We have posted a walk around video of the F20 1 Series hatchback featuring BMW’s new M Performance Accessories/Parts, which debuts at the ongoing 2012 Geneva Motorshow.
The M Performance Parts party continues. Just minutes after our Live Gallery of the F20 125i equipped with M Performance Parts, BMW has published the full M Performance parts catalog to coincide with its official release/announcement at the 2012 Geneva Motorshow.
M Performance Parts carry the M name because they have been developed together with M engineers for both performance and aesthetics enhancement. This collaboration with M engineers began just last year. This is what sets M Performance Parts apart from what used to be called simply “BMW Performance Parts” (which will be no more going forward).
As of now, M Performance Parts are or will be available for these models:
F10 5-series
F20 1-series
F30 3-serie… CONTINUED
Our live coverage from Geneva 2012 continues. Another world premiere is the F20 125i equipped with the just-launched M Performance Parts. Unlike the old Performance Parts, M Performance parts have been developed with M engineers. Also unlike the old Performance Parts, M Performance exterior parts are designed to complement the M Sport package. The front splitter and lip simply attach to the M Sport front bumper while the rear diffuser simply replaces the rear diffuser of the M Sport package. No whole replacements of bumpers required any longer. This will be a feature of all exterior M Performance parts for all BMW models.
Also seen on this 125i are lovely 19″ M Performance wheels (available in 20″ for the F10 and the F30), and the M Performance … CONTINUED
Some days ago, BMW has officially announced the M Performance Parts lineup for the F30 3 series (and the F10 and the F20). Today, we’re happy to share more information on the M Performance Brakes. Thanks to E90Fleet for this information!
The M Performance brakes are manufactured by Brembo, and calipers are available in three colors: Yellow, Orange, and Red. Front calipers are fixed 4-piston units while rear calipers are fixed 2-piston units. The rotors are drilled and slotted and measure 370×30 mm at the front and 345×25 mm at the rear. Thus it comes as no surprise that minimum wheel size required will be 18 inches. The M Performance Brakes are said to be available from July 2012 on as dealer installed parts.
By comparison, the … CONTINUED
BMW is closing the gap between its most powerful regular cars and the M GmbH’s ultra high-performance models. Under the “M Performance” moniker, a number of new vehicles will be released soon. Munich is starting out with several powerful diesel models, but gasoline-powered M Performance cars are sure to follow.
We had the chance to sample the M550d xDrive (official info thread) for an 85-mile drive, starting at the M GmbH’s headquarters in Garching near Munich and leading to a nice, Bavarian lunch stop at Gut Sedlbrunn, north of Augsburg.
A first walk around the car reveals the subtle changes which set this M Performance model just slightly apart from the regular 5 series, while keeping a respectful distance to the M5. The M550d xDrive is equipped … CONTINUED
New video animation shows the coordination and interplay between the three turbochargers on the BMW M550d and X5/X6 M50d’s N57S tri-turbo inline 6 cylinder diesel engine.
We’ve posted the full tech specs of the BMW M550d sedan and touring, along with some more details, specs, and power output dyno graph of their TwinPower tri-turbo diesel inline 6-cylinder engines. Check it out inside at our official M550d info thread.
The first test drives of the all new BMW M550d xDrive model [official info/specs] are underway and here is the first video footage courtesy of Sport Auto. The M550d represents one of BMW’s new lineup of M Performance Vehicles (together with the X5 and X6 M50d and upcoming M135i), which bridge the gap between standard series cars and M cars.
The M550d xDrive features an inline 6 cylinder diesel engine good for 381hp and 546lb-ft torque.
Its official factory quoted performance stats puts it at 4.7 sec 0-62mph and a top speed of 155mph, and fuel economy of 44.8mpg (imp) / 35.84 MPG (US gallon). Unfortunately, the M550d will not be making it stateside.
At a glance:
New BMW M GmbH product range based … CONTINUED
According to BMW insider Scott26, there’s a new BMW M Performance model coming - the X1 M35i xDrive (or xDriveM35i)! This new model will finally usher the X1 into the US market and will feature the LCI/facelift/refreshed look, as well as represent the first M Performance vehicle to be available for the North American market.
The X1 M35i xDrive / xDriveM35i will feature the same turbo 6 cylinder engine as the upcoming M135i 1-series hatchback, good for the same 320 HP, along with an M tuned chassis and reworked suspension promising excellent sport-orientated dynamics.
Read the full details inside.
