Motor Authority - blog Tag: BMW M

BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer has previously revealed that future BMW powertrains will be downsized in an effort to improve fuel-efficiency and reduce emissions, and that even the hallowed ‘M’ division could also be affected by the new wave of environmental consciousness sweeping the automaker. BMW has always stood by the high-rev philosophy for delivering power from its M engines but that may be about to change.

We’ve already seen the potential of a twin-turbocharged V-8 engine in the X5 M and X6 M performance SUVs, and inside sources have revealed that the next-generation M5, due in early 2011, will be powered by a...

BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer has previously revealed that future BMW powertrains will be downsized in an effort to improve fuel-efficiency and reduce emissions, and that even the hallowed ‘M’ division could also be affected by the new wave of environmental consciousness sweeping the automaker. BMW has always stood by the high-rev philosophy for delivering power from its M engines but that may be about to change. We’ve already seen the potential of a twin-turbocharged V-8 engine in the X5 M and X6 M performance SUVs, and inside sources have revealed that the next-generation M5, due in early 2011, will be powered by a high-performance twin-turbo V-8 engine instead of a naturally aspirated V-10. In the X5 M and X6 M the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 M engine delivers 555 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque--enough to send the big SUVs from 0-60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.This should be more than enough output for the smaller and lighter M5 sedan and is already 30 horsepower up on the new E63 AMG. The new V-8 will be matched to BMW’s M-DCT dual-clutch system, as found in the M3, but a conventional 6-speed will almost certainly be offered. Performance will also be improved thanks to the extensive use of lightweight materials including carbon-fiber and aluminum. The car’s construction will be a hybrid of an aluminum spaceframe for the front section, and a traditional steel monocoque for the passenger compartment and rear. This will ensure a favorable front-to-rear weight distribution and improved handling. Up front will be an independent suspension with MacPherson struts, with a multi-link layout for the rear. Expect to see an unpainted carbon roof and more of the lightweight material possibly used for the boot and fender panels. Read More

Up until the end of last year BMW was in the process of developing a brand new performance saloon positioned above the current 2009 7-series flagship and destined to enter the premium four-door coupe segment. Then the global economic crisis hit and on the back of weak financial results BMW decided not to risk the launch of such an expensive model. Instead, the automaker chose to focus on its existing 7-Series, in part with the new M Sport Package officially revealed last week. Today BMW released new photos revealing the M-designed interior.

The M Sport Package includes the typical exterior upgrades to give a sharper, sportier appearance,... Up until the end of last year BMW was in the process of developing a brand new performance saloon positioned above the current 2009 7-series flagship and destined to enter the premium four-door coupe segment. Then the global economic crisis hit and on the back of weak financial results BMW decided not to risk the launch of such an expensive model. Instead, the automaker chose to focus on its existing 7-Series, in part with the new M Sport Package officially revealed last week. Today BMW released new photos revealing the M-designed interior. The M Sport Package includes the typical exterior upgrades to give a sharper, sportier appearance, along with interior upgrades to enhance the driver-car interface. New pieces include a BMW M shifter, M steering wheel and M footrest. Carbon fiber trim is also available. In combination with the M Sports Package, the customer also has the choice of exclusive paintwork in Carbon Black Metallic, apart from six other body colors all available as an option. Completing the look is a set of 19in M light-alloy wheels in a double-spoke design, or optional 20in units. And last but not least, the electronically controlled BMW Dynamic Drive also comes in the M Sports Package for the 7-series. Other models in the BMW fleet available with an M Sport Package include the 1, 3, and 5-Series, as well as the X5, which you can read about in our previous story. Sadly, it appears rumors of a high-performance M7 super-saloon have been proven unfounded as this new styling pack is only a minor upgrade to the standard car.2010 BMW 7-series M Sport Package Read More

Audi has the R8, Mercedes-Benz has the McLaren SLR and soon the new SLS, while Lexus is working on its own V10-powered LF-A supercar - so where exactly does this leave BMW in the halo-car department?

Sure, BMW has the M3 and the M5/M6, but in terms of pure sports cars it can hardly match the offerings from its competitors, and while some time ago there was talk of reviving the 8-Series or even building a new environmentally-friendly supercar nothing solid has come of it, which is why designer Idries Noah decided to give BMW a nudge in the right direction with his depiction of what the company’s rivals to the likes of the R8 and SLR... Audi has the R8, Mercedes-Benz has the McLaren SLR and soon the new SLS, while Lexus is working on its own V10-powered LF-A supercar - so where exactly does this leave BMW in the halo-car department? Sure, BMW has the M3 and the M5/M6, but in terms of pure sports cars it can hardly match the offerings from its competitors, and while some time ago there was talk of reviving the 8-Series or even building a new environmentally-friendly supercar nothing solid has come of it, which is why designer Idries Noah decided to give BMW a nudge in the right direction with his depiction of what the company’s rivals to the likes of the R8 and SLR should look like. Noah’s work has appeared on MotorAuthority before, with his Project Fireblade design study, as well as his Ferrari F250 Concept, and like those two designs the new ‘BMW M Concept’ is visually dramatic and stays true to many of the BMW’s brand essence. According to Noah, the recipe for the car was simple - "aggressive, sleek, agile". He retained BMW's trademark kidney grille, but the inspiration for the rest of the design came from nature, especially "water and the way it flows and ripples". Via: Serious WheelsBMW M Concept design study by Idries Noah Read More

BMW’s M division has tallied a record year of sales, topping 24,000 units between January and December 2008. Strong sales of the M3 and its new Cabrio and Sedan variants are the driving force behind the record feat, accounting for over 18,000 of the M-cars sold.

