Driving BMW

BMW 520d: It's fast, it's fun and it's fantastic on fuel

2011-10-28T20:39:00.000+08:00

Meet the new weapon in my anti-electric car arsenal.

It’s the BMW 520d Efficient Dynamics. We’ve just driven it and it is an amazing machine.

First, it has 182bhp under its bonnet, it does 144mph and will get to 62mph from parked in only 8.2sec.

It would, if you got a nun to drive it for you, probably manage to match its Government combined fuel consumption figure of 62.8mpg.

You’ll struggle to match this figure because the car is rather good fun to drive briskly.

In fact, it seems to be somewhat quicker than the numbers suggest because I found myself going naughtily fast without even realising it.

Unusually for a BMW, the engine size is exactly what it says it is on the badge. A 2.0-litre diesel.

It’s fitted with a device called a centrifugal pendulum vibration absorber. There’s probably one fitted to the Tardis.

In the BMW’s engine it’s responsible for killing vibration if you drive the car around in top gear with unfeasibly low rpm.

It works too: you really can drive the 520d in sixth gear at 1,500rpm without your eyes falling out.

While we’re on the subject of gears, the BMW is only available with a six-speed manual gearbox and also only as a saloon.

You can’t spec any M Sport goodies either because that would upset the greenness of the car.

There’s more cleverness under the skin, not just the pendulum thingy.

You can, using what BMW calls the Driving Experience Control switch, select several different driving modes including Eco-Pro which messes around with the air-conditioning and other electrical bits and pieces to reduce their energy demand. I think you can do something similar on my laptop to preserve its battery power.

At £30,435 the BMW 520d ED isn’t cheap but when you compare it to the Peugeot ION electric car at £33,155 it looks like an utter bargain.

But it’s not just that the BMW is cheaper than an electric car that interests me, it’s that developments in fuel economy – particularly with big cars – are moving so quickly. Without, as this car shows, losing any of the fun in the process.

Conceptual Car, Bike And Motorcycle Designs That’ll Make You Say Wow!

2011-04-03T14:34:00.000+08:00

Citroën Survolt Concept

Presented in 2010 at the Geneva Motor Show, the Citroën Survolt Concept attracted view like a magnet thanks to its unusual design. The interesting thing about this car is that it is a hybrid, being able to run as an all-electric using a rechargeable battery and small internal combustion engine.

With a sleek, compact and low-slung frame – 3.85m long, 1.87m wide & 1.2m high – SURVOLT takes inspiration from sports car styling, then casts convention aside to form an entirely new and revolutionary concept design. SURVOLT’s aerodynamic, flowing lines convey agility, precision and vitality – with a powerful, muscular character contained in its refined and luxurious frame.

Audi A9 Concept

Unlike the previous car shown, this one has not been put into production, being only a render created with the brilliant imagination of designer Daniel Garcia. Although most of us can’t afford some of these concept vehicles, it would have been nice to know that a fine piece like this one hits the streets.

Audi Axiom

The zeitgeist of today is of a fast moving world, where science is exponentially advancing and society’s complexity is rapidly changing. During the constant transitions it can be easy to overlook some important values in the search for honest design. Beauty is a diverse subject which can be applied in different ways such as aesthetics or mathematics, however it also holds intrinsic value for future generations.

The Axiom project is a branding exercise designed to introduce ‘beauty’ to the implications of Audi’s tradition. The key is to find a way in which the two can be used together to promote the beauty of today’s world. In addition to this, Axiom is a study into balancing proportion, surface tension and aesthetic emotion for the Audi brand.

Mercedes-Benz BIOME Concept

The BIOME concept has been created by the designers from the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios and it is said that it’s fully integrated into the ecosystem. I don’t know how they ended up with that conclusion cause the simple fact that it’s a hybrid is not enough. Nonetheless, the car has an incredible design and somehow reminds of the Audi RSQ that we have seen in the Hollywood movie, I, Robot.

IMF concept

Davide Panarella isn’t new to concept design, having a vast experience with these types of cars. If you search his name through the internet you’ll find a serious amount of futuristic vehicles. The IMF car (I’M Future) is said to be made from recycled materials in an attempt to protect the environment. Like most of the futuristic cars, this too has an electric engine and can be driven for 270 km. Being an electric car, you have to consider saving energy with the auxiliary functions of the car and for that, the designer has incorporated solar panels that can absorb easily energy and limit the consumption.

GreenGT Concept Car

This concept car designed by Thomas Clavet is not only for show. The people at GreenGT are planning to bring two of them to LeMans this year and to produce 22 road-going models within the next three years. Sounds brave but if you look at the technical specifications, you’ll figure out that this shouldn’t be a problem: It is powered by a pair of 100 kW water-cooled electric engines reaching a maximum speed of 275 km/

Audi D7 Concept

Kave Naser Bakht has created a bold car with great personality. Although its lights are not practical, they look almost dreamy, reminding ourselves of Tron.

Pontiac Solstice Concept

Dejan Hristov comes with an aggressive version of a Pontiac Solstice, making it more the supercar it already was. It would sure be lovely if the people at Pontiac would approach Dejan for a collaboration so we can see a speed monster like this one (at least) in a showroom.

Ferrari Enzo Concept

Peter Simon has re-imagined the Ferrari Enzo with shapes that make it look like it was taken from a Transformers movie. The model doesn’t exist and probably Ferrari doesn’t accept this type of design, being conservative and all of that when talking about their cars.

Astrum Meera Concept

Never heard of a car that has wheels working on magnetic levitation till now but glad I did. The future is now… in renders. Who knows, maybe in the future we’ll be seeing this feature, although it is incredibly hard to implement at the moment. Designed by John Baltazar and rendered by Hussain & Ali Almossawi, the car looks surprisingly real in these following images.

Zenvo ST1

Not quite a concept, the Zenvo ST1 is a luxurious car with incredible power under its hood, having the ability to develop 1104 HP of power. Ironic or not, the car is electronically limited at 373 km/h so you don’t go flying around with it.

Foldable bike

Foldable bikes are starting to become a trend among young product designers like Allen Chester G. Zhang. Of course, the bike is not only that, it also has an impressive and futuristic design.

Synapse bike

Sylvain Gerber has a pretty ugly looking site but when it’s about product design, he knows how to create impressive items like this one below.

Lexus Hybrid Bicycle Concept

This Lexus hybrid concept bike incorporates a 240 watt electric motor, 25.9 volt lithium battery pack, and a frame constructed of carbon fiber with a 8 speed internal gear system. The Lexus bicycle also has a regenerative braking system, built to convert heat energy from the brakes into electrical energy that is then stored in the battery. It can also be plugged into the mains and recharged in a mere two hours.

City Recumbent

The City Recumbent bike by Jean Davignon has a strange design, even after seeing a few bizarre bikes. This is how Jean describes his creation: ‘a fat tire composite and aluminum recumbent bicycle with a horizontal pivot twin bar fork link steering handle. rear internal gear hub with a spring loaded chain tensioner and a flexible lower chain guide. for optimal weight distribution, the seat adjustment mechanism is found under the seat. front and rear sections can be separated to facilitate transportability.’

Eco 07

Like I’ve said before, foldable bikes are a trend but besides this feature, the bike has the interesting ability to shorten its wheels. Too bad Victor Aleman didn’t give some technical specifications and just the pictures. The whole idea behind this concept is pretty interested and should be elaborated.

The Beast

The Beast, like it is called, is more of a combination of a bike and a motorcycle, reaching a maximum speed of 40 miles per hour. The interesting part about it, besides the incredible luxury for a bike, is the hybrid drive that makes possible to multiply your power when sensing that you need an extra torque.

Motorcycles

Honda CBR 1000F Custom

Hardcore modifications on a Honda CBR 1000F? That sounds interesting right? Spot on. Ian McElroy spent two years building this monster and a good thing that he took his time, cause the final result is splendid at least.

Hyundai Aebulle

A motorcycle, but with a protective space for the driver like in a car. This is Aebulle (cocoon in Korean), a motorcycle concept created by Shane Baxley. “The main idea was to design a personal vehicle that delivers the mobility and speed of a motorcycle while offering the safety that a cocoon offers a butterfly. The Aebulle is targeted for the Los Angeles region where it would utilize the commuter lanes allowing its occupant a quick commute.”

Lamborbiker 2

Flavio Adriani created what for most of us is a combination between a chopper and a speed bike. The hubless wheel design isn’t shocking anymore after seeing a few concepts with this feature, but the overall product looks at least strange. Is this the future of choppers?

