Category: BMW

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BMW Formula 1

BMW – 10 years in Formula One

As we know the BMW half of BMW Sauber is no longer remaining in F1. News of BMW’s departure has been around since late July, and while they didn’t dominate the sport as they might have planned, one does forget some of the things they have achieved since returning to the sport in 2000. Luckily, BMW tv has produced this short clip to remind us of what they’ve been up to these last 10 years.

The highlights from their recent F1 stint, sadly for BMW, are probably away from the circuits with our own Mark Webber crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Nick Heidfeld lapping the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

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BMW

BMW Australia wants to secure M3 GTS

BMW M3 GTS

BMW Australia is getting excited about selling its 1000th V8 powered M3. So, the press release below says, anyway. But here at AUSmotive we can grab a minor comment and make a screaming headline out of it as well as anyone else.

And so it was the closing comment from BMW Australia managing director Stavros Yallouridis that grabbed my attention.

“If it is available for our market and sufficient customers are interested we will make every endeavour to bring the M3 GTS to Australia.”

Go on BMW fans, get down to your local dealer and demand the M3 GTS comes to our shores. You know it makes sense.

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BMW

BMW M3 GTS video – you’ll like this

BMW M3 GTS

BMW have been overwhelmed by to the response to their original teaser video for the M3 GTS, so much so, that they wrote to AUSmotive asking to ease the burden by showing you two new clips.

The first starts off with a bit of track action before going into to full PR mode. The second, however, could be straight out of a Top Gear film, with lashing of super slo-mo and trick focusing effects.

Well, what are you waiting for, check the vids out now after the jump.

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Audi BMW Hyundai Mazda Mitsubishi Subaru Suzuki Toyota VFACTS reports

New vehicle sales report – October 2009

FCAI banner

Good news for the car industry last month, with sales increasing for the first time since the middle of last year. Official VFACTS data shows sales were up 2.2 per cent last month when compared to October 2008.

“The industry is looking to round out the year on a positive note and we expect a further surge in sales as businesses move to take advantage of the successful tax break prior to the end of the year,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

However, the overall downward trend remains for year-to-date new vehicle sales, which are down 11.7 per cent compared to the same period last year (762,787 sales to date).

Toyota, Holden and Ford round out the usual top three placings for overall sales, but that hasn’t stopped a number of manufacturers from putting their spin on things. A bunch of press releases to that effect can be viewed after the jump.

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BMW

Clockwork Orange

BMW M3 GTS

If you’re in the mood for a bit of the old ultra-violence at your next track day, then perhaps you might like to engage yourself in BMW’s latest weapon—the M3 GTS. You can watch a teaser clip after the jump, and I’m sure you’ll agree it would have been better if the soundtrack featured a bit of Ludwig Van.

But never mind all that, what does this M3 have that others don’t? Well, actually, it’s more a case of what the GTS doesn’t have, given that the interior has been stripped out. There’s lightweight seats, plastic windows and a half cage for starters.

BMW’s M boffins have also played around under the skin offering coilover suspension and serious braking power, with six-pot calipers up front, and four-pots at the rear. A very tidy titanium exhaust will be found underneath the car, as well.

Of course, you can’t miss the bright orange paintwork, which is complemented by matt black detailing in the form of aerodynamic plastic bits. And all this is set off nicely by gorgeous 19″ alloys. Perfect!

Well, almost, despite all the dieting, the car still tips the scales at 1490kg, some 165kg lighter than a regular M3 coupé. But with 450bhp available, through a 7-speed M dual clutch transmission, the car is sure to get along quite rapidly without too much bother.

The M3 GTS will be built to order, with initial deliveries for Germany only commencing in May 2010. Customers wanting to indulge themselves in this lovely bit of kit will have to swap €115,000 with the BMW M production workshop.

Apparently there’s going to be more on this car from BMW over the weekend, so set your clocks and stay tuned for the next update. If you can’t wait to read the latest on AUSmotive, there’s plenty more to keep you occupied at the M-power website.

[via BimmerFile]

UPDATE: Press release from BMW added below.

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BMW

If you tolerate this then your children will be next

You may remember the earlier news that saw the worldwide BMW Z4 ‘art of driving’ television commercial pulled from Australian screens. I stated at the time that, as a sign of protest against this ludicrous decision, AUSmotive will be running the above footage, which is featured in the commercial, on the first day of every month for the rest of the year.

The fact that regulations are in place that deem this ad inappropriate is a sad indictment on the state of the road safety debate in this country. The fact that some members of society are unable separate entertainment from reality is equally disturbing. That they are given a voice is mind boggling.

Clearly, the title of this article is tongue in cheek and is designed to highlight the level of paranoia that exists in wowsers when presented with the notion that driving can be fun.

A reminder, too, that you can watch the ad in full on the BMW Australia website. Even better, check out BMW’s Expression of Joy Z4 microsite.

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Audi BMW

Audi S4 v BMW 335i – Inside Line

This clip from Edmunds’ Inside Line is short, to the point and packed with solid comparisons. They reckon the Audi comes up trumps. So, which one would you have—the Audi S4 or the BMW 335i?

