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Michelin “Premium Touch” offers new design look for Pilot Sport 4 S

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At the moment, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tire is one of the most popular performance tires on the market, if not the very most popular. It’s combination of impressive dry performance, wet performance and braking distances make it the idea tire for any customer with a high-end performance car. Basically, if you want your sports car to drive as well as it possibly can, fit a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires. But don’t just assume this is some marketing campaign for us. Just look at the OE tire manufacturer for most performance cars…

Now, though, Michelin is offering a new limited edition program for its PS4S tire, for customer who want a special look for their special car. The French brand’s new “Premium Touch” adds a new aesthetic to the already impressive tire that finishes off the look of a high-end sports car.

This limited edition “Premium Touch” brings about a laser-etched checkered flag design into the entire sidewall of the tire. The checkered flag design is meant to evoke the spirit of motorsport.

The process in which Michelin creates this effect with cutting-edge laser technology and the contrast between the dark and light checkers is created using light-absorbing micro-technology. So half of the checkers absorb more light than the other half, giving it the contrast checkered look that’s desired.

While the difference between the standard Michelin PS4S tire and the “Premium Touch” version isn’t that significant. Though, if you’re trying to really enhance the aesthetic of your car and are buying new wheels, lowering it and maybe even wrapping it, a differently designed tire could go a long way to completing the look.

Physically, the two versions of the tire are identical. So the difference in design makes no difference in actual performance whatsoever. In fact, Michelin even says you can mix and match standard PS4S tires and the Premium Touch variants on your car. While it doesn’t recommend that, as it would look weird, it’s technically possible without any physical repercussions, as they’re technologically the same tire. Also, they can be washed just as any other tire with no issues. Though, Michelin claims that tire shine is unnecessary, as they already provide an enhanced look.

Supply of these checkered Michelins will be limited, so if you want them, you have to hurry up. They will be offered in two different sizes: 255/35 ZR 19 (96Y) and 235/35 ZR 19 (91Y). If you want them, you can only get them through limited distributors, such as TireRack (US), Allopneus (France) and BlackCircles (UK). Prices will be set by each distributor, so we have no official word on how much they will cost.

The article Michelin “Premium Touch” offers new design look for Pilot Sport 4 S appeared first on BMW BLOG


DTM 2017: Glock and Spengler finish second and third in Hungary for BMW DTM

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Timo Glock (GER) and Bruno Spengler (CAN) finished second and third in Saturday’s turbulent race at the Hungaroring (HUN) after a strong catch-up race, which saw them claim the third and fourth podiums of the season for BMW Motorsport. Both drivers benefitted from a daring strategy with early pit stops, which paid off after a safety car phase. Marco Wittmann (GER) in ninth also finished in the points. A collision forced Maxime Martin (BEL) and Tom Blomqvist (GBR) to retire. Augusto Farfus (BRA) was in fifth place when he was hit by a rival and the resulting spin saw him drop right down the field.

 

Qualifying:
Augusto Farfus in the Shell BMW M4 DTM achieved his best qualifying result of the season and started the race as the best-placed BMW driver in sixth on the grid. His personal fastest lap time was 1:32.275 minutes. Tom Blomqvist in the BMW Driving Experience M4 DTM in tenth place also made it into the top ten. Maxime Martin (SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM), Timo Glock (DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM), Marco Wittmann (Red Bull BMW M4 DTM) and Bruno Spengler (BMW Bank M4 DTM) followed in positions 12, 14, 15 and 17.

The race:

Augusto Farfus got off to a good start from sixth on the grid and moved up a place. In turn two, Maxime Martin collided with Tom Blomqvist. Blomqvist span and dropped down the field. Martin’s race came to an end a few laps later. His SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM suffered damage in the collision at the start. Martin’s retirement brought about a safety car phase. Spengler and Glock decided to pit early and this daring strategy saw them gradually move up from the back of the field after the restart to finish on the podium. In contrast, Farfus was extremely unlucky when he was hit by a rival and span when the race was restarted on lap 11. This saw him drop right down the field. On lap 27, Blomqvist was forced to return his car that was damaged in the collision at the start to the pit and end his race early. On the final laps, Spengler emerged victorious in the hard but fair duel with Mike Rockenfeller (GER, Audi) for the podium. Marco Wittmann in ninth also finished in the points. The win went to Paul di Resta (GBR, Mercedes).

 

The reactions: 

BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt: “Two podiums in these circumstances is an incredible result. We decided on an early pit stop strategy for Timo Glock and Bruno Spengler. Initially it looked like it would be an incredibly difficult race for us after the incident with Maxime Martin and Tom Blomqvist. But then we were lucky with the safety car phase, which ultimately saw Timo and Bruno’s daring strategy pay off. Congratulations to both drivers and the teams on a fantastic performance. We’re happy with these points, even though we know that we have work to do tomorrow in terms of our performance in qualifying and consistency in the race. I feel incredibly sorry for Augusto Farfus, who was doing well in the race, but was hit hard and turned round by a rival. Congratulations to Mercedes and Paul di Resta on the win.”

