Category: BMW

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BMW Motor Shows

BMW previews its Frankfurt Motor Show stand

BMW IAA preview

The i8 hybrid sportscar will be one of the stars on the BMW stand at the Frankfurt Motor Show. And at 11,000m2 it’s going to be some stand!

BMW has set up a dedicated blog to bring us closer to the creation of their mega display, including a number of pictures of the build. Construction of the stand began back in July and has involved over 350 people.

Wolfram Greiner, manager for BMW Group trade fair presentations, tells us more:

After the round track in 2009 and 2011, we decided to take the presentation to a new level with our the concept of “infinite driving pleasure” as a figure 8 or lemniscate. With this track form we create a direct experience of the products on the 70-meter long straight at the visitor’s platform. In doing so, two stages emerge. A large stage for emotional images and the so-called BMW i lounge in which innovations and functions of the BMW i vehicles will be presented in a moderated format. In addition, our new BMW product geniuses are a novel new way to present the vehicles in a completely new way, the focus this time being on our BMW i Series.

[Source: IAA blog]

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BMW Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Reaction to Daniel Ricciardo’s promotion

Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel

After the inevitable became reality we’ve been interested to read the reaction via twitter from others to the confirmation that Daniel Ricciardo will join Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull Racing next year. We thought this photo taken back in 2006 when Daniel was racing in the Formula BMW Asia championship with Sebatsian, then a test driver for BMW Sauber, was a nice match.

The Autosport article “Ten reasons Red Bull signed Ricciardo” is also worth a read (subscription required).

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BMW Toyota

BMW’s plans for the Z1, Z3 and Z5

BMW Z5 rendering

Noted BMW insider and well traveled forum user Scott26 has come to light with some info on Munich’s plans for two-seater sportscars. Scott’s info came in response to feedback from a Z4 owner lamenting the fact there’s been no V8 powered Z4 M on the cards; an E92 M3 in sportscar clothing:

Many within the company wishes for an M Z4 but unfortunately the market is small.

We will shortly be presenting our collaboration with Toyota for a new interpretation of a new highly focused sports car first as a concept. The production car will be called the Z5 which allows us to align a new UKL (FWD) based Z1 with equivalent MINI sports car along with a mid sized Z3 (the name is coming back) which again could be aligned with Toyota. Although for some markets Toyota might use Lexus branding.

The Z5 Roadster will feature exterior and interior design from BMW, as well as BMW engines. Toyota will supply optional hybrid technology and BMW will supply CFRP in its construction. A coupe will follow.

Sounds good to us. Of course, Scott was referring to the formal collaboration signed between BMW and Toyota in January, which stated in part:

The companies agreed to set-up a feasibility study to define a joint platform concept for a mid-size sports vehicle that is to be completed by the end of 2013. The two companies aim to combine each other’s technology and knowledge at a high level to maximise customer satisfaction. Both companies are to share the vision to further collaborate in the field of sports vehicle development.

[Source: F30post]

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BMW

There will be a 6sp manual for the M3/M4 after all

BMW Concept M4

Thankfully, we can strike out yesterday’s article which suggested the forthcoming F80 M3 and F82 M4 would be available exclusively with a 7-speed DCT. Turns out an optional manual gearbox will be available in some markets, as BimmerFile explains:

We typically don’t answer rumors from other sites but today’s M3/M4 rumor on Autoblog was so out of left field and straight-up wrong that we have to mention it. Yes the M3 and M4 will have a six speed manual transmission option for certain markets. We’ve seen it in spy shots as well as VIN data leaked earlier this year.

While we welcome this correction as though our left foot and left hand depended on it, we’re not filled with confidence that the manual box will be available for Australian buyers, based on the lack of manual option for the M5.

[Source: BimmerFile]

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BMW

BMW M235i gets in some tourist laps

BMW 235i

After the success of the M135i we can’t wait for the much better looking, if less practical, M235i. Here you can see the M235i in action at the Ring. One tip for a release of the 2 Series is the Detroit Auto Show in January.

[Source: BimmerFile]

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BMW

No manual gearbox for new BMW M4?

