As we get closer to 2019, the development of the upcoming BMW 3 Series codenamed G20 is also getting closer to its final stages. Since we’re also quite far off from seeing any details regarding the design of the new 3er , we’re only left with catching glimpses of various prototypes out roaming on the Nurburgring from time to time. The most recent encounter took place this week and it showed the G20 model out testing its RWD setup.

The 3 Series will remain RWD, steering away from all the changes happening with the models slotted beneath it in the BMW range. Built atop the CLAR architecture – which was initially called 35up – a hint at which models will be using it in the first place – the new 3 Series is expected to drop some weight and gain some muscle once it comes out. The CLAR architecture surely will allow it, as it uses lightweight materials on all cars based on it, from the current 7 Series to the new 5 Series and now the 6 Series GT.

A mix of aluminum and magnesium together with CFRP ensure that weight is kept in check to allow that dynamic drive BMW customers are accustomed to. The powerplants will be inherited from the other new models, a combination of four and six-cylinder engines, both in petrol and diesel configurations. Plug-in hybrids are also part of the future 3 Series lineup, as well as a fully electric 3 Series. A three cylinder engine might be introduced as well for the entry-level models.

The B47 2-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine will lead the charge in the compact sedan market once the 2019 G20 3 Series comes out, powering both the 320d and the 318d, and a possible 325d which is claimed to have over 230 HP once it is launched. Upper tier versions will include 330d versions while the 335d we know today will transform into an M Performance model known as M340d with 320 HP. Speaking of which, the petrol alternatives will also get a new M Performance car in the shape of the M340i which will slot right under the BMW M3 in terms of performance.

BMW G20 3 Series Rendering

Other petrol-powered 3 Series models will include the 330i and 320i and possibly the 318i which is said to be powered by a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine, although not confirmed at the moment. On the hybrid side of things, the 330e will continue to be offered, even though the configuration is bound to change to offer more EV range and a faster charging alternative. Look for the 2019 BMW G20 3 Series to be launched towards the end of 2018.

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For a lot of BMW enthusiasts, the BMW M4 has been a bit of a mixed bag. The standard car is considered by many to be too numb and lacking engagement. BMW then came out with the Competition Package for the M4, which made it slightly sharper, more enjoyable to drive and better looking. And while much improved, it still wasn’t quite as dynamic as its predecessors. So when BMW developed the M4 GTS, many fans thought it would return to form. But the GTS is too violent, too hardcore and far too expensive. So many fans have been hoping for something in between those two, something that offers them a good compromise of track-oriented performance with some everyday usability. Now, they have this — the BMW M4 CS.

In this new video from CarAdvice, we take an up close look at why the BMW M4 CS is the Goldilocks variant of the M4. Basically, it pulls some bits from the Competition Package and some bits from the GTS to make the best M4 possible for the road.

Under the hood lies a slightly breathed on version of the M4 Competition Package’s 3.0 liter twin-turbo I6 engine. So it makes 460 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, which is up 16 hp and 17 lb-ft over the Comp Pack car. It gets the brand’s seven-speed DCT as-standard, with no manual option, and can get from 0-60 mph in a claimed 3.9 seconds. I imagine it will actually be a tenth or two quicker than that, as the Comp Pack M4 is rated for the same and this new M4 CS is more powerful but also lighter.

Speaking of lighter, BMW took a lot of the M4 GTS’ weight-savings techniques and applied them to the M4 CS. So the hood is the same carbon fiber unit as the GTS’, as is the carbon fiber propshaft and most of the interior is fitted with the same exposed carbon fiber panels. So it’s very stripped out inside, compared to an M4 Comp Pack, but still has more space, comfort and luxury than the GTS. Oh, and it doesn’t have a roll cage. It also ditches some sound deadening inside and the augmented speaker engine sound, just like the GTS. So it’s a purer driver’s car than the Comp Pack M4.

Apparently, all of this has paid off. In this video, we see that the new M4 CS not only looks better than all of its sibling variants but it drivers better as well. With a tweaked Competition Package suspension and exhaust, along with the lighter weight and extra power, the M4 CS is the sharpest road-oriented variant of the M4. It’s also probably more enjoyable to drive than the M4 GTS, as it isn’t as compromised for the road.

If you’ve been wanting a BMW M4 but just don’t feel as connected to it as you’d like, try the BMW M4 CS on for size and see how it fits. If you’re going to buy any M4, this new M4 CS seems to be the one to get.

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Some owners like to go with an understated finish for their brand new M4 but, for some, attracting attention is what they are after. For this owner, the choice of a Fire Orange II exterior finish was thus a perfect one, giving his BMW M4 a high-visibility look. Additionally, the high-performance coupe was taken to iND Distribution where it received some thoughtful aftermarket touches and got turned into an even better-looking beast in every way.

For the most part, the driver of the current generation BMW M4 can rely on impressive performance numbers. The M4 is powered by a rather fuel efficient, albeit powerful engine. The 3.0 Liter BMW TwinPower Turbo engine delivering 425 horsepower is the power source for the new M4. In turn, the engine allows the BMW M4 to plow through the gears and sprint from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in just 4.1 seconds. Furthermore, the M4 will reach an electronically limited top speed of 155mph (250km/h) as well. Overall, this is a great base for an aftermarket build.

While the Fire Orange exterior finish may be the most noticeable item on this M4, the second one is the huge RKP wing installed. Resembling the M4 DTM wing, it’s actually larger and higher than the OEM wing found on the most ludicrous street-going M4 GTS. The wing not only adds the impacting visual aspect, but it also gives the BMW M4 additional downforce in the rear, allowing for improved cornering performance. Thanks to its carbon fiber and aluminum construction, the wing is also lightweight.

