Category: BMW

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BMW

BMW finally reveals official Z4 GT3 info

BMW Z4 GT3

Official looking pics of the BMW Z4 GT3 emerged earlier this month, but until now no details had been released from BMW’s PR spin doctors. However, at the time those first pics appeared it turns out BMW was delivering the Z4 GT3 to customers.

There seems to have been method to BMW’s PR approach, maybe. Now, with customer experience to report on, BMW Motorsport boss Mario Theissen can say stuff like, “The feedback on the BMW Z4 GT3 is extremely positive.” Not real convincing is it. But there’s no reason it shouldn’t be, the Z4 GT3 looks like a right little monster.

As expected the Z4 GT3 car is powered by a 4.0 litre V8 sourced from the M3 GT2. It’s good for more than 480bhp. Other technologies and developments from the Gt2 have been adapted, as well. Things like engine management, ABS, traction control and the sequential shift transmission have all benefitted from previous race experience.

The use of carbon fibre reinforced plastic for the majority of body panels has helped keep weight down to 1200kg. For those not so quick with their sums, that gives the Z4 GT3 a power to weight ratio of around 400hp per ton. That should do.

You can have your very own Z4 GT3 for just €300K (AU$445K). Well, go on then, don’tlet me stop you.

Expect to see the latest BMW purpose-built racer in the FIA GT3 European Championship, the ADAC GT Masters and the International GT Open. Longer one-off 24 hour races such as Nürburgring, Spa and Dubai are also likely to feature the Z4 GT3. Until you see images and action from these events you might have to make do with the images available after the jump.

UPDATE: A brief video of the Z4 GT3 in action at the Nürburgring is available at AUSringers.

UPDATE 25 April: Pics from the Z4 GT3 in practice and racing in the VLN series have been added below.

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BMW

BMW 5 Series Touring – Aus launch in October

BMW 5 Series Touring

Following a series of leaked images over the weekend BMW have released official pics of their new 5 Series Touring, which will have its full public reveal at Leipzig in early April. Regular readers will know AUSmotive approves of all Euro wagons, and this new 5 Series is no different. It’s a nice evolution of the F10 5 Series saloon, and while I was a big fan of the previous generation 5 Series, the new models are starting to grow on me.

The 5 Series Touring is due in Australia in October September, and surprisingly BMW Australia have given us a tip on the expected engine line up at launch. It is stated in the press release (available below) that Australian customers will have the choice of two models, 520d and 535i. The 520d is powered by a 135kw four cylinder diesel engine, while the 535i gets the 225kW twin turbo 3.0 litre straight six also found in the Z4, among others. All engines meet EU5 emissions standards. Both models will be available with an 8 speed automatic transmission, although local pricing and specs won’t be confirmed until closer to the launch date.

As expected you can achieve a multitude of layout and boot opening arrangements. The rear window can be opened to offer quick access to the rear luggage compartment. Plus, there is an auto open/close function for gaining full access to the rear compartment. In its regular format the cargo space offered by the latest estate from Munich is 560 litres, which can be expanded to a maximum of 1670 litres. Instead of the more common 60:40 or 50:50 split folding rear seats this wagon provides a 40:20:40 set up. Which is also a hint that the rear bench is really best suited to two adults and a lap dog. If you need to fit five adults in your 5 Series Touring then make sure you bags the front seats first, as it might get a bit squishy in the back.

Like the saloon, the 5 Series Touring shares many components with the up scale 7 Series and all roll off the Dingolfing production facility. Further detail and a number of pics (you can click on each to load a 2000px super image) can be found after the jump. There’s also a brief intro courtesy of BMW’s YouTube channel.

UPDATE 3 August: BMW Australia have announced list pricing for the 5 Series Touring, which is now due in September:

  • 520d – $92,800
  • 535i – $138,900
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BMW Drive Thru Reviews

Drive Thru: BMW Z4 range

BMW Z4 dealer drive day

Yesterday I spent the morning behind the wheel of BMW’s current Z4 offerings. It was a brief taster provided by local dealership Rolfe Classic BMW. The deal was pretty simple, get existing and prospective customers in small groups to take the Z4 range out for a leisurely drive. We would stop at various points on the drive to swap cars and ensure that everyone got time in each model.

