BMW working on 2 Series Active Hybrid Tourer

The cover may have officially been pulled off the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer at the Geneva Motor Show, but BMW has apparently continued working on other variants behind closed doors. While at first glance this prototype looks like any other Active Tourer, the "Hybrid Test Vehicle" stickers on the passenger door and rear bumper give it away as something a little different.

Details about the hybrid Active Tourer are somewhat sketchy at the moment, but BMW indicated its likely direction for the electrified hatchback in the earlier Concept Active Tourer. It used a hybridized 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine coupled with an electric motor with a total system output of 190 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque. The company claimed that it had a roughly 19-mile electric range and could hit 62 miles per hour in under 8 seconds. However, the Bavarian automaker hasn't said yet whether this powertrain would be used in the production version.

The internal combustion 2 Series Active Tourer is rumored to come to the US in 2015. Given the nearly complete look of the test car, the hybrid might not be too far behind.
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BMW already considering four cylinders for next M3

The cylinder count in BMW's M3 has fluctuated over the years. The original M3 debuted in 1985 packing a 2.3-liter inline-four, but subsequent models went with sixes until the outgoing generation upped the cylinder count to eight. With its latest model, BMW has dropped back to six cylinders with a pair of turbos taking the place of the extra pistons. But the next M3 sedan and M4 coupe could go back to the model line's roots with a four-cylinder engine.

Speaking with BMW M product manager Carsten Pries at the launch of the latest M3 and M4 in Portugal, our Aussie compatriots at Motoring.com.au report that "you could see a future [M3] powered by a four-cylinder engine." Offsetting the reduction in cylinders, the lighter engine would benefit the vehicle's weight and balance, thus enhancing performance.

We wouldn't expect the next M3 and M4 to lose any power in the process, though: Output in the M3 has only risen over the generations, from 192 horsepower in the four-pot original to 282 hp in the six-cylinder E36, 338 hp in the six-cylinder E46, 414 hp in the V8 E90 and 425 ponies in the new turbocharged six-cylinder F80 model. With that latter model having just debuted, it'll likely be a good six or seven years before the next version comes along, giving BMW plenty of time to settle on an engine - however many cylinders and turbochargers it has. In the meantime, you'll have to forgive us for taking a romp down M3 memory lane in the fresh gallery of images above.

BMW already considering four cylinders for next M3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 May 2014 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW announces M235i xDrive, 7 Series Exclusive among summer upgrades

Like any automaker worth its lug-nuts, BMW is constantly striving to improve its products. And so it has announced a series of upgrades for the summer - none of them revolutionary, but a couple of them notable.

For one, the Bavarian automaker has announced that is is offering xDrive traction on the M235i coupe, a model that has been available until now only in rear-drive configuration. The all-wheel drive version comes with the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six with 326 horsepower (320 in the US market) and eight-speed automatic transmission as the rear-drive version, but now channels that power to all four wheels for a 0-62 time quoted at 4.6 seconds - two little ticks quicker than the existing version. It's the first time that all-wheel drive is being offered on the 2 Series, and will also be fitted on the convertible - at least, that is, in Europe. We're waiting on confirmation of North American availability.

Among the other announcements is a special edition of BMW's flagship luxury sedan. The 7 Series Exclusive Edition upgrades with metallic paint, 19-inch V-spoke alloys, Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-trimmed instrument panel. Buyers will also be able to opt for the Merino fine grain leather and Alcantara roof lining from the BMW Individual catalog, and choose between any available engine or either wheelbase lengths.

BMW is also offering broader range of powertrain choices on a variety of models and new options in the BMW Individual catalog. Scope out the details in the press release below and the fresh images of the M235i and 7 Series Exclusive Edition in the galleries top and bottom.
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BMW invests in carbon fiber for use beyond i and M models

The immense amount of resources BMW has poured into its i brand program hasn't stopped, and recent developments indicate it's likely to pay off for BMW and BMW buyers outside the i brand. The i8 has already sold out its first year run, the i3 racked up 10,000 orders before it even went on sale and is already the subject of public discussion about being stretched into an i5, and a new investment in carbon fiber production has the automaker talking about CFRP use in non-i and non-M models.

