Autoblog

BMW may begin straying from its long held tradition of equipping its M models with rev-happy, naturally aspirated engines. According to a source speaking with Automotive News, the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 currently equipped on the new X6, could be stroked out to 4.8-liters and fitted on future Ms, including the new M5, due out in 2011. The twin-turbo'd 3.0-liter inline six found in the 335i, 535i and entry-level X6 proved that BMW has the chops to create highly efficient and eminently entertaining blown mills, and there's no doubt that significant tweaks to the turbocharged V8 could boost power levels over the stock mill's claimed 407 hp, to take take serious aim at Audi's 572 hp RS6.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Click above for high-res gallery of BMW's latest M3

It's been 30 years since the first BMW wearing a trademark tri-color marking was introduced in a homologation effort as the M1. Since then 300,000 vehicles have been graced with that coveted "M" telltale, and still countless others have had the logo applied in the hopes the letter would add some magic to a plebian 318 or 528. Fully one percent of BMWs sold in 2007 were M models, and the milestone 300,000th car, an alpine white M3 Coupe, will live with its owner in the town of its birth, the East Bavarian hamlet of Regensburg. The M3 is likely the most legendary M car, with the original E30 version also existing for homologation purposes and morphing into the current V8-powered technical tour de force that can now be had in Coupe, Sedan or Convertible guise - a true triple threat. There appears no end in sight for BMW's M division's masterful application of the art and science of high performance engineering. Now, if BMW would just return our calls, we can permanently add the 300,001st M-model to the Autoblog Garage, though we're certain it's already built and sold. Press release after the jump.


[Source: BMW]

It's no surprise that BMW plans to attempt to bring its uber-saloon up to AMG-levels of power when the new M5 debuts in 2011. That means that output needs to surpass the current model's paltry 501 hp, so BMW will bore out the current V10 to 5.5-liters, slap on a couple of turbos and use direct-injection to bringing power levels up to 550 hp, or more. Grunt will be shoveled to the rear wheels via either a six-speed manual transmission or the new seven-speed M DCT dual-clutch 'box.

But it's not all about pavement-pummeling power. The use of the twin-turbochargers and DI is as much an attempt to reduce emissions as it is to boost output, and BMW is intent on making the next 5-series, due out in 2010, one of its most fuel-efficient vehicles. That means that start-stop technology will be used on the engine, along with its Efficient Dynamics system that uses regenerative braking to reduce load on the alternator, improving both fuel economy and engine output.

[Source: Autocar]

In terms of sheer size, Russia is the largest country in the world. That must have something to do with this gargantuan advertisement found in Russia... According to the caption, the surface area measures more than 1.5 acres (billboard haters should stop complaining right about now, as it appears we have it pretty good over here).

More interesting than the sheer massiveness of the super-colossal ad are the full-sized BMWs, lights ablaze, mounted sideways as if zooming across the surface. Those aren't base model Bimmers, either -- sharp eyed readers will recognize them as the Z4 M Coupe, M3, M5, and M6. Now, that is what we call an advertising budget! Thanks for the tip, Hank!

[Source: English Russia]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the G-Power Hurricane.

No, the G-Power Hurricane isn't one of Fifty-Cent's Smart concoctions; it's the new record holder for the fastest, street-legal BMW on the globe. The modified E60 M5 was clocked doing 225 mph (360 km/h) at Germany's Papenburg speed bowl this past weekend, taking the title from the AC Schnitzer Tension M6.

The M5's V10, which normally produces 507 hp, was tweaked to the tune of 730 hp through the use of the firm's Evo II twin-supercharger setup. The duo of belt-driven compressors huff around seven pounds of boost into each one of the cylinder banks, and partnered with a higher differential, the G-Power crew maintains the Hurricane could have reached 250 mph if rain and light snow hadn't caused traction issues.

[Source: World Car Fans]

It used to be that American muscle cars were competing against themselves when it came to power. But rumor has it that, in the case of the Chevrolet ZR-1, the domestic horsepower war has a new international benchmark: the BMW M-division V10.

Word is that "German competition is driving the higher horsepower and torque numbers coming to the Corvette." Chevy engineers said that the new LS9 was created to "match up favorably" with the V10 found in the M5 and M6. The supercharged 6.2-liter LS9 has 620HP and 595 lb-ft of torque, with 535 lb-ft available from 2,600 RPM and a 6,200-RPM redline. The high-revving, naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V10 has 507 HP and 385 lb-ft of torque, and goes all the way up to 8,250-RPM.

