Auto and Cars

BMW: “Driving down battery cost will lead to widespread EV adoption” We recently had the chance to have a sit down with some BMW experts working in the Battery Cell Competence Center in Munich. The new 120 million Euro facility allows engineers and scientists to work on one of the hottest topics in the automotive industry today: batteries. The world is hellbent on adopting electric vehicles on a wider scale but there are some hiccups in the way, hiccups that will eventually be dealt with. We’ve had the chance of talking about solid state batteries and the challenges they pose, as well as other related topics. BMW says that “it doesn’t seem to be a ‘Holy Grail’ solution rising in the horizon for now, so we’ll have to make due with the technology we hav...

Video: Thrashing a Rolls-Royce Cullinan in the desert looks like great fun Whenever you review a car, no matter how expensive it is and how well insured it is, there’s always a lingering thought in the back of your head telling you to be careful. You don’t want to be the guy who has to call the people telling them something went wrong. You normally ignore that thought because otherwise you’d be paralyzed by fear. But that’s harder to do when you’re talking about a $400,000 Rolls-Royce Cullinan. However, Emme from Roadshow, had the audacity not only to take a Cullinan out for a spin but she entered a desert rally with it. She competed in the Rebelle Rally which is a competition dedicated to women passionate about cars, that takes place in the desert and requ...

TEST DRIVE: E36 BMW 325i in Individual Violet Metallic During our recent stint with the 2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe prototype, we also had the chance to explore and drive an iconic BMW – the E36 BMW 325i. But this was not your typical E36 3 Series, but rather one refined by the folks at BMW Individual. This E36 BMW 325i in Violet Metallic hails from the stables of BMW Group Classic in Munich featuring a comprehensive rehaul, both on the outside and inside. The car is essentially new, with just 11,600 kilometers on the odometer, and it was used sporadically for media scenic drives. An Exclusive Interior Let’s start with the interior since it’s quite striking. The cockpit greets the driver with an almost completely analog speedometer, with only the onboard computer providin...

The rare BMW ALPINA Roadster V8 Limited Edition The BMW ALPINA Roadster V8 Limited Edition is considered the temporary continuation of the iconic Z8 after the production of the E52 model series ceased in November 2002. The BMW Z8 is a marvelous roadster. When you add ALPINA to the game, you have the recipe for an exciting model. Titled Roadster V8 Limited Edition, this Z8-based ALPINA open-top model from the early 2000s is the perfect symbiosis between a seductive design and unparalleled, pure grand turismo driving comfort and performance. The Z8 will forever remain a symbol of breath-taking design and proportions, with an astonishingly aerodynamic silhouette and an almost perfect design philosophy, blending in modern and classic traits. The BMW ALPINA V8 Roadster Limited Edition was a...

Video: Tuned Supra takes on stock BMW M4 on drag strip The new Toyota Supra has quickly become an automotive darling, even though some are criticizing it for various reasons. Most of that criticism comes from the fact that most of the underpinnings come from BMW which is also why a lot of people love it at the same time. The engine and the gearbox are sourced from the Germans as well as a lot of the bits inside, the infotainment system, and so on. However, the Japanese did some tinkering to certain parts of the car to make it even better. That’s why in various comparisons against what is supposed to be exactly the same car – the BMW Z4 M40i – the Supra comes up on top. And that happened a number of times. In the video below we get to see it at work in a straight line, ...

The MINI John Cooper Works GP Seems like an absolute Riot The entire BMW Group seems so sensible these days. It seems like every decision the massive German company makes is made by a computer, calculating potential profits and losses. I guess that’s because it’s a giant German company… I digress. In the midst of all the gray sensibility, there seems to be a flash of madness shining through; a bit of silly, stupid fun. The MINI John Cooper Works GP. Despite being a brand whose ethos is built on the notion of fun, MINI has become a bit too sensible as of late. Cars like the Countryman and Cooper SE reek of spreadsheets and focus groups. Not so with the MINI JCW GP, though. Oh no, the GP is full-on, foam-at-the-mouth psychopath whose sole purpose is to be fun. In this n...

