By David Colman

Hypes: Delicious M Sport Line, Best Seats, Planted Handling
Gripes: Auto Start/Stop Perplexing

You can just about buy a brand new Kia Rio for the $11,700 worth of “Options and Additional Charges” that bump the base price of this BMW 335i from $43,150 to $57,595. Ka-Ching starts ringing with the M Sport Line ($3,200), the Cold Weather Package ($950), the Driver Assistance Package ($1,900) and the Technology Package ($3,100). What exactly do you get when you order options that add more than 20 percent to the car’s base price? A delicious looking sedan that is so packed with technology that your lease will expire before you discover all of its myriad secrets.

BMW now relies exclusively on turbocharging to produce exceptional horsepower plus excellent fuel economy. The 335i’s inline 6 cylinder, twin turbocharged engine displaces just 3.0 liters, but produces 300hp while returning 26 MPG in combined city/freeway driving. The direct injection engine benefits from stepless variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust cams to extract every last molecule of energy from the 91 octane fuel BMW recommends for this motor. When you jump on the accelerator to complete a pass or merge with freeway traffic, the 335i instantly kicks down a gear or two (it has 8 of them), then surges seamlessly ahead.

All 335 sedans feature a console-mounted “Driving Dynamics Control” which allows you to select your desired performance level from these options: Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus. In Eco Pro, the sedan feels somewhat lethargic, with relaxed steering feedback matching a slow reacting throttle. In Comfort, the sedan feels reasonably spry, but when you flip to Sport or Sport Plus, this Bimmer is really ready to boogie. In these Sport modes, the steering becomes heavier but more informative, while throttle response zings into a hyper responsive algorithm that makes you want to lace your driving shoes tighter.

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By David Colman

Hypes: Spacious, Glassy, Classy
Gripes: Pricey, Fixed Moonroof

Five years have elapsed since BMW introduced their stunning 4-door “CL” coupe study at the Shanghai auto show in 2007. The hallmarks of that China show design by Adrian van Hooydonk, which paid tribute to BMW’s treasured CL coupes of the Seventies, were its expansive glass area, six foot width, and exceptionally large wheels and tires. All of those design features have found their way into the production version, the 2013 640i Gran Coupe. The roofline of the new coupe resembles the back of a turtle, with vast front and rear window glass sloping away from a domed roof that itself contains a huge pane of tinted glass. Just like its show car CL predecessor, the Gran Coupe is more than six feet wide excluding the outside mirrors. And completing the key points of van Hooydonk’s original vision, 20 inch tall wheels with super skinny sidewall Dunlop tires define the exaggerated wheel well arches.

From a historical standpoint, the term coupe defines a 2-door car with 2 + 2 seating. BMW has redefined the classic coupe concept by adding an extra pair of rear doors to facilitate rear seat usage. Thanks to the car’s six foot width, there’s even room and belts for a baby size fifth passenger in the center of the rear seat. Indeed, there’s nothing + 2 about the rear seat accommodations. The 640 GC offers posh seating for 4, with possible occupancy by 5. Call it a 4+ 1 coupe. But make no mistake, the 640, despite its stealthy profile and attractive silhouette, is a sizeable vehicle. It’s 197.2 inch length is just 2 inches short of a 7 Series limo, and 4 inches longer than a 5 Series sedan.

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By David Colman

For: 306hp, 8-speed Tranny, Turbine Wheels
Against: Stop/Start Nonsense, Neolithic Dash Slab

BMW has just introduced its latest interpretation of the 3 Series sedan. It’s still fast, nimble, handsome and expensive. You can order the base model 328i (base price: $35,795) which depends on a 4 cylinder turbo to make 240hp, or you can up the ante to the 306hp, 6 cylinder twin turbo 335i which we tested (Base price: $42,400). Let’s start with fast. The silky six makes peak torque of 295 lb.-ft from just off idle (1,200rpm) all the to 5,000rpm. Its Steptronic automatic transmission offers 8 gears to harness that endless torque, meaning that the 335i rockets you from 0 to 60mph in under 5 seconds, and tops out at an electronically controlled 155mph. If serious squirt is high on your purchase list, the new 335i fits the bill and then some.

