BMW 7 Series Facelift Revealed – Gets Massive Kidney Grille

Following a series of leaks last week, the BMW 7 Series facelift had been officially revealed. It sports the controversial kidney grilles, as confirmed by the leaks last week, it also gains new interior appointments keeping it fresh on comfort and technology. There is nothing revolutionary but the updates should be enough to see the 7 Series through to the next generation model.

As you will no doubt gather from the pictures, the design of the front end is what has been capturing attention. The BMW 7 Series facelift now sits 50 millimetres taller with a new BMW kidney grille 40 percent larger than the outgoing model. It is inspired by the new BMW X7 of course, with the advantage that cooling is significantly improved in combination with larger outer air intakes.

Hidden next to the grille sits a set of slimmer headlights. BMW laserlight is available as an option and LED technology as standard. A larger BMW roundel sits above the grille. The bonnet receives a mild redesign with the lower front bumper also gaining a more modern look with chrome trim.

The front wings are also new, incorporating an upright air breather which optimises the airflow through the wheel arches. The wheels are new too, lighter than the outgoing models. BMW have included extra acoustic insulation around the rear arches to increase rear passenger comfort and the laminated side glass is thicker too.

At the back, a new 35 mm three-dimensional LED rear light has been installed with a full-width, 6 mm light bar below a chrome trim. The light strip is linked to the dartime driving lights and so it should operate at all times. The exhaust pipe trim is also larger for the facelift 7 Series with more chrome detailing.

Inside, the changes include a new leather steering wheel with new control panels for the driver assistance systems. A Bowers & Wilkins Diamond 3D Surround Sound option has been made available and the latest version of the BMW Live Cockpit Profession has been included as standard. Nappa Leather and increased quilting, together with new interior trim strips provide more options. Wireless charging and rear seat touchscreen entertainment are also on offer.

BMW have retained the V12 engine in the BMW M760Li xDrive. It gets a gasoline particulate filter and 585 hp. The BMW 750Li xDrive also returns with the 4.4 litre V8 engine and 530 hp, an additional 80 hp over the outgoing model. Three diesel engines are available with up to four turbochargers and outputs ranging from 265 hp to 400 hp. Plug-in hybrids also get increased all-electric range up to 50 – 58 kilometres (31 – 36 miles). The 740e ditches the four-cylinder engine in favour of a 3.0 litre 6-cylinder unit, named the BMW 745e.

Pricing for the BMW 7 Series facelift varies from country to country and depending on the model of course with details to be announced closer to launch.

2020 BMW M340i xDrive Revealed

BMW have released official details for the BMW M340i xDrive ahead of its release at the Los Angeles Motor Show 2018 which starts in two weeks. The 3 Series was officially unveiled a month ago at the Paris Motor Show. At that time, BMW had only released details of its four cylinder offering. For the Los Angeles show, BMW have unveiled a powerful straight six version!

The M340i has been released with in both rear wheel drive and xDrive formats. The current range topper gets a 3.0 litre. six cylinder engine producing 382 hp and 369 lb-ft. of torque. It will be the most potent 3 Series in the normal range. The M3 should be the next step up in terms of performance.

The power will propel the sedan to 60 mph in just 4.2 second. The engine features an aluminium crankcase and cylinder head with a new, single, twin scroll turbocharger. The engine benefits from a 25 % reduction in weight over the previous model which should transform performance.

The BMW M340i sits 10 mm lower to the ground thanks to the M Sport suspension (which also receive optional adaptive dampers) and a wider track. Visual enhancements include a new grille, rear spoiler and 18 inch alloys as standard. Inside, M Performance improvements are on offer with a new set of sports seats.

