Category: BMW

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BMW

Oh no, not another one!

BMW X3 M rendering

The success of the BMW X5 M and X6 M has already seen suggestions there will be an X4 M in the future. So, I guess it stands to reason, then, that an X3 M could also be on the cards.

Based on these renderings from BimmerBoost at least the X3 M has the potential, like the X5 M, to look half decent. If such over powered behemoths can be pretty, that is.

Further highlighting the lunacy of the SUV segment is the suggestion an X3 M could be as much as 540kg lighter than the X5/X6 variants. When you consider the likely engine source will be the six-pot turbo to be found in the soon-to-be-launched 1M Coupé, this baby beast should, as expected, move pretty quickly.

It will be little surprise if that’s exactly how they will move off the showroom floor, as well!

[Source: BimmerBoost]

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BMW

BMW 1M Coupé previewed at US Oktoberfest show

BMW 1M Coupé

Earlier in the month we speculated the new BMW 1M Coupé might be revealed at the Oktoberfest show which was held in Wisconsin over the weekend. Well, we kind of got it right. The car was indeed on show at the Road America course, but all that was seen was the front left quarter panel as shown above.

However, even though the car was mostly under wraps this still revealed a few design elements of the bodykit that is wrapped around the newest and smallest M machine. Images sourced from BimmerFile show that there looks to be quite a large vent in the side panel, in between the front wheel and the door. At the rear of the car quad exhausts are clearly on view, but again, through the car cover you can get a glimpse of the rear valance and the unique styling that is likely to be apparent when the car has its full reveal (Paris Motor Show would now appear the most likely event for this).

The colour revealed on the car above is called Valencia Orange and will be the signature colour of the 1M Coupé. The wheels are 19″ in size and have been sourced from the M3 Competition Package. The front air intakes are very aggressive and could possibly have intercoolers behind them to assist the N54-based six cylinder engine.

Perhaps the other big news is that the 1M Coupé may be available with a manual transmission only. Costs of adapting BMW’s trick DCT to a car with a limited production run are believed to be behind that decision.

BmiierFile has been track side during the Oktoberfest event and they have a lot of information as a result. There’s also the promise of some exclusive details on the 1M’s engine in the next 24 hours or so. Stay tuned for that. In the meantime you can check two videos of the partial reveal of the 1M Coupé, one is the slick marketing piece direct from BMW, the other was filmed on location at Oktoberfest.

[Source: BimmerFile]

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BMW

BMW Z4 sDrive35is arrives down under

BMW Z4 sDrive35is

BMW’s answer to the Audi TT RS—the 250kW Z4 sDrive35is—has arrived in Australia. BMW told us back in May that the hero model in the Z4 range was going to be priced from $129,990 and we also know most of the car’s other specs. Best take a look at the fantastic images supplied by BMW Australia, then. You can see them after the break; why don’t you recreate them yourself next time you’re driving along the Seacliff Bridge.

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BMW Video

Gold fever

Goldrush!

When the BMW X5M was launched AUSmotive said the car had a heart of gold. This was a label based on the strength of the engine found beneath the skin that insidious beast. Well, sadly, now someone from Russia has given the X5M a matching coat. The part gangster, part short film, and, let’s hope, part ironic comedy, can be viewed after the jump.

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BMW

Fresh BMW M5 spy shots

BMW F10 M5 prototype

It’s been a few months since we last saw some decent pics of the F10-based M5 prototype. This round of images gives us a reasonable look at the car inside and out.

The next gen M5 is likely to be powered by a twin-turbo V8 nicked from the X5/X6 M. These new pics also show what appears to be a DCT transmission, with paddles on the steering wheel visible. Also inside you can see a leather-topped dash with alcantara fabric running up the A-pillars.

Then there’s the 265/40/19 tyres up front which should help the new M5 stick to the road. Rear tyre sizing is likely to be 285 or 295 in width at a guess.

More pics after the break. Follow the link below for larger images too.

[Source: bimmerpost]

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BMW

BMW 1M Coupé to debut at US Oktoberfest show in August?

BMW 1 Series M Coupé

The BMW Car Club of America have posted a teaser on their forums which all but declares the 1 Series M Coupé will be revealed at their annual Oktoberfest show. Curiously this event is due to be held, not in October at all, but quite soon; from 23-29 August.

The forum post, added by the BMW CCA magazine editor is titled “Mystery car to tease members at Oktoberfest”. The text reads, in part, “Now there’s another fast, nimble ride warming up in the BMW wings. This car, too, was spawned by enthusiasts’ cries for what they wanted: a fast, light, nimble car. BMW’s solution: the—

“Wait! Wait! We can’t tell you!

“What’s beneath the wrapping? Here’s a hint: One of the guests in attendance is Dr. Kay Segler. You may remember when he was the BMW Group’s brand manager for Mini. But these days he holds a different position: He’s head of BMW M GmbH.”

Follow the source link below for the full text. If you’d just like to find out more about this Oktoberfest show check out the teaser video below, or take a look at the Oktoberfest website.

Of course, Dr Segler is also the bloke that told us via YouTube that the 1 Series M Coupé will give us all goose pimples. Take the jump for an encore viewing of Segler’s best work.

[Source: bmwcca.org]

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BMW Motorsports

The power of M

BMW E30 M3

A few days ago BMW celebrated the 25th anniversary of the mighty M3. They did so with a press release and a gallery of photos. Perhaps this video of a race-prepped E30 M3 lapping the Ring in under 7 minutes 40 seconds might have been a more fitting tribute.