The next parts installed are the BMW M Performance front lip spoiler, rear diffuser and the iND gloss black kidney grilles and painted side markers, alongside the side gills. These parts add that perfect contrasting touch but also clean up the exterior colors of the vehicle. The interior of the vehicle also saw extensive work; the M4 seen here is equipped with a full roll cage, racing bucket seats, and seatbelts that ensure the safety of the car is further upgraded too.

After the cosmetic touches were done, the owner opted in for an M Performance exhaust system. This gives his M4 a better throttle response, more horsepower and torque, with a much better exhaust sound. Finally, the vehicle is adorned with a set of BBS FI-R wheels. The wheels come in sizes of 20×8.5 and 20×10.5 in the front and rear, respectively. The wheels are finished in a Gloss Black finish, adding another nice contrasting touch to this build as well. You can take a look at the complete project gallery right below.

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The summer season is upon us, meaning perfect motoring weather, plenty of events and times to shine. For many, this month is the last chance to get their vehicles tuned & ready for the motoring season. For the owner of this Mineral White BMW E92 M3, it was clear something had to be done. With the combination of appealing looks and affordable price of the M3 itself, joined by the bevy of aftermarket solutions for this platform, it all meant that his vehicle will be more than ready for summer.

The BMW E92 M3 comes with a naturally aspirated 4.0 liter V8 engine which delivers 414 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. Consequently, the E92 M3 will sprint from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in 4.3 – 4.5 seconds. The vehicle will reach a top speed of 155mph (250km/h) and presents a great start for an aftermarket build.

The parts list on this BMW M3 project is really extensive. First, the performance angle was taken care off. This is done thanks to an ESS Tuning e-flash ECU performance software cable, the Eisenmann performance exhaust system and the added ECU modding as well. In turn, this allows the M3 to achieve somewhat better power and torque ratings, but ultimately allows for an improved throttle response and an even more appealing exhaust sound.

The vehicle also got a few aftermarket touches in the visual department, namely, the AST suspension lowering springs add an additional aggressive stance to the M3, giving it a much better overall look. The Macht Schnell wheel spacer kit – 10mm all around – gives the wheels a more flush-to-the-fenders look. The BMW carbon fiber mirror caps are joined by the black chrome kidney grilles, cleaning up the vehicle’s exterior nicely.

Finally, the Mode Carbon came into play with the carbon fiber GTS motorsport wing, but also the LM series carbon fiber rear diffuser – perfect finishing touch for this build. Check out the complete project gallery of the build done by European Auto Source right below.

The article Mineral White BMW M3 Gets Lowered and Tastefully Modded appeared first on BMW BLOG

While BMW has been busy morphing the achingly-pretty BMW 6 Series Coupe into the Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Jaguar is actually bringing us a beautiful wagon — the Jaguar XF Sportbrake. Even its name is cool. Not just as a BMW fan but as a car fan in general, this new is a bit of a kick to the nether-regions.

Ask someone from BMW if a 5 Series Touring will ever make it to the U.S. market and they’ll give you a clichéd answer about market demand. Admittedly, there’s a lot of truth to that. Americans simply don’t buy wagons. It’s frustrating but true. However, there are a lot of enthusiasts who feel that there’s more of a market than BMW thinks and that, if BMW brings them, we will come.

Prime evidence of this fan-theory is this new Jaaaag. Based off of the standard XF, the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake is a mid-sized luxury wagon that will do battle with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon, Audi A6 Avant and the BMW 5 Series Touring, the latter two only in Europe.

Now, Jaguar is a low-volume seller in North America, with minuscule numbers compared to the Germans. Yet, the Brits still feel that there’s enough market here to sell the XF Sportbrake. Obviously, the numbers won’t be high but I’m assuming Jaguar thinks they’ll be high enough to warrant selling it. Otherwise, why would Jag do so?

Jaguar’s current design language is among the best in the business. It might be the only brand that can make its cars all look so similar and have no one complain. They’re all just so pretty. This new Jaguar XF Sportbrake is no different and Ian Callum, Director of Design at Jaguar, seems to really understand how to properly pen a wagon. “As with the XF saloon, every line on the Sportbrake serves a clear purpose, creating a fast sweeping silhouette. This gives the car a sense of speed and a very dynamic appearance. As a result, I think it looks just as sporty as the saloon, if not more so.” said Callum.

Inside, the XF Sportbrake is pretty much the same as the sedan. It’s pretty and sporty with some interesting bits to entertain owners, such as the rising rotary shift knob and the flip-around air-vents that open on upon start-up. The new 10-inch In-Touch Pro infotainment system also looks very nice, though we’ll see if it’s as quick or intuitive as BMW’s iDrive.

There are also some new clever bits about the XF Sportbrake, such as the Activity Key and Gesture Blind. The former debuted on the F-Pace SUV and is a wearable waterproof smart-bracelet that acts as the car’s key. So if you want to go surfing and don’t want to leave your keys on the beach, you can leave them in the car and wear this Activity Key, which will allow you to unlock the car. The Gesture Blind system is similar to BMW’s Gesture Control, except that it only controls the sunblind. Wave your hand either forward or backward in front of the rearview mirror and the sunblind with either close or open. I’m not exactly sure why this is better than a one-touch button but the same can be said for BMW’s system.

In America, there will be only be one powertrain/drivetrain option: a 3.0 liter supercharged V6 making 380 hp, paired with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. The latter bit comes with what Jaguar calls ASPC (All Surface Progress Control) and AdSR (Adaptive Surface Response). Both are basically software systems developed by Jaguar Land Rover to help all-wheel drive vehicles handle any and all road conditions with ease.

In addition to its looks and its tech and wagon-y goodness, the XF should also handle quite well. Some enthusiasts feel that the Jaguar XF is the best driving car in the segment. Whether or not is the best isn’t as important as knowing that, either way, it’s damn good to drive. It’s agile, has great steering and is genuinely enjoyable to drive.

