New BMW 330d M Sport Car Review

The first thing to say about the 3-Series in general is that, as of September this year, it now looks slightly different from the way it did up to August. I would describe the changes in detail and follow this up with my own views on the matter, but BMW's PR boss - a very nice man who is about to embark on a well-earned retirement - recently told me and a few colleagues that he hates reading journalists' opinions about appearances, and that whenever he does this he's inclined to start shouting, "Don't tell me if it looks good or bad! Let me decide for myself!" Fair point, so I won't raise the subject again. You can see the pictures. Make your own decisions.

I will tell you what I think about the revised 330d M Sport, but before that I'd better tell you about its engine. Sorry if you're not interested in engines, but this is important. This one is new, and it's significantly more powerful than the one in the previous 330d. The three-litre six-cylinder turbo diesel produces 245bhp, which is 14bhp up on the last one, so the 0-62mph time has come down to a very impressive 6.1 seconds for the manual version and 6.2 seconds for the automatic. (Top speed remains electronically limited to 155mph).

It's not a slow car, then, and even more impressive than the 0-62mph stat is the way the engine sounds as you push it up towards its maximum of around 5000rpm. Don't ever let anyone tell you a diesel can't make a thrilling noise - this one sounds just fantastic.

Not that you have to rev it to make it work. Floor the accelerator at not much over tickover speed and the engine booms into life, giving you proper acceleration virtually any time you want it. In fact, it's so powerful at low revs that it can sometimes threaten to overcome the efforts of the back end to transfer all its ability into forward motion, and there can often be a bit of squirming, accompanied by warning flashes from the traction control light on the instrument panel, as you fire out of a slow corner.

And that's with the uprated suspension and serious rubber that come with the M Sport package. Wow. But at least in this case the package still leaves you with a car that can be driven sensibly if you're not in a hurry to get anywhere. There have been BMWs in the past which were comprehensively ruined when they were turned into M Sports, but the 330d version retains a good measure of ride comfort, even if the suspension does occasionally feel busier than would be ideal.

So this is a quick car but a comfortable one. Good, but things are about to become even more delightful. Here goes: this rather wonderful car officially has combined fuel economy of 49.6mpg, and according to the EU it emits 152g/km of CO2. How close you get to these figures in real life depends on how you drive the car, but the fact remains that they are better than the equivalent numbers for a 1.4-litre Ford Focus. Yes, really. The cheapest Focus in the world manages 42.8mpg and 157g/km, so the two cars will cost the same to tax (about £150 per year) at least until 2011. There is something rather wonderful about this, wouldn't you say?

However much I like the 330d, though, there's no getting away from the fact that it's a lot more expensive than a Focus, unless your local Ford dealer has commissioned Damien Hirst to create a diamond-encrusted special edition. The list price of the 330d is £33,885, and in true BMW fashion (well, premium German manufacturer fashion if we're being strictly accurate) you can spend a lot more than that.

For example, the test car was actually worth £38,870. Most of the difference was made up by leather upholstery at £1025 and a Media Package (Professional Multimedia interface, Bluetooth preparation, BMW Assist, BMW Online and voice control) at £1935. Fair enough, I suppose, though I did blink once or twice when I saw that full electric adjustment for both the front seats adds a further £890 to the bill. I rather thought that would have come as standard.

New BMW GINA Light Visionary Concept

BMW's latest concept car shatters all the tried and true conventions about automobile design. For Head of BMW Group Design, Christopher E. Bangle, it's all about "breaking paradigms." A year in the making, the GINA Light Visionary Concept abandons the usual concepts of side panels, roof, front aprons, and doors in favor of a clean, seamless form with four main components.

Contrary to rumour, the car is not named after some hot, mystery woman, instead the name actually stands for Geometry and Functions In "N" Adaptions, which speaks to BMW's new design philosophy focusing on maximum freedom and creativity. The two-seater roadster is created from an expansion resistant fabric spread across a metal structure, giving it that smooth, sculpted look.

Coolest Feature: Skin is definitely in on the GINA. The flexible material allows the concept to move in ways that were previously only conceived of through movie magic. Together with its metal frame, this car is able to adapt to all situations through its ability to change shape.

When moving at high speeds, the GINA automatically creates a rear spoiler by raising a built in component on the frame. The ultra flexible skin lets the spoiler form with nary a wrinkle, and the car's headlights remain hidden beneath the flexible skin.

