G-Power to give the BMW M3 GTS over 600 horsepower

Author: Horatiu B.


Press Release: The BMW M3 GTS seams to have all it takes for being the ultimate BMW M3: lightweight body parts, carbon aerodynamic parts, titanium exhaust, racing suspension, roll cage and racing bucket seats for six-point seatbelts. BMW is right when they call it an “extreme athlete for street and racetrack”.
 
But there is one thing it is missing. The ultimate output. An additional 30 hp compared to the standard BMW M3, that costs just half the price of the M3 GTS, is not too bad, but the ultimate output for the M3 GTS can only be provided by G-POWER.

That is why the first couple of BMW M3 GTS, out of the limited edition of 220 unites, have started to arrive at G-POWER for their output enhancement. A specially adapted version of G-POWER’s SK II CS supercharger system pushes the factory output of 450hp to a more suitable 6XXhp.

After this modification the BMW M3 GTS can finally show the armada of Porsche 911 GT3 RS who’s the boss at the various clubsport racing events.
 
Right now the first of the announced BMW M3 GTS has just arrived at G-POWER. Two more are already on their way. So a little piece of advice for the “competitors” of the G-POWER trained BMW M3 GTS: prepare yourself for a rough ride…

Source: BMWBlog

BMW 1M: All the info you need to know

Author: Horatiu B.

While attending the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, our team at BMWBLOG had the opportunity to participate in a workshop with Dr. Kay Segler, BMW M CEO. Being one of the most hyped BMWs in the past year, the 1M is gathering lots of attention from BMW’s current and future customers, as well as fans around the world.

Many information around the 1 Series M Coupe have been already communicated and our extensive coverage of the new baby-M began several months ago, but in Detroit, we learned more about the car, both from a technology, engineering and marketing perspective.

What is the nearest competitor?

Nearest competitor is probably the Porsche Cayman S, however, no competitors were considered when building the car – the purpose was to build cars the customers would want to drive.

Why a low volume M?

The idea is to keep resale value as high as possible. creating an instant classic.

Pricing?

Price was a serious driver of this car – it was a distinct effort to create an E30 M3 soul successor.

The 1M in a single phrase.

The 1M is basically a truncated M3 Competition Package with a manual.

Development of the engine.

The development time of the engine was very short – engineers took only about a year to build it if not less, beginning in October 2009. In December 2009 the decision was made to build the 1M. Dr. segler championed the project and made all major decisions. Took around 1 year to develop and test the car. M cars utilize the Nurburgring circuit for extensive testing. All the testing needed to be completed in Spring and Summer before bad weather starts. He said the engineers and designers worked very, very hard to complete the project. Dr. Segler was emotional and had a few tears the first time he saw the car in completed form. In a broken voice, he said, “we need to build this car”.

The 1M is powered by the N4 twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter I-6 engine. For the 1M, the turbocharger, exhaust system, and ECU have been revised to produce 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, though up to 369 pound-feet are available temporarily in overboost mode. Redline is found at 7000 rpm.

Why Valencia Orange?

Ironically, the 1M was first presented to Dr. Segler in Valencia Orange and it was so good that the color made it to the production model. As a fun fact, we observed Dr. Segler was wearing a new Rolex Milgauss which had a black dial with orange second hand and dash marks. True love for the color scheme…

1M design.

The fascia looks like a car built within a car. The car was built with very little changes to be made from the concept to the production model. There will be no convertible version and no other transmission or option for a sunroof. Weight savings came through minimal options.

When Dr. K join BMW M he drove several M models. He was inspired by the E30 M3 EVO. He liked how the car felt.

1M customer demographic.

Dr. Segler said many car manufactures are not listening to their young customers and only build expensive super sports cars. Recognized there was a need to produce an affordable M car for younger enthusiasts. This car shows BMW is listening to what customers want. He hopes the 1M will inspire young future engineers and designers to want to work on cars and hopefully BMW.

“is” vs. M cars?

Dr. Segler was clear cut on this. “is” badged cars are not M cars. M cars are race cars. The car is M pure. It’s not about just power and hp. This car is about road holding because of M3 suspension components. You do not need more power in this car. M button on steering wheel offers a more aggressive throttle response by changing engine mapping of N54B30TO engine.

The engine background.

The engine software tuning was done by BMW race car engineers. It took a very long time to get it just right. From October ’09 to December ’10. Dr. Segler is confident with N54 1M engine reliability.

