Official: BMW returns to DTM in 2012

Author: Horatiu B.

The return of BMW to the DTM from 2012 is reality: This was confirmed by the company during the DTM race weekend at the Hockenheimring. In April this year BMW had announced its intention to race in the DTM in principle from 2012, the first time since its departure from the series in 1994. The Board of Management of BMW AG considers conditions tied to a positive decision to return to the popular touring car series have now been met.


In recent months BMW has been working with the DTM umbrella organisation ITR e.V. and the other manufacturers represented in the DTM on issues relating to the future technical regulations, and the long-term internationalisation of the championship. The positive nature of these discussions means BMW Motorsport can now begin planning its DTM comeback in greater detail.

Dr Klaus Draeger, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG with responsibility for development, says: “The return of BMW to the DTM is a fundamental part of the restructuring of our motorsport activities. With its increased commitment to production car racing, BMW is returning to its roots. The race track is the perfect place to demonstrate the impressive sporting characteristics of our vehicles against our core competitors in a high-powered environment. The DTM is the ideal stage on which to do this.”

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen comments: “The entire team at BMW Motorsport is approaching this exciting project with absolute commitment. We began making technical preparations following our declaration of intent in April, and established parameters for a high-performance vehicle concept for deployment in the DTM. The positive decision of the BMW Board of Management means we can now shift up a gear and give the green light for development.”

Hans Werner Aufrecht, 1st Chairman of the Board of ITR e.V. (DTM commercial rights holder and promoter): “We welcome the decision by BMW to enter the DTM from 2012. This is a further milestone for the future of our popular racing series, and proves that our efforts over the past few years have paid off. We laid the foundation for this in conjunction with the DMSB and the existing DTM manufacturers, namely Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Thus I would like to heartily thank all parties. I am personally looking forward to again seeing the three premium brands of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz competing against each other on the race track. Our fans have waited a long time for this.”

The intention is to use the BMW M3 as the basic DTM vehicle, a car that has enjoyed unique successes in the field of touring and sports car racing in the past. Eric van de Poele (BE) and Roberto Ravaglia (IT) celebrated two DTM titles with the racing version of BMW’s most sporty representative back in 1987 and 1989, while before that Volker Strycek (DE) won the DTM premiere in 1984 in the BMW 635 CSi. This season the current BMW M3 GT2 caused a sensation in the world of international endurance racing, taking victory in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring (DE).

Piston Heads drives the BMW 1 Series M Coupe

Author: Horatiu B.


“Christoph Smieskol, one of BMW’s engineers responsible for the 1 Series M Coupé, tells us that the company took inspiration from the original M3 in the pursuit of a ‘back to basics’ approach. Without saying as much, he alluded to the fact that this is as likely to be in the name of keeping the price of the 1 M down. We’re crossing our fingers for a showroom price of not much more than £40,000 – downsizing is going to be big in 2011
 
Despite the indisputable step up in ability and performance that characterised the arrival of the E92 BMW M3, there are many enthusiasts that lament the passing of its straight-six engined predecessor. BMW has finally acknowledged there's a gaping hole in the M-car range, and that the gap should be filled with something 1 Series shaped.
 
You'll have seen the images of the mildly camouflaged cars before now, and BMW has even released a few striptease-style photographs to start building momentum to a full reveal of its 1 Series M Coupé in December. Now some weeks ahead of the official launch they’ve let a few hacks loose with a pre-production car in Germany, including yours truly. Yes, this job can sometimes be fun…

It's going to be a looker, thanks in no small part to the deliciously bulbous wheelarches. I think they're more reminiscent of the 2002 Turbo's than any modern M-car's, though they are also necessary to accommodate the current M3's rear axle.

You can ignore the hand-made (i.e. bodged together) look of the arches on the test car, as the final version will feature a new one-piece metal body panel. One of the pre-production mules has an exhaust similar to the current 135i's - as opposed to the quad-pipe set-up of all modern M-cars - but it was confirmed that the finished product will have four outlets. And yes, 19-inch alloys will be standard - we're told that just one wheel size will be offered.

