Next 7-Series to be revealed on July 7th
By Yoann Besnard on 9 June 2008 | 
(1) Comments | Permalink
The next-generation BMW 7-series is reported to be officially unveiled on July 7th.
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BMW to show X1 and Crossman concepts at Paris
By Yoann Besnard on 5 June 2008 | (1) Comments | Permalink
BMW has announced it will unveil two concept cars at the Paris Motor Show that preview two future models, the BMW X1 compact SUV and the new Mini SUV, the Crossman.
Future BMW X1 SUV to be produced in Germany
By Yoann Besnard on 3 June 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW has announced it will build the future X1 in Germany.
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BMW M1 Hommage concept to enter production
By Yoann Besnard on 30 May 2008 | (1) Comments | Permalink
BMW ruled out the possibility to build the M1 Homage, but a new report has confirmed a future production version of the concept car.
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Next Generation BMW 1-Series Spyshots
By Yoann Besnard on 28 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW has just expanded the 1-Series range that its engineers have started to work on the next-generation.
Next-generation BMW 5-Series might get hatchback version
By Yoann Besnard on 23 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
This is probably the most astonishing rumour, but BMW is seriously considering building a hatchback variant of the next-generation 5-Series.
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Spotted revamped 3-Series
By Yoann Besnard on 17 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Here are some spyshots of the facelifted 3-Series that BMW plans to unveil this year.
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AC Schnitzer launches BMW 1-Series cabriolet sport package
By Yoann Besnard on 12 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The German tuner has unveiled a sport package destined for the new 1-Series cabriolet.
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BMW 3.0L twin-turbo awarded 2008 engine of the year
By Yoann Besnard on 8 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW has once again won the prestigious title of ‘International Engine of the Year 2008 for one of its engines, the 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol unit.
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Spyshots: next BMW Z4 interior revealed
By Yoann Besnard on 8 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
After the next-generation Z4 spotted on the Nurburgring, here is a picture of the interior of the BMW’s roadster due to be unveiled next year.
Video: BMW’s Head Designer Shows us the M1 Homage Concept
By Yoann Besnard on 30 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Here is a video of BMW’s Design Director, Adrian van Hooydonk, showing us the M1 Homage concept unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2008.
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next-generation BMW Z4 on Nurburgring
By Yoann Besnard on 30 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Here is a video of the next-generation Z4 around the Nurburgring that BMW will launch next year.
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BMW unveils M1 Homage
By Yoann Besnard on 29 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW took the wraps off the M1 Homage at the first public day of the classic car show “Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este”.
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BMW wants to be the first premium brand in India
By Yoann Besnard on 29 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
After China, BMW has decided to focus on increasing its sales in India to become the market leader in the premium car segment.
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BMW M-Zero Concept
By Yoann Besnard on 26 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
This BMW isn’t an official concept car unveiled by the German carmaker, but a design study realised by a your designer Maël Oberkampf.
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BMW to sell the 400bhp 555i next year
By Yoann Besnard on 26 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW has announced that it will start selling a 5-Series version powered by the 4.4-litre V8 that appeared in the X6 SUV coupé.
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Spyhots: BMW next 7-Series interior
By Yoann Besnard on 21 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
A picture of the dashboard of the upcoming has emerged on the Internet.
Next-generation 7-series to to come with eight-speed transmission
By Yoann Besnard on 17 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
After the power race, premium carmakers seem to be launched in an automatic transmission race. After Mercedes who launched its seven-speed automatic gearbox and Lexus who stepped up with eight-speed gearbox, BMW will feature its first eight-speed gearbox on the next-generation 7-Series.
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BMW will decide this year whether to sell engines
By Yoann Besnard on 6 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW is renowned for building some of the best engines in the world and receives multiple awards every year for it. In a surprising move, the German carmaker might sell engines and components ot other carmakers.
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New 7 Series Spy Shots
By Yoann Besnard on 5 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
New spyshots of the next 7-Series have emerged on the Internet. This time, the future flagship is barely camouflaged.