So the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake looks fantastic, has a nice cabin, some nice features and is a real-deal sport/luxury wagon coming to the U.S. market. If Jaguar feels there’s enough of a market for it to sell such a car here, then surely there’s enough of one for us to get the superb 5 Series Touring.

The article Jaguar XF Sportbrake wagon bound for U.S. appeared first on BMW BLOG

The new generation G01 BMW X3 is just days away from its official unveil. After being developed for the last two years, the successor of the successful F25 X3 is going to be an important car for BMW in the ever growing SUV segment. And with the X3 bringing a lot of new tech to the table while being cheaper than the X5, it is bound to keep its crowd favorite status once the new version comes out.

The standard X3 line-up will be joined by a proper M model too once ready, a premiere for the BMW midsize SUV. This will be the first time a BMW X3 M will be offered and fans of the brand and this particular model will surely be excited to see it finally materialize after years of waiting. The X3 M will actually be late to the game as its rivals from Audi and Mercedes-Benz already have performance versions out, in the shape of the Audi SQ5 and GLC63 AMG.

However, just like it is the case with other comparisons between BMW’s M offerings and Mercedes’ AMGs, the mill under the hood of the Bimmer will be smaller in size by comparison. The BMW X3 M will use the same S55 3-liter twin-turbo engine of the M3 and M4 models, possibly tuned to make 450 HP. This will put the M model at a disadvantage compared to its AMG rival which uses a 4-liter twin-turbo engine making either 469 HP or 503.

The advantage of the X3 M lies in the lightweight constructions methods. The X3 M will be light on its feet for a car its size and it will most likely perform better both on and off the track due to this advantage. As you can also see in the video below, the X3 M doesn’t seem to lean too much into corners which hopefully means that it will be a true driver’s car once it comes out. Since the standard X3 will be launched on the market later this year, expect the M model to come out early in 2018.

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Cyclists are taking over many major European cities. The push for less emissions and the higher taxes on automobiles in major European cities are both causing many citizens to push for bicycles. While auto enthusiasts bemoan this switch, as cyclists often get in the way of, and annoy, them while they’re driving, it is the way of our world, now. Michelin, having been a bicycle tire manufacturer from the very beginning, has naturally been thinking of ways to make cycling better, faster and more efficient. So it’s now come out with a new electrification system, Michelin’s E-Drive, that can transform a normal bike to an e-bike in seconds.

At the recent Movin’On by Michelin Conference in Montréal, the famous French tire company showed off their latest invention and we were fortunate enough to sample it. The bike on hand was a Wayscral but Michelin wants to implement this system for almost any bicycle. The new E-Drive system is essentially a clip-on battery pack and electric motor all in one.

It’s the way it works that’s quite fascinating. It comes with a simple bike rack for the rear wheel that bolts on as does any other rack. However, the rack has a large opening that can fit the new E-Drive unit into it. This E-Drive unit is an electric motor and battery pack built into one simple unit that only weighs 3kg (6.6 lbs) and can be installed in just 3 seconds. It just slides in and clicks into place.

The electric motor that sticks down from the E-Drive unit has little teeth that connect with teeth that line one side of the special rear tire made by Michelin for this system. So when you pedal the bike, the rear tire engages the teeth on the motor and the E-Drive system will then add electric boost to your pedaling. Though, it can’t power the bike on electric power alone, as that would then require it to not be considered a bicycle on public roads in France, so it’s only an electric boost to the rider’s pedaling.

We got to sample it on a bike path surrounding some of the events at the conference. It’s remarkably light and feels no heavier than a normal bike. But as soon as you add some decent pedal power, the e-boost kicks in and the bike surges forward. It’s far quicker than I had originally anticipated and it almost made me fall at first. But backing off the pedals a bit backs off the assistance and I was soon able to figure out how to manage and control the system, rather quickly and easily. Once understood, it becomes very fun and surprisingly fast. Michelin claims it can allow the rider to go 25 km/h (15 mph). If you choose that you don’t want the electric boost anymore, just backpedal a bit and the system turns off. It’s turned back on by backpedaling again.

The E-Drive unit is also equipped with an accelerometer, speed sensor and crank sensor and is bluetooth compatible. So you can connect your smart phone to the E-Drive unit and monitor its speed, acceleration and battery life. The latter of which Michelin claims will last 50 km (31 miles). It also only takes around three hours to charge the 252 Wh battery.

This Michelin E-Drive system comes as an entire package, with the actual E-Drive unit, the rack and the special rear tire all for around 450 Euros. It goes on sale in March, 2018 in France and Germany but Michelin still hasn’t’ announced if or when it will go on sale in other countries. While cycling isn’t a popular subject among car enthusiasts, this really was a fascinating and interesting little bike that we had a lot of fun playing with in Montreal.

The article FIRST RIDE: Michelin Wayscral E-Drive Bicycle appeared first on BMW BLOG

MINI will once again be present at the Pitti Uomo fair in Milan this year, with a new line-up up of creations developed in collaboration with some of the best designers out there today. The new Capsule Collection sees five up and coming international designers take the stage, highlighting the creative tension that exists between their cultural roots and adopted homelands. The collaboration with MINI has produced five fashion items for urban traveller who enjoys roaming between different cultures and ways of life, both in the city and beyond.

The products from designers Diego Vanassibara, Edwina Hörl, Pronounce, Post Imperial and Perret Schaad combine traditional cultural cues inherent in their countries of origin with contemporary elements from their adopted homes. BEYOND NATIVE is inspired by one of the most diverse living environments of all: the city, MINI’s natural habitat. “MINI has always been a brand for people who dare to do things differently, to stand out,” says Esther Bahne, Head of MINI Brand Strategy and Business Innovation. “In the 1960s the first Mini became a design icon, and this heritage inspired us to launch MINI FASHION. We really wanted to stick our necks out and join with creatives to bring something new and bold to the industry.”