There are currently three options in the Australian Z4 range—all with inline six cylinder engines—the entry level 150kW sDrive23i, mid-range 190kW sDrive30i and the top spec 225kW twin-turbo sDrive35i. In May 2010 the range will have a new hero model, the 250kW sDrive35is.

This was by no means an exhaustive test, but it was a very nice way to spend a lovely Saturday morning. Thoughts on each of the cars can be read below.

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BMW

Orange juiced

BMW M3 GTS

Despite BMW Australia showing an interest in the feisty BMW M3 GTS, the latest word on the street says it will not be coming to Australia. Actually, there are currently no plans from BMW at all to even build the car in a right hand drive configuration. The news has been confirmed by BMW’s Corporate Communications Manager, Tim James. So, if you do happen to see a GTS down under, chances are it will be a track-only private import.

That’s it then kids, you’ll just have to enjoy these videos instead.

[Source: CarAdvice]

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BMW

Front-wheel drive BMW ‘0 Series’ gets green light

BMW '0 Series' sketch - via BimmerFile.com

Autocar is reporting that BMW execs have signed off what was once unthinkable, that is the production of a new front-wheel drive model. They claim their source is none other than BMW Chairman Norbert Reithofe. The newest entry-level BMW, likely to be badged as the ‘0 Series’, will piggy-back off the next gen MINI platform and will be priced below the 1 Series.

This latest news has emerged from the Geneva Motor Show, and follows speculation from December last year. “We will be extending the BMW and Mini brands into the small car segment with new models and variants,” Reithofe told Autocar, acknowledging demand for premium vehicles in the compact segment is on the rise.

BMW intend to counter the new Audi A1, as well as the Smart Forfour currently under development. The next MINI is scheduled for release in 2014, however it is likely that the ‘0 Series’ could be on European roads as early as 2013.

The other interesting tidbit from the Autocar article, is in reference to future 1 Series production. While the quote was not acknowledged to Reithofe, Autocar say a Munich insider told them, “We are looking at alternatives. With the new platform set to support four-wheel drive, it wouldn’t be that hard to use the transmission tunnel for a rear-wheel-drive application.”

[Source: Autocar | Pic: BimmerFile]

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BMW Motorsports

BMW Z4 GT3 official images emerge

BMW Z4 GT3

Some official images of the BMW Z4 GT3 racecar have emerged and it looks pretty damn impressive, don’t you think. Okay, in a road car sense it’s actually a bit naff with all those wings and diffusers at the back. But, in a purpose built track car sense, bring it on!

If you’re a real BMW anorak you will probably recall that BMW have said they would never fit a V8 engine to the current Z4. Well, they lied. To be fair, the Z4 GT3 will never see full series production, so raiding the parts bin to make a kick arse racing machine can be excused.

Anyway, that engine, yep, it’s pretty much the same 4.0 litre V8 found in the M3 GT2. That means power is around 485hp and peak torque should be nudging 500Nm. There’s also a race-toughened 6 speed sequential transmission to help move things along.

I get the feeling some very wealthy men around the world (and possibly women too) are going to get a little bit excited about driving this car. More details as they come to hand.

[Source: Car]

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BMW

The oldest trick in the world

BMW S 1000 RR tablecloth trick

BMW is at it again with this new video promoting their S1000RR motorcycle. The image above tells you what the trick is, but can the bike make the trick work? Watch the clip below to see what happens next…

[Thanks to Wayne for the tip]

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BMW

This is what 14,200rpm looks like

BMW S1000RR video

You’re looking at the insides of the BMW S1000RR engine. That’s the bike BMW runs in the Superbike World Championship. At the time that still was captured the engine was running at maximum revs, which happens to be 14,200rpm.