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Giant BMW billboard in Russia
By Yoann Besnard on 1 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW has installed a massive billboard featuring real size vehicles to promote its M range.
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BMW considers fewer cylinders for M models
By Yoann Besnard on 28 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW is seriously considering downsizing the M line to make it more environmentally friendly.
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BMW might build Alfa Romeos in the US
By Yoann Besnard on 28 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
According to Fiat sources, BMW will start producing Alfa Romeo models in its American factory in 2011.
See also : Alfa Romeo | BMW
BMW to end V8 diesel engine
By Yoann Besnard on 27 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW plans to end V8 diesel production due to stricter emission regulations better fuel efficiency demanded by customers.
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Obituaries: Claus Luthe
By Yoann Besnard on 26 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Claus Luthe died last week at the age of 75 years old. The car designer led BMW’s design during the 80’s.
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BMW considers launching a fourth brand
By Yoann Besnard on 19 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW is considering a fourth brand intended to sell environmental-friendly models.
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Next-generation Z4 to feature a folding roof
By Yoann Besnard on 17 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
According to company sources, BMW will unveil the next-generation Z4 next year. The next Z4 will be larger and more expensive than the current model.
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BMW to consider building an electric car for the US
By Yoann Besnard on 13 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW is seriously considering building an electric intended to go on sale on the American market by 2012.
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BMW and Fiat win ‘Car Design of the Year’ awards by Car Design News
By Yoann Besnard on 12 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW has won the car design of the year for its concept car Concept CS while without a surprise Fiat has won the prize for its 500 model.
BMW invests to boot capacity in the US
By Yoann Besnard on 12 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW has announced it will increase the production capacity of its American factory by investing £375 million by 2012.
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Geneva: BMW M3 Cabrio
By Yoann Besnard on 7 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW has launched the 3-Series Cabrio at Geneva powered by the V8 engine of the M3 coupé which promises incredible sensations with the roof down.
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BMW to eliminate 8,100 jobs
By Yoann Besnard on 28 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW has announced it will cut 8100 jobs, 7.5% of its workforce, as part of the part of a plan announced last year to increase its profitability.
See also : BMW | Industry News
BMW to launch a mild-hybrid 7-series within two-three years
By Yoann Besnard on 25 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The German carmaker will likely offer a mild-hybrid version on the next-generation 7-series due to be launched next year.
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BMW to unveil the ConnectDrive technology at Geneva
By Yoann Besnard on 25 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW has announced that it will launch the new ConnectedDrive technology at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The new technology will enable BMW owners to access the Internet from the iDrive system.
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Spyshots: future BMW 5-Series
By Yoann Besnard on 18 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
While celebrating the 5 millionth built 5-Series vehicle, BMW is working on the sixth generation 5-Series which was spied in saloon and estate forms in Germany.
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Eibahc to launch specific spring for the BMW 1-Series coupé
By Yoann Besnard on 12 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Suspension specialist Eibach has launched a new sports kit for the BMW 1-Series coupé. The small coupé looks like it becomes the new BMW to own like it was the case for the 2002 or the three door 3-Series years ago.
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BMW details cost cuts
By Yoann Besnard on 10 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW has unveiled the plan to cut costs by €6 billion by 2012. Two-thirds of the amount will achieved by slashing material costs.
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BMW sales drop in January in the US
By Yoann Besnard on 6 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW Group sales dropped by 22% in January with 16,935 delivered vehicles.
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BMW to build a city car
By Yoann Besnard on 4 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
According to AutoExpress, BMW is currently working on a small car set to compete with the Smart ForTwo and the future budget model Volkswagen in order to reduce its fleet average emission levels and comply with the 2012 EU emission regulation.
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BMW to unveil green concept car in Geneva
By Yoann Besnard on 4 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
According to InsideLine, BMW will reveal a green concept car at the next Geneva Motor Show. At this stage, information remains scarce and one does not know if the concept car will be a production ready concept or a pure concept car.
