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For BMW M5 Fans, This is the Auction Lot To Get

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1987 BMW E28 M5

The BMW M5 is one of those iconic nameplates that transcends all logical thinking. It started life as a luxury family car that has since shed that visage and brought forth a new age of fast sedans. Practically every fast four-door can trace its lineage to the BMW M5 and its forward thinking design.

Now however, you have the chance to own four pieces of the M5’s history. Classic Car Auctions will be holding an auction on June 6, and will sell off four M5s that have been in the hands of one collector for many years. The collection includes an E28, an E34, an E39, and an E60. All are in perfect to mint condition, and all represent some of the coolest sedans available.

RELATED: Check Out More of the BMW M5 Jahre 30

2010 BMW E60 M5

Besides the now iconic E39 M5, my personal choice out of the lot would definitely be the E60 M5. A naturally-aspirated V10 that sounds like an old Formula 1 car. Where do I sign the papers?

And all of you have a real chance of purchasing them. Besides the E60 which has a reserve price of $38,000, the rest are being offered at no reserve. So I’d head over to Classic Car Auctions right now and reserve your bidding spot.

RELATED: See More Photos of the New BMW M5

BMW-5

 

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5 Cheap, Fast Cars That You Can Buy Right Now

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High performance doesn’t usually come cheap. Just look at today’s top crop of sports car elites. But in that same vein, going fast, having thrills, and feeling that unbridled driving passion doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, choose wisely and it can be downright affordable. 

Cruise below for five cheap fast cars that are up for sale online, offering modern day speed at yesteryear’s prices.

1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4

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When people recall the legendary Asian turbo imports of the ‘90s, the 3000GT tends to be the odd man out, or at least last in line. But get behind the wheel of one and you’ll have a hard time figuring out why. The VR-4 version summons all-wheel-drive, four-wheel-steering, twin turbos, 300 horsepower, active aerodynamics, and electronically adjustable suspension. Yowza. A slight downside? At 3,800 pounds it’s rather heavy.

1996 Chevrolet Corvette

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Without a doubt, the ZR-1 is the C4 Corvette that most collectors lust for, what with its punchy LT5 V8 and 375-405 horsepower. But in 1996, Chevrolet introduced the manual-gearbox-only LT4 V8, serving a spicy 330 hp. It was quick, fun and – during that year– the top rung of Corvette-dom. If an extra 30 horsepower doesn’t phase you, the other LT1-equipped C4s should put you down the road in a hurry as well.

2003 BMW 540i M-Sport

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Can’t afford an E39 M5? Worry not. The ’03 540i M-Sport is equally cool, if but a little slower. The rarified US model toted M5-esque front and rear bumpers, stunning 18-inch wheels, six gears to row, a tougher rear differential, as well as an M-spec suspension. It might not make 395hp like its big M5 brother, but the the 290hp M-Sport does quite well on its own.

1999 Chevrolet Camaro SS

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It may not have the dashing good looks of its new age counterparts, but the old F-body Camaro is far from a slouch. In 1998, GM ditched the LT1 V8 in favor of the aluminum-block LS1. Horsepower followed, a heady 305hp in the Z28 and 320hp in the hood-scooped SS. When it comes to buying a cheap fast car… you’d be hard pressed to find a better bargain.

1997 Acura Integra Type R

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This one is a verifiable legend. In 1997, Acura gave the US its boy racer masterpiece – the Integra Type R. It pounced with an absolutely whizzing high-rev 1.8-liter engine, delivering 195 horsepower in a package that stripped nearly every non-essential item from the spec list. Power spun to the front-wheels via a close-ratio five-speed gearbox, applied to terra firma using a trick limited-slip differential. They don’t come up for sale quite often, but bidding on this example has remained quite low.

Didn’t see your favorite cheap fast car on the list? Make your suggestions in the comments below!

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Bad News For Entry-Level BMW Roadster Fans

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Here’s an attractive formula. BMW looks, BMW engines, BMW sports car performance – priced to compete at a notch above the popular Mazda MX-5. Would you buy such a car? We’d imagine so, but according to a new report, that eagerly awaited Bimmer may not reach dealerships at all. 

The UK’s CAR magazine suggests that this baby roadster – referred to as the Z2 – has instead been axed from development by BMW management as a nonessential model, due to an inert sports car market and large growth in crossover vehicle sales. It had previously been pegged to arrive for the 2016 model year.

RELATED: Next BMW Z4 Expected to Share Chassis with Toyota Supra

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For fans looking to get into a sporty BMW at a bargain level, that likely won’t come as uplifting news. Reports penned the Z2 roadster to fall in line stylistically with its bigger-brother Z4 (pictured top), sporting two seats, a retractable top, and a potent three- or four-cylinder engine. All this, riding atop the front-wheel drive architecture shared by the new Mini Cooper hatchback and BMW 2-series Active Tourer, and priced to sell at around $30,000… a significant cut underneath the $49,000 Z4.