[via German Car Blog]

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BMW Formula 1 Renault

Renault on Pole

Robert Kubica

Robert Kubica will be leaving the remnants of the BMW Sauber team to join the newly reformed Renault team in 2010.

Team Principal, Bob Bell, said, “We are very excited to have signed Robert with the Renault F1 Team starting next season. Ever since Robert made his Grand Prix debut in 2006, he has been on our radar as one of the most naturally talented drivers of his generation.”

Due to the circumstances forcing Kubica’s change of teams, there are twin press statements from BMW and Renault, both wishing Robert good fortune.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen spoke glowingly of Kubica, saying, “Robert played an important role for us – and certainly we did the same for him. He joined us in 2006 as a test driver with no Formula One experience, and then we promoted him to be one of our team’s drivers during that season. He never let us down and, with our first pole position in 2008 in Bahrain and first victory the same year in Canada, he set milestones in the history of our team. We are grateful for his strong and constant performances and wish him all the best for his future.”

Full statements from both teams can be read after the jump.

[Thanks to Wes for the tip]

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BMW Mazda MINI Toyota VFACTS reports

New vehicle sales report – September 2009

FCAI banner

A further sign that things automotive and economic are beginning to look brighter is today’s news from VFACTS that 78,131 vehicles were sold last month. That’s an increase of 4,844 sales compared to the August results.

However, so we don’t forget where we are coming from the 2009 figures for September are down by almost 3,000 vehicles against September 2008. The big improver on last year’s results continues to be the luxury SUV segment (up 30.9%), joined by sports cars (up 17.1%) and compact SUVs (up 5.0%).

FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said, “The September figure demonstrates signs of consolidation in the new vehicle market.”

Overall year-to-date figures are down 13.1% with 2009 new car sales so far totalling 681,974. Toyota continues to be the country’s best seller (16,007), ahead of Holden (9,744) and Ford (8,427).

Chest pumping from BMW, Mazda, MINI and Toyota can be read after the jump (more ikely to be available tomorrow).

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Audi BMW

Joy division

BMW and Audi advertising of late has taken on a healthy rivalry. First, it was billboards. Now, it seems as though the ad agencies have raised the game a little and started using audio visual to throw their punches.

In the ad above BMW hits out at Audi in what is, shall we say, a feeble attempt at humour. It’s funny, almost. Actually, it’s a bit daft. But I guess it does make you feel a bit queasy—if you’re male, at least.

The ad from BMW is possibly a response to the longer, but more convincing, swipe made by Audi with last year’s Meet the Beckers series, which poked fun not only at BMW drivers, but also clients of Mercedes-Benz and Lexus. You can see Audi’s three part series below.

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BMW News

If you tolerate this then your children will be next

You may remember the earlier news that saw the worldwide BMW Z4 ‘art of driving’ television commercial pulled from Australian screens. I stated at the time that, as a sign of protest against this ludicrous decision, AUSmotive will be running the above footage, which is featured in the commercial, on the first day of every month for the rest of the year.

The fact that regulations are in place that deem this ad inappropriate is a sad indictment on the state of the road safety debate in this country. The fact that some members of society are unable separate entertainment from reality is equally disturbing. That they are given a voice is mind boggling.

Clearly, the title of this article is tongue in cheek and is designed to highlight the level of paranoia that exists in wowsers when presented with the notion that driving can be fun.

A reminder, too, that you can watch the ad in full on the BMW Australia website. Even better, check out BMW’s Expression of Joy Z4 microsite.

Categories
BMW

BMW announces M pricing for X5 and X6

BMW X5M

Back in July news emerged that BMW Australia would be raising eyebrows with range topping M versions of the X5 and X6. Now, we can tell you that you will need to pony up $172,900 and $179,900 respectively to be all the rage at your local polo field.

Personally, I can understand the X5 M, kind of. However, I am one of those who will always struggle to get the X6. More power to BMW, though, because it does appear there are plenty of customers out there that do want the X6.

A point Stavros Yallouridis, head of BMW Group Australia, is keen to make, “Many X6 customers are entrepreneurs or self employed professionals with one or no kids, and new to the BMW brand. They told us that traditional SUV styling was boring and normal coupes offered less versatility than the X6.

“Now with the arrival of the X6 M, we’re able to offer an M version which will tempt performance-oriented buyers considering an ML 63 AMG or Cayenne Turbo with benefits such as faster acceleration, less weight and better fuel consumption.

“If on the other hand maximum practicality is a must, the X5 M arriving in January will be the perfect alternative,” he says.

Well, I suppose Stavros knows what he is talking about. Interesting, too, that BMW have gone to some lengths to make the comparison to similar offerings from Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. In case you were wondering, the BMWs win the pub battle of who is fastest in a hypothetical drag race.

In truth, the heart of gold that gives life to these non-traditional M models is pretty hard to argue with. A rather tasty 408kW 4.4 litre V8, that can propel 2305kg from rest to 100km/h in under five seconds, sees to that.

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