Stefan Reinhold (team principal, BMW Team RMG): “The strategist was in the car today. Timo was unable to pass Di Resta, so he made the right decision to pit. It showed just how much experience he has. The stop went well and the safety car that followed saved our race. Maybe we could have brought Marco in even earlier, but that’s motorsport for you, it isn’t a lottery.”

 Marco Wittmann (#11, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM – Grid position: 15th, race result: 9th place – 61 races, 8 wins, 16 podiums, 8 pole positions, 543 points, 2 Drivers’ titles): “Overall the race went well. I made up six places and picked up two points. On the other hand, with a little more luck, we might have been able to get a little more out of it, as we saw with Timo and Bruno. I stayed out a little too long and then the safety car was brought out, but all in all I am happy with the two points.”

Augusto Farfus (#15, Shell BMW M4 DTM – Grid position: 6th, race result: 12th place – 71 races, 4 wins, 12 podiums, 5 pole positions, 345 points): “The weekend got off to a great start. Then came the safety car and I was spun round on the restart. Overall, we had a good pace in the race and the car performed well. It could have been a good race, which makes us hopeful for tomorrow. I just need to look ahead now.”

Timo Glock (#16, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM – Grid position: 14th, race result: 2nd place – 61 races, 3 wins, 7 podiums, 2 pole positions, 256 points): “We didn’t expect to move up from 14th on the grid into second place today. No doubt it would have been difficult in normal circumstances. I wasn’t able to pass Marco at the start. I knew I was able to keep up with the pace, which is why I decided to stop. I didn’t have anything to lose. I was fortunate that the safety car came out two laps later and then, when it became clear that only Paul, Bruno and I had stopped, it seemed likely that I could be in with the chance of a podium. I am really happy with second place, but we are well aware that we need to improve in terms of speed in the second race.”

Bart Mampaey (team principal, BMW Team RBM): “Regarding Bruno, I think that the car had more potential in qualifying than we showed. Our strategy in the race was just right. Bruno did a fantastic job and defended extremely well against Rockenfeller. I am delighted for the entire team. There were incidents with the other two cars, which we will look at again in more detail later so that we can fight back tomorrow. We were able to pick up valuable points today with the one car. We want to improve on that tomorrow.”

Bruno Spengler (#7, BMW Bank BMW M4 DTM – Grid position: 17th, race result: 3rd place – 144 races, 14 wins, 46 podiums, 17 pole positions, 775 points, 1 Drivers’ title): “That was a tough race, in which we were also a bit lucky. But we had a great strategy. It was a fantastic performance from my team, taking the risk of stopping a second time in the safety car phase. But it was necessary since I had stopped on the very first lap and it would have been very difficult to finish the race without stopping. A big thank you to the team for their courage and the good pit stops. It was very difficult to defend against Mike Rockenfeller at the end. He put me under a lot of pressure, but I gave it my all to bring home the podium for the entire team.”

Tom Blomqvist (#31, BMW Driving Experience M4 DTM – Grid position: 10th, race result: retired – 41 races, 1 win, 5 podiums, 1 pole position, 174 points): “I was hit immediately after the start and dropped right down the field, that was the end of my race. I’m very disappointed that it happened to me yet again. I have been turned three times in the five races of the season so far. I returned to the pit since there was no point in me carrying on with the race. The car was badly damaged and didn’t have any handling left.”

Maxime Martin (#36, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM – Grid position: 12th, race result: retired – 51 races, 2 wins, 6 podiums, 2 pole positions, 248 points): “I made contact with Tom in turn two, which was my fault. The front of the car was damaged as a result. It was probably this damage that led to my brakes blocking later on. After that, I was unable to keep going. It’s a real shame, but it was my error.

The standings:

Drivers: 1. Lucas Auer (69 points), 2. Jamie Green (61), 3. Mike Rockenfeller (53), 4. Gary Paffett (50), 5. Timo Glock (43), 6. Mattias Ekström (43), 7. René Rast (42), 8. Robert Wickens (38), 9. Paul di Resta (37), 10. Marco Wittmann (20), 11. Edoardo Mortara (20), 12. Nico Müller (20), 13. Bruno Spengler (17), 14. Maxime Martin (17), 15. Maro Engel (3), 16. Tom Blomqvist (2), 17. Augusto Farfus (0), 18. Loic Duval (0).

 

Teams: 1. Audi Sport Team Rosberg (103 points), 2. Mercedes-AMG Motorsport BWT (89), 3. Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Mercedes me (88), 4. Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline (63), 5. Audi Sport Team Phoenix (53), 6. BMW Team RMR (45), 7. Mercedes-AMG Motorsport SILBERPFEIL Energy (40), 8. BMW Team RBM (34), 9. BMW Team RMG (20).

 

Manufacturers: 1. Audi (219 points), 2. Mercedes (217), 3. BMW (99).

The article DTM 2017: Glock and Spengler finish second and third in Hungary for BMW DTM appeared first on BMW BLOG

Video: Recycled E39 5 Series EV beats Tesla Model S P100D’s range

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The king of electric car range at the moment is the Tesla Model S. the Model S 100D has more range than any other electric car, with a max battery range of 335 miles. While the P100D model, the performance variant, has slightly less, at 315 miles, it’s still second to only its sibling. So when someone claims they can beat that range with a junkyard electric car with a battery pack made from recycled materials, most EV fans roll their eyes. Except that’s exactly what happened here with a junkyard BMW E39 5 Series.

