The Redline

BMW X7 and X5 Go V8

May 23, 2019May 30, 2019 Peter Andersonbmw, SUV, V8, x70 comment

BMW’s big SAVs (their acronym, not mine) aren’t slow, particularly the ones we get in Australia – we don’t mess about with the slow ones. I drove an M50d for carsguide at the X5’s launch and I thought, “Yeah, this will do.” Well, clearly, it hasn’t done for some people. So BMW has dropped the twin-turbo V8 from the M850i M Performance flagship into the X5. And, as it turns out, the X7. Both are obviously fully-loaded, so pretty much the only thing these cars are missing is a time-travel…

Cars

BMW’s SocMed People are Smart-Arses

May 22, 2019May 22, 2019 Peter Anderson0 comment

BMW’s ad people are smart-arses. I mean that in a good way. With the retirement of industry giant Mercedes’ CEO and man-with-epic-moustache Dieter Zetsche, BMW took the opportunity to say goodbye. There’s a peculiarly German thing where companies can find it in their cold, dark hearts to be gracious to one another. When Mercedes left the DTM, BMW and Audi seemed almost sad to see them go. When Audi left the WEC, Porsche seemed to be hanging on to their legs like a crying child. Although they went with them,…

Cars

Toyota Supra 2020: Australian pricing

May 20, 2019May 21, 2019 Peter Andersonsupra, toyota supra0 comment

Well, now. One of the most-asked questions of pretty much any Australian car journalist is, “Are you a drug dealer or something?” The second question is (after you’ve explained how you get your hands on all the good hardware), “How much for the new Toyota Supra?” Well. Now we know. Toyota is going to offer two models at launch, a GT and a GTS. The GT will start at $84,900 before ORCs. That’s a lot of money, except when you compare it to its twin-under-the-skin BMW Z4. The M40i, powered…

Cars

2019 McLaren GT Debuts

May 15, 2019May 15, 2019 Peter Andersonmclaren, McLaren GT0 comment

The McLaren GT drip-feed is over and the first true Grand Tourer from Woking has arrived. New looks, comfy interior and hatchback with a boot mean you can take it on holidays.

Cars

Superfast Mini John Cooper Works GP for 2020

May 15, 2019May 15, 2019 Peter Andersonhot hatch, MINI, mini jcw0 comment

Want something fast and small? The 2020 Mini John Cooper Works GP might just be for you. Some things are just meant to be. The new BMW X2 M35i rolls on the same UKL2 platform as the Mini and has the B48 turbo four. No doubt Mini’s engineers and product planners took one look at that engine and said, “We’re having that.” The press release is scant on details, the JCW GP will likely also roll with the X2’s all-wheel drive system. With 225kW (306PS) and 450Nm, the front wheels…

Cars

Mini outs special edition Hatch: 60 Years Edition

May 13, 2019May 13, 2019 Spencer Leechhatchback, hot hatch, MINI0 comment

Mini Australia has released yet another special edition model, this time celebrating its sixtieth anniversary with four limited-run 60 Years Edition variants based on the Cooper and Cooper S Hatch range. Although the 60 Years Edition variant commands a $4000 premium over the models upon which they are based, Mini says the special edition adds $8500 of value with its unique badging, upholstery, interior trim and 17-inch alloys. From standard, the 60 Years Edition is coated in a British Racing Green metallic paint with a Pepper White roof and exterior…

Cars Fast Cars

BMW Z4 2019: Review

May 10, 2019May 14, 2019 Peter Andersonbmw, BMW z40 comment

The BMW Z4 is a car that polarises opinion. The previous generation wasn’t popular with sports car fans because it wasn’t really a sports car. The G29 promises much more, with a soft-top, a whole new platform and some cracking engines.

Cars

BMW Z4 2019 Pricing and Spec: Australia

May 10, 2019May 10, 2019 Peter Andersonbmw, BMW z4, z40 comment

The BMW Z4 is here, we’ve driven it and we also know how much it costs and what’s in it. Toyota might still be keeping us waiting, but BMW has thrown the kitchen sink at us, with three models and a whopping great list of gear. To go with the price. Z4 Model Comparison BMW Australia has kicked us off with three models – the Z4 20i, Z4 30i and Z4 M40i. Based on the 5 Series’ CLAR platform (and shared with Toyota on the Supra), the Z4 is built…

Cars

BMW M850i Pricing and Spec: Australia

May 10, 2019May 15, 2019 Peter Andersonbmw, BMW m850i, m850i0 comment

BMW’s long-awaited replacement for the iconic 8 Series of the 1990s has arrived in Australia. Launching with the top-shelf (not including the M8) M850i xDrive, there’s a choice of Coupe and Convertible. Strap yourselves in folks, it’s not cheap but you get a lot of go for your dough. What do you get? Thankfully, a hell of a lot of gear. And chassis technology. In an effort save weight, the Carbon Core from the 7 Series is along for the ride. It’s not a huge amount of carbon fibre, but…

Cars

BMW X3 M Competition Australian Pricing and Spec

May 8, 2019May 10, 2019 Peter Andersonbmw, BMW x3, BMW x40 comment

Ever get tired of your 260kW/500Nm mid-sized SUV and want more? Like, a lot more? You probably want a 500-plus horsepower BMW X3 M Competition, then. Or, if you fancy a smaller boot and paying more for the privilege, the X4 M Competition. But you’re going to need almost $160,000. Before you read on, you can check out my review of X3 M40i to get an idea of how good the M might be. What is it? What are they? The X3 M Competition and its coupe-alike X4 sibling are…