The BMW M Site

Photo Gallery: 2012 Bimmerfest

admin — Sun, 20 May 2012 05:29:39 +0000

Bimmerfest is the biggest annual gathering of BMW cars and takes place California where thousands of enthusiasts across the country are joining to showcase their BMWs, from stock cars to heavily tuned bimmers. This year’s event took place in Pasadena, and once again, it gathered thousands of enthusiasts.

All the most important tuning and modding companies were there to showcase their latest work. The event caters not only to BMW enthusiasts, but to any car fans that would like to see some of the most rare bimmers in the United States.

BMW of North America had their own presence there and introduced to the bimmer community the all-new BMW M6 Convertible.

Let’s have a look at this extensive photo gallery!

Vorsteiner GTS-V 1M Program

admin — Sat, 19 May 2012 20:35:27 +0000

Vorsteiner releases their program for the BMW 1 Series M Coupe. Here are the full details:

We are proud to announce the debut of our program for the 1M Coupe. The aero components built from our Autoclave Pre-Preg Carbon Fiber add style and functionality from our development of the GTS-V collection. The blend of form and functionality is perfectly balanced and sets a higher standard for aerodynamics.

We didn’t stop at aerodynamics for this program. To further enhance the performance of the vehicle we have developed a sport exhaust system. A full 100% bolt on fit, our exhaust produces a class leading 15 horsepower gain with 5 lb/ft of torque. It will be available in a stainless steel model or a weight saving titanium.

Driving perfection would not be complete if control is an issue. To help with minimizing unsprung weight for improved vehicle handling and performance we offer the new VS-400. The step-lip design offers better balance and reduces the weight of the wheel. We use the highest grade forged T6-6062 aircraft aluminum and exceed safety standards. This wheel sets the pinnacle of what a wheel should be.

The 1M tuning program consists of the follow components:

• GTS-V Front Add-On Spoiler with Integrated Brake Duct
• GTS-V Rear Add-On Diffuser with Signature Splitter and Extended Aero Fins
• GTS-V Boot Lid with an integrated wing element weighing only 11.5 lbs.
• A Cat-Back Sport Exhaust System in Stainless Steel or Titanium
• 20 or 21 inch Special Edition Forged Aluminum Multi Spoke Wheel

Photos: BMW M6 MotoGP Safety Car

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:31:14 +0000

Today, at the annual M Festival that places at Nurburgring, BMW unveiled at the M6 MotoGP Safety Car. Following the tradition of the new 1M or M5, the BMW M6 MotoGP Safety Car will take over as the official safety car for the bike championship.

the BMW M6 Safety Car comes with plenty of carbon fiber parts, such as the front bumper lip, side mirrors and adjustable rear wing to provide the requisite downforce. Polycarbonate side and rear windows are included as well. Due to the Akrapovic partnership announced a few months ago, we expect the M6 MotoGP to come equipped with a special lightweight titanium race exhaust system that not only saves weight but also delivers a captivating sound for the benefit of the spectators.

More photos coming up next!

Behind The Scenes Of The BMW Pro AM

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 22:14:21 +0000

An Introduction To The Man Who Keeps The Tournament Spic and Span

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Renderings: New BMW X4

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:40:40 +0000

BMW is preparing to launch a new X-model: BMW X4. The entry-level Sports Activity Coupe is set to launch in 2014 and will be manufactured at the Spartanburg Plant in South Carolina.

Built under the code F26, the X4 shares the same platform as the new X3, and will be positioned, price wise, below the X5. According to our sources, the X4 is 4.65 meters long (183 inches), same length as the F25 X3.

From a design standpoint, the 2014 X6 will mimic some of the design cues seen on the much larger X6 SAC, but with the latest BMW design language deeply embedded into the final product which translates into a redesigned front fascia and athletic rear end. To give the “baby SAC” a more dynamic and sportier look, the designers have drawn a swooping roofline.

Under the hood, we expect the X4 to make use of the engine lineup from the X3, including both four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. The ZF eight-speed automatic will most likely be offered as standard.

The X4 will take on the Land Rover Evoque, as well as the forthcoming Q6 and Cajun models being co-developed by Audi and Porsche.

While the renderings below might not be the most accurate, they should at least give you an idea of proportions.

Autobild

BMW Super Bild Of The Day: M Car Collection

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:28:51 +0000

One lucky collector had a hard time making up his mind just which M car he wanted in his prized collection, so he bought and tuned them all. I’ve known “StreetKing” for quite a number of years, and I know both of his weaknesses: white M cars and tuning them.

