Auto and Cars

What non-BMW dream car is a must-have is your all-time dream garage? We’re all fans of BMW here, that’s why you’re reading this article and why I’m writing it. However, not all of us are exclusively BMW fans, present company included. Most of us like other brands and other cars from other brands, even rival brands of BMW. To be honest, if I were to choose an all-time dream car — even though I find that almost impossible — it likely wouldn’t be a BMW. There are too many incredible cars from too many brands for that to be the case. Admittedly, many of you BMW fans might choose a BMW as your all-time dream car. But let’s play a game and leave BMW out of the picture. Let’s choose our all-time dream car, one from any era that would be a m...

VIDEO: Supercar Blondie takes us inside the BMW i4 Concept Without question, the most important car in BMW’s pipeline is the upcoming i4. With its all-electric powertrain, Gran Coupe-styling and impressive specs, the BMW i4 will be the car that (in theory) launches the Bavarian brand into the future. To tease us, BMW released the i4 Concept, which is apparently about 85-percent production-ready. So as funky as the concept looks, expect a lot of it to translate to the road. Unfortunately, we didn’t get too much of a look at the i4 Concept, as its Geneva Motor Show debut was cancelled. Thankfully, though, Supercar Blondie has released this video, showing it off. In this video, Supercar Blondie takes a deep dive into the BMW i4 Concept, to show us its exterior features, interio...

BMW 218i Gran Coupe priced from AUD 47,990 on Australian market Just a few days ago, the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe marked its official entry onto the Australian market. The first-ever BMW four-door coupe now caters to the Oz clients with the help of an attractive equipment package and looks that certainly won’t get by unnoticed. The new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe (F44) is available right away to order with prices starting from AUD 47,990 for Australia. The new compact Bimmer is cleverly slotted between the 1 Series hatchback and the 3 Series mid-class sedan. The F44 generation will perfectly accomplish the task of a competent four-door proposition in the compact segment, bridging the gap between the F40 and the G20 without the need of having an extra, globally-addressed 1 Series S...

San Luis Potosí BMW plant will also shutdown due to COVID-19 Industry Trend is reporting that the San Luis Potosí BMW plant will start a planned shutdown later this month and will be in effect until April 19. BMW says that in the face of the global health contingency, it has implemented preventive actions to protect the health and safety of its collaborators, partners and visitors, such as canceling international business travel until further notice and implementing remote work, among others. “We will start on March 28 with our scheduled Easter strike which will last until April 19. After that, we will continue as the situation requires,” said BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí, adding that they will continue to monitor the situation to, if necessary, take ad...

BMW and Mercedes-Benz unite in the Fight Against Racism Yesterday, March 21, was the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. To show some love for diversity, as well as celebrate diversity among their employees, both BMW and Mercedes-Benz teamed up for a social media post. On BMW Group’s Twitter account, the Bavarians posted a photo of a Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which isn’t something you often see without some snarky caption. However, instead of some rival ribbing, the caption of the photo read: “Now that we have your attention: Today is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Two competitors have united to defend a common belief: diversity is what brings our companies success. Let’s all stand as one to #Fi...

VIDEO: Watch how a Rolls-Royce Ghost takes the Nurburgring in POV Whenever we talk about high-performance cars, like the BMW M5 or M8 Competition, there are times when we mention their ability to play on a race track. It’s a bit of a useless exercise, if I’m honest, talking about a road car’s track ability. Its uselessness stems from the fact that about 0.01 percent of all performance car owners will actually take their cars to the race track. So what about a Rolls-Royce, the pinnacle of opulence and quiet comfort? That number drops to a flat zero. That’s what makes this video so great to watch. In it, two guys take a Rolls-Royce Ghost on the most famous race track in the world —  the Nurburgring. Just take that in for a second; a Roller on the ‘...

