With the central aim of addressing the handling of the BMW M5 and M6, today marks the release of an all new competition package for the entire M5 and M6 lineup.

Now before you say anything, this is not merely a cosmetics package, but a package which seems to really tweak the car from top to bottom with a nod to the driving enthusiast in all of us. Being that most of the complaints directed at the M5 and M6 so far have been directed at its handling and steering feel, BMW has directed most of the upgrades to these departments. There is of course a small requisite power bump which shaves an additional 0.1s off the 0-60mph time, but the upgrades to the suspension and steering seem to be quite a bit more significant.

The new package will be offered across the entire M5 and M6 lineup (which includes the coupe, convertible and gran coupe) starting in July.
US Pricing will be announced closer to the August on-sale date.

Competition Package includes:

Power increase by 11kW (15HP) to 423kW (575 HP)
Stiffer stabilizer (anti-roll) bars
Stiffer and lower suspension (shocks and springs) (10mm lower then standard M5/M6).
Stiffer front axle bushings
Active M Differential with a unique tune for the competition package for improved traction
New hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering with the M-specific Servotronic function with A MORE DIRECT PROGRAMMING to improve agility during cornering
M Dynamic mode (MDM) of DSC tuned with higher thresholds of intervention
New 20″ M light alloy wheels
Sport exhaust with black chrome tips

BMW M ceramic brakes still remain a separate option, unrelated to this package.

Emphasis placed judiciously on certain areas of design enhances the enjoyment of the superior driving experience in the BMW M5 high-performance sedan. In parallel with the launch of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan, the new BMW 5 Series Touring and the new BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo [F10 LCI details], BMW M GmbH’s most successful model is also undergoing a carefully devised revision. Fine-tuned design underscores the hallmark M athleticism and challenging presence of the new BMW M5, while the optional Competition Package, new equipment features and a further extended range of BMW ConnectedDrive features emphasise its innovative character.

The BMW M5 is driven by a 4.4-litre V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology and peak output of 412 kW/560 hp. In combination with the seven-speed M dual-clutch transmission, the Active M Differential at the rear axle and model-specific suspension technology precisely tuned to the performance curve with racing know-how, this high-revving power unit guarantees outstanding dynamic driving performance. For a further boost in performance, the Competition Package [full details / photos] now comes as an optional extra with features that tap into a new dimension of dynamics in trademark BMW M style.

The Competition Package was specifically devised to boost the handling properties of the BMW M5. With the Competition Package, the output of the high-revving V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology is raised by 11 kW to 423 kW/575 hp. In addition, the newly developed M carbon ceramic brakes have been available as an option since March 2013. [full details / photos]

A particularly striking innovation in the appearance of the BMW M5 is the M “kidney grille”, which now features the model designation and whose slats cite the double-spoke design of the M light alloys. In addition to standard xenon headlights, there is now the option of Adaptive LED Headlights which emit a particularly bright white light generated by a pair of LED units situated horizontally in the middle of each light ring. A standard feature on the BMW M5 are the new-design tail lights with strikingly thin LED light strips that generate a high contrast and add to the unmistakable night-time look.

The hallmark M feeling is also conveyed by the M leather steering wheel, whose new design likewise takes visual cues from the double-spoke wheels. The interior of the sedan has also gained an increase in volume of the storage compartment under the armrest in the centre console area. The Control Display of the standard-fitted iDrive operating system now features chrome trim on the sides. For the first time, an optional Touch Controller is available with a touch-sensitive surface allowing, for example, characters to be entered when programming a destination for the navigation system.

As of July, BMW Individual will be offering a range of new exterior colours for the BMW M5 (Pure Metal Silver, Pyrite Brown metallic, Frozen Blue metallic and further BMW Individual matt paintwork finishes), as well as exclusive leather shades (Cashmere Beige and Nutmeg). With the BMW Individual paintwork Pure Metal Silver, for example, the body takes on a deep, brilliant lustre. This unique metallic gleam is down to the combination of a special-effect pigment with a water-based paint system. The addition of ultra-thin aluminium flakes guarantees a uniform and gleaming surface. Depending on the angle of view, these flakes create a light-dark contrast and accentuate the surfaces of the body. This paintwork showcases the model’s lines and contours to even better effect and adds striking touches to the vehicle’s design.

