The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé has been confirmed by the Stuttgart automaker and will make its debut sometime in 2011. The model will be built at the company’s Bremen plant. News coming out of the UK now says that Mercedes-Benz is considering a C63 AMG Coupé that will compete with the likes of the BMW M3 and the Audi RS5.

The C63 AMG Coupé will debut shortly after the C-Class Coupé and will be powered by the company’s 6,2-litre V8 engine mated to a 7-speed MCT (multi-clutch transmission). The setup will also be used on the facelifted C63 sedan when is arrives sometime next year.

According an AMG source, the AMG Coupé was conceived as a direct rival to the Audi RS5 and BMW M3. “We’re looking to up the power beyond that of today’s C63 AMG. It’s safe to say it will be the most powerful of the three,” the AMG source said.

Rumours suggest that Mercedes-Benz may even release a C63 AMG Coupé Black Series!

Twenty five years ago BMW created an icon when it debuted the very first BMW M3 at the 1985 Frankfurt Motor Show. At the time, the sportiest BMW 3 Series ever produced boasted 147 kW, a top speed in excess of 230 km/h, and a sprint from a standing start to 100 km/h inside 6.7 seconds. More significantly, the BMW M3 created a legacy of driver involvement, great handling and giant-slaying performance that has been passed on to each of the car’s four generations.

However, South African buyers never experienced that first BMW M3. It was only built in left-hand drive and the first BMW M3 to reach these shores was the 6-cylinder E36 M3 Coupe of the early 1990s. So, to meet demand for a sport BMW 3 Series in the late Eighties, BMW South Africa’s engineers produced two very special BMW 3 Series for South Africa only.

The first was the Alpina-based BMW 333i, which shoehorned a 145 kW 3.2-litre inline 6-cylinder engine into the two-door BMW 3 Series saloon in 1985. Then, in the late 1980s, the Rosslyn engineers created the BMW 325iS.

Initially the 325iS was merely a 2-door 325i saloon fitted with a bodykit and a close-ratio gearbox, which improved acceleration at the expense of top speed and economy. But more changes were made to keep the car competitive in South African saloon car racing, culminating in the 325iS Evo II of late 1991. By now several body panels were made of aluminum and the engine capacity grew to 2.7-litres, produced 155 kW and the car achieved a 0 – 100km/h dash in a mere 7.5 seconds.

Now, to celebrate 25 years of the BMW M3, BMW South Africa’s engineers are at it again and will produce a very special version of the current V8-engined BMW M3 Coupé in celebration of this milestone.

This BMW M3 ‘Frozen Edition’ – of which only 25 will be produced – will be available exclusively in Frozen Black or Frozen Grey matt paintwork. The matt paintwork is matched to red brake callipers housed behind a set of gloss black 19-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the special M3’s black leather will feature red stitching and behind the steering wheel will be the controls for the M-DCT transmission, which all 25 cars will be fitted with as standard.

More significantly however, unlike their US counterparts, these special BMW M3 Coupés will also benefit from AC Schnitzer performance parts to further set them apart from the standard M3 Coupé.

Featuring an AC Schnitzer exhaust pipe, intake manifold and a revised engine management system, all covered under the standard BMW Motorplan and Warranty, the Frozen Edition BMW M3 Coupé will now produce 330 kW at 8 400 r/min and 420 Nm of torque at 3 900 r/min. As a refresher, the standard BMW M3 produces 309 kW at 8 300 r/min and 400 Nm at 3 900 r/min.

Only eight Frozen Edition M3s will be available in 2010, with the remainder of the production run following in the first quarter of 2011. The BMW M3 Frozen Edition will set you back a chilling R1 180 000.

In December last year we tested BMW’s 730d. At the time we said “The BMW 730d is a luxury saloon that serenaded its way into our hearts in 2009 – a position from which it may be difficult to unseat”. So, greeted with the prospect of getting to know the range topping V12-powered 760Li, we were intrigued as to whether its additional accommodation, power and price would make it proportionally better.

At a glance, the most obvious change defining the 760Li BMW is its elongated profile, thanks to the longer rear doors, as well as a redesigned roofline and C-pillar. With a wheelbase extended by 140 mm to 3 210 mm, it’s the longest in its class and the resulting space is to the exclusive benefit of the rear passengers.

