Category: BMW

BMW

BMW 1M Coupe ‘Raze’

BMW 1M Raze

UK tuning house RevoZport has produced a lightweight diet regime for those lucky enough to already have a BMW 1 Series M CoupÃ©. Through a number of replacement and add-on carbon-fibre bits RevoZport reckon their 1M ‘Raze’ is 60kg lighter than when it left the BMW factory.

From the RevoZport website:

Power to weight ratio directly determines a sports car performance. When weight is reduced, speed, brake, lateral and longitude G force are all improved dramatically. The 1M RAZE manage to trim more than 60kg on a 1570kg* 340hp car, a very significant increase.

While some parts are listed as Price On Application (POA), others are quite reasonable. Carbon fibre mirror covers, for example, are US$290. Even a larger piece, such as the replacement roof panel, is not too bad at US$1500. Many of the parts are also suitable for regular 1 Series CoupÃ© models.

A complete list of items available and more images can be seen after the break.

[Source: 1addicts]

BMW

VIDEO: BMW 1M around the NÃ¼rburgring

Post author By Liam
Post date 2 August, 2011
4 Comments on VIDEO: BMW 1M around the NÃ¼rburgring

Here’s a nice video showing a BMW 1 Series M CoupÃ© driving around the NÃ¼rburgring Nordschleife on an open tourist day. It’s a pretty tidy lap as well, with the driver spending most of the time right on the tail of an E46 M3 CSL. We trust you’ll enjoy the next 9 minutes.

[Source: 1addicts]

BMW

BMW M2 being designed for M3 hardware

Post author By Liam
Post date 2 August, 2011
5 Comments on BMW M2 being designed for M3 hardware

BMW M2 rendering

Word on the street tells us the new BMW 2 Series, in particular the cooking M2, is being designed so that all the good bits from the next M3 can be used. That’s mainly referring to the F30/F32 suspension, but expect there to be more goodness where that came from.

The 2 Series will be the replacement for the current 1 Series coupÃ© and convertible. The M2 is expected to again source its power from a 3.0 litre straight six cylinder engine. While the current twin-turbo set up could be developed further, there’s speculation BMW is considering a triple-turbo.

Dr Friedrich Nitschke is the new managing director for M GmbH and in an earlier interview with Auto Express he said, “In the 1M Coupe, we have a starter car for the M Division, and we are continuing to develop this project. Such models must be sporty, and offer extraordinarily low fuel consumption. This is something we could achieve with the M2. I think the 1M Coupe proves there is room for an M2, a coupe.”

[Source: BimmerPost | Pic: BimmerPost]

Tags F22, M2

BMW Green Machines

BMW embraces i-generation

BMW took a further step with its ‘i’ brand last Friday when it launched concept models of the i3 and i8. The smaller i3, to be released in 2013, is powered by an all-electric engine. The i8, based on the Vision EfficientDynamics, will follow in 2014 and is a hybrid performance car with a top speed of 250km/h. Both models follow a lighter is better principle, relying on the use of carbon fibre body panels and other innovative construction techniques.

The electric motor in the i3 is rated at 125kW/250Nm and can reach 100km/h in a tidy 7.9 seconds. Its ‘everyday range’ is quoted as being between 130â€“160km. The engine can be recharged to 80% in as little as one hour, while a full recharge will take up to six hours.

Pushing the performance envelope further the i8 has a combined total of 260kW/550Nm from its hybrid drivetrain. That’s enough to propel the car to 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds. Separating the power individually, a three cylinder petrol engine drives the rear wheel and produces 164kW/300Nm. The front wheels are powered by the 96kW/250Nm electric motor, which can achieve a 100% recharge in less than two hours. In all-electric mode the i8 has a 35km range.

After the break you can see a collection of videos published by BMWi. For more info you can download BMW’s media release (300kb PDF) or visit the BMWi website.

BMW Drive Thru Porsche

Drive Thru: 1M v Cayman R v M3

Post author By Liam
Post date 31 July, 2011
24 Comments on Drive Thru: 1M v Cayman R v M3

The BMW 1 Series M CoupÃ© is the â€˜itâ€™ car of the moment. Everyone is talking about it and everyone, it seems, cannot praise it enough. Weâ€™ve already had one drive of the 1M and quickly learnt why it has been creating so much fuss. It really is a cracking car. Overseas, itâ€™s even been compared against the Porsche Cayman R; a genuine sportscar with a sharpened focus.

Weâ€™re not sure why that comparison is being made, to be honest. Theyâ€™re at different price points (especially here in Australia) and they donâ€™t really sing from the same hymn sheet, either.

But when a long-time AUSmotive reader offered us a drive of these two cars who were we to say no. For good measure, the owner decided to throw us the keys to his 2008 BMW M3 as well. Lucky us!

