BMW – Page 59 – Automobiles Review

Lumma Design BMW M6

The BMW M6 is not yet fully out but Lumma Design cannot wait any longer. Here’s a brief glimpse of what they intend on doing to it. Don’t worry, no Mses have been hurt during the process. Their idea is, quite unsurprisingly, is to make the new BMW M6 “even more” sporty and appealing.

How are they going to that? With carbon fiber of course. What we can see here is a complete aerodynamic kit comprising of bumpers, side skirts and vents and everything. The wheel arches are now flaring with their full force, and the carbon fiber hood leaves a lasting impression and hopefully, it saves weight. From the diffuser at the back, sticks out a Lumma central double-pipe exhaust system. Multi-piece wheels provided from the company measure up to 12.5×21. That’s a serious caliber.

On the inside, Lumma have made an effort as well. Once you step in, a mash up of leather, Alcantra and carbon fiber overwhelms you. Elegance plus Sportiness – it is a well known formula.

The BMW M6 with it’s bi-tubro V8 engine and it’s 412 kW of power go out on sale near the Fall. Lumma Design plan to bring out their own BMW M6 by the end of this year.

Source: Lumma Design

June 22, 2012

BMW Z4 White Wolf RR by Rowen

Here’s a rare find. A BMW Z4 E89 radically transformed by the Japan-based Rowen house. In a few words: extensive use of carbon fiber materials, big wheels and … LEDs.

A new front apron with splitter sits at the front (there are also the LEDs), the side skirts have been redesigned and the tips of the exhaust pipes are all titanium. If that carbon wing at the back was a tad bigger, the Z4 would be pretty reminiscent of a full-blown GT car.

We cannot omit stating the obvious that the wheels are new and the suspension has been lowered. When it comes to a price, the Rowen Z4 White Wolf RR is staged so you’ll end up somewhere in between the 493,500 Yen to 756,000 Yen range. That is $6,200-$9,500.

Do we need to remind you that, at it’s best the E89 has a twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter straight six. That’s 340 PS and 450 Nm of torque, crunched by a 7-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox and good for a 4.8 second run to the 62nd mile an hour landmark.

httpv://youtu.be/TvNoHlg3Rvk

BMW Z4 White Wolf RR by Rowen - Front Angle

Rowen BMW Z4 White Wolf RR Rear Angle

Rowen BMW Z4 White Wolf RR - Side

Source: carbuzz.com

Video Source: TOMMYKAIRA000 via YouTube

June 21, 2012

Vorsteiner GTRS5 BMW M3

With a grand gesture of their own, Vorsteiner bid farewell to the E92 BMW series. It’s the latest generation of GTRS programes – the Vorsteiner GTRS5 for the BMW M3. It’s pretty much the same as the last one, the GTRS3, but Vorsteiner say that the difference is in the details.

The lower front bumper now has more vents for an even more efficient air-flow. The fins of the diffuser at the back longer than before thus providing greater downforce. There are also vertical vents on the sides of the rear bumper which now have carbon-fiber inserts – a fashion statement? Maybe, but Vorsteiner are adamant that the end product excels in performance. We’ll have to take their word for it.

In a nutshell here’s the complete GTRS5 kit :

Carbon Fiber Front Bumper Integrated with Optical Carbon Fiber Chin Spoiler
Carbon Fiber Wide Arch Front Fenders
Carbon Fiber Extended Side Skirts
Carbon Fiber Wide Arch Rear Quater Panels
Vorsteiner Embroidered Floor Mats
Vorsteiner Chrome Trunk Badge Emblem
Vorsteiner VS-310 3-Piece Concave Forged Aluminum Wheels
Nitto Invo Performance Tires

Optionally, one can go for the:

GTS3 Carbon Fiber Vented Race Hood
GTRS3 Carbon Fiber Boot Lid
E9X M3 Titanium Sport Exhaust System

Only 40 examples will be seen on the streets ever so it’s exclusive as well.

Source: Vorsteiner

June 20, 2012

2013 BMW Alpina B7 super-high performance luxury sedan

BMW has announced the new ALPINA B7 super-high performance luxury sedan, which boasts more performance, fresh design and improved efficiency.

The new B7 will make its official public debut at the at the historic Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August. It will be priced from $128 495 for B7 Standard Wheelbase and $132 395 for the extended version – B7 Long Wheelbase.

