Automotive DIAGNOSIS ,REPAIR, MAINTENANCE

DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR, MAINTENANCE, PARTS AND LABOR, SHOP OPERATIONS, TECHNICIAN'S REFERENCE, DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES(dtc), RELAYS AND MODULES, SENSORS AND SWITCHES,ENGINE, COOLING AND EXHAUST, POWERTRAIN MANAGEMENT, TRANSMISSION AND DRIVETRAIN, BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL, STARTING AND CHARGING, POWER AND GROUND DISTRIBUTION, STEERING AND SUSPENSION, HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING, RESTRAINTS AND SAFETY SYSTEMS, ACCESSORIES AND OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT, BODY AND FRAME,CRUSIS CONTROL.

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

The Porsche Cayenne Electric's Interior Is an Ode to Screens

The curved infotainment looks like a gigantic flip phone.

Toyota Planning a New Sports Car Without Anyone's Help

A GR-branded car independently developed by Toyota is coming... eventually.

The Final Ford Focus ST Has Been Built

Further proof that Europe's hot hatch segment is dying.

Monday, September 29, 2025

G90 M5 Individuals Collection – Celebrating 40 Years of Abu Dhabi Motors

Earlier this month, BMW Abu Dhabi Motors celebrated their 40 year anniversary with the release of 10 individually commissioned BMW M5 and M5 Touring models, with bespoke exterior paintwork by BMW Individual.

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Quote:

To mark 40 years of automotive excellence, Abu Dhabi Motors proudly unveils an ultra-exclusive collection of just 10 individually commissioned BMW M5 and M5 Touring models, with bespoke exterior paintwork by BMW Individual. Each car in this limited series has been uniquely spec’d to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Abu Dhabi Motors – making every vehicle a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. With bespoke features, unmatched performance, and exclusive details, this collection honors four decades of luxury, power, and passion.

Source: https://www.bmw-abudhabi.com/offers/…rsary-edition/ and BMW Abu Dhabi Motors Facebook.

M5 Touring in Speed Yellow:
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https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17SBzjPyNS/

M5 Touring in Ruby Star:
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M5 Touring in Daytona Beach Blue:
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M5 in Cinabar:
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M5 Touring in Nardo Grey:
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M5 in Neon Yellow:
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https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19m8QK9MU6/

M5 in Gentian Blue:
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https://www.facebook.com/share/r/178XncTXcy/

M5 in Smyrna Green:
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https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CPRecjJTi/

M5 Touring in Daytona Violet:
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https://www.facebook.com/reel/1292454598758072

Individual Fire Orange G81 M3 Touring Build

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We modify a lot of G8X cars at R44, it would be impossible to share all of them. However, we knew a lot of you would appreciate this beautiful G81 M3 Touring finished in Individual Fire Orange.

This example was brought to us by a gentleman named Amaar – the owner of https://www.mycarcleaning.co.uk/. He’s managed to sell enough bottles of quick detailer to build himself a couple of really nice BMWs. He also has a Ruby Star G87 M2 we’ve shared previously.

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The first thing you may have noticed is the color-matched Fire Orange roof box – a really cool touch that follows the theme of practicality offered by the G81 Touring bodystyle.

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Exterior-wise, Amaar has gone with some staple carbon fiber pieces from the MHC LDN catalog. At the front, he’s combined MHC’s SP2 front lip with a set of twin fin lower ducts and a CSL-style front grille.

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Down the side, the car’s running the SK1 carbon side skirts with some subtle side badge covers – also in carbon. To complete the low line kit, Amaar opted for the SS1 carbon rear corner splitters – an upgrade that looks especially good on the G81.

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Performance-wise, the car is pretty standard with a Pipercross AirMax carbon intake system paired with a Milltek OPF-back exhaust. These upgrades offer a bit more power, but they mostly add some more engaging and much-needed sound. To go with the carbon intake, the engine bay also features a gloss carbon fiber engine cover & ECU cover from CarbonBay.

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The stunning silver wheels are courtesy of Z Performance, with the perfect daily fitment achieved by a set of H&R height-adjustable springs.

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To finish things off, we swapped the badge out for an LCI version. Although subtle, the silver edges tie in really nicely with the wheels.

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We’d love to hear what you think of this M3 Touring – is the Fire Orange a yes or no for you?

Also, what mods do you think Amaar should do next?

For the full mods list & photo gallery, check out the build page here: https://r44performance.com/collectio…uring-mod-list

BMW Isn't Saying No to a Dedicated Electric Sports Car

But it's not saying yes either.

