BMW M3

The world’s most famous sports saloon… the BMW M3 is the benchmark for small sports saloons.

And the new BMW M3 uses a 400bhp V8 engine which is lighter than the 343bhp 3.2-litre straight-six of the previous M3.

The new V8 – made from lightweight materials including aluminium – propels the M3 from 0-62mph in under five seconds and on to a top speed of 155mph.

And critics across the world have raved about its handling ability, everyday usability and outstanding build quality.

Deputy Editor Stuart Milne loved the BMW M3 and said “it’s one of the best ways to spend £50,000.”

View more images of the BMW M3 saloon

BMW X6

Coupe handling, SUV size and four-wheel-drive – the new BMW X6 is a totally new model for a totally new segment.

The new X6 is based on the same platform as the best-selling BMW X5 SUV, featuring off-road ability and good on-road handling characteristics.

BMW designers have styled the new BMW X6 in the mould of a coupe – the sweeping lines and rakish roof make the X6 one of the most distinctive new models launched today.

The X6 is fitted with a range of new engines, including the award-winning 286bhp 3-litre diesel model, and a new flagship – a 408bhp 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8.

This range-topping V8 pushes the X6 into sportscar territory, with a 0-62mph of just 5.4 seconds.

Auto Trader Web Editor Adrian Higgins praised the BMW X6’s “stunning looks and superb driving capability which adds up to a stunning package.”

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BMW M5

The Godfather of the super-saloon segment… the BMW M5 is the car to beat.

The original BMW M5 was born out of the ashes of the BMW M1 supercar, when the German carmaker decided to take the M1’s 3.5-litre straight-six engine and slot it into the humble 5 Series saloon.

And over the years, the M5 has grown in size and stature, with the current model packing a 5-litre V10 engine producing 507bhp.

This colossal powerplant means the current BMW M5 can accelerate from 0-62mph in less than five seconds – making it as quick as a Ferrari 360 – and hit a top speed of more than 200mph.

Jeremy Clarkson raved about the new BMW M5, saying it was “better than a Ferrari F430 – which is about the best thing I’ve ever driven.”

Auto start-stop

V8 muscle cars roaring their engines at the lights will be a thing of the past – thanks to BMW’s auto start-stop technology.

Pull up to the lights, press the clutch pedal, select neutral and BMW’s auto start-stop will turn off the engine.

This means massive reductions in emissions – reducing the car’s overall carbon footprint – increasing the car’s miles per gallon figure, and protects the engine from excessive idling.

Press the clutch again, and the car roars back into life.

View more images of the new BMW 1 Series coupe

Brake energy regeneration

Starting a car uses the battery – once the car is started, its electrics run off the engine’s power, while the battery gets recharged ready for the next start-up.

But recharging the battery saps engine power, using up precious fuel.

BMW has found a way around this with ‘brake energy regeneration’ technology.

This means when a driver applies the brakes in a BMW, or coasts along without pressing the accelerator, the normally wasted energy is recycled and used to recharge the battery.

This means the engine doesn’t have to work as hard – saving fuel and lowering emissions.

View more images of your most searched for car - the BMW 3 Series

BMW Hydrogen 7

It’s a 6-litre V12-engined BMW with 260bhp – and zero emissions.

The world’s first hydrogen-fuelled production ready car, the BMW Hydrogen 7 is BMW’s idea for the future.

BMW says it wants to spend money on improving existing technologies which make massive efficiency gains, such as auto start-stop and brake energy regeneration. But the Hydrogen 7 Series is an engineering study detailing the company’s vision of the future.

The car uses the same 6-litre V12 engine as the range-topping BMW 760i, but has been tuned to run on liquid hydrogen, and comes with an 8kg hydrogen tank in the rear, with a range of 125 emission-free miles.

And this big-hearted Beemer can still sprint from 0-62mph in less than ten seconds.

Read our car review of the BMW 7 Series

World’s lightest six-cylinder engine

The BMW 6 Series is a properly modern BMW – swooping lines, designer Chris Bangle’s notorious ‘flame-surfacing’ details, and a host of the finest engines in the world.

And the rakish BMW 6 Series was the first Beemer to feature one particular groundbreaker – the world’s lightest six-cylinder engine.

The 3-litre petrol engine first showcased in the BMW 630i produces 260bhp – almost matching the BMW M3 built between 1992 and 1995 – and 220lb/ft of pulling power.

The featherweight 3-litre six pulls the BMW 630i from 0-62mph in just 6.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 155mph.

BMW has utilised a host of lightweight materials to make the 3-litre six, including magnesium and aluminium, meaning the coupe can achieve 31.4mpg on the combined cycle, and still maintain all the smoothness of a straight-six powerplant.

And the German giant has introduced the use of lightweight materials throughout their models, including a carbon fibre roof for the BMW M3 coupe and M3 saloon.

Most economical BMW 6 Series ever

BMW is holding its EfficientDynamics open weekend from 31 May to 1 June – bring your car along to BMW for a free efficiency check.

For more information, log onto www.bmw.co.uk.

Check out one of BMW's finest - the hardcore BMW Z4 M coupe: