BMW Black Fire Edition X5, X6 M Coming in August

Launching this August, BMW will offer both the X5 M and X6 M SUVs in the company’s latest special edition treatment, dubbed the Black Fire Edition.

While nothing has been done to either car’s engine (why would you when both make 575 horsepower from their 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8s?), both the exterior and interior of the X6 M and X5 M have been murdered out and given a racier appearance.

Both the X5 M and X6 M receive a special shade of black paint, called Sapphire Black Metallic, which also includes both car’s normal brightwork, such as the double-kidney grille and carbon-fiber mirror caps. Each car also receives a set of forged staggered 21-inch M alloy wheels, finished in a special Sapphire Black Metallic paint that completes the car’s menacing looks.

Inside, BMW lathered both the X5 M and X6 M with a host of motorsport goodies, including M multi-functional seats, Alcantara upholstery, aluminum shift paddles, and M’s multi-functional Alcantara steering wheel with a light-blue leather accent signifying BMW’s history with motorsport.

The car’s interior is finished in contrasting Black and Mugello Red Merino leather, which also covers the center console.

Additionally, customers will also get special Black Fire Edition logos on the dash, indicating each car’s uniqueness.

Source:BMW

As mentioned earlier, BMW will begin to make the Black Fire Editions available this coming August, although the company has yet to disclose pricing on the upcoming special editions.

The standard BMW X5 M costs $100,700, while the X6 M costs $104,400, and we expect the Black Fire Edition to tack on at least another couple thousand dollars on top of that given the nature of the M Performance parts additions.

The post BMW Black Fire Edition X5, X6 M Coming in August appeared first on Motor Trend.

from Motor Trend http://ift.tt/2troVmz

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Ford Shelby Mustang GT350R Go Head 2 Head

On this episode of Head 2 Head, hosts Jonny Lieberman and Jason Cammisa carry on the 50-year battle between the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro by pitting two of the latest and greatest examples against each other. Which is the better pony car, the 2017 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350R or the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1?

On paper, this doesn’t seem like a fair fight. The ZL1 makes 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque from its supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 to the 526 hp and 429 lb-ft of the GT350R and its rev-happy, flat-plane-crank 5.2-liter V-8. That’s a difference of 124 hp and 221 lb-ft. But both cars represent the pinnacle of their respective model range. Well, except now you can get an even more extreme ZL1 1LE. Lieberman explains that this model wasn’t available at the time the video was shot.

After drag racing and evaluating the cars on the road, the hosts take them to Willow Springs for laps with Randy Pobst. Where the Mustang is stiff and unforgiving, the Camaro feels soft and compliant. How the two cars deliver their power is also very different, with the Mustang being high-strung and the Camaro having seemingly limitless torque. Despite all these differences, the lap times aren’t as far apart as you might think. Which pony car will be crowned the winner? Find out in the full episode below.

The post Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Ford Shelby Mustang GT350R Go Head 2 Head appeared first on Motor Trend.

from Motor Trend http://ift.tt/2tvbfaO

BMW 2 Series to Lose Manual Option in U.S.

BMW will discontinue the manual transmission option on the 2 Series coupe in the U.S. to cut costs. According to a report from Reuters, the move will help cut certification costs in the U.S. market. In addition, BMW finance chief Nicolas Peter stated that BMW will streamline its manufacturing processes by offering fewer variants of its future vehicles to offset high development costs.

In addition to the discontinuation of the manual-equipped 2 Series in the U.S., BMW has also stopped offering a manual on the 5 Series, including entry-level diesel variants in other markets. Peter also hinted that the next generation of its midsize luxury car will likely have less diesel-powered variants. As BMW offers many variants and equipment options, there’s plenty of fat that can be cut.

BMW Group is currently in the midst of developing its EV, autonomous, and connected vehicle technologies alongside tradition cars with combustion engines to meet emissions tests that are constantly getting more stringent. Part of the increase in costs has to do with China pushing to meet its electric vehicle quota aggressively, which made European automakers accelerate electric and hybrid vehicle development. Reuters reports that in 2016 BMW spent 5.5 percent of its revenue on research and development. Peter also revealed that in the next three years, BMW will continue to spend between 5.5-6 percent of its revenue in developing eco-friendly vehicles and autonomous driving tech. However, the production site of an all-electric Mini hasn’t yet been decided but the Oxford facility is one of the contenders, with a final decision to be announced this year.

