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Best V10 Engines Ever Produced

Most people probably don’t know it, but V10 engines are kind of the awkward middle child within the high-performance engine family. They are often overlooked for their smaller, more compact, and just-as-spirited V8 siblings, yet still somehow manage to cut a notably less brawny figure next to the larger V12 motors. In terms of outcomes, this is probably why even the most hardcore car enthusiasts will have a difficult time recalling more V10 production cars than you can count on one hand – there are fewer of them than you’re likely thinking, and perhaps there should be more of them for this reason, but that’s for a different discussion.

Interestingly, it’s the Volkswagen Group which currently has the monopoly on supplying this particular engine, via Lamborghini and Audi production models which are under the corporation’s umbrella (plus its namesake Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI – more on that below). Meanwhile, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Ferrari would at the very least have delved into the art of the V10 -which they did, though only to produce such engines for Formula 1 cars from 1996 to 2005.

Quantifiably speaking, yes, there are fewer V10s out there than the other engines most closely related to it. However, each V10 engine mentioned on this list is undeniably iconic and rightfully potent, particularly when it comes to panache. So while this middle child might not always steal the spotlight, nor hog affection that goes to its siblings, it is in no way lacking any of the talent in its DNA.

Here’s the shortlist of 10 such engines, which we have curated:

Lamborghini / Audi 5.2L V10

Ever since 2008 – when the refreshed Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 was released – all V10 engines used in the Lamborghini line-up have been based on the 5.2L architecture. This has carried over to the Gallardo’s successor – the Lamborghini Huracán – with each and every one of its models having been fitted with the aforementioned power plant, up to this point. In the current stage of its evolution, the 5.2L naturally-aspirated V10 is mechanically identical to Audi’s version of the engine (which uses ‘Fuel Stratified Injection) and is seen in Audi’s own R8 supercar; however, power outputs vary depending on the trim levels of the respective models.

Audi 5.0L V10 Biturbo

The sharing of tech (and a healthily-stocked pantry of engine parts) between Lamborghini and Audi spans back more than a decade now, and the engine used in the C6-generation Audi RS 6 has to go down as one of the best collaborations to date. Derived from the outgoing 5.0L naturally-aspirated V10 unit from the Lamborghini Gallardo, the motor in the RS 6 was repurposed with a pair of turbochargers. This allowed the super-wagon to produce 571 hp and 478 lb-ft of torque, on its way to becoming Audi’s most powerful car ever, in 2010. While it was handily more powerful than its competition – the BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E63 – it also cost quite a bit more (almost double, after conversion) which is likely the reason why it didn’t reach US shores.

Audi 5.2L V10 FSI 40V

Unlike the C6-generation Audi RS 6, the 5.0L unit used in the third-generation Audi S6 is less related to a Lamborghini equivalent and has more in common with an Audi 4.2L V8. For starters, it has a longer stroke and wider bore than the Lamborghini 5.0L V10 seen in the Gallardo, making for the better low-end power which is more befitting of the larger sedan. When considering the internals, the 5.2L motor in the S6 more closely resembles the aforementioned 4.2L V8 which was once used in the B6-generation Audi S4. Thanks to the tweaks mentioned above, this engine was good for 444 hp in the four-ringed luxury sports sedan.

Lamborghini Huracán Performanté 5.2L V10

The 5.2L naturally-aspirated V10 power plant we’ve been speaking so much about in this list is at the peak of its evolution via the current Lamborghini Huracán Performanté. In this configuration, the engine produces 640 hp @ 8,000 rpm and 443 lb-ft of torque @ 6,500 rpm; this makes the supercar good for 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds and a blistering top speed of 325 km/h, all without the assistance of any type of forced induction. Augmented with the greatest technologies available today, the motor produces its power more efficiently than ever before as well, with more than 70% of its torque already available as early as 1,000 rpm.

Dodge Viper ACR 8.4L V10

Even if the Dodge Hellcat is hogging all the headlines these days, there’s always something you have to admire about the lunacy of a naturally-aspirated 8.4L V10 engine. No, the Dodge Viper doesn’t do subtlety very well. Yes, it does happen to fall under the ‘Old Testament’ definition of “awesome”. With 640 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque being produced from that colossus of an all-aluminum engine, the Viper has the exhaust note of a semi-dormant volcano. It would make absolutely no sense at all if it wasn’t just so damn fast. Variants such as the SRT-10 and ACR-X took the road-going version of the car to the next level, with the latter being a turn-key, non-street legal race car that participates in Viper racing leagues around the world.

Lexus LFA 4.8L V10 (1LR-GUE)

Many regard the Lexus LFA as one of the best supercars ever made. Lexus only made 500 units, and I assumed those 500 sold out quickly. I was wrong. Despite the fact that Lexus hasn’t produced the LFA since 2012, there are still seven brand new LFA supercars for sale in the US, according to Carscoops. With all that said, the LFA came with one of the best V10 engines ever produced by a Japanese automaker. The 4.8L naturally-aspirated V10 – dubbed 1LR-GUE – made 552 hp and 352 lb-ft of torque. Developed in collaboration with Yamaha, it was a free-revving engine with an exhaust note that is truly unlike any other on the planet. As the sole representative from Japan, the 1LR-GUE is certainly one for the ages.

Porsche Carrera GT 5.7L V10 (980/01)

What makes the Porsche Carrera GT engine so special is that it is technically a race car engine. Not in that loosely-based sense – as is often used as a gimmick by salespeople – but in the true sense of the word. In the late 1990s, Porsche engineers in Zuffenhausen were assigned the task of developing a naturally-aspirated V10 concept engine, which was to later be used in a race car for the infamous 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. Sadly, the completion of that race car never came to fruition, but the efforts of the engine builders would not go to waste.

Porsche decided to adapt the engine for use in the Carrera GT and took the necessary steps to not only refine it in order to satisfy production car protocols but also managed to make it a more powerful version than the original unit. The result is a 5.7L naturally-aspirated V10 engine, which produces 612 hp @ 8,000 rpm and 435 lb-ft of torque @ 5,750 rpm. This allowed the Carrera GT to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds and 0-100 mph in 6.9 seconds, with a top speed of 205 mph.

BMW M5 V10 (S85)

Released in mid-2005, the E60 M5 sedan featured a high-revving and ultra-powerful V10 engine, which was the only one of its kind in a series-production car at that moment in time (while also being the marque’s most powerful production car engine ever made). The 5.0L naturally-aspirated unit shared more than just the same number of cylinders as the Formula 1 engine that powered the BMW Williams F1 team. Technology forged in the heat of motorsport had enhanced the processes and components used in creating this new powerhouse. As you would expect from BMW M, this high-performance motor generates enormous pulling force over its entire speed range.

VW Touareg V10 TDI

What makes this particular automobile so remarkable is not that it’s a Volkswagen, or an SUV, or diesel-powered, but that it’s all of those things with a twin-turbocharged 10-cylinder engine thrown into the mix. This Frankenstein-ish power plant would only feature for a couple of years before the whole Dieselgate fiasco, and had it not been for the calamity which ensued, it surely would have garnered more recognition than it has mustered to this day. All of its characteristics exude a bias towards low-end power, and the stats certainly reflect this – 309 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm. Oh, and don’t forget, a very utilitarian tow rating of 7,700 lbs.

Dodge Ram SRT-10 8.3L V10

Imagine a Viper engine swapped into, then modified for use in a Dodge Ram pick-up truck, and voila. So what exactly does this magic trick entail? Well for starters, in July 2004, a Dodge Ram SRT-10 driven by NASCAR driver Brendan Gaughan, set the Guinness World Record (and the SCCA record) for the world’s fastest production truck when it achieved an average top speed of 154.587 mph. This was all possible with the help of the 500 hp and 525 lb-ft of torque that the naturally-aspirated motor produced, with 90% of its torque available at 1,500 rpm. It could even tow up to 7,500 lbs; though we would bet that most owners would forgo any procedures that might keep them from optimizing their 1/4 mile times.

July 19, 2021 / Comments Off

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Best V12 Engines Ever Produced

As far as internal combustion engines go, V12 engines are at the zenith. This is while still acknowledging the omnipotent W16 motors seen in today’s Bugatti hypercars, while not forgetting the likes of mainstream automakers – such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz – also having flirted with the idea of series-production V16 engines in the past. With the 16-cylinder power plants essentially synonymous with the French automaker, the V12 is the de facto ruler for the broader spectrum of ultra-high-performance automobiles.

