2025 BMW 5 Series Touring Is Part Hauler, Part Sleeper Car, Gets New i5 EV Variant

The BMW 5-Series is still soldiering on in its quest to woo over luxury car buyers. But while the sedan has had an established presence here in the U.S. the Touring variant (aka station wagon) has been a Europe-only exclusive for the past few years. For now, it will continue to be a Europe-only treat but the 2025 BMW 5-Series Touring might just preview a trim or two that might make the trip across the pond to our shores.   Hauling The Goods In 5-Series Luxury and Touring Style There was a time when the 5-Series Touring was a relatively …

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Road Test Review – 2024 BMW X7 M60i – This Brute Can Haul The Family And Carve Corners

The 2024 BMW X7 shook opinions when it made its appearance some time ago. While the outgoing model was already pushing the boundaries when it came to exterior styling, the SUV still had a certain level of charm to it especially with offshoots like the Alpina model we experienced. In contrast, the second-generation model goes all in when it comes to embracing BMW’s latest design language for better or for worse. However, the German auto giant is undeterred and thinks that injecting more horsepower into the SUV will help draw in family buyers looking for more performance in their family …

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BMW Rumored To Drop “i” From Model Names, Potential Attempt To Clear Up Model Confusion

BMW’s “i” range of electric vehicles has seen steady growth in recent years, especially after a slow start with the i3 and the i8 models. The lineup is projected to grow and widen its reach over the next few years, which is good news for BMW. However, it’s also inadvertently created a culture of confusion among BMW buyers with the “i” also being used on ICE-powered models such as the BMW 3-Series, 5-Series, etc. A new report, however, suggests that BMW is solving this unenviable situation once and for all by removing the letter altogether on models moving forward.   …

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2024 BMW M3 CS Storms The Track With More Power, Louder Styling And Less Weight

When BMW released the first-ever M3 CS model in 2018, the German luxury car giant claimed that the CS would be the pinnacle of M3 performance, with the 2018 CS making 430 hp and blending it all with the tried and true rear-wheel drive layout. The 2024 M3 CS aims to continue the legacy, but it does so in a big way, with all-wheel drive coming to the CS for the first time ever.   CS Styling Is Ready For The Track The core styling for the 2024 BMW M3 CS is carried over from the standard M3, including the …

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Road Test Review – 2022 BMW M340i xDrive – The Four Door Toyota Supra?

It’s a classic case of sibling rivalry in the world of BMW. While the M3, M5, and other formal M models continue to be the range toppers in their respective model families, the M Performance models have always been the figurative middle children. Designed to deliver M-level performance at a more approachable price point these models are the perfect balancing act, but they can sometimes fall behind the spotlight when their fire-breathing M cousins are wheeled in. That includes the 2022 BMW M340i, which aims to deliver an alternative slice of performance. But can it accomplish this goal, and is …

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2022 BMW M240i xDrive: A SuperCar In Disguise

BMW has a long history of impressive inline 6 cylinder engines. Of course this continues with the B58 turbo inline 6 used in the Toyota Supra and 2022 BMW M240i xDrive. Exterior With a design that is reminiscent of the Z4, the 2022 M240i is low and wide with a long hood. The aggressive stance and aero kit make it very attractive. While it has grown over the years, it still remains a very compact coupe.  The front features a large kidney grill, but much smaller than on other BMW vehicles. The active shutters close to help with aerodynamics and …

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Ultra Luxury SUV Mega Comparision Round 1 – 2021 Alpina XB7 vs 2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS600

Ever wondered which ultra-luxury SUV would reign supreme in an all-out comparison battle? Typically we would use this time of the year to reflect on 2021 and give you our picks for the best and worst cars of the year. But with the Michigan office receiving a bountiful supply of ultra-luxury SUVs to review, we decided to do something unique. Over the next few days, we will be doing a three-part comparison challenge. The rules are simple, each of our four contenders (Aston Martin DBX, Bentley Bentayga, Alpina XB7, and The Mercedes-Maybach GLS600) will go head to head in comparison …

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2021 BMW X5 45e Review

The Plug In Hybrid X5 The X5 has been a big hit worldwide since its inception and now the plug in hybrid BMW X5 45e is adding another aspect to the lineup. Outside To the untrained eye, there isn’t much to obviously set the X5 45e apart from the rest of the X5 lineup.  Up front the kidney grille is just as large and in your face as on other X5’s. The lower bumper opening is also oversized with additional large vents on the outside edges. Everything about the front end is big. Newer to the US market are the …

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Learning The Ropes On And Off The Track, We Spend A Day At BMW’s Performance Center West

Growing up as a kid, I always had a solid drive to learn new things, which helped me be very adaptable in various aspects of my life and allowed me to participate in a multitude of roles during the first few years of my time in the working world. That would later extend to my press career, where I learned to hone my driving skills. But something always seemed to be missing, like the critical piece in a Lego set needed to complete whatever model one is working on completing. To help fill that proverbial void, I traveled to BMW’s …

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2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing vs 2022 BMW M3 – A Battle Of Numbers And Bragging Rights

In our last Blackwing-related slice of coverage, we took a look at the numbers surrounding the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing and compared it with one of its rivals to see how the big bad Caddy fared when it came to benchmarking the competition. While we did find some surprises when we compared it to the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, Cadillac’s insistence on making this model a tweener forces it into a grey area when it comes to rivals. This time around, we chose to take a more direct approach and crunched the numbers to see whether the 2022 CT4-V Blackwing …

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Road Test Review – 2021 BMW Alpina XB7 – An X7 M In A Fine Velvet Suit

BMW usually has a pretty consistent game plan when it comes to making performance models. It’s willing to sprinkle the vaunted M badge on all kinds of models, but it leaves the largest models (X7 and 7-Series) alone. Those models get a special trip to BMW tuner Alpina where they are transformed into exceptional performance luxury specials. Alpina is making history in 2021 by unleashing the Alpina XB7 onto American shores for the first time. But can Alpina’s first U.S. bound SUV entry to shake up the ultra-luxury performance SUV segment? Alpina Exterior Touches Transform XB7 The BMW X7 is …

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2022 BMW 2 Series Embraces Retro Modernism, Offers Better Performance Across The Board

With BMW’s other models featuring twin-kidney grilles that are bigger than ever and styling that appears to sacrifice some of their heritage for the sake of modernism, the BMW 2-Series might seem like a welcome throwback to the model’s of yesteryear. Its resemblance to the 1960’s era 2002 is more than a coincidence, and the 2 has proven to be a spunky offering when driven by a skilled driver. But even this small model needs an update from time to time, and the company has unveiled the 2022 BMW 2 Series lineup.   Enhancing The Retro Vibe While Sharpening Its …

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BMW Sheds New Light On 2022 i4 Performance And Specs, Shares New Pictures

It has been a while since we saw the i4 and the iX make their respective debuts. But while they certainly look very distinctive, BMW forced us to wait a bit to hear more information surrounding the duo, but the German luxury carmaker has finally relented and has revealed new details starting with the i4 electric sedan.   i4, An EV In 4-Series Clothing As the name and the basic exterior styling indicates, the i4 is a BMW 4-Series that does not give too much of its electrified disguise away when viewed at first glance. The i4 is very similar …

