Autoblog

Review: 2010 BMW X5 M is illogically sound

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, SUV, Europe, BMW, New Car Reviews, Luxury

2010 BMW X5 M - Click above for high-res image gallery

No one ever said that evolution is pretty. Take the best-of-breed BMW M Division product: the E30 M3. Little more than a homologated race car, the first generation M3 was potent, nimble, and with its small displacement 2.3-liter inline-four fed by a retweaked M1 intake, it was light, too. Long story short, the OG M3 remains an ideal performance car.

Today, we have the X5 M. Looking at the bright blue truckish thing parked in the driveway, it's difficult - if not impossible - to see any sort of relation to BMW's vaunted and aforementioned M3 beyond its badges. You can't imagine what the missing link between the two might be. However, perhaps even mentioning the E30 M3 is being too puritanical. After all, very few vehicles could compare - let alone compete - with the street version of history's most winning road-race car. And you can bet your Roundel subscription that BMW will never competitively race an X5 M.

What then? It's not a newsflash, but the 2010 BMW X5 M doesn't remind you of sporty BMW products of yore. Of course, going back almost 25 years and looking at the first M3 through 1986-eyes, you would notice the hopped-up street car bears basically no resemblance whatsoever to BMW's hottie 1961 product, the Isetta 600. For those of you not up-to-date on your bubble car history, the Isetta 600 was a stretched, four-seat version of the 297cc, one-cylinder Iso-derived Isetta 300. The 600 featured a two-cylinder 0.6-liter moto engine and semi-trailing arm rear independent suspension. Actually come to think of it, the Isetta 600 and the E30 M3 at least shared a rear-suspension design. The X5 M then, in terms of BMW's history, is truly an alien from another world. A world where family haulers thrash muscle cars for pinks. But does any of that matter? Are companies not free to reinvent themselves, especially here in America, where the X5 M is built? Perhaps most importantly, is the X5 M any good, let alone worthy of the vaunted M badge? Make the jump to find out.

Gallery: Review: 2010 BMW X5 M

Continue reading Review: 2010 BMW X5 M is illogically sound

Review: 2010 BMW X5 M is illogically sound originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: Twin-turbo V8 confirmed for 2012 BMW M5

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, BMW

2012 BMW M5 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Dr. Kay Sigler, head of BMW's M division has confirmed to no one's surprise that the next generation M5 would indeed use a twin-turbocharged V8 in place of the current model's V10. In fact, after last year's debut of the X5 M and X6 M we would have been quite shocked to see anything but the V8. While the 500 horsepower V10 in today's M5 is indeed powerful, in the years since its debut a number of even more powerful and, perhaps more importantly, torquier competitors have arrived.

The supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Cadillac CTS-V and the turbocharged V10 in the Audi RS6 easily thrash the output of the Munich V10. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 cranks out 555 hp and 500 pound-feet in the two SUVs, but we're betting BMW will find a way to squeeze out even more for the sedan.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2011 BMW M5

[Source: Auto Bild via BMW Blog]

Report: Twin-turbo V8 confirmed for 2012 BMW M5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Jun 2010 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: BMW M division pushing for hardcore version of next 1 Series

Noah Joseph — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Hatchback, BMW

BMW Concept 1 Series tii - Click above for high-res image gallery

Successive generations of the BMW M3 have come a long way since the original, with a skyrocketing curb weight and an ever-climbing price tag. The new M3 GTS may have done a lot to counter the former, although sadly it only further escalated the latter. But enthusiasts take heart, because someone's on the case. Fortunately, that someone is Dr. Kay Segler, head of Munich's famous M division.

According to reports, Segler and his team are pushing the beancounters to give them the authorization to make an M-tuned 1 Series. While the twin-turbo 135i is touted by many as a closer successor to the original M3 than the current M3, he feels there's more that can be done.

Unfortunately, Segler is talking about the next-generation 1 Series, so even if approved, it'd be a while before any future M-tuned 1 hits the road. If and when it does, however, it could take aim at the Audi S3 with a 330-horsepower version of the Bavarian automaker's new TwinPower engine. As for naming schemes, they may have to get a little creative to avoid confusion with the original M1 supercar.

Gallery: BMW Concept 1 Series tii

[Source: PistonHeads]

REPORT: BMW M division pushing for hardcore version of next 1 Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: BMW M boss Segler says no M7 model is forthcoming

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, BMW

BMW 7 Series M Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

In an Automotive News interview given to coincide with the launches of the X5 M and X6 M, when asked about an M7 BMW's M division head Kay Segler replied, "We've looked at that and decided not to do it. The 760 with awd is a very strong offer. The M sales would be too small for our total investment." That means that the M Sport version (pictured) is the closest you'll get to a super 7. If you don't mind the lack of an "M" badge, the 507-hp Alpina B7 is an M in all but name.

For those of you at the other end, Segler says he needs a year to look into a M version of the 1-Series, but that an X1 won't be finding its way into the M house yet. Of course, there was a time when BMW said there would be no M versions of any of their so-called "Sports Activity Vehicles," saying they wouldn't fit the brand...

Gallery: BMW 7 Series M Sport

[Source: Automotive News, - sub. req'd]

REPORT: BMW M boss Segler says no M7 model is forthcoming originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hotted-up BMW X6 prototype spotted in Brooklyn - Next M?

Dan Roth — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, BMW, Specialty

You can see all sorts of things in Manhattan's boroughs, but camouflaged automaker mules aren't common. At least BMW's crazy whirl-filled disguise stands a chance of escaping notice in the hustle and bustle. GMInsideNews forum member GeneralMischief didn't walk by this extra-sinister X6 without realizing that something wicked is going on. Cameraphone shots of the exterior are all we have to go on at this point, but the conspicuous location of camo - on the front and rear fascias and on the front quarter panels - hints that an X6-M is in store.

The X6 XDrive 50i already has an M-division feel about it, with a 400 horsepower turbo V8 wallop and accompanying raucous exhaust note. Our imaginations reel with the thought of the M5's spectacular V10 finding its way into the X6's engine bay, but that's probably not going to happen. Most likely is a boost tweak for more power, revised suspension tuning, and more aggressive - yet still understated - bodywork. When it's a BMW wearing M badges, it's safe to assume power delivery akin to a solid rocket booster, backed up by handling that will make the X6's avoirdupois dance more gracefully than it already does. Maybe they will find a way to fix the V8's flinty ride while they're at it.

Gallery: X6 M-version

[Source: GMInsideNews Photos: GeneralMischief]

Hotted-up BMW X6 prototype spotted in Brooklyn - Next M? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Spy Shots: BMW X5 M

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, BMW

The proud parents at BMW just can't stop adding new runts to the litter. The latest, which looks to be a rather large runt, is what could be a BMW X5 M. Spotted on a car hauler somewhere in the Fatherland, the modified X sports quad pipes that don't emerge from their usual slots, but are spaced further apart than the usual M arrangement. It's also got a note inside informing drivers not to let the engine run for more than thirty minutes, which could have something to do with the blacked-out camo job covering the front spoiler.

Some folks bet it will be powered by the 5.0-liter V10 from the M's 5 and 6. BMW has said, though, that that engine is reserved exclusively for those two cars. If not that, then it could be a twin-turbo V8 with 430 HP. That would be a 70 HP jump over the normally aspirated 4.8-liter V8, slotting the X5 M between the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo, and putting it 80 HP down on the Mercedes ML 63. Frankly, we don't think that sounds very M, nor anything like The Ultimate SUV. Stay tuned.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Spy Shots: BMW X5 M originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Oct 2007 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments