2011 BMW Alpina B7

Try as it might, the BMW M3 Coupe can’t lose the Alpina B7. The two of us are an unlikely automotive pair, playing cat-and-mouse on one long road to nowhere deep in the reaches of an unincorporated area of the California coastal mountains. The air is cool and the canyons are mostly quiet. Only the sound of two wailing V8s breaks the silence.

While the M3 dives into the corners with confidence, the B7 launches out with ferocious conviction. The M3 pulls energetically on the short straights, but the B7 puts its power down with resolve and steadily reels the smaller coupe back in. Even mid-corner, when the M3 is in perfect step, the B7 clenches a slightly wider line but still holds its ground.

We’ve been at this game for more than an hour, and neither of us is willing to raise a white flag. Only the illumination of the low fuel light in the smaller coupe has us calling it quits. Want to learn what it takes to harass an M3 owner?

Review: 2011 BMW 550i

More than one mile above sea level, located in the heart of Sequoia National Park, is the General Sherman tree. This nearly three-hundred foot tall Giant Sequoia is considered the largest tree in the world, as based on total volume. More impressive than its mass is its age – scientists believe it is between 2,300 and 2,700 years old. Giant Sequoias have prospered over centuries, while countless lesser trees have come and gone, because they posses very unique qualities. Their foot-thick bark allows them to resist fire, and their shallow roots take advantage of rain showers during periods of drought. And, in an interesting twist of natural survival, their tall canopies effectively block the sun, preventing competitors from taking hold and surviving in the darkened shadows at their base.

The BMW 5 Series is in a similar position. The long-established benchmark mid-size sport sedan finds itself in a constant battle with competitors trying to push it aside in an effort to capture its territory. Instead of resting on its laurels, BMW re-engineers the four-door once every eight years to conform to a changing and ever crowding segment.

BMW 1 Series M Coupé limited to just 2,700 units in three colors?

David Aviles, who works at Northwest BMW in Maryland, won a sales competition and so was invited to a European BMW event called The Power of M. While there, he apparently gleaned some info on the 1 SeriesM Coupé that, if true, is not going to make very many people happy. According to Aviles, there will be just 2,700 examples sold in either Alpine White, Jet Black or Valencia Orange Metallic, and every single one will come with a manual transmission.

BMW’s been on a bit of a roll lately with special and limited edition M cars, but if Aviles’ news is accurate, we didn’t expect the production on this one to be choked off at such a low number. Aviles goes on to say that the U.S. will get the largest allocation, but numbers weren’t disclosed. The pic above is a wallpaper renderingof the 1 Series M Coupé by Bimmerpost member Gerald, which might be the closest any of us gets to the car itself. Hat tip to Arash!

Dyno Tested: BMW’s past and present turbo sixes

BMW has always had a gem of an inline-six on its hands, regardless of which particular powerplant you’re referring to. But over the last couple of years, it’s the German automaker’s turbocharged 3.0-liter N54 engines that have been lighting enthusiasts hearts afire, and steering more than a few buyers away from the M3 and into the seat of a 335i. And when the N54 proliferated across the rest of the automaker’s lineup, it was well-received in nearly every application.

For 2011, though, there’s a new engine in town, and the big question is whether or not the single-turbo N55 is better than the previous twin-turbo N54 or, at the very least, not worse. Helping shed some light on the matter is the crew from Automobile Magazine, who managed to snag a trio of various N54-powered 3-Series’ – one of which was the hotted-up 2011 335is, which uses a high-output version of the old N54 – along with one new model powered by an N55.

Lumma Design increases its carbon footprint with BMW 7 Series package

No matter which way you look at it, the latest BMW 7 Series is leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor in terms of styling. But if you’re looking for something a little more aggressive, Lumma Design has an answer for you: A lot of carbon fiber ought to do the trick.

Much as it has done for just about everything else made in the Fatherland, the German tuner has released a raft of carbon bits for the flagship Bimmer. Included in the package are a new grille, door handles, door mirror housings, front bumper with integrated LEDs, a quad-tip exhaust and massive 22-inch wheels riding on ultra low-profile rubber.

Lumma being more into design than engine tuning, the mechanical bits of the car remain untouched, but you can get a closer look in the gallery below.

Paris Preview: BMW unwraps 6 Series Coupe Concept

Like so many “concepts” from BMW, the 6 Series Coupe bound for the Paris Motor Show is a concept in name alone. What you’re looking at is BMW’s next GT, and even a cursory glance proves that the Bangleization of BMW is officially over.

