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2015 BMW X4 gets its small-screen debut

It's easy to dismiss the 2015 BMW X4. On one hand, the high-style crossover seems more like a boardroom decision than a practical one. In a world with the 3 Series, 4 Series, X3, 3 Series GT and 4 Series Gran Coupe, is BMW really being inundated with requests for a baby X6? Of course, when we finally got behind the wheel of the CUV for our First Drive, it proved rather entertaining, and certainly the X6's global sales success suggests that it's worth the relatively low-cost risk for the Bavarian automaker.
Now, it's the general public's chance to weigh in on the latest crossover Bimmer and vote with their dollars. The X4 is just hitting showrooms in the US, and BMW is beginning its marketing campaign for it with the slogan "Embrace the Unknown." The first TV ad shows off the CUV driving through the world's major cities as they undulate like the rolling ocean. A woman flatly says phrases starting with "Go," while a synth-heavy score plays underneath that wouldn't be out of place over the end credits in an '80s sci-fi movie.
Visually, it's actually kind of a cool ad and evokes some of the special effects from Inception. Focusing on an urban atmosphere is probably a good idea, too, because the percentage of X4s going offroad is likely to be in the low single digits, if that. Now, let's see if BMW buyers are willing to embrace the unknown of the X4. Scroll down to watch it for yourself.

BMW M3 gets the video retrospective treatment

With BMW on the cusp of pulling back the sheets on its next-generation M3 (or should we say, M4?), the crew from Electric Federal has taken it upon themselves to give us a generation-by-generation look at the evolution of the most renowned of BMW's sports coupes. The video below features plenty of beautiful shots of each generation of M3, starting with the ever lust-worthy E30 before finishing up with the current iteration. BWS Motorsport's Mark Norris provides the narration, complete with a brief synopsis of what makes each generation so special.
As usual, the clip is fit for big-screen viewing. You can watch the action below for yourself. Meanwhile, we'll be busy figuring out which vital organs we can sell to get our hands on our own E30 M3.

BMW unleashes 160-hp S 1000 R streetfighter motorcycle

BMW Motorrad released the S 1000 RR superbike in 2010, but for those who'd like to take it down a (small) notch, the German motorcycle maker introduced the 2014 S 1000 R, a slightly less-ballsy version of the range-topping superbike, at EICMA on Tuesday.
In its transformation from 193-horsepower superbike to 160-hp sportbike, BMW detuned the 999cc inline four-cylinder engine a bit by lowering the redline from 13,000 RPM to 11,000 RPM, where peak power is made. Torque is rated at "approximately" 83 pound-feet (the RR makes 82.5 lb-ft), but more importantly, engineers tweaked the torque delivery in the R's favor by redesigning the cylinder-head ducts, modifying the camshaft profiles and reprogramming the engine management system. The result is seven lb-ft more torque than the RR up to 7,500 RPM. The R's torque peak occurs at 9,250 RPM.
The bike comes standard with ASC (automatic stability control) and "Race" ABS. Riders can choose between two modes, "Road" and "Rain," which adjust ABS and ASC settings to suit dry or wet roads. DTC (dynamic traction control) is available as an option, and with two modes, "Dynamic" and "Dynamic Pro," the system optimizes traction and helps riders achieve maximum acceleration.