Archive for BMW

BMW has a few updates for its M3 range for this year – the most significant of all in my opinion is the addition of auto start-stop for the M3 – both for the manual transmission model and the automatic version with the 7-speed M DCT.

So now if you have a modified exhaust system, instead of giving a delicious low-frequency rumble during idle at the traffic lights, your M3 will simply be silent, save for the soft sound of the air cond blowers. BMW claims this saves about 8% of CO2 emissions and brings down fuel consumption to 11.2L per 100km on the EU2 cycle for the coupe body.

There’s also a new ‘Competition Package’ for the M3, which includes a suspension drop by 10mm, and the very familiar M3 CSL style wheels you see above. There is also a software update for the Electronic Damper Control and DSC stability control systems to suit the new lowered suspension. This package is available as a retrofit option, which means existing owners of the M3 will be able to purchase this.

Of course, the ‘facelifted’ part would be the new tail lamps, which match the ones on the facelifted ‘normal’ 3-Series Coupe and Convertible.

Look after the jump for 8 hi-res photos.

Click here to read the rest of BMW unveils facelifted M3 Coupe & Convertible, now with Competition Package and Auto Start-Stop

It’s been only two months since the new F10 5-Series was unveiled and I must say it has quite a huge responsibility to carry. After all, there is a new E-Class in Malaysia now that it must face to continue the fight to try to overtake the E’s dominance in its segment in Malaysia.

The previous E60 5-Series did really well for BMW and is so far the most successful 5-Series to date, although it is its predecessor the E39 that is fondly referred to by some as ‘Car Of The Year Forever’. The E60’s design is a love it or hate it affair. It got even worse when you got inside – the dash design was quite bland. And then there was also that 1st generation iDrive! Just bad! But you gotta give it to the chassis engineers – it did very well in the drive and comfort departments. It’s not just about doing well in both departments but the fact that they could make the car do both well at the same time.

And now we have the all-new 5 which drops the ‘E’ designation in its code name and is now called the F10 (which sounds a lot like the designations used to identify fighter jets). It’s built on a common platform as the F01/F02 7-Series and even the 5-Series GT. We have covered all the latest updates regarding the new 5, right from the launch report to an article that talked specifically about how it was designed.

Now we finally have the all-important test drive report to share with you as we flew all the way to Portugal to have a go in it both on roads and the Estoril circuit!

Read more after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of BMW F10 5-Series First Drive Report

The new BMW 335is is available in either Coupe and Convertible form and from what it looks like so far it’s a model destined for the North American market only. It’s basically a sportier and more powerful version of the 335i.

That’s not really that much of a bummer, as you can essentially just equip your bog standard 335i here with a tune from BMW Performance that boosts the engine to the same specs as the 335is – 320 horses and 450Nm of torque.

It’s essentially the same output as what you get in the 740i. But this new model has been added in the US at a time where the standard 335i without the “s” at the back will have its N54 twin turbo replaced by the N55 single twin scroll turbo that produces the same output as the outgoing N54 non-s engine.

The highest output factory standard version of the N54B30 so far is the one in the Z4 sDrive35is, which gets 335 horses and 450Nm, with a 50Nm overboost so it can peak at 500Nm depending on conditions. The 335is also have the 50Nm overboost feature.

Look after the jump for hi-res photos from a media test drive that BMW had in Portugal at the Estoril track recently, as well as two videos and a full press release with detailed specs.

Click here to read the rest of BMW 335is Coupe and Cabriolet Hi-Res Gallery

BMW has updated the second generation E70 X5 with the “LCI” treatment, which basically means a mid-life facelift in BMW speak. LCI stands for Life Cycle Impulse. The X5 gets the typical updates you’d expect from a 2010 BMW – an all-turbo line-up and the ZF 8-speed automatic transmission.