Even though BMW has increased the wheelbase of the 3 Series by 1.9 inches, this sedan retains its close-coupled feel and quick reflexes. Curb weight of 3,500 pounds and an overall length of 182.5 inches indicate that BMW has worked hard to provide more interior space without resorting to increases in overall weight or size. The engine block, for example, is cast in aluminum. As a result, when you crank the wheel of the 335i into a sharp bend, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the responsiveness and balance of the chassis, steering and motor. Without question, the latest 3 is still one of the world’s best sports sedans.

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By David Colman

For: Do-It-All Nature, Space, Grace, Pace
Against: Exterior Rear View Mirrors Too Small

If you need a sportscar and a high performance sedan, look no further than Bimmer’s 650i. Granted, it’s a tad pricey at $101,675. But if you perceive it as 2 cars in 1, you’re on the right reasoning track. If you’re willing to alot $50,000 for each purpose the 650i fulfills, then you’ve saved yourself from buying an extra car. Let’s examine this genteel beast from the sportscar perspective first. Are 400hp and 450 lb.-ft. of torque enough to slake your thirst for V8 twin turbo power? They should be, considering the 650i will turn 107mph in 13.4 seconds through the quarter mile, and post a 0-60mph time of 5.1 seconds on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 150mph. If that isn’t serious sportscar territory, than nothing is.

But what about the handling? In a word, superb. BMW’s Driving Dynamics Control (DDC) system, which is standard on this car, allows you to dial up just the right amount of steering feedback, suspension control, throttle response and traction control permissiveness you need when pushing the performance envelope. An easily accessible button on the standard “Fine Line Oak Wood” center console allows you to bump the default DDC setting from Comfort to Performance or Performance+. If you hold the button down for 10 seconds in the Performance+ setting, you disable Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), putting your enthusiasm and talent in control of the situation. You’ll want to be exceptionally careful in this DSC-deleted Performance+ mode, because many of the safety net override systems are disabled, making it possible to lose control of this heavy and powerful vehicle if you don’t know what you’re doing.

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The 328i has controversial styling because of the pointy front end. Get beyond that though and you will discover a car with modern priorities. This car delivers performance and fuel economy like no car before it has ever delivered.  0-60 is under 6 seconds and fuel economy is rated at 36 mpg on the highway.  The real story for us though is we were getting mileage figures of 40 and 45 mpgs on the highway.  Often, EPA highway ratings are a fantasy. On the 328i, the EPA mileage figures are more like a worst case scenario.

BMW 328i Sedan Specs:

• Engine: 2.0-liter, Inline 4 Cylinder
• Horsepower: 240hp @ 5000 rpm
• Torque: 260 lb.-ft @ 1250 rpm
• Fuel Consumption: 33  mpg hwy
• MSRP: Starting at $34,900

Car Tech: 2012 BMW 328i. This video is brought to you by CNET

2012 BMW 328i. This video is brought to you by Driven Car Reviews

Luxury Line Features:

• 18” Luxury multi-spoke wheel design
• Chrome decorative accents in front air dam
• Chrome kidney grille bars
• Chrome window surround
• Chrome strip above front air dam and rear loading edge
• Chrome exhaust pipe trim
• BMW Luxury entry doorsills
• Sport leather steering wheel
• Leather upholstery with exclusive stitching
• Choice of two fine wood interior trims with chrome lower accent
• Lower dashboard in exclusive brown leather color (in combination with the Saddle Brown Dakota leather upholstery)
• Chrome rings around climate and radio control panel buttons
• Center console fringe in chrome
• Black signature key fob with chrome Luxury accent
• $2,100

By David Colman

For: Stand Alone Looks, Opulent Front Cabin
Against: Bus-Like Steering,  Wheel Position

In contrast to their family-sized SUV, the X5, BMW considers the X6 to be a “personal” sports ute, meaning it’s designed primarily for two, with a nod to accommodating four in a pinch. You can thank the X6’ severely sloping roofline for the reduction in passenger (and cargo) carrying capacity. That fastback roof is not the only feature that differentiates the X6 from the X5. The X6 also sells for a substantially higher premium than its more utilitarian stablemate. Base price for the X6 we tested is $58,900, versus $48,095 for a comparable 3.0 liter turbocharged X5.

