Tag Archives: BMW

News

From E30 to EV Empire: Inside Mate Rimac’s Deep BMW Passion

While the world knows Mate Rimac as the electric hypercar visionary and the CEO of Bugatti Rimac, true enthusiasts recognize another facet of the Croatian tech magnate: his enduring love affair with BMW. Long before the Nevera and the Bugatti-Rimac Campus outside Zagreb, Rimac was just a teenager transforming an old BMW 3 Series E30 into an electric dragster in his garage—a project that would ignite a journey into the future of performance.

Now 37, Rimac has amassed not only a groundbreaking automotive empire but also a BMW collection that reads like a love letter to Munich’s finest. A recent visit by Top Gear to the newly opened Rimac Campus—set to become a key battery production site—offered a rare glimpse into the entrepreneur’s personal garage. Until operations begin, the state-of-the-art facility doubles as a temporary home for Rimac’s remarkable car collection.

Among the usual suspects—Porsche Carrera GT, Ferrari SF90, and the Aston Martin Valkyrie—are several prized Bavarian machines. BMW’s iconic “M” badge is well-represented: from a pair of M3 E46 CSLs to an M3 E90 and the original E30 M3 Sport Evolution. His first collector car, a Z4 M Coupe (E86), is also parked under the same roof, a reminder of the moment Rimac decided to begin curating a personal fleet.

One notable absence from the garage during filming was his M5 E39—a fan favorite—but a recent post on social media confirmed the V8-powered super sedan still has a place in his heart (and his garage). Over the years, he’s also been seen behind the wheel of an F90 M5 Competition and an M6 E64, underscoring his appreciation for BMW’s diverse M powertrain legacy—from V8s to V10s and turbocharged monsters.

Speaking of which, Rimac isn’t done with the E30 platform just yet. In a nod to his early electric days, he’s expressed a bold vision: transplanting BMW’s naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V10 (the S85 from the M5/M6) into an E30 3 Series. But don’t worry, the rare and revered EVO III won’t be sacrificed in the name of performance—Rimac is eyeing a separate donor car for this ambitious restomod project.

His ties with BMW run deeper than personal preference. In 2023, Rimac Group inked a deal with the BMW Group to co-develop battery technology—a strategic partnership that could influence the next generation of BMW EVs. While official updates have been sparse, the implications are huge: Rimac’s high-density, high-performance battery tech could soon power BMW’s future electric M cars.

In many ways, Mate Rimac embodies the convergence of heritage and innovation. He reveres the analog mastery of BMW’s golden era, even as he reshapes the performance landscape with electrons. Whether he’s piloting a Valkyrie or wrenching on a V10-swapped E30, Rimac proves that the soul of driving can live in both the past and the future.

Source: Top Gear via YouTube

News

BMW G87 M2 Track Package Spotted Testing at Nürburgring

BMW isn’t done with the G87 M2—not by a long shot. Despite its relatively recent launch, a camouflaged prototype has been caught prowling the Nürburgring, fitted with aggressive new components not seen on the current production model. While this isn’t the rumored CS or a full-blown CSL, it is our first look at what’s shaping up to be the Track Package—a more focused iteration of the M2, expected to land in 2026 as part of BMW’s M Performance Parts catalog.

The test mule, finished in São Paulo Yellow, wears substantial camouflage, but several upgrades are hard to miss. The most striking is the large fixed rear wing—a functional element rather than a visual flourish. Up front, the bumper has been re-sculpted with what appear to be larger, more aggressive air intakes. Even the M2 badge on the kidney grille has been taped over, a telltale sign that development is ongoing.

BMW has yet to comment on the specifics, but it’s clear this package will offer more than just aesthetic enhancements. It’s likely that tweaks to the suspension, chassis tuning, and braking system are in the mix—possibly influenced by the M2 Racing model or engineering insights from the upcoming M2 CS. In fact, the prototype wears the same 827 M wheels seen on the CS, albeit finished in a more subdued two-tone color rather than the signature Bronze Gold.

