Today’s Super Bild belongs to Ashley Jones, one of our readers. I became friends with Ashley while living in Charlotte, NC and have always admired his beautiful 2009 Le Mans Blue Metallic E90 M3 6MT (the year of the lci facelift). I currently live in the Detroit suburbs, but I have fond memories of going on several drives with Ashley and fellow car enthusiasts in the Carolina area. Ashley and his family reside Columbia, SC which is surrounded by wonderful weather, and near some of the best driving roads in the country. He took delivery of his M3 at the BMW Performance Center in Spartanburg, SC – another perk of living in the area. Since picking up his M3, Ashley has added tasteful cosmetic and performance touches, and participated in several track days at Carolina MotorSports Park and VIR. The M3 stands out to driving enthusiasts because of its motorsport genes, balanced chassis, one of the most technological advanced naturally-aspirated engines in the world, athletic yet sophisticated styling, and luxurious amenities for everyday comfort. Here is a track day video of his M3 at VIR. The sound of the engine paired with the oem M Performance Exhaust is quite amazing! Click here to view the embedded video. The fourth generation M3 debuted at the 2008 Frankfurt Auto show, and went on sale in North America in the Spring of 2008. At the heart of the M3 is a lightweight high-revving 4.0-liter V8 (S65B40) that produces 414 hp at 8,300 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 3,900 rpm with 85 percent of the maximum torque available consistently through 6,500 rpm . The 3540 lb sedan sprints from 0-62 in 4.9 seconds. M GmbH engineers redesigned 70 percent of the standard 3 Series components with features such: as M Drive, M Differential Lock, Electronic Damping Control, adjustable hydraulic Servotronic steering, aluminum suspension components, and optional dual clutch transmission to offer even greater control and responsiveness in the M3. Each of the M3s over the last 26 years has been developed and perfected on the grueling Nurburgring circuit. The lowered E90 M3 has a sleek sporty stance with its power dome hood, wide fenders and an aggressively sculpted front fascia. The rear of car has a deeper rear bumper with an aero diffuser, quad tailpipes,...

The Subaru XV Crosstrek made its original debut at last year’s Frankfurt Auto Show. Now it’s landed on these shores, with an official introduction at this week’s New York Auto Show. Built on the Impreza platform, the XV Crosstrek promises to combine go-(almost)-anywhere utility with practicality. It carries the rugged off-road… See the original post here:  2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek Live Photos: 2012 New York Auto Show

A brand-new Avalon sedan is Toyota’s plan for the 2013 model year, and this time Toyota’s steering its full-sizer in a more lively and interesting direction, with more attractive sheetmetal, more advanced features, and another helping of high-tech safety equipment. It’s a counter to today’s Avalon, which was a quick reskin of an older… Here is the original post:  2013 Toyota Avalon

Subaru unveiled the XV Crosstrek in European trim at last year’s Frankfurt Auto Show, and now the latest Subaru crossover will make its North American debut at next month’s New York Auto Show. Based on the Impreza platform, the XV Crosstrek promises to blend versatility with fuel economy and comfort. All models will come with… Originally posted here: 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek Gets New York Auto Show Reveal

If you’ve been looking lustily at pics of the Scion FR-S, we have good news: pricing has just been announced for the sleek new sports car, and it’s set to ring in at less than $25,000. The FR-S debuts with two transmissions: a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic. The manual starts at $24,200, while the automatic kicks off at $25,300. (Note… Go here to read the rest: 2013 Scion FR-S Starts Below $25,000

A usual presence at auto shows around the world, the future BMW hybrid sportcar, i8, makes another appearance at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The first iteration of the i8 premiered back in 2009 at the Frankfurt Auto Show and it was initially marketed under the Vision EfficientDynamics name. Eighteen months later of intensive development and the BMW i8 is preparing for a market launch in late 2013. The major change fro the original configuration is a new 1.5 liter petrol engine replacing the initial diesel unit of same capacity. The engine is mounted at the rear and drives via a dual-clutch gearbox. BMW i8 will make use of an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. The weight of 1480kg is the equivalent to a power-to-weight ratio of 236 horsepower per 1000 kilograms. A 0-100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time is said to come in under five seconds, with a combined fuel consumption in the European test cycle of less than 3 liters/100 km (78 MPG) and average real fuel consumption of between five and seven liters (33 – 47 MPG). According to BMW, the beautiful glass seen on the doors of the i8 Concept will be replaced by conventional materials, a request that was mainly driven by customers who requested more interior cabin privacy. Base price of the BMW i8 is expected to fall around the $160,000m mark. See more here: 2012 Geneva Motor Show: BMW i8 Photo Gallery

