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IN CELEBRATION: BMW Marks 40 Years of Art Cars with Exhibits Around the World

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Munich. Lichtenstein. Warhol. Koons. Stella. Calder. Rauschenberg. Holzer. Elíasson. Since a BMW 3.0 CSL painted by Alexander Calder lined up for the Le Mans 24-hour race exactly 40 years ago, the BMW Art Car Collection has fascinated both art and design enthusiasts as well as car and technology fans all around the world.

Ever since the invention of the motor car, artists have drawn inspiration from the thrill of speed, from the phenomenon of mobility and from racing cars as examples of modern sculpture. Since 1975, BMW Art Cars have been a central feature of this story. The idea behind the BMW Art Cars was the brainchild of French racing driver and art enthusiast Hervé Poulain: 40 years ago, Poulain asked artist friend Alexander Calder to apply his creative talents to his race car. Together with Jochen Neerpasch, then BMW Motorsport Director, the first BMW Art Car was born – and it became an instant crowd’s favourite on the race track. Since then, new additions to the BMW Art Car Collection have been made over the years at irregular intervals, with unique works of art from artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, David Hockney and Jeff Koons.

“The BMW Art Cars provide an exciting landmark at the interface where cars, technology, design, art and motor sport meet,” reflects Maximilian Schöberl, Senior Vice President, Corporate and Governmental Affairs, BMW Group. “The 40-year history of our ‘rolling sculptures’ is as unique as the artists who created them. The BMW Art Cars are an essential element and core characteristic of our global cultural engagement.”

The anniversary celebrations got under way with exhibitions in Hong Kong, at the Centre Pompidou, the BMW Museum and the Concorso d’Eleganza at Lake Como, where the first four BMW Art Cars by Alexander Calder, Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol, plus the M3 GT2 created by Jeff Koons, were all on display. Further presentations are set to follow later in 2015 in New York, Miami and Shanghai.

The group of seventeen artists who have designed BMW models so far since 1975 is very international, and interest in the “rolling sculptures” has spread all around the world. Several cars are usually on display at the BMW Museum in Munich, the home of the BMW Art Cars, as part of its permanent collection. The remaining BMW Art Cars are travelling the globe – to art fairs in Los Angeles, London and Hong Kong, as well as exhibitions at the Louvre, the Guggenheim and the Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai.

To date, many of the BMW Art Cars have not only turned heads in museums, but have also – in their earlier life – done so on the race track: Alexander Calder (BMW 3.0 CSL, 1975), Frank Stella (BMW 3.0 CSL, 1976), Roy Lichtenstein (BMW 320 Group 5, 1977), Andy Warhol (BMW M1 Group 4, 1979), Ernst Fuchs (BMW 635CSi, 1982), Robert Rauschenberg (BMW 635CSi, 1986), Michael Jagamara Nelson (BMW M3 Group A, 1989), Ken Done (BMW M3 Group A, 1989), Matazo Kayama (BMW 535i, 1990), César Manrique (BMW 730i, 1990), A. R. Penck (BMW Z1, 1991), Esther Mahlangu (BMW 525i, 1991), Sandro Chia (BMW M3 GTR, 1992), David Hockney (BMW 850CSi, 1995), Jenny Holzer (BMW V12 LMR, 1999), Ólafur Elíasson (BMW H2R, 2007) and Jeff Koons (BMW M3 GT2, 2010).

The BMW Group would also like to introduce the 40th anniversary of the BMW Art Car Collection into the public sphere through social media. While exploring the vision of each artist for their car on its social media channels, the company also wants to ask people what the ‘art of the car’ means to them. To track the content, it will be shared under the hashtag #BMWArtCar.

In 2014, Hatje Cantz published the first comprehensive publication on the BMW Art Cars. The 200-page book is richly illustrated and reviews the history of this extraordinary collection of cars from its beginnings in 1975. It uses portraits and interviews to shed more light on the various artists’ themes and approaches.

Further information on the BMW Art Cars publication can be found here:

http://www.hatjecantz.de/bmw-art-cars-5319-1.html

AT THE CONCORSO: BMW Presents 3.0 CSL Hommage

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Munich/Cernobbio. Amid the audacious design studies and automotive beauties from a bygone era gathered at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the BMW Group presents its new BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage – and in the process makes a pretty formidable statement of its own. This model is the BMW Design Team’s tribute to the 3.0 CSL, a timeless classic and iconic BMW Coupé from the 1970s.

