News & Reviews- Make: BMW

When is an M car not an M car? This is a question that will need to be answered when an all-new M2 arrives next year, as is expected, but a week spent with the M235i made me a believer in its M credibility just the same.

It's odd really. I've driven most every M since the "M Motorsport" derived designation came into existence, except for the original M1 (oh how I would love to have the opportunity) and the original E30 M3 (I'm up for that too, if you happen to have one and would be willing to let me behind the wheel). Like the Euro-spec 1994 E36-based M3 (one of 50 that came to Canada) that still makes my heart palpitate rapidly at the very thought of its perfectly balanced, high-revving, melodious sounding inline sextet, the M235i is relatively lightweight and powered by BMW's classic straight six. The new one even has a turbo like the first M3, while output comes closer to an absolutely wonderful black on black 1995 M5 I drove at the onset of my M love affair, at 322 horsepower Read Full Story

Since the inception of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's challenging small overlap front crash test in 2012, the institute's highest Top Safety Pick+ rating has been extremely tough for manufacturers to achieve. But the IIHS recently announced that BMW's new 2014 2 Series has earned the coveted award, with "good" ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint evaluations, plus an "advanced" rating for its optional Collision Warning with City Braking front crash prevention system.

The IIHS's small overlap front crash test replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle strikes another vehicle or an object like a tree or a utility pole. In the test, 25 percent of a vehicle's front end on the driver's side strikes a rigid barrier at 64 km/h.

According to the IIHS, the BMW 2 Series maintained the driver's space reasonably well during the small overlap front crash test, and the front and side curtain Read Full Story

BMW's X6 Sports Activity Coupe is hardly the biggest seller for the company, moving out the showroom doors at something like half the rate of the regular 6 Series and about one-tenth the rate of the X5. But even lower-volume niche models need to stay ahead of the times, and so BMW has updated the X6 for the 2015 model year with an eye to upping its sports appeal while improving efficiency.

The second-generation 2015 X6 gets what BMW calls "an even more potent design presence," with a distinctly coupe-like wedge profile. Reading between the lines it would seem that BMW has put greater emphasis on that coupe-like profile for 2015, at the cost of some 165 litres of cargo space (cargo space drops from 1,691 litres to 1,526 litres).

To aid in aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, the new X6 has air deflectors on the front wheel arches, combined with air curtains integrated into the outer air intakes of the front apron and air breathers in the side panels, which all work together Read Full Story

Every time we come away from driving a BMW automobile, we are left marveling at their refinement and sophistication. From the exceptionally fluid operation of its engines, to the way its suspension systems absorb pavement irregularities while simultaneously offering spirited handling, driving a BMW is an experience everyone with a driver's license should have at some point.

For most people, if you say BMW, they'll envision the company's highly successful 3 Series model. In the past, the 3 Series was offered in coupe, convertible, sedan, and sport wagon body styles. For the 2014 model year, the coupe and convertible were given a new nomenclature; they are now referred to as the BMW 4 Series. Thus, the subject of this review, the 2014 BMW 435i Cabriolet, replaces the 2013 BMW 335i Cabriolet.

Based on the same new design applied to the 2014 3 Series sedans, the 4 Series Coupe and Cabriolet are also larger than the 2013 models they replace. Additionally, ride comfort is Read Full Story

How does one make the extraordinary even more exceptional? This is a question many competing automotive manufacturers ask every time a new BMW M5 is offered. This question is doubtlessly accompanied by a great deal of handwringing, because every M5 ever offered has been the most exciting car in its class, and every new M5 is more brilliant than the last.  

When it comes to providing Herculean performance in a Walter Mitty-esque package, BMW has the formula down pat. Once again, for the 2014 model year, BMW has taken the outstanding and transformed it into absolutely stupefying with the M5 Competition Package. Elevating the already astounding road manners of the M5 into the realm of the positively unbelievable, the 2014 BMW M5 Competition Package extracts more grunt, more grip, and more grins from the venerable model.

This is accomplished with a freer-breathing exhaust system for more speed, and special 20-inch wheels with very sticky tires to improve handling. The Read Full Story