The BMW M3 Competition xDrive is a high-performance car that can rival even supercars in terms of speed and agility. Its Adaptive M Suspension, which comes standard, allows for a range of settings from soft to firm, making the driving experience customizable. However, even in its softest setting, the M3 is not as comfortable as a luxury sedan like the 7 Series. The narrow tires and the occasional roughness of the sports transmission at low speeds contribute to this.
But the M3 is not designed for slow driving. Just lightly pressing the accelerator will cause the car to surge forward with impressive speed. It’s quick and eager, but this can also lead to legal troubles if you’re not careful. The M3’s power is truly astonishing considering its price.
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One of the standout features of the M3 is its switchable 2WD/4WD system, which allows for a thrilling driving experience even on wet roads. The car feels incredibly responsive, with precise steering and excellent grip. The acceleration is exhilarating, and the braking is equally impressive.
In 2020, BMW introduced the BMW Operating System 7, which included the BMW ConnectedDrive Store. This online store allowed BMW owners to download and activate additional features and capabilities for their cars. However, BMW limited certain features, such as heated seats, to specific countries, which caused controversy.
BMW’s approach of using microtransactions and paywalled features as a revenue stream is not unique to the company. Tesla also faced criticism for initially limiting battery capacity and requiring customers to pay extra to unlock full performance through a software update. Volkswagen has also hinted at potentially placing its driverless car feature behind a subscription paywall. While recent events suggest that customer backlash may deter automakers from continuing such practices, the industry may still move towards a future where microtransactions for “connected” cars become common.
The boldly styled 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is creating quite a controversy, even more so than BMW’s vertical kidney grille revival. It’s not just one design element that stands out, but rather the entire car. The rear of the SUV is particularly striking, with its gigantic tailgate and unusually low-mounted taillights. The profile is reminiscent of the Defender 130, while the H-themed lights add another eye-catching feature.
Shortly after its online premiere earlier this week, the fifth-generation Santa Fe was spotted by Instagrammer shorts_car in an underground parking lot. This particular version appears to be a lower-end model, evident from the simple exhaust tip. In comparison, the models featured in the official gallery had a more polished exhaust finisher. Additionally, the two-tone wheels on this prototype are different, and the rear lacks the giant “Santa Fe” lettering. But let’s not forget, it’s still a prototype.
In 1975, the famous artist Alexander Calder transformed the 3.0 CSL (E9) into BMW’s first Art Car. Now, in 2023, BMW has announced that work has begun on the 20th vehicle to receive this special artistic treatment. Most of the previous Art Cars have been based on race cars, and the upcoming creation is no different, as the canvas for this project is the M Hybrid V8. The talented Ethiopian-born artist Julie Mehretu will have the honor of creating the next official Art Car.
But before that happens, the M Hybrid V8 has been unveiled at the Guggenheim Museum in New York in all its naked glory, without any paint. It is rare to see a race car with a fully exposed carbon fiber body, which makes it even more intriguing, especially considering the distinctive silhouette of BMW’s LMDh contender. This car is already competing in IMSA, where it recently secured its first victory, and it will also participate in the WEC next year, including the iconic Le Mans race. In 2024, BMW’s motorsport division will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the V12 LMR’s triumph at Circuit de la Sarthe.
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