With a combined 1600+ horsepower from just these three cars, “StreetKing” is fortunate enough to possess not only these three M cars but a very well rounded collection.

Hit the link for more pictures of his garage where these beauties are stored but also more of these three exquisite M cars.

Video: EV West Electric BMW M3 Teaser

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:58:23 +0000

EV West takes the almighty E36 BMW M3 and turns into an exciting race-ready electric vehicle. The 1995 M3 will enter the Race to the Clouds at Pikes Peak.

With BMW turning a 1 Series Coupe into an EV, the idea of making an M car run on electric power just seems a bit out of this world. The cool part though is that an electric car with enough power can be a strong contender at Pikes Peak since electric motors don’t suffer from power loss at high altitudes.

To get to 420 horsepower, the M3 a Net-Gain HV11 electric motor and an Evnetics Shiva controller.

This is not the first electric car to enter the Pikes Peak race. Last year Nissan entered a stock Leaf EV and this year, th legendary hill climber Monster Tajima will also join with an electric vehicle.

iPe for BMW E92 M3 Valvetronic Exhaust Sound in East US

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:36:19 +0000

Taken by US user with enthusiasm.

http://www.youtube.com/v/aQFwsMblGIo?version=3&f=videos&app=youtube_gdata

Ride Test: 2013 BMW C600 Scooter

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:43:51 +0000

Moving away from the usual car test reviews, today we have a different type of test drive. The folks over at Motorcyclist Online and Motorcycle went to Madrid, Spain to test the BMW C600 Scooter on some fun and twisty roads. The C600 is powered by a 2-cylinder inline engine newly developed by BMW Motorrad with a displacement of 647 cc. The rated power output is 44 kW (60 hp) at 7500 rpm, and its max torque of 66 Nm is available at 6000 rpm. The power is transferred via a directly integrated CVT, or continuously variable transmission.

The BMW scooter is capable of reaching a top speed of 100 mph and a 0-60mph acceleration time of less than 6 seconds. By comparison, the most powerful Vespa you can buy has an engine less than half as large and makes just 22 horsepower.

BMW Motorrad USA vice president Pieter de Waal said the new scooters are a “step in the dark” for the company that has produced motorcycles since 1923. He said BMW expects 70 percent of its scooter sales to come from Italy, France, and Spain, where BMW has garnered “overwhelming support” from the market to produce the two-wheelers.

Tech Spec

Price	na
Engine type	l-c parallel-twin
Valve train	DOHC, 8v
Displacement	647cc
Transmission	CVT
Claimed horsepower	60 bhp @ 7500 rpm
Claimed torque	49 lb.-ft. @ 6000 rpm
Frame	Tubular steel with single-sided aluminum swingarm
Front suspension	40mm inverted fork
Rear suspension	Single shock
Front brake	Dual two-piston calipers, 270mm discs with ABS
Rear brake	Two-piston caliper, 270mm disc with ABS
Front tire	120/70-15 Pirelli Sport/Metzeler GT
Rear tire	160/60-15 Pirelli Sport/Metzeler GT
Seat height	31.9 in. Sport/30.7 in. GT
Wheelbase	62.6 in.
Fuel capacity	4.2 gal.
Claimed curb weight	549 lbs. Sport/575 lbs. GT

Here is an excerpt form Motorcyclist Online:

At the Madrid press intro, the big, blue C600 was good fun on twisty roads, setting a decent pace and encouraging enthusiastic cornering with pleasantly neutral steering that made dodging traffic easy. On the freeway it cruised at 85-90 mph, effortlessly keeping up with traffic and holding even more power in reserve.

Straight-line performance was more than adequate, with the Sport staying very smooth at highway cruising speeds. Top speed is an electronically limited 112 mph. More usefully, the scooter averaged a respectable 40 mpg, and returned over 50 mpg when ridden less enthusiastically.

Both scooters share the same chassis. The C600 Sport shown here has lower bars, a shorter

Suspension was particularly good: firm enough to allow pretty hard cornering without the wallowing generated by lesser scooters. The only disappointing area was braking, a problem shared by the GT. The front stopper lacked in bite and power, and the rear—controlled by a left-hand lever—felt rather wooden, and too quick to get into the ABS.

At a claimed 548 lbs., the Sport is a fair bit heavier than its nearest competitor, Yamaha’s T-Max, with a tall seat height that means shorter riders won’t be able to get both feet down at once.

The big seat hinges up to reveal the most innovative part: the FlexCase storage system that allows a flexible bottom of the underseat storage area to open downwards, giving room for a second full-face helmet while parked. Unfortunately, it’s only available on the Sport.