The new B7 is based on the 2013 BMW 7-Series. It is powered by a 4.4 liter twin-turbocharged V8 boosted to 540HP and 728Nm (538 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 312 km/h (194 mph). The engine is mated to the famous 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox sending all that power to rear-wheels or to the world’s most intelligent AWD system – xDrive.

The exterior features complete Alpina package including new bumpers, new kidney grilles, updated Xenon Adaptive headlights, LED front fog lights, and updated tail lights.

Other now-standard features will include ceramic secondary controls, engine Automatic Start-Stop, and the Active protection system. Optionally, the B7 Sedan will offer Full LED Headlights, Bang & Olufsen Surround Sound System, new exterior colors and interior upholstery choices in-line with the 7 Series update. Renewed BMW individual color and trim offerings complete the package. The appearance remains unmistakable on signature 21” ALPINA Classic 20-spoke wheels and stunning ALPINA Blue Metallic paint.

The BMW ALPINA B7 is available as a special order vehicle with capacity-limited production underscoring its exclusivity.

Source: BMW

June 19, 2012

2012 MINI Rocketman Concept at the Olympics

2012 MINI Rocketman Concept is especially prepared by the British premium car brand MINI for the Olympics and Paralympics that will take place in few months in London. The new edition has already appeared as a concept and debuted at the International Geneva Motor Show last year.

The new design of the MINI Rocketman Concept is absolutely stunning! It combines fresh ideas for personal mobility in big cities while at the same time keeping the classical, unmistakably British design features.

And if you are going to visit London during the Olympics, this extraordinary vehicle will be on show in the BMW Pavilion located close to the Olympic and Paralympic Village.

The 3+1-seater has three doors and an exterior length of just over three meters. It has irresistible design, clever functionality, great agility and exceptional efficiency. The advanced technology included in the vehicle underpins a lifestyle-focused mobility solution. In other words the MINI is equipped for life in big cities.

Further detail is that MINI Rocketman Concept’s spaceframe is made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic. This enables the lightweight construction of the car. If you go throughout the pictures of the car, you will see its innovative interior concept, which can accommodate three full-size seats.

The exterior and interior color schemes of the Rocketman are influenced mainly by its British heritage. All that has been used in the creation are high-quality materials thanks to which the stylish details can be additionally emphasized. All in all, it embodies a typically British form of sporting elegance.

The MINI runs on 18-inch light-alloy wheels, which have white polished areas and a metallic red accent. Matt Porcelain White paintwork is also utilized for the mirror caps, boot opener and surrounds for the radiator grille and headlights.

The grille structure is made up entirely of MINI logos. It has a red metallic paint finish and contrasting white surround. A red strip emphasises the path of the hallmark MINI diagonal link between the wheel arch and door at the foot of the A-pillar.

Another unique and special feature is the distinctive lighting design for the roof, which is full-surface glass roof. It has illuminated braces which recreate the look of Britain’s Union Jack flag. Even when the roof is not illuminated, the braces keep on shining in bright Porcelain White. In darkness, the integrated optical fibres provide a pleasant indirect illumination of the interior and a compelling night design visible from the outside. The roof’s transparent surfaces are bordered by a metallic red painted strip.

The interior is influenced by the Union Jack-led colour concept as well. Sporting ambience and intricate details are the characteristics of the coupe of the car. The inner door panels and rear side sections are trimmed in dark blue nubuck leather, while the elliptical door rings are in white leather.

The most distinctive element of the dashboard is the cockpit surface. The latter is bordered by a red bar and has a striking 3D effect. Its relief structure shows the name of every Summer Olympic Games host city.

MINI Rocketman Concept catches the imagination thanks to its innovative technology and irresistible combination of driving fun and sustainability.

Source: MINI

June 14, 2012

1965 Buick Riviera Piece by eGarage

You’re sitting there at your kitchen table, bathrobe still on, sipping coffee and casually glancing at the columns on this morning’s Financial Times. Life’s pretty good when you are a self-made man – Two kids, a house big enough for two more and a BMW 5-series at the drive alley. Not the F10 though. It’s an E60 – you have been financially stable for quite a while now and at the time you were buying it, the F10 wasn’t out yet. Maybe you’ll wait for the next generation as to not appear too shallow.

