BMW – Page 29 – Automobiles Review

BMW 4-Series Convertible – ///M Performance

BMW is going to offer a number of ///M Performance upgrades for the all-new 4-Series Convertible. The stylish drop-top will become even more impressive when fitted with these goodies.

The exterior boasts several carbon fiber accessories like a new front splitter, a pair of modified side skirts and of course a new rear diffuser. Other highlights include black kidney grilles, carbon fiber mirror caps and different styles of wheels ranging from 18” to 20” fitted with proper tires.

The interior features a new impressive sports steering wheel fully wrapped in premium quality Alcantara. It also has polycarbonate cover for the OLED display screen and colored LEDs. Other special features include real-time fuel efficiency data; average fuel economy and average speed. There is also a sport mode as well as race mode with a number of interesting data: lap time, max speed, max G-force, 60′ time, 330′ time, 1,000′ time, 1/8 and 1/4 mile times and trap speeds.

The interior also can be ordered with carbon fiber trim elements, alloy pedals and a carbon fiber gear knob.

The German manufacturer will also offer a performance package boosting the engines in the range with up to 34HP (25 kW).

Source: BMW

August 13, 2014

Burton Racing BMW 128i – Street Tuner Victory at Road America

BMW 128i Coupe managed to scoop the first ST victory of the 2014 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge season in Saturday’s 2.5-hour race at Road America, in Elkhart Lake. It was piloted by the 2013 Street Tuner class champions – Terry Borcheller and Mike LaMarra.

BMW drivers also scored fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth place Street Tuner class finishes. Bimmerworld Racing’s three 328i machines finished fifth, seventh and eighth. Ted Giovanis and David Murray finished sixth in the No. 64 Team TGM 328i. Logically, the result moved BMW to the top of the Manufacturer’s points standings.

“We’ve been closing in on the podium throughout the season and got very close to a win at Indy,” commented Keith Burton, Burton Racing Team Principal.

“It is extremely satisfying to win here at Road America and validates all of our hard work this year. I believe we are back in a position where we can fight for another championship for BMW.”, he added.

the No. 46 Fall-Line Motorsport BMW M3 of John Edwards and Trent Hindman finished 4^th. The car started from the pole and led 18 laps of the 54 lap contest, only 1.768 seconds separating the car from the winner at the checkered flag. The next best finishing BMW M3 was the No. 97 Turner Motorsport car of Tom Kimber-Smith and Michael Marsal in 13^th.

“Congratulations to Mike and Terry and the entire Burton Racing team on their return to the podium and their first Street Tuner win of the season,” said Gordon McDonnell, BMWNA Motorsport Manager.

“In Grand Sport, both John and Trent put up a great fight in the Fall-Line Motorsport BMW M3 to finish fourth, but the new Camaro seems to have a distinct advantage in the class.”, he finished.

Source: BMW

August 13, 2014

MINI teams with JustPark to make parking easier

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Having a car brings many benefits to your life but in many cases you may find it really hard to find a parking spot. In fact statistics shows worrying facts – motorists waste 106 days of their lives just looking for a spot. There’s light in the tunnel, though – British Motor Corporation (BMC) and its brand MINI have teamed up with the online service JustPark to provide a service that allows drivers to secure a parking spot in advance directly from their dashboards.

The only thing you have to do now in order to take advantage of the new service is to drive a MINI and then download a special application from the Apple App Store. By using the app, JustPark-registered drivers can find, book and navigate to a parking spot, choosing from more than 100,000 spaces across the United Kingdom.

This is how the whole thing works – drivers can download and then integrate the app in the vehicle’s navigation system and then they can choose whether to input their final destination or look for a parking spot around them while on the go. The app provides drivers with a number of conventional parking spaces, from car parks and hotels to homes and pubs. In addition to that they can look for location details, pricing and reviews left by previous drivers.

Once you choose and pay for a parking space you will be navigated to the destination by the vehicle’s navigation system. The best part is that the app has been designed for use while on the go and it has also undergone extensive testing by BMW laboratories in Germany.

The app is the latest product of the partnership between JustPark and BMW Ventures, the venture capital arm of BMW that invests in startups working to improve mobility in urban areas and took a strategic stake in JustPark – formerly known as ParkatmyHouse – in 2011.

JustPark founder, Anthony Eskinazi, said: “In 2014, no driver should have to experience the stress and uncertainty of circling the streets for that elusive parking space. JustPark gives drivers the convenience of finding and reserving an affordable parking space in moments. Just as we use apps to order taxis and takeaways, parking is finally being brought out of the dark ages.”

