$108k Msrp-carbon Fiber-executive Pkg-b&o Sound-20in M Whls-1owner-warranty! on 2040-cars

Auto blog

BMW M2 looks even hotter decked out as MotoGP safety car [w/video]

We didn't think the aggressive BMW M2 could look much better. We were mistaken. Just take a look at this safety car. The new M2 safety car is the latest in a long line of vehicles furnished by BMW to the MotoGP racing series that stretches back to 1999. This model is based on the road-going version, but features a number of upgrades to get it ready for the track. As you can see, it has a fresh take on BMW's signature stripes over white, offset by gold trim. It also wears a low-profile LED strobe light bar on the roof, supplemented by blue LEDs in the front grille and red diodes in place of the reversing lights. The stripped-out cockpit incorporates a roll cage (adapted from the M4 GTS), Recaro racing buckets with six-point harnesses, and an on-board fire extinguisher. BMW also fabricated an adjustable rear wing from carbon-reinforced plastic, and fitted it with Michelin Cup tires and carbon-ceramic brakes. Of course you can't buy the safety car and drive it on the road, but most of the rest of the parts come straight out of the M Performance Parts catalog – and those you can buy. There are aero components like side skirts, front blades, and a rear diffuser, trim pieces in carbon or gloss black, all manner of interior parts, and mechanical bits like an upgraded exhaust system with carbon finishers and a coilover suspension. We're waiting on word regarding US pricing and availability of the M Performance Parts. But in the meantime you can check out the action in the pair of image galleries, the video clip below, and the press releases at bottom. BMW M – OFFICIAL CAR OF MotoGP™. BMW M2 MotoGP SAFETY CAR. MotoGP and BMW M Division: these two partners have formed an ideal combination for almost two decades. MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing and features the best riders in the world on high-performance racing prototypes, in the development of which the manufacturers implement their latest technological ideas. High-performance and motorsport genes – attributes, with which BMW M Division is also synonymous. Since 1999, BMW M has been a permanent member of the international MotoGP family. The successful partnership with organiser Dorna Sports has grown consistently over the years, and is set to continue to run well into the future. In 2014, Dorna Sports and BMW M Division extended their cooperation up to and including 2020. Partnerships like this, which span decades, are extremely rare in top-class international sport.

BMW bringing X3 diesel, X5 PHEV concept to New York

We've seen the i3 and i8 plug-in vehicles at plenty of BMW auto show stands these past few years. At the upcoming New York International Auto Show, the automaker will spread out a bit by showing off both new diesel and plug-in hybrid SUVs. Bimmer will showcase its diesel-powered X3 vehicle, which starts sales this spring as a 2015 model, and a concept plug-in hybrid X5 SUV. There are lots of figures to digest for what will be called the X3 xDrive28d. The vehicle will be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder twin-turbodiesel engine that will deliver 180 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Propelled in part by an eight-speed automatic transmission, the SUV will be able to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in about eight seconds. It will be priced with an MSRP of $42,825, which is represents a $3,500 premium over the base X3. BMW hasn't made fuel efficiency figures available, but they should be a nice improvement over the base X3's 24 mile per gallon fuel-efficiency rating in the US. Bimmer is also supposed to bring the X5 eDrive concept plug-in hybrid stateside. We saw it in Frankfurt last fall and then in some on-the-road spy shots more recently. The SUV pairs a 245-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 95-horsepower electric motor, and will be able to go as fast as 75 mph and as far as 20 miles on electric power alone. BMW says fuel efficiency will be about 62 miles per gallon, per the more lenient European Union test cycle. That's more than double the current diesel powered X5's 26 combined mpg rating handed out by the EPA. And the model's 0-60 time is less than seven seconds. If you'd like to know more, you can take the better part of the day and check out Bimmer's mighty long press release below. BMW X4 Sports Activity Coupe and M4 Convertible Make World Debut at 2014 New York International Auto Show New BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe and BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe to make North American debuts Updated BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle also makes North American debut including first BMW Advanced Diesel X3 model for the US BMW Concept X5 eDrive showcases new dimension of BMW EfficientDynamics technology Woodcliff Lake, NJ – April 3 , 2014 6:00pm EDT/3:00pm PDT. . . The all-new BMW X4 Sports Activity Coupe as well as the BMW M4 Convertible make their world debuts at the 2014 New York International Auto Show. North American debuts include the all-new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe as well as the BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe.

BMW offering Track Handling Package for 2 Series

After getting a chance to drive the BMW M235i earlier this year, we mentioned our regret at not being able to sample the lighter and less powerful 228i Coupe. We'd like to have seen how close the latter could get to the former, noting that "there's a lot of room for upgrades with the $11,000 retail difference." BMW is closing that performance gap slightly, announcing that a Track Handling Package will join the options sheet for the 2015 228i Coupe.
The group bolts on Variable Sport Steering, Adaptive M Suspension and M Sport Brakes behind new 18-inch lightweight wheels wearing Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. There's no change to the 240-horsepower four-cylinder, but a coupe so equipped should be able to do plenty more with the horses it has thanks to a faster steering rack, sharper handling due to additional sensors and a ten-millimeter drop in ride height, and larger brakes and discs.
BMW has used the New York Auto Show as a venue to introduce the new Track Handling Package, and it will roll onto showroom floors in July and pricing will be announced sometime between now and then. Takers can get it with both the six-speed manual and eight-speed Sport Automatic, see it in the high-res image gallery above, and read about it in the press release below.