At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, Buchloe-based automaker ALPINA introduces a limited edition of the B3 GT3 racing car. The super fast and tuned up 3er is strictly limited to 99 units and comes with a hefty price tag: 90,000 euros. Here is a photo gallery from the Geneva show. Press Release ALPINA’s recent return to international motor sport peaked last year, with the drivers Alexandros Margaritis and Dino Lunardi winning the German GT Series, the 2011 ADAC GT Masters Championship, in the BMW ALPINA B6 GT3. With this achievement ALPINA purposefully demonstrates that despite a long absence from motor sports, cutting edge automotive know-how and technical expertise continues to be the foundation for the development of exclusive BMW ALPINA automobiles. Ideal circumstances to re-kindle the long-standing ALPINA tradition of creating ultra small series limited editions. The BMW ALPINA B3 GT3 combines exceptional characteristics and technical features of the ALPINA B6 GT3 race car with classic design elements of iconic ALPINA automobiles of the past – to the delight of ALPINA customers and enthusiasts worldwide. Strictly limited to 99 cars, the BMW ALPINA B3 GT3 will be available from spring 2012 at a price of approx. € 90.000,- including 19% VAT (German specification, ex-works Buchloe). View original here: 2012 Geneva Motor Show: ALPINA B3 GT3 Limited Edition

When a 23 year old introduces an electric super car to the world with a claimed 1,088 hp, 2,802 lb-ft of torque and a top speed of 189 MPH, people are going to listen—very suspiciously. That is exactly what Croatian designer Mate Rimac did at the Frankfurt Auto Show when he introduced the “Concept One”. More » The rest is here: See the 1,088 hp electric "Concept One" on the move [Video] Read the original:  See the 1,088 hp electric "Concept One" on the move [Video]

We don’t claim to be zombie apocalypse experts, but we do know if it happens prop guns and an old Isuzu probably isn’t going to be a very helpful combination. That certainly isn’t what the seller of this 1994 Amigo would have you believe. It’s currently listed on Ebay as a vehicle that will “have you ready for the impending zombie apocalypse”. More » Read the original post: Get ready for the fake zombie apocalypse with this 1994 Isuzu Amigo [Found On EBay] The rest is here: Get ready for the fake zombie apocalypse with this 1994 Isuzu Amigo [Found On EBay]

Yesterday in New York City, BMW offered an exclusive preview of the upcoming BMW i3 and i8 vehicles. The new BMW i3 and BMW i8 plan to disrupt the electric and hybrids segment delivering not only high-efficiency, but also performance. The i3, previously known as Megacity Vehicle, is based around a light CFRP body structure and rides on a predominantly aluminum chassis. The i3 produces 168 horsepower and 184lb ft of torque, and it has a top speed of 93 mph (150 km/h). It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.9 s. At 349 horsepower and nearly 80 mpg fuel consumption, the BMW i8 will set a benchmark in the performance segment. BMW says the i8 runs a 0-62mph in just 4.6 sec. BMW i3 and i8 made their world debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show. BMW will launch the i3 in 2013, followed by the i8 performance hybrid in 2014. [Video: Drivestv.com ] Here is the original:  Video: BMW i3 and i8 Revealed in New York City

Uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque – that’s counting up to five in Italian. Most have some familiarity with those numbers spoken in Italian, given their commonality with other languages like Spanish. Maserati has always pushed the envelope in the exotic industry, being the first to produce a four-door sedan. Aston Martin has dabbled with four-door sedans throughout the years, introducing the Rapide a few years ago. Most enthusiasts know that the Quattroporte’s name quite simply means four-door. Italian website AlVolante.it reports that Maserati has registered the name “Cinqueporte” in Italy. Given the new SUV’s five-door lift gate, that makes sense. It has cachet, and fits in with the rest of the lineup. Will that be the name used on the new SUV though? No one knows for sure. The upcoming Jeep Grand Cherokee-based (purists gasp!) SUV was previewed Frankfurt Auto Show under the Kubang Concept banner , a reprise of the Kubang SUV Concept from 2003. Clearly Maserati likes the name. Italian website AlVolante.it reports that Maserati executives told them the Kubang name hasn’t been decided upon however. The new SUV is going to be powered by a new generation of engines developed in Modena, Italy and produced by none other than Ferrari. The project is being led by Paolo Martinelli, the Head of Powertrain at Maserati. Before his stint at Maserati, Martinelli served as engine development chief for Ferrari’s Formula One racing team. The Fiat Group has big plans for Maserati, planning to push global sales up to the 50,000 a year mark. For a brand focused on sports cars and selling just over 5,000 vehicles globally last year, that will take a much-expanded lineup. Another model slated to arrive along with the SUV is a new sedan under the Quattroporte. We’re wondering where Maserati will decided to price and position the new SUV. Head-to-head with the Porsche Cayenne, or starting more at the top end around $95-$115,000. It all depends how much volume Maserati needs to get out of it. Just watch though; we have a hunch it will quickly become the best-selling Maserati in the U.S. Related posts: Frankfurt: Maserati Kubang Arrives; Looks Nothing Like a Jeep Maserati Set to Gain Larger Lineup in Bid to Grow in China New Entry-Level Model...

