The Dangers of Test Driving: BMW M5 E60 Driver Overtakes M5 F10 Prototype at 300km/h [Video]

Being a test driver for any automaker isn’t an easy task. In fact, there are times it can be downright dangerous, as this video clip proves. You see, it is one thing filming a prototype vehicle from a distance and on foot and another when a fool does it holding a cell phone camera on one hand and the steering wheel with the other while passing you on the autobahn at around 300km/h (187mph)… That’s just beyond stupid.

The cars in question here are a BMW M5 E60 and what is claimed to be a lightly camouflaged prototype of the next generation M5 F10, which we saw in concept form at this week’s 2011 Shanghai Auto Show. Watch the short video after the break.

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VIDEO: More Powerful and Lighter BMW M3 Sedan in the Works

During the M5 Concept and M3 Pick-Up presentation held by BMW's M division in Munich, the Bavarian carmaker also showed the M3 Sedan Concept, a more powerful track-focused version that could signal the return of the CSL badge, albeit in four-door trim.

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A Perfect Match: A Short Film from BMW Classic about a Man and his 1602

If you’re the kind of type that falls in love with his wheels no matter what anybody else says or believes, then we’re pretty sure you’re going to be fond of BMW Classic’s new short film called “A Perfect Match”.

The movie, which was awarded the Golden Dolphin at the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards, follows the story of a man called Jack and his search for appropriate replacement for his battered down BMW 1602. The reason? Blame the lack of an air conditioning system that has made his life unbearable in the hot summer days and nights of Los Angeles. You may or may not suspect what’s going to happen half-way through the film, but either way, we won't spoil the end. To view the film, simply follow the break below.

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BMW Unleashes New Video of V8-Powered M5 Concept

In preparation of the big reveal of the M5 Concept at the Auto Shanghai 2011 in China later this month, BMW has churned out a new video of its high-performance sports saloon. What we get to see here is the thinly disguised M5 study on the move, though in an unwanted politically correct manner. Read more »

Video Tour of the Unmade BMW M Cars Including the M3 Tourer and Compact, Ur-Roadster and M5 Cabriolet

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.

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BMW M8: Video Walkaround of the Wildest 8-Series Powered by the Same V12 in the McLaren F1

If there’s one BMW M car that should have been built, that’s without doubt the M8. Instead, the Bavarians gave us the diluted 850CSi that was powered by a modified version of the 850i’s V12 engine with an incre00ased displacement of 5.6-liters pushing out 380-horsepower.

Last week, BMW opened up the doors of its special M car garage to the press revealing a variety of unmade prototype models including the much talked about M8. The high-performance version of the 8-Series sported a bespoke V12 engine that later on found its way under the hood of the iconic McLaren F1. The twelve-cylinder unit was built around two six-cylinder engines sourced from the M3 of the era (E36) producing somewhere around 580-horsepower.

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2012 BMW M5 Concept: First Photos Out in the Open

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.

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BMW Gives us a Video Insight into the World of Secret Prototypes

Ever wonder why BMW went from the bulky metal or plastic panels to foam and swirly sheeting on its secret prototype models or what goes on during testing of upcoming vehicles at Death Valley, California? Then follow the jump to watch a pair of official BMW videos that provide us an insight into the world of prototypes at the firm’s Research and Innovation Center called ‘Plant Zero’ as well as a clip from the heat testing team.

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A BMW M3 Coupe, a Hot Brunette, One Cool Video

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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VIDEO: BMW M3 Pickup Truck Filmed Out on the Road

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.

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VIDEO: 2012 BMW M5 Prototype Put Through its Paces

Leading up to the world premiere of the 2012 M5 that’s believed to take place at the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall, BMW is releasing a series of videos slowly uncovering its high-performance sports saloon.

This time, we get a three-and-a-half-long video clip of the M5 flung around on the snow. There’s also a lot of talk going on, but unfortunately, it’s all in German, so if any of you out there can translate the basic bits, we’d appreciate it. We’ll remind you that the new M5 will be motivated by a twin-turbocharged V8 engine with direct-injection pumping out close to 600 horsepower. Take (another) look at the M5 in the video after the jump.

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BMW Shows Off New 2012 6-Series Coupe on Film

By now, you have probably already read about the third generation of BMW’s 6-Series Coupe, the first photos of which were released over the weekend, but the Bavarians have also published a video of their 2+2 Grand Tourer. Read more »

VIDEO: Chris Harris Takes 2012 BMW M5 F10 for a Spin on the Ice

After the first couple of somewhat cryptic teaser films, BMW allowed Evo Magazine’s Chris Harris to sit behind the wheel of its upcoming 2012 M5 sports saloon and share the video with the rest of the world.

The Bavarian company is still keeping mum on the performance details, but officials confirmed that the twin-turbocharged V8 lump that replaces the outgoing M5’s 507HP V10 will have more oomph than on the X5 M / X6 M. “Do you really think we would give it less than an X6M?”, BMW officials told Harris. In the X6 M, the twin-turbo V8 kicks out 555HP and 680Nm or 501-lbs/ft of peak torque.

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Fire Breathing BMW 46.0-liter V12-Powered Brutus Will Scare Even the Bravest Kids

The story goes that right after World War 2, some crazy Germans decided to craft a one-of-a-kind racecar built around a BMW V12 engine made for airplanes: a 1925 46.0-liter 12-cylinder unit, to be precise. There was no a shortage of these kind of engines in that era, since Germany wasn't allowed to own any military aircrafts.

They had a problem however: the engine tipped the scales at 510 kg (1,124 lbs) and was huge measuring 1.8 meters long, 1.1 meters tall and 0.87 meters wide. Finding a proper chassis was difficult, but they managed to get hold of a 1908 American LaFrance car that could withstand the weight of the beast. It took the builders several years to complete the car, which was manufactured in a workshop belonging to the Auto & Technik Museum in Sinsheim and was given the name Brutus.

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VIDEO: Chris Bangle Speaks Out on Supercars, Mistresses, Wives and...You Know

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.

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VIDEO: BMW Releases Second Teaser of 2012 M5 Sedan

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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BMW Video Teases 2012 M5 F10, Says More to Come on Friday

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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VIDEO: Chris Bangle Butts Heads with Jason Castriota at SAAB's Geneva Motor Show Stand

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.

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VIDEO: AC Schnitzer's Diesel-Powered BMW Z4 and 540HP 5-Series

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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BMW Releases Performance Exhaust System for Latest M3 Models [with Video]

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.

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