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2021 BMW 4-Series convertible breaks cover, features giant grille and canvas convertible top

The 2021 BMW 4-Series certainly made waves when it first debuted thanks in part to its gigantic twin kidney grilles, as well as some of the technology improvements that the model brings to consumers. With the coupe having its time in the spotlight, BMW has decided to address the needs of sun lovers with the unveiling of the 2021 BMW 4-Series convertible. While the front fascia continues to dominate the narrative with the fore-mentioned grilles (a throwback to vintage BMW offerings) the convertible also makes a big change for 2021, with the hardtop being pitched for a lightweight canvas piece. …

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2021 BMW 4-Series Embraces Bigger Grilles, Gains More Power and Poise For New Model Year

When BMW first revealed that the iconic twin kidney grilles on many of its cars were going to be growing in size, it caused an uproar among BMW loyalists that feared that an iconic BMW design cue was going to be lost forever. Despite this, BMW has moved forward, and has unveiled the 2021 BMW 4-Series coupe. The enlarged grille originally made its debut on the Concept 4, and while we are still processing the look of the production version of this grille, it is apparent that some changes were made in an attempt to address some of these concerns. …

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2021 BMW 5-Series Debuts With Refreshed Design, Brings More Powerful Electrified Powertrain To Consumers

BMW recently took the wraps off of the 2021 BMW 5-Series earlier this week, and it brings a number of welcome updates that not only help keep the 5-Series fresh in the minds of buyers for a few more years, but also allows the 5-Series to take a big step closer towards formally fitting in with BMW’s renewed push towards electrification technology. But before we get into the more radical changes that take place in the performance hardware, we might as well address the decidedly more subtle updates that define the exterior styling. Being a mid-cycle refresh, the 5-Series avoids …

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First Drive Review – 2020 BMW X1 xDrive28i – By Carl Malek

The 2020 BMW X1 has often been a model that has largely preferred to lurk behind the scenes. While the bigger X3, X5, and even the X7 hog the bulk of the spotlight, the X1 has performed its duties as a entry level model without as much as a whimper. But BMW is always eager to shake things up to try and keep their models fresh in the rapidly evolving SUV/CUV sales race, and the 2020 X1 is no exception. BMW has made some subtle but noticeable updates to the tiniest member of the X family for 2020. But do …

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First Drive Review – 2020 BMW 840i – By Carl Malek [Video]

When one asks what makes a proper flagship coupe? Some will say that you must have eye watering style to help your offering stand out from the rest of the pack. Still, others will say performance and technology rule the day. Regardless of which principle is true, making sure all the stars align to achieve this nirvana is very difficult even for a German luxury car maker like BMW. When the world last saw the 8-Series coupe, it was back in 1990 when the first 8 Series rolled off the assembly line. Designed to be the ultimate 90’s luxury machine, …

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2020 BMW X6 40i – Off-Road Test Review – By Matt Barnes

Sports Car in a Crossover’s Clothes: the New BMX X6 German vehicle manufacturers have recently been flooding the US market with a variety of crossovers; Audi offers six, Mercedes offers eight, and BMW offers seven. For BMW, they offer their SUVs as wagons and coupes. The X1 is the wagon and X2 the coupe riding on the same platforms. This goes for the X3 and X4, and the X5 and X6. The only wagon without a coupe is the new X7 as there is no X8 available yet. BMW was kind enough to give us a week with an X6 …

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2021 Toyota Supra Gets Big Boost In Power, Sleek A91 Special Edition [Video]

When Toyota first took the wraps off of the 2021 Toyota Supra during the days leading up to the Daytona 500, Our attention first gravitated towards the all new Supra four cylinder which aimed to bring lighter weight and a lower asking price to buyers looking for an alternative way to get into the Supra. But for those that only crave the sound of the six cylinder working its magic, the Japanese auto giant also revealed the updated six xylinder model which brings more power and a whole suite of extras to the sleek two door for 2021. Before we …

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2019 BMW Z4 M40i – Road Test Review & Drive Video

It was a BMW fun-fest at Car-Revs-Daily.com this Fall and we loved every minute of it. Driving the new Z4 let us experience the amazing torque-rush of the B58 “M40” motor we loved so much in the X4 in a lighter and far more aerodynamic package.  One with the wind in your hair and sun on your face.  There are quite a few contrasts in the new Z4’s mission: to be both more luxurious while still keeping its playful and sporty appeal intact. We came away thrilled with the machine for so many reasons — and only mention the Supra …

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2019 BMW M850i Convertible Review and Drive Video – The Richmaker

What is it like spending a week behind the wheel of the new M850i?  There are barely words to capture how amazing it is, but we will try. This reborn 8 series continues the essence of that original shark-nosed executive supercoupe perfectly — updating and evolving it into the present and future. How well?  After a few days behind the wheel, this M850i will make you feel ridiculously rich. Tax haven rich. City, beach and Tahoe ski house rich. Capital gains tax rich. So rich you stop calling it money and start calling it wealth. So rich you can barely …

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AC Schnitzer Launches Upgrades for Toyota GR Supra

AC Schnitzer just brought their BMW tuning wizardry to an extended family member…: the new Supra! These stage one mods consist of a reprogrammed ECU taking power up 60 ponies to an even 400 and torque up by a similar amount.  Carbon aero details, a variety of wheels and special suspension tunes are also in the offering. Clearly more mods down the road.  Going with such an expert in this engine’s internals is a trusty way to more power — and the ACS Supra’s even have an extra three-year warranty!  The parts are available worldwide from the AC Schnitzer site.  …

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2019 BMW X2 M35i – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

Every time there’s a new small BMW, we hear the talk about the “Spiritual Successor to the BMW 2002.” This was BMW’s small 2-door that around 1970 took the quite pleasant 1600 2-door and stuffed a larger 2.0-liter 4-cylinder motor in it – classic hot-rodding, actually – and basically turned the automotive world on its ear. With the 2002, you had a totally practical, roomy and innocuous little sedan that outperformed the traditional sports cars of the day, and when the later fuel-injected 2002tii appeared, it was hunting down bigger game – including expensive European cars and powerful domestics, too. …

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2020 BMW 330i M Sport xDrive – First Drive Review Video & Photo Gallery

A rainy morning in hilly northern Wisconsin was the perfect time and place to try out the new BMW 3 series with AWD.  This redesign was sure to be pretty excellent – focused on the interior roominess and luxury, and maintaining the excellent pace and agility that the sedan perfected generations ago. We flogged its turbo four to really feel the 5.3-second sprint to 60-mph and came out grinning.The xDrive AWD models have the same turbo four as the rear-drive models but this time tuned with about 80 extra pound-feet of torque. BMW has done this for years and it …

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Insider: What You Need To Know About Electric Bikes

If you own a regular bike, it may be time for you to upgrade to an electric bike. An e-bike has a powered drive system. The battery-powered drive system makes all the difference. You will not get late to work because you will ride faster. You will not get sweaty because the energy you use up while riding it is little if any. Better yet, you will climb hilly terrains and unleveled roads with ease. So, in case you were asking what the best bike to buy is to get yourself an e-bike.   Picking the best electric bike that …

