Latest news with #BMW
Auto Blog
32 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
BMW's New M Cars May Feature Plant-Based Composites
A greener solution to weight reduction It seems like everything we used to consider good or tasty is getting some sort of veggie or plant-based alternative. These days, it's impossible to ignore the oat milk, plant-based cheeses, and Impossible meat on the menu at your local coffee shop or neighborhood bistro. Sometimes, those things taste just as good as the real animal-based thing. In today's eco-conscious world, equipping cars with lower-emission engines or electrifying powertrains is simply not enough for some automakers. Some manufacturers are going as far as decking their interiors with reclaimed wood trim, recycled plastics, as well as seats lined with 'vegan leather' instead of the kind that comes off the back of a cow. However, the best of BMW's Ultimate Driving Machines are getting a plant-based alternative to a space-age material. BMW plant-based carbon fiber Carbon fiber, meet 'Flax-Fiber' In a statement released this week, BMW unveiled a new lightweight material that it claims is a more eco-friendly alternative to carbon fiber. Dubbed 'natural fiber composites,' this new material is made from fibers derived from flax, the same plant used to create textiles like linen and special types of paper, including the ones used in banknotes. The Bavarians claim that this new composite material is stronger than the carbon fiber components it replaces and offers reduced CO2 emissions compared to producing carbon fiber parts. According to BMW, exchanging carbon fiber parts for those made of natural fiber composites in the roofs of next-generation BMW Group vehicles can lead to a CO2 reduction of around 40% in production. After years of research and development and trial runs in motorsport settings, BMW says these natural composites are ready to be used in BMW's road cars. In a statement, Franciscus van Meel, the CEO of the automaker's M division, said that the high-performance specialists 'are now looking forward to the use of these materials in future BMW M product ranges;' meaning that the the next-generation M3 and/or M4 may have a flax-roof when it reaches production. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The flax-based 'natural fiber composites' were made in collaboration with Swiss clean-tech firm Bcomp, a company the automaker has invested in through BMW i Ventures. BMW and Bcomp developed this eco-friendly space-age material through an experimental development phase over several years. BMW M Motorsport initially used reinforcement parts made with these natural fiber composites in the 2019 season of Formula E. Since then, the same parts have also been used to replace carbon fiber plastic (CFRP) parts in BMW's M4 DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) car and the M4 GT4 cars. BMW says that the M4 GT4 that will compete at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring will be equipped with these panels onboard. 'Natural fiber composites are a vital element of innovative lightweight solutions in motorsport,' he said. 'They allow for a reduction in CO₂e emissions in the manufacturing process. This is innovation that perfectly fits BMW M's identity: 'Born on the racetrack. Made for the streets.'' Final thoughts By looking at it, you can convince me or the untrained eye that this 'plant-based carbon fiber' is actually carbon fiber. On a more serious note, BMW and Bcomp are making significant strides toward sustainability with the introduction of this new sustainable lightweight material, especially at a time when there is a strong emphasis on creating more environmentally friendly vehicles. Reducing emissions involves more than just improving or removing engines; it requires comprehensive solutions that go beyond simply placing a green badge on cars with electric motors and batteries and calling it a day. About the Author James Ochoa View Profile
Edmunds
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Edmunds
Audi RS 6 Avant vs. BMW M5 Touring: Big Wagons Hit the Track
And he's right. When you drive the two wagons back to back, there is an immediate sense that the Audi is more agile. It felt sharper than the M5 in just about every section on the track, save for the straightaways, which favored the BMW. But even with less power, the RS 6 was ultimately the better thrill. Its V8 supplied ample power and included a fun growling soundtrack in every foot-down moment. The gearbox was smooth while operating on its own and got even better when we chose to do the work ourselves with the paddle shifters. And once those Continental tires got some heat in them, the RS 6 clung on around corners more like a supercar and less like a family wagon. Weirdly, the thing we liked least about the RS 6 Performance is one of its highlight features: the self-locking center differential. The Audi's ability to shuffle power between all four wheels depending on the situation is a good thing, but it did so a bit clumsier than we would've liked. During a quick corner, we could feel (and hear) the car trimming the power from the inside wheel, which felt unnatural. A system like this shouldn't be noticeable to the driver, and it definitely was. The M5 has a ridiculous list of ways that you can configure the car for driving. You have individual control over the steering, brakes, engine, transmission, all-wheel-drive system, suspension and exhaust. Then there's a separate manual altogether for the electric elements, controlling whether the Touring drives in all-electric, hybrid or recharge mode depending on battery levels. If reading this was confusing, that's because doing it in real life was as well. It will take the owner multiple track days to figure out the best way to dial in the car to their liking.