BMW and SGL Group got together to form SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers (ACF), and the joint venture produces all of the CFRP for the i3 and i8 on two production lines at its plant in Moses Lake, Washington. After already investing $100 million to increase capacity, BMW has announced that another $200 million will add four more production lines, tripling production from 3,000 tons per year to 9,000 tons. When the expansion is complete in 2015, BMW says the Moses Lake facility will be the world's largest carbon fiber plant.

That's a lot of weave and the long view is that it will find its way into core models, with BMW exec Dr. Klaus Draeger saying, "As part of an intelligent mix of materials, we will apply carbon also beyond our BMW i and BMW M models in the future," and be able to do so "at competitive costs and in large quantities."

Admittedly, this was always the plan from the beginning, the i brand communications manager telling AutoblogGreen "Every idea, every technology, every revolution or new material that we came up with for BMW i eventually had to enable the rest of the BMW Group. Which means, yes, there is a plan to bring carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) to the rest of our fleet." This latest investment previews a road map to those carbon fiber parts like wheels, seat frames and steering wheels that BMW showed off at its Innovation Days earlier this year, those CFRP wheels potentially hitting the market in a year or two.
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Tier 1 suppliers call GM the worst OEM to work with

Among automakers with a big US presence, General Motors is the worst to work for, according to a new survey from Tier 1 automotive suppliers, conducted by Planning Perspectives, Inc.

The Detroit-based manufacturer, which has been under fire following the ignition switch recall and its accompanying scandal, finished behind six other automakers with big US manufacturing operations. Suppliers had issues with trust and communications, as well as intellectual property protection. GM was also the least likely to allow suppliers to raise their prices in the face of unexpected increases in material cost, all of which contributed to 55 percent of suppliers saying their relationship with GM was "poor to very poor."

GM's cross-town competitors didn't fare much better. Chrysler finished in fifth place, ahead of GM and behind Dearborn-based Ford, which was passed for third place this year by Nissan. Toyota took the top marks, while Honda captured second place.

PPI also surveyed suppliers of Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, each of which has considerably smaller manufacturing presence relative to the American and Japanese brands (there are only three US factories between the three of them). Mercedes and VW were ranked behind GM, while BMW would have been just behind Toyota.

According to Reuters, this survey serves to illustrate a big issue facing American manufacturers - Japanese brands aren't just on good terms with suppliers, but their relations are actually improving. PPI boss John Henke said the popularity of Toyota and Nissan among suppliers increased considerably, indicating that we "could be entering an era in supplier relations that doesn't bode well for the US Big Three."
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2015 BMW M4 Coupe

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, BMW, First Drives, New Car Reviews

Launched out of the seat by a huge, unexpected dip in the road, yet still held largely in place by the smooth webbing of my safety belt, I clench my teeth waiting to come back to earth. A tenth of a second later, the M4 Coupe touches down and my body is slammed into the leather seat cushion. All of the air is forced out of my lungs upon landing, but the BMW's chassis, suspension and steering appear unfazed. Pleasantly surprised, I mash the accelerator to the floor in giddy pursuit of the car in front of me - an absolutely identical 2015 BMW M4 coupe.

A cavorting game of cat-and-mouse on a desolate twisty canyon in southern Portugal is an excellent way to explore the real-world driving dynamics and performance of BMW's all-new M4 Coupe. But to truly push it to the limit - without having to worry about oversize depressions in the asphalt - requires a dedicated racetrack. Graciously, my hosts have rented the famed Autódromo Internacional do Algarve racetrack, or Portimão circuit, for an afternoon of automotive debauchery.

It's hard to believe this passes for work.