Inspired by the C63 AMG that was shown at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, this rendering by a Mercedes enthusiast shows what a possible C63 convertible would look like with its top down.  User Tuvra at the Pistonheads forum is apparently artistic and proficient at Photoshop as the image above shows. If some of the elements of the design look familiar, it’s because the artist took inspiration from the rare Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM. Which is where the rear spoiler now apparently comes from. But being a C63, it would certainly have the 6.3-liter V8 developed by AMG with an output of  almost 520 horsepower. That would certainly be more than enough to blow dry your hair on a sunny Sunday morning, with the 7-speed DCT transmission allowing you to just poke on the accelerator or do some fancy shifting yourself. Variants like these are a very real possibility, as a possible C63 sedan was recently seen testing, and who can forget the SLS convertible launched just a few months ago? Read the rest here: C63 AMG Convertible Rendered By Enthusiast

World debuts for new concept and production models typically happen at premier auto shows, like the North American International Auto Show, the Tokyo Motor Show or even the IAA (more commonly known as the Frankfurt Auto Show). The Orange County International Auto Show, held annually in Anaheim, California, isn’t where most automakers would… Here is the original post:  2012 Honda CR-V Concept Debuts In Anaheim

Along with the BMW 6 Series Cabriolet , German tuner specialists at Hamann brought out the X6 Tycoon EVO M at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. As seen in the past, their program consists of changes in usually four areas: aerodynamics, suspension, exhaust system and accessories(e.g wheels, interior elements). Aerodynamics include upgrades to the front spoiler, bumper moldings with led-daytime running lights, side skirts, rear spoiler and roof spoiler. The X6 Tycoon EVO M produces 670 hp, 700 pound-feet of torque and has a top speed limit of 186 mph (300 km/h), making it one of the fastest tuned up X6 M on the market. Some of the modifications include upgraded turbochargers, a high-flow titanium exhaust system and a remapped ECU. The tuned up Sports Activity Coupe will sprint from 0-62 mph in just 4.2 seconds The TYCOON EVO M also showcases the impressive power with a striking design. The widebody kit is comprised mostly of carbon fiber parts with an imposing front-end where the tuner also added four striking LED daytime running lights. The body set does not only emphasize the appearance, enlarged air inlets in the front and the carbon bonnet allow an optimized air ventilation of the engine compartment. A 40 mm lowering kit, wide low-profile tires, upgraded brakes and reworked suspension ensure the X6 Tycoon EVO M makes good use of the impressive performance.   Go here to read the rest:  IAA 2011: Hamann X6 Tycoon EVO M

As with every major auto show, BMWBLOG team walked the floors to see the latest and greatest vehicles in the automotive industry. The 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show is most likely the largest European car show of the year, with carmakers from around the world and tuners showcasing their latest products. So what are some of the interesting cars we have seen there? First, Mercedes-Benz brought out the F125!, a plug-in hydrogen supercar in a concept form. The F-125! uses lithium-sulphur batteries, a body comprised of several metals and composites, and a series of high-tech gadgets like “touch, speech and hand gestures,” semi-autonomous driving and three-dimensional display. Audi introduced the A2 Concept, an all-electric vehicle with a 31-kWh lithium-ion battery. The concept includes a built-in internet connection, steering and braking by-wire systems and a rear fog light laser. Ford Evos is another interesting concept unveiled in Frankfurt which was called by J Mays, the company’s chief designer as the “new face of Ford” and is expected to influence styling on all upcoming Ford models. The Evos is a four-door coupe with an aggressive front fascia, large, imposing grille and LED headlights.The space-age cabin has four individual seats and an advanced infotainment system. Enjoy the photo gallery and stay tuned for more articles from Frankfurt! Original post: IAA 2011: Ultimate Photo Gallery