The diversity of this list fully demonstrates the universal appeal that V12s have around the world, to both producers and consumers alike. This unanimous and long-spanning support for the technology has helped to spawn some of the most impressive engines ever produced. The usual suspects are at play here, with Ferrari and Lamborghini making their totally not unexpected appearances. The British – via Aston Martin, Jaguar, and GMA – have shared their own highly impressive interpretations as well, while more conventional brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and even Toyota have had their say.

For the most part, these engines are naturally aspirated and characteristically rev all the way to the moon. In totality, each and every one of them is nothing short of a legend.

Here’s the shortlist of 10 such engines, curated for your reading pleasure:

Ferrari Colombo V12

Originally designed by Gioacchino Colombo, this engine can trace its roots back to the very first Ferrari-branded model designed by Ferrari Enzo – the 1947 Ferrari 125 S – where it debuted as a 1.5L V12. The core design of the engine would persevere for more than 4 decades; along the way growing in size, having various levels of forced induction, and becoming a dual-overhead-cam configuration with EFI. Many credit the motor’s longevity to its reputation for being bulletproof.

Successful in both road-going and race track derivatives, the list of Ferrari cars this engine has graced has no shortage of automotive icons; the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, Ferrari 250 GTO, and Ferrari 365 GTB/4, just to name a few.

BMW S70/2

Despite being produced by BMW, the S70/2 didn’t feature in one of the Bavarian automaker’s own production cars. Nevertheless, it did end up powering none other than arguably the most iconic supercars ever made – the 1992-1998 McLaren F1. The 6.1L naturally-aspirated unit produced 627 hp and was capable of 0-60 mph in just 3.2 seconds, and had a top speed of 240 mph. It wouldn’t be until the next millennium before those figures could be surpassed.

Interestingly enough, BMW wasn’t Gordon Murray’s first choice to supply the engine for his groundbreaking supercar, with collaborations with the likes of Honda and Isuzu falling apart before they would opt for the Munich-built power plant. Whatever might’ve happened if things turned out differently, who’s to know? But what we do know is that BMW got things absolutely spot-on with the S70/2, which continues to be regarded as one of the true and timeless masterpieces in automotive history.

Jaguar V12

Jaguar’s first foray into the world of V12 engines began in motorsport as early as 1951, with its 1964 XJ13 Le Mans race car eventually serving as the trickle-down technology source for its production cars. For the latter, this would begin with a 5.3L naturally-aspirated unit in the 1971 Jaguar E-Type and would even go on to be used by other automakers such as Daimler and Panther. An HE (or “high-efficiency”) version of this engine would be released in 1981 – featuring on the XJ12, XJ-S, and Daimler Double-Six – which improved fuel economy by almost 50% compared to its predecessor, without affecting performance.

In its final iteration, the V12 would evolve into a 6.0L HE unit which produced as much as 333 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. It was likely to be some variation of this engine which was initially being marketed for use on the Jaguar XJ220, before the British automaker controversially decided on a 3.5L twin-turbocharged V6 engine instead. The last Jaguar V12 engined was produced on April 17, 1997.

Lamborghini V12 L539

Like Ferrari, Lamborghini also has a long and storied history with V12 engines, having created its very own first version of this power plant for its mid-’60s era Lamborghini 350GT production car. Starting off as a considerably brawny 270 hp 3.5L naturally-aspirated unit, the “Bizzarrini” engine would evolve into a 661 hp 6.5L naturally-aspirated unit and be fashioned by models as recent as the 2010 Lamborghini Murciélago LP-670 SV.

As long as the Bizzarrini engine persisted, we feel that the most significant statement of Lamborghini’s V12 mastery comes in the form of its latest iteration of the engine, dubbed ‘L539’. This power plant would share its debut with the 2011 Lamborghini Aventador, of which it initially powered with 690 hp via a 6.5L naturally-aspirated configuration. With a fresh design, the new engine was over 18 kg lighter than its predecessor and was programmed with a new firing order. The all-wheel-drive supercar would see significant improvements during its lifecycle, with the latest iteration of the L539 car producing 770 hp in the limited-edition 2021 Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae.

Ferrari F140

If the F140 had only powered the (2002-2005) Ferrari Enzo – the first Prancing Horse model where it featured – it would have been no less significant or legendary than it is today. The 65-degree V12 engine debuted on the Enzo as a 6.0L naturally-aspirated V12 unit which produced a staggering 651 hp @ 7,800 rpm and 458 lb-ft of torque @ 5,500 rpm. Over the years, 6.3L versions of the F140 have powered the likes of the hybrid LaFerrari and the F12berlinetta.

It has since evolved to its current peak as a 6.5L power plant – dubbed the F140 GA – which produces 789 hp @ 8,500 rpm and 530 lb-ft of torque @ 7,000 rpm in the 812 Superfast; this makes it the most powerful naturally-aspirated production car engine ever produced to this day. It is likely that this could be one of the final generations of Ferrari V12 engines – whether it be naturally aspirated, turbocharged, or even hybridized – so appreciate it while it’s still around!

Mercedes-Benz M120 / M297

When Mercedes-Benz caught wind of archrival BMW’s side-hustle with Gordon Murray, let’s just say that there was no resting on any laurels going on at their Stuttgart headquarters. With a clever riposte, Mercedes would debut their first-ever V12 engine through the 1993 600 SEC (later to be renamed the S600 Coupé, and frequently referred to as the S-Class). The 6.0L naturally-aspirated power plant was good for 389 hp, 420 lb-ft of torque, and a top speed of 155 mph in its initial configuration.

Not only did Mercedes-Benz one-up BMW by using the engine for their own cars, but they also borrowed a page from their opponent’s playbook and had their M120 engine fashioned for use in the magnificent Pagani Zonda supercar as well. Hand-built and tuned by AMG, the M120 also featured on the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR race car and also saw its displacement increased to 7.3L for use on the SL73 AMG and CL73 AMG – and at which point it was commonly referred to as the M297. The most powerful iteration of the M120 features in the Pagani Zonda Revolución, with the non-street-legal car good for 789 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque.

Aston Martin NA V12

With one of the best sounding V12s (and automobile engines, period), the story of how the Aston Martin (naturally-aspirated) V12 came to be is rather more peculiar and convoluted. The project had less, should we say, glamorous beginnings, when things basically started off with the development of a 2.5L naturally-aspirated V6 engine. This particular unit was essentially the brainchild of Suzuki and Mazda, with the latter’s then-majority owner, Ford, then taking the blueprint to Cosworth, who would go on to build the Duratec V6.

Needless to say, the story didn’t end there, and Aston Martin would end up bolting two of those engines together to create the 5.9L naturally-aspirated V12 it would stamp its name on (and market as a 6.0L). Having more in common with a Ford Taurus than owners or enthusiasts would like to admit, the motor produced 414 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque in the 1999 DB7 V12 Vantage. Aston Martin continues to employ a V12 engine to this day, with the 2017 DB11 having fashioned a 5.2L twin-turbocharged version. More recently, the company has referred back to the naturally-aspirated configuration, with a 6.5L unit designed to power its Valkyrie hypercar with over 1,000 hp @ 10,500 rpm (plus an additional 160 hp with its hybrid-electric system).

Toyota 1GZ-FE

To call Toyota’s 1GZ-FE the “Godfather” of Japanese automobile engines would be neither an understatement nor unbefitting. After all, the venerable V12 from the land of the Rising Sun – which exclusively powers the Toyota Century luxury sedan – is both one-of-a-kind and has a penchant for attracting a particular type of “underworldly” owner in its homeland. It’s the only production V12 engine to come from Japan and still manages to invoke all of the essential philosophies of Japanese craftsmanship – such as reliability, build quality, and refinement.

That being said, it’s certainly not the most powerful engine on this list and remained at around the 300 hp mark during its lengthy production run from 1997-2016. Nevertheless, it remains one of the most unique engines on this list and is no less iconic than its near-1000 hp contemporaries. This engine is prime for swapping into other platforms, with automotive personality Smokey Nagata fitting a twin-turbocharged version to his ‘Top Secret’ Toyota Supra. Thanks in large part to its distinctive engine, the Century remains a status symbol in Japan; in the way a Rolls-Royce Phantom does the same just about everywhere else.

