New BMW 3 Series and 5 Series Sedan M Performance Parts Announced

 

Just the Facts:

• BMW released a second wave of M Performance Parts for 2012-'13 3 Series and 2011-'13 5 Series sedans.
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• Parts include exterior, chassis and interior components.
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• The OEM modifications are available now at BMW dealerships.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, New Jersey — BMW released a second set of M Performance Parts for 2012-'13 3 Series and 2011-'13 5 Series sedans. They are available now at BMW's U.S. dealerships.

The first set debuted in May. This next wave includes exterior, chassis and interior performance components.

Starting with 3 Series aesthetics, the Bavarian automaker is offering a front splitter, rocker panel blades, carbon-fiber or black rear spoiler, diffuser, and side stripes as well as an M Sport retrofit kit for cars not equipped with that option.

A rear diffuser is available for 528i, 535i and 550i models and is joined by a carbon-fiber front splitter in early 2013. A 5 Series M Sport retrofit kit will also be available.

The 3 Series interior additions include a stainless steel footrest, floor mats, carbon-fiber parking brake handle and an electronic steering wheel. The flat-bottom, Alcantara steering wheel is available for automatic, sport automatic and six-speed manual variants, and gives drivers three different driving modes: Sport, Race and EfficientDynamics. Fuel economy and average speed data is provided in EfficientDynamics mode, while acceleration times and LED shift lights are some of the available features in Race and Sport modes.

A non-electronic steering wheel is offered in the 5 Series and a carbon-fiber trim package is also available solely for the midsize sedan.

A 3 Series spring kit lowers the ride height by 0.4 inch compared to M Sport models and 0.8 inch next to the standard setup, and BMW is selling a Brembo big-brake kit with four-piston front and two-piston rear aluminum calipers as well.

Those looking for more performance can follow up the increase in stopping power with a stainless steel exhaust available for 328i, 335i and 535i models.

BMW rounds out the list of M Performance Parts with lightweight 20-inch V-spoke wheels for the 5 Series and 20-inch double-spoke bi-color forged alloy for its compact sibling. The 5 Series dubs are wrapped in 245/35 front and 275/30 rear Bridgestone Potenza RE050 A run-flats, while the 3 Series gets Pirelli P Zero performance rubber, sized 225/35 in the front and 255/30 in back.

M Performance Parts are currently at dealerships, and pricing is available on BMW's accessory parts Web site.

Edmunds says: BMW just lengthened the holiday gift lists of some 3 and 5 Series owners by a few fun items.

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BMW and Boeing Collaborate on Carbon Fiber for Cars, Planes

 

Just the Facts:

• In an unlikely partnership, BMW and Boeing on Wednesday announced that they will collaborate on developing the use of carbon fiber in cars and planes.
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• BMW said in a statement that the two companies will participate in joint research for carbon fiber recycling and share manufacturing knowledge, along with automation opportunities.
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• The 2014 BMW i3 will be one of the first BMW cars with a carbon passenger cell, the automaker noted.

MUNICH, Germany — In an unlikely partnership, BMW and Boeing on Wednesday announced that they will collaborate on developing the use of carbon fiber in cars and planes.

BMW said in a statement that the two companies will participate in joint research for carbon fiber recycling and share manufacturing knowledge, along with automation opportunities.

The 2014 BMW i3 will be one of the first BMW cars with a carbon passenger cell, the automaker noted, followed later by the BMW i8. The BMW i3 is set to go on sale in late 2013. Boeing's 787 Dreamliner is made up of 50 percent carbon fiber material.

As part of its SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers joint venture, the BMW Group has built a new carbon fiber plant in Moses Lake, Washington.

Edmunds says: Carbon fiber is lighter than aluminum and steel. It will give automakers like BMW an advantage when it comes to boosting fuel economy and cutting vehicle weight.

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2013 BMW M3 DTM Champion Edition Honors Racing Achievement Review

 

Just the Facts:

• The 2013 BMW M3 DTM Champion Edition, which celebrates the German automaker's successful return to the European-based sedan racing series, will be sold in international markets.
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• The special-edition M3 starts at the U.S. equivalent of $129,331.
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• Only 54 units will be sold.

MUNICH, Germany — The 2013 BMW M3 DTM Champion Edition, which celebrates the German automaker's successful return to the European-based sedan racing series, will be sold in international markets.

The special-edition M3 starts at the U.S. equivalent of $129,331. A limited run of just 54 units will be produced.

BMW Motorsport returned to the DTM — which has been called "NASCAR with a German accent" — after an almost 20-year hiatus. Canadian driver Bruno Spengler won the drivers' title, BMW Team Schnitzer finished in the top spot in the standings and BMW claimed the manufacturer's honors.

The special-edition M3 is decked out in Frozen Black metallic exterior paint and is designed to look like Spengler's racecar. Other details include dark chrome trim and matte black wheels. A BMW M stripe dresses up the roof and trunk lid.

The door sill strips are said to replicate Spengler's helmet design. The package also includes the professional navigation system, M Drive, heated seats and park distance control.

Buyers get an unusual perk — a chance to attend the BMW M Fascination Nordschleife driver-training course under the guidance of Spengler.

Edmunds says: The perfect BMW for fans of Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters.

