Hamann's New BMW M5 Mi5Sion Begs the Question

We're guessing Hamann Motorsports has no time for games when it comes to its new BMW M5 styling kit named Mi5Sion, which offers the high-performance sedan the most…serious face we've ever seen on an F10.

And if you're not convinced by its facial expression, the Mi5Sion also brutes up the rest of the car with elongated front and rear fender extensions, matching side skirts, a new vented rear bumper with quad exhaust pipes, plus boot and roof spoilers, and new set of black alloy wheels.

If the Mi5Sion is too much too swallow –don't be shy to admit it, Haman has prepared a more subtle cosmetic package that leaves the headlamps alone, concentrating on the bumpers, wheel arches, skirts and the rear bumper. It also gets a pair of wings at the back and different rims.

Regardless of the exterior components, Hamann customizes the interior of the M5 with bespoke trims on the dash, door panels and center stack, a new flat-bottom steering wheel and aluminum pedals.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Category › BMW , BMW M5 , News

2013 Geneva Motor Show

If we are nearing the end of February, then it must be time for the Geneva Auto Show that takes place each year in March. This is the 83rd time that automakers will gather in the Swiss city to display their latest models; the Palexpo center will open its gates on March 5 for the press and two days later for the public and will last until March 17.

In spite of all the fuss about “green” transportation, the 2013 Geneva Auto Show’s most anticipated new models are sports cars.

First and foremost, there’s the Alfa Romeo 4C – a two-seater, rear-wheel drive coupe with a carbon fiber chassis that heralds the Italian manufacturer’s new era and its long-anticipated return to the U.S. market.

Then there’s the Formula 1 duel that has been taken to the streets: Ferrari will unveil the Enzo successor, code-named F150, and rival McLaren, the production version of the P1. Interestingly, both hypercars will be powered by hybrid powertrains and despite putting out in excess of 900-horses, they promise ultra-low CO2 emissions.

Other sports car that will make their premiere in Geneva are the open-top versions of the brand-new Corvette Stingray and the Toyota GT 86 (Scion FR-S in the U.S.), the Aston Martin Rapide S and Vantage SP10 and, of course, a special Lamborghini to celebrate the Sant’ Agata-based company’s 50th anniversary.

Naturally, the show won’t be only about sports cars: BMW will launch the 3-Series GT, China's Qoros its 3 Sedan, Volvo its updated range and the VW Group the electrified Audi A3 and VW Golf models.

That’s far from a full description of the cars that will debut at the 2013 Geneva Auto Show, but you can scroll down and view the provisional list in detail.

As always, it will be updated constantly so watch this space.

Acura	Alfa Romeo	Aston Martin	Audi
BMW	Bentley	Bugatti	Cadillac
Chevrolet	Chrysler	Citroen	Dodge
Ferrari	Fiat	Ford	Honda
Hummer	Hyundai	Infiniti	Jaguar
Jeep	Lamborghini	Lancia	Land Rover
Lexus	Lincoln	Maserati	Maybach
Mazda	Mercedes	Mitsubishi	Nissan
Opel	Pagani	Peugeot	Pontiac
Porsche	Renault	Rolls-Royce	Saab
Seat	Skoda	Subaru	Suzuki
Toyota	Volkswagen	Volvo	Concept

Articles Source : Carscoop

Category › Acura , Alfa Romeo , Aston Martin , Audi , Bentley , BMW , Bugatti , Cadillac , Chevrolet , Chrysler , Citroen , Dacia , Dodge , Geneva Motor Show , Infiniti , Lamborghini , Maserati , Maybach , Mazda , Mercedes-Benz

BMW Tries to Woo Japanese Buyers with Limited Edition 116i Fashionista

Japanese consumers are often treated with special edition versions of European premium cars, some of which are collectibles, like the 1996-1999 BMW 840CiA Individual, and others not so much.

BMW's latest Japan market-only special is the 116i "Fashionista" that will be offered exclusively in a five-door body style priced at ¥3,460,000 (US$37,500 or €28,500), with production capped at 370 units.

