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TopSpeed Rendering: 2015 BMW M2
  It’s no secret that things are going to change significantly in BMW ’s future line-up. For example, the future 1-Series will only include a hatchback version, while the coupe and convertible versions will be sold as a 2-Series. And, as many rumors suggest, the top version of the next 2-Series will be the M2. It will arrive one year after the standard model, so expect to see it sometime before the 2015 model year. The future BMW M2 will be built on the new F21 platform and will be powered by a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbo delivering about 350 HP. Rumors say that the new tri-turbo engine might also find its way under the hood of the upcoming model. Whichever engine is picked, it will be mated to an all-new DCT semi-automatic transmission. Also, like most of the upcoming BMW models, the M2 will feature the intense use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic. Give us your thoughts on the future BMW M2 by hitting us up in the comments section below! 2013 BMW M3 M Performance Edition
German automaker BMW is ratcheting up the promotion of their highly anticipated special edition M Performance models. We already got wind of a teaser video BMW UK released for the M5 M Performance Edition, but now it appears that it wasn’t the only teaser video BMW had in store for us. Shortly after releasing that video, the German automaker released another teaser vid, this time of the M3 M Performance Edition. For the M3 model that has seen its fair share of special edition models,, the M3 M Performance Edition is arguably one of the most highly-anticipated of all these limited run models. Details are still scarce surrounding the M3 M Performance Edition models, but like it’s M5 counterparts, the line will be limited to only 30 units, 10 each for the three available colors - Frozen Red, Frozen Blue, and Frozen White - that will be launched soon. As soon as more details behind the M3 M Performance Edition come to light, we’ll be sure to keep you guys updated. In the meantime, check out the teaser video BMW UK has released of the limited run line-up. 2013 BMW M135i
After debuting the M135i Concept at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, BMW has now unveiled the M135i production version. The new model will be distinguished by a specific exterior and interior design, as well as an impressive 3-liter, straight six-cylinder engine that delivers an amazing 320 HP. This output allows the car to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds and up to a top speed of 155 mph (electronically limited). The car’s exterior will be distinguished by specific M design elements: a front apron with large air intake vents and three-dimensional flaps on the outer air vents inspired by automobile racing. At the rear, there will be an impressive rear apron plus dual exhaust pipes. The final touch is provided by a new set of 18-inch M light alloy double-spoke wheels. The interior receives Hexagon/Alcantara upholstery, an M leather steering wheel, BMW Individual roofliner in Anthracite, and an aluminum Hexagon trim with matte Estoril Blue or high-gloss black accent lines. BMW has only unveiled the three-door version of the M135i, but they have promised that a five-door version will follow shortly. UPDATE 05/14/12:This review has been updated with the official details and images for the BMW M135i. Hit the jump to read more about the new BMW M135i. Full story Test the BMW 1-Series M Coupe in the ACR racing game
 BMW stopped taking orders for the 1-Series M Coupe at the beginning of April, so if someone wasn’t lucky enough to be among the 2700 people to grab a unit of this limited model, they won’t get the chance to drive one. At least that is the case in a real life scenario. In the gaming world, anything is possible. For example, the latest ACR game created by Auto Club Revolution in cooperation with BMW gives gamers the ability to log in and take a spin in the 1-Series M Coupe. All you have to do is go to bmw.autoclubrevolution.com to get a free BMW 1 Series M Coupe test-drive on the coolest racetracks and at the highest speeds. Auto Club Revolution takes online-racing to the next level, or at least this is the case they are making. Let us know if there is truth in their advertising by hitting us up in the comments section below! Hit the jump for the video presenting the European premiere held in the BMW M Studio. Full story 2011 BMW M3 by ATT-TEC
Rastatt, Germany is, by most accounts, a place you wouldn’t be able to point on a map even if you’re life depended on it, but that doesn’t mean the town is a mere afterthought. On the contrary, it’s the home of German tuner ATT-TEC, a tuning company that specializes in wicked programs for BMWs. Their latest project is for the BMW M3 E93 Convertible. Comprised of a complete aerodynamic and performance upgrade, ATT-TEC went to great lengths to give the M3 some serious looking edge. Aesthetically, the tuner gave the sports car a matte black wrapping foil to go with new carbon fiber components, particularly on the hood, the grille, mirrors, and side gills. Then, they fitted the M3 with a new set of 20" one-piece forged ADV.1 rims wrapped in 245/30R20 (front) and 295/20R20 (rear) Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta tires. Finally, ATT-TEC gave the car a KW Variant 3 inox-line coilover kit, which is adjustable for ride height, rebound, and damping. Moving on to the engine, ATT-TEC fitted an SK I “Sporty Drive” supercharger system from G-Power to the M3’s 4.0-liter V8 engine, before reprogramming its ECU unit and adding a new stainless steel exhaust. The result of all the engine tweaking is a car that now carries an output of 520 horsepower, a 100-horsepower increase from the stock model’s 420-horsepower output. As far as prices go, the aesthetic modifications cost €2,600 ($3,400) while the complete wheel-and-tire set hits €7,150 ($9,400) with the coil over kit costing €1,929 ($2,500). From there, the supercharger system will cost you €12,740 ($16,800) with the stainless steel exhaust setting you back another €1,595 ($2,100). Basically, customers are going to have to REALLY want to upgrade their M3 to dish out all of this cash.
