BMW Announce M135i Concept to Debut in Geneva

Yet another M Performance model will be officially unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. 

As a preview to the production model BMW plan to launch, the M Division's latest design study will make its world premiere in Geneva on 6 March.With the M135i Concept, BMW will be introducing the first gasoline-burning engine in its new M Performance range. Power comes from a straight six-cylinder engine featuring Twin Turbo technology, with 'power output of more than 300hp' going to the rear wheels. Although displacement has not been confirmed it is safe to assume it will be 3.0-liters.
An M Sports braking system hides behind the double-spoke design 18-inch M alloys, while other noteworthy features include an M Performance duty suspension, dark chrome double tailpipes, high gloss shadowline trim around the frameless windows, flared wheel arches and Ferric Grey mirror caps.Aside from being a new M Performance car, the M135i Concept previews the as yet unseen 3-door variant of the 2012 BMW 1-Series (minus the body kit and enlarged air intakes). According to BMW, 'the car has a more dynamic and elongated appearance' than the five-door 1-Series and it shouldn't be too long before they hit European showrooms.

BMW Announce M135i Concept to Debut in Geneva

BMW M Performance Diesels Arrive: M550d, X5 M50d, X6 M50d

BMW has released official details about their much anticipated M Performance diesel range.

Confirmation of BMW M diesel models has finally arrived, and just like a bus you wait a year for one and then four come at once. Each sport AWD and the tri-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six rated at 375hp and 546lb-ft of torque, but before anyone living stateside gets too excited; be warned: none are slated for the US.The BMW M Performance diesel range includes the M550d xDrive Sedan, M550d xDrive Toruing, X5 M50d and X6 M50d, with the small 'd' indicating 'diesel.'

An eight-speed automatic gearbox features in all models, while xDrive AWD comes as standard. The result is that the M550d sedan can hit 62mph in 4.7 seconds. The M550d Touring manages 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds, while the X5 M50d and X6 M50d hits 62mph in 5.4 and 5.3 seconds respectively. All have an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph.Other hallmark features you'd expect of an M Performance range include Auto Start/Stop, ECO PRO mode, M-tuned springs and dampers, bodyshell mounting, engine & transmission mounting, and Servotronic mapping for the hydraulic steering.In addition to the M aero body kits, other styling touches include metallic grey side mirrors, trapezoidal tailpipes, 19- and 20-inch M light alloys in V-design for the M550d and double-spoke design for the X5 and X6 M50d.M model lettering features on the door sills, boot lid, and for the X5/X6 M50d on the instrument cluster and engine cover.On the inside, exclusive M sports seats with contrast stitching and embossed M logo are finished in Black Alcantara/Nappa leather on the X5/X6 and in Grey Shadow Alcantara/Cloth on the M550d.

Other highlights include a gearshift lever boasting the M logo, M leather steering wheel with shift paddles, Anthracite BMW Individual roof liner, interior trim strips in Brushed Aluminum Shadow for the X5/X6 and Aluminum Hexagon on the M550d, and interior sound design that further emphasizes the engine soundtrack.There's a host of options ranging from electrically-operated glass/panoramic sunroof to rear-seat entertainment systems, and a wide array of driver assistance systems and mobility services courtesy of the BMW ConnectedDrive such as BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition (M550d) and rear-view camera with Top View (X5/X6).All four models will make their world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March, shortly followed by a market launch where in Germany they will be sold for around €80,000 to €85,000.

BMW to Launch M Performance Series

BMW will launch a new range of cars with emotional appeal and everyday usability. 

Last year BMW unveiled a new product range, dubbed the i-Series, which will be dedicated to BMW's EV endeavors. At the upcoming 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March, BMW will reveal yet another way to milk its prestigious and highly lucrative M-line when it reveals their M Performance Automobiles.An awkward name perhaps, but it will certainly be much more profitable in the near future than the i-Series and much more entertaining to drive, to say the least.

The new model line was developed and will be produced by BMW's M division, so it will have a close relationship to its older siblings. However, it is intended to be the poor man's M car and therefore the performance is not expected to be at the levels of the M brand. "We are targeting our efforts at customers looking for more emotionality and more performance, but who don't want to forgo the everyday usability of their cars," said Dr Friedrich Nitschke, President of BMW M.Nitschke announced plans for further additions to the new product line-up, referring to "a range including a wide variety of model series, as well as both gasoline and diesel-engined variants".The intelligent all-wheel-drive system, xDrive, will also play a significant role in the BMW M Performance Automobiles, he added. The M Performance brand offers enhanced agility and outstanding precision on the road, plus design laced with emotional appeal.The harmonious interplay of engine output, power transfer, chassis technology and aerodynamic balance provides a captivating showcase for the familiar M genes - in day-to-day driving and beyond.
Photos displayed are of the 2012 BMW M5.

2014 BMW M4 Coupe Rendered

Road & Track magazine have just created this great rendering of what the upcoming BMW M4 may look like. Since it's one of the best all-around sport sedans and coupes, it's no wonder that plenty of people are wondering what the upcoming 2014 BMW M3/M4 will look like. Considering the new 2012 3-Series was revealed online in October, we already have a fairly clear idea as to what it'll look like.And now Road & Track magazine has just released this rendering of what they believe the new M4 coupe will look like. Remember, BMW is making a model name change, similar to what Audi did in relation to their A4 sedan and A5 coupe.
Hence the new BMW 4-Series. This picture seems to be fairly accurate the way in which it features the 3-Series's new design coupled with typical M body design add-ons. These include the front bumper, LED headlights, and a wide track.
Unlike the current E90/E92 M3, which is powered by a naturally-aspirated V8, the new model will likely have a twin-turbocharged inline-six under the hood. There have even been rumors of a triple-turbo engine, but nothing is official yet.Road & Track has also quoted Albert Biermann, the head of product development for M cars.
He stated that the new M3/M4 will not have torque vectoring. Instead, it'll likely be equipped with an electronically controlled differential that's also used in the new M5.

World's Second M Exclusive Dealership Opened in St. Petersburg

Russia’s second largest city is honored to house BMW’s second ever M exclusive showroom.

Hot on the heels of BMW's first exclusive M dealership in Singapore's Teban Gardens Crescent that opened its doors in 2010, the automaker's second exclusive M showroom has just opened in St. Petersburg, Russia, appropriately named 'Park M.'What originated to handle BMW's racing program in the early seventies, the M division has grown exponentially over the following decades and is responsible for high-performance models such as the M3 and M6.

As the sixth largest market for M automobiles, St. Petersburg's selection as the sub-brand's second M showroom may not seem so strange. Russia is also considered by BMW to be one of the hottest emerging markets for M vehicles, with the X6M the most popular model in the country.

During the opening ceremony, MD Alexander Bystrov said: "Our dealership is located in a new business district of St. Petersburg where young, modern business people live and work. For them, speed, power and prestige are important in a car. You will find all this and more in the unique products of BMW M."Park M has the entire BMW model range on display and the showroom has some unique features including an interactive sound wall where customers can listen via headphones to the revving of different M engines, and a display of BMW's heritage.