Christoph Smieskol, one of BMW's engineers responsible for the 1 Series M Coupé, tells us that the company took inspiration from the original M3 in the pursuit of a 'back to basics' approach. Without saying as much, he alluded to the fact that this is as likely to be in the name of keeping the price of the 1 M down. We're crossing our fingers for a showroom price of not much more than £40,000 - downsizing is going to be big in 2011.

That means fewer toys than we've grown accustomed to in our M-cars. The M3's rear differential may be present, but it is unlikely to be offered with different settings. Same goes for the steering and suspension, which does without adaptive damping or any adjustment. The driver can choose between two different throttle maps and the usual multi-stage stability and traction control system, but that's pretty much it. While the 1 M will be sold in the US, no automatic option is planned, so it's the M3's six-speed manual gearbox for all. The 1 Series M Coupé should weigh about 1500kg, and to put that into perspective, it’s the weight of an average bloke less than the current M3 Coupé. Which is a good start, if not quite the featherweight we might have hoped for here on PH.

And any hopes for a high-revving naturally aspirated engine are quelled when the start button is pushed and the familiar straight-six rumble makes its way through the exhaust system. Under the bonnet is a reworked version of the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre unit that powers the Z4 sDrive35is. BMW has yet to release official power and torque figures, but count on about 350hp and 340lb ft. That's a useful jump up from the 135i's 306hp and 295lb ft - and it's worth remembering that the M3's peak torque is no more than the 135i's.

From the outset it’s torque that defines the new car's performance. The straight-six yowl is accompanied by a relentless shove in the back, and pick-up from low revs is impressively strong. Thankfully, this car is louder than the quick (but a little too cultured for our liking) 135i. From standstill you're into third gear in what should be a five-second 0-62mph time. As in the M3, the gearchange is a tad springy, though it's satisfyingly mechanical and quick across the gate.

Only when you've gone up and down the gearbox a few times do you realise that there was never any danger of running into the rev limiter. The grunt tails off, making it more natural to change up and use the torque than eke out every last horsepower. While there's nothing quite like the thrill of a screaming, naturally aspirated engine, we must be realistic about the times we live in, and turbocharging offers the best balance of performance and economy.

As with the most memorable M-cars through the years, the engine does not steal the show: the 1 M's chassis is a gem. From the moment you get underway the car feels remarkably different to the 135i. The wide, low stance helps with that, but so too does a direct, well-weighted helm - there's even some feel through the thick leather bound rim. The same can be said for the brake pedal, which is firm, but easy to modulate.

More impressive than the stopping power is the stability of the car under heavy braking, even while turning (oh the beauty of testing a high performance car on unfamiliar roads...). There is little in the way of pitch or wallow on the springs; the brakes just shed speed off - and there was little sign of fade after a good thrash through some fast German countryside.

Admittedly German road builders have no interest in challenging suspension engineers, so there were precious few bumps to contend with on our test route, but a couple of surprise mid-corner blemishes were shrugged off with ease, indicating that the 1 M was developed for a wide range of driving abilities and road conditions.

Pushing on further, the limited slip differential helps with traction and endows the car with a real rear-led balance under power. That the front end is so keyed-in helps with this. In short, it won't scare the uninitiated, but experienced drivers should find enough to interest them too.

To call the 1 Series M Coupé a true successor to the E30 M3 is stretching the point. Its relative simplicity owes a little to that car, but it owes a lot more to the economic environment we find ourselves in. The 1 Series should allow the M Division to continue to flourish, by introducing younger (and less financially endowed) buyers to the brand, but first impressions suggest that price alone won't be the only reason to opt for the 1 M.