BMW Team Studie returns in 2020 with 3 racing cars This week, BMW Team Studie announced the team structure for the 2020 season. This is the seventh year of collaboration with BMW JAPAN for the BLANCPAIN GT WORLD CHALLENGE ASIA. BMW Team Studie won the team and driver’s championship in 2018 and 2019. The BMW M6 GT3 also makes a return with team manager Kazumichi Go and director Yasuaki Suzuki. The drivers are Seiji Ara and Tomohide Yamaguchi. Tomohide Yamaguchi is the last year’s champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup Japan. In addition to these two drivers, the BMW Works driver Augusto Farfus will join as the third driver in the Fuji 500km race. The racing cars will use Yokohama tires. In addition, BMW Team Studie will run in the Pirelli Super Taikyu series with two entrants. ...

BMW 8 Series apparently stockpiling in US dealerships According to some dealer statements, the BMW 8 Series isn’t doing very well in the US in terms of sales, with dealers angry about the situations. In a recent report by Autonews, most BMW dealerships across the US are facing an unwanted situation at the upper end of the model portfolio. To be precise, the 8 Series is the culprit here which tends to accumulate in high numbers, blocking the inventories. Dealers complain that the reason behind this issue seems to be lack of adequate marketing campaign for the 8 Series halo model. When it was revealed back in 2018, with the Coupe (G15) version the first to premiere, BMW was proud to have revived the iconic 8 Series nameplate. However, according to the report, marketing efforts have...

The new BMW M760Li xDrive: Photos from the South African launch 12-cylinder cars are a rarity today. The new BMW M760Li xDrive is the perfect demonstration of how lucky we are to be still getting such fascinating machines in an era when classic ICE technology is constantly threatened by electromobility. V12 powerplants will go extinct in the near future with the advent of new electric and plug-in hybrid powering technologies. It is indeed sad to see such great technical masterpiece go to rest for eternity. BMW is one of the very last automotive constructor still offering a 12-cylinder high-end version. The BMW M760Li xDrive marches on in the LCI generation as well, now more attractive than ever. The range-topping 7 Series displays a self-confident, muscular fascia dominated by the spec...

BMW 750Li xDrive, 740Li and 730Ld models pictured in South Africa The new 7 Series LCI is an outstanding automobile and the latest pictures from the South African market debut entirely confirm the impressive aura of the BMW luxury flagship. The G11/G12 generation of the BMW 7 Series has been around since the Fall of 2015. As we all know, it underwent a facelift surgery last year, which really boosted the elegance of the car and rendered it a striking design philosophy. Even though I was OK with the pre-LCI model series as well, I must recognize that the LCI procedure proved to be miraculous for the 7 Series. The new LCI generation delivers refinement and tasteful styling which together bring the luxury limousine in line with the latest design trends of BMW. The headlamp shape is now mo...

Best Car-Related Movies to Watch While in Self Quarantine As you likely already know, we’re in the middle of a worldwide pandemic and it’s taking its toll almost every major country. Throughout the world, citizens are being urged to self-quarantine and practice social-distancing. Essentially, everyone should be staying home and leaving the house as infrequently as absolutely possible. In fact, not leaving the house at all, nor seeing anyone outside of immediate family, is ideal. However, that can be mind-numbingly boring for many. Most people are looking to Netflix, Hulu and Disney+ to fill the void, as they sit at home all day. Which is why we’ve curated some of the best car-related movies for you to watch so you can get your car fix without having to leave the house....

VIDEO: Rory Reid tests the MINI Cooper SE Electric Range The latest British go-kart to hit public roads is the all-new MINI Cooper SE, the all-electric variant of the famous Cooper hatchback.We all know that it’s going to handle well and will be fun to drive — it’s a MINI, of course it’s gonna be fun. We also know that it’s going to look good and feel premium. Again, it’s a MINI. However, we don’t know just how accurate its claims of full battery range are. Thankfully, we do have Rory Reid. In this new video from Auto Trader UK, Reid checks out the all-new MINI Cooper SE, and takes on a bit of a trip, to see how far it can go on a single charge. Most brands quote their EV range at far higher than what it can actually do in the real world. Sure, ...