The new E70 X5 range consists of the xDrive35i, the xDrive50i, the xDrive30d and the xDrive40d. Over here in Malaysia the pre-FL X5 is sold with a 3.0 liter normally aspirated inline-6 (3.0is), a 4.8 liter V8 (4.8i) and a 3.0 liter turbodiesel (3.0d). It would be bloody nice if the 3.0is is replaced with the new xDrive35i model – that would be a proper 5-seater version of the scorching X6 xDrive35i that we can see increasingly often around the streets of KL.

The xDrive35i’s N55 engine uses a single turbocharger, but BMW still calls it a TwinPower Turbo, using the excuse that the turbocharger has twin-scroll technology. It makes 306hp at 5,800rpm and 400Nm from as low as 1,200rpm all the way up to 5,000rpm, taking the X5 xDrive35i up to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds while consuming about 10.1 liters per 100km.

The top of the range regular X5 (it’s still lesser than an X5 M)’s 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 makes 407 horsepower between 5,500 to 6,400rpm and 600Nm of torque from 1,750rpm up to 4,500rpm. 0 to 100km/h takes just 5.5 seconds.

The xDrive30d has the new aluminum crankcase found in the 730Ld (the 3.0d pre-LCI X5 in Malaysia uses the engine preceding this aluminum crankcase model) and makes 245hp at 4,000rpm and 540Nm from as low as 1,750rpm to 3,000rpm.

The new xDrive40d variant is powered by the BMW TwinPower Turbo version of the company’s 3.0 liter turbodiesel engine, ,akin 306hp at 4,400rpm and a massive 600Nm of torque from as low as 1,500rpm. The engine in the xDrive40d uses a smaller turbo to get the engine going and then switches to a larger turbo to handle the upper reaches of the rev range.

Other than the obvious aesthetic changes which include new headlamps that have LED white corona rings instead of the yellow version that’s being phased out from the BMW range, the xDrive50i and the xDrive40d also gets updated suspension settings.

Look after the jump for a hi-res gallery and a video of the new LCI-ed X5.

Click here to read the rest of E70 BMW X5 gets the mid-life LCI treatment!

This is the C29, BMW Sauber’s 2010 challenger, and the picture above shows team owner Peter Sauber and his two drivers – Pedro de la Rosa, a long time McLaren test driver, and Kamui Kobayashi, the young Japanese driver who impressed in a Toyota last season. The striking thing about the C29 is that it comes without any sponsor logos, although the drivers will rope in their personal sponsors. Scalp-D, a Japanese shampoo, and Kubica endorsed watch brand Certina are set to come in.

Some of you might wonder why we still use the name BMW Sauber when the Munich based carmaker has left the sport. Well, this team registered its name before BMW exited the sport, and there’s plenty of red tape involved in name changing, so the team is likely to retain the official BMW Sauber name for this season, even though the C29 is powered by Ferrari. The “C” model designation was used by the Sauber team until 2005, before BMW came into play. The last “C” car was the Sauber Petronas C24 of 2005 piloted by Jacques Villeneuve and Felipe Massa.

“An eye-catching feature of the C29 is its highly intricate raised nose. Also very distinctive is an extremely long undercut at the transition from chassis into underbody. These and other aerodynamic measures also help to ensure optimum airflow to the double diffuser. Further changes were required to integrate the Ferrari engine and, in particular, the Ferrari gearbox,” said technical director Willy Rampf.

More pictures after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Sponsorless BMW Sauber C29 launched

This big, black and bad BMW X5 is from German tuner G-Power, which calls it the Typhoon Black Pearl. Its name, which contains a devastating weather condition, denotes that this mean machine is very powerful and very fast. Does it live up to the name?