VIDEO: Listen to the Music of this ultra-low-mileage BMW Z4 M Coupe One of the most forgotten M cars of the past couple of decades also happens to be one of the most special — the BMW Z4 M Coupe. It was a rare car even when it was new and it’s somewhat forgotten now but it’s one of the absolute coolest BMWs of its time and a car any enthusiast would love to own. In this new video from Enthusiast Auto Group (EAG), we take a look at an ultra-low-mileage example that sounds incredible. Powering the BMW Z4 M Coupe is the brand’s famous S54 engine, the very same engine that powered the E46 M3. It’s a 3.0 liter naturally-aspirated inline-six with six individual throttle bodies and about 330 hp, for the North American model. But forget the specs because only two t...

Electric MINI Cooper gets “Cybertrucked” in new Render I can still remember the hilarity of the Tesla Cybertruck’s first announcement. Elon Musk strode onto that all-black stage like the rage-tweeting Steve Jobs-wanna-be that he is and attempted to demonstrate an indestructible truck that was eventually destroyed by a man with a ball. Despite the objective absurdity that was the Cybertruck launch announcement, it seemed to have resonated with a lot of fans. So much so in fact, that renders have been made of other cars with the Cybertrucks’ oddball styling. The latest of which is a MINI Cooper , a staple of British design. When the classic Mini first arrived, it was an ingenious package; stylish and practical, fun and economical. In fact, it may be one of the most brilliantly...

Facelifted 2021 BMW 5 Series leaked again and we love the car Quite a busy week in the “BMW leak world” because another image of the 2021 BMW 5 Series LCI has just come out. The image seems to be part of an official brochure which we’ve head that’s starting to arrive a dealerships around the world. It’s likely that these marketing brochures are used to attract customers to the new facelifted 5 Series, so they serve a good purpose. The brochure initially popped up on GermanCarForum, then on Carscoops, before making its rounds on social media and other platforms. Just like the previous leaked 5 Series images, the refreshed business sedan looks the part – it’s bold, sleek and elegant. This is arguably one of the best facelifts in recent memory, on...

Rendering: BMW iNEXT (iX) shows a crossover bodystyle with an EV touch 2021 will bring one of the most technologically advanced cars ever created by BMW. The BMW iNext (iX) is the company’s first true competitor to Tesla offerings and aims to play in the high-end market of electric crossovers. Despite not many spy photos, rendering artists are already putting out their own interpretation of the car. The new flagship of the BMW i sub-brand is roughly the size of the current X5 and should not only impress with its electric drive, but also set new standards in the areas of autonomous driving and connectivity. Renderings: @zer.o.wt on Instagram It is also clear that the BMW iNext, or iX as that might be the final name, will not exclusively use the new features. Whether electric drive...

3D Design’s G21 BMW 3 Series Touring exterior kit looks angry As far as daily sports wagons go, the BMW 3 Series Touring is among the best in the business. It’s quick (depending on the model), handles well, looks good and has tons of space inside for the family run. There’s almost nothing the 3 Series Touring does poorly. However, it can be a bit sedate looking, especially if you don’t opt for the M340i Touring. So if you have a long-roof 3 Series but it just doesn’t look quite disco enough for you, this tuning kit from 3D Design might just be for you. This new tuning kit fits right over the stock M Sport exterior package and makes the 3er Touring look properly sporty. As per usual with 3D Design’s work, this kit is made of the highest quality and fits like...

BMW Russia now offers the option to select, configure and pay online for a BMW BMW has been teasing us for years with an Amazon-line experience when buying a car online. There were a few attempts in Asia to put in place such a process, but none at a global scale. Tesla made famous the online car buying process and automakers are starting to adapt. One of them is the BMW Group Russia which just announced their new digital offerings which includes an e-commerce component to purchase a new BMW. The entire process of buying a car – from model selection, to choosing the options and features, payment and loan approval, to estimating the value of the car to be traded in – is being made fully available online. Some dealerships are also offering an option to deliver the car to the ad...