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BMW 4 Series Coupe Previewed

Just the Facts:

• BMW's Concept 4 Series Coupe previews next year's successor to the 3 Series two-door.
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• Production starts in the spring.
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• The new 4 Series also adds convertible and M4 variants.

MUNICH, Germany — BMW's Concept 4 Series Coupe is a near-production-ready peek at next year's successor to the 3 Series two-door.

While technical details remain scant, BMW has confirmed it will continue with its tradition of giving odd number names to sedans and even ones to two-door models. The company has decided to split the coupe and convertible from the 3 Series range and rechristen them under the new 4 Series rubric.

In concept form, the new 4 Series still looks pretty much like its four-door 3 Series sib, with a few flashy details as satin-finish aluminum bumpers and trim, plus twin circular LED headlamps.

The Concept 4 Series Coupe measures 182.7 inches long and rides on a wheelbase that's been stretched 2 inches. The car is also lower and wider, with track increased by 1.8 inches in front and 3.2 inches at the rear.
The concept sports an oversize air intake in the front apron, as well as vents behind the front wheels. The exterior has been painted Liquid Metal Silver, accented with 20-inch multispoke alloy wheels and twin exhaust pipes.

The four-place cockpit of the Concept 4 Series Coupe was developed by BMW Individual and features two-tone black and Schiaparelli brown leather trim and surfaces with contrast stitching and hand-braided leather trim.

BMW is also planning convertible, M4 and Gran Coupe additions to the 4 Series range.

Edmunds says: Giving the 3 Series coupe its own name opens up the door for several new model variations that BMW is sure to take advantage of in the not-too-distant future.

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BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo Spy Photos

 

Just the Facts:

• Future BMW 3 Series GT is caught undisguised during a photo shoot.
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• BMW is following up on the success of the larger 5 Series GT.
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• The new hatchback will debut at the 2013 Geneva Auto Show.

LOS ANGELES — After months of heavily disguised prototypes, the 2014 BMW 3 Series GT has finally been caught undisguised and it's better than expected.

Unlike the ungainly BMW 5 Series GT, the 3 Series Gran Turismo is sleeker and less blocky, with a Hofmeister kink that looks to be pulled from the X6. Still, this not-quite-a-wagon/not-quite-a-hatchback compromise leaves, visually, something to be desired.

During a promotional shoot, our photographer saw both the standard 3 Series GT (brown) and the hotter 3 Series GT M Sport.

Anyone who's paid any attention to BMW in the last decade knows what kind of power these hatchy wagons will have. There will be a base 328i utilizing a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 335i with BMW's slick turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 with or without BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive. An ActiveHybrid and a diesel are less likely, but possible.

On a 2013 BMW 3 Series sedan, the M Sport line includes 18-inch, staggered-width rims with performance tires, sport seats, different interior trims, an M steering wheel and an increased top-speed limiter, and there's no reason to assume this one will be very different.

Previously we'd heard that BMW was set to release this in-between-sized 3 Series at the Paris auto show, but now we're banking on a 2013 Geneva Auto Show debut this spring.

The 5 Series GT has never been a hit — visually or dynamically — with enthusiasts, but sales and customer input were strong enough to warrant a smaller version. The 3 Series Wagon has been hamstrung by BMW from day one, failing to offer the strong motor. That option alone could make a case for enthusiasts to get behind the 3 Series GT in the U.S.

Edmunds says: This could be the wagon alternative that BMW has been searching for to snag U.S. buyers who want extra room, but don't want an SUV.

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Rear-Drive BMW EV Coming to U.S. in Early 2014

 

Just the Facts:

• The production version of the i3 Concept Coupe unveiled at the Los Angeles auto show will be in U.S. showrooms in early 2014, a BMW spokesperson told Edmunds today.
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• Production of the electric car starts in Germany in late 2013 and its passenger "cell" will be made up of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) manufactured in Washington state.
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• That same U.S. carbon-fiber manufacturing facility will provide material for the body and chassis of the production version of the outrageous i8 plug-in hybrid concept.

LOS ANGELES — Even before the debuts of its i3 and i8 concepts at last year's Frankfurt auto show, BMW was talking about various salient elements of its electrified-vehicles strategy. But after what seems a lengthy period of discussion, the rubber meets the road in 2014, when a production version of the i3 Concept Coupe unveiled at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show hits BMW's U.S. showrooms.

A BMW source told Edmunds at the show that a production version of the rear-drive i3 concept — will it be the latest Coupe or the four-door i3? — will begin manufacturing at BMW's plant in Leipzig, Germany, beginning in late 2013 and will be in the U.S. early the following year.

Although it has two fewer doors, the newly revealed i3 Concept Coupe has the same 101.2-inch wheelbase as the first i3 concept car. BMW said the original i3 concept weighed less than 2,800 pounds.

BMW said the i3 Concept Coupe has a range of 100 miles from its lithium-ion battery pack, but leverages the interconnected nature of the navigation system and BMW's networked communications to continually provide a "dynamic" estimate of remaining driving range.

The network will continually update the car about traffic conditions or other factors that might affect range; if a destination has been input into the navigation unit, the system also will take into account such factors as topography along the route. The hope seems to be that such real-time calculations will help alleviate the range anxiety that presumably preys on the mind of all potential buyers of electric vehicles.

Edmunds says: Whether the i3 Concept Coupe represents your idea of what a new-age BMW should look like, you've gotta be encouraged that this electric car is a rear-driver.

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