The MINI will be the first car to enjoy the new service but JustPark expects to be able to offer the service to many more car brands in the near future.

Source: MINI UK

August 7, 2014

Best-Tuning BMW 4-Series 435i xDrive

Best-Tuning has announced their latest project based on BMW 4-Series 435i xDrive. The sports coupe comes with styling and performance upgrades as well. The ride height is lowered and the Beamer has received new set of enormous wheels.

The new wheels are provided by Schmidt Revolution – 8.5J x 20“ at the front fitted with 235/30 R20 and 10J x 20“ with 275/25 R20 tires on the rear axle. The complete set starts from €2,600 as the price varies depending on tire choice.

The stance is further improved by KW coilovers with pricing starting from €1,100 depending on the variant from 1 to 3. The new suspension improves not only the handling, but the comfort as well, because it offers a number of settings.

The performance package boosts the 3.0 liter Twinpower-turbocharged petrol engine to 365HP (268 kW) – an increase of 57HP thanks to an ECU re-map (nothing is mentioned about torque increase, but it will be around 100Nm). The price is just €1,299 – definitely a good value for money. Last, but not least Best-Tuning offers a complete sports exhaust system delivering epic soundtrack and of course slight power increase. No words about its price.

Source: Best-Tuning

August 1, 2014

Carlex Design BMW Z4 E89 – Awesome!

Carlex Design has published several nice pictures of a heavily modified BMW Z4 E89. The stylish roadster received a unique look – exterior and interior by the tuning company. The new vision is truly impressive and even hardcore BMW fans (like me) like it, a lot.

The inspiration for the project is taken from a sub-genre of science fiction. The tuning specialists from Poland created a stunning combination of brass and Alcantara with different types of dark leather. The roll bars behind the seats as well as the door handles, transmission tunnel and some sections of the dashboard received brass treatment, while the seats and the steering wheel are finished in fine dark leather with contrasting stitches.

The exterior boasts a complete matte black foiling combined with a copper finish for the roof and the new enormous alloy wheels.

No words about performance modifications, but the heavily tuned Z4 by Carlex is enough impressive even without hundreds of horsepower under the long front hood. Still, the small roadster is pretty quick even in its least powerful version – sDrive18i powered by a 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine – 156HP (115 kW) and 200Nm (148 lb-ft). 0-100 km/h in 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 220 km/h (138 mph).

Enjoy the pictures!

Source: Carlex Design

July 31, 2014

Alpha-N Performance And EVOX Have Performance Boost For BMW M3 And M4

Alpha-N Performance has gathered together with EVOX Chip-tuning to create some super tweaks for the BMW four-door M3 limousine and M4 two-door coupe. The source of power of these two beautiful and at the same time potent cars is the new S55B30 serial six cylinder engine. It draws good 431 horsepower (317 kW) and a maximum torque of 550 Newton meter (406 lb-ft) from its three-liter cylinder capacity thanks to the forced respiration by two turbo-chargers.

However, these numbers weren’t enough for the specialists from both companies. In fact, they have detected an enormous potential in the bi-turbo serial six cylinder. EVOX Systems boosted the performance of the drive mechanism of the S55B30 to 520 horsepower (382 kW) and 680 Nm (502 kW). This happened due to the addition of EVOX box which was fitted with the 5-channel technology via simultaneous calculation and optimization of several engine parameters.

The chip-tuning box has also some protective functions. On the one hand, all factory-fitted engine-protection functions are kept. On the other hand, the EVOX box has a cold-start switch-off system for keeping intact the hardware. The box takes up its functions only after the engine is at an optimal operating temperature. Furthermore, the box winds back the performance to standard level after 20 seconds.

Alpha-N Performance is also preparing additional power upgrades for the models. There stages 2 and 3 which are to include an exhaust systems delivered by “Lightweight” company. At the current moment, the tuning company is also working with the experts of Öhlins on a high-end sports-chassis for M3 and M4. There are also under preparation some carbon fiber parts. For instance, such are the adjustable front and rear spoiler, and a heck diffuser.

Source: Alpha-N Performance

July 31, 2014

Manhart Racing BMW X4 F26 – 375HP and 740Nm

Manhart Racing has unveiled their tuning package for the all-new BMW X4 xDrive35d. The compact SAC (Sports Activity Coupe) comes with a significant power boost and improved stance.