The Saline Bird

We’ve seen supercars with incredible engines that could develop a lot of force and reach unimaginable speed and now it’s time to look at their version in the motorcycle industry. The Saline Bird is created for the speed enthusiasts… the record breaking speed enthusiasts. This amazing motorcycle wasn’t created by only one designer, but an army of them: Charles-Edouard Berche, Ugo Spagnolo , Adrien Fuinesl, Frédéric Dobbelstein, Jean-Philippe Paries. Vive la France!

Custom Bike Concept

Unlike the Lambo bike concept we’ve seen earlier, this monster bike created by Jean Baptiste Robilliard has a more practical look and elegant design, painted with simple black and white. The motorcycle has an electrical drivetrain and batteries and also an interesting feature that you mostly see in Formula 1, the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) that converts your breaking into energy.

900-SD Naked bike

Enough with the electric engines, this light motorcycle has a 903 cc engine with direct injection and turbo diesel that can reach a maximum speed of 240km/h. This motorcycle doesn’t have aerodynamic protection but that isn’t a problem, lying down the tank while driving at a high speed isn’t a problem, is a must.

Success Story Of A Global Trendsetter: 5 Generations Of The BMW 3 Series

2011-04-02T23:58:00.000+08:00

In the medium-size class it is considered the embodiment of the sports sedan and has maintained this leading role for many years unchallenged at the top of the premium segment.

Since debuting in 1975, more than 12 million customers worldwide have purchased a BMW 3 Series, even though the car cannot be associated with any typical customer segment. So the reasons for this remarkable success are manifold.

Then as now, the BMW 3 Series concept was unique - a compact and elegant body design, modern and efficient engines, a classic rear-wheel drive concept and a sporty suspension setup.

The result was a maximum degree of driving dynamics and agility. Moreover, BMW demonstrated a strong sense for the spirit of the time and the individual wishes of potential customers. This in turn resulted in innovative body concepts and additional technical features that competitors were unable to offer.

In this respect as well, the BMW 3 Series was the first to set the benchmark in the midrange sports sedan segment. The latest examples of this are the measures implemented within the framework of BMW Efficient Dynamics, thanks to which the BMW 3 Series achieves the lowest fuel consumption and emission levels in its class.

The BMW 3 Series Convertible, the BMW 3 Series Touring, the BMW 3 Series Coupe and the BMW 3 Series Compact eventually followed the sedan - the best-selling model variant in the global market.

In addition, BMW designed the high-performance sports sedan BMW M3. The success story of the world's most widely sold premium car began 36 years ago with a two-door version.

1975: The first generation
With the presentation of the first BMW 3 Series in July 1975, BMW opened a new chapter in the history of the automobile. Right from the start, the two-door sedan with compact dimensions and a sporty character has its very own distinctiveness.

The kidney grille dominates the front end and with a length of 4,355mm, a width of 1,610mm and a height of 1,380mm, the new car has a compact but at the same time 'grown up' appearance. Track widths of 1,364 min at the front and 1,377 mm at the rear provide the car with a powerful look.

The car is powered by four-cylinder engines with a displacement of 1,573, 1,766 and 1,990cc respectively. The model designations are 316, 318, 320 and 320i.

With the exception of the fuel-injected engine, all power units are designed to run on regular petrol.

An absolute novelty is the interior design with a cockpit inclined towards the driver, this remaining a typical feature of the BMW interior for many years.

1982: The second generation
The new BMW 3 Series reflects advancement and diversity in all respects. A new design, optimised aerodynamics, more space and comfort, higher power output as well as additional body and engine variants. BMW has consistently extended its most successful model range, offering bespoke solutions to suit customer tastes.

This generation celebrates the debut of a family-friendly four-door car (1983), the BMW 3 Series Convertible and the BMW M3 sports car (both 1985). Today, the first BMW 3 Series Convertible is a classic car that is extremely popular with many fans of the brand.

With the attractively styled 1987 touring version, BMW proves that driving fun and high utility value as well as space and functionality need not contradict each other.

Furthermore, the first diesel and the first four-wheel drive models are incorporated into the BMW 3 Series. The successful result of this strategy: With more than 2.3 million units sold, sales of the predecessor model is even exceeded by a million.

1990: The third generation
In 1990, the four-door sedan marks the launch of the third generation. The car boasts a high-level of elegance and innovative technology. It has also become significantly larger and more spacious.

The two-door version follows in 1992, but this time as an extremely elegant coupe. Just a few months later, BMW adds two further highlights -the new convertible and the new BMW M3.

With the BMW 3 Series Compact of 1994, BMW designers succeed in realising yet another conceptual innovation. It appeals predominantly to fans that attach importance to economy, without wishing to forego dynamics and comfort. The tailgate of the 4.21-metre-long BMW is a particularly practical feature.

1998: The fourth generation
May 1998 sees the arrival of the fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series, offering yet a further increase in power, comfort and safety. The new model is four centimetres longer and wider than its predecessor, the interior also having grown accordingly. At the end of 1999, the BMW 3 Series climbs to third place in the registration statistics, something a car in this class has never achieved before.

The brand's first diesel direct injection engine makes its debut in the 320d and the 318i is equipped for the first time with two balance shafts. The technically most prominent measure implemented on the six-cylinder petrol engines is the introduction of double VANOS.

2005: The fifth generation
The fifth and latest generation of the BMW 3 Series celebrates its world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show. The new combination of powerful engines, dynamic and refined handling characteristics, a distinctive design and innovative equipment features is well received all over the world.

The BMW Efficient Dynamics development strategy is now demonstrating how the pleasure of driving a BMW 3 Series can be brought into line with exemplary fuel economy and low emission levels.

For example, all petrol engines feature direct injection technology High Precision Injection, which is utilised in the six-cylinder models 330i and 325i and in the four-cylinder versions 320i and 318i in fuel-efficient lean-burn operation.

In the BMW 335i, the injection system is combined with TwinPower Turbo technology and fully variable valve control Valvetronic. In order to optimise weight, BMW utilises an aluminium crankcase or an even lighter magnesium-aluminium composite.

In the model year 2010, all engines fulfil the EU5 emission standard. The BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition proves to be by far the most efficient medium-class car.

During the course of the past 36 years, BMW has constantly continued to extend its lead in the midrange sports segment. The BMW 3 Series displays its sporting origins in various variants and performance classes more convincingly than any other vehicle in its class.

At the same time, BMW again and again proves to be an innovative trendsetter and forerunner, not only with engines and drive technology. The success story will continue as the sixth generation will soon be in the starting blocks.

Why Lexus Doesn't Lead the Pack in China

2011-03-25T23:09:00.000+08:00

Even after a series of embarrassing recalls last year, Toyota Motor's (TM) Lexus managed to remain the No. 1 luxury vehicle maker in the U.S.—a spot it's held for 11 years running. In China, however, it's an also-ran. Lexus sold just a fifth of luxury leader Audi's tally last year in the world's biggest car market. It also trails BMW and Daimler's Mercedes.

To bolster Lexus's standing in China, Toyota is turning to the feature that cemented its early success in the U.S.: extreme customer service. Showroom amenities such as cappuccino machines, Wi-Fi, Lego tables for the kids, and airport shuttles for busy executives dropping off their cars for servicing—now-standard touches among luxe brands in America—took root in Lexus's signature tan and black dealerships in the U.S. during the 1990s.

To learn the latest in consumer coddling, Toyota is embedding two Chinese managers at Lexus's U.S. headquarters in Torrance, Calif. They'll stay a year to learn all aspects of the luxury brand's operations, rotating through sales, marketing, and customer service. Then they'll return to instruct Lexus colleagues back home. "The U.S. is the most sophisticated auto market in the world, in terms of our capabilities," said Mark Templin, head of U.S. Lexus sales.

The same can't be said for Lexus in China; "nothing stands out from Lexus's service," says Maggie Lin, a 32-year-old owner of a decorative stones business in Foshan who owns an imported Lexus RX sport-utility vehicle and an Audi A6 sedan. "I don't feel there's anything special compared with what Audi has been doing. They are more or less the same." Although Lexus sales in China grew 61 percent, to 49,000 cars, last year, Audi sold 236,000, says J.D. Power and Associates.

Lexus is adapting its models to fit local tastes. "Consumer needs are not all the same in each market," explains Takeshi Uchiyamada, Toyota's executive vice-president for research and product development. "In China, within the Lexus lineup we're introducing smaller-engine cars favored by Chinese customers." Examples include the recently added IS 250 sedan and IS 250C convertible, whose 2.5-liter engines are much smaller than the 3.5-liter found in the RX SUV popular in the U.S. Lexus plans to sell a new entry-level hybrid Lexus, the CT 200h, later this year that will have sportier handling than Toyota's Prius. The model, promoted as the "darker side of green," will compete with BMW's 1 Series, the Audi A3, and Mercedes's B-Class models.