The car can be had in a choice of three exterior colors named Crimson Red, White III Arupin and Deep Sea Blue metallic, all of which feature 17 inches alloy wheels shod in 205 / 50R17 tires, Chrome kidney grille and exhaust pipe, and a black finish for the window surrounds.

Inside, there's Dakota Oyster leather for the seats, sections of the doors and the handbrake, a gloss off-white finish for the trims on the dashboard, lower center console and door arms, and added standard features such as a Rear-view camera with Park Distance Control and front seat heating.

Power comes from BMW's standard 1.6-liter turbocharged four with 136PS (134bhp) linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission turning the rear wheels.

Articles Source : Netcarshow

Category › BMW , BMW 1-Series , News

AC Schnitzer Prepares New Aero Tunes for BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe and 3-Series Touring M Sport

German aftermarket specialist AC Schnitzer will highlight two new BMW tuning proposals at next month’s Geneva Auto Salon, for the 6-Series Gran Coupe and 3-Series Touring models equipped with the M-Technik sport packages.

For the time being, AC Schnitzer is letting us play the guessing game about what it has prepared for these two models through the release of the respective image galleries, with detailed information to be announced during the Swiss show.

From the pictures, we see that the 6-Series Gran Coupe with the M Sport package gains a new carbon fiber lip spoiler, a chrome-plated lower grille and headlamp accents up front, and a new rear diffuser made from carbon fiber with different exhaust outlets at the back. AC Schnitzer's two-tone alloy wheels complete the look.

Similarly, the 3-Series estate with the M Sport Package is updated with a chrome lower front grille, a two-piece front spoiler, a painted rear diffuser, new tailpipes and five-spoke wheels.

Interior options for both models include an AC Schnitzer knob for the i-Drive system, bespoke mats and aluminum pedals.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Category › 3-Series , 6-Series , AC Schnitzer , BMW , Coupe , Geneva Motor Show , News

BMW M Reportedly Plans to Stick to Rear Wheel Drive (Ahem…X5 M, Cough, Cough…X6 M)

The news coming from the world's oldest car magazine (yes, that's the same one that had the Auto Cars Concept on the Alfa Romeo 4C), is that BMW M's division is committed to rear wheel drive.

BMW M boss Friedrich Nitschke spoke to the publication about the matter during last month's Detroit Auto Show: "Our philosophy in regards to steering feel and precision is that rear-wheel drive is the best solution," he said. "xDrive brings an 80-90kg weight penalty and the M differential is the industry’s best rear-drive set-up."

Well, we guess neither Nitschke nor Autocar have ever heard about the…BMW X5 M and X6 M, or the M135i xDrive, M550d xDrive and the X6 50d xDrive (granted; the Bavarian company describes the last three as "Powered by M" and "M Performance" models, but they still carry the "M" nameplate anyway).

During the interview, Nitschke added that the M brand will continue to offer manual gearboxes as long as there's demand, and that there are no "imminent plans" to offer an M3 version of the new 3-Series Gran Turismo.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Category › BMW , BMW M , News , X5 M , X6 M

BMW's 4-Series Coupe Promo Sounds Conspicuously German to Us

There's a new BMW coming our way next year: the successor to the two-door 3-Series Coupe and Convertible models, the newly named 4-Series. But you already know that since the Bavarian carmaker brought a thinly disguised concept of the coupe to last month's Detroit auto show.

So, what's the deal with this new video released by BMW over the weekend? Well, it's a promotional clip made to keep the buzz going around until the reveal of the final production version, though, unless you're fluent in German, you won't understand a word that's said in the video...

For what it's worth, this is the Google-translated script from YouTube:

"The Ultimate Driving Machine. When will she start? When the engine starts, you feel the power, the precision. It begins when the speed goes up and the heartbeat follows. If you accelerate. Only degrees, curves, centrifugal forces. If one leaves everything else? No, it starts at the first glance."

You'll find the promo clip, along with a "making of" video and a relevant short film dedicated to the first 3-Series model code-named E21, right past the break.

Articlea Source : Carscoop

 

 Video Source : Youtube

Category › 4-Series , BMW , Detroit Auto Show , Video

New BMW Alpina B3 Bi-Turbo Racing to the Geneva Auto Salon

BMW has a very close relationship with Alpina, even offering the latter's special models through its own dealers and with full warranty. At least for now, the only Alpina model available through official channels in North America is the 7-Series-based B7 flagship, even though the German specialty brand has its own proposal for most BMW models.

