Axles of Evil: BMW M3 vs. Mercedes C63 AMG vs. Lexus IS F

From time to time we come across interesting BMW related articles on the web and since we’re so into our bimmers, we have no choice but to share them with you. Now, the comparison below is something we have seen on here many times before and it is probably one of the most popular compact sports sedans standoff that there is out there.

Three beautiful, high performance cars, that bring out the best features and technologies available within each company: BMW M3, Mercedes  Benz C63 AMG and Lexus IS F.

BMW was probably ready for this. After all, it’s been building ripper rear-drive compacts going back to the early ’70s and the 2002tii, and no doubt wondering why others didn’t get in on the act. Along with Mercedes, they should have been ready, of course, for the likes of Lexus to branch out from super-silent, super-soft luxury stuff into the realms of hardcore performance. Ready for the snorting IS F to start trampling all over the world’s favourite German turf. Question is, can it?

The current compact kings of performance are the M3 and the C63 AMG, at least while Audi pauses a moment between the outgoing RS4 and the next. That gap has been filled neatly by the IS F because, make no mistake, this is far more than a warmed-over IS250. Four years in the making, fitted with a brawny 5.0-litre V8, big Brembo brakes and a version of the LS460’s eight-speed auto, the IS F comes across as pure, rear-drive muscle-car exhilaration. Significantly, it’s also the first car of this ilk to come out of Japan.

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This impression is confirmed on the racetrack where the M3 easily overcame its power and torque inferiority to post quicker lap times than its more hairy-chested rivals. But it also continues to be a precision tool on the road. If the sedan has lost any torsional rigidity compared with the 20kg-lighter M3 coupe, you’ll never pick it. The combination of rapid-action steering, a tremendously grippy rear end, sensibly linear torque delivery and perfectly controlled body movement make it a joy to drive. The dual-clutch manual gearbox reacts quickly to manual shifts, or smoothly and intuitively if left in drive. If anything, the manual variant’s combination of sheer speed and refinement has only been enhanced by this very clever gearbox.

That’s not to say a good auto is left in the M3’s wake, as evidenced by the C63. The torque delivery of that monster V8 is dominating, and is the almost overwhelming aspect of the driving experience, but the seven-speed is never caught out. If you need to find a lower gear manually, it reacts relatively quickly; left to its own devices, it’ll do a better-than-average job. Throttle inputs need to be judicious if the ESP is switched off, but apart from progressive rear-end slip under power, there are no surprises here. The C63 reacts with all the big-engined brutality it can muster, although tempered by particularly pleasant steering and just a smidge of the understeer displayed on the circuit.

BMW X6 Hybrid caught undisguised

The final production version of the first all-wheel-drive hybrid from BMW, the X6, was spotted in the beautiful Munich. While the concept was officially unveiled at the L.A Auto Show last year in November, the production model has been seen around still carrying some minor camouflage. We already learned that the BMW X6 Hybrid along with 7 Series Hybrid will be launched at the end of this year.

The BMW X6 Hybrid is a two-mode hybrid based on an 8-cylinder gasoline engine which has been custom-made to meet the requirements of an SAV. The newer, greener X6 will utilize the dual-mode ActiveHybrid system, which has discrete modes for high-torque, low speed driving as well as for high-speed cruises.

The system uses a modular hybrid system which can be adapted to many different engine/vehicle combination, as opposed to a design-specific petrol engine/hybrid combination, which sees wider use in the automotive industry.

The two-mode hybrid uses about 20 percent less fuel than than a comparable vehicle with combustion engine. BMW is using a nickel metal hydride battery for the initial applications and unlike the other car manufacturers, the BMW hybrid engine will not be using cylinder deactivation. And second, if our sources are correct, then the BMW X6 Hybrid will feature the Start/Stop technology.

The body style is almost identical to the petrol versions, except the slightly larger M3-style bonnet, a funky feature that has been lightly criticized by some bimmer fans.

Even though no recent announcement has been made but judging from past spy photos, we expect to see  a hybrid version of the BMW X5 as well, most likely next year.

[Photos courtesy of Christian Wimmer at CWPhotography ]

BMW X1 spotted near the BMW plant in Leipzig

Just a month ago, we had the opportunity to show you exclusively the BMW X1 completely unveiled. Sure, it was only one photo and not an extremely close shot, but at least we have an idea of what to expect from the production model. The changes from the concept version revealed at the Paris Auto Show are insignificant and the only thing that stands out are the unique wheel design. Now, we’re pretty sure that there will be some minor cosmetic differences, but they won’t be obvious to everyone.

