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Oct302019 by adminNo Comments

Will the next generation 2021 BMW 2 Series be built in Mexico?

Will the next generation 2021 BMW 2 Series be built in Mexico? The future of the 2021 BMW 2 Series range is quite complicated, to put it mildly. The Convertible was cancelled and the product lineup was divided. While the 2 Series Coupe will retain the rear-wheel drive architecture, the recently unveiled BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe moved to a front-wheel drive platform. but the second-generation 2 Series Active Tourer will also send power to the front wheels. Yet, this is just part of the 2 Series saga. In late 2018, we learned that the 2021 BMW 2 Series Coupe will most likely no longer be made at one of BMW’s European plants for the US market. There’s a high probability that the 2 Series Coupe will be made at the new San Luis Potosi plant in Mexico, on the same assembly line as the G20 Ser...

Oct302019 by adminNo Comments

EXCLUSIVE: BMW X6 Vantablack – Upclose videos and new photos

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EXCLUSIVE: BMW X6 Vantablack – Upclose videos and new photos On a recent trip to Europe, BMW extended invite to go visit a secret location in the heart of Bavaria. At this facility, BMW had something special under the wrap – the new BMW X6 Vantablack. You might have seen the car featured several times by us, especially around the Frankfurt Motor Show, but this was the first time where we got some one-on-one time. So what’s the story with the BMW X6 Vantablack? In 2018, BMW got in touch with Surrey NanoSystems, the inventors of the Vantablack technology, for the special project. The idea was to create the blackest black in the world and the X6 seemed like the perfect car for the project. Vantablack was developed for aerospace applications and the technology used to design the color is ...

Oct302019 by adminNo Comments

BMW 3 Series gets superior pedestrian protection rating from IIHS

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BMW 3 Series gets superior pedestrian protection rating from IIHS The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, otherwise also known as the IIHS, performed a new set of tests earlier this year, aimed at finding out which manufacturers offer the best pedestrian protection systems. The test focused on the automatic emergency braking systems, which are supposed to slow down or even bring your car to a complete stop in case you might hit a pedestrian. The BMW 3 Series was one of the top performers, alongside the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The ratings system splits the cars tested in four categories: Superior, Advanced, Basic and No Credit. The Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Nissan Maxima, Subaru Outback and Volvo S60 have systems that earned superior ratings. They avoi...

Oct292019 by adminNo Comments

BMW: Trade War could lead to job losses in Spartanburg

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BMW: Trade War could lead to job losses in Spartanburg Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past year, you probably already heard that there’s a trade war looming over us all. President Trump seems fixed on picking fights with everybody and that, of course, means a lot of things will change, especially prices. Right now, the US is negotiating with both China and the EU regarding the enforcement of extra taxes on certain products, taxes that will lead to a drop in demand and could also translate into some job cuts. According to Automotive News, during a recent automotive conference in Stuttgart, the BMW CEO, Oliver Zipse, said this scenario is a losing one for everyone involved and he’s of course right. “If they do this, then we are all losers,” he said. “I have the impression ...

Oct292019 by adminNo Comments

Would the E39 BMW 5 Series actually have looked good as a coupe?

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Would the E39 BMW 5 Series actually have looked good as a coupe? As far as looks go, the E39-generation BMW 5 Series is arguably the best. Its simple, handsome looks were great when it first came out and they’re still great looking today. The car has aged incredibly well and it’s especially handsome in an era of very fussy designs. However, what if it received some of the “Flame Surfacing” design language that BMW was actually working on at the time of its release? Not only that, what if it were made into a coupe? In this new video, we get to see The Sketch Monkey give the E39 5 Series a serious makeover. To be honest, most of the design makeover is just adding some of the Flame Surfacing effect of more modern BMWs to it. It also gets fender flares similar to the ones we’ve seen on the ...