GMA Cosworth V12

It’s impossible to speak about the naturally-aspirated engine in the GMA T.50, without getting into how it’s involved in so much more than just spinning the new supercar’s rear wheels, or about how other design elements of the car are built around it. As impressive as a 12,100 rpm redline sounds, its 654 hp and 345 lb-ft of torque doesn’t sound extraordinary by today’s standards. But rest assured this engine, and this car, are on the cusp of a truly “redefining” moment in automotive history. Crucially weighing at just 178 kg, the engine plays a huge factor towards the T.50’s overall curb weight of just 980 kg – about one-third that of a contemporary supercar or hypercar.

The GMA T.50 is the culmination of decades of Gordon Murray’s aerodynamic and mechanical engineering experience. Part of what makes the T.50 so exciting, is that it incorporates the design and function of the infamous Brabham BT46 “Fan Car.” A gigantic fan – powered by the camshaft of the engine and coupled with the curved underbody of the BT46 – created an active venturi effect that quite literally vacuumed the car onto the road, and allowed it to corner at barely believable speeds and levels of grip. The T.50 will feature something similar, and likely more advanced. On a road car. We can’t wait to see this in the flesh.

Bugatti 3.5L Quad-Turbocharged V12

This Bugatti engine has had a very decorated career, albeit a short one, which makes it all the more impressive. Featured exclusively on the (1991-1995) Bugatti EB110, this 3.5L quad-turbocharged V12 is responsible for some very notable distinctions. First, it is widely regarded as being one of the catalysts in the revival of the French marque even though it failed to be directly responsible for this. It became the world’s fastest production car of its time, beating the Jaguar XJ220 in the process.

Suffice to say, it grabbed all the headlines, and really, that was the whole point. I mean, for what other purposes would the use of four turbochargers be given the green light for? Sure, it produced a whopping 553 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, but you would have to argue that this likely could’ve been achieved with a more conventional design. After all, quad-turbocharged engines never really proliferated, and there’s probably good science behind why that’s been the case. Nevertheless, there’s nothing un-iconic about a V12 engine with almost as many turbochargers as you can count on one hand; and we love it all the same.

July 16, 2021 / Comments Off

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The first ever BMW iX

All-electric vehicles are the future in the automotive world it seems, and just about every manufacturer out there is already offering an EV or is gearing up to offer one, we’ve just published an article on the amazing Rimac Nevera, the trend-setting all-electric hypercar with stupendous performance that comes with an equally impressive price tag, Lamborghini will give us a brand new, fully battery-powered model by 2025 and you can now order a Bentley Bentayga Hybrid, with full EV models in the pipeline, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see an electric Sports Activity Vehicle from BMW … meet the brand new iX.

The BMW iX is a technology flagship for sure, the worldwide launch is set for November 2021, and the impressive BMW iX will come in two versions initially, starting with the Drive40 with a combined output of 240 kW/326 hp and a range of up to 425 km (264 miles) that offers an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds.

A more powerful model will be available as the BMW iX xDrive50 will offer a power output of 385 kW/523 hp and a range of up to 630 km with an impressive acceleration figure of 4.6 seconds to reach 100 km/h from standstill. Later on, we’ll be seeing the very first electric BMW M model in the iX xDrive M60 with a massive power output of over 440 kW/600 hp and combined electric power consumption of 21.6 kWh per 100 km (62 miles).

The new BMW iX will be assembled at the BMW Group Plant Dingolfing in Lower Bavaria, on a flexible assembly line combining models from the
BMW 5 Series, the 7 Series, and even the 8 Series ranges, this is also the first factory in BMW’s production network that will build all-electric, plug-in hybrid and combustion-engined models on a single assembly line, this required a massive investment of €400,000,000 to accomplish, it is clear BMW is ready for the future now, over the next years we’ll be seeing all-electric BMW 5 Series and 7 Series being build in this plant.

The new BMW iX will come with lift-related dampers as standard fitment, these offer extra hydraulic damping to be incorporated into the damper, which adjusts the damper firmness progressively according to the changing spring travel, as an option you can have an adaptive suspension fitted that includes electronically controlled dampers and two-axle air suspension with automatic self-leveling that offers a range of settings and adjustable ride heights to select a comfortable, softer ride, or go for the more sporty, harsher ride.

The BMW iX series will come with four-wheel steering, so the rear wheels can turn to some degree to help make the turning circle smaller but also help to overtake at higher speeds, the optional Integral Active Steering offers amazing straight-line stability together with better agility, the standard electric steering system combines Servotronic speed-sensitive power assistance with a variable rack ratio as a first for BMW in the iX.

The BMW iX comes with an electric all-wheel-drive system, but depending on conditions the car can be turned into a rear-wheel-drive only SAV, the iX also comes with near-actuator wheel slip limitation technology developed specifically for the brand’s electrically powered models and now fitted in tandem with all-wheel drive for the first time while the driver can opt for either adaptive or adjustable Brake Energy Regeneration.

Standard fitment on the BMW iX will be 20-inch alloy wheels with either a 21-inch or even a 22-inch option, on the latter two, the tires have been specifically designed for the iX to have integral noise dampening in the shape of a layer of foam on the tire’s inner surface to absorb noise produced by vibrations, inside the iX you’ll hear less tire noise, the new Tyre Pressure Monitor system for the BMW iX not only measures tire pressure but also individual tire temperature and it even keeps track of tire manufacturer, this offers the option in the iDrive to enter the load you are carrying to get the ideal tire pressure you should use.

The high-voltage batteries in the BMW iX are cased in aluminum and positioned low down on the vehicle floor as an integral component of the body, the volumetric energy density on a cell level is around 40 % higher than in the high-voltage battery of the 2020 BMW i3, these batteries are covered by a warranty for eight years or up to 160,000 km (99,400 miles). The BMW iX features two high-voltage batteries positioned low in the
vehicle floor. In the BMW iX xDrive40 the high-voltage batteries are made up of ten modules, each with 18 cells. Their net energy content is 71 kWh (gross energy content: 76.6 kWh). The high-voltage batteries in the BMW iX xDrive50 consist of six modules (each with 50 cells) and five modules (each with 40 cells) respectively.

The Combined Charging Unit (CCU) used in the BMW iX offers tremendous flexibility when it comes to charging the high-voltage batteries, also note the combined heating and cooling system for the occupants, the drive system, and the batteries will make sure to keep the high-voltage batteries at the ideal operating temperature while using the generated heat for the passengers on cold days. If the navigation system knows about a stop during the trip to charge the batteries, the system will prepare these by heating them to the perfect temperature for fast charging.

But the BMW iX can also be plugged into your plug at home, offering a charge rate of 11kW, it would take 11 hours to fully charge the xDrive50 while 8 hours would suffice on the xDrive40, naturally, a DC fast-charging station would be a lot quicker as it could charge up to 200 kW (in the xDrive50, in the xDrive40 the maximum is 150 kW), in this case, you can add about 150 km of range to the high-voltage batteries in only 10 minutes, going from 10 % to 80 % charge in the xDrive50 would take approximately 35 minutes with a 200 kW charger.

I am sure the styling of this new BMW iX will cause some controversy again, it’s a departure from the models we know today, and yes, that massive front grille is there, but also flush-fitted door handles very thin exterior mirrors, and sharp edges everywhere to keep the drag coefficient as low as possible, the design of the front, the rear and the use of these wheels alone extend the range of the BMW iX by 65 km, both the BMW kidney grille and the air intakes at the bottom of the front bumper are totally closed, but air flaps can be opened if needed for cooling.

In fact, the famous kidney grille consists of integrated sensors, a camera, and even radar technology for the advanced driver assistance systems on the BMW iX, underneath the BMW logo at the front you’ll find a filler neck for the windscreen washer fluid, the door windows are frameless and underneath the BMW logo at the rear, they fitted the rear-view camera system, complete with a cleaning mechanism so you’ll always have a perfect view when backing up this SAV from Germany.

And all this innovation continues on the inside of the new BMW iX, where a lot of emphases was put on dialogue-based interaction using natural language and on touch operation for the next generation iDrive, the system is now running BMW Operating System 8 with an extremely high level of computing power with special sensors and 5G capability.