The Daihatsu Copen Is Dying: Another Fun Car Killed Off

But it might come back one day.

Saturday, September 27, 2025

Surprising My Wife with a Daytona Violet X5 | Performance Center Delivery

Hi Everyone,

We just took delivery of my wife’s new 2026 BMW X5 xDrive40i at the Performance Center in South Carolina. This was my third time doing a Performance Center Delivery, after my M235i in 2014 and M2 in 2018, and each one has been an amazing experience. BMW makes it such a unique and memorable way to take delivery at no additional cost, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has the chance.

A quick shout out to @[Next Level Auto Brokers](contact:491535) for helping make this all happen. This was my first time working with a broker and the experience was great!

Apologies in advance for the long-winded post and large number of photos (I cut out quite a bit). Feel free to scroll ahead for the Performance Center Delivery and trip home content if that is what you are here for.

NOTE: Click on photos for full resolution.

Order Tracking Thread: https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh….php?t=2173989

Background

I have been a BMW fan for as long as I can remember and I am fortunate to have a wife who shares (or at least understands) that passion, thanks in part to her dad being a big BMW and Porsche enthusiast. Currently in the garage are my 2018 M2 and my 2024 X1 M35i. My wife has had her CPO 2018 X3 (M Sport, Alpine White with Cognac leather interior) since 2021, and it has been a great car for us through many big milestones.

With the arrival of our first daughter, my wife had been wanting a bigger car, so I quietly got a build together based on everything I knew she would like and placed an order for her, but did not tell her anything. When it came time to do paperwork about a month before delivery, I finally told her she was getting an X5 and that it would be Brooklyn Grey, her favorite of the standard colors. In reality, I had ordered it in Daytona Violet, an Individual color she loves, and she had no idea until we walked into the delivery bay.

Order Spec

2026 BMW X5 xDrive40i
– Design: M Sport
– Exterior: Daytona Violet (BMW Individual)
– Interior: Cognac Sensafin
– Trim: Fineline Black Wood
– Wheels: 22” M Double Spoke Black 742M w/ Staggered Summer Tires

Packages:
– Climate Comfort Package
– Driving Assistance Professional Package
– Executive Package
– M Sport Professional Package with Red Brakes
– Parking Assistance Package

Options:
– Trailer Hitch
– 2-Axle Air Suspension

Initial Impressions of the X5

After a two-day road trip back home from the Performance Center, these are my first impressions of the X5:

– The Daytona Violet paint is stunning in person and changes dramatically depending on the light. It really makes the car stand out.
– I am extremely happy we chose the 2-axle air suspension. The ride quality is excellent, smooth and comfortable (especially with the massive 22-inch wheels), but still planted.
– Plenty of power from the 40i, at least as much as we have been able to feel being in the break-in period. What stands out most is how smooth the power delivery feels.
– Interior feels spacious and refined, especially compared to the outgoing X3. The Cognac looks great against the purple exterior, and the seats are extremely comfortable.
– I have iDrive 9 on my X1, and it is laggy and annoying in many ways. iDrive 8.5 in the X5 takes all the good parts of iDrive 9 but makes them work smoothly and reliably. I do not know how BMW could have taken such a step backwards from 8.5 to 9.
– The gas tank feels huge compared to what we are used to, and it goes incredibly far on a single fill. On the 700+ mile journey home, we averaged about 27 MPG, which was better than expected.
– Overall, it feels like the perfect step up for our growing family.

Trip Recap

Getting There

We flew from Miami to Greenville and were picked up at the airport in an X5 M60i and transported to the Hotel Hartness. The property was beautiful and a great way to start the trip.

Delivery Day

The Performance Center experience was fantastic as always. We started with classroom instruction, then driving exercises on the skid pad, braking tests, and laps around their handling course. For such large SUVs, the X5 and X7 handled far better than expected. We also did the off-road course in the X5 later in the day, but I am including it in the video below as well.

When it was finally time for delivery, my wife still had not spotted the car (even though she had walked right by it). Walking into the bay and seeing the Daytona Violet X5 waiting for her was priceless. She was shocked and speechless when we walked in and she saw the color. Daytona Violet is such a great heritage BMW color and shifts beautifully between deep purple and bright violet depending on the light. The amazing people at the Performance Center even helped me with one more surprise by placing a BMW Baby Racer I had purchased ahead of time for our daughter in the trunk, which I was able to surprise my wife with as well.

Seth then worked with us walking through all of the ins and outs of our new X5!