This engine had to pass bench and Nürburgring track tests for reliability before it was signed off by BMW M to be used in the 1 Series M Coupe.

He said the closest part of track in America, that resembles the Ring, is the kink at Road America. He said multiply that times 70 corners over 13 miles and you will see why it demands so much from a car.

Production and markets.

Official production starts May 2011. Cars will be delivered to China market as well. Dr. Segler said there is no limit on how many 1M’s can be built. This is the first M car to be built in Leipzig plant – alongside 1-Series models.

Video: Control a BMW with a Nokia C7

Viral videos are one of the best weapons in the online world, and this one makes no exception. Apparently setup by the cellphone maker Nokia, the short viral clip showcases a pair of Chinese guys using the recently launched Nokia C7 phone to control via Bluetooth a BMW 1 Series Hatchback.

This brings back memories of James Bond in Tomorrow Never Dies when Pierce Brosnan controls a 7 Series via a smartphone. While the special effects and bad guys are missing from this new clip, the results is quite extraordinary as well.

Details around this project are scarce at the moment, but we’re hoping to learn more soon.

To plug in the C7 for Nokia, here are some of the background information on their new smartphone: it has a 3.5 inch OLED display with a resolution of 640 x 360 pixels, does quadband GSM/EDGE and pentaband 3G, meaning you’ll be able to get high speed internet access on this thing regardless of where you are on the world and which operator you use, Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi b/g/n, 8 GB of onboard memory, 8 megapixel camera, and the ability to capture 720p video.



 

 
Source: BMWBlog

Due To Record Sales, BMW and Audi to Expand Factories This Year

Author: Horatiu B.




According to Bloomberg, BMW, Mercedes and Audi AG, the world’s three largest luxury-car makers, will expand factories this year to ease capacity constraints driven by record demand for their vehicles.

Volkswagen AG’s Audi is aiming to overthrown BMW as the world’s bigger maker of premium vehicles by 2015, and plans to increase production for cars and SUV to more than the 1.15 million produced in 2010.

BMW and Mercedes have similar plants with increased production at the Leipzig and respectively Stuttgart plant.

“The top three are poised for further growth,” said Juergen Pieper, a Frankfurt-based analyst with Bankhaus Metzler who recommends buying VW, Daimler and BMW shares. “The momentum in luxury markets will continue this year and also in 2012. It’s a necessity for manufacturers to take steps to address this.”

The increase in automobiles sales is a direct link to the expanding Chinese market which became one of the two largest auto markets in the world. United States continues to remain the largest one. Audi plans to spend 11.6 billion euros ($15.7 billion) through 2015 on plants and new models. BMW has spent 1.5 billion euros alone on its German plants since 2009, while Daimler is building an 800 million-euro small-car plant in Hungary.
 
While BMW plans over 20 new models in the next five years, Audi said will roll out a total of 13 new models and upgraded vehicles this year.
 
The VW unit will spend more than 5 billion euros at two German factories in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm, where the A6 will be built. Audi also said it will begin work this year to expand a factory in Gyor, Hungary, to increase capacity to 125,000 cars.
 
BMW anticipates record sales in 2011 with more than 1.5 million BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce models. The Munich-based automaker is spending 400 million euros at its factory in Leipzig, Germany, to prepare for the production of the Mega City electric car by 2013.

Just recently, BMW completed a $750 million expansion of its U.S. factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to make room for the revamped X3 SAV. BMW is also expanding capacity in China, India, and South Africa.

Source: BMWBlog

2011 BMW X3 Test Drive & Review

BMW Group Announces Partnership with NBC Universal

BMW Group Announces Partnership with NBC Universal to Become the Exclusive Foreign Brand Automotive Advertiser for NBC’s Coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - January 13, 2011... BMW Group announced today that it will be the exclusive foreign brand automotive advertiser for NBC Universal’s broadcast of the London 2012 Olympic Games. This agreement marks the first time that NBC Universal has granted foreign automotive exclusivity for its Olympic coverage. It is also the first time that NBC will have only two automotive advertisers, one foreign and one domestic.

The agreement expands the automaker’s association with the Olympic Games. In addition to being the official Automotive Partner and a Sustainability Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Games, BMW announced last July a six-year, multi-million dollar partnership with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the National Governing Bodies of USA Bobsled & Skeleton, U.S. Speedskating, USA Swimming and USA Track & Field. Under that agreement, BMW will provide the USOC and the four individual sports with financial support, fund-raising opportunities and access to BMW Group’s technical expertise to help the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams improve their training and performance. BMW Group was also a sponsor of the Atlanta Olympic Games and the U.S. Olympic Team in 1996.

