BMW Car reviews

The BMW 5 Series is in line for a mid-cycle refresh and it won’t be long before it comes to full effect. What’s more, the revamp will also affect the M5 performance sedan, as our spy photographers have spotted a heavy-camo’ed facelifted BMW M5 mule out on the open road.

BMW is tight-lipped about the revised M5 (as it is about the 5 Series as a whole) but the test prototype displays a couple of interesting changes that touch on the front and rear light clusters and bumpers. There’s no word on power upgrades yet, but let’s take a better look at what the revamped M5 might have in store for us.

The BMW M3 has been around for a while now, first entering production in 1985 as a high-powered go-faster variant of the ever-popular BMW 3 Series. The latest F80 generation dropped in 2014, essentially setting the benchmark for all other fast four-doors to match, and now, there’s a new generation in the making. Dubbed internally as the G80, the next M3 is shaping up to be quite the ultimate driving machine, so we gathered up all the rumors we could find and put ‘em right here in the following speculative review.

Update 11/14/2019: The BMW M3 was caught out on a fall drive with new headlights and a revised decklid.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is a four-door coupe version of the second-generation 2 Series. Essentially a smaller alternative to the 4 Series Gran Coupe, the 2020 2 Series Gran Coupe is the very first four-door version of BMW’s smallest two-door coupe yet. It’s also the first four-door model this small that’s available globally, after the release of the China-only 1 Series Sedan in 2017. Although it runs on the same underpinnings as the 1 Series, the 2020 2 Series Gran Coupe sports a unique exterior design that combines a three-box layout with specific details front and rear. Its interior layout and the technology is, however, identical to the 1 Series. The 2020 2 Series Gran Coupe is aimed at the Mercedes-Benz CLA, but it also competes against the Audi A3 Sedan.

Where do you go when you want a car that looks like a BMW and still is a BMW deep inside, but sports subtle design tweaks, boosted powerplants, and new badges without looking over the top and rather elegant instead? Well, if you’re thinking Alpina, then you’re absolutely right. The firm calls itself a manufacturer because it does not offer aftermarket kits, tuning chips, of mods, but instead, it delivers BMW-based models that have been tweaked from the ground up. Alpina’s latest product, the B3 saloon, just took the stage in Tokyo, so why don’t we get to learn what’s it all about?

Back in 2014, BMW took a very confident step into the world of the EV, officially launching its “Project i” sub-brand with the i3. Following hot on its heels was the remarkable i8 hybrid coupe, which garnered the German brand oodles of green cred for its futuristic aesthetic and advanced powertrain. These days, BMW says it has big plans for its electrified lineup, with a total of 12 battery-electrics planned by 2025, plus 13 hybrids as well. One of the most exciting prospects is dubbed to i4, which promises four-door practicality, high-end luxury, extraterrestrial styling, and next-generation technology.

Updated 10/21/2019: The BMW i4 has been spotted testing again, this time with more production-ready parts than before. Check out our latest batch of images in the “Spy Shots” section below.

There aren’t too many models out there that can legitimately lay claim to being funkier than the Nissan Juke, but the BMW i3 is one of them. It was introduced in 2013 as BMW’s first step into the electric market with a single purpose in mind – to see if people would actually be interested in an electric BMW. Well, the i3 has served its purpose very well and actually received a lot of attention. Whether that attention was received because of its funky minivan-like hatchback appearance or because it was an electric BMW is up for debate, but after 6 years on the market BMW has no choice but to dig into the electric car segment even more, so you can write the i3 off as a success either way.

That success, however, doesn’t come without a price, and in this case, the BMW i3 is paying the ultimate price – it will eventually die off as BMW focuses on other electric vehicles. With the i3’s time on the Earth limited to the next few years as BMW runs out parts inventory, we decided it would be a great time to test out the i3 before it fades off into oblivion. After all, it’s the last of its kind and, therefore, is probably as good as it will ever get. This is our story of a week well spent with the soon-to-be-extinct BMW i3.

The 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is a four-door coupe version of the 2020 8 Series, released in 2019. Just like the 2020 8 Series replaced the 6 Series, the 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe replaces the 6 Series Gran Coupe. This new, modern, sporty, and powerful sedan is a better alternative to the popular Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class and the Audi A7.

Often described as BMW’s new flagship model, the 2020 8 Series actually slots below the 7 Series, at least when it comes to size. So instead of a new alternative to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Audi A8, the 8 Series aims to make BMW relevant in the luxury four-door coupe niche. Does it have what it takes to compete? Well, it looks good, it’s powerful enough, and has all the cool tech. But it’s a bit expensive. Let’s find out more in the review below.

