Oldschool Photoshoot: BMW Z3 M Coupe Gets CCW LM20 Wheels

The BMW Z3 M – affectionately dubbed “The Clown Shoe” – is one of those cars that appreciated over time and became a cult. Released back in 1998, the Z3 M immediately captured the eye of the automotive world, but it also brought on itself a hate it or love it relationship with the would-be owner base – all due to its quirky looks. However, if you ignored its unique design, the Z3 M actually brought out an impressive performance for that time. The vehicle actually shared its engine with the BMW E46 M3, a well-known performance model from the Bavarian car maker.

The first Z3 M models (produced from 1997  – 2000) featured the S50B32 inline-six engine which delivered 316 horsepower and 258 lb-ft (350Nm) of torque in the EU-spec model and 240 horsepower and 225 lb-ft (305Nm)  of torque for the US model. Later on (from 2000 and until the end of its production life) the EU spec was upgraded to the 321 horsepower S54B32 inline-six engine, delivering 250lb-ft (350Nm) of torque. The US-spec version was powered by the same inline-six engine, delivering 315 horsepower and 251lb-ft (340Nm) of torque. The sprint to 62mph (100km/h) took around 5.2 seconds for both vehicles.





The compact coupe was intended to be a BMW Z3 Roadster with increased torsional and structural rigidity. The car was developed under the leadership of engineer Burkhard Göschel and it almost never saw production. The development team had a hard time convincing the Board of Directors to approve the BMW M Coupe – the development on the coupe model was done by a group of BMW engineers outside of work hours in their own time – but the car eventually received the green light.

One of the helping hands in this situation was the fact that the Z3 shared numerous components with the BMW Z3 Coupe, so it remained cost-effective to produce. For a lot of casual BMW fans, the naming nomenclature can be a bit confusing. The vehicle is often called the Z3 M, M Coupe of the first-generation or, for those die-hard fans, an E36/8 M Coupe naming is used.



For most of us, however, talking about a “BMW Z3 M” does the trick and negates any possible problems with the subject at hand. Pretty much a similar confusion was brought on when the BMW Z4 M Coupe was released, as it was basically a follow-up or a second generation of the BMW M Coupe. The same principle of naming it a BMW Z4 M did the trick to avoid confusion.
The BMW Z3 M got off to a rocky start when it was introduced to the market. Dealer sales were slow but steady and the Z3 M received numerous awards upon release, with the Automobile Magazine’s “Design of the Year” award in 1999, among them.



Like so many before, the owner of this Silver Metallic Z3 M is bitten by the modding. But, before you bring out the pitchforks and torches, this is an example of a well-kept and nicely tuned vehicle.
Featuring a set of deep-dish CCW LM20 wheels, the car pops right up and its aggressive stance is really something else. The wheels come from CCW Wheels, a US-based wheel maker most known for their racing wheels. Translating that know-how into street applications, they’ve produced a set of wheels that have a familiar design, reminiscent of the great racing wheels like the BBS LM or the BBS E88, for example. Thanks to a Brushed Gold finish and deep, step lips that come adorned with a Polished Finish, these custom wheels look great on the Clown Shoe. Additionally, the long nut bolts give the wheels that much-coveted ’90s look as well.



Overall, the vehicle looks clean. Even the license plate fits the bill. Truly, this is definitely one of the more interesting builds we’ve seen so far this year. This Silver BMW Z3 M Coupe build is shot by Mike Kuhn Racing. Take a closer look at the entire photoshoot in the media gallery right below.

BMW M CoupeBMW Z3 MCCW WheelsPhotoshootTunedtuningwheels

Source : bmwblog

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Best-ever February for BMW Group sales

Once again, sales at the BMW Group have achieved new heights with total sales in February up 5.8% (178,910). So far this year, a total of 348,459 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles have been delivered to customers around the world, which is an increase of 4.8% on the same period last year. Both figures represent new all-time sales records.

“The BMW brand achieved a solid sales increase of 5.1% in February, with all major sales regions making a positive contribution to this result,” said Pieter Nota, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Brand BMW. “This is a big year for our popular X models: the all-new BMW X2 is just arriving in showrooms and at the motor show in Geneva last week, we premiered the new X4. Together with the BMW X3, which will see significantly increased availability in the second half of the year, I’m sure our X family will continue to be an important growth driver in the coming months. Another significant growth area is electro-mobility: with a year-to-date sales increase of over 40%, momentum is clearly building strongly for our electrified vehicles,” Nota continued.

The BMW Group is targeting sales of at least 140,000 electrified models in 2018 and is well on track to achieving that, with global sales of these innovative vehicles totalling 15,041 in the first two months of the year, an increase of 40.2% compared with the same period last year. In the USA, which is the company’s largest single market for electrified vehicles, 7.3% of total BMW Group sales in February were electrified, with a total of 1,936 BMW i, BMW iPerformance and MINI Electric vehicles delivered to customers. In Scandinavia, a quarter of all BMW Group vehicles sold in February were electrified.

The BMW Group has long focussed on improving the fuel-efficiency of its vehicles and last year once again achieved a reduction in its overall new-car European (EU28) fleet CO2 emissions. The reduction in 2017 of a further 2g/km means that CO2 emissions from the BMW Group’s new-car fleet in Europe (EU28) is now 122g/km. Since 1995, the average CO2 emissions for new BMW Group vehicles sold in Europe has fallen by more than 42%.

February saw solid growth in global BMW brand sales, which grew by 5.1% to total 155,328. In the first two months of the year, the brand’s sales increased by 4.3% to total 303,738 vehicles delivered worldwide. These new record figures can be attributed to increased sales in all major sales regions. A range of models contributed to growth in the year-to-date, including the BMW 1 Series (31,775 / +33.2%), the BMW X1 (48,159 / +22.5%) and the BMW 5 Series (55,344 / +13.6%).

The MINI brand achieved double-digit global sales growth of 10.8% in February, with the delivery of 23,319 vehicles to customers. The MINI Countryman continues to be the brand’s strongest growth driver, with sales in the first two months of the year totalling 12,687, more than twice what they were in the same period last year. Around 13% of MINI Countryman customers choose to buy the plug-in hybrid version of the car.

BMW Motorrad sales also continued their steady growth with sales in the month up 3.1% to 10,172. In the first two months of the year, a total of 18,627 BMW Motorrad customers took delivery of a new motorcycle or maxi-scooter, an increase of 7.2% compared to the same period last year.

BMW & MINI sales in the regions/markets at a glance

All three major sales regions contributed to the BMW Group’s increase in sales, with Mainland China and the USA the two main growth drivers.