On-Site Report: BMW Expands the Spartanburg Plant

While the new X3 is the focus of attention, getting it to be that required a significant focus on the existing BMW manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, SC. BMW has added 1.2 million square feet of floor space to the existing facility.

They have increased production capacity from 150,000 units a year to 240,000 units a year. They have made the Spartanburg plant, Plant 10 in BMWspeak, the new center of excellence for X vehicles. And they will now export even more vehicles from the US to the rest of the world.

Here’s a little known fact. BMW exports more vehicles from the US to non-NAFTA nations than any other auto manufacturer. Nobody is close. In addition, well over 50 percent of the vehicles’ parts are built in the US prior to assembly.


BMW is also a leader in sustainable manufacturing. In fact the Dow Jones Sustainablity Index has named BMW the most sustainable car manufacturer for the sixth year in a row. And ssing how BMW manages energy at the Spartanburg plant shows how they achieved that. Several years ago they entered into a contract to purchase the waste methane gas from a nearby landfill. Normally that gas would be burned off on site, creating enormous amounts of waste heat. BMW uses it to power boilers, and to power two large turbine electrical generators. BMW can produce a great deal of power needed to run their facility from a fuel source that would have gone to waste. Even better, from a stockholder’s perspective, they can undercut electric utility’s price of electricity significantly when BMW generate their own.


BMW also introduced a new paint process which embeds a primer coat in the basecoat process. This represents a 30 percent savings from the old process. They also are working with the EPA to reduce their landfill use by utilizing the some of the effluent of the painting process as a concrete filler. The emphasis on green production has led to some very good solutions.

But at the end of the day, the most important aspect of BMW’s $750 million plant addition is the impact on the people that work there. Jobs have been created that didn’t exist before, a rarity in this economy. When the new plant was dedicated, the real pride of place belonged to those that spend their working hours in that facility. They have shown that BMW made the right choice over ten years ago in locating the plant in South Carolina.

Rumor: BMW to build a new M8 Hybrid Sports Car

Author: Horatiu B.

According to the German magazine Autozeitung and quoted by GT Spirit, but not yet confirmed by any of our sources, BMW is in the planning stage of a new, supersports, flagship model that could carry the M8 badge. News of a future BMW supercar have been going around for months now, but nothing solid has leaked to the press yet.

The car is rumored to take advantage of BMW’s advanced development in the hybrid world, and the car’s performance could reach 600 horsepower. According to the same German magazine, the technical background is completed, but everyone is waiting for BMW’s board decision on whether to purse this project.

The new model, rumored to be called the M8, will be based on the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept unveiled at the IAA 2009. The hybrid drivetrain will offer near 600 ponies. The VED Concept idea goes through some iterations, and the new M8 will be five inches longer. The highly speculative M8 will be offered with a 2+2 seating combination.

If the rumors turned out true, then the hybrid drivetrain in this M8 will be a major breakthrough for BMW. The engine is based of the V10 unit found in the E60 M5, but it will add two new electric motors, in a similar layout as the VED: front and rear.

The first electric motor will deliver 80-115hp and the back one will deliver more than 50hp.

To maintain a lower curb weight and drive more performance, the BMW M8 could include an aluminum chassis, carbon fiber bodywork and fine Kevlar bucket seats. The weight target? 1500 kilograms.

The BMW M8 is said to debut sometimes in 2012.

For now, we are considered these news to be highly speculative, but we will report as soon as we learn further details.

GM pursues partnership with BMW

After the recent partnership announcement between BMW and Saab, another automaker company is pursuing a strategic partnership with BMW. General Motor has recently came upfront with their plans of finding partners to develop technology and new products.

The rumor on the street is that GM is courting BMW for a possible joint venture. At the Paris Motor Show, General Motors were promoting the idea of being open to everyone for future collaborations. A source close to Automobilwoche, a German automotive magazine, mentions that some contact has been made between the companies in regards to possible BMW engines being used in GM cars.

