Category: BMW

Categories
BMW

BMW M235i specs leaked

BMw M235i spied

Bimmerpost brings word of the specifications for the forthcoming F22 BMW 2 Series Coupé, notably the M235i. Also included are specs for the 220i and 220d.

The data came via the BMW South Africa website which means we can take it as being accurate. Here’s the key stats, and after the break you can see screen grabs.

BMW M235i
Power/torque: 240kW @ 5800rpm / 450Nm @ 1300–4500rpm
Engine: 2979cc six cylinder turbo (N55B30O0)
Weight (unladen): 1455kg (manual), 1470kg (auto)
0–100km/h: 5.0s (manual), 4.8s (auto)
0–1000m: 23.8s

BMW 220i
Power/torque: 135kW @ 5000rpm / 270Nm @ 1250–4500rpm
Engine: 1997cc four cylinder turbo (N20B20U0)
Weight (unladen): 1350kg (manual), 1365kg (auto)
0–100km/h: 7.0s
0–1000m: 27.3s (manual), 27.7s (auto)

BMW 220d
Power/torque: 135kW @ 4000rpm / 380Nm @ 1750–2750rpm
Engine: 1995cc four cylinder diesel (N47D20O1)
Weight (unladen): 1375kg (manual), 1390kg (auto)
0–100km/h: 7.2s (manual), 7.1s (auto)
0–1000m: 27.5s (manual), 27.4s (auto)

For those playing at home they’ll been keen to note a small 5kW increase for the M235i compared with the M135i, which brings a very slight performance benefit too, shaving 0.1s off the claimed 0-100km/h times.

[Source: Bimmerpost | Thanks to John for the tip]

Continue reading “BMW M235i specs leaked”
Categories
BMW

BMW 4 Series convertible given unofficial preview

BMW 4 Series convertible

BMW’s F33 4 Series convertible has been given an early viewing thanks to a series of images leaked by a Belgian source. Based on the F32 4 Series coupé there’s no real surprises here and you’ll get your official look at BMW’s latest convertible at the LA Auto Show next month.

Although, don’t be surprised if Munich responds in the next day or two with official images and information.

Like the old 3 Series convertible the 4 Series version sticks with a metal folding roof and Australian buyers should probably look towards the coupé for an idea of the likely engine line up and specs.

[Source: BMW Blog]

Categories
BMW

The future of the M5 will embrace all-wheel drive

F10 BMW M5

BMW M boss, Dr Friedrich Nitschke, says the future of the M5 will include all-wheel drive. However, AWD will be an option only and the M5/M6 will still be available in a traditional rear-wheel drive format as well.

Those wanting all-paw traction for their M5 still have some time to wait. “On our cars we are thinking of all-wheel drive, but it won’t come before we get the successor of the M5 and M6,” Dr Nitschke said.

“That’s the timing and it’s not practical to react in the current life cycles. It would also be an additional option, not the only available model, because a lot of M buyers prefer rear-wheel drive.”

Nitschke revealed at least part of the reason for this move is to respond to the likes of Audi and Mercedes-Benz. “I’ve looked at the numbers and 70 to 80 percent of E63 AMGs are all-wheel drive in the US now,” he said.

Fans of the M3/M4 will be interested in these emphatic words, “The M5 and M6, maybe in the next generation they could get AWD, but not with the M3 or M4. Never,” Nitschke stated.

“To accelerate out of corners with this rear-end architecture concept is so fantastic that it [all-wheel drive] is not needed.”

It’s not the first time we’ve heard M5 and AWD in the same sentence, but the expected time frame for the launch an all-paw M5 has extended.

[Source: motoring.com.au]

Categories
BMW

Do you care if BMW makes a FWD sedan?

BMW Concept Active Tourer

We all know that BMW is going to make a front-wheel drive hatchback. But while a front-wheel drive hatch may be palatable to purist BMW fans what will they think about a genuine front-wheel drive sedan wearing the famous BMW roundel?

Word is a bum dragging 1 Series sedan has been confirmed by Munich and it will become a reality. Not due until 2017 and currently under the working title of New Entry-level Sedan (NES) the future of the entire 1 Series range is heading for a front-wheel drive platform.

Speaking to Autoweek, a BMW source was quoted as saying: “The NES is integral to our growth plans. It will be an important pillar in the future 1 Series lineup, particularly in the US and China.”

The questions, then, firstly do we care? Will this be a watershed moment for BMW that sees it permanently lose some die hard fans? Do you think BMW could do the unthinkable and build the 3 Series on a FWD platform?

[Source: Automotive News]

Categories
BMW

VIDEO: Now you can see and hear the new M3/M4

BMW M3/M4

BMW has released a series of official test videos showing the new M3/M4 prototypes being put through their paces around the Nürburgring. Also along for the ride was reigning DTM champion Bruno Spengler. Amazingly for a BMW driver Spengler says he’d never been to the Ring before. He is Canadian so we’ll be kind and cut Spengler some slack.