The further extended range of features from BMW ConnectedDrive also ensures that the new BMW M5 is in pole position in its sector when it comes to intelligent connectivity. Innovative driver assistance systems and mobility services optimise safety and comfort while driving as well as the use of infotainment programmes. The new Driving Assistant system combines Lane Departure Warning with Collision Warning including braking function. Its camera, mounted in the windscreen area, registers vehicles and pedestrians and gives the driver visual and acoustic warning signals if a potential collision is detected. In critical situations, moderate hazard braking is actuated. The glare-free High Beam Assistant is now also optionally available for the BMW M5, while the Lane Change Warning system can now be used from a speed of 20 km/h (12.4 mph).

The new Online Entertainment option, meanwhile, makes for a particularly varied audio programme. It allows online access to a music database containing around 12 million tracks. In conjunction with the Navigation System Professional and the ConnectedDrive Services option, additional features are available, among them Concierge Services, Remote Services and Real Time Traffic Information.

Full details and photos of the 2014 BMW 5 Series LCI facelift udpated models.

The 2014 BMW M5 (F10) Competition Package has been revealed at the BMW M Festival. Here are the first live pics.

We have added even more leaked images of the 2014 BMW 5 Series LCI facelifted model.

The M135i hatchback will soon receive a sibling in the BMW lineup by way of the M235i coupe. They will share the same heart - the N55 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine making approximately 315-320hp, as well as the same transmission and other mechanicals. On paper, the two should achieve similar performance numbers, with a slight edge potentially going to the M235i coupe.

As for exterior differences, it’s clear from these comparison photos. Besides the clear form factor difference (coupe versus hatchback), the M235i gets an overall sleeker look, especially the front end with its more aggressive bumper and large upsweeping air intakes, and slimmer headlights and kidney grilles.

No official specs have yet been released for the 2 Series, so we will compare physical specs (dimensions, weight, etc.) at a later time.

Follow our 2 Series coverage at: http://www.bimmerpost.com/2-series/

Motor Trend has posted some more info and speculations on the upcoming joint sports car project between BMW and Toyota (also see recent news here and here).

The lead engineer will be none other than Tetsuya Tada, the chief engineer responsible for the very successful Toyota 86 (AKA FR-S / GT86 / BRZ). Tada San is a rockstar among fans of the Toyota 86. Some of his engineering philosophies can be seen in the interviews posted below. If the BMW-Toyota joint sports car project is engineered according to these principles, we are in for a treat.

He has already visited with BMW several times in the past year since the greenlighting of this project. “I am hoping for a synergy effect with BMW that will result in a product that none of us could have imagined; something more than anyone expects. I would like that to be something like a sports car,” Tada San has been quoted as saying. “I would even go so far as to say that for the collaboration to work we have to bring a product which exceeds all these expectations.”

Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda, himself an avid sports car enthusiast, is quoted as saying “I get so excited thinking about the cars that will result from this relationship.” Toyoda and Tada San have been heralded by car enthusiasts for bringing a back-to-basics sports car in the form of the Toyota 86.

The powerplant for the joint sports car is speculated to be either a BMW or Toyota inline 4 engine, and not the 2.0L FA20 Subaru Boxer engine that powers the 86. Hence, the 86’s platform will need modifications to fit a new engine.

Motor Trend further speculates that the engine would feature basic atmospheric induction and be paired with electric motors. An AWD Toyota 86 with front in-wheel motors is rumored to be in the works and the article speculates that this setup could potentially be used on the joint sports car.

As rumored before, the BMW and Toyota versions of the car are expected to receive significantly different exterior styling. The render used in this story is simply a speculative fantasy render.

Finally, the concept(s) from this joint collaboration may be shown at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show in November.

The BMW 5 Series was released in 1988. It became a milestone in the company’s history. The car offers a variety of extras, such as a four wheel drive for the first time in this segment. The entire range of engines was available. The surface is almost seamless, all profiles mesh. The entry into the now common flash design.

The successful concept turns the car into a bestseller. Until today, it can still be seen on the road frequently.

Now that we’ve spied an uncovered 2 Series, let’s take a look at how it stacks up visually against what will be one of main competitors - the Mercedes CLA sedan (with Sport package). One may be a coupe and the other a sedan with coupe-like styling, but this is the closest match we have, until the rumored 2 Series Gran Coupe is revealed.

