Auto and Cars

TEST DRIVE: BMW Z4 M40i — The Most Fun BMW in a Long Time Roadsters are dead. Gone. Finished. Gone are the days when customers yearned for the wind in their hair exhaust noise filling their ears. Instead, the modern car buyer wants something sensible, efficient, high-tech and kind to the environment. In this new world of efficiency and sensibility, a two-seat, drop-top sports car just doesn’t make much sense. Which is a damn shame because this last generation of sporty roadsters is actually quite fantastic and the BMW Z4 M40i is among them leading one final charge. What is a Roadster Supposed to Be? There’s really only only one purpose for a roadster. Though sizes and shapes may vary, prices and luxuries may too, the only constant should be fun. And a fun roadster can be had in many dif...

BMW X3 M Competition vs Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio: Driving.Ca Test When I first drove the BMW X3 M Competition, the first car that came to mind was the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio. Like the Alfa, the new X3 M has a sense of fun and excitement about it that seems like it shouldn’t exist in an SUV. It isn’t quite as intoxicating as the Alfa, or as manic, but it’s closer than any other SUV I’ve driven since. Both cars are extremely similar on paper, too; both have similar engines, both are similarly quick and both are similarly priced. So they couldn’t be more direct competitors. But, the real question is: which one is better? In this new comparison test from Driving.ca, we get to find out which they think is best. It’s an interesting test because, on paper, they’re so similar bu...

TEST DRIVE: 2019 BMW M340i xDrive – The European Model One of the most exciting cars to come out of Munich in the last year is the BMW M340i. The M Performance vehicle fills a void between the 3 Series range and the future BMW M3 G80. While the North American market gets two variants – the rear-wheel drive and the all-wheel drive – the Europeans will have to do with just the xDrive system. According to BMW, the data collected from the previous generation F30 340i, showed that most European customers prefer to have the power sent to all four wheels. BMW M340i RWD vs. xDrive Yet, that’s not the only change compared to the US model. European customers will get their models with an Otto particulate filter installed, which means their cars will develop 374 HP and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of tor...

Happy Halloween: From BMW to Mercedes-Benz BMW Happy Halloween: “This Halloween any car can dress up as its favorite superhero”. That’s the punchline used by the BMW USA Instagram account to cheekily troll their old-time rival – Mercedes-Benz. On the eve of this year’s Halloween, BMW of North America hints at the fact that the Mercedes-AMG E53 dresses up as its secret superhero – the BMW M5. At a first glance, the more obvious choice would have been the E63 or E63 S models to keep. That would have kept the power levels even. Instead, it’s the E53 that gets the punchline with its 435-hp six-cylinder engine. In comparison, the BMW M5 Competition uses a 4.4 liter twin-turbocharged engine in the F90 BMW M5 now makes 625 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. That’s an increase of 25 hp but its torque ...

BMW says “Consumers and infrastructure not ready for EV takeover” The internal combustion engine might be a thing of the past in the next decade to come. The world seems hellbent on adopting electric vehicles on a wide scale but there are still plenty of hurdles to overcome. In a recent interview with media representatives from Australia, at the BMW Welt in Munich, Dr Heinz Treseler, one of the people involved in developing the BMW X5 PHEV claimed the world isn’t ready for a massive adoption of EVs but rather plug-in hybrids for now. “For many cases it [PHEV] is still the best solution. There are limits with pure electric drive at the moment,” Dr Treseler said. The demand shows he’s right. While people are still rather reticent towards EVs, mainly because of range anxiety, plug-in hybr...

Photo Gallery: Dahler Unveils 636 HP BMW M850i xDrive Kit Swiss tuner Dahler has unveiled its latest offering for BMW fans around the world in the shape of their upgraded kit for the BMW M850i xDrive. Their creation is not just looking for Manhart blood but also, to some extent, it’s even challenging the BMW M8. That’s because the power output figure claimed by the tuner is higher than even the most powerful BMW put in production to this date. Under the hood of the BMW M850i xDrive hides the latest iteration of the N63 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, massaged to make 523 HP and 553 lb-ft of torque. Those figures turn the M850i into a very fast car, no matter how you look at it. The S63 version of that mill can be found under the hood of the M8 and M8 Competition, with 600 or 617 HP on tap and ...

BMW to get Dual-Clutch and Hybrid Transmissions from Magna Canadian auto-parts maker Magna International said it would build dual-clutch and hybrid transmissions for BMW. The dual-clutch transmission will cater to front-wheel drive BMW models. “This new award is another result of Magna’s commitment to delivering high-quality, flexible and innovative transmissions,” said Tom Rucker, President of Magna Powertrain. “Our scalable dual-clutch transmissions enhance drivability while simultaneously providing optimal levels of efficiency, which makes our product a perfect match for BMW.” Magna 7HDT300 Hybrid Dual-Clutch Transmission Magna says the transmission technologies will be used in more than 170 different vehicle applications. The new hybrid solution by Magna is said to have no impact o...