2004 BMW M3 E46 by G-Power
The BMW M3 E46 is a car that’s already past its production date, but for a tuning company like G-Power, "out-dated" isn’t a word that can stop them from building one of their customary - and impressive - tuning programs. In order to give this M3 E46 something to brag to about, G-Power decided that the only way to do so was to make it more powerful than the current M3, the E92. Powered by a 3.2-liter straight cylinder engine that produces 343 horsepower and 269 lb/ft of torque, G-Power fitted a new SK I "SPORTY DRIVE" supercharger system to the car’s engine, resulting in an increased output of 450 horsepower and 339 lb/ft of torque. In addition to the supercharger system, G-Power also fitted the M3 E46 with a new set of 20" Silverstone Diamond wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Tires while also adding a new coilover suspension, a stainless steel muffler, and high performance brakes. With all the modifications in tow, the G-Power-tuned M3 E46 is now capable of hitting 0-124 mph in just 14.7 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 186 mph. By comparison, the current M3 - called the E92 - comes with a 4.0-liter, M V8 engine that delivers 414 horsepower. In their mission to set-up the M3 E46 to be faster and more powerful than the current generation model, G-Power accomplished all that and more.
TopSpeed Rendering: U.S. Bound BMW M135i Coupe
 Earlier this year, at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, BMW unveiled a very cool M135i Concept and, of course, shortly thereafter rumors began about a production version. A few weeks ago, we brought the first spy shots of the M135i testing around Nurburgring and now we’re hearing that the U.S. may be getting their own version of the M135i, but in Coupe form. We expect the future M135i Coupe to feature the same setup as that of the Wagon, so we should see a sport-tuned suspension with M sport brakes, a new set of 18-inch M light alloys with a double spoke design, and an aerodynamic body kit. Under the hood, BMW may place the straight six-cylinder petrol engine that features M Performance Twin Power Turbo technology possibly with a few tweaks here and there. Output should come in at about 300 HP as in the Wagon version. The engine will be combined with a rear-wheel drive system. An official debut for the BMW M135i Coupe should be made sometime in late 2013 or early 2014.
BMW’s Active Sound: Cool Trick or Useless Gimmick?
Not all of us are quite privileged enough to be able to lump down enough money to import a 2012 BMW M5 into the U.S., nor are we all patient enough to await the 2013 release of the new M5. This means we are stuck with videos from people like the fine folks over at Bimmerpost. One of the new features on the 2012 M5, which will likely be a part of the M5 when it hits U.S. showrooms for the 2013 model year, is the Active Sound system. This is a system that is integrated with the stereo system and pipes engine notes through the stereo’s speakers. So, here is our dilemma… Is this new feature a cool trick or simply a useless gimmick that BMW is slapping on this ride to make it seem cooler? The folks at Bimmerpost saved the day again by providing us automotive nerds with audio of the 2012 M5 with the AS system active, then with it deactivated, which involves yanking a fuse that also disables the entire stereo system and the rear parking assistant. After listening to the two audio clips, which you can do in the above video, we can certainly tell the difference between the actual engine sound and the digitized engine sound. While BMW did go to great lengths to help match the digi-engine with the real engine, it is really a disappointment. To some people it might be a cool feature, but real auto buffs want to hear the engine itself. BMW could help us all out by putting an “On/Off” switch on this feature, without having to disable the entire audio system by pulling the fuse. This rings even more true with folks that add in aftermarket components to this already high-performance sedan. They want to hear the modified turbo whistle, blow-off valve, and exhaust note, not some synthesized version of the stock engine. We call this a useless gimmick for now. Let us know how you feel in the comments section below!
2012 BMW M5 wrecked following horrific autobahn crash
Even though the autobahn is one of the most technologically-advanced highway systems in the world, the lack of speed limits do present a few problems. There are some unwritten rules in regards to the autobahn as drivers pushing their cars generally keep to the inside lane and leave their left indicators on as a warning to upcoming cars to move aside. Just like any other highway system, accidents always occur and the latest involved a 2012 BMW M5 being driven at speeds in excess of 186. Reports claim that the crash occurred after the 60-year-old driver swerved to avoid a car which merged into his lane erratically, before spearing into the central divider, sliding across the road and flipping multiple times before coming to a rest on the grass bordering the road. It’s unclear just how fast the M5 was travelling at the time of the crash, but based on the following pictures, the crash must have been fairly violent. Furthermore, when the car came to a rest the engine bay caught fire, but thankfully the driver’s sons were able to put out the blaze, who were following the M5 in an M6 and M3. Thankfully all the passengers involved, including a dog, managed to escape the crash without serious injury but the M5 is definitely a write-off which is a real shame.
2014 BMW M135i Coupe
Let us begin by confirming that the BMW M135i as we currently know it will not enter the American market, but a version developed from it specifically for the U.S. market will debut in the coming years. The original M135i Concept utilized an incredible straight six-cylinder engine delivering in excess of 300HP, and when the car hits the European market, it’s expected to retain that unit. But what about the U.S.-specced car? Well, that won’t be too dissimilar. BMW Blog is currently reporting that BMW’s M division CEO, Dr. Friedrich Nitschke confirmed that a version will make its way to the U.S. but in coupe form rather than the hatchback variant which was spied at the Nurburgring recently. This certainly makes sense considering the US market’s aversion to hatchback models. It’s currently unclear if this new car from BMW’s M division will maintain that M135i nameplate, but we wouldn’t be surprised if the German company came up with a new name specifically for the U.S. market. The M135i Coupe, perhaps? Either way, it’s almost beyond the realm of possibility that BMW would spend millions on developing a new engine for this car, so it’s likely to feature a slightly tweaked version of the six-cylinder which the rest of the world will receive as well as the rear-wheel drive layout and sports suspension setup. If all of these rumors come true then it’s likely that the M135i entering the U.S. market will in essence be identical to the BMW 1-series M coupe which recently completed its production run, except for the fact that it’ll be based upon the 2013 facelifted model. UPDATE 04/25/2012: Check out our rendering of the future BMW M135i Coupe! | featured reviews:BMW M-series latest reviews:BMW M-series tuning:
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