Eric Lundgren recently created his own EV out of a scrapped E39 5 Series. Rather than an engine under the hood, there’s actually a massive pack of recycled batteries. Those batteries were previously used and Lundgren has recycled them in a way to give them new life. We’re not sure of his process, but it seems to be working.

 

He then stripped out the entire interior of the car and made it into a hyper-mile champion. So he wanted to see just how far it could go on one charge and compare it against one of the absolute furthest traveling EVs ever made — the Model S P100D.

 

So on this trip, the charged both cars up to max at the same charging station and set off on the same roads at the same speeds in the same conditions, to see which cars drove furthest. When the Tesla finally ran out of juice, it had done 315.7 miles, so basically exactly its estimated max range, which is really impressive. However, the recycled E39 5 Series EV still had more juice in its “tank”. A lot more.

In fact, it actually ended up doing about 67 more miles than the Tesla, with a total single-charge range of 382 miles. That’s wildly impressive and more than any stock EV on the market could possibly dream of.

Now, it’s important to recognize the point of this test. The idea was to see how far recycled batteries could go and how viable of an option they are. Not to see if they could build a Tesla-beating car. The E39 5 Series EV was completely stripped out, significantly lighter and lacking any modern navigation or technology. So it had a significant advantage. If you were to strip the Tesla of its weight, it would go significantly further as well. But that’s not the point. The point was to show off the capability of recycled batteries and it’s quite impressive, actually. But we’re just gonna chalk the victory up to the fact that it was an E39 5 Series. Duh.

The article Video: Recycled E39 5 Series EV beats Tesla Model S P100D’s range appeared first on BMW BLOG

Porsche wins 24 Hours of Le Mans for third straight year

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For most of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Porsche and Toyota were dueling blows, both being the two largest favorites to win, especially after last year’s thrilling finish. However, both Porsche and Toyota suffered issues throughout the race, allowing team Oreca to take the lead ahead of the two favorites. In the end, though, it was Porsche that took the final victory, with both Oreca cars taking second and third place. Though, the race’s finish was more exciting than just that.

Toyota had actually been the favorite to win, thanks to its former F1 driver, Kamui Kobayashi, breaking the lap record in qualifying. While Kobayashi was leading into the night, though, troubles would come, as his car started to experience gearbox failure and had to retire. Then, the other Toyota No. 9 car blew a rear tire, followed with flames shooting from the car. So it, too, was forced to retire. After that, Porsche easily retook the lead.

That lead wouldn’t last very long, as the leading Porsche No. 1 car lost oil pressure with only four hours to go and was forced to retire. This left Oreca in the lead. However, Porsche’s No. 2 car, helmed by German driver Timo Bernhard, caught up at rapid pace, being almost 15 seconds faster per lap, and eventually took the lead.

While Oreca’s Tung Ho-Pin put up a valiant fight against Bernhard, it was the German who eventually took the win, though a close one, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. “Well done, everybody,” said Bernhard over the radio. “You’re the best.” “It was unreal. This race is always a roller coaster,” said  teammate Brendon Hartley, marking his first win at Le Mans. “It was an incredible team effort. I’m going to remember this forever.”

Congrats to Porsche on their third consecutive win at Le Mans, one of the most difficult endurance races in the world. Winning once is a great accomplishment, winning three times in a row is epic. Especially with how good the competition has been, most notably Toyota.

Also, congratulations to Michelin, who is the tire supplier for the Porsche Le Mans team and has now gotten their 20th consecutive victory at the iconic race.

The article Porsche wins 24 Hours of Le Mans for third straight year appeared first on BMW BLOG

For Sale: This 1971 BMW 2002tii Touring is the stuff of BMW dreams

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Ask almost any BMW enthusiast which car birthed the Ultimate Driving Machine and the answer will almost unanimously with the BMW 2002. It’s the car that put the Bavarian brand on the map as making some of the best driving machines in the world, especially in America. However, there’s one model that stands out among the 2002s that enthusiast drool over — the BMW 2002tii Touring.

Not many Touring models, the hatchback models, were brought to the US market. Of course, Americans weren’t fond of hatches or wagons even back then. So the BMW 2002 Touring is a rare car on this side of the Atlantic. But the best version of the car was the 2002tii Touring, which came with a fuel injected version of the 2.0 liter M10 four-cylinder engine. It made about 130 hp and came with a four-speed manual as-standard.

This specific car is a 1971 model and has had its engine replaced with a not numbers-matching but identical M10 engine and Kugelfischer fuel injection. It’s also received a few modifications but nothing to take away from the beauty of the car itself.

The standard four-speed manual was replaced with a five-speed from an E21 3 Series. The suspension is Bilstein rather than stock and it has a leather-wrapped Petri steering wheel. However, it all looks brilliant and drives a bit better than it originally did.

