Tag Archives: BMW M

BMW M Rumored To Be Readying Special M4 For 50th Ann. With Manual Gearbox

Next year is gearing up to be a special one for BMW’s M division. BMW M GmbH will mark its 50th anniversary in May, 2022, and new rumors suggest that there’s a special, limited production M4 on the horizon.

The lead comes from an alleged BMW insider on g80.bimmerpost. The user, who apparently has a good track record for new car info, suggests that the unnamed M4 special will be “configured like the CSL, but with a manual transmission.”

The forum member goes on to say that several options will be deleted, including comfort access, parking sensors, and electric seats. The absence of such would result in an M4 that’s even lighter than the already lightweight CSL, provided this special model is based on the upcoming CSL in the first place.

Although the production M4 CSL hasn’t yet been revealed to the public, our spies have spotted prototypes undergoing testing. These cars feature revised air intakes and grilles, as well as lightweight wheels, a more prominent lip spoiler, and a new diffuser.

Read: BMW Teases Next-Generation M4 GT4 Customer Race Car

A BMW M4 CSL prototype caught testing at the Nurburgring

As yet, powertrain details for the CSL have not been confirmed, although there have been reports that BMW may not offer a manual transmission. If that were the case, a limited, manual-equipped take on the CSL could prove to be the holy grail of BMW’s M4 line-up. The source also remarks that the new variant will be only produced for a few months, starting in November 2022, implying that production numbers will be kept low.

We already know that BMW M GmbH has big plans on the horizon for the upcoming year. Their 750hp plug-in hybrid SUV, the XM, is set to be in production before the end of 2022, and from January, customers will be able to order their cars with a roundel that harks back to the Motorsport division’s classic logo. If that weren’t enough, the new BMW M3 Touring would finally fulfill our M wagon dreams, and a series of 50 new M paint finishes will be made available. A special, ultra-limited edition of the M4 could just be the icing on the cake.

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BMW M Reportedly Plotting 1,341 HP iM2 For Their 50th Anniversary

BMW M will be celebrating their 50th anniversary next year and the company has already said we can expect a “year full of surprises.”

Now we’re starting to learn more about what those surprises might be as BMW will reportedly mark the occasion by unveiling an all-new iM2.

According to Car Magazine, the coupe is being developed under the “Project Katharina” codename and will have insane performance specifications. How insane? Try four electric motors that reportedly produce a combined output of 1,341 hp (1,000 kW / 1,360 PS).

Also Read: Mystery BMW M2 Test Mule Spotted With An Electric Powertrain

That’s a ridiculous amount of power and it will reportedly enable the model to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 2.5 seconds or less. The car has also reportedly lapped the Nürburgring in less than seven minutes which, if true, would best times posted by supercars such as the McLaren 720S and Ferrari 488 Pista.

Little else is known about the model, but the publication claims it will have the “most extreme battery technology conceived to date” as well as a “radically advanced level of torque vectoring hitherto available only to the cars you see in cartoons.”  They went on to say the vehicle is being developed to showcase the extreme performance and handling that is possible with electrification.

While the project is reportedly a “work in progress and not yet an approved program,” one insider told the magazine that a limited edition variant is likely. We’re a bit skeptical, but the model would reportedly feature carbon fiber body panels, a rear seat delete, and lightweight glass as well as an insane electric powertrain.

Note: BMW M2 EV Mule pictured, credits CarPix for CarScoops

The Clown Shoe 2002 BMW M Coupe Is An Ugly Duckling Turned Cult Classic

The 2002  Z3 M Coupe (also known as the M Coupe) may be far from the most beautiful car that BMW has ever produced, but it has become a bit of a cult classic and is much rarer than most modern M models.

This Z3 M Coupe, which is up for auction through Bring a Trailer, is currently in Emeryville, California and is being offered with a window sticker, factory literature, tool kit, car cover, recent service records, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Washington title. With five days left in the auction, bidding had already hit $51,000, more than the car’s original retail price of $45,935.

Watch Also: Chris Harris’ Daily Is A Gorgeous BMW M2 Competition – And He Had It Detailed

The bodywork is painted in Titanium Silver Metallic and the car also features an optional glass sunroof. It sits on staggered-width 17-inch factory Style 40 wheels mounted with 225/45 front and 245/40 rear Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires that were fitted last year and have lots of life left in them.

Powering the M Coupe is a 3.2-liter S54 inline-six complete with individual throttle bodies and producing 315 hp and 251 lb-ft (340 Nm) of torque. Mated to this engine is a five-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential.

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While the interior isn’t laden with the type of technology you’ll find in a modern BMW, it is still very functional and looks well suited to both short and long drives. Key features include heated power-adjustable sport seats trimmed in black Nappa leather, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, and a Harman/Kardon audio system. A look at the odometer reveals the car has a touch over 12,000 miles (~19,000 km) under its belt.

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BMW M4 Driver Brakes From 174 MPH, Narrowly Misses Rear-Ending Mazda3

For many car enthusiasts, the Autobahn is viewed as motoring nirvana, but things can turn from sweet to sour in the blink of an eye, as this video shows.

This clip was filmed from the helmet camera being used by the driver of a BMW M4 and shows him hitting speeds of around 174 mph (280 km/h). At the 15-second mark, the BMW driver is quite late to brake to avoid a slow-moving hatchback in the fast lane but when it gets out of the way, he quickly hits the throttle once again and starts to accelerate to over 167 mph (270 km/h).

However, at the 48-second mark of the clip, a maroon-colored Mazda3 changes into the fast lane to overtake a Ford Fiesta, crossing directly into the path of the BMW.

Watch Also: Red Light Runner Comes Within Inches Of Taking Out A Motorcyclist

The M4 driver is forced to slam on the brakes to avoid rear-ending the Mazda and apparently managed to slow from 174 mph to 87 mph (140 km/h) in just a few seconds. Had the BMW driver been a little later to react or had the Mazda driver made the lane change a touch later, the two might have collided and the results may have been devastating.

One could say that the driver of the Mazda is primarily to blame for the near-miss. Changing into the fast lane of the Autobahn isn’t something you should ever do without getting a good look at your mirrors to ensure there is no fast-moving traffic behind you. The M4 driver should have also been more careful and perhaps lifted off the throttle while passing slower traffic.

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At $59,950, Would You Be Tempted By This 20k Mile 2001 BMW M5?

A 2001 BMW M5 painted in a rare shade of Royal Red is currently up for sale in Bellevue, Washington with an asking price of $59,950.

The E39-generation M5 has arguably the most timeless design of any M5 and pristine examples like this one are starting to fetch quite a lot of money. Adding to the desirability of this example is the fact that it has 20,241 miles (32,574 km) on the clock, which are relatively little for a vehicle of this age. It is also said to be one of just eight examples with this paint color and a black interior.

Watch Also: Tiff Needell Samples Every Single BMW M5 In History – But Which One Is Your Favorite?

Responsible for selling this car is Park Place Ltd, who states that it has only ever had one owner from new. It has been fitted with a Dinan carbon fiber cold air intake, Dinan stainless steel exhaust, and a protective front bra. It also includes a selection of optional factory equipment such as Burl walnut wood trim, power rear window sunshade, metallic paint, and lockable fold-down rear seats.

Despite the vehicle’s age, it left the factory with a host of nice luxury items. For example, there are Xenon headlights, daytime running lights, heated wing mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and heated 16-way power sports seats. The paint looks to have been very well cared for and it is the same story with the interior. In fact, with the exception of some creases in the leather seats, the cabin barely looks a day old.

Powering the E39 M5 is a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 with 394 hp and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

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