2019 BMW Z4 M40i Review

Z is an extremely significant letter for BMW. The latest iteration of the Z4 has caused something of a stir, not for its 340hp twin-turbocharged 3-litre straight-six TwinPower unit, not for the 7min 55sec Nurburgring lap time, but because of an automotive icon called the Toyota Supra. The previous generation of the Z4 may have suave looks with its swooping lines and artsy interior, but the driving experience left enthusiasts wanting more. The same cannot be said for the last of the Supra that was unveiled way back in 1993, the year in which I was born. BMW and Toyota have developed this new Z4 in partnership with the forthcoming Supra, a project which allows a saving in cost and shared engineering knowledge and expertise. This is good.

Enough of the background, what’s the finished product like? Well, I’ll have to wait to comment on the Japanese Coupe offering and try the topless option that is the Z4 for now. There will be a handful of four cylinders soon, but for now it is the range topping Z4 M40i that is on offer for me to get my grubby mitts on – no complaints. You’ll probably know what comes with the M40i badge by now – the good old straight-six 3-litre with 340hp and 500Nm, pretty potent, but this is no Lotus with a weight of 1,480kgs, thankfully the 50:50 weight split helps mask it a little.

I am in Lisbon leaving the opulent Penha Longa resort the the roof down in search for some testing roads for the Roadster. First impressions are burbly with the M developed power unit clearing it’s throat on start up and gargling at every given lift off the throttle and downshift. It’s not just the acoustic pleasures that make the Z4 feel quick, the acceleration swells and the 4.6 to 100km/h time would is more than convincing. The 8-speed steptronic transmission is lightning fast and smooth. That is where the feel, unfortunately, seems to come a premature end.

The steering wheel doesn’t wriggle with feel in the palms and communication to the tires at either axle is fairly muted. For a sports car these are elements that are fundamental to the driving experience. It makes it difficult to gauge where the limits of adhesion are and where the understeer ends and the snap oversteer begins. Ease off a little and things make a lot more sense – soak in the views, listen to the pops and bangs, enjoy the blue skies and the wind running through you bald patch – life is good. The ride is brilliant courtesy of adaptive dampers. Even in Sport mode there is a softness to the suspension that is refreshing.

The cabin is great with pleasant ergonomics and the iDrive system is still fantastic. However, the horrible trend of making everything touch screen and making buttons touch sensitive continues to bug me. The screen carries nasty fingerprints that smear and show up in the sun and the touch buttons are annoyingly difficult to feel when you’re on the move focusing on the road.

What was ever wrong with an old fashioned button to change drive modes? Sorry to sound like a broken record, but the new digital dash might look badass to your 5 year old son, but the dials are a challenge to read without a needle, the new space displays information that is all then projected onto the heads up display. I digress – on a more positive note, the cabin does look cool and cohesive, it is a nice place to sit.

To my eyes, the good looks continue on the outside. Yes, it is not as dramatic as the concept car we all fell in love with, but production models rarely are. It looks muscular and imposing with the ever growing kidney grilles dominating the front end. There are nice details in the LED headlamps and it looks like a premium product. Speaking of premium products…the Porsche Boxster is undoubtedly going to be compared to the offering from BMW.

The 718 is only available with a 4-cylinder that has taken a beating as it had huge shoes that the 6-cylinder Boxster left to be filled. The M40i has a strong engine but the mid-engined Boxster is very alluring to sports car fans. As mentioned earlier, when you’re cruising or driving around town, what I imagine Z4s will spend most of their lives doing, the BMW is a compelling proposition and a fantastic cruiser. I would not be disappointed to own an Z4 M40i, just do not expect it to pump your veins with adrenaline or make you laugh with out loud with glee.

2019 BMW M850i Review

It has been a staggering 20 years since we last saw a BMW 8 Series roll of the production line in Germany. I was left salivating at the thought of seeing a new 8 Series hitting the streets after sighting the sensual swooping lines of the BMW Concept 8 Series at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2017 – it was a pleasant surprise to see that the production ready 2019 BMW 8 Series on sale to the public carries the dramatic lines and sharp features of the concept. I flew over to Lisbon where the German manufacturer chucked me the keys to the 2019 BMW M850i to see what the sporty coupe had to offer.