Oct292019 by adminNo Comments

2021 BMW M3 Sedan: Market Launch in early 2021

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2021 BMW M3 Sedan: Market Launch in early 2021 The next-generation 2021 BMW M3 will be fully unveiled next year, but according to our sources, it won’t reach the market until early 2021. The news were also just confirmed today by BMW M CEO Markus Flasch in an interview with Motoring Australia. Speaking at the 2019 BMW M Festival at the Kyalami circuit in South Africa, Flasch confirmed the both the new BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe will go into production in late 2020. As always, the timing of the launch will differ by market, but the US market will receive the new M cars in early 2021. At the same event, Flasch also spoke about the recent 2021 BMW M3 leak, which many have believed to have been done on purpose by the BMW M marketing team. Rendering Instagram.com/avarvarii “The [M3] pictures...

Oct292019 by adminNo Comments

Would you fancy a BMW 2 Series Touring?

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Would you fancy a BMW 2 Series Touring? Now that the 2 Series Gran Coupe is out, the question is whether BMW is willing to further develop another niche model on this basis. The most obvious candidate would be a Touring version born out of the F44 2 Series. The new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is decisively aim at fighting the Mercedes-Benz CLA. Building up on the styling of the new 1 Series, the new 2 Series Gran Coupe is coming fully armed to battle its arch-rival – the CLA. The four-door coupe from the brand with the three pointed star is not just a standalone, baby CLS, but it also got a quite practical and attractive sibling: the Shooting Break variant (X118). So, what if BMW would give it a second thought and surprise us with a proper Touring variant for its brand new 2 Series Gran Co...

Oct292019 by adminNo Comments

BMWBLOG Podcast Episode 3 — Horatiu joins me to talk M3 leak, M8 and 8 Series Gran Coupe

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BMWBLOG Podcast Episode 3 — Horatiu joins me to talk M3 leak, M8 and 8 Series Gran Coupe It’s Monday, so it’s time for the BMWBLOG Podcast. This week is Episode 3 and we have a bit of a treat for you. For the first two episodes, it’s just been me, blabbering by myself about my thoughts on modern BMW news and topics regarding the entire industry. This time, though, our Editor-In-Chief, Horatiu, decided to join me. In this new episode, we talk about quite a few topics and we run a bit longer than usual. Among the things we talk about are the BMW M8, the 8 Series Gran Coupe and even the i3. However, the biggest topic we discus is the BMW M3 leak and its highly controversial Kidney Grille design, as well as its future in the lineup. It’s an interesting conversation because Horatiu has some ...

Oct292019 by adminNo Comments

BMW 1 Series takes on its competitors again — Auto Express

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BMW 1 Series takes on its competitors again — Auto Express Now that the BMW 1 Series has become a more traditional hatchback, being front-wheel drive-based, it has to take on more traditional competition. When the 1 Series was rear-wheel drive, it always stood separate from other hot hatches in the segment, as it had a unique flavor that made it worth buying even if the rest of it wasn’t as good. However, now that it’s front-drive, it doesn’t have the unique flavor, how does it stack up against its rivals? Auto Express finds out. In this new comparison test, AE pits the BMW 1 Series up against the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and the Volkswagen Golf. While the A-Class is going to be its most common rival, don’t sleep on the Golf. Sure, it’s cheaper than the BMW and Benz by quite a bit but I’d ...

Oct282019 by adminNo Comments

BMW M135i vs Mercedes-AMG A35 vs MINI Clubman JCW — Autocar

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BMW M135i vs Mercedes-AMG A35 vs MINI Clubman JCW — Autocar I’m not sure that there’s a car in the BMW lineup that’s more criticized but also more necessary than the BMW 1 Series. The previous-gen M140i was beloved by enthusiasts but didn’t make much sense in the segment. So while enthusiast loved its odd-ball looks, unicorn-like rear-drive dynamics and tail-happy nature, customer preferred more sensible premium hot-hatches, like the Mercedes-AMG A35. But what about this new BMW M135i, which is now front-wheel drive-based and more similar to its rivals? In this new test from Autocar, we take a look at the BMW M135i versus the Mercedes-AMG A35 and the MINI Clubman JCW. What’s interesting is the Autocar seems to like the M135i quite a bit, more so than we’ve seen from most other publicati...