 

 

	In February 2018	Compared with previous year %	In ytd February 2018	Compared with previous year %
Europe	77,728	+4.0	142,810	+3.0
–        Germany*	20,626	-0.4	45,253	+2.1
–        UK	7,962	+3.9	17,955	+2.1
Asia	62,312	+9.1	133,395	+7.7
–        China (Mainland)	44,317	+8.9	98,992	+7.5
–        Japan	5,266	-12.7	8,894	-10.7
Americas	33,707	+7.6	62,252	+6.8
–        USA	26,573	+7.5	48,526	+5.6
–        Latin America	3,909	+9.8	7,760	+12.9

*Provisional registration figures

 

 

 

BMW Group sales in/ytd February 2018 at a glance

 

	In February 2018	Compared with previous year %	In ytd February 2018	Compared with previous year %
BMW Group Automobiles	178,910	+5.8	348,459	+4.8
BMW	155,328	+5.1	303,738	+4.3
MINI	23,319	+10.8	44,249	+9.0
BMW Group electrified*	7,906	+43.9	15,041	+40.2
BMW Motorrad	10,172	+3.1	18,627	+7.2

*BMW i, BMW iPerformance, MINI Electric

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Source : bmwblog

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Electrification of BMW M Lineup Inevitable, Weight Remains Key Factor

The Geneva Motor Show was the venue where we got to see the latest BMW M offering, albeit in Concept guise. If BMW stays true to its ways, the M8 Gran Coupe will look almost identical to the Concept in production guise once it comes out next year, and that’s just music to our ears. However, the BMW M8 Gran Coupe might also be one of the last M cars out there that won’t have a hybrid powertrain.

As most officials already pointed out, the M8 will come with the same powertrain and transmission as the M5 and that means it will be animated by a 600 HP 4.4-liter V8. Nothing wrong with that or the fact that it will have the super-smart M xDrive all-wheel drive system fitted under the sheet metal but it looks like the days of thunderous V8s are coming to an end. Speaking to Automotive News in Geneva, BMW spokesman Bernhard Santer said that the future of the BMW M brand will be electrified.

“We do plan to electrify the M lineup, but the vehicles must maintain their ability to go on the racetrack,” he said. “Weight plays a big role there, so we need to balance those decisions with battery technology.” That’s no different than what other high-ranking members of the BMW Group said in the past, as they too are aware of the fact that new regulations will make these gas-guzzling beasts obsolete.

However, it’s important to note that BMW will try and keep the weight in check, to make sure that the resulting M cars will still feel like they should, adhering to the philosophy developed by the brand over a number of decades. If this exercise proves to be a success, future fully-electric M cars will most likely deliver exactly what we expect them to and that’s all we can hope for right now as the days of the ICE definitely seem numbered.

BMW MelectrifiedEVhybridperformance

Source : bmwblog

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Top Gear Test: F90 BMW M5 vs Mercedes-AMG E63 S

Since the new F90 BMW M5 has debuted, its been almost endlessly compared to the Mercedes-AMG E63 S. And for good reason, as they’re both extremely close competitors and they’re both the best super sedans in the world. So it only makes sense to see which is better. Typically, though, this battle happens on a race track, where you’d imagine their performance potential really shines. Except that the track only shows you a brief glimpse of the sheer engineering genius of both cars. So Top Gear recently put both of them to the test in a variety of different and challenging circumstances.

They started off in Sweden on a frozen lake, as you do. There, both the M5 and E63 were able to show off how well they go sideways and were able to do so at sane speeds. It also showed off their balance, which one was easier to slide. The BMW M5 was a bit better balanced but its sharper steering and quicker inputs made it a bit snappy, whereas the E63 S was a bit easier to slide around, thanks to its slightly slower steering and response. Still, both cars are a hoot to slide around, it seems.

Following the ice-lake shenanigans, TG took both cars on a bit of a road trip from Sweden to Britain. On the road trip, they were able to sample the top speed capabilities of each car. The AMG was a bit hamstrung by its winter tires here, which were limited to 130 mph. The BMW M5 was able to hit 175 mph. That’s flipping fast. The crazy thing was how stable and calm the M5 was at 120 mph, though. It could hold that speed for long periods of time without ever feeling out of control or nervous. Hell, it was even quiet.

I don’t want to spoil the whole comparison, because it’s worth a read. However, TG seems to be a bit torn on the two cars. In the end, they pick a winner but it’s so close that it could go either way. Here’s what they said: “Even after 1,500 miles, I’m torn. The BMW is the more rounded, comfy car. It covers all bases with a staggering depth of engineering, and might well be the most complete sports saloon ever. To an enthusiast, though, such completeness can be a help and a hindrance. The Merc is less couth, bigger hearted and encourages its driver to be more playful. Particularly if they’re on a frozen lake. Oh, and it comes as an estate, too. The AMG edges it.”

[Source: Top Gear]

BMW M5Mercedes-AMG E63 S

Source : bmwblog

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Will the G20 BMW 3 Series look like this render?

BMW needs to make this next-gen G20 3 Series a smash-hit. While the 3 Series has always been incredibly important for the brand, being its bread-and-butter sales machine, its success is more important than ever before. That’s mostly due to the segment it’s in, which is now ripe with superb competitors, more than we’ve ever seen. Back in the day, it was really just the 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4. Those were its only real competitors. Now, on top of those, there’s the Cadillac ATS, Jaguar XE, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Genesis G70 and soon-to-be Volvo S60. All of which are excellent.

While we don’t have a ton of information on the upcoming G20-generation 3 Series, we know that it will have similar styling to BMW’s more modern cars, such as the aforementioned 5 Series. But we wonder how similar it will be. In this new render from Carscoops, the upcoming BMW 3 Series basically looks like a 5 Series with little notches cut into its headlights.

AutoBild’s 3 Series Render

Now, considering that the Germans are all using the “Same Sausage, Different Lengths” design language, it’s entirely possible that the next 3er looks similar to this. However, I think we’ll be a bit disappointed if that’s the case, as we’re hoping the 3 Series has a bit of character of its own. Especially being that it’s going to be competing against some very pretty cars, like the Giulia.

Aside from its styling, we know that it’s going to be based on the brand’s new CLAR platform. That same platform is what the new 5 Series and X3 are built on, so it’s going to have good bones. We also know that it’s going to get BMW’s new engines, an entirely new interior from what we’ve seen from BMW and an M Performance model for the first time. So we’re very anxious to see what becomes of the new 3 Series. For now, though, all we have to go on are renders like this and spy photos that keep leaking. Stay tuned.

3-SeriesRender

Source : bmwblog

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2018 Ford F-150 2.7L EcoBoost V-6 4x2 SuperCrew

Excepting its wider-set facial features, its smattering of new active-safety technologies, and three new or updated engines, Ford’s 2018 F-150 lineup is the same excellent collection of pickup trucks as before. We bestowed a 10Best Trucks award on it for 2017, and the updated lineup won the honor again this year.

