It looks like BMW's M Performance Parts division is picking up steam increasing both its range coverage and product offerings. During the media presentation of the new sporty X4 crossover in Europe, the Bavarian firm revealed the first M Sport edition kitted out with M Performance goods.
The guys over at BimmerToday snapped a host of photos of the X4 M Sport display model with M Performance components for both the exterior and interior.
Among
other parts that we see on the outside are the gloss black kidney
grilles, belt line decals, carbon fiber mirror caps, trunk spoiler and
diffuser (raise your hands if you think it would look better without the
body-colored center section) and 20-inch alloy wheels.
On
the inside, there's an Alcantara steering wheel with a carbon fiber
wrap that is also used on the lower center console, the 8-speed auto
shifter and door panels, bespoke mats and aluminum sport pedals.
It’s
very likely that BMW will offer performance improvements as well,
including suspension, brake, exhaust system and engine parts when it
releases the M Performance program for the X4 later this year.
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BMW has released a new photo gallery with the 4-Series Gran Coupé ahead of the model’s market debut this summer in Europe. A more expensive and stylish alternative to the 3-Series Sedan, the 4-Series Gran Coupé is offered with three special equipment packages, the M Sport package and the BMW Individual program.
At launch, the BMW 4-Series
Gran Coupé is offered with five engines in Europe: three petrol units
and two diesels. The top-of-the-line model is the 435i powered by a
twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder in-line petrol engine producing
306PS (302hp). Next in the lineup is the 428i powered by a 245PS
(242hp) turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit and the 420i motivated
by an 184PS (182hp) turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder.
Diesel
models are the 418d powered by a 143PS (141hp) 2.0-liter four-cylinder
engine and the 420d powered by a 184PS (182hp) 2.0-liter four-cylinder
unit. The latter is the most economical of the range, averaging 4.5
liters/100 km (52.2 mpg US). All engines are mated as standard with a
manual six-speed transmission and comply with the EU6 emissions
standard. Optionally, an 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission is
offered for all engine variants.
The BMW 428i Gran Coupé and 420d Gran Coupé are also available with the German firm's xDrive all-wheel drive system.
In the States, BMW offers the 240hp 428i and the 300hp 435i.
Read more
08:15
By
Mira
News
,
Toyota
,
Yaris
Toyota has returned with more photos and details of the facelifted
Yaris for Europe, whose main design feature is the Aygo-inspired front
end. While the model is aimed primarily at European consumers, many of
the changes implemented in terms of design and platform will benefit the
Japanese-market Toyota Vitz as well.
The
front end of the car features Toyota’s “Keen Look and Under Priority”
design concepts enhanced by the cross-shaped structure with the top and
bottom parts separated. The headlamp clusters incorporate new projector
lamp technology for both high and low beams, and LED daytime Running
Lights (DRL).
Viewed from the sides, the new Yaris
features a new door belt moulding, optional, electrically-folding door
mirrors and a choice of four new, 15- and 16-inch alloy wheels. The rear
end features a redesigned bumper incorporating a diffuser, new LED
taillights and sculpted license place garnish.
On
the inside, the quality of materials has been improved “both in feel
and appearance”, while the equipment and choice of colors have also been
diversified. The center console has been raised by 23mm (0.9 inches) to
reduce the length of the gear shift lever by 30mm (1.2 inches) for
improved gear changing ergonomics.
Additionally,
a closed storage area has been added and the console touch screen has
been increased in size from 6.1 inches to 7 inches, along with the
upgrade to the latest, Toyota Touch 2 multimedia systems. The facelifted
Yaris also features a range of all-new seat trims, with a new fabric
pattern and color for each grade.
Toyota
also says the facelifted Yaris features a more comfortable suspension,
as well as efficient handling and driving pleasure, thanks to the
addition of a new, stiffer torsion beam at the rear combined with softer
coil springs and a new long polyurethane bound stopper. Softer coil
springs have also been fitted to the front, while sound insulation is
also said to have improved.
The Yaris
will continue to be available with two gasoline engines (1.0-liter and
1.33-liter), a 1.4-liter D-4D diesel and a hybrid version. Rated at 3.3
l/100 km (71.3 mpg US), the latter currently makes up for almost 1 out
of 3 Yaris sales. The 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine has undergone a major revamp,
featuring a thermal efficiency of over 37 percent. This translates into
low CO2 emissions (99 g/km, 95 g/km with the Stop & Start system).
Read more
BMW Individual has released new personalization features for the exterior and interior of the 4-Series Gran Coupe, available from the market launch of the regular model.
Exterior options include BMW Individual
brilliant paints such as Citrine Black metallic, Tansanite Blue
metallic, Pyrite Brown metallic and Moonstone metallic, as well as matt
colors Frozen Brilliant White metallic, Frozen Grey metallic, Frozen
Bronze metallic und Frozen Cashmere Silver metallic. Other BMW
Individual options for the exterior are the 19-inch light-alloy wheels
in V-spoke design with mixed tires.
