BMW M GmbH

First it seemed like all the luxury car makers were branching off into powerboats and now that trend continues with something much more attainable and practical, the pedal bike. BMW M division is offering a limited edition cycle starting in June at select dealerships. It certainly looks the part but does it have the goods?

The bike's 28 pound aluminum frame comes in three different sizes all sporting a matte anthracite paint job. A leather fi'zi:k saddle (yeah, not sure either) with a red inlay provides a sleek and comfortable ride when sandwiched between your cheeks. Performance comes by way of a Manitou Match front suspension fork, Shimano SLX gear system and disk brakes front and rear.

It's almost springtime. For some people that means flowers, rain, new life and all that sappy stuff. I would probably drive past the new foliage and bird-watchers though, because your local BMW dealership will probably have a new M3 on the lot, featuring the 2011 BMW M3 "Competition Package."  Available in Spring of 2010, this add on will be available for all models (Coupe, Sedan, Convertible) and will cost $2,500.

It includes lightweight alloy wheels, lowered suspension (10mm), trick looking carbon fiber front and rear spoilers, and a new EDC setting simply called, "sport mode." Along with that wildly creative EDC setting comes several new stability control programs, all aimed at improving the handling and driving experience. The aero bits look great. The raw carbon fiber accents the body color (unless it's black) and will help the car stand out among the seemingly thousands of new M3s seen daily. The rear spoiler is a nice touch, elongating the shape of the trunk and balancing the profile.

BMW has finally acknowledged what we have been waiting for with baited breath; there will be an M-tuned 135i offered to the public. And only a few days after we named the 135i one of our Top Sports Cars of 2010, specifically because of its tuning potential. Coincidence? Yeah, probably. But great news nonetheless.

In 2007, BMW showed the world its Tii concept, a worked-over 135i with a slight body kit, tuned suspension and even a racing stripe. That concept sat brewing for a few years and finally has an official green light. The BMW 135i "M1" will go on sale in mid-2011 in the UK, with no word on a U.S. offering just yet. But judging by the success of the 135i, and my country's love of everything fast and shiny, it will cross the pond swiftly.

BMW's V8-powered E92 M3 is being lauded as the best one yet. It's just as at-home commuting to work as it is slicing apexes and leaving stains of dead Falkens on the ground. Modifying an M3 is just icing on the cake.  German BMW tuner ATT Autotechnik Tuning knew the M3 could only benefit from more horsepower, so they created the Thunderstorm M3. It's a 500hp hard-top convertible, turning the jack-of-all-trades M3 into a car with a Master's Degree in useable horsepower.

To get the E92's high-strung V8 into the “500+ Club” Autotechnik + Tuning fitted the car with a supercharger and new engine software; a great choice to keep the power down low. The custom exhaust system has “optimized dynamic pressure”. I don't know what that means, but I bet the car sounds incredible. Oddly, the exhaust is not mandatory for the kit, but is a $2,000 option. KW coil-overs lower the car and rein in any body roll. A set of ATT-TEC LeMans 20” wheels (8.5x20 in front and 10x20 rear) add grip and style. The interior is untouched, but they will outfit it with carbon or Swarovsky crystals if you like. It's a slick looking M3 that let's in all the sun you can handle, handles tighter than stock (hopefully), and has enough power to move up in the ranks. Altogether, that's a good combination.

When a German car company releases a new vehicle in bright orange paint you have to take notice. Not because of the attention it draws but because this is always indicative that this car goes very fast. It's like a special warning of sorts. And since BMW has just created a hardcore version of their M3 in orange livery, one of the most well-balanced and able sports cars on the market today, you know its going to be absolutely wicked. The BMW M3 GTS will sport a 4.4-liter V8 engine that pumps out 450 hp. This is .4-liter and 36 hp over the standard version. The transmission is the honorable 7-speed M DKG Drivelogic gearbox.

Since the curb weight is a svelte 3285 pounds, almost 420 pounds less than the stock M3 Coupe, we can only imagines its acceleration times. In order to save weight, BMW had to yank the rear seats, automatic AC, nav, audio system and sound insulation. Racing buckets seats are swapped in the front and a fire extinguisher mounted between the two. A six-point harness and integrated roll-cage are in place to protect the occupants.

IND Distribution recently delivered a "one-of-a-kind" BMW Individual Atlantis E90 M3 to a special client looking for extreme personalization and not afraid to take some risks. Myke ordered his M3 with an Atlantis Metallic paint job, the only on in the world, which actually  "shifts from Estoril blue to Avus blue to shades of green and teal" depending on the viewing angle (which you can see in the video). This BMW is also the only E90 M3 in the world with a full replacement carbon fiber roof. 

German tuner HARTGE has unveiled details on their new aero package for the BMW M3 which builds on their already substantial collection of aftermarket accessories. The kit includes the following: carbon fiber front spoiler lip, rear side sills, rear diffuser, boot lid lip, and carbon casings for exterior mirrors.

Source: HARTGE