Suddenly ripples form in your now half empty mug, subtle clinking comes from the cutlery next to your breakfast, the windows tremble in high frequency… and is that a boiling kettle you hear? Stepping outside you witness the embodiment of the one thing that you have always been missing – A matte black ’65 Buick Riviera ominously cruising the streets as your onlooking neighbors seem to shrink behind their neatly trimmed hedges. It’s your dark side basically, making a cameo.

Buick Riviera (1965) - Front Angle

Or… it could be just the guys from eGarage.com filming a piece about this prime example of 1960 US Automotive design. As a result, they ended up with this chill-inducing 1 minute or so video that got us all excited. Obviously this Riviera, promptly called “The Freak”, has had a bit of a modification. It was our keen eyes which saw that… in the description bellow – an AccuAir suspension system was used for that extra low-ride.

Anyway. The important thing is that the key concept behind the Riviera has been preserved…or at least that’s what we are hoping for – a 425 cu in (7.0L) engine rumbling out 340 hp at the least, a Twin Turbine automatic transmission, a double wishbone coil spring suspension plus power brakes and power steering. Those last three… they are not what you’d call innovation but keep in mind that this was the standard setup back in ’65 – a time when the wheel was still a hot topic. Then there are the cocooned (or clam-shell) headlights which might just be the coolest feature on a car…ever.

Buick Riviera (1965)

eGarage.com appreciate the aesthetics of cars worldwide. For them, representation, background and legacy is king. Also, we can always count on them for some eye-candy delivered by masterful photographers and cinematographers. The soundtrack here isn’t bad either.

httpv://vimeo.com/43683513

Source: eGarage.com via Vimeo

June 12, 2012

SR Project Teflon Don BMW 650i

SR Project Teflon Don BMW 650i is the latest trendy and luxury project from SR Auto Group. It is more than clearly based on the amazing and powerful BMW 650i, which makes this modification a very special one.

650i is equipped with a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine which produces 413PS (304 kW) and 600 Nm (442 lb-ft) of torque. Hence it is very easy for this car to develop 0-100 km/h for just 5.0 seconds. The engine of this outstanding car is mated to six-speed manual transmission, and in addition the model includes Dynamic Damper Control as standard and the Active Roll Stabilization.

SR Auto Group has grasped the great truth that the automotive industry is like fashion. There are always new trends which appear every day and which must be followed. What they’ve done with this BMW is exactly this: they are going after the trend which now is all about chrome!

In fact, chrome has been a part of the automotive industry for many years and was a successful attribute to many emblematic vehicles, adorning their forefront.

You can see the same philosophy applied to this BMW, who has been equipped with strut grille set which adds more luxurious outlook. In addition to this, the chrome can be seen on the set of Vellano VSD wheels in a staggering twenty two inch fitment.

We are definitely looking forward to seeing more projects in chrome!

Source: SR Auto Group

June 11, 2012

BMW to celebrate 25 years of the Z1

BMW has introduced the Z1 back in 1988 in the Italian town of Punta Ala. The predecessor of Z1 is the 507 model from the late 1950s, which was the last time the BMW model range had included a two-seater sports car.

The “new” Z1 was simply sensational with its avant-garde solutions. Some of them were so bold, that even nowadays look a little strange.

The BMW Board of Management came up with the notion of setting up a kind of think tank in a cutting-edge company branch that would be completely isolated from all other development departments. The idea was to give highly skilled BMW engineers, technicians and designers free rein to work on turning their best creative concepts into reality themselves.

The Z1 came out with only one engine – a 2.5 litre straight six with codename M20B25 producing 170HP (125 kW) at 5800RPM and 218 Nm (161 lb-ft) at 4300 RPM. The compression ratio of the engine is 8.8:1 and it is fed by electronic fuel injection. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox sending all power to the rear wheels.

0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph). The kerb weight is 1290 kg (2800 lbs) thanks to the floor, which is made from reinforced plastic meaning lower gravity center and better handling.

The Z1 wasn’t of the most successful BMW models and after a run of 8000 units, the car came out of production.

The small number that were made, the unique overall design concept and, not least, the tremendous driving pleasure it generated have today earned the Z1 a place amongst the modern classics of BMW automotive history.

