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BMW E30 M3 Touring Car to Be Auctioned for Over $200,000 in the UK

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Prices for BMW E30 M3 models have gone through the roof lately, but things are about to go even crazier next month at one of the events held by the guys from Silverstone Auctions. The British company is listing a former Touring model that used to be driven by racing driver Tim Harvey and the price they are asking could very well go over the $200,000 mark. According to their website, the car is expected to be sold for anything between £140,000-£180,000 which translates into somewhere between $177,000 and $220,000.

While we knew that E30 M3 models in top notch shape, and basically untouched by the hand of time, can get around $150,000 on the open market, reaching over $200,000 for one does seem a bit excessive. On the other hand, this is a proper racing car from the 1990s with all the patina of its go-fast days with Tim behind its wheel. Everything was kept intact and what I love the most isn’t under the hood or inside the cabin but more so on the outside – the livery, sporting a ‘Please don’t drink and drive’ warning as big as they get.

To dwell a bit into the tech bits of the whole thing, the Vic Lee built BMW E30 M3s boasted a range of modifications that, in today’s words, involved ‘thinking out of the box’.  For example, the fuel tank was relocated to optimize the car’s center of gravity, flat floor section and side exit exhaust. Although utilizing BMW Motorsport’s latest rear suspension components, front uprights and in-car adjustable anti-roll bars, the VLM cars also benefited from a host of geometric alterations and used a Holinger 6-speed, dog engagement gearbox.

This ex-Tim Harvey, Labatt’s sponsored, 1991 BMW E30 M3 is only one of five built by Vic Lee Motorsport for the 91 British Touring Car Championship. Tim took this car to one outright win in the series finale at Silverstone and two podiums, en route to claiming 8th place at the end of the season. The auction will be held on July 27, in The Wing building, at the Silverstone Circuit, UK, in case you’re interesting in buying this beauty.

The article BMW E30 M3 Touring Car to Be Auctioned for Over $200,000 in the UK appeared first on BMW BLOG


MINI to Display Youngest Ever Model Range at Goodwood this Year

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MINI will be showcasing its youngest model line-up at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, including the brand’s first ever plug in hybrid model, the new Countryman PHEV. The festival will take place next weekend, starting on the 29th of June and ending on July 2nd and it will be filled with celebrities from the automotive world and premieres of all sorts. The MINI brand will be well represented, going up the famous with Charlie Butler-Henderson behind the wheel of a Cooper S E ALL4 Countryman.

For those looking for some respite during a jam packed weekend of racing, there’s an opportunity to relax and have a picnic away from the crowds at the MINI Countryman Base Camp. This will be a brand new way of reaching customers. The camp will be located close to Crossing 6 on the South side of the track, where guests can also experience the new AUTOHOME roof tent, specially designed for the Countryman.

At the MINI stand, the brand’s youngest model range to date will be on display, including the recently launched John Cooper Works Clubman. With full John Cooper Works specification including upgraded suspension, braking, cooling, exterior styling and interior features.  Also on display at the festival will be the MINI Challenge race car. The race car arrives straight from competing in the Challenge race series. 2015’s championship winner and MINI UK ambassador, Charlie Butler-Henderson will be available for interviews and autographs. He is, if you didn’t already know, the younger brother of Vicki Henderson, one of the hosts of the popular Fifth Gear TV show.

There will be an exclusive MINI Owners’ Lounge on the top floor of the MINI stand, which will be available for all of the brand’s customers. A first for the Goodwood Festival of Speed, guests will only need to present their keys at the door in order to gain entry and enjoy breakfast, lunch and snacks as well as music from up and coming DJ, Jack C who is a resident DJ at Krankbrother.

The article MINI to Display Youngest Ever Model Range at Goodwood this Year appeared first on BMW BLOG

Video: Rare BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition Up for Grabs

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When Marco Wittmann won his first DTM title, BMW wanted to celebrate in appropriate fashion and launched a small batch of special edition M4 models to mark the occasion. They were dubbed BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition and only 200 were ever made, each one of them including some rather special upgrades that you simply can’t get on other M4 cars. This, in turn, raised the prices claimed for such bespoke creations, sometimes being even more expensive than the track-focused M4 GTS versions.

One such car is currently up for grabs in the UK, at the guys over at Romans International. The dealer specialized in selling rare and expensive supercars has one Alpine White M4 DTM Edition model on its lot and it’s asking £154,950 for it or $196,340 at today’s exchange rates. That’s a lot of money, but what does this little fortune get you, if you decide to spend it on a car? Well, the BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition cars come with the same water injection system you’d normally find on the M4 GTS for starters.

That means the power output of the 3-liter straight six engine under the hood is also rated at 500 HP. Furthermore, the cars also come with a host of optional features installed such as M Carbon Ceramic Brakes, carbon fiber bucket seats, a front splitter made of the same material, carbon fiber exterior mirror caps, side skirts and rear diffuser. On the trunk lid you’ll find a massive rear wing while the exhaust is now made of titanium.

