Saturday, April 19
Shadow

Auto and Cars

Latest Cars and Autos

VIDEO: Listen to Andreas Bovensiepen talk about the ALPINA B7

VIDEO: Listen to Andreas Bovensiepen talk about the ALPINA B7

Auto and Cars
VIDEO: Listen to Andreas Bovensiepen talk about the ALPINA B7 There are few car company owners like Andreas Bovensiepen. For starters, ALPINA is a very small manufacturer, of which there aren’t many left. However, even among them, Bovensiepen is part of a rare breed, as he’s not only a proper gearhead but he’s an outstanding driver. A few years ago, Joe Achilles had the chance to ride shotgun in the ALPINA B7 with Bovensiepen at the wheel, something I’m incredibly jealous of. In this new unreleased video from that day, we see the roles reversed. After blitzing the ALPINA B7 with Achilles in the passenger seat, Bovensiepen wanted to sit in the back seat and let Achilles drive. During that drive, Bovensiepen talks about how ALPINA tunes its cars, how that tuning di...
VIDEO: Check out this Mint-Condition BMW Z4 M Coupe from EAG

VIDEO: Check out this Mint-Condition BMW Z4 M Coupe from EAG

Auto and Cars
VIDEO: Check out this Mint-Condition BMW Z4 M Coupe from EAG We’ve been following Enthusiast Auto Group closer than normal these past couple of weeks. As one of the most prominent BMW restoration centers in North America, there isn’t a time when EAG doesn’t some of the very coolest Bimmers ever made in their shop. However, they’ve had some extra special stuff in their shop recently, stuff we’ve been keeping a close eye one. One such car is this stunning BMW Z4 M Coupe. When you see the Z4 M Coupe in this video, it looks like it rolled off the showroom floor and there are two good reasons for that. One is that it was cared for by a very attentive enthusiast in California, so it was always maintained and had never been in bad weather. The other is that it&rsq...
BMW X4 M Competition gets AC Schnitzer parts and 600 horsepower

BMW X4 M Competition gets AC Schnitzer parts and 600 horsepower

Auto and Cars
BMW X4 M Competition gets AC Schnitzer parts and 600 horsepower BMW Abu Dhabi Motors is introducing a BMW X4 M Competition featuring aero parts from German tuner AC Schnitzer. Aside from the visual upgrades, the BMW X4 M Competition now makes a whooping 600Hp and 700 Nm Torque from the M TwinPower Turbo engine. The visual upgrades start at the front with an aero front bumper splitter, painted also the Toronto Red exterior color. Moving to the back, you can immediately spot the aggressive rear roof-spoiler and the trunk lip which add the necessary downforce to cope with all that power. Speaking of power, the BMW X4 M Competition, in standard form, makes 510 hp and 442 lb-ft (600 Nm) from its new S58 3.0 liter six-cylinder engine designed by BMW M. But now, likely through an ECU remap, t...
The MINI Cooper SE drove through the Florida Keys to Hemingway’s House

The MINI Cooper SE drove through the Florida Keys to Hemingway’s House

Auto and Cars
The MINI Cooper SE drove through the Florida Keys to Hemingway’s House This is a bit of a bleak time in our modern history. We’re all forced to stay indoors as a pandemic devastates most of the world. People are sick and dying, businesses are closing and employees are losing their jobs. There isn’t much to be happy or excited about. However, that’s exactly why we should remember some better times and take a virtual trip through the Florida Keys with a MINI Cooper SE. Just recently, prior to the outbreak of Coronavirus, MINI took its new electric car on a road-trip through the Florida Keys, and ended up in Key West, the home of Ernest Hemingway. The trip started in South Beach, Miami with a full charge and gorgeous weather. It’s a 260 kilometer journey, one that t...
Rolls-Royce “Young Designer Competition” Gives Kids a Chance to Create Their Dream Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce “Young Designer Competition” Gives Kids a Chance to Create Their Dream Rolls-Royce