We rounded out the day with lunch, the off-road course (see video above), a plant tour, and a stop at the Zentrum museum. The entire program was excellent, and I want to give a big shout-out to the whole Performance Center team, especially Seth, who helped us organize and coordinate everything, and Reed, our lead instructor, who was fantastic throughout the day.

BMW CCA Museum

The morning after delivery, we visited the BMW Car Club of America museum, which had an incredible Alpina exhibit, including a Z1 Alpina, which is super rare and I had no idea even existed. I would highly suggest that any BMW enthusiast in the area check it out. For the cover charge of twelve dollars per person, it is a great stop, and they swap their exhibits out every May.

While we were here, we took advantage of the fact that the X5 was still pretty clean and their empty loading bay and snapped some pictures. This color is amazing in person!

Leg 1 – Greenville to Savannah

On the first leg of our return trip, we headed towards Savannah for our overnight stop. We had a smooth drive, and I really enjoyed the self-driving (don’t skip DAPP on your order!). We spent the night at Hotel Bardo, which was great! They even parked the X5 front and center outside the hotel. Another perfect photo opportunity.

Leg 2 – Savannah to Fort Lauderdale

On the drive home, we stopped in Daytona for lunch and our first fuel up. Pretty fitting with the Daytona Violet paint. We also took the opportunity to snap a few pictures in front of the Speedway.

Arriving Home

From Daytona, we continued the last leg of the trip back to South Florida, wrapping up an unforgettable 700+ mile journey home. Pulling into the driveway with the X5 and parking it alongside our other BMWs felt like the perfect ending to the trip. We are looking forward to enjoying the X5 for many years to come and making many new memories in it.

Friday, September 26, 2025

Toyota Will Offer Performance Upgrades To Older GR Corolla Owners

At the insistence of Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, Toyota will continue to offer the latest upgrades to owners of older GR Corolla models.

Trip Report: Camping in My iX

I picked up my iX 45 a week before a 650-mile overnight trip. In preparation, I bought a foam+air mattress and booked a reservation at a nearby state campground that offered 50-amp service (for charging the iX). I also read up on how to simulate “Camp Mode” in a BMW.

The Destination

Cherry Springs State Park, in north central Pennsylvania, is a Gold-tier International Dark Sky Park. It is widely considered the darkest place east of the Mississippi River, so it’s great for stargazing and astrophotography. If you go at the right time of the year, you can see the Milky Way as you just cannot in cities and suburbs.
Here’s a photo from their website and one that I took (straight from my phone without edits).
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Charging Challenges

The Cherry Springs area used to be a charging desert. Since I was last there, a nearby Ford Dealership has installed a 120 KW charger that splits power equally when both cables are in use. (The next nearest DC charging is an hour away.) Four 48-amp AC chargers have been installed in the Cherry Springs visitors parking lot. Each pair shares a 60-amp circuit (i.e., you get 5.5 KW if both chargers on a circuit are in use).

My Flex Charger would not pass on power from the NEMA 14-50 outlet at the campsite, (It showed a line of orange lights.) As a backup plan, I paid to charge to 80% at the Ford dealership. At Cherry Springs, I got 9 kWh while stargazing and taking photos. When done, I went back to the campground to sleep.

Mattress and Frame

I originally thought that I would get a special-purpose SUV mattress to cover the entire cargo and rear seat area. Most SUV mattresses provide too few measurements to ensure that we will get a good fit in an iX. Instead, I selected a Lost Horizons Option3 Twin (75” x 38”) from Amazon. It leaves a few inches on the sides to place things that you might need during the night.

The rear seats of the iX do not fold flat. (They are at an angle of about 11 degrees.) The top of the folded seat back is 4 7/8” higher than the cargo floor behind the seats. Bed frames can raise the mattress over the bend to provide a flat sleeping surface, but cost hundreds and decrease headroom.

There wasnt time to research, order, and get delivery of a bed frame for this trip, so the mattress went on the floor and thus was bent in the middle.

Head vs Foot

I slept with my head toward the front of the car to give myself maximum headroom. I found this uncomfortable because of the 11° bend in the sleeping surface and because my feet kept hitting the rear hatch. Also, I foolishly left the hatch cargo cover in place, and my legs banged it a few times. The mattress itself was comfortable, and I got 5.5 hours of sleep. However, the bend and the foot/leg thing made it not a good experience overall.

I needed to nap on the drive home. Since the mattress was still inflated, I pulled into a rest stop, removed the hatch cargo cover (!), and slept with my head toward the back of the car. This worked much better that did sleeping toward the front. My feet could “stick out” between the front seats, so I didn’t feel constrained. The bend in the sleeping surface didn’t bother me. (Maybe the 11 degree tilt was counteracted by the taper of my legs???)