Oct282019 by adminNo Comments

HERITAGE: From E24 to G32 – The tumultuous history of the BMW 6 Series

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HERITAGE: From E24 to G32 – The tumultuous history of the BMW 6 Series The BMW 6 Series is an all-time classic, a brand-defining icon for BMW. It is the epitome of what a true premium GT should be. The history of the mind-blowing gran turismo model from Munich starts back in the mid-70s. The first generation of the 6 Series was the E24, replacing the outgoing E9 (3.0 CS series). The E24 6 Series was developed fully on the platform of the E23 7 Series and was purely rear-wheel drive. The first 6 Series in history was a completely fascinating car which thrilled enthusiasts all over the world with its striking, muscular design and the driving sportiness of the chassis. BMW E24 6 Series The first iteration of the BMW 6 Series was produced between 1976 and 1989. In true tradition characteri...

Oct282019 by adminNo Comments

Special BMW X5 with BMW Individual appointments spotted in Romania

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Special BMW X5 with BMW Individual appointments spotted in Romania Recently, in a trip to the beautiful mountain resort of Poiana Brasov, in the picturesque (yet, highly underrated) Romania, I was able to capture a rare sight for my country: a gorgeous, master-class BMW X5 (G05) sporting some really eye-catching BMW Individual appointments. Since the market launch in 2018, the G05 X5 generation has become quite a presence on Romanian streets. The co-national clients mostly prefer the beefy looks, judging by the high numbers of M Sport configurations sold. Most of the models I managed to see while driving where painted in Mineral White or Sapphire/Carbon Black, but I have also spotted some M Sport and X Line X5s in the Sunstone Metallic color. In the recent trip to my hometown in Braso...

Oct272019 by adminNo Comments

BMW Needs to Stop Being So Sensible and Have Some Fun

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BMW Needs to Stop Being So Sensible and Have Some Fun Yesterday, I returned a BMW Z4 M40i back to the brand’s HQ, in Northern New Jersey. It was a complicated loan experience, thanks to switching cars due to a tire issue. However, all in, I spent about two weeks in the new Z4 M40i and learned quite a lot about it during that time (reviews coming soon). However, it wasn’t until I was halfway to BMW HQ that I realized the problem with the Bavarian brand at the moment — it’s too sensible. German brands are known for being smart, calculated, pragmatic and successful. They make cars that make sense for their markets (even if we sometimes don’t always agree. I’m looking at you, X2) and cars that they can profit from. However, even most German brands make at least one car that’s dumb. By that...

Oct272019 by adminNo Comments

Is Formula E bring back in-race pitstops thanks to fast charging?

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Is Formula E bring back in-race pitstops thanks to fast charging? Along with a new CEO, Formula E could bring more changes with its Gen3 car. According to Autosport, Formula E CEO Jamie Reigle says the electric championship could reintroduce pitstops along with a “big” potential idea to have fast-charging. In the previous season, the Formula E teams did not require to make a mandatory pitstop since the Gen2 car was designed to last a full race. The Gen3 car will be used for four campaigns to the end of the 2021/22 season. At this point, the teams and manufacturers are already involved in discussions over the nature of the Gen3 car – with all-wheel drive, revised battery shapes, torque vectoring and higher overall power levels among suggested ideas. Reigle also says that the ultimate go...

Oct262019 by adminNo Comments

Video: AC Schnitzer unveils new mufflers for BMW Z4 sDrive20i

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Video: AC Schnitzer unveils new mufflers for BMW Z4 sDrive20i While the US market is only offering its customers two choices when it comes to the BMW Z4, the rest of the world has one extra choice for roadster enthusiasts. And that’s the sDrive20i model. This is the cheapest way to buy into the Z4 club, but it is a rather fun car to drive nonetheless. Tuners can definitely help you make it stand out in the crowd, such as AC Schnitzer who is now introducing its new rear muffler system for that particular model. The videos below allow you to check out the sound made by the sDrive20i Z4 when fitted with AC Schnitzer’s latest creation. What I should mention is that their offering is not a full exhaust system but rather just a different rear muffler. That’s because AC Schnitzer offers produc...

