It’s been a while since the last spotting of the F82 M4 Coupe, but it’s been worth the wait this sighting as the prototype has now lost some camouflage, revealing much more!
So, what revealing things do we see in this new sighting?
• Double slatted kidney grilles.
• LED headlights
• LED tail lights
• Sculpted double-bubble carbon fiber roof (a la M6 Coupe)
• Production side mirrors (but still under camouflage)
• Integrated trunk spoiler
• Deliciously wide rear stance
What about the F82 M4 mechanicals? If you recall, we recently reported on information gleamed from the M4 prototype’s registered VIN information (posted below).
The highlight is the 310kW (415 hp) S55 3.0L inline 6 engine listed [photos]. Consistent with the information we’ve been posting, this would have the next M3 and M4 … CONTINUED
These photos look to be the first photos of the F10 5 Series LCI facelift/update fully revealed.
The styling updates are minor as you can see - a restyled bumper with front air curtains, optional LED adaptive headlights. Mechanically, the F10 LCI will received reworked steering, and the 550i will come with the new and more powerful N63Tu engine.
This model potentially points to the introduction of the separate “Lines” packages for the 5 series, with this one appearing to be the Luxury Line.
Production for the F10 LCI as beginning in July 2013, with deliveries starting in August/September of 2013.
The front facsia/bumper design patent for the upcoming 1 Series GT has been revealed and it follows the attractive Concept Active Tourer (upon which the 1 Series GT is based), as BMW’s production models often do compared to the concept version.
As you can see there will be LED lights and even side cameras available as optional equipment.
Here are the specs of the concept model:
Plug-in hybrid
eDrive pairs a 1.5L petrol engine (twinpower 3 cylinder turbo) with electric motor
Front wheel drive driven by 1.5L petrol engine [engine details]
Electric motor designed as fully-fledged power unit and powers rear axle, if necessary
Total system output of … CONTINUED
BMW M CEO Friedrich Nitschke gave some insight into certain aspects of future M models when speaking recently to Autocar.
AWD vs RWD
While current non-SUV M models all remain RWD, as horsepower numbers climb for each successive generation of models, the question has arisen whether future models would benefit from AWD xDrive offerings, to help with traction and getting all that power down to the ground effectively; especially considering the AWD offerings from competitors - such as the E63/CLS63 AMG 4Matic and upcoming RS6/RS7 Quattro models.
To this, Nitschke reaffirms M’s stance on RWD: “Our philosophy in regards to steering feel and precision is that rear-wheel drive is the best solution,” … “xDrive brings an 80-90kg weight penalty and the M differential is the industry’s best rear-drive … CONTINUED
BMW and Toyota recently inked a deal to partner on fuel cell, sports car, and lightweight Technology [more on deal here], which should see synergies in engineering and development.
In a report about the Toyota Supra successor, Motor Trend suggests that the agreement will form the backbone to the development of both the new Supra and the next Z4. They speculate that both sports cars will ride on a revised and beefed up version of the Toyota 86 (AKA GT86, FR-S, BRZ) platform.
Should this rumor prove true, and with the Toyota 86 receiving much critical acclaim for its handling and being a true driver’s car, this will hopefully result in a much more dynamic handling successor Z4 than the current E89 Z4.
As for the next Z4’s … CONTINUED
Besides our earlier spy photos, here is the first factual confirmation (via VIN search) of the US bound M235i F22 coupe, together with a preview of some (perhaps not all) of the upcoming 2 Series Coupe and Convertible model lineup.
VIN long WBA1J7C52EVX33501
Type code 1J7C
Type M235I (USA)
Dev. series F22 ()
Line 2
Body type COUPE
Steering LL
Door count 2
Engine N55
Cubical capacity 3.00
Power 235
Transmision HECK
Gearbox MECH
Colour VALENCIA ORANGE METALLIC (B44)
Upholstery LEDER DAKOTA/SCHWARZ (LCSW)
Prod. date 2012-11-20
Order options
No. Description
1CA SELECTION COP RELEVANT VEHICLES … CONTINUED
The rumormill and speculation for the second generation X6 has begun cranking. Autocar starts us off with many morsels of preliminary details/rumors. Here is a summary list of the details:
Introduction within next 18 months
Will feature even more aggressive styling than current model
Styling and look will move even further away from X5, for more individual look
Length to increase approximately 1.3 in / 33 mm (for extra interior room)
Longer wheelbase and wider track
Weight savings expected from:
Composite steel structure platform, which uses a higher percentage of hot-formed high-strength alloys
… CONTINUED
And in the latest monthly episode of BMW halo / super car rumors, comes a rumor (from CAR) that plans for a 600HP M8 supercar may be firming up.
If the report is to be believed, the car is now referred to as the M8 internally at BMW and may see a launch in 2016 - to commemorate BMW’s 100th anniversary.
The report goes on to claim that M division head Friedrich Nitschke has proposed that the M8 share the exotic carbon fiber/aluminum construction of the upcoming i8 hybrid sports car (which has a combined power output of 349bhp and 405lb ft of torque from its electric motor and 3 cylinder petrol engine, good for an estimated 4.6 sec 0-62mph).
For the M8, however, the 3 cylinder petrol … CONTINUED
According to an Autocar source, Arnd Meyer, the head engineer responsible for chassis engineering of all recent AMG models, including the SLS AMG Black Series, has left Mercedes and joined BMW M.
The source says that Meyer will eventually head BMW M’s chassis, powertrain and electronics development, although an AMG spokesperson has suggested that a contractual agreement (presumably, a non-compete clause in his employment contract) may prevent him from doing so for some period of time.
This news comes on the heels of this recent report that BMW M may be looking into offering models that compete with AMG Black Series models, in terms of exclusivity. Could BMW M’s pickup of Meyer be related? We shall see…