Whilst admiring the vast proportions of the M850i before jumping in I asked myself a question – what exactly is this luxury yacht born to compete with? BMW call labelled the 8 Series the ‘Gentleman’s Racer’ – hmm, I’m not so sure. In my mind this is a large GT that I could see tempting buyers away from an S-Class coupe and a GT that would not really tickle the fancy of a focused 911 driver. Looking around the car, there is no doubting that it has some serious presence – its modern styling and ginormous grill give this thing presence, the vast dimensions command the attention of other road users. On the topic of all things HUGE, check out those exhaust surrounds, they would provide a small child the ultimate hiding space for a game of hide and seek. Unlike other manufacturers, BMW have opted to make the quad pipes behind them fairly visible and therefore slightly more acceptable. Let’s hope all models and not just the M850i are treated to the pipes…I suspect the diesel will not be.

So what exactly is the M850i packing? Serious heat, that’s what. The full fat M8 is to come – BMW confirmed that we will see the M8 Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe soon, but until they arrive the M850i will be the range topper with 530 horsepower and 750Nm of torque coming from a new 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8. Yum. Power is transferred to all four wheels using the xDrive system and a lightning fast yet silky smooth autobox. This results in a 0-100km/h time of just 3.7 seconds. Just imagine how outrageously fast the M8 will be…

Enough of the stats and staring, whats this V8 8er like to drive? Jump in, adjust the supremely comfortable seat and hit the ignition switch. Initial impression are brawny to say the least. In the default comfort mode the exhaust barks with intent, this statement is followed by a spattering of bangs – dramatic. Ahead of me is the all new BMW digital dash that we can expect to see across the model line up. Jazzy. You’ve probably seen the giant bejeweled gear selector before, it’s a bit chavvy in my eyes but I’m a little old fashioned. iDrive is touch screen and features a smorgasbord of new tech. It has gotten a little too complex but is still the best system in the industry in my humble opinion. Grab the giant jewel stick in it in D and away we go.

Comfort is…comfortable. It’s actually calming and serene. The GT credentials are immediately apparent and it makes me think that this car has been set up to munch miles like a 5 series and will struggle dynamically. As it to be right on cue, the preloaded navigation led me off the smooth Portuguese highway onto some of the prettiest passes I’ve ever seen time for some Sport+ me thinks.

Remember those pops and bangs on start up? In Sport+ they become more and more frequent and are amusing – not quite AMG levels of silliness. The engine tone is enough to inspire more fruity driving and the car transforms from a long distance cruiser to canyon bruiser. That being said, this is a heavy old brute. This is a two tonne car and BMW have tried their best to hide it with agility improving features such as electrically controlled dampers, active four-wheel steering, anti-roll and stiffer springs, honestly, it works, but you can still feel Newtons laws at work.

On a damp squiggle of a road, the xDrive makes its presence known allowing for over zealous application of the throttle with little drama, much speed and delicious engine/exhaust parp. It will make you giggle. I eventually ran out of road as I approached the gates of somewhere a little bit special – Circuito do Estoril. In my mind, this was going to be a wee bit irrelevant. As alluded to earlier, in my eyes this is a car for crushing long distances in with ease and not something that should be hunting for apexes on a racetrack where Ayrton Senna won his first Grandprix.

Apparently I was wrong. Heading out of the pitlane onto the damp Estoril track was something of a revelation. I was following none other than racing legend Philipp Eng piloting an M5 Competition.

Philipp could have left me in his wake at the drop of a hat, but the M850i really was not embarrassed by the most potent M5 ever. Through the corners the all-wheel-drive did not dull but instead aided the capabilities of the 8 Series and the four wheel steering effects were pronounced in the tighter bends.

BMW dubbed the 8 Series as ‘The Gentleman’s Racer’ a big claim and one I approached with a fair bit of skepticism. Following a full day on the road and track is it clear that with the use of dynamic aids and clever engineering this is one of the best rounded cars on sale today. It offers so much in terms of usability and dynamic entertainment. Yes, it could be slightly more engaging on the street, the steering is a little numb and there isn’t a lot of feedback on the whole, but this is what the M6 will surely offer.