VIDEO REVIEW: BMW M235i Gran Coupe — Almost but Not Quite Of all the cars in BMW’s current lineup, the BMW M235i Gran Coupe might be the most controversial. That might all change with the introduction of the upcoming 4 Series and M3/M4, thanks to their massive grilles, but as it stands now it’s the 2er that frustrates fans the most. There are a few reasons why it bothers fans so much, with everything from its layout to its design being a factor. So, naturally, I couldn’t wait to get my paws on it and give it a proper test drive. My test car for the week was an Alpine White BMW M235i Gran Coupe and I learned a lot about it during my week with it. Having previously driven it on road and track, albeit briefly, I actually went into it optimistic. Last I’d driven it, ...

VIDEO: BMW teaches us how to correctly mount snow chains Even though winter is almost gone in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s never too late or too early to learn how to install snow chains on your BMW car. Snow chains can decisively improve the traction of your vehicle and road adhesion in certain conditions. They are effective on moderately snow-covered tarmac, when the surface consists of an inferior layer of basically ice followed by an upper layer of fresh snow / snow-ice mixture / snow-ice-water mixture. Moreso, snow chains should be used for a limited amount of time, only when traveling on such surfaces. They are efficient mainly in the mountainous regions, where inclined roads predominate, by ensuring extra grip. If the snow cover on the road is heavy or if the tarmac is we...

Video: BMW M8 Competition vs BMW M2 Competition drag race Comparing the BMW M8 Competition and the M2 Competition in a drag race is definitely not fair. Sure, the M8 is considerably heavier while it also has a lot more power and, most importantly, all-wheel drive. But at the same time, the M2 Competition doesn’t really stand a chance with its significantly lower power and rear-wheel drive. However, considering the price tag difference between them, how big is the gap and how hard is it to drive them both on wet surfaces? That’s what CarWow wanted to find out. They got an M8 Competition and an M2 Competition lined-up for one of their drag race/brake test videos. The M2 was driven by Joe Achilles and it wasn’t just any M2 either. This one is a special version, fitted wit...

BMW to shutdown production at its Spartanburg plant BMW announced on Friday, March 20 that it will temporarily shut down its manufacturing facility in Spartanburg due to the outbreak of COVID-19. In a statement, the company said it expected the suspension of production to last a couple of weeks. “The health and protection of our associates is our top priority,” the statement said. “At the same time, the dynamic development of the [coronavirus] pandemic is having a major impact on the global demand for cars. BMW Manufacturing is taking a flexible approach and adjusting our production volumes accordingly.” The Spartanburg County plant will stop production on April 3. BMW said it expects the break to last until April 19. The Spartanburg plant is one of th...

BMW to offer sweeping relief package to help its U.S. dealerships To combat the downfalls of COVID-19, BMW of North America releases a sweeping relief package to help its U.S. dealerships. The plan aims to preserve liquidity and prop up the balance sheet. The coronavirus has had a devastating impact on the automotive industry with factories being shutdown and empty showrooms. The package includes financial incentives, relaxed performance objectives and loan payment relief. The challenge facing the auto industry is “unprecedented,” CEO Bernhard Kuhnt told dealers in a note late Thursday evening obtained by Automotive News. “Safeguarding our business and the … retail network, while helping to ensure that you have the necessary support and working capital to naviga...

The iconic Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este postponed to October 2020 Every May, the automotive world gathers on the shores of Lake Como to celebrate the finest cars in the world. As patron and official partner of the event, BMW Group Classic has done a great job hosting the exquisite car show. But unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic will impact this year’s festivities. According to a press release, the OrganiZation Team of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este has decided not to proceed with this year’s edition on the planned dates (22nd to 24th May, 2020). Instead, they plan to hold the event from October 16th to 18th, 2020. Of course, they will continue to monitor the development of the spread of the coronavirus and we expect a final confirmation this Ju...

