Tag Archives: BMW
Check Out the Spy Shots and Video of the 2018 BMW M5
Since BMW is launching its new 5-Series soon, we can expect another M5 sledgehammer from the German automaker. Spy shots, plus a video, were released of the new BMW M5.
What’s exciting about these spy shots is that the M5 was wearing the least bit of camouflage gear we have seen on a vehicle being test driven. According to reports, the M5 will have a V8 engine, which is likely to be an updated version of the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 used in the current M5.
The 2018 M5’s predecessor, the M5 30 Jahre Edition, can produce 600 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. The new M5 will probably have a lot more horsepower and torque.
However, instead of increasing the power, engineers are more likely to focus on reducing the weight of the car. The new model will reportedly weigh 220 pounds less than the current model, thanks to the adoption of the carbon-infused, modular-designed CLAR platform that was in the 2016 7-Series.
Another welcome update to the new M5 would be the xDrive all-wheel drive, which will probably be an option. This platform will normally send torque to the rear wheels, but will be sending some forward once slip is detected.
The standard transmission would be a 7-speed dual-clutch unit, but no manual transmission will be offered.
On the outside, the look seems to be inspired by the latest 7-Series. There’s a very wide and low front bumper with pumped fenders on the side. Based on the spy shots, the rear end sports a small diffuser was integrated with the bumper unit.
In the wheels, you’ll find a pair of massive perforated brake discs.
The new 5-Series is expected to be released this year, but the M5 won’t be coming out until 2017, so it would likely be a 2018 model. Direct rivals of the M5 would be the Audi RS 6, Cadillac CTS-V and Mercedes-AMG E63.
Rolls Royce’s SUV Is A Daily Car, Not A Monster Truck
There were rumors that Rolls Royce’s new 4×4 SUV was going to be a monster truck. Well, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. BMW’s design chief Adrian van Hooydonk said that it would be “daunting” to build an SUV for RR.
He promised in an interview though that Rolls Royce’s new 4×4 will be “a truly special car,” and that it won’t be a monster truck.
This is certainly good news for everyone who thought that RR’s Project Cullinan would be going toward the direction of building an SUV monster truck. Project Cullinan can be previewed through the Phantom prototype seen in these photos.
The “not monster truck” design has already been approved, and it will assuredly be one drivers can use as an everyday car.
Hooydonk explained that there are a lot of considerations need to be made when building a new model for RR. When the brand started, it had huge wheels that covered a lot of ground clearance because they were used by the Maharajas to travel from Europe to the Far East.
Back then, car companies have yet to categorize cars into sedans, SUVs or trucks. They were just cars, Hooydonk said. Roads back then weren’t smooth, too, so Rolls was built on that premise.
The idea for the new 4×4 is not to interpret the old Maharaja car. Rather, it will be built on the idea that RR cars were used for daily activities across rough roads.
What Hooydonk plans for the 4×4 is to completely move it away from the predicament RR has—that they are too elegant and too sophisticated to be driven. For this “SUV,” Royce wants something that drivers will want to use, instead of to look at only.
To do this, Rolls decides to sit the model on an all-new aluminum space frame structure, which is currently undergoing road testing to ensure a perfectly capable driving experience.
The result? Hooydonk hopes it’s an all-terrain SUV that is fun to drive every day, but not a monster truck, that has a likely V12 engine and the “magic carpet ride.”
BMW Reveals 2002 Hommage Concept
BMW just revealed its new 2002 Hommage concept, which was unveiled at Villa D’Este Concours event. This is nothing new as the company prefers to pay respect to the past through concepts such as the BMW CSL Hommage last year and the 328 Hommage from two years ago.
According to Top Gear, the 2002 Hommage will take the spotlight this year. Based on the BMW 2002 Turbo, the 2002 Hommage is most probably just an M2. BMW Senior Vice President Adrian van Hooydonk said that the 02 range started an era of success for BMW 50 years ago. That compact coupe was the foundation of the brand’s success over the years.
The 2002 Hommage concept repeats BMW’s most famous trait, which is the shark nose. But aside from that, the concept also has a huge front spoiler, a nod to the old 70s cars. The fascia has an aggressive design to go along with the single-light headlights that pay homage to the original 02 series too.
The sides have a smoother but more muscular design cues as the strong bodyline runs from the front fender all the way to the rear.
At the back, you’ll find the twin dual exhaust outlets, a smooth rear fascia, an embedded reflector on each corner, and dark glass taillight lenses with two LED strips that emphasize the outer and lower edges of the lenses.
The car is painted in light baby blue with the upper half having a matte finish to prevent reflection from the sun.
The interior remains a mystery since BMW remains mum about it. But since this is patterned after the M2, expect to have M2’s driver-oriented cabin inside.
