There’s more BMW Z2 Roadster rumours coming out of Germany, with Auto Bild claiming BMW has signed off on the project.
The Z2 would be built on the next generation 1 Series and an official concept could be revealed as early as September at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
Expect a raft of hybrid or even electric motorised power plants. These would be offered in conjunction with regular petrol engines, likely to be turbocharged four cylinders.
[Source: Auto Bild via BimmerFile]
A brief clip from BMW-web.tv featuring Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld chatting about today’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Kubica showed good pace in qualifying and will start on the second row from fourth position. While Heidfeld has been bumped up to ninth place, courtesy of Toyota’s cars being sent to the back of the grid due to technical breaches.
According to iMotorMag BMW has succumbed to carmageddon and shelved plans for a Z4M.
They will, however, offer an M Sport pack that consists of a body kit (a la 135i) and an ECU reflash to liberate a few more ponies from the 3 litre twin turbo. Presumably this will translate to other cars in the BMW range with the same ebgine, too. Power is said to jump to 326bhp.
[ Source: iMotorMag ]
If you’re looking for a new car at the premium end of the small-ish coupé segment, two of the stand out choices are the Audi S3 and the BMW 135i. The current generation S3 has been in Australia since 2007, while the 135i was launched here about 12 months ago. The MY09 S3 range brings with it a minor facelift which consists of mostly cosmetic changes, although the engineers have had tinker as well. There is also the addition of a new five door Sportback option for those wanting improved practicality.
In the time since the 135i was launched it has swept all before it, earning a raft of praise from the world’s motoring media. The S3, on the other hand, seems almost invisible by comparison. At least, it certainly hasn’t generated the hype the 135i has enjoyed.
So, which is best—the fancy pants Golf wearing Audi clothes, or the little Beemer that could? AUSmotive took both cars out on its preferred test route in a back to back comparo to find out.
A road going BMW 135i will take on the best motor racing has to offer at this year’s Australian Grand Prix when it takes part in the Ultimate Speed Comparison. The 225kW1 Series Coupé driven by motoring hack Paul Gover will race against Greg Murphy in a race prepped V8 Supercar and Christian Klien in a BMW Sauber F1 machine.
The 135i will be fitted with parts from the BMW Performance range, including lightweight alloys, “uprated” brakes and a few cosmetic goodies, as well. Despite being described as “road going” you can see from the image above that the car is fitted with a roll cage. This doesn’t preclude it from road registration, of course, but it’s clearly not in showroom spec. The car will also be adorned with special livery and the iconic “tii” badging made famous by the spritual predecessor of the 135i, the BMW 2002 tii.
There’s plenty of opportunities for race goers to see this comparison with five exhibition races scheduled, including two on Thursday and one each on the remaining three days of the Grand Prix carnival. Each race will be a one lap dash with handicapping used to give each car a chance to win. Such events are usually quite popular and it will be interesting to see the final outcome.
More details below.
In his last address at an Australian motor show Guenther Seemann, Managing Director of BMW Group Australia, presented one of the most stunning concept cars ever made. The BMW M1 Hommage. Just look at it! It is stunning.
Seemann announced he would be moving up the corporate ladder to the position of regional director for the sales region Asia, Pacific and South Africa. He has been replaced by Australian born Stavros Yallouridis. See the BMW website for more.
The other highlight for BMW was the local reveal of the all-new Z4. The new roadster is set to kick more goals for BMW with its appealing looks and classic sportscar styling.
The new Z4 will be seen on Australian roads in May and pricing begin with the sDrive23i model at $86,200. Two other models complete the Australian Z4 range, the sDrive30i priced from $98,100, and the sDrive35i priced from $116,900.
Audio from the presentation is accessible below, and more pics and the Z4 press release are all yours after the jump.
[audio:http://www.ausmotive.com/audio/MIMS09-BMW.mp3]The Nissan 370Z has the pedigree and the statistics to give its German and Japanese rivals some serious wasabi heat. But that’s all theory, how will the 370Z really stack up in practice?
Well, luckily for us the Japanese crew from Best Motoring have gone to the trouble of finding out. I trust you’ll enjoy this clip, filmed at the 2km Tsukuba Circuit in Japan (similar to Wakefield Park). Here you will see how the 370Z compares against the Honda S2000, BMW 135i, Porsche Cayman S and Porsche 911 Carerra.