Of course, $58,095 is just the starting point for the X6, because you’ll want to personalize your ride with a host of pricey options. Ours had the following extras appended to its bottom line: Cold Weather Package for $750, Premium Package (Rear View Camera, Keyless Entry, 4-Zone Climate Control, Navigation) for $3,500, Premium Sound Package for $1,500, Sport Package (Adaptive Drive, 19 inch Alloys) for $4,600, Multi-Contour Seats for $950, and Technology Package (Auto Hi-Beams, Side View Camera and Head-Up Display) for $1,700. Throw in a few less consequential extras like a Space Saver Spare ($150) and Running Boards ($300) and you’vegot yourself a $73,825 vehicle.

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By David Colman

For: Handling Acumen, Spacious Cockpit, Huge Silent Sunroof
Against: Jerky Throttle Tip-in

The North Main exit from Southbound I-680 in Walnut Creek is a prodigious feat of engineering. It’s a perfectly banked, 2 lane wide off ramp that reverses direction 180 degrees, lasts nearly a quarter of a mile, and tests handling like no other piece of road in the Bay Area. Late one night, in light traffic, I tossed BMW’s turbocharged, all-wheel-drive X3 into the endless North Main sweeper, not expecting a whole lot of grip from either the top heavy SUV, or its all-season Goodyear tires.

Entering the turn, I could see a pair of single headlights closing rapidly in my mirror. But by the time I reached North Main, there was no one in sight behind me. The X3 had danced through the sweeper with agility equal to BMW’s best sports sedan, the M3. While stopped at the next traffic light on North Main, those lights that vanished on the off ramp reappeared next to me. The driver of a Porsche Boxster Spyder was looking at my X3 with open-mouthed astonishment. His face said it all: how could your clunky-looking SUV put my precious Porsche to shame? And worse yet, do so in a never-ending corner of all places!

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By Ming Tan

Pros

• M heritage
• Powerful and smooth revving 3.0 liter Twinpower Turbo inline 6
• Unmistakable styling with an aggressive edge

Cons

• Rubbery shifter diminishes that precise feel of the car
• Minor exhaust drone
• Some minor body aesthetic details

I love BMW M cars. I’ve fancied all the generations of M3’s over the years, of course starting with the E30 back in the late 80’s. I love the uniqueness that these special cars bring to the table. I love the double take that I often have to give to these cars when they drive by. And admittedly, I love the hype that builds every time a new M car is due to be released. It’s always interesting to experience the launching of a new BMW. But for car enthusiasts, we always wait to see when the M version will be coming.

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Below is a comprehensive list of all the Expert Car Reviews and feature articles published on CarReview.com [updated 10/11/2011]:

New photos of the 3rd generation 2012 BMW  6 Series Coupe have been released. The BMW 6 Series Coupé features a sweeping coupé roofline while the long hood, short over-hangs, set-back passenger compartment with Hofmeister kink, long wheelbase and flat waistline embody the typical proportions of a BMW coupé more than any other model. Its now traditional BMW “shark nose”, with a large, forward-slanted BMW kidney grille, broad air intakes, wide, contoured bonnet and muscular wheel arches, allude to the powerful engine beneath. Inspired by the movement of water, the fluid lines of the car combine with the subtly curved surfaces to create a look of athletic elegance, which together with the 74mm increase in length and 5mm lower height creates a powerful stance.

Two BMW turbocharged engines, a newly developed chassis and a host of class-leading driver assistance technology ensure that the new BMW 6 Series Coupé is full of substance, while interior space and comfort have been enhanced.

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