2000 Bmw 528i on 2040-cars

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Mini may not build electric cars in England due to Brexit

BMW will decide whether to build its new electric Mini in Britain or elsewhere by the end of September, its board member for sales told Reuters, in a test of the country's ability to continue to attract investment as it leaves the EU. Mini makes around 70 percent of its approximately 360,000 compact cars at its Oxford plant in southern England but the car industry is concerned about the effect any loss of unfettered access to the EU, its largest export market, could have on plants after Brexit. BMW is deciding between its English site, a plant in the Netherlands where it has built more of its conventional line-up in recent years, and its Germany plants at Leipzig and Regensburg for the new low-emissions variant. The firm's board member for sales told Reuters that the electric Mini investment, likely to be worth tens of millions of pounds, would come in the next three months and the board was currently considering a number of factors including Brexit. "One of the elements is what is the likelihood of a tax regime and if there's a tax regime, how would it apply," Ian Robertson said during an interview at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in southern England. "If you made the motor in a German plant and you then assembled the car in a British plant, and you took the cars back to the German market, then the duty that you would pay would be reclaimed," he said, in an example of the options companies are examining to plan for any duties or tariffs. The automaker is also looking into where the uptake of greener models is strongest and where the best supply chains are, he said. Britain could approve its first major electric battery hub in the next few weeks after officials in central England submitted proposals to ministers in May. But last month, the car industry issued its strongest warning yet on the need for politicians to strike a transitional Brexit deal after two-year talks to ensure unfettered trade is maintained. Uncertainty has also been heightened after a snap June 8 election which left Prime Minister Theresa May without a majority and has led to ministers in her administration hinting at different versions of Britain's likely post-Brexit future. Last year, May's administration helped secure two new models at Japanese carmaker Nissan's plant in the north of England after what a source said was a government promise of extra support to counter any loss of competitiveness caused by Brexit.

2021 BMW M3 and M4 vs all the high-powered sport sedans and coupes

Should you have a found a way to get past that schnoz, you've probably digested some of the basic specs for the all-new 2021 BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe specs. They're plenty impressive. There's also, basically, two sets of them thanks to the regular and Competition versions that differ in engine output and transmission type.  But how do they compare to other ultra sport sedans and coupes? Well, we were wondering that too, so we fired up the Autoblog Comparison Spreadsheet Generator 5000 (aka me chained to my computer in a dark basement).  Sadly, there are surprisingly few competitors for the 2021 BMW M3. Rival sedans include the Mercedes-AMG C 63 and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, along with the Audi RS 5 Sportback sedan/coupe/hatchback thing. There's no more Lexus IS F, the Cadillac CT4 Blackwing has yet to arrive and Jaguar doesn't offer a spicy XE R.  Happily, there are more coupe rivals for the 2021 BMW M4, including the two-door versions of the AMG and Audi as well as the Lexus RC F. I also included the Ford Shelby GT350 and Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE. On paper, they align incredibly well. On the street and on a track, I can personally attest that these Americans are fully capable of keeping up and/or bettering the fancy-pants luxury brands (and let's not forget there are even more powerful, hardcore versions available). If they don't align in terms of price or prestige, whatever. OK, let's get to the spreadsheet. Let's start with the coupes and note that I didn't bother listing the dimensions for the M4 Competition and C 63 S as they are identical to their "lesser" siblings.  I won't bother burning words explaining what you can see on the chart. Instead, I'll point out a few things that stood out to me. First, BMW M comes awfully close to matching the output of AMG's twin-turbo V8 despite having two fewer cylinders. Similarly, Audi manages to better the 0-60 time of the M4 Competition and tie the C 63 S despite being WAY down on power. It's not like it weighs less. Magic? Second, and speaking of 0-60 times, remember the importance that transmission and drivetrain make with them. It's not just horsepower and torque. An automatic will be quicker and easier to launch than a manual, while all-wheel drive provides more instantaneous and beneficial grip.

BMW M6 gets new Competition Package

With 560 horsepower on tap, the BMW M6 is already plenty powerful and capable. Those looking for an extra boost, however, may be interested in the new Competition Package. While BMW already offered a Competition Package before, the new one is even more powerful. Where the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 in the standard M6 produces 560 hp and the previous Competition Package boosted that to 575, the new one bumps it up to a nice round 600 – torque jumping from the standard 501 lb-ft to 516 with the new package. That means the M6 Coupe with the new package in place will now run to 62 miles per hour from a standstill in 3.9 seconds and on to 124 mph in 11.8. Top speed is electronically limited (as usual) to 155 mph, but can be derestricted to 189 if you also specify the M Driver's Package. Of course, this upgraded M6 isn't all about straightline speed: the package also includes firmer springs, dampers and anti-roll bars, as well as a retuned differential, steering and stability control. Unique 20-inch alloys and black chrome tailpipes also form part of the package that will be available for the M6 Coupe, Gran Coupe and Convertible starting in July. Before you get too excited, keep in mind this announcement is for Europe. We're standing by for information on US availability. In the meantime, check out all the details in the press release below. More potent Competition Package for BMW M6 Coupe, BMW M6 Gran Coupe and BMW M6 Convertible. Munich. In July 2015 BMW M GmbH will replace the existing Competition Package for the BMW M6 Coupe, BMW M6 Gran Coupe and BMW M6 Convertible with an upgraded version. The new Competition Package has been developed with a keen eye on enhancing driving dynamics. It includes a power boost for the 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology (BMW M6 Coupe/BMW M6 Gran Coupe/BMW M6 Convertible: fuel consumption combined: 9.9/9.9/10.3 l/100 km [28.5/28.5/27.4 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 231/231/239 g/km)* of 29 kW/40 hp over the standard unit, to 441 kW/600 hp. Peak torque also rises, from 680 Nm (501 lb-ft) in standard tune to 700 Nm (516 lb-ft), and is available across an extremely wide rev band – between 1,500 and 6,000 rpm. New personal best for the BMW M6 Coupe: 0 – 200 km/h (124 mph) in 11.8 seconds. The three model variants impress with outstanding performance when fitted with the new optional Competition Package.