BMW Reveals its Massive 2019 BMW X7

2019 BMW 3-Series (G20) Officially Revealed

The BMW 3 Series is a very important car for BMW. Now in its seventh generation, the 3 Series saloon has traditionally been one of the biggest selling models IN BMW’s extensive range. The seventh generation car debuts today at the Paris Motor Show 2018. It gets a revised look that doesn’t differ too dramatically from the previous generation, reduced weight and new standard options.

The 3 Series was first launched in 1975, making it 43 years old this year. The new car is 85 millimetres longer than its predecessor, 16 millimetres wider and just 1 mm taller. The wheelbase is 41 millimetres longer and 43 mm wider at the front, 21 mm wider at the rear.

The 3 Series retains the BMW kidney grille, framed by a single surround and split with wide bars. The customary BMW twin headlights are also apparent. Both the front foglights and the Air Curtains are integrated into the outer air intakes. The ‘Hofmeister kink’ is now integrated into the C- pillar, giving the rear doors a “freestanding” glass edge.

The chassis features 25 per cent increased rigidity and, overall, some 55kg have been shed from the weight, 20 kg from the body along and 7.5 kg from the subframe. M Sport models will get electrically controlled dampers switchable between Comfort, Sport and Adaptive.

Engines will include a BMW 330i and the BMW 320d, both with four cylinder power units. The 320d gets 190hp and a peak torque of 400Nm for a 6.8 second 100 km/h sprint. The 330i, 258 hp and 400 Nm of torque with a 100 km/h time of 5.8 seconds.

The 3 Series will feature a new generation of six-speed manual gearbox and an eight-speed Steptronic transmission. The diesel power unit gets an xDrive all-wheel-drive system from launch.

Inside, the instrument panel has a modern look. The instrument cluster is new and the control display completes the grouping. The transmission tunnel does feature a conventional iDrive controller after all, leaked photos had suggested otherwise. Boot capacity is 480 litres.

There is more standard equipment than ever before. The entry level SE model features Extended LED headlights with cornering light and eyebrow indicators, BMW Light Carpet, interior Ambient Lighting with up to 11 colour settings, reversing camera and latest generation reversing assistant, electric folding rear view mirrors, three-zone air conditioning and enhanced acoustic glazing.

All 3 Series models will benefit from 40:20:40 split folding rear seats and folding rear headrests as standard. The entry model features a leather Sport steering wheel and BMW Live Cockpit plus, with an 8.8-inch central instrument cluster.17 inch wheels are standard too.

The M Sport models get larger air intakes and a different bumper, side skirt and rear apron design. BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line trim, kidney grille bars in High-gloss Black, air intake trim in High-gloss Black and a rear diffuser in Dark Shadow are also available together with Sports seats, an M leather steering wheel, an anthracite-coloured BMW Individual headliner and interior trim strips in Aluminium.

From launch, customers can choose from two non-metallic colours and ten metallic shades including Portimao Blue metallic which is unique to the M Sport model.

The new BMW 3 Series goes on sale from 9 March 2019 with prices starting from £33,610.

BMW Vision iNEXT Officially Revealed

BMW have announced a new concept car, the BMW Vision iNEXT. It is said to form the building blocks for the future of the BMW Group. Addressing the question: “How will we be moving around in future?”, the iNEXT builds on the 2007 “project i” and the BMW i3. At a time when electric cars and futuristic forms of mobility are key talking points, BMW hope the concept will steer their future approach.

Whilst a concept today, the BMW iNEXT presents a vision of a vehicle BMW will bring to market in 2021, most likely as a replacement to the i3 platform. The press release appears to confirm that the BMW iNEXT will be a new technology flagship for BMW.