“The Olympic Games represent the highest level of athletic competition and showcase the world’s best athletes at their peak performance,” said Trudy Hardy, Manager, BMW Marketing Communications and Consumer Events. “As a company focused on the development of high performance vehicles and one that has a long history of dedication to competitive sport, we are proud to strengthen our connection to the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Olympic Movement and Team USA.”

BMW Launches BMW X3 Customer Video Portal:

BMW Launches BMW X3 Customer Video Portal:

Consumers Can Watch Production of Their Custom-Made BMW X3.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – January 19, 2011… Starting on January 20, BMW customers will have unique access to the creation of their custom-made BMW X3 vehicles via an online video portal that will show them footage of their customized X3 being produced at the company’s plant in Spartanburg, SC.

“Customization is essential to the new BMW X3. With more than 10 million distinct configurations available, we wanted to get customers excited about the birth of their unique vehicle,” said Trudy Hardy, Manager, BMW Marketing Communications and Consumer Events, BMW of North America. “This production footage of the BMW X3 vehicles from our Spartanburg plant enhances the overall customer experience that is part of the BMW brand.”

Customers can view the footage by creating a My BMW account on bmwusa.com and entering their X3 order number or VIN. Using seven cameras in BMW’s South Carolina plant, BMW delivers X3 customers with video that tracks their vehicle through the various stages of final assembly. The video does not have an expiration date, giving consumers round-the-clock access to the assembly footage, and the video can also be downloaded and shared with interested friends and family members.

Available this month, the new BMW X3 builds on the success of its first-generation counterpart, offering drivers increased space, functionality, efficiency and comfort. The first BMW X model to be equipped with electro-mechanical power steering as standard equipment, the vehicle also offers owners the option of Dynamic Driving Control and BMW ConnectedDrive driver assistance systems.

BMW M3. 25 years.

he success story of BMW M began in August 1985 with the fastest 3 Series BMW of all times. Today, BMW M is the embodyment of BMW Motorsport. Watch a brief history about this very special brand.

BMW 1 Series ActiveE production vehicle to roll out next week

Author: Horatiu B.

The BMW 1 Series ActiveE will be officially unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011, but the first production vehicle will be roll out as early as next week. According to BMW insider Scott27, the company will soon be ready to accept applications for the pilot program that begins this summer.
 
To gather feedback quicker and more efficient, BMW has also setup a forum for future owners and general public. The team behind the ActiveE project pointed us to the following internet address: bmwactivatethefuture.com.

BMW will also introduce an iPhone app, called “BMW EV Mobile Application” which will allow non-electric drivers to make an informed decision on whether the BMW 1er Coupe ActiveE satisfies their driving habits and requirements.

In the US, BMW will offer at least 450 ActiveE vehicles, similar to the MINI E pilot introduced two years ago.
 
New York Metro and Greater Los Angeles will again be included and be joined by Metropolitan markets of San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento and Boston.

A glimpse of the BMW ActiveE was first seen with theConcept ActiveE at the North American International Auto Show in January, 2010. Based on the chassis of a BMW 1 Series Coupe it features a newly developed electric drivetrain and a lithium-ion battery-packed developed in cooperation with SB-LiMotive. It offers four passenger seating and approximately seven cubic-feet of luggage capacity.

Based on realistic simulations, the sprint from 0-60 mph requires approximately 8.5 seconds. The maximum speed of the vehicle is electronically limited at around 90 mph.

The lithium-ion battery pack specially developed for this vehicle supplies energy to the motor and all other functions of the BMW Concept ActiveE. For the first time, storage cells are used which were developed especially for use in automobiles by the BMW Group in collaboration with the cooperation partner SB LiMotive. The aim is to use the best available technology in the area of energy storage as part of the development of the Megacity Vehicle.
 
The lithium-ion batteries of the BMW Concept ActiveE have their own liquid cooling system and intelligent battery management system, which are key elements in increasing both the storage capacity and the durability of the battery cells. These systems also ensure that the long range can be maintained largely independent of external climatic conditions. The storage system developed for the BMW Concept ActiveE enables a real-world range of about 100 miles on a single charge, depending on conditions.

More information and photos will be released in the next weeks.

[Source: GCF ]