John Zeng, a Shanghai-based analyst for J.D. Power, says Toyota is at a disadvantage because it imports all the Lexus cars it sells in China. Importers pay a 25 percent custom duty and a 17 percent value-added tax. There's also a consumption tax, based on engine size, that can reach 40 percent. That can make Lexus prices too high for younger buyers, Zeng says. "Toyota insists on producing Lexus in Japan," he says. "But if you want to achieve the volume of your competitors, you have to follow your competitors' strategy. BMW, Audi, Mercedes—they are all focused on localizing production of their models."

Analysts say Toyota has been reluctant to entrust non-Japanese plants with the luxury brand because they want to control quality and protect intellectual property. The automaker is also moving forward cautiously after a year of recalls globally for problems including quality glitches in Lexus models. "Especially now, we're not going all out to go as fast as we can in China," says Karl Schlicht, head of the brand's global product and marketing division. "We've learned a big lesson."

Lexus's underdog status is partly due to its later entry into China. It opened its first dedicated showrooms there in 2005, after beginning imports in 1993. Audi, the favored brand of Chinese bureaucrats, is owned by Volkswagen, which entered the market in 1985.

Globally, Lexus sales have failed to take off in major markets outside of the U.S. In Japan, sales reached 33,400 cars last year, about half the company's original target when the brand was introduced there in 2005. By contrast, Lexus's U.S. sales rose 6.2 percent in 2010, to 229,329. While worldwide sales rose 12 percent, to 410,000 cars, that's less than a third of luxury car leader BMW's deliveries of 1.46 million cars.

Even if Lexus becomes China's customer-service champ, it may not lure more buyers, says Beijing Mercedes owner Wang Jun. "The Chinese market is still a seller's market," Wang says. "People pay more attention to brand reputation, quality, and price rather than dealer services."

2012 X3 Voted “Four-Wheel Drive Car of the Year" by Auto Bild

2011-03-25T23:04:00.000+08:00

Amidst an impressive start on the international automotive markets, the new BMW X3 has rapidly become the shooting star in its segment. Winning the title of “Four-Wheel Drive Car of the Year 2011” awarded by the specialist car magazine “Auto Bild Allrad” is current proof of the new BMW X3’s exceptionally high degree of popularity. The success in the reader survey conducted by Europe’s biggest-selling specialist journal for four-wheel drive cars is already the BMW X3’s second title victory this year. Only a few weeks ago, readers of the magazine “Off Road” voted the Sports Activity Vehicle “Off-road Vehicle of the Year 2011”. With this double success, the new BMW X3 is quick in following the traces of its predecessor, which, in 2006 and 2007, was able to secure the readers’ vote of both periodicals twice in succession.

For the eleventh time now, readers of “Auto Bild Allrad” were asked to name their favourite models from those available on the German car market. In nine categories, there were more than 130 four-wheel drive vehicles to choose from. The new BMW X3 promptly secured first place in the category “Off-road vehicles and SUVs ranging from 25,000 to 40,000 Euros”. The associated title of “Four-Wheel Drive Car of the Year 2011” was awarded during a festive ceremony in Frankfurt on 24 March 2011.

With a captivating design, a unique combination of sportiness and efficiency as well as the largest and most variable luggage compartment in the competitive environment, the BMW X3, which has been on sale in Germany since November 2010, yet again sets standards in driving pleasure, versatility and premium quality. Compared to the predecessor model, with which BMW established the concept of the Sports Activity Vehicle in this segment, it offers a noticeable increase in space, even more efficient engines, optimum motoring comfort and a widened choice of innovative equipment features. Both at the front and at the rear the new BMW X3 convinces through outstanding travel comfort and a high-class ambience. With a 550-litre loading capacity, which can be increased to 1,600 litres, and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats, the vehicle’s carrying capacities also set new benchmarks for the segment.

In the spring of 2011, the engine portfolio for the new BMW X3 will comprise two petrol engines and two diesel engines with a power output ranging from 135 kW/184 bhp to 225 kW/306 bhp. Depending on the engine variant, the new BMW X3 features an eight-speed automatic transmission either as standard or as an option. The still unique, intelligent four-wheel drive system xDrive has been optimised even further. Electronically controlled power distribution ensures not only supreme traction and maximum road stability on slippery surfaces, but also superior dynamics on the road, thus providing that unmistakable driving pleasure that is so typical of BMW. Moreover, the new BMW X3 shoots way ahead of competition thanks to an extensive choice of innovative equipment features, driving assistance systems and mobility services from BMW ConnectedDrive. For example, the new BMW X3 is the only model in its class to be optionally fitted with a Head-Up Display and offer in-car Internet access.

Jaguar XKR-S Details and Specs

2011-03-22T23:53:00.000+08:00

Amongst all of the amazing cars revealed at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, we liked the Jaguar XKR-S best of all! This hardened more powerful version of the XKR GT is the best version of the car, and a very very cool car.

Now Jaguar released full details and specs of the car, as well as its pricing which is £97,000 when ordering opens in September. The car is powered by an uprated supercharged AJ-V8 Gen III R direct-injection engine produces 550PS and 680Nm of torque. This power means it can go as fast as 300 kph with 0-60mph reached in just 4.2 seconds.

Others features of this car we should mention before getting into the details include active sports exhaust delivers an authentic, race-car inspired soundtrack, lightweight advanced aluminium body architecture to maximise performance, agility and economy, bespoke suspension changes front and rear for ultimate precision, control and driver appeal, unique styling which is more of a facelift really, revised interior with 16-way adjustable memory sports seats with carbon-fibre effect leather, and…

Now buckle up for an extensive tour of the XKR-S. Everything you want to know about this super Jag is mentioned here!

Introduction

Making its debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2011, the XKR-S is the most extreme expression yet of Jaguar’s passion for building beautiful, fast cars. For the first time with a series production car, Jaguar gains entry to the exclusive ‘300kph club’ thanks to the effortless performance of the supercharged 5.0-litre AJ-V8 engine. A revised fuelling map means the direct-injection powerplant now produces 550PS and 680Nm of torque. Extensive recalibration has ensured that power delivery and performance are seamless, contributing to a 0-60mph time of 4.2 seconds. The Performance active exhaust encourages and rewards the enthusiastic driver with dramatic, motorsport-inspired aural feedback.

The XKR-S is not merely the quickest Jaguar ever but also the most agile, responsive and driver-focused. The pinnacle of the XK range builds on feedback gathered from the supercharged XKR and has been developed to extend the performance parameters of the car. This new harder-edged character allows the enthusiastic driver to explore the outer limits of the car’s dynamics without losing the refinement and usability for which Jaguar is famous. The structural integrity of the lightweight aluminium platform allowed the suspension to be reworked with bespoke components for increased stiffness without a commensurate loss in either refinement or Jaguar’s legendary ride comfort. A reworked aluminium front suspension knuckle and revised rear geometry are allied to stiffer springs and dampers, lightweight forged alloy wheels and recalibrated steering effort to minimise any response delays and produce a more connected and agile driving experience.

The performance of the XKR-S is reflected in both its interior and exterior styling, which feature exclusive new paint colours that reflect Jaguar’s racing heritage. As with competition Jaguars of the past, the exterior of the XKR-S adheres to the principle of form following function. In addition to the styling changes and in order for it to achieve 300kph, the XKR-S was the subject of extensive Computational Fluid Dynamics development work. The resulting changes reduced front and rear lift by more than a quarter and optimised lateral aerodynamic stability.

The performance intent of the XKR-S is clear from the moment the driver enters the cabin thanks to new cosseting Performance seats with prominent shoulder wings for close support during hard cornering. The seats feature 16-way adjustment, memory and heating functions while a new three-spoke steering wheel provides the perfect interface between car and driver.

Styling

Unique, new front-end design with twin nacelles, side intakes and carbon-fibre splitter.
Extended side sills emphasising the 10mm lower ride height.
New rear apron incorporating a carbon-fibre diffuser.
Unique to the XKR-S is a rear wing with carbon-fibre centre section.
Ian Callum, Design Director, Jaguar Cars: “The styling of this car isn’t about image, it’s about true performance. Like other iconic Jaguars before it, the styling has been driven by geometry and aerodynamics for genuine design purity. The physics required to achieve 300kph have led the aesthetic; if you don’t like the way it looks, you probably won’t like the way it drives either.”

The first Jaguar designed entirely under the aegis of Design Director Ian Callum, the XK has received awards worldwide for its elegant appearance. Now further styling changes keep the XKR-S at the forefront of modern sports car design. Slimmer, LED headlights, more compact main air intake and vertical side power vent all contribute to a more purposeful front-end appearance. At the rear of the car the famous Jaguar ‘Leaper’ now takes pride of place in the centre of the bootlid.

