2010 BMW X6 M Better Then Cayenne Turbo

BMW has finally made official the long-rumored M versions of the X5 and X6 "Sports Activity Vehicles". Of the two new power 'utes, which are closest competitors to the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, the 2010 BMW X6 M is the more exciting, with its rakish shape and a brand new BMW M Power engine finally packing enough ponies to give the X6 its day in the sun.

BMW M Power models have always been about so much more than straight-line speed, so to make the 2010 X6 M a well-rounded car with enough capabilities in the twisties to justify its lineage was part of the deal. The torque distribution and suspension systems that debuted on the X6 did not need a whole lot of modification to be up to the M challenge, but early drive reports should confirm that BMW has really gone the extra mile here.

The M engine in question, a brand new twin-Garett-turbo packing 4.4 liter V8, is an evolution of the naturally aspirated V8 used in X5 and X6 models. The 8 marks the first time a BMW M Model has received any type of force feeding. Output is pegged at 555 horses, which is not-so-coincidentally 5 more horsepower than the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S.

Torque is rated at 500 lb-ft., nothing crazy by the X6 M's competitor standards, but the innovative turbocharging system BMW has developed should make sure all that thrust is available at a moment's notice with little-to-no turbo lag.A complex intake and exhaust management system BMW is calling Cylinder-bank Comprehensive Manifold (CCM) makes sure that reused exhaust gases are passed through the turbo system and back into the manifold with every cylinder rotation rather than in the waves of power found in conventional turbos. The result is a promised constant stream of boost, and at 21 PSI there's plenty of it.

To prepare for all that boost, BMW has beefed up the new 4.4's internals dramatically. 4.5 super-smooth seconds through 60 mph tell the tale that such a heavy and tall monstrosity has true sporting potential.Price info has not been finalized. The Cayenne Turbo runs a hair under $100,000 to start, so expect something in the $90,000s.

2010 BMW X6 M Specifications

Chassis
Brakes (Front) 15.6 inch rotors
Brakes (Rear) 15.2 inch rotors
Tires Front 275/40-20 Bridgestone
Tires Rear 315/35-20 Bridgestone
Wheels 20 inch light-alloy M Sport wheels
Rear Suspension Integral four-link rear axle
Front Suspension Double-wishbone front control arms

Drivetrain Layout

Front Engine, AWD
Transmission 6 Speed M Sport Paddle-Shifted Automanual
Differential Electronic front and rear LSD

Engine Type:
Direct injection BMW M Sport V8
Induction Twin Garett turbochargers, 21.0 PSI
Displacement 4.4 liters
Torque 500 lb-ft. @ 1500 to 5650 rpm
Horsepower 555 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Compression Ratio 9.30:1

Exterior
Body Type 2 Door, 4 Seat SUV

Performance
Acceleration 0-60 mph 4.5 seconds

BMW May Be Planning X4

BMW has been aggressively expanding its vehicle offerings, and like most other automakers, crossovers make up the majority of additions. Earlier this year, team Bimmer added the X6, and with the X1 concept unveiled in Paris, mild-to-wild CUVs seem to be the focus for the boys in Bavaria. Automotive News is reporting that the SAV love will continue next year when BMW unleashes the X4. Design elements are said to come from the larger X6, which is to say that it'll probably look like a really tall hatchback. The X1 concept and the production X3 are based off of the excellent 3-Series platform, and we're guessing the X4 will also don the sharp-handling underpinnings.

If this is what BMW needs to do in order to remain the world's top-selling luxury automaker, we're not so sure it's worth the trouble. The X1 will probably sell relatively well, but it will do so with underwhelming sheet metal. An X4 based off the X6 sounds like an even worse proposition, but then again, we didn't think the X6 was a bright idea either.

Dinan to boost 2008 Bmw M3 to 628 hp

Since its launch, the 2008 Bmw M3 made quite a buzz, but now Dinan is pushing it to its limits. Dinan, a well-respected BMW tuner known for working miracles on the Bavarian cars, said today that its new version of the M3 will be powered by a 5.7-liter engine capable to develop 628 hp. The “standard” M3 is powered by a V8 engine developing 420 hp and can go from 0-60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. With a boost to 628 hp, the Dinan M3 will beat out its brothers, the M5 and M6. No launch date has been set, but of course we’re going to stay on top of this hot M3.

Source: Top Speed

BMW 335i Coupe & Cabriolet Get M3’s 7-Speed Double-Clutch Gearbox

Parallel to the market launch of the facelifted 3 Series sedan and touring models, BMW announced the availability of its new 7-speed semi-automatic gearbox with double-clutch for the 335i Coupe and 335i Convertible models. Named DKG, the new double-clutch transmission was introduced for the first time on the M3 Sedan. It offers the driver the choice of controlling the gearbox changes through a shift lever on the centere console or via paddles on the steering wheel.
Equipped with this gearbox, the 335i Coupe with the 306Hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight six completes the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.4 sec or 0.1 sec faster than the model fitted with the 6-speed manual transmission and 0.3 seconds faster than the 335i Coupe with the previously available 6-speed automatic.