Tested here is the F-150 that provides the best value among its four available engines, the smaller of the two EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V-6s that Ford offers in non-Raptor F-150s. Displacing 2.7 liters and smoothly making 325 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque (the latter up 25 lb-ft from 2017), the baby EcoBoost is smaller in displacement than the 375-hp 3.5-liter version and the F-150’s available naturally aspirated 395-hp 5.0-liter V-8. Yet it feels plenty strong, and it’s only a $995 upcharge on the XL and XLT—the lowest two trims, where it replaces the base engine, a naturally aspirated 290-hp 3.3-liter V-6—and it is standard on the Lariat.

In the Money

First, the dollars and sense. We typically review pickups bedecked with leather, cowboy-Cadillac trim, and giant wheels. That’s what automakers send us, looking to show off their latest toys. The crew-cab (SuperCrew in Ford-speak) truck tested here, by contrast, is sparsely optioned, wearing humble XLT spec and cloth bucket seats. If it had a front bench seat and four- or all-wheel drive, it would be closer to a pure work truck.

SuperCrew F-150 XLTs with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost start at $40,950. To that was added the $295 center console and front bucket seats, the $945 Chrome Appearance package (chrome 18-inch wheels, side steps, grille, and other exterior bits), and the $1150 301A package (an eight-way power driver’s seat, a color driver-information display in the gauge cluster, a seven-speaker audio system, a rear-window defroster, heated side mirrors, power-adjustable pedals, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a Class IV trailer hitch and wiring). Keeping the 5.5-foot pickup box (a longer 6.5-foot box is available on the SuperCrew), the total came to $43,340. In a world where fully optioned full-size pickup pricing easily crests $60,000, this counts as Yankee-doodle-dandy basic.

The price creates a pleasant juxtaposition between the XLT’s functional look—the diplomatic description for the interior’s hard plastics, cloth upholstery, and lack of even a touchscreen—and its aluminum wrapper and the new-age technology beneath.

It Goes Up to 10

The thoroughly modern 2.7-liter EcoBoost now bolts to the same 10-speed automatic transmission introduced in the 2017 3.5-liter EcoBoost-equipped F-150 and F-150 Raptor. (Only the entry-level 3.3-liter V-6 still uses a six-speed automatic.) While a console shifter is available, arming the 10-speed with a good old-fashioned column shifter is weirdly satisfying. Also rewarding is the transmission’s Sport mode, which keeps the tightly wound twin-turbo V-6 revving right where it makes meaty power and good boost.

On this stage, the 2.7-liter steals the show. For 2018, Ford implemented changes it deems comprehensive enough to call this engine the “second generation.” A new exhaust-gas-recirculation system, the addition of a port and direct fuel-injection system, and reduced internal friction headline the changes. As before, the little EcoBoost pulls forcefully from idle, its thrust feeling diesel-like—except that it revs toward its low 5750-rpm redline with gas-engine zeal. Power is found seemingly at any rpm, although the smooth-shifting transmission wisely keeps revs low and takes advantage of the prodigious torque on tap.

Wind out the engine, and it emits a quiet thrum with a pleasant mechanical precision to its melody. Read nothing into the advantage measured for the last 2.7-liter F-150 we tested, a four-wheel-drive, extended-cab 2015 model without the 2018’s extra 25 lb-ft of torque. That 2015 truck reached 60 mph 0.2 second quicker than this two-wheel-drive crew cab’s 5.9-second rip. But four-wheel drive offers a tangible advantage in launch traction over a strictly two-wheel-drive rig and did so for that 2015 truck. To wit: When launched in its rear-wheel-drive mode—the configuration owners would actually use when driving on dry pavement—the older truck was a full second slower to 60 mph, needing 6.7 seconds. The 2.7-liter EcoBoost was quick before and is even quicker now, smoking the last Chevrolet Silverado we tested with its 355-hp 5.3-liter V-8 (7.2 seconds to 60) and even running an almost dead heat with the burlier, 420-hp 6.2-liter Chevy (5.7 seconds).

During our test, Michigan furnished plenty of fresh snow to challenge this rear-drive pickup. Keeping a light foot on the accelerator helped maintain purchase in the white stuff without throwing the traction-control system into a tizzy, although when the skies really opened up, we tossed a couple of sandbags into the bed to weigh down the rear. Bonus: If you do get stuck, you’ve got some sand to toss beneath the drive wheels.

Other Weighty Matters

Where the lack of four-wheel drive made the biggest difference was at the scales. This F-150 weighed a svelte 4721 pounds, or 153 less than the similarly optioned, 2.7-liter-equipped F-150 SuperCab 4x4 we tested in 2015. This pays dynamic dividends: Our test truck stopped from 70 mph in a mere 167 feet, besting a number of mid-size and compact sedans in that measure. The brake pedal seems to respond more to travel than pressure, but it is sprung nicely and offers firm resistance underfoot.

The 0.79 g of grip we measured on our skidpad is not similarly carlike, but the way the F-150 changes direction and comports itself through turns is. Body motions are well controlled, and on its relatively small-diameter 18-inch wheels and tires, our test truck rode quietly and nicely over pothole-cratered roads. The biggest surprise is the electrically assisted power steering, which has perfect weighting on the firm side of light, is laser accurate (for a truck), and even offers some feedback when the front tires begin to lose grip.

We must also throw a shout-out to the F-150’s seating position, which centers the steering wheel to the driver’s chest (something Chevrolet, until its 2019 Silverado, had not done) and places the pedals, even without their optional power adjustment, low to the floor, allowing the driver’s heel to comfortably rest on the floorboard (unlike in Ram’s 1500). The seats in our F-150 were supportive, and the rear seats in any SuperCrew F-150 offer palatial, limousine-like legroom. As in other full-size pickups at this price, the dashboard is largely made up of hard plastics, although their graining looks nice and most critical touch points inside the F-150 are made from softer materials.

You Can’t Touch This Screen

Without Ford’s now ubiquitous Sync 3 touchscreen infotainment system, this F-150 presented the driver with a plethora of hard buttons and a relatively tiny color display in the dashboard. We debated whether this non-touchscreen setup was charming or too button heavy, but there’s no question that the larger Sync 3 touchscreen is easier to read and manipulate at a glance. (It’s available on the XLT as part of the pricier 302A option package.) Fiddling with Ford’s online F-150 configurator reveals that an everyday pickup buyer not planning to use the truck for work could probably find a better buy in the Lariat, the next-level-up trim. It has the 2.7-liter EcoBoost standard and bundles a lot of features (Class IV trailer hitch, leather seats, heated and cooled front seats, proximity-key entry, Sync 3) for only $1430 more than the as-tested price of this modestly optioned XLT.