New Z1 vehicles were priced between 83 000 and 89 000 DM (around €42 000 and €45 500).

June 8, 2012

2012 SR BMW Z4 – Spicing Everything Up

2012 SR BMW Z4 is the latest conversion by the tuners from SR Auto Group done on a unique BMW model. Although it is not changed in terms of performance, it was “spiced up” with unique design elements.

In short, SR Auto Group has enriched the already outstanding BMW Z4 model. The latter stands for style, speed and performance, and more importantly is able to capture any heart with its 245 horsepower (180 kW).Its torque produces 350Nm (260 lb-ft).

And the result is that the Z4 absolutely effortlessly accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in only 5.7 seconds.

The so called spicing that came from the tuners was as you might have already guessed from the wheels. And this time they are more than unique. Painted in red, they fit perfectly this BMW Z4, thus making the car the star of the show.

In addition, the wheels are fitted with a set of 20″ CEC C882, which have been revamped with a two tone finish sporting a vibrant red shade. Sometimes a bit of color is just what one needs to spice up ones day!

Source: SR Auto Group

June 5, 2012

BMW 640d Gran Coupe F06 M Sportpackage [HD video]

There is no doubt that BMW 640d Gran Coupe F06 M Sportpackage is one of the best looking new cars in the world. It is simply stunning as you can see in the video below.

It is powered by the famous BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder diesel engine with 313HP (230 kW) at 4400RPM and 630Nm of torque at just 1500RPM. 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). Simply great performance for a car weighing 1865 kg.

Furthermore it is superbly efficient – 6.8 litres / 100 km in city, 4.8 liters / 100 km on the highway and a combined cycle of just 5.5 litres per 100 km.

The F06 M Sports comes with complete aerodynamics package as well as some other upgrades like lowered suspension and nice interior trim.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p5NPLfE8H8

Source: Bimmertoday via Youtube

June 1, 2012

2012 BMW Zagato Coupe officially unveiled

2012 BMW Zagato Coupé will make its premiere at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. BMW Zagato Coupé is embodiment of high-quality hand-craftsmanship, sportiness and luxury.

The body of the new BMW model has been built entirely by hand. Its skin was tailored to fit the car’s mechanical architecture. The hand shaped aluminum sheets of metal were meticulously molded to give the car its unique form.

The BMW Zagato Coupé is a BMW seen through the eyes of Zagato. This can be seen easily through the design of the car, due to the iconic design cues from both companies.

The initial aim for the Zagato Coupe was to be road-registered, aerodynamically optimized machine, which is able to achieve high speeds but meet all legal requirements.

The proportions of the BMW Zagato Coupé include extremely long bonnet, greenhouse set well back and double bubble roof and Kamm Tail. It looks very dynamic, doesn’t it? The roofline is flowing and ends into the compact, muscular rear.

The car’s dynamic silhouette underlines its sporting characteristics as well. In addition to that the three-dimensionality the car offers combined with the very wide and powerfully contoured front, gives the car an agile sense of purpose.

The front fascia of this vehicle has twin circular headlights, kidney-shaped radiator grille and the extremely low, width-emphasising elements give the front end a sporty appearance.

Observed from one side, the 2012 BMW Zagato Coupé shows its long, sweeping bonnet. The rear end itself is cut almost vertically in another Zagato cue, which enhances aerodynamics. At the same time the flanks has the classical BMW Roadster lines, imbues them with extra tautness and extends them into the muscular rear end with a compelling swing of the hips.

The attractive interplay of lines here draws attention to the rear wheels and the car’s rear-wheel-drive configuration. The powerful flourish above the rear wheels is picked up and passed on by the spoiler, injecting the whole area with additional dynamic impetus.

In fact, the rear end of the car is so distinctive that it provides the clearest evidence of Zagato’s influence in this project. It was formed almost without a single joint and thus appearing as if formed from a single mould. The rear of the BMW Zagato Coupé has a very broad, low-slung appearance, which lends it powerful and solid stance on the road.

Moreover, a matt edging brings the attention to the diffuser, then draws the focus to the wheels and underlines the sporty stance of the BMW Zagato Coupé. The exhaust tailpipes are situated towards the outer edges of the rear and also have matt finish.

