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U Design: New BMW M2 Convertible Rendered

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

As BMW begins to circulate craftily camouflaged prototypes of its second generation 1-Series Coupe and Convertible models, which will form the new 2-Series range, out in the open, the question arises if the Bavarian carmaker has plans for an M2 high-performance version.

From what we have heard, BMW M seems open to creating an M2 model, possibly powered by a four-cylinder turbocharged engine instead of the M135i hatchback's 3.0-liter force-fed straight-six, which would mark a first for the brand since the demise of the original M3 E30 back in the early 1990s.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

BMWs bearing the tricolor M badge have been for quite some time the darlings of sports car fans. M3s, apart from the E36, have been worshiped; M5s likewise – even the 1-Series M Coupe-based received raving reviews.

In every family, though, there’s a black sheep: in BMW's M-family, it’s the M6. This is kind of weird, as it’s supposed to be pegged at the top of the food chain. It just couldn't cut it, though, against rivals such as Porsche's 911 Turbo.

The all-new, second-generation of the 6-Series wasn’t very well received by the motoring press, either. Can the new, third generation M6 coupe change that perception?

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Once upon a time, not too long ago, buyers rarely cross shopped between Subarus and BMWs, but now, with the way that the Bavarian brand has expanded its range into most segments of the market, many of its cars directly challenge the Japanese brand's models in terms of specs and surprisingly, pricing as well.

A prime example is the newly launched in Europe BMW M135i hatchback, which with 316bhp (320PS) and 450Nm (332 lb-ft) from its turbocharged 3.0-liter straight, the option of either RWD or AWD configurations, and a UK starting price of £30,555 for the six-speed manual 3d and £31,970 for the 8-speed auto 3d model, matches the Subaru WRX STi.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

BMW’s decision to rename the 3-Series Coupe the 4-Series has certainly resulted in a lot of debate. Munich’s reasoning is that the Coupe is different enough to its saloon sibling, upon which it is based, to deserve a new designation.

Moreover, it adheres to the carmaker’s decision to name coupes, convertibles and sportier-looking sedans (think 6 Series Gran Coupe) with even numbers, something that will also be applied to the forthcoming 1-Series Coupe that will be renamed the 2-Series.

Does the name change really matter? You betcha; that’s because it will also affect the M-Division-fettled range topper of the coupe and possibly convertible range, which will no longer be named the M3 (though, the name will continue with the sedan) but the M4.

Monday, December 17, 2012

BMW is expanding its M Performance offerings in the United States with a second round of products for the latest iterations of the 3- and 5-Series sedans that are available for order now via the brand's dealerships.

The latest expansion, which comes after the release of a first set of components in May this year, includes chassis, aerodynamic, and cockpit upgrades.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Joining the existing Coupe and Convertible body styles of the M6 series is a third variant based on the so-called Gran Coupe, which is BMW talk for a sportier looking sedan model.

A few hours after we shared the first pictures of the M6 Gran Coupe, BMW came out with more photos and full details on its latest offering that will arrive in European dealerships in May, 2013, with a starting price of €128,000 (about US$167,000) in Germany, which places it between the Coupe (€124,000) and the Convertible (€131,400 ) M6s in terms of pricing.

North American sales will begin in the summer of the same year, with pricing to be announced, though, if BMW's German pricing strategy is anything to go by, it should cost around US$110,000.

As the sedan version of the M6 Coupe and Convertible series, the Gran Coupe features the same mechanical and aesthetic upgrades as the two other models with the added weight and practicality that comes with the two extra doors and 113mm (4.45 inches) longer wheelbase.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

BMW sure chose a strange way to unveil the production version of its upcoming M6 Gran Coupe. The German carmaker brought the sports sedan along to an unrelated happening at the Nürburgring, and unsurprisingly, a few journalists attending the event did not miss out on the opportunity to snap a few pictures of the camouflage-free model.

The Bavarian brand did not release any information regarding the M version of the Gran Coupe, which itself, despite the confusing name, is a four-door sedan iteration of the 6-Series Coupe.

Nevertheless, we already know that the M6 Gran Coupe shares its powertrain with the two-door M6 models (coupe and convertible), meaning there's a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with 553hp (560PS) delivered from 6,000 to 7,000 rpm and a peak torque of 680Nm (501 lb-ft) from 1,750 to 5,750 rpm, lurking under the hood.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Some might say it is a yet another gimmick and a distraction or one more electronic accessory to worry about, but BMW and German motorsports expert and race driver Tim Schrick, beg to differ claiming that the firm's M Performance Steering Wheel with a race display is what the doctor ordered for enthusiasts. Read more »

G-Power's BMW 1 M Coupe with 591HP Supercharged V8 will Put Hair on Your Chest

Friday, November 2, 2012

The original BMW 1 M Coupe sporting a 335hp (340PS) 3.0-liter turbocharged six is the fastest regular production 1-Series model money can get, but if you are willing to spend a small fortune, you can turn it into something much faster and far, far more brutal in every way. Read more »

BMW to Debut M Performance 3-Series Touring Line at Essen Motor Show

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

About a month after the SEMA Show that kicks off today, Europe will have its own aftermarket festival in the guise of the 45th annual Essen Motor Show, which takes place in Germany from December 1 to 9.

