Listen To The BMW X4 M Test Its New Engine On The Nurburgring

Is this the M3's S55 motor, or something different?

We recently had the chance to drive the BMW X4 in its potent xDriveM40i trim. While the performance of the 355-horsepower SUV is already hugely impressive, BMW won't stop there. A more potent X4 M is on the way, and we've already seen pictures of it testing on the Nurburgring. Pictures are worth a thousand words, but a video is far more informative.This latest video showcases the BMW X4 M being pushed hard at the Ring, so we can now hear its savage inline-six engine.

The X4 M is rumored to utilize a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six producing at least 450 hp. This is the same engine that is expected to sit under the hood of the next generation M3 and M4, and could even come with some form of hybridization.

From the video, it's impossible to tell if the X4 M is using any kind of hybrid assist. What we can tell is that the inline-six sounds superb, better than the outgoing S55 engine. This next generation engine will reportedly be called the S58, though this has yet to be confirmed. The X4 M will have its work cut out for it with the recent arrival of other high-performance SUV models like the Jaguar F-Pace SVR and Mercedes GLC63 AMG.

BMW Z4 M40i Is Quicker Than M2 Around Nurburgring

Maybe we don’t really need a Z4 M after all.

The upcoming Z4 Roadster was recently unveiled at Pebble Beach and while its looks have generally been a big improvement over the current car, the lack of a pure M model in the line-up has left fans a little disappointed. BMW M boss, Frank Van Meel felt that the market for such a model would be extremely limited and claimed that the 335-hp M40i offered more than enough performance already.

Well, according to the German publication, Sport Auto, he may be right. Their test driver, Christian Gebhardt has just set a lap time of 7:55.41 in a pre-production European-spec 335-hp M40i, a full 6-seconds quicker than the time he set in the M2.

Now the Z3 and first-generation Z4 both could be had in M-trim but the ‘vanilla’ models in those ranges never had the kind of firepower the upcoming Z4 M40i has. And seeing as it is fitted with M Sport brakes and rear-diff as well as electronically controlled dampers, it is already much more capable than any base Z4 before it.

What about the M2 Competition? Surely that M car would see off a Z4 M40i around a track? Well, that beefed-up M2 does offer a serious 405 hp from the twin-turbo motor it borrows from the current M3 but then again, US M40i models are likely to have 385 hp under the hood, instead of the European model’s 335 hp.

That should help keep the lap times very close although the two cars will undoubtedly have very different characters. The M2 is solely available in coupe form and can be optioned with a 6-speed manual transmission, it may not be much quicker around a track but it will still be the purists choice.

The Z4, on the other hand, is a soft top roadster that will only be available with an 8-speed auto transmission, although with the handling and performance to take on some serious sports cars.

New BMW X5 And X3 M Caught Testing At The Nurburgring

Enjoying the last days of summer.

Before the rainy weather begins, BMW is working overtime to enjoy the benefits of a dry track to test the next generation X5 and upcoming X3 M at the Nurburgring. Caught on video by Automotive Mike, we can see the yet-to-be-revealed X5 doing some hot laps, while the prototype X3 M (beginning at the 0:25 mark) is looking even hotter. Under its hood is a turbocharged straight-six with around 425-430 hp. It’s related but not identical to the M3 and M4’s engine. Compared to the standard X3, the X3 M’s front end has a beefier appearance, like with all M cars.

It’ll also feature unique LED headlights, a sculpted bumper, larger air curtains, flared wheel arches and a lowered stance. Out back is a set of quad tailpipes. If all goes to plan, the X3 M will launch sometime in 2018. An LA Auto Show reveal in November could also happen. As for the next generation X5, it rides on the same overall platform as the 7 Series sedan.