BMW Professional Navigation System, head up display, Park Distance Control Front & Rear, Alcantara/Merino leather interior, M Performance steering wheel with grey 12 o’clock marker and adaptive LED headlights with BMW Selective Beam complete the package. But if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, maybe the 0-62 mph time of 3.8 seconds can. Because that’s what the DTM edition is capable of. Now, is it worth all that money? Remains to be seen as the car is still waiting for a new owner.

[This post contains video, click to play]

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The article Video: Rare BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition Up for Grabs appeared first on BMW BLOG

Video: BMW E46 M3 Crashes on the Ring, Trying to Avoid Porsche

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Another tear-jerking bit of footage of a mint BMW E46 M3 heading to the salvage yard surfaced on Youtube and it’s as tragic as ever. The footage posted below shows the BMW exiting a corner way too fast compared to the car in front of it, forcing the driver to make some hard moves in order to preserve the integrity of the Porsche strolling around in front of him. The end result includes a probably totaled M3 and a Cayman S that didn’t even bother to stop and check if everyone was alright.

The video was captured during a Touristenfahrten day though and in the Porsche’s defense, we have to say that the rules on such days state that the German driving laws apply as the Nordschleife is considered a public highway. Therefore, the driver of the BMW E46 M3 should’ve taken the precautions needed to make sure he and the people in front of him have enough room to avoid any sort of incident but then again, common sense should’ve prevailed here in the first place.

What I mean is that, even if technically, the Porsche didn’t do anything wrong, maybe don’t go on the Nurburgring if you plan to drive at a snail’s pace. It’s something common sense should tell you not to do, because you’ll end up ruining everyone’s day. And I’m pretty sure the whole year of the M3’s driver might’ve been ruined after this ordeal unraveled. Furthermore, just a quick look at the Bimmer tells us all we need to know about its driver.

The car seems to be modified to a decent extend, featuring a proper wing on the trunk as well as bucket seats and a safety harness inside the cabin. That leads us to think that the man is quite the enthusiast. Unfortunately, his level of skill behind the wheel doesn’t seem to match the specs of his car and that really is a shame. Maybe our Russian friend can help him mend his car as he showed us he’s quite good at bringing back M3s from the dead.

[This post contains video, click to play]

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The article Video: BMW E46 M3 Crashes on the Ring, Trying to Avoid Porsche appeared first on BMW BLOG

Review: Clipper Creek HCS-50 Electric Vehicle Charging Station

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At-home charging stations are almost a must for electric car owners. Unless you can charge at work everyday or really like waiting a long time to charge from a standard wall outlet, a home charging stations is vital. They used to be quite large and expensive but they’re now getting more affordable and are quite slim by comparison to older models.

Hitting on the basics of electricity supplies, in the United States a 120V is a common household plug, and 240V is what is used for household electric ovens, dryers and air conditioning units. A 240V outlet can charge, depending on the power level and how much energy the car can accept, at 3-6x the rate of a 100V. A Level 1 Charger, which uses a household 110V current, is good when you are in a pinch – BMW even calls it an “occasional charger” so you get the hint that you need a Level 2 Charger.

One of the larger manufacturers of home charging stations is Clipper Creek.

The Clipper Creek HCS-50 EV Charging Station is tough, reliable and powerful 40 amp station paired with a durable rubber over-molded cable and vehicle connector. It has 240-volt, Level 2 charging capabilities and is good for both indoor and outdoor use. The standard HCS-50 unit (not the HCS-50p, which is a plug-in unit that requires you to already have a 240-volt outlet) costs $835 (on sale now for $635) but it does come with everything you need:

  • 25 feet of charging cable for installation and operations flexibility
  • Integrated cable wrap to make storing the cable simple and convenient
  • Wall mount holster allows storage of the vehicle connector where it’s most convenient
  • Fully sealed NEMA 4 rated enclosure for product durability and installation anywhere
  • High power charging cable is rubber overmolded for increased durability and superior cold performance
  • No assembly required
  • No mounting kit required
  • Safety listed by ETL and cETL

Installing the charging station (note: it’s not a charger, don’t say it is or EV fans will be mad at you. The actual charger is on-board the EV itself) is quite simple, actually. Clipper Creek advertises the HCS-50 as having the lowest cost of installation of any charging station. That’s because it doesn’t really need much. The wallbox is pretty straight forward, as it just mounts to the wall with a coupe of screws into the wall studs.

It also comes with a wall-mounted holster for the charging handle, which also just screws to the wall. The separate holster for the handle can upset some fans who’d rather have it integrated into the charging station itself. However, it does keep the handle flush with the wall, so it doesn’t stick straight out and makes the entire unit more compact.

