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123 articles in this category

  1. William Maley ·
    The 2019 BMW X7 has finally made its debut and its quite big, and I'm not talking about the grille. Parked next to the X5, the X7 is nine inches longer, making it the longest crossover BMW has sold. For the most part, BMW's designers didn't go too crazy with the design. The overall profile is similar to Mercedes' GLS-Class with a boxy profile and large glass area. One interesting trait is the rear doors being slightly longer than the front to allow for easier access into the second and third
    • My, what a big grille you have

    • 47 comments
    • 2,604 views
  2. William Maley ·
    BMW's M division thought the M2 wasn't hot enough, so they went to work and the end result is the 2019 M2 Competition.  It begins under the hood with the 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six where BMW has increased the output to 405 horsepower and 406 pound-feet - up 40 and 63 respectively. This launches the M2 Competition to 60 mph in 4 seconds with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission or 4.2 seconds with the six-speed manual. Both times are a tenth of a second faster than the standard M2. Top s
    • More Power and Various Tweaks

    • 3 comments
    • 1,749 views
  3. William Maley ·
    It appears to be German crossover day. This morning, we reported on Audi's new 'coupe' crossover, the Q8. This evening, BMW has pulled the covers off the 2019 X5. Like the new X3, the 2019 X5 doesn't look all that different at first glance. Get a bit a closer and the changes become noticeable. The front is slightly bolder with a sculpted hood, larger kidney grilles, and hard corners for the headlights. The side profile features slightly more sculpting for the doors. For the back, BMW is reta
    • Keeps that familiar look

    • 10 comments
    • 2,354 views
  4. William Maley ·
    The effects of the on-going trade spat between the U.S. and China are beginning to be felt. According to Reuters, BMW is increasing the pricing on the U.S.-built X5 and X6 crossovers for the Chinese market. In a statement, BMW said the price increases will range from four to seven percent. This will only make a small dent in the 40 percent tariff being slapped on U.S. made vehicles entering China. BMW will be absorbing the remainder of the tariff for the time being. “BMW stands for free (tr
    • Its going to cost you a bit more to buy an X5 or X6 in China

    • 2 comments
    • 1,403 views
  5. William Maley ·
    BMW is making the M5 just a slightly bit more aggressive with the debut of the M5 Competition. Following in the footsteps of the M2 Competition, the M5 version tweaks the powertrain, chassis, and exterior. Beginning under the hood, the twin-turbo 4.4L V8 sees a slight boost in horsepower from 600 to 617. Torque remains at 553 pound-feet, although BMW has broadened the peak torque range. 0-60 mph sees a slight improvement of 0.3 seconds - 3.1 vs. 3.4. For the chassis, BMW has added stiffe
    • For just slightly more money

    • 8 comments
    • 1,255 views
  6. William Maley ·
    BMW has plans of launching 25 electrified models by 2025 - 12 of those being fully electric. But don't expect to start seeing mass production of those 12 models anytime soon. BMW CEO Harald Krueger told analysts in Munich that its current electric vehicle technology is not profitable enough to scale up to volume production. “We wanted to wait for the fifth generation to be much more cost competitive. We do not want to scale up with the fourth generation,” said Krueger. The difference i
    • Costs the big issue

    • 11 comments
    • 1,883 views
  7. William Maley ·
    BMW appears to be making a number of changes to future plans once again. According to a report from Automobile Magazine, a number of BMW i models have been canned. They include a proposed i9 flagship sedan (replaced by a slightly smaller i7 sedan), the i5 which was supposed to arrive in 2023, and an even larger version of the i3. Other plans that reportedly been canceled include a supercar plan with McLaren and new vehicle architecture with Diamler. The situation is somewhat worse at Mini.
    • Changes afoot for i and Mini

    • 2 comments
    • 1,457 views
  8. William Maley ·
    Whenever one German automaker does something new, others will follow. For example, the BMW X6 caused Mercedes-Benz to launch the GLE-Coupe. Now with the launch of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class in certain markets, BMW's Australian office is pushing the main office for a pickup truck. “We cannot close our eyes and neglect it, we cannot neglect market trends,” said Marc Werner, head of BMW Australia. "We have been very pushy regarding utes or pick-ups, and we believe that this is something th
    • BMW, we need to have a talk.