All wearing black wheels with white paint, the trio were tailor made for a mini group-test. So, out to the favoured AUSmotive test route we headed. I drove the 1M on the outward journey and this provided a good chance to get reacquainted and develop a better sense for its daily capabilities.

Tags 1M, 987, Cayman, Cayman R, M3

BMW

VIDEO: New BMW M5 in detail

Post author By Liam
Post date 28 July, 2011
1 Comment on VIDEO: New BMW M5 in detail

Here’s two new videos of the F10-based BMW M5 which total almost 16 minutes of footage. They’re not the world’s most exciting clips by any means, but they do provide heaps of visual detail for the new 412kW super saloon.

The first clip shows the car in motion, starting at the superb Ascari racetrack. The second clip features static imagery of the interior and exterior and if you are considering the M5 or are just a fan then you’ll get something from the time required.

BMW

Inside look: How to build a BMW 3 Series

Post author By Liam
Post date 20 July, 2011

E90Post brings us a great video featuring the creation of a new BMW 3 Series. Starting off with individual body panels through to a short road test. It’s a great way to spend the next four minutes or so.

Follow the links below if you want see how to build a:

[Source: E90Post]

BMW Motorsports

A closer look at the BMW M3 DTM Concept Car

Post author By Liam
Post date 19 July, 2011

BimmerFile gives us a closer look at the new and dramatic looking BMW M3 DTM Concept Car with a couple of videos. Above you’ll see the a shorter clip with no audio, just hulking matte black paint and lots of carbon fibre. After the break there’s a 13 minute clip featuring more detail from the reveal in Munich.

[Source: BimmerFile]

BMW Motorsports

BMW unveils M3 DTM Concept Car

Post author By Liam
Post date 16 July, 2011
4 Comments on BMW unveils M3 DTM Concept Car

With BMW’s return to DTM racing drawing closer by the day it is welcome to see just what form their new M3 DTM racecar will take. In this matte black scheme the car looks fantastic, so just imagine how good it will look in trad BMW colours.

Okay, in truth, the M3 DTM does look a bit stupid; but that’s the norm in DTM these days. There’s more wings and fairings that you can shake a carbon fibre oven at.

In his new role, replacing the evergreen Dr Mario Thiessen, BMW Motorsport boss Jens Marquardt said, “Getting a new racing programme up and running is a bit like doing a jigsaw. New pieces are added almost every day, and we must put them together to create the big picture.

“The BMW M3 DTM Concept Car is an important milestone on our route to the start of the 2012 season. The roll-out of the car was successful, and we are now starting our test programme out on the track.”

More from BMW Motorsport after the break.

Audi BMW

VIDEO: Audi RS3 v BMW 1M

English mag Auto Express has just put the 250kW all-wheel drive Audi RS3 on the drag strip against the 250kW rear-wheel drive BMW 1 Series M CoupÃ©. Two German pocket rockets; it’s a race both cars were made for.

It was a dry day with great conditions for a 400m shootout; 7-speed S tronic against 6-speed manual, which do you think was quickest? Watch the video after the break to find out.

For added background Auto Express has also filed individual reviews of both cars in the past and we’ve included those below for you as well.

[Source: YouTube | Thanks to Matt for the tip]

BMW Motor Shows

AIMS 2011 gallery: BMW

Well, we can say we’ve covered every car on the BMW stand for you with this image gallery. That’s because there is only one car on show: the Vision EfficientDynamics. It’s a clear case of quality over quantity, though, and we acknowledge the lengths BMW has gone to in bringing out their undeniably spectacular concept car, even if it is a bit long in the tooth now (as far as concept models go).

It really is the world’s sexiest three cylinder diesel and it will make the move from concept to production when the i8 is revealed in 2013.

The EfficientDynamics is a mish-mash of finicky folds and coarse angles that shouldn’t really work. And, in truth, in some pictures it just doesn’t. But in reality, when the car is there before you, it’s hard to resist its charms and do anything but marvel at how fantastic it really is.

Audi BMW Lamborghini Mazda Motor Shows Volkswagen

AIMS 2011: The stars

Updates from our visit to AIMS last Friday havenâ€™t progressed as well as we had hoped, so to give you a taste of whatâ€™s to come hereâ€™s a quick teaser of the five cars that stood out the most for us.

1. BMW Vision EfficientDynamics
Weâ€™ve covered this car before, when it was first revealed way back in 2009. But seeing it first hand has given us an altogether new appreciation for it. The EffeicientDynamics concept is a genuinely stunning design that we now know previews the forthcoming i8 model. Forget the mechanical aspects of the car for a moment, though, and just appreciate every crease, curve and detail. Itâ€™s an astonishingly well made concept and almost makes up for BMW not displaying any other cars. Thatâ€™s right, no 1M!