Here it is, the first of many F30 3-series vs. competitor shootouts we’re sure to see in the coming months. As the reigning king of sports sedans, the 3-series has a reputation to uphold and automotive publications will be most interested in seeing if the new 3 series sedan can fend off its competitors.
If this first comparison review is any indication, the answer will be an emphatic YES. The F30 trounces the Mercedes Benz C Class in this first shootout comparison. Autocar was not shy in its effusive praise of the F30, saying that it is the remarkable, standout car in its field, and by several lengths over the C-class.
Read on inside….
EVO has gathered the brutes of the executive sedan category - the F10 M5, Porsche Panamera S, E63 AMG, and Jaguar XFR, and gathered them for a group test.
To whet our appetite for their full review, they’ve released a drag race clip featuring all four cars. For reference, the cars feature:
M5 - 560hp / 501 lb-ft tq (4.4L turbo V8)
Panamera S - 400hp / 369 ft-lbs tq (4.8L V8)
E63 AMG - 518hp / 516ft-lb tq (5.5L V8)
XFR - 510hp / 461 ft-lbs tq (5.0L V8)
Drag results in the video!
The 2012 3 series sedan (F30) is slightly larger than the outgoing E90 3 series (3.66 in longer, 1.45-1.85 in wider), while at the same time being lighter. But just a few physical dimensions don’t tell the whole story or show exactly how the bodywork has changed.
This excellent F30 vs E90 animation shows precisely and visually how the exterior evolves in all aspects, as well as the interior layout.
TOPCAR stacks the BMW 1M coupe against the Cayman R and Audi RS3. Read on to see how the 1M compares to some of Germany’s finest small sporty competitors in its segment.
Reactions to the F32 coupe spy photos and videos we’ve posted so far have included some complaints that the F32 looks too long or has lost its sporty proportions. We beg to differ.
We revisited the earliest E92 coupe test prototype photos from back at the end of 2005 and we’ve posted below a comparison of the F32 coupe at this early stage camouflage compared to the E92 coupe during its early stages of testing.
Scrutinizing the photos, it’s easy to see how a camouflaged coupe appears overly lengthy and bulky, especially with respect to the front and rear fascias, which still have heavy and cumbersome camouflage.
Keeping in mind how attractive the E92 coupe turned out in production form, we wouldn’t bet against BMW with respect to the … CONTINUED
The ever impressive BMW 1M coupe has placed 3rd in the 2011 EVO Car of the Year awards, behind only the Porsche GT3 RS and McLaren MP4-12C. Not bad at all considering those cars are each at least three times more expensive than the 1M coupe!
The 1M coupe also beat out a list of some of the best sports cars available on the planet today, including: Porsche Cayman R, Renaultsport Megane 265, Trophy, Lotus Elise Club Racer, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, Jaguar XKR-S, Ferrari FF, BMW M5, and Aston Martin V8 Vantage S.
Audi has just pulled the wraps off its facelifted A4 and S4 models (B8). This calls for another photo comparison thread comparing the 2012 3 series sedan against the 2012 A4/S4. Both the F30 and the facelifted A/S4 will hit showroom floors next spring.
What’s seen below is a comparison of the F30 M Sport against the Audi S4 facelift, followed by a Sports Line F30 versus the standard A4 facelift. Color us biased, but visually, neither the A4 nor the S4 have anything on the F30 models.
Here’s a preview of an upcoming Top Gear magazine feature where James May with the help of The Stig thrashes the F10 M5 thoroughly, while comparing it to its top competition - the E63 AMG sedan. Check out some preview words and some Stig driving footage inside.
Autocar is the first to come in with a direct head to head comparison of the F10 M5 against its competitors, in this case the E63 AMG and the Jaguar XF-R. They make their pick, although for very specific reasons which may not matter to those looking to make a decision for a daily driver. See the review inside.