Charging OR Climate Control

UPDATE: Simultaneous charging and continuous climate control appears possible. Details in reply 11.

Rant: BMWs do not have a dedicated camp mode, like Rivians and Teslas do. We’re left to approximate that mode with lots of settings adjustments that still yield substandard results. Although few BMW owners want to sleep in their vehicles, BMW should include modes for “occupancy rather than driving” (e.g., camping, pets, people in car while driver runs into market, etc.) Charging and comfort are at odds in these compromises: you can have climate control without charging or charging without climate control. /Rant

(See reply 11 for updates to these instructions.) For continuous climate control, open the door, buckle the driver’s seatbelt, get in, start the car, use iDrive to turn off lights (interior and exterior) and the center display, disable the cabin motion alarm, then exit). Get in via a rear door, close it, then lock the vehicle. The climate control will run all night, but the car cannot charge because it is in drive ready state. (Note: we cannot turn off the driver display, so you will need to cover it. We cannot turn off the backlighting of buttons on the doors and center console, so just be glad that they aren’t terribly bright.)

(See reply 11 for updates to these instructions.) With overnight charging, you cannot run climate control continuously. However, you can schedule a “next departure time precondition” and three scheduled precondition times to give you four periods during the night when climate control will activate and run for up to 30 minutes. Remember that the times you select are for when climate control should be done (i.e., when the cabin should be comfortable for departure) rather than for when it should start. Dont forget to check that the Flex Charger will work where you are staying and that its connected before you go to sleep.

Since I had charged at the Ford dealership, I was focused on climate control rather than charging, so I chose continuous climate control. I normally keep the cabin at 70°. That was too warm for sleeping, so I lowered it to 67°. It was 57 outside and climate control used less than 1% battery/hour. I don’t know much this figure would have varied if it had been 30 or 80 degrees outside.

Final thoughts

Entering and exiting via a door is easier than using the hatch and is less likely to cause paint damage.

Next time, Ill chose intermittent climate control with continuous charging to avoid the driver display and button backlight issues.

I probably will get a mattress frame. The Hele Box Duo (40” wide) with the optional stubbies (i.e., short legs) will hold the bed frame just over the folded rear seats, leaving 20-24” of headroom above a 4” mattress. Since my mattress is a foam+air model, itll compress some, providing an inch or two of additional headroom. Thats not roomy, but having 26" above my head isnt too bad.

AMG Is Getting a New Boss. Mercedes Keeps The Mystery

The outgoing CEO is moving into a new role after less than three years at the helm.

Skoda Brings Back a Rear-Wheel-Drive Coupe But Only In Fantasy Land

If only it were real.

Thursday, September 25, 2025

This Mustang Has More Power Than a GTD for Half the Price

The Mustang RTR Spec 5 has a supercharged V-8 making over 870 horsepower, and it starts at $159,999.

Toyota Tweaks the GR Corolla for 2026 But Where Is the GRMN?

While we wait for the flagship version, the hot hatch receives other updates.

Audi Q9 Large Gas SUV Officially Confirmed For 2026 Launch

The new Q7 is also coming next year.

Mercedes Is Confident It Can Make 'Very Emotional' Electric Sports Cars

Get ready for fake gear shifts and artificial V-8 noise.

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

It's Happening: McLaren Confirms a Vehicle With 'More Than Two Seats'

McLaren's CEO didn't outright confirm an SUV, but he did say that something other than a two-door sports car is in the works.

Once Again, Stellantis Halts Production of Several Cars Because of Poor Demand

The Alfa Romeo Tonale is on the list.

Toyota Claims People Need Time to Appreciate Hybrid Sports Cars

It concedes that pure gas cars still scratch that itch for enthusiasts.

Mercedes Celebrates V-12 Engines With an Opulent Maybach S-Class

It has enough bling to appear in a rap video.

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

The Electric Ferrari Looks Hilarious With Fake Body Panels

The Ferrari of EVs hides its production body beneath weird layers of camouflage.

Bentley Sticking With Gas Engines Amid 'Dip In Demand for Luxury EVs'

The full transition to EVs has already been delayed a couple of times.

Mercedes Plans New Entry-Level Car Because Volume Matters

The A-Class is dying, but a new base model is coming.

BMW Charts a New Design Direction: 'Way More Subtle' Cars Ahead

The era of in-your-face cars is thankfully coming to an end.