This would not be first time GM has partnered with BMW. The X6 ActiveHybrid uses a two mode hybrid system developed by a consortium formed of BMW, GM, Daimler and Chrysler. Wall Street Journal reports that BMW will likely take a more active role this time with more BMW engineering making its way to GM products. Most likely this is a reference to BMW engines being used in some GM vehicles.

In recent months, BMW Group has already completed two similar contracts with the Swedish subsidiary Saab Spyker and the U.S. special vehicle manufacturer Carbon Motors. In both cases, the buyers and the BMW Group benefit from the partnership. BMW takes advantage of higher volumes sales, thus reducing production costs by moving larger quantities, while the partners benefit from the German craftsmanhip.
 
We will update you as we learn more.

MINI Cooper SD to receive four-cylinder 2.0 liter diesel engine

Initial reports around the MINI Cooper SD model mentioned the new diesel-powered MINI as using a four-cylinder 1.6 liter turbodiesel engine developed by BMW, but latest reports place a different powerplant unit in the new vehicle.


The engine of choice seems to actually be the more powerful, yet still highly fuel efficient, four-cylinder 2.0 liter diesel engine developed by BMW and used in the 1 Series lineup. Consumption forecasts mention 4.5 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers.

The new powerplant is said to offer a more balanced power delivery, associated with better traction when needed. The higher-torque found in the 2.0 liter engine will certainly put a smile on the driver’s face.

The high-end MINI diesel will be available in Summer 2011.

MINI has yet to announce the availability for the U.S. market, but the expectations, based on the increasing diesel sales in the U.S., are that a diesel-powered MINI will eventually cross the ocean.

First Look: 2011 BMW X3

Back in 2003, the trend of downsizing from larger SUVs became quite evident and premium automakers went back to the drawing boards to conceptualize a vehicle that will enter and take conquer the premium compact SUV segment.

BMW saw a demand for premium SUVs and launched their first small Sports Activity Vehicle: BMW X3. With almost no competition at the time, Land Rover Freelander was the only vehicle coming close to the X3, the X3 captured majority of the segment share. “Basically we had about 95% of the segment back then, we really saw the demand coming there and the downsizing trend also occurring in the premium segment as well”, said Joe Weird, BMW X3 Product Manager.

Despite initial design criticism, both inside and outside the cabin, the X3 SAV turned out to be a big winner for BMW. A quick facelift fixed some of the initial quirks and also settled some debts with the customers, mostly around the quality of its interior design.

Over the next few years of years, the segment has been filled with offerings from other automakers, with the big players Audi and Mercedes launching their Q5 and GLK respectively. Two compelling products that quickly stole the market share from BMW and established themselves as market leaders.
 
With an overdue design and lessons learned from its first generation, BMW began working on the second generation F25 X3 back in 2006. After several rounds of internal design competitions, the approved model belongs to Erik Goplen, Director of Creative Design at the California-based design shop, Designworks, same subsidiary of BMW that also sketched out the first X3.

Starting from the idea of designing a Sports Activity Vehicle with a family-oriented approach, Goplen penned the new X3 with his own family in mind and also as an owner of the first generation X3.

Functionality, efficiency and dynamics are the core elements of the second generation X3, and Paris Motor Show was the chosen venue to showcase to the world these new elements.

Exterior Design

At a first glance, you see a more modern design, inline with the new BMW design language. The car sports, the same as the new 5 or 7 Series, a larger grille, imposing, yet not too aggressive. With a 50-50 split between male-female owners ratio, the front-end gets a neutral design that is appealing to both genders. With a segment that seems to cater mostly to females, BMW opted for the middle-ground, but the very early unveiling of the M-Sport package will most likely attract the male demographic.