Enjoy!
Source: The Motor Report
German publication Auto Motor und Sport reckons BMW are on track to reveal a baby Z2 roadster by 2011. If this rendering, prepared by Mark Stehrenberger, is anything to go by it will be as stunning to look at as it will be to drive, no doubt.
Best guesses would indicate a mostly four cylinder engine line up, with the possibility of some type of hybrid engine in the range, as well. Although, if you’re anything like me, you’re already thinking how good it would be to have the 225kW twin turbo inline six cylinder from the 135i wrapped inside this gorgeous shell.
Here’s hoping this rumour grows in momentum and we see something concrete on the Z2 in 2010.
Source: Auto Motor und Sport via autoblog
Is the tight, twisty and ultra smooth Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road in Abu Dhabi the best in the world? In Series 15, Episode 7, Fifth Gear sent Tiff Needell to the middle east and gave him the keys to a BMW M3 to find out.
You can see the 11km stretch of tarmac on Google Maps, or read more about Jebel Hafeet on Wikipedia.
BMW have gone to some rather unusual lengths to explain their rationale behind the Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo. This short film, at a touch over 3 minutes 30 seconds, tells you everything you need to know.
The clip is quirky, cute and more than a little daft, but enjoyable nonetheless.
For more on the Gran Turismo, check out the official website.
New models such as the X6 show that BMW is not afraid to tread new ground. And that’s exactly what this BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo does. Also known as the Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS) this car is part wagon, part sedan and part SUV.
I have to say, regardless of whether there is a market for this car or not, it looks a hell of a lot better than the X6. At first I thought the Gran Turismo, like the X6, was another car that simply left you asking “why?”. But the more I see and read about the 5 Series Gran Turismo, the more I like it.
Perhaps, in the metal it may look a bit clunky, but in these pictures, at least, I think it looks stylish and on the pleasant side of aggressive. Although, the side profile, especially the front, is a bit too abrupt.
Featuring new LED “corona” rings for daytime running lights, a modern interpretation of the “Hofmeister kink” and a razor sharp waistline this Concept will certainly stand out on the road when it goes into production.
The car will have its full launch at the Geneva Auto Salon, however an extensive press release and twenty more images can be seen after the jump. You can also watch a 34 minute recording of the live reveal from last Friday by clicking HERE (note: will resize your browser window).
I’d love to hear what you think, so please leave some comments below.
UPDATE 16 Feb: New release from BMW Australia added below.
Following the lead of Mercedes-Benz, two more manufacturers have donated cash towards the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.
Honda Australia, through its Honda Foundation, has pledged $200,000 to the cause. Joining Honda in today’s announcement is Nissan Australia and Nissan Motor Co. in Japan who will be offering a combined donation of $100,000.
Nissan Australia will also match donations made by its employees to the Australian Red Cross or Salvation Army. The company has also committed to a 100 vehicle loan fleet, allowing affected members of the public to apply for a free loan car, for a period of up to six months.
These announcements are a fantastic show of support and one would expect more manufacturers to follow in these very generous footsteps.
Where available, press statements from manufacturers are included after the jump.
UPDATE: Audi has made a “significant contribution” towards the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation which made a $1,000,000 donation earlier today.
Toyota has donated $100,000 to the Cricket Australia Bushfire Appeal. Ford also donated a Mondeo XR5 Turbo for auction, with all proceeds going to the appeal.
UPDATE 11 Feb: V8 Supercars have donated $100,000. (Source: The Australian)
BMW Group Australia has chipped in $100,000 plus other support.
UPDATE 12 Feb: News just in that Mitsubishi have donated $100,000 to the Appeal.
Holden has also come forward with a $152,000 (US$100,000) donation, via its GM Foundation, and a fleet of 300 loan cars available to bushfire victims for periods of 3-12 months. In addition to these pledges, Holden dealers nationawide have raised a further $200,000. (Source: news.com.au)
Update 13 Feb: The Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group announced last night that it is donating $300,000 towards the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Fund to assist individuals and communities affected by the devastating fires.
Image: sourced from The Boston Globe