Oct262019 by adminNo Comments

Which other Jaguar/Land Rovers do you want to see BMW engines in?

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Which other Jaguar/Land Rovers do you want to see BMW engines in? We just learned yesterday that the upcoming Land Rover Defender SVR will be powered by a twin-turbocharged BMW V8. Auto Express were the ones with the scoop and, according to them, it’s the first official BMW engine to power a Jaguar Land Rover product. However, it’s not likely to be the only one. It’s also said that the next-gen Jaguar F-Type will get the same BMW V8. So there will be at least a couple of British luxury cars powered by German engines in the future. But which other JLR products would you like to see powered by a BMW engine? There are a lot of great Jaguar and Land Rover cars currently on sale and also in the works. Many of them would be good fits to be powered by BMW engines, actually. As a big fan of Jag...

Oct262019 by adminNo Comments

2020 BMW ALPINA XB7 running hot on the Nurburgring

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2020 BMW ALPINA XB7 running hot on the Nurburgring ALPINA is preparing one of the fastest, if not the fastest SUV in the world. The 2020 BMW ALPINA XB7 was just spotted on the Nurburgring with just months before its world debut. Geared mainly towards the US market, the new highly luxurious SUV will join the B7 Sedan in 2020 as the only two ALPINA options in North America. As expected, the 2020 BMW ALPINA XB7 will receive some of the instantly recognizable, true-to-brand design features such as the iconic ALPINA logos, the multi-spoke wheels, the special ALPINA DEKO-SET shades of blue and green and the optional LAVALINA full leather upholstery for the interior. Power will be sourced from the B7 model, which means the new XB7 is to be put into motion by the 4.4-liter V8 petrol engine rat...

Oct262019 by adminNo Comments

Photo Comparison: New VW Golf 8 vs. BMW 1 Series

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Photo Comparison: New VW Golf 8 vs. BMW 1 Series With the market launch of the new VW Golf 8 in December 2019, the cards in the compact class are being reshuffled. The undisputed best-seller from Wolfsburg now enters its eighth generation. In our photo comparison, we show the new model side-by-side with the also new BMW 1 Series, which in its third generation has switched over to a front-wheel drive architecture. From a technical point of view, the VW Golf 8 remains close to its successful predecessor. It uses an advanced version of the introduced with the Golf 7 Modular Transverse Modules (MQB), has the same wheelbase and only about three centimeters longer. With a length of about 4.28 meters, just under 1.79 meters wide and about 1.45 meters in height, the Golf 8 moves on a similar le...

Oct262019 by adminNo Comments

MINI JCW Team Wins TC America Manufacturer’s Championship

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MINI JCW Team Wins TC America Manufacturer’s Championship The 2019 SRO TC America race series came to an end this week, with two last rounds held on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The MINI JCW Team was able to finish strong and the guys managed to claim the TC America Manufacturers’ Championship title in the process. Race one saw the team score a double podium with Mat Pombo in the #61 MINI JCW and Mark Pombo in the #59 MINI JCW, crossing the line in second and third place, respectively. As the team headed into race two, it seemed to be the class of the field. The MINI JCW race cars ran 1-2-3 for the majority of the race, with Mat leading the way. Nate Norenberg in the #60 and Tomas Mejia in the #62 Pledge to Humanity MINI JCW held down the next two positions under intense competition. ...

Oct252019 by adminNo Comments

2020 Volkswagen Golf 8 – interior Exterior and Drive

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http://youtu.be/lq9ORtGqKgk Volkswagen Golf's 8th-Gen Model Is Finally Here and Thoroughly Modern VW calls it progressive, acknowledging that it doesn't look extremely different, but there have been big changes. What the all-new Golf has to offer. Much is different, too, but let’s start with what stays the same. Like its predecessor, the Mark 8 Golf sits on Volkswagen Group's MQB platform. This is the automotive Swiss army knife architecture that underpins everything from the Europe-market Polo subcompact to the Atlas SUV. Dimensions are barely changed from those of the Mark 7, with a modest 1.0-inch increase in overall length and a 0.6-inch stretch in wheelbase, but fractional reductions in both width and height. Volkswagen has released powertrain details for the Europe market, few (o...