Auto and Cars
Rolls-Royce “Young Designer Competition” Gives Kids a Chance to Create Their Dream Rolls-Royce This is a time of great uncertainty, as only a handful of people on Earth have previously experienced a global pandemic like the one we’re facing today. During such a time, citizens across the globe have been asked to stay home and isolate themselves from the rest of the public. Self-isolation can be tricky, though, especially with kids who don’t necessarily like being cooped up in the house. So automakers have taken to releasing all sorts of different activities for kids to pass the time, such as coloring books and puzzles. However, Rolls-Royce has launched something more interesting — the “Young Designer Competition”. Any child up to the age of sixteen can draw ...
Rumor: Future BMW G70 7 Series to have two M Performance models

Rumor: Future BMW G70 7 Series to have two M Performance models

Auto and Cars
Rumor: Future BMW G70 7 Series to have two M Performance models The work on the upcoming BMW G70 7 Series has already kicked off. As we reported a while back, the new 7er will be extensively different from what we’ve been getting used to and will feature not only hybrid options but also full electric ones. Today we caught wind of what the actual model names will be for some of the cars. Mind you this is not officially confirmed information so you might want to take it all in with a grain of salt. According to two of our sources, the upcoming 7 Series range will be dominated by electrified models, traditional versions using internal combustion engines being the minority. We’ll get a 735d model using a 3.0 liter straight-six diesel engine as well as a 740i model using a 3.0 li...
MINI Announces the return of the manual gearbox in the US

MINI Announces the return of the manual gearbox in the US

Auto and Cars
MINI Announces the return of the manual gearbox in the US If you’ve been shopping for a MINI in the last year you might’ve noticed that the manual option was not available for quite a long time. The British brand decided to do a refresh of its line-up last year, including a couple of technical changes. No, this was not a facelift but rather a pre-arranged set of modifications to the drivetrain to make sure emissions are kept in check. These include the introduction of the 7-speed dual-clutch gearboxes. The manual gearbox was therefore left out of US soil for a considerable amount of time. Since the US is one of the biggest markets for manual MINIs this was bound to be a temporary solution and the confirmation came today, as MINI issued an official press release letting us kn...
Video: BMW i3 vs Renault Zoe vs Nissan Leaf used car review

Video: BMW i3 vs Renault Zoe vs Nissan Leaf used car review

Auto and Cars
Video: BMW i3 vs Renault Zoe vs Nissan Leaf used car review Electric cars are considered expensive by by a large number of potential customers. Especially in the U.S. where certain models aren’t available right now. Yet, Europe is seeing a rise in small, electric choices that don’t necessarily break the bank. Furthermore, cars like the BMW i3, Renault Zoe or Nissan Leaf have been on the market long enough to make second-hand purchase a viable option. Whether you should go for one or not is still up to you, as electric cars while more reliable than ICE ones, have a different set of problems, mostly related to the battery pack. The guys from LoveCars have set out to test the aforementioned trio and see what each car is like. They cover the range indicated by each car when...
BMW to make over 100,000 masks per day to combat corona pandemic

BMW to make over 100,000 masks per day to combat corona pandemic

Auto and Cars
BMW to make over 100,000 masks per day to combat corona pandemic At the beginning of the week, BMW spoke relatively vaguely of their plans to manufacture protective equipment for combating the corona pandemic. But days later, the Bavarians are now announcing that the first production systems for the respiratory masks are on their way to the company. According to the BMW CEO Oliver Zipse, the systems should be able to produce over 100,000 masks per day and therefore effectively eliminate the current bottlenecks. As a temporary measure to bridge the current worldwide emergency, BMW has also donated more than one million protective masks and around one million protective gloves to the Bavarian government. The car manufacturer donated 100,000 protective masks to the Bavarian Red Cross two a...
2021 Hyundai Elantra – Exterior interior Details (Perfect Sedan)

2021 Hyundai Elantra – Exterior interior Details (Perfect Sedan)

Auto and Cars
http://youtu.be/HWpH72WZkFY Car T-Shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/zaglop-car What's New for 2021? Toyota went for a clean-sheet redesign of the Elantra for 2021, complete with modern exterior and interior styling and more advanced technology features. Hyundai will offer a hybrid Elantra for the first time and is aiming for an EPA combined rating of 50 mpg or higher with that powertrain. We expect the new Elantra to go on sale before the end of 2020. Pricing and Which One to Buy SE: $20,000 (est) SEL: $22,000 (est) Hybrid: $24,000 (est) Limited: $26,000 (est) Hyundai hasn't released pricing for any of the 2021 trims, so we're making educated guesses here. Once we know more about how each model will be equipped, we'll update this story. Our guess is that the mid-range...
F90 BMW M5 takes on its original ancestor — the E28 BMW M5

