Now that we have finally seen the next-generation BMW 3 Series, it’s time to focus on the coupe version of the model, AKA the 4 Series Coupe. First details on the new 4 Series Coupe have just been released and the production will start in July 2013.
When thinking about the new 4 Series Coupe, think of it as a small 6 Series with design elements inspired by the 3 Series sedan. When compared to the model it replaces, the 4 Series Coupe is larger in width and wheelbase and sits considerably lower to the road.
Everything else on the new 4 Series Coupe is clearly inspired by the 3 Series sedan, including the double-kidney grille, headlights and engine lineup.
The 4 Series Coupe will be followed by a convertible model shortly.
Update 06/14/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs.
Click past the jump to read more about the new BMW 4 Series Coupe.
BMW has been twiddling around with the BMW X4 since 2008 when the idea of a sportier version of the X3 was looking like a profitable venture. Back then, the German automaker was calling it a Sport Activity Sedan (SAS) and had thought they might be able to crank it out in 2010. Obviously that didn’t pan out, but plans for the X6’s smaller brother are still in the works, with a possible debut in 2013.
As you can see from the leaked prototype image provided above, the BMW X4 will get many of its exterior components from the X3, including the use of the X3’s platform. Rumors suggest that the future vehicle will be produced at the company’s Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, which would be fitting considering the passion we, as Americans, have for SUVs.
Do we need another sporty off-roader to cram into our parking spaces and guzzle up more gas? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean that the future BMW X4 won’t zoom right out of dealerships when it finally goes on sale.
UPDATE 04/05/2013: BMW has officially lifted the veil from the X4 Concept to confirm that the leaked concept images are, in fact, a reality. Also released were three videos of the new X4 concept (above). BMW went rather deep into the design of the X4 Concept, but left any details regarding the drivetrain out. See the details after the jump and you can find the images in the gallery.
UPDATE 04/17/2013: BMW has dropped a set of new images for the X4 Concept car. Find them in the picture gallery!
UPDATE 06/14/2013: The folks over at BMW Blog were at BMW Welt in Munich, Germany, and caught the real-life X4 concept sitting on the floor. So they did what any auto-loving bloggers would do: snap tons of images and put them online. The new images are after the jump and more in the Gallery.
When Apple released the first bits of information on the iOS in the Car system just yesterday, we saw a long list of premium automakers that have already signed up, like Mercedes and Jaguar. One that was not on the list that we figured was just hung up in the details was BMW. Well, a new report tells us that there was more to Bimmer not being on the list than meets the eye.
A BMW spokesperson said "The upshot is that as we have such an advanced multimedia offer that has been in vehicles in various guises for more than a decade, it would not be that straight forward to start changing all of the architecture of a car as has been implied [by Apple]." So, basically, the changes that BMW would have to make to crowbar in the new Apple system would be way too great to warrant installing the iOS in the Car system.
BMW and Apple have worked together in the past, so it comes as a bit of a surprise that the Bavarian automaker will not support the system for the foreseeable future. Fortunately for Bimmer drivers, BMW’s interfaces are plenty advanced and have a decade-long track record, so there is no worrying about sticking with an outdated or non-functional system. Additionally, BMW will support Apples new Siri Eyes Free system.
We wouldn’t be too surprised to see Apple work its way into BMW sometime in the next five years, or so, but that may take some massaging of the iOS system to appease BMW. Another good reason for BMW breaking down is if iOS in the Car becomes a smash hit, then it would be doing its buyers a disservice by leaving it out.
BMW used the CSL name for the first time back in 1972 when it unveiled the 3.0CSL - a special version of the Six CS (E9) developed to race the European Touring Car Championship. In 2004, that named was used once again, but this time on a road-going M3 CSL (Coupé Sport Leichtbau).
The CSL version was about 240 pounds lighter than a regular M3, thanks to the use of many weight-saving technologies inspired by Formula 1 cars. The model also boasted 17 extra horses under the hood than a standard M3 and thanks to its front-engine, rear-drive layout and the SMG-II gearbox, it delivered the purest driving dynamics of any BMW of the time.
The M3 CSL was limited to only 1,400 units and was offered only in two exterior colors: Silver Grey Metallic and Black Sapphire Metallic. The model never made it to the U.S. market and in the British market it was considered a very expensive car, as it was about £20,000 ($32,000 at the current exchange rates) more expensive than a standard M3.
Click past the jump to read more about the BMW M3 CSL.
BMW unveiled the M3 CLS (Coupe Sport Lightweight) back in 2004 when only 1,400 units have been produced. Sadly, the M3 CLS was never released in the North American market and was offered only in two exterior colors: Silver Grey Metallic and Black Sapphire Metallic.
Now, BMW is preparing to celebrate the car’s 10th anniversary and it started with a very cool reunion in Munich, Germany. About 50 BMW M3 CSL owners from different parts of Europe came to this reunion and made a real spectacle of it. It’s pretty easy to get a good idea of what happened in there by watching this short video (above) released by BMW.