Oct252019 by adminNo Comments

Real life photos of the new BMW ALPINA B3 Sedan

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Real life photos of the new BMW ALPINA B3 Sedan The Tokyo Motor Show opened its doors yesterday and one of the biggest premieres there was the new BMW ALPINA B3 Sedan. Japan has always been an important market for ALPINA, so it comes as no surprise that the automaker picked the Japanese venue for this unveil. The new premium mid-class ALPINA B3 high-performance sedan is based on the BMW 3 Series with M Sport Package. But, of course, with an ALPINA twist. The BMW ALPINA B3 sedan features a front apron with large air intakes, a sporty rear apron and small diffusor fins. Integrated in the diffuser is a sports exhaust system with quad pipes. The ALPINA Blue metallic and ALPINA Green metallic paint finishes are standard, but there is also a wide variety of BMW and BMW Individual paint finis...

Oct252019 by adminNo Comments

VIDEO: Is the E39 BMW M5 better than the legendary E60?

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VIDEO: Is the E39 BMW M5 better than the legendary E60? Just recently, we saw an interesting video review of the BMW Z3 M Coupe, the Clownshoe, by JayEmm. It was a review that shed some light on what the Z4 M Coupe is actually like yo drive, objectively. Now, JayEmm is back to test drive the E39 BMW M5, possibly the most iconic M5 of all. There are some BMW enthusiasts that think the E60 BMW M5 is the best. There are ten reasons why the E60 M5 is considered to be the best M5 and they’re all under its hood. However, JayEmm actually reckons that the E39 BMW M5 is better and it’s hard for me to argue it. Despite being quite old, the 4.9 liter naturally-aspirated V8 that powers the E39 M5 is still a thing of joy. It revs cleanly and beautifully, all while making a great noise. But it’s also...

Oct252019 by adminNo Comments

Should BMW actually make its Kidney Grille wider, not taller?

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Should BMW actually make its Kidney Grille wider, not taller? By now, it’s no secret that BMW’s new Kidney Grille design, first seen on the Concept 4, isn’t very loved. Fans are massively disappointed with the brand taking one of its most iconic designs and morphing it into a monstrosity. We know this is the direction BMW wants to go in but it’s not one that fans are happy with. However, there might be an answer to the brand’s grille identity that might appease both BMW and its fans. The answer might be to make the Kidney Grille wider, not taller. At the moment, the Bavarian design philosophy is moving toward the latter, giving the Concept 4, and subsequent 4 Series/M4/M3, a grille like a Bane mask. However, if the grille were to become wider, not taller, it might actually look better. ...

Oct252019 by adminNo Comments

Rolls-Royce unveils bespoke Horology Phantom honoring watchmakers

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Rolls-Royce unveils bespoke Horology Phantom honoring watchmakers I think it’s safe to say that a large majority of premium car owners also have a thing for timepieces. Somehow, the two are connected and we even have a section over here at BMWBlog dedicated to watches and car owners alike. That gut feeling of mine was also confirmed by Rolls-Royce this week, with the unveiling of a special, bespoke Phantom, created specifically for those looking for the ultimate timepiece: the Horology Phantom. The car was announced as Rolls-Royce is celebrating yet another milestone, the brand’s demand for bespoke models going through the roof. The Horology Phantom is the one that caught my eye though, as I am an avid watch lover, too. The car was done after consulting with master horologists from La C...

Oct252019 by adminNo Comments

Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2020: Registration is now opened

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Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2020: Registration is now opened The 2020 edition of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este will take place on the picturesque shores of Lake Como in Cernobbio, Italy between May 22nd and 24th. As patron and official partner of the event, BMW Group Classic has recently announced that the registration process for competing in the show is now opened. The owners of classic two or four-wheeled masterpieces can now register themselves on the website of the event. Next year, around 50 classic vehicles in an exceptional state are expected to attend the classic automobile elegance and beauty contest. The Selecting Committee of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este has lately been busy with creating and defining the award classes for the next year event. The catego...