The XKR-S also required aerodynamic modifications to achieve its 300kph top speed in the unruffled manner expected of a Jaguar and has been designed solely with an eye for purity of line and singularity of purpose. As the XKR-S approaches its top speed, there is a requirement to channel air cleanly over, around and under the car in order to maintain stability and ensure balanced downforce front and rear. An overall reduction in lift of 26 per cent has been achieved.

The necessary revisions were made after extensive Computational Fluid Dynamics work, proven through wind tunnel testing and are unique to this flagship of the XK range. The most dramatic changes have been applied to the front of the car, radically altering its appearance and lending it a more assertive look. A new bumper design features near vertical feature lines running down from the edges of the oval air intake and supporting the new carbon-fibre splitter and lower spoiler. At the extreme edges of the front fenders, vertical slots channel air down the sides of the car and along the wider sills for increased high-speed directional stability.

In order to balance front and rear lift, the XKR-S features a separate rear wing, a first for the XK range. This addition, with its carbon-fibre centre section, works in concert with the similarly constructed Venturi structure underneath the rear bumper.

The assertive new appearance of the XKR-S is subtly highlighted by some carefully chosen details exclusive to this model. Exterior trim is finished in gloss black, complemented by 20-inch Vulcan lightweight forged alloys in a dark technical finish.

The XKR-S is available in a range of five paint colours, two of which evoke Jaguar’s competition heritage: Italian Racing Red and French Racing Blue.

Like the lining of a bespoke suit, the finishing touch is provided by the brake calipers, available in either red or gunmetal and emblazoned with the ‘Jaguar’ name.

Performance/Powertrain

Third generation of the award-winning AJ-V8 all-aluminium powerplant with twin-vortex Roots-type supercharger.
Revising the fuelling map boosts power and torque to 550PS and 680Nm.
Spray-guided direct injection delivers precisely measured quantities of fuel into the cylinder heads at 150bar.
Variable timing system on all four camshafts features actuation rates of more than 150 degrees per second.
Russ Varney, Chief Programme Engineer, XK: “With the XKR-S we have exploited the inherent capabilities of the aluminium architecture to its fullest extent to create a track-capable performance derivative extending all car’s attributes and delivering an irresistible ‘smile of satisfaction’ response from the driver.”

Astonishing engines have always formed the strongly beating heart of Jaguar’s road and race cars from the record-setting straight-six in the XK120 to the smooth V12 that made the XJ12 the fastest four-door in the world when it was launched.

The AJ-V8 joined this illustrious list from the moment the first one was fired into life but in the XKR-S it is presented in its most potent form to date. Now in its third generation and with the addition of supercharging, the all-aluminium quad-cam powerplant delivers not only extreme performance but also tremendous efficiency thanks to the technologies incorporated into it, including spray-guided direct injection (SGDI) and dual independent variable cam timing (DIVCT).

Fuel is delivered directly to the centre of the combustion chambers at a pressure of up to 150bar by the centrally-mounted six-hole spray-guided injection system in order to maximise fuel-air mixing and improve responsiveness, particularly at low speeds. It has also allowed an increase in compression ratio from 9.1:1 to 9.5:1 to improve fuel economy while multiple injections reduce the warm up phase to increase catalyst efficiency and reduce emissions.

Each of the four camshafts features a variable timing system which rather than being controlled by oil pressure, are activated by the positive and negative torques generated by the movement of the intake and outlet valves, allowing for a smaller, more efficient oil pump to be fitted, further reducing fuel consumption. The VCT units respond up to three times faster than previously with actuation rates of more than 150 degrees per second at every point in the speed range, making this the most responsive engine Jaguar has ever built, with no gaps in its power delivery.

Like the car itself, the AJ-V8 features aluminium architecture with the high pressure die-cast lightweight block augmented by cast iron liners and cross-bolted main bearing caps which contribute to refinement to match its power. The four-valve cylinder heads are now constructed from recycled aluminium to reduce the environmental impact of engine manufacture.

Nestling in the ‘V’ of the cylinders is the Roots-type twin vortex supercharger and its two intercoolers that help provide the XKR-S with such urgent motive power. This sixth-generation forced induction unit is 20 per cent more thermodynamically efficient than its predecessor, while the intercoolers feature their own water-cooling circuit to reduce the temperature of the pressurised air to optimise power and efficiency.

The surfeit of power produced by this system meant that it was a relatively simple matter to liberate an extra 40PS and 55Nm over the standard XKR. Remapping the engine’s fuelling characteristics and increasing exhaust gas flow through the use of an active exhaust system has lifted total output of the 5.0-litre V8 is now 550PS and 680Nm, making it the most powerful Jaguar road engine ever made and allowing the XKR-S to hit 60mph in 4.2 seconds and breach the magical 300kph barrier with ease.

The Performance active exhaust system that helps provide such spirited performance also produces a thrilling motorsport-inspired soundtrack to aurally reward the enthusiastic driver.

Handling

Incredibly light and rigid with a kerb weight of 1753kg and torsional stiffness of 28,400N per degree
New aluminium front knuckle increases stiffness by 0.13 Deg/kN
Front and rear spring rates increased by 28 per cent
New 20” Vulcan wheels and Pirelli P-Zero tyres reduce unsprung mass by 4.8kg
Rewritten stability control software optimises the system for enthusiastic driving
Jaguar High Performance Braking System fitted as standard
Mike Cross, Chief Engineer, Vehicle Integrity: “This car encompasses everything a performance Jaguar should be; as capable, precise and thrilling on a wet Welsh B-road as it is at the Nürburgring. Every response delay has been minimised in order to give the car a more connected feel in the manner in which it steers, handles, stops and goes.”

Jaguar pioneered the use of aluminium construction for series production cars, exploiting the metal’s low mass and high tensile strength to maximise benefits in terms of performance, agility, fuel consumption and emissions.

The platform underpinning the XK range makes the car one of the lightest and most rigid in its class with a kerb weight of 1753kg and torsional stiffness of 28,400 Newtons per degree. This fundamental strength allowed Jaguar’s Vehicle Integrity team, led by Mike Cross, to develop the dynamic attributes of the XKR-S to the full, without affecting refinement. Every Jaguar achieves an unrivalled mix of sporting appeal and luxurious comfort and the XKR-S is the most driver focused Jaguar ever made.

Taking the solid foundation of the aluminium architecture as a starting point, both front and rear suspension systems have been upgraded. The double wishbone front suspension has been comprehensively revised with a new aluminium steering knuckle that significantly increases camber and castor stiffness by 0.13 degrees per Kilonewton to transform the accuracy and weighting of the steering for greater levels of connection, feedback and precision. The Active Differential Control has been reprogrammed to reduce steering sensitivity at the very high speeds of which the car is capable, increasing stability and driver control.

Rear suspension geometry has been revised with rear wheel steer optimised for maximum agility while spring rates have been increased at both ends of the car by 28 per cent. Bespoke software for Jaguar’s Adaptive Damping has been written for the XKR-S, ensuring both total body control and maximum traction and grip.

Wheel sizes have been increased with the unique lightweight forged Vulcan 20-inch alloys now having a width of nine inches at the front and 10.5-inches at the rear for greater precision and grip. The new wheels wear Pirelli P Zero tyres measuring 255/35 R20 at the front, 295/35 R20 at the rear. This combination has reduced overall unsprung mass by 4.8kg with a commensurate improvement in handling and dynamism.

The Dynamic Stability Control System has been reworked to maximise the benefit of these wider tyres. In Trac DSC mode this utilises specific traction, stability and eDiff settings to alter slip thresholds, differential torque distribution and intervention levels to allow the experienced driver to explore the outer edges of the performance and handling envelope.

The XKR-S is equipped as standard with Jaguar’s High Performance Braking System. Lighter and more powerful, this features cast iron and part aluminium monobloc calipers for a combination of power, stability and feel. The brake discs – measuring 380mm at the front and 376mm at the rear – are internally ventilated to provide repeated, fade-free stopping power. In combination with pad surface increases of 44 per cent front and 31 per cent rear the system provides total security and confidence on both road and track. Stopping distance from 124mph has been improved by 2.7 per cent over the already impressive XKR.

Interior

The cabin of any Jaguar is always a uniquely special place in which to spend time and the XKR-S meets all expectations from the moment the driver enters to be greeted by the red Start button pulsing like a heartbeat. When pressed, the engine fires with an rich, deep reverberation and the Jaguar Drive Selector rises from the centre console as a point of first contact to begin the process of bonding man with machine.