The tricky part is running wires and installing a new breaker. Even if you’re a handy person who likes to work around the house, a professional electrician is recommended, as this isn’t an easy task and you want to make sure it’s done properly. 8 Gauge wires and 40 amp breaker are needed to comply with local electrical codes which may vary state-by-state. If you live in a house with an attached garage, then you’re in luck. The installation is likely the easiest possible, with running the appropriate wires from the electrical panel to the charging station. In a building complex the installation is a bit more challenging so it’s always best to check with an electrician and your condominium association before you being the process.

This HCS-50 charging station is capable of 240-volt and 40 amps, which translates to 9.6 kW, so it can charge a BMW i3 in about 4.5 hours with Level 2 charging. That’s because the i3 can accept up to 7.7 kW of power, and the HCS-50 is capable of doing that. The rest of BMW’s plug-in hybrid iPerformance lineup can only accept a max charge of 3.7 kW. That’s due to their smaller batteries, though the smaller battery doesn’t take as long to charge, either, so it evens out. The only EVs currently on the market in North America that can accept higher charging than 7.7 kW are the Tesla Model S and X and the Mercedes-Benz B250e. You can order the plug-in versions with either a NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 6-50 plug. Therefore, you can have your electrician install the 240v you choose before you even buy the EVSE.

Clipper Creek has an extensive list of electric vehicle charging equipment and probably offer more options than any other company. There are many great wall-box charging stations on the market, however, the Clipper Creek HCS-50 is a low-cost, low-profile option that has low install costs and stays nice and compact in your garage or on your exterior wall.

The article Review: Clipper Creek HCS-50 Electric Vehicle Charging Station appeared first on BMW BLOG

Jaguar E-Pace to compete with BMW X3

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When Jaguar first launched the F-Pace SUV, the world curiously waited to see how it would be. It was the first ever SUV from the famed British brand, a brand most known for fast and luxurious sedans and coupes. So most enthusiasts were skeptical about how it would drive. Turns out, it’s damn good and won some Car of the Year awards. So now the famous British brand is trying to continue that success with a new BMW X3-fighter — the Jaguar E-Pace.

Following its letter-based naming designation, the E-Pace will be the smallest Jaguar SUV, much like the XE is the smallest sedan. The F-Pace is the middle SUV, much like the XF sedan, and there could be a J-Pace in the future to round out the lineup.

Jaguar recently teased the upcoming E-Pace with a picture of it, alongside the F-Pace and i-Pace plug-in hybrid SUV, on Twitter. Judging from the photo on Jaguar’s Twitter, the E-Pace just looks like a F-Pace that’s been put in a vice, front-to-back. It’s essentially just a squished F-Pace.

It doesn’t look bad in profile, though, if a bit stubby. Which is actually kind of a shame, as the F-Pace is downright pretty. So the fact that the E-Pace looks a bit lazily done is a bit disappointing.

Under the hood of the Jaguar E-Pace will be the brand’s assortment of turbocharged four-cylinder diesels and petrols and it will come with all-wheel drive. It will likely also only come with the brand’s eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard, with maybe a manual available in the UK.

While the F-Pace competes with the BMW X5, even if it’s a bit smaller, the Jaguar E-Pace will be more of a BMW X3-fighter. It’s a good thing BMW is coming out with its new X3 quite soon, as it’s getting a bit old and a new competitor would really twist the knife.

Considering that the new X3 is on its way, the E-Pace won’t have too much of an edge in terms of design. Where the Jaguar E-Pace might excel is in its handling. BMW’s SUVs seem to be getting more and more relaxed and more focused on comfort and practicality, rather than dynamics. Jaguar’s F-Pace is properly exciting to drive for an SUV and damn good for any car. So we’re expecting the E-Pace to bring the goods as well. The BMW X3 should be more dynamic than the current-gen model, or at least we hope, so this could be a very interesting duel when both cars finally come out.

The article Jaguar E-Pace to compete with BMW X3 appeared first on BMW BLOG

SPIED: Tesla Model 3 interior has similar minimalism to BMW i3

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We just recently discussed the fact that the BMW i3 has one of the coolest interiors on the market, if not the very coolest. Reason being is that it’s so completely different from anything else on the road. Its minimalism is taken to an entirely different level than anything else and it has so much negative space and funky architecture that it really stands out from the crowd. It’s not just us that feels that way, though, as many enthusiasts are fond of the i3’s cabin for those very reasons. However, one of the BMW i3’s most important new competitors is also very minimalist inside and it’s just been caught showing off its interior — the Tesla Model 3.

The Tesla Model 3 is easily one of the most hotly anticipated cars of this year. It’s Tesla’s entry-level car and the one that sold about a bajillion pre-orders in eleven seconds, or something like that. Basically, the Model 3 is every EV fan’s savior. So the fact that its interior is now seen in the flesh is a big deal because, up until recently, most fans hadn’t seen the Model 3 in any way, shape or form.

Inside the Tesla Model 3, the design is very, very minimalist. The dash is just a plain dashboard, though it does house some nice wood trim (eucalyptus?). The steering wheel is just a steering wheel and the door panels are just door panels. In fact, it almost seems as if Tesla took minimalism too far. Until you notice that tiny, little detail that is the monstrous touch screen that cantilevers off the dash.

