2013 BMW X6 Facelift

We've been following the development of the facelifted X6 through our scoop section for a while now and today, BMW officially revealed the 2013 model year version that goes on sale worldwide this spring. The big news on the 2013 X6 is the introduction of the diesel-powered X6 M50d of the M Performance series, but we've already covered it in our previous post, so let's see what else is new about BMW's so-called Sports Activity Coupe.
The styling updates throughout the range are quite subtle and include a new set of headlamps, more pronounced kidney grilles with bars that are angled in the lower section, repositioned fog lamps set in matt finish surrounds and new LED tail lamps, while BMW also offers adaptive LED headlights as an option.
The 2013 model year also brings new exterior colors including the Marrakesh Brown metallic featured in the pictured vehicle, plus the option of Vermilion Red and Ivory White leather upholsteries and new alloy wheel designs.
The X6 comes as a four-seat model with a three-seat rear bench being available as an option.
The basic engine range remains the same, with the U.S. lineup including the xDrive50i with a 400hp 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 and the xDrive35i with a 300 hp 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six. Both engines are mated to a 8-speed automatic transmission. The X6 M with a V8 engine delivering 555 bhp linked to a 6-speed M Sport automatic transmission tops the range.
While the X6 M50d won't be making it in the States, BMW offers an M Performance Package in the U.S., which adds 15hp and 30 lb-ft of torque on the X6 xDrive35i giving it 315 hp and 330 lb-ft respectively, while the increase on the X6 xDrive50i is +40 hp +30 lb-ft of torque for total peak output of 440 hp and 480 lb-ft.
Along with the engine upgrades, the M Performance Package adds 20-inch light alloy wheels, black chrome exhaust tips, stainless steel pedals, M footrest and door sills, shadowline exterior trim, anthracite headliner, and optional Carbon Black metallic paint.
In Europe, the modestly refreshed X6 will also be available with a pair of 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engines, producing 245bhp on the xDrive30d and 306bhp on the xDrive40d.
The 2013 BMW X6 will receive its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

PHOTO GALLERY

2013 BMW X6M Facelift First Official

On Wednesday night, we brought you the lowdown on the refreshed for the 2013 model year X6 crossover along with the new X6 M50d with 381-ponies, courtesy of its tri-turbocharged diesel engine. Now, we also have the first official photos of the high-performance 2013 X6 M, which gains the same cosmetic touches as the rest of the series while maintaining the mechanical hardware of the 2012 model.
At the front end of the sports crossover, the new X6M gets a tinkered double kidney grille with different slats that angle in the lower section and redesigned headlamps with LED units fitted as standard. At the rear end of the car, we find adaptive new LED headlights.
A couple new colors for the body and some new leather trims inside complete the subtle revisions for the new model year.
We'll remind you that the X6M sports a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 lump that pushes out 555-horses at 6,000 rpm and 680Nm (501.5 lb-ft) of peak torque from 1,500 to 5,650 rpm to all four wheels through a 6-speed M Sport automatic transmission.
Below you'll find photos and videos of the 2013 X6M, along with some fresh new shots of the regular 2013 X6.

2013 BMW X6M FACELIFT

2013 BMW X6 FACELIFT

VIDEO

Click Thumbnails to Enlarge

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Toyota TS030 Hybrid (2012) first pics of new Le Mans racer

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

25 January 2012 10:30

Toyota has unveiled its new Le Mans challenger, the TS030 Hybrid. The TS030 name designates this car as the successor to the TS010 and TS020 (better known at the GT-One) which competed at Le Mans in the 1990s – TS stands for Toyota Sport.

What? This Toyota TS030 is a hybrid racecar?

That’s right – and would you expect anything less from a company that’s been at the forefront of producing hybrid road cars? The engine is a 90-deg V8 with a 3.4-litre capacity, the maximum allowed for naturally aspirated petrol engines under Le Mans rules.

Toyota is currently testing two hybrid packs, a front-mounted AW Aisin unit and a rear-mounted Denso motor. A maximum of 500kJ of energy can be recovered (it’s stored in a Nisshinbo super capacitor) but it can only be deployed through one axle.

Toyota’s Motor Sport Division in Japan produces the hybrid powertrain, while Toyota Motorsport GmbH in Germany builds the carbonfibre chassis. The bodywork is also carbonfibre, the windscreen is built from lightweight polycarbonate, the gearbox is a transverse-mounted six-speed sequential unit, suspension is by double wishbones with pushrods, the brakes are carbon and the 18in wheels are forged from magnesium.

Click Thumbnails to Enlarge

• 
• 
• 

Caterham F1 unveils its 2012 challenger

By Marcus Roberts

First Official Pictures

25 January 2012 11:28

It's that time of the year when all the new 2012 F1 cars are unveiled. In the next fortnight, most of the major Formula 1 teams will announce their new race cars ready for the 2012 F1 season. The rules are changed, so are the cars. This page will update with all the new 2012 F1 cars as they are unveiled. Stay tuned!

