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Next BMW M5 could go all-wheel drive

Franciscus van Meel had been a part of Audi AG management since 1996, in positions including chassis development and vehicle project director. In 2012 he was named managing director of Quattro GmbH - headquarters for personal favorites like the RS6 Avant and R8 - but he lasted just two years before being sent to lead an R&D division in Beijing. He returned from exile just ten months later but wearing a blue and white roundel, after being named to the top spot at BMW M. So it shouldn't be a surprise that when Auto Express asked van Meel about all-wheel drive on the next M5, he replied, "If we continue the power increases in the future... then probably the next generation M5 and M6 will have so much torque and power that we need to think about those solutions." It would make sense from a competitive standpoint, too - once the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG went 4Matic, that put the two of the three cars in the segment in the AWD column. And there's no "if" about a power increase: a recent report put next generation's output at 600 hp - that's 40 hp more than today - to power a lighter car. That report said there'd be the option of four-wheel drive, but AE takes van Meel's words as a definite sign that we'll see a more complex drive arrangement under the next M5. If so, then truth be told, van Meel is reiterating the thoughts of his predecessor from two years ago. The new M boss doesn't like the phrase "four-wheel drive," however; in clarifying those "solutions" he mentioned, he said that the car would be rear-biased to remain emotional, with the front tires kicking in to aid traction. Related Video: News Source: Auto ExpressImage Credit: BMW BMW Luxury Performance Sedan bmw m

BMW reveals updated 2016 Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe

Do you dig the BMW M6 Gran Coupe, but really wanted one with all-wheel drive? We can hardly blame you, considering how well it held up against the Nissan GT-R and Bentley Continental GT in the Australian Outback on a recent episode of Top Gear, despite the disadvantage on driven-wheel count. But that, you see, is where Alpina comes in. The "other M division" offers the a twin-turbo 6 Series Gran Coupe with four-wheel traction – even here in the US – and it's just been upgraded. The 2016 BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe packs a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, just like the M6. But whereas the previous B6 packed less power than its factory counterpart, the new one surpasses it. Thanks to a boost by 60 horsepower and 50 pound-feet of torque, the B6 now cranks out 600 hp and 590 lb-ft – which rather impressively bests the M6 by 40 hp and 90 lb-ft. Plus it's driven to all four wheels. The manufacturer says that's good for a tenth of a second off the 0-60 time, now quoted at 3.6 seconds, with a top speed pegged at 200 miles per hour, making this the fastest Alpina ever offered. The 2016 B6 also benefits from new headlamps, upgraded brakes and reshaped aerodynamic elements, but it's mostly the power boost that makes this the quickest Alpina off the line in the company's history. Related Video: THE NEW BMW ALPINA B6 XDRIVE GRAN COUPE Enhancements for 2016 model year deliver more power and refinement than ever. Woodcliff Lake, N.J. –February 11, 2015... The new 2016 model year BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe gains subtle BMW enhancements and benefits in particular from the results of continuous development by ALPINA. The four-door Gran Coupe, already widely recognized for aesthetic beauty and impressive driving performance, raises the benchmark with exciting new details. The new BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe will become available to order starting in March 2015, with US deliveries slated to begin at BMW Centers in June. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date. The BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe is available as a special-order vehicle with capacity-limited production underscoring its exclusivity. The B6's body is manufactured in the BMW 6 Series factory (Plant Dingolfing) and hand-finished with the remaining ALPINA components at the ALPINA factory in Buchloe, Germany. The hand-finishing sequence at ALPINA increases the production lead-time by approximately two weeks.

BMW launches new M Performance accessories for M5, M6

Those looking to make their stock BMW look like an M model might be interested in an M Sport package. But those who already drive an M model and want that extra bit of attitude to take it over the top look towards the M Performance Accessories catalog, to which BMW has just added a new range of add-ons for the M5 and M6.
The new range of accessories include a titanium exhaust from Akrapovic that's 22 pounds lighter and an extra bit throatier than the stock unit. BMW's also offering a carbon-ceramic brake kit and 20-inch alloys to accommodate them, as well as a carbon aero kit, carbon interior trim and those trademark stripes for the truly extroverted BMW performance enthusiast.
You can check them out in the gallery above and the press release below to see what Martin Tomzczk, the DTM driver sponsored by BMW M Performance Accessories, chose for his matte black M6 Gran Coupe daily driver.