And another one from Motorcycle:

The sporty part of the Sport is brilliant. I have never enjoyed riding a scooter fast this much – it’s very close in enjoyment to riding a full-on 600cc motorcycle through the corners. As soon as that 647cc engine is spinning, there is lots of torque giving good corner exit speed. Due to the automatic transmission, you do ride differently to a motorbike, particularly mid-corner where you often have to let go completely of the throttle. It gives a peculiar feeling of cruising through mid-corner when in reality you are going as fast as you possibly can. You can’t use the engine to control speed, basically, and the brakes have to be used when you wouldn’t on a motorcycle. The nature of the CVT transmission makes the engine work in a reactive rather than progressive way.

The C 600 Sport wears Pirelli Diablo Scooter tires in dimensions 120/70-15 front and 160/60-15 rear. The width and profile is the same dimension as on most motorcycles but are on 15-inch aluminium wheels rather than 17-inchers.

The instrument console has a modern feel, and even revs are showed in a small digital graphic. There’s plenty of information, and I particularly enjoyed the outdoor temperature and miles per gallon feature. At top speed it showed around 5.1 litres per 100km (46 mpg), which isn’t bad at all considering the high speed with the windscreen in its upper position.

The fuel tank takes 4.23 gallons, and BMW’s solution in opening the fuel tank cap is very clever as you just push the ignition key and switch left to open it. Do the same towards the right and the seat opens. This enables you to stop at the petrol station and open the fuel cap without having to move.

The Spun Bearing: Leipzig BMW Werk, Active E, and Architecture

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 21:54:18 +0000

Leipzig BMW Werk

The BMW factory at Leipzig is expanding. Leipzig is adding pressing operations for metal panels, molding facilities for the outer skins of the i models, and an assembly area for the CFRP panels needed for the passenger cells in the i3 and i8.

Leipzig will, in the very near future, be building the X1, 1ers (including the FWD versions) and both i models. Currently they’re building the X1, E8x 1ers, and F20 1ers. The admin building is slowly being completely surrounded by manufacturing halls. And that’s good for Leipzig.

Leipzig uses a fingers and palm approach to final assembly. Automated work, like windshield, sunroof and rear glass installation, take place in the ‘palm’ (the long narrow strip the fingers attach to). Work that requires human activity occurs in the fingers. As the complexity (or steps required) increases the length of the finger can extended. The assembly area is extremely flexible.

The expansion of the facility for the i models is underway. BMWBLOG has covered the new CFRP pressing operations, Resin Transfer Molding, here http://www.m50d.com/2011/08/01/bmw-i-the-trouser-press/ . What was interesting to hear from Herr Mueller, Corporate and Governmental Affairs Manager Communications – Leipzig, Berlin, Eisenach, is that the aerospace industry has been lining up to see the facility. Seems BMW may be pioneering a production process for CFRP.

Active E

While in Leipzig I had an opportunity to sample the Active E in a short drive around the perimeter of the facility. The Active E is the test bed for the electric drivetrain to be used in the i3. First, the i3 will be significantly lighter than the Active E and the weight distribution will be optimized in the i3 also.

Given those handicaps, the Active E is still very much a BMW. Thanks to healthy amounts of torque, available at 0 RPM, the Active E accelerates well from a standstill to the posted speed limit (around 35 MPH). It has decent steering feel for an electrically assisted rack and it feels like a BMW should. That bodes well for the i3.

What took a bit of mental adjustment was the aggressive regenerative braking that occurs when you take your foot completely off the throttle. It decelerates quickly, it is braking, not coasting. In fact, the brake lights come on with lift throttle. And this may be the source of the confusion for the ‘one pedal’ operation. You have to learn to stay on the throttle a bit to coast.

Architecture

The Ricardo Quarterly showed up in the mailbox whist I was overseas and there was a blurb on VW’s modular transverse construction architecture known as MQB. It utilizes a fixed firewall placement (the distance between the front axle centerline and the firewall is fixed). Wheelbase, track, height and length can all be varied, except for the firewall placement. Since VW is heavily invested in FWD offerings, it makes sense.

But BMW doesn’t build cars in the volumes that VW does and they can’t afford to have separate architectures for RWD, FWD, and AWD. They had to find a way to build both FWD/RWD cars from a single architecture and that led to BMW’s unique flexible firewall location being pioneered. Believe it or not, but the 3er and the 1ers (both the RWD 1ers and soon to be Fwd 1ers) are spawned from the same architecture.

It this kind of creativity that keeps BMW in business.