[Thanks to Chris for the tip]

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BMW

X factor by 4

BMW X6

Sales of the oddball X6 have exceeded BMW’s wildest dreams. Expecting to sell around 20,000 models per year the X6, can you believe it, has already sold 80,000 units worldwide since its launch in 2008. Indeed, the model is on track to achieve 100,000 sales by year’s end.

Perhaps it is no surprise then that Munich’s top brass is considering a new X4 variant. If the model does come to light it would most likely be derived from the recently revealed second-gen X3. Proving there is no end to this apparent madness, suggestions are around, already, of an X4 M which could source its power from the 1 Series M Coupé.

Fair play to BMW for making these cars that seem to provide answers to questions nobody was asking; the sales figures don’t lie.

[Source: Autocar]

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BMW

A pax lap inside the BMW 1 Series M Coupé

Chris Harris

Since last week’s news of the BMW 1 Series M Coupé emerged a number of videos from the Ascari track event have made their way on to YouTube. Journalists were offered passenger laps inside the 1M development prototype and one of the better clips is this one featuring Chris Harris from Evo. Harris had the foresight to interview driver Frank Isenberg and tried to extract new information from him.

Not much was given away, although Isenberg reckons the 1M could lap the Nürburgring in around 8:07, which is damn close to matching the time of the E92 M3. Indeed Eisenberg says, “Next week we will definitely know more.” It’s not clear if his words were in relation to a Nürburgring lap time or a general comment on the 1M. Well, next week is almost up, so let’s see what news comes to light in the next few days.

For his part Harris seemed quite impressed with the brief teaser he was given, describing the 1M as having a “lovely balance”. He also reckons the BMW boffins have done little to the 135i engine at this point other than remap the ECU and fit an uprated exhaust. Harris predicts the 1 Series M Coupé will have 340bhp (250kW).

The video from Harris and one other (embed feature disabled) can be seen after the break.

[Source: Evo via BimmerFile]

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BMW Past master

25 years of the BMW M3 in pictures

BMW E30 M3

Last week BMW brought us news about the iconic M3 celebrating 25 years. There’s been just four generations of M3s in that time; if you compare the original E30 to the current E92 you begin to appreciate how long 25 years is in the life cycle of the modern car.

At launch the E30 hit the market with a 2.3 litre four cylinder engine. Peak power was rated at 147kW at 6750 rpm, with 240Nm of torque available from 4750rpm. The feisty pocket rocket tipped the scales at 1200kg. In contrast, the E92, released in 2007, has twice as many cylinders in its engine and almost twice the capacity. Maximum power from the 4.0 litre V8 is 309kW at 8300rpm, while torque has increased to 400Nm from 3900rpm. The listed weight of the manual equipped E92 is 1580kg. One interesting side note is the capacity of the fuel tank; 70 litres in the E30, reduced to 63 litres in the current model.

After the jump you can see a selection of images from all four generations of M3; E30, E36, E46 and E92. You get a good insight at the presence the M3 has made on racetracks around the world too. Basic specs will be given and a more comprehensive list is available for download (700kb PDF).

The only thing left to discuss is to let us know which M3 is your favourite. Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

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BMW

Last hurrah for BMW E60 M5

BMW E60 M5

As the door for a new M model opens, the door for the mighty E60 M5 has closed. With 373kW (507bhp) from its normally aspirated 5.0 litre V10 the most recent M5 was properly quick. In the opinion of AUSmotive it was also the best looking M5 ever made. By far.

In all, a total of 20,548 E60 M5s were sold, making it the highest selling M5 of all time. It may also be the only time we see a V10 stuffed under an M5 bonnet. Rumours suggest the forthcoming F10-based M5 will be powered by a twin-turbo 4.4 litre V8.

Joining BMW’s press release below waving goodbye to the E60 is an image gallery, along with a couple of YouTube clips courtesy of Top Gear.

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BMW

A closer look at the 1 Series M Coupé

BMW 1 Series M Coupe soyshot

BMW were kind enough to give us an official tease of the 1 Series M Coupé on Friday. However, aside from the name, they’ve not given much else away, especially in the case of the car’s specification or equipment. That means we need to take a closer look at the pics available and start the guessing game.

Above you can see an interior shot of the car (or one of the cars) used in Friday’s tease. Keep in mind this is clearly a prototype and details are likely to change. The first things you can see are the steering wheel and front seats from the M3. On the dash are two-tone dials which might not make final production, but you can just make out an indicated redline of 7000rpm. Does that really tell us anything? Probably not, but it does match the current redline of the 135i.

Which brings us to the engine that will power the 1M. At initial launch the 135i was powered by the N54 twin-turbo 3-litre six, producing claimed figures of 225kW (300bhp) and 400Nm. It has since been replaced by the N55 single turbo 3-litre six, with twin scroll technology. Rated power and torque figures remained unchanged from the N54.

There seems to be some debate as to which engine the 1M will feature. For what its worth, the US spec 335is uses a tweaked N54 producing 243kW (320bhp)/502Nm. German publication Autobild is estimating the power of the 1M will be 340PS (250kW). Hmm, sounds suspiciously like the engine specs of the Z4 sDrive35is. Would BMW really adorn the M badge to an engine already found in a non-M model?

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