To be honest, the interior of the Model 3 is really just a massive touchscreen with some seats next to it. It’s as if Tesla designed the screen first and then the rest around it. Though, I have to say that the mammoth screen looks like it will work well there. It’s right in the line of sight of the driver, so they won’t really have to look up or down from the road much at all. And it’s so large and in-your-face and it will likely be easy to use while on the move. Plus, Tesla has a reputation for making excellent touchscreens, so we’re confident it will be easy to use and intuitive.

Personally, I still like the BMW i3’s cabin more, just because it’s more visually interesting. Aside from the massive screen, this Model 3 could be the cabin from a Honda Accord and no one would second guess it. It looks nice and of high quality but it’s minimalism to the point of being boring, whereas the i3 looks like it’s from the year 2030. Now, if BMW could steal Tesla’s big screen and somehow implement that into the i3, then we’d have the real winner.

[Photo Source: Chris Llana]

The article SPIED: Tesla Model 3 interior has similar minimalism to BMW i3 appeared first on BMW BLOG

BMW is building a giant new data center

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BMW and other large automakers have set in motion plans to build their own, giant data centers. The moves are part of an expanding effort by European carmakers and suppliers to build the computing capacity — so-called big data — much needed for self-driving computations.

“The processing power needed to deal with all this data is orders of magnitude larger than what we are used to,” said Reinhard Stolle, a vice president in charge of artificial intelligence at the German automaker BMW, which is building a data center near Munich that is 10 times the size of the company’s existing facility. “The traditional control engineering techniques are just not able to handle the complexity anymore.”

Future self-driving cars have to rely on constant, reliable and fast communications, while analyzing massive amounts of data  to make decisions to smooth traffic flow, save fuel and avoid hazards. With that, comes the challenges of information technology for companies that more known for their manufacturing acumen than IT skills.

Stolle said that BMW has hired more information technology specialists in 2016 than mechanical engineers while it also needs huge data-crunching capability. BMW has already put on the road a fleet of 40 prototype autonomous cars, as a pilot before a major rollout.

BMW uses artificial intelligence to analyze the enormous amounts of data compiled from test drives, part of a quest to build cars that can learn from experience and eventually drive themselves without human intervention.

After test sessions, hard disks in the cars are physically removed and connected to racks of computers at BMW’s research center near Munich. The data collected would fill the equivalent of a stack of DVDs 60 miles high, Mr. Stolle said.

“A large part of the data center has to be on premises,” Mr. Stolle said. “The amount is so huge it doesn’t work in the cloud.”

[Source: NY Times]

The article BMW is building a giant new data center appeared first on BMW BLOG


BMW Manufacturing attracted 45,000 jobs and $16 billion in investments in South Carolina

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This week marks the 25th anniversary of BMW’s announcement that it was coming to South Carolina and to properly celebrate this milestone the Bavarians will unveil the third-generation X3 at the plant, on Monday, June 26th. BMW Chairman Harald Krueger will open the festivities and talk about the brand’s success in the US.

Prior to BMW’s arrival to Spartanburg, the textile industry has dried up and removed nearly 25,000 jobs, leaving a huge void in the county.

“In the mid- to late ’80s, we lost 25,000 jobs in Spartanburg, just with the demise of the textile industry,” said Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt. “We were in a world of hurt. We had nothing. When it went away, it was just a tremendous devastation.” But BMW’s plant helped to turn this around. “BMW saved Spartanburg County,” he said. “It set us up to be an industrial Mecca.”

Initially BMW committed to a $300 million investment with 2,000 jobs, and 9 suppliers, but it has only grown from there. Fast forward 25 yeas later, BMW and it suppliers created 45,000 jobs and brought in $16 billion in investments.

But it isn’t just the impact that BMW has made on the state of South Carolina that makes the Spartanburg plant so important, it also helps the country. BMW exported about $10.5 billion in 2016, which helps America, not just South Carolina. More than 70 percent of BMW’s U.S. production is exported to over 140 different markets.

Spartanburg supplies the entire world with all BMW X models (with the exception of the X1, which is based on a different platform). So every BMW X3X4X5X6 and future X7 are all built in America.

The article BMW Manufacturing attracted 45,000 jobs and $16 billion in investments in South Carolina appeared first on BMW BLOG

All you need to know about the BMW M4 CS

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BMW’s latest M4 model – the CS – made its world premiere last month at the 24 hrs of Nurburgring. In the frame of the M Festival, Dirk Häcker, BMW M Head of Development, presented the all-new BMW M4 CS at the BMW M Test Center at the Nürburgring, and besides a lot of details regarding its development, Dirk Häcker also revealed the Nordschleife lap time of the all-new BMW CS –  7 minutes and 35 seconds, 7 seconds off the M4 GTS.