F90 BMW M5 takes on its original ancestor — the E28 BMW M5

Auto and Cars
F90 BMW M5 takes on its original ancestor — the E28 BMW M5 We just recently took a look at all of the generations of BMW M5 rank them in order of best to worst. While that’s cool, EVO Magazine took things to an entirely different level and compared the original E28 BMW M5 and the F90 BMW M5 on the road. In the flesh. My jealous-meter is through the freaking roof. To be honest, this isn’t so much a comparison test as it is a retrospective look at where the M5 started and where it’s gone. It’s actually quite fascinating to see the philosophical differences and similarities between the two cars. In terms of their overall objectives, both the E28 and F90 BMW M5 are very similar. They were both designed to be the fastest sedans on the planet and to handle with a level...
Do you want this 1988 BMW 735i with a Manual Gearbox?

Do you want this 1988 BMW 735i with a Manual Gearbox?

Auto and Cars
Do you want this 1988 BMW 735i with a Manual Gearbox? Among 7 Series generations, it’s the E38 that is the most beloved. For good reason, too, as it’s a near-perfect luxury sedan. However, its predecessor, the E32-generation, does have one very special thing going for it that could make it more desirable than its superior successor — a manual gearbox. Now before you head to the comment section to call for my head on a stick for claiming that the E38 didn’t come with a manual, let me stop you right there. The E38 7 Series was available with a five-speed manual in a few markets. However, the US market — where we at BMWBLOG live — the E38 did not come with a manual. However, the E32 7 Series was available in the ‘States with a manual gearbox. In th...
Martin Tomczyk: Almost every BMW Works driver has a simulator now

Martin Tomczyk: Almost every BMW Works driver has a simulator now

Auto and Cars
Martin Tomczyk: Almost every BMW Works driver has a simulator now Sim-racing is here to stay. BMW has been involved in such events even before the pandemic hit the world and close race tracks around the world. That looks like a smart move now, as more and more people tune in to watch these series. The advanced graphics and streaming platforms allow car enthusiasts to get their thrills these days. It’s all made even more interesting as BMW Works drivers are heavily committed to the series for obvious reasons. While initially it seemed like a far-off idea, these sim-racing events allow the drivers to keep their reflexes sharp and stay in touch with their fans. Everyone from DTM drivers to IMSA competitors and even Formula 1 stars are jumping on this bandwagon. In a recent sitdown wi...
My Opinion: The BMW 8 Series is Best as a Convertible

My Opinion: The BMW 8 Series is Best as a Convertible

Auto and Cars
My Opinion: The BMW 8 Series is Best as a Convertible Since its debut, I’ve driven every body style of the BMW 8 Series; Coupe, Gran Coupe and Convertible. While I haven’t driven every body style in every 8 Series model (840i, M850i and M8), I have pulled the hat-trick in the middle-man M850i. Of all three M850i variants, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s best as a convertible. That isn’t often a popular opinion, that a sports car is best as a convertible. More often than not, convertibles actually make sports cars a bit worse, due to their inherent weight gain and loss of structural rigidity. In the 8 Series, though, ditching the roof actually unlocks its character. Even in its most hardcore configuration — BMW M8 Competition — the 8 Serie...
Upcoming BMW G87 M2 rendered with huge grilles

Upcoming BMW G87 M2 rendered with huge grilles

Auto and Cars
Upcoming BMW G87 M2 rendered with huge grilles One of the questions that concern the average BMW fan these days is whether the huge grilles we’ve seen on recent models will apply to all cars in the range. We saw them pop up for the first time on the X7 and 7 Series and then the Concept 4 took things to a whole new level, prompting some people to become anxious about the future of their beloved cars. One of the most anticipated cars of the next few years is the upcoming next-gen M2. Since the first-ever M2 was so widely appreciated and loved by the car community, the new one will have some pretty big shoes to fill. Whether it will be up to the task remains to be seen but the truth of the matter is, we’re worried about how it’s going to look. There are two main direction...
Head of BMW Design says the Sedans are Here to Stay