Does the E39 BMW 5 Series have one of the best Classic Car Interiors? Possibly the most beloved generation of 5 Series is the E39. With its simple looks, old-school BMW driving dynamics and pure steering, the E39 is still considered by many enthusiasts to be the best generation of 5 Series yet. However, not many enthusiasts remember its interior, when reminiscing about the E39 5er. Top Gear does, though, and actually considers the E39’s cabin to be one of the best classic car interiors. In this new list, TG puts the E39 BMW 5 Series among the top nine (why nine?) best classic car interiors. “A simpler time. A time before iDrive. A time when BMW basically perfected sporty exec saloon design. It’s just so wonderfully gimmick-free.” said TG. While I don’t disa...

BMW USA Marketing Boss US Explains reasoning behind new logo A small online storm was triggered last week when BMW unveiled a new logo. The iconic BMW roundel received a new and fresh design, but without the 3D shapes of the previous logo. The middle still has the blue and white colors of the Bavarian state. The font has also been shaped up differently. The outer ring now has a flat design in white, while some gradients fill the rest of the logo. For the moment, BMW has no plans to the transparent logo on production cars. Instead, when it comes to online marketing, some changes were deemed as necessary. In a recent interview with Adage, BMW’s head of the US marketing department, Uwe Dreher, explained why this move was approved. “When it comes to a world where most people, e...

65 years of the BMW Isetta bubble car: Symbol of German post-war reconstruction In April 2020, the BMW Isetta, the iconic symbol of the post-war flourishing Germany industry, celebrates the 65th anniversary. Germany was in the midst of an overall country and industry reconstruction after the challenging conflict years and the painful defeat in World War II. Money was scarce in the economy, infrastructure had to be rebuilt and production was far away the pre-war level. Yet the industry was starting to flourish, also fueled by the optimism of the German people. How To Survive A Crisis For BMW, the early 1950s decade was finding the Bavarian company in a troublesome situation. As we know, in times of crisis, BMW has always managed to reinvent itself and emerge victorious and more powerful...

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe featured in new ‘Black Widow’ Promo Marvel’s latest upcoming superhero blockbuster ‘Black Widow’ has recently been delayed, due to the Coronavirus outbreak, like several other upcoming movies. However, that hasn’t stopped the wheels of marketing from spinning. Being that BMW is one of the brand sponsors of the movie, and is featured in it, the Bavarian brand recently put out a short promo for the 2 Series Gran Coupe, which is likely to be driven by at least a semi-important character. In the promo, you get to see the titular character herself, Black Widow, played by Scarlett Johansson, along with the movie’s villain, Taskmaster. I won’t get into the nerdiness of all of that — even though I could talk about Black Widow and...

2021 BMW M4 Coupe – A new Render With The Same Large Kidney Grille If there is one certain thing in the world today is that the next generation 2021 BMW M4 will come with a large kidney grille. Most of us have been in denial since news broke in early 2019, but since, we’ve received plenty of visual confirmations. Our friend and rendering artist Andrei Avarvarii has been doing a great job churning out fairly accurate renderings of the new M4. His latest creation is the very same 2021 BMW M4 Coupe with the large kidney grille which has been the Boogeyman for some of our readers. To differentiate itself from the G80 M3 – which will get the same XXL grille – the G82 M4 brings a mesh design upfront. The front-end is also dominated by two large air intakes with carbon fiber...

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Black Shadow Edition available in Spain The new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Black Shadow Edition is the special launch model on the Spanish model that can be ordered exclusively online. The Spain-reserved Black Shadow Edition for the new 2 Series Gran Coupe (F44) thus becomes the first BMW in history that can be purchased entirely online. The platform where the Spanish customers can order their very own example of the limited edition model is www.black-shadow.bmw.es . The Black Shadow Edition is available for the 218i, 220d and M235i xDrive variants. Until March 31st, 2020, the special edition models can be pre-ordered at special prices on the dedicated web platform. Client rebates vary from more than 1,500 euros for the M235i model up to 2,000 euros for the 218i and...