Rare Find: BMW M8 Coupe Competition in Individual Aventurine Red II This new BMW M8 is a bit interesting. It’s flawed as a sports car, due to its lack of real communication from the controls and its massive curb weight. However, it’s actually an outstanding GT car, thanks to its brutal speed and surprising comfort. This very nature causes a bit of division among BMW enthusiasts, some of which bemoan its GT-like nature and some embrace it. Driving nature aside, though, there’s one thing most enthusiasts can agree on — the BMW M8 Competition is a damn fine looking machine. Seen here in this Instagram post is a BMW M8 Competition in a very rare Aventurine Red II, one of BMW M’s Individual colors, and it looks outstanding. With the gloss black accents, black wh...

MINI Cooper SE – The First EV You Should Try In Your Life By now, everyone knows most of the things about the new MINI Cooper SE. It’s a small car, it’s electric and it doesn’t cost that much, but its range is not necessarily enough to be your main car. I won’t torture you by telling you for the 400th time that the car has an electric engine similar to the one used for in the BMW i3 – 184 HP and 270 Nm (199 ft-lb) – able to punch the road quite hard. And that the range is between 235 km and 270 km (145 – 165 miles). Which might not be adequate for certain markets. Yet today, I want to analyze this car from a different perspective. I said that this MINI is pretty good, but it might not be enough for long distances to be your main car. But what if...

VIDEO: Check out this Chris Harris/BMW Compilation from Top Gear Among all famous motoring journalists, Chris Harris is among the most respected and admired. His ability to flog cars better than any other journo, while also delivering clever and witty dialog, is deeply impressive. He’s also a pretty big fan of BMWs and owns several. In this new clip from Top Gear, they’ve put together a compilation of Harris driving and interacting with various different BMWs. As per usual, it’s filled with clips of Harris flogging different Bimmers. For instance, the video features his comparison between a BMW M2 and his very own 1 Series M, a comparison that’s very much worth your time. There’s also another interesting comparison in the half-hour-long video, which pits th...

VIDEO: Catch a Good Look at the G80 BMW M3 at the Nurburgring Chasing down prototype cars at the Nurburgring is nothing new. You’ll see more photographers at a Nurburgring manufacturer test day than at a Kardashian wedding. So seeing clips of some camouflaged test mules lapping the ‘Ring isn’t exactly uncommon. What is uncommon is getting an up close look at one of these camouflaged cars while they sit idle. Thankfully, that’s exactly what we get from this new spy video of the G80 BMW M3. In this new video, we get to see the usual array of manufacturer test cars lapping Germany’s most famous race track. One of which is the G80 M3, one of the most hotly anticipated cars in BMW’s lineup. However, after seeing it do its thing on track, we get to see it u...

BMW: Regularly fast-charging won’t noticeably affect our batteries The switch from internal combustion engines to electric ones won’t be an easy one and it brings a few issues we weren’t initially expecting. Since electric cars require an entirely different infrastructure, they will bring with them some different problems that need to be taken care of. One that seems to be of particular interest for most ‘electronauts’ is related to the downsides of fast-charging on the regular. Recent reports showed that cars using fast charging more often could end up having issues retaining similar amounts of energy stored in their batteries compared to cars that have been charged on lower settings. It was one of the topic I had the chance to touch on during a recent interview...

Video: BMW X1 review finds it typical for a Bavarian Machine, predictable The BMW X1 has largely been ignored by the press as of late. With more and more new models making their debuts, the little crossover has been forgotten by most media outlets. Nevertheless, the X1 keeps on marching on, with sales showing it’s quite an appealing model for a lot of people. Sure, the fact that it’s the cheapest car with a BMW badge you can buy still plays a part in that equation but the X1 is worth a look over if you’re interested in a compact SUV. But what should you expect from it? The guys from Savagegeese did a very comprehensive review of it and cover most of the topics you might be interested in, when buying a new car. What makes the X1 interesting is that, even though it has a...