The interior of the XKR-S has been subtly refreshed with a host of new trim materials including ebony soft-feel paint for the switches and gloss black finish to the centre console. The model will also be exclusively available with a Dark Linear Aluminium finish as an option to the wood veneers.

A new leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel has also been added, providing a beautiful, tactile interface between car and driver as do the bright, Jaguar-embossed, stainless steel pedals.

Exclusive to the XKR-S are the new Performance front seats with an integrated head restraints and increased lateral and squab support to hold driver and passenger securely and comfortably in place during the high speed cornering of which this car is capable. The 16-way adjustment of squab, cushion, lumbar and bolster elements is supplemented by memory and heating functions.

The sense of occasion offered when driving the XKR-S will be heightened by the new carbon leather accents covering the seats, featuring unique contrast micro-piping and stitching combinations in Reims Blue, Red and Ivory. Duotone combinations of Charcoal with Tan and Charcoal with Red are also available.

Technical Specifications

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION
Engine Capacity (litres) 5.0
Engine Capacity (cc) 5000
Cylinders 8
Valves per Cylinder 4
Compression Ratio 9.5:1
Bore/Stroke (mm) 92.5/93.0
Bore/Stroke (inches) 3.64/3.66
Final Drive Ratio 3.31:1
Transmission 6-speed automatic
1st 4.17:1
2nd 2.30:1
3rd 1.52:1
4th 1.14:1
5th 0.87:1
6th 0.69:1
Rev 3.40:1
PERFORMANCE
0-60mph (seconds) 4.2
0-100kph (seconds) 4.4
0-100mph (seconds) 8.7
100-180kph (seconds) 7.6
Top Speed (mph/kph) 186/300
Max. Power (BHP@rpm) 542
Max. Power (PS@rpm) 550
Max. Power (KW@rpm) 405
Power to Weight Ratio (BHP/ton) 309
Power to Weight Ratio (PS/tonne) 314
Torque (lb ft@rpm) 502
Torque (Nm@rpm) 680
Torque to Weight Ratio (lb-ft/ton) 286
Torque to Weight Ratio (Nm/tonne) 388
Aerodynamics (Cd) 0.34
ECONOMY
Urban (mpg) 15
Urban (l/100km) 18.9
Extra Urban (mpg) 33
Extra Urban (l/100km) 8.6
Combined (mpg) 23
Combined (l/100km) 12.3
City EPA 15
Highway EPA 22
US C-H Combined (US mpg) 17
Fuel Tank Capacity (litres) 74.0
NEDC Combined CO2 (g/km) 292
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase (inches) 108.3
Wheelbase (mm) 2752
Front Track (inches) 61.4
Front Track (mm) 1560
Rear Track (inches) 63.3
Rear Track (mm) 1608
Overall Length (inches) 188.7
Overall Length (mm) 4794
Overall Width excl. mirrors (inches) 74.5
Overall Width excl. mirrors (mm) 1892
Overall Height (inches) 52.0
Overall Height (mm) 1312
Turning Radius (metres) 10.9
WEIGHT
EU: Kerb Weight (lbs) 3865
EU: Kerb Weight (kg) 1753
Federal: Lightest Weight (lbs) 3968
Gross Vehicle Weight (kg)
1800

G-Power Presents 725-hp BMW X6M

2011-03-22T23:41:00.000+08:00

The power-crazed mentalists at G-Power tuning center released the most powerful package yet for BMW X6M with a whopping 725 horsepower. That is a full 170 hp more than the standard car.

To gain that power they have basically re-engineered the X6M’s 4.4 liter biturbo V8. They even redesigned the Typhoon S body kit on this car for a better air flow for the engine.They’ve enlarged air intakes in the front skirt and the made new vents in the bonnet.

Then there’s some modification on engine mapping, including removal of the top speed limiter and a full stainless steel G POWER system (also available in titanium) that delivers the necessary reduction in exhaust gas pressure and is complemented by a new exhaust manifold. Optimised connecting channels also run between the turbochargers and cylinder heads to minimise pressure and shock losses.

The result is 725 hp at 6,000 r/min and over 1000 Nm of torque as of 1,500 r/min. The torque actually had to be limited to 890 Nm because that’s the maximum the gearbox can take. Still, it can sprint to 100 km/h takes just 4.2 seconds, and reach top speed of more than 300 km/h.

As mentioned the car also gets a revised version of G-POWER TYPHOON wide-body kit with large air intakes and a carbon fiber vented bonnet. The widened fenders are filled with forged 3-part G-POWER SILVERSTONE RS aluminium wheels measuring 11×23 and 12×23 inches (also available in 22-inch), wrapped in 315/25 ZR 23 high-performance tires and tamed by G-POWER sports springs that lower the car by 30mm.

G-Power has been too busy with the technicalities to upgrade the interior of this car, but if you request they can provide personalization programs with handmade leather and Alcantara upholstery.

2011 BMW 1-Series M Coupe Safety Car

2011-03-19T13:58:00.000+08:00

BMW will once again serve as the Safety Car for MotoGP events, but this time, the X6M was shown the door while the new 1-Series M Coupe was dressed up to play the part.

The BMW Safety Car is a one-off model built especially for this race series, with only the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with 340 horsepower and drivetrain being kept from the original model. The goal for the transformation of the car was weight loss. The M Coupe Safety Car received a carbon fiber reinforced bonnet with additional large air vents and polycarbonate side and rear windows. A lightweight titanium race exhaust system was also used to reduce the car’s overall weight. On the boot lid, there is an adjustable rear wing to provide the requisite downforce, while the aerodynamically honed front apron features an additional splitter integrated on the underside of the apron.

For the BMW 1-Series M Coupe to fully cope with the track life, it received a high performance suspension system with an adjustable race track set-up, a sport tuned chassis, and special 19" wheels with tires measuring 255/35 at the front and 285/30 at the rear. The original brakes from the 1-Series have also been replaced by a six-piston fixed-caliper racing brake system.

The interior has also been adapted for the race series. A rollover cage was bolted behind the B-pillar and new front racing bucket seats were put in as standard with 6-point safety belts. The M steering wheels has also been modified with Alcantara dressing. Additional weight was shed with the removal of the rear seats.

BMW Motorsport presents the teams for its DTM project

2011-03-17T22:45:00.000+08:00

BMW Motorsport heralds a new era on its way entering the DTM. Development of the car has been running at full speed in Munich for some months now, as has the central preparation for the logistics and assembly of the race cars. Three teams, each lining up with two BMW M3 DTM cars, will be responsible for the races themselves.
BMW Motorsport has enjoyed great success in production car racing in the past with both BMW Team RBM and BMW Team Schnitzer, and all those involved are hungry for more of the same. In Reinhold Motorsport GmbH they are joined by a new team still in its fledgling stage, but which boasts individual members with a vast wealth of motorsport experience.

Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director, says: “In recent months we have worked very intensely on the DTM project. The agreement with the teams was of paramount importance. We were pleased with the high level of interest and numerous applications and presentations received from a number of professional teams. The concepts presented by BMW Team RBM, BMW Team Schnitzer and Reinhold Motorsport GmbH ultimately convinced us. This is an excellent team line-up for BMW. For us, it is important that all three teams have absolute equal rights. We are looking forward to cooperating over the coming years – and hope to enjoy great success together.”
Bart Mampaey, Team Manager of BMW Team RBM, says: “The DTM is one of the toughest and the most popular racing series in the world for production cars. From a sporting point of view this poses a great challenge – but an appetizing one. We are honoured to be able to continue our successful cooperation with BMW Motorsport, which has yielded many WTCC titles, in the DTM. We still have a lot of work ahead of us over the coming months, and are now looking forward to getting to grips with the project.”
Stefan Reinhold, founder of Reinhold Motorsport GmbH, says: “In April last year, BMW announced its intention to compete in the DTM. From this day on, we have always wanted to be a part of this project. Shortly after the announcement, we presented our concept to BMW in Munich, and started to work on meeting the prerequisites for any potential cooperation. We are very proud to have been given the nod. To be part of the BMW Motorsport family with immediate effect and to strive for DTM success together is simply fantastic. We can hardly wait to get started and to vindicate the huge amount of trust BMW has placed in us.”
Charly Lamm, Team Manager of BMW Team Schnitzer, adds: “We are really looking forward to tackling the DTM project together with BMW. Schnitzer Motorsport has enjoyed a successful past in the DTM and achieved many victories together with BMW. However, past success is no guarantee that we will also be victorious in the future. The bar is set really high in DTM, and our preparations will be intensive to meet this challenge. Every team is highly motivated and the anticipation is mounting every day as we get closer to the start of the 2012 DTM season.”
BMW Team Schnitzer will run two BMW M3 GT cars for BMW Motorsport at the major endurance races in Europe and Asia. BMW Team RBM is involved in BMW customer racing projects, including the development of the BMW 320 TC and the further development of the BMW Z4 GT3.
Mario Theissen says: “While the preparation for this year’s involvement on the endurance racing circuit with the BMW M3 GT is in its final phase, the DTM project has picked up pace over the past few months. In naming the teams, we have taken the next step. As well as developing the car, it is now a matter of assigning tasks and establishing structures and processes. The cooperation between BMW Motorsport and the teams, as well as that between the team bases and the race track, must be well established. Only then will we make a statement regarding the driving line-up.”

