think you’ll be able to find these cars in dealerships around the country before then.
Australian pricing for the F34 GT was first announced back in June and there’s been no changes since then. To quickly recap there will be three models offered to begin with: 320i GT ($69,500), 320d GT ($71,800) and 328i GT ($76,500). Like the regular 3 Series range, all GT models can be optioned with Modern, Luxury or Sport lines.
While the architecture from F30 saloon is the basis for the GT, it rides on a wheelbase that has been extended by 110mm in a body that is 200mm longer overall. Throw in an extra 81mm in height and you end up with the most spacious 3 Series variant you can get your hands on.
Full details from BMW Australia can be found below, including a 15 page specifications document available for download.
BMW has announced pricing for the facelifted F10 M5, now with extra grunt as standard provided by the Competition Package. The updated model will be on sale locally from mid-September and will be priced from $229,900. That’s $100 less than last year’s launch pricing.
As well as cosmetic changes to its exterior the M5 gets revised standard equipment, including the addition of adaptive LED headlights, auto soft-close doors, hands-free boot operation, digital radio, the ability to input charcters by hand into the sat nav using the touch controller and enhanced driver aids such as Lane Change Warning and Pedestrian Warning.
The Competition Package brings an 11kW to the table, for a new peak of 423kW, along with uprated suspension and sway bars for improved handling. Now sitting 10mm lower the Active M diff and steering have also been recalibrated for greater dynamics.
It’s taken us a while to prepare, but here’s your first instalment in our 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed image gallery. We’ve got more than 260 images in all which will be spread out over three galleries.
Presented in alphabetical order, this selection of photos starts with Alfa Romeo and ends with Lotus. And doesn’t that Alfa Romeo 4C just look sensational!
Stay tuned over the next two days for the remaining galleries to be posted.
Here it is, the one we’ve all been waiting for. The Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG and the BMW M135i in the hands of Chris Harris. There’s no need for an intro, just strap yourself in for the next 20 minutes and enjoy the ride.
If you would like a few more words, head on over to PistonHeads.