Freak High Quality Pictures

The title to this post pretty much gives you all the necessary reasons to click through the jump and watch the (independent) video, so we’re not going to waste your time with a long and pointless introduction. Turn up the volume and enjoy.

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As it turns out, the BMW M3 sport pickup truck that has been making the internet rounds recently is nothing more than an expensive hoax being prepared by the Bavarian automaker for April Fools’ Day. Nevertheless, we can’t say we’re not interested in a ute that’s based on one of the most coveted sports cars in the market. If you’ve had your fill of spy shots and want to see the M3 sport ute on the move, all you have to do is hit the break and watch the video.

Source: AMS via Autoblog.com

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Former BMW Group Design boss Chris Bangle was on a roll at the Geneva Motor Show. Following his encounter with Saab's new chief designer, Jason Castriota, Bangle also had a quick video chat with Car Design News Editor Eric Gallina about his views on supercars.

"Well, I'm kind of old school on supercars, you know," said Bangle. “If they're not something that, just, you know, knocks your balls off, you know, they're nice cars, and go fast too, you know. The world needs another, oh that's good!" Want more Bangle? Hit the jump to watch the clip.

Source: Cardesignnews / Youtube

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Turns out BMW's statement "We're all looking forward to Friday" was referring to yet another teaser video of the upcoming M5 sports saloon. This time, the Bavarian automaker showed the car testing in Northern Europe, albeit partially wrapped in the firm's traditional swirly camouflage. The official clip also hosts Dr. Kay Segler, president of BMW M GmbH, who describes the new M5 as "a bold business car, but with the push of a button, you have a sports car".

As you probably already know by now, the next M5 will come with a twin-turbocharged V8 engine, most likely based on the same unit found on the X5M and X6M crossovers. The official presentation of the M5 F10 is expected to take place at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show in September. Video follows after the break.

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Apparently BMW is getting ready to introduce its hotly anticipated F10 M5 sports saloon as the Bavarian automaker released a teaser video on its official Youtube page this week. While the video itself doesn't really show anything, BMW's statement "We're all looking forward to Friday" hints at a reveal for tomorrow. That or another lame teaser. We shall see.

The new M5 is expected to drop the V10 in favour of a smaller but even more powerful V8 lump with twin-turbocharging and direct-injection technologies, which could flirt with 600-horsepower mark.

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You might think watching two world-renowned designers talking cars would be entertaining . . . and you'd be right on the money. Rising star and Saab's current hot shot design director Jason Castriota penned the PhoeniX concept. Chris Bangle, known for turning BMW on its head with his flame surfaces and unique rear ends, was hanging around Geneva and decided to chat with Castriota about his "aero" style.

Check out the video below for a minute and a half of a little (friendly?) banter between two polarizing designers as they discuss what makes the PhoeniX a Saab.

By Phil Alex

Source: Cardesignnews via Jalopnik

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The new BMW Z4-based 99d roadster and the BMW 550i-based ACS5 sports saloon will hog the limelight on AC Schnitzer's stand at this week's 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Both models were developed to offer performance without compromising on fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions. The Z4 99d comes with a 190HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine, while the ACS5 features a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 gasoline unit pumping out 540-ponies. Scope out the first promotional videos of AC Schnitzer's newest tunes right after the break.

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Do you happen to own a fourth generation BMW M3 Coupe, Sedan or Convertible model, and if so, do you crave for a throatier sound from its exhaust? If you answered yes to both questions and can justify spending $4,374 plus labor for installation for a performance exhaust system, then you may want to take a look the Bavarian firm's new M Performance offering.

BMW said the new exhaust system is crafted from an extremely heat-resistant and lightweight chrome-nickel alloy called Inconel, which allowed the firm's engineers to reduce the thickness of the tubing from 1.5mm to 0.8mm. This resulted in a weight reduction of approximately 40%, or about 20 pounds when compared to the M3's stock exhaust system. So basically, you're getting a much lighter exhaust system with a more powerful sound

The M Performance Exhaust also comes with perforated inner pipes and polished titanium tips, which are laser engraved with the M logo.