“The idea of this collaboration is to give a platform to five creatives with different cultural backgrounds. They know how to take the unique energy engendered by fusing different cultural influences and translate it into exceptional products,” explains Sabine Ringel, Creative Lead at MINI FASHION. “The fact that these migrants have experienced and crossed national and cultural boundaries is the very reason for the richness and depth in their designs. And they have brought these perspectives with them into the MINI FASHION – BEYOND NATIVE collection.”

Diego Vanassibara was behind the creation of the men’s shoes you see in the pictures below, the Brazilian claiming he was inspired by influences from London as well as his native village. Edwina Hörl was born in Austria but currently resides in Japan, this mixture of cultures leading to her creation, a coat for the urban traveler. Yushan Li and Jun Zhou are the two minds behind Pronounce, the label showcasing a hoodie for the urban traveler at this year’s Pitti Uomo. The man behind Post-Imperial is Niyi Okuboyejo, a Nigerian who now resides in Texas and he created a scarf while Perret Schaad is a company started by Tutia Schaad, a Vietnamese woman living in Germany. All the items put together by these designers for Pitti Uomo will be on sale this autumn.

The article MINI Unveils Fashion Creations for the Pitti Uomo Fair appeared first on BMW BLOG

One of the most iconic sneakers of our generation is the Nike Air Jordan 1 Chicago, a high-top made famous by Michael Jordan during his golden years in Chicago. The sneaker has been placed high on the list of any sneaker collection and it’s resale value has increased over time.

The Jordan 1 Chicago stands out with its combination of red, black and white, easily recognizable but all Chicago Bulls fans and equally by sneakerheads.

So it comes as no surprise that Beijing-based graffiti crew 400ML is taking its love of sneakers to greater heights with this BMW M3 designed after the Air Jordan 1. Featuring near spot-on details of the first-ever Air Jordan shoe in the iconic “Chicago” colorway as well as the crew’s signature detailing such as the melting paint and bullet holes, this BMW M3 was created by 400ML and car modifier brand iAcro for a special exhibit at Beijing The Palace Square from June 14th through the 18th.

The fact that they used the E46 M3 as the base car – another icon in our opinion – makes things even more exciting and the end result is flashy, yet unique and interesting.

The article This BMW is inspired by the iconic AIR JORDAN 1 “CHICAGO” appeared first on BMW BLOG

Despite the almost impressive reluctance from car enthusiasts, the automotive industry is moving forward. Forward to a new future, a future filled with far more connectivity, autonomy and electrification than ever before. It’s a brave and fascinating new world, whether us dyed-in-the-wool enthusiasts want to accept it or not. This new future was the main focal point for the 2017 Movin’On Conference by Michelin, a place where dozens of companies in dozens of different fields of technology came together to show off their innovative new ideas for the future.

Michelin brought us out to Montréal to attend the Movin’On Conference and we were able to experience a lot of what not only Michelin was working on for the future but what the rest of the industry was working on as well. It was a whirlwind of new ideas and fresh outlooks for the future. Everything from virtual reality to artificial intelligence to machine learning was talked about, shown and explained at Movin’On. And while there was some pretty impressive displays on hand, none were more impressive than Michelin’s own.

When enthusiasts think Michelin, they think of the Pilot Sport tire. It’s the performance tire of choice for almost all enthusiasts and it’s quite possibly the most popular tire on the market. However, the famous French brand is about so much more than just performance tires.

Michelin “Tweel”

On hand at the Movin’On Conference were quite a few Michelin stands. There was a new, airless tire called the “Tweel”, which is a combination of “tire” and “wheel”. Clever, right? It actually is, as it never needs to be refilled, can never get a flat and is very light. At the conference, the Tweel was fitted to a couple of golf carts that were being used on site and they seemed to work really well. While these little Tweels fitted to golf carts aren’t a huge deal, the idea behind them is, as it could really change the future of the automobile tire. We’ll get into more on that in a minute, though.

Michelin also had an interesting E-Drive bicycle on display. Essentially, it was a clip-on battery and electric motor two-in-one combo that fitted to the back of a bicycle. A special rear tire made by Michelin was then fitted, which has little rubber teeth on a strip around the outside of the tire. The E-Drive unit’s electric motor also has teeth that connect to the teeth on the tire, thus allowing for e-boost to the rear tire as the rider pedals. We were able to sample the Michelin E-Drive Bike ourselves and it was more fun and interesting than we had previously thought.

But back to the future of the tire. While V.R., A.I. and machine learning were all impressive and interesting ideas presented at the conference, those ideas are still rather abstract at the moment. However, there was on concept for the future that, while still a long way off, seems very viable and could completely change the way tires are bought and used in the future.

This new tire concept is called the Michelin Visionary Concept and it’s an airless, puncture-proof tire/wheel combination very similar to the Tweel. Except it has a few very important twists to it. Firstly, it’s completely made from a rugged biomimetic structure. It really does look as if it was created by nature. While the final product likely won’t look like something from the movie Prometheus, as this does, the idea is still the same.

The entire Michelin Visionary Concept tire is one piece and is made entirely from renewable and biodegradable resources. A completely renewable and recyclable tire. And because it’s a complete wheel, without the need for a separate wheel and tire, it can never lose pressure due to puncture. If a nail goes through it, so what? It will just keep on rolling like nothing ever happened.

But that still isn’t the craziest part. The craziest part of all of this is that the tread is completely and entirely configurable. Because the tread is made from biodegradable organic material, it can be 3D printed and re-printed, over and over and over again. So tread wear becomes a thing of the past.