Other exterior highlights on the 760Li are subtle, but enough to let passersby know it’s a very special car, especially when wearing the pearlescent Alpine White paintwork of our test car. From the side, there are chrome-plated ‘gills’, with integrated indicator light and ‘V12′ insignia, between the front side panel and front passenger doors, along with 19-inch wheels as standard (20-inch wheels are an available option). From the rear, the range topping 7 has an extra chrome strip spanning the gap between the quad-exhaust tailpipes, which are integrated, flush, into the rear air dam on either side.

It’s the interior, however, where the 760Li excels. BMW use superlatives such as: luxurious; harmony; elegant; exclusive; and stylish, to describe their halo saloon. Yes, the grandest 7 of them all is all of these. The build quality is second to none – although we were puzzled by the centre armrest in the rear that wouldn’t fold away – and the tactile elements only add to the cabin’s top class ambiance.

The 760Li sets itself apart from the moment you open the door with stainless-steel door strips and their illuminated V12 emblem. Burr walnut inlays are set amongst nappa leather finishes that feature meticulous double stitched seams. The roof lining and sun visors are covered in alcantara.

Interior space is generous to say the least and the rear legroom is enough to accommodate the sexiest tallest of super models, while shoulder room is ample for the healthiest of politicians or corporate execs. The rear ‘comfort seats’ are independently adjustable and feature ventilation and heating. To shield rear passengers from the sun, or maybe the paparazzi, electrically operated blinds are fitted to the rear window and passenger side windows. The rear seats in our test car were also fitted with the optional massage function in the backrest, one of the few features not standard on the 760Li.

Packed with a features list as long as the car itself, a few of the features that really stand out are those which you seldom find on other cars. BMW’s Night Vision uses a thermal imaging camera to improve visibility and safety at night. The system also has pedestrian recognition that will alert the driver to a potential accident by analysing the behaviour of the approaching individual. Not exclusive to the 760Li, and not very common in other cars, yet, is the head-up display that conveniently shows speed and navigation information in the driver’s line of sight. Active Cruise Control with Stop/Go function also makes life easier during highway driving. The cruise control system monitors and maintains the following distance between the car in front and, if necessary, will automatically apply the brakes and come to a complete stop. The iDrive infotainment system features a television and each passenger in the rear also has their own 9.2-inch colour monitor through which they can access all multimedia functions via a shared iDrive controller located within the rear armrest. The rear armrest also houses a GSM cordless telephone.

Luxuriously appointed and spec’d then, a 760Li will typically spend most of its working life ferrying presidents, dignitaries and those who enjoy life’s finer things.

It’ll come as no surprise then to hear that the 760Li offers a ride as smooth as the leather its occupants rest on. BMW’s Dynamic Damping Control and Dynamic Drive Control offers excellent comfort and a surprising amount of agility for a 5.21 meter long car that weighs 2.2 tonnes – just watch The Stig. Key ingredients of the big 7’s smooth ride are the self-levelling rear air suspension and the Integral Active Steering that controls adjustment of the steering angle on the rear wheels according to the car’s speed. All but the harshest road imperfections are ironed out and the longer wheelbase is hardly noticeable thanks to the 12.7 meter turning circle, just 0.75 meters more than the new 5 Series, which is 320 mm shorter.

The 760Li’s pièce de résistance is however, its 6,0-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine. Developed as a completely new engine from the ground up, the V12 produces peak power of 400 kW at 5 250 r/min. Just as importantly though is the maximum torque of 750 N.m from just 1 500 r/min. Combined with BMW’s first 8-speed automatic transmission, the V12 offers acceleration to rival the 0 – 100 km/h sprint times of BMW’s M5 and M3 models – 760Li is 4.6 seconds, M5 is 4.7 secs and M3 is 4.8 secs. But, while the 760Li is very rapid at any point within the rev-range, it showcases its talent like an olympic athlete in an Armani suit and as a result, its passengers will never break a sweat.

Unlike the BMW X5 M we tested recently, the 760Li’s V12 is surprisingly frugal, with a claimed combined consumption figure of 13 l/100km. Not that fuel economy would be of concern to the typical 760 buyer, but our real world average of 15.2 l/100km seems good, relative to the car’s performance and weight.

Svelte and sophisticated, the BMW 760Li is a car that delivers opulence reserved for a privileged few and is best enjoyed with a chauffeur at the helm. True grace and pace.

What We Like….

• The power.
• The luxury.
• The refined ride.

