Tag Archives: News

SPIED: BMW X3 M LCI Seen Testing at the Nurburgring

The BMW X3 M is one of the very best vehicles to wear a blue and white Roundel, at the moment. It’s fast as all hell, looks fantastic and provides enough driving pleasure to make you genuinely not miss an M3. It’s a great car but it isn’t perfect. There are some areas it can improve and, hopefully, BMW does just that and improves the X3 M for this new LCI facelift, which was just caught testing at the ‘Ring. (We don’t own the photos but check ’em here)

In these new photos, we can see that the BMW X3 M, just like the standard X3, will be getting a slightly new face, one that’s more on-brand with modern BMWs, with the LCI update. Its grilles will be getting larger, though not 4 Series-large, and its headlights will get slightly sharper and will sit closer to the grilles than before. At the back, the taillights look similar to the current car’s but they could get a similar treatment to the new 5 Series LCI, where BMW just plays with the colors a bit.

Another interesting new addition is the M3-style wheels. The BMW X3 M seems to be getting the same new wheels seen on the new BMW M3 and M4 models, which feature an aggressive star-like pattern. They actually look quite good on the X3 M.

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Inside, it’s likely that the BMW X3 M gets the same new digital gauges and shift lever as the newer M models get. Those are small upgrades but will make a difference for customers, who want the latest and greatest tech and style. It’s also likely to get an upgraded iDrive screen, keeping it more in line with newer Bimmers. Overall, though, the X3 M’s cabin doesn’t need much updating, as it’s already a great looking, comfortable interior.

The area we’re really hoping that BMW upgrades the X3 M is the suspension. Despite being a great car to drive, the BMW X3 M is just far too stiff. Even coming from someone who likes firm, hardcore sports cars, the X3 M is brutal; clack your jaw, break your teeth brutal. I’m pretty sure a few of my vertebrae fused together during my week with it over pockmarked New Jersey roads.

Admittedly, the X3 M is shockingly capable on track because of its suspension but no one is taking the X3 M to a track. The whole point of getting an X3 M over an M3 is to get something that’s more practical and usable everyday. So most enthusiasts would welcome some softening of the suspension, at the expense of some limit handling. Hopefully, this new BMW X3 M is a better compromise than the current one.

[Source: Motor Authority]

American BMW Drivers are the Rudest Drivers, per Insurify

Everyone’s heard the typical complaints about BMW drivers; they’re obnoxious, never use their turn signals and can’t park. Obviously, most of that is just a stereotype, right? Maybe not, actually. According to this new report from Insurify, a car insurance comparison site in the U.S., BMW drivers are actually the rudest drivers.

What defines a “rude” driver, you might ask? Insurify considers a rude driver to be those that frequently receive these violations; failure to yield, failure to stop, passing where prohibited, tail-gating, street racing or hit-and-run. Careless, reckless and arrogant, drivers, apparently. According to the insurance comparer’s date, BMW drivers place number one and number two on that list.

The reason BMW can place twice is that this data breaks down drivers by by specific car, not just brand. So the number one driver on Insurify’s naughty list is that of the BMW 4 Series. According to the insurance gurus, 4 Series drivers are the ones most likely to commit those traffic violations. Second on that list is the BMW 7 Series, which isn’t surprising.

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Thankfully for BMW drivers, those are the only to BMWs on the list. Still, the drivers of those two cars seem to be the rudest of them all. Shockingly, it’s the only category BMW ranks highly (poorly?) in, as BMW is omitted entirely from the “Most Accident” and “Most Speeding Tickets” lists.

It’s funny, I don’t currently own a BMW but when I did, I was always sensitive about the stigma behind BMW drivers. I use my turn signals religiously, make sure to park as well as I can and follow the rules and lane disciplines as much as I possibly can. So I always felt that the stigma was false. However, this new survey might be saying otherwise. Maybe I was wrong, maybe us BMW drivers are a bunch of jerks.

[Source: Autoweek]

VIDEO: Joe Achilles tests Michelin Cup 2 Connect Tires on his BMW M2 Competition

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Of all the BMWs on sale, the one most likely to see track duty is the M2 Competition. Sure, cars like the M340i and M5 are great on track but who is realistically going to take those cars to a track day? Very few. It’s the BMW M2 Competition that’s going to see track time. So if you’re an M2 Comp owner and want to have some fun in your car, you’re going to need the right tires. In this video from Joe Achilles, he tests out Michelin Cup 2 Connect tires on his very own M2 Comp on track.