Monday, September 22, 2025

This Tiny Engine Could Save Internal Combustion. We Talked to the Company's CEO

Horse Powertrain's suitcase-size internal combustion powertrains could be exactly what the industry needs. Matias Giannini explains.

2027 iX3 Makes US Debut in Black Sapphire Metallic

Looks like BMW debuted the 2027 iX3 in Black Sapphire Metallic at a private event this weekend.

Photos from Bmw blog

New BMW X5: First Official Look

The luxury SUV is getting five types of powertrains, including hydrogen and battery EV.

It's Happening: Porsche Confirms New Gas Boxster and Cayman

The next 718 is still going to have combustion engines, but with a twist.

Sunday, September 21, 2025

Hydrogen BMW iX5 Announced For Production Starting 2028

From pilot fleet to series production: the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen.

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For the first time at BMW: five drivetrain variants in one vehicle.
BMW’s technology-open approach is a strategic success factor.
HyMoS initiative to promote development of local hydrogen ecosystems.

New York, NY/Woodcliff Lake, NJ – September 21, 2025… Today, BMW announced it will produce a new vehicle with five different drivetrain technologies. The new BMW X5 will be the first model to offer customers a choice of battery electric, plug-in hybrid, gasoline, diesel (in markets outside the US), and hydrogen fuel cell technology. In addition, the HyMoS (Hydrogen Mobility at Scale) initiative is designed to promote the development of hydrogen ecosystems and refueling stations in metropolitan areas and aims for an initial pilot implementation in Germany.[/LIST]“By launching the new BMW X5 with a choice of five drivetrain variants, we are once again demonstrating our leading position as a technology pioneer,” says Joachim Post, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development at an BMW event in New York. “Hydrogen has an essential part to play in global decarbonization, which is why we are committed to driving the technology forward.”

Technology-open approach is a strategic success factor.

Product diversity continues to be a key success factor for BMW. A wide-ranging portfolio of drivetrains – encompassing internal combustion engines, plug-in hybrids, battery electric drive systems and, starting with the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen in 2028, hydrogen fuel cell technology – lays the foundations for successfully meeting the varying demands and needs of customers worldwide both now and in the future.

Flexible manufacturing structures and high levels of integration expertise enable this array of drivetrain technologies to be implemented efficiently in the new BMW X5 range in terms of development, purchasing, and production. This means the BMW model line-up will include two types of electric drivetrain (battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell) from 2028, underlining the rigorous application of the brand’s technology-open approach.

The new BMW iX5 Hydrogen.

Following successful testing of the pilot fleet worldwide, the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen will enter the market as the brand’s first-ever series-produced hydrogen-powered model. “The new BMW iX5 Hydrogen will be a true BMW – pioneering in its class and delivering the BMW-typical driving pleasure,” says Michael Rath, Vice President Hydrogen Vehicles BMW Group.

The drive technology is based on the third-generation fuel cell system that BMW is developing in collaboration with the Toyota Motor Corporation. This technological advancement paves the way for a system with a more compact design that is also more powerful and efficient, thereby increasing range and output while reducing energy consumption.

Benefits of hydrogen-powered technology.

Hydrogen is recognized as a promising future energy source for global decarbonization. It acts as an effective storage medium for renewable energy sources, helping to balance supply and demand and enabling a more stable and reliable integration of renewables into the energy grid. Hydrogen is the missing piece for completing the electric mobility puzzle where battery electric
vehicles are not the optimal solution.

HyMoS initiative: alliance for strengthening the hydrogen infrastructure.

As well as developing the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen, BMW is also actively involved in efforts to expand the hydrogen refueling network. The HyMoS (Hydrogen Mobility at Scale) initiative was established to support hydrogen ecosystems for mobility in cooperation with industry and institutional partners. The aim of this initiative is to increase the economic viability of hydrogen mobility ecosystems by pooling the demand for all types of vehicles, including trucks, buses, and passenger cars. This will help to reach an optimal distribution and usage of hydrogen stations. The initiative supports existing hydrogen ecosystem projects in achieving their full potential by sharing experiences across projects and providing ground support of its industry partners. A pilot phase started with the support of existing ecosystems in Germany and France to gather experiences for deployment to further metropolitan areas and a potential later expansion to other countries.

Hydrogen BMW iX5 Announced for Series Production

Koenigsegg Jesko vs. Lambo Revuelto vs. Tuned 1,000hp M3 Touring Drag Race

Quote:

How’s this for a drag race line-up!