Head of BMW Design says the Sedans are Here to Stay

Auto and Cars
Head of BMW Design says the Sedans are Here to Stay The entire automotive industry is moving toward SUVs and crossovers. It isn’t a secret. Drive down any road, anywhere in the world, for five minutes and at least 60-percent of the vehicles you see on the road will be some sort of crossover or SUV. In fact, 60-percent of BMW sales are SUVs (I’m sorry, SAVs). However, despite the world’s SUV craze, BMW feels that there’s still room for sedans in the market. While speaking with Autoblog, BMW’s Head of Design Domagoj Dukec said that sedans are here to stay, even if more and more customers are preferring to drive taller, more open vehicles. “In the past, we sold only three-box cars. Now, almost 60% of our sales come from SAVs,” he told Autoblog. Du...
Autonomous Cars are Harder to Design than any other, says BMW

Autonomous Cars are Harder to Design than any other, says BMW

Auto and Cars
Autonomous Cars are Harder to Design than any other, says BMW If you think you’re frustrated with BMW’s current design direction, just wait until cars get even more autonomous. At the moment, the most advanced autonomous driving systems are Level 3 at best and that requires a lot of external hardware. However, the hardware for Level 3 can easily be hidden in grilles ad whatnot. Move up to Level 4 and that’s not so easy anymore. Move further up to Level 5 and it may not even be possible. This makes autonomous, self-driving cars far more difficult to design than plain old electric cars. EVs are actually easier to design, as they have fewer design constraints, thanks to their lack of engines, transmissions and a gas tank. However, adding self-driving tech makes life far m...
BMW Group electric vehicles and Plug-in Hybrid sales increased 13.9% in Q1 2020

BMW Group electric vehicles and Plug-in Hybrid sales increased 13.9% in Q1 2020

Auto and Cars
BMW Group electric vehicles and Plug-in Hybrid sales increased 13.9% in Q1 2020 The first quarter of 2020 was not kind to the BMW Group. The Bavarians posted a 20 percent decrease in sale, across their BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. But there is a silver lining in these numbers. According to BMW, the sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles were remarkable year-t0-date. BMW reports 30,692 sales of plug-in electric cars, the equivalent of a 13.9 percent increase year-over-year. “This means we are also on track to meet the EU’s CO2 targets. We do not see any necessity to defer climate protection goals”, said Pieter Nota. With the advent of the recently introduced X1 xDrive25e and X2 xDrive25e, BMW has a powerful fleet of electrified vehicles which also includes the 225xe Acti...
The Perfect Road Trip Cruiser: BMW M1 Supercar

The Perfect Road Trip Cruiser: BMW M1 Supercar

Auto and Cars
The Perfect Road Trip Cruiser: BMW M1 Supercar If there is one car we can’t ever get tired of seeing, then it has to be the BMW M1 Supercar. The M1 is not only one of the most iconic cars in the world, period, but also the only production supercar ever launched by BMW. If you’re a fan of the BMW M1 you probably already know the story behind it. BMW wanted to create a mid-engine supercar with the help of some Italian minds but things didn’t exactly pan out as they were planned. The car was designed by one of the best minds in the business: Georgetto Giugiaro. In 1972, Paul Bracq developed a concept car for BMW, called the BMW Turbo, which would eventually go on to become the BMW M1. While Bracq was the man behind the concept that would eventually become the BMW M1,&nbs...
Dakar Yellow BMW 850CSi with Individual features now selling for $149,990

Dakar Yellow BMW 850CSi with Individual features now selling for $149,990

Auto and Cars
Dakar Yellow BMW 850CSi with Individual features now selling for $149,990 The BMW 850CSi is a rare bird in the automotive landscape and now, one functional unit sporting Individual appointments is up for sale in the US for a whooping price tag of $149,990. This very special 850CSi (which you can see here) is finished in a striking Dakar Yellow Individual color and its cabin its pampered in refined Nappa leather. This is also thought to be the original one. The listing on the sale offer mentions that this Individual Dakar Yellow 850CSi is part of a very limited edition of the E31 8 Series produced specifically for the German market, composed of 787 units. The car was assembled and sold in Germany in 1995, reaching US soil on 2002 after it was purchased from its original customer. Afterwa...
SPIED: BMW 4 Series Coupe seen with Big Grilles again