“Our Hommage cars not only demonstrate how proud we are of our heritage, but also how important the past can be in determining our future,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “The BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage represents a nod to the engineering achievement exemplified by the BMW 3.0 CSL in its lightweight design and performance. With intelligent lightweight construction and modern materials, the 3.0 CSL Hommage brings the character of that earlier model into the 21st century, showing it in a new and exciting guise,” he says, summarising the approach the design team took with the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage. 

Lightweight design past and present.

“CSL” stands for “Coupé Sport Leichtbau” (coupé, sport, lightweight). With its aluminium bonnet, boot and wings, Plexiglas windows and equipment rigorously pared down to the bare essentials, the old BMW 3.0 CSL tipped the scales around 200 kg lighter than its sibling model, the BMW 3.0 CS. Unsurprisingly, then, it was predestined for a career on the race track. Whereas the material of choice in the 1970s was aluminium, today carbon fibre – or carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) – offers the optimum weight-to-strength ratio. These high-strength fibres are even lighter and stronger than aluminium. And the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage makes generous use of the high-tech composite, reinterpreting the concept of lightweight design for the modern age. Wherever CFRP is used, it is also visible – rendering the lightweight design principle tangible both inside and out. The BMW Group is a world leader in the production and application of CFRP in automotive design and can already boast many years of experience in series production of CFRP structural parts for the BMW M and, in particular, the BMW i. 

The exterior: power and elegance.

Karim Habib, Head of BMW Design, explains the thinking behind the design of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage: “For BMW designers like us, the BMW 3.0 CSL is a style icon. Its combination of racing genes and elegance generates an engaging aesthetic that continues to win hearts even today.  The BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage celebrates many of those characteristic features, but without copying them. Indeed, some of the parallels are not immediately obvious. We wanted people to sense the family resemblance rather than see it straight off.”

The BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage is a vision of pure athleticism: the elongated body is set off by distinctive air deflectors, powerful wheel arches and prominent spoilers to the roof and tail. Despite its size, the aerodynamic elements are key in enabling air to flow optimally along the sides of the vehicle. The front air deflector serves to vent the engine compartment, while wings over the rear wheels ensure optimum airflow around the vehicle. Small rear-view cameras serve to further reduce aerodynamic drag. The large rear spoiler increases downforce on the driven rear axle and in so doing improves power transmission. The Air Curtain and Air Breather systems guarantee optimum ventilation of the wheel housings. And the sheer self-confidence and sporting prowess of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage are perfectly summed up in the original colour of its spiritual predecessor – Golf Yellow.

The front end – muscular athleticism.

Boasting one of the broadest and lowest front ends of any vehicle in the BMW Group, the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage’s front exudes pure power and athleticism. At the centre, the characteristic BMW kidney grille stands tall in citation of the more upright styling of the kidney grille of yesteryear. The size and spatial depth of the kidney grille symbolise the output of the powerful six-cylinder in-line engine with eBoost. At the same time, the finely wrought geometry of frame and kidney struts lends the front end an air of quality and exclusivity. The characteristic four-eyed face gives a contemporary, hexagonal interpretation of front-end sportiness. Laser light and LED technology facilitate slender, state-of-the-art lighting graphics, and the flat contours of the headlamps generate that characteristically focused BMW look. A stylised “X” inside the lights divides the lighting functions and conjures up memories of the X-shaped headlamp stickers once used in long-distance racing. Horizontal LED strips create a visual bond between headlamps and kidney grille while at the same time emphasising the broad, flat impact of the front end. A large carbon-fibre front splitter reduces the gap between road and front end and, in combination with the kidney grille, offers a modern interpretation of the earlier car’s highly distinctive shark nose. Two circular openings and a series of elongated slots pay tribute to other elements featured in the earlier car, but offer a new interpretation for the 21st century. 

The sides – contrapuntal elegance.

The vehicle sides are in elegant counterpoint to the marked athleticism of front and rear. The long wheelbase and elongated bonnet appear to stretch the Hommage’s silhouette. A continuous, horizontal line encircles the vehicle by way of paying tribute to a distinctive stylistic feature of the earlier BMW 3.0 CSL: its all-round chrome trim. In combination with the black highlight beneath, the continuous line intensifies the flat, elongated appearance of the sides.

A particular detail of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage is the roofline. Consciously subdivided into three, the line recalls the distinctive upper section of the BMW 3.0 CS – one of the first coupés to feature a roof that did not flow into the tail. Compared with the ubiquitous fastback coupés of the day, this was both an innovation and a design statement, a feature that exuded athleticism and elegance in equal measure. In keeping with the BMW 3.0 CSL, the Hommage features a BMW logo on each of the C-pillars.