G-Power’s SK III RS supercharger system is bolted onto the standard X5’s 4.8-litre V8, increasing power from 350 bhp to 625 bhp at 6,100 rpm. Torque meanwhile, swells to 700 Nm at 5,300 rpm, an increase of 225 Nm. G-Power says that the Typhoon “reacts to any impact to the gas pedal aggressively and without any delay”. G-Power assures reliability too; the Typhoon uses a supercharger from ASA, which also supplies its wares to Alpina. The boost pressure is 1.0 bar. With that, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes only 4.5 seconds, while top speed is “more than 300 km/h”.

Besides forced induction, G-Power has tweaked BMW’s V8, starting with a new set of forged pistons, weight-optimised connecting rods and a “precisely manufactured” crankshaft. Fuel injectors with a larger capacity, a new ignition map and an additional cooling system for engine oil and water are the other changes.

The body makeover is of OEM-quality, says its maker. The Typhoon wears 23-inch Silverstone aluminium wheels wrapped with 315/25 ZR high performance tyres by Michelin. More pictures after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of G-Power Typhoon Black Pearl – big, black, bad X5!

Media from all around the world are currently test driving the new F10 5-Series in Lisboa, Portugal right now so you can begin to check out the test drive reports that are being published on an ongoing basis. The Malaysian contingent will be heading there in the first week of February so you can look out for a test drive review on this blog sometime in the first or second week. For now, we are able to get a taste of Portugal via these two videos that BMW have released, filmed at the test drive event in Portugal. They’re mostly beauty footage but they do include a little more than the initial B-roll they released, like the active cruise control feature in action. Check the videos out after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of VIDEO: F10 5-Series footage from Portugal

I checked out Auto Bavaria Sg Besi for the CNY@BMW event today and came back with more details on the various ‘Edition’ models that BMW are selling right now. There aren’t much details about these online or from the PR agency so I took it to task myself. Find out more about the cars after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of BMW CNY ‘Edition’ models – more details!

The 2010 Formula 1 season opener in Bahrain is coming up fast, and there are just four race seats remaining after Sauber announced Pedro de la Rosa as its second signing. The Sauber team will be a mix of experience and youth, as 38-year old de la Rosa’s teammate will be impressive Japanese youngster Kamui Kobayashi, 23.

Spaniard de la Rosa started his F1 career as a test driver for Jordan in 1998. He then drove for Arrows and Jaguar before going to McLaren, with whom he stayed as a test driver from 2003 through 2009, filling in for Juan Pablo Montoya in 2005 and 2006. He has 71 Grands Prix under his belt. “Pedro has spent many years working for a top team at the highest technical level. We as a team stand to gain from his experience, and the same goes for young Kamui,” pointed out Team Principal Peter Sauber.

As mentioned, four seats remain empty: two at USF1, one at Campos (teammate to Bruno Senna) and one at Renault (racing with Robert Kubica). Some of you must be wondering why our title spelled “BMW Sauber” when Munich had already pulled out of F1. The team’s 2010 entry was submitted last season with BMW in the title, and it cannot amend the name without the approval of the Formula 1 Commission. Plenty of red tape involved.

BMW is offering a total of 7 limited edition models for the upcoming Chinese New Year Celebrations. Four are from the 3-Series range and three are from the 5-Series range. You can check them out this weekend at the CNY@BMW dealership event at all BMW dealerships. I’ll be going to the one closest to my home – Auto Bavaria Sg Besi, to snap some live photos.

The E90 range consists of the BMW 320i Lifestyle Edition, the BMW 320i Performance Edition, the BMW 320d Performance Edition and the BMW 325i Performance Edition. Each Performance Edition variant of limited to 48 units each. I don’t really have much info on the Lifestyle Edition at this point.

You basically get BMW Performance accent strips and a black front grille for a sportier look. On the inside, you get BMW Performance gear levers which are wrapped with Alcantara and Walkanappa leather with a chrome strip on top, and a BMW Performance handbrake grip in Alcantara leather. Finally, there’s a set of aluminium pedals and footrest.

