Lexus IS spawns M3 rival
Lexus hopes to add performance credentials to its reputation for refinement with a sporty V8 version of the IS compact exec in 2008. Think of the IS-F as Japans answer to Audi RS, BMW M and Mercedes AMG models. Its the first in a range of high-performance Lexus models designed to compete head on with German and British sports saloons. The F badge has been revealed in this teaser image ahead of the full unveil at the Detroit Motor Show in January. The regular IS has a sharp-suited but conservative design, and it looks like the IS-F will be given a dose of the butch pills to give it more attitude: the wheelarches are more flared to accommodate wider tyres, and unusual, double-decker oval exhaust pipes give the rear a distinctive character. These spy shots taken at the Nurburgring last summer reveal how the rest of the car will look.
Coupe face, sedan body for 2008/2009 BMW M3
They're obviously still going to produce the BMW M3 coupe, but word is that the 2008/2009 model will also be available in a sedan form. It won't take on a typical sedan nose though. Instead, the four-door M3 -- the first time this has happened since the E36 -- will rock a front fascia not unlike its two-door counterparts, complete with the same headlights and grille. The spy shots highlight these changes to previous M3 sedan prototypes, the latter of which rocked a typical four-door face and body except with widened fenders. Whether this coupe-ifying of the M3 sedan extends further (to the tail lights too, perhaps) remains to be seen. We should fully expect a quad-pipe exhaust, though. .
2008 BMW V-10 M6 Cabriolet Convertible, 500-hp
It's possibly my favorite car because it makes so much sense. I am still amazed at the lack of hype this vehicle receives. The V10 BMW M6 is a car overlooked by many because buyers often prefer the BMW M3 or the M5 and are not aware of its existence. FYI, BMW stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke or Bavarian Motor Works in English. Many owners are too lazy to Google the acronym and find out what they're actually driving so now there's no excuse. Okay, back to the car. The BMW M6 (convertible included) is a four seater, although it's not built for full size humans (backseat), it owns the Mercedes SL and other contenders in the room category.
The V10, 5.0-liter BMW M6 droptop packs 500-hp and it also has the convenient seven-speed sequential manual gearbox also known as SMG.
BMW M3 sedan to get coupe front end
While sightings of the upcoming BMW M3 Coupe have been near prolific, glimpses of Bavaria's bomber in sedan form have been harder to come by. We found one for you back in July, but that mule hardly told us anything about what the M3 Sedan would look like since it was wearing the stock front clip of the 3-Series sedan. As far as we know, the shots we link to above are some of the first of the M3 Sedan showing its production front clip, which appears to be nearly identical to the front fascia we expect to see on the M3 Coupe. What does this mean? It means the M3 Sedan's gonna be a hot number, foh sho. The standard 3-Series sedan, while not exactly uggo, is creased and stern looking, much like the mugs of the many business people who'll buy one. The coupe, however, is long, lean and graceful with a face that could launch a thousand ships.
Can you guess the best-selling luxury cars?
Visitors to BMW's Web site might be surprised to see how outdated some of the models in the company's high-volume 3 Series range look. That's because, though the automaker started selling a new-generation, overhauled 3 Series sedan a year and a half ago, 3 Series convertible, hot-rod M3 coupe and convertible models are several years old. Read Article .
Black Knight - BMW Dinan S3-R M3
When we last visited Dinan to test its supercharged M5, we noticed a black M3 sitting in one of the workshop bays with an experimental supercharger installation attached to its motor. It was not until nearly a year later that Dinan declared the S3-M3 engine project officially 49-state emissions legal and ready to roll, with California emissions certification just around the corner. The complete car with engine, chassis, and wheel and tire modifications is known as the Dinan S3-R M3.
From past experience, we can attest to the fact that Steve Dinan does not do things by half. He has built up his company slowly and steadily over the years, and today this organization has visibly more research, development, and testing resources than just about any other American tuner of European cars. Dinan makes a lot of its components in-house, where it can keep a very close eye on quality control.
Collectibles: BMW models as beautiful as real-life counterparts
For the most addicted of car enthusiasts -- and I include myself in that number -- it's awfully easy to develop a bad case of "I want that" with every visit to a hobby shop.
You want one of every thing you see. But you have to draw the line somewhere, right?
For many people, that means collecting models of just their favorite brands, ignoring the rest. I don't know how they do it!
BMW has to be one of those makes that draws fervent devotion from collectors -- and it's easy to see why. The make is revered, it's produced a huge variety of fascinating, historic models over the years, and BMW replicas are readily available.
But some are better than others, and among the better models are those produced by one of my favorite companies, AUTOart. They build highly detailed models of BMWs in scales ranging from 1:64 and up, and each one is a worthy addition to a collection.
Four-car collision snarls I-80 traffic
Traffic along westbound Interstate 80 came to a standstill Thursday morning as a result of a four-car collision in Fairfield that resulted in minor injuries.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the accident occurred when the driver of a Dodge Durango lost control while attempting to enter westbound I-80 traffic from the North Texas Street onramp. The woman driver, whose name was not released, swerved into traffic, and was struck by other vehicles traveling westbound.
A total of four cars were involved and the drivers were treated for minor injuries, according to the CHP.
Traffic was snarled for about an hour as the involved vehicles were cleared from the freeway.
Police seek help tracking park vandals
Graffiti was painted on a dumpster, ramps and blacktop in McLaughlin Park earlier this month. The tags include: CHAP, POET, RISK, BELL, MHA, BE. The department requests any help from residents who recognize the tags or have information. Anonymity will be protected if requested. Call 412-221-6052.
A black male dressed in a dark coat and hat attempted to take an extension ladder from a home in the 200 block of Liberty Street Dec. 7. A resident confronted the man and he dropped the ladder and fled.
An unknown actor(s) shattered the drivers' side rear window of a white 2005 Dodge Stratus Dec. 10. The vehicle was parked in the 1200 block of Union Street.
DUI
Lucinda Dunlap, 25, of Belasco Avenue in Pittsburgh, 15216, was charged with DUI Dec.
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