Autoblog

Click above for hi-res gallery of the '89 BMW M5 cabrio

These days BMW's M division is pretty busy, cranking out all manner of sport-tuned models in every form. You can get an M3 as a coupe, convertible or sedan, the M5 in sedan or wagon form, and the M6 as either a coupe or a convertible, in addition to M versions of the Z4. But back in the late '80s, the selection of M cars was much more limited. Not that the engineers in the sporting division weren't trying, though. Case in point is this M5 cabrio prototype that almost made it into production, but was canceled at the last minute.

Starting with an E34-generation M5 sedan, engineers in Munich chopped off the roof, strengthened the chassis and replaced the four doors with two longer ones. (If you think the idea is entirely absurd, just look at the Audi A4 cabrio and its quattro GmbH-tuned versions.) The resulting M5 convertible prototype was actually scheduled to debut at the 1989 Geneva Motor Show and even priced at £50k for the British market, but fearing that its addition to the BMW line-up would create demand for a conventional 5-series convertible and subsequently harm sales of the existing 3-series cabrio, BMW executives decided to kill the project. Only one prototype of the M5 convertible was made bearing ZS license plates from the BMW Individual program, as you can see in the gallery below.

[Source: BMWBlog.com]

Since July of last year, we've seen several spy photos of a BMW X5 mule making an appearance all over Europe. The quad-tipped, camouflaged prototype has always been assumed to be an upcoming M version of BMW's SUV, but according to the crew at BimmerFile, it isn't going to happen. The mule that's undergoing testing will be a "sport edition" of the X5, similar to the 4.8is, but it won't be equipped with the M5/M6's V10. Instead, it'll be packing the twin-turbocharged V8 currently found in the new X6, producing 407 hp and 443 lb.-ft. of torque. Expect some tweaked bodywork and a revised suspension to convey the new 'ute's sporting intentions when it debuts later this year.

[Source: BimmerFile]

You'd think it's the traditional show season and not August, based on the number of vehicle introductions going on at Pebble Beach. Infiniti has announced that an updated M sedan will join the EX35 crossover at the swanky weekend car porn festival in Monterey. The M is said to receive "extensive exterior and interior enhancements" and a V8 all-wheel-drive M45x will join the lineup for '08. Infiniti also states that the previous M Sport models will be replaced by an optional Sport Package (19" wheels, Rear Active Steer, visual tweaks, etc). Check back Saturday, when we should have full details and photos from Infiniti.

UPDATE: All the official info and pics are now posted here.

[Source: Infiniti]

Fresh from the paparazzi comes a batch of spy shots showing what appears to be a tuned-up BMW X5 test mule wearing bigger exhaust pipes and a revised front bumper with bigger air intakes that extends farther down to the tarmac.

Could this be an M version of the X5? Anything's possible, but don't count on it. According to M Division chief Gerhard Richter, the X5 is too big and heavy to be turned into a genuine M product. The first-generation X5 had a high-performance version called the 4.7iS, which was, for all intents and purposes, the M-tuned X5, but it wasn't labeled as such. The current top-end engine in the X5 is already larger than that at 4.8 liters, but a BMW sport-ute with the M5's V10 would prove devastatingly fast and pose quite a challenge to the likes of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG.

Whatever BMW decides to call it, you can bet it'll be fast.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

The 1-Series is getting some major attention from BMW these days. Not only has the new 3-door just been unveiled for 2007, but it's also finally been announced that the 1-Series will cross the pond and be sold in the U.S. soon (as a coupe and convertible with the hot 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six initially, but no hatches). Today BMW heaped some more 1-Series love on the pile and revealed the 1-Series 3-door Limited Sports Edition. Our German sucks worse than our English, so it's tough to glean the details, but Carscoop claims it's basically like an M Sports package that upgrades the rims to 18-inchers, adds an M body kit, tighter suspension, and some more M accoutrement on the inside like seats and whatnot. It definitely adds some gloss to the polarizing design of the 1. Though only 2,000 units will be produced, the Limited Sports Edition package will be available across the 1-Series lineup adding €4,660 to the cost of the 118i and 118 D, €4,560 to the 120i and 120d, and €3,360 to the 130i.