BMW 320i Performance Edition – RM 250,800
BMW 320d Performance Edition – RM 257,800
BMW 325i Performance Edition – RM 311,800

The ‘basic’ 320i goes for RM236,800 while the ‘basic’ 320i Sports goes for RM248,800, so that’s about a RM2,000 premium for the 320i ‘Performance Edition’ over the regular Sports. A regular 320d Sports goes for RM255,800 and a regular 325i Sports goes for RM309,800. Both represent a RM2,000 premium.

The E60 5-Series will be available as either a 523i Executive Edition, a 523i Exclusive Edition, or a 525i Sports Edition. The 523i Executive Edition features the Neptune Blue metallic paintwork and 17 inch 278 double-spoe alloy wheels. On the interior you get Poplar Grain Brown wood trim and Natural Brown “Dakota’ leather upholstery.

The 523i Exclusive Edition is done up in a Platinum Bronze paintwork with Chrome-plated trimming around its side windows and windscreen washer jets. This car comes with 17 inch style 277 V-spoke alloys. On the inside, you get Anthracite Variegated Bamboo trim with side sill strips with the ‘Edition’ lettering. You also get a glass roof with anthracite rooflining and a sports leather steering wheel.

The most expensive ‘limited edition’ car here is of course the 525i Sports Edition. This is available either in Carbon Black metallic or Alpine White with the M aerodynamics package. You also get the BMW M Sports Suspension with 19-inch alloy wheels in 172 M double spoke design. On the inside, you get sports seats done in a bi-colour Black/ Grey “Dakota” leather combination, Aluminium Pentane interior trim, rooflining done in anthracite, and the same ‘Edition’ side sill strips.

BMW 523i Executive Edition – RM 343,800                                                                       
BMW 523i Exclusive Edition – RM 383,800
BMW 525i Sports Edition – RM 415,800

The normal 523i goes for RM343,800 – the same price as the 523i Executive while the 523i SE goes for RM383,800, the same price as the 523i Exclusive. The 525i Sports also normally goes for RM415,800, so basically with the E60 there is no premium for these ‘Edition’ models over the regular cars.

These are probably the last few batches of the E60 before the new F10 hits our streets. If you’re in the market for a new car you may wanna check out the event this weekend – 23rd and 24th January, except for Auto Bavaria Kuantan which will be having theirs on the 22nd-23rd instead. All the ‘mods’ seem pretty much aesthetic for both the E90 and E60.

Click here to read the rest of BMW offers ‘Edition’ models for CNY 2010

The BMW 135i Coupe and Cabriolet will be updated with the new N55 single turbo engine for models produced this year. It loses one turbo (though the specs sheet indicate similiar performance with power and torque) but gains a transmission gear – the 6-speed auto has been replaced by the non-M version of the 7-speed DCT twin clutch transmission that found its way into the 335i earlier.

With these changes, the combined fuel consumption figure for the Coupe drops to 8.5 liters per 100km which BMW says is nearly 1 liter less than the model equipped with the twin turbo engine and the regular automatic gearbox. If you want to learn more about the new N55 engine, check out our previous post!

E92 LCI – 330d M-Sport

We’ve already seen how the ’standard’ E92/E93 3-Series Coupe/Cabriolet looks like in its LCI facelifted form, and earlier today we checked out how the regular ‘M-Sport’ version of the E92 facelift will look like.

E92 LCI – 335is M-Sport

But between the regular version, the M-Sport version and the venerable top of the range M3 versions, there will be an additional model called the 335is which will have a slightly modified look as you can see above.

The front bumper replaces the foglamps with a thin horizontal bar while at the rear, the diffuser design integrated into the rear bumper is more aggressive and presents a middle ground between the looks of the regular M-Sport and the M3 bumper.

The BMW 3-Series Coupe and Convertible has just been given the facelift treatment. Personally, I love it the way it is, very elegant and suave, but here are images of the car with the M-Sport aerokit. We can see that the lower bumper is completely different from the standard car, with enlarged air intakes and lines that emphasize their presence. The rear bumper gets a diffuser style upturn and the twin pipes are lumped together on the left side (one on each side in the 335i we saw in the previous post). Of course, there are specific wheels as well.