We’ve got our hands on a Koenigsegg hypercar, and it’s going up against a Lamborghini Revuelto and a tuned BMW M3 Touring! The question is, what will come out on top – the hypercar, the supercar, or the tuned family-friendly estate?! Let’s take a closer look at the stats…

First up, we have the Koenigsegg Jesko Attack. This is powered by a 5-litre twin-turbo V8, which creates 1280hp and 1000Nm. This power is sent to the rear wheels only via a 9-speed multi-clutch gearbox, and it weighs just 1,420kg. The starting price was £2.85M back in 2022, but in 2025, you can expect this car to cost at least £5,000,000!

Then we have the Lambo. It’s powered by a 6.5-litre naturally-aspirated V12 and three electric motors. Combined, they can put down 1,015hp and 1,062Nm. The car comes with all-wheel drive, and it tips the scales at just under 2 tonnes. Its also a whole lot more expensive than the Audi, costing around £447,000!

Finally, we have the BMW M3 Touring. It rolls up with a fully built 3-litre twin-turbo straight-six, and this produces 1,000hp and 1,100Nm. Power is sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox, and the car weighs 1,865kg. The cost of the car and the upgrades combined is around £150,000.

So the Koenigsegg has the most power, but will it be able to snatch the win? There’s only one way to find out for sure… LET’S RACE!

Friday, September 19, 2025

Thanks, Tariffs: Volkswagen Prices Are Going Up for 2026

The Jetta and Golf get big price jumps, while the Atlas maintains its 2025 pricing.

Here's Definitive Proof That the Lexus LFR Is a Hybrid

Video from the Nürburgring Nordschleife shows the upcoming Lexus sports car with a tell-tale yellow sticker on the rear window.

Hyundai Issued a Massive Recall for Nearly Every Palisade

The recall affects 568,580 Palisade SUVs—which is just about all of them since 2019.

Audi's First, um, AUDI Model For China Is an Instant Hit

The all-caps AUDI brand received more than 10,000 orders for the E5 Sportback in half an hour.

Thursday, September 18, 2025

BMW is Going Direct Sales Model in 2027 (Starting in Europe)

Source – https://www.autonews.com/bmw/ane-eu-…les-mini-0916/

Summary

BMW’s Agency Direct-Sales Model

BMW stays committed

Despite some automakers retreating, BMW Group will roll out the agency direct-sales model for its core BMW brand in Europe in 2027, following the path already taken by its Mini brand.

Jochen Goller (BMW head of customer, brands and sales) reaffirmed this at the IAA auto show, calling it “the right approach.”

Mini’s phased switch shows proof of concept

Mini began the transition in 2023.

Italy, Poland, and Sweden adopted it on Jan 1, 2024, with more countries (including Germany) joining on Oct 1, 2024.

Now 23 Mini markets use agency sales.

Initial challenges—integrating systems and training dealers—have been resolved, with positive feedback and appreciation for harmonized pricing.

Timeline adjustment for BMW brand

BMW originally targeted early 2026 for its core brand.

The timeline is pushed to 2027 to ensure a smooth rollout and “benchmark level of operational excellence,” with exact market-by-market dates to come.

How the agency model works

Dealers act as intermediaries/service agents and earn a fixed fee.

Automakers own the inventory and typically fund marketing and sales campaigns.

Enables direct customer contact, better supply-chain and promotion management, and nationwide uniform pricing, saving an estimated 10%+ in distribution costs.

Market context

Mercedes-Benz has already adopted agency sales in many European countries (and with its Smart brand).

Other major automakers—Stellantis, Volkswagen Group, Ford, Volvo, Renault, Toyota—have paused, reversed, or declined agency sales due to stabilized demand and production.

Experts note agency sales give BMW stronger control of the premium customer experience, aligning with its brand strategy.

Hyundai's New Mid-Size Truck Is Coming to America Before 2030

General Motors is leading the development work.

The New Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Tries to Hide Its Renault Roots

It's the fourth Renault-based model for Europe.

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Nissan's Comeback Plan: Fewer Headrests

Nissan's 'cost czar' needs to save $1.7 billion by April 2027. He's looking for savings everywhere.

This Dacia Truck Has The Cutest Little Bed. But Who's It For?

The Duster SUV has been turned into a pickup and a van.

Nissan's Cost-Cutting Carnage: Two Design Studios Shuttered

The job cuts are part of Nissan's plan to reduce its workforce by 20,000 employees.

No Regrets: Porsche Remains Committed to 'Brilliant' Electric Sports Cars

There's no going back: the Boxster and Cayman are losing their gas engines.

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Audi Boss Believes EV Are 'Simply the Better Technology'

The head honcho from Ingolstadt argues Europe's gas engine ban should stay in place.