Continue reading 2015 BMW M4 Coupe

2015 BMW M4 Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 May 2014 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW i creates high-design solar charging carport

With the first deliveries of the i3 under way, and the recent i8 press launch, the marketing push in the US for the BMW electric sub-brand has begun. These i vehicles are supposed to have a completely different feel from the rest of the brand's lineup. To complement their earth-friendly ethos, the Bavarian company commissioned BMW Group DesignworksUSA in California to create a solar carport concept that could keep the models sustainably topped up on power. It premiered alongside the i8 in Los Angeles at the electric sports coupe's media launch.

At first glance, the BMW i Solar Carport Concept looks like a pergola from a winery or a well-groomed garden, but like the i vehicles, the deeper you look, the more high-tech features there are. The sides feature carbon elements in a similar way that the i3 and i8 have a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic body. Bamboo forms the uprights because its quick-growing nature makes it rather sustainable, and the solar panels are strung along the top to harness energy.

Obviously the sun can't provide all of the energy that the electric cars need, and a BMW Wallbox Pro charger is also connected to the power grid as a supplement. It includes a readout telling users the amount of solar energy versus municipal electricity it's using.

The carport is just a concept for now, but it shows off the image that BMW wants for these new models. They are supposed to be green, premium vehicles with modern, eco-friendly design.
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Forget about greenlighting it, BMW is already testing the M2

One week ago, we reported, with some skepticism, that BMW had greenlit a car we've been waiting for since the 1 Series M Coupe was discontinued - the M2. Now, we have the first images of that new hotshot underoing testing in Germany.

What's our reasoning here? After all, this just looks like an M235i. Well, that camo is disguising swollen fenders designed to conceal wider tires. Now, these aren't production changes, and it's very likely that the eventual M2's fenders will look quite a bit different. According to our spy, the front fenders have been borrowed from the M235i Racing, while the rears are from an unknown source.

Our spies are also quick to point out a few other high-performance items on this mule. The cross-drilled brakes and blue M calipers are one such item, although we aren't sure how much they differ from the optional stoppers on the production M235i. The black wheels are borrowed from the M3 and M4, and are shod in what look like a sticky set of Michelin tires.

Of course, we're in the very earliest stages of testing here. We can expect to find out much more about the latest M car, though, in the coming months. Take a look up top to see what our spies were able to capture of the first M2.
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BMWs That Will Be Missed: BMW 502

BMW started developing its first post-war car, the 502, at a time when the whole world was still recovering from the disaster, in 1951. The first 502 prototype had a barely adequate engine and Chief Engineer of BMW at the time, Alfred Böning, decided to create a brand new engine in order to make the car more enjoyable.

This is how the first post-war V8 powered BMW came to see the light of day. However, this wasn't a monster engine, as we're used to these days. The 8-cylinder engine had a displacement of only 2.6-liters and a power output of 100 HP due to a two-barrel Solex carburetor.

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640 HP BMW M6 Is The Boogyman of Tuning

Let's have a moment of silence please, dear BMW fans, for one of the coolest road rockets we've seen all moth. Whoever said BMW doesn't make supercars definitely didn't see this thing. It's the M6 Coupe tuned by G-Power, a German tuner who doesn't play around.

When he new M6 left the factory, it did so with the most powerful stock engine they make a 4.4-liter producing no less than 560 HP, but the tuner increased this to a more impressive 640 HP and 777 Nm of torque with the use of G-Power Bi-Tronik III custom ECU mapping and a new ASA Series supercharger.

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Another Custom Silver Gray BMW E46 M3

Yesterday we saw an interesting Silver Grey E46 M3 Convertible in China. However, as good as that car looked and as rare as it is in the communist Asian country, this Coupe E46 is way better looking.

The guys from European Auto Source took good care of it and turned it into a real head-turner. We don't really know why but, even though the E46 M3 was last built in 2006 we still get a funny feeling when looking at it, after all this time.

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BMW E34 M5 Bargain Found on eBay

The BMW E34 M5 was the last of the M cars to be hand built at the BMW M factory therefore becoming an iconic car over time. Over its lifespan of 6 years, the E34 M5 had 2 engines at its disposal.

