All posts by Francis Mitterrand

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2025 BMW M2 – more powerful than ever

After the recently revealed refreshed 2 Series, BMW is now launching a new generation M2 model. This is the most powerful version of this model, which now comes with 480 hp. Production will start in August.

The design of the predecessor is retained, but customers will now be able to choose several additional new colors. There are also single-colored aluminum rims, which this time are not in dark shades. However, the dark interior now comes with a new multifunction steering wheel and the new iDrive 8.5 multimedia system. Customers can also choose seats decorated with red details (standard), while lighter and more profiled front seats with a carbon base are optional.

The new M2 is powered by a 3.0-L inline-six engine with 480 hp (358 kW) and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque (6-speed manual transmission) or 442 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque (8-speed automatic gearbox). That’s 20 hp more than its predecessor, putting the M2 on par with the M3 and M4. With a manual transmission, the M2 reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). With an 8-speed automatic transmission, the M2 reaches 100 km/h 0.2 seconds faster.

When it comes to price, the M2 in Germany starts at 77,490 euros.

Source: BMW

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2025 BMW M2 - more powerful than ever
News

Ford museum with $1 billion vehicles

When we talk about expensive cars, the first thing that comes to mind are private collections worth tens of millions of dollars. However, there is one place where vehicles worth about a billion dollars are kept, and that is the storage of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

Ollie Kew, Deputy Editor at Top Gear Magazine visited the warehouse where curators and experts have amassed an incredible collection of vehicles, from NASCAR cars and military vehicles to unique concepts and bikes.

In a conversation with Matt Anderson, curator of transportation at Henry Ford, we learned that there are around 300 cars in the museum, 1/3 of which have never been displayed at one time. He singled out several cars such as the 1912 Baker Electric that was purchased by William Howard Taft, the President of the United States at the time, and driven by his wife Helen. Also, this car remained in the White House and was used by the next four first ladies until the late 20s.

The next car Anderson showed was a 1953 Ford X-100 produced for the 50th anniversary, which was advertised as 50 innovations. Among the innovations is a rain sensor on the roof that, if you leave the car open and it starts to rain, the roof closes by itself. There are also Ford Model T and Model A that belonged to Henry Ford, MG TC (1949), Ford Escort (1981), Ford Thunderbird NASCAR (1987), Ford Ranger for emergency services used after terrorist attacks in the USA 2001, Ford Hot Rod (1932), Ford Focus Electric Test Car (2009) and many others.

Watch the video and enjoy the beautiful cars that you won’t have the chance to see, at least nowadays.

Source: Top Gear via YouTube

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Ford museum with $1 billion vehicles
News

EU imposes additional tariffs of up to 38.1% on Chinese cars

As was announced a few days ago, the EU introduced additional tariffs of up to 38.1% on electric cars manufactured in China. The decision comes after a long-term consideration of how to respond to the increasing pressure that cheap Chinese electric cars are putting on domestic European manufacturers.

A few days ago, Turkey imposed additional tariffs of 40% on Chinese cars, and before that, the United States also raised the tariff rate on imported cars from China from 25% to 100%. Of course, such decisions were condemned by the Chinese authorities, who announced countermeasures to protect their interests.

“We call on the EU to listen carefully to objective and rational voices from all walks of life, to immediately correct its wrong practices, stop politicizing economic and trade issues, and properly resolve economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultation,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian at a regular press briefing.

In September 2023, the EU launched an investigation into the privileged position of electric vehicles produced in China due to subsidies. “These can also be vehicles from other manufacturers if they have used subsidies in China,” said Executive Vice President of the European Commission for an Economy Valdis Dombrovskis.

Currently, imported cars made in China have a 10 percent tariff. However, as of July 4, this rate will rise to as much as 38 percent in some cases. For example, BYD will pay 17.4 percent, Geely 20 percent, and SAIC, which with the help of former British brand MG is by far the biggest seller in Europe, will pay 38.1 percent. Other brands that were cooperative will pay a 21 percent duty, and those that refused will pay 38.1 percent.

This decision is valid until the end of the investigation (November), when the new customs tariffs will come into force for a period of five years.

Source: Reuters, Photo: Shutterstock