Earlier this year, BMW invited North American media to the Thermal Club for “Test Fest,” a group press drive to test the entire lineup of new BMWs—an array that ranged from the new X2 to the F90 M5. We’ve already shared a number of clips with you, from Bill Auberlen’s impressions on the new M5 to Satch Carlson’s review of the X2, but BMW also brought a range of M Performance Parts vehicles—and today we get to experience Roundel‘s view of that lineup.
BMW’s M Performance Parts department is probably tied with BMW USA Classic for the most fun jobs at BMW of North America. Combine the hours we all spend in BMW’s online configurators with manual transmissions, BMW Individual colors, BMW Motorsport graphics packages, and the most aggressive suspension, exhaust, and drivetrain modifications, and you’ll end up with the range of cars the M Performance division brought to Thermal. And of course, all of this equipment can be included in your BMW purchase or lease and installed at BMW dealers—without voiding the warranty.
In this video, Roundel magazine editor-in-chief Satch Carlson experiences a few of them, including a purple manual M4 convertible—it’s no spoiler to tell you that Carlson seriously loves the car—and of course BMW’s F90 M5 Safety Car (driven as a lead vehicle and camera car by Bill Auberlen at the track). Check it out, and keep your eyes peeled for more Test Fest content on BimmerLife—and a full test-drive review of the X2 in Roundel! (Did Satch like that one enough to make it a cover story? You’ll know when the June issue arrives!)—David Rose
[Video courtesy of Jim Perry and BMW M Performance Parts.]