Once the 2 Series official specs and photos are released, we’ll put together another comparo comparing official photos, as well as physical specs.

Follow our 2 Series coverage at: http://www.bimmerpost.com/2-series/

It was one of those last minute things… I was traveling to Munich for our Welt 4.0 car show last weekend (held at the BMW Welt grounds) when I got an invite from Gennaro, VP of ///M Flight, to see if I was interested in joining him on a tour of the ///M Studio. Of course I wanted to go! Who wouldn’t!!

This was a sort of unofficial tour of the ///M Studio, since it was on a Saturday and our guide was just coming back from a business trip from out of town to accommodate us. The guys from ///M were very nice to let us inside and show us some very special cars.

All the cars on display were production cars, except for the M3 GTS. I believe it to be a pre-production model since it did not have any limited edition number on the passenger side dashboard. The front brakes also looked pretty interesting. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the brakes.

We got a small taste of what BMW Individual can do. It’s more than just special color paints. They can make you anything your enthusiast heart desires. We were shown photos of a car’s interior belonging to a customer who owned a salmon fish farm. Instead of wood or alloy trim he wanted HIS fish skins to be used. They did. They also showed us photos of an e60 M5 that had a special brown wood interior. The customer owns a company that produces special wood for musical instruments. He wanted HIS wood to be used in the car’s accents. The exterior color was a bronze/gold color to the client’s wishes. They told us that build took over 14 months from start to end.

We were shown the special leathers that BMW Individual uses. They explained how the “hides” come from Happy Algau cows in Southern Germany! And that the hides are specially selected. They use different skin grain for high wear areas on the car seats. And that BMW does not remove the natural cow skin grain, like some of the “other” German car companies do.

BMW 1M

Then we got on a side topic about the last M project, the 1M Coupe. We learned some interesting things. The VO (valencia orange) color was a future color in the BMW pipeline. Dr Kay Segler liked it so much he insisted they make the 1M is that color. Then they knew they would have to offer a white and black color - bc every car looks good in those colors. He told us how they really wanted to offer different color stitching accents for each color - but they were tight on a budget plus they were really running out of time. So only one interior color was approved. Same went for some of the other “things” ///M wanted to do to the car. Like functional vents in the front fenders(the crease), they wanted to produce a carbon fiber roof, but they were running out of time. So in the end their hands were tied by time and budget. They told us how well the 1M sold given limited coior choice and being that the car was only offered in a manual transmision. The car sold far better than BMW ever thought it would. This confirms that there will be an M2 in time.

F80 M3 / F82 M4

Then we started to ask some interesting questions about future BMW ///M models. Our guide did say that he has seen the new M3/M4 (F80) up close and personal. AND that is WILL be lighter than the current (e9x) model. How much lighter he? He wouldn’t say. But, it will be significantly lighter. He told us how the “heavy parts” of the car’s construction will use new light weight technology. I took that to mean carbon fiber and lightweight metals. He was really tight lipped on specifics - but we had to ask the things that is on every BIMMERPOST member’s mind.

We also talked about the number of turbos the next M3 and M4 would feature. Again, no comment. He did confirm it will be turbocharged. He then said normally people ask about a V6 vs a straight six. Again, he would neither confirm nor deny.

As we made our way outside the M Studio, we passed some parked test mules. I had the chance to examine three or four F80 M3 sedans up close. The front and rear fenders are really flared out - much more than in spy photos. I’d say the F80 M3 must be (at least!) four inches wider in the rear track from a regular F30. Even with all the camo on those mules… the next M3 looks downright mean!

Parked a few cars over was a fleet of new X5 test mules. That car looks much larger to my eyes. Not my cup of tea… but the X5 program is shaping up quite nicely.

M3/M4 Renders and Spy Photos

As we walked back inside the main building, our guides said something our member will get a kick out of. Gennaro asked if they follow any of the internet news and rumors. They said that they find that BIMMERPOST has the best info and car renders! No kidding. Our guides told us that BIMMERPOST’s render artists have a good eye, often seeing and uncovering many small details that the camouflage is supposed to cover up and hide. Case in point was last year’s M4 coupe render (parked outside of the Nurburgring M Test Center garage)… and how that air vent was reveled in the renders. They were impressed our artists perceived and incorporated them into the renders.