BMW unveils new 650i as bit of sports car heaven

2011-03-14T10:30:00.000+08:00

BMW unveils its newest refined sports car, the 650i Coupe, a third-generation that the brand says drives better than the last.

It arrives with a twin-turbocharged, direct-injected V-8 engine producing 400 horsepower. It can be paired with either an eight-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual. Either way, expect 0 to 60 miles per hour in in 4.8 seconds.

"This is the only car in the segment to offer the combination of top-class sporting ability, exclusive touring comfort and a (big) luggage compartment," BMW writes.

The 2+2, arriving in the U.S. this fall, also has BMW's latest entertainment system.
Other features include a rear-view camera, the ability to parallel park itself and an infrared pedestrian detection system for night driving.

BMW X6

2010-08-18T21:50:00.002+08:00

The X3 as well as X 6 are considered to be the oldest series of BMW. They were launched 7 years ago in the fall of 2003 at the Frankfurt auto show. But, in fact, it is time to go on. The next-generation 6-series will be launched in the near future, i.e. in late 2010 or early 2011.

It is expected that the next 6 will be not so bulky compared to the current model. It will be enabled with styling elements and it will be less controversial compared to the outgoing protruding posterior of the model. The new car will look tighter, more aggressive and even leaner.

Europe will be provided with a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel car but it is unknown whether the U.S, will offer such cars. But it is expected that the M6 will appear in the US market. It is like the next M5 which is enabled with the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8. It should be mentioned that the current models of V-10 M6 and M5 were offered with the automated SMG transmission.

BMW will make the new car with a convertible as well as coupe. It is hoped that the convertible will come with a traditional fabric roof. Moreover, there will be a third variation of the car, i.e. a sedan. It is expected to be dubbed as a four-door coupe. Such a model is being developed in order to rival with the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Audi A7.

BMW X3

2010-07-16T00:02:00.006+08:00

The All-New BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle®
Second generation of a vehicle that launched an entire segment.

In 2004 BMW introduced a new concept to the market: the small, premium Sports Activity Vehicle with all-road capability and unparalleled driving dynamics. This first generation BMW X3 became a best seller in the BMW line…both in the United States and in Europe. Through its lifecycle, over 600,000 original X3s have been sold worldwide with 150,000 sold in the USA. Subsequently, several competitors have entered the now hotly-contested segment.

The new second generation BMW X3 builds on the success of the original by developing its core competencies while adding new technology to establish new benchmarks for agility, efficiency and comfort. The new BMW X3 will be produced in an expansion of the BMW Spartanburg, South Carolina plant and is expected to arrive in US BMW Centers by the end of 2010.

Design: Exterior

The design of the new BMW X3 conveys elegance, agility and ruggedness. Up front, the forward-slanting BMW kidney grille and large headlight assembly combine with a powerful-looking front apron and hood boasting six contour lines sweeping down to meet at the kidney grill, giving the X3 a bold presence. The twin round headlights combined with the round fog lamps form the triangular light pattern that is characteristic of BMW SAV design. The upper edge of the headlight assembly sports an accentuating chrome trim, creating the focused design typical of BMW vehicles. BMW’s signature “Corona Rings” are again illuminated to function as the daytime running lights. When equipped with the optional Xenon headlights, the Corona Rings and daytime running lights are illuminated by bright white LEDs.

The profile of the new BMW X3 is also characterized by a unique interpretation of typical BMW X design features. Powerfully flared wheel arches and the short front and rear overhangs emphasize the robust character of a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle. The dynamic appearance of the silhouette is accentuated by three characteristic lines. The new BMW X3’s brand-typical upper contour line at door handle level rises steeply at first within the front wheel arch area, then flows gently to the rear. Two additional subtle lines follow this contour line above the wheel arches.

The rear is characterized by horizontal lines, underlining the new BMW X3’s robust character. Precise lines and expressively modeled surfaces create attractive light and shadow effects. The taillights, which are located far to the outside, have a distinctive T-shape that is characteristic of the BMW X3. LED light bars create a distinctive BMW night-time design signature.

Dimensionally, compared to its predecessor the new X3 is a half-inch (12mm) taller, 3.36-inches (83mm) longer, 1.1-inches (28mm) wider, and features a half-inch (12mm) more ground clearance. It rides on a wheelbase which is 0.6-inches (15mm) longer, at 110.6 inches (2810mm).

Interior: First-class ambience, intelligent functionality.

A generous and versatile spatial concept, high-grade materials and a characteristic three-dimensional surface design provide the interior of the new BMW X3 with a modern, premium ambience and intelligent functionality. The horizontal lines of the instrument panel accentuate the width of the interior. The driver orientated cockpit, a hallmark of BMW design, is emphasized by the asymmetrically designed center console. The Central Display of the optional navigation system with fourth generation BMW iDrive is harmoniously integrated into the instrument panel. The system features in 8.8-inch high-resolution trans-reflective screen that is the largest on-board monitor in its vehicle segment. Throughout the vehicle, new BMW X3 has a large number of storage compartments, trays and cup holders.

The raised seating position facilitates egress and ingress, while providing outstanding outward visibility. The three rear seats offer outstanding comfort for travelling long distances and significantly more leg and elbow room than its predecessor. With EU-measured cargo volume between 19 and 56.6 cu.ft. (550 and 1,600 liters), the luggage compartment of the new BMW X3 is the largest in its segment. At the same time, the versatility with which available space can be adapted to suit each personal requirement is also unrivalled. The rear seat backrests can be split at a ratio 60 : 40 and can be folded down either individually or together. The optional rear seats with ski pass-through has three segments of 40 : 20 : 40 can be folded down individually or in combination making it possible to adapt the luggage compartment in varying degrees according to need.

The X3 xDrive28i: 6-cylinder power for the entry model.

For the US, the entry-level X3 xDrive28i will feature BMW’s award-winning magnesium/aluminum 3.0-liter inline-6. In 2006 and 2007, the “N52” was awarded the distinction of being one of Wards 10 Best Engines of the Year. Its magnesium/aluminum construction, Valvetronic variable valve lift and Double-VANOS are features found only on BMW engines, and it is currently the lightest six cylinder engine for its size class in the world. The N52 in the X3 is rated at 240 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 230 lb-ft of torque between 2,600 and 3,000 rpm.

That’s good enough to accelerate from 0 -60 mph in 6.7 seconds (preliminary). That’s nearly a half-second quicker than the previous X3 xDrive30i equipped with an automatic transmission.

The X3 xDrive35i: Class leading performance and efficiency.

The new top model BMW X3 xDrive35i features BMW’s newest turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 “N55” engine combining direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbo technology and Valvetronic. The N55 engine develops a maximum output of 300 hp at 5,800 rpm, with peak torque of 300 lb-ft available all the way from 1,200–5,000 rpm. Redline is 7,000 rpm.

This engine enables the X3 xDrive35i to sprint from 0 to 60mph in just 5.5 seconds (preliminary). Top speed is electronically limited to 150mph when fitted with the optional Sport Package.

Both the BMW X3 xDrive28i and the X3 xDrive35i will offer not only the most dynamic driving characteristics in their categories, but also by far the most favorable fuel consumption and emission levels within their class. EPA fuel efficiency estimates will be provided closer to the on-sale date in the United States.

Playing a supporting role: The innovative new 8-speed automatic transmission.

Like many new BMW models, the new X3 features an 8-speed automatic transmission which brings smooth shifting, sportiness and efficiency to new levels of perfection. Compared to the exemplary 6-speed automatic offered previously, the 8-speed has “taller” cruising gears that make a significant contribution to reduced fuel consumption and emissions, as well as quietness. Its wider spread of ratios from lowest to highest gear enhances acceleration and response across the range of driving speeds. The revolutionary design even allows for direct shifts from 8th gear to 2nd gear for maximum acceleration.