This owner claims it to be in very good condition, but notes that it isn’t perfect. There are a few dings and scratches here and there but they’re minor and the car is said to be in sound mechanical condition. Its factory Colorado Orange paint was resprayed a few years ago but the paint in the engine bay and door jams are said to be original. Either way, it looks quite good.

Now, it’s not the cheapest car in the world, considering its age and the fact that it isn’t perfect, nor completely original. At the time of this article, the car is listed at $15,250 but there are still three days left on the auction, so it could go up. While that’s not cheap for a 2002, as they can be had for seemingly nothing if you look hard enough, this model is one of the rarer models BMW ever made at the time, came with the best engine and has some upgrades. For a BMW enthusiast who wants a classic to drive, rather than collect in a garage, this car could be perfect.

[Source: Bring-A-Trailer]

The article For Sale: This 1971 BMW 2002tii Touring is the stuff of BMW dreams appeared first on BMW BLOG

BMW provides the official fleet of cars at 24 Hrs Of Le Mans

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BMW is preparing its return to the legendary 24 Hrs of Le Mans in 2018 with a series of safety cars which led the track parade this year. The BMW M2 Safety Car came only briefly during the course of the race, which was marked by an incredible turn of events in the LMP1 and GTE Pro category.

Toyota was once again out of luck and, despite a strong performance in qualifying, had to leave France again without a reward. Porsche won the victory with the 919 Hybrid, which already celebrates its third victory in a row and again benefited from problems with the competition’s cars. In the GTE Pro, Aston Martin was able to win against Corvette in a gripping final lap. Starting in 2018, the BMW M8 GTE will also have a word for the win.

The fleet of safety cars consisted of a total of 26 high-performance cars, from safety cars, medical car and extrication cars, to emergency cars for track officials.

In addition to the BMW M2 Safety Car, various BMW X5 M, BMW M3 and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe were also used for other racing tasks. The BMW M models were used, among other things, as a track car and a medical car to support the 24-hour race of Le Mans 2017.

[Source: Bimmertoday]

The article BMW provides the official fleet of cars at 24 Hrs Of Le Mans appeared first on BMW BLOG

BMW X3 M40i will be the top model of the X3 lineup

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As we’ve mentioned before, and now confirmed by new sources, the top of the line model in the new X3 family will be the first X3 M Performance Automobile – the X3 M40i. Following the foot steps of the X4 M40i, the high-performance X3 will cater to those customers who are looking for more than versatility in their midsize SUV.

The sporty character of the X3 M40i is underlined by the six-cylinder 3.0 liter TwinPower turbocharged engine that’s found in the X4 M40i, producing around 360 horsepower and 370 lb-ft of torque. The final sprint numbers are not known, but we expect a standard sprint of 4.7 – 4.9 seconds. The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with Launch Control. Top speed is 155 mph.

The typical M elements are there as well, like M Sport Brakes, tuned M suspension, M exhaust system, and a M interior bits that make the new X3 even more special.

BMW is set to release the new X3 within the next few days.

The article BMW X3 M40i will be the top model of the X3 lineup appeared first on BMW BLOG

Auto supplier Magna to manufacture BMW 5-series plug-in hybrids

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Auto supplier Magna International Inc was awarded a new contract by BMW to produce the all-new BMW 5 Series hybrid at its plant in Austria.

The BMW 530 plug-in hybrid will be manufactured beginning this summer at Magna’s plant in Graz, Austria, where it already plans to produce Jaguar’s I-PACE SUV beginning in early 2018.

Magna is North America’s largest automotive supplier and ranks third globally. The company’s Austria plant is capable of producing about 200,000 vehicles annually.

Earlier this year, the BMW G30 5 Series has found a new home at in Graz, because the Dingolfing factory alone cannot handle the volume needed for the new business athlete. The production in Graz officially started on March 1, 2017 and now it’s adding the hybrid model as well.

After the first X3 generation and the MINI Countryman and Paceman, the BMW 5 Series G30 is already the fourth BMW Group to be built by Magna Steyr in Graz. Since 2003, the Austrians have already built more than 1.2 million vehicles for BMW.

Swamy Kotagiri, the company’s chief technology officer, sees electric hybrid vehicle manufacturing as a near-term opportunity for the company, according to Reuters, considering the fact that by 2025 as much as 50% of all vehicles produced are expected to have some sort of electric element.

[Source: Reuters]

The article Auto supplier Magna to manufacture BMW 5-series plug-in hybrids appeared first on BMW BLOG


Video: Lexus RC-F Takes on BMW M4 on the Drag Strip

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The typical German rivalry between BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz usually makes us forget about the fact that other manufacturers from other parts of the world are aiming at taking a bite out of the markets they typically dominate. For example, Lexus has been trying for a while to get into the German party, but with limited success so far. When it comes to the segment where the BMW M4 sets the benchmark, Lexus has its own RC-F model to attract new customers.

And while the RC-F’s numbers might not be all that impressive at first, we do appreciate the fact that Lexus had the courage to keep it naturally aspirated in these forced-induction dominated times. Under the hood of the Japanese car you’ll find a heavy 5-liter V8 massaged to make 467 HP and 530 Nm a(391 lb-ft) of torque. And while the HP figure tops the one of the M4 you’ll notice that the torque number is slightly lower.