Like all things in today’s world, the Michelin Cup 2 tires are connected tires, so they can connect to a mobile app that gives you a readout of what they’re doing. So, as you can see in Achilles’ video, you can have your mobile phone mounted somewhere in your car with the Michelin app up, as it displays all the necessary info about your tires. For instance, the app told him that three of his tires needed a bit of deflating before heading out on track. Also, the app gave him an exact tire temperature readout for each corner, allowing him to know when they were up to temperature enough to push them hard.

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As always, the BMW M2 Competition also looks like a riot on track. I’m personally jealous of Achilles, as he owns the M2 Comp, so he can track it whenever he wants. I have to wait until BMW press events. Still, the M2 Comp is a genuine riot on track, even though it’s scared the hell out of me a few times.

This video does show that tire technology can be extremely helpful for any enthusiast that actually wants to push their BMW on a track day and get the most performance out of it. So if you’re an M2 Competition owner and want to really see what your car can do, make sure you invest in the right tires.

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SPIED: BMW M4 Convertible Seen Testing at the Nurburgring

The BMW M4 Convertible is the only version of the M3/M4 left to be seen doing some camouflaged testing. We’ve already even seen the BMW M3 Touring, which was only announced five minutes ago. Yet we’ve seen very little of the M4 ‘Vert so far. Now, though, some new spy video has been released, showing off the upcoming G83 BMW M4 Convertible doing some top-up testing at the Nurburgring.

One of the first things you might notice is its roof. Like the standard 4 Series it’s based on, it obviously has a fabric roof, rather than a folding hard-top. This new roof will make the M4 lighter than a hard-top wood, while also lowering the center of gravity. After seeing the weight figures of the new M4, it can use all of the weight loss it can get.

Like the standard BMW M4, the M4 Convertible seems to handle pretty tidily around the ‘Ring. Its turn-in seems sharp enough and it looks like it’s well-balanced through the corners, without too much understeer. It also looks like it manages its weigh well, as it can change direction rather quickly for a heavy car.

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Oddly enough, the G83 BMW M4 Convertible is one of the new M models I’m most excited to drive, personally. Reason being is that the last M4 Convertible I drove was quite horrid, if I’m honest. The F82 BMW M4 was a great driving car, especially in Competition-spec. However, the last F83 M4 Convertible I drove was awful. Its chassis had the rigidity of soggy bread, which caused it to rattle and shake over anything but absolutely perfect roads, as well as flop around through corners. So I’m personally very curious to check this new G83 BMW M4 Convertible out to see if it’s improved.

Thankfully, BMW has improved significantly in that department. The BMW 8 Series and Z4 are both bank vault-solid, even with their folding soft-tops down. So hopefully that know-how translates over to the new BMW M4 Convertible, as the last one was just a stiff chassis away from being great.

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Aston Martin is Now Offering a New Vantage Grille — Might BMW Take Notice?

It seems as if Aston Martin has been listening to its fans’ and customers’ complaints. When the new Aston Martin Vantage first debuted, its styling received mostly high praise and deservedly so. It’s a great looking car. There were, however, some complaints about its grille design and even fans of the car as a whole felt that its grille was a bit off. Its new-at-the-time catfish-looking “Hunter” grille was admittedly a bold leap from all previous Astons, so fans were naturally shocked.

After a year or two of being on sale, it seems that Aston has heard those complaints and has actually done something about it. With the new Aston Martin Vantage Roadster, the famed British brand created a new grille, one that’s more in line with the brand’s iconic grille “Vane” design. Aston has even gone a step further and is now offering this new grille Vane grille, on the Coupe now as well. Conversely, the new Hunter grille is also available on the Roadster, so you can get either grille on either car.

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Left: New “Vane” Grille, Right: Old “Hunter” Grille

This is actually a great idea for the Aston Martin brand. After all, Aston is a luxury brand and the most luxurious thing one can have is choice. The ability to choose which grille design a customer wants is actually a really interesting idea, as it’s not something that’s commonly done. In fact, I can’t think of another brand that offers two completely different grille designs on the same car. More than that, though, it also shows that Aston Martin has heard its customers’ complaints and is willing to accommodate them, without also abandoning its new bold style, being that you can still get the new grille if you like.