Interestingly however, the spirit of the Z2 may live on in the form of the Mini Superleggera roadster (pictured above), which was reported to have been given the development nod earlier this year and would likely compete against the uber-popular Mazda with a much closer price point.

RELATED: Check out this Sinister 2015 BMW M4 Race Car

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BMW Path 22 Takes Surfer Style to The Road

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BMW Path 2 Front

BMW has introduced a new concept motorcycle that offers a unique take on the R Nine T with a very specific audience in mind. The bike is called the Path 22 and it’s designed to appeal to surfers with a very retro ’50s style. The scramblers of the 1950s were modified with deep-treaded tires, increased spring travel, and raised exhausts to better suit them to rugged off-road use. BMW aimed to recapture this unique style with the Path 22.

Even the name has a surfer heritage. It refers to a secret stretch of beach on the southern coast of France that can only be reached after a half hour walk through a pine forest. There’s even a collapsible bracket on the side of the bike designed to hold surf boards by Dyer Brand.

RELATED: See a Vintage BMW Motorcycle and Surfboard Combo

BMW Path 22

The Path 22 has a 2-cylinder boxer engine with cardan drive and a single-sided swing arm that makes the five-spoke rear wheel visible. There’s a classic circular headlamp and a short, stitched-leather seat to keep it maneuverable. Stainless steel Akrapovic tailpipes, high performance parts by Öhlins and Gilles Tooling, MotoGadget instrument panel, and milled parts by Roland Sands Design finish the look.

The bike was introduced at the Wheels & Waves Festival in Biarritz, France so they chose artist Ornamental Conifer aka Nico Sclater to lend his talents to it. He is an integral member of the Wheels & Waves movement whose work can be found on vehicles, signs, and leather jackets at the event.

RELATED: See The 1955 BMW Isetta

BMW Path 22 Top

 

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Journalist Flips BMW i8 During Test Drive

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BMW i8 Flipped

We’ve all had bad days at work. The boss is a jerk, coworkers drive you nuts, and that damn printer never works. All of that pales in comparison to the bad day one auto journalist had when he managed to flip a BMW i8 onto its roof.

The crash happened in Mexico near the capital of Mexico City and according to CarScoops, this was a media test drive that went horribly wrong. These pictures captured by WreckedExotics show the damaged car on its roof in the middle of the road.

RELATED: See More of the 2014 BMW i8

BMW i8 Wreck

The fence running alongside the road now sports a gaping hole and is partly under the car. It looks like he ran off into the fence and flipped when he tried to recover, taking a little of the fence along with him for good measure.

The car looks to be in rough shape and probably won’t be taking any other journalists for a ride anytime soon. As for the driver, we see some event staff on hand but no emergency responders, to it seems he or she emerged without major injury. Still, flipping a $160,000 hybrid sports car is going to make for one very bad day for whoever was behind the wheel.

RELATED: See The 2015 AC Schnitzer BMW i8

BMW i8 Wrecked
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This Weird Looking BMW i8 Runs on Hydrogen

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BMW i8 Hydrogen

Just when you thought the BMW i8 couldn’t look any more futuristic, this prototype comes along. It’s not some post-apocalyptic preview of BMW’s to come, but rather, it’s a hydrogen fuel cell test mule based on the current BMW i8.

At BMW’s “Group Innovation Days” event in France, the Bavarian automaker pulled out all the stops with loads of new technology. Form a water-injected BMW M4 to a 2-Series Active Tourer, to the hydrogen i8 you see before you.

The initial concept was created in 2012 as an i8 test mule. This was before Toyota and BMW inked a partnership for alternative fuel options in the same year. Using many of the components you’d find on the i8 today, the hydrogen prototype is light, and has an estimated range of 300 miles while storing hydrogen at 350-bar pressure.

PHOTOS: See More of the Futuristic BMW i8 Hydrogen Prototype

BMW i8 Hydrogen 2

As for performance—it’s able to put out a little more oomph than its Toyota Mirai counterpart. Output sits at 268-horsepower and 0-60 mph is managed in around six seconds. Flat out, you’ll be able to get this BMW up to 124 mph, which isn’t bad for a hydrogen fuel cell car.

While performance may not be a huge selling point for enthusiasts, efficiency is. The fuel cell delivers zero emissions, while returning the aforementioned 300 mile range. Refueling only takes about five minutes, too—if you can find service station. Infrastructure for hydrogen vehicles continues to be a challenge as automakers bring these eco-friendly vehicles to market.