Set to be based on the 5 Series’ underpinnings and taking several cues from the Grand Coupe conceptshown in Beijing, the next BMW 6 Series takes the brand’s new upright grille, frames it with a set of full-LED headlamps and than caps things off with a more contoured rump. We’re not going to pass judgement on the design until we see it in person, but like the last 6er, this new GT appears to be a love it or loathe it affair.

On the contrary, the interior is an airy, organic environment, complete with an asymmetrical center console tilted towards the driver, a new navigation display and a host of aluminum and leather accents that are several steps beyond what’s currently on offer from BMW. We’re particularly digging the redesigned steering wheel and the waterfall of material that connects the dash to the transmission tunnel.

BMW isn’t giving up specifics on dimensions or engines – this is a “concept” after all – but expect the 2012 BMW 6 Series to be slightly lower and marginally wider than the current model. Power will be supplied by BMW’s current array of naturally aspirated and turbocharged inline sixes, with the next M6 outputting over 550 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8. The standard 6 should be in showroom early next year, with the M6 to arriving in late 2012 and the soft-top due out in late 2011.

BMW introducing iPad docks for back seats, iPhone 4 integration

Good news, Apple fans. BMW has turned up the level of smart phone integration in its vehicles in a big way. The company will be showing off its new ConnectedDrive system at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The swank tech not only boasts Bluetooth wizardry and a text-to-speech function that will allow drivers to access text messages, memos, emails and the like from their Blackberry, it will also work with Apple iOS4. That means that the system clicks with the latest iPhone.

But wait, there’s more.

The German manufacturer is also introducing something it calls iPod Out that’s designed to make the most of using Apple music players in the vehicle. There’s even a handy docking system for the iPad in the back seats. What’s more, BMW will offer a mobile hotspot system with ConnectedDrive so that passengers can surf the web without burning up their data plans. Welcome to the brave new world.

BMW announces end of M6 production

Like it or not, it’s officially time to say auf wiedersehen to the potent M6. BMW has just announced that it has ceased production of both the M6 coupe and convertible. The uniquely styled GT cars primarily found favor here in the U.S., with a total of 3,528 of the hardtops and 3,247 convertibles sold on American soil. In total, the company managed to sell 14,152 of the cars since production of the M6 started in 2005. As you may recall, the drophead version didn’t hit the assembly line until 2006.

We’re sure the loss of the M6 is a heartbreak to some out there, but we know that there’s a replacement model on the horizon, and we’re more morose over the news that BMW is also sending the muscular V10 at the heart of the car to pasture at the same time. That’s right, kids. BMW is no longer planning to shoehorn a 10-pot into any vehicle it makes, opting instead for forced induction and eight cylinders. The 5.0-liter engine with its astronomical 8,250 rpm redline is the stuff of mechanical daydreams. Or at least it was. Hit the jumpfor the full press blast.

BMW’s new Joy ad campaign looks to have made it to China with the M3 Tiger – or as one Autoblog commenter called it, “the M3 by Ed Hardy.” Part of the continued celebration of a quarter century of M3s and the year of the tiger, the limited edition coupe took part in a photo shoot with a supporting cast so excited about the car they spend most of their time airborne.

On a more mundane note, the Fire Orange Metallic M3 will have black exterior accents and 19-inch wheels, while black Novilla leather will coat the inside and orange tiger heads are embroidered into the headrests. Only 250 M3 Tigers are set for production, and that may be 249 more than the world needs.

Report: Wiesmann MF5 exiting production as BMW V10 supply dries up *UPDATE

It’s not easy to build a car without an engine. Shocking news, we know, but it has major ramifications for small boutique automakers that don’t have the resources to design and manufacture powerplants of their own. One such company is Wiesmann, which has historically relied on engines from German automaker BMW.

As you may know, Wiesmann’s top-level MF5 borrows the same V10 engine that BMW uses in its M5 andM6. As good a choice as any other, no? Problem is, those models are currently being phased out andproduction has just come to an end… and that includes those V10 engines we were just talking about.

And without an engine… well, you know the rest. It’s not entirely clear what Wiesmann is going to do moving forward – and our trusty Google Translator is having a hard time deciphering exactly what our German sourceis trying to say – but it seems the specialty car company may either cancel its MF5 entirely or attempt to switch over to BMW’s new twin-turbo V8. We’ll see.

G-Power tuned BMW M5 World’s Fastest Sedan with 231 mph top whack?

