BMW X3 Gets Diesel M-Power Treatment

Specification levels will be identical to the M40i and, producing 326 hp from its twin-turbocharged inline-six, it is only a tenth of a second slower to 60 mph. The current gas-powered M40i may produce 34 hp more but the diesel M offers 502 lb-ft of torque vs. 369 which should give it even quicker in-gear acceleration figures. That is something that will be of more use in day-to-day driving as will the usually superior diesel fuel economy. The claimed combined economy is 36 mpg, which is far better than the X3 M40i’s 27 mpg figure. It of course also meets all of the latest strict emissions standards.

BMW M SUVs Could Get The Competition Pack Treatment

BMW considers extracting even more power from its sporty SUVs in the future.

The BMW M X5 and X6 SUVs aren’t exactly underpowered, boasting a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 that delivers 567 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. And yet BMW is considering extracting even more power from its sporty SUVs, as the automaker is considering giving the X5 and X6 the same Competition Pack treatment as the M3 and M4. Currently, the Competition Packs available for the M3 and M4 provide a performance boost, wider 20-inch wheels, a sharper chassis setup, updated suspension, and a sportier exhaust note among other tweaks.

“Competition is a strong growing market in demand, and that goes for every M,” BMW M boss Frank van Meel said in an interview with Auto Guide at the 2017 LA Auto Show. “So that’s also a feature we’re going to use more often in the future. And that does not exclude SUVs.” There’s a good chance this means that the next-generation X5 due to launch next summer will be the first SUV to be offered with an optional Competition Package with similar engine modifications and suspension tweaks. We know that a new M-badged X5 is already in the works, but BMW didn’t immediately offer a Competition Pack for the M3 and M4, so it may take a while before we see a Competition version of the X5 M.

BMW first introduced the Competition Pack for the last-generation M5 and M6, and more recently for the current M3 and M4. The next car on the agenda to receive the Competition Pack treatment is the all-new M5 which already has 600 hp on tap, so the Competition Pack variant should be an absolute monster. Alternatively, you can give the new M5 a sporty makeover by adding copious amounts of M Performance parts that were first shown at this year’s Las Vegas SEMA show.

Here's Proof The Bentley Continental GT Is Getting The Plug-In Hybrid Treatment

Let’s hope it inherits the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid’s powertrain that produces 680 hp.

After the coupe broke cover last year, the Bentley Continental GT range is about to rapidly expand. Spy shots have shown a convertible Continental GTC is in the works, and we recently got a first look at a prototype of the hardcore Continental Speed.

The expansion won’t end there however, as our spies have spotted a plug-in hybrid version of the luxury grand tourer. Aesthetically, it looks virtually identical to the standard model apart from a few subtle tweaks and the addition of a charging port on the rear left fender opposite the fuel cap on the other side.

Word on the street suggests the Continental GT PHEV will get the same hybrid powertrain as its SUV sibling, the Bentayga PHEV, which uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 petrol engine paired with an electric motor. If the specs match the hybrid Bentayga, the electrified Continental GT should deliver a pure electric range of up to 31 miles in the NEDC test cycle.

Oddly, Bentley still hasn’t revealed any technical specifications for the Bentayga plug-in. However, the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid shares the same powertrain and produces a combined 462 horsepower, which gives us a rough idea of the Continental GT PHEV’s potential power output.

Alternatively, Bentley could stuff the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid’s powertrain in the electrified Continental GT. If this is the case, this setup would deliver a whopping 680 horsepower, making it the most powerful Continental in the line-up. Nothing has been officially confirmed yet and we aren’t expecting the Continental GT Plug-In Hybrid to be unveiled until next year considering we’re still waiting for the Continental GTC, Speed, and the new Flying Spur to break cover.