Right now, the i8 hydrogen fuel cell concept is just that, a concept. BMW admits that we’ll likely see a more mainstream fuel cell vehicle—something like the 5 Series—before we see a high-performance hydrogen i8.

RELATED: The BMW i8 Really is the Sports Car of the Future

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Make Your Kid Love You with this Fancy Driveable BMW i8 Mini-Car

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For just $219.99, you’ll be able to drink out of a “Universe’s Coolest Parent” mug for about … ehhh, maybe five days. That is, until your offspring remembers he or she is a child and the attention shifts to some other toy. Or something equally as extremely cool like a giant refrigerator box. But for a brief period of time, this mini BMW i8 should captivate them.

Power Wheels and similar products are inherently green cars. Sure, their bodies are made from plastic (which requires oil to make), but the drivetrain is pure electric. So why would you ignore that and get your kid a Jeep, Hummer or Corvette Power Wheels, when you can get them a BMW i8 model? Because why wouldn’t you want to see your own spawn driving the hybrid sports car of the future? It even has butterfly doors!

RELATED: 2015 Mustang Golf Cart Costs Almost As Much As a Regular Mustang

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Varying from the real car, however, this isn’t a hybrid, it’s purely electric. The 6-volt, 47-pound vehicle does have some other cool features, though. It has working headlights, engine sounds, and even has an MP3 connector with working speakers. Lord help us all if four-year-olds have iPhones to plug in.

The car comes from a company called Avigo, and the i8 isn’t the only cool ride in the lineup. You can also choose among an Audi R8 GT Spyder (complete with spoiler!), a Mini Cooper, a Mercedes-Benz ML63, a Range Rover Sport, a Chevrolet Camaro. Or if your kid wants to build his or her own treehouse, Avigo offers a Chevy Silverado, as well.

Here’s one in action. It looks like it has about as much horsepower and mind-boggling speed as the real thing.

RELATED: The Toylander is the Teeny Tiny Land Rover For Kids

RELATED: Massive Toy Truck Pulls Real Cars, Rocks Neighborhoods

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BMW M Cars May Lose Manuals in the Future

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In past decades, even the best automatic transmissions were not nearly as “good” as a manual in the hands of a skilled shifter. The manual simply afforded faster and more precise shifts. But today, that’s not the case, and the performance car brands have taken notice. 

In a recent interview with the UK’s Autocar, BMW M Division boss Frank van Meel spoke to the impressive performance of BMW’s quick-shifting dual-clutch automatic transmissions and highlighted their future in upcoming BMW M cars. However, he noted the manual gearbox may not have such a bright outlook.

“From a technical standpoint, the future doesn’t look bright for manual gearboxes,” notes van Meel. “It’s difficult to say we’ll stick to the manual, but we still have a big fan community for manuals and we are not going to take away something the customer wants to have.”

RELATED: A 365 Horsepower BMW M2 Expected to Arrive Very Soon

M Shifter

RELATED: Check Out the Breathtaking 2015 BMW M4 Coupe

That comes as somewhat inevitable news for the dedicated self-shifter. Today, manual transmission offerings continue to slowly disappear from car models across the market, with lower sales volumes a leading contributor to much of the decline.

Van Meel also continued on a different subject–horsepower. He confirmed that BMW M cars will go forward with a cap on overall horsepower, though it isn’t exactly a small figure.

“For now, 600 horsepower is the most you can get in an M car. We’re at the limit. If you go on adding more horsepower and torque, it’d probably be over the limits.”

The current BMW M5 and M6 currently top out a little under that figure, powered by the brand’s twin turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, generating 560 horsepower. The X5 and X6 M SUVs bring forth 575 horsepower.

RELATED: Watch This BMW M5 Beat a Ferrari in a Drag Race

Photo Credit: Automotive Addicts

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Orange Is the New Red? Car Color Preferences by Gender

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Does gender have an effect on what car color you choose? If you got in an argument with your significant other regarding that whole blue/gold dress meme from a few months ago, you might have a strong opinion on how different genders perceive color. But we prefer science over anecdotes.

That’s why we turned to the folks at iSeeCars. According to their most recent study, more men than women prefer brightly colored cars. Car colors like orange and yellow saw a big leap in popularity among male drivers in the last year, while women still err on the side of neutral colors.

PHOTOS: See More Images of the 2015 Lexus RC F

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iSeeCars looked at over 25 million used car listings, and 200,000 consumer inquiries from the 2014 calendar year. The study looked at not only the most popular colors, but percentage of increased or decreased popularity–broken out by gender.

The study looked at which cars men preferred more than women, and vice versa. These are not the outright most popular colors for each gender, but the colors that have an overwhelming preference by a particular gender.