We don’t have information on the drivetrain of the car as of yet, though we’re betting it would have the same 3.0-liter that delivers 365 horsepower and 343 pound-feet of torque on the M2.
BMW Upgrades M235i, Gets New M240i Moniker
BMW is set to update the six-cylinder M235i coupe and its convertible sibling for the year 2017. It will reportedly receive an upgrade of a 15-horsepower increase through an all-new turbocharged inline-six engine.
And since BMW is at the habit of changing their vehicles’ names once it adopted a new engine, the M235i is expected to be called the M240i once it gets fitted with the 3.0-liter inline-six engine that debuted in 2016.
We don’t have much information about the coupe, but we’ve got a couple of expectations about the convertible, which will have a new infotainment system and slightly revised exterior.
For the most part, the BMW M240i should look like the outgoing M235i, especially on its sexy waistline, the signature kidney beam grille, the aggressive air dam, and corner air inlets.
Expected changes, however, would include slightly reshaped headlights, taillights, and the front and rear fascias. On the side, BMW might tweak the side skirts a little.
The convertible will most probably sit a little lower (by half an inch) because of the M Sport suspension, and it will ride on 18-inch M light-alloy wheels with double-spoke design.
For the interior, we shouldn’t be expecting too much. It will have the usual three-spoke M-branded steering wheel, as well as brushed metal inserts on door pull handles, trim inserts on steering wheel spokes, and trim on the center console and dashboard. If you don’t like metal inserts, you can opt for the wood and carbon fiber inserts.
The seats would be finished in Alcantara with blue contrast stitching, the same used on the leather wrapped around the steering wheel.
The M240i is rumored to have a new infotainment technology. The screen size would be the same, but it should come with a Wi-Fi hotspot, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
The M240i will have a starting price at around $50,000, a mild increase from the M235i.
Seven Is Named As Latest Special Edition BMW Mini
The mk3 BMW Mini is getting another special edition model. Called the Mini Seven, it was named after a Mini 1950s model bearing the same name.
Over the years, Mini has released a number of special editions that have become such a hit for lovers of this instant classic. It managed to leave the third-generation hatchback, launched two years ago, alone but that didn’t stop the brand from churning out special editions every now and then.
But this year, Mini will be trying out a new theory. It will be upgrading the ever-so-popular hatchback that has become a dream car for many of the younger generation. Named after the 1959 Austin Seven, the first ever Mini, the new Seven is a fresh update of its mk3 supermini, according to sources.
Outside, you’ll get surprised by the paint job, called the Lapisluxury Blue by the Mini brand. Designers described is as “the most intensive” ever applied to one of their cars. But if blue isn’t your cup of tea, you can choose from a variety of other colors such as Pepper White,Midnight Black and British Racing Green. You may also opt for the stripes design.
The three-door Seven version will start at £18,545 while the five-door costs £19,145. Both of these are offered in Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper D and Cooper SD trims, so we can expect them to go anywhere from 134 to 189bhp.
The Seven will up the price by £3,000 from the standard Mini. But with the price surge, you’ll get a lot of nicer things like the special 17-inch alloy wheels, half-leather trim, Bluetooth, and the sportier gauges that define Mini’s Excitement Pack. You can also find special edition badges and kick plates.
Reportedly, this is just the first in the long line of mk3 special models. Let’s hope Mini would follow up with some incredible upgrades after the Seven.
2017 BMW 7 Series Centennial Edition Will Only Have 100 Units
Since BMW is celebrating its centenary in 2016, it decided to start the celebration with the Vision Next 100 Concept for the Mini, Rolls Royce and BMW Motorrad brands. But more than anything else, the company will also introduce the BMW 7 Series Centennial Edition, a lineup consisting of three models each designed by the German brand’s Individual division.
The Centennial Edition will come packed with an exclusive exterior finish and luxurious interior in high-grade leather and other expensive materials. All of the models will bear the lettering “The Next 100 Years,” similar to the concept.
There are basically three drive variants available for the Centennial Edition: the BMW 740Le iPerformance and BMW 740Le xDrive iPerformance with plug-in hybrid system, the V8 model BMW 750Li and BMW 750Li xDrive, and the BMW M760Li xDrive with a 12-cylinder power unit.
But regardless of your choice of engine, the appearance, driving experience and luxurious ambience of the sedan’s interior will still be the same. The sedan comes with the exclusive centenary model paint finish, 20-inch BMW Individual alloy wheels, BMW Individual fine grain Merino full leather trim, and interior refinements from BMW Individual.
Then, there’s the handcrafted signet with the lettering “The Next 100 Years” on the B pillars, the interior strips above the glove compartment on the passenger side, and the front and rear seat headsets.
The Centennial Edition, in particular the BMW Individual 750Li The Next 100 Years, will be fitted with the new 8-cylinder engine. It combines the latest version of BMW TwinPower Turbo technology with the V8’s 4.4-liter engine, which can deliver a maximum power output of 330kW/450hp and maximum torque of 650 Nm.
