Autoblog

Autoblog Podcast #308

Dan Roth — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, BMW, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Volvo, Tesla

Motor Trend Car of the Year, 2013 Honda Civic, 2014 Ford Mustang, Global Ford Ranger wins award

Episode #308 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Jeff Ross talk about the Tesla Model S being named Motor Trend Car of the Year, the 2013 Honda Civic and the new hybrid systems and Micro Commuter concept also coming out of Honda, the 2014 Ford Mustang and the departure of the Boss 302, and the global Ford Ranger winning an International Truck award. For those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Keep reading for our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #308:

Topics:

In the Autoblog Garage:
2013 Volvo S80 T6 AWD Inscription
2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe
2013 Infiniti FX37

Hosts: Dan Roth, Zach Bowman, Jeff Ross

Runtime: 01:17:54

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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #308

Autoblog Podcast #308 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW releases images of the M6 Gran Coupe

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, BMW, Luxury

Attempting to at least stay abreast of the spy shots, spy video and photographs of the M6 Gran Coupe, BMW has released a small set of its own images. They don't give much away concerning the 560-horsepower four-door 6er, but this is one of those situations where we already know everything there is to know. We're just waiting for the guilty party to officially confess.

The photos show off one of the unique 20-inch wheels but not the M-specific steering wheel and shifter. We're not far away from its unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show in January, and the secrecy on BMW's part makes little sense. After all, there's a whole gallery of the car on Bimmerpost, shot at its debut at the 40 Years of M event at the Nürburgring. So check those out as well, after you peep the photos posted above.

BMW releases images of the M6 Gran Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Nov 2012 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW M6 Gran Coupe caught ahead of official debut

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, BMW

When it comes to the M version of the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, we've already seen spy photos and video of the car testing, but we've yet to see any shots of it in production trim until now. The new M6 Gran Coupe has done plenty of testing on the Nürburgring, but Car Magazine snapped a picture of the car sitting idle at the 'Ring, which was reportedly on hand for a BMW event.

Differing from the 640i Gran Coupe, this new four-door M6 looks to have the same aggressive body kit as its coupe counterpart, including the massive front air intakes and vented front fenders. The M6 GC does appear to be getting a unique design for the 20-inch wheels not currently available on other M6 models. Also like the recently released M6, key differences inside the M6 Gran Coupe include an M-exclusive steering wheel that has been completely redesigned from the 640i Gran Coupe and gets the signature red and blue stitching, a different shifter and bezel for the seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission ,and we can also see that this M6 will be equipped with the Auto Stop-Start feature.

Keeping with the M6 similarities, power will almost certainly come from BMW's 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that is currently rated at 560 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. No word yet on pricing, but like the 640i Gran Coupe, the M6 Gran Coupe will likely be positioned between the M6 Coupe ($106,100) and M6 Convertible ($113,100). BMWBlog says that the M6 Gran Coupe will make its big debut in January at the Detroit Auto Show before going on sale next summer. To see full shots of the undisguised M6 Gran Coupe, head on over to Car Magazine.

BMW M6 Gran Coupe caught ahead of official debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW outlines plans at Pebble, teases new Zagato concept

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Convertible, Performance, BMW, Luxury

The pageant of global automotive finery that is Pebble Beach weekend is under way, and among the many automakers with big plans is BMW. Its prize pony will be the unveiling of the BMW Zagato concept (click the photo above to enlarge) - a different BMW-Zagato collaboration than what was revealed at Villa d'Este earlier this year (see gallery below). This one to be debuted at Pebble Beach has familiar lines, but is a roadster.

Elsewhere on the lawns of Pebble, the 2013 7 Series and Alpina B7 will plant their tires on American soil for the first time and get the 650i Gran Coupe, M5 and M6 for a cheering section. Beyond the grass, a 1986 BMW-March GTP, 1980 BMW M1 Procar and 1975 BMW 3.5 CSL will be heating up the asphalt at the Monterey Motorsports Reunion, and the 40th anniversary of the M division will be one of the subplots at Legends of the Autobahn.

Have a read of the press release below for the official details, and stay tuned for our live coverage from these hallowed links.

Continue reading BMW outlines plans at Pebble, teases new Zagato concept

BMW outlines plans at Pebble, teases new Zagato concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AC Schnitzer works over BMW's new 6 Series Gran Coupé [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Videos, BMW, Luxury

German powerhouse tuner AC Schnitzer has spent some time fettling the new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé, the result being a 360-horsepower 640i sedan with all the restraint of a Mako shark. The additional grunt adds up to 40 hp for the 640i and 47 hp for the 640d, with said grunt made more finely tuned as it rides on Schnitzer's own spring kit and wheels that range from 19 to 21 inches in diameter.

Eight-piston calipers up front should provide plenty of stopping power and trademark Schnitzer bits like the prognathous skirting and exhaust tips will let everyone know that this BMW means serious business.