Jaguar Land Rover Lost Track of 40,000 New Cars: Report

The cyber attack continues to wreak havoc.

Audi Boss Believes Electric Cars Are The 'Better Technology'

The head honcho from Ingolstadt argues Europe's gas engine ban should stay in place.

Monday, September 15, 2025

These States Have Banned the Dodge Durango Hellcat

States that follow California's fuel-economy regulations won't get the Durango R/T or Hellcat models. At least, not right now.

Insufficient Funds: Volkswagen Is Reportedly Delaying The Electric Golf

High costs with retooling the Wolfsburg factory could delay the ninth-generation Golf.

Stellantis Boss Confirms 'Beautiful' Ram Mid-Size Truck For 2027

Antonio Filosa claims the pickup will have "very good" specs.

The Mercedes-AMG C63 Might Get a Bigger Engine After All

But the V-8 ain't coming back.

Sunday, September 14, 2025

McLaren Honors Japan With a Very Special 750S Supercar

McLaren's latest special edition supercar is exclusive to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Volkswagen Made Its Own Gymkhana Video. It Rules

VW's most important model in Europe isn't the Golf—it's the tiny hatchback doing drifts in this video.

Friday, September 12, 2025

Data Doesn't Lie: Drivers Still Want Volume Knobs

BMW gathered data from 10 million vehicles and found that drivers still use volume knobs regularly.

'There Is No Truth to This:' Mercedes Won't Use BMW Engines After All

Chief Technology Officer Markus Schaefer denied rumors that BMW and Mercedes-Benz would share engines.

Is This The Toyota GRMN Corolla?

Provided the leaked images are genuine, they appear to be from a dealer event.

Volkswagen Boss Criticizes Pop-Out Door Handles: 'Terrible to Operate'

The CEO claims that some functions should be simple to use, which is why buttons are also making a comeback.

Thursday, September 11, 2025

The Mercedes-AMG E53 Is the Cheapest Performance Wagon In America

Cheapest, but still not cheap.

This Is What the Updated Toyota Corolla Will Look Like

The Chinese ministry released images of a new compact sedan, which should inspire the American Corolla.

Audi Explains Why Its Five-Cylinder Engine Is Dying

It could tweak the engine to pass emissions regulations, but it's just not worth the hassle.

The New Nissan Sentra Makes an Early Debut

China's next-generation Sylphy should become America's new Sentra.

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

'Myth:' BMW Says Apple CarPlay Isn't As Popular As You Think

According to BMW, drivers avoid Apple Maps via CarPlay for the automaker’s baked-in navigation system instead.

Volvo Boss Believes All New Cars Will Be Electric Around 2035

Hakan Samuelsson is adamant that 'there is no turning back.'

Volkswagen Asked Its Italian Designers to Draw a Coupe You Can’t Buy

The small EV has a 2+2 layout and zero chances of reaching the assembly line.

BMW Warns: Europe's 2035 Gas Engine Ban 'Can Kill an Industry'

It wants customers to have the freedom to choose between engines and batteries.

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Cupra's Outlandish Concept Rejects Minimalism for Maximum Impact

The bonkers Tindaya is all about edges.

The Hyundai Three Concept Looks Like a Futuristic Veloster

The funky EV previews the company's smallest Ioniq model.

The 2026 Lexus IS Teaches an Old Dog New Tricks

It's not a next-generation model but rather a third facelift.

Monday, September 8, 2025

Watch the Hybrid Porsche 911 Turbo S Rip Around the Nürburgring

With racer Jörg Bergmeister at the wheel, the new Turbo S set a 7:03.92 around the Nordschleife.

Video Documentation About the Development of the Neue Klasse

The development of BMWs first series model of the Neue Klasse, the new BMW iX3, was filmed over more than 2.5 years

The documentary, available in four episodes on the BMW Group YouTube channel, covers the relevance of the Neue Klasse for the entire company, the development of the latest technologies, new design, and a new driving experience

Additional detailed infotainment content shows the sustainability of the series model and the new design language

The new corporate website marks the start of a new era

Munich. For the BMW Group, the new BMW iX3 represents a milestone in the transformation affecting all areas of the company. An extensive video documentary on the BMW Group YouTube channel offers exclusive insights into the vision of the Neue Klasse, now becoming reality with the first series model, the BMW iX3. The project team has been filmed over several years, from building the first prototype, test drives with board members, crossing the Alps with pre-production models, to the development of the latest technologies and a new design language. For the first time, this documentary provides insights into BMW Groups structures, which are usually kept confidential.