The mad scientists at G-Power have reworked the company’s sinister M5 Hurricane into something even more impressive. Meet the M5 Hurricane RR – an 800 horsepower beast that G-Power claims is the fastest sedan in the world. The company started by plopping a new set of superchargers onto the M5 sedan’s already potent BMW V10. With a theoretical capacity of 900 horsepower, each belt-driven supercharger delivers air to a single bank of the engine. According to the tuner, this configuration allows for 25 percent more air to enter the combustion chamber. The engine’s internals have been completely reworked and balanced to handle all of that extra boost as well.

All of that mojo is good for a top speed of 231 mph on track, which the company says makes their matte monster the fastest four-door extant. If lofty top-speed numbers aren’t your bag of tricks, maybe acceleration figures are. G-Power says that 0-60 mph takes around 4.35 seconds and 0-120 mph clicks by in 9.5 seconds. Yep, that’s pretty darn quick for a two-ton sedan. Even better, G-Power will be more than happy to convert any old BMW M5 into the beast you see above, all for the low, low price of $71,780 – plus donor M5.Hit the jump for the full press release.

BMW Four-Door Coupe Receives Green Light

With four of the five premium German automakers adopting the four-door coupe experiment, BMW is not blind to the realization that they are the living with a void in their product array. Shown at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show as a concept vehicle, BMW showed off their fighter to the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the soon to be released Audi A7 Sportback. Identified in China as the Gran Coupe, BMW’s low-looking, four-door captured the sporty essence the brand known for producing “The ultimate driving machine” is meant to project. Though classified as a concept, the degree of production car cues made it clear that the Gran Coupe was merely awaiting a powerplant choice and a starting price tag. According to Automotive News, BMW has issued the official go ahead to the Gran Coupe’s production version for the 2012 calendar year.

Presenting a satisfying exterior image, expect very little to change from the Gran Coupe concept vehicle. Shorter in overall height than the BMW 3-Series sedan, the four-door coupe’s design conveys a racier appearance which also helps lower the center of gravity. Wheel arches are powerfully emphasized while vehicle lighting projects an equally strong character. On the concept Gran Coupe, BMW took a fresh approach on the tail lighting.

If going with a choice of existing powerplants, the 4.8 liter normally-aspirated V-8 or the 4.4 liter twin-turbocharged V-8 seems to be formidable candidates featuring 360 and 400 horsepower. The only problem with these high-technology BMW engines is they’re already widely used in the current German luxury car lineup. If BMW wants to furnish more of a specialized sports coupe, there might be a chance for the German automaker could spark an unique sensation with their fusion creation. Perhaps the 4 liter V-8 used in the BMW M3 could inspire the passion needed for their upcoming four-door coupe.

The roll-out of BMW’s four-door coupe is expected to closely correspondent with the upcoming revision of the 6-Series. Caught testing at the Nurburgring next week, the set of spied 2012 BMW 6-Series (provided on pistonspy.com) has given potentially truer insight on the composure of the four-door coupe drivetrain. A six-cylinder entry-level engine is expected to produce more than 300 horsepower while a 4.4 liter V-8 will again be offered with a mild power bump. The real power gain will be made on the new BMW M6 slated to house a powerplant with a 600 horse output. It’s reasonable to assume the four-door coupe will also be honoured through an M line upgrade. Automotive News’ source with the announcement has also entertained (albeit casually) the notion that the production vehicle based on the Gran Coupe could be a hybrid.

With the BMW production car unlikely to be sold with the Gran Coupe name, the question remains for where will the four-door coupe fit in the German’s auto company’s numerical lineup. With the Bavarian auto company wanting to position this car above the 5-Series, the closest number left available on top of the listing is 8-Series. However, it seems more reasonable that BMW may opt to use their alphanumeric sports car scheme the ‘Z’ preceding the selected number perhaps the Z5 or Z6.

BMW Gran Coupe reportedly go for launch

Not to be outdone by the likes of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide or Audi A7, BMW will reportedly be building a production version of the Gran Coupe concept that debuted at this year’s Beijing Motor Show. It may be a late arrival to the growing segment of swoopy luxury sedans, but BMW will indeed poise the Gran Coupe to offer just as much in the way of technology and refinement as the lot of its competitors.