Should BMW take notice and potentially follow suit with its new 4 Series and BMW M3/M4? From the moment the 4 Series was revealed, fans were hoping that BMW would change the grille design with its upcoming mid-cycle LCI refresh, due to all of the backlash. Most critics and journalists with connections to BMW (ourselves included) will tell you that such an idea is highly unlikely to say the least. Redesigning the grille would not only be very expensive but it will also be abandoning its new design language, which would be admitting defeat, something doesn’t like doing.

But what about offering both? While that would still be very expensive, and likely more expensive because running two grille designs would be more complicated for the assembly line, the payoff might actually be worth it.

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There are BMW enthusiasts that do like the new grille design. We’ve heard your voices, we know you’re out there. However, the vast majority of car enthusiasts in general feel otherwise and we know this for a fact, as the internet is awash with often hilarious criticism, from fans and journalists alike.

If BMW were to offer two grille designs, it would be doing the very same thing Aston Martin is doing; giving each group of fans what they want without backing down from its new design language. It would give customers the ultimate luxury — choice.

I’m not saying BMW should do this and to say that I doubt BMW would ever do this would be a gross understatement. However, it’s an interesting idea that another automaker has already done — and is already getting praise for doing — so it’s not outside the realm of possibility.

Also consider the fact that Aston Martin is not only a much, much smaller automaker than BMW but it’s also one that’s desperately hurting for money. So if Aston can afford to offer a second grille, than surely BMW can. Actually, we know BMW can: it’s an enormous, multi-billion dollar corporation with one of the most advanced and efficient manufacturing processes in the world. It can offer a second grille rather easily, if I’m being honest.

BMW won’t do this. We don’t even think it’s close to becoming a realistic thought for any executives at BMW. However, it’s certainly possible, as it’s already been proven so by a less capable automaker, and it’s something that a lot of fans would be very happy with. So should BMW consider following Aston Martin and put out a second grille for the 4 Series and M3/M4?

VIDEO: See How the New MINI Compares to a Classic Mini

MINI is brand that’s entirely retro. While some brands make a car or two as a throwback to classic cars (See: the Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, Alpine A110), the entire MINI brand is a throwback to the original Mini. After purchasing the rights to the Rover Group, BMW acquiring the Mini brand along with it. So the suits in Munich set out to revive the brand, with Chris Bangle as the Head of Design and Frank Stephenson as the lead designer on the new MINI.

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In terms of style, there’s not question that BMW and its design team knocked it out of the park, as the revived MINI was a perfect blend of modern/retro styling. However, how does it actually compare in terms of driving dynamics? After all, the classic Mini is known for being one of the most fun cars to ever hit the road.

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This new video from TFLC, we get this interesting comparison which shows off just how much has changed since the 1950s. Or the 1990s, for that matter, as the classic Mini was almost unchanged from its original design for over 40 years.

It’s an interesting video because it really shows off just how clever and unique a lot of the classic Mini’s design details were. It was a car developed out of necessity, so it’s actually quite ingenious. What’s fascinating about the new MINI, though, is that it not only kept a lot of the original car’s quirky attitude but was able to offer it at a more premium level. BMW what was thought to be impossible and that’s sell a compact car at a premium price and make it work.

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You can also see just how spacious both cars are on the inside. The new one is just as impressive as the old one, in that regard. Sure, the new car is much bigger but it’s still compact for modern cars and it also has to fit far, far more equipment. It has a much bigger, much more complicated engine, ten times the safety equipment, crash zones and airbags.

So when you consider what the new MINI needed to accomplish, its interior space, performance, handling and fun-to-drive is just as impressive as the old car’s and it’s hard to understand that until you see them back-to-back. Still, the classic Mini is the more enjoyable car to actually drive.

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LEAKED: BMW M3 and BMW M4 Leak Ahead of Official Reveal

I almost feel bad for automakers and their PR teams who pour an incredible amount of work into worldwide official debuts, only for their cars to be leaked ahead of time, every single time. Unfortunately for BMW, both the upcoming BMW M3 and BMW M4 have leaked ahead of their official release, which is set for tomorrow.

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In these photos, we can see both cars wearing their launch colors. The fact that they’re wearing their launch colors proves that these are legitimate official photos. So it’s Isle of Man Green and Sao Paulo Yellow for the BMW M3 and BMW M4, respectively.