Oct252019 by adminNo Comments

Video: BMW M8 Competition Review – Worthy of the M Badge?

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Video: BMW M8 Competition Review – Worthy of the M Badge? The BMW M8 Competition is currently sitting at the top of the food chain in the BMW line-up. It’s the fastest car BMW ever put into mass-production and it is, probably, the most desirable one at the moment. We had a go aboard the new M8 and the M8 Competition earlier this year on the Portimao Circuit and left rather impressed with how this beast handles on a track, especially considering its size. It is now time to look at what Steve Sutcliffe had to say about it. Steve is one of the oldest and most experienced journalists in the business and he has been with a number of British magazines so far. His experience can’t be ignored and he does come with a couple of interesting views regarding the cars he drives, rarely following tren...

Oct252019 by adminNo Comments

Bill Auberlen tied Scott Pruett for most IMSA career wins

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Bill Auberlen tied Scott Pruett for most IMSA career wins The last race of the 2019 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship was a thrilling one, not just because the number 96 BMW M6 GT3 claimed another win, but also because its positioning on the final lap allowed Bill Auberlen to tick yet another milestone. The American driver, who celebrated his 51st anniversary that day, managed to tie the record for the most career wins in the IMSA thanks to his victory. The race was incredibly tight with the winner being settled in the final lap. Bill Auberlen drove the number 96 BMW M6 GT3 car together with Robby Foley and Dillon Machavern and he took the final stint behind the wheel at the Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. He was running second in the GT Daytona (GTD) class ...

Oct242019 by adminNo Comments

BMW M340i xDrive Sedan in Tanzanite Blue II Metallic

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BMW M340i xDrive Sedan in Tanzanite Blue II Metallic BMW is bringing us a new photo gallery of their top 3 Series model. The BMW M340i xDrive Sedan is shown here in Tanzanite Blue II Metallic, a BMW Individual color for the M Performance model. From November 2019, the Sedan model will also be available in BMW M340i First Edition guise. Furthermore, the M Technic Package is available as an option for the new BMW M340i xDrive Sedan. The package adds two remote coolant radiators to meet the particularly high demands of the powerful six-cylinder. Speaking of the engine, the B58 3.0 liter unit makes 275 kW/374 hp, an increase of 35 kW/48 hp on the engine powering the previous range-topping models, while peak torque is up by 50 Nm (37 lb-ft) to 500 Nm (369 lb-ft). The maximum operating pre...

Oct242019 by adminNo Comments

Meet one of the best looking cars today – The BMW M340i Touring

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Meet one of the best looking cars today – The BMW M340i Touring The BMW M340i Touring gets another photoshoot to coincide with the upcoming market launch in November 2019. Next month, the Sedan and Touring models will also be available in BMW M340i First Edition guise. Limited to 340 units in each case, the First Edition will include particularly enticing design and equipment features. The Most Powerful Non-M Engine BMW’s beautiful touring gets the most powerful six-cylinder engine today, aside from full M models. The 3.0 liter six-cylinder unit makes 374 horsepower, enough to take the BMW M340i Touring from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.5 seconds. With the xDrive system onboard. The dual-branch, twin-tailpipe exhaust system incorporates two petrol particulate filters, enabling the BMW M...

Oct242019 by adminNo Comments

Upcoming BMW M5 CS shows off its badge

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Upcoming BMW M5 CS shows off its badge The BMW M5 CS will be a new addition to the already exciting M5 family. Currently, the super sporty business sedan comes in standard form as well as with a Competition package. But next year, the BMW M5 CS will become the top model of the range. Similar to the M3 CS and M4 CS, the tuned up M5 CS will bring some visual and performance upgrades. A prototype was just spotted in Munich with no camouflage and with the M5 CS badge on the boot. You can see the photos here. So what do we know about the new M5? Firstly, it will get a slightly more aggressive front-end, coupled with a spoiler in the rear. A throatier exhaust system is also likely in the books, same as new set of wheels and some software upgrades to the suspension and ECU mappings. BMW’s ‘CS’...