BMW Concept M4

Word on the street is the new F82 BMW M4 will be sold exclusively with a double clutch transmission. That follows the path started by the F10 M5; although, in an odd turn of events, you can buy an M5 with a manual box in North America. Anyway, having no manual in the new M4 should not really be a surprise, but it’s still a shame to see the further demise of one of the simplest ways to involve man and machine.

After the Concept M4 debuted recently you might have thought we’d be seeing the car in Frankfurt next month, perhaps accompanied with more technical info, such as confirmation of the engine configuration. Unfortunately, it looks like we might have to wait until 2015 with reports suggesting the production M4 will debut at January’s Detroit Motor Show.

[Source: Autoblog]

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BMW Drive Thru

Drive Thru: BMW M5

F10 BMW M5

I was recently fortunate enough to be offered an entree sampling of the F10 BMW M5. It’s one of BMW’s most iconic models and I was eager to discover if hype and capability lived in harmonious existence.

Once behind the wheel I was immediately comfortable, the seating position is good and while the seats don’t hug you tight like a racing bucket they’re a pleasing compromise between sport and luxury.

I didn’t really get a chance to go through the many and varied iDrive settings, but if you’re a gadget freak I reckon you’d have a lot of fun customising the settings to your satisfaction.

When I began attacking my favoured stretch of black top the first thing I noticed was the M5’s head up display. It’s quite disconcerting at first, prominently in view well above the dash line, but I soon became used to it and with the level of configuration available it’s a very worthwhile feature.

For a heavy car—the M5 weighs 1870kg (unladen)—it turns in quite sharply on a tight mountain pass. You’re always conscious of its bulk, but never to the point of it seriously detracting from one’s driving pleasure.

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BMW Green Machines

BMW i8 unofficial preview

BMW i8

Harry Metcalfe from Evo gives us a very interesting look at the innovative BMW i8 hybrid sportscar with this early drive. Who knew a three cylinder turbo would sound so good inside the cabin!

[Thanks to Tiaan for the tip]

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BMW

BMW Concept M4 at Pebble Beach

BMW Concept M4

BMW Blog brings a comprehensive gallery of the new Concept M4 on display at the Pebble Beach Concsours d’Elegance. We’ve got half a dozen pics here, but be sure to follow the source link for the full picture gallery, over 20 photos, in 1900px sizing.

[Source: BMW Blog | Thanks to Aaron for the tip]

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BMW

VIDEO: BMW Concept M4

BMW Concept M4

BMW has released a teaser video for the Concept M4. The supporting cast of M3 models reminds of the legacy the F82 has to draw upon.

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BMW

Official: BMW Concept M4 previewed

BMW Concept M4

BMW has previewed its all-new and highly anticipated F82 M4. Officially, you’re looking at the Concept M4 and we know it’s only a sneak peek because they’ve teased us with photos only. There’s no engine specs available just yet.

Indeed, the only specifications of any kind that have been revealed by BMW are that the Concept M4 runs on 20″M light alloy wheels and the roof, front and rear splitter are all made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic. Oh and that paint colour is called “Aurum Dust”, which is not quite the name we’d come up with, but there you go.

Overall the look of the new M4 is very pleasing to our eye. It’s got a great mix of aggression and purpose right from the front air intakes in the lower grille right through to its quad tail pipes at the rear. In a decent paint colour it will look amazing.

The Concept M4 will be on display this weekend at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. We hope there will more technical detail to follow, but we’re not so sure that will be the case.

[Thanks to Tiaan for the tip]

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BMW

This definitely is the new BMW M4

BMW M4 prototype

Following the leaked image of the BMW M4 Concept comes this spy photo of an M4 prototype. Just stop and look at it, take it in for a moment.

In that all black prototype get up it looks sensational, don’t you think. Thankfully, with minimal disguise, it’s now much easier to appreciate the shape and stance of the M4. Check out the rear guard. Maybe it’s the just the lighting and reflections of the photo, but it just looks phat!

While we hope the new M3/M4 will debut at Frankfurt in a few weeks, don’t be surprised if we have to wait until Detroit at the start of 2014.

[Source: WCF]