If you’d like to see what that looks and sounds like, check out the clip after the jump. While you’re watching the clip contemplate for a moment what it would be like to have 144kW powering a 204kg bike. Brutal?

[via Jalopnik | Thanks to Adam for the tip]

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BMW

More on the BMW 5 Series Touring

BMW 5 Series Estate rendering

The fourth iteration in the 5 Series Touring will make its global premiere on 9 April at the 2010 Auto Mobil International in Leipzig. You can see from the rendering above, with thanks to Auto Evolution, what we are expecting BMW’s latest estate to look like. For more on BMW’s new F10 5 Series click here.

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Audi BMW

BMW returns serve in latest Audi ad war

BMW mailer

BMW has retaliated to Audi’s latest ad campaign in which the Ingolstadt marque boasts it has beaten BMW in three consecutive comparos. The tests have been run in the US mag Car and Driver and this BMW response reminds Audi that its 3 Series has been on the Car and Driver 10best list for 19 years in a row.

BMW is also offering a $1500 inducement for current Audi owners and if they accept the offer they will also be rewarded with free servicing. The promo quips this will allow owners of the four rings to “leave those Audi maintenance bills behind”.

Now, I’m not sure what the BMW servicing scene in the US is like, but here in Australia I can’t see what benefit BMW would gain from criticising the repair bills of their competition. It would be a dumb strategy.

Similarly, I’m not surprised in the slightest that BMW have responded to Audi’s latest offensive. However, that a $1500 “bribe” is the best they can come up with is not only surprising, but an equally dumb strategy that might be the first step in a very slippery discounting war which could leave both brands licking their wounds.

[Source: Autospies]

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BMW

BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo – Australian pricing

BMW 5 Series GT

BMW Australia has just launched a three-pronged 5 Series Gran Turismo offensive on the family wagon market. No, hang on, they’ve launched an attack on the luxury saloon segment. Or maybe they’re hoping to come up trumps in the SUV category?

Hmm, just what is BMW doing with this new 5 Series GT model? Maybe they have created a new segment? Or perhaps, regardless of their rationale, they have just given the market another car it doesn’t need (X6 anyone?). For now, I’m prepared to give BMW the benefit of the doubt. Given my dislike for the X6, I’m not sure what it is about the Gran Turismo, but I think it looks great and can see the model being a big hit for BMW.

Whichever market segment BMW’s GT fits into, buyers will have a choice of three engines—the 535i, featuring a 225kW six-cylinder in-line twin-turbo petrol engine; the 550i, powered by a 300kW V8 twin-turbo; or a 530d, a 180kW six-cylinder in-line diesel unit. All models include Brake Energy Regeneration and an 8-Speed transmission. Of course, there’s the nifty liftback dual opening hatch/boot as well.

According to BMW the GT, based on the F10 5 Series saloon, has the same rear seat headroom as an X5 and the same legroom as a 7 Series. The rear seats can also move forward and back by as much as 100mm.

There is an extensive release after the jump which covers the GT lineup in detail. You can also download the spec sheet below.

Manufacturer’s Recommended List Price (incl. GST & LCT)

  • BMW 530d Gran Turismo $143,400*
  • BMW 535i Gran Turismo $151,400*
  • BMW 550i Gran Turismo $192,900*

Downloads

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Audi BMW

Audi takes another swipe at BMW

Audi takes on BMW

The rivalry between the Audi and BMW in the United States has been reignited with this new TVC from Audi of America. They’re pretty chuffed that they have beaten BMW in a few recent magazine comparos.

This new ad follows material on a similar theme, which you may remember from October last year. Now, I’m all for a good gag and all, but to me, all this does is put a massive target on the HQ at Audi of America. This latest ad is okay, but it’s not a knee-slapper in the comedy stakes. Yeah, it’s a just a bit of harmless fun, but you should never start a war unless you are certain of victory.

Anyway, check out the ad for yourself after the break and let us know what you think.

[via autoblog]

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