Whichever avenue you follow, no 2018 F-150 presents as a poor choice. You can’t go wrong with any of the powertrains, since even the base 3.3-liter has its positives. We’re partial to the 2.7-liter, but you might enjoy the 3.5-liter EcoBoost’s greater power or the 5.0-liter V-8’s, well, sonorous power delivery. Low spec or fully loaded, the F-150 is as we’ve deemed it: a 10Best-winning pickup that sits atop the full-size-pickup class.

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Source : caranddriver

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New Custom Rolls-Royce Models on the Way, Following Sweptail Pattern

Rolls-Royce is planning a true luxury offensive, after seeing how the Sweptail was received. Speaking to Autocar at the Geneva Motor Show last week, the brand’s head of design spoke mentioned yet another bespoke model coming out in the near future. The new model will be a truly bespoke creation too, and it looks like the Brits are planning to bring even more out on the longer term, something they hinted at with a press release last week.

To get a scope of how much demand for truly hand-built cars there is out there, you should know that Rolls-Royce currently has about 100 people working on such creations, from designers to engineers, customer liaison staff and more. Furthermore, it looks like the pricing doesn’t even matter anymore when it comes to making these truly unique cars. “It’s the future of luxury,” said Rolls-Royce CEO, Torsten Muller-Otvos. “People don’t want something others can get. They want something very unique. We’ve invested quite a lot in this. Bespoke is very important – without it, we wouldn’t sell as many cars.”

An unexpected hand could come from the rise of truly autonomous, electric cars. As we all know, autonomous cars will only work if they are 100% safe and thus they will allow automakers to design cars without having to abide by pedestrian safety rules currently in effect. “It could bring the old era back,” Otvos added, referring to the early 20th century cars that usually had custom made bodies by coach builders.

That’s certainly not a bad prospect in our book and, if we’re to believe the CEO of the double-R brand, the spiritual ‘successor’ of the Sweptail could be made in the low single figures. That’s definitely not the same level of bespoke luxury as the car unveiled in Italy last year but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

BespokeCoachbuiltRolls RoyceSweptail

Source : bmwblog

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SPIED: BMW X3 M caught testing in L.A.

Since having driven the new BMW X3 M40i, I’ve been salivating at the idea of a proper X3 M. The X3 M40i, which isn’t a proper M car but an M Performance car, is already one of the best current Bavarians on the market. In fact, it may be my favorite current BMW at the moment, even over the fan-favorite M2. That’s right, I said an X3 might be my favorite current Bimmer. So it stands to reason that if the X3 M40i is so flipping excellent that the upcoming BMW X3 M will be even better. Which is why we’re so excited to see spy photos of it when we do, like the ones found here. (We don’t own them)

Seen here roaming the streets of Los Angeles, this X3 test mule seems to have been born from the M Division. While subtle, its differences from the standard car are decidedly M-like. For instance, it’s much lower than the standard X3, making it look squat and aggressive. It also seems to be sporting two different sets of aggressive looking wheels, although it’s tough to tell which would be the production set. At the front, this BMW X3 M tester is wearing camouflage over most of its face but we can still make out that it has some extra large front air intakes and a sportier front fascia. Very typical M-stuff.

BMW X3 M40i for comparison

It’s at the back where its M Division-roots really show through. There seems to be a new rear spoiler, covered in camouflage, that’s larger than what you get on an X3 M40i and looks pretty cool, actually. In fact, it looks a bit ALPINA-ish which, if you know me, is a grand compliment. The real giveaway at the back, though, is its quad exhausts. Four poo-shoots mean M Division product and this car, indeed, has four.

The BMW X3 M is rumored to be powered by a M-ified version of BMW’s new B58 engine. The B58 is a 3.0 liter turbocharged inline-six that, in the X3 M40i, makes 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. In the BMW X3 M, it would be called an S58 and should make somewhere around 450 hp. That would be paired with the same eight-speed automatic gearbox as the BMW M5 and xDrive all-wheel drive. It will be interesting to see if BMW gives the X3 M the same M-tuned xDrive system as the M5, where it allows the driver the option to switch it into rear-wheel drive. Imagine a rear-wheel drive, 450 hp BMW X3?

I know I’m not alone when I say that I can’t wait for this car. The new X3 is such an impressive overall package that making a proper M version is just so exciting. If the X3 M40i is such a superb all-around performance SUV than the BMW X3 M should be an absolute weapon with a good back seat and a big trunk. What more can you want from a car?

[Source: Motor Trend]

BMW X3 Mspy-photos

Source : bmwblog

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BMW 6 Series Nameplate Replaced by 8 Series Due to Customer Demand

When BMW announced the revival of the 8 Series nameplate most BMW fans who caught the original back in the 1990s were excited upon hearing the prospect of seeing it make a return. However, the news was bittersweet since we then learned that the arrival of the 8er will also mean the departure of the 6 Series. While most of us expected the 8 Series to be the biggest Coupe BMW made and the 6 Series to become a smaller, lighter, possible Porsche challenger, the Germans had different plans.

As it turned out, the 8 Series will be replacing the 6 Series altogether, and that’s apparently a decision dictated by the customers as well as future plans. As Carscoops reports, the BMW head of Product and Brand Communications Eckhard Wannieck told them on the sidelines of the Geneva Motor Show that this was a decision influenced by a number of factors: “[The decision] was mainly driven by customer demand and it is part of our luxury offensive. It was a strategic decision made by Harald Krüger to increase our footprint in the luxury segment. The key milestone of this strategic initiative is the positioning of the 8-Series as a true luxury car and to enter the luxury segment too with the [8-Series] coupe.”

That’s exactly what BMW is doing right now, as the 8 Series will be part of an exclusive niche within BMW, under a new logo and tagline: Bayerische Motoren Werke. The new move aims at gaining BMW a larger piece of the luxury pie, as the cars part of this niche – from the 7 Series, to the 8 Series, i8 and X7 – will be more expensive but also feature exclusive features compared to the rest of the range.

Since the 8 Series will arrive this year along with its M variants, the customers will once again get to say whether the move makes sense or not. In the meantime, the concept for the M8 Gran Coupe seems to have everyone agree the production model will be a winner.

6-seriesbmw 8 seriesLuxury

Source : bmwblog

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The Only One In the World: BMW F80 M3 in Sepang Bronze

BMW M cars have always had great colors. Dakar Yellow, Laguna Seca Blue and Techno Violet Purple are some of the all-time great BMW M colors. However, BMW hasn’t been making a lot of truly special M colors as of late. Take the new BMW M5, for example, a car that only offers literally one special color — Marina Bay Blue Metallic. And that just makes it look like a blue M5. So if you want your M car to have a special color, you’re going to have to opt for BMW’s Individual Program. With that, you can get a paint color that’s genuinely special and interesting, such as the Sepang Bronze BMW M3.