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Abandoned UK car graveyard where fleet of 90s icons left to rot – including classic Cadillac & discontinued favourite
A HAUNTING graveyard of rotting vintage vehicles has been captured in the British countryside. Images show rusting motors lined up, including a nostalgic 90s Cadillac, in various states of disrepair. 2 A haunting graveyard of 90s motors was captured by an explorer Credit: YouTube/Road To Rust 2 Volvos and even a Cadillac were sighted in the eerie scrapyard Credit: YouTube/Road To Rust The scrapyard, which inhabits a crumbling UK farm, also includes dusty Micras and Volvos. The latter takes up most of the space, where a lineup of once eye-catching 240s and 244s eerily sit. Some of them don badges and stickers from their last days on the road. One Volvo in particular is likely a more recent addition as it sports a fresh-looking exhaust warning sticker. read more in motors But others have seen better days. Some have been stacked, used to prop up even more scrap, their roofs caved in under the weight of other forgotten vehicles. And viewers may have to squint to identify a left-hand-drive Cadillac buried beneath overgrown bramble. This isn't the first time that classic cars have been left to rot in a barn. Most read in Motors Over 40 A fleet of dilapidated fire engines covered in mould and peeling red paint were also found. Shocking moment speeding van driver distracted by phone slams into broken-down car leaving victim with lifelong injuries The images were taken by urban explorer Kyle Urbex during his 220th exploration at Brian's Vintage Car Collection in Chester. Kyle found the graveyard hidden away behind dense vegetation near the home of elderly couple Brian and Barbara. Other images show old tractors and JCBs scattered across the property, giving it an eerie abandoned atmosphere. He also found a BMW 635 CSI, once a sign of luxury, slowly being reclaimed by nature. With iconic styling and nicknamed 'shark nose' the motor was very much the symbol of the BMW range after being introduced in 1978. Kyle's visit took an unexpected turn when he stumbled upon Brian himself who revealed his hopes for the future. He said: "Brian has full intentions of one day being able to restore this high car collection, but given his age of 70+, I highly doubt he will get around to restoring all the cars and fire trucks. "He has been victim to some of the cars being smashed to bits by youths."