Other highlight is the 19-inch light-alloy wheels on which this beautiful machine runs. They are made in classically sporty five-spoke design. Next, some attention must be put on the paintwork of the car. It features exclusive exterior paint finish named Rosso Vivace. As you can see, this is an expressive shade of red.

Its secret is that depending on how the light hits the body, the color spectrum ranges from something close to black all the way to a brilliant red. This was possible thanks to sophisticated paint application technology featuring several coats.

How about the interior of the Zagato? It is structured in customary BMW style and the when you first see it your immediate reaction will be willingness to drive it.

In the interior were used exclusive colour and materials, which are blended into exceptional details, which at their turn provide luxurious style and sporting flair.

There are also additional elements in the vehicle, which were fitted by hand. Such are for example the horizontal lines in the instrument panel and doors. The base colours used for the exclusive leather are a light and dark shade of grey.

In the interior is featured also red decorative stitching in the instrument panel, doors and seats. They all lend the car more sporting presence. The luggage compartment has two shades of grey and the red accents as well.

Source: BMW

May 28, 2012

2013 BMW 7 Series: harmonious blend of luxury and sporting stance

2013 BMW 7 Series is the most innovative sedan in the luxury segment of BMW. The model incorporates its inherent sporting stance, refined powertrain technology and unmatched luxurious comfort.

The body of the new series includes impressive new LED headlights and subtle new design features. It has dynamic lines and perfectly balanced proportions. As a result, the new BMW now embodies sporting stance and elegant presence.

Indeed, what catches the eye the most are the new LED headlights with hallmark BMW corona rings and a smart accent strip. A new modification here is the new transformed BMW kidney grille with nine slats. Among the new features included are the indicators integrated into the lower section of the exterior mirrors.

In terms of interior the new 7 Series include leather seats, optimized noise levels, Rear Seat Entertainment package and sound system with extending centre speaker. Of course, the designers of the coupe have included only high-quality materials. The main aim in the creation of the interior however, was its practical use.

In addition, the driver and the passengers travel in luxury and are largely cocooned from outside noise. As an optional feature, there are also provided individual seats. And the optional Rear Seat Entertainment package comes with 9.2-inch flatscreen monitor. Moreover, the new 1,200-watt Bang & Olufsen High End Surround Sound System will offer the customers unimpeachable sound quality.

The new BMW 7 Series comes equipped with multifunctional instrument display, which is positioned behind the steering wheel. The instruments are now differentiated thank to different colors and graphics. The color depends on the driving mode selected, and provides specific important information.

More importantly the new BMW vehicle model has refined power, improved efficiency and enhanced ride comfort. In addition the Series come with revised engines which are extremely economical and low in terms of emissions. They are mated to an intelligent eight-speed automatic transmission. Of course, innovative technologies such as the Auto Start-Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration and the second-generation Driving Experience Control switch with ECO PRO mode and coasting function are also included in the car.

In details, the flagship BMW 760i is equipped with 12-cylinder powerplant. The entry-level engine is on the BMW 730i, the six-cylinder in-line engine powers the BMW 740i and the revised V8 petrol engine goes on the BMW 750i. All engines will offer drivers the combination of increased output and lower fuel consumption.

On the other hand, the new BMW 750d xDrive is the one which makes debut. Under its bonnet can be found the new TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder diesel engine. The latter is the world’s most powerful diesel engine of its kind.

At last, in the range is also included the second-generation BMW ActiveHybrid 7 with a new six-cylinder in-line engine. It contributes for significantly reduced emissions.

In terms of dynamic and control, the BMW offers unmatched driving pleasure and comfort. This is due to the impressive spread of chassis. The chassis set-up is optimized and has modified rubber bearings and new dampers, self-leveling air suspension for the rear axle on the Electric Power Steering.

Furthermore, the BMW ConnectedDrive is a new feature, which includes intelligent integration. This one delivers comfort and assurance at the wheel along with unbeatable safety. For instance, on such feature, which optimizes the safety are BMW Night Vision + Dynamic Light Spot with pedestrian recognition technology, the anti-dazzle LED High-Beam Assistant, Driver Assistant Plus with Stop & Go function, Active Protection with automatic fatigue recognition and Speed Limit Info including the No Passing Info display using road sign symbols.

The central Control Display include entertainment programs, office and online services, Professional navigation system, map graphics and 3D city mode.

Source: BMW

May 28, 2012

Tag: BMW