Behind the hexagon steering wheel, a massive, curved display is angled towards the driver, there is even a Head-Up display projector integrated into the surface of this instrument panel, but the fun really starts with the Augmented Reality Video as an addition to the navigation maps, this system shows a live stream video on the display with information as an overlay on top of the images, showing an indication on where to turn into right on the actual view of the driver.

The BMW iX receives a newly designed gear selector that looks absolutely amazing, a polished crystal finish has been applied to the controls, the base upholstery is a combination of high-quality textiles with microfiber fabrics called ‘Dinamica microfibre’, which contains 50% recycled polyester, while the speakers have been integrated out of sight in the headrests … the inner structure of the doors is made from 100% recycled material while the visible parts still contain 30% recycled material.

As an option, you can get a leather interior inside the new BMW iX, but this time the leather is tanned with olive leaves, and the wood you find on the control panel comes from FSC-certified wood, the floor fabric, and the mats under your feet … all made from 100% recycled nylon, the BMW iX is all about sustainability.

Clients have the choice of three different interior treatments, the Standard Atelier specification includes surfaces in the familiar Sensatec with a striking stitch pattern and perforated areas. It is available in Black, Oyster, and Mocha. When you go for the optional Loft trim, the surfaces are adorned with a diagonal pattern of materials and colors combining high-quality textile and microfibre fabrics. The asymmetric styling and quilting composed of triangular, square and pentagonal sections give the seats their very modern appeal.

Contrast stitching on the seat surfaces adds a further highly distinctive touch. The instrument panel with printed color gradient breaks new ground for car interiors. Also available is Suite, which comes with surfaces in Exclusive Natural leather in the color shades Castanea and Amido, The newly developed seats for the driver and front passenger have integral head restraints for a distinctly sporty appearance. For the first time in a model from the BMW Group, there is the option of integrating speakers into the seat structure.

The BMW iX is comparable with the BMW X5 in length and width and is almost the same height as the BMW X6 on account of its flowing roofline. The size of its wheels, meanwhile, brings to mind the BMW X7. A wheelbase measuring exactly 3,000 millimeters and wide tracks at both the front and rear axle provides the ideal platform for chassis tuning which reconciles luxurious long-distance comfort and sporty cornering characteristics.

You can specify your BMW iX with the largest panoramic glass roof BMW ever installed on one of their cars and doesn’t have any cross struts breaking up your view of the sky, and there is no interior liner or shade, instead, this is the only one of its kind in the automotive industry to employ PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal) technology for shading the interior … an electric current will keep the liquid crystals aligned so light can pass through, but when switched off, or the iX is parked, these crystals are distributed in such a disorderly pattern they turn the glass roof opaque to create the effect of shade.

I wonder how this rather large SAV will handle on the road, it should be capable of seating five occupants in silence and luxury, with a comfortable drive over long distances, and is this BMW iX a preview of the design styling for the upcoming models, using thin headlights and taillights, very narrow exterior mirrors … only the future will tell.

June 9, 2021 / Comments Off

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Project Exposure: World’s Only BMW M3 CS Wagon – The Netherlands

It was one of those Sunday afternoons where you have a baby on the way, a couple of sports cars in the garage and a boring F1 race on TV. Then it suddenly hits you that one of your precious toys has to go in order to make room for the dreaded family minivan.

But for Sander a car tuner based in The Netherlands, this meant a new opportunity to get creative. It all began in 2019 when he acquired a BMW M3 CS which if we are being entirely honest isn’t the first choice that comes to mind when shopping for a family car. The 2018 BMW M3 CS weighs 50kg lighter than the regular M3 sedan, engine output was increased to 460hp and 601nm of torque. Production was limited to just 1,200 units worldwide.

He bought the car with a low mileage of only 5,000km at a time when they were trading above the €120,000 mark. In the car enthusiast world, a family car is defined as a vehicle that combines performance, spacious cabin and extra room for the dogs while retaining good looks or an acceptable design. So instead of acquiring a soulless minivan like regular people, Sander decided to convert his newly acquired M3 CS sedan into a wagon or Touring in BMW language.

BMW M3 CS Wagon

I recently had a quick seat down with him where he answered key questions regarding his 1 of 1 project car, below is the script.

1. What was your motivation for the project?

Sander: I have had many sport cars but when we were expecting a baby I wanted to make my ultimate family racer and that’s when i decided to build a performance wagon using my already existing M3 CS sedan.

2. When did you start the project?

Sander: I bought the M3 CS on 6-12-2019, and from that moment we have worked every spare minute on the project to where it is now.

3. What is the base car/donor car?

Sander: The Base car was a 2013 BMW F31 316d Touring. The donor car was my then newly acquired 2018 BMW F80 M3 CS. I only used the body and trunk lid from the F31, all the other parts until the last bolt has come off the M3 CS.

4. What modifications did you do.

Sander: I could list a whole notebook of parts especially since the project is evolving on a daily basis. Nonetheless, here are the key modifications.
– Concaver Forged Wheels 20×9,5 and 20x11j
– KW HAS spring set
– Carbonworks Caron Front Lip
– Carbonworks Carbon Side Skirts
– Carbonworks Carbon Rear Diffuser
– Custom made Rear Spoiler

All major parts are still OEM, and these were basically copy and paste from the M3 CS.

5. What are your current output numbers (hp/torque)

Sander: It’s still the stock CS engine with 460hp and 601nm torque

6. How long did it take?

Sander: 9 months or 600 hours to complete the project.

7. How much does it cost to build an F81 M3 Wagon.

Sander: Depends on how you do it. The donor M3 CS was only 6 months old and 5000km on the cluster so that was very expensive. But I have done almost all the work myself. If you would take a crashed 2015 M3 and do most work yourself you will end up spending around 50 to 60K.

8. What do you think of upcoming G81 M3 Wagon, will you get one?

Sander: I love it, I wasn’t too sure about the new front but it’s slowly growing on me. But when I compare it with the F8x front I still do think the F8x front looks better. Maybe I should built one with a custom front??

9. What did you do with the MC CS chassis?

Sander: I already sold that old iron and got 60 euro for it ?

You can follow Sander and his project on Instagram at @f81cs

June 8, 2021 / Comments Off

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Manhart Bumps up the Power of the New BMW G80 M3 Competition

Manhart Performance has launched their new MH3 600 sedan based on the new BMW G80 M3 Competition.

The MH3 600 is powered by the 3.0 liter biturbo S58 engine with a standard factory output of 510hp and 650 Nm of torque. Manhart engineers have fitted the vehicle with an MHtronik powerbox system which has increased the maximum output to an impressive 635hp and 780 Nm of torque.

In addition, the acceleration from 0-200km/h is achieved in less than 10.5 seconds and to 250km/h in 17 seconds. Thanks to the new power upgrade, the new model is 4 seconds faster compared to the stock M3 competition.

The vehicle has been fitted with Manhart performance stainless steel rear silencer exhaust system with valve control functions available either in carbon or ceramic-coated. Manhart Race downpipes without catalytic converters and Manhart OPF-delete replacement pipes with 200 cell HJS catalytic converters are also available as optional but only for export and without TUV approval.

Manhart offers a variety of suspension upgrades for the MH3 600 customers. The first step is to lower the front axle by 30mm and the rear by 10mm using H&R springs to create a sporty appearance, for a more dynamic look, a Manhart variant 4 coilovers suspension by KW is also available and it comes with a special set-up that directs the wheels perfectly on the tarmac even at high speeds.

The MH3 600 has been fitted with a set of 21 inch forged Concave One wheels, 9×21 inch with 255/30 ZR21 tires at the front axle and 10.5×21 inch wheels mounted on 295/25 ZR21 tires on the rear axle. The wheels are also available in Satin Black with Gold decorations at the ri or completely in Gold.

The factory carbon package is available as an option and it contains a front spoiler, rear spoiler, side skirts and aero flicks from the M performance range. The package has been further extended by the tuner with an in-house rear diffuser in carbon that frames the twin tailpipes of the exhaust system perfectly.

