BMW M3 Coupe and M5 Sedan Performance Editions

We get it that BMW wants to leave no stone unturned when it comes to serving its customers, but we must admit that introducing M Performance variants of its M brand cars makes about as much sense as buttering both sides of your toast. "Our new BMW M Performance Models are geared toward customers looking for high performance for everyday use," are the words BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer used to describe the M Performance sub-brand.
So what is the deal with the new M Performance Editions of the M3 Coupe and M5 Sedan? Well, BMW says that it will produce 30 units of each car for the UK market, equally divided in three unique Frozen paintwork colors (10 examples of blue, white and red for each model).
The Bavarian company's Spartan release adds that the cars will come with an "impressively high specification of standard equipment," but avoids to mention if the M3 Coupe and M5 Sedan specials will boast any performance upgrades as their moniker suggests.

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BMW M5 F10 By Hamann in Geneva Motor Show

Although it specializes in tuning a wide range of cars from Audis to Ferraris, the company founded by Richard Hamann in 1986 has linked its name mostly to BMW's performance models. The new F10 M5 is the latest model from the Bavarian manufacturer to be tuned by Hamann Motorsport and it will be officially revealed in Geneva this week.
Starting with the styling package, the front and rear wings have been enlarged by 25 and 30mm respectively on each side, while the M5 also gets new front and rear bumpers that are said to reduce lift, side sills, and roof and boot lid spoilers.
Hamann's M5 rides on a lowered suspension and new “Unique Forged II” forged or “Edition Race Anodized” 21-inch alloys wrapped in 265/30 front and 325/25 rear tires.
In the interior, Hamann replaces the standard leather upholstery with higher-grade leather and offers a range of bespoke accessories, from piano trims to Alcantara finishes and personalized floor mats.
Despite the more than adequate 560PS (552hp) and 680Nm (501 lb-ft) of the factory M5's twin-turbocharged V8, Hamann is currently developing an upgrade that will result in an 160PS and 220Nm improvement for a total output of 720PS (710hp) and a peak torque of 900Nm (664 lb-ft).
Considering that the bog-standard M5 accelerates from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.4 seconds and tops out at 305 km/h (190 mph) with the “M Driver’s” package, the finished item should post some pretty impressive figures.

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The Coolest BMW M5 Badge Ever

If what they say about photography being the art of capturing the beauty of the moment and freezing it forever in time is true, then the person who took this picture of the new BMW M5 saloon's badge has accomplished the goal in the most literal sense of the phrase. Head over the break for a high-resolution version of the image.

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BMW Confirms 6-Speed Manual Gearbox for 2013 M5 Sedan

BMW's M division continues the tradition of offering the option of a manual gearbox on its North American models with the upcoming 2013 M5 sports saloon. The announcement was made on the sidelines of the ongoing 2012 Detroit Auto Show. "The manual gearbox was a popular choice for U.S. customers of the previous generation M5 and continues to be a unique offer in the segment," BMW said in a statement.
The company added that the 6-speed manual, which model features a short throw shifter with a black leather backlit knob, will be offered from the very start as a no-cost alternative to the standard 7-speed M-Double Clutch Transmission (M-DCT).
While featuring one gear less than the M-DCT, the manual retains the same final drive ratio and special M differential.
Sales of the both the manual and M-DCT variants of the 2013 BMW M5 in the States will begin in the summer with pricing to be released at a later date.

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