SPIED: BMW 4 Series Coupe seen with Big Grilles again

Auto and Cars
SPIED: BMW 4 Series Coupe seen with Big Grilles again If you’re sick of seeing spy photos of the next-gen 4 Series, or just sick of hearing about its new grille, it’s too bad because we’re gonna look at it some more. Some new spy photos of the new 4er have just surfaced, showing off its coupe body style and new grille in more detail than we’ve seen before. (We don’t own the spy photos but they can be seen here) Of course, the car in these photos is covered in camouflage, so we can’t see it in exact detail but this is the best look we’ve gotten yet. These photos also reinforce our theory that the 2020 BMW 4 Series is going to be a handsome car, grille aside. Its profile is sleek and sporty, with muscular rear haunches and possibly the best silhou...
2020 MINI Takes the States Postponed Until 2021 due to Covid19

2020 MINI Takes the States Postponed Until 2021 due to Covid19

Auto and Cars
2020 MINI Takes the States Postponed Until 2021 due to Covid19 For any MINI owner hasn’t experienced a MINI Takes the States, I implore you to do so. In doing so, you’ll join hundreds, if not thousands, of like-minded MINI owners in a road trip across massive portions of the United States. I’ve taken part in two MTTS trips and they’ve both been incredibly memorable. In fact, they’re some of the most memorable things I’ve ever done in this job. Which is why I was so excited for the upcoming MTTS this Summer. Sadly, I won’t be able to partake this year and neither will anyone else, as it’s been canceled for this year. Due to the massive spread of the Coronavirus, MINI Takes the States has been postponed until 2021. It’s the responsible...
Check out this BMW M88-powered 1988 Mercedes-Benz 300E

Check out this BMW M88-powered 1988 Mercedes-Benz 300E

Auto and Cars
Check out this BMW M88-powered 1988 Mercedes-Benz 300E Despite being rivals, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have always played nice with each other. The two brands have even collaborated on certain projects before, putting the greater good over their business rivalry. However, they’ve never actually built a car together. That would be going too far. So German tuner Hartge decided to do it for them and made the Hartge F1, a W124 Mercedes-Benz 300E with an E24 BMW 635CSi engine. Back in the late ’80s, Hartge stuffed an M88 engine — from the aforementioned M635CSi — into the engine bay of a Mercedes-Benz 300E, thus creating an unholy duo of awesomeness. The 300E was always an awesome car and looked that just looked menacing. Stuff a 3.6 liter (bored out from 3.5 liters) stra...
Five Things to Know About Upcoming 4 Series — Reveal Date and More

Five Things to Know About Upcoming 4 Series — Reveal Date and More

Auto and Cars
Five Things to Know About Upcoming 4 Series — Reveal Date and More Of all the cars in BMW’s upcoming pipeline, the 4 Series might be the one fans are least excited about. Not that it’s going to be a bad car — it’s likely going to be quite good, actually — but because of its polarizing new styling. However, the next-gen 4 Series is still a car you should be interested in and here are five reasons why. June Reveal Date If you are excited to see the 2020 BMW 4 Series, you won’t have to wait too long. According to our sources, the new 4 Series will be revealed to the public sometime in June. that reveal will be online, of course, as no big events are in the near future due to the massive pandemic currently shocking the world. But it’s a reveal never...
2022 BMW M3 gets rendered from behind – Here is a new image

2022 BMW M3 gets rendered from behind – Here is a new image

Auto and Cars
2022 BMW M3 gets rendered from behind – Here is a new image The upcoming 2022 BMW M3 gets one more rendering. This time, @zer.0.wt gives us a close look at what the potential rear end of the new M3 could look like. The render is based on some of the previous leaked images, including this one. In this render, we can see that its rear wheel arches are flared out, similar to those found on the current F80 BMW M3. The bumper includes the typical quad exhaust pipes, even though they seem to be a bit smaller than usual in this image. There will be a subtle spoiler on top of the trunk, on the standard models. The more sportier models, like the CS, will likely get a more aggressive lip. As you’d expect, the roof is also made of carbon fiber. The front-end is not featured here, but we&rsqu...
BMW extends shutdown at Spartanburg plant through April 30