[Source: BMW, Carscoop]


click on image above for high-res version

Click on the image above to get to our gallery of 22 high-resolution images

It seems every automaker is lining up these days to snag their letter in the alphabet for their high-performance divisions. Audi's claimed S, while Chevy has SS; Honda has the Type-R and Volkswagen launched the R-line; Mercedes acquired AMG and Ford still has SVT. Now Lexus has laid claim to the letter F, but BMW has always had M.

Unfortunately BMW's stoic performance division didn't have anything special in store for us at this year's Detroit show, but they did have their full M range lined up all pretty like in sparkling white at the back of their booth. The whole gang was there, including the Z4-based M Roadster and M Coupe, the M5 sedan and the M6 coupe and convertible. It was a wet dream come true for fans of the ultimate driving machines, so for all you BMW enthusiasts out there we went by to snap a few photos. Click here to check 'em out or on any of the thumbnails below.

BMW has been working on this deal for some time now, and with the level of involvement in design, engineering and testing steadily increasing, the inevitable has become reality. In a deal set to become effective in January 2007, BMW has acquired the rights to the John Cooper Works name to further strengthen the MINI brand.

In what could easily become MINI's equivalent of the BMW "M' brand, JCW now has the engineering and development resources of BWM at their disposal, ensuring the John Cooper Works models a pivotal role in the overall MINI brand strategy well into the future.

[Source: Forbes.com via MotoringFile]

About this time last month, Automotive News reported that Lexus would reintroduce their L-tuned lineup of vehicles in order to compete in the ever-growing, performance luxury marketplace. Well, it seems that the letter 'L' has been dispatched in order to make room for the real performance division of Lexus.

'F,' as it turns out, stands for 'fast,' and will grace the trunk lid of Lexus vehicles that seek to do battle amidst the AMGs and Ms of the world.

The first F-inagled Lexus to make its debut will be a hotted-up version of the IS sedan, equipped with a 5-liter V8. What was originally assumed to be called the IS500, the newly dubbed IS-F will come with a revised version of the V8 that resides in the LS600h L and will produce upwards of 425 HP. Pricing is expected to come in around $50k, and is aimed squarely at the upcoming M3.

Other models expected to get the 'F' treatment include the GS sedan and a coupe version of the IS.

According to Automotive News, Lexus filed for a trademark on the IS-F and also for the 'F' logo above, however, Lexus has not confirmed the reports.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

It's been rumored for some time that the new 400 HP, V8-powered BMW M3 would likely be available in sedan form. We haven't seen much in the way of proof of such a beast existing, until now.

Three shots of the hi-po four-door surfaced today over at the German Car Scene, which upon first inspection don't lend much to their credibility. That's until you check the rear undercarriage shot that sports the M-specific quad exhaust outlets and vaned rear differential.

It's unclear when and where this M3 sedan will make its debut, as the M3's unveiling is expected later in 2007 and another variant would likely come around at later date.

[Source: German Car Scene]

While Audi has at times made some of its most powerful S4s and RS4s in Avant wagon bodystyle only, BMW has never made an M3 Touring. And technically, it still hasn't, at least not in name. But the new 335i M Sport Touring is pretty damn close.

With a twin-turbo 3.0-liter six, the 335i sports sedan is as quick as the outgoing previous-generation M3, but while the 335i may be deserving of the M badge as much as any M model has before, that's being saved for the new V8-powered M3. The 3-Series Touring wagon model is getting the same engine as the 335i, along with big 18-inch wheels, but also gets the added benefit of a 460-liter cargo capacity without compromising its sporting pretensions. Very nice.

The 335i M Sport Touring sells in the UK for £34,920 (you can save almost three thousand off that by going for the gentler 335i SE version and skip the M wheels). No telling if the kickin' family hauler will make it to the US, but we sure hope it does. 'Cause with wheels like those (and 28.8 mpg combined-cycle economy), who needs an SUV?

[Source: Auto Express]