What’s good about this platform is the fact that it supports aluminum, carbon fiber, steel and magnesium construction – all of which are very beneficial when it comes to cutting back on weight. The lightest X5 currently on sale, the sDrive35i, already tips the scales at 4,475 pounds, so a diet plan was prescribed. Eventually, a plug-in hybrid X5 will come a few months after the standard X5 debuts, which will likely be in the middle of next year as an early 2019 model. Further down the line we’ll see a new X5 M, which will boast more than 600 hp. In the meantime, the debut of the all-new, first ever BMW X7 is exactly one week away, and we’ll be on the showroom floor at Frankfurt to bring you all of the details and live images.

The BMW M8 Convertible Is Already Testing At The Nurburgring

Springtime has arrived in Germany.

Although BMW has already confirmed the existence of not only the new 8 Series, but also the M8 coupe, it’s still fun to see ongoing development continue. Today, our spy photographers have caught the also upcoming M8 convertible testing at the Nurburgring. It’s actually been a few months since testing at the Green Hell has taken place because during winter months the famed track is nearly unusable. It’s even more dangerous covered in snow and ice.

But it appears springtime has come to Germany so that means automakers are heading back for serious track testing. Notice that the M8 convertible test mule shown here has fairly light camouflage, with its sleek headlights and wider kidney grille in relatively clear view. Compared to the standard 8 Series, the M8 will be a bit wider, thanks in part to the fenders and side sills, for a more aggressive (and appropriate) appearance. Powering this open top beast is the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 tuned to deliver around 600-630 hp. Other M8 additions will include bigger brakes and wheels and quad exhaust pipes, among other things.

Remember, BMW also showed the M8 Gran Coupe Concept earlier this month at Geneva, which will go head-to-head against the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid as well as the also just revealed Mercedes-AMG GT GT63 S 4-Door. Expect for BMW to reveal the 8 Series as well as the M8 coupe and convertible sometime by the end of this year.

New BMW M5 Is One Of The Fastest Sedans To Ever Lap The Nurburgring

Let’s see what happens when the new BMW M5 Competition is unleashed onto the Green Hell.

Nurburgring lap times are a hot topic right now, as automakers continue to chase production car lap records. BMW hasn’t set an official Nurburgring lap time in the new M5 yet, but Germany’s Sport Auto magazine has already beaten the German automaker to it. In the hands of Christian Gebhardt, the super sedan ripped around the Ring in seven minutes and 38.92, making it one of the fastest four-doors to ever lap the famous German circuit.

That also makes it only slightly slower than the Porsche Panamera Turbo, which completed the circuit in seven minutes and 38 seconds, though that time was set by a factory driver. Compared to the last-generation M5, it’s almost 16 seconds faster. In the hands of a professional racing driver, it’s probably safe to say the new M5 could set an even faster time.

Having said that, Gebhardt has thrashed a variety of cars at the Nurburgring over the years, so he isn't exactly inexperienced. Back in 2016, he set an impressive time of eight minutes and six seconds in a Ford Focus RS and seven minutes and 10.92 seconds in a Mercedes-AMG GT R the same year. The F90 BMW M5 is the most powerful M5 in history, producing 600 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. 0-62 mph takes just 3.4 seconds, while 0-124 mph is clocked in just 11.1 seconds. It may also be more powerful than BMW claims if the M5’s recent trip to the dyno is anything to go by. It’s not surprising, then, that the new M5 is one of the fastest sedans to ever lap the Nurburgring.

Recently, BMW has also revealed the more powerful M5 Competition with 25 extra horses under the hood. It also has lower suspension, model-specific chassis tuning, adjustments to springs and dampers, and new mountings for the rear anti-roll bar. These tweaks make the M5 stiffer and more track-focused, and could shave off a few more seconds off the standard car’s lap time. Whether BMW will unleash the M5 Competition onto the Nurburgring remains to be seen, but we wouldn’t be surprised if Sport Auto’s Christian Gebhardt gets his hands on one to see how it compares.

BMW Z4 M40i Is Quicker Than M2 Around Nurburgring

Maybe we don’t really need a Z4 M after all.