    • 3 comments
    • 1,439 views
  9. William Maley ·
    BMW will become the next automaker to drop their diesel offerings in the U.S. Speaking to Green Car Reports, BMW spokesman Alexander Schmuck revealed diesels would be dropped for the 2019 model year for the automaker to focus on plug-in hybrids. "We're putting all our eggs in the PHEV basket," said Schmuck. BMW brought back diesel power in 2008 with the 335d and X5 3.0d that used a turbodiesel inline-six. This would be followed up by a turbodiesel four-cylinder for the 3-Series and X3,
    • Beginning with the 2019 model year

    • 9 comments
    • 2,006 views
  10. William Maley ·
    When BMW introduced the 2019 8-Series back in June, they only announced one powertrain - a turbocharged 4.4L V8 producing 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque paired up with xDrive all-wheel drive. As we said in our report, expect BMW to detail other engines in due course. Australia's GoAuto had the chance to speak with Carsten Groeber, BMW's vice-president of product management (luxury class). He revealed that the V12 from the M760Li xDrive would not be offered. “V12 is very he
    • A plug-in hybrid is off the table for the time being

    • 3 comments
    • 1,931 views
  11. Drew Dowdell ·
    BMW released details on their refreshed 2020 7-series sedan. The 7-series gets updated looks, powertrains, and technology updates in the next model year. Immediately noticeable is the gigantic new BMW kidney grille.  In the rear are new, slimmer tail lamps connected by a narrow strip extending the width of the car. Four engines will be offered in the 7-series.  The top of the line is a 600 horsepower V12 capable of bringing the M760i xDrive to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds.  A
    • My what a big grille you have!

    • Editor-in-Chief
    • 15 comments
    • 1,810 views
  12. Drew Dowdell ·
    It will be a long wait till we see the final product,  but BMW has released a teaser picture of their upcoming 2-Series Gran Coupe 4-door sedan due to be released at the LA Auto Show later this year.  This car will compete with the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Audi A3 compact front wheel drive sedans.  The BMW  2-series Gran Coupe will be running with front wheel drive as well.  Under the hood expect a 2 liter turbo charged engine transversely mounted as in the BMW X2. In the X2, the motor produces 228
    • ... BMW's competitor to the A3 and CLA.

    • 14 comments
    • 2,435 views
  13. Drew Dowdell ·
    BMW has issued a profit warning for 2019, saying that profits will be well below last year's 7.2€ billion.  The company stated that higher raw material costs, unfavorable currency exchange, and compliance with stricter emissions standards are the main causes for the profit erosion.  BMW is not planning for layoffs at this time, but those could come in the future as the company moves to simplify and consolidate its product portfolio. One area that will see cuts is in powertrains. BMW plans to
    • ....aims to cut 12€ Billion in costs

    • 5 comments
    • 1,755 views
  14. Drew Dowdell ·
    At the end of July we told you that BMW was planning a slew of model cuts in an effort to save some cash. The first of those cuts has just arrived, for 2020, there will be no 3-Series GT, 6-Series GT, or 6-Series Gran Coupe.  This announcement effectively kills the 6-series lineup entirely which the 8-series has taken over for.  The GT versions of the 3 and 6-Series never caught on and visually looked ungainly.  That enough would be perfectly good enough reason for canceling the cars, but t
    • ...the reaper is prowling...

    • 12 comments
    • 1,617 views
  15. Drew Dowdell ·
    BMW unveiled their BMW Vision M Next Concept in Munich today. This concept displays the prototype of BMW's future driving assistance technologies named "EASE" and "BOOST".  EASE allows the car to take over the task of driving and allowing the driver to relaxing in a comfortable living space.  Relaxing, talking, in-car entertainment, or other things focused away from driving are possible here. BOOST offers the driver the ultimate driving experience.  The interior is driver oriented even if t
    • the Ultimate Driving Machine can take the wheel for you, or let you have fun on your own...

    • Editor-in-Chief
    • 10 comments
    • 1,337 views
  16. Drew Dowdell ·
    In 2018, when BMW launched it's 7.0 operating system for its in-car infotainment, it included Apple Car Play for free for the first 12 months.  After that, the owner was asked to pay $80 for a 1 year subscription to Car Play or $300 for a 240 month subscription. This caused a stir among BMW owners because Apple Car Play is included at no charge in nearly every other brand out there and because Apple doesn't charge manufacturers to use Apple CarPlay in their models. Models as basic as the Chevrol
    • ...The subscription model didn't work out...