The company said the new exhaust may be installed at any Authorized BMW Center at a price of $4,374 plus installation.

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It is by far, the most sacred place for a BMW M fan. We’re talking about the BMW M Division’s underground facility where the company stores copies of all the production cars and prototypes it has ever built, including a variety of never before seen in public vehicles. In a surprising but much welcomed move, the German automaker recently opened the doors of the special M garage to the members of the press and select enthusiasts revealing an array of models that most had only heard about.

We already brought you a video of the wild M8 Coupe with the 580-horsepower V12 engine that was eventually used on the McLaren F1, but now we have several videos showcasing the entire lineup of M cars.
These include the E46 M3 Touring (BMW for station wagon), the E36 M3 Compact powered by the same 321HP straight-six from the M3 Coupe of the time, the E34 M5 Cabriolet with open-top seating for four, an M3 powered E30 ute and possibly the strangest creation yet, the so called Ur-Roadster. The latter is said to have been developed after the Z1 with power being delivered by the E30 M3’s 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine.
Check out all of the cars in the videos below.

Sources: M5Board, Bimmerpost and Car

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BMW M5 Seen On www.coolpicturegallery.us

In a move that certainly won’t leave BMW officials happy, pictures of the 2012 M5 Concept from a preview event held in Germany prior to the car’s world premiere at the Shanghai Auto Show in China later this month, leaked onto the internet. As with most BMW concepts of the sort, the new M5 study is 99 per cent production ready, so don’t expect to see anything different when the sports saloon make its premiere in production guise later this year, possibly at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
The new M5 is based on the latest F10 5-Series saloon and is powered by a modified version of the same twin-turbocharged V8 engine found on the X5 M and X6 M. The V8 is believed to be lighter, more powerful and greener than the 507HP 5.0-liter V10 lump it replaces. No specific numbers have been released, but rumor has it that output will be close to 600-horsepower.
The leaked pictures reveal the rather conservative styling changes over the standard F10 5-Series, which include bespoke front and rear bumpers, side air vents, four tail pipes and the five-spoke M alloy wheels.
Expect more information and perhaps even new photos to come out shortly.

Source: M5board , Transmissia via Worldcarfans

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The headline story on the automotive front today (that would be Friday, July 29) is no doubt the presentation of the first concept models of BMW's new division for alternative fuel vehicles that we will come to know as the "i" series.

We've already given you a first look at the i3 pure-electric hatchback as well as the sporty i8 gasoline-electric hybrid coupe concepts, but BMW has also released a series of films on both vehicles.
For the time being, the films show computer generated version of the i3 and i8 but we reckon it won't be long before BMW releases real-life videos of the two concept cars that will receive their world premiere at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show this September.

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BMW 3 Series Seen On www.coolpicturegallery.us

Two observations: one, there’s nothing cooler than a LS1-engined BMW that is externally indistinguishable from its bread-and-butter cousins and two, the Apple iPhone is probably the worst thing for filming a movie ever. A little less of number two and a little more number one, if you please.

This BMW E46 3-Series coupe, or as its UK owner has appropriately named it, the 357Ci, started its life as a 2001 325Ci with an M Sport Package.
In the hands of its current owner, it received the same 5.7-liter LS1 V8 engine as the rather forlorn looking Porsche 911 we wrote about last week, making this the second American-powered German automobile we’ve featured in as many days.
The engine was sourced from a fourth generation Pontiac GTO (aka the Holden Monaro) complete with a six-speed manual gearbox. The tune also included the installation of the rear suspension and LSD from an M3 as well as upgraded brakes on all four corners.
Funnily enough, this doesn’t appear to be the first E46-to-LS1 conversion that’s been attempted either, as a quick search on Google will prove. There are at least three completed cars and two that are still in the shop having the conversion done. Who knew?
You can check out the pictures and videos of this particular project car having its engine revved, all captured in awkward iPhoney goodness. At least the sound quality is better than the picture. Oh, and don’t forget to leave a comment below.

By Tristan Hankins

Via LS1Tech

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