BMW extends shutdown at Spartanburg plant through April 30

Auto and Cars
BMW extends shutdown at Spartanburg plant through April 30 BMW Manufacturing announced today it is extending its shutdown at the Spartanburg plant by three additional weeks. The plant was scheduled to reopen on April 13, but it’s now due to open its doors on April 30th. “We continue to be concerned about the health and safety of the entire BMW workforce. During this time, additional cleaning and disinfecting will be performed at work stations throughout the plant,” officials said in the statement. Furthermore, BMW says “the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been far reaching, and customer demand for our product has declined considerably. Stay-at-home orders are still active throughout the country and Mexico, which is adversely affecting our supply chai...
Q1 2020: BMW Group Global Sales Down 20 percent

Q1 2020: BMW Group Global Sales Down 20 percent

Auto and Cars
Q1 2020: BMW Group Global Sales Down 20 percent In the first quarter of 2020, BMW Group delivered a total of 477,111 (‑20.6%) premium BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles to customers. The significant decrease in sales is tied to the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected the entire globe. According to BMW, the company initially made a good start to the year and was reporting sales growth. However, by February, the impact of the pandemic had already led to a significant decrease in sales in China. By March, the effects of the pandemic were clearly visible in sales figures in Europe and the US. Around 80% of all retail outlets in Europe and 70% of those in the US are currently closed due to the coronavirus. In a number of countries, including Germany, stationary retailers are legally p...
Next-gen 2022 BMW M2 (G87) gets first renderings

Next-gen 2022 BMW M2 (G87) gets first renderings

Auto and Cars
Next-gen 2022 BMW M2 (G87) gets first renderings A reader of BMWBLOG (@zer.o.wt) has sent us some renderings of the next-generation 2022 BMW M2. Since the new BMW 2 Series Coupe won’t arrive until 2021, the renderings are speculative at the moment. But nonetheless, it’s a great design exercise to image what the idea BMW M2 would like. The successor to the current generation F87, internally called G87, will arrive in 2022 and according to sources, it will still be one of the most fun cars in the M portfolio. The renderings seen below combine design elements from the current F87 BMW M2 Competition, paired with some design cues from the recent BMW M235i Gran Coupe, and some lines imported from the M8 family. The front is dominated by two large air intakes with carbon fiber ins...
The principle of 20 spokes : History of the ALPINA wheel design

The principle of 20 spokes : History of the ALPINA wheel design

Auto and Cars
The principle of 20 spokes : History of the ALPINA wheel design Wheels are an essential part of a car’s image and the 20-spoke ALPINA design wheels are certainly famous worldwide among BMW fans. Here’s an interesting piece of history on how they were conceived and became so popular and recognized. ALPINA began its effort to create a unique, hallmark light alloy wheel design in the ’60s. The German market was becoming increasingly interested in alloy wheels, as Porsche had already paved the way with the Fuchs design rims beginning with 1966. Wheel design on the BMW ALPINA B3 Saloon (G20). On the new E9 series, BMW had already implemented a FPS-style aluminum lightweight wheel that was offered from 2800 CS Coupe model upwards. However, there was only one choice of wheel...
Timeless And Elegant: 1970 BMW 2500 in Tundra Green Metallic

Timeless And Elegant: 1970 BMW 2500 in Tundra Green Metallic

Auto and Cars
Timeless And Elegant: 1970 BMW 2500 in Tundra Green Metallic With its arrival in 1968 under the BMW New Six wave of models, the entry-level 2500 version of the E3 series reaffirmed BMW’s interest and commitment to developing upper-class luxury saloons. After the BMW New Class was successfully launched in 1962, towards late ’60s, the need for a large-sized premium sedan at BMW became more and more stringent. Since Mercedes-Benz was already a key player in the field, the decision of BMW to come up with the E3/E9 series of new high-class contenders was the best “medicine” to counteract the all-time Stuttgart rival. BMW 2500 (Photo from the BMW Group Classic Archives). BMW was not entirely new in this business, having previously developed the 501 and 502 luxobarges ...
Exit mobile version