No pictures of the interior, but expect a thick rimmed steering wheel, a unique gear knob, black headlining and a collection of little M badges. Two more pics after the jump.

Source

Click here to read the rest of BMW 3-Series Coupe M-Sport pictures surface

Earlier we posted up three leaked images of the MINI Countryman; now BMW has released full information and a complete gallery of the MINI brand’s fourth model. The Countryman crossover is MINI’s first four-door and first four-wheel drive vehicle – ALL4 all-wheel drive is an option. But don’t worry, the brand’s famed “go-kart feeling” is retained, BMW claims.

A choice of three petrol and two diesel engines are available, all Euro 5 compliant. The 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in the Cooper S combines fully variable valve management (Valvetronic) with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection for the first time, making 184 bhp and 240 Nm (260 Nm on overboost). 0-100 km/h is done in 7.6 seconds while top speed is 215 km/h. The 122 bhp/160 Nm naturally aspirated engine in the Cooper is good for 0-100 km/h in 10.5 seconds and a 190 km/h top speed. The entry level MINI One Countryman comes with an uninspiring 98 bhp and 153 Nm – vital stats are 12.7 seconds to 100 km/h and a 175 km/h top speed.

More popular in Europe will be the Cooper D, its variable turbine geometry equipped commonrail turbodiesel pushing out 112 bhp and a stout 270 Nm. 0-100 km/h in 10.9 sec and top speed of 180 km/h looks plain on paper, but real world performance should be great, as is the 22.7 km/l fuel consumption. Also available is the One D, with 90 bhp/215 Nm.

All versions come with a six-speed manual as standard. Petrol variants can be had with a six-speed Steptronic auto with steering shift paddles.

The optional permanent ALL4 all-wheel drive employs an electrohydraulic differential that sends up to 50 per cent power to the rear wheels in normal conditions, and up to 100 per cent under extreme conditions. The suspension is made up of front McPherson struts and forged track control arms to reduce torque steer and rear multi-link units. All versions can be had with sports suspension that lowers ride height by 10mm. The steering is an EPS system with Servotronic. BMW says that a range of John Cooper Works Performance Components will be available.

Inside, MINI highlights the Center Rail, an illuminated platform that runs the length of the cabin, allowing occupants to personalise their own space by clipping on holders, bins and armrests, besides plugging in audio or communication devices. The Center Rail ends after the front seats if you specify the three-seat rear bench (at no extra cost, four seats are standard).

And how big is the Countryman exactly? It measures 4,097mm, almost 400mm longer than a MINI hatchback while the wheelbase is 2,595mm, about the length of a C-segment saloon’s. Boot volume is 350 litres, expandable to 1,170 litres by folding the rear seats.

View the full gallery after the jump!

Click here to read the rest of MINI Countryman details and gallery released!

Here are leaked official images of the MINI crossover called the Countryman, which will be shown off at Geneva. But like most motor show exhibits these days, we get to preview it first on the Net.

No surprises on the looks; we’ve already seen the MINI Beachcomber Concept and this is an evolution of it. Unlike the concept, the Countryman has doors and a roof, but otherwise retains much of the Beachcomber’s looks. You can see it in the oddly shaped headlights and the “link” between A-pillar and wheelarch. What’s slightly different are the bumper, grille (broken into two pieces here) and the lack of the “spare wheel carrier” which wasn’t for a spare wheel anyway. Look closely and you’ll see “Cooper S” as well as “All4″ badges, the latter denoting the Countryman’s four-wheel drive.

The cabin is standard MINI, with an oversized speedo taking centrestage. Is it me or the air vents have grown much larger as well? Two more pictures after the jump!

Click here to read the rest of MINI Countryman leaked official images!