The first version of the E34 M5 had a S38B36 3.6-liter engine delivering 310 HP and 266 lb-ft (360 Nm) of torque whilst the updated version build after 1992 had S38B38 version of the same engine which meant that the engine capacity was increased to 3.8-liters and the power output was pushed at 335 HP with 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque.

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BMW Z4 GTE Debuts this Weekend in the ALMS Series

This weekend the 12 hour race of Sebring will mark a new beginning for the BMW Motorsport program in North America: this will be the first time the BMW Team RLL will go against opposition in the GT class with the new BMW Z4 GTE.

The BMW M3 GT left some big shoes to fill. It was most successful, especially at Sebring, winning in 2011 and 2012. That means that this year's performance will serve as a starting point and benchmark for future endeavors of the RLL Team.

The team will have two complementary cars: one Z4 GTE finished in Frozen Black, wearing number 55 will be driven by Bill Auberlen (US), Maxime Martin (BE) and Jörg Müller (DE). The other Z4 will be dressed in a classic Alpine White BMW Motorsport livery and will be driven by Dirk Müller (DE), Joey Hand (US) and John Edwards (US).

"After all the months of development and preparation with the new BMW Z4 GTE, we are obviously now looking forward to testing ourselves against the opposition for the first time in Sebring. We have been very successful at this 12-hour race in recent years. I am excited to see whether the BMW Z4 GTE will cope as well with the specific demands of this race as its predecessor the BMW M3 GT did. We would like to start the season with a good result. However, the priority is to capitalise on the potential of the new car. This will obviously take a while,” said Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director).

“I’m always excited to start the season, especially at Sebring. This year almost everything is new, from the car and tyres to my two new team-mates. We are obviously well aware it will be very difficult to win the GT class three years in a row, especially with a new car. However, I know everyone in the team is extremely motivated to do well," said legendary BMW driver Dirk Müller.

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BMW Z4 GT3 Confirmed for ALMS 2013

ALMS 2013 season will be held on 21st September and some of the latest reports show that BMW will be back on the track for this particular annual race with the 2013 BMW Z4 GTE based on the BMW Z4 GT3 which has been in the ALMS since 2009. It has gathered back-to-back GT championships, among them being the driver, team and manufacturer titles in 2011 not to mention seven class victories, all in the hands of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (BMW Team RLL).

Speaking on the car, BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt said;

With the BMW Z4 GTE, we are starting a new chapter in North America alongside BMW Team RLL; we have celebrated magnificent victories and titles with the BMW M3 GT and BMW Team RLL over the past four years. The BMW Z4 GTE has everything it needs to continue this success story.

The team members are also key to performance, starting with the manager; long-time BMW employee Gordon McDonnell has been named the BMW NA Motorsport Manager and will lead the program from concept to the finish line. Returning drivers Bill Auberlen and Joey Hand from the US and Dirk Müller (DE) will join the effort.

New to the team is twenty-one-year old John Edwards (US) who will join the team, replacing Hand for the races that don’t fit into Hand’s DTM schedule. Edwards began his career in open-wheel racing, winning the Star Mazda title in 2008 and the Atlantic series championship in 2009 and since 2010 he has focused on GT and GS class racing in the GRAND-AM series.

26-year old Maxime Martin from Belgium will be the newest member to join the BMW Team RLL for the full 2013 season. He finished second in the 2012 BMW Sport Trophy after a strong season racing a BMW Z4 GT3 in the Blancpain Endurance Series and a BMW ALPINA B6 GT3 in the ADAC GT Masters.

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Toyota close to licensing deal with BMW for fuel cell technology

For over a year now, we've been hearing about a potential partnership between Toyota and BMW on everything from sports cars to lithium-ion batteries, but one of the first cooperative projects between these two automakers could bring Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell technology to a BMW vehicle. Reuters is reporting that an announcement is likely to be made as soon as later this week regarding a BMW fuel cell vehicle that could be in production by 2020 with a prototype running around by 2015.

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Euro NCAP Says BMW 3-Series Is the Safest Large Family Car

Nowadays, having a five-star safety rating doesn't put you ahead of the competition. This is especially true in the premium segment, where ten airbags are not uncommon.