The BMW M4 CS sits right smack in the middle of the M4 Competition Package and M4 GTS and manages to blend some of the hardcore performance of the M4 GTS with the everyday usability of the standard M4 Competition Package.

In the M4 CS, BMW’s 3.0-liter inline-six gets a 10-horsepower bump over the Competition Package for a total output of 460 horsepower. The engine features two single-scroll turbochargers, a charge air cooler, and both variable valve timing and double-VANOS variable camshaft timing. The only available transmission is BMW’s seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission. The M4 CS hits 62 mph in 3.9 seconds.

The CS also comes standard with BMW’s Adaptive M suspension and Style 763M wheels which debuted on the M2 and M3 at the 2017 NYIAS comes wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

There are also three colors specific to the BMW M4 CS as factory colors, not Individual options. The first is the San Marino Blue Metallic. There’s also a Lime Rock Grey Metallic and a very special Frozen Dark Blue II, the latter of which is a matte finish and will only be available on a limited number of cars.

Around 3,000 units are planned globally.

[This post contains video, click to play]

The article All you need to know about the BMW M4 CS appeared first on BMW BLOG

BMW M2 Facelift configurator now live on BMW.de

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The online configurator for the BMW M2 Facelift is now available on BMW.de. The life cycle impulse of the M2 was revealed last month, along with visual upgrades to the mainstream 2 Series models. With its new facelift, the M2 gets a suite of exterior and interior upgrades to keep it fresh throughout the rest of its lifecycle. While quite subtle, they make the M2 stand out even more.

At the front, new, full LED headlights offer a new hexagonal interpretation of BMW’s signature twin-circle design. Out back, the 2 Series gets single-piece full LED taillights with BMW’s classic “L” shape. Inside is where most of the changes are. The dashboard has been redesigned, with the air vents, control unit and audio system being all flush to the surface now.

The instrument display for speedometer and the speedometer itself is also presented in a new form. The previous dials are replaced by a display in the black panel design, which will be found in a similar form also in the refreshed 1 Series. The new solution is not to be confused with the multifunctional instrument display for the larger series, because, despite the Black Panel Design, it is only the lower part of the display which is completely digital and can be flexibly filled with different content.

The high-resolution 8.8-inch central display in the new 2017 BMW M2 now comes in touchscreen form, an upgrade given to all recent BMWs.

The BMW M2 Facelift does not change in terms of driving dynamics and driving pleasure, both the suspension and the powertrain remain unchanged. The straight-six cylinder delivers as much as 370 hp and offers a maximum torque of 465 Newton meter. The factory setting for the sprint from 0 to 100 is as before, depending on the transmission, between 4.3 and 4.5 seconds.

The article BMW M2 Facelift configurator now live on BMW.de appeared first on BMW BLOG

BMW of North America is recalling 92 units of 2013-2015 7 Series

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BMW of North America is recalling 92 model year 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The recalled vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies.

As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”

Vehicles with the incorrect left rear lamp assemblies may be less conspicuous to other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect left rear taillight assemblies, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin August 7, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

The article BMW of North America is recalling 92 units of 2013-2015 7 Series appeared first on BMW BLOG

Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Golden Age Is a Swan Song

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Now that the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe is no longer, people are starting to take a look back at how impressive the car was. The land yacht  was simply the epitome of luxury in a car, topping possibly even the regular Phantom thanks to its retractable roof. And even though custom dictates that such a car should be called ‘convertible’ in the Rolls-Royce world nothing is adhering to the customs of regular people. Therefore, the drop top was called Drophead Coupe. Nothing special so far.

While we’re meddling with its successor of sorts, the Dawn, some are walking down memory lane and we stumbled upon this bespoke Phantom Drophead Coupe that speaks of what open top cruising and luxury are all about. The car was created from the ground up for a wealthy resident of Abu Dhabi and it features a unique paint scheme as well as some other well-picked trims inside the cabin. It is, if you will, a swan song for the Drophead Coupe as it has gone out of production, making room for the new iteration of the Phantom that is bound to be unveiled soon.

The color of the details on the outside is called Arizona Sun, contrasting with the black general theme of the entire vehicle. The same color is found throughout the interior, the steering wheel, dash and even seats sporting it too, offering a break from the otherwise sober theme that’s dominated by dark colors. Even the wheels have a special design, speaking about the level of detail the car is sporting, otherwise typical for a Rolls-Royce.

Under the hood it’s business as usual. The Phantom Drophead Coupe sports a 6.75-liter V12 engine making 460 HP and 720 Nm (531 lb-ft) of torque, plenty even for a car that weighs no less than 2.7 tons or 5,941 lbs. For an owner such numbers don’t really matter but they do make sure the luxobarge reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) from standstill in just 5.9 seconds, fast enough to put some considerably smaller hot hatches to shame.