PHOTOS: See Photos of the BMW 3-Series Modern Line

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Orange had the strongest gender bias towards males (25%), followed by brown (9.8%), and yellow (6.3%). The orange and yellow are obviously associated with sportscars, but it is something of an inside joke among us younger gearheads that the ultimate enthusiast car is a brown, German station wagon, with a performance pack, and a manual transmission. Perhaps those of us who think that finally have the cash to buy a funky, brown performance wagon.

Red and black used to be two of the top colors for males, but fell off in a big way. iSeeCars attributes this to the growth of orange as a preference in the muscle car segment. Orange as a preference for muscle cars grew 73.3 percent, while red fell off 30.2 percent.

01-orange

The colors with the highest preference bias among women are gold (11.2%), silver (7.1%), and beige (5.6%). Overall those preference bias percentages are lower, meaning even the colors they prefer more than men are closer to the mainstream of color selection.

If you want to be totally backwards about it, basically we men continue to buy loud, obnoxious cars as a hopeless attempt to attract a mate. But we’d like to hear your thoughts on these results. Why do you think these color preferences ended up like this? Tell us in the comments below.

PHOTOS: See More of the Dodge Challenger R/T Shaker

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How Jaguar Almost Bought A Crucial BMW Tuner

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Jaguar F-Type Alpina

Burkard Bovensiepen is a man with a singular focus, and that focus is BMW. Bovensiepen is the founder of Alpina, and the company is currently celebrating 50 years in business. As such, Alpina has been throwing parties to help celebrate the anniversary. It also has released a new book detailing the company’s often unique past. One interesting anecdote was how Jaguar attempted to woo Bovensiepen to develop their own line of performance cars.

In 1999, Wolfgang Reitzle, BMWs number two, left the company and went to work for Ford as the head of the brand’s new Premier Automotive Group. There, he oversaw the development and production of Ford’s more high-end brands such as Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover. When Reitzle took over, these three companies were at their respective lowest levels of market share. Ford needed someone to come in and turn these companies around to make them profitable once again. Reitzle seemed like the man for the job, and he had a plan.

RELATED: See More of the Alpina BMW B4 Bi-Turbo Coupe

Alpina B4

After taking the job at Ford, the executive reached out to Alpina and Bovensiepen. He arranged a meeting where he offered Alpina’s founder 200 million Deutschmarks (over $400 million dollars at the time) to buy the company and turn it into a Jaguar-based, in-house tuner. The company would stay in the same business of tuning, much like Alpina was to BMW and AMG is for Mercedes-Benz.

RELATED: See More of the Alpina BMW D3 Bi-Turbo

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However, Bovensiepen declined the generous offer. It was a smart move, since Reitzle only lasted for a grand total of two years at Ford. Who knows what would have happened to Alpina if Bovensiepen had agreed to the deal. That said, it has us wondering what Alpina could have done for the Jaguars coming out in that time period. Imagine an Alpina XK coupe, or an Alpina XJ sedan. They could have been great. Though, this was also the time of the Jaguar X-Type, which was just a modified Ford Mondeo. Maybe we shouldn’t wonder.

RELATED: See Photos of the Alpina BMW B6 GT3

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BMW Unleashes World’s First Electric Semi on German Roads

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BMW electric semi photo

BMW has won the electric vehicle arms race—at least when it comes to trucks. It is the first company to hit the open road with an electric semi with a range of more than 60 miles.

The EV is no lightweight box truck. BMW has conquered Europe with a full, 40-ton truck that prowled the autobahn around Munich.

RELATED: Freightliner’s First Step Towards Autonomous Trucking

BMW electric truck interior image

This is no prototype either. Since its ceremonial launch on July 6, the truck has spent its time delivering vehicle components, such as shock absorbers, springs and steering systems from a parts manufacturer to the BMW plant eight times a day.

BMW didn’t provide round-trip mileage. It says the electric truck can complete a full production day without any additional recharging. That’s a good thing, because the hauler needs four hours to load up its batteries.

RELATED: See the EV pickup with solar panels

officials with BMEW EV truck

Adding to its green credentials, the BMW EV truck will only be charged by renewable energy sources. (Europe, for example, is big on windmills, which Americans seem to fear.) The truck is CO2-free and generates almost no fine particle pollution, according to the manufacturer.

Just to help you geek out a little more, this EV truck, when compared to a similar diesel engine version, will save 11.8 tons of CO2 annually. Also, heavy fuel-burning vehicles like trucks are where the future of EVs are because the return on investment, in terms of fuel costs, is much faster than in personal cars.