Personally, I’ve always sort of liked bronze cars. Call me weird (because I am) but there’s something cool about a bronze car. This specific F80-gen BMW M3 looks particularly good in Sepang Bronze, as it’s not too flashy or vibrant. It’s a subtle, classy bronze with the right amount of metallic flake. There’s just enough shine and just enough shadow to make it looks vibrant but also aggressive. The F80 M3 has also always benefited from darker colors, so this Sepang Bronze works really well on it.

If I were to go for an Individual F80 BMW M3, would I choose this color? No, I’d probably go with Techno Violet, because it’s always been one of my favorites. However, there’s something about this color that keeps me looking at it.





Where this specific M3 really stands out is inside. Most BMW M3 owners choose a very sporty interior color combination. It’s usually black, red or grey with either carbon fiber or aluminum trim. However, this M3 is a bit more luxurious, with Amaro Brown leather that looks really quite nice. White contrast stitching helps it pop a bit and breaks up the quite vibrant brown. What I also like is that, rather that going for carbon fiber trim, this M3 has the Dark Red Sycamore trim option. I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of carbon fiber in cars. It’s essentially fancy plastic and the only materials that should be in a car interior of this caliber are leather, metal or wood. So give me aluminum trim or wood. You can keep your fancy plastic.
Aside from its funky color scheme, this is a pretty standard M3. So it still has the same 3.0 liter twin-turbocharged I6 engine, making 425 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. This specific car has the seven-speed DCT gearbox optioned, rather than the six-speed manual, so 0-60 mph should come in around 3.9 – 4.1 seconds.





Seeing M3s like this come from the factory makes me happy. If you’re going to buy something as fast and as exciting as the M3, you might as well get it in an exciting color. And this car does just that.

F80 BMW M3Sepang Bronze

Source : bmwblog

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Rolls-Royce Convoy Arrives in Courchevel after 13-Hour Non-Stop Drive

Just a few weeks ago, Rolls-Royce decided to promote its latest creations on some of the world’s best ski slopes. One of them is in Courchevel, France, the first destination of a convoy of Rolls-Royce goodies, aiming at promoting the brand among the world’s richest patrons. The cars arrived in the small town today but they were not transported there, instead the people from H.R. Owen delivering them themselves, after a 13-hour non-stop drive from Mayfair.
Staff from the iconic showroom set off from Mayfair early in the morning to take on the 700-mile drive to Courchevel, but managed it without issue in just 13 hours behind the wheel of a Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge. Once greeted by partners from the Six Senses Residences, they set about laying on the ultimate après-ski event in the company of six of the finest motor cars in the world.

Claus Andersen, Rolls-Royce Brand Director, said: “Courchevel is one of the most stunning resorts in Europe, and a truly fitting location to display the finest motor cars in the world. The new Phantom was a massive hit with our VIPs, who thoroughly enjoyed being part of the most elegant of elegant après-ski events – with champagne and five-star food adding to the opulence. We’re already looking forward to taking on another road trip and bringing the unique taste of Rolls-Royce back to the region.”

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London invited VIP guests to the five-star Le Lana hotel for an elegant evening of champagne, canapés and conversation. The new Phantom took centre stage, while the Ghost, Wraith and Dawn also went on display. Following a successful night at Le Lana, Rolls-Royce took its small fleet over to Courchevel Heliport – home of the smallest runway in Europe – and put the cars through their paces ahead of the most spectacular backdrop.

CourchevelDawnPhantomRolls Roycewraith

Source : bmwblog

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Aston Martin to produce mid-engined McLaren P1 rival

Dubbed as the "brother of the Valkyrie", the car's goal is to establish a new benchmark for hypercars in 2021

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Aston Martin is working on a hitherto secret project with the Red Bull F1 team to launch a mid-engined car to eclipse the LaFerrari and McLaren P1, Autocar can reveal.

The car, known as the “brother of the Valkyrie” by its development team, has been given the internal development goal of establishing a new benchmark for hypercars in the £1m price bracket in around 2021, ahead of any of the established players re-entering the market.

Both the LaFerrari and McLaren P1 were launched in 2013 and, while production of both has ceased, such halo cars are typically replaced at extended intervals. The gap between the launch of the Enzo and the LaFerrari was 11 years and, were such a gap repeated, it would mean the Aston-Red Bull car stealing a march on them.

Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro unveiled

Confirming the project, Aston boss Andy Palmer said: “It’s correct - we have more than one mid-engined project underway - more than two, if you count the Valkyrie. This new project will draw on all the know-how we’ve taken from the Valkyrie, as well as some of its visual identity and engineering capability, and bring it to a new sector of the market.”

As the “brother of the Valkyrie” name suggests the opportunity to develop the second, ultra high-performance car with Red Bull has been made possible by the success of Aston’s initial collaboration with the F1 team, led by Adrian Newey. While it is loosely termed a hypercar, Valkyrie’s performance will be far in excess of any production car previously sold, putting it in a different league to the likes of the LaFerrari and McLaren P1 and even - its makers insist - newer special editions such as the McLaren Senna and potentially the Senna GTR.

There has been huge demand for the limited edition Valkyrie and its track-only AMR spin-off - both of which are sell outs despite price tags ranging from £2m-£3m, and despite the first cars not reaching customers until 2019. Consequently, Aston Martin has extended its co-operation with the Red Bull Formula 1 team to launch this new, £1m car project.

It is not clear how much the “brother of Valkyrie” and Aston’s upcoming, more mainstream 488-rival - set to launch in 2021 - will share in common beyond their basic layout, but it is expected that the former will launch as a halo product to showcase Aston’s skills in the mid-engined supercar market. Consequently, the “brother of Valkyrie” will likely be sold in extremely limited numbers, in order to add to its desirability: 499 LaFerrari’s were made, with 210 open-top LaAperta models later added to the run.

Aston Martin Valkyrie revealed 

It is likely both cars will use an all-new chassis architecture using a new carbonfibre monocoque and similar aluminium subframes, created using the knowhow developed during the manufacture of the Valkyrie.

However, Palmer declined to be drawn on the likely powertrain that will be used by the “brother of Valkyrie”, although there has been speculation that it could also be used as a halo project to showcase the electrified technology that Aston will bring to market around that time, albeit with a high-performance rather than efficiency focus. As such, a collaboration with shareholder Mercedes’s AMG arm is possible, as is an extension of the working relationship with Cosworth, which is developing the 1000+bhp 6.5-litre V12 in the Valkyrie. Either way, it is likely to use a V8 configuration.

The car’s development also underlines why long-time McLaren development driver Chris Goodwin switched camps at the end of last year, with the specific brief to hone Valkyrie now becoming a much longer-term role that puts him at the heart of the Aston and Red Bull tie up. Both projects also raise the prospect of taking him back into frontline racing, including a potential Le Mans project if he so chooses.