At the Geneva Auto Salon in March, Alpina will welcome another member in its family, the next generation of the B3 Bi-Turbo, based on the F30 3-Series sedan.

Alpina itself released only a single, partially blocked-out picture of the new B3 Bi-Turbo without any details, but the crew from the BMWBlog got their hands on a full blown image and preliminary specifications.

According to the report, the new B3 Bi-Turbo will use an upgraded version of the 335i's 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine producing 404hp (410PS), linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels, for a 0-100km/h run in just 4.0 seconds. The car is said to return a combined fuel economy of 7.9lt/100km (29.8mpg US / 35.8mpg UK).

Articles Source : Carscoop

Category › Alpina , B3 , Bi-Turbo , BMW , Geneva Auto Salon , News

2012 BMW i3 Coupe Concept

BMW is launching yet another variation of its i eco-car theme this week at the Los Angeles auto show. The new i3 Concept Coupe complements the five-door i3, as well as the i8 Concept and the i8 Concept Spyder.

2012 BMW i3 Coupe Concept

The previously shown five-door i3 is an electric, high-roof people mover—not something the brand’s current customers are accustomed to seeing in BMW showrooms. BMW will have a difficult time explaining its emotional appeal to those who are not already true believers of the electric car. That's where this i3 Concept Coupe comes in.

2012 BMW i3 Coupe Concept

Like its upright sibling, the swoopier, three-door i3 Concept Coupe features a body fully made from carbon fiber. It is a coupe, but a tall one, with a slightly longer body than the i3. The wheelbase of the two cars is identical. Like the i3 and the i8, the coupe displays the futuristic layered-design approach, which BMW has come up with for its i sub-brand. Unlike previous concepts, this one is clad in orange and black, for a much sportier—if somewhat less futuristic—appearance.

2012 BMW i3 Coupe Concept

The i3 Concept Coupe stands tall on 20-inch wheels. But the tires are skinny: 155/60x20s up front and 175/55x20s in the rear. The narrow rubber is part of the brand's effort to push efficiency to an absolute maximum, and to combat every EV’s worst nightmare: drag.

2012 BMW i3 Coupe Concept

Maximum range is 100 miles with a full battery, after which a lengthy charging session is in order. On semi-extended trips, drivers might opt to choose Eco Pro or Eco Pro+ mode, the latter of which will limit forward progress to a sorry 55 mph. There is exactly one post-war BMW you could overtake at that speed: The very un-sporty Isetta.

2012 BMW i3 Coupe Concept

But for some people, cars are not all about driving pleasure anymore. They are about the fun and practical value of electronics. To that end, the i3 Coupe Concept’s telematics system is permanently connected to the outside world; it downloads your calendar and messages, monitors your driving, and offers tips for recharging. When traffic conditions change, you are informed of changes in range; hints are provided when a switch to the more sluggish modes is advisable in order to reach your pre-programmed destination. The system dutifully directs the driver to the next available charging station. Booking a slot is done through the car as well, opening up interesting new revenue options for BMW.

2012 BMW i3 Coupe Concept

2012 BMW i3 Coupe Concept

2012 BMW i3 Coupe Concept

Instead of a traditional analog instrument cluster, there’s a 6.5-inch TFT display; an 8.8-inch center-stack display adds more information for the driver. Of course, that's nothing compared to the 17-inch display in the Tesla Model S, but this one is far better integrated. Plus, it resides in one of the nicest and most interesting interiors BMW has done recently.

If an i3 Coupe comes to market, it will most likely be offered not only as a full electric, but also with a range-extending internal-combustion engine, similar to the Chevrolet Volt. We believe the less-zesty i3 5-door will be launched in 2013 as a 2014 model; a coupe version like the concept could follow shortly thereafter. Figure on prices that begin around $40,000. BMW believes that "sustainability awareness" will be "an intrinsic part of the premium profile." If that is true, the brand’s “ultimate driving machine” tagline may be due for a revision.

Articles Source : caranddriver

Category › BMW