The 2020 BMW M8 Gran Coupe is the range-topping version of the 8 Series Gran Coupe. As the latter replaces the 6 Series Gran Coupe, the 2020 M8 Gran Coupe steps in to replace the M6 Gran Coupe. Essentially an M8 Coupe with extra rear doors, the 2020 M8 Gran Coupe shares almost everything with its two-door counterpart. So just like the two-door, it’s available in two flavors output-wise, both powered by the mighty 4.4-liter V-8 engine.

The 2020 M8 Gran Coupe arrives just in time to compete with the recently launched Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe and the new, second-generation Audi RS7. Let’s find out more about BMW’s range-topping high-performance four-door in the review below.

Imagine, if you will, that you have a crystal ball and within that ball, you can see BMW’s future. What do you see 5 years from now? 10 years from now? 20 years from now? Do you see crazy sports cars, an allotment of high-spend luxury cars, or a simple evolution of the cars the brand offers today? Well, if you look at the BMW Concept 4, the what you should be seeing is grille….lots and lots of big grilles. After all, that has been the most controversial thing about the new Concept 4, a model that’s said to represent, at least in some form, the next-gen 4 Series. That means other models, should this grille find its way to the next-gen 4 Series, could feature a similar look down the road as well. For now, though, let’s take a closer look at the Concept 4 and see what more there is to it outside of that massive grille.

As BMW prepares to give the current-generation M4 its proper swan song, the German automaker is rolling out what is probably one of the last special edition models of the F82-generation M4. It’s called the BMW M4 Heritage Edition, and while it’s offered exclusively as a coupe — the M4 Convertible doesn’t get any love — the Heritage Edition exudes all the qualities you’d want from a proper M4, right down to all the M-spec goodies included in the exterior and interior of the special edition M4. Only 750 units of the BMW M4 Heritage will be made. It’s tabbed as a global model so the U.S. market is expected to receive a healthy share of the allocation. There’s no word on how many will make it stateside — or how much each unit is going to cost — but we should expect more details on that front to arrive before production starts at the end of the year. If the M4 Heritage Edition ends up being the last special edition model that’s based on the F82-generation M4 Coupe, then consider it a proper send-off.

It’s been over 40 years since BMW released the 733i High Security. It was the German automaker’s first attempt at an armored vehicle. Little did anyone know, including BMW, that the 733i High Security would send Bavaria down the road to developing more personal protection vehicles. Fast forward to 2019 and Bimmer is still churning out fortresses on four wheels, this time with the fourth-generation BMW X5 SUV. Officially, this X5 carries the “Protection VR6” label. It’s a standard X5 by most measures, except that it also carries enough protection to keep its occupants safe from heavy ammunition attacks. The BMW X5 Protection VR6 is not for the faint of heart, folks. It’s designed for people who need all the extra protection they can get on the road for reasons that are probably best left unasked.

The year was 2018, and it was time for BMW to have a Halo car outside of the aging i8, but BMW didn’t go for another EV or a high-powered supercar. Instead, after a 20-year hiatus, BMW decided that it was time to revive the 8 Series name, and that’s exactly what happened on June 15, 2018. The modern, sporty 2019 BMW 8 Series shot like an arrow straight to the heart of purists as BMW let out the roaring promise of crippling power in a sexy coupe silhouette – 523 horsepower in M850i form, to be specific. Since the return of the new 8 Series that hot day in the middle of June, the 8 Series lineup has expanded to include the 840i, M850i, M8, and the soon-to-launch Gran Coupe that should be offered in both M850i and M8 form.

Like most BMW fanboys, we started picking apart the new BMW 8 Series. We wondered: Is it worthy of the 8 Series name? Will it be worth the near-six-figure price? Can this large of a car really offer up the performance, handling, and luxury that not only have we come to expect from BMW but from something that wears the crown of a halo car? We’ve set out to find the truth on a number of occasions, and have even compared it on paper to the 6 Series, the Aston Martin DB11, and the Mercedes S-Class. It wasn’t until Summer of 2019 that we actually got to sit behind the wheel of the new 8 Series, though. But, when we did, we were graced with the honor of driving the M850i Convertible – a model that is said to blend 523 horsepower, world-class driving dynamics, and the best open-air feeling on the market.

The question now is, however, does the all-new 8 Series actually live up to the bold claims made by BMW? Well, we spent a whole week with the M850i Convertible, and this is our story. You might want to buckle up because things get interesting!!