BMW i8 Gets tuned to 409 HP, gets better fuel economy While it may seem peculiar at first, one of the goals behind the making of the BMW i8 was the fuel consumption. Of course, that wasn’t the main concern, but BMW wanted to prove that you can have supercar looks and decent performance without having to source your own oil field. That’s why the engine ‘under the hood’ is a three-cylinder, 1.5 liter tiny thing, turbocharged into oblivion. And the power output of that engine can go even further up. According to the guys from DTE Systems, the car can make even more power with a simple ECU tune. They claim the total power output of the i8 can be taken up to 409 HP without damage to the internals. They have been coy about the details but did mention this was achieved ...

BMW Spartanburg plant to gradually reopen starting May 4 A month has passed since the shutdown of the BMW Plant in Spartanburg – due to the COVID-19 outbreak – but now the German automaker is ready to gradually reopen its production lines. According to WYFF4, citing the company’s Plant Spartanburg Communications Manager Sky Foster, the Spartanburg-based factory will open on May 4th for A-shift only. The B-shift will start May 18, Foster said. Furthermore, BMW says that the staggered approach will give all its suppliers time to ramp back up. During the non-production time, BMW implemented a variety of deep cleaning and safety measures. This included disinfecting equipment in all technologies, sanitizing workstations, remodeling layouts to enhance social dista...

SPIED: Upcoming BMW i4 Caught Juicing at the EV Bar It’s always fun seeing spy shots of cars that are still in production. It’s like spotting some rare wild animal in its natural habitat, doing something that you wouldn’t normally see it doing. Except, instead of seeing a rare tiger licking its… paw… we’re seeing a BMW i4 stopping for some juice. (We don’t own these spy photos so you can check them out here) In these new spy photos, we get to see a camouflaged BMW i4 test mule surprisingly up close and personal. These photos offer a better look at the i4 than almost any other ones we’ve seen. Most of what we can see from the design we’ve already seen before. However, there are a few things that stand out that interest us. BMW i4 Co...

2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe (G42): Latest digital artist impression After Sunday’s leak, it was only a matter of time until the first digital renderings of the future G42 2 Series would appear on the interwebs. In the last two years, BMW, and other automakers, have experienced some significant leaks, including early reveals of future models that were still under development, like the X5 M/X6 M models and the M8 Coupe. On April 26th, an otherwise calm day, nothing announced the storm that would break out as 2 shots of what appeared to be the upcoming 2 Series Coupe surfaced on the Internet. BMW has yet to acknowledge that it was indeed a 2 Series prototype, but all clues point to that. Set to arrive next year, the new G42 2 Series will remain a pure-bred, rear-driven BMW coupe. The fut...

BMW Welt reopens May 4th after the major CoVID-19 lockdown After the big lockdown caused by the outspread of the coronavirus infectious disease, the BMW Welt is reopening to public starting May 4th, 2020. Upon the easening of the restrictive measures imposed by the Bavarian State Government to limit the spread of the CoVID-19 pandemic, BMW Welt is set to reopen to public beginning with May 4th. The vehicle collection service, sales rooms and showrooms will all become available again. So, collecting your new Bimmer from BMW Welt will once again be possible. Also, if you’re looking for some advice prior the acquisition of a BMW Group vehicle, you have to know that a limited number of visitors will receive such advisory service in the BMW Welt showrooms. In addition, the BMW Welt Li...

VIDEO: Watch and Listen to the BMW M440i xDrive Prototype Accelerate Yesterday, we were all given a teaser of the upcoming BMW M440i xDrive Prototype by the Bavarians themselves. Some European journalists were given the chance to not only see the pre-production, camouflaged prototype in the flesh but also drive it. Among those journalists was our good friend Benny, from our German sister site BimmerToday. He was also able to grab some video of his experience, showing off what the M440i looks and sounds like while accelerating. First, though, let’s talk about how it sounds at start-up. In Europe, cars must now get certain exhaust particulate filters, as per new regulations, and these filters tend to mute exhaust notes a bit. So, at the moment, Euro-market cars sound worse than they...