For the interior, BMW
Individual proposes Merino fine-grain leather trim for the seats, door
panels and the armrests. Available in the colors Golden Brown, Cashmere
Beige, Nutmeg, Opal White and Black, the leather trim also covers the
dashboard.
BMW Individual offers a
choice of three interior trims, Piano Black, Plane Dark Red-Brown and
Ash Grain White, each one of them complemented by an accentuating trim
in Pearl Gloss Chrome. Other touches include doorsills with BMW
Individual lettering, anthracite roof lining and BMW Individual steering
wheel covered with soft leather.
At market launch, the BMW 4-Series
Gran Coupe will also be available with the BMW Individual Composition
package that includes leather trim in Merino fine-grain, leather-clad
BMW Individual dashboard, BMW Individual interior trim strip and BMW
Individual leather steering wheel. All BMW Individual features can be
ordered individually and combined with all equipment lines as well as
the M Sport Package.
Read more
11:57
By
Mira
Bentley
,
Hybrid
,
News
,
SUV
Bentley's promotional machine has clicked in to gear with the British firm releasing the first video trailer on their upcoming SUV
and at the same time, confirming what we already suspected on the
availability of a plug-in hybrid edition, even though the as of yet
unnamed series won't go into production until 2016.
The
fact that Bentley is moving on with videos, leads us to believe that
the company will probably reveal a pre-production concept in the coming
months.
The monochrome trailer plays with lights and reflections on the SUV's body to preview its modified appearance over the original EXP-9 Concept SUV that was unveiled in 2012. From what Bentley allows us to see, most changes seem to have occurred on the SUV's front end.
When it goes on sale in 2016, Bentley's SUV will get the brand's 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12
petrol engine producing over 600-horses, with a plug-in hybrid variant
to follow the next year. Bentley previewed, but did not detail, the new
plug-in hybrid powertrain on a Mulsanne Concept in China just last month. However, it is widely believed that it uses a V8 bi-turbo petrol engine.
Read more
11:53
By
Mira
BMW
,
News
,
X4
The new BMW X4
Sports Activity Coupe could be described as the poor man’s BMW X6, but
the truth is, the crossover has a lot more in common with the BMW X3.
The X4 is a more expensive X3 with sportier looks that shares the same
platform, engines and even interior with BMW's more conventional SUV.
Of
course, the interior is not quite the same in terms of space, as the
X4’s lowered roofline affects room especially for the rear passengers.
BMW insists on the X4’s sportier nature, with the driver and front
passenger sitting 20mm lower than in the X3, while the rear bench is
profiled for two passengers – there is room for three, but the shape of
the bench in the center doesn’t look too comfortable for a long ride.
The BMW X4
is available with three petrol engines and three diesels in Europe,
with outputs ranging from 184PS (181hp) to 313PS (309hp). All units
feature the BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and comply with EU6 exhaust
gas standards. The flagship petrol model, the X4 xDrive35i, is powered
by a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine producing 306PS (302hp) and 400 Nm
(295 lb-ft) of torque and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in
just 5.5 seconds.
The range-topping 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel unit in the BMW
X4 xDrive35d produces 313PS (309hp) and 630 Nm (465 lb-ft) of torque,
allowing for a 0-100 km/h sprint of 5.2 seconds. Average fuel economy is
rated at 6 l/100 km (39.2 mpg US). The most frugal engine is the 190PS
(188hp) 2.0-liter diesel in the X4 xDrive20d which averages 5 l/100 km
(47 mpg US).
BMW X4 sales begin this
summer in the U.S. with prices starting from $45,625 including
destination and handling. Prices in Germany start from €45,600.
Read more
11:47
By
Mira
News
,
Panamera
,
Porsche
Porsche Exclusive has been rolling out quite a few unique creations lately, including a Riviera Blue Boxster S, a sporty Macan S and a Slate Grey 911 Turbo Cabriolet
– to name only the most recent. The Panamera Turbo S is the latest
model to get a makeover from Porsche Exclusive, which gave it a sinister
look by painting it in a Jet Black Metallic hue and fitting
black-painted 20-inch Sport Classic alloy wheels.
Other Porsche Exclusive exterior options showcased on this Panamera Turbo S
are the LED main headlights in black including Porsche Dynamic Light
System Plus (PDLS+), smoked LED taillights, and sports tailpipes in
black.
In contrast with the dark
appearance of the exterior, the cabin provides a warmer environment
thanks to the Garnet Red and black leather upholstery that envelops the
interior. The dashboard is covered in leather as well, as are the air
vent slats, while the gear selector is in carbon. Other Porsche Exclusive interior options include the Porsche Crest embossed on front and rear headrests, Porsche Rear Seat Entertainment, instrument dials in White and Sport Chrono stopwatch instrument dial in White.
The customized Panamera
Turbo S also features illuminated individual door sill guards in
carbon, personalized floor mats with leather edging, front center
console armrest with model logo, PCM surround in leather, as well as
pedals and footrest in aluminum.
Read more