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BMW to overtake Mercedes in India by 2009
By Yoann Besnard on 1 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW wants to overtake Mercedes on the fast growing Indian luxury car market in the coming few years. “As we get closer to Mercedes, you can imagine we have in our sight that we want to overtake Mercedes, whether we do it in 2009 or 2010 we will have to see,” said BMW Director Region Asia Pacific David Panton.
See also : BMW | Industry News
BMW to raise its Chinese production
By Yoann Besnard on 1 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
With a goal to sell 2 million vehicles annually by 2020, BMW has to go where the growth is: in China. After a 42% sales increase last year, the german car maker has announced it will raise its local production by 45% over the next few months.
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BMW plans to sell 400,000 cars in the U.S. in the future
By Yoann Besnard on 28 January 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW wants to increase its sales on the American market from 336,000 units last year to 400,000 vehicles per year in the medium term. The German car maker plans to introduce new models in order to expand its lineup. The new X6 officially unveiled at Detroit will be the first SUV coupé to be introduced in the U.S. this year.
See also : BMW | Industry News
BMW to eliminate 8,000 jobs and put pressure on suppliers
By Yoann Besnard on 24 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
With the goal to increase its profit margin to between 8% and 10% by 2012, BMW double its efforts to move up from a current level of 5.5%. First it put pressure on suppliers and secondly plans a big layoff.
See also : BMW | Industry News
Mini Crossman to share 1-series components
By Yoann Besnard on 22 December 2007 | (2) Comments | Permalink
In an attempt to shorten the development cycle and cut cost, BMW has decided that the future Mini Crossman will share components with the upcoming BMW X1 model, which means the Mini SUV will get some 1-series components.
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Rendering: BMW 7-series
By Yoann Besnard on 20 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The next-generation BMW's flagship will go on sale from 2009 and has been caught a few times under testing by soy photographers. Motorauthority has released speculative rendering of the future executive saloon.
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Future Mini Crossover to be called Crossman
By Yoann Besnard on 18 December 2007 | (1) Comments | Permalink
Mini CEO Kay Segler has given more details about the future Mini crossover in an interview with Auto Motor und Sport. It will be christened Crossman and will be available with a choice of FWD and AWD versions.
See also : BMW
BMW X6 revealed
By Yoann Besnard on 18 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW has officially revealed its latest model, the X6 model, which will make its debut at Detroit in a few weeks. The car doesn't differ from the concept shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in last September and inaugurates the crossover coupé segment. It comes with a new twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine which has an output of 407bhp.
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Spyshot: next-generation 7-Series
By Yoann Besnard on 10 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Due to be unveiled at the next Paris Motor Show in September 2008, the spyshots of the next-generation 7-Series are starting to emerge on Internet. With its future flagship, BMW will make a return to normality with a sportier design, but will innovate with a differentiated long wheelbase version.
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Spyshot: BMW X1 prototype
By Yoann Besnard on 10 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Here is the picture of the future the small BMW SUV X1 due to be on sale in 2010. At the beginning it was thought that the vehicle on the picture was the next-generation X3 but a closer look and new information suggests it is the future X1.
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American BMW 1-Series to get special starter button
By Yoann Besnard on 14 November 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW wants its 1-Series model to succeed on the American market and seems to be determined to use all possible marketing tricks. Due to go on sale next year, the compact model will feature a unique starter button. This starter button will be engraved with the message “Year One of the 1”.
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Spy Shots: BMW X5 M?
By Yoann Besnard on 26 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Here are some spyshots of a strange X5 that features bigger exhaust pipes and a front bumper with larger air intakes than the standard X5. It is possible that this is the unofficial M version of the X5.
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BMW wins ambiguous victory in court battle over the letter 'M'
By Yoann Besnard on 25 July 2007 | (1) Comments | Permalink
BMW and Nissan are at war over the use of the 'M' badge. The disagreement started in the nineties when Nissan decided to use the letter M for models sold on the American market under its luxury brand Infinity. BMW was extremely unimpressed by the idea. The German carmaker has been using the letter M to distinguish its high performance models from the standard models since 1979. Nissan people certainly have a lot of nerve. The carmaker even released a sport package called M6, which for BMW is a powerful sports coupé. This was too much for BMW, which decided to sue the Japanese carmaker.
