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BMW M2 to pack 365 hp

The BMW M2 was spied testing several times last summer, but there has been little news about the upcoming entry to the M family as of late. More info is finally leaking out though, and it potentially confirms some past reports, while giving a better idea of what the coupe looks like. We have to take any of these leaks with a grain of salt, but according to a user on the 2addicts forum citing insider sources at BMW headquarters, M2 production begins in November. This person also reiterates that the coupe uses BMW's N55 turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. In this tune, it would reportedly make 365 horsepower and 343 pound-feet of torque. Plus, an over-boost system would allegedly push twist by about 25 lb-ft at low revs. At launch, this rumor also suggests that BMW might keep the M2's color palette limited to just four choices: Alpine White, Black Sapphire Metallic, Long Beach Blue Metallic and Mineral Grey Metallic. Inside, there're purportedly even fewer hues with the only one being black with blue stitching. Assuming these numbers are accurate, the M2 seems to represent a decent upgrade over the already capable M235i. It also uses a version of the N55 but a version making 320 hp and 330 lb-ft. In addition to the extra grunt, previous spy shots show the M with a front fascia akin to the M3/M4.

BMW replaces tri-turbo diesel with a quad turbo

Quad turbos have until now been the stuff of Bugattis. BMW is introducing a quad turbo diesel for the 7 Series, with nearly one hundred horsepower per turbo. It's all about making the six-cylinder 3.0-liter turbodiesel all as enticing a proposition as possible, and it faces strong competition from Audi's new twin-turbo V8 diesel available in the SQ7 TDI. The earlier, N57S engine (pictured above) utilized a triple-turbo setup good for 381 horsepower and 546 lb-ft. The new B57 version, confirmed by BMW at the 37th International Vienna Motor Symposium, adds yet another turbo for 394 hp and 561 lb-ft, and that massive torque is available from 2,000 to 3,000 rpm. It means the 7 Series gets from 0-60 mph in a snappy 4.5 seconds. The engine could produce even more torque, but 561 lb-ft is all the ZF 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission can handle. The N57S engine's dual-stage turbocharging setup consisted of one low-pressure turbocharger to take care of low-end torque, and two high-pressure turbos for the higher rev range. In the new B57 engine, the big turbo is now replaced with two smaller units on a common exhaust, to benefit from lower costs and smaller unit weight. In addition to the gains in power and torque, fuel economy has reportedly been improved by 5 percent. There are no reports yet whether the B57 TOP quad-turbo will make it to the US market, but customers in the European high end diesel saloon market will probably be very excited. Initially it will be available in the 750d xDrive version, and other top-end models like the 5 Series and the X5 will follow later on. Related Video: News Source: Krone.atImage Credit: BMW BMW Diesel Vehicles Luxury Performance Sedan confirmed vienna motor symposium

Watch the BMW M4 GTS lap the Nurburgring in under 7:28

When BMW unveiled the new M4 GTS back in October, it said it could lap the Nurburgring in 7 minutes and 28 seconds. That's all well and fine in terms of bragging rights, but what Bimmer enthusiasts have been waiting for is the proof. And here it is, in ultra-HD 4k glory. In the video above, you can see the new M4 GTS scything its way through the Green Hell of the Eifel mountains. Behind the wheel is M GmbH engineer and racing driver Joerg Weidinger, who helpfully narrates the video to show us exactly how he tackled each and every corner along the 14-mile circuit. Which may come in handy for those with a season pass to the Nordschleife, but the rest of us are more concerned with that lap time and how it holds up. To put it plainly, the 7:27.88 lap makes the new GTS not only the fastest in the M3/M4 line to date, but the fastest production Bimmer ever clocked around the 'Ring. It handily beats the previous M3 CSL (7:50) and the stock M4 (7:52), and even trounces more powerful Bavarian machinery like the Z8, M5, and M6. There've been a handful of BMW-powered racers, motorcycles, and prototypes (not to mention the McLaren F1) that have clocked faster times, but as far as four-wheeled, standard production Munich-mobiles go, the new M4 GTS is the new King of the Ring. It also just so happens to match or beat the best times clocked by the more exotic likes of the Ferrari 458 Italia, McLaren MP4-12C, and Porsche Carrera GT – putting the M4 GTS in rare company indeed.