We already knew that BMW's new 3-Series is among the safest cars out there, but further confirmation of the Bavarian model came today when Euro NCAP said it was Best in Class for the Large Family Car category. To earn this, the F30 3-Series earned a score of 95 percent in adult occupant protection, 84 percent in child occupant and 86 percent in safety assist technology.

The 3 Series scored maximum points for its protection of the 18 month infant, and lost only a fraction of a point for protection of the 3 year old.

In the case of a pedestrian impact, the BMW 3-Series’ construction could save lives, as Euro NCAP tests showed good protection for the bumper and the front edge of the bonnet.

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What the BMW 1-Series GT Will Look Like

As we said yesterday when we showed you a fresh batch of spyshots, showing the 1-Series GT undergoing winter testing, 'affordable' is where the new market for Europe's premium automakers.

BMW has finally decided to turn its expertise gained from years of MINIdevelopment into something that wears the propeller badge. The first front-wheel drive BMW ever will borrow the 1-Series badge, while the current coupe and convertible 1ers will move into 2-Series naming schemes.

The 1-Series GT was previewed last year as the Concept Active Tourer, and it's time to take a look at what it might look like once it enters production.

We expect the official debut to come in 2013, and the GT to look a lot like our this, our latest rendering. Though it might look like a small van, it's actually going to be spacious inside, thanks mainly to the new architecture which allows for a shorter bonnet and engine bay.

News source: autoevolution

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BMW M5 Tuned by Hartge Delivers 642 HP

German aftermarket specialist Hartge has recently introduced its take on the F10 BMW M5, with the package focusing on the tech side of the supersaloon.

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Spyshots: New 2014 BMW M3 Snow Fun

Earlier today, we showed you some allegedly leaked images of the upcoming 2014 BMW M3 and now we're back on the topic to offer you a fresh set of spyshots.

While the aforementioned images only revealed the front of the car, the adjacent spy photos offer us a complete view of the M3, which is still wearing some camo.

The 2014 M3 will follow the trend seen in many performance car segments nowadays: it won't up the ante on the power front too much, but it will lose some serious weight.

The vehicle is targeting the weight of the E46 M3 from two generations ago - 1470 kg (3240.8 lbs) for the coupe. This will improve performance in all areas, as well as increase fuel efficiency. The diet will include the use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) body parts on a larger scale than before.

Boosting fuel economy is also the reason for which the naturally aspirated 4.0-liter V8 unit of the current generation will have to go. This will be replaced with a turbocharged unit, which is expected to be a 3.3-liter six-cylinder delivering about 450 hp.

The test vehicle captured here uses the BMW M performance brakes (blue calipers), but you'll be able to order to production version with the new BMW M Carbon Ceramic brakes. The ceramics, which were introduced at the Detroit Motor Show on the M6 Gran Coupe, come with golden calipers.

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Audi, BMW and Mercedes to Introduce Hatchbacks on Indian Market

After a less-than-flattering reception from China, for their 'premium hatchbacks', the big three from Germany have now set their sights on the promising Indian market. First on the market will be Mercedes-Benz, with the all-new A-Class, by the middle of this year. They will be followed by BMW, with their new 1-Series, and there is a high likelihood of Audi joining in, with the A3 hatchback, some time in 2014.

According to Neelesh Hundekari, the head of a Mumbai-based consultancy firm, “If you have scale aspirations, then it’s important to succeed with the right models at the right price points [ . . . ] India is a poor country but people still want a piece of luxury, and at the right price point, they will buy a BMW or a Mercedes.”

The German want to take advantage of the newly-created middle class, from India, which has arisen after a decade of extreme economic growth. Now, “Indians are looking for affordability, even in the luxury segment" and "once a customer buys a BMW or Mercedes, he’s not going to go back to a lower brand,” according to Deepesh Rathore, the New Delhi-based managing director in India for IHS Automotive.

Keep in mind that the Indian luxury car market is expected to place third in the world rankings, by 2020, and by that time it will have quadrupled from the level recored in 2012.

Via Bloomberg

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