If rumors are to be believed, the BMW 8 Series Coupé is not long for this world. The good news, though, is that the impending demise is still a few years away. That should give us enough time to enjoy a model like the BMW M850i M Performance. Turns out, we’re not the only ones that have adopted a similar approach. Manhart Racing has been having some fun with the performance 8er, enough at least to create an arresting new tuning program that covers a lot of ground in the M850i. From exterior upgrades to engine enhancements, the German tuner has been a busy bee in the lab, though all that hard work appears to be time well-spent. This BMW M850i means business, and you wouldn’t want to be in its crosshairs.

BMW is known for its elegant, capable, and good-looking vehicles, be it the sedans, SUVs, or sports cars. It’s been 20 years since the X5 was launched, and this is the fourth-gen of the SUV. However, the latest design philosophy has kind of diluted the last aspect for the majority of people. The kidney grille is not exactly a favorite, but BMW, for some reason, thinks this design will age well and is persistent to continue with it. But, thanks to companies like AC Schnitzer, these vehicles are looking quite good even in the latest iteration. AC Schnitzer got its hands on the 2019 X5 and has done magic on the SUV to make it look a lot better than what it does in stock condition. Are there any changes except for the makeover?

Our spies have spotted what appears to be the new BMW X7 testing almost completely covered in camo around the Nurburgring Nordschleife. It is believed this is the hot Alpina XD7 version of the X7 which is going to get a power boost and some styling differences inside and out in the familiar Alpina style.

You may have spotted that it has a “D” in its model designation, so it’s going to be a diesel, definitely based on the most powerful oil burner BMW makes, the M50d unit that kept pinning me to my seat during my road test of the M550d - it’s a torque monster with plenty of top end too.

The engine will be breathed upon by Alpina to make more power, and the suspension will be altered as well - it will be lowered and stiffened for improved handling and grip will be improved through the use of higher performance tires.

Update 08/05/2019: The 2019 Alpina XD7 was caught testing in the wild yet again, this time bearing a little less camo and some miniscule changes. Check out our spy shots section below to see what’s new.

BMW has decided to bring back the 8 Series, a model that was last produced in 1999. Since then, BMW did have the 6 Series Coupe, but now the 6 Series is only available as a four-door, while the new 8 is the top of the line coupe. The 8 series is available as an 840i with a six-cylinder engine or as an M850i with a V-8. We decided to test the V-8 version to see if the M850i is any good.

The 2020 BMW X6 is the third-generation version of the coupe-styled crossover. Unveiled less than a year after the fourth-generation, 2019 X5 broke cover, the 2020 X6 shares much of its design with the midsize SUV. Essentially identical to the 2019 X5 up front, the 2020 X6 stands out thanks to its coupe-style roof and hunchback rear section. As before, the 2020 X6 also shares underpinnings with its X5-badged sibling.

A competitor for the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe and the Porsche Cayenne Coupe, the 2020 X6 boasts a sportier design, BMW’s latest technology, and a range of upgraded or new engines. Both gasoline and diesel mills are available, but the oil burners won’t make it to the U.S. More about that, as well as all the new features available, in the review below.

The 2019 BMW Vision M Next is a concept car that shows the company’s take on how "driving pleasure might look in the future." It also previews the future of BMW’s M-badged models and also gives us a glimpse at the company’s upcoming hybrid drivetrain.

Inspired by the BMW Turbo concept from the 1970s, the Vision M Next has a surprising amount of wedge-inspired design cues. It also borrows features from the iconic M1. BMW also claims it used the i8 as an inspiration, but it’s like the German firm went back to the 1970s to design this concept car. And that’s precisely what makes it cool. On top of its 600-horsepower drivetrain, that is! Find out more about that in the review below.

BMW is set to launch an all-new 4-Series two-door sometime in 2019 or 2020, and while the G23 coupe version will not feature any dramatic changes over the current model, the G22 droptop will. Spy shots indicate that for the first time in two generations (E93 and F33), BMW is giving up on the folding hardtop design in favor of the more traditional soft top option which it last used on the E46 model discontinued in 2006.

Heavy camouflage covers the prototype spotted, but this important change is quite evident as the canvas top is left completely bare (quite obviously on purpose). It might be an illusion caused by the camo, but it also appears this new 4-Series has a longer hood and rear decklid compared to its predecessor.

Update 06/24/2019: We’ve received new images of the 2021 BMW 4 Series Convertible testing with its top and side windows down. Check out the spy shots section below to see how it looks for yourself.