This new automatic’s attributes have been achieved via an innovative concept that provides the two additional ratios (7 and 8) with no increase in bulk or weight. In a ground-breaking arrangement, four planetary gearsets and five clutch packs are controlled in a way that no more than two of the five clutch packs are freewheeling at any given time. The modest increase in the number of mechanical elements allows the new transmission to achieve unusually high efficiency. The so-called “gearing efficiency” is higher than 98% in all eight gears. . In 6th, gearing efficiency is at its optimum because that is a direct drive. Combine this with reduced friction and the ability to keep the torque converter “locked up” more of the total driving time, and the transmission becomes very much a part of the overall BMW EfficientDynamics concept.

Two additional gears mean threefold progress: quicker shifts, greater smoothness, enhanced efficiency.
The wider spread of ratios allows the engine to run at lower speeds, often in the “tallest” gear, 8th. Yet even with this wider spread, the steps between adjacent gears are reduced; in turn this means a stronger, smoother flow of power during acceleration.

Faster shifts are a further benefit because only one clutch pack is disengaged to shift up or down by one or two gears. On the other hand, downshifting more than two gears is accomplished as a direct shift. For example, a downshift from 8th to 2nd gear is made with only one clutch pack disengagement, and thus occurs without stepping down through the intermediate gears. So, at one instant the driver can be enjoying the quiet, fuel-efficient low rpm of 8th gear, and in the next instant getting maximum acceleration.

New suspension, xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive, and made-to-measure dynamics.

The new BMW X3 features standard xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive. Now in its third generation, BMW xDrive has been revised to incorporate even more flexibility, quicker response and improved handling characteristics. The new system marks a significant evolution in xDrive capabilities, which has always depended upon a networking of Dynamic Stability Control and the xDrive system. With the overall Integrated Chassis
Management system, all three control circuits work in parallel. This refined interaction achieves even quicker reactions to changing driving conditions and enhances xDrive’s already outstanding handling dynamics.

BMW xDrive is unique in design and construction. In normal conditions, driving torque is always transmitted to the rear wheels, and most of the time to all four wheels. Normal torque split is 40% front/60% rear. The portion of torque transmitted to the front wheels is controlled by a multi-disc clutch that can be fully open (100% to the rear), fully engaged or at any level of partial engagement in between.The torque split between rear and front wheels is thus steplessly variable. Engagement pressure on the multi-disc clutch is directed by an electronic control system in response to actual road and driving conditions. This gives xDrive a dynamic ability that is unparalleled by other all-wheel drive systems.

The new BMW X3 also features completely redeveloped suspension technology. The combination of a double-joint spring-strut suspension at the front and a multi-link rear suspension provides the foundation for agility and driving comfort. The standard Servotronic speed-sensitive power steering contributes to the X3’s precise handling.

The X3’s optional Electronic Damping Control adjusts the shock absorbers to any level of firmness, quickly adapting to road conditions and the driver’s demands.. Suspension control is always optimum for current road conditions, vehicle speed, and load. The shocks default to the softest appropriate setting for the vehicle’s speed, and when the vehicle encounters an irregular road surface, they adjust instantaneously to control ride motions, preserve ride comfort, and maintain adhesion to the road. The system is so fast that even at highway speeds the system can sense a pothole at a front wheel and adjust rear-wheel damping before it reaches the same pothole. The Electronic Damping Control option includes a new Performance Control feature on the X3. Performance Control helps the X3 maintain a neutral handling character by adjusting the xDrive torque split to 20% front/80% rear in steady state cornering. Performance Control can also apply the inside rear brake while also applying a little more power to the outside wheel (to compensate for the additional drag of the brake) in order to help rotate the vehicle.

Adjacent to the E-Shift lever on the X3’s center console is the optional Driving Dynamics Control selector (included with EDC). DDC provides three settings that tailor vehicle characteristics to different drivers, one driver’s different moods, driving conditions – or all of the above. The settings are Normal, Sport and Sport Plus; the following vehicle-dynamics parameters are affected:

* Shock-absorber firmness (within the Electronic Damping Control system)
* Engine throttle response
* Transmission shift characteristics
* Power-steering assist level
* Dynamic Stability Control mode

The X3’s driving dynamics can be widely controlled by these different calibrations of so many elements. In addition, when equipped with the Navigation system, the driver may use iDrive to custom-tailor the Sport setting.

Just ahead of the Driving Dynamics Control switch is the Dynamic Stability Control switch for BMW’s all-encompassing stability- and traction-control system. A brief push on this button switches the system to Dynamic Traction Control, in which DSC’s intervention threshold is raised; one effect of this setting is improved traction in deep snow. A long push on the same button de-activates DSC altogether, though the anti-lock braking and anti-rollover functions always remain active.

An extensive range of standard and optional BMW ConnectedDrive functions.

BMW ConnectedDrive comprises all offers and technologies which connect our vehicles, drivers and passengers, and the outside world. ConnectedDrive is comprised of three main pillars: Convenience, Infotainment, and Safety. Each of these three pillars operates and interacts seamlessly with iDrive and other onboard controls to create a unique and unmatched experience for both the driver and passengers. These features will be outlined in detail at a later date.

Production at the BMW Spartanburg plant.

The new BMW X3 is produced at the BMW Spartanburg, South Carolina plant.. With the production of the BMW X5 and BMW X6 models, the location, has become the competence center for BMW X models within the BMW Group’s worldwide production network. Thanks to a comprehensive $750 million expansion, BMW Plant Spartanburg is ready to produce the new X3 for distribution around the world.

Agility and comfort, sportiness and efficiency, ruggedness and elegance, flexibility and premium ambience – the new BMW X3 fulfils the varying demands made on a modern Sports Activity Vehicle. With its multifaceted qualities it sets new standards in the segment established by its predecessor. The all-new X3 is due to arrive in US showrooms by the end of 2010.

BMW plugs into Apple's new in-car iPod feature

2010-07-15T06:42:00.002+08:00

BMW is the first car manufacturer to announce support for the little-heralded iPod Out feature from the iOS 4.

The feature allows all devices running the latest version to output the iPod interface to an external screen. Compatible devices include the iPhone 3G, 3GS and 4 as well as the second and third generation of iPod Touches. Despite using the BMW iDrive system, the interface is Apple's own and seems rather like a combination of Front Row and the traditional iPod interfaces of old. Eschewing animated graphics of album art for a basic menu interface makes for easier navigation and less distraction from the road.

The promotional video outlines how the technology will work and how it integrates with BMW vehicles.

The advantages of such a system? It is far safer (and more legal) than browsing through your iPhone with your hands while driving. It also allows the devices to be charged while motoring from a single wire. The universal interface will make users feel at home, as well as access to Genius mixes and playlists. If more manufacturers adopt iPod Out for future vehicles, this could be the next optional extra to add to your automotive purchase.

This is not the first time Apple has partnered with car manufacturers to bring integration into cars. BMW released the first iPod automobile interface back in 2004, which allowed drivers to control the iPod from their steering wheel. Apple has continued to expand its range of partners over the years - with companies including Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Nissan, Toyota, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Audi, Honda, Renault and Volkswagen all providing integration in some form.

Personally, I have a cassette adaptor in my Golf with a stereo line in, and that mostly works. It might be a bit of a driving hazard though, so safer to get a friend to change the track.

BMW Concept

2010-06-27T22:22:00.007+08:00

The origin of the BMW car can be traced to Germany and Munich in particular and for the year 1913. BMW or Bavarian Motor Works was founded by Karl Friedrich Rapp, whose mission in life was to a car that would be solid production, and have every luxury that could perform like no other car could hope to match. BMW’s have over the being seen many changes in style, although the underlying principles have been left more or less unchanged and that is why the company has a excellent reputation – thanks in no tiny measure the quality of brilliant workmanship and if result of using the best quality materials that go into the production of each model. BMW’s are naturally closely with other top brands including its bitter rivals Mercedes Benz and Porsche and Jaguar. Still, the BMW is still able to assert her against such well-known car manufacturers, because each of the models have a lot of elegance, luxury and comfort in them. These qualities are in fact helped the company retain its position among the most prestigious auto manufacturers – for nearly ninety-five being. Even modern BMWs are able to produce an image of class and luxury and even nearly a century has passed since the first BMW car hit the promote, the company continues to remain at the pinnacle of automobile manufacturers scheme. Contrary to well loved belief, owning a BMW car is not only the sole privilege of the rich and prosperous, there are many models that can and also get regular buyers. There are innumerable designs and features that the company offers a wide range of models that help to ensure that all can hope to own a BMW car – and not simply end envied and dreams of owning a car. BMW gives status, but you should also know that buying BMW car parts can add to overall costs and so will have to learn how and where these parts get so that your car never stays in a garage for a lung. The BMW is a car that is never in style – perhaps because of its classic look and also because of the high quality that together help the passage of time increase. It is therefore not surprising to hear that these cars are among the most sought after cars in the world.

