And if the new 5-Series is anything to go by, expect the car to be slightly larger in all dimensions.
Powertrain options will include numerous four- and six-cylinder gasoline and diesel units (depending on the market of course), with the much appraised 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six petrol in the 335i to be replaced by BMW's new 3.0-liter inline-six with a single, twin-scroll turbocharger that makes 306-horsepower and 400Nm (295 lb-ft).
There's also a strong possibility that BMW may introduce a mild hybrid variant, but this has not been officially confirmed. Same goes for the rumors concerning the replacement of the M3's naturally aspirated V8 unit with a straight-six turbo.
As with the current model, the new 3-Series will be offered with an optional all-wheel drive system, while the range will eventually grow to include Touring, Convertible and Coupe models with a crossoverish GT akin to the 5-Series Gran Turismo said to be under consideration.
Video via: Bimmerpost
It might not be an 'M' model, but the Z4 sDrive35is comes equipped with a tweaked version of BMW's 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight six pumping out 340 ponies as well as a 7-speed double clutch transmission and the M Sports Package that includes an adaptive suspension and numerous M-Sports upgrades.
The tuner did not release technical details on the specific model, but we assume that it features the standard 310HP upgrade to the twin-turbocharged straight-six diesel engine.
Together with the record breaking ACS3 3.5d Coupe, AC Schnitzer also tested the ACS4 3.5 turbo, which is based on the BMW Z4 sDrive 35i, at Nardo. The 360HP hardtop roadster achieved a top speed of 303.1 km/h or about 188 mph, which may not have set a world record, but it's impressive nevertheless.
We first showed you WSTO's BMW 135i Coupe project car back in September. And if you liked it then, you're definitely going to love it now. During the first stage, the crew over at WSTO upgraded the compact bimmer with a front apron, trunk lip spoiler, shadow line grilles, H&R sport springs that lower the vehicle's ride height, aluminum sport pedals, alloy wheels, reprogrammed ECU and exhaust system.The this second stage of the project, WSTO added a prototype US-spec quad exhaust system from Bastuck with customized tips that are wrapped inside 3D Design's carbon fiber diffuser.
The team also replaced the 19-inch black alloys from Klassen (wrapped in Toyo tires) with a new set of 19-inch Advan RS wheels in a gunmetal finish, this time shod in Yokohama Advan AD08 tires size 225/35 R19 up front and 255/30 R19 at the back.
Finally, the tuning house removed the matte black stickers from the 135i's sides and added two stripes stretching from the headlights all the way back to the tail lights. While we're not big fans of stripes, we must say that this particular scheme works very well on the small bimmer coupe.
Photos: Johan Lee , Link: WSTO
A pair of prototype models of the next BMW 6-Series Convertible have been spied on film. The folks over at Bimmerpost that posted the video support that, like the new Z4, the 2011 6-Series Convertible will most likely be equipped with an electric folding hardtop and that for now, the Bavarians are concealing the roof with a faux canvas top.Unless someone goes and fiddles around with the top, there's no way of being 100 per cent certain, but looking at the creases on the roof, we'd say that these test cars appear to feature a classic fabric top.
In any case, the new 6-Series Convertible will continue to be a four-seater while we suspect that the styling will follow the cautious evolution of the firm's latest models like the Z4, 5-Series and 7-Series, with BMW's designers toning down the flame surfacing and eliminating the so-called Bungle butt.
Under the hood, the new 6er's engines will be sourced from the 2011 5-Series that was revealed last week. The range will comprise of straight-six petrol and diesel engines, and V8 petrols, including the 245HP 3.0-liter turbo diesel in the 630d, the new 306HP 3.0-liter inline-six with a twin-scroll turbocharger in the 635i and the 407HP twin-turbo V8 in the 650i. The M6 models will follow at a later date.
If BMW follows its typical product life cycle of seven years for the 6-Series, then we'll see the coupe version of the new Bavarian sports car / grand tourer breaking cover sometime next year with the convertible model following shortly after.
Via: Bimmerpost
You've seen the photos, read the details, now it's time to watch the all-new, sixth-generation BMW 5-Series sedan on film. If you follow the break, you'll find three videos including one from Monday's press event, a digital presentation of the executive sedan and of course, driving footage and static beauty shots. We remind you that BMW's new Mercedes E-Class and Audi A6 antagonist will go on sale in March 2010 and will be followed by a Touring model and of course, the highly anticipated M5 variant with a twin-turbo V8 engine.
Work is well underway in Munich for the development of the next 3-Series that was caught here on video wearing BMW's signature twirly black and white disguise. It's still a bit early for any definite information on the car, but rumor has it that BMW is readying a new generation of inline six-cylinder turbo engines, one of which may replace the current M3's 420HP naturally-aspirated V8.If BMW keeps its 7-year product cycle, then we'll be seeing the new generation 3-Series sedan making its world premiere sometime during 2012 followed within the next two years by the Touring, Convertible and M3 variants.
Via: Bimmerpost
We're not sure how many of you are willing to spend a good five minutes for a simple 'walk around' video with no action, but BMW has released footage of its new Concept 6 motorcycle that was revealed earlier this week. The concept bike sports a newly developed, 1.6-liter inline six-cylinder engine that will soon find its way into one of the Bavarian firm's production motorcycles. Watch the video after the jump.
In typical BMW fashion, the Bavarian automaker has published a brief press release stating that the next-generation 5-Series Sedan will be officially revealed to the world on November 23. The release was accompanied by a short trailer teasing the executive sedan's silhouette through the use of the kinetic sculpture from the BMW Museum.There's nothing else official on the sixth-generation 5-Series, but we do know that it is closely related to the controversial 5-Series GT and that the sedan model will be followed by a Touring version and of course, an all-new M5 that will get a twin-turbocharged V8 engine instead of the current model's naturally aspirated V10.
"Born on the Racetrack to Live on the Streets" is BMW's motto for its newly revealed M3 GTS, a stripped-out 450-horsepower version of the M3 Coupe that marks the M division's return to its roots. Following the presentation of the first photos, details (click here to read our previous post) and a rather dull static teaser film, the Bavarian firm has now released a pair of impressive and beautifully executed videos showing off the M3 GTS on the race track. Both videos are available for your pleasure after the break.
BMW's M division unwrapped a more hardcore roadgoing version of the M3 Coupe called the GTS today, and this is the first video of the car that will go on sale next year. There's no action footage available yet as the video teaser is limited to a speedy presentation of the new M3 GTS inside and out, but we do get a sample of the upgraded V8's sonorous soundtrack in the beginning of the film. Hit the break for the video or click here for our detailed post on the most extreme production M3 to date.
No, despite its name, you won't be able to hail this 'taxi' if for whatever reason you get stranded on the Nordschleife. BMW's Ring-Taxi offers Nurburgring-goers a one-of-a-kind chance to experience the "Green Hell" not behind the steering wheel, but in the passenger's seats of the almighty M5 sedan. Your 'taxi-driver' will be an experienced pilot with apparently many miles of Nurburgring... smiles.However, you should know that it's probably easier to find a cab in Times Square on a Friday night than to close a ride with the M5 Ring-Taxi. According to BMW Motorsport's official site, there are no tickets available at this point of time with any available openings due to be announced just before Christmas.
Well, for those that prefer to be in the passenger's seat, unless you find a good friend that's willing to take you for a spin at the Nurburgring circuit, you may get a taste of what you're missing out on in BMW's promotional film on the M5 Ring-Taxi.