Auto Express
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Car Deal of the Day: Blistering BMW M135 for a bargain £301 a month
Near-300bhp power Four-wheel drive, adaptive suspension Only £300.90 a month Hot hatchbacks with a premium feel don't come much more complete than the BMW M135. Here is a car that mixes the compactness and ease of use of a 1 Series, with a fire-cracker engine and trick four-wheel drive system. What's not to like? There's plenty to love, to be honest, but this desirable package normally comes with a steep price tag. Not so through the Auto Express Find a Car service, because right now you can get the blistering BMW for just over £300 a month. Advertisement - Article continues below This deal, from is a real steal given that it's only £4 a month more expensive than the next cheapest 1 Series on the Auto Express platform – and that is the base-spec 120 Sport. It's a two-year deal and requires £3,960.79 to be put down first, while mileage is capped at 5,000 a year. Bumping this up to 8,000 per annum costs less than £16 a month extra. For just £300.90, you'll be taking the keys to one of the most engaging hot hatchbacks around. Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that pumps out 296bhp, and this is all kept in check with a clever xDrive four-wheel drive system. This latest M135 (which, incidentally, has lost the 'i' in its name to help differentiate it from BMW's electric offerings) has traded its eight-speed auto for a seven-speed twin-clutch semi-auto to deliver quicker shifts. It certainly works – it hurtles to 62mph in under five seconds, while top speed is limited to 155mph. Compared with the pre-facelift M135i, the new M135 has adaptive dampers as standard and the chassis has been stiffened. This means the pocket BMW is very engaging through the bends, plus you can soften the ride should you need a little more comfort around town. The Car Deal of the Day selections we make are taken from our own Auto Express Find A Car deals service, which includes the best current offers from car dealers and leasing companies around the UK. Terms and conditions apply, while prices and offers are subject to change and limited availability. If this deal expires, you can find more top BMW M135 leasing offers from leading providers on our BMW 1 Series hub page. Check out the BMW M135 deal or take a look at our previous Car Deal of the Day selection here…
Auto Blog
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
The Design That Will Change BMW's Future
Radically different BMW's upcoming Neue Klasse lineup manages to be both completely new and utterly distinctive at the same time. The cars look characteristically 'BMW' while also carrying a cyberpunk-like, futuristic aesthetic. They're polarizing designs to be sure, but one can't argue that they look like nothing else currently on the road. Whether that's a good or bad thing is entirely subjective. BMW i3 Neue Klasse BMW i3 Neue Klasse The BMW i3 Neue Klasse brings the angles to the sedan segment BMW i3 Neue Klasse Spyshots BMW i3 Neue Klasse Spyshots The upcoming BMW i3, or Vision Neue Klasse, is nothing like the small, Aston Martin Cygnet-like hatchback it replaced, to say the least. The concept sedan that BMW has been showing off highlights bold, sharp lines, without a single curve in sight. The front end has a slight, shark-nose tilt to it, reminiscent of the BMWs of the 1970s, such as the 2002. The distinct kidney grille now lights up and is integrated with the slim, angled LED headlights. Out back, the taillights nearly span the length of the trunk lid but are split in the middle by a small panel with the BMW logo. These design elements seem to have persisted based on the test mule we've spied driving around. We haven't seen much of the interior, but the concept shots featured little more than an infotainment screen in the middle of the dashboard and a skyroof spanning the headliner. We can only hope that the screen situation will change for the production version, although we're fans of the skyroof. BMW i3 Neue Klasse BMW i3 Neue Klasse Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The BMW X5 Neue Klasse does the same, but in SUV form BMW X5 Neue Klasse Spyshots BMW X5 Neue Klasse Spyshots BMW X5 Neue Klasse Spyshots The upcoming BMW X5 Neue Klasse, or Neue Klasse X, carries most of the i3's design elements but supersizes them in SUV form. The front and rear are largely the same, although the front further embodies the BMWs of the 1970s with a thin, vertical kidney grille. The upcoming X5 also sports a few aerodynamic elements, like large openings in both bumpers, side skirts, and a small spoiler above the rear hatch. The cabin is also largely the same, right down to the skyroof, although the X5 concept images carry a more playful white and orange color scheme that reminds me of some 1960s automotive designs. From what we can gather in the spy shots above, most of these design elements will make it into production. BMW X5 Neue Klasse BMW X5 Neue Klasse Final thoughts BMW's upcoming lineup is certainly polarizing, but unapologetically new. With sharp lines, modern technology, and futuristic aesthetics, BMW is really looking to shake things up when these models are set to hit the scene in 2026. What will be interesting is not just seeing how its domestic competitors, such as Mercedes-Benz and Audi, respond, but also how international competitors from Asia and the U.S. will respond. Looking at BMW's concepts and comparing them to other offerings from makes like Hyundai and Kia, one thing is certain: we are entering a new (or Neue) era of automotive design. About the Author Gabriel Ionica View Profile