Acceleration is 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds with an average fuel consumption of 8.3 liters per 100 kilometers and CO2 emission of 192 grams per kilometer.
There are two other engine variants, which will be featured in the BMW 7 Series centennial models, that would be launched during the BMW Group’s anniversary year.
The 12-cylinder power unit found on the BMW Individual M760Li xDrive Model V12 Excellence is a 6.6-liter engine with the BMW TwinPower Turbo technology that delivers a maximum output of 448kW/610hp. It also enables the M760Li to go from 0 to 100 km in 3.7 seconds.
BMW 300e Hybrid Model Added to the 3 Series Lineup
The plug-in hybrid BMW 300e iPerformance is part of the brand’s 3 series lineup, albeit this one offers the option to be driven on battery power alone for a limited distance.
The 300e iPerformance comes with a four-cylinder gasoline engine with TwinPower Turbo technology mixed with eDrive technology from models like the BMW i3 and BMW i8. It can deliver up to 250 horsepower and more than 200 pound-feet of torque.
The 3 Series has already upped the bar for performance and fuel economy in the past, so it’s no wonder that the hybrid is even challenging these levels. Aside from the electric system plugged into the 3 Series to ensure even weight distribution and energy savings, the 330e iPerformance will also feature the ChargeNow—BMW’s service that offers more than 30,000 charging points in 22 countries.
The car has a high-voltage battery that is made up of lithium-ion cells. It has a total capacity of 7.6 kWh (gross)/5.7 kWh (net), which enables the car to go as far as 40 kilometers, making it the perfect car for city dwellers and commuters.
While taking a break, the car can be charged from either a conventional domestic power socket or a BMW i Wallbox with a charging power of 3.7 kW. This can full charge an empty battery in two hours and 12 minutes. From a domestic power socket, a full charge will take three hours.
In terms of exterior designs, there are only two changes in the BMW 330e iPerformance. First, there’s a small door on the driver’s side front fender for the charge port of the onboard lithium-ion battery. Second, there’s the lower insert on the rear fascia for the dual exhaust outlet.
Inside, you can expect the center console to have additional drive programs such as the AUTO eDRIVE, MAX eDRIVE, and SAVE BATTERY.
The 330e will go on sale this summer with a starting price of $43,000.
Fiery Decade To Close With a BMW SUV Boom
BMW sure knows how to keep its fans interested, and thoroughly so! There has been a crazy wave of rumors, all fueled by some revelations from BMW.
SUV lovers, hold your hearts and be prepared for the hottest tip-off ever from the motor world. If what we have heard is true then by the end of this very decade, yes, BMW is going to roll out as many as 8 SUVs – each distinct, each one a precious piece of work, exclusively for its enthusiasts. Fingers crossed, if all goes well, BMW SUVs in 2020 are going to totally sweep us off our feet.
So, here is the deal.
The offerings will range from the compact front-drive X1 to a more macho X8 variant of the grand seven-seat X7 SUV, the production of which has been confirmed, already. The new X1, too, is going to give way to a more sporting X2 variant. It will be available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive format. For this one, we won’t have to wait for too long. News is already out that this one will be hitting us forcefully the coming year, giving us more reasons to look forward to 2015, a year that has already promised us much! Add to all that, the upcoming BMW SUVs, and you have yourself a racing heart, in thrill and pure anticipation.
Excitingly enough, BMW is all set to launch new avatars of the very popular X3 and X4, which are not new to the motor world. They have already done their bit. They have driven people crazy, they have upped the style quotient, they have ruled the roads and left a mark. The new kid on the block is BMW X6, one of the upcoming BMW SUVs, which was revealed at the prestigious Moscow Motor Show this August. It made hearts skip a beat, it got the palpitation rising and the spectators can’t wait for it to hit the market. Good news – it will be available for sale in the U.K. coming December. See, your wait just got slashed to some months.
Moving on, the BMW X7 is the new reason to look forward to 2016. A big fat birdie told us that this magnanimous seven-seat SUV, based on an extended version of the X5, is likely to go into production at a Spartanburg plant in North America. But that is going to happen only in 2016. Yeah, we know. That seems far, very far away. However, with so many BMW SUVs coming in 2020, you sure can turn your eyes to a different offering. And what we also know is, it is going to be worth your wait, for it is a well-intended, high-powered answer to the Mercedes-Benz GL.
You can imagine what a gorgeous machine it is going to be!
That’s not all, for there is BMW X8, inspired by X7, though still unconfirmed but we are hoping for this one to happen. News is that most of these BMW SUVs 2020 will be up for sale in America, Russia, China and the Middle East. True BMW lovers, start gearing up now!