RELATED: Watch the Mercedes-Benz 2025 Autonomous Truck

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This Custom BMW R100 is a German Motorsport Dream

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BMW R100 Custom

The idea behind a cafe racer is you want something light, punchy—and quick around corners. Unlike the larger cruisers and sport bikes, you’re not getting a whole lot in terms of eye candy. But don’t tell this shop that.

Cafe Racer Dreams (CRD) of Spain have created a dream of a BMW R100 that not only exhibits iconic cafe racer performance, but some jaw-dropping rugged good looks too. Less is more when it comes to this Bavarian beauty.

The bike is based off an ’84 R100 and was created for a regular of the shop that lives out in Nice, France. The whole concept, actually, was sketched up on a napkin before they decided to start the project.

PHOTOS: See More of the Eye-Catching CRD BMW R100 Custom

BMW R100 Custom 2

“The drawing on the napkin was based on the original R100 fuel tank,” CRD’s Pedro Martinez told Bike Exif. “But we wanted to put a smaller tank on it.” And smaller they did.

Where the tank on a standard R100 normally extends well over the engine, CRD chopped it off about half way. They gave it an iconic red,white, and blue BMW Motorsport livery, a custom seat with an LED tail light, a repurposed R100 fender, and some chunky Continental TKC80s on a 19-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel.

The engine also got revamped—adding a pair of K&N filters, getting rid of the air box in place of a custom aluminum battery box, and using a Motogadget m-Unit control unit. That Motogadget unit also gave way to a new speedometer, turn signals, and a few other components.

RELATED: The BMW Apollo Streamliner Motorcycle Concept is Definitely Unique

BMW R100 Custom 3

Since it was custom built per customer request, CRD doesn’t give a total price on the project. But for something this beautiful, we don’t expect it to be cheap.

RELATED: Check Out the All-New Ducati Scrambler

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BMW R80/7 Goes Hopping Mad With Poison Dart Frog Makeover

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BMW Poison Dart Frog

For being one of the smallest creatures on the planet, the poison dart frog is also one of the deadliest. Just a small amount of toxins can kill anything that dares come in its path—even a human. That same story can also be true of the BMW R80/7; it may look small and unassuming, but boy, does it pack a punch.

So in the mind of custom motorcycle shop 2WheelsMiklos, combining the toughness of the poison dart frog with a bike that’s equally as rugged would be the perfect combination. And that’s exactly what they did with their latest creation.

RELATED: See More of the BMW R80/7 With a Poison Dart Frog Makeover

BMW Poison Dart Frog 2

They call it the “Purple Poison,” though, that brown and yellow poison dart frog paint scheme tells a different story. The bike itself is a restored 1978 BMW R80/7, and the paint job was mimicked from a South American frog species the Dendrobates Leucomelas.

Along with a full exterior makeover, the engine was completely reassembled and given a new pair of pod filters, a new lithium battery, and a revised wiring loom to make things as simple as possible. The bike also comes with a new hand-crafted seat, brake pads, front discs, rear shocks, rims, tires and mirrors.

RELATED: This BMW R100 Cafe Racer is a Custom Bike That Deserves Recognition

BMW Dart Frog 3

This tough little bike is going for £4,750 ($7,425).

RELATED: Chris Pratt’s Jurassic World Motorcycle is Heading to Auction

Via: Silodrome

Next-Gen Supra May Aim Between Porsche 911 and Cayman

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Amidst all the highly anticipated cars to arrive in the coming years…one name continues to rise to the top of the “must-have” list. The Toyota Supra. The legendary sportscar is expected to return for 2018 as one piece of BMW and Toyota’s “Silk Road” partnership, and according to sources, it may take swipes at the Porsche 911 and Boxster/Cayman. 

Australia’s Motoring has reported that the next-generation Supra (and its BMW counterpart) will be “about the size of a 911” and could produce around 470 horsepower in its tip-top variants.

RELATED: Take a Closer Look at the Striking Toyota FT-1 Concept

Although unconfirmed, the publication suggests that power in the BMW branded sports car will emanate from one of three powertrain layouts: a BMW 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six, or from the six-cylinder with the addition of a Toyota hybrid system. The Supra is claimed to only utilize the two six-cylinder options, with the latter allegedly generating that rowdy 470 horsepower figure.

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RELATED: See images of the BMW Z4 sDrive35is

That claimed top-end power output, though unconfirmed (and likely to stay that way for months and months), would put the next-generation Toyota Supra and BMW Z4 successor in the midst of the Porsche range, matching nicely against current ratings for the tippy-top 385 hp Cayman GT4, mid-range 430 hp 911 Carrera GTS, and within swinging distance but still off higher tier models like the 520 hp 911 Turbo.

Though both Porsche models are expected to grow in power in the coming years, splitting the difference and exploiting the performance gap between the popular Porsche sports cars could pay dividends for BMW and Toyota, rather than attacking each individual model head-on.