After being activated by the driver, the skin cover opens revealing the headlights and thereby creates the illusion of a car opening its eyes. All of these transformations are controlled by a combination of electronics and hydraulics. As for the skin's makeup, it's a hybrid composed of mesh-netting support. It's resistant to low and high temperatures as well as water-resistant.

Demographic: YouTube videos of the GINA in action have set the Internet ablaze with fans and detractors alike. The car's appeal would translate well to the tech and arts scenes as well as early adopters who have to be seen driving the next big thing.

Expected Pricing: It's a pretty safe bet that GINA's current model won't make it to the production line. Bangle says, "The GINA Light Visionary model just shows ONE possible answer to the whole approach of materials." Expect to find GINA-like features in future BMW models.

New BMW X6 "Digital Sports Car"

There's a new breed of vehicle on the market ready to take on Guam's varied terrain.

Prestige Automobiles revealed the new BMW X6 on Friday, touted as the first Sports Activity Coupe on the market.

The German automaker has raised the bar in innovation, marrying the Sports Activity Coupe with the versatility, power and presence of a coupe, says Prestige Automobiles general manager John Shen.

"Forward thinking and creativity best sums up the development of the X6," he says. "It's not only a leader in its class (but) also continually pushes the boundaries."

The vehicle looks just like a sporty coupe with its signature BMW kidney grill and sleek lines but holds the power and presence of a sports activity vehicle with 19--inch tires. The new sports utility coupe belongs to the X series family, concentrating on an all wheel drive system and taken to another level with its dynamic performance control.

"It's the key to the X series," Shen says, "a new feature balancing power in the real axle. When you turn, our wheels always have pressure and the car will balance -- increased power, so cornering is more superb."

The vehicle runs in the mid $60,000 range and up, depending on the options. It comes in two engine sizes: a 3.5 liter, 6 cylinder inline engine and a 5 liter V8 engine. Currently there are three on island with two already sold. Those who are curious can still grab a look at the remaining BMW X6 Prestige Automobiles in Dededo.

BMW Z2 Review, Price and Release

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW), the Germany based automaker, has conveyed progressed advances to guarantee most extreme ride quality and lively execution following the time when its initiation. BMW Z2 is the promising new outdoors roadster, which will challenge roadsters, for example, Mazda MX-5 in the D+ portion. In the appealing form of Z4 convertible, roadster's adjusted bodyline and rakish gimmicks will speak to the lovers who hunger for convertibles. With a few outline amendments in the all-new BMW Z2, the auto has now ended up sportier and additionally engaging. BMW Z2 offers specialized stage with the cutting edge Z4, which is low-end variation of Z2. The moderate yet quick BMW is lighter in examination to Z2 and peculiarities dynamic guiding, double grasp transmission and element movable dampers. BMW Z2 targets class-cognizant gathering of people with the roadster, in which a few gimmicks of Z4 are taken off from the convertible.

According to BMW authorities, BMW Z2 roadster will be trailed by a car variation. On the lines of cutting edge 1 Series, BMW Z2 is manufactured under the Project i umbrella and BMW's Efficientdynamics program. The roadster is a back drive which will be offered in a few powertrains. The all-new entrance level roadster, in view of the 1 Series, is absolutely the most anticipated convertible. 

BMW Z2 has differentiating outsides taking after to cutting edge 1 Series, with physically worked delicate top fabric top being boss highlight. On outside estimations standard, Z2 roadster is 10 inches short in correlation to its convertible kin, BMW Z4. Indistinguishable to BMW Z4, extravagant insides of the auto are composed with exactness and designed utilizing premium quality material. There are a few solace, accommodation and security game plans in the new era convertible. 

Aeration and cooling system with atmosphere control characteristics, remote focal locking, force windows, rake/achieve guiding modification and dash coordinated music framework will be a portion of the imperative courses of action inside BMW Z2. BMW Z2 will be stacked with wellbeing peculiarities like airbags, footing control, stopping sensors and mist lights. Also, dynamic wellbeing courses of action of BMW Z2 incorporate non-freezing stopping mechanism, electronic brake energy dissemination and electronic steadiness program.

The BMW Z2 from Germany based automaker is controlled by praiseworthy four-barrel motors of 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter limit. These able turbocharged four-chamber units have ability to create force running between 136 hp and 245 hp. Besides, there are reports that roadster will be outfitted with a cross breed motor. BMW Z2 roadster will be stacked with a present day motor, smooth transmission framework and most recent innovations to convey streamlined on-street execution. Designed for upgrading execution, BMW Z2 additionally emphasizes a dynamic front spoiler that consequently changes for expanding mileage and gives extra downforce at high speeds for solidness. The compelling motor has a brilliant increasing speed that can empower auto race from 0 to 100 kmph in 7 seconds. The foreseen top pace of BMW Z2 is 240 kmph. 