2015 BMW X1
BMW is all set to bring its 2015 BMW X1 as a latest entrant for the futuristic SUV market. If you compare the current model of BMW X1 with its predecessors, you will find that it is smaller and lighter, wherein the overall dimension of the new vehicle playing important role in widening the gap between the two variants, also the new version comes with sportier look and feel. However, the platform, engine and interior fittings will remain the same as the previous BMW X1 model, but will be powerful with enhanced performance dynamics. This compact luxury SUV from BMW will be highly fuel efficient with its turbo charged motors and will come with an automatic maintenance reminder feature, to keep it stay abreast with the latest improvements and performance dynamics.
The aggressive redesigning of 2015 BMW X1 has made it look refreshed and it has also been updated with the use of enhanced quality material wherein the classy chrome touch is also added for extra elegance. The overall design of BMW X1 2015 is expected to be modern and luxurious with the addition of interesting features like iDrive interface and automatic transmission joystick. If you measure it you will find that 2015 BMW X1 is till the date the smallest crossover that BMW has come up with and its rear seats are quite small in size. The foldable rear seat backs can provide enough space for keeping luggage easily. The redesigned crossover looks different because of its small size and some of its designing elements are clearly copied from X3 and X5.
The car maker has invested a lot of time and energy in redesigning its 2015 BMW X1 just to make it look improved for their new UKL platform. Nevertheless, the hard work has paid well and the new BMW X1 looks new, fresh and special. The redesigned and reshaped front portion of 2015 BMW X1 has captivating headlights and a new grille, which has a unique kidney shape a trademark for BMW making it look aggressive and sportier from front. A sharp look at its front and you will notice a big air intake beside headlight and grille. The redesigning of rear eng has added longer wheel base to BMW X1. Automatic climate control system, five climate control modes, AUX-IN connection, professional navigation system, USB interface system, sensor equipped system parking distance control and standard audio system are some of the interesting features to look forward in BMW X1.
The interior of latest BMW X1 has enough space, headroom and legroom to make it a comfortable SUV. The car offers excellent comfort for families willing to enjoy long drives and to make it all interesting the interior is equipped with fine quality material and advanced technology. The 2015 BMW X1 comes with the engine option of both gasoline and Diesel and will most probably have three cylinder and four cylinder inline engines along with V6 engine option. 9 speed automatic transmission will be the latest addition and the base option will come with front wheel drive feature to make it even more interesting. So just wait for the little giant to hit the market.
2015 BMW X6: the Next Generation SUV
2015 is supposedly to be the year of BMW because to make it large in the futuristic SUV segment, the company is all geared up to hit the bull’s eye with its second generation 2015 BMW X6, which is being stipulated as the new version of its 2014 X6. After its arrival is Moscow Motor Show, the vehicle is expected to hit the market soon. To keep the design simple for X6, BMW has kept it roots on new generation X5 model and the dimensions for X6 are also same 4900/ 1980/1700mm – l/w/h. the only change you will notice will be in its wheel base, which is expected to be a little higher. The company has proclaimed that they have reduced the weight of X6 by using light weight materials for its construction. The distinct line of X6 will remain same, but minute design details have the potential to give this 2015 vehicle more aggressive look and feel.
It is quite evident that the increased wheel base will also increase the space inside the car making it more spacious. The only noticeable difference between the current model and the new 2015 BMW X6 model is the latter ones slanted front end along with protruding front grille which is placed vertically in the newly designed X6. In rear also you can find some noticeable changes like bumper appearance, quad pipe exhaust system and light clusters, which are all a welcome relief from rather mundane designing of current version.
The drive unit if 2015 BMW X6 is same as the new generation BMW X5 models. The X6 will be coming with 4.41 liter V8 petrol engine with the ability to generate 450hp and 650lb-ft torque. Apart from petrol engine customer can also look for 6 cylinder 3.0I twin power diesel engine with the ability to produce 285hp and 560lb-ft torque. You can also get your diesel engine supplemented by its six-cylinder of 3.0l three turbo diesel engine of 381hp and torque 740lb-ft for improved and efficient performance dynamics. In addition to its standard diesel and petrol engine, the company has also promised to introduce its hybrid plug in propulsion system for its X6. It is being speculated that the hybrid version of X6 will mostly be based on the 2015 BMW X5 model. The hybrid version of 2015 BMW X6 is expected to be available during 2015 only and not before that.
Other changes in the new design of X6 include its availability in the sports trim level which is named as 2015 BMW X6 M and is expected to be available in the market by late 2014. The sports version is expected to have significant changes from its current model. The front bumper will be replaced by large air ventilator. Also to make the front more appealing for the sports version company will install new grille in the “M” style to make it look unique. With new bumper, roof spoiler and exhaust system with four pipes, the X6 M is sure to be a winner. Go for its because of its upgraded high performance brakes, alloy wheels and modified suspension.