That being said, if BMW’s current four- and six-cylinder turbocharged engines find homes within the low- and mid-level Silk Road cars, that would likely put these in line with the Boxster and Cayman. Only time will tell if these power approximations are accurate, though fans are surely chomping at the bit to know.

RELATED: This Toyota Supra Has More Power than a Bugatti Veyron

What is a Hybrid Car Anyways? A Crucial Drivetrain Explained

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What is a hybrid

The minute gas prices start to rise, people start talking about trading in their current car for a hybrid. You’ll see hybrids everywhere these days, but what is a hybrid car and why do so many people want one parked in their driveway? Here’s what you need to know.

Toyota Prius Cutaway

What Makes It Work?

In its simplest form, a hybrid is distinguished by its powertrain. Instead of using one source of power to move your car, a hybrid uses two different sources of power that work together to make your car go. It could be any two or more sources, but usually it’s a gas engine paired up with an electric motor. The gas engine recharges the electric motor when it’s not in use, so you never need to plug in a hybrid.

There are some models, like the Toyota Prius, that are solely available as hybrids (with a plug-in variant), but an increasing number of non-hybrids are getting a hybrid variant added to the lineup to entice buyers. Fuel efficiency and environmental responsibility make them attractive cars.

The combination of a gas engine and an electric motor means you’re not using as much gas. At lower speeds, the electric motor operates independently, with the car emitting zero exhaust and burning zero gas. At higher speeds, the gas engine is generally used. Computerized controls determine when to use the gas engine or electric motor to make a hybrid both an efficient and environmentally conscious car to drive.

RELATED: See More of the Classic Toyota Prius Hybrid

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Are They Really More Efficient?

For the most part, yes they are. As mentioned above, the combination of a gas engine and an electric motor allow the car to expand less energy, and generally be more efficient. Cars like the 2015 Toyota Prius, for example, can achieve 51 mpg city and 48 mpg highway—that’s a significant improvement over modern-day gas-powered vehicles.

RELATED: The BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid is an Efficient German Saloon

Mclaren P1 Hybrid

Can Hybrids Be Exciting?

Absolutely. One common misconception with owning a hybrid is that you’re going to be stuck with an unexciting, uninteresting piece of engineering. While the Toyota Prius may not be the most exhilarating car on the planet, many high-performance car manufacturers are using hybrid technology in their hypercars.

McLaren, for example, released the P1 hypercar in 2013 with a hybrid drivetrain that returned 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. It may not sound like much, but when the total output of the car is somewhere near 1,000 horsepower, that fuel economy is a highly impressive number.

RELATED: See More of the McLaren P1 Hybrid Hypercar


5 Fast, Fun Cars For Half the Price of Buying New

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For everyone not born with a silver spoon in his or her mouth, a cheap, fast car is the deal of a century. And it doesn’t matter if the repair bills will eventually come. You’ll still feel like you are pulling one on the system that keeps these rarified cars out of the normal publics hands.

As enthusiasts, we celebrate this fact, but not many other people know the joys, and sorrows of owning such amazing performance cars. Many don’t know where to start, what’s a good deal, and if they’re getting hooked by the sleazy used car salesman. To help educate everyone, we’ve put together a list of some of the best cheap fast cars you can buy right now. For the criteria of what constitutes a cheap fast car, we limited ourselves to only $18,000, since that’s about half of what a new car costs today. Here’s what we found.

RELATED: See more of the new BMW M5 here

2000 BMW M5

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The 2000 BMW M5 or E39 M5 as it’s known in the BMW community, is one of the most special M5s ever built by the Bavarians. It was used in BMWs short film series, The Hire, where Clive Owen thrashed the car up and down the street with Madonna being tossed around in the back seat of the car. If you haven’t watched it, go to YouTube and watch the entire series. After that, you’ll be a fan of the car for life, and right now this particular one is being offered up on eBay for only $14,900.

1999 Chevrolet Corvette

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If bratwurst and pretzels aren’t you’re thing, and you desire a bit more ‘Murica in your cheap fast cars, why not check out this amazingly clean 1999 Corvette. It has a 6-speed manual transmission coupled to a 5.7 liter V8 that develops 345 horsepower. And if you buy it for the $13,000 the seller wants, it leaves you with a lot of cash still on the table to make it even faster! It’s the perfect cheap sportscar.

RELATED: Will Dodge bring a Hellcat Jeep to the party?

2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8

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The Dodge Magnum wasn’t that big of a success. It had all the right options; it was a wagon, it had a big V8, and it was super comfortable, but people just didn’t seem to buy them all that much. That means when you see one of the SRT8 versions come up for sale, you might not see another for a long period of time, so you should probably jump on it if that’s the right car for you. And how could it not be. It has a 425 horsepower 6.1 liter V8 that makes wonderful noises, and the seller of this one is only asking $13,100. Now that’s a steal.