The BMW iNEXT gets BMW SAV proportions with a futuristic Liquid Greyrose Copper exterior colour scheme that changes between warm copper and dark rose. The design incorporates a large, interlinked double-kidney grille and a side window graphic, the blue accent surfaces at the front, sides and rear hark back to the BMW i Vision Dynamics design language.

As electric cars do not require cooling, the kidney element now serves as an “intelligence panel” housing various sensors. Many of the parts have been 3D printed while the front gets super-slim headlights.

The iNEXT has large 24-inch wheels and the traditional concept trick of cameras for the exterior mirrors. Illuminated touch sensitive panels replace door handles and the two doors open towards each other, dispensing with the B-pillar. Plenty of carbon fibre has been incorporated into the structure.

Inside, the BMW Vision iNEXT driver can choose to either drive themselves (in “Boost” mode) or be driven (“Ease” mode). In “Boost” mode, the steering wheel and displays are positioned clearly towards the driver. When “Ease” mode is engaged, the driver’s immediate environment changes: the steering wheel retracts slightly, creating a more open sense of space. The display panels switch from driving-related content to “Exploration Mode”, which provides the driver and passengers with suggestions of places and events in the surrounding area that could be of interest to them. The front seat head restraints can also be folded back, allowing the people in the front to communicate more effectively with the passengers in the rear.

The centre console between the front seats uses a matt, open-pore wood finish. Handwoven Enlighted Cloudburst Jacquard cloth extends across entire seat area and into the side panelling. There are no screens or controls anywhere other than in the steering wheel and drivers area. Intelligent technology is integrated out of sight. For example, BMW propose that various functions might be operated through wood or cloth surfaces in the near future.

No performance details have been released yet, the release talks only of the technological implications of the design study.

2019 BMW Z4 M40i Leaked ahead of Pebble Beach

A series of photos appear to have leaked showing the front, rear and side profile of the new BMW Z4. The Z4 is eagerly awaited. It is a joint project between Toyota and BMW which should also see the Toyota Supra receive the same platform. The legendary status of the Supra name creates an immense amount of speculation that the new BMW Z4 could have some real performance credentials.

The current BMW Z4, the sixth generation Z car, has been around since 2009. The new version is expected to debut this month during Monterey Car Week. The photos reveal the look of the BMW Z4 M40i. They show a car which retains many of the features of the 2017 Z4 Concept including the rear and the large front wheel vent.

Then you see why I do love it,isn't it coming out quite nice?the rear is so much better than that of the The 8 imo. #z4 #z4m #g29 #bmwz4 #bmw #bimmerfest #bimmer #roadster #convertible #munich #bmwz4 #munich??#tt #auditt #audittrs #audittclub #slc #slk #supra #toyotasupra #instacar #cool #hot #cardesign #cardesigner #cardesigndaily

A post shared by 刘存亿 (@liucunyi) on Aug 11, 2018 at 5:19pm PDT

The photos show a grille which is more upright and looks larger thanks to the black surround. The front air intakes also incorporate larger air blades. The rear looks almost exactly the same as the concept car. Whilst there are no interior shots, we do expect that BMW will cram the cabin with its latest technology.

The pictures tie in closely to the patent images we shared last month. It is now believed that the patent images show the entry level model while these photos show the top of the range model.

As we recently revealed, BMW have opted to use the M40i drivetrain as the top of the range meaning no M Performance version. The BMW Z4 M40i will almost certainly get a 3.0 litre inline 6, turbocharged to give 335 hp in the Europe and 382 hp in the US.

Production Version BMW Z4 Leaked in New Images

Dutch publication Autoweek.nl recently uncovered images of the new BMW Z4 which appear to have been filed with a patent or copyright office. The photos reveal CGI sketches of what looks to be a pretty much finished Z4.

The photos reveal a car which is quite close to the concept car we saw last year. The most noticeable feature is that BMW’s double roundel signature lights have been replaced. The designs also show a car which gets a clamshell bonnet and a set of smaller kidney grilles.