Have a read of the press release and check out the video below, and try not to fear it in the gallery of high res photos.

Continue reading AC Schnitzer works over BMW's new 6 Series Gran Coupé [w/video]

AC Schnitzer works over BMW's new 6 Series Gran Coupé [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe

Matt Davis — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, BMW, First Drives, Luxury

BMW Takes On Mercedes And Audi In The Profit Margin Wars

As the years go by, it's become the Germans who are most closely watching what each other are doing over the backyard fence. So much so, at times, that it can almost seem like they're freely swapping all their trade secrets unapologetically in full view.

Take this nicely executed new luxo-niche player, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. It's no scoop, of course, that it was created specifically to not miss out on what both Mercedes-Benz and Audi are discovering for themselves with the CLS and A7. And yes, that "nicely executed" modifier just used to describe the Gran Coupe could indeed ring with more enthusiasm.

The 640i Gran Coupe we sailed around in all over Sicily under a crisp sun is a generally good-looking machine. BMW designers have taken the existing Big Bimmer language and successfully created a new dialect for the company, if you will. But these "four-door coupe" creations are curiosities for which many develop a love (or, occasionally, a distaste) for over the long run. Only the first-generation CLS in 2003-04 absolutely socked it to us at first glance, and since then, everything else in the genre has felt derivative. Well, they essentially are blatant derivatives, right?

Continue reading 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe

2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 May 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW prices 6 Series Gran Coupe, M5 and M6 for U.S.

Jeff Sabatini — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:10:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, BMW, Luxury

If you've been saving your spare change to pick up one of these new BMW models later this year, well, now you can more accurately estimate how many wheelbarrows full of nickels you'll need to dump into the Coinstar machine at your local grocery store.

We'll start with the 2013 6 Series Gran Coupe. While we already knew the six-cylinder 640i Gran Coupe would start at $76,895 including destination charges, prices on the V8 models have now been set. The 650i will sell for $87,395, while the 650i xDrive model will command $90,395. Both are powered by a twin-turbo, 445-horsepower, 4.4-liter V8, which BMW says can propel the all-wheel-drive version from 0-62 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds. (The rear-wheel-drive model is a tick slower at 4.6 seconds.) The 640i goes on sale in late June, with the V8 models coming towards the end of summer.

The M series cars will command substantially more, with the 2012 M6 Convertible commanding all of $113,995 when it goes on sale in June. The M6 Coupe and M5 will go on sale in late summer as 2013 models, with the M6 carrying a $106,995 MSRP and the M5 listing at $90,695. All three models will share a twin-turbo, 560-horsepower, 4.4-liter V8.

The price of a fourth M vehicle, the revised 2013 BMW X6 M, has also been announced. It will sell for $93,795, a $2,600 increase from this year's model. For more details, scroll down to check out the official release.

BMW prices 6 Series Gran Coupe, M5 and M6 for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW to unveil 6 Series Gran Coupe, M Performance Parts at Geneva

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Coupe, Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, BMW, Design/Style, Electric, Diesel, Luxury

BMW has announced a whole slew of products it intends to showcase at the rapidly approaching Geneva Motor Show, with the biggest reveal being the first public showing of the five-passenger 6 Series Gran Coupe.

But that's just the tip of the Bavarian iceberg. Another highly anticipated machine, the BMW M6 Coupe, will make its world debut in Geneva before going on sale in the U.S. in the late summer as a 2013 model. The M6 Convertible, which is a big seller for BMW in the States, will debut in April at the 2012 New York Auto Show and will go on sale shortly thereafter.

Also on hand will be the BMW M550d xDrive, M550d xDrive Touring, X5 M50d and X6 M50d. Together, these four diesel-powered machines launch BMW's line of M Performance automobiles (not to be confused with M-badged models like the M3 and M5). Sadly, these oil-burners are not headed Stateside.

Naturally, the brand new 2012 BMW 3 Series will be on display, with Europeans getting their first look at some of the new diesel engine offerings. Those of us in the U.S. will be more interested in the 3 Series with the M Sport Package that will go on sale in August and the 3 Series ActiveHybrid that will hit the market in September.

Geneva showgoers will get to see the refreshed 2013 BMW X6 ahead of its entrance into the U.S. market in the spring, plus the electrified i3 and plug-in hybrid i8. And finally, BMW will unveil a new line of M Performance Parts and official accessories for the new 3 Series. On the M Performance front, those new additions will include blacked-out kidney grilles, exhaust systems, carbon fiber front splitters and M-branded steering wheels.

We know that's a lot to digest, so we won't mind at all if you want to click past the break for the complete press release. But first, be sure to check out the high-res image gallery of M Performance Parts above.