    • 10 comments
    • 2,926 views
  17. Drew Dowdell ·
    Cutting models from lineups seems to be the order of the day lately.  Automakers like Nissan, General Motors, and Mercedes Benz, are in the process of hatcheting the heck out their lineups. Now comes the news from BMW. BMW has been struggling to make money on vehicles less than €40,000, due to fears of another global recession, a marked slowdown in the automotive sector, and Trump inspired trade wars, BMW is looking to cull options and models from their lineup.  Gone will be many convertibl
    • ...struggling to make money on cars under €40,000...

    • 29 comments
    • 3,208 views
  18. Drew Dowdell ·
    BMW unveiled the Concept iX3 at the Beijing Motor show in April of 2018.  The overall look of the crossover is somewhat conventional, but with the traditional kidney grille being closed off for aerodynamic reasons and special aerodynamic wheels. The production iX3 will be rear-wheel drive only and have a peak rating of 286 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. All of that power comes from a single motor. The motor is BMW's fifth-generation eDrive powertrain developed solely in house. BMW says
    • ...longer range and more conventional looks than the other "i" cars...

    • 4 comments
    • 2,038 views
  19. Drew Dowdell ·
    BMW has announced that beginning in Mid-2020, Android Auto with wireless connection will be available to customers in 20 countries for all vehicles with BMW Operating System 7.0 (which is most of their current lineup). Android Auto functions will be viewable in the instrument cluster and heads up display as well as the main infotainment screen. Google Assistant can be activated with the touch of a button on the steering wheel.  No word yet on how the upgrade will be applied, but most likely
    • ...it's about time...

    • 6 comments
    • 1,310 views
  20. Drew Dowdell ·
    BMW is studying ways to give its performance M-Division special models not based on any current or former BMW.   BMW has already apparently decided which class of car the models will be in, but will not reveal details on it just yet.  Multiple concepts are being studied.  The comments came from Markus Flasch, BMW's head of in-house tuning.  Further up for debate is whether the models would be internal combustion or electric or a blend of both. Whichever form they take, the M cars would "fit
    • ...could be gasoline or electric...

    • 32 comments
    • 2,398 views
  21. Drew Dowdell ·
    BMW is committing to keeping their V12 in production until at least 2023 according to BMW Powertrain Executive Michael Bayer, and he thinks it will be possible to make the engine compliant with the next round of Euro emissions regulations. That means it will stick around for the rest of the current generation of the 7-series sedan.   Unfortunately, there will still not be a V12 offered in the 8-series coupe.  We've already reported that Mercedes plans to cut its V12 out of the S-Class sedan
    • ...and maybe beyond that...

    • Editor-in-Chief
    • 21 comments
    • 2,487 views
  22. Drew Dowdell ·
    BMW has taken the wraps off the 2020 BMW 2-series Gran Coupe. It will come in two flavors, a 228 hp 228i Drive and a 301hp M235i xDrive. The 228i is powered by BMW's "B" modular engine family. It produces 228 horsepower from 5,000 rpm - 6,000 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque from 1,450 rpm to 4,500 rpm. The M235i increase that to 301 horsepower from 5,000 rpm - 6,250 rpm and 332 lb-ft of torque from 1,750 rpm - 4,500 rpm. The 235's engine gets larger diameter main bearings, new pistons connectin
    • ....Not your father's BMW...

    • 26 comments
    • 2,608 views
  23. Drew Dowdell ·
    BMW is planning on a new EV on a platform shared with Daimler according to reports.  The new car, called the i2, would be about the same size as the current BMW i3, but without the expensive carbon fiber body.   The i2, aimed for a 2024 launch, would have a starting price less than 30,000€ ($34,000).  BMW wants to have a 300km (186 mile) range.  BMW recently revised the i3 to have a larger battery.  The revised battery is 42.2 kWh and gives the i3 a range of 153 miles.  Sales of the co
    • ... Same size as BMW i3, but without Carbon Fiber

    • 8 comments
    • 1,916 views