The creation of the “brother of Valkyrie” also raises the prospects of Aston Martin and Red Bull working together long-term on numerous road car projects. Aston boss Andy Palmer revealed to Autocar that as part of the arrangement for the second project he has set up a campus at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes facility for around 130 staff to work fulltime.

“We are laying down some pretty deep roots with Red Bull,” said Palmer. “It is a base that will be known as our Performance Design and Engineering Centre and that gives the perfect clue as to the kind of projects that will be developed there. Perhaps the biggest indications of our intentions is that our office is next door to Adrian’s.”

Aston has already recruited heavily in preparation for launching its 488 rival, which will go on sale in 2021. Development is being set up by Max Szwaj, who joined Aston from Ferrari as chief technical officer, and Palmer said that the car was being developed with an eye very firmly on the latest offering from Maranello.

“There are arguments that the McLaren 720S is the better car to drive, but we are aiming at the Ferrari because it strikes us as the most desirable package,” said Palmer. “The Ferrari has incredible dynamics and jaw-dropping looks - it has everything, and that has to be our goal, especially with our mantra that every Aston must be the most desirable in its class.

“That’s a challenge to Marek [Reichmann, head of design] and Max and their teams, of course - but they all have the track records in producing visual drama, handling and performance. They are two inspirational leaders, and they have built dream teams around themselves to deliver what we want, recruiting from Alfa, Ferrari and Maserati to ensure the chassis, engine and shape of the car are the best there are.

Palmer has also previously revealed to Autocar that the 488 rival will have an all-new powertrain, but he remains cagey on specifics. The price differential to the “brother of Valkyrie" means that it may not employ hybrid technology, or use as bespoke a powerplant, although McLaren has shown that such a strategy can be possible. “In our portfolio today, we don’t have an engine capable of giving us the output we require,” he told Autocar. “Whether through collaboration with AMG or whether by ourselves, we have to find an answer.”

The 488 rival will be built in Gaydon alongside the DB11, the Vantage and the Vanquish, which is to move into true front-engined supercar territory when it is revealed later this year. Also planned is the DBX SUV for 2019, to be built at Aston’s new factory in St Athan, Wales, and two Lagonda models; a saloon is likely first, in 2020, followed by an SUV in 2022.

Such is Aston’s rate of growth that it currently has around 400 job vacancies open, mostly in engineering. Palmer confirmed that part of the appeal of spreading the firm’s base to Milton Keynes and St Athan was that it was no longer vying with neighbour Jaguar Land Rover to attract talent. “We’re enjoying incredible growth, but we have to be innovative in attracting the talent to do that,” he said. “But the key point is that Aston is getting more desirable by the day - we are proving to everyone that we are a serious player.”

Read more 

Aston Martin's St Athan plant on course for 2018 DBX prototype production

Aston Martin Rapide S review 

Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro unveiled 

Aston Martin Valkyrie revealed 

 The Valkyrie is function over form, each part is designed to do a specific job, beauty, line, shape, passion does not come into its USP.

In McLaren's case hypercars are a regular feature. First the P1 in 2013, then the Senna this year and then the BP23 later on this year.

Source : autocar

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2018 Mercedes-Benz C-class Coupe and Cabriolet

Overall Rating:

As with the four-door sedan on which they are based, the Mercedes-Benz C-class coupe and cabriolet offer style that mimics that of the larger E- and S-class models. The svelte junior Benz two-doors serve as an entry point to the motoring high life, where sleek lines and luxurious cabins mean more than practical considerations such as interior space or luggage capacity. Driving either the rear wheels or all four is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that provides adequate, if not exactly thrilling, power. Some rivals offer sportier handling, zippier acceleration, and smoother rides, but the C-class coupe and cabriolet are prettier and coddle occupants in one of the nicest interiors in the segment. Tech features pioneered on the brand’s more expensive offerings have trickled down as well, including available automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The C-class coupe and cabriolet are lovely, impressive pieces that are well suited for drivers who prefer relaxing in style.

What’s New for 2018?

For 2018, the coupe model ditches its seven-speed automatic transmission for the nine-speed unit from the convertible. Coupe models now come standard with blind-spot monitoring, push-button start, and a new 18-inch wheel design. The droptop gains a semi-automatic trunk separator, new wood trim for the interior, and an analog clock on the dashboard. Both models now offer Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a heated steering wheel as options. A new color—Designo Selenite Grey Magno—freshens up the palette.

Trims and Options We’d Choose

We can’t decide between the coupe or the convertible, so we’ll leave that $8000 decision up to you. We would suggest a few upgrades to each of them, though, starting with the $1090 Advanced Lighting package, which provides LED headlamps with automatic high-beams, illuminated doorsills, and interior ambient lighting. Next, we’d add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for $350, and finally, we’d select the Premium package ($1900 on the coupe, $1650 on the convertible), which, among other things, adds:

• Power-folding side-view mirrors
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• Premium Burmester audio system
• Pop-up wind deflector (convertible only)

As equipped, our chosen rear-wheel-drive coupe carries a list price of $47,185, while a similarly equipped convertible retails for $54,935.

In Depth: 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-class Coupe and Cabriolet

Overview

Engine and Transmission

Fuel Economy

Performance and Driving Impressions

Interior

Infotainment

Cargo Space and Storage

Exterior

Safety and Driver Assistance

Warranty

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2018 Honda Odyssey

WHAT WE LIKE: The Honda Odyssey remains one of the best minivans on the market, trailing only the 10Best Trucks and SUVs–winning Chrysler Pacifica in terms of ease of use, features, and practicality, and just edging past the Chrysler in driving pleasure. Since our last update, more logbook admiration has come in for the Honda’s superb forward visibility (although it’s not as superb as the Pacifica’s), approachable handling, and comfortable seats.

We’ve installed a set of Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 winter tires so that we don’t end up sliding into a ditch somewhere during our snow-filled winter months. They’ve provided sure grip and impressive braking performance in the ice and snow but do tend to mute steering response and cause our Honda to wander on dry pavement, particularly at highway speeds. They also produce a pronounced hum in those circumstances. These minor complaints are not the van’s fault and are unsurprising given the tires’ focus on slush-and-ice traction.

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE: The glitchy infotainment system, for one, but more on that below. At this halfway point in our test, our logbook is filling up with more negative than positive comments as staffers pick nits and try to avoid scribbling the same praises over and over.

There has been some commentary that the large screen in the gauge cluster seems underutilized—no big nav or full-audio displays—as we become used to setups such as Audi’s Virtual Cockpit that mirror huge swaths of the infotainment screen in front of the driver. We also remain frustrated by an adaptive cruise-control system that seems too eager to brake and far too slow to regain speed when the road ahead clears—and also the fact that the system can’t operate at speeds below about 20 mph.