Manhart BMW G80 M3

June 5, 2021 / Comments Off

277

2022 BMW M4 Convertible Joins the M Family

This is the new 2022 BMW M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive, it is powered by a six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology which has increased the output by 60hp over the former model. The vehicle is capable of generating a maximum output of 510hp and 650Nm of torque and the acceleration from 0-100km/h is achieved in 3.7 seconds.

The power of the vehicle is channeled through an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic.

The new model breaks new ground for M cars as an open-top high-performance Sports car with all-wheel drive, the model features the Classic M formula of dynamism, agility and precision combined with usability as well as long-distance capabilities. The open-top feature enables the driver to experience unobstructed access to the sun, wind as well as the sound of the engine which ensures a performance experience.

The new Panel bow soft top can be opened or closed in 18 seconds even when the vehicle is moving. Additionally, the soft top is 40% lighter than the roof of the previous model and the boot capacity is 80 litres larger.

The exterior of the new M4 Convertible features a large, vertical BMW kidney grille in M-specific design, large air intakes for cooling the engine and brakes, M Side Gills and an exhaust system with two pairs of tailpipes joined with M specific diffuser. The exhaust system consists of electronically controlled flaps to ensure a rich soundtrack.

The interior features an ergonomically optimised cockpit with M specific display and controls, new M sport seats with optional ventilation system and Merino leather trim as standard. Bucket sports seats are also available as optional.

The M carbon exterior package together with the BMW M performance parts are available as options.

The M xDrive all-wheel-drive system as well as the Active M Differentials improve the traction, stability and dynamism of the vehicle. The company also offers a rear-biased setup and three modes i.e 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD for simple rear wheel drive with the stability control system deactivated.

The vehicle also features an adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers, M Servotronic steering wheel with shifting ratios and M Compound Brakes all as standard. On the other hand, the M Carbon ceramic brakes are available as an option.

The vehicle has been set up with an M-specific control button that enables direct access to the engine, chassis, steering, braking system and M xDrive settings. The M mode button enables personalised configurations from the driver assistance system and the displays in the instrument cluster and Head-up display. Road and Sport driving modes are available as standard whereas Track mode is activated when M Drive Professional is selected.

The new model also features a wide selection of driver assistance systems including steering and lane control assistant, active navigation function and Emergency lane assistant. Parking and Reversing assistants are also available but optional.

In addition, three zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting, hi-fi sound system and the BMW Live Cockpit Professional system with digital display grouping, BMW maps and BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant are available as standard specification for the model.

An M Race Track package available as optional reduces the weight of the vehicle by 25kgs with features like M Carbon ceramic brakes, M light-alloy wheels and M carbon bucket seats.

BMW M4 Convertible

June 4, 2021 / Comments Off

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The Manhart MH3 600

It has been 35 years ago that BMW unveiled their M3, based on the E30 series at that time, the first M3 ever is still considered one of the best cars in the world, even today, and prices for this classic from Munich have gone through the roof … today we’re at the 7th M3 series, called the G80, and while the styling, especially at the front, hasn’t been received unanimously positive, the idea behind the car is still strong.

The BMW G80 M3 has become a high-power saloon, today the M3 isn’t a two-door anymore like on the E30, but it comes with four doors (if you want a similar car in a two-door configuration you’ll have to opt for the M4 strangely enough), and just in case a factory standard G80 M3 isn’t enough for you, BMW offers her in ‘Competition’ trim, the 3.0-Liter Biturbo in-line six-cylinder comes with 510 hp and 650 Nm of torque, which isn’t too bad I guess.

But we wouldn’t be taking a look at Manhart’s latest offering if we would take a factory original power output for granted … so by adding the MHtronik powerbox to the M3 Competition engine, the Manhart engine wizards increase the power to a massive 635 hp and no less than 780 Nm of torque … the Manhart MH3 600 will reach it’s electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h in less than 17 seconds, which is four seconds quicker than the factory original M3 Competition.

But with great power must come a great soundtrack, so Manhart fits their in-house stainless steel rear silencer, which retains the valve control system … the thundering sound comes through four 100mm exhaust tips, which depending on the choice of the client, are either ceramic coated or finished in carbon fiber … if you like living in the grey area of the law, you can fit Manhart Race downpipes that delete the catalytic converters or install the Manhart OPF-Delete pipes that have their own 200-cell HJS catalytic converters … but neither are street-legal strictly speaking.

To get that lower to the track look, Manhart has two options for their MH3 600, either a set of H&R lowering springs that bring the car down by 30 mm at the front, and 10 mm at the rear, or you go all-out for a KW Suspensions adjustable coil-over setup that has been specifically tuned for Manhart only by KW, and to complete the ‘lowered’ look you just need to add these amazing looking 21-inch wheels, called the Manhart Concave One, in either gold look or satin black with a gold outer rim, 9×21 inch for the front axle, 10.5×21 inch for the rear axle with 255/30ZR21 and 295/25ZR21 tires respectively.

As an option, you can have a very impressive carbon fiber aero package on the BMW M3 Competition straight from the factory, but Manhart adds a different rear diffuser, also made from clear carbon fiber, and it works perfectly with the larger, 100 mm diameter exhaust tips from the Manhart sport muffler, more Manhart Carbon fiber can be found on the interior where you’ll notice a carbon fiber shell against the back of the seat and the headrest … just to include the motorsport feeling on the inside too.

June 2, 2021 / Comments Off

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The BMW X7 from dAHLer Competition Line

The BMW X7 isn’t a small car, it’s probably the largest BMW ever made at 5.16 meters long, 2.00 meters wide, 1.80 meters high its overall weight is at least 2.4 tons, so she’s massive, but also a true BMW when it comes to driving dynamics, and that’s exactly what Swiss-based dAHLer wanted to emphasize when they created their Competition Line package for this gargantuan SUV.

The engineers at dAHLer Competition Line started out by liberating the thundering sound of the large 4.4-Liter V8 twin-turbo engine, so a quartet of massive exhaust tips show the work put into a custom exhaust that releases the growl from the front into the world, and the X7 from dAHLer roars with a simply beguiling sound.

The base for this impressive dAHLer modified BMW comes from the X7 M50i, as there isn’t a real X7 M from Germany at this moment, dAHLer Competition line offers a pair of power upgrades that should satisfy your needs, and if the base X7 was built before July 2020 they even remove the electronic speed limiter, unfortunately, that is no longer possible on the later model.

The Stage 1 boost takes the G07 X7 M50i standard 390 kW (530 hp), 750 Nm (553 ft-lb) 4.4-Liter Biturbo V8 up to a more impressive 463 kW (630 hp) and 830 Nm (612 ft-lb). But wait, there is more, dAHLer is already working on Stage 2, and with that, they promise 475 kW (646 hp) and 850 Nm (627 ft-lb), and just in case you don’t happen to own the top of the line X7 M50i, dAHLer even offers their performance upgrades for the other gasoline-powered X7 models, and even the diesel-engined ones.

As you probably noticed from the photos, this X7 comes with a lowering module for the factory original dual-axle air suspension with an automatic leveling system that fitted on all X7 models by BMW, not only does it look amazing, it also lowers the center of gravity that’s so troublesome on all high-riding SUV models, hence it improves driving dynamics.

The wheels on this demo BMW X7 by dAHLer Competition Line are massive 23-inch CDC1 FORGED units, these are weight-optimized and reduce the unsprung and rotating mass despite being 11-inch wide, as can be expected, these wheels can be finished in any shade the client desires, dAHLer advises the fitment of 295/35R23 tires, but if you prefer a staggered look, you can also opt for 285/35R23 on the front axle and massively wide 325/30R23 on the rear axle, which is what I would go for the be honest.

The car in these photos is even more special, dAHLer calls it the ‘Edition Dark Shadow’, and they intend to build only 500 units of this special unit, this car comes with a matt finished body and a glossy black rear diffuser and M-look mirror covers, naturally, the interior hasn’t been overlooked either, and aside from custom mats and a nice pedal set, the speedometer has been extended to 330 Km/h.

May 31, 2021 / Comments Off

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2021 BMW R18

BMW’s new cruiser is here, and it should make you forget about their forgettable R1220C from a couple of decades ago. This time, it has all the right nostaglic BMW looks paired with the brand’s…

The post 2021 BMW R18 first appeared on Cool Material.