In August of last year, BMW reported its performance arm had sold more cars in the first eight months of the year than all of 2007 combined, with a total of 16,150 M cars rolling out of showrooms between January and August versus last year’s total of 16,128 vehicles. The United States, despite its massive volume dropoff in new vehicle sales, still accounted for the... BMW’s M division has tallied a record year of sales, topping 24,000 units between January and December 2008. Strong sales of the M3 and its new Cabrio and Sedan variants are the driving force behind the record feat, accounting for over 18,000 of the M-cars sold. In August of last year, BMW reported its performance arm had sold more cars in the first eight months of the year than all of 2007 combined, with a total of 16,150 M cars rolling out of showrooms between January and August versus last year’s total of 16,128 vehicles. The United States, despite its massive volume dropoff in new vehicle sales, still accounted for the lion's share of all M-cars sold in 2008 with 10,663. The M3 is selling at twice the rate of the outgoing model, with the Coupe in particular finding a strong reception, selling 10,571 units in 2008. The Convertible, introduced in May of last year, sold 4,169 units and the Sedan accounted for the remaining 3,253 M3s sold in 2008. The M3 has long been a strong seller for BMW, including the E46 M3, which helped drive the M Division to its best sales year ever, with 26,776 sold in 2002. Another major source of revenue for the M-division is its M Sport line of performance packages for non-M BMW cars. Available on the 1, 3, 5 and 6 series plus the X3 and X5 SUVs, the M Sport package adds sportier looks and handling to the standard BMW package. Almost 100,000 1 and 3-series buyers opted for the add-on in 2008, with 58,000 3-series so equipped and 41,000 1-series buyers ticking the M Sport box as well. Those two accounted for the majority of the 156,139 M Sport packages sold globally in 2008. Since inception in 1978 BMW’s M division has sold more than 300,000 vehicles worldwide, and with more models and variations planned for the future it appears the performance offshoot is safe despite looming emissions and fuel-economy standards being introduced on both sides of the Atlantic. Click here to read our previous story about future vehicles planned by the M division.BMW M3 Sedan2008 BMW M3 Coupe and Cabrio Read More

The high-performance arm of BMW has provided quite a lot of fodder for speculation recently, with the M1 Homage concept, an expected 1-series tii vehicle, and its somewhat bizarre focus on SUVs and crossovers. To help clear the air - if only somewhat - BMW's M Division development head Albert Biermann has given some answers about the Bavarian company's high-performance future.

Some of the detail discussed is already well-known, or at least completely expected. For example, there will be no M3 CSL since demand is low and the cost of development and construction would be high. Likewise, no 7-series M-model is in the works because it would run... The high-performance arm of BMW has provided quite a lot of fodder for speculation recently, with the M1 Homage concept, an expected 1-series tii vehicle, and its somewhat bizarre focus on SUVs and crossovers. To help clear the air - if only somewhat - BMW's M Division development head Albert Biermann has given some answers about the Bavarian company's high-performance future. Some of the detail discussed is already well-known, or at least completely expected. For example, there will be no M3 CSL since demand is low and the cost of development and construction would be high. Likewise, no 7-series M-model is in the works because it would run somewhat contrary to the M Division's philosophy of light, agile and powerful cars, reports the German language Auto-News. Finally, an M-treatment of the 1-series is similarly off the books, though only because it would be difficult to add performance to the car without impinging on the M3's performance - at a significantly lower price point. Speculation of a new M1, based around the M1 Homage concept, remains rampant despite the company's vociferous denials of any such project. However, if the M1 is a design study only, runs the speculation, why would it incorporate pedestrian-protection-derived design elements? It is, of course, speculation that the law was the motivating factor behind the lack of pop-up headlights like those of the original M1, rather than simply a modernized styling element. The crossover and SUV-focus for the M Division is a highly practical one, in the end. The X6 has already booked a half year of sales in advance, and so the company thinks an M version would have similar high sales figures. More sales mean more profit, and that is the goal of any business. Other new elements of the M Division's business plan include the development of a range of racing and performance accessories. Carbon-ceramic brakes, roll cages and more track-specific safety and speed add-ons are hoped to prove a profitable arm of the business. The ongoing emissions and fuel consumption battle between carmakers and governments worldwide is not as much a primary consideration for the M Division, according to Biermann, because its customers are not concerned with the price of fuel. Nevertheless, some technological innovations such as stop-start will be employed on M cars to help appease those drivers concerned with the environment. Like many other companies, BMW's M Division is also looking at the possibility of adding turbochargers to more and different engines to help maintain high power levels while complying with emissions standards.BMW X5 M Spy shots - AugustBMW M X6 spy shotsBMW 7-series redesign high-res leaked photosBMW M1 HomageBMW M3 E92 Read More