WHAT WENT WRONG: Our Odyssey continues to be plagued by infotainment glitches, freezes, and outright refusals to turn on (the last most often after using the standard factory remote-start feature), even after a field technician visited the van at our office and replaced the infotainment head unit under warranty at 12,800 miles. Add this to the difficulty of nailing the many teensy onscreen buttons, and we’re not particularly thrilled with the system.

One driver noted a booming tone when traveling at speeds between 30 and 50 mph and traced the source to the front speakers, positing that it may be a faulty algorithm in the noise-cancellation system adding noise rather than subtracting it. We will have that issue investigated during our next dealer visit.

At the 16,818-mile mark, we had our second routine-maintenance stop to change the oil, rotate the tires, and have a more involved set of inspections performed; this brought our running service total to $228. Shortly thereafter, our local dealer replaced the left and right rear-window switches under a “product update campaign” initiated by Honda, which says the switches’ internal software may enter “an unstable condition and cannot recover,” rendering the windows inoperable. With them fixed, our dogs (and probably our children) retain their ability to send their drool flying onto trailing cars.

WHERE WE WENT: In addition to serving as a kid-hauling and group-outing shuttle all over metro Detroit, our Odyssey has ventured farther afield than ever before, making two trips to Florida, the first to the Panhandle for a vacation on the so-called Redneck Riviera and the second to Gainesville for a family visit.

Months in Fleet: 9 months Current Mileage: 22,627 miles
Average Fuel Economy: 23 mpg Fuel Tank Size: 19.5 gal Fuel Range: 440 miles
Service: $228 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0

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BMW M Boss says future electric vehicles will not be totally silent

The electrification plans of the entire BMW fleet is under way and the expectations are that between 2025 and 2030 most of the cars sold by BMW will be electrified, including M models. While at the 24 hours race last month in Daytona, BMW M CEO Frank Van Meel spoke to BMWBLOG on the future of the M brand and how the electrification seen in the automotive industry is shaping up the M brand and its products. Van Meel mentioned in the past the possibility of an M electric car in the future, but one assisted by an electric motor rather than a full EV.

Now the M boss says that BMW has a plan for the sound of electric cars.

There have been so many changes regarding engine sound, with the change from naturally aspirated to turbocharged where you lose the air intake. Suddenly you had backfire and things like that. It just changed. And now these cars (EVs) have a completely different sound than current cars.” But like all new technologies, there are refinement levels involved that simply take some time. Take oil burners, for example. “Diesel cars first sounded like tractors and then they were improved and later you have Le Mans racing cars running on diesel that sounded pretty nice. Le Mans diesel later came into series production cars. So you can see there are always solutions.”

So Van Meel’s job is to figure out the proper sound of battery-powered performance cars.

“Sometimes it takes time to find an authentic, natural sound and decide this is exactly what I’ve been waiting for,” van Meel added. “If you look at ‘Stars Wars’ pod races, that was completely artificial, and yet all the kids who watch the movie say that’s exactly how a pod should sound. That’s accepted. So with electric cars there will be sound also. I don’t know exactly what it will sound like, but we will find a solution as always. There will be artificial, or enhanced sounds. They will come to the mind as completely natural one day.”

The M boss says that there is no timeline yet for a fully electric M sports car since the project relies on the development of EV components, e.g battery packs. But before an emission-zero M, the BMW division in Garching says an intermediate step is necessary. To help bridge the gap between the M Division’s current range of vehicles and a fully electric model, hybrid powertrains will be first introduced to the M lineup.

[Source: Carbuzz]

 

electric soundM electric carM electric cars

Source : bmwblog

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TEST DRIVE: 2018 BMW 640d xDrive Gran Coupe

In recent years BMW designers have come under fire with their creations being called anything from “dull” and “unimaginative” to considerably worse than that. The reason?  The conservation approach to designing BMW cars which now share too many traits with each other. And while some cars definitely do share a lot of their character lines with each other across different segments, there are some that break the norm in such a beautiful way that one can’t help to simply yearn to own one.
The beauty queen of the range these days is, without a doubt, the oldest model the Germans are still manufacturing – the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, one of the three models in the 6 Series range you can still get today. In little to no time, this number will drop to one, as the 6 Series Convertible and the four-door coupe will be dropped from production. And while the drop top definitely has the looks as well, my personal choice tips towards the Gran Coupe when it comes to stunning beauty and elegance.

The 6 Series Gran Coupe has been in production since 2012 and it was BMW’s response to the popular Mercedes-Benz CLS, part of a new generation of cars deemed by their manufacturers to be “four-door coupes”. That nomenclature started some heated discussions from the get go but you can only understand what BMW meant if you drive and own this car, because in all truth, it really is a four-door coupe and not a sedan, for a number of reasons.





From the sloping roofline to the frameless windows and the overall look of the four-door coupe, you can immediately tell that this is not a sedan by any conventional means of measuring. Furthermore, just like a traditional Coupe, even though this one has four doors instead of two, it is considerably harder to live with it than with a conventional sedan. Getting in the back is a bit tricky due to the small opening, high wheel wells which cut into high into the rear bench and the low roof. Furthermore, there isn’t an abundance of space in there even though compared to the Coupe, the Gran Coupe does have 113 millimeters more in between its axles. Sure, there is more knee room and head room but you still get a bit of a claustrophobic feeling inside. A big part in this is played by the extra small windows and high door panels which are also concave and protrude into the cabin space quite a lot, especially at the top.





All those factors also alter the way you feel behind the wheel. The turning radius of the 6 Series Gran Coupe isn’t the best in the world and the car is rather long at 5 meters in length, just shy of the 7 Series, which leads to rather tricky situations around town, especially in Europe’s older, narrower streets. Chip in the Individual 20” wheels our tester was fitted with and you’d start to worry about potholes and tight parking spaces. The small side windows and narrow rear window made it even more interesting to navigate and prompted me to wholeheartedly recommend the Surround View camera system, as it will help you out a lot more than just the rear-view camera our tester came with.

As you can probably tell, I started out by listing the worst things about this car and the picture may seem bleak right now, but in reality, this is probably the car I want the most in the BMW range, despite all the drawbacks.
Surprised? You shouldn’t be.
From the moment you are summoned in front of it, you experience what I like to call “instant attraction”. As I mentioned earlier, this is the best-looking car BMW is making today and there are a couple of reasons why I think so.


First of all, it doesn’t look like anything else around. The facelifted 6 Series Gran Coupe got subtly restyled headlamps and a sharper kidney grille and while they may not seem like much, they do make a big difference in the way this car is perceived. Then sharp nose is something that will soon be gone and we can definitely blame pedestrian protection rules for that, as various regulations force manufacturers to adopt different shapes. The long hood then meets a low-slung window and the generous, long shapes that define that exterior of the Gran Coupe continue with the roof and the contour of the boot lid. Looking at it from the side in the dark and just observing a low source of light hitting it, one would be hard pressed to figure out whether it’s a conventional Coupe or a four-door one.