Mathis, one of our long time readers, have spotted the X1 near the Leipzig plant in Germany. Unfortunately the car was still wearing the now copied-by-others psychedelic camouflage and the design lines are well hidden again. The taillights are covered by the tape camo, a clear sign that we will some changes there compared to the concept version. The side creases popular on many recent BMW models, are also covered by the camouflage, but that’s an area that we have no doubt that BMW will simply leave it the way it is.

What really struck us about these photos is the actual size of the car and most important, the road presence. While originally, we believed the X1 will be far smaller than the current X3, to our surprise and from what Mathis has mentioned, the X1 has a slightly lower ride height, but it’s a bit wider. On the other hand, this is something many specialists and BMW fans expected, since the new generation X3 which will be unveiled next year, will grow in size therefore creating a spot for the X1 urban vehicle. Many of you might not know, but the BMW X1 is built on the next generation 1 Series platform and it will be part of the 1 Series family which will include several different bodystyles, from coupe to hatchback and Gran Turismo.

Mathis also mentioned seeing the same style suspension linkages that are visible on the 1 Series hatchback and this prototype is most likely powered by a four cylinder engine judging from the single exhaust.

With the risk of repeating ourselves, we will tell you that the BMW X1 will be available with four and six cylinder engines both diesel and petrol, but expect in the future to see the four cylinder turbo petrol in there too:

• 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline - 170-horsepower
• 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel - 177-horsepower
• 3.0-liter six-cylinder gasoline engine - 265-horsepower
• 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel - 245-horsepower

The BMW X1 will be available in four wheel drive, but also as a rear wheel drive. With the initial launch in the European market only, the four-wheel drive will be the only option offered. The production version will be unveiled within the next 3 weeks and it will be available in the European showrooms later this fall. Even though for now BMW has confirmed the X1 only for the non-U.S. market, sources close to BMW USA spoke of future plans which might include the X1 as well.

Pricing? Unknown at the moment, but we expect it to be set between the 1 Series and the entry level X3 SAV.

BMW X6 in matte color - Is this the new “black”?

You have probably heard the expression “This <insert color here> is the new black….” many times before and it’s a phrase quite often used in the fashion industry. But today, we’re stealing their catchy phrase and pose the following question to you: Is the matte black really the new “black”?

We’ve been seeing a trend lately and we cannot wonder if it will go mainstream in the future since more and more people sport this matte black on their cars. The first matte black BMW was seen by us back in 2008 when coincidentally, it was an X6 model as well. In the following months, we came across the Lumma version of the M5, then a stunning black matte Z3 and more recently, a 335i and M3 spotted at the Bimmerfest 2009 event.

So when our friend Christian Wimmer decided to share these photos with us, our jaws dropped again and had no choice but to post them. While you know that we don’t always dig those pimped out cars and usually embrace the “clean look” of our bimmers, we admit that we have a soft spot for these matte black X6s.

Now wait, this car is actually more than just another “Batman” like version, it also has some pretty cool upgrades on it, like the aftermarket black/chromed wheels, to the interesting air vents on the hood and the very aggressive front-bumper. Not a bad looking X6  and definitely one that will turn heads, especially if spotted on U.S. soil.

And while we’re on this matte black vinyl subject, let’s take the time to answer the question that many people sent in asking for a recommendation of an auto shop that performs such work. Our friends in the BMW tuning world recommend Vinyl Styles shop in California and Loud Ocean of Santa Ana, but if you have any other recommendation on the East Coast, feel free to drop a comment and we will update the article.

2009 Hartge BMW Z4

Hartge has released the details of their 2009 BMW Z4 accessories range which includes both exterior and interior parts. The 2009 Hartge BMW Z4 accessories range features the tuner's CLASSIC 2 wheel set and a new set of stainless steel tail pipes.
For the interior, the 2009 Hartge BMW Z4 range includes aluminum pedals, foot rest and steering wheel emblem as well as new speedometers with a 300 km/h or 200 MPH maximum speed. We expect the 2009 Hartge BMW Z4 program will include more items in the near future.
© Source: zercustoms

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