No full-fledged M versions planned for front-traction BMWs If we needed extra certainty on this matter, well, there we have it. On the occasion of the M Festival held at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in South Africa, BMW M CEO, Markus Flasch, said that pure M versions derived from front-driven models are a no go for the performance brand. BMW M is associated with peak driving performance and, invariably, with rear-wheel drive platforms (or, lately with xDrive-sourced chassis). This is in complete contradiction with the newest generation of the 1 Series (F40) or the all-new 2 Series Gran Coupe (F44). Flasch officially ruled out any chance of seeing a fully fledged M model developed on the basis of the FAAR front wheel drive architecture. This means no 1 Series M or M2 Gran Coupe models...

Manual transmissions will live on for future BMW M2, M3 and M4 Manual transmissions are a sensible subject for automotive purists. They are highly praised for giving the driver the opportunity to be one with the car, to be in the middle of the action and control it as you wish. Manuals are linked to driving sensations and performance models. So, given the client demand for this transmission, the future BMW M2, M3 and M4 generations will also offer the choice of a manual gearbox. According to BMW M CEO Markus Flasch, the manual gearbox should no longer be seen as an entry-level option. Moreso, the company wants to really position the manual as sort of an exquisite, optional equipment. “The manual stick shift is not an entry proposition any more. It used to be the entry transmission then ...

BMW M2 CS is the most “pure” M car in a long time, says M Boss We all know the BMW M2 CS is coming and it’s going to be the fastest, most hardcore M2 iteration yet. As with all ‘CS’ Bimmers, the upcoming M2 version will be lightened, focused and made more powerful, all in the name of making it the most precise, track-ready version of the M2 yet. According to BMW M CEO Markus Flasch, it’s all worked out quite well. At an event in South Africa, Flasch recently said the BMW M2 CS is “the most crisp and pure BMW M model that we have launched in quite some time,”. While that might seem like a bold statement at first, it’s actually not that hard to imagine. Most recent M cars have either been SUVs or big luxury vehicles. So it’s been a long time since BMW M made a proper, driver-focused weapo...

The Top 5 Fastest BMWs of All Time 2019 These past couple of years have been big for performance BMWs. Sure, some enthusiasts might bemoan the brand’s decline from the pure, engaging cars it used to make but there’s no denying the astonishing levels of performance its newer cars can achieve. In the past couple of years, I feel like I’ve written “the fastest accelerating BMW of all time” a dozens of times. In reality, though, I’ve written it enough that all five of the fastest accelerating cars have debuted quite recently. So we thought we’d take a look at the the top 5 fastest BMWs in history as of 2019. While that last bit seems obvious, it’s worth noting because we can look back on this article in just a year or so and the list will likely be entirely obsolete, with the way the indust...

Video: BMW 530 MLE returns to the Kyalami Track Earlier this year we saw yet another revival project being done by the people over at BMW. The iconic South African BMW 530 MLE was brought back to life, being restored at the BMW Group Plant Rosslyn after a year-long process. The car was one that wrote history back in the day and allowed BMW to make its presence felt in the local motorsport scene. To mark the occasion, a short clip was made, showcasing the car on the track where history was made, Kyalami. To get a better idea as to why this car is so loved in South Africa, you need to go back to the mid 1970s. Back then, BMW South Africa wanted to go racing and in order to do so, they called the man who invented BMW M, Jochen Neerpasch. With his help, two BMW 5 Series (E12) models arrived...

The new MINI Cooper SE takes a journey to the North Sea coast Electric driving has never been more fun. The new MINI Cooper SE shows a substantial versatility for everyday use. After having previously challenged the Nurburgring track without the need to touch the brake pedal, now the electric MINI wants to convince us that it is also suitable for some short-distance weekend escapes from the busy cities. To prove this fact, the MINI Cooper SE embarked on a 200-kilometer journey from the Hanseatic city of Hamburg up to the picturesque island of Sylt, in the Northern Sea. Due to its specifically developed driving modes, the “green” MINI was able to cover the trip to Sylt and the return to Hamburg without the need of recharging its batteries. Its official, constructor-declared 100% electri...

FIRST DRIVE: The 2020 BMW X6 – Same Recipe, Better Taste The subject of our test drive is a 2020 BMW X6 M50i, the top non-M model of the new range. While not as popular as its X family, the BMW X6 holds a special place in the Bavarian lineup. Trying to understand BMW’s logic behind the plan to create a Sports Activity Coupe is quite easy, if you only look at the marketing and financial aspects. But if you look at the car from a different angle, you might see another story. The History Of The BMW X6 The large and luxurious crossover was released for sale in April 2008. It surprised the industry since it created a new niche. It was revolutionary in a way for an SUV-like vehicle and paved the road not only for another BMW premium crossover, but also for competitors. The X6 was marketed a...

Jay Kay’s 5,500-Mile BMW 1M Coupe to be auctioned off As you might very well know, the BMW 1M Coupe is a rather odd bird in the automotive world. Prices for this car haven’t really gone down since it was released, for a number of reasons. It is still regarded as one of the best driver’s cars ever made in Bavaria and the limited available models make it very desirable. Thus, pristine models can fetch even more money than when brand new. Throw in some celebrity name associated with it and pricing might even go higher. Today we’re taking a look at a car with just 5,500 miles on the clock. This Alpine White BMW 1M Coupe is a 2012 model and one of the only 450 units to be built with the steering wheel on the right side, going straight to the UK market. That’s because it was owned by none oth...

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...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...