The upcoming Z4 Roadster was recently unveiled at Pebble Beach and while its looks have generally been a big improvement over the current car, the lack of a pure M model in the line-up has left fans a little disappointed. BMW M boss, Frank Van Meel felt that the market for such a model would be extremely limited and claimed that the 335-hp M40i offered more than enough performance already.

Well, according to the German publication, Sport Auto, he may be right. Their test driver, Christian Gebhardt has just set a lap time of 7:55.41 in a pre-production European-spec 335-hp M40i, a full 6-seconds quicker than the time he set in the M2.

Now the Z3 and first-generation Z4 both could be had in M-trim but the ‘vanilla’ models in those ranges never had the kind of firepower the upcoming Z4 M40i has. And seeing as it is fitted with M Sport brakes and rear-diff as well as electronically controlled dampers, it is already much more capable than any base Z4 before it.

What about the M2 Competition? Surely that M car would see off a Z4 M40i around a track? Well, that beefed-up M2 does offer a serious 405 hp from the twin-turbo motor it borrows from the current M3 but then again, US M40i models are likely to have 385 hp under the hood, instead of the European model’s 335 hp.

That should help keep the lap times very close although the two cars will undoubtedly have very different characters. The M2 is solely available in coupe form and can be optioned with a 6-speed manual transmission, it may not be much quicker around a track but it will still be the purists choice.

The Z4, on the other hand, is a soft top roadster that will only be available with an 8-speed auto transmission, although with the handling and performance to take on some serious sports cars.

Watch The 2018 BMW M3 CS Undergo Final Nurburgring Testing

Could it officially debut at LA next month?

The current F80 generation BMW M3 will soon come to an end. With a new 3 Series just around the corner, BMW’s M division has also begun prepping the next M3, but at the moment the focus is making sure the current model goes out with a bang. As expected, the M3 CS (Club Sport) will arrive in the very near future. Automotive Mike managed to catch an M3 CS test mule recently at the Nurburgring undergoing some final testing. It isn’t heavily disguised, which makes sense considering we all know what the current M3 looks like.

But there will be some cosmetic differences, such as a vented hood and carbon fiber reinforced polymer rear spoiler and front apron lip, with the latter hidden with some camo in this video. Fortunately, the BMW M4 CS has already made its debut, so upgrades will mostly carry over.

The prototype here is also wearing 19-inch wheels up front and 20-inchers out back. Under the hood, the twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six will receive a power increase to about 460 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. Sources say the M3 CS will match the M4 CS’s 0-62 mph time of 3.9 seconds. Also like the M4 CS, sedan production will be limited, probably to around 3,000 examples. BMW tells us it has some exciting reveals coming up next month at the Los Angeles Auto Show, so it’s entirely possible the M3 CS will make its debut appearance in the City of Angels.

This Is How A Dozen BMW M4 GTS Owners Party At The Nurburgring

Ownership has its perks.

When any road car is limited to less than 1,000 examples, ownership is really more of an exclusive club. Perfect example: the BMW M4 GTS. Only 700 units were built and every single one of them, not surprisingly, was quickly purchased by longtime loyal BMW buyers. But why was the M4 GTS been so special? Aside from its 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six (the same engine found in the regular M4) receiving a power boost to almost 500 hp, the M4 GTS has one very specific technology not found on any other current BMW: water injection.

Along with a lighter weight, improved 0-60 mph time, and a retuned suspension, the M4 GTS is quite possibly the finest Nurburgring-tuned track toy BMW M has produced in, well, ever. Now you get that whole exclusive club bit?

So BMW M has just released this cool video showcasing a dozen or so German-speaking M4 GTS owners having a field trip, so to speak, with their prized cars at the Nurburgring. The event actually took place on September 27, 2016 and track conditions were excellent. Experts were on hand to explain the car’s best set-up, coach the drivers and, if necessary, calm their nerves. The group was led by BMW M trainer Jurgen Wagner, who managed to keep a cool head while tackling the Green Hell with all of those anxious M4 GTS owners. Must have been one hell of a day.