2003 Bmw M3 Base Coupe 2-door 3.2l on 2040-cars

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BMW i8 pitted against M4 in sibling rivalry track battle

We recently watched Auto Bild challenge the BMW i8 against the M4 in a German drag race of decide the quicker of the inter-brand rivals. The hybrid took a commanding victory in that fight. However, Autocar now has a new battle for the two coupes. The siblings are together again on the Castle Combe Circuit to find out which of them offers the more enjoyable experience at the track. Unfortunately, we don't ever get a perfect point of comparison in the video because host Steve Sutcliffe never does a full lap in anger with either of them to set a time. Instead, he focuses more on how the BMWs feel behind the wheel. Sutcliffe also admits midway through the clip that the i8's electric motor is out of juice to power the front axle's electric motor. That only leaves the hybrid with its 228-horsepower and 236-pound-feet-of-torque turbocharged three-cylinder to spin the rear wheels. Still, Sutcliffe spends ample time explaining the benefits and downfalls of driving these coupes. See where his opinion falls between the M4 as the traditional German sports coupe and the i8 as the new-school hybrid in the video, above.

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

Earlier this week, BMW released what we assumed was the new pinnacle of the 7 Series range: the Alpina B7 xDrive. But then we received information about the car you see here, which still isn't a full M7, but uses the name M760i xDrive. What we're trying to figure out is, why would you get the M760i over the brand-new Alpina? Mechanically, and as far as we can tell, the only real difference between the two cars is under the hood. The M760i uses a twin-turbo 6.6-liter V12 capable of an estimated 600 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 590 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm. Thing is, the Alpina B7 also makes 600 hp and 590 lb-ft, albeit at higher points in the rev range, from a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8. Both cars use all-wheel drive. Both cars have eight-speed automatic transmissions. But while the M760i does the 0-62 run in 3.9 seconds and tops out at an electronically limited 155 miles per hour, the Alpina does 0-60 in 3.6 seconds and runs to an unrestricted 193 mph. For all intents and purposes, the little details about interior refinement and technology are basically the same. It's a top-of-the-line 7 Series, so no matter if you're doing Alpina or M760i, you're getting the best of the best. To us, though, the Alpina represents a package that's more unique. It's certainly a bit flashier, what with its Alpina-correct 21-inch wheels, blue paint, and body kit. But put the two cars next to each other on the street and ask an unknowing pedestrian which one is top dog, and we're willing to bet they'll say Alpina every time. There's no word on pricing for either version of the 7 Series, but we expect they'll be close. The M760's engine will be more expensive, but all those Alpina upgrades certainly won't come cheap. We'll know more closer to the launch of both later this year and in early 2017. For now, read more about the M760i in the press blast below. Related Video: The All-New 2017 BMW M760i xDrive. - Superb performance and exceptional luxury combined. - The allure of the most powerful BMW V12 production engine. - First BMW 7 Series M Performance Automobile. Today, BMW announced the all-new BMW M760i xDrive, the latest addition to the BMW M Performance line-up. With the introduction of the 2017 BMW M760i xDrive, the sixth generation BMW 7 Series adds the first M Performance TwinPower Turbo 12-cylinder to its offerings.

2015 BMW M3 is fast for the family man

BMW finally brought its four-door M3 into the public view, showing the new sedan off at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. The new M3 represents BMW's return to small, wildly fast four-door sedans after a several year absence following the discontinuation of the E90 M3 Sedan way back in 2011.
The M3 enjoys the same 425-horsepower, 3.0-liter six-cylinder used in the M4, with 406 pound-feet of torque and the owner's choice of either an old-fashioned six-speed manual or a seven-speed M dual-clutch transmission. All told, the new powertrain should scoot the four-door M to 60 in a mere 3.9 seconds (with the M DCT).
We've got a full gallery of live images of the all-new M3 up above, and we've included the original stock gallery down below. Feel free to peruse either, and then let us know what you think by sounding off down in Comments.