The kidneys also feature shinny titanium inserts as seen in its bigger brothers, the X5 and X6.
From the back, the X3 can be easily recognized as a BMW product. The modern, fluid and rounded shapes are complemented by larger taillights that also feature the LED technology with a pair of glowing bars, very similar to what you see in an X5. The black-painted bumper seen in pre-facelift first generation models is long gone; another lesson learned by BMW from its nit-picking customers.

The original x3 looked a little bit narrow from behind, very vertical, the new one looks like it is more planted on road, with increased substance.

Bringing up the car to the new comfort standards, BMW added features like the power tailgate, an option that is standard on some of the high-end BMWs, like the 5 or 7 Series.


Looking at the car from the side, one can see that the X3 keeps its own identity, and the idea of a smaller, resized X5 goes is quickly dissipated.BMW designers kept many of its original, unique characteristics, like the raised beltline that emerges into the Hofmeister Kink, a tribute paid to the first X3. Further exploring the design territory, BMW also added a neat, sporty character line that rises to the door handles and embraces the door handles in a harmonious way.

The new X3 has grown in lengths about 3.5 inches from the previous generation, which makes it about the same size as the original X5. With the new X5 adding a third-row and implicitly around 8 inches in length, the X3 was given the extra room to move up in class and set itself apart from another recent model that launched at the entry-level of the X-family, BMW X1, which launches also next year in the U.S. and is currently available in Europe.
 
Seeing all three models in person, we can certainly attest that the three products are distinctive, with their own identify and customer base. Lifestyle, personal preferences and financial situation are the things that will influence one purchase over the other ones.

In our opinion, the overall increase in size will appeal to a broader range of customers.
 
The X3 models come equipped with 17 inch all-season tires, while the top-end model gets 18 inch standard, as expected with run-flats.

The larger dimensions gave BMW also room to increase its cargo capacity that can be extended by folding the seats down forward, standard in a 60/40 configuration, or an optional 40/20/40 configuration. Dog owners have not been forgotten and a cargo net works well for playful dogs that would like to ride as front-passengers.


Interior design.

Without a doubt, the most criticized aspect of the first X3. Owning one ourselves, we can align to those customers that felt the interior quality was sub-par and somewhat negligent. The second generation X3 comes to correct some of these shortcomings, the car features a huge improve in premium quality and BMW learned from their mistakes and feedback provided.

American customers’ demand for multi-functional and larger cupholders has been satisfied. Pop-out cupholders can be found on the side and one in the middle. BMW brought the cupholders forward, made them larger.
 
Speaking of space for storing personal things, more storage space can be found on the sides and also up in the front where the passengers can place their keys and other things.

Door panels are fully upholstered with higher quality leather, contrast stitching and increased quality of craftsmanship.

More wood trim has been added giving the car a more premium look. Options vary between lighter wood trim to darker.

The center console also grew in size and sports some of the controls seen in the X5 with the now usual orange backlit.

Interior space for rear-seating passengers has also increased by an inch, making long rides a tad bit more comfortable.

Conclusion
 
Beside the BMW purists, we believe the regular customer will embrace the new X3. In the end, the car offers more for most likely the same price. Sure, those of us familiar with the brand, see the 2011 X3 as an evolution of the current generation rather than the expected revolutionary design, and we certainly expected a more radical change.

This car caters to a more general audience, but still being true to the BMW heritage – handling and sporty dynamics.

Starting with the design and continuing with all the aero dynamics elements and the more fuel efficient engines, the marketing for the new X3 will focus primarily on EfficientDynamics, coupled with increased performance and a higher level of luxury, three important facts that BMW hopes will steer away customers from the Audi Q5 or Mercedes GLK.

With 8.8 liter per 100/km or 26.7 mpg, the 2011 BMW X3 becomes the leader in its segment and a future US bound X3 diesel will only come to strengthen its position. BMW also emphasizes that the driving experience is unique, a major step forward from the current generation and another advantage over its competitors.

Later this week, we will have a chance to spend time behind the wheel of a xDrive35i and we will share our driving impressions as well.