Enthusiasts will be pleased to know that, despite its track-oriented ambitions, the Track Package is expected to remain fully street legal. That said, buyers should be prepared for some compromises in everyday ride comfort—a familiar trade-off in the pursuit of sharper dynamics.

Performance numbers haven’t been shared, but there’s room for improvement. The standard G87 M2 posted a Nürburgring lap time of 7:38 in 2023, while the hotter CS version shaved that down to 7:25 earlier this year, setting a new benchmark for compact performance cars. If the Track Package trickles into the CS variant—or vice versa—it could push those lap times even lower.

Whether this package will be offered as a retrofit kit, an option for new builds, or strictly as a factory-installed bundle remains unclear. The heavy camouflage suggests the package is still in the late stages of development.

For now, it’s a clear signal: BMW isn’t done evolving the M2 platform. With the Track Package on the horizon, and no final word yet on an xDrive or CSL variant, the G87 story continues to unfold. One thing is certain—the M2 still has plenty of performance left to unlock.

Source: BMW; Photo: @rvdsphotography

NEW CARS

BMW Unveils M240i Carbon Edition: A Mexico-Exclusive Taste of M Performance

While BMW’s spotlight often beams on the track-focused M2, its slightly tamer sibling—the M240i—rarely gets a moment to shine. That changes now, at least in Mexico. BMW has unveiled the M240i xDrive Carbon Edition, a limited-run, market-exclusive model that finally puts some well-deserved attention on the “not-quite-M” coupe.

Built exclusively at BMW’s San Luis Potosí plant, the Carbon Edition takes the standard M240i xDrive and infuses it with visual aggression and lightweight flair. Much like its European counterparts, the Mexican-spec M240i comes strictly with xDrive all-wheel drive. Enthusiasts in the U.S. can still rejoice in the rear-wheel-drive version, but this Carbon Edition is reserved solely for Mexican customers.

As its name suggests, the Carbon Edition is all about carbon fiber. BMW has gone beyond the usual cosmetic tweaks, adding CFRP (carbon fiber-reinforced plastic) accents that are rarely seen on M Performance cars. Notably, even the iconic kidney grille receives the carbon treatment—a detail typically reserved for true M models. Additional upgrades include a carbon front splitter, side mirror caps, rear diffuser, and a trunk lid spoiler.

The visual transformation doesn’t stop there. The Carbon Edition rides on 19-inch 893M-style wheels, a design unavailable on the regular M240i, adding further exclusivity to the package. Inside, the carbon fiber theme continues with sporty trim pieces on the dashboard and center console, subtly elevating the cabin toward full M territory.

Mechanically, the Carbon Edition sticks with the proven formula. Under the hood is BMW’s venerable B58 turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, pushing out 382 horsepower and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque. Paired with an eight-speed Steptronic automatic and BMW’s grippy xDrive system, the coupe rockets from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a blistering 4.3 seconds, topping out at an electronically limited 250 km/h (155 mph).

BMW Mexico has priced the Carbon Edition at 1,429,900 MXN (approximately $76,600 USD), marking a 160,000 MXN ($8,500) premium over the standard M240i xDrive. While that may seem steep, it’s still well below the 1,764,900 MXN ($95,000 USD) starting price of the M2. Given the performance overlap, the two are unlikely to directly compete—but the Carbon Edition could prove appealing to buyers seeking exclusivity without going full-M.

Looking ahead, the M240i is set for a powertrain update. Starting in November 2025 for Europe and August 2026 for the U.S., the model is expected to adopt the newer B58TÜ2 engine. BMW plans to continue producing the G42-generation 2 Series through 2029, offering ample runway for more region-specific special editions like this Carbon Edition.

In a market where enthusiast-grade coupes are increasingly rare, the M240i Carbon Edition stands out as a compelling middle ground—a refined blend of luxury, performance, and exclusivity tailored for discerning Mexican buyers.

Source: BMW

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BMW Unveils M240i Carbon Edition: A Mexico-Exclusive Taste of M Performance