It’s a good time to get a great deal on a new sports car

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April 21, 2021 / Comments Off

485

Ironwood Custom x WYLD Garage Co. 1988 BMW R100

This heavily modded 1988 BMW R100 looks nothing like the original, and it carves its own style path that’s beautifully retro-futuristic. Designed by Netherlands-based Ironwood Custom Motorcycles and built by USA-based WYLD Garage Co., this…

The post Ironwood Custom x WYLD Garage Co. 1988 BMW R100 first appeared on Cool Material.

M340i xDrive DCL dAHLer competition line

The BMW M340i comes from the factory as a ‘Mild Hybrid’, this means there is a starter-generator and a battery added to reduce fuel consumption and increase overall power output, the 48-volt adds up to 11 hp (8 kW) to the normal combustion engine to get you off the line quicker during acceleration, in this model the engine is the B58 unit with 374 hp (275 kW) and 500 Nm of torque.

But Dahler Competition Line AG from Bern, Switzerland, takes this mild hybrid to another level after their overhaul, which is available in two levels, the Power Boost level 1 brings power output to an impressive 435 hp (320 kW) and torque up to 610 Nm (450 ft-lb), and as this tuning is WLTP-E6d tested and approved for sale in the EU and Switzerland, you even keep the factory warranty on your brand new BMW M340i.

Going for the Power Boos level 2 ‘powered by dAHLer’ option will get you to 455 hp (334 kW) and 640 Nm (472 ft-lb) and will in the near future come with an increased setting for the top speed limiter, but you’ll could run into some issues with the factory warranty from BMW themselves, so that’s a risk you might need to take in this case.

To make sure the looks of the BMW M340i dAHLer fit the sound from the exhaust, you might want to get their stainless steel exhaust system, specially tuned to the series GPF. It comes with quad ceramic-coated 90mm tailpipes, a top-quality ceramic coating is not only highly practical, with outstanding features such as hardness and resistance to wear, electrical insulation, low thermal conductivity, and a consistently reproducible surface structure, it also has a highly refined look.

Dahler Competition Line AG is also preparing an Eventuri intake system and they offer an additional, CAN bus-controlled exhaust valve controller so you can have a more subtle sound when you drive in the city, but unleash the sporty, signature dAHLer sound on the highway.

If your BMW M340i comes with the EDC Electronic Damping System from the factory, you can install an upcoming Competition coilover suspension “Built by dAHLer” with DDC plug and play, but for now, they already offer a Competition coilover suspension that can be manually adjustable in height and hardness, however, if you’re only going for looks, a set of sport springs is also a possibility.

But you will have to get a set of ultra-light 20-inch “dAHLer CDC1 FORGED” wheels, 9×20 inches at the front with 235/35ZR20 tires and 10×20 inches at the rear with 275/30ZR20 tires (Michelin Pilot Sport 4S) to finish of the mild aero tuning from dAHLer in the form of a front splitter, a rear spoiler, special M Style mirror caps, a carbon-fiber roof antenna cover, and a front grille design in three different looks.

April 5, 2021 / Comments Off

546

New BMW ALPINA B8

ALPINA has been around for over 50 years now, founded by Burkard Bovensiepen in 1965 in Buchloe, Germany, ALPINA is synonymous with some of the world’s most renowned BMW based automobiles, in 1983 ALPINA became an automobile manufacturer, registered by the German Ministry of Transport, the Kraftfahrtbundesamt, so this new ALPINA B8 isn’t just a tuned BMW, it’s an ALPINA.

Deliveries of the new ALPINA B8 are foreseen to start in July 2021, at a base price of €161,200, which includes the 19% German VAT (this is a little over US$ 190,000 at today’s exchange rates), but this does give you a ticket into a very exclusive club of ALPINA owners, with the new B8’s 4.4-Liter V8 twin-turbo engine delivering 621 bhp (457kW) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque, a top speed of no less than 201 Mph (324 Km/h) is reached, and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h only takes 3.4 seconds … that’s supercar territory.

And because we all appreciate a good sounding car, the ALPINA B8 comes with a new sports exhaust system with dual, twin tailpipes in stainless steel, in COMFORT mode the sound is sophisticated and restrained, while in SPORT mode the valves inside the exhaust open up and the V8 soundtrack becomes emotional and sonorous.

The new ALPINA 8-speed Switch-Tronic Sport Automatic Transmission takes the latest 8HP76 from ZF to the next level, with raised shift dynamics to offer a new level of smoothness and comfort ALPINA stands for, settings from COMFORT and SPORT mode influence the driving performance, while in SPORT mode the gear shifts are more dynamic, in MANUAL mode you can shift gear with buttons on the back of the steering wheel, or you can reach for the optional ALPINA shift paddles milled from a single piece of aluminum.

The BMW ALPINA B8 impresses in a myriad of driving situations with its harmonious, balanced chassis and a high sense of safety thanks to Eibach springs, and this car also comes with Integral Active Steering, so the rear wheels also steer to improve overall agility thanks to the ZF Active Kinematics Control System, naturally, the B8 comes with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive, while the rear axle limited-slip differential lets the BMW ALPINA B8 tap into its full dynamic capabilities.

Pirelli developed tires specifically for the new ALPINA B8, 245/35 ZR21 for the front, and even wider 285/30 ZR21 for the rear, and it wouldn’t be an ALPINA without their trademark look, 20 spoke custom wheels that come with a lockable wheel hub cover with the ALPINA emblem to protect these lightweight forged wheels from being ‘borrowed’.

You know you are looking at a full-blown ALPINA B8 when you see the blue brake calipers with their white script, over massive, drilled Brembo disk brakes, 395mm (15.6 inch) at the front, and 398mm (15.7 inch) at the rear.

ALPINA Blue Metallic and ALPINA Green Metallic are exclusively reserved for BMW ALPINA automobile, but you can also opt for any shade from the BMW or the BMW Individual line to cover your amazing B8, that comes with the typical front addition under the bumper that incorporated a large air intake, but also a new rear diffuser and a very distinct rear wing, all in the well-known, understated ALPINA style.

Naturally, the amazing workmanship from the ALPINA artisans is also visible on the interior, with the standard Walnut Anthracite high-gloss trim, illuminated ALPINA door sills, or that stunning, crystal glass iDrive Controller with a laser-engraved ALPINA logo, while the custom steering wheel is finished in untreated LAVALINA leather for an incomparable tactile experience on every journey.

An ALPINA is a car made specifically to fulfill the customer’s wishes to drive something more special than a full option BMW model it is based upon, exclusivity comes with a price, but seeing this amazing green metallic B8 might just make it worth every cent spent.

March 25, 2021 / Comments Off

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Dähler BMW X5 M50i

The BMW X5 is a large SUV in European standards, it might not be considered large in the United States market, but you have to admit the M50i version that comes with a 4.4-Liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine with 530hp and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque isn’t underpowered, but there is also an X5 M available with even more power … 600hp and a 0 to 60mph time of only 3.8 seconds, for a large SUV that weighs 5,425 lbs, that’s a train coming down the street at that speed.

But what if you want something a little different than a factory original X5 M, and preferably with more power? In comes Dähler Competition Line AG, located in Switzerland, they offer a ‘Power boost level 1’ option for the cheaper X50i model (MSRP $82,800 against $105,100 for the X5 M) that boosts the power from 530hp to 630hp and adds 90Nm on top too, 840Nm in total now, which betters the X5 M from BMW.

And the best part is that, even with the increased, limited top speed of 270 km/h, the X5 M50i DCL Dähler Competition Line has been WLTP-E6d-temp tested and approved for sale in the EU and Switzerland, with a corresponding supplementary warranty in addition to factory warranty … but wait, there is more … Dähler is already working on a ‘Power boost level 2’ package that promises even more power … 700hp here we come.

The X5 M50i “babbles” and “blubbers” with the unmistakable, unadulterated V8 sound that so many fans love, and Dähler created a 4-pipe stainless steel exhaust system for their car, with four ceramic-coated tailpipes that show some impressive size … 101mm in diameter, not only does it look amazing, it also works in perfect harmony with the factory-installed gasoline particulate filters (GPF).

Unfortunately, the CAN bus-controlled valves in the exhaust, allowing the driver to control the sound level at any rpm or speed, isn’t EU/CH approved, so you can’t use it on the open road … but it will wake up the neighbors if you start your Dähler BMW X50i in the morning with the valves open.