The article Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Golden Age Is a Swan Song appeared first on BMW BLOG

Video: What Car Reviews the 2017 BMW M140i

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The BMW M140i is one of the best driving cars you can get from BMW these days and it’s really a shame it doesn’t reach US soil. The M140i is also the only hot hatch in the industry at the moment using a straight six engine with a RWD layout. We had the chance of sampling it last year and we were impressed with the way it managed to do everything while putting a smile on our face at the same time. It seems like we aren’t the only ones thinking highly of this beauty either.

The guys from What Car? took one for a spin as well and the end result included a lot smiling and praise, for what is, beyond any doubt, a rare bird these days. Hot hatches usually make use of small engines. They have been developed from the get go to be small and fun to drive, and the initial concept was developed around a FWD layout. Cars like the Peugeot 206 GTi, for example, used to pave the road back in the days when hot hatches were still a new thing.

Today, the same recipe is used by most manufacturers but since BMW is traditionally offering RWD cars and they just so happen to have a hatch in their offering, it would’ve been a shame not to combine the two for a special model. That special car is the BMW M140i and its 3-liter turbocharged engine makes sure your rear wheels will never settle, at least when driving it without xDrive. Our test vehicle last year was fitted with an automatic 8-speed gearbox and we felt the rear axle losing grip all the time, without even trying.

Rebecca, on the other hand, drives a manual M140i in the review below and that thing must be even more fun on the road, as long as you know what you’re doing with that clutch pedal. Overall, the car is praised for a lot of its characteristics in the short review, but there are some drawbacks as well. For example, the rear seats are rather cramped and the transmission tunnel does take away even more of that space in the back. Issues like this will no longer be a problem in the future as the 1 Series range is expected to migrate to a FWD layout once the new model comes out, offering more space inside. Let’s hope it will do so without losing any of the fun it provides behind the wheel.

[This post contains video, click to play]

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The article Video: What Car Reviews the 2017 BMW M140i appeared first on BMW BLOG

Video: Could This Be a 300 HP MINI Clubman JCW Prototype?

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The MINI Clubman in John Cooper Works guise and many were slightly disappointed about the 231 PS power rating. Sure, there’s some extra torque thrown in the mix as well as the ALL4 all-wheel drive system but driving the JCW Clubman you can’t help but wonder how the car would feel like with some more punch.

Well, we might be in for a surprise, as a test vehicle was just caught doing the rounds on the Nurburgring wearing camo and covering up the generous curves of what seems to be a Clubman underneath. This might very well be an enhanced version of the John Cooper Works model, one that has been talked about back in 2015. Various outlets from the UK claimed back then, before the official JCW came out, that the Clubman might get an extra potent version of the 2-liter 4-cylinder engine found on the hatch, tuned to make around 300 HP to deal with the extra weight.

In the meantime, MINI launched the real deal and it only came with 231 PS, but the spotting of this camouflaged beast on the Nurburgring is definitely starting to raise some eyebrows. The move would be a smart one as the Clubman comes with all-wheel drive and could handle the extra 70 HP. Furthermore, it would definitely appeal even more to those interested in owning this six-door car, whether for family or fun purposes.

Judging by what we see and hear in the footage posted below, it seems like the exhaust is more aggressive with a different note that, and to our ears, it sounds better than the JCW one. Furthermore, to my eye, the car seems to have limited body roll through the corners so we can easily assume it is a high-performance model. Whether this will indeed turn out to be a 300 HP Clubman or not remains to be seen, but we definitely wouldn’t say no to it.

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How does the new Audi RS5 compare with the BMW M4 Competition Package?

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When we first heard saw the current-gen Audi S5, we were impressed at how well it blended daily driving comfort with some real-deal sports car performance. While it’s not the sharpest tool on the road, it’s certainly fun. But you can tell Audi intentionally dialed in a bit more comfort than it had in recent generations. So we thought that the brand was saving the hardcore performance for the more expensive, more powerful Audi RS5. We thought the RS5 would be a fire-spitting monster. Turns out, though, that it’s not as we expected.

Top Gear has recently sampled the new Audi RS5 and it’s very different that even they had expected. Despite being far more powerful, it’s not really that much more aggressive than the cheaper S5 Coupe. It’s lighter than the old car and lighter than even the S5. It’s built on a new, sharper platform and packs a monstrous torque wallop. Yet, despite that, it’s just not that much more exciting. It’s damn fast, don’t get me wrong, and no one is doubting its performance. But close your eyes and you might think you’re just driving an S5 on a good day.

Under the hood of the new Audi RS5 lies a 2.9 liter twin-turbo V6 that makes a very healthy 444 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. Those figures make it just about tied with the BMW M4 Competition Package. However, its performance figures are right there with all of them. From 0-60 mph, the RS5 takes 3.9 seconds, says Audi. It should also do 0-100 mph in about 8 seconds, which is properly quick. It’s also exactly as fast to 60 mph as the M4 Competition Package, so getting these two together will be fun. Though, expect the RS5 to be a bit easier to consistently be fast with, as its Quattro grip will make it a bit easier. So performance isn’t the main issue with the performance.