What We Would Like…

• A chauffeur as standard.
• A function to automatically and remotely close the boot, the same way in which it can be opened.
• Adjustable side bolsters on the rear seats for more lateral support.

Carmakers in general are big on anniversaries, and BMW in particular is keen on keeping its history alive. So BMW North America announced a production run of thirty, identically-equipped, 2011 Frozen Gray M3 Coupes for the United States only.

The US-only special-edition car features a unique matte gray paint scheme with Fox Red and black, two-tone, Novillo leather inside, plus an exclusive set of 19-inch wheels. Otherwise, it’s the same M3 we’ve grown to know and love, generating 309 kW from its high-revving 4,0-litre V8 engine. The Frozen Gray Coupe will only be available with the M-DCT dual-clutch transmission, however, so manual lovers will have to spray their own custom matte finishes to get the look.

Production will be very short lived, starting this month and ending by the last day of July, though BMW hasn’t put a hard number on how many it will build. Orders open on Monday, June 21. In addition to the special-edition car, buyers will get a one-day enrollment at the BMW Performance Driving School in Spartanburg, South Carolina to learn the limits of their new toy.

Keep an eye out for news of a similarly exclusive M3 being made available in SA in the coming months.

BMW is said to be preparing an even hotter version of its already high-performance M3 GTS. Essentially a street version of its M3 GT2 race car, the M3 GTS-R is set to be a limited-production halo car to celebrate BMW’s motorsports successes.

The M3 GTS-R is the latest evolution of the automaker’s M3 GTS – and it will employ a number of performance upgrades and weight-saving techniques to help it stand out.

While the M3 GTS-R will be powered by a modestly massaged V8, mated to the automaker’s DCT transmission, some of its biggest news will be its substantially reduced curb weight.

Although the front fenders will be enlarged to contain wider tyres and an increased track, they will weigh less than those on a standard M3. Carbon fibre will be used for the bonnet, roof and boot panels, while the M3 GTS’ interior and extra light glass all around will shave weight even further, likely to a bit under 1 450 kg’s.

A new double lip-style spoiler is said to protrude from a redesigned front bumper to improve aerodynamics and the M3 GTS’ adjustable carbon fibre rear spoiler returns.

The M3 GTS-R forgoes the historic Inka Orange shade of the GTS for a stealthy black matte with matching Y-spoke ultralight alloy wheels.

There’s also a rumour that the M3 GTS-R will gain the next-generation M5’s KERS regenerative braking system with its advanced boost function.

Look for a formal debut of the M3 GTS-R later this year – most likely at the Paris Motor Show in late September, if not before.

Adapted from LeftLaneNews

Back in April, BMW displayed a new and unique colour for its M3 family of vehicles: “Frozen Black Matte Paint.” Check out the new pics of the exclusive paint that’s going to be available for the M3 with Competition Package. Another colour available with the Competition Package is the Monte Carlo Blue. The special Competition Package was recently introduced to the U.S. market and is intended to enhance the already sporty look of the M3.

Adapted from DubDaily

BMW has released the full specifications of the track-focussed BMW M3 GTS.

The M3 GTS is powered by a larger 4,3-litre V8 engine that develops 331 kW at 8 300 r/min (22 kW more than standard) and 440 N.m of torque at 3 750 r/min (40 N.m more than standard).

Aerodynamics have been revised and the GTS features a motorsport inspired front apron and rear wing, based on that of the BMW 320si – currently competing in the World Touring Car Championship. The air ducts in the front apron are also variable, as is the position of the rear wing.

The BMW M3 GTS is easily recognised by its bright orange single-coloured body. Additional features exclusive to te M3 GTS are the matt black kidney grille, roof trims and alloy wheels, as well as the side gills that are made of dark anodised chrome. In addition to the standard carbon fibre roof, the BMW M3 GTS is fitted with a titanium exhaust silencers, polycarbonate side windows at the rear and a polycarbonate rear window, no rear seats, lighter door panels and centre console. These weight saving measures managed to shed 70 kilograms over the standard M3, for a total mass of 1530 kg and a 4.62 kg/kW power-to-weight ratio.

The sportier M3 also has a transmission and suspension configuration that have been optimised for the racetrack. Power is sent to the rear wheels via BMW’s M-DCT 7-speed transmission and suspension has been lowered over that of the standard M3 by 16 mm at the front and 12 mm at the rear.

BMW claim a top speed of 305 km/h, a zero to 100 km/h sprint of 4.4 seconds and a that the M3 GTS will cover a kilometer from a standing start in 22.5 seconds.