BMW’s sales, pre-tax profit, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) has increased this year by around 8-10 percent. Much of that boost is due to the recently launched 5 Series, which has done well in sales. Double-digit growth in the Chinese market is still on track and with the launch of the X1 and 5 Series long wheelbase, it will continue to see more gains in the market. Europe has also seen some growth but the demand in the U.K. is slowing down. The U.S. market will likely remain stable or shrink a little, Peter told Reuters. He also revealed that the automaker is in the process of cutting down vehicle inventory in the U.S.

Source: Reuters

The post BMW 2 Series to Lose Manual Option in U.S. appeared first on Motor Trend.

from Motor Trend http://ift.tt/2s6KepR

2017 Bentley Flying Spur Design Series by Mulliner Announced

Following the recent debut of the Bentley Bentayga Falconry by Mulliner this past May, Bentley announced that its Flying Spur will receive a new Mulliner special edition that will surely have Bentley’s gilded gentry clientele wiring quite a handsome sum of money to the Crewe-based firm. Once again, Bentley’s coach-building arm has delivered something special with the debut of the Flying Spur Design Series.

The new limited edition Flying Spur will come in a selection of five different interior and exterior accent colors splits, including Mandarin, Pillar Box Red, White, Kingfisher, and Azure Purple as curated by Bentley’s Mulliner division. Additionally, Mulliner clients will be able to choose from a variety of interior leather, dash materials, and technical options that further the bespoke nature of the Flying Spur Design Series.

The exterior of the car is highlighted by bright-colored contrasting lines and blackened brightwork on the Flying Spur’s grille, side vents, window surrounds, and throughout the car. According to the brand, the Design Series by Mulliner treatment will be available through the Flying Spur range, including the V-8, W-12, V-8 S, and W-12 S models.

On V-8 S and W-12 S cars, the Flying Spur Design Series by Mulliner will also feature “a bold front-bumper design with a highlighted “lower fine line highlighted with a striking accent color,” and LED Welcome Lamps that reflect the word “Mulliner” on to the ground when customers approach the car at night.

Customers who choose the W-12 S, and who select the 21-inch Directional Sport Wheels, will have the wheels painted Gloss Black to “further enhance the powerful, aggressive nature of the W-12 S engine.” While V-8 S owners can still choose the same wheels, they’ll have to make do with a black-machined finish.

The company will only commission a mere 100 examples of the Flying Spur Design Series by Mulliner over the course of the car’s run, and each will feature “bespoke interpretation” for each individual customer. Each Flying Spur Design Series by Mulliner will also receive a special door sill plaque that says, “Mulliner” signifying the unique nature of the car.

Bentley hasn’t disclosed how much the Flying Spur Design Series by Mulliner will cost, but given its bespoke nature, and the vast amount of choices available to Mulliner clients, it likely will cost a pretty penny more than the Flying Spur’s base price of nearly $200,000.

Source: Bentley

The post 2017 Bentley Flying Spur Design Series by Mulliner Announced appeared first on Motor Trend.

from Motor Trend http://ift.tt/2uomUok

Ride Review: Ducati Multistrada 1200 S, the everything bike for (almost) everyone

from Autoweek.com Latest Stories http://ift.tt/2u3AqhE

We Hear: Audi RS Models Could Be Offered in Rear-Wheel Drive

Audi’s RS models may become available in rear-wheel drive configuration, according to a new report. Speaking with Auto Express at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Audi Sport boss Stephan Winkelmann revealed that it has been looking at the future direction of Audi’s performance division.

“When looking at the name, we decided Quattro could be misleading. Quattro is the four-wheel-drive system and is one of the things that made Audi great – but in our opinion was not the right name for the company,” Winkelmann told Auto Express. “I can imagine we can also have cars with rear-wheel drive or two-wheel drive in the future.”

The executive pointed out that he didn’t want the name of Audi’s performance division to appear misleading hence the name change from Quattro GmbH to Audi Sport. Winkelmann also added that he wanted Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system to be offered as an option on many of the German automaker’s models but remain standard on its most powerful offerings. He continued by stating that Audi will always offer sporty models that won’t sacrifice comfort.

For the near future, Winkelmann confirmed that two new Audi Sport models will debut at the 2017 Frankfurt auto show in September. He also revealed that electrification is in the cards for future RS-badged Audi vehicles.

Source: Auto Express

The post We Hear: Audi RS Models Could Be Offered in Rear-Wheel Drive appeared first on Motor Trend.

from Motor Trend http://ift.tt/2u3iGTX