on 2040-cars

Auto blog

BMW swaps 30i and 40i models into 2017 2, 3, and 4 Series

BMW will continue its staggered rollout of new engines to many (but not all) of its products in 2017. The new modular engine architecture is the basis for three-, four-, and six-cylinder engines, some of which are already stuck in new Minis and a handful of BMWs. With those new engines come new (or in some cases resurrected) badges meant to connote the added power. They have the added benefit of further separating the last two numbers of the models from the actual displacement of the engines, which is always fun. BMW calls its latest 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine B48, and the new single-turbo six is the B58. The B48 cars get 30i suffixes and the B58s say 40i on the back. And if you really want to get down into code numerology: the B48 replaces the N20 four and the B58 supersedes the N55. Here's where they're headed next year: 2 Series: 230i and M240i For the small Bimmer, the 228i and M235i names are replaced by 230i and M240i models. In these applications, the four-cylinder makes 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and the M-ish six makes 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The 2 gets other updates for 2017 as well. 3 Series: 330i sedan/wagon/Gran Turismo and 340i Gran Turismo For 2016, BMW put the 335-hp B58 six in the 3 Series sedan only. That engine spreads to the 340i Gran Turismo for 2017, and the N20 in the 328i is replaced by the B48 for 330i models in all body styles. There's still no six-cylinder wagon, and the 320i sedan keeps its N20 engine. Diesel sedans and wagons keep both the 328d name and the 2.0-liter four they had before. Trivia: The 330i name is being recycled – it was used on the E90 most recently. 4 Series: 430i and 440i Every 4 Series – including coupe, Gran Coupe, and convertible models – gets a new engine for 2017. Woo! And both engines will again be available with or without xDrive all-wheel drive. Woo. And no, that's not an official BMW photo above. The rest? BMW hasn't shared information on its 2017 crossover lineup, but we expect the X1, X3, X4, X5, and X6 will get new engines where applicable. And then there are the 30i and 40i models that already existed and won't be getting these new engines. The 330e iPerformance plug-in hybrid sedan already has the B48 four-cylinder. And the 540i, 640i, and 740i continue with a version of BMW's last-gen six. Got that all straight? Yeah, neither do we. And expect updates once the details on the 2017 crossovers are shared.

Two-box BMW X2 breaks from X4 and X6

Our first batch of BMW X2 spy photos has revealed something interesting about the German brand's newest compact CUV. Unlike the even-numbered X cars – the X4 and X6 – these shots show a traditional two-box CUV, rather than the plunging roofline of those lifted, four-door coupes. With a two-box design then, what is there to differentiate the X2 from the X1? For a start, while this is a similar to the X1 shots we've seen, the D-pillar and rear window are significantly more aggressive without compromising the traditional CUV design. That design backs up our spies, who claim the X2 will be a sportier version of the upcoming X1. But while the look will be similar, expect the two cars to share powerplants and drivetrains. That means the four-cylinder B48, used in both the Mini Cooper S and other BMW products, will be on offer at launch. That engine will be joined by turbocharged triples within the first 12 months on the market. An M Performance model will also be offered, boosting the B48's output from around 230 horsepower to an even 300 ponies. That'd put the X2 on a collision course with the Audi RS Q3, although it won't be quite as angry as the Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG. While the X2 could debut as early as the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, our spies claim the X2 won't hit dealerships until the second half of 2017. Check out our array of spy images up top, and pay particular attention to the D-pillar and rear window, to see the major differences between the X2 and X1.

The 2017 Alpina B7 xDrive isn't as cool as the BMW M760i

Steve Ewing is good people, but when it comes to big BMWs, he talks nonsense. He argues, incorrectly, that the new Alpina B7 is somehow cooler than the new M760i. Here's why he's wrong. No surprise, but the bulk of the pro-M760i argument comes from under the hood. Yes, both cars produce 600 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, but it's where the power comes from that really matters. The M760i's power is just much more accessible, with peak torque coming in at just 1,500 rpm, while the Alpina makes owners wait until 3,000 rpm for max twist (a fact Ewing glosses over). The V12 also offers up all 600 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, 250 rpm earlier. Sure, the Alpina is 0.3 seconds faster to 60 miles per hour – it does the deed in 3.6 seconds to the M760's 3.9 seconds – but it relies on a tweaked transmission setup to do it. Not only that, but big automakers like BMW are usually quite conservative about performance figures, so it's still a bit early to hand a medal to the aftermarket. Here's the other thing about the engines – Nigel Tufnel would prefer the M760i. See, the Alpina has a 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8, but the M760i has a 6.6-liter, twin-turbo V12. To paraphrase Tufnel, "This one has a V12." We rest our case. Other changes between the two cars are largely in the eye of the beholder – we can talk about the transmission, suspension, and xDrive changes until we're blue in the face, but we simply don't have enough information about the two setups to make substantive arguments – some people might prefer the subtler styling of the M760i. We're not going to blame anyone for liking the more aggressive look of the Alpina, with its big, quad-tipped exhaust, meaty front splitter, or aggressive side sills. And those 21-inch Alpina wheels? Easily the coolest styling detail. You can get a closer look at them, and the Alpina's other changes, in our live gallery from the floor of the Geneva Motor Show. Related Video: Power, Dynamics and Luxury combined for class-leading performance and a superior driving experience – the all-new 2017 BMW ALPINA B7 xDrive. - Unique combination of high-performance drivetrain with 600 bHP and xDrive all-wheel drive system provide a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 3.6 seconds. - Most advanced suspension and chassis technology with ALPINA calibration including for the first time Integral Active Steering for ultimate dynamics and comfort.