At the same time, the RC-F is considerably heavier, tipping the scales at 1,840 kg, a couple hundred kilos more than what an M4 is claimed to weigh. Furthermore, it uses a conventional 8-speed gearbox to shift gears, which is slower than the ultra-fast 7-speed DCT unit installed on the BMW. Even with less power at 431 PS, the German will probably dominate the Japanese, thanks to its lower weight and superior torque.

That’s even more evident as we take a look at the spec sheet as the RC-F is quoted to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) from standstill in 4.4 seconds while the BMW M4 does the same sprint some 0.1 or 0.2 seconds faster. That’s if you manage to keep its rear wheels in check, as the torque can easily overwhelm them, especially when launching. Luckily for both of these RWD cars, the drag race is done from a rolling start so that all the drama can be avoided.

The article Video: Lexus RC-F Takes on BMW M4 on the Drag Strip appeared first on BMW BLOG

Video: All You Need to Know about the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo

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Last week, BMW took the veils off the new 6 Series Gran Turismo, the replacement of the controversial 5 Series GT. The new GT runs on a 5 series platform while the other 6ers still available for sale – the Convertible and Gran Coupe – are using the heavier and larger F12 platform. 

In order to shed some light onto the 6 Series GT, BMW put together a short video walking us through everything we need to know about it. The 6 Series GT is, without a doubt, a proper successor for the 5 Series GT, a car that has been, many times, equally loved and hated. 

The Gran Turismo models really have a purpose to serve as they offer a convincing package. On one hand you get all the space you could possibly need both in the back seat and in the boot, while on the other hand, you don’t have to buy an SUV. Yes, this is, if you will, an SUV riding on a 5 Series chassis. Furthermore, the GT is set up to be as comfortable as possible and in that regard, we expect that successfully challenge even the 7 Series to a duel.

Chip in the exclusive features it brings to the table and the lower price tag compared to the flagship 7er, and the 6 GT becomes a tempting proposal, as long as you can look past its design. And that’s something people who prefer function over form will easily do. Truth be told, it does look a hell of a lot better than the original 5 Series GT. For more details, check out the video posted below.

The article Video: All You Need to Know about the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo appeared first on BMW BLOG

BMW M6 Gran Turismo Definitely Looks the Part in New Rendering

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The BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo is now out in the open and deliveries are expected to kick off this fall. Having grown considerably in size compared to the 5 Series GT, BMW avoids calling the new 6er its successor, but we all know what it truly is. But just as it was the case with the original BMW Gran Turismo, the new car will not get an M version. The reasons are quite simple and they do revolve around the car’s weight as well as it structural rigidity. And its very small market of customers. 

When the 4 Series Gran Coupe was unveiled, we faced the same questions, a lot of people wondering whether BMW will actually offer the beautiful four-door coupe in M guise. The answer was a definitive ‘No’ and the reason offered was centered on the structural rigidity of the car. While frameless windows like the ones found on the 4 GC or the new 6 GT are beautiful to look at, they are neither practical or particularly strong.

Using frameless windows reduces the body’s rigidity and on a BMW M car, that’s definitely an issue. But that didn’t stop the guys from X-Tomi design to put together a rendering of what a possible M6 GT could look like. Using a front bumper borrowed from the M4, along with new kidney grilles and a new roof, this rendering is actually quite pleasing to the eye. Sure, the fact that the CFRP roof seems to be sporting a sunroof doesn’t really make sense, but then again, this is just an imagination exercise.

Going along with it, we would assume that the car we’re looking at here has all-wheel drive and a 4.4-liter twin turbo V8 making 600 HP, numbers good enough to send it to 100 km/h in under 4 seconds, even with all that extra weight on. Come to think of it, this may actually find a couple of buyers too, if the Germans decided to make, it but we’re pretty sure that’s not going to happen. 

The article BMW M6 Gran Turismo Definitely Looks the Part in New Rendering appeared first on BMW BLOG

Video: Putting MINI’s Trademark Go-Kart Feel to the Test against a Kart

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MINI has been claiming for a while now that their cars are special because of how they make you feel. The original was so small that it could’ve been compared to a go-kart and that’s why a lot of people have been saying that driving a Cooper S model does resemble driving a kart on public roads. But how does a modern-day model stack up in such a comparison? How does a bigger, heavier MINI compare when pitted against a proper kart? The guys from Car Advice set out to find out.

They brought a 2017 MINI 3-door Cooper S to the track alongside a CRG Gemstar kart that is the real deal as far as karts go. Truth be told, the comparison isn’t exactly fair as the CRG Gemstar is a proper race kart, with 24 HP and a top speed of 100 km/h (62 mph), a proper rocket on wheels if you wheel, considering its weight. On the other hand, we’re not even dealing with a JCW MINI here so things could’ve been different.

