2020 BMW X3 M and X4 M Competition first drive review
BMW is launching the first M versions of its X3 and X4. The 2020 X3 M and X4 M Competition pack a new 503-horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six and BMW’s usual array of performance tech. But is that enough to make these two SUVs worthy of BMW’s vaunted M badge?
Here’s why BMW mechanics now carry smartglasses in their tool chest
BMW technicians in the United States have started wearing smartglasses, and it's not because they're shooting alien ships between oil changes. They use augmented reality technology to access workshop manuals, and to get in touch with members of the company's engineering team when they need advice.
BMW’s i8 Roadster is the Mazda Miata of hybrids. And I mean that in a good way
The BMW i8 Roadster is outclassed by all of its direct competitors when it comes to power, speed, eco-cred, or luxury. What it does have is driving goodness surround by a stunningly beautiful wrapper. What other car isn’t the fastest but is possibly the best? Oh yeah, the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
With up to 617 hp on tap, the 2020 M8 is BMW’s new performance flagship
The 2020 BMW M8 is finally here after numerous teases. The sportiest version of BMW's big coupe and convertible packs a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, and the M5's trick all-wheel-drive system. The 2020 BMW M8 will be available in standard (600 hp) and Competition (617 hp) forms.
BMW and Jaguar-Land Rover set aside their differences to develop new EVs
BMW and Jaguar-Land Rover will set aside their differences to jointly develop components for EVs. The partnership will focus on motors, and the two companies made no mention of joining forces to design batteries or other parts. The first models equipped with the jointly developed technology will arrive in the 2020s.
BMW argues bigger is better as it gives the X1 crossover a nip-and-tuck
BMW is giving the X1, its entry-level crossover, updates inside and out for the 2020 model year. The soft-roader receives a new-look front end, a bigger touchscreen for the infotainment system, and a new trim level structure. It will face competition from the Audi Q3 and the Volvo XC40 when it goes on sale.
You can operate this BMW on a busy sidewalk without getting arrested
Forget driving: BMW just released the ultimate riding machine. The German company teamed up with Switzerland's Micro to design a trio of scooters designed for last-mile mobility. One is an electric scooter with 7.5 miles of range and a 12 mph top speed. Another one is human-powered, while the third is for kids.
Parents will never miss soccer practice with BMW’s new 523-horsepower SUVs
BMW is launching M Performance versions of its biggest SUVs, the X5 and X7. While not full-on M models, they do pack 523-horsepower twin-turbo V8 engines, allowing both SUVs to sprint from zero to 60 mph in under five seconds. BMW will start building the X5 and X7 M Performance variants this summer.
Fossil is working on a smartwatch with BMW, and it’s coming next year
Fossil, the watch company that makes smartwatches under its own name and partners with other major brands, intends to launch a smartwatch with BMW in the future. The news comes after the company announced mechanical watches under the BMW name at the Baselworld watch show in Switzerland.
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe teased way ahead of its November debut
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is coming to the United States, eventually. The new compact BMW won't be unveiled until the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Unlike the 2 Series coupe and convertible, the Gran Coupe will be based on a front-wheel drive platform instead of rear-wheel drive.
Archrivals BMW and Daimler detail plans to join forces on mobility services
BMW and Daimler are joining forces to take on the likes of Uber and Lyft. The two German automakers are investing $1.1 billion in a mobility-service joint venture encompassing ridesharing, car-sharing, electric-car charging, and parking services. Autonomous cars are also part of the long-term plan.
BMW wants to make interacting with a car as natural as talking to a friend
BMW traveled to MWC2019 to demonstrate its new, artificial intelligence-powered Natural Interaction technology, which empowers drivers with three onboard means of communications that make interacting with a car as straightforward as talking to a friend. The technology will make its production debut in 2021.
BMW’s X3 M and X4 M pack 503 horsepower in nontraditional form
BMW is starting even further from its heritage with the 2020 X3 M and X4 M performance crossovers. But with up to 503 horsepower available in each vehicle, does that really matter? Production of the X3 M and X4 M begins in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in April.
Sibling rivalry: 2019 BMW Z4 takes on the 2020 Toyota Supra
BMW and Toyota formed an unlikely partnership to develop a sports car platform. BMW's variant made its debut as the Z4; Toyota used the architecture to build the fifth-gen Supra. Here, we're looking at performance, design, tech, and pricing to spot the differences and the similarities between the two.
Big tech, bigger grille: BMW updates its 7 Series flagship for 2020
The BMW 7 Series will enter the 2020 model year with a host of updates inside, outside, and under the sheet metal. The new-look nose with a jumbo grille hides updated engines, while passengers benefit from smart tech features like connected navigation and BMW's personal assistant. Pricing hasn't been announced yet.
Could BMW return to the ranks of supercar builders with a 700-hp hybrid?
BMW is mulling a hybrid supercar as a replacement for the current i8, according to a new report. The new car would reportedly use a larger gasoline engine to generate more power than the i8. Potential rivals for the new BMW could include the McLaren 570S, Acura NSX, and Audi R8.
BMW’s 2020 M340i will show off mix of tech and luxury at the Los Angeles show
The 2020 3 Series represents the seventh generation of BMW's bread-and-butter luxury sedan. Where previous generations emphasized the driving experience, the 2020 3 Series focuses more on tech than ever before. Available features include a long list of electronic driving aids and BMW's new personal assistant.