The production version does away with the Concept’s sharknose look in favour of something a little more blunt. The rear bears some resemblance to the concept car with a ducktail spoiler and long rear brake lights. The face tailpipes of the concept car seem to have been replaced with traditional round tailpipes and the sketches retain the front wheel vent.

The sketches seem to lack some width at the rear. The Z4 has always carried wide rear wheel arches, the renderings seem to make these narrower with a less distinct raking profile. Hopefully some paintwork will sort that illusion as the rest seems to be pretty good!

The BMW Z4 will return to a fabric drop top rather than the current metal version. This decision will ensure that weight savings are made. Expect the latest BMW infotainment specifications. Engines will likely include turbocharged four and six-cylinder petrol engines, paired with an eight-speed auto or six-speed manual.

The BMW Z4 and upcoming Toyota Supra will both be based on the same platform with the same powertrains. Both are expected to debut at the Paris Motor Show 2018 in October.

BMW X8 Trademarked Across the World – Audi Q8 Rival Gets Ready

Given the runaway success of the SUV market, it was perhaps inevitable that BMW would soon muscle in with a range topping BMW X8. If their recent trademark applications are to be believed, this might happen sooner rather than later!

Audi are set to unveil the Audi Q8 very soon, with Mercedes-Benz producing the GLS for some time and Range Rover’s continuing to sell very well, it seems a logical step for BMW to take.

BMW have evidently been busy filing the required legal paperwork to protect their badge. The BMW X8 name has been trademarked in markets around the world this year. BMW have also managed to obtain trademarks in the Far East recently, all but completing the filings.

The X8 would likely hit the market in 2020 if BMW give it the green light. It will follow in the footsteps of the planned BMW X7 which will debut later this year and joins ta model range which incorporates all of the numbers 1 through to 6!

BMW are thought to be debating whether the X8 should take the form of a long wheelbase version of the X7, or whether it would be better as a coupé version of the X7. It is thought that BMW’s main target would be the Chinese market.

2019 BMW M3 CS Review

When BMW launched the current M3, it meant a move from the brutal power of a V-8 to the intelligent performance of a downsized, turbcharged straight-six. The M3 became a more efficient car – without sacrificing actual performance.

But now brutal power is back, as the current model generation makes a grand exit with the M3 CS model. It’s powered by the familiar S55 3.0-liter straight-six, but power output has been bumped from 431 to 460 horsepower. Maximum torque is up 50 Nm to 600 Nm.

Not just more powerful, the M3 CS is louder, its chassis and steering have been retuned for even sharper responses, and the stability control system allows for more generous drift angles. 0 to 100 kph now takes a mere 3.9 seconds, breaking the psychologically important 4-second barrier, and the vicious acceleration is cut off by a governor at a lofty 280kph.

Despite the increased power and torque, there is a total absence of turbo lag, and it is as tempting as it is effortless to reach velocities far beyond the legal. The chassis is a revelation: It is fun to play with the tail, and the different drive mode settings cover a surprisingly large stretch from the sensible and comfortable to the agile and extreme.

The interior is snug and cozy, executed in the slightly conservative style of the outgoing 3-series. But it features satisfying enhancements, such as light grey and black leather seats and microsuede accents on the dashboard and center console.

Outside, the M3 CS is distinguishd by specific dark grey wheels shod with 265/35 ZR 19 front and 285/30 ZR 20 rear rubber. Cup tires are standard in Europe and a no-cost option in the US. The gurney flap on the trunk lid adds downforce and emphasises that this M3 means serious business. The front hood and roof are made from carbon fiber.

If we have one grievance, it is the omission of a manual transmission option on this yet-unsurpassed M3, even though it is available on the base M3. But that won’t keep us for a second from recommending the M3 CS to any BMW aficionado.

On the US market, the awesome BMW M3 CS retails for USD 97,400; in Germany, it is listed at EUR 113,700. That said, you’d be lucky to get one at all. Almost all of the 1200 units BMW is planning to build are already spoken for.