Let’s say that you have a set of these tires on your car and the treat wears down over time. You would simply drive up to one of Michelin’s new 3D printing stations and it will re-print new tread back onto your tire and off you go, with essentially a brand-new tire. Pretty crazy, right? But that’s still not the craziest part.

One of the most annoying aspects of owning a performance car is the need for different tires. Owning something like a BMW M4 and putting all-season rubber on it is like being a ballet dancer and wearing work boots. So most performance car owners have multiple sets of tires, one for summer and one for winter and maybe one for the track. However, Michelin’s new Visionary Concept Tire changes that.

Not only can you 3D print new tread on your tire, you can completely change the tread pattern. So, for instance, if you’re going to take a road trip with your family and you have summer tread on your tires, but your journey is going to take you high into the mountains to go skiing, summer tread won’t be ideal. So once you input your destination into the navigations screen, the tires will know (as they are also connected Smart Tires, because of course they are) that you will need snow tread. So the car will ask you if you want to stop off and change your tread prior to heading up the mountains.

If you indulge, the car’s navigation system will guide you to the closest Michelin 3D printing station to the mountains so you can have your summer tires re-treaded for winter tread in no time. Essentially, the tire’s tread is completely reprogrammable. But not only the tread, the compound as well. So that sticky summer compound can be swapped out for something that can withstand freezing temperatures at the same time. Wild stuff, seriously.

Now, there’s no word on when such a concept could become a reality, obviously. Michelin is still in the early infancy stages of just developing the idea for this tire. Plus, there would have to be infrastructure put in place for these 3D printing stations to exist and be located where they’re optimal.

Michelin also has no word on how much these tires will cost, how much it will cost to re-print the tread and how often it will need to be done. Some sources from the brand said that they’re toying with the idea of a subscription service to use the 3D printing stations but, as previously mentioned, this new idea is in its infancy and there’s nothing evenly close to official as of yet. We’re talking 20 years down the line or more.

What’s also fascinating is how the rest of the industry could react to such a tire. If the tread can be reprogrammed and the entire wheel/tire is made from one piece, can wheel styles be reprogrammed? If so, do auto manufacturers struggle to offer different styles of wheel? How to aftermarket wheel companies feel about this?

There are still so many unknown questions and variables surrounding this concept tire. The only thing we do know is that it’s fascinating and that it could seriously change the tire game forever.

The article Michelin Visionary Concept Tire: Game-Changing tire that can alter its tread pattern appeared first on BMW BLOG

German tuner Alpha-N Performance is quite known to European customers. They have been putting together some incredible tuned machines based on BMW’s M offerings and the latest M4 coming from their HQ is no different. The beast is claimed to have gone around the Bridge to Gantry section on the Nurburgring in 7 minutes and 20 seconds which is a supercar-worthy time. But what made it so fast in the first place?

The tuning shop put together a kit that turns an ordinary M4 into an M4 GTS rivaling beast. The engine under the hood now makes 560 PS which is a whopping increase compared to the standard 431 PS of your average, run of the mill M4. According to the them, the only thing needed to surpass the 500 PS of the GTS was a new ECU map along with some changes done to the intake and exhaust to handle the extra fumes. However, there’s no water injection technology involved in this ordeal, which makes this a much simpler upgrade.

The car also uses the 7-speed DCT gearbox for rowing through gears, while the software for it is exactly the same as on the track-ready GTS. Another thing borrowed from the limited-run model consists of the way the active M differential works now, due to some more software changes. Taking things a step forward, Ohlins coilovers were installed along with new 20″ racing wheels to drop the unsprung weight factor even more.

On the outside you’ll surely notice the new splitter installed on the front bumper as well as the massive wing on the boot lid, both of which add downforce to keep the car as close to the ground as possible even at high speeds. The hood was also changed with a carbon fiber one that sheds some more weight while inside the cabin you’ll find lighter Recaro sport seats. All in all, this thing definitely looks like it could take on some serious competition but if you’re wondering about how much all of this will cost, you’ll have to ask Alpha-N Performance as they’ve been rather secretive about it.

The article 560 HP Alpha-N Performance BMW M4 Claims 7:20 BTG Lap Time appeared first on BMW BLOG

The UK premiere of the BMW Concept 8 Series will be at the 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Unveiled at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the concept serves as a taster for the new BMW 8 Series Coupé which launches in 2018. Also seen in the UK for the first time will be the new BMW M4 CS, which will take to the hill for the supercar hillclimb, whilst the Gordon Murray-designed Brabham-BMW BT52 and the Le Mans-winning BMW V12 LMR will steer their way up Goodwood’s famous 1.16-mile course.

The BMW Concept 8 Series will be shown alongside the 19th vehicle of BMW’s Art Car Collection – the BMW M6 GTLM race car – as designed by the American master of conceptual art, John Baldessari. Visitors to the festival will be able to see both cars in the Stable Yard, a unique area at Goodwood (once again dedicated to BMW), which will also showcase the new and exclusive BMW i8 MemphisStyle and range-topping M760Li xDrive V12.

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 04: General view during the Memphis event during Milan Design Week 2017 on April 4, 2017 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Memphis)

Seen in action for the first time in the UK will be the BMW M4 CS. At the wheel will be the double British Touring Car champion driver Colin Turkington, along with BMW WSR teammates Rob Collard and Andrew Jordan, and one of the UK’s best known television presenters and ex-racing driver, Tiff Needell.

