Tag Archives: BMW

News

BMW Steals the Spotlight at Legends of the Autobahn with the New M2 CS

Legends of the Autobahn has always been a highlight of Monterey Car Week—a gathering where unicorn-spec BMWs suddenly seem as common as coffee shops in Munich. Every August, the brand rolls out its most intriguing toys for enthusiasts to drool over. This year, all eyes were on BMW’s latest crown jewel: the M2 CS, a compact coupe turned fire-breathing track weapon.

The example BMW brought to Pebble Beach wasn’t just any M2 CS. Draped in Individual Velvet Blue metallic, a color exclusive to the model’s launch, it shimmered under the California sun like a perfectly tailored suit. Bronze-painted forged wheels—19-inch fronts, 20-inch rears—anchor the look, housing red calipers and sticky Pirelli rubber (275s up front, 285s out back). The stance is purposeful, the attitude unmistakably M.

Step inside, and the changes are less about luxury and more about discipline. BMW has shaved grams wherever possible: the center armrest is gone, a carbon-fiber console replaces plastic, and optional bucket seats—borrowed from the M3 and M4—plant driver and passenger firmly in place. Carbon fiber weaves its way across the cabin, while Alcantara wraps the steering wheel. Red “CS” accents serve as constant reminders that this isn’t your neighbor’s M2.

Of course, the real fireworks are under the hood. BMW’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter S55 straight-six churns out 523 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. That’s 50 more ponies than the standard M2 and even a step above the M3 and M4 Competition. Rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox keep the formula pure, while a CFRP roof, ducktail spoiler, and CS-specific grille push it further into cult-classic territory. The result? The most hardcore, most powerful rear-drive M car on sale today.

BMW didn’t stop with the M2 CS. Onlookers also caught a Sepia Brown metallic M5 Touring, along with a parade of vintage M cars that kept the purists grinning. But even surrounded by legends, the CS managed to stand out as a future classic in the making.

Until BMW builds an M2 CSL, the M2 CS remains the undisputed king of the 2 Series lineup—and judging by the reception in Monterey, it’s already earned its spot among BMW’s modern greats.

Source: BMWBlog

News

BMW M5 Touring Goes Bold with Individual Paint and Hybrid Punch

While the M2 CS at Legends of the Autobahn was a highlight in its own right, BMW quietly stole the show for wagon enthusiasts by rolling out something even more special: the new M5 Touring. But this wasn’t just any longroof M5. In keeping with the exclusivity of the event, Munich brought out a particularly striking example finished in Sepia Brown Metallic—a hue available through the expansive BMW Individual program.

And it wears the shade remarkably well. The deep, reddish-brown metallic shifts beautifully in natural light, made even more dramatic by the wagon’s broad shoulders and aggressive stance. Helping the cause are optional bi-color Style 952M wheels, which frame the gold-finished carbon ceramic brakes. Blacked-out trim elements—including the mirrors, roof, spoiler, and kidney grille—provide just enough contrast to let the paint do most of the talking.

Inside, BMW resisted the temptation to get too flashy. This example sticks to a Silverstone interior, which plays it safe without being stark. BMW does offer bolder shades—Dark Violet and Deep Lagoon among them—but pairing those with Sepia Brown could have been, let’s say, a questionable design choice. Aside from a red 12 o’clock marker on the steering wheel, the cabin feels almost understated, especially compared with the flamboyant exterior.

Of course, the real controversy doesn’t come from the paint choices but from what lies under the hood. The latest M5 debuts a hybrid powertrain—a move that’s ruffled some purist feathers. Yet there’s no denying the numbers: a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 (S68) combined with an electric motor produces a staggering 717 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. BMW claims the Touring will sprint to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, though based on our first drive, it feels even quicker. The longroof is every bit as ballistic as its sedan counterpart, just with more room for groceries, ski gear, or, let’s be honest, bragging rights.

It’s also hard not to feel a twinge of nostalgia when seeing Sepia Brown Metallic. BMW fans will remember Sepang Bronze, which debuted on the legendary V10-powered E60 M5 back in 2004. The new shade is lighter and redder, but it brings the same sense of individuality to a car that already sits at the top of the super-wagon food chain.

At a starting price north of $130,000, the M5 Touring is no ordinary family hauler. But that’s exactly the point. Whether you’d spec yours in Sepia Brown or something else from BMW Individual’s endless palette, the takeaway is clear: BMW still knows how to make wagon lovers feel special.

So the real question is, would you order your six-figure super wagon in this color?

Photo: BMWBlog

NEW CARS

BMW Plots Hardcore Seven-Seat Off-Roader to Take on G-Wagen and Defender

BMW is gearing up to storm the luxury off-road battlefield with an all-new flagship SUV designed to lock horns with the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Land Rover Defender. Known internally as G74, the yet-to-be-named model will be built in Spartanburg, South Carolina, starting in 2029, sharing production lines with the X5, X6, and X7.

Unlike today’s X5 Off-Road Package, the G74 isn’t a lightly tweaked soft-roader—it’s BMW’s first model conceived for serious off-pavement use in nearly a century. A senior BMW executive confirmed development is “well under way,” noting that it’s “more than just discussions” and that an internal combustion engine is a certainty at launch.

Design and Capability: Rugged Meets Neue Klasse

While its design remains under wraps, expect a mix of Neue Klasse design language with classic, blocky 4×4 cues. Engineers are targeting greater ground clearance, long-travel suspension, and approach/departure/breakover angles that surpass anything in BMW’s current lineup.

Inside, the G74 will offer three-row seating for seven and a cabin that outshines the X7 in both materials and tech. It’s expected to carry either a new nameplate or potentially revive the X8 badge originally planned for a coupe-styled SUV.

Under the Skin: CLAR, Evolved for the Wild

Underpinning the G74 will be a heavily modified CLAR platform, chosen for its scalability and compatibility with large BMW SUVs. Mechanical highlights are likely to include long-travel air suspension, up to three locking differentials, advanced AWD, and even four-wheel steering—not only for rock-crawling agility, but also for high-speed stability.

Powertrains: ICE, Hybrid, and Maybe Electric

BMW plans to launch with a combustion engine, but multiple electrification strategies are on the table. Among them:

  • Range-extender hybrid: Using an engine solely as a generator to power electric motors, a setup BMW is developing in collaboration with ZF.
  • Full EV: Potentially rivaling upcoming electric off-roaders like the Rivian R1S, Scout Traveler, and China’s BYD Yangwang U8.
  • Hub motors: Compact in-wheel units co-developed with DeepDrive, which could unlock extreme maneuverability.

The range-extender angle is particularly appealing for markets like China, where demand for such drivetrains is booming—especially after lukewarm sales of the electric G-Class.

A Return to BMW’s Off-Road Roots

The G74’s spiritual predecessor is the BMW 325 military off-roader of 1937–1940. Built on a ladder-frame chassis with 4WD, three locking diffs, and early four-wheel steering, it was a technical showcase for its time. Only 3,225 were built, but its legacy as BMW’s last true go-anywhere machine looms large.

With the G74, BMW isn’t just building another SUV—it’s re-entering a segment dominated by icons, aiming to prove that Munich can do more than autobahn stormers. If they get it right, the G-Class and Defender might finally have some serious Bavarian competition.

Source: Automotive News