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New BMW M3 and M4 engine secrets laid bare

BMW's M division has lifted the veil of secrecy on the inline six-cylinder engine bound for its upcoming M3 sedan and new-to-the-range M4 coupe and convertible, revealing a potent twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter direct injection gasoline unit that produces an official 424 hp at 7,500 rpm and what officials describe as "significantly more than 369 lb-ft" of torque. The newly developed engine, known under the internal codename S55 B30, shares its 84.0 mm bore and 89.6 mm stroke with BMW's standard turbocharged 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder direct-injection gasoline mill, the M55 used across the German car maker's lineup, endowing the aluminum block unit with an overall swept volume of 2,979 cc. This represents a sizeable 990 cc reduction on the engine BMW's M division's new unit replaces, the S65.

Mazda3 MPS and i-stop to launch at Geneva

With a new model of the Mazda3 released at Bologna, Mazda has now added more to the range with the announcement that the Mazda3 MPS and i-stop will be launched at Geneva in March. The Mazda3 MPS is the ‘Hot Hatch’ version  of the Mazda3. Aggressive styling, including a big air scoop at the front, new grill trim and front fogs, a big spoiler at the back and twin exhausts, leave you in no doubt that the MPS means business.

Microsoft increases stake in auto industry

Having reshaped a big piece of the world's economy around its Windows software, Microsoft Corp. now wants to do the same thing in the car business. What the Seattle giant sees there says as much about the future of cars as it does about itself.