Tag: bmw

Video: Autocar pits BMW 1 Series M Coupe against Porsche Cayman R

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Videos, BMW, Porsche

2011 BMW 1M Coupe vs. 2011 Porsche Cayman R

2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe vs. 2011 Porsche Cayman R – Click above to view video after the jump

The 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe has been setting hearts on fire across the automotive press since Munich started teasing the car a couple years ago. Now that it has finally arrived, Autocar decided to see if it lived up to its own hype when faced with the lithe 2011 Porsche Cayman R.

We’ll save giving away the outcome of the comparison in the video, but suffice it to say the 1M Coupe satisfies expectations. It brings back the raw, visceral driving experience characteristic of the old M cars and is relatively affordable. All things we dig. With that knowledge safely in hand, click past the jump to see how the little M rocket stacks up to the competition.

Continue reading Autocar pits BMW 1 Series M Coupe against Porsche Cayman R

Autocar pits BMW 1 Series M Coupe against Porsche Cayman R originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 May 2011 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: BMW 1 M Coupe gets strapped to the dyno

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, BMW

2011 bmw 1 series m on dyno

Inside Line straps the BMW 1 Series M to a dyno – Click above to watch video after the jump

It’s no secret that manufacturers sometimes underrate horsepower and torque figures for certain high performance models. This practice has been going on since the muscle car wars, and we don’t see it stopping anytime soon. Inside Line wanted to find out what the 2011 BMW 1 Series M is putting down for power, so rather than rely on the manufacturer’s information, the IL crew took a trip to the local dyno.

In case you’d forgotten, the 1 Series M is rated at 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque under normal operation, but an “overboost” function increases turbo pressure allowing the engine to make 369 pound-feet of torque for brief periods.

What happened when Inside Line hooked the 1M up to a rolling road? Let’s just say BMW is keeping the underrated power game alive. Click past the jump to watch the clip and see what we mean.

Continue reading BMW 1 M Coupe gets strapped to the dyno

BMW 1 M Coupe gets strapped to the dyno originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Are you the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Sedan, BMW

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW has previously confirmed that it plans to build a production version of the 6 Series Gran Coupe Concept that it unveiled at the 2010 Beijing Motor Show, and these plausible-looking patent filings appear to give a glimpse at the car’s final design. Much like BMW’s latest batch of concept cars – the M5 and 6 Series Coupe, notably – the “finished” product doesn’t stray too much from the original concept car, save, of course, the traditional dumbing-down of air intakes and wheel sizes.

The 6 Series Gran Coupe is expected to slot in between the BMW 5 Series and 7 Series in terms of both size and price, and will likely use the same range of turbocharged six- and eight-cylinder engines that we see in those models. While not as overly swoopy as its competitors, the 6 Series Gran Coupe will be poised to do battle with the Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS for four-door coupe luxury supremacy.

Are you the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: BMW 1 Series M faces off against Audi TT RS on track

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Audi, BMW

BMW 1 Series M Coupe and Audi TT RS

BMW 1 Series M Coupe vs Audi TT RS – Click above to watch video after the jump

Here’s a matchup made in heaven. The crew from Motor Sport Magazine took the time to pit the BMW 1 Series M Coupe against a fitting rival – the Audi TT RS. The two German sports coupes go fender-to-fender on track, and thanks to a few well-placed video cameras, we get to ride along for the action. There’s plenty of tail-wiggling glory from the smallest of the M family, but the TT RS seems more than capable of keeping the pace. With 340 horsepower to the 335 ponies of the TT RS, the 1 Series M Coupe has a slight power edge, but with all four wheels pulling in the Audi, the two are fit rivals.

While the video doesn’t actually capture any legitimate competition, it’s still fun to watch – and hear – these two pint-sized bruisers frolic around in a semi-controlled, off-street venue. We just wish it was us behind the wheel. Click past the break to check out the clip for yourself.

Continue reading BMW 1 Series M faces off against Audi TT RS on track

BMW 1 Series M faces off against Audi TT RS on track originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: We lap Laguna Seca in BMW’s autonomous Track Trainer

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Videos, BMW

BMW Track Trainer at Laguna Seca

BMW 330i Track Trainer at Laguna Seca – Click above for high-res image gallery

You know what’s scary? Autonomous cars. What’s scarier? An autonomous car that can lap Laguna Seca at eight-tenths and post sub-two minute lap times all day long. BMW’s 330i Track Trainer can do just that. And we have the video to prove it.

Continue reading We lap Laguna Seca in BMW’s autonomous Track Trainer

We lap Laguna Seca in BMW’s autonomous Track Trainer originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Exclusive: BMW developing customizable LCD gauges for refreshed 5 and 7 Series models

Filed under: Sedan, Technology, BMW, Luxury

BMW digital LCD gauge cluster

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has had one for a few years, and Jaguar-Land Rover recently fitted units to its all-new XJ and updated Range Rover. Now BMW is getting ready to offer its own fully configurable LCD gauge cluster on the next-generation 5 Series and 7 Series models.

Co-developed in Munich and BMW’s Technology Office in Mountain View, CA, the new gauge cluster will display the standard dials for speed, revs, fuel and temp, but can be configured to show additional navigation, telematics and infotainment data depending on the driving mode. Comfort and Sport settings will tailor the display to suit conditions, possibly placing the tachometer front-and-center in Sport mode, along with providing shift lights and other more driver-centric information.

A BMW engineer we spoke with made it clear that BMW doesn’t want to rely on digital representations of analog gauges. Instead, the automaker is looking at the display as a blank canvas with which it can display a variety of information in an innovative way. However, while consumer customization will be available, BMW believes that keeping the user-tweakability to a minimum is key for ease-of-use and general readability.

Expect the new dash to appear on the refreshed 5 and 7 Series within the next two years.

BMW developing customizable LCD gauges for refreshed 5 and 7 Series models originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 May 2011 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: BMW mulling seven-passenger X7 crossover… again

Filed under: Crossover, BMW, Rumormill, Luxury

2011 BMW X5

2011 BMW X5 – Click above for high-res image gallery

While it may have seemed unlikely before 1999 when the original X5 was launched, BMW has enjoyed explosive growth in the crossover utility world – so much so that it’s expanded its lineup to include the X1, X3 and X6 as well. The X5 and X6 have even spawned M versions, and the X3 is apparently slated to follow suit. But that’s hardly the extent of it, as the Bavarian automaker is reportedly developing a larger X7.

According to Automobile, the rumored X7 (codenamed F17) will go head-to-head with the Mercedes-Benz GL and a possible Audi Q9 – you know, in case the Q7 isn’t quite big enough. To differentiate it from the X5, the mooted X7 will reportedly pack a third row of seats for seven-passenger capability.

This isn’t the first we’ve heard of the X7, of course. The program was widely reported as canceled back in 2008 thanks largely to poor economic conditions in markets like the United States. The model had been scheduled for a 2013 introduction. Has a modestly improving economy and America’s relentless appetite for crossovers rekindled the project? If Automobile is to be believed, apparently so…

BMW mulling seven-passenger X7 crossover… again originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 May 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #231: Next Camry, vehicle satisfaction, EPA letter grades, BMW’s 328 Hommage

Filed under: Podcasts

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Shunk, Bowman, Roth and (eventually) Paukert get together for Episode #231 of the Autoblog Podcast. We cover the talk of a new Toyota Camry by year’s end, the dropping of proposed EPA letter grades from window stickers, the BMW 328 Hommage, and Chrysler and Lincoln topping their categories in the recent AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Awards. Your feedback and questions finish it off, and we’ve re-posted the Q&A at the bottom of this post so you can play along at home, too. Thanks for listening, we’ll see you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #231: Next Camry, vehicle satisfaction, EPA Letter Grades, BMW’s 328 Hommage

  • Letter grades dropped from window stickers; good or bad?
  • BMW 328 Hommage unveiled to celebrate 75th anniversary of original
  • New Camry coming this fall
  • Lincoln and Chrysler named top brands in Auto Pacific satisfaction survey

In the Autoblog Garage:

2011 Porsche Panamera
2011 Hyundai Equus
2011 Infiniti EX35


Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman, Chris Paukert
Runtime: 01:19:04

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
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[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #231: Next Camry, vehicle satisfaction, EPA letter grades, BMW’s 328 Hommage originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 May 2011 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW 1 Series M to be one year and done?

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, BMW

bmw 1 series m

2011 BMW 1 Series M – Click above for high-res image gallery

Did you pick up your 2011 BMW 1 Series M? If not, you may be paying a lot more for one down the road. The $46,135 German sports coupe will be produced through the end of this year… and then it’s done. According to TheDetroitBureau.com, BMW admits that its latest sex toy pumped-up two-door will have a very limited run of one model year.

That’s not to say we won’t see another version on the future. However, it could be several years before that happens, which should make the current (and only) crop of BMW 1 Series M cars quite collectible.

After reading TDB’s report, we pressed BMW for some more insight into the matter, and received confirmation that the current 1 Series M is only sticking around for the 2011 model year. The next generation 1 Series is at least two-and-a-half to three years away, which is too much time to speculate on a future 1 Series M. Curious as to how many 2011 1 Series M coupes will be produced? So are we, and BMW can only share that “less than 1,000 units” will be produced in 2011.

Said another way… get in line. Now.

BMW 1 Series M to be one year and done? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 May 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: BMW X3 M getting ready to rumble

Filed under: Performance, Crossover, BMW

2011 BMW X3

2011 BMW X3 – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to the wizards at Europe’s CAR magazine, sources within BMW have confirmed that the high-performance X3 M could launch as early as 2012. A stupid-fast X3 hardly seems necessary, but then again, that’s what we said about the larger X5 M and X6 M before falling in love after our stints behind the wheel.

CAR states that the X3 M will likely be powered by a tweaked version of the new six-cylinder engine bound for duty in the M3. In the X3, this engine will reportedly produce somewhere around 450 horsepower, and could use a brand new tri-turbo system – one electric turbocharger paired with two exhaust-gas-driven units.

A 450-horsepower X3? With three turbochargers (one of which is electric)? Sounds absurd (and is to be taken with a grain of salt… for now), but based on our experiences with the rest of BMW’s M range, consider us totally stoked.

BMW X3 M getting ready to rumble originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 May 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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