The BMW X5 M50i comes with an EDC electronic damping system, so the lowering springs from Dähler had to be custom made for this car, they not only lower the car to the tarmac, but they also increase driving stability, decrease rolling movements … and they just make the car look better, at the moment Dähler is even working on a complete coilover suspension that will come with adjustable height and hardness.

Standard fitment on the BMW X5 M50i are 20-inch wheels, the X5 M comes with 21-inch from the factory … naturally, Dähler had to top those, so they came up with massive 23-inch forged wheels, called CDC1 FORGED these 11-inch wide wheels receive massive 305/30 R23 tires, and they are still up to 35% lighter than conventional light-alloy wheels.

March 21, 2021 / Comments Off

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MANHART MH3 and MH4 600

The new BMW M3 (G80) and M4 (G82) are only now available for customers around the world, but MANHART Performance already presents their vision on how these high-performance M-cars will look in their traditional black and gold finish, and they will also come with more power compared to a factory standard M3 or M4.

If you start with the regular BMW M3/M4 that comes with 480 hp from the factory, MANHART will install their MHTronik Powerbox to raise power output to 590 hp, but MANHART really wants you to bring in your M Competition version of these cars, base power is already a healthy 510 hp (610 Nm), but the Powerbox ups this to an impressive 620 hp and 750 Nm of torque.

The thundering soundtrack comes through custom-made cat-back and OPF-back exhaust systems, with twin carbon tailpipes, as an option you can get middle silencer replacement pipes for your MH3/MH4, while MANHART is working on special aero parts for these new M-cars from BMW, these will include a new engine cover, front splitter, side sills and naturally an aggressive rear diffuser.

MANHART will install H&R springs to lower their MH3/MH4 600 to allow those beautiful Concave One forged wheels to come out even better, 9×21 inch at the front and 10.5×21 inch at the rear, shod with 265/30R21 and 305/25R21 tires respectively, available in several finishes, but gold and black do look really nice on these cars.

Phase 1 of the tuning program already includes a wide variety of parts and options, which will allow clients to upgrade their beloved new car, but MANHART Performance will go a step further with a Phase 2 version, taking both the M3 and M4 to the next level.

March 20, 2021 / Comments Off

508

2022 BMW M4 Competition Review

There are few cars that have been as polarising as the 2022 BMW M4 Competition. The controversy is predominantly fuelled by the styling, that is subjective but for the record, I really am not a fan. Giant grill aside, I had a a couple of concerns that I wanted to cover – the loss of the M DCT gearbox (replaced by a ZF automatic) and the 200 kilogram weight gain, it seems cars are also putting on lockdown weight.

GTspirit have already reviewed the M3 but this is a more in depth drive with the M4, which felt near identical to the M3. Let’s get into it – I was driving the car in the UK on a day which featured all four seasons. Stepping into the G82 M4 is a very different experience to the F series of old. The carbon backed seats steal the show and present a great sense of occasion that help differentiate the M car from the series models. The second eye catching features are the red M1 & M2 buttons that sprout out from the steering wheels as in bigger M cars. The rest of the cabin in similar to lesser 4-Series models but has been embellished with lashings of carbon which comes as standard, the carbon backed seats are available as part of a carbon package which includes the front air intakes and the boot spoiler. The carbon roof is standard.

Hit the red starter button and you’ll be looking to configure the way you want M4 to behave. The setup menu looks daunting, but it is simple enough, although I question the need to configure the brake pedal. Aside from the usual steering, drivetrain and damper controls there is now a ten stage configurable ‘drift’ mode to adjust the traction control. When the stability control is deactivated an M Drift Analyser can be engaged to measure the length and angle of your drifts to give you a final drift score out of five stars, although I suspect less than 1% of buyers will ever use such a feature. I set the car up with the drivetrain and steering in maximum attack with the dampers in their softest option. Time to hit the road.

BMW claim to have made big improvements to the chassis to soften the F series ‘spikiness’ that made the experience a little too exciting for many – sweaty palms are not welcomed by all for a daily driver. Driving it in the damp meant the traction control light was flashing away, the system itself was very efficient cutting power. Engaging M Dynamic Mode is the norm for me in any BMW. The latest iteration on the the 2022 BMW M4 Competition is one of the best I have tried allowing for a surprising amount of slip before calling in the nannies to stop you ending up in a bush. When pushing on the chassis begins to stand out as a phenomenal feature on the M4 Competition. The steering is good and light, I felt that it lacked feel just off of centre. This combination of a great chassis and good steering means that the weight increase on paper is negligible in reality.

BMW M4 Competition

Typically I would start a review of the engine of car, but in the 2022 BMW M4 Competition it was not particularly astonishing. Yes the torque and power are astonishing, but this was overshadowed by the chassis capabilities. The car has been designed to have a petrol particulate filter so does sound good. There are burbles on downshifts and there is no soft limiter meaning it can be revved. The engine itself is not completely new, it was first seen in the X3/4M.

The twin turbo 3.0-litre straight-six produces 650Nm and is on tap between 2,700 and 5,500rpm, from when maximum output of 510hp is sustained up to the 7,200rpm red line. M3 & M4 Competition both accelerate from 0 to 10km/h in 3.9 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h, rising to 300km/h if the optional M Pro Package is specified. The brakes on my test car were not the optional ceramics but were still more than adequate at slowing things down from big speeds.

One of my fears was the loss of the M dual clutch transmission which has been replaced with the ZF 8spd. The new auto is better, quicker and smoother. My issue is that this has taken away from the theatre which I feel is necessary in much a car, especially as one that looks as angry as this. Perhaps the switch has made the car more predictable than the previous generation. The most likely reason is that the ZF will be used for the xDrive variant that will arrive in a couple of months.

Looks are subjective and I cannot make you dislike or like the design. What I can tell you is that this is a spectacular car to wake up early and absolutely thrash on your favourite road. It is a deeply deeply impressive car that is well appointed and feels special on the inside and turns heads by the dozen – whether that is for the right reasons or not is another debate. The ride is brilliant, sport for the dampers is very much usable on the road meaning the M4 could very easily be used as a daily driver. My main criticism is that the car is so capable that you have to be going full throttle and achieving illegal speeds to enjoy all that the 2022 BMW M4 Competition has to offer. Furthermore, the M3/4 are now very expensive as with any options, such as the carbon pack which is a must have for the seats, becomes as pricey as a base 992 Carrera which is the best sports car on sale anywhere. But if you can live with the styling and afford an M4 Competition, you will not be disappointed.

March 14, 2021 / Comments Off

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BMW S1000RR ‘Phantom’

Looking more like a wheeled Gundam robot than a motorcycle, Mehmet Doruk Erdem’s BMW S1000RR ‘Phantom’ is a sight to behold. Sure, it’s just a rendering, but it looks like it could take to urban…

The post BMW S1000RR ‘Phantom’ first appeared on Cool Material.

The most powerful BMW M is the four-door, four-seat M5 CS

We all love those BMW M models, from the smallest, right up to the largest, they are all masterpieces of German Engineering, and the CS models mark the most sporty of them all, with bespoke, lightweight modifications to create the ultimate M-series version … now BMW took the already impressive M5 to the next level … the BMW M5 CS limited run, exclusive special-edition. To be launched in the spring of 2021 in Germany at a base price of €180,400.

The new BMW M5 CS will come with the most powerful engine of any M-Series model in history, 635 hp, which is a 10 hp increase over the BMW M5 Competition … this is really supercar territory, in a four-door sedan. To put that into perspective, the amazing 2021 Audi RS6 comes with 591 hp, the 2021 Mercedes E63S AMG packs 603 hp … even a Bentley Flying Spur with her 6-Liter engine only has 626 hp … so this new BMW M5 CS beats them all.

In fact, this new BMW M5 CS even narrowly beats the V10, 630 hp Lamborghini Huracán EVO, and this German comes with two more seats and decent luggage space! Yes, you are reading that correctly, the BMW M5 CS is a four-door sedan, with four seats, unlike the regular M5 or the M5 Competition which are technically five-seat models. The BMW M5 CS ditches the rear seats of these ‘lesser’ models and replaces it with a pair of body-hugging sport buckets .. and they match the absolutely stunning, carbon fiber front seats perfectly.