Continue reading BMW to unveil 6 Series Gran Coupe, M Performance Parts at Geneva

BMW to unveil 6 Series Gran Coupe, M Performance Parts at Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #260

Dan Roth — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Acura, BMW, Buick, Chevrolet, Dodge, Infiniti, Land Rover, Scion, Fiat

Dodge Dart teased, Scion FR-S First Drive, Fiat 500 crash test, Acura NSX and ILX, BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe

Episode #260 of the Autoblog Podcast is here with Chris, Dan, Chris Paukert and Zach this week. Topics include the teaser images Chrysler has released of the 2012 Dodge Dart, our first drive of the Scion FR-S, the Fiat 500 crash test aftermath, A new Acura NSX and ILX, and the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #260:

In the Autoblog Garage
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Crew Cab
2012 Land Rover Evoque
2012 Buick Regal eAssist
2012 Infiniti M37

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman, Chris Paukert

Runtime: 01:27:53

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #260

Autoblog Podcast #260 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe [w/video and poll]

Jeff Sabatini — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Videos, BMW, Design/Style, Luxury

We got our first taste of the 2013 6 Series Gran Coupe this weekend, but BMW has since released over 100 new photos of the car, plus some video. We've got all the images right here in one monstrous gallery, which also includes some behind-the-scenes shots of the car during development. (Yes, we love seeing BMW stylists' sculpting clay.)

The video is after the jump, so get clicking, then be sure to participate in our poll below.

View Poll

Continue reading Pics Aplenty: 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe [w/video and poll]

Pics Aplenty: 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe [w/video and poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe makes its debut [UPDATE]

Steven J. Ewing — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, BMW, Design/Style, Luxury

Better late than never, right?

We're now on the second generation of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the luxury sedan that kicked off the whole "four-door coupe" craze. Since then, Volkswagen countered with the CC, Porsche launched the Panamera, and Audi won us over with its A7. So what about BMW? Now that the big 6 Series coupe has taken hold, the German automaker has added a proper back seat and two additional doors to create this, the 2013 6 Series Gran Coupe.

The first version of the Gran Coupe to arrive Stateside will be the 640i, powered by BMW's N55 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six, good for 315 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque in this application. Shortly thereafter, the 650i Gran Coupe will arrive, available with rear-wheel drive or xDrive all-wheel drive, boasting a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 tuned to 445 hp and 480 lb-ft. Both engines are paired with BMW's ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission.

Compared to its two-door counterpart, the Gran Coupe is a full 4.4 inches longer, and most of that added length benefits the rear passengers. BMW's literature states that the stretched 6 Series has a 4+1 seating configuration, meaning there's actually a quasi-usable seat between the two outboard rear positions. (Good luck.) Judging from the photos, the Gran Coupe's interior is as luxuriously appointed and tech-laden as the rest of the 6 Series range - if not a little bit moreso.

We originally thought that BMW would debut the 2013 6 Series Gran Coupe at next month's Detroit Auto Show, but since the all-new 2012 3 Series is expected to make its public debut at Cobo Hall, we think BMW may hold off on the official Gran Coupe introduction until the Geneva Motor Show in March. We'll likely know official pricing details around that time, too. For now, soak it up in our high-res gallery and follow the jump to read the full details in BMW's press blast.

UPDATE: Well over 100 new photos added to our high-res gallery. To see a video of the 2013 6 Series Gran Coupe in action and take part in our poll, click here.

Continue reading 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe makes its debut [UPDATE]

2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe makes its debut [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe edges closer to production

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, BMW

2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW is using the design elements of its latest 6 Series to create its first foray into the four-door coupe world with this, the 6 Series Gran Coupe. We'll likely see the finished product at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and judging by these latest spy shots, the big four-door is indeed nearing completion.

Much like the 6 Series coupe, we can expect the Gran Coupe to launch in 650i guise, powered by BMW's 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, with a six-cylinder 640i model following shortly thereafter. In any case, the Gran Coupe will go head-to-head with the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Audi A7, and we're eager to see how the big sedan looks with all its camouflage removed.

2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe edges closer to production originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Are you the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe?

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 27 May 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Sedan, BMW

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW has previously confirmed that it plans to build a production version of the 6 Series Gran Coupe Concept that it unveiled at the 2010 Beijing Motor Show, and these plausible-looking patent filings appear to give a glimpse at the car's final design. Much like BMW's latest batch of concept cars - the M5 and 6 Series Coupe, notably - the "finished" product doesn't stray too much from the original concept car, save, of course, the traditional dumbing-down of air intakes and wheel sizes.

The 6 Series Gran Coupe is expected to slot in between the BMW 5 Series and 7 Series in terms of both size and price, and will likely use the same range of turbocharged six- and eight-cylinder engines that we see in those models. While not as overly swoopy as its competitors, the 6 Series Gran Coupe will be poised to do battle with the Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS for four-door coupe luxury supremacy.

Are you the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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