Drive a BMW Car

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If you have never driven a BMW, it is indeed one of those things you must plan for at some point in your life time. These are the cars that dreams are made of and when you get behind the wheel of one, you will see why. You can close your eyes and imagine you are on the Nuerburgring Track with the handling and feel you will get from any BMW cars.

The kind of BMW you choose will depend on the kind of driving you plan on doing for most of the time. The great thing is that every BMW is made to outlast any kind of driving that you could do in a life time. These are the cars of champions to say the least. Whether you need a X5 sports activity vehicle or a sporty M4, you will always get the best in manufacturing and guarantees from BMW.

The BMW Car Company was born in 1913 and since then has included many awesome cars to its list. This car company has been independent since that first year and has maintained this independence incredibly well. This is simply because BMW is the finest machinery the automotive industry will ever see. There is no match to the ingenuity behind the making of these vehicles.

Another great thing about driving BMW cars is that you will be driving an exceptional machine that was engineered to be friendly to our environment. Every single detail was taken into account when the BMW you drive was designed and manufactured. For the best driving experience you could ever dream of, this is the car for fulfilling that kind of dream.

If you do not own a BMW now, you should see about how to get one. It might be last car you will ever want to own. After driving a BMW, driving anything else is going to be a serious letdown

Replacement BMW Parts

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BMW is a quality car company with a reputation for style and performance. When the time comes to repair or replace parts, do a lot of BMW owners do not consider the buy of BMW aftermarket parts. They rotate in the direction of generic auto parts in an attempt to save a few dollars. Not choosing replacement parts for your BMW car service is a ordinary mistake that the quality and performance of a BMW can be reduced. Although the original BMW parts are manufactured from the highest quality materials, the same does not apply to aftermarket parts. In stipulations of BMW parts, the higher price is not only because of the brand. Replacing a few nuts and bolts with generic parts should not be applied to a problem. Yet even the smallest parts of a car causing extensive hurt if these less noteworthy materials. For example, a loose bolt that was not designed for a BMW can glide while the car is in motion, causing major hurt and possible injury as well. Saving a few pennies can cost much more generally. Maintaining the structural integrity of A BMWBMW has a tradition of well-made cars a quality ordinary for their clients. When other parts are used on a luxury car, it weakens the value of the car. The BMW no longer meets the specifications of the original model. This increases the speed of the depreciation of the car, making the investment less valuable. Depending on the parts that need replacing, the BMW warranty if other replacement parts are used. This is an vital consideration when choosing between BMW aftermarket parts and generic parts. The choice of BMW aftermarket parts is the only way to ensure that the car always in the best possible condition. If generic auto parts to be used on a BMW, causing the purity of the brand. After adding innumerable car parts, BMW is really a mix of different brands and quality levels. The same can be said of a glass of water with a drop in oil. The glass of water would no longer be considered water as the addition of the oil. A BMW can not rightly be regarded as a right BMW, because the addition of generic aftermarket parts. Aftermarket vs OEM BMW PartsUltimately, the possibility of whether OEM or aftermarket parts to use on your BMW owns the selection. Many people have their BMW parts replaced with generics without the least difficulty. Though, with generic car parts, there is no certainty about the exact quality of the product is placed on the BMW. With BMW parts, there is no doubt that the car will perform to exact specifications, it is designed for the factory. Price is certainly a valid consideration when choosing replacement parts for your vehicle. In most cases, OEM parts are more expensive than the generics. Though, by using the Internet, you can doubtless find OEM parts at much lower cost than through them directly from the dealer or the repair shop.

BMW History

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Gustav Otto, son of the inventor of the four-stroke internal combustion engine, set up an aircraft factory and training school in 1910. Though, after persistent quality problems with production, his business was bought by a consortium in 1916. The company became known as Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG (BFW) and started manufacturing aircraft under licence from Albatros Werke. It soon became the largest aircraft manufacturer in Bavaria, but at the end of the First World War demand collapsed.

Meanwhile, in 1913 an engine designer Karl Rapp had set up an aircraft engine manufacturing company, but vibration problems with their own engines meant that they switched production to Austro-Daimler V12 engines, under licence. A man called Franz Josef Popp was place in to supervise the manufacturing. He managed to persuade Karl Rapp to use a talented point engineer from Daimler, Max Friz. Friz quickly designed a new engine and made such an impact with the investors, that Karl Rapp was ousted from the business in 1917. At this point the company name was changed from Rapp Motorenwerke GmbH to Bayerische Motorenwerke BmbH (BMW).

Though, in December 1918, BMW was forced to close down by the government at the end of the First World War. Though, in less than three months BMW was allowed to reopen and started designing a new array of engines, although the company was forced to conclude aircraft engine production. At this point, an Austrian financier, Camillo Castiglioni, had be converted into the majority shareholder in BMW.

In the summer of 1919, BMW started building brake assemblies under licence from Knorr-Bremse AG, and nearly a year later Castiglioni sold his shares in BMW to Knorr-Bremse.

Following the sale of his stake in BMW, Castiglioni became interested in purchasing BFW which he completed in 1922. On the back of this, he went to buy back the BMW name and engine building division from Knorr-Bremse. He was successful, and with the fusion of BFW and BMW, under the BMW name, he also secured the point and management skills of Max Friz and Franz Josef Popp, plus valuable engine drawings and patents.

BMW started production of replacement engines, whilst Castiglioni did a lucrative deal with the Czechs to licence the production of BMW aircraft engines for use by their military.

During the 1920s, BMW supplied Russia with aircraft engines and Castiglioni, as well as being the majority shareholder, siphoned off a brokerage fee on every transaction to his ‘private’ companies.

Along with military engines, BMW started to fruitfully manufacture tiny agricultural engines and motorcycles, starting with the R 32 in 1923. These formed the footing of the scheme to point a BMW production car in 1925. Then in 1928 the company expanded into full car production with the buy of the Eisenach Car Factory that made the Dixi (or Austin Seven manufactured under license). The car became known as the BMW 3/15 and it was not long before BMW was producing its own designs.

Though, Castiglioni’s business dealings got himself and BMW into distress. After selling a majority shareholding to Deutsche Bank in 1926, to raise personal funds, his irregular commission payments were duly exposed. He settled out of court with a large payment back to BMW and stepped down from the board. In 1929, he sold the remainder of his shared to Deutsche Bank to prop up his finances.

The Castiglioni affair had also cost BMW. The Russian government became aware of the ‘commission’ payments and demanded compensation. BMW handed over a licence to produce the BMW VI engine for free and relations with the Russians came to an end in the early 1930s.

After successful expansion of the dirt bike and car businesses in the 1930s, BMW was forced to abandon civilian production by the National Socialist Party during the Second World War and focus on the production of aircraft engines. This included the use of forced labour.

Towards the end of the war, BMW was hit hard by allied bombing and when the war finished, the sites in eastern Germany were seized by the Russians. Meanwhile, whilst BMW survived in the West, they were banned from manufacturing engines for three being and BMW car plans and their chief designer Fritz Fiedler were taken to England to start Bristol Cars. And so it was not until 1948 that production of BMW motorcycles recommenced and not until 1952 that car production was started again.

The initial post-war car models, such as the 507 and 503, were not highly profitable and in 1959, BMW discussed selling the business to Daimler-Benz. This was an unpopular go with the workforce, and fortunately Chairman Kurt Golda increased his stake in the company to secure BMW’s independence.

During the 1960s the release of more sporty models spelt success for BMW. The BMW 1500 (that followed the BMW 700) led to the BMW 1600 and BMW 1800 models and in 1967 two door and convertible models that became known as the BMW 02 series. These developments eventually led to the creation of the well-known BMW 3 series.

The company expanded, with new production facilities and a new headquarters in Munich.

Going into the 1970s, the BMW 5 series replaced the sedans, the coupes were replaced with the BMW 3 series and a new BMW 7 series was launched, thereby giving BMW three distinct sports sedan ranges that continued into the 1990s.

BMW became a comprehensive brand in prestige car manufacturing and sales increased 18 era. Production expanded from Germany and has spread to across continents, including facilities in the UK, America, South Africa and India. The company has also formed partnerships over time with Russian and Chinese producers.

In the mid 1990s, BMW bought Rover from British Aerospace. Though, the company struggled to find a role for the English brands and make a profit. In 2000 it disposed of Rover to Phoenix Venture Holdings and sold the Land Rover brand to Ford. Though, BMW retained the Mini, Triumph and other brands. BMW has since fruitfully rekindled the Mini brand and also gone on to secure full use of the Rolls Royce brand (in 2003).

From its humble origins as pre-First World War makers of aircraft and aircraft engines, BMW has survived as a result of post-war entrepreneurial spirit and grown rapidly to be converted into a major comprehensive player in the prestige car promote.