Room to roam: The supersized X7 is unlike any BMW you’ve ever seen
The first-ever BMW X7 is the 7 Series of the SUV world in terms of size, price, and image. Its supersized body has enough room for seven adult passengers and enough tech to impress even the most cutting-edge buyers. Deliveries will begin in March, but buyers can reserve the X7 online -- a first for a BMW.
BMW’s 8 Series convertible packs a twin-turbo V8, display screens galore
The 2019 BMW 8 Series convertible is the first drop-top version of BMW's two-door flagship ever. Like the 8 Series coupe, the convertible sports a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 and a long list of tech features. The convertibles debuts at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Exclusive: BMW to introduce ‘safe’ fully autonomous driving by 2021 with iNext
BMW may be trying to reinvigorate its future lineup with more electrified vehicles, from plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to full-fledged all-electric cars. But the automaker isn’t limiting its initiatives to just electrification. BMW also wants to be a leader in developing autonomous driving technology.
Exclusive: BMW will offer up to 25 electrified vehicles by 2025, 12 all-electric
While in attendance of the New York reveal of the BMW Vision iNEXT Concept, we learned that the company will introduce up to 25 electrified models by 2025, 12 of which will be all-electric vehicles, featuring the company's fifth generation electric powertrain.
2019 BMW i3 electric car gets a bigger battery pack, range boost
BMW claims its updated 2019 i3 will have 153 miles of range when production begins in November. That's 39 miles more than the current i3 can travel on a charge. The improvement comes courtesy of a 42-kilowatt-hour battery pack. BMW will continue offering a range-extended model as well.
Here’s a teaser of BMW’s next-generation 3-Series sedan before its Paris debut
BMW’s world-renowned and iconic 3 Series sedan is approaching the end of its average generational lifespan, having reached the age of seven this year. A new seventh generation 3 Series is in the works and the crew at BMW just released some teasers to give us a little taste before its reveal in Paris.
BMW’s redesigned Z4 gets two turbocharged engines, long list of tech features
The redesigned BMW Z4 will be available in sDrive30i Roadster and M40i Roadster guises when it goes on sale next year. The more powerful M40i will do zero to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, according to BMW. The Z4 does not get a coveted manual transmission option, however.
We get up close with the Vision iNext concept to learn about BMW’s future
Through a massive worldwide campaign that visits various major cities around the world, we gain an exclusive opportunity to get up close and personal with BMW’s Vision iNEXT Concept to see what’s in store for the company’s future, from electrification, to autonomous driving tech, and connectivity.
Photos of the BMW Vision iNEXT Concept leak onto the web despite embargo
Earlier this week, Digital Trends was invited to preview BMW’s all-new Vision iNEXT Concept as it travels around the world to various cities for showcasing. Although we were all under an embargo, somehow the photos of the concept leaked onto the web before the embargo lifted.
Watching BMW’s autonomous motorcycle is equal parts awesome and creepy
BMW's motorcycle-building division has developed a self-riding R 1200 GS but ghost bikes aren't hitting the road anytime soon. The one-off prototype will help BMW learn about vehicle dynamics and rider behavior in order to build smarter bikes capable of detecting and avoiding accidents as cars can.
BMW USA’s stance on diesels still up in the air despite discontinuation claims
Despite various outlets quoting a BMW USA representative about focusing on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, another BMW USA spokesperson released another statement to correct that the company's official decision on diesels in the U.S. market is still undecided and pending.
BMW M strays further from its heritage with X3 M and X4 M crossovers
Camouflaged prototypes of the BMW X3 M and X4 M appeared at a race at Germany's Nürburgring, with a full public reveal to follow at a later date. BMW M has built some great cars, but will these crossovers dilute the brand? They certainly won't do BMW any favors with enthusiasts.
BMW teases its Vision iNEXT Concept ahead of global debut next week
We’re just a few days away from attending the reveal event for BMW’s all-new Vision iNEXT Concept, a car rumored to be another precursor to a future all-electric model. And to build up anticipation, the company released a few teasers. We will be attending the New York reveal next week, so stay tuned.
BMW revs up its own ‘Intelligent Personal Assistant’ voice tech
BMW is readying a digital voice assistant that is familiar with your car's operations and can learn your preferences. Slated to be compatible with existing major voice assistants, BMW's Intelligent Personal Assistant will be available for cars using the manufacturer's new OS, BMW Operating System 7.0.
BMW tests whether its 8-Series Convertible can stand the heat in Death Valley
Just as BMW is getting around to launching the second-generation 8-Series Coupe, Munich’s finest officially released photos teasing the droptop variant as well. So while the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe had its work cut out for it, it appears the S-Class Cabriolet will as well.
2019 BMW Z4 has sportier styling, but will it be a true sports car or a poser?
The 2019 BMW Z4 debuts at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and goes on sale in the United States next year. BMW unveiled the new Z4 in M40i First Edition trim, but other models will follow. Will the highly anticipated two-seater be a true sports car, or a poseur mobile?
Can BMW’s rebooted 3 Series regain gold standard for sport sedans?
The BMW 3 Series lost its way in 2012; once the gold standard in the sport sedan segment, it disappointed journalists and buyers by not living up to BMW's promise of delivering the ultimate driving machine. The brand-new model scheduled to make its debut as a 2020 model aims to climb back on top of the podium.