It's good to see Chevrolet taking its cues from the best, no matter whether its domestic or international. Especially when it's applied to an engine created with a different philosophy (large-displacement, low-revving grunt) to go in a car with a vastly different purpose than the M5 or M6. BMW's S85 V10 has won at least two International Engine of the Year awards for three years straight, and the LS9 still needs to prove itself. In the mean time, the far more powerful LS9 can gloat that it gets better highway gas mileage: 20 MPG versus. the V10's 17. American ingenuity, +1.

[Source: The Car Connection]

click above to view more high-res images o fhte G-Power Hurricane M5

Coaxing more power from an engine as finely-tuned as BMW M-division's 500-horsepower V10 is no easy task. But that didn't stop German aftermarket tuner G-Power, which managed to get total power output up to a staggering 730 hp for its Hurricane M5, claiming the hotly-contested mantle of the world's fastest and most powerful street-legal Bimmer.

To extract that kind of juice, G-Power fitted not one, but two superchargers – one for each cylinder bank – with stratospheric spooling redlines of 100,000 rpm. They've also fitted an overhead intercooler, swapped in a bigger oil cooler and tinkered with the M5's notoriously intricate electronics. The result: half a second off the M5's already supercar-like 0-60 time, now down to just 4.2 seconds. With all that extra power and the electronic limiter removed, the aptly-named Hurricane is claimed to hit a top speed of 340 km/h – that's over 211 miles per Autobahn-storming hour.

More after the jump, including all the specs and G-Power's official press release, and be sure to scope out the photos in the gallery below.

[Source: G-Power]

The hefty price tag and somewhat limited availability of the BMW M5 and M6 ensures that only a select few get behind the wheel of a 500 HP masterpiece. That kind of power, coupled with the razor-sharp performance of a precision-tuned BMW suspension make for a driving experience rivaled by few automobiles on our planet. No matter how great these M-tuned Bimmers are, however, there are some who strive for more. That's why companies like Dinan are around to transform the sublime into the ridiculous.

If you have a passion for power and an additional $40,000 in your budget, Dinan can transform your "ordinary" M5/M6 into a race-ready athlete with the heart of the champion. For your 40-large, Dinan will take the 5.0L V10 that powers the "standard" M5/M6 and bore and stroke it to 5.7 liters. The end result is a legitimate road beast that cranks out 628 hp and 482 lb-ft. The additional hp under the bonnet of the Dinan M's still revs freely to 8100 RPM, and much of the torque is available as low as 3000 RPM. To keep Dinan's 5.7L flamethrower breathing freely, the engine tuner added high flow Intake/air mass meter assemblies, high flow throttle bodies, free flow mufflers and a racing exhaust. Sure the extra $40k can almost buy you a spare 335i, but if you want to make your M5/M6 even more exclusive, Dinan's solution is as good as any.

Thanks for the tip, slblack.

[Source: Dinan]

Click the image above for more shots of the Wiesmann GT MF5.

While we never did see the official premier of the Wiesmann GT MF5, we were able to catch a sneak peak of the V10-powered blue beastie during an exclusive party held in the bespoke coupe's honor. Finally, Wiesmann was kind enough to provide some detailed shots of the MF5 along with a press release (after the jump), and it turns out that it's as brutishly awesome as we expected.

Made up of an aluminum monocoque and composite body panels, the GT MF5 has been dropped, widened and lengthened compared to its MF4 sibling. As we already knew, power is provided by a BMW-sourced five-liter V10 producing 507 HP. But with the MF's new diet and a seven-speed sequential gearbox, the trip to sixty will take a click under four seconds and on to a top speed of 193 MPH. Nineteen-inch wheels are fitted at all four corners, with 245/40ZR19 tires up front and 275/30ZR19s out back, while customer-fitted carbon fiber seats find their way into the cabin.

Although we were only able to adore the Wiesmann GT MF5 from afar (and through a pane of glass), it's probably better off that way. At a cost of $250k, we'd gladly sell off a few unnecessary organs and move abroad to take delivery when it goes on sale this spring.

Click the image above for a host of high-res pics of the AC Schnitzer GP3.10

For over two decades, AC Schnitzer has built its brand on motoring madness with looks to match. Normally, this involves a bevy of modifications to enhance every performance-related aspect of the vehicle, but with the GP3.10, they've made the bold move of trying to balance fuel efficiency with sporting dynamics.

The GP3.10 houses an M5/M6-sourced V10 that runs on liquefied petroleum gas and produces 552 HP and nearly 400 lb.-ft. of torque. 60 comes up in a cool four-and-a-half seconds, and between high-speed runs you can fill up at one of the 2,700 LPG-packing fuel stations sprinkled across Germany. Of course, the Schnitzer folks couldn't leave the GP looking like a standard 3, so they unfortunately took the interior and exterior to an unhealthy extreme.

You can read up on all the details in the press release after the jump, and peruse through the gallery below.