The reason why the original MINI was compared to a kart was that the creation of Sir Alec Issigonis positioned the wheels as far out towards the corner of the vehicle as possible and used rigid rubber cones instead of springs in the suspension. Those little changes made it more stable and ride a bit harsher than anything else on the market back then and that’s how the comparison popped up. MINI never complained and actually embraced this name-calling strategy, embedding it into its marketing efforts later down the line.

And while all new MINI cars are still fun to drive, they are less special than the original, falling more into conformism. Either way the video posted here does show a Cooper S going at it against a race kart. The fact that the car is going at it on a go-kart track is not exactly what you’d call fair but the guys did try to be as impartial as possible and even set two lap times using the same driver, to see which is faster: car or kart. Who won? Well, we’ll let you find out by watching the video.

The article Video: Putting MINI’s Trademark Go-Kart Feel to the Test against a Kart appeared first on BMW BLOG

2017 BMW Motorrad Days Happening Soon

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BMW Motorrad is holding what it refers to as “the world’s biggest BMW Motorrad meeting,” this coming July. This year marks the 17th year the event has been held, and with the recent growth of the brand’s lineup, this year’s event will arguably have the broadest appeal. The three day event, being held July 7th through the 9th, will be packed with entertainment and activities to celebrate the Bavarian motorcycle brand. Too, admission will be free of charge.

Appropriately, the celebration will occur in BMW’s home state of Bavaria, more specifically in the resort town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, not far from the Zugspitze, which is the highest mountain in Germany. The idyllic landscape will perfectly compliment test riding a wide variety of BMW Motorrad’s current offerings.

This year, for the first time ever, four BMW R25s will seemingly defy gravity within the world’s oldest Motodrome. Additionally, there will be a drift show, where bikes and professional stunt riders will be performing at their very limits. If the danger of the Motodrome or the drift show aren’t appealing to you, there will also be a “Custom Village,” where highly customized, unique creations will be paired with live music.

At the base of Hausberg mountain, BMW will offer the experience to truly test the brand’s long lauded GS models on the “Enduro Track.” Open to both novices and advanced off-road riders, professional instructors will be on hand to guide riders through the thrilling course. Off-road riding isn’t really your scene? No worries! There will be a large motorshow and exhibition area where exclusive machinery, like the new and highly anticipated HP4 Race, will be displayed. Excitingly, BMW has said that there will be “further surprises,” suggesting something entirely new will be previewed to attendees. Also, there will be vendors with various accessories.

For those true enthusiasts, they’ll be elated by the opportunity to chat with top engineers, developers and test riders from the manufacturer. In the BMW Cinema, live music and partying can be enjoyed, as well as in the beer garden. Again, BMW has suggested that “a new motorcycle” may be breaking cover at the event, but one lucky attendee will actually win a new BMW motorcycle.

Don’t worry about the kids, as they’ll have a great time in “Kinderland,” where there will even be a kids track. It surely sounds like a great time, particularly to those of us whom are enthusiastic about the BMW Motorrad brand. If you wish to participate in the test riding whilst attending, pre-registration is recommended. You can visit BMW-Motorrad.com/MotorradDays to register and to receive more information.

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BMW X7 continues its runs at the Nurburgring

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Summer is finally here and most of BMW’s prototypes are now running at full speed on the legendary Nurburgring race track to test the components of the final product. One of those models spotted this week in the city of Nurburg is BMW’s largest SUV to date, the X7.

Packing three full rows, the BMW X7 will also be the brand’s first true seven-seater. It will also have comparable luxury to the Range Rover and will even have trim levels that challenge the ‘Rover’s Autobiography line. So not only will it be the largest vehicle ever made by BMW but it should also be the most luxurious.

The seven-seat X7 is being developed with the US and Chinese markets in mind, but was confirmed for UK sales by BMW head of sales and marketing Ian Robertson last year. BMW wants the X7 to be the brand’s flagship luxury vehicle and offer luxury levels above even the 7 Series sedan.

Based on this video and others, we can tell that it will be sharing a lot of its styling with its smaller sibling, the X5. However, it’s noticeably longer and has more of a rear greenhouse than the X5. We can also spot rectangular exhaust tips, which seem quite wide and could signal a more powerful engine in this particular car.

Other than that, this BMW X7 just looks big. It looks as massive as the big-daddy Range Rover and that’s something that BMW honestly needs.

BMW plans to unveil their largest SUV to date – the X7– in a concept form at the upcoming 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show.

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New BMW X3 shows up in prototype form one more time before the unveil

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In just a few days, BMW will delight us with what we believe it will be their best looking SUV to date. In all the spy photos we’ve seen so far, the G01 X3 has been offering a quick glance on what its final design might be, along with its proportions. So the test mule we have here today is likely the last one we will see before the unveil and once again, it gives us hope.

This is the base X3 with round exhaust tips  and sliding front brake calipers; color is Mineral Silver Metallic and sporty wheels.

The G01 X3 will maintain its compact proportions and stocky look, which will clearly differentiate it from the rest of X family. The front design was adjusted due to the new pedestrian safety regulations and now sits a little more upright than the outgoing model and employs a massive kidney grille. The rear quarter features a slightly lower roofline than the current model and a one-piece tailgate. Just like most of new BMWs, the headlights now end in the outer edge of the grille, for that focused and slim look.