The issues are with its steering and its suspension. First, though, the steering. If you can option it, don’t get the Dynamic Steering system. It’s completely variable and changes its ratio based on a zillion different factors, making it unpredictable and unnerving. The standard setup might not feel as smooth or as comfortable but it’s more predictable and better suited for sporty driving. Next up, the suspension is almost too soft. In Comfort mode, it borders on supple. While that’s fantastic for a luxury car or GT car, you want firmer, more dynamic suspension in an Audi RS5. While this sort of complaint has been thrown at the current-gen BMW M3/M4, it’s still definitely a performance car first, with GT capabilities second.

Now, none of this is an issue if you change your expectations and outlook on the car as a whole. If you don’t imagine it as a heart-pumping, manic sports car and more of a fast, capable grand touring car, it starts to make a lot more sense. It’s brutally fast, looks fantastic, has a great cabin that’s so nice it borders on luxury rather than sport and it’s even quite comfortable. It’s capable in corners and has loads of grip, so we bet it’s very fast around race tracks. However, it never seems like it wants to be pushed. Though, if that’s not what you’re expecting, then it’s great.

What the Audi RS5 also has going for it is its all-wheel drive. While most of its other competitors make do with just rear-wheel drive, the RS5 uses Audi’s Quattro and can be violently quick in any conditions, on any road surface, any time of year. So in a way, it is designed to be more of an everyday sports car, rather than a crazy, hardcore, track-oriented monster, like its competitors. If you look at it through that lens, it starts to make a lot more sense. It’s just not what we expected and it’s quite a bit different than the M4 Competition Package. While the M4 Comp Pack is comfortable enough to live with everyday, it’s certainly more compromised in the name of performance than the RS5. So if you want something with a harder edge, go with the Munich-based Bavarian. If you want something a bit softer and a bit more usable in bad weather, go Ingolstadt.

[Source: QuattroDaily]

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LEAKED: This is the all-new 2018 BMW X3

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As expected, the all-new BMW X3 has been leaked, two days ahead of its scheduled release. Courtesy of French magazines, and interesting enough, BMW’s official website in Hong Kong, we get to see the new X3, along with its top model, the X3 M40i. As seen here, the new X3 will be available xLine, M Sport and Luxury Line trim variants. At the front end, the X3 features a “three-dimensional” massive kidney grille with sleek headlights ending just before the outer edge of the kidney and with an hexagonal design. The nose also sits more upright than the current model, while the lower bumper has been redesigned for a more aggressive look. In the back, the LED taillights also feature a 3D look while the sloping roof spoiler remind us of a coupeish SUV, more than the standard midsize truck.

BMW X3 with the M Sport Package features the typical M aerodynamic design cues, along with blue-painted callipers and a new wheel design. Pythonic Blue is also an exclusive color for the X3 M40i and the M Sport Package.

Inside, the interior is a step up compared to the current generation X3. You get the same driver-oriented dashboard with the floating LCD touchscreen on top of it, and higher quality materials and finishes. The XLine and Luxury models focus more on the elegance of the new X3, while the M Sport package brings an M Sport steering wheel, BMW Individual headlines, aluminum trim and M logos throughout.

As we’ve previously mentioned, the X3 M40i is the top model with 360 horsepower and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft of torque) from a 3.0 liter six-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 0 to 62 mph time is rated at 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph. BMW will also offer an X3 xDrive20d, xDrive30d, xDrive20i and xDrive30i models.

Here is a video of the new X3.

More information on the X3 will be released in the next few hours.

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Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, BMW X4 prove customers are irrational and that’s a good thing

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When BMW first debuted the X6, the world’s first Sports Activity Coupe (SAC), back in 2009, automotive journalists collectively pointed and laughed. They mocked as BMW brought a vehicle of pure excess to a market crippled by a recession. Yet the Bavarians were the ones with the last laugh, as the X6 spread like wildfire across the US. Customers loved it. And this SAC trend has picked up so much that not only has BMW launched another (the BMW X4) and is going to launch yet another (the BMW X2), but Mercedes-Benz has jumped on ship, as well, with the GLC and GLE-Class Coupes. All of this proves that buyers are still irrational, despite the logical information we provide.

To be completely fair, I was personally one of the people mocking the X6 and X4. Their gargantuan size, lack of cargo space, compared to the X5 and X3, and lack of dynamic capability, compared to a traditional coupe, made it good for nothing. However, I was missing the point entirely.

Sure, neither the BMW X6 or X4 are really great at anything practical. What they’re great at is something completely impractical and entirely intangible. They’re great at being desirable.

And the same goes for the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe, which was recently reviewed by Bloomberg. In their review, they note how the Mercedes GLC Coupe turned more heads and received more questions than certain high-performance sports cars and supercars they review. People love the idea of having this aggressive and squat-looking SUV. In the review, it was likened to something from Mad Max and there’s a bit of truth to that. So customers love these things.