The BMW Z2 is relied upon to be discharged before the end of 2014 or in ahead of schedule 2016. The model will be offered as an issue and convertible, and it will likewise offer various trims and bundle levels. This is the reason the value extent is wide. The beginning cost for the new model is assessed at $30,000, while more costly forms could push this number up to $50,000.

New BMW Z4 Full Review

BMW Z4 is one of the more intriguing sports cars currently available. It's known for its engaging handling and steering, thrilling inline six-cylinder engine and distinctive styling. Although its stated horsepower ratings are equaled or surpassed by those of some less expensive machinery, the Z4 counters with a lighter curb weight and, in most cases, a more rewarding driving experience. Recent improvements have made the latest Z4 the best yet, and older models are still a very viable choice for a used sports car.

BMW Z4 is built at the company's Spartanburg, South Carolina, facility, and has been in production since the 2003 model year. It's a successor to the original Z3 and is the company's only two-seat sports car. It features traditional characteristics such as a front-engine/rear-drive layout, a hunkered-down stance, a long hood and rearward positioning of driver and passenger. Another notable element is the car's chiseled exterior design, which BMW says is used to add tension to the car's shape.

BMW Z4 is available as a roadster with a convertible top or a fixed-roof coupe. For the roadster, there are two trim levels: 3.0i and 3.0si. The Z4 3.0i comes with features such as 17-inch wheels, stability control, antilock brakes, power mirrors and windows, manually operated seats and vinyl upholstery. A 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine rated at 215 horsepower is standard, as is a six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic is optional.

BMW Z4 3.0si features 18-inch wheels, a few upgraded interior features and a 255-hp 3.0-liter inline six. A few options are also available for both trim levels, including a Premium package with a power-operated top and a Sport package designed to improve the vehicle's handling capabilities. The Z4 Coupe is offered in the 3.0si trim only.

Even without the Sport package, the Z4 rewards drivers with an engaging driving experience. In Edmunds.com reviews of the BMW Z4, editors have praised the car's sharp reflexes and quick acceleration. The Coupe possesses a slight advantage in terms of handling due to its added body rigidity. For shoppers desiring even more performance, there's also an M-powered version of the Z4.

Because of a major update for 2006, Z4 models from this year and onwards are a better choice than earlier models, if price is no object. This update included the mid-year release of the coupe body style, the 215-hp and 255-hp engines, and the six-speed automatic. Other changes to the BMW sports car included a retuned standard suspension for better ride quality, a higher final-drive ratio for improved acceleration, new wheel designs, additional braking functionality for the stability control system, updated front and rear styling and minor interior trim updates.

From 2003-'05, BMW Z4 models were identified as either 2.5i or 3.0i. The 2.5i has a 2.5-liter, inline six-cylinder engine that makes 184 hp, while the 3.0i uses a 3.0-liter straight six that generates 225 hp. For transmissions, there is a five-speed manual (standard on the 2.5), a six-speed manual (standard on the 3.0), a five-speed automatic or, as on the M3, a six-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG). There were a few minor changes made during this period in terms of feature content, but none of them were significant enough to make one model year more desirable than another.

New BMW M6 Gran Coupe Full Review

BMW re-launched a new variant of the hard work of the M6​​, which produces a new spor car named BMW M6 Grand Coupe. We say that the M6 Grand Coupe is a "perfect combination" of the M5 and M6.

BMW M6 Gran Coupe

Engine technology is very high, with a 4.4-liter V8 and 412kW/560 tourbocharged hp, which can reach speeds of 0-100 km / h in 4.2 seconds. While the maximum torque is 500 lb-ft, available dpada 1,500 rpm. Top speed that can be achieved from the M6 Gran Coupe is about 155 mph, which could be increased to 190 mph with M Driver package adds. It's amazing creations.

BMW M6 Gran Coupe

Seen from the outside, elegant lines sporty four-door coupe is equipped with features ordered first. BMW M6 Gran Coupe also has a very interesting interior, with a larger interior that allows the two rear passengers feel the exceptional comfort, and there is also a third rear seat which is used for short trips.

BMW M6 Gran Coupe is still using hydraulic power steering, electronically adjustable. M6 Gran Coupe also has carbon-ceramic brakes, and they can lose weight. alimunium with 20-inch wheels are specifically given to the M6 ​​Gran Coupe.