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Negotiation 101: Your Guide to Buying Below Asking Price

Negotiations can seem intimidating—especially for first-timers. You want to act confident but not overly brass, principled but not too stubborn… it’s a fine line to walk. But whether you’re buying a new car or a used car, the fact remains the same: there is plenty of room for negotiation left on the table. The seller will always try to get their top dollar, usually by setting the initial asking price well above market value under the assumption that the buyer will later negotiate a lower price tag. If you don’t at least try to get them to come down in …

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420HP G-Power BMW 40i Tune Juices M240i/340i/440i Sixes

Anyone who has hung on for the wild run of the rev-counter in the latest-gen BMW B58B30 motor knows it is a serious rocketship. Seemingly endless torque and a redline-craving character make it a special engine indeed.  So imagine taking it up to crazy levels!  This ECU reflash-based powerkit achieves over 400HP with just electronics and a new exhaust out back. Full details below the gallery! G-Power BMW 40i Tune  for M240i/340i/440i G-POWER GP 40i Limited Edition: Exclusive customization for the BMW M140i/M240i and 340i/440i The B58B30 in the 40i models is undoubtedly the spearhead of the latest gasoline powered …

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Road Test Review – 2018 BMW X3 xDrive30i – By Zeid Nasser

The 2018 BMW X3 rolling out of the Spartanburg, SC plant has received a total revamp inside and out. The new X3 is writing the next chapter in the X3 story with a more striking design, powerful yet efficient drive systems, and standout-driving qualities with unrestricted everyday usability. DESIGN X3 elevates the already boldly dynamic design language of its predecessor. The third generation of the X3 treads a familiar BMW path in combining rugged off-road looks with generous presence. The exterior dimensions are largely unchanged, however, the wheelbase has been extended by 2.2-inches and its long hood, extremely short front overhang …

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Why Getting That New Car May Actually Be Worth It

With countless blogs and websites stressing the importance of saving and minimizing on purchases, some may feel reluctant about splurging on a new vehicle. After all, any new vehicle is a significant investment that, for many, requires financing and adds to existing bills. Because of this, some people may have the mindset that as long as their vehicle gets from point A to B, there is no reason to search for something new. However, before the prospects of buying a new car are written off entirely, consider the reasons why it may be worth getting the car you want after …

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2019 Mercedes-AMG GLS63 – Road Test Review – By Matt Barnes

With a $125,000 base price, the Mercedes GLS 63 AMG is out of range for many people. For those who have the wherewithal and need to haul six people, it is an excellent — and perhaps only — choice. Featuring a hand assembled AMG 5.5 liter twin turbo (Mercedes calls it a biturbo) V8 with 577 horsepower and 561 torque, the GLS AMG has only one three-row performance competitor: the 475 horsepower Dodge Durango SRT 392.  [Audi is not bringing the diesel SQ7 to the USA.] When it comes to luxury, the Mercedes is at the top in this class. …

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Car Mods – BMW Wagon Makeover w/ 3M 1080 Color Wrap & Tints

Quick: name the top three tweaks to make any car cooler overnight? The order is debatable but we’d say tinted glass, up-sized wheels and a fresh paint color.  (Half points if you said to debadge and dechrome the beast from nose to tail:) We tackled all five of these mods to give new life to @thewanderingwheelman’s BMW 3 series wagon. The 2007 328Xi Touring is a fairly timeless q-car that still drives like a champ even a decade after it first hit the streets.  This was back before turbos took over so the honey wagon runs the smooth and soulful …

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2018 BMW X3 M40i – Road Test Review w/ Drive Videos – By Tom Burkart

We simply cannot let Model-Year 2018 end without a glorious write-up of the charming new X3M40i we tested out on video a few months back. Here is a crossover so much like its X5 big broether on the luxury and refinement charts.  Yet one whose agility and light-feeling moves are joined by massive turbo power and a perma-grippy, rear-biased AWD system. It is a combination your scribe has never found before.  A trucklet that rides like a dream and launches like a pro with big exhaust howls. It is all upside for this X3M40i for 2018. Check out the drive …

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Industry Insider – New or Used Cars: Which is Better?

This is an age-old question. Should you buy a new or used car? Everyone seems to have a different answer and different reasons why. There really is no single right answer because it all depends on your current lifestyle and living situation. Different financial obligations, abilities, hobbies, and plans will determine whether a new or used car makes sense for you. In order to figure out which is best, let’s consider the upfront cost of the car, the gas mileage, the insurance cost, and the cost of repairs. It’s important to crunch the numbers before making any decisions. Determine What …

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Design Analysis – 2018 BMW M8 Concept GranCoupe – Goodwood FoS 2018

BMW needs some new halo vehicles at the top of its lineup.  Both to compete with the rockstar AMG GT as well as subdue all the M-car loyalists who despise the i8. The new 8 series serves that purpose nicely. And before it has even arrived — we have a new variant with totally unique styling and details. Oh, and two extra doors.  The M8 GranCoupe concept tries to keep the Mustang-like raciness of the 850’s roofline while squeezing in two seats back there.  Headroom!?  Who cares! How is this different than the current M6 GC, you ask? Scale. This …

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2018 BMW M550i xDrive Sedan – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

OK, I’m going to buy a lottery ticket. A fun game we enthusiasts play – win the big Powerball, and what would you drive? An exotic? Classic muscle car? An Opel GT with a 5.0-liter V8 and fuzzy dice hanging from the mirror? The mind boggles. Allow us a recco for a daily driver – the BMW M550i xDrive.  Why? It’s beautiful – in a tasteful way. The 5-series was restyled for the 2017 model year, and the change was evolutionary – not a big surprise for BMW’s popular mid-level executive express. Having sold 7.9 million 5’ers over 6 generations, …

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BMW Motorcycles Evolution Since 1923 – Animated Timeline Via 20 Iconic Bikes

  The history of BMW Motorrad is actually the story of the evolution of the motorcycle in general. Giant leaps of innovation are clear to see about every dozen years, but the BMW innovation throughout keeps moving the two-wheel world forward at warp speed. For a non-bikes guy like me and perhaps you, the names and styles are all a bit perplexing. We have labelled all the main bike photos to help make it all a bit clearer. The pre-war bikes in particular are hard to distinguish at first without the labels. So which is your favorite? We’d pick the …

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2018 Genesis G80 Sport RWD – Road Test Review

G80 Sport has the dark, sporty and sinister makeover of our dreams.  This luxury sport sedan has been a popular favorite among CRD writers around the country in the last few years. We’ve watched the brand go from a fledgling offshoot to a stand-alone division whose products threaten Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and BMW ownership of the luxury sedan marketplace. Is it weird to be proud of how far Genesis has come?  Perhaps. 2018 is a big year for the big G.  The model range has the traditional G80 from about $40k, G80 Sport and a new-for-2017 G90 flagship limo.  Soon a …

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4.6s 2018 BMW i8 Roadster Is No-Brainer Ragtop