Caterham CT01: the new Caterham 2012 F1 car

Caterham launched its 2012 campaign on 25 January with a substantially redesigned version of last season's Lotus - the new CT01. It's the first Formula 1 car to carry Caterham branding.

Finnishing in 10th postition for the 2011 season, Caterham F1 now aims to move up the rankings and start scoring some Formula 1 World Championship points, according to Mike Gascoyne, the team's chief.

What's new on the 2012 car?

As always in Formula 1 aerodynamics have been the main focus for improvement by Caterham over the winter. The team's used the Williams F1 wind tunnel to augment its development.

A new slightly higher and more compact platypus-style nose cone has been added, incorporating a new stepped design that is to become more common across the grid this season. As a result of this the suspension rods now rise slightly above the top of the nose line. It's an interesting interpretation of the 2012 technical regulation changes, which prevent teams using higher front wings for the upcoming 2012 F1 season.

What about the engines?

Caterham will be using the same Renault Sport F1 engine and Red Bull Technology gearbox from the 2011 car. A move that Gascoyne says will give the team its 'first year of real stability' by 'knowing exactly what we're working with.'

KERS - Kinetic Energy Recovery System

A first for one of the smaller teams, this year's Caterham CT01 will feature the KERS system for the first time, allowing the car to utilise heat energy recovered from the brakes as an electrical boost of up to 80bhp. A move that Gascoyne says will put Caterham on par with its rivals.

Will we see more of this on cars to be launched in early February? 

The Caterham CT01 appears to have significantly slimmer side pods, with a far smoother line as it moves to the back the car. There is also a notable change to the exhaust system following the FIA’s ban of exhaust blown diffusers that were used during the 2011 season by many teams, including Lotus.

And the drivers?

Caterham has retained both Finn Heikki Kovalainen and Italian Jarno Trulli as their drivers for 2012, although rumblings suggest Vitaly Petrov may yet take Trulli's seat.

Diary dates: when the 2012 F1 cars will be unveiled

McLaren Vodafone Mercedes - 1 February 2012
Scuderia Ferrari - 3 February 2012
Force India - 3 Februrary 2012
Lotus F1 Team -  5 Februrary 2012
Sauber F1 Team - 6 Februrary 2012
Red Bull Racing - 6 Februrary 2012
Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team - 21 February 2012
Scuderia Toro Rosso - TBC
Williams F1 - TBC
Marussia F1 Team - TBC
HRT F1 - TBC

Click Thumbnails to Enlarge

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

BMW X6 M50d (2012) leads facelifted X6 range

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

25 January 2012 23:00

BMW is facelifting its most controversial model, the X6. And what better way of tidying up this coupe-cum-SUV than adding a diesel M version?

The new X6 M50d is among the first of a new range of stop-gap M models to slot between the full M GmbH cars and the trim-level M Sport models. It'll sit alongside the new BMW M550d xDrive also unveiled today.

It has a new upgraded version of the same 3.0-litre straight six TwinPower turbodiesel, with greater boost from three turbochargers to deliver 376bhp and a monstrous-sounding 546lb ft of torque.

It's the most powerful diesel BMW has ever built.

So the new BMW X6 M50d (2012) is quick, right?

Oh yes. This is another fast four-by-four to spark fierce debate in chartrooms up and down the land. It hits 62mph in 5.3 seconds - enough to embarrass many Porsches.

BMW defends such high-riding lunacy by pointing out that the new X6 M50d also averages 36.7mpg and CO2 emissions stand at 204g/km.

And what's all this about the X6 being facelifted?

BMW has indeed refreshed the X6. As you'd expect from any of Germany's premium car manufacturers, this is a modest facelift. Any untoward blinking, and you may indeed miss it.

The chrome grille is a little wider and the detail bars are new; the foglamps are repositioned; active LED headlamps are now available; out the back, you'll find a rear lamp cluster with subtly different graphics and those now-trademark horizontal light bars that make the latest 5-series so distinctive at nighttime.

It's not all cosmetic. Much of the front-end tidy-up in fact improves engine cooling and breathing, while new flaps beneath the front apron are designed to boost stability.

And if the X6 M50d isn't fast enough, can I still waste my money on an X6 M?

Naturally. If you've got a spare £85,680 lying down the back of the sofa for an X6 M. The new super-diesel SUV-coupe-thing X6 M50d costs considerably less at £62,260, landing in UK dealerships on 16 June 2012.

You can order the same spec X5 M50d for a couple of grand less; it wears a price tag of £60,325 and has the same breathed-upon 3.0-litre twin-turbodiesel.

>> Click 'Add your comment' to vent your spleen - or defend - the new BMW X6 M50d