Underpinning it is the rear-wheel-drive-based CLAR platform that debuted in the new 7 Series, although the X3 doesn’t benefit from the “carbon core” technology of the BMW flagship. Nevertheless, it should still be significantly lighter than its predecessor. The new BMW X3 will also be longer, wider and roomier on the inside, compared to the current model.

A second prototype was also spotted, this time covered by a tarp and likely heading for a VIP reveal behind closed doors.

The top of the line model in the new X3 family will be the first X3 M Performance Automobile – the X3 M40i. Following the foot steps of the X4 M40i, the high-performance X3 will cater to those customers who are looking for more than versatility in their midsize SUV.

The sporty character of the X3 M40i is underlined by the six-cylinder 3.0 liter TwinPower turbocharged engine that’s found in the X4 M40i, producing around 360 horsepower and 370 lb-ft of torque.

Stay tuned for more information and official photos in the upcoming days!

[Photos: Palbay]

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What would the original BMW Z3 Coupe look like with today’s design language?

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While an incredible driving car, the BMW Z3 Coupe was not a very good looking car. And that’s being polite. It was a funky looking little car that got the nickname of “Clownshoe”, due to its odd proportions. Despite that, though, it’s become a favorite among BMW enthusiasts and fans. Its sharp dynamics, exciting engine and rarity have given it icon status among the Bavarian faithful. And in the spirit of Hollywood, remaking everything rather than coming up with new ideas, what would the BMW Z3 Coupe look like if it were recreated with today’s BMW design language.

Finnish designer Esa Mustonen  recently created some renderings of a modern Z3 Coupe using the design language from modern BMW concepts, like the new 8 Series. It features similar features to the 8 Series Coupe, such as the air breather vent and shoulder line. However, it’s body shape is clearly different.

Is it weird that I like it? Admittedly, it looks more like a Ferrari FF than a BMW Z3 Coupe, as it’s basically just a shooting brake with BMW 8 Series design language. However, that’s quite cool looking and seems like it would be a fun car. It’s also quite a bit bigger than the original Z3 Coupe, or at least it looks it. So it’s more of a GT car, like the Ferrari, rather than a tiny little coupe. The original car’s size and the fact that it started out life as a convertible with a strange roof stuck on are what made it so funky looking. This was designed from the ground up as it is. So it looks more streamlined and much prettier.

I have to say, though, it would be interesting if BMW made something like this. The brand is clearly not afraid to make strange looking vehicles, as the new 6 Series Gran Turismo is proof of that. So why not make a small, exciting shooting brake based on the upcoming Z4 Coupe? Would it sell well? Of course not. But it’d be fun.

[Source: BimmerToday]

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VIDEO: Jethro Bovingtons drives the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in the new BMW M4 GT4

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BMW is still working on some of the final calibration bits of the new M4 GT4 racing car before it goes on sale to customer racing teams next year. However, the best way to figure out how good the car is, and what sort of tweaks it needs, is to race it. So that’s exactly what BMW did at the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring. Jethro Bovington of Drive Tribe was one of the drivers on hand for the 24 grueling hours and finished the race alive, all in the brand new BMW M4 GT4. What a day that must have been.

In this video, we get a brilliant look at just how hectic, frightening and exhausting this race is. It’s one of the greatest races in the world and one of the absolute most punishing. Not only is it a 24 hour race but it’s done on a longer version of the most difficult track in the world. So it’s about 15 miles of brutal, battering tarmac for each and every lap. For 24 hours…

At the beginning of the race, the brand-new BMW M4 GT4 looks shiny and expensive, the sort of stuff BMW’s M Division probably worked very long and hard on and on which it spent many moneys. It’s an exciting moment for everyone involved. This is the M4 GT4’s inaugural race and no one really knows how it’s going to perform over that period of time, under that work load. It’s exciting for the entire team and Bovington just seems hopeful to finish. It’s certainly an intimidating race without the weight of testing a brand-new and very expensive car for the first time.

During his first stint, Bovington does well and seems to like the car. He isn’t a huge fan of the M Dynamic traction control system, which he claims to intervene too much, but that’s exactly the sort of thing BMW is looking to find out so that it can be changed. Also, the car seems to absolutely chew through brakes at a rate that’s odd even for this kind of beating. But aside from that, his first impressions are good.

As the hours tick by and the day becomes night which then starts to become morning, he starts to really appreciate the car, its grip and its balance. It’s also fast, fast enough to keep up with some of the best cars there. It isn’t without issue, though. The gearbox had some issues during one of the later stints and, when loaded up on the right side, it was munching tires. However, BMW M is probably happy these things are being learned now so they can be fixed.

The BMW M4 GT4 ends up first in its class, thanks to Bovington and all of the drivers on the team, which is an incredible accomplishment. He was the last one in the car and that must have felt incredibly special. After the race, the car doesn’t look shiny and pretty anymore. It’s beaten, battered and scarred. There are bits of bumper and fender that were held on by duct-tape following some big tire blowouts, one Kidney Grille is held on by zip-ties and it was absolutely filthy. But it looks cool that way, arguably better than it did before. It had accomplished something, it finished the absolutely grueling 24 Hours of the Nurburgring and survived. Sure, it’s got battle scars but those are earned. They way Bovington talks about the race at the end, you get the impression the car looked how he felt. I bet that beer tasted good afterward.