The BMW brand will be there with a host of production and racing models including its full M Performance range and Original BMW Accessories lineup.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Chris Harris put his hands on two of Europe's fastest and most powerful hot hatches, the Audi RS3 and the newly arrived BMW M135i.

Believe it or not, in the UK, at £39,950 (US$64,100 / €49,200), the Audi RS3 is roughly 25 percent more expensive than BMW's newly arrived M135i hot hatch, which will set British buyers back £29,995 (US$48,150 / €36,900).

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Only a day after we showed you a video of BMW's "super" SUV doing the rounds on the Nürburgring, our man with the photographic lens caught another prototype affording us a motionless view of the next X5 M.

But how do we know for sure that this is indeed the "M" model and not one of the lower powered versions of the F15 (that's BMW's internal code for the next X5)?

Well, the large alloy wheels draped in extra beefy low profile tires, along with the huge brake discs and mainly, the twin tailpipes on both corners of the rear diffuser, are all typical traits of BMW's M series of models.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

The performance edition of BMW's new 6-Series Gran Coupe has been captured "naked" in the Bavarian firm's factory while the car was on a lift for service. The photo was posted on Twitter by a Dutch BMW dealer called "BMW De Beier"

From this angle, we can see the new M6 Gran Coupe's large alloy wheels with brake discs to match along with other traditional "M" cues such as the mirrors, sculpted side skirts and fender vents.

If we're not mistaken, there's also another M6 Gran Coupe finished in black parked behind the silver car on the hoist.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Aside from selling cars, BMW also wants a piece of the aftermarket industry's pie, and for this reason, it is constantly adding new goods to its newly formed M Performance sub-brand.

The 2012 Paris Motor Show sees the very first presentation of numerous products from this program designed specifically for the new 3-Series that are demonstrated on a 335i sedan.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

It was not too long ago that G-Power introduced its first take on the BMW 1 M Coupé with a 429hp (435PS) performance tune. Now, the famed BMW tuning brand is taking it a few steps further with its new G1 V8 HURRICANE RS model.

While the G-Power 1 M Coupé made use of the original model's 3.0-liter turbocharged straight six, the G1 HURRICANE RS borrows the 4.0-liter V8 engine from the M3 E92 Coupe.

In fact, G-Power installed the entire powertrain from the M3 including the DCT double-clutch transmission gearbox and stainless steel exhaust system, and while it was at it, also made use of the M3's front and rear axles!

Being the power-hungry company that it is, the Germany tuner wasn't satisfied with the stock engine's 414hp (420PS) so it bolted on a customized ASA supercharger system along with several other goods such as an aluminium cast air box that boost output to 591hp (600PS) and peak torque to 580Nm (428 lb-ft).

Monday, September 17, 2012

The 2012 Paris Motor Show at the end of the month will see the very first presentation of several new products from the BMW M Performance Accessories division including parts for the recently launched 1-Series 3-door hatchback and 3-Series Touring, plus a power kit for models fitted with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder common rail diesel engine. Read more »

BMW M Remembers its Roots and How the Sub-Brand Took Off

Friday, August 17, 2012

Forty years ago, in May of 1972, BMW introduced a new sub-division for its racing activities named BMW Motorsport GmbH.

After the success of cars like the 3.0 CSL Coupé on the racetrack, the sub-brand that eventually became known simply as BMW M, introduced its first production model, the limited run M1 in 1978.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Over the years, BMW and its various subsidiaries and sub-brands such as the BMW Technik GmbH (currently known as BMW Forschung und Technik, or Research and Technology) and M GmbH, have quietly developed an array of prototype models that never saw the light of day when new, but which are gradually coming out of hiding.

Among the many secret development prototypes that have been released to the public eyes are the M8 Coupe, 850Ci Convertible, E30 M3 Pickup Truck, E36 M3 Compact, E46 M3 Touring, E34 M5 Two-Door Cabriolet, Z1 Coupe and Z18 Buggy - just to mention a few.

Monday, July 30, 2012

When AC Schnitzer says it wants to be a tuner of everything BMW it really means it; from cars to motorcycles and now even the Bavarian firm's bicycles. And mind you, not any BMW bicycle but the ultra-light M Carbon Race developed by none other than the brand's fabled M division.

Since there are much less part to tune on a bike compared to an automobile, AC Schnitzer turned its focus on lowering the M Carbon Racer's weight and making some subtle changes to its appearance.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Did you know that there's a "hymn" dedicated to BMW? Well, neither did we, until we stumbled upon this music video dubbed "Hymn BMW" from a group of short-skirted Polish girls.

If you generally dislike Eurobeat as a genre, you may want to skip this post altogether. The rest of you can hover over the break to watch the music clip.