The i8 is amazing to drive!  In Sport+ this machine opens up its full 374HP and rockets forward with glee.  Triple turbo thrumming behind you and popping out racy noises from the exhausts. But the i8 has a problem.  It is so light because of all that carbon fiber.  Which is expensive. And intrudes on the doorsill in a major way.  This makes i8’s beautiful swan wing doors make sense.  They are very-much needed to help get in and out.  With a low roof on the coupe, this has been a barrier to the car’s wider success. This Roadster hopes …

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2018 BMW M550i – HD Road Test Review

What if one of the most comfortable cars you’ve ever driven … is also one of the fastest? A big sedan that pivots like a track star? How has BMW defied physics?  Yes. The M550i is a revelation on the road.  After a week of flogging this beauty for kicks – and the cameras – we came away absolutely in love with BMW’s fastest ever 5 series. The 3.9s sprints to 60-mph from the almost-violent launch control are enough to make up for its lack of M5 sounds from the V8TT.  The hyper-adaptive suspension and standard xDrive turn a soft car …

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Marketplace Comparision – 2017 Lexus IS350 F-Sport – By Carl Malek

In an ever-evolving automotive world, the one segment that has always remained a hotly contested battleground (even in the current resurgence of SUV/CUV sales) is the entry level luxury sports sedan segment. It used to be a kingdom long ruled by the benchmark BMW 3-Series, but over the past few years outright anarchy has taken place, with more automakers making sport sedan entries that either match up to the venerable 3, or in a few instances, outclass it in a truly compelling challenge to the sales throne. Lexus has traditionally played second fiddle to the 3-Series with its contender, the …

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Situation Analysis: Can 2017 i Vision Dynamics Concept Save BMW?

Sometimes I just want to shake BMW like a British nanny. What are you thinking, bad BMW baby!!!!? The X7 Concept, Z4 Concept and 8 Series concepts are all fairly new design ideas for the IAA BMW stand in Frankfurt this year.  A new M5 and X3 are the production cars with some fresh excitement around them.  A new BMW i3S looks slightly less hideous from the front and will be quicker than the base model.  None of these models is the silver bullet BMW needs to get back to brand health.  And sales growth. The X7’s design is shockingly …

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2017 BMW Z4 Concept In 44-Photo Exclusive

The recent design analysis we wrote up over here about the Z4 yesterday is growing.  Today handling some photo edits for JC I found a bevy of new details in the Z4. Things like the lower slash in front fender are as retro as it gets.  THe rest is sheer modern roadster.  It seems so much wider and shorter than the current Z4 in some photos.  But really this is just a product of all-new overhangs and level of rounded corner on both ends.  It is a softer shape.  But marked by a precious few design lines.  These bring the …

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2017 BMW Concept Z4 – Design Analysis

Well well well! The i8 Spyder rumors are unfounded as of now!  BMW just unveiled the brand-new Concept Z4 — and enticing look at the next generation of this F-Type fighter. What is that?  No longer just the Boxster and SLC in the Z4’s competitive set.  The new model aims to move significantly upmarket — and up in performance — via the unloved current model. The most radical view into the production 2018 Z4 model from this concept is its design language.  First off, a much more aggressive level of slashes and overlapping  surfaces is prominent.  Also new — for …

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2017 Monterey Car Week REVEALS List – Pebble Beach, The Quail & Concorso Italiano

This is crunchtime for car writers and news junkies alike! America’s Goodwood, aka Pebble Beach, has gone from a concours to an all-out supercar auto show extravaganza.  What we learned on a trip to the event in 2014 is that Monterey Car Week is actually a full week of performance joy!  The classics and icons are peppered throughout the experience, of course, but mainly take center stage on the oceanfront fairway only on Concours Sunday. Until then, there are ride/drive events, VIP receptions, press events and media previews galore at the Quail, Concorso Italiano, RM Sotheby’s in downtown Monterey.. and …

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DAHLER Tunes Up New BMW 5-Series Touring – ECU, Remote Exhaust, Wheels and Bodykit

The new BMW 5 series is a huge game-change of a car for the roundel brand.  It is so, so new in how it drives, feels and… looks? The new 530, 540 and 550 in the USA definitely look new.  It is just that they look, at first glance, to be exactly the same in traffic as the 7 series. This is probably a good thing, as it harks back to the long-successful BMW strategy: one bratwurst, three lengths. But what about those who want hot street style to go with that fab new interior and steering feel? Switzerland’s Dahler …

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2017 BMW M760i – Launch Starts Video + 71 Photos

The new M760 is an instant icon and forever flagship. Here is a car that defies all physics with its speed.  6.6 chugging liters fed by massive twin turbos.  Both nestled within the perfect V12. The results on this BMW’s power delivery are breathtaking.  A ripping snort on throttle and a rich, layered bellow from the pipes out back.  601 horsepower and standard LWB spec for the USA market also bring dual silver-bullet technologies. Tech to make the chassis as long as a yacht, but corner like a gyro.  This comes in the form of xDrive and super-adaptive M suspension. …

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2017 BMW 540i M Sport – First Drive Review + 50-Photo Flyaround

We stopped flogging the 540i on its first drive only for a few moments.  A few fleeting flashbulb pops. Then back on the road and back hard on throttle. The new 5 series is an incredible machine and one that is New Game versus any one before.  More nimble, more feelsome and fast as f***!  But also serene and triple-rubber-damped. The M Sport with Dynamic Handling Pack comes alive in Sport and Sport plus modes.  Here you have a true thhhummppp on the instant upshifts and pop on overrun.  Engine is ferocious and mad for horizons. Traction actually seemed stellar in …

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1957 BMW 507 Roadster Series I – RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017

Sea green over red leather is a color combo perfect for the most stylish 1950s bon-vivants of the world.  This original 507 Series I is offered unrestored and with original patina throughout.  The factory wheels and bumpers are included with the sale – set for late May 2017 in Villa Erba, Italy. The black hardtop and hood-mounted mirrors are perfect details for this iconic BMW.  This color is not a factory shade, as it was added early in the car’s life by its orignal owner. Just four lucky individuals have called this car their own, however, and its originality is …

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BMW M4 By Cam-Shaft.de Goes Custom in Battleship Grey/Orange

Out on the ocean they say never to mess with any grey ships — and that will be a good rule at the stoplights now too. One of the worst things about this generation M3 and M4 is the color selection.  Each of the standard colors are dull while BMW Individual shades add $5k and endless order complexity.  SO of course there is a thriving aftermarket in personalizing the machines. CamShaft out of Germany did this light stage one mod with a powerchip, KW coilover suspension and vinyl body wrap.  It is a primer grey/blue with a smooth sheen unlike …

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540HP BMW M2 ClubSport by Dähler Brings S55 M4 Engine Swap

The main gripe that purists have with the M2 is that its engine is not, technically, a BMW Motorsport spec engine.  It still makes monster power but is less able to cope with sustained high G forces than the M4’s S55-series motor. Daehler (or Dahler) of Switzerland now has a three-pack of custom M2s as showcases of their tuning skills.  The standard coupe, an M2 Convertible (!) and now this M2 Clubsport.  With the S55, it is the “CS competitionline.” Parts can be shipped worldwide for local installation, or they will happily sell you a complete vehicle as well.  That might …

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Gallery: AC Schnitzer 30th Anniversary in 200 Photos