The theme for the 2017 Festival of Speed will be ‘Peaks of Performance – Motorsport’s Game-Changers’. Leading the charge for BMW will be the Brabham BT52 – the first car to win the Formula 1 title with a turbocharged engine. Designed by legendary BMW engineer Paul Rosche, the BT52’s turbocharged 1.5 litre inline four-cylinder BMW powerplant was capable of producing 1,500bhp in Gordon Murray’s stunning car. At the helm will be legendary F1 driver, Ricardo Patrese. Alongside the BT52 will be the BMW V12 LMR, with a 580hp 12-cylinder engine, that celebrated overall victory in the 1999 Le Mans 24 Hours – one of the world’s toughest and most exhausting car races, while touring car hero Roberto Ravaglia will drive up Goodwood’s famous hill in a BMW M3 Group A DTM race car.

Motorbike enthusiasts will be treated too, with one of the most exciting bikes ever from BMW Mottorad – the HP4 RACE. The 750 limited-edition handmade racing machine will make its first ever appearance at Goodwood and is the first motorcycle in the world to offer a fully carbon frame and fully carbon wheels. But it’s not just a star bike that can be seen and heard: star riders will be present too, including former World Superbike Champion Troy Corser who will be riding the BMW S1000 RR Seniro TT 2104 up the hill.

Troy, along with drivers and guest stars, will make appearances on the BMW Pavilion throughout the festival, with live interviews broadcast to assembled visitors. On Saturday, legendary Formula 1 commentator Murray Walker will be on stand and will be joined by numerous friends of the brand, including Jodie Kidd – when she’s not driving a BMW i8 up Goodwood’s hill.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is being held from 29 June – 2 July 2017, beginning with Press Preview Day and the Moving Motor Show on Thursday 29 June.

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The BMW Group as well as the entire automotive industry experience a challenging but at the same time also an exciting development in their industry. We are in the middle of the fourth industry revolution in which digitalization and connectivity set the pace. For the automotive industry, the development of self-driving cars is the key challenge over the next five years. While some car manufacturers are aggressively promoting self-driving cars, others tend to be more cautious. In order to learn more about the current developments at the BMW Group, we sat down with Dr. Dirk Wisselmann, Senior Expert for Autonomous Driving at BMW.

We started the interview with probably the most obvious question to all BMW enthusiasts out there. Is the brand able to keep their iconic identity of sheer driving pleasure in the world of autonomous driving? “Definitely!” was the prompt answer. “Our cars will emphasize the sheer driving pleasure BMW is known for also in the future. In addition we will offer autonomous driving to support and assist the driver on long journeys or while driving in stop and go traffic”.

Furthermore Dr. Wisselmann confirmed that the developments of autonomous driving will find their way into all models of the entire BMW Group. “Autonomous driving will become an option for our entire model range in the future. There will be no special model called “autonomous driving,” he added. The idea behind it: Allocation of the development costs to a high production number and making the technology available for every model.

Before we discussed the timeline for autonomous driving, we took a look back in time. Dr. Wisselmann explained that BMW has already made significant steps towards self-driving technologies. “Back in 2006 we presented a self-driving BMW 3 Series model. The car was capable of driving hot laps at the Hockenheim race track. However, the timing wasn’t yet right for this technology.”

Currently the timing seems perfect and while the BMW iNEXT is scheduled to arrive in 2021, Dr. Wisselmann confirmed the series development and stated “Our target is to offer autonomous driving of Level 3 at cruising speeds of 130 km/h (80.7 mph) for the iNEXT”. Level 3 is defined as highly automated driving, while the driver is able to perform other activities (“eyes off”). However, the driver must be able to take over the control at any time. By the end of 2017, BMW plans to start road tests with a fleet of 40 highly automated and fully automated BMW 7 Series models in Germany, Israel and the United States.

The big difference between the iNEXT and conventional cars, such as the all-new BMW 5 Series generation, will be the underlying concept of the hard- and software components and their interaction. “The system architecture of the iNEXT is developed in a duplicated design. We will always have two systems which are monitoring their results against each other. In case of fail operational, as we call it, the car will immediately slow down and inform the driver to take over the control via the steering wheel. In any case it will be possible to continue driving with the vehicle.”

Coming from the cars system architecture, we discussed the engine technology for autonomous cars. “We don’t see any technical necessity to link autonomous driving to an electric-powered car. The BMW iNEXT will be offered with our well-known combustion engines and as a fully electric car.”

At the end of the interview, we touched the ethical dilemma connected to autonomous driving. Dr. Wisselmann stated that: “BMW will not develop a software algorithm which is counterbalancing lives against each other. In the case of an unavoidable accident, the car will always initiate an emergency stop and try to reduce the impact as much as possible.” According to BMW’s accident research, such specific accident situations are simply non-existent in real-life traffic.

The article Exclusive Interview with Dr. Dirk Wisselmann, Senior Expert Autonomous Driving at BMW appeared first on BMW BLOG

As we’re getting closer and closer to the full reveal of the 2018 BMW M5, anxiety levels are starting to go up exponentially. The highly-anticipated M models is bound to write history one way or another and we’re hoping it will do so by changing the way we view all-wheel drive cars and their behavior both on and off the track. What will remain the same though, compared to its predecessor, will the the engine architecture under the hood and the displacement.

The new F90 M5 will be using a further enhanced version of the S64 4.4-liter V8 twin-turbo engine of the F10 M5, this time tuned to make around 600 HP and more torque than ever. However, people didn’t have an issue with the power or torque levels of the F10 but more so with the sound it used to make. Being the first forced-induction powerplant ever installed in an M5, a lot of people were underwhelmed by the way it sounded like.

That, apparently, is something BMW did take note of and tried to change for the new model. Therefore, even before we get to see the production M5 in all its glory, the M engineers are testing us by publishing a soundbite on their dedicated M5 website, showcasing the sound of the upcoming model. To hear it, click here and go down to the bottom of the page where you’ll find a player with the note of the V8.

To my ear that definitely sounds like an improvement over the outgoing model. Of course, this may or may not be the way the car actually ends up sounding like, as there’s still time to make some subtle changes if needed. However, my guess is that BMW is testing the waters here, to see  how people react to this particular sound, so that they can make adjustments according to what the general public is saying.