The 3.0 liter twin-turbocharged diesel originally produces – 313HP (230 kW) and 630Nm (465 lb-ft) of torque. The performance package boosts the engine to 375HP (276 kW) and 740Nm (546 lb-ft) of torque, which is exactly the same torque like the three-turbocharged 3.0 liter diesel found in M50d models.

2014 BMW X4 xDrive35d does 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, so the new time will be around 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). However, Manhart didn’t release any official performance data.

The ride height is lowered thanks to a set of sport springs and the stance is further improved by huge Concave One 21“ wheels finished in silver or black.

BMW has recently announced the new X4, which is available only with diesel engines – xDrive20d; xDrive30d and xDrive35d. The entry-level model is available from £36,590 OTR. The all-new 2014 X4 combines all unique features of the BMW X family with the stylish elegance of a classical coupe. For now the only rival of the model is the recently unveiled Porsche Macan.

Source: Manhart Racing

July 31, 2014

BMW M235i Coupe – Drift Mob [video]

BMW has released a promo video with their “drift mob show” organized in Cape Town, South Africa. The epic show features several M235i Coupe cars driven by professional stuntmen. The synchronized drifting at a large roundabout in South Africa is really spectacular. The entire video is full of adrenaline and impressive scenes.

All fans of BMW expected to see the all-new M2, which is expected to hit the market sometime in the end of the next year. It will have the same engine, but tuned to 380HP (279 kW), stiffened suspension and a big brake system. It will also get different aerodynamics package and unique interior with a lot of carbon fiber elements and other expensive materials.

The 2014 BMW 2-Series M235i is powered by the well-known 3.0 liter TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder engine – 326HP (240 kW) and 450Nm (322 lb-ft) of torque. It is connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission sending the power to the rear wheels. 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) – electronically-limited.

Some of the stuntmen stars are Rhys Millen and Samuel Hübinette aka The Crazy Swede, who started working as a test driver for Volvo.

Enjoy!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz2rAgXjkCA

Source: BMW

July 30, 2014

Fostla BMW E70 X5M – 650HP and 900Nm

Fostla has presented their latest project based on the extremely powerful BMW E70 X5M. The SAV (Sport Activity Vehicle) has received both styling and performance upgrades.

The exterior is completely wrapped in anodized mat-red as well as tinted side windows and some black chrome parts – kidney grills and mirror caps. There is also an Akrapovic sports exhaust system with black tailpipes and modified emblems. Last, but not least are the enormous 21” high-performance wheels fitted low-profile tires. The overall appearance is really spectacular.

BMW E70 X5M is powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 – 555HP (408 kW) at 6,000RPM and 680Nm (500 lb-ft) at just 1,500RPM. The engine is connected to a 6-speed M Sports Automatic transmission with aluminum paddle shifters on steering wheel. 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) – electronically limited. Other highlights include 10 mm lower Adaptive Drive suspension and 4-piston calipers at the front with huge 396mm brake discs.

PP-Performance offers a tuning package boosting the engine to whopping – 650HP (478 kW) and 900Nm (667 lb-ft). The result is thanks to the new sports exhaust system and an ECU re-map.

The complete tuning package is just €8,000 – definitely a good value for money.

Source: Fostla

July 30, 2014

BMW i8 Concours d’Elegance Edition To Be Auctioned At Pebble Beach

BMW i8 Concours d’Elegance Edition is going to be auctioned during the weekend of the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on 16th of August. This will happen just before the US sale date scheduled for the fall. What differentiates this BMW from the rest i8 is the unique paint scheme and interior treatment, and also the additional features included. This means that it will be truly unique. The car will be sold by Gooding & Company, which is the official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours. All of the gathered proceeds will go to the Pebble Beach Company Foundation.

Precisely, this one-of-a-kind car is distinguished by its BMW Individual Frozen Grey Metallic exterior paint. Inside, there is also unique interior, which boasts Dalbergia Brown leather upholstery tanned via color derived from plant extracts. Highlights of the upholstery feature stitching in BMW i Blue. Furthermore, the Pure Impulse Tera World interior includes other accents in the same color such as the seat belts.

There is also an embossed BMW i8 on the front headrests. Other unique features include laser headlights, pending government approval, a BMW i8 Display key and the first BMW Charging Station, professional edition. “Concours d’Elegance Edition” i8 will be also embossed throughout the interior.

BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid vehicle which features an all-wheel drive powertrain that combines an electric motor driving the front wheels and 1.5-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder gasoline engine driving the rear wheels. The car can move only on electric power at speeds up to 75 mph for approximately 20 miles. And of course, in this mode it generates zero CO2 emissions.