Let’s get down to business, though. You just want to talk about the new grille design, right? Well, now it’s finally here and we can finally see the real thing. Not spy photos, not renders, these pics are the real deal. So we can now see the official new face of the M3 and M4, for better or worse.

It’s certainly an interesting new design, as it completely bucks the typical BMW grille trends. The only similarity between this grille design and all of the BMW designs that came before it is the fact that there are two of ’em. The fact that these are technically dual kidney grilles is really the only thing connecting this design to that of its ancestors. Outside f they, it’s a very different design.

Not only are the two grilles massive but they create swells in the hood line and the grille slats are horizontal, rather than vertical. It’s become an extremely controversial design but I have to say, after seeing it for real, it’s not as bad as I had thought and we’re going to get used to it.

Aside from that new grille, the M3 and M4 look really good. The BMW M3 is as aggressive as usual, with its flared wheel arches, and the BMW M4 is sleeker and prettier. Both cars look great from the front wheel backward and we can’t wait to see them in person.

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Why The Z Proto Is The Most Important Car Of 2020

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Why The Z Proto Is The Most Important Car Of 2020

Ladies and gentleman, here is the new Nissan Z Proto, the most important sports car of the year.

Why? It’s simple. As we move into a decade that will be remembered for the automotive industry’s major shift to electric propulsion, the new Z enters the fray thinking it’s 1992.

This is an analogue sports car, an honest 2-seater powered by a twin-turbo V6 which sends drive to the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual gearbox. Sure, it features the latest tech, safety and engineering solutions you’d expect to see on a car produced in 2020, but it takes us enthusiasts back. Way back.

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And that’s a good thing.

Nissan knew very well that this was a car they couldn’t possibly mess with. Much like the GT-R, the Fairlady Z moniker – or just ‘Z’ around the world –  is a halo model for the brand, and as I touched on in yesterday’s retrospective, its history goes right back to 1969. Even further if you take into account the Datsun Sports.

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Halo cars have a direct link to enthusiasts, so what do you do when you want to celebrate an iconic model that has been around for more than 50 years? You give the people what they want.

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The Z Proto brings in a heavy dose of retro styling, starting up front with an obvious tip of the hat to the original S30/240Z.

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The main headlight bulbs are deeply recessed into their housings, and Alfonso Albaisa, Vice President of Global Design, says the accent semi circles resemble the reflections the 240ZG’s clear light covers gave off under lights.

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The scooped-out bumper section in front of the headlights and the gaping center rectangular air dam just scream S30, too. It’s a bold move that dominates the Z’s face, but seems to be naturally in tune with the rest of the front end.

All of the details form a very coherent and elegantly integrated 240Z treatment, and they continue right onto the hood where the crease lines are again S30 in nature.

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The Z Proto sits on a set of bronze 19-inch wheels that show off a braking system borrowed from the R35 GT-R – 6-pots up front and 4-pots in the rear.

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Nissan have built this new car on Z34 underpinnings, something you can sort of see from the roof line. You have to give it to them for creating such a distinct and fresh profile; the new Z is lower and sleeker and looks sexy from pretty much any angle, much like the S30 it pays homage to.

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The rear, however, is pulled straight from the ’90s. Alfonso’s love of the 300ZX is easy to see, and gone are those awkward rumps of the Z33 and Z34. Now there’s a lower, flatter hatch area that meets a dark taillight panel.

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The 3D LED backlit oval elements are a modern interpretation of the Z32’s taillights that seemingly float in the darkness of the flat rear section. These oval elements are echoed at the front with the grille inserts as well as inside the cabin on the main central air vents.

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The angle of the ‘Fairlady Z’ emblem on the back is straight off the ’69 S30’s blueprints, something enthusiasts will surely approve of.

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Further down, the lower portion of the bumper has a very Z32-inspired cutout, finished in carbon fiber, where the dual tail pipes sprout from.

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Look carefully and you’ll see the old school ‘Z’ logo has made a comeback, albeit refined for 2020.

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The cabin receives an almost complete redesign. There’s a new dash, a massive center multimedia screen, and many cool retro details to lust over.

But the big thing for me is the 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. It’s a great fusion of new and old, and if you look carefully there’s an analogue boost gauge to the left of the big central tachometer – confirmation of forced induction under the hood.