Anniversaries are a nice vote of confidence in any company.  But when the total years is less than 30 or so, the business is usually still pretty new.  Recordkeeping was usually poor and the products sometimes laughable in hindsight. You better believe this last bit applies to the tuned car business.  AC Schnitzer is one of the best – broadening from their first M3 and 635CSi offerings into MINI, Range Rover and every fast BMW since.  But the company did keep records, and it does celebrate its weirder achievements.  3 series X-Road wagon in 2001?  Or the 2003 Topster Z3 …

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2017 BMW 740e xDrive – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

I have driven the car of the future, today. OK, we hear stories like this all the time. And usually, the “Car of the Future” is some cobbled-together prototype that has little likelihood of actually making it to market. Or worse, it points to the time when folks like you and I aren’t needed. Just robots, pal. And if you think an autonomous EV is the wave of the future, I’m going to disagree. While there are plenty of folks who would rather let the machine drive, there are also plenty who still enjoy time behind the wheel. And for …

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2018 Lexus LC500h at Amelia Island Concours [44 Photos]

Kicking off the slew of posts we have to write from the always-fun Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Amelia Island’s tight layout in the Ritz Carlton hotel in northeast Florida makes for a thrilling sensory overload.  Every step means a one-off car you’ve never seen, never imagined.  Needless to say, you can’t believe your eyes — so much HOT metal! Amelia excels in new-car promotions as well as the pre-war etc Concours categories.  After all, 10k rabid car fans in one place?  Oh, and they are wealthy!?  Let’s do a ride-and-drive! Alfa, Rolls, McLaren, Porsche, Infiniti and Jaguar were the stands. …

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4.0s 2018 BMW M4 CARBON Leads 4 Series Refresh

The 4 series will bring some updates to its style, tech and powertrains for the 2018 model year.  Some news out of the UK market this morning offers a first look at the refreshed M4, 430i and 440i Coupes, Gran Coupes and Convertibles. Detail tweaks to the lighting — adding a more boxed element to the LED DRLs, primarily — in what BMW calls its new Icon Adaptive LED lighting will now be available on the M4.  The M4 Carbon is a fresh option package that pulls some of its race-ready pieces from the $130k M4 GTS.   The new M4 Competition …

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2016 BMW Z4 M Sport sDrive35i – HD Walkaround, Obituary and Photo Gallery

BMW Z3/Z4: 1993-2016. Soon gone, but never forgotten!   As the last few Z4s are sold to customers, we mark the end of the line for the plucky and stylish BMW Z roadster.  It ceased production in August. The BMW Z3/Z4 used to be a huge tentpole for the brand.  In the 1990s the Z3’s arrival in stores was the most hotly anticipated arrival in the marque’s history.   A big lead time between when the Goldeneye Bond film gave us the first look at the car helped build excitement.  The fact that it would be made stateside was also huge …

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2017 BMW M4 Competition Pack Convertible – First Drive Photos/Video

Inviting some hate with this string of VERY hot and desirable cars! While rocking the absolutely astounding 2017 Q60S Red Sport 400 from Infiniti as my test car, I found myself behind the wheel of a car costing $18k more.  And wearing bright Alpine White over gloss black of the BMW M4 Competition Package. Added bonus?  This is the folding hardtop! Such a joyful drive.  With the top down, you can really immerse yourself in the popping and snarking quad pipes of the race exhaust.  The spider-spoke alloys off the M4 GTS looks impossibly large in the M4’s flared, flexing …

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2017 BMW M2 Convertible!?! Dahler GmbH Makes Dream Real

  In the BMW order books, the M2 is always described as the “M2 Coupe.”  This is a strong indication that a cabrio may be in route.  Otherwise, why specify? Dahler Teknik of Deutschland has beaten BMW to the punch with the first-ever M2 Convertible. How did they achieve this?  By upgrading the bodywork and mechanicals of an M235i (now M240i) or chopping the top off an existing, and genuine, M2 Coupe? We do not know the exact answer to this. But what a specimen to behold regardless. If BMW wasn’t sure about the potential for an M2 Convertible… this …

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First Drive Photos – 2017 BMW X4 M40i – Widescreen Gallery

The briefest of brief spins in the sexy 2017 BMW X4 M40i! How does this all-new turbo six feel versus the previous X4 xDrive35i M Sport? Far more focused, to be honest.  The new motor series is not just up 20HP/30-pound-feet of torque.  It also gains a biting new exhaust bark in all forms.  That back-bellow and M-style popping on the overrun is cranked to the max in the X4 M40i.  And we adore it. The exterior is also quite sexy with its dark-tinted badges, chrome-free appearance and overall sinister-ness. The grey mirror caps and blocky alloys reinforce this impression …

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2017 BMW M6 GTLM – 19th BMW Art Car by John Baldessari Will Race DAYTONA

The BMW Art cars are best as real-world racers. Taking corners in a future legend has appeal today just like it did when the first BMW Art Car emerged from the Paris office around 1973. This latest racing artwork, the 19th in the series? A 2017 M6 GTLM, naturally. The biggest, baddest BMW racecar ever made.  A vehicle so shouty on throttle that the artist put the letters F A S T right along both flanks. 2017 BMW M6 GTLM – 19th BMW Art Car by John Baldessari World premiere of BMW Art Car by John Baldessari at Art Basel …

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601HP, 3.6s 2017 BMW M760i USA Price and Arrival Revealed + 40 New ALPINA B7 Pics!

Updated 11.16.16 The badass twin flagships from BMW just stormed the LA auto show: M760 versus Alpina B7! Both score 0-60-mph times of just 3.6-seconds, but go about it with different engines (V12TT in M760 plays race-ready V8TT in B7) and vastly different suspension tunes.  Both are fully air-sprung but the B7 has an extra Sport Plus setting to drop the ride height down to the ground.  The standard xDrive AWD in both cars also receives some big tweaks to differentiate their drive manners.  Safe to expect the Alpina to be far more eager to hang the tail out! Both …

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Cars of Our Lives – Levante S, M235i Cabrio, 550i Shadowline, 740i, X1, 320i and 440 Gran Coupe

  A bevy of fine-driving BMWs to share in this first-ever installment of a ‘daily gallery’ feature post.  We share MANY more photos on social media than often end up in articles here on the web.  The problem with that is the quality of the pics is greatly decreased.  An image that might be 5MB on phone is about 80kb on facebook.com/carrevsdaily or instagram/car_revs_daily On with the show!  100 or so pics from the last two weeks on my iPhone.  Cars we drove only every-so-briefly…. or not at all in some cases!  The Maserati Levante and upgraded Chevy SS have …

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2016 BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100

Welcome to the final piece of the BMW Next 100 mosaic: the Motorrad Vision concept. This gorgeous bike is the only one of these far-future-looking vehicles that actually seems cool.  The rest are quite a sight for sore eyes. This Vision Next 100 is not, though.  It is dark and menacing and clearly dripping in high-tech solutions.  Its integrated chassis flexes intelligently, replacing typical suspension systems with a full-body take on the theme.  A sport shoe is the idea: breathing and moving over bumps in perfect harmony of grip and smoothness. The driver is not sidelined, either, in this EV …

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2016 BMW X2 Concept – Live Paris Photos/Analysis of Intriguing New Design Language

Interesting new look for the 2016 BMW X2 Concept today in Paris!  The X2 is smoother and softer than the traditional X3/X5 design feel, but is still quite macho and aggressive.  We love the nose detailing, long and low roofline like a fastback, and the pert rump. This concept X2 hopes to broaden the crossover appeal of cars in the VW Golf size class, with minimal tradeoffs when scaling skyward.  As such, it appears about half-way between the normal BMW aesthetic and the latest X-model appearance. This becomes clear with the ultra smooth bodysides and minimal fender flaring, in contrast to …

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2016 BMW M2 By Lightweight – 690 Pound-Feet, 185MPH!