Furthermore, the double-clutch gearbox helps drop consumption in both the 335i Coupe and Cabriolet by up to 5% compared to the equivalent models with 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions. In particular, the 335i Coupe & Convertible models with the DKG achieve an average fuel consumption in the combined EU test cycle of 8.8lt /100km (26.7 mpg) and 9.1lt/100km (25.9 mpg) respectively.

2009 BMW 7-Series: High Res Images & Official Details

Finally got a hold of high resolution images of the new BMW 7-Series and the initial technical details on the Bavarian carmaker’s flagship saloon. From a design standpoint there are few things worth mentioning: the absence of the horrid Bungle booty; the transmission selector has been transferred from the steering column to the center console; the high waistline and the return of both the driver orientated centre console and the classic instrument cluster with four circular instruments, all of which are more than welcome.

Overall, and despite being a tad larger in both height and length than its predecessor, the new 7-Series hides its size well enough and if anything else, the styling is no where near as controversial as the previous 7-Series.

Technically speaking, as one would anticipate, the new 7-Series boasts an array of features and systems, including Active Blind Spot Detection, Night Vision with new Pedestrian Detection, Side View and Back-up Cameras, Active Cruise Control with new stop-and-go capability and a new Integral Active Steering, which adds speed-sensitive rear-wheel steering to BMW’s front Active Steering system.

In terms of power, unfortunately the North American press release refers only to the 750i which is equipped with the recently introduced in the X6, 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 delivering 400 hp and 450lbs-ft of torque. That’s compared to the outgoing 750i’s naturally aspirated 360hp 4.8-liter V8 engine. The twin turbocharged V8 is matted to revised 6-speed automatic transmission. According to BMW, the 750i can go from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.2 seconds – not bad for a limo…

We could go on and on about the 7-Series, but we gather it’s better to let those interested to check out the full press release after the image gallery. However we would like to comment on something. BMW says that it now delivers the owner’s manual electronically, via the revised iDrive. According to the Bavarian carmaker’s own words “in just seconds, the user can access information on virtually any detail of the vehicle’s equipment, systems, operation, etc…like a traditional owner’s manual, only better”.

If there was one thing that we could rely on getting us out of trouble with the iDrive, that was the manual….

The 2009 7-Series will make its global debut at the Paris Show in October with the North American premiere following in November at the Los Angeles International Autoshow. U.S. sales are expected to begin by spring 2009.

1992 BMW 850csi

The last E24 rolled off the production line in 1989, its replacement was quick on its heels to fulfill the fantasies of those looking for a touring coupe with all of the luxury, performance, and prestige of a BMW, only now with both 8 and 12 cylinder engines. The e31, world wide there was only 30,621 made. The 850csi is a 12 cylinder 380 hp beast. The McLaren F1 uses the same engine but is heavily modified. BMW is rumored to have plans to revive the 8 Series name for a potential "four-door coupe," the CS concept. Which will compete with the same price of Mercedes's CLS.

My Rating: *****/*****

Engine

Power bhp: 380

Torque lb-ft: 326

Type: V12

Performance

Acceleration 0-60 mph: 6.0 seconds

Top Speed: 185 mph

2007 BMW M6

Power and performance, however, are not everything. Rather, what really counts is a car's acceleration and driving dynamics on the road. And this depends, first, on the weight of a car and, second, on the thrust and power which actually goes to the drive wheels - which, in turn, is a result of engine torque and the overall transmission ratio. BMW's high-speed engine concept allows an optimum gearbox and final drive transmission ratio in all cases, thus guaranteeing impressive thrust and momentum on the road at all times.
Engine

Power bhp: 500

Torque lb-ft: 383

Red Line at RPM: 8250

Type: V10

Performance

Accelleration 0-60 mph: 4.5 seconds

Top Speed: 155 electronicaly limited

My Rating ****/*****

Base Price: 2007 BMW M6 - $98,600

2009 BMW M3

2009 BMW M3 Coupe
The new BMW will surely be a head turner. For the first time ever an M3 will have a v8 powered engine. The slick design and power for the price will be a grabber for the car collectors, and car enthusiasts.

Engine
Type: V8
Displacement cu in: 244
Power hp at RPM: 420/8300
Torque at RPM: 295/3900
Redline at RPM: 8400
Driveline: Rear Wheel Drive
Exterior Dimensions & Weight
Length × Width × Height in: 181.7 × 71.6 × 55.8
Weight lb: 3648
Performance
Acceleration 0-60 in 4.6 seconds
Top Speed mph 155 electronically limited