Video: BMW E30 Gets turned into block of ice, starts anyway Straight from the realm of incredibly audacious videos, we’re bringing you yet another crazy experiment. This time it involves an old BMW E30 3 Series, some water and lots of cold. This is the story of a brave little BMW that got frozen solid (basically turned into a block of ice) that refused to die. The video below shows an ‘experiment’ done by Garage 54. They wanted to see whether it would be possible to thaw a car if it was frozen solid. You may seen footage, or at least pictures, of cars being turned into solid blocks of ice due to freezing rain before. I’ve seen and felt that myself, a couple of years back, and I can tell you it’s not particularly fun. Having to remove snow from a car is a wa...

BMW: Solid State Batteries are not yet viable, could be after 2027 Electrified cars are on the rise, regardless of whether or not you want them to be. Be it plug-in hybrid models or purely electric ones, the electrification of personal mobility is shaping up. Therefore, the work done in this field is starting to be more and more important by the day. BMW has been making electric cars for about 7 years now, even more if you take into consideration all the hybrid models the Germans launched over the years. That would be considered an adequate amount of experience but the struggles every car maker has to face in this field are not to be ignored. We recently had the opportunity to sit down and chat with some of the key people involved in battery development over in Munich. Due to the partic...

Photo Comparison: BMW iX3 vs Mercedes-Benz EQC Just yesterday, some photos leaked of the upcoming BMW iX3, the all-electric version of the X3, and they honestly seemed rather encouraging (despite the fact that the iX3 won’t be coming to the US market). However, the iX3 isn’t the only electric crossover in its segment. It’s not even the only German. There’s also the Mercedes-Benz EQC and they couldn’t be more direct rivals if they were named Rocky and Drago. Obviously, we can’t compare how these cars drive, as we haven’t driven either; the EQC is difficult to test and the iX3 hasn’t even been officially revealed yet. However, we can compare their styling which, let’s face it, is going to do 90-percent of the selling of these two cars ...

TEST DRIVE: 2021 BMW 4 Series Prototype – “The Scalpel” Most of the media reports devoted to the new 2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe thus far have focused on its design. But now, with the keys to several prototypes in our grasp, we have the chance to write a preliminary driving report on the new car. We also get an idea of what the second generation of the midsize coupe has to offer besides a large kidney grille. After all, the most discussed aspect of the G22 4 Series has long since been answered: it will have a whole new kidney design, which will set it apart from the 3 Series much more clearly than before. A New Powertrain However, the controversial design is far from the only aspect of the new 2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe that distinguishes it from the 3 Series Sedan. Behind the confident front...

BMW 4 Series Pre-Production Prototype — Official Technical Specs/Photos Revealed This upcoming BMW 4 Series is a bit of a polarizing topic for enthusiasts of the brand. On one hand, fans are excited about a two-door coupe built on the similar chassis setup as the G20 3 Series. On the other hand, its new front end design language has most fans… let’s say disappointed. Yea, disappointed. That’s a gentle way of putting it. However, there’s a lot more to the upcoming 4 Series than just its new kidney grille. In fact, after learning about what’s under the skin, a lot of fans might forget and/or forgive its new mug. BMW has just lifted the veil on the technical specs of the next-gen 4 Series, giving us a look at what makes the new two-door Bimmer so exciting. It...

2021 BMW 5 Series LCI: A short comparison with the pre-LCI generation Ahead of the official Internet premiere in May, the new LCI generation of the 2021 BMW 5 Series is now briefly revealed to get a first taste of what’s to come. As a 5 Series owner, I get excited every time a new generation kicks in, almost like it were my birthday. Although we are not talking about an entirely new vehicle generation, the LCI treatment for the G30/G31 5 Series is an important refreshment to the Bavarian business model lineup. The new 5 Series LCI looks pretty spot on and is a welcome makeover of the pre-LCI model, which was a bit criticized for looking a little dull and out of place in the BMW portfolio. While I appreciated the styling of the pre-facelift G30/G31, it was clearly an evolution of ...