We bring some news directly from the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. We had an opportunity to chat with BMW M President Dr. Friedrich Nitschke earlier today at the show and contrary to earlier reports from BMW insider SCOTT26, Dr. Nitschke ruled out M versions of the current X3 or Z4 for the current generation.
When asked about a possible Z4M, Dr. Nitschke said: “In the current generation we won’t bring a Z4M, but for the successor we’re thinking about it.” Dr. Nitschke went on to say in regards to the X3M: “Also, with the current X3, we won’t bring an M version, but with the successor generation we’ll see.”
The F11 M5 Touring was also ruled out. Again, coming directly from Dr. Nitschke: “with the current M5 we … CONTINUED
The results are in from Car and Driver’s sixth annual Lightning Lap Tests @ Virginia International Raceway (VIR).
BMWs tested in this year’s Lightning Lap include the 1M coupe, 335is, X5 M, and Z4 sDrive35is. How did each model fare? See inside.
Happy New Year to the entire BIMMERPOST community! As we cross over to a new year it’s a fitting time for a recap of the past year. It was an amazing year for BMW, with the company hitting sales records and many new important models making their debuts. 2012 should prove to be as successful, if not more. And we’ll be seeing some new models and facelifts coming. We recap the BMW 2011 year for you inside.
BMW’s new 2.0L 4 cylinder turbo engine (the “N20″) may be down on cylinders and displacement compared to the inline 6 cylinder (N52) that it replaces across BMW’s model range, but even in factory form, it matches the outgoing N52’s horsepowers and features an extra 30 lb-ft of torque (in the X1 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, F20 128i, 528i, Z4 sDrive28i, and upcoming F30 328i).
And what the N20 loses in smoothness and top-end pull compared to the outgoing N52, it now looks like it will easily make up for in tuneability. Kelleners Sport has released the specs of its N20 tune and the figures are impressive! These are power gains that the naturally aspirated N52 could never achieve.
The Kelleners N20 tune achieves 294 hp and … CONTINUED
Insideline conducts its independent dyno testing of BMW’s turbocharged 2.0L inline 4 cylinder N20 engine. The results? An impressive 233hp @5350rpm. See the dyno test inside.
249lb-ft @ 4450rpm
We previously provided info on 2012 BMW model updates/changes/pricing for most 2012 models (links inside), but for reference again, here is a summary of the major changes across the entire range of 2012 model year BMWs for the US market.
ZPOST member Stupenal chronicles his 6 day European Delivery trip with his girlfriend and Z4 sDrive35is throughout Europe. The trip took them from: Day 1 - Germany to Austria - Delivery Day | Salzburg | Grossglockner | Heiligenblut, Day 2 - Austria to Italy - Dolomites | Colle Santa Lucia| Bolzano, Day 3 - Italy - Verona | Bellagio - Lake Como, Day 4 - Italy to Switzerland - Andermatt | Furka Pass | Interlaken | Lucerne, Day 5 - Switzerland to Austria - Nauders | Lago di Resia| Innsbruck, and finally Day 6 - Austria to Germany - Munich | Dropoff.
Reviews of the 2012 Z4 sDrive28i featuring the new BMW turbo 4-cylinder N20 motor have generally been positive overall. However, Automobile’s recent assessment is the strongest endorsement we’ve seen yet for the new Z4, which represents the return of 4-cylinder BMW engines to the US.
Here are some of the great things the magazine had to say about the sDriv28i’s engine, exhaust, and performance.
The summer may be coming to an end soon, but the BMW meets and activities have not. Last weekend featured yet another large BMW gathering in the Northwest. Pacific BMW CCA held a special M-Car Day to gather some of the wonderful BMW M Cars in Washington area. The event was held at Griot’s garage in their new facilities in Tacoma, WA. Check out the extensive set of photos inside.