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When the Z Proto evolves into a finished production car, it will be powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, which as rumors for the last couple of years have been pointing to, can only be the VR30DDTT. With 400hp and 475Nm on tap, this will be the craziest Z ever, and we all know how easy it is to extract more power from the baby VR.

And all of this is why the Z Proto is the most important car of 2020. The production version can’t come quick enough.

Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
dino@speedhunters.com

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Check Out This E39 M5-Powered E38 BMW 7 Series on Cars and Bids

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Imagine combining what are potentially the two best sedans BMW ever made? By that, I mean taking the powertrain from the best sport sedan BMW ever made and stuffing it into possibly the best looking, nicest riding sedan it’s ever made. Some crazy genius decided to take the V8 and six-speed manual gearbox from an E39 BMW M5 and stuff it into the gorgeous body of an E38 BMW 7 Series, thus creating what could be the most perfect BMW ever. And it’s for sale.

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This Frankenstein M5/7 Series is currently up for sale on Cars and Bids, the new auction site from Doug DeMuro. At the time of writing this, the current bid is at $11,500 and there are still five days left. So it’s not going to be cheap. But it’s worth the money. It’s worth all the moneys.

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The car started off life as a short wheelbase E38 BMW 740i M Sport but in 2017 it had its powertrain and drivetrain swapped with an E39 M5’s. So it now has a 4.9 liter naturally-aspirated V8 with a six-speed manual gearbox (*grins in Jason Statham*). Additionally, it gets Supersprint mufflers, Bilstein dampers, H&R springs and a tablet running either Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The drivetrain has 143,000 miles on the odometer but there is a risk that the mileage for the rest of the car has been rolled back.

Personally, I don’t really like the idea of buying a car with a powertrain swap, as I deeply worry that it might not work properly. Having said that, this car, to me at least, is worth taking the risk on. It combines the best aspects of the two best sedans in BMW’s history into one awesome package. So it gets the stunning looks and great cabin of an E38 7 Series with the brilliant powertrain of the E39 BMW M5.

[Source: Cars and Bids]

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BMW X3 M Takes on X6 M and Rivals in Motor Trend Comparison

As car enthusiasts, the idea of big performance SUVs is one that drives us mad. SUVs are too big and heavy to be fun and trying to make them fun often ends in them losing their capabilities as SUVs. So it always seems like a poor compromise. However, sometimes that compromise ends up making a great overall package. In this recent comparison from Motor Trend, we get to see those few cars take each other on, head-to-head.

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It’s actually an odd comparison, as it features a small crossover and some big ole SUVs. For starters, you have the BMW X3 M and the BMW X6 M, two cars that are similar only in the fact that they’re four-door SUVs. Outside of that, they couldn’t be more different.

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Along with those two very different BMWs were the Maserati Levante Trofeo, the Mercedes-AMG GLE63S and the Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo. All three of those SUVs are surprisingly great driving cars, despite their size and weight. But there can only one winner. So which is it?

Well, I don’t think it’s hard to guess — the winner of the test is the Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo. Considering that the Cayenne is always the best driving SUV, this really isn’t much of a surprise. However, the more interesting aspect of the comparison is which BMW is considered best.

The BMW X3 M is a very different machine from the X6 M. It’s lighter, smaller and stiffer. It also has about 100 fewer horses. However, as far as crossovers go, it drives about as well as it possibly can. In fact, after driving it I personally remember thinking that it was so good it could stand in for the lack of M3 Touring (before knowing one was on the way). However, MT deems the X6 M to be the better machine.

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What about the X6 M, which is much bigger and heavier, better than the more lithe X3 M? Two things, mainly. One is the ride. The X3 M drives great but its ride is bone-crushing and bounces over rough pavement far too much. The X6 is no S-Class, of course, and it still pogos a bit on rough pavement but it’s far more composed than the X3 M, which makes it more enjoyable to drive.

The other reason for the X6 M’s intra-BMW victory is its power and performance. For an SUV of its size, it’s astonishingly explosive. Its engine is fantastic, pumping out over 600 horsepower, and it handles like a much, much lighter SUV.

This test just goes to show that BMW M knows how to defy physics as much as is absolutely possible. Sure, it should focus more on lighter, smaller vehicles but it’s still impressive to see what BMW M can do with such mammoth vehicles.

[Source: Motor Trend]

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