Then there are the details which set this car apart. From the frameless windows to the creases on the sides of the car, the long door sills with sharp edges and the beautiful 20” Individual bi-color bespoke wheels we had on our car, this thing is breathtaking. We were also lucky enough to have it dressed up in Sonic Blue Metallic, a rare color that sits right between the Le Mans and Estoril Blue. It’s truly a sight to behold and it gets even better once you step inside.



Yes, the windows are on the smaller side of things but that’s not of importance because you’ll be more interested in everything else that awaits for you inside. The 6 Series Gran Coupe is still wearing the design created for it when it was launched in 2012, as the LCI changed almost nothing in the cabin. The layered dash and the tall center console create a comfy atmosphere inside, while the seats wrap around you offering a perfect mix between comfort and support. The contrast stitching going all around the cabin also emphasizes the shapes all around you and while I’m not a big fan of carbon fiber trims being used inside cars, in this particular setting they seemed to fit right at home.

The M Sport steering wheel is still the best in the business in my opinion and the digital instrument cluster in front of you is starting to show its age, as its graphics are working at a lower resolution than in the most recent models, like the G01 7 Series or the G10 5 Series.
In the back, the sloping roofline does cut in the available headroom but you won’t care the moment you see the individual leather rear seats. They too are comfortable and I’d dare say even softer than they seem at a first glance. Sure, getting in and out might be a bit tricky as the car sits really low but once you’re in any of the seats available, you feel as if you’re glued to the road and then the fun can begin.
The 6 Series Gran Coupe engine range is basically made up of three units, combined with xDrive all-wheel drive for a grand total of six model choices. Then there’s the M6 Gran Coupe which will most likely become a cult car in a few years, but that’s on a whole new level. Our tester was the more efficient 640d xDrive model, fitted with an older generation N57 3-liter straight six twin-turbo diesel engine that delivers immense amounts of torque from nearly idle. The 313 HP and 630 Nm (465 lb-ft) of torque make sure this near 2-ton car reaches 62 mph in 5.2 seconds which is fast enough for your daily needs. All out on the highway it will also reach a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) which is, of course, electronically limited, but reached in rapid fashion.



The technical platform underneath that sexy body of the 6 Series Gran Coupe shares a lot of its underpinnings with the retired F10 5 Series which means it’s more than capable of keeping you on your toes. Up front we have a double wishbone suspension while dealing with a multi-link rear setup and, in our configuration, all the suspension altering tricks in the book, from Dynamic Damper Control to Adaptive Drive and Integral Active Steering. This means we had active anti-roll bars at our disposal for turning things up to 11 and the Comfort+ driving mode for cruising around. Considering we were rolling on 20” wheels, the Comfort+ mode meant we could enjoy even less than perfect roads with ease and the Gran Coupe definitely knows how to handle its weight.
Push things up to 10 and, even though we were dealing with a diesel engine here, you end up in a world of fun. The steering feels neutral all the time and while you’d expect the car to oversteer in typical BMW fashion, the xDrive system and the rear-steering made this 2-ton Gran Coupe feel nimble in fast corners and right at home in tight turns. To be honest, it was a bit of a paradox as it did feel more fluid than the two-door Coupe model and more fun than the lighter 5 Series. It was most likely a combination between the lower center of gravity of the 6er and the wider hips which made the 5er feel a bit out of its league here.

In Sport and Sport+ the steering does feel a bit too heavy and it’s a good thing that BMW allows you to tune the different driving modes according to your needs, so that you can get the most out of the car. The ride is definitely stiffened up when entering the most hardcore driving modes and you can feel it even though you’re wrapped in some of the most comfortable seats around. Speaking of which, in order to keep in tune with the Coupe theme, even though the Gran Coupe has a B-Pillar, the seats for the front seats are embedded in them, just like they are on the 6 Series Convertible, for example, a rather nice touch, to be honest.



That and everything else about this car, from the way it looks to the way it drives when you push it, makes you simply yearn for it and saying goodbye to this beauty definitely wasn’t easy. It won’t be easy for all BMW fans either when it goes out of production altogether this year, to be replaced by an even more luxurious and possibly better looking 8 Series Gran Coupe which is said to be planned for the near future by the high-wigs in Munich.
You see, there are definitely some rather evident drawbacks coming with this beautiful shape but then again, you mustn’t consider the 6 Series Gran Coupe as the least practical car out there. As a matter of fact, you have decent room in the back for two people and the boot measures a generous 459 liters (16.2 cubic ft) which will allow you to get more than enough luggage for a longer trip around Europe. At the same time, coming with the 3-liter N57 engine I mentioned earlier, even though the car is pretty heavy, it’s not the thirsty beast you’d imagine. Around town fuel consumption figures hovered around 10 l/100 km (23.5 mpg) while outside the city limits we saw them drop to around 7.5 l/100 km (31.3 mpg) which is more than decent everything considered.

In the end, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, no matter the engine choice is somewhat of a “trophy wife”, as politically incorrect this may sound. It’s not necessarily the best when it comes to being the breadwinner of the home but then again, you simply yearn for it and others do too, whenever they see it. It’s the most beautiful car you’ll see in the parking lot and that comes with a certain feeling of pride when you press the unlock button on your key fob and start heading its way knowing that people in the vicinity will be looking at you with some level of envy, but only you know the kind of headaches that come with it.
Is it worth the trouble? That’s a tricky answer to give and it will definitely depend on what’s most important to you.

In recent years BMW designers have come under fire with their creations being called anything from "dull" and "unimaginative" to considerably worse than that. The reason?  The conservation approach to designing BMW cars which now share too many traits with each other. And while some cars definitely do share a lot of their character lines with each other across different segments, there are some that break the norm in such a beautiful way that one can’t help to simply yearn to own one. The beauty queen of the range these days is, without a doubt, the oldest model the Germans…

TEST DRIVE: 2018 BMW 640d xDrive Gran Coupe

TEST DRIVE: 2018 BMW 640d xDrive Gran Coupe

2018-03-12

Gabriel Nica

The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe is the most beautiful car you’ll see in the parking lot and that comes with a certain feeling of pride when you press the unlock button on your key fob and start heading its way knowing that people in the vicinity will be looking at you with some level of envy, but only you know the kind of headaches that come with it.

TEST DRIVE: 2018 BMW 640d xDrive Gran Coupe

Exterior Appeal - 10

Interior Quality - 9

Steering Feedback - 7

Performance - 8

Handling - 8

BMWness/Ultimate Driving Machine - 8

Price Point - 7

8.1

The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe is the most beautiful car you’ll see in the parking lot and that comes with a certain feeling of pride when you press the unlock button on your key fob and start heading its way knowing that people in the vicinity will be looking at you with some level of envy, but only you know the kind of headaches that come with it.

BMWBLOG Test Drivesfeatured

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