2003 Jaguar XK8

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Designed to resemble an Aston Martin, powered by a mighty V8, and with all the accoutrements of a five star resort, this 2003 Jaguar XK8 is perhaps one of the greatest deals of them all. This car comes from the time that Jaguar was still owned by Ford, meaning parts are going to be cheap for when things fail. That said, you still get the sultry good looks, and the super low price of an old luxury performance car. And at $12,300, this is one fine kitty.

RELATED: See what the STI could have been here.

2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI   

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How could we have a cheap fast car list and not feature a rally car for the road. Originally developed to bring shame on Mitsubishi at the World Rally Championships, the Subaru WRX STI is one of the best performance bargains ever. It’s 300 horsepower 2.5 liter boxer motor coupled to the advanced all-wheel drive make this car an absolute rocket on the street. Add to that the extensive aftermarket scene for these cars and it’s one of the best cheap fast cars out there. Even when bought new. However, this one isn’t new but is now up for sale for only $17,995, just barely under our $18,000 limit.

As we hope we’ve shown you above, there are countless cheap fast cars out there just waiting for you to turn their keys and destroy the open roads. From Jaguar’s to Corvette’s, cheap fast cars are everywhere, but now it’s your turn to go out and find one.

5 Sports Cars Expected to Surge in Value

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In life, it pays to be ahead of the curve, and in the classic car world…sometimes it pays very handsomely. If you bought a low mileage Shelby Cobra or a Ferrari 250 three decades ago, well, you could be sitting on a goldmine today. 

But just how do you determine which car values will soar, and which will flop? We looked to the experts at Hagerty Insurance for the answer, and they pinpointed five performance sports cars expected to soar in value over the next five years.

1988-1991 Porsche 944 Turbo / Turbo S

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Average Value in May 2010: $6,000
Average Value in May 2015: $11,500

The front-engine, four-cylinder Porsche 944 may be a departure from the conventional 911, but that’s not to say it isn’t cool. The 944 surely looks to be on the uptick in popularity. The cleanest, low mileage versions are now valued at around $35,000 but if these go the way of the ‘70s and ‘80s Porsche 911 Turbos…there could be lots to be gained here.

RELATED: Meet the 5 Sports Cars You Should Have Bought 5 Years Ago

1991-1996 Nissan 300ZX Turbo

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Average Value in May 2011: $6,800
Average Value in May 2015: $7,900

The Datsun 240Z is arguably one of the coolest vintage Japanese sports cars that money can buy today. Fast forward a decade or two and its ‘90s 300ZX cousin could follow suit. Even the nicest examples retain relatively low values at the $18,000 mark. All the better for you to buy low and sell high.

1997-2001 Acura NSX

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Average Value in May 2010: $29,100
Average Value in May 2015: $38,900

A hero of the ‘90s, the Honda/Acura NSX was about as speedy as it was innovative, which is to say “very.” Over the past years its values have begun to creep ever skyward, and the best kept of the bunch can claim their worth of over $60,000. Effectively, it was the Ferrari F40 or Lamborghini Countach of a younger generation.

RELATED: Check Out Photos of the Original Honda NSX Prototype

1990-1998 Lamborghini Diablo

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Average Value in May 2010: $71,000
Average Value in May 2015: $80,000

There seems to be a cooling off point for Lamborghini sportscars of yesteryear. But in time, the values come back…and come back with a vengeance, as noted by current values for the Countachs. Fine Diablo examples are valued at around $110,000 to $120,000 these days. That could surely go north in a hurry.

1983-1989 BMW M6

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Average Value in May 2010: $18,000
Average Value in May 2015: $23,700

In a way, the original BMW M6 was overshadowed by its M3 and M5 brethren. But now the big straight-six battle cruiser is getting on with mainstream collectors and its stock is ever rising. A perfect M6 would have been valued at around $33,000 in 2010. Today, it’s closer to $49,000 and looking to climb further.

RELATED: Take a Closer Look at the Last of the Lamborghini Diablos

All sports car values expressed are reflective of vehicles fitting the “Vehicle Condition 3” category, which Hagerty Insurance gives to cars deemed in “good” condition and without visual flaws.

Meet the BMW M5 Convertible that Never Was

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BMW’s M division has been watered down through the years. There was once a time when the M badge would only be affixed to the purest sports coupes and performance sedans. But there was an exception, and it would have been incredible in production form.

Today, they will make an M version of anything like the 6 Series Gran Coupe (How is it a coupe? It has four doors!), but back in 1989, a one-off creation almost saw the light of day, but was killed at the last minute. It was an M5, but unlike a normal BMW M5, it had two less doors, and one less roof.