Take a look at the tyre shredding M3 GTS in this video.

We’re following the BMW 135is – or M1, 1-Series M or 135tii or whatever you’d like to call it at this stage – with much interest. The 135is badge seems most appropriate to us – find out why, here – but regardless of the final badging, after seeing these latest photos there is no doubt that BMW’s M Division has a hand in tuning the BMW 1-Series Coupe.

If the flared wheel arches, huge brake kit and enormous wheels weren’t enough to convince you, the trademark M Division quad-exhaust pipes can now been seen clearly amongst the camouflage at the rear. Closer inspection reveals the limited slip differential poking out between the fat rear tyres – the cooling fins are a dead giveaway.

We look forward to bringing you more details as they emerge because one thing is guaranteed, this car will be one serious little coupe. Plus, it’ll be launched in time to go head-to-head with the much anticipated Audi RS3 ‘hotter-hatch’.

Images courtesy of CarAdvice

Vorsteiner has revealed a new body kit for the current BMW E92 M3, named GTRS3 M3.

The body kit includes a new front bumper, splitter, flared wheel arches, vented race-style bonnet and extended side skirts. At the back you will spot a new rear bumper with integrated diffuser. Almost the entire kit is made of carbon fibre.

We still don’t know what exactly hides under the bonnet of the Vorsteiner GTRS3 BMW M3 E92, but we guess there are some performance enhancements, including the stainless steel quad-exhaust system. Twin 7-spoke V-308 concave forged mesh wheels in 18- and 20-inch are available. The rims are outfitted with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 performance tyres. Exclusivity is guaranteed, with only 100 GTRS3 body kits available worldwide.

The internet is littered with spy pictures of the BMW 135is being put through the paces on the Nurburgring’s northern loop (Nordschleife). The range topping 1-Series coupe is likely to be put into production, but at this stage speculation about the car is rife and shy on details.

Some published reports suggest that the 135is will feature the company’s 3,0-litre in-line 6-cylinder turbocharged engine, producing around 240 kW and up to 450 N.m of torque. Surprisingly though, these figures are not new and match those of factory performance kit currently available for the 135i and 335i models. When you consider the car in the pictures has a larger front bumper, grille, and side skirts, with low profile tyres filling extended wheels arches, it hints at more than a simple performance kit.

BMW can’t create a 1-Series that will tread on the toes of its flagship M3 performance saloon, but at the same time needs to meet demand for a more accesible ‘M’ car with which to capture future M customers. With this in mind, the new 1-Series coupe is likely to be given the revised 3,0-litre twin-turbo engine recently launched in the Z4 sDrive35is. The twin-turbo straight-six benefits from optimised air supply and increased boost pressure. Output has been lifted from the standard 225 kW to a more substantial 250 kW at 5 800 r/min, while peak torque is increased to 450 N.m and is available from 1 400 r/min all the way to 4 500 r/min. Furthermore, modified engine management allows the use of an ‘Overboost’ function, briefly increasing engine torque under full load by another 50 N.m to a total of 500 N.m.

Equipped with BMW’s 7-speed double-clutch tranmission with launch control, the 135is should be capable of a 0 – 100 km/h sprint of under 5 seconds, with the traditional electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h. Despite the increased performance over the standard 135i, the 135is can be expected to return the same fuel economy of 9.0 l/100km.

It seems most likely then that the new, hotter, 135is will benefit from a 11 percent boost in power over the current 135i, and a substantial 25 percent increase in torque – enough extra muscle to justify the M Sports package we see evidence of in the pictures.

The M Sports Package will include the M Aerodynamics Package and adaptive M Suspension. The M Suspension, which features electronically controlled dampers, lowers the entire car by 10 mm. The range topping 1-Series will likely get a reprogrammed electronic power steering system that promises to offer increased feedback. On the outside, the M Package would most likely add unique 18-inch alloy wheels with 19-inch rims available as an option, a new front bumper, re-trimmed kidney grilles, matte silver exterior mirror caps, and possibly a new rear bumper with an integrated diffuser and specific tail pipes.

Although no interior shots have become available, expect the several enhancements such as an M leather steering wheel with gearshift paddles, M footrest, sports seats, aluminium carbon trim, BMW Individual roof lining, M entry strips and footmats with coloured piping. As with the sDrive35is, the car may also receive a revised instrument cluster with grey faces on the dials.