2017 LA Auto Show: BMW X7 iPerformance

If there is one recent BMW concept that can be labeled as controversial, then that title has to go to the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance. The big and bold SUV is a preview of the 2019 production series X7 which is BMW’s response to the ever growing luxury SUV market, and it was introduced in a key market – Los Angeles.

The BMW X7 will be the flagship luxury SUV in the Bavarian lineup and it will contend with cars like the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class and even the Range Rover Autobiography. And to do that, it not only needs lots of space, but also a massive look.

The exterior is big, bold and brash, with sharp lines and massive features. Its Kidney Grilles are simply massive, flanked by wide, yet narrow, LED headlights. It’s tall and the height is emphasized by the very sleek headlights. The laser lights have “X” designs, and this is the first BMW X model with perfectly round wheel arches.

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Inside the BMW X7 Concept, you’ll notice many features that are reminiscent of the BMW 8 Series Concept’s cabin. The futuristic steering wheel, iDrive controller, glass shift lever and fully digital gauge cluster all look either plucked straight from the 8 Series Concept or at least inspired by it. Whereas the exterior of the X7 Concept is all about being sophisticated, yet imposing, the interior is all about high-tech minimalism.

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While BMW has yet to release full details of the X7’s powertrain other than it will feature a TwinPower turbo petrol engine allied with its eDrive technology, but we can assume this will be the 740e’s 2-liter set up with a combined output of 322 hp and the ability to travel up to around 20 miles on electric power alone. There is no doubt that other engines will be available including the 3-liter diesel and the company’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8.

BMW will produce the X7 in Spartanburg starting in late 2018.

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2017 LA Auto Show: North American Debut for the BMW i Vision Dynamics

Electrification was the buzzword at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show, a trend embraced by BMW as well. The Bavarians have introduced a series of electrified vehicles, including a major world premiere – BMW i8 Roadster. The beautiful open-top plug-in hybrid was joined by the i3s and i3, the MINI E, X7 iPerformance and i Vision Dynamics.

The latter is a four-door coupe which will come as a standard vehicle on the road in 2021 with a range of 600 kilometers. It will also have the ability to sprint from 0 to 100 in 4.0 seconds and a top speed of over 200 km/h.

The design of the BMW i Vision Dynamics is based on the study Vision Next 100, which was presented last year, but has already taken a major step towards the development of the standard vehicle.

The interior of the four-door hatchback sedan is intended to provide at least comfort for four occupants, the ability to drive autonomously with the help of state-of-the-art assistance systems, as well as state-of-the-art infotainment with comprehensive networking.

More information on the i Vision Dynamics are expected to be unveiled in 2018, but in the mean time, here is a photo gallery from the auto show.

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BMW announces pricing for the new BMW M3 CS

The new BMW M3 CS just made its world premiere at the 2017 LA Auto Show and according to BMW, the entire run is limited t0 1200 with more than 500 coming to the US next year. The super limited, high-performance sedan will go on sale next year at a base price of $97,400. The same M3 CS lands in the UK market for £86,380.

The M engineers gave the M3 CS a similar sort of treatment as they gave the M4 CS, just not to the same extreme, yet, the full package looks just as enticing. The BMW M3 CS also receives a power boost, up 28 hp from the standard M3 to make 453 hp. It also gets a bump in torque, up 37 lb-ft to total 443 lb-ft.

According to BMW, the M3 CS can get from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds, which sounds about exactly right, considering the Comp Pack can do it in around 3.8-3.9 seconds and the CS is a bit lighter and more powerful. This is the fastest BMW ever made.

On the outside, the M3 CS gets the same carbon fiber front lip, carbon rear diffuser and carbon rear spoiler as seen on the M4 CS. It’s also sitting on the same wheels, BMW’s Style 763M wheels, which look excellent on the M3. More than just look good, the staggered wheels (20″ at the rear, 19″ at the front), they’re also significantly lighter than the standard M3 wheels, reducing unsprung rotational mass. All of that weight savings adds up to about a 110 lbs weight reduction.

There is one thing missing though – the OLED taillights found on the M4 CS.

Five color choices will be available for the M3 CS, with Alpine White being standard. Customers who don’t want white can also choose from San Marino Blue Metallic, Lime Rock Grey Metallic, Frozen Dark Blue II Metallic or Black Sapphire Metallic.

Orders for the BMW M3 CS start in May, 2018.

[Source: f80.bimmerpost]

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Throwback review of the E34 BMW 5 Series

Of all the generations of 5 Series from the past, likely the most forgotten is the E34-generation. While not bad by any means, it’s simply not as loved as either the E28 before it, nor the E39 that succeeded it. In fact, in terms of 5 Series’, only the E12-generation is likely to be more forgotten. However, it’s worth revisiting the old E34 5 Series to see what it was actually like back in the ’80s when it first debuted. So this Autocar review from 1988 should shed some light on that.

Back in 1988, when the E34 5 Series first launched, Autocar was able to review the top-of-the-line model in the UK, the BMW 535i. The most recent BMW 535i was the F10-generation 5 Series only recently was replaced in 2016, which made 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque from its 3.0 liter turbocharged I6. The E34-gen BMW 535i? That actually had a 3.5 liter, naturally-aspirated straight-six engine and it made a whopping 211 hp.

That 3.5 liter straight-six was as silky-smooth as all old-school BMW engines were. It was smooth and quiet but made a metallic growl as you poked it, like a small metal bear. What a fantastic engine that was and it’s the sort that makes BMW fans yearn for the old days. It made good on its performance figures, too. The 535i was quick for its day, reaching 0-60 mph in 7.4 seconds. More impressively, it did 0-30 mph in 2.6 seconds, which was great for 1988.

It’s impressive performance figures had to do with its low-end torque and five-speed manual gearbox. Rather than the four-speed auto slushbox of the day, the five-speed manual allowed you to rev it up and dump the clutch, giving the 535i pretty rapid acceleration off the line.

But the best part about the E34-gen 5 Series, especially the sportier 535i, was the way it handled. BMW really worked magic back in those days, creating cars that were not only comfortable and supple but really enjoyable to drive. Its old-school recirculating ball steering setup provided just the right amount of weight and steering feel, while having that signature BMW dead spot on center at highway speed. It was the perfect setup for a luxury sport sedan at the time and it’s the sort of steering most of us miss.

The E34 BMW 5 Series may not be a favorite among BMW fans but it represents a time when BMW just always got it right. Whether it be the steering, the ride, the interior or the engine, BMW was on such a roll in the ’80s and ’90s that it seemed it could never be stopped.

[Source: Autocar]

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