See also : BMW | Industry News | Nissan
CSL version for new E92 and all future M3s
By Yoann Besnard on 24 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
In an interview with Insideline, the BMW's M division vice president Gerhard Richter has announced that there will be light version of the new E92 M3 and that the same will be true for all future M3s.
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BMW city-car for 2010?
By Yoann Besnard on 24 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
According to Auto Motor und Sport, BMW might launch a city car in 2010 in order to compete with the future Audi A1.
The news seems rather suspicious. Audi is developing the A1 to compete with the Mini built by BMW. Why would BMW develop a car that would compete with its own range? Furthermore, according to the German magazine, the car will have the same length as the Mini. It will be a front wheel drive vehicle that will reject less than 100g CO2 per km.
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Mini Colorado in the pipeline
By Yoann Besnard on 24 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
According to the Globe and Mail newspaper, BMW plans to launch a Mini SUV based on the Mini Clubman, set to be launched officially at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
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Spyshots: BMW X6
By Yoann Besnard on 23 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
With these spyshots, the BMW X6 reveals its the last remaining mysteries of its design. A lot of people have been speculating about the hatchback. Now the speculation is over. The X6 will be a German interpretation of the rather unique Ssangyong Actyon.
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Spyshots: BMW 1-Series convertible
By Yoann Besnard on 23 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Here are some new spyshots of the next BMW 1-Series convertible. This time, the compact convertible has its roof down.
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AC Schnitzer R56 Mini Cooper
By Yoann Besnard on 19 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The German tuner AC Schnitzer is well known for for tuning BMW cars. This time it has decided to focus on the BMW's British brand Mini by presenting its interpretation of the Mini Cooper S.
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BMW expects to sell 100,000 M3s
By Yoann Besnard on 18 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
In an interview with the weekly German car magazine Automobile Woche, Carsten Preis of the M division declared that BMW plans to deliver 100,000 M3s in the coming years. Though the figure looks impressive, it is actually only 10,000 more than the previous generation.
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Next Mercedes A-Class based on the new Mini?
By Yoann Besnard on 9 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
According to the German car magazine Autobild, Mercedes could use the new Mini platform for their next A-Class.
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The making of the former BMW 3-Series
By Yoann Besnard on 20 June 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Everyday we can watch videos about future models or funny TV commercials. With this video we become an open-mouthed child.
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Spyshots: BMW 1-Series convertible
By Yoann Besnard on 20 June 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The launch date of the 1-Series Coupe barely announced, here are the first almost undisguised spyshots of the convertible.
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BMW Z4 Coupe
By Yoann Besnard on 18 September 2005 | (1) Comments | Permalink
This is BMW’s answer to the Nissan 350Z and Porsche Cayman, a coupe version of the Z4 roadster. That’s what BMW wants us to believe because the collapsing sales of the “flame surfacing” roadster tell a different story. Its sales are so far from the forecasts that it could become uneconomical to produce. From 56,000 sales in 2003, it dropped to 34,000 in 2004 and some insiders say the first six months of this year sales have declined by another 30 percent. Although it is displayed as a concept-car at the Frankfurt Motor Show at the same time as Porsche presents the Cayman, this coupe will go into production next year.
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BMW releases 3-series Touring
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 5 July 2005 | (1) Comments | Permalink
Anticipating Alfa's 159 Sportwagon, BMW releases the estate version of its best-seller. BMW designers, led by Chris Bangle resisted the temptation of a bold styling. This 3 series Touring can load up to 1385 litres of luggage, which exceeds the capacities of a Mercedes C-Class Estate or a Peugeot 407 SW. Nevertheless, a VW Passat Variant or a Vauxhall Vectra offer up to 1850 litres.
BMW has paid a great attention to practicallity, fitting this new version of the 3-series with a reversible boot floorpan, a 12 volt power socket, luggage lashes or a bag and umbrella holder. For a few hundred extra pounds , you can get a waterproof box to store muddy boots for example.