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VIDEO: G20 BMW 3 Series caught testing at the ‘Ring

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Of all the 3 Series in BMW’s history, the current-gen F30 is probably the least-loved. While the 5 Series’ generations are debatable, it’s pretty commonly felt that the newest 3 Series is the worst 3 Series. Not that it’s a bad car, because it isn’t at all, but it just has a hard time stacking up against its predecessors, all of which were transcendentally good. So BMW has a lot of work to do for its upcoming G20-generation 3 Series if it wants to bring the nameplate back into good graces with fans. Fortunately, it’s off to a good start and we get to see it taking some laps around the Nurburgring wearing full camouflage.

The new G20 3 Series will be significantly lighter than the previous car, it will be stiffer and should be much improved, dynamically. While the current G30 5 Series has been criticized by some for being a bit numb, it’s far improved, dynamically, over the previous F10-generation car. So we’re assuming BMW has taken the same basic approach to the 3 Series — lighten it, stiffen it and sharpen it up.

In this new spy video, we see the new 3 Series taking to the ‘Ring, proving that BMW cares about how well it handles at the limit. There’s not much we can discern from this video about the new 3er but we can take some shots at it.

Judging by the lack of sound and the fact that it has dual circular exhausts, we’re going to guess that this is the upcoming BMW 330i. It’s pretty quiet, with just a very hushed muted growl every now and again, so we don’t think it’s BMW’s B58 engine. Plus, those dual circular exhausts, one on either side of the rear bumper, have been signifying four-cylinder engines in BMW’s recent models, such as the 5 Series and upcoming X3. However, this car seems to have some sort of sports package, whether it be M Sport or not.

BMW needs this 3er to be a hit, as its current model has received lukewarm reviews throughout its life. Admittedly, that hasn’t really hurt sales, as BMW still sells 3 Series’ by the boatload. Still, though, if the brand wants to keep its “Ultimate Driving Machine” alive, it needs to inject some of that ethos into this new G20.

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Continental joins autonomous driving platform from BMW, Intel and Mobileye

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Continental said on Tuesday it would join a self-driving platform developed by BMW, Intel and Mobileye with the German auto parts and tire maker handling integration of components and software. As a system integrator, Continental aims to play a key role in the industrialization of the platform for other automotive manufacturers and to bring the joint solutions to the market more quickly.

“We can meet the steep demands in autonomous driving through an industry-wide collaboration more comprehensively, rapidly and at lower costs than by going alone,” Chief Executive Elmar Degenhart said in an emailed statement.

The costs to integrate hardware, software and data and the accelerating pace of development of self-driving vehicles has sparked a growing number of alliances between automakers and suppliers.

In July 2016 BMW Group, Intel, and Mobileye announced that they are joining forces to make self-driving vehicles become a reality and are collaborating to bring solutions for highly and fully automated driving into series production by 2021. The Cooperation Partners have since developed a scalable architecture that can be adopted by other automotive developers and carmakers to pursue State-of-the-Art designs and create differentiated brands.

BMW Group, Intel and Mobileye announced in January 2017 that a fleet of approximately 40 autonomous BMW vehicles will be on the roads by the second half of 2017, demonstrating the significant advancements made by the three companies towards fully autonomous driving.

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Vorsteiner Relaeses The BMW M4 GTS-V Rear Wing

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The BMW M4 GTS is the ultimate, street-legal version of the much famed M4 high-performance coupe. The vehicle is powered by a 3.0 Liter BMW TwinPower Turbo engine, which delivers a whopping 493 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of peak torque. The power is harnessed through a 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission with Drivelogic that allows the M4 GTS to roar from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. In a nutshell, the BMW M4 GTS is a race-bred car that utilizes the best from BMW’s engineering and design departments.

The M4 GTS – in its stock form – comes with a massive rear wing which provides great downforce on the track. However, the aftermarket industry is always looking to up it up a notch. This is exactly what happened when Vorsteiner decided to utilize their experience to create a more subtle, albeit gorgeous looking wing for this vehicle.

This Vorsteiner GTS-V rear wing comes with VRS GTS aluminum uprights, a rather unique and supercritical design (something taken from the aviation industry). The wing is made from pre-preg carbon fiber. In turn, this allows the wing to be lightweight, but also rigid. The wing is easily installed in the same OEM wing holes, allowing for a worry-free installation process. Furthermore, this particular M4 GTS features a complete Vorsteiner VRS aero package and their V-FF 106 FlowForged wheels.

The BMW M4 GTS is a highly usable vehicle both on and off the track, giving the owners plenty of excitement. But, would you change anything on this vehicle? Probably not. On the other hand, you gotta hand it to Vorsteiner, their iteration of the M4 GTS does look rather fetching. Take a look at the full media gallery of the Vorsteiner BMW M4 GTS right below.

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