When the gasoline engine works along with the electric motor, the i8 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 155 mph. The vehicle was constructed with an extensive use of lightweight carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The lithium-ion battery pack can be charged from any 240-volt level 2 charging station as well as a conventional 110-volt outlet.

Another excusive technology featured in the BMW i8 Concours d’Elegance Edition is the laser headlights. They generate a pure-white and extremely bright light. It will also be the first BMW in the United States to include a display key which features an integrated LCD touch screen.

Source: BMW

July 29, 2014

BMW unveils fast chargers and more

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At the on-going Plug-In 2014, a conference dedicated to the future of electric vehicles, BMW of North America unveiled the brand new i DC Fast Chargers that can charge the BMW i3 electric vehicle up to 80 per cent in 30 minutes. Speed is not the only advantage of the new BMW product – the i DC Fast Chargers are the first compact and affordable DC Combo chargers. In addition to this BMW also announced its new ChargeNow DC Fast program in cooperation with NRG eVgo, in which BMW i3 drivers in California can enjoy no cost unlimited 30 minute DC fast charging, at NRG eVgo Freedom Station sites equipped with DC Combo Fast Charging, through 2015.

Unlike regular DC fast chargers that are usually as large as a standard refrigerator the new BMW chargers measure just 31 x 19 x 12 inches and weigh approximately 100 pounds. This means that you can install your i DC Fast Charger on a wall, which is a first for electric car DC fast chargers. In addition the i DC Fast Charger will be significantly cheaper than other DC chargers selling for USD 6548 at select BMW dealers.

“This is a milestone in the development of the DC fast charging infrastructure. With more than five years of real world experience, we understand that a robust network of publicly available DC Combo Fast Chargers is a key part of the mobility of tomorrow,” said Robert Healey, EV Infrastructure Manager, at BMW of North America. “BMW is offering the BMW i DC Fast Charger at an appealing price point, and more manageable size, to make the convenience of DC fast charging more accessible for BMW i3 owners.”

The new BMW i DC Fast Charger comes with 24 kW of power and can feed the vehicle battery directly, which results in more efficient and faster charging. BMW i DC Fast Chargers use the SAE Combo 1 connector, the North American automotive industry standard for fast charging; feature a rugged aluminum IP54 enclosure; meet NEMA 3 requirements; and are designed to perform in extreme weather conditions, from -40°F (-40°C) to 185°F (85°C). Additionally, the BMW i DC Fast Charger is ChargePoint network-enabled, allowing electric vehicle drivers with the SAE Combo 1 inlet to access the BMW i DC Fast Charger using a ChargePoint or ChargeNow card.

The new ChargeNow program gives BMW i3 drivers access to unlimited 30-minute DC fast charging sessions with the ChargeNow DC Fast program. BMW i3 owners can sign up easily for ChargeNow DC Fast at chargenow.com/us. In order to receive the full benefits of the program, BMW i3 drivers must use the ChargeNow card, provided with their BMW i3, to charge the vehicle at least once by December 31, 2014, at a participating eVgo Freedom Station. By doing so, BMW i3 drivers will enjoy continued access to no cost DC charging sessions through the end of 2015. Eligible BMW i3 vehicles must be equipped with the DC Fast Charging option (SAE).

Source: BMW

July 28, 2014

Vorsteiner GTS-V BMW M6 F13

Vorsteiner has released details about their latest tuning project based on BMW M6 F13 Coupe.

The tuning company developed only styling modifications including a new front spoiler, aero side blades, a modified rear diffuser and a deck lid spoiler. The exterior appearance is completed by a set of Special Edition Forged VSE-003 Forged Monoblocks – 9.5J x 21 at the front and 11J x 21” at the rear. Pricing is available upon request.

BMW M6 F13 Coupe is powered by a 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 (S63B44TU) – 560HP (412 kW) at 6,600RPM and 680Nm (502 lb-ft) of torque available at just 1,500RPM. 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds , 0-200 km/h in 12.0 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) – electronically limited or 300 km/h (186 mph) with M Drivers package. The engine is connected to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox sending the power to the rear wheels. ¼ mile in 11.7 to 11.9 seconds.

The curb weight is 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) and the powerful sports coupe is able to cover 100 km with just 7.6 liters on Highway.

2014 M6 F13 Coupe is priced from $ 112,450 in the US (excluding destination charge).