Technically speaking, the Touring is almost identical to the excellent sedan. But beware: the Alfa 159 Sportwagon is underway...
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Alpina Roadster S gets cheaper
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 28 June 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
With a maddening power-to-weight ratio (300bhp for 1320kgs), the Z4-based Alpina Roadster S dashes from to 60mph in 5.3 seconds and reaches 165mph. The Buchloe-made roadster is now cheaper, with a range starting at £38,750 OTR, i.e. the same price as a Porsche Boxster 3.2S, delivering 276bhp, but £1,752 more than a 350bhp TVR Tamora. We can expect the Alpina to be more reliable though. At this price, the Alpina comes with an air conditioning, 19’’ alloys, n extended leather upholstery, a cruise control and 6-CD changer. Almost a bargain in fact…
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More power for the Mini D
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 24 June 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
75bhp for the Mini D while many other superminis can offer up to 130 (Seat IBIZA, VW Polo), this was not enough. In September, the Mini will get 13 more horse-powers and reach 88bhp. In the mean time , torque will increase by 10Nm to 190Nm, thus, the Mini will be able to accelerate from to 62mph in 11.5 seconds, reach 109mph and return 58.9mpg. Not enough to worry a Peugeot 206 HDI 110 driver though.
Along with this power increase, all Minis will receive a better equipment –CD player will become standard-, new options and new prices. The new Mini range will start at £10,995 on the road.
See also : BMW
BMW M5, a Meant for 5 sports car?
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 13 June 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
No speed limit on certain sections of German motorways: do you guess why German carmakers make the best sporty sedans? In this category, here is BMW’s new ground-to-ground family missile: the M5. Outside, it’s not so spectacular, but its 19’’ alloys and 4 exhaust pipes indicate there is something special under the bonnet. A 4999cc V10 delivering 507bhp at 7750rpm has made it to the BMW 5-series. Not only does this engine take up an F1-like layout, but its block is also cast in the same Landshut-based foundry as those used by Williams. This magnificent piece of machinery, complying with the stringent Euro IV norm, is coupled with a 7-speed SMG III gearbox.
In order to cope with this powerful engine weighing 240kgs, BMW has fitted the M5 with EDC self-adapting dampers and an active steering. The front underframe has been stiffened too. Of course, ESP (called DSC) is standard, but it can be completely disengaged. Thus, it’s possible to make the most of the 50/50 balance of the chassis and the V10 can give its best on a track.
With a governed top speed of 161 mph, you can’t expect to worry the owner of a Ferrari F430.
But, according to Autocar magazine, the M5 can accelerate from 0 to 100mph in 9.8secs. It’s only 0.4sec slower than the Ferrari… Besides, from 0 to 150mph, the Italian 2-seater is defeated by 0.5sec (21 vs 21.5)!
Priced at £61,755, the BMW can be seen as a bargain when you know an F430 costs £124,650.
In the mean time, you can comfortably journey down to the south of Spain with your family and other luggage, enjoying the leather upholstery, the head-up display and the M-Drive, allowing you to tune the car as you wish.
Now, could you imagine cruising at 70mph on the M5 in an M5?
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A new engine for the BMW Z4
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 8 June 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
BMW has added a 4-cylinder 2-litre 150bhp engine to the Z4 range, so as to give it a lower entry point level. Even smaller, this new engine offers such technological refinements as the Vanos (variable valve timing) and Valvetronic (valve lift) systems so as to ensure a quick response through the gears, as BMW puts it. It allows the Z4 to accelerate from 0 to 60mph in 8secs and to be compliant with the Euro IV norm.
Thanks to this UK-made block, the Z4 is now available for £22,755 on-the-road. A Z4 2.0SE is available too, with the same equipment as the Z4 2.2 SE’s. The Z4 2.0 is cheaper than a Mercedes SLK 2.3 Kompressor, priced £28,055, but more expensive than a Mazda MX5 1.8 Sport, priced £18,000, which is to be replaced very soon. Maybe BMW is anticipating Mazda’s new roadster, seen in the Geneva Motor Show and expected late 2005.
See also : BMW