Based on the next-generation 6 Series, the Gran Coupe is set to launch sometime in 2012 and will share its powertrains with what we’re seeing in the 5, 6, and 7 Series BMWs, including a possible hybrid variant. Naturally, the production Gran Coupe will slot between the 5 and 7 Series in terms of size and price, and if the overall design doesn’t change too much, it’ll certainly be an attractive addition to the BMW lineup.

BMW Frozen Gray M3 paint a pain, owners must sign agreement about its care?

If you were one of the 30 Bimmerphiles to snag a 2011 Frozen Gray M3 Coupe last month, expect to fill out another round of paperwork before you take delivery of your new matte gray baby.

BMW is apparently requiring all owners to sign a “maintenance agreement” that insists the M3 is never polished or waxed, ran through an automatic car wash or even strongly rubbed. Additionally, BMW politely asks that you immediately remove bugs, bird droppings, tree sap and fuel spills with a soft sponge, and naturally, dealers are more than willing to sell you appropriate products for maintaining the matte finish.

According to enthusiast site Bimmerfest, BMW explicitly states the M3′s warranty won’t cover any damage due to owner neglect and it notes that all exterior repairs must be performed by a BMW-authorized shop. What’s more, if you don’t sign the agreement, no Frozen Grey M3 for you. That’s a lot of disclaimers. All of which could be easily solved for less if you simply went down to your local custom vinyl shop and wrapped your (decidedly less expensive) standard M3 in a 3M coating. But how do you put a price on exclusivity?

BMW celebrates 25 years of M3

It’s been 25 years since the BMW M3 first hit the scene. During that time, the car has evolved from a bantamweight fighter capable of taking on heavy hitters of the sports car world to the yardstick that the rest of the segment is measured. In the process, it has shed its bulging, steroid-riddled fenders for smoother sheetmetal and abandoned its four-cylinder engine for an out of this world aluminum mill with twice the pots, but its essence as a well-balanced sports coupe remains.

The transformation wasn’t easy. BMW sent the car through innumerable trials on the tracks and trails of the motorsports world, and the mean little 3 Series quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with on the grid.

BMW has commemorated its wicked child’s birthday by recounting the tale of the car’s conception. Don’t worry: it’s a lot less repulsive than listening to your parents yak on about how you came around. The tale is filled with the origins of the car’s 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, including where the engineers managed to source parts and the like. It’s well worth your time if you’ve got a second. Check past the jump for the full tale and the high-res gallery below for for the M3′s stunning quarter-century as chronicled in photos.

BMW M5 production comes to an end

The King is dead, long live the King. BMW dropped us a line to say that the V10-powered M5 supersedan is no more. Production has officially ended on the E60 version of one the world’s best sports sedan after five years and 20,548 units. That’s even greater than the production numbers of its predecessor, the V8-powered E39 models, even though those versions had an additional year of production.

When it was first released in 2005 as a 2006 model, the E60 was a fairly outrageous automotive offering, with an exotic 5.0-liter V10 and 507 horsepower on tap. This generation of M5 introduced the world to a whole new set of superlatives as automotive journalists reached for their Roget’s to find a novel way to describe the acceleration, braking and handling. And now that the E60 is no more.

But BMW wants us to rejoice rather than lament the passing of the E60, for the new F10 BMW M5 is just around der Karussell. We’ve been seeing spy shots of the 2011 BMW M5 seemingly forever, and with its new twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 rumored to be producing 560 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of torque, performance should even be a step above the E60. That doesn’t mean we won’t miss the E60, however. The good news is that they should be getting even more affordable on the used car market. Follow the jump to read the release and check out a few of our favorite E60 M5 reviews from the blokes at Top Gear and their more sane siblings at Fifth Gear.

eBay Find of the Day: 1957 BMW 507 is a black beauty

The BMW 507 is arguably the most beautiful and certainly among the rarest production models ever to emerge from Munich, with only 253 produced between 1956 and 1959. The 507 was the first BMW built with a V8 engine and remained the only model to use one until the 740i debuted in 1992. The 3.2-liter pushrod V8 under the 507′s bonnet was rated at either 150 or 160 horsepower.

Unfortunately, as attractive as the 507 was, its $10,000 price tag made it a bigger commercial failure than the more recent Z8. Following the 507′s demise, BMW didn’t build another roadster until the 1989 Z1.

This particular example appears to be in very good condition aside from its slightly foggy rear window. It spent a good part of its life at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas, where it was purported to be one of two owned by Elvis Presley. As this is written, the $400,000 top bid has not cleared the reserve price, so you still have a chance to remortgage the house and get in on this action.