„LW M2“ by LIGHTWEIGHT Photos: Jordi Miranda LIGHTWEIGHT in Mittenaar is deeply committed to the slogan „Innovations are generated from passion rather than satisfaction“. The company’s name portrays their program, because weight reduction – for example by a titanium exhaust system in combination with a performance upgrade – provides minimal weight and maximum performance. The LIGHTWEIGHT team led by Managing Director Marc MÜLLER chose a BMW M2 in order to optimize its weight and performance. For starters, the original version of this vehicle already comes with a mighty engine. As of now the dynamic BMW – referred to as LW …

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2016 BMW M5 GTS by Carbonfiber Dynamics

A multi-stage upgrade here from Carbonfiber Dynamics.  OEM-like quality execution for this M5 is the result of fresh Vossen alloys, GTS Fire Orange paintwork and a 3DDesign carbon bodykit all around.  Power is way up, naturally, but the machine itself appears quite aged.  If even an estimated $50k in mods fail to revive the tired design…. then it is probably time to get pumped for the next-gen M5? Among fanboys, sure.  But for owners, the F10 M5 has much left to give!  We’ve dubbed the overall package the M5 GTS — a name that has a great ring to it!   2016 BMW …

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2016 BMW 750i – Road Test Review – By Tim Esterdahl

Review: 2016 BMW 750i xDrive – Perfect or Superfluous Luxury Sedan On a warm summer afternoon, I sit with my feet up, my body reclined, a pleasing smell in the air, cool drink in hand while listening to music in the shade as a cool breeze blows. It is an ideal setting, except I’m not sitting outside. I’m actually sitting in the rear of the 2016 BMW 750i xDrive. Its long list of features, comfort and material choices make it infinitely more appealing than a lawn chair, but is it all just a bit too much? Maybe to some, but …

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Drive Review – 2016 BMW X1 – By Ben Lewis

Baby Bimmer? Mighty Mini? X marks the spot. We recently tested the new Mini Clubman, and came to the conclusion it was as much a less-expensive BMW (sort of a squashed Sport Activity Vehicle) as it was a supersized Mini. So now, here we are, testing the new BMW X1. And that’s really interesting, since it shares the platform with the Clubman. And in many ways, it’s a radical departure from where BMW has been. The question is has BMW lost the melody, or did they manage to get us all singing along? BMW isn’t going to give away the …

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2016 BMW 2002 Hommage Concept Slides Into Villa d’Este + VIDEO!

Not really sure what to say about this M2 reskin that is the BMW brand’s big debut at this year’s Villa d’Este concours in Lake Como, Italy. It certainly has some expressive lines, deep shaping and a deconstructed aesthetic.  It is fabulous to see versus the absolutely repulsive BMW Vision Next 100 from a few weeks ago.  Both in style and substance. But while deconstructed, in a way, the design of this upgraded 2-series is a wide miss.  It feels like a fiberglass redo OVER and above the existing design, versus a holistic exercise in itself.  A frozen glasshouse, doorlines …

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BMW Unveils Updated 2017 i3 with Giant New 33kWh Battery – By Carl Malek

  When BMW first unveiled the i3, it brought several innovations to the electric vehicle segment, while also allowing the company to launch its green minded i brand. However, with the current trend towards bigger batteries, the tiny i3 found itself slowly falling behind rivals when it came to driving range. BMW has rectified this flaw with the unveiling of the updated 2017 i3. Known formally as the 2017 BMW i3 (94 Ah) the second chapter of the i3 doesn’t focus so much on its long moniker, but rather on giving buyers more driving range than before. This is made …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Jaguar XF 35t R-Sport RWD

Here is another new Jag that absolutely wallops the competition. Brutally competent.  Ruthlessly efficient.  Stylishly elegant. Very fast with a 5.2-second sprint to 60-mph, yet never too shouty about it. The new 2016 XF is stunningly good.  This mid-range model lives between the base Ingenium diesel here in the USA and the top XF S with its 380HP and sport exhaust. 340 ponies are always on tap thanks to the supercharged engine configuration.  Same goes for the worlds-best ZF eight-speed automatic.  And the lightweight, part-aluminum chassis that drops hundreds of Lbs versus its arch-rivals the 535i and Mercedes-Benz E350. How …

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BMW i8 – Widescreen Photo Flyaround – Inside and Out at Kiawah Concours

THe i8 never fails to impress in the flesh! This car is so low, so otherworldly and so exotic up close. Even in 2014 spec and this fairly familiar silver, the vehicle is a stunning piece of design and engineering. BMW i8 Photo Flyaround – Inside and Out at Kiawah Concours

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Road Test Review – 2016 BMW 340i xDrive – By Tim Esterdahl

Review: 2016 BMW 340i xDrive – Exhilarating Driving Performance For years, BMW has boasted that it builds the “Ultimate Driving Machines” and while critics and competitors have increasing sought to counter that claim, a recent weeklong drive in a 2016 BMW 340i only confirmed that claim. If driving, real fun, spirited driving is at the top of your buying list, the 340i has to be a top choice. Delivered to me in a Melbourne Red Metallic, the iconic looking 340i certainly had all the distinctive character and desirable appearance attributes reminiscent of BMW models over the years. While I’ve watched …

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493HP 2016 BMW M4 GTS Media Launch in Barcelona – 300 Cars Coming to USA!

Gorgeous launch photos and lineage recap from BMW’s media drive event for the new M4 GTS! This new water-injected turbocharger system ups power to a stout 493HP to go along with its track-attack grip setup, aero package and lightweighting regime.  One particularly awesome detail?  The power-extendable chin splitter!    We’re not sure if the splitter is manually extended or power operated.  The GTS does come with a special toolkit for customizing its shock stiffness and height or different racetracks.  That rear wing is also remarkably beautiful up close.   Beautiful and deeply functional!  Especially in its most raised angle… pinning …

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2016 BMW M2 – Animated Configurator, Colors, Pricing and Options

BMW has kept its new pocket-rocket’s configurator extremely simple!  Nearly everything is standard, and only a few choices along the way through the Ext, Int, Options menu prompts makes this unlike nearly any other BMW we’ve specced out before. Examples? Just four colors: Blue, Grey, Black and White. The only other choices?  Literally? Exec Pack for $1800 with auto highbeams and heated seats.  And a carbon-fiber interior upgrade option that seems skippable if you’re frugal. The only other choice? A six-speed manual transmission or the $2700 M-DCT paddle-shifter. Out the door in less than four minutes of configurations must mean…. …