I used to bemoan such cars and mock customers who bought them. But now I’m looking at them through a new lens and I’m starting to really like them. These are vehicles entirely based on superfluity, cars that are bought out of desire and not logic. Modern day automobiles are getting so far from desirably and become more and more logical that it’s starting to become upsetting.

Connectivity, technology and autonomy rule the day. These are features the mind wants. But what about features the heart wants? Who would have thought that the cars customers would now be buying with their hearts, the cars that speak to them on the showroom floor, would be beheaded SUVs? It’s a strange world but one I’m starting to come around on. So thank you, BMW X4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Coupe.

[Source: Bloomberg]

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Pre-Owned Convertibles: BMW 6 Series vs Mercedes SL-Class vs Porsche 911

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Summer is here and the weather is prime for top-down sports car driving. Some of the best cars to drive during these hot months are big, convertible, sporty GT cars. Their blend of performance, comfort and style make them ideal for top-down cruising in beautiful sunny weather. But these cars can get expensive, so many customers buy Pre-Owned. So The Independent recently asked which is the best pre-owned convertible in this segment, the BMW 6 Series, Mercedes-Benz SL-Class or the Porsche 911?

In terms of style, I don’t think there’s much of a competition, here. The BMW 6 Series is by far the prettiest of the bunch. While the Porsche 911’s iconic styling will always be handsome and charming, the 6er is a properly pretty thing. The current-gen Mercedes-Benz SL is kind of a dog, which is a shame because the “SL” nameplate has always been carried by such beautiful cars.

 

The Bimmer also wins in practicality, as well. It’s the car with the largest rear seats and biggest trunk while also having the most space for front passengers. It’s quite a big car, though, much bigger than the 911. So it isn’t the most wieldy of the bunch. However, it sure is pretty.

In terms of ride and handling, the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class was said to strike the best balance. It wasn’t as sharp as the Porsche but it wasn’t as uncomfortable as the Bimmer. So it was deemed to be the best overall driving car of the bunch. Though, the Porsche 911 was the sharpest and most exciting to drive, followed by the BMW 6 Series, but both cars were significantly more uncomfortable. The Benz was the best cruiser.

 

The Mercedes was also let down a bit by its powertrain. While its engine is good and makes a nice noise, it’s not particularly quick and its seven-speed auto can be slow to respond. The Porsche 911’s flat-six, as usual, was deemed brilliant because it is and its manual gearbox is hard to not love. Whereas the BMW 6 Series had to make do with a diesel engine for this test, though it’s an incredibly smooth and refined diesel with great torque. Its eight-speed auto was also brilliant.

On the whole, The Independent gave the win to the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. It’s combination of great ride comfort with good performance and decent enough handling, along with the only hardtop roof here, won it for the three-pointed star. The BMW 6 Series came in second place and was only let down by its somewhat harsh ride. The Porsche came in last because it was compromised everywhere that wasn’t a performance category.

[Source: The Independent]

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Photo Comparison: G01 BMW X3 vs F25 BMW X3

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Okay, so we’re actually set to get the official reveal of the upcoming G01-generation BMW X3 quite soon. However, we’ve already seen quite a few leaked photos of the new X3, both inside and out. So we thought it would make sense to compare what we’ve seen of the new X3 with the old X3 and see how it’s changed. We don’t have any official info for the new X3 to share with you but we do have pictures, so all we can compare is the design.

Despite seeming really old, the current-generation F25 BMW X3 is actually right on track for its update. It debuted back in 2011 and seemed positively high-tech when it first hit the market. It was quite impressive then. But it’s crazy what six years can do, as the X3 currently feels like a dinosaur. So it was in desperate need of an update and it now has one. So has BMW improved the look of the X3?

As a whole, I’d say yes. It definitely seems more upscale and more upmarket. In fact, there’s whiffs of X5 in its design and it certainly seems more premium than the car it replaces. From the outside, it looks chunkier and more muscular, with a more upright face and larger grilles making it more in-your-face. Like it or not, it’s much more in keeping with BMW’s new design language.

Personally, I quite like it. I like how BMW brought back a more traditional Hofmeister Kink, I like how the new taillights are more traditionally “L” shaped, rather than weird looking little hammers, and I like how much more expensive it looks.

On the inside, the move upmarket is far more dramatic. BMW really upped the luxury-factor for the new X3 and has added quite a lot of interesting geometry. There are a ton of angles and curves in the new X3’s cabin, which can either look cool or busy, depending on your tastes. It also gets digital gauges and all of BMW’s latest technology. Oh, and it says “X3” right above that center cubby, in case you forget which car you’re driving…

BMW did say it wanted the new X3 to be more premium than the last and it’s done that here. It certainly looks more expensive and more luxurious. Whether X3 buyers will like that or not is yet to be seen. I think a lot of the BMW X3’s appeal was that it was sporty and sort of utilitarian, so we’ll see if the same clientele base likes this car as much as the old one.

The article Photo Comparison: G01 BMW X3 vs F25 BMW X3 appeared first on BMW BLOG

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