Documentary Overview
Episode 1: "The Big Picture". The strategic positioning of the Neue Klasse and the leap into a new era, including personal insights from Oliver Zipse, CEO, as well as otherboard members and project participants.

Duration: 6:29 Minutes

Episode 2: "Reinventing Freude am Fahren". The development of a new model generation, from a blank sheet to the pre-drive with international media representatives. Mike Reichelt, Head of Neue Klasse, and his team provide exclusive insights into the last four years of development.

Duration: 09:44 Minutes

Episode 3: "Start of the New Design Language". Bigger steps in technology can only become meaningful hand in hand with big steps in design.. Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design, and his team have a unique opportunity: to create a new design language for all future models.

Duration: 04:25 Minutes

Episode 4: "The Digital Experience ". Four elements, one goal: Perfect driver orientation. Stefan Durach, Senior Vice President Connected Company BMW Group, and his team redefine the industry standard for multimodal interaction.

Duration: 06:44 Minutes

With the new BMW iX3, the BMW Group shows how a holistic approach to product sustainability becomes reality throughout the entire lifecycle. The video explains the "Design for Circularity" principle, involving secondary materials, targeted material selection, and disassembly optimization. As a result, about one-third of the new BMW iX3 consists of secondary materials.

Duration: 4:07 Minutes

Link Deep Dive Nachhaltigkeit

The launch of the new BMW iX3 introduces BMWs new design language, which will be reflected across the entire model range. The video, featuring designers led by Adrian van Hooydonk, explains this modern interpretation of BMWs essence – timeless, yet contemporary.

Duration:07:17 Minutes

Link Deep Dive Design.

New design of the BMW Group Corporate Website – the digital home of the Neue Klasse
The relaunch of the BMW Group website emphasizes the companys innovation and modern design. The new, elegant web design offers an improved user experience, with precise and careful results from a new semantic search. A dedicated page provides extensive information about the history of the Neue Klasse, the new BMW iX3, and the technologies of the new model generation.

Verus Engineering – Ventus 2 Aerodynamic Package for G82 M4

The BMW M4 represents whats possible in modern performance vehicles. With fantastic handling, available xDrive and efficient turbocharged powerplant. However, the BMW Engineers left some room for aerodynamic enhancement that lower lap times and increase driver confidence.

Verus Engineering just announced their Ventus 2 Aerodynamic Kit, which is now available as a complete package or individual pieces.

Verus Engineering – Ventus 2 Aerodynamic Kit – BMW G82 M4
https://europeanautosource.com/produ…kit-bmw-g82-m4

Items Included

Front Splitter Kit

The Ventus Front Splitter Kit boosts downforce significantly from the factory vehicle. The goal was to create a package that dramatically improved the aerodynamic performance from a factory BMW M3/M4 in a safe and balanced package for the typical track/HPDE enthusiast. Another goal was to retain street-ability from the aerodynamic components; with reasonable front splitter stick out and rear wing widths.

Front Splitter Endplates

The Verus Engineering Front Splitter Endplates are designed to increase front end downforce even further on the front splitter kit. In conjunction with the front splitter, we developed these endplates to improve downforce production even further without a large increase in drag. The vents are specifically designed to reduce drag while keeping downforce where it needs to be.

Dive Planes

Dive planes help tune the aerodynamic balance of a vehicle by shifting the balance forward without the need for a larger front splitter. A larger front splitter can be prohibitive to driving the car on the street, thus we were able to create a street-able package that produces enough front end downforce to balance the large rear wing and diffuser on our various Ventus kits.

Carbon Louver Kit

The Verus Engineering Carbon Hood Louver Kit for G87 BMW M2 are designed to enhance the function of the factory grilles, making them ideal for anyone looking to add a more aggressive finish to their G-Series M3/M4 that wants to add front bias to their aerodynamic balance while keeping things cool mile after mile!

Side Splitters

Carbon Polyweave Side Splitters helps improve downforce by reducing spillage of high-pressure air, making its way to the underbody of the vehicle. This is specifically present in yaw, or while turning, more than in a straight line. High-pressure air on the underbody of the vehicle creates lift. By reducing this spillage, the vehicle body experiences less lift than the factory and thus improves overall vehicle downforce. The side splitters are a great addition to those looking for a bump in downforce, specifically in yaw (while turning).

UCW Swan Neck Rear Wing

The UCW Swan Neck Rear Wing is a great addition to increase downforce significantly in the rear, increase confidence on track, and reduce lap times. Designed to work on the factory trunk and handle the downforce well, the rear wing bolts on easily and improves performance this sports car can utilize on track.