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5.9s 2017 BMW 330e iPerformance – PHEV with 74-mph MAX eDrive

A survey came out this morning letting Americans know that Germany prefers PHEVs to hybrids or full electric cars. GKN certainly found the insight! Everyone would prefer PHEVs if given the choice! In that vane, the new 330e from BMW is the most evolved form of super-efficient, fast cruising with plug-in battery tech.  Married to a twin-power turbo four, the car produces extremely respectable pace: 5.9-seconds to 60-mph from its combined 248HP and 310 pound-feet of torque.   Effective, everyday MPG will be at least the 50s in normal use. A slightly smaller gas tank (and trunk) is the main compromise. …

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2016 BMW Vision Next 100 – Nightmare Blob Shows Why BMW Sales Are Tanking

Ready for 5000 German words you cannot possibly care about!? Let’s dive in to the BMW Next 100 Years press conference and new-concept debut, while stripping out 95-percent of the unintelligible corporate babble below. First things first: BMW Group and BMW pressclub have new websites.  Yay! But they do not work as easily as the previous ones. Boo.  At least the zip files do not create unmoveable, undeletable 3GB desktop bombs like BMW USA PressClub’s.   The renderings do turn from brown to pink when saved on a PC tho.  Bonus — some fails live on!   Dear BMW.  Flatten …

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~3.8s 2017 BMW M3/M4 Competition Pack – Gloss Black Trims, +20HP and Standard Sport Exhaust

Competition Pack from BMW M certainly implies track battles and knife-edged races against the stopwatch.  Every advantage that can be fed down from the top 500HP M4 GTS will be precious seconds closer to the top of any laptime board. But Competition Pack has a second meaning to us: the M3 and M4 are feeling major heat from all sides, in a segment they once owned wholeheartedly. The Lexus RC, C63 and even Cadillac ATS-V are all very valid, and oftentimes preferred, rivals to the BMW twins.  Therefore, the Competition Pack helps address some of the odd standard M3/M4 style …

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MAUS Panzer! ACL2 by AC Schnitzer is 570HP, 3.8s BMW M235i Evo

Updated 2.25.16 with official details from AC Schnitzer — who is emphatic about the lightness of the vehicle!  Our silly Maus Panzer headline speaks more to this ‘mouse’ of a 2-series that packs a punch like GTR battle tank… Will ACL2 become as fearsome a badge as GT-R?  Panzer Maus?  M2? PERHAPS! AC Schnitzer has been working its magic brilliantly on the smallest BMWs for years now. 1 series became 2 series, and the team was on it instantly!  What they have created is nothing short of the Panzer VIII ‘Maus’ supertank….  at least in its fearsome spirit, if not scale. …

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2017 BMW Motorrad G310 R – Ultra-Light Stunt Bike Is A Two-Wheeled Dino Ferrari

This of this new G310 R from BMW Motorrad as the two-wheeled Dino Ferrari. Lighter weight, lower power outputs than its big brothers…. but just as sexy and innovative.  And crucially, with a radically lower price! The G310 R is the production variant of the G310 Stunt concept — -and is a wonderful intro sportbike thanks to its flawless handling, light weight and modest power output. A single-cylinder engine puts out a top horsepower rating of just 34.  But before you balk, just know that the total unladen weight is only 350 pounds! This all ensures flickable, trustworthy maneuvers on …

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3.3s 2017 BMW R nineT Scrambler – Air-Cooled Boxer ThrillRide! USA Arrival + Specs

All you need to know? Aircooled boxer engine, race-bike fast — but wearing any tires across any terrain you’re brave enough to ride!  A two-in-one exhaust cannon is said to really shout out like a racebike on full throttle…. ThruuuMmmm… Brummm!  110HP is the top R90 output, and 124-mph the Vmax. The new R nineT is set for a USA arrival around August of 2016 as a 2017 model-year bike. To kick off the excitement, here are a few animations of the various looks and modes of the bike…. plus a cool 90 pics of this butch new BMW bike. …

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2016 BMW M3 – M Livery Photos from Daytona Speedway BMW Performance Driving School

BMW is on our shitlist lately, so these photos are fairly raw and uninteresting.  But hey, sitting on a pack of   high-res photos of the 2016 M3 in tricolor M livery is impossible for any real car nut! These cars are pure street cars, despite their gorgeous M Performance Parts upgrading the kidneys to gloss black and the spoilers to exposed-weave carbon fiber. The M livery is a godsend.  Why?  Because the car’s standard colors suck. 2016 BMW M3 Motorsport Livery

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355HP, 4.7s 2016 BMW X4 M40i in 78 New Photos from Monterey Press Drive

This might be one M car you have to drive and hear to appreciate. The looks aren’t really doing it for me at the moment…. Power takes a big leap up to 355-ponies and 343 pound-feet of torque. Through the standard eight-speed auto and new M-calibrated xDrive, the X4 M40i shoots to 60-mph in just 4.7-seconds. That is about a half-second quicker than the existing range-topper, the X4 xDrive35i M Sport with its $50k base price. We expect the M40i X4 to come in around $55k with its light tweaks to the style outside, grey detailing all around, and custom …

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2016 BMW M2 – Laguna Seca Photoset – Jaw like Popeye, Shoulders like BRUTO!

18 photos have never packed such a punch! Look. At. This. Beast! Around Laguna Seca for the international press launch, this ridiculously fast and fun supercoupe dramatically ups the ante to Audi and AMG.  The closest you can get to this speed from outside Europe?  Definitely a pony-car killer, this M2! 2016 BMW M 2 – Laguna Seca     When BMW goes for performance glory, everyone else best stand back or be blown clear in jetwash. The new ~$130k M4 GTS reveal is being followed closely by a shadow that maintains nearly 99-percent of the big brothers’ track pace, …

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2017 BMW M760i xDrive – V12TT Range-Topper Lags Alpina B7 to 60MPH

Quite a week for the part-carbon BMW 7 series! First the Alpina B7 with its twin-turbo V8 and optional gold deco stencils outside. And now this M760i with a twin-turbo V12 — and also AWD for this generation! The coolest part of the M760i route — which is likely to cost significantly more than the ALPINA — is definitely its dark satin body accents. That, of course, and the techno-font V12 and M760i badges throughout. The 62-mph sprints for the two cars show a curious contrast: 3.9s for the M760i plays 3.7s for the Alpina B7.   On any US …

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2016 BMW M2 MotoGP Pacecar Debuts with Carbon M Performance Parts

The new M2 is taking over MotoGP safety car duties from the 2015 M4 — and looks even more badass in the M livery! Check out how the red stripe lines the massive new intake fangs.  Gold wheels, a roll cage, M Performance Parts in carbon-fiber and a few other tweaks round out a gorgeous and dreamy style. 2016 BMW M2 MotoGP Pacecar     BMW M – OFFICIAL CAR OF MotoGP™. BMW M2 MotoGP SAFETY CAR. MotoGP and BMW M Division: these two partners have formed an ideal combination for almost two decades. MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle …

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~3.4s, 193MPH 2017 BMW ALPINA B7 xDrive + Silver or Gold Deco Body Stencils