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Usually when the G-Power name is mentioned people expect ludicrous amounts of power and stretching the performance envelope to the absolute limit. The German tuner is known for its 1,000-hp creations and we enjoy every single one of them. However, from time to time, they do pay attention to BMWs with smaller engines than your run of the mill M model. This time they took special interest in the entry-level BMW Z4, the sDrive18i model to be more precise.

In standard guise, the 2-seat roadster has 156 HP and 240 Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque coming out of its turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood. Now in G-Power guise the car can deliver up to 204 HP and 310 Nm (228 lb-ft) of torque to the rear axle. That’s an increase of over 30% and it was achieved without performing any sort of hardware changes to it. Instead, the G-Power people changed the car’s ECU map to increase performance.

The Bi-Tronik 5 V1 power module is a plug and play device placed between the factory ECU and engine. The power module remains inactive under partial load conditions, all incoming data passing through without change. However, a demand for full throttle instantly triggers the unique fueling, ignition and boost curves that create the additional power output increase. To ensure total engine protection and longevity, the G-POWER Bi-Tronik 5 V1 module only comes online when the prescribed oil temperature is reached, and is deactivated when the engine coolant reaches the factory permitted maximum temperature.

In standard guise, the sDrive18i can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8 seconds whereas with the extra 48 HP brought along by the German tuner, the same sprint takes 6.1 seconds. That may not be back breaking but it is a considerable difference nonetheless. Now, if only we knew what kind of performance the new BMW Z4 will bring to the table…

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One of the cars people seem to be asking for, over and over again without it ever actually being delivered, is a BMW M5 Touring. Some models were offered over time, with the most recent being an absolutely incredible E63 M5, powered by the S85-codenamed 5-liter V10 . However, in more recent years BMW has been adamant on claiming that the Touring body style wouldn’t fare just as good as the sedan when pushed on the track and therefore decided to keep it off limits. Luckily for us, Alpina has a damn good alternative on offer.

If you really crave a Touring 5 Series with enough power to move actual mountains, the Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Touring model will be exactly what you’re looking for. Recently unveiled, the model comes with a similar 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine as fitted on the upcoming M5. However, the base N63 engine was heavily modified to deliver more power and torque even than the M version itself. The B5 Biturbo comes with 608 PS and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft), numbers that most likely will be enough to carry you, your family, your luggage and probably the house next door comfortably during your time away from home.

Chip in the fact that the Alpina also comes with AWD and you start to realize that this thing will be blazing fast off the line. How fast? Well, the Bovensiepen manufacturer claims that the B5 Bi-Turbo Touring can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) from standstill in 3.6 seconds and then go up to a top speed of over 200 mph, 203 to be more precise or 325 km/h. Whether any family man would actually need to go that fast remains to be seen but it definitely is nice to know you can.

Furthermore, for the first time, the new Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo features Integral Active Steering which in conjunction with the high-performance drivetrain and the all-wheel drive system offers an even more dynamic driving experience. The Integral Active Steering combines a variable ratio electric steering system at the front axle with active steering on the rear axle whereby the wheels can turn a maximum of 2.5 degrees.

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It isn’t every day that you get to see a car seemingly just burst into flames let alone have the luck to catch it on video and yet one lucky motorcyclist managed to do just that. The video posted below shows him and his friend going for a ride in the Russian city of Perm. While stopped at a red light, a BMW M5 decides to stop alongside them and that’s when things start getting weird as the car suddenly has flames coming out from under it.

Even though the rider does seem to be warning the driver of the imminent danger, he decides to simply drive off, a move that simply had me stunned for a moment. Why would he do that in the first place? Who in their right mind would decide to drive off especially when there’s a literal fire going under you? Various excuses have been provided and the one that makes most sense is that he was trying to get to a safer place, with less people around.

Admittedly, the driver does pull over over a bridge, where there’s considerably less pedestrian traffic. The speed with which he heads that way also seems to imply that this move was deliberate but then again, maybe he was also trying to put out the fire by simply blowing it out, like a candle if you will. If that’s the case, we’re guessing that when our good man saw it wasn’t working and that the flames were engulfing the whole car, he decided to ultimately pull over and try putting it out using a fire extinguisher.

What’s also impressive is just how many extinguishers just pop out all of the sudden from other helpful drivers. Furthermore, the person filming this whole ordeal gets off his bike and starts deviating traffic to the side, to avoid any casualties in case the car blows up. There was definitely some quick thinking involved but in the end, the main question that needs answering here is why this whole thing happened in the first place? What caused the fire? Our guess is that the car had been pushed for a while before being filmed here and the exhaust pipes had gotten quite hot in the process, leading to a potential fire hazard. Of course, this is just an assumption right now and it’s really hard to pinpoint the exact cause of this ordeal but it is a fascinating video to watch, nonetheless.

The article Video: BMW M5 Catches Fire, Driver Unexpectedly Keeps Going appeared first on BMW BLOG

We’ve known that modern BMWs have been losing the drama, tactility and engagement of the brand’s older cars for some time now. Modern BMWs are more digitally connected, technology impressive and electronic than ever before. While that makes them faster, more dynamically capable and far more luxurious than ever before, the consequence is a loss in driver engagement. While this isn’t a problem in, say, a Mercedes-Benz, whose brand’s ethos is more about technical superiority and luxury than performance, it is a problem for BMW, the “Ultimate Driving Machine”. So does the new G30-generation BMW 5 Series spell the death of the Bavarian driver’s car?

In this new review from Forbes of the BMW 530i, it seems that way. The new 5er is the most high-tech, connected and digital 5 Series ever made. However, there have been complaints of its sterility, thanks to all of the computing going on between the driver and the car. There is truth to that. The 5 Series seems to do so much on its own that you sometimes almost wonder if the car is actually doing all the driving and just pretending to relinquish control to the driver.

This isn’t a rare complaint. The 5 Series recently placed second to last in a recent Car and Driver test, thanks to its inability to communicate with the driver. Though, it’s hard to blame BMW to this shift from driver involvement to numb disconnection. It’s simply what the customers want. Drive a Porsche 911 or a Mazda MX-5 and you’ll notice steering feel and feedback that seems to lack in electric power steering racks from any other brand. The reason for this is that the customers of those brands are buying those cars for that reason specifically. No 5 Series customer is spending money on a lease payment every month for tactile steering. They’re doing so to drive comfortably and smoothly to and from work while being able to one-up their neighbor’s car’s badge.

BMW has stated over and over again that it could easily bring back the steering feel us enthusiasts all know and love. However, enthusiasts aren’t the ones buying brand-new BMWs, unfortunately. Maybe you’re reading this as enthusiast who does buy brand-new cars and if that’s the case, you’re in the minority, my friend, as am I. But I just recently had this conversation with someone from the BMW CCA, who understands the BMW enthusiast market well. According to him, BMW fans, the sort that want tactile feedback and dynamic handling, are mostly younger people who can only afford second-hand cars. The majority of customers buying brand-new BMWs care little about how much steering feel there is. In fact, the less, the better.

Now, it’s not all doom and gloom. In fact, I’d go as to say that, personally, I think the claims that the new 5 Series is this completely dead-feeling car are overblown. Extremely overblown. Is it the last word in communication? No, of course not. Is it as good as the legendary E39? Absolutely not. But it’s better than the F10-generation, E60-generation and I’d even argue the E34. I’ve had numerous generations of BMW 5 Series in my family, so I’m well aware of how they all drive. Believe me, the new G30 is among the best of them. It’s not perfect and it’s still a bit numb, but it’s the best in awhile.

So does the new 5 Series spell death for the Bavarian driver’s car? No, it doesn’t. Will such a death eventually happen? Probably, as that’s just where the market’s going. Millennials would rather catch an Uber to their local farmer’s market rather than hit a twisty back road. However, there are still plenty of cars to come from BMW that are enjoyable to drive and there will be plenty more. Many of them will even wear a “5” in their name. The M550i and M5 are two that certainly come to mind.

The article Does the new BMW 5 Series spell the death of the driver’s car for BMW? appeared first on BMW BLOG

BMW has been one of the slower premium automakers to embrace the digital gauge cluster. While the new 7 Series and 5 Series were the first to display their information digitally, more and more BMWs are starting to get a digital cluster. However, none of them are as high-tech or as advanced as what we’ve seen from the BMW 8 Series Concept.

Admittedly, what we’re seeing from the 8 Series Concept is exactly that — a concept. It’s unlikely that it will get a digital cluster as advanced as this. Not only is it one of the most radical and high-tech instrument panels we’ve ever seen but it’s also a massive departure from every other setup BMW has. It is damn cool, though.

However, this could be a precursor for the real display that BMW does plan on bringing to the 8 Series and, hopefully, to subsequent BMWs. The reason why is the digital map that’s shown in between the two digital gauges, the speedo and tach. In a recent concept from Mercedes-Benz, the Stuttgart-based brand showed off a similar mapping system. We know that both BMW and Mercedes co-purchased the digital mapping system, HERE, from Nokia. With both brands showing off very similar ideas, it could stand to reason that they’re both working on a similar system using HERE.

In this brief video demo of the 8 Series instrument panel, we see some pretty advanced mapping and some really cool gauges. The mapping in between is able to show off the exact road ahead and even alert the driver of upcoming sharp turns, how to drive because of weather conditions and even where the driver should place their driving line. It’s really quite impressive and really cool, although a just a concept at the moment. If such a thing does make it to the market, it will be awesome.

The article VIDEO: Check out the BMW 8 Series Concept’s crazy digital gauge cluster appeared first on BMW BLOG

For those of you that are chomping at the bit to configure your very own BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo ahead of its release date, two things: Your beer goggles are impressive and you’re now in luck. The first bit was a joke of course and the second bit is because the 6 Series GT’s online configurator is now live on BMW’s German site.

While we might make fun of the 6 Series Gran Turismo, we do realize that there are a lot of people who do like BMW’s GT cars. Maybe not for their looks but for their practicality and usability. So all jokes aside, we get the purpose of the car. And if the the purpose of the 6 Series GT fits your lifestyle, it makes sense to buy. If that’s the case for you, go to BMW’s German site and check out the configurator for the new 6er GT.

I did my own configuration of it, of course, and played around with the little before/after slider and the 360 degree view. And while I still, personally, don’t like it, there are many different options and variations to choose from. I started out with a 640i xDrive Gran Turismo variant because powerrrrr. Then I added the M Sport package and cooler wheels, carbon black paint and brushed aluminum trim. So with all of the sporty bits, it doesn’t look too bad. Still a bit Quasimodo-ish, though.

The interior is where people will fall in love with their 6er GT, though. While it’s very similar to the 5 Series, and sadly loses that lovely cascading waterfall trim of the previous 6 Series, it’s very luxurious and very high-end looking. It’s disappointing that the new 6 Series Gran Turismo gains pretty much the exact same cabin as the 5 Series, not because it’s bad but because the previous 6er’s cabin was one of the only BMW cabins to differentiate itself from the pack. Now, it’s basically the same as the other high-end Bimmers on the inside. While still beautiful and extremely luxurious, it’s just missing that specialness. I doubt any customers will care while carrying their families around in serene luxury and comfort, but still.

If you’re interested in BMW’s newest Gran Turismo, then head on over and configure one for yourself so you know exactly what you want when it finally debuts near you.

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