The future BMW 2 Series Coupe (G42) slated for 2021 premiere The future G42 generation of the BMW 2 Series Coupe will retain its puristic RWD underpinnings and is rumored to debut in the second half of 2021. The forthcoming G42 2 Series is already under internal development and first camouflaged test prototypes should hit streets by summer this year, if everything goes according to plan. The new generation could possibly be assembled at the Mexico plant in San Luis de Potosi. From what we know, the future 2021 BMW 2 Series Coupe will retain its iconic 2-door sedan shape, pretty much evoking the classic 2002 and making the compact coupe a true modern successor of the legendary model. Pictured: The pre-LCI BMW 220d Luxury Line (F22). The G42 generation will be developed on a shortened ve...

Japanese tuner 3D Design unveils their BMW 8 Series Aftermarket Program One of the most respectable tuning company on the market hails from Japan. Not only do the good people at 3D Design design their own parts but they also make them out of the best materials. Back in December, 3D Design unveiled their BMW 8 Series aftermarket program at the Tokyo Auto Show. So what’s new on 3D Design’s new BMW 8 Series project? Well, tons of carbon, for starters. It gets a new dry carbon fiber front lip, side skirts, rear diffuser and rear spoiler. Those carbon products were made from 2X2 carbon weave, prepreg 100% carbon, and lightweight. All are made in Japan. The trunk spoiler is currently available for the coupe, but a cabriolet version is also in development. The rear diffuser o...

How to Properly Clean Your Car Coronavirus Pandemic We’re in the middle of a global pandemic, with most major countries calling for self-quarantine of its citizens. Health officials and professionals are calling for people to stay in their homes and away from as many people as absolutely possible, to try and slow the spread of the virus and flatten the curve. However, if you must go out and drive your car, here are some cleaning tips to make sure your car stays virus free. Wear Disposable Gloves While cleaning your car, wearing a pair of disposable nitrile gloves is probably wise. The Coronavirus can survive on plastics for a surprisingly long time, so rubber gloves can keep your hands free of contact with the virus. Soap and Water Will Do the Trick While you’re going to wan...

The new BMW M2 CS spotted in the US, coming later this Spring The compact M2 CS rocket has recently been spotted out in the wild in the United States. The new BMW M2 CS is a complete bombshell. The high-performance coupe is engineered with inspiration from the world of motorsport. In every aspect, this is the best M2 ever created and likely one of the most mind-blowing ///M cars in the history of the Garching-based division. Recently, a pre-series prototype has been spotted in a car park in New Jersey, US. The prototype spotted has its M2 CS emblem covered, along with the side logos on the front wing air breathers, the “M2 CS” particle on the kidney grille and the BMW roundels from the engine hood, trunk and wheel hub caps. The spotted BMW M2 CS is dressed in the sensationa...

BMWBLOG & COVID-19: Why We Will Carry On Each and every day, the chaos caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) gets worse and worse and it’s going to continue to get worse before it gets better. Thousands of deaths have been confirmed, thousands more are sick and tens of thousands are feeling the weight of this virus. Every major country on the planet is facing some sort of quarantine, to various degrees, and we are as well. However, despite that, we’re going to carry on and bring you as much news and BMW-related content as we can. Hundreds of thousands of people are self-quarantining, in several countries, to try and flatten the curve and drastically slow the spread of this virus. Because of that self-quarantine, thousands of people are out of work, struggling to make ends mee...

Goodbye, V12! The Next-Gen Most Powerful 7 Series model will be all-electric After years of reports and rumors, BMW has officially confirmed today that the next-generation 7 Series will offer an all-electric version. We’ve been covering the topic for quite some time now and even shared some exclusive “rumors.” “[] I can tell you officially today: That our BMW 7 Series flagship will be one of them,” says Oliver Zipse, BMW CEO. “The next-generation 7 Series will be available with four drive train variants: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid and fully-electric. All drive trains will be based on a single architecture. And the top, most powerful 7 Series will be fully electric!” Basically, this statement reinforces our previous reports. Firstly, BMW wil...