We sourced these videos via BimmerPost and the BMW blog network brings us another preview of the new F80/F82 hero models in the form of an audio soundtrack we first heard over at BimmerFile.

The audio track was published by Road & Track and is said to be an M4 being revved while at standstill. It sounds alright too.

Continue reading “VIDEO: Now you can see and hear the new M3/M4”
Categories
BMW

BMW M4 technical animation

2014 BMW M4

If you missed Wednesday’s release of technical guff for the new BMW F82 M4 you can see it all presented here in this whiz bang animation.

Continue reading “BMW M4 technical animation”
Categories
BMW

BMW teases technical details for M3/M4

BMW M3/M4

The new BMW M3/M4 will have “approximately” 320kW (430hp) and “substantially more” than 500Nm of torque. It will be powered by a “high-revving” 3.0 litre inline six cylinder engine with two mono-scroll turbochargers.

A 6-speed manual gearbox will be available, along with an optional 7-speed DCT featuring launch control. The M4 coupe will weigh less than 1500kg, around 80kg less than the E92 model.

Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic has been used throughout and will be used for the roof of the M3 (sedan) for the first time. Even the pro-shaft is made from CFRP, which saves 40% in weight compared with the old M3’s prop-shaft.

These are some of the key highlights for the new F80 M3/F82 M4 and you can read more detail after the break.

Continue reading “BMW teases technical details for M3/M4”
Categories
BMW

New BMW M3/M4 promises more than 317kW

BMW Concept M4

We’ve already been given a visual preview of the new BMW M4 and now Bimmerpost is promising an unofficial preview of the much awaited technical details. So far they say we can expect the F80 M3/F82 M4 to have more than 425hp (317kW) and over 370lb-ft (500Nm) of torque.

For comparison, the old E92 M3 produced 309kW/400Nm from its 4.0 litre normally aspirated V8. So far we only know the new M3/M4 will be powered by a turbocharged inline six cylinder, probably of 3.0 litre capacity. Exact specs remain unknown.

Apparently we’re going to be impressed by the new model’s weight, or lack thereof. For now though, wait is all we have. Hopefully we’ll know more very soon.

[Source: Bimmerpost]

UPDATE 25 September: Here’s the official word from BMW.

Categories
Alfa Romeo Audi BMW Chevrolet Citroen Ferrari Infiniti Jaguar Lamborghini Mercedes-Benz Motor Shows Nissan Porsche Rolls-Royce Seat Skoda Subaru Tesla Volkswagen

2013 Frankfurt Motor Show in pictures

2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

The lights have been turned off at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show and the mammoth task of dismantling the huge displays has begun. To recap what you may have missed here’s a selection of 120+ pics reminding you what was on show.

Continue reading “2013 Frankfurt Motor Show in pictures”
Categories
BMW

BMW FAST prototype heralds FWD future

BMW Family Activity Sports Tourer

This, we’re told, is a BMW FAST (Family Activity Sports Tourer) crossover prototype. It’s likely to be one of the first examples of BMW’s front-wheel drive future to be built on the company’s UKL platform, which will provide the basis for the 1 Series GT and the F56 MINI. It could even wear an X1 nameplate.

It’s not expected BMW will offer FWD models beyond its UKL architecture but it will be interesting to see how BMW itself reacts to watering down its proud rear-wheel drive heritage. If these UKL babies sell well, will it lead BMW to consider increasing its FWD offerings?

[Source: World Car Fans | Pic: Automedia]

Categories
BMW Motor Shows

Frankfurt 2013: BMW i8

BMW i8

The BMW i8 is another car we’ve spent a long time with on the journey from original concept to the production model you see here today. Last month BMW shared with us much of the technical specification, now we just get to see the car without the crazy camouflage.

Having seen the Vision EfficientDynamics with our own eyes at the Australian International Motor Show in 2011 we were amazed at the level of finish and fine details. Predictably, perhaps, some of that finesse appears to have been lost.

The i8 is a plug-in hybrid sportscar that’s fast enough, but we don’t expect it to be scaring the likes of Porsche any time soon. The rear wheels are powered by a 170kW/320Nm 1.5 litre three cylinder petrol 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 1490kg, BMW says the i8 can accelerate to 100km/h in 4.4 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 is over 500km, thanks largely to the three cylinder petrol engine sipping fuel at the rate of just 2.5l/100km on the combined cycle.

There’s more pics and a detailed press kit for you to download after the break.

Continue reading “Frankfurt 2013: BMW i8”
Categories
BMW

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe spied

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe prototype

Now that we have the new 4 Series Coupe, with the convertible version to follow in Frankfurt next week, BMW can focus on extending the range further with the four-door Gran Coupe.

As you can see from this recent spy shot, the look is very much in line with the regular coupe version and so long as rear seat headroom isn’t completely pointless the Gran Coupe could end up being a fine option for those wanting to stand out from the 3 Series saloon crowd.

It’s expected the 4 Series Gran Coupe will debut later this year, possibly at the LA Auto Show in November.

[Source: World Car Fans | Pic: Automedia]