The M3 CSL was built using a forward-thinking intelligent lightweight technology that set the benchmark for the car construction of future models. Thanks to this construction, the M3 CLS was about 243 pounds lighter than a standard M3. With its 360-horsepower engine the M3 CSL could sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, while top speed was limited to 155 mph.
At the end of 2011, BMW unveiled the new generation 3 Series in sedan version, but left the station wagon out in the cold after that. Now, after we capturing the car during its testing a few times, BMW has finally dropped the official details on the new 3 Series Sports Wagon.
As expected, the station wagon version will feature the same design language as the sedan model, albeit with an extended rear for better cargo room.
Unfortunately, BMW wasn’t so generous in offering models for the Sports Wagon. In fact, there is only one model available – 328i xDrive – but there are plenty of optional packages to spruce it up a bit. BMW will offer Sport Line, Luxury Line, and Modern Line equipment packages, as well as an optional M Sport package which will be available at launch.
UPDATE 05/10/2013: This review has been updated with all of the 2014 model year details.
Hit the jump to read more about the new 3 Series Sports Wagon.
A few weeks ago, Eibach updated the current 911 Carrera 4S with a new set of Pro-Kit Performance Springs. Today, Now it’s time for another great sports car to catch the tuner’s attention: the BMW Z4. Thanks to its long bonnet and the sporty seating position, the Z4 needs no presentation updates, but Eibach decided to optimize the convertible’s performance figures with new tailor-made suspension components.
Eibach has just unveiled a new Pro-kit Performance Springs kit that lowers the Z4’s center of gravity, thus improving its cornering behavior. There is also a set of B12 Pro-Kit Performance Springs and Shocks that add even more sportiness to the Z4.
As a final component the tuner is offering a Pro-Spacer Wheel Spacer made from high-tensile-strength aluminum that will transform the Z4 into an even more athletic sports roadster. These new wheel spacers also weigh significantly less than steel wheel spacers and give the Z4 a stouter stance.
Click past the jump to read more about the BMW Z4.
Last October, the U.S. market received a special-edition BMW M3 Coupe Frozen, which was limited to only 150 units. Now is time for the Chinese market to get its own special BMW M3 Coupe. It is painted in a sexy Frozen Blue and is limited to only 40 units.
Wondering how much the exclusivity costs? A lot if you ask us: 1.29 million Yuan (about $210,000). On the U.S. market with this kind of money, you can buy three BMW M3 Coupes and you will still be left with lots of money for gas.
For the money the lucky 40 Chinese customers will get this BMW M3 Frozen Blue combined with blacked out trims, kidney grille and side gills, and of course, some special edition badges on the interior.
That’s pretty much all the updates this special edition will offer, as everything else will remain unchanged. Under the hood, the car will retain the usual V-8 engine with 414 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque.
Click past the jump to read about the M3 Tiger - the only Chinese M3 that made us jealous.
spark plug in place.
No one should be surprised to hear that ever since the new-generation BMW 3 Series hit the market, it received lots of tuning kits from tuning firms around the Globe. Today it’s time for Vorsteiner to reveal the first details on its upgrade program for the new 3 Series sedan.
As no surprise, Vorsteiner started by adding a body kit that not only makes the car look better, but it also improves the aerodynamic features of the sedan. The new kit includes a new front lip spoiler, a rear diffuser and a trunk-mounted spoiler. There is also a new, stainless steel sports exhaust system, which is a clear indication that we will also see some engine upgrades in the future.
The 3er sits on a set of "Flow Forged" alloy wheels, sized 19 or 20 inches and offered in various colors: matte black, textured black, gunmetal, brushed aluminum and more.
The new Vorsteiner kit will be released this summer.
Click past the jump to read more about the BMW 3-Series by Vorsteiner.
How would you like a BMW 550i with nearly the same output of a BMW M5? Sounds great, right?
Dinan Engineering decided that a 550i can do much more than BMW believes and came up with a tuning kit for it. A standard 550i is powered by a 4.4-liter, V-8 engine equipped with TwinPower technology for a maximum output of 400 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, which are pretty respectable numbers.
The guys over Dinan decided that wasn’t enough and installed larger intercoolers and turbochargers, and remapped the ECU. Also included with the kit is a new exhaust system and a carbon-fiber high-flow intake. All of these upgrades take the final output up to a total of 542 horsepower and 587 pound-feet of torque, which is only 18 horsepower less than the M5 and 86 pound-feet of torque more than the M5. Top speed has also been increased to an amazing 200 mph, which bests the M5’s top rating of 190 mph.
The problem is the price, as a base 550i costs $62,700 and the kit adds another $39,000. This means a total of $101,700. you can snag up an M5 sedan is from $90,200.
Click past the jump to read more about BMW 550i S3 by Dinan Engineering.
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