BMW is revitalizing part of its model lineup by introducing new updates and engines starting this July. The changes involve the 1-Series model as well as some variants from the 5- and the 7-Series, along with the newly-launched i8 Roadster. Also, SUVs from the X range will receive new engine updates.

Starting with the BMW 1-Series, the carmaker has set up a special car titled the “Metropolitan Edition”, which adds up new features “specifically designed to enhance comfort and driving pleasure in urban traffic.”

These new highlights refer to “instrument cluster with extended features”, GPS navigation, rear-view camera, Comfort Access pack, Park Distance and Speed Limited Info.

Next is the 5-Series in both Sedan and Touring disguises, set to arrive with the fabulous Frozen Dark Silver Metallic paintjob, while the top of the line M5 is now dressed with the new Frozen Marina Bay Blue Metallic. On the other hand, the 7-Series has been optimized with a wide choice of colours, along with Merion leather with special trims and high-end roof liner inside.

Moving up to the new i8 Roadster, the hot model is now available with new aerodynamic styling package, with main highlights comprising updated front splitter and rear spoiler. As for the I Performance models – ranging from the 225xe iPerformance to the i8 – these come equipped with the latest technologies onboard.

The new engine updates comprising both petrol and plug-in hybrid forms have been equipped with a particulate filter to comply the new Euro 6d-TEMP regulations.

The power of the engines have also been enhanced. For instance, the BMW X3 M40d is now producing no less than 320 horsepower and 680 Nm of torque, all squeezed from a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, enabling a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. Also, in August, BMW will also introduce the X4 xDrive30d with a 3.0-liter diesel with 261 horsepower and 620 Nm of torque; paired to a high-performance eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive configuration, the model can jump to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds.

The transmissions have also been modified. For instance, there is the new eight-speed automatic, available from August on models from the 1-Series (12oi, M140i) or the 3-, 4- and the 5-Series (520d Sedan, 520d Touring).

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post BMW Announces Special Edition for 1-Series, New Updates and Engines, Starting this July appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

We heard this idea before; for the F10 version of the BMW M5 the Bavarians were going to kill off the manual transmission. Thanks to the US market, that didn’t happen.

Now however, having released the F10 M5 for a while now and having had some time since the release of the F12 M6, BMW are saying this was the last time.

Whenever they build the next generations of these cars, BMW will no longer accept small amount of demands to make a manual gearbox.

Everybody will have to stick to automatics. We’re not sure what gearbox will be used for these versions but who really cares at this point.

Just about all enthusiasts are currently mourning the demise of the manual transmission. Sure, the older versions will be great value on the second hand market but somehow it’s not the same.

So did BMW sell their soul with this decision? Well, it’s halfway there since the decision is based on financial reasons.

According to Albert Biermann, BMW M-brand engineering chief, the manual version of the M5 only sells some 15% of the total purchases.

Sadly for BMW, and subsequently for us, that means the manual gearbox continues to lose money and that they want to put it on hold.

It seems that despite the American effort for the automatic gearbox within the M powered 5 and 6 Series is going to die.

Thankfully, the manual gearbox seems to be surviving in the smaller types of both these cars so there’s still a chance to get a kick out of rowing your own.

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post Next generation of the BMW M5 will be automatic only appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Well here’s a surprise, the F12/F13 BMW M6 will be receiving that all enthusiast option that more and more manufacturers are shying away from.

I reckon it was bound to happen with such an archaic bit of kit that very few people want to deal with the masochism and discomfort it offers.

That’s right folks, it’s the manual transmission. Something that’s a pain to use in traffic and something that has pretty much no new technology on it.

So what’s the point of having it? Well, there’s a long discussion here but the simple fact of the matter is that we want it.

Who’s we? It’s the remaining bastion of people who call themselves driving enthusiasts. The sort of people who understand that involvement is more important than milliseconds and comfort.

That’s the transmission that’s coming to the F12/F13 BMW M6. The report came in thanks to Car and Driver, this is the same publication that managed a special acceleration time with the F10 M5.

The announcement isn’t that big a surprise since the M6 almost certainly uses the same kind of drivetrain as the F10 M5 and therefore the swap would’ve been inevitable.

So what will it mean for the M6? Not much really, by most accounts the M6 buyers that’ll specify the manual transmission will be a rare breed.

At least they don’t have to worry about extra costs since the M6′ manual transmission will be a no cost option. After all, the kit is considerably simpler and cheaper to make than the M-DCT automatic.

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post F12/F13 BMW M6 will also get a manual appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Humans make mistakes and as much as we like to think of the guys over at BMW being gods, they have gone wrong once or twice.

This time however, regarding the 2012 BMW X5 in xDrive 35i spec, a mistake has sneaked into that will lead to a recall. The mistake or the problem aren’t really that important but the number of cars recalled is.

It seems that ONLY SIX cars are affected by the problem and BMW will start notifying X5 owners as soon as possible and that they’ve already wrote a letter to the NHTSA.

I’m willing to bet the authority, no matter how serious they have to be had a bit of a giggle when opening that letter and reading the number of affected vehicles.

Getting into the problem, it seems that something within the automatic transmission of these 2012 BMW X5 xDrive35i SAVs doesn’t work properly and yet may appear to have engaged Park.

There’s a bit of a risk of a roll away when owners leave their cars which could lead to accidents, therefore the injuries and deaths that could then occur so the matter is actually serious.

These affected 2012 BMW X5 models have been built between December 19 and 21 of last year.

The fix for the situation will be done free of charge at local BMW dealers but it may take a bit of time. Apparently the only way to ensure this problem goes away is to replace the transmission.

Even if its small, this recall should bring quite the cost to the Bavarians as transmission swaps don’t come cheap. Particularly when they’re as modern as the eight speed 2012 BMW X5 has.

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post BMW X5 xDrive35i gets small recall appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

The current star in terms of performance for the Bavarians still has some news to offer us and it took the Detroit Motor Show start for us to hear about it.

Unlike previous interior details, this addition can make a big difference in terms of excitement levels for the F10 BMW M5 as it changes something fundamental to the car.

The BMW M5, particularly its 2013 model will finally receive what true enthusiasts demanded all the long, the option of a third pedal and a manual transmission.

Sadly, this offer will only be available in the United States. Unusually, a market which loves automatics was the only one to actually ask for such an option.

Though there’s probably not that big an issue on having one over on the old continent if you were to buy one here, since there’s no actual demand, BMW can’t worry about it too much.

Getting back to the manual gearbox, the F10 M5 will feature a six speed unit which is supposed to be optimized for acceleration, flexibility and fuel economy.

Most likely, the automatic is still faster from 0 to 62 and probably a little bit more economic but honestly, do you really care?

When you have a 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 560 horsepower and the option to swap your own cogs do you care about that last .2 mpg?

Further accentuating the good news, the F10 BMW M5’s brand new manual gearbox will be offered to Americans as a no-cost option.

Kind of makes sense really. Although BMW tells us it is more troublesome to setup the engine to work with the manual, it is still a cheaper system than the M-DCT unit.

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post F10 BMW M5 finally gets manual gearbox appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.