The leather used on the interior of the BMW M5 CS is a fine-grain Merino, on the press release car finished in black with Mugello Red contrast sections and stitching. Naturally an illuminated M5 logo is displayed on the backrest of the front seats, but probably the most attention to detail is that embossed outline of the famous Nürburgring track on all four headrests.

The BMW M5 CS also went on a diet … loosing 70 kg compared to the M5 Competition, the M5 CS comes with a bespoke chassis tuning and custom M xDrive setup. The engine cover on the M5 CS is made from CRFP and includes exclusive air vents, the front splitter, the mirror covers, the special rear wing, the rear diffuser … all made from CRFP too … even the roof shows exposed carbon fiber on this car. For the CS version, BMW even changed the exhaust tips, and yes, there are still four of them.

The BMW M5 CS comes with bespoke Goldbronze details, like the typical BMW kidney surround, the “M5 CS” badges at the front and the rear, the air vents on the fenders, and the 20-inch M Forged Y-spoke wheels … all finished in this special shade of gold for CS only. The BMW M5 CS comes standard with BMW Laserlight, and just to match the Goldbronze details, the L-shapes running lights are switching to yellow when low or high beam is activated, just to set this car apart from the other M5 models.

The body of the BMW M5 CS can be finished in some special shades too, like Brands Hatch Grey metallic for instance, or a more distinctive matt paint from the BMW Individual option list, Frozen Brands Hatch Grey metallic or an absolutely stunning Frozen Deep Green metallic as seen on the photos of the M5 CS in this article.

Going back to the interior, the steering wheel comes in Alcantara with a bright red ring at the top, behind it you’ll find a pair of shifting paddles made from carbon fiber, while black Alcantara is also used for the headliner, note that there is no more storage under the arm rest on the central console … on the M5 CS this is a fixed arm rest … all in the name of weight reduction.

Naturally the seat belts come with the M style red and blue stitching, while re CS badges can be found on multiple places inside the BMW M5 CS cockpit, even the floor mats come with M5 badges, most of the stitching on the interior is finished in double line red …

And let’s talk about driving the BMW M5 CS, 635 hp might sound a bit frightening at first glance, but this special-edition model comes with it’s bespoke M xDrive all-wheel-drive mode … only for those fearless drivers that really insist, you can get those special track tires to really come loose when you go into 2WD mode without DSC help.

For the BMW M5 CS the engineers went back to work on the already impressive suspension of the M5 Competition, adding dampers developed for the M8 Gran Coupé, modified springs and anti-roll bars … the M5 CS offers an 7 mm lowered ride height. The BMW M specialists have retuned the bearing springs at the front and rear axle of the BMW M5 CS and also refined damper control.

The wheels for this limited-edition BMW M5 CS are 9.5×20 at the front with 275/35R20 Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires, for the rear axle BMW went with 10.5×20 with 285/35R30 tires, naturally only a set of M Carbon ceramic disk brakes would match this much power, these brakes are 23 kg lighter than the M Compound brakes on the M5 Competition, and car be finished in either red, or optionally in gold to match the wheels.

With the reduction in weight compared to the BMW M5 Competition, and the slight increase in power, it is no surprise the CS evolution beats the M5 Competition in acceleration, 0 to 100 km/h takes only 3 seconds (compared to 3.3 sec for the M5 Competition), reaching 200 km/h is achieved in a mere 10. seconds (the M5 Competition needs 0.5 seconds more) … BMW did limit the top speed of this M5 CS to 305 km/h (189 mph).

January 31, 2021 / Comments Off

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Manhart takes the BMW F95 X5 M Competition to the next level with the MHX5 800

Today the SUV market is crowded, there is a model for just any kind of customer, from practical, to fast, to spacious … you name it, there is an SUV that matches perfectly. But then there is the Super SUV segment, with the likes of the Bentley Bentayga which is fast and luxurious with 600 hp, or the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid with 680 hp. And let’s not forget my favorite SUV, the Lamborghini Urus that dumps 640 hp onto the street … but that’s nothing compared to the massive 823 hp in the Manhart MHX5 800.

Yes, you are reading that figure correctly, German-based Manhart Performance GmbH and Co. KG takes the already impressive 625 hp from the twin-turbocharged, 4.4-Liter, V8 engine in the BMW X5 M Competition well over 800 hp. Manhart changes the factory ECU with their in-house developed MHTronik version, puts in a bespoke Manhart turbo power kit, complete with a new inter-cooler and creates the MHX5 800.

Going from 625 hp to 823 hp, and boosting torque from the standard 750 Nm to a massive 1,080 Nm, should come with some impressive sounds, so Manhart installs new rear mufflers. Valve-controlled, quadruple 100mm carbon or ceramic-coated tailpipes to cater to your needs. If you really want to go to the extreme, Manhart offers ‘Race-edition’ down-pipes that remove the catalytic converters and come with OPF-Delete pipes from stainless steel … but this option might not be street-legal … just don’t tell anyone.

Because of the 30% power increase, the 8-Speed Steptronic needs a Manhart upgrade too, while the adjustable suspension gets the Manhart treatment that allows a 30mm lowering to clearly show off those new Concave One forged wheels Manhart installs. Massively wide 10.5×22 inch wheels with 29/30ZR22 tires on them, cover the standard disk brakes, Manhart can however offer more powerful brakes if the customer requests them.

The Manhart MHX5 800 not only receives engine upgrades, or wheels, the exterior is modified too. First off with the traditional Manhart gold trim, but they add carbon fiber parts into the mix too, a new engine cover with race style air vents for instance. But also a new front spoiler, side skirts and a rear diffuser are part of the deal from Manhart, while the interior gets some bespoke carbon fiber parts on the steering wheel and shift paddles.

Personally I wouldn’t fit the gold trim or striping on my car, but it is part of the Manhart look-and-feel …

January 28, 2021 / Comments Off

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BMW M5 CS: Most Powerful BMW Ever Made, €180,400 Price Tag!

BMW has released a new CS model, the BMW M5 CS which is a limited model that will sit above the M5 Competition. This is the fourth CS model following the launch of the M3 CS, M4 CS (from previous gen), and the M2 CS. It is the most powerful BMW road car ever made.

The BMW M5 CS is powered by a 4.4 liter V8 engine with 635hp and 750nm. The M5 CS accelerates from 0-100km/h in 3 seconds, 0-200km/h in 10.3 seconds and the top speed is limited at 305km/h. Compared to the BMW M5 competition, there is an increase of 7hp and a weight reduction of over 70kg which ensures better balancing and performance.

Like the standard M5, the M xDrive system allows the car to be modified in stages from 4WD, 2WD and Dynamic Stability Control ((DSC) thanks to the use of a variable multi-plate clutch system.

The interior features two adjustable weight-saving M Carbon seats in the front and at the rear seats. These seats made a debut on the new M3 and M4, unlike other fixed carbon seats these are built by combining two pieces making them fully adjustable. The interior features fine-grain Merino leather on the front seats and Merino leather counterparts at the rear seats,illuminated M5 logos on the front seats, Alcantara steering wheel and headliners and contrasting panels in Mugello Red.

The exterior presents interpretation of BMW icons for instance, BMW kidney grille in Gold Bronze and L-shaped BMW laser headlights. The M5 CS contains parts with Gold Bronze accents, carbon fiber- reinforced plastic (CFRP) and exposed carbon fibre. The 20 inch M forged wheels in Y-spoke design, the M5 CS badges, M gills on the front wing and the boot lid are all enhanced with Gold Bronze. The bonnet is entirely made from CFRP and features air vents in exposed carbon fibre. The CFRP parts are lightweight and improve the handling of the car.

More on the headlights; BMW laser light is standard here and the L-shaped light tubes shine white during the day and yellow when low or high beams are activated. They will also illuminate in yellow when the Welcome Light is activated.

The M5 CS has a sport exhaust system made of stainless pipes with more highlights than those on the M5 CP. A standard set of Pirelli P Zero Corsa Track tyres are fitted on the M5 CS, measuring 275/35 R 20 at the front and 285/35 R 20 at the rear.

The market launch will be in Spring 2021 and the car will be priced at 180,400 Euros in Germany.

January 27, 2021 / Comments Off

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