RELATED: See images of a modern descendant, the M6 Convertible

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The convertible was the creation of BMW’s M division, which has been known to work up some pet projects in the past. The M5 Convertible featured longer doors, providing easier access to the rear seats. They even set a price of £50,000. Adjusted for inflation, it would have cost £119,864 (or $187,471 in the U.S.) today. For reference, a modern M6 convertible starts at $118K, but the price climbs quickly with the long list of options.

RELATED: See images of the confusingly named BMW M6 Gran Coupe

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BMW was so serious about the car that they even booked space at the Geneva Motor Show for its unveiling, but at the last moment, the German automaker pulled the plug. Why? It came down to protecting its bread-and-butter. Interest in the drop-top M5 might spark demand for a non-M version. A simple 5 Series convertible would surely pull away buyers from the 3 Series ragtop, and that it where this car’s story basically ended.

Today, the car is kept in impeccable condition at BMW’s M Division headquarters in Germany, serving as a glorious reminder of “what if?” One item that did make its way to the E34 M5 sedan were those aerodynamic wheels. They were designed to scoop fresh air into the brakes, keeping them cool in hard driving.

RELATED: See images of the original BMW M5 Sedan

via: BMWblog

Is Soulja Boy Lying About Owning a Rolls-Royce and BMW i8?

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Throughout the last decade, only a handful of songs have truly gone viral. Songs that everyone in the world knows the lyrics to and the song stays on the radio for months and months seemingly never-ending. We’re thinking of songs like, Gangnam Style, The Harlem Shake, and Call Me Maybe. These songs rise meteorically through the charts, instantly propelling the singer to fame. Yet, if there was one song that seemed to stick in the publics consciousness for quite some time, it was Crank That by Soulja Boy.

In 2007, rapper Soulja Boy released Crank That and it immediately became not only the hit of the year, but also the new dance craze that everyone needed to know. It surpassed all expectations, and Soulja Boy, whose real name is DeAndre Way, became hugely wealthy.

RELATED: See more pictures of the futuristic BMW i8 here

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However, with only a few other singles garnering success, Way isn’t as flush with cash as say Jay-Z or Dr. Dre. That said, according to Forbes, Way is currently worth $25 million, but rumors have begun to swirl that some of his more extravagant purchases might not be on the up-and-up.

Recently, Way posted a few pictures to Instagram showing off a new BMW i8 and a Rolls-Royce Ghost he supposedly bought himself for his 25th birthday. But not everyone is convinced the rapper actually bought these cars. A few years ago, an Instagram account called out the rapper for saying he had a fake Audemars Piguet watch, and that the money he used to “make it rain” wasn’t real. This doesn’t sound like much to go on, but Way has been known to rent luxury cars in the past and call them his own.

RELATED: Check out the uber luxurious Rolls-Royce Ghost here

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As you can see in the pictures taken from Way’s account, both the new Ghost and the BMW i8 have Roadstarr license plates on them, and after a quick internet search, it seems that Roadstarr is actually an aftermarket customization house, much along the lines of West Coast Customs. The company also has available long-term leases of its cars. However, nowhere on the company’s website does it state that it actually sells cars to the public, which gives a bit more credence to the rumor that these cars aren’t actually Way’s.

While we’re not sure why Way would lie about his car situation (especially if the Forbes figure is true), it appears that these cars that he’s claiming to be his own actually aren’t.

RELATED: Click here to see more of John Cena’s muscle car collection

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West Coast Customs Boss Drives a Beautiful Protonic Blue BMW i8

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You’d imagine the boss of West Coast Customs could have whatever kind of car his heart desires and then totally have his mad way with the thing. There are a lot of interesting choices, but CEO Ryan Friedlinghaus opted for a BMW i8 as his personal ride.

It’s a fine looking car without doing any kind of custom work with butterfly doors, a heads-up display, and a gorgeous interior. You don’t need to do anything to make this the kind of car that turns heads as it rolls silently down the road, this one in it’s brilliant blue paint job even more so.

RELATED: See The Manhart Custom BMW i8

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Friedlinghaus posted pictures of his newest acquisition over on his Instagram page, noting “design is everything, inspiration to keep building,” in the description of his post and hashtagging it with #GameChanger. It is an inspiring ride, especially in the bright Prototonic Blue.

He could have bought anything or even chosen to build his own car from the ground up, but according to AutoEvolution, this BMW i8 proved the perfect canvas. What do you think? Is this a pimped enough ride for the CEO of West Coast Customs?

RELATED: See The 2015 BMW i8 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Edition

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RELATED: See The 2015 AC Schnitzer BMW i8

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