There is a new boss BMW in town! The 2017 B7 just came online ahead of its first showing in Geneva next month.  A round 600HP is the new entre, with the 100-kph sprint promised at a 3.7-seconds. This may be conservative, with ideal conditions likely to see the new LWB, AWD sedan hit the mid 3s to 60-mph. The Vmax at the top end is 193-mph, with pricing in Germany from 148k Euros. As a nod to Alpinas past, the B7 is offered with an very shouty Deco Kit — with bright ALPINA front letters and a flowing criss-cross …

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NAIAS 2016 – Showfloor MEGA Gallery – Day One in 180 Photos

Uh oh!  Detroit’s NAIAS is so intense for 2016, we are well past our peak of effective coverage.  What comes next?  Deep hand and forearm soreness from so much typing.  And… alas… into just outright bitchiness about some of the more questionable model reveals.  Cough… Acura, cough-cough… But we will power through!   Resist the snark! Part of that is sharing the latest showfloor photos… en masse. =] Here are 180 images from press preview day one at the Detroit North American International Auto Show.   NAIAS 2016 – Showfloor MEGA Gallery    

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Best of NAIAS – 2017 Lexus LC500 World Debut! ~$88k 911-Fighter Also Stalking Corvette, SL63 AMG

We knew Lexus was bringing some kind of supercoupe to the Detroit show, but had no idea the LC500 would be SO DAMN SEXY! Far from a GS two-door as some have imagined, the new LC500 is actually an all-new supercar flagship for the marque. Seating is 2+2 in layout, while the roof looks ready for a cabrio conversion, the LC500 is far lower, meaner and more intense than even the cherished RC-F — our 2015 Car of the Year here at Car-Revs-Daily.com. What makes the new LC500 so special?  Forceful power from every angle: this machine is leaner, lighter …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Hyundai Genesis AWD 3.8

2016 Hyundai Genesis AWD 3.8 Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman   With a major makeover in 2015, the second generation Hyundai Genesis continued it ascension in the ranks of luxury cars.  While there are few changes to the 2016 model year, the Genesis continues to amaze with its price, content, and quality. The sedan is quickly distancing itself from luxury models coming out of Japan and Germany, which it rightly rivals, in the “bang for the buck” category. Simply put, you can’t find another car in the marketplace that has the features and performance of the Genesis and not have …

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2017 BMW i8 Spyder Teased Via BMW i Vision Future Interaction + ConnectedRide HUD Cycle Helmets

  BMW debuted a half-dozen new tech innovations at CES this year, including gesture control and mirror-less exteriors. But the real eye-catcher?  The BMW i Vision Future Interaction — a near-production 2017 BMW i8 Spyder. Sans two critical pieces, of course. Yes, the production car will have doors.  At first we thought the BMW i VFI Concept hid its doors in the side sills, a la the BMW Technik Z1 model sold in Europe briefly in the early 1990s. Alas, the lack of doors is just to give full view of the new cockpit controls and layouts.  This new user …

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2017 BMW i6 Is Hiding in Plain Sight: 2009 BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Teased LWB i8

Here is an interesting one, simply because it shows an upcoming machine hiding in plain sight. What car is that? The BMW i6, we predict. This exceptionally advanced concept seemed extremely unfeasible when it was revealed under the EfficientDynamics moniker in 2009. Look at those skinny tires! And Clear doors with a carbon-fiber chassis?  Silly! But they the BMW i8 concepts started appearing, with a 2+2 PHEV supercar BMW announced for production just a year after this first concept.  That car would materialize for 2014 as the i8 and i3 we know now as the real thing. Where the eventual …

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Concept Flashback – 1995 BMW Z18 is Fascinating Rally Roadster

BMW Technik was really up to some clever stuff in the mid-1990s. This concept is chock full of interesting and production-bound ideas — even set far apart from the kooky nature of a rally roadster. A convertible crossover… as we might call it today. But still unlike anything this side of the Ariel Nomad in terms of purity of purpose. And the Z18 would actually be a pretty fun off-roader. Check out the nonexistent front bumper, fantastic ride height and river-ready wading depth. There is interesting ‘flame’ surfacing on the Z18, as a matter of fact, far before Bangle made …

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Concept Flashback – 1995 BMW Z21 Just 4/2

Here is a very fun roadster concept from BMW Technik in 1995: the Just 4/2.  Also known as the Z21 internally, the rear-engine design was intended as a lightweight sports roadster in the mold of the Lotus/Caterham Seven — but designed to be safe and road-legal worldwide. The UK’s very forgiving road safety rules are all that allow their thriving mini track car industry — so BMW hoped to take the sheer joy of an open-cockpit, open-wheeled plaything to a global audience. Interesting details abound: the removable door panels keep their upper frame element in place for side crash protection …

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Concept Flashback – 2001 BMW X Coupe

A design so unfeasible, we all thought, that it didn’t matter how unviable. An SUV Coupe?  Ruthlessly absurd! How wrong we were!  Car enthusiasts obviously recognize this compact crossover shape from more than three dozen new or upcoming road cars. The chopped roof, the bluff face and 1-series-previewing headlamps?  Z4 Coupe backlight, with the high rump of the X6? It all came true! Like a wild wet dream for gravel drifters… the X Coupe came well ahead of its time in 2001. Concept Flashback – 2001 BMW X Coupe

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Is Hollywood Co-Promotion Worse Than Brand Integration? Star Wars and FCA to Find Out

Product placement in movies has evolved radically since Bumblebee Camaro raced back into our hearts — and many driveways — following the 2007 Transformers remake. In the last 20 years, paid PP was all about screen time and brand impact.  The challenges were to say the name of the product on film and have it be a hero type of character.  Without appearing saccharine.  (Bad examples include Acura and Sony in every Hollywood media program they have ever done.) For ‘good’ results, it was about showcasing the car organically throughout the film, with real-life displays of prop replicas generally involved …

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The Evolution of BMW xDrive – 325iX to 2016 BMW X5 xDrive40e – PHEV M Sport from $70k

THe BMW eDrive X5 is officially in the USA! This huge advance in AWD tech for BMW is being celebrating with a look back at the first 30 years of BMW four-paw models. We still remember the special body-color aero kit and special wheels from the US-market 325iX. Was just a tiny bit cooler than even the very-chic 325i sedan and coupe of the era. The honor that original look, we spec’ed out a 2016 BMW X5 xDrive40e in M Sport guise.  The truck looks very, very nice on its available 20-inch alloys. Particularly so with the $1,100 adaptive LED …

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2015 BMW Concept Compact Sedan Teases Upcoming 135i: $25k Base Price, Standard Turbo, RWD?

  Here is a bit of a mystery concept from BMW: the 2015 Concept Compact Sedan. Debuting at the Guangzhou auto show in China this week, the Concept CS is not mysterious about its production intent. One look inside the cabin of even the renders shows that this car is nearly finalized already, and likely to be in some global Bimmer showrooms by the end of calendar 2016. From there, things line up with logical powertrains in 120i, 128i and 135i, mirroring the two-door 235i, etc. Pricing for the eventual 1 series is likely to start at about $25k, at …

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