1987 L6 Coupe on 2040-cars

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2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe

One of the many perks of this job is, not surprisingly, the cars. It's relatively easy to snag the keys to a vehicle for a special occasion, whether that be for a road trip, tailgating or helping a friend move. And while sometimes the tailgating might happen with a Ford F-150 instead of a Range Rover and the road trip might be in a minivan rather than a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, occasionally the stars align and a special vehicle arrives for an equally special time.
That's exactly how I found myself dressed to the nines and behind the wheel of the BMW M6 Gran Coupe, a $135,375 (as-tested) rocket ship, en route to a rare multi-wedding weekend to celebrate with two pairs of my closest friends on the biggest day of their lives (a very special congratulations to Kara and Zach, and Laura and Andrew). Continuing with our nuptial theme, the M mechanicals and the 6 Series Gran Coupe body are a match made in heaven.

BMW builds awesome M4 GTS safety car and racing wheelchair

BMW has developed two very different, but equally impressive wheeled vehicles recently. The first is the new M4 GTS Safety Car, specially prepared to serve Germany's popular and highly competitive DTM touring car series. It packs 500 horsepower and trick water-injection tech, just like the other 700 road-going examples of the GTS. Unlike the street version, it features key upgrades like special LED lighting, radio communication equipment, and special livery, as well as the no-cost optional Clubsport pack that includes six-point racing harnesses, roll cage, and fire extinguisher. The other new BMW doesn't have an engine, but is highly impressive nonetheless. It's a racing wheelchair created by BMW DesignWorks. Stemming from the automaker's partnership with the United States Olympic Committee, it features carbon-fiber construction and has been streamlined for aerodynamic efficiency. Members of the US Paralympics Track and Field team will help further develop the wheelchair before using it at the upcoming games in Rio de Janeiro. We wouldn't be surprised if longtime BMW driver Alex Zanardi helped in its development as well, even if he'll be competing for Italy at the Paralympic Games this year. Related Video: New high-performance special model BMW M4 GTS to be employed as a safety car at the DTM in 2016. Special models from the BMW M's mid-range series with even better performance and radically designed for high-level driving dynamics have enjoyed a lasting tradition at BMW M Division for decades now. The latest example is the BMW M4 GTS. BMW M has opted for a particularly spectacular way of drawing the public's attention: The BMW M4 GTS is to become the official DTM safety car during the 2016 season. Munich , 28th April 2016. Special models from the BMW M's mid-range series with even better performance and radically designed for high-level driving dynamics have enjoyed a lasting tradition at BMW M Division for decades now. The latest example is the BMW M4 GTS, which is limited to 700 units (combined fuel consumption: 8.5 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 199 g/km)*. In order to provide formidable proof of this elite sports car's outstanding performance qualities, BMW M has opted for a particularly spectacular way of drawing the public's attention: The BMW M4 GTS is to become the official DTM safety car during the 2016 season. The demands on such a lead car at the most popular international touring car series are high.

BMW patents strange three-cylinder pushrod engines, perhaps for cruiser motorcycle

For decades BMW's motorcycles were easily identified by the two opposed cylinders sticking out of each side of the bike. While you can still find this layout on some of its products, these days the company also uses a variety of other layouts, depending on the model line. Based on European patents, there might even be a Bimmer in the ranks eventually with an absolutely bizarre-looking W3 configuration. BMW actually has two separate patents on these W3 designs, and both of them have the goal of cramming three cylinders into the space of a traditional V-twin. The first splays the cylinder out into a fan shape with pushrods operating the valves. The description submitted to the World Intellectual Property Organization describes the solution as, "The embodiment according to the invention represents an as of yet unknown type of W-3 reciprocating piston internal combustion engine having cylinder angles which can be largely freely sized." The other solution is more of a modification to the traditional V-twin. Two of the cylinders share a crankpin, but the third has its own and is positioned inside the angle of the V. It's a very odd-looking engine. With BMW's assertion that these designs are meant to fit in place of a traditional V-twin, Jalopnik speculates that they could be for a future cruiser from the company, and that would make sense. While brand offers a line of sport tourers with the K1600 line, it doesn't have something more classic to take on the likes of the Ducati Diavel. Creating such a weird engine would probably grab early interest from riders.