The all-round shoulderline is also the starting point for the subtle, finely sculpted surfaces of the sides. It follows the development of the shadowy areas behind the front wheel all the way to the lit surfaces above the rear wheels. This interplay between light and shade lends movement and dynamic intensity to the generous surfaces of the vehicle’s sides. Dark CFRP areas narrow the gap between the sides and the road, again paying tribute to the consistent lightweight design of the BMW 3.0 CSL. In combination with the black graphic accents, the dark lightweight elements reduce the perceived height of the vehicle and further emphasise its flat silhouette. The black 21″ alloy wheels in matt and high-gloss bi-colour versions offer an additional unique highlight. Air control blades in the interstices of the wheel rims, meanwhile, serve to further optimise aerodynamics.

The rear end – a muscular presence.

As with the front end, the vehicle’s tail is broad and muscular in design. Generous surfaces generate presence, horizontal elements emphasise width. A particular highlight is the styling of the rear lights: an LED strip above the spoiler links the two lights, thus giving the rear end a formal framework. The powerfully sculpted rear apron with CFRP diffusor creates a visual impression of the BMW 3.0 CSL’s raw power. Even viewed from above, the BMW 3.0 CSL is extremely dynamic. From kidney grille to headlamps, the bonnet traces a broad “V” – a nostalgic throwback to a distinctive and dynamic element of earlier BMW coupés. 

The interior – purist elegance.

Pared down to a minimum, the interior of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage puts its lightweight design on show and renders its racing character elegantly tangible. All interior elements are there out of absolute necessity, every part has a high-quality design, structural or drive-related function. In the all-CFRP interior, the only wood-like presence is the “instrument panel” – a cross-member and purely structural element. This is a clear reference to the interior of the earlier  BMW 3.0 CSL, which featured an all-round wood trim throughout the interior. In the new version, only the small central eBoost charging display interrupts the wooden instrument panel. Infotainment is equally minimalist in concept: a central display on the steering column informs the driver of the current gear, speed, revs and shift point. 

Racing genes and lightweight design with finesse.

Other racing features include bucket seats with high-quality stitching, a six-point belt and red anodised safety features such as the outlet nozzles for the extinguishing foam, the fire extinguisher itself, and the two switches on the centre console for the emergency shut-off and fire extinguishing mechanism. The only elements in the rear of the vehicle are two helmets integrated into the transmission tunnel. These are held in place by a belt when not in use. In the place of a rear seat bench, there are only covers for the eBoost energy accumulators. Special reflector technology in combination with LED strips create an impressive 3D effect on the covers.

In its use of cutting-edge materials and detailed solutions, the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage displays technical sophistication and subtlety of form. Meticulously crafted aluminium sleeves add high-quality accents at the junctions between individual structural elements. The door design is as minimalist as it is expressive: precise, clean surfaces trace an arc rearwards, lending the door element a flowing, dynamic quality. The door openers combine a DTM-style pull strap with the elegant handle-integrated opener of the earlier BMW 3.0 CSL, resulting in the hybrid solution of a nylon pull strap located directly behind the grab handle in the door. As with the interior as a whole, this detail lends expression to the unique character of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage: a winning combination of lightweight design, athleticism and elegance.

IN HONORARIUM: BMW Motorsport Marks 40th Anniversary of First US Win

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Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – March 10, 2015 … BMW of North America will mark the 40th anniversary of two key milestones in the company’s history in the United States at the 20th-annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance at the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island, March 12-15, 2015. Forty years ago, BMW of North America began operating as a subsidiary of BMW AG, and only days later, BMW Motorsport scored its first US victory at the 1975 12 Hours of Sebring.

Also to be celebrated at the Concours is the legendary BMW 328, which helped establish the company’s decades-long racing heritage. BMW of North America and BMW Group Classic have helped gather a group of significant BMW 328 models, including the 328 Touring Mille Miglia Coupe that pioneered lightweight construction techniques and advanced aerodynamics, and won the 1940 Mille Miglia endurance race. A sure highlight will be the BMW 328 in which Sir Stirling Moss, once again the Concours’ honoree, won his first professional race, circa 1947.

BMW of North America will publicly launch its 40th Anniversary celebration with “Cars & Coffee at the Concours” on Saturday, March 14, where it will unveil the special BMW 3.0 CSL-inspired livery for the current Z4 GTLM cars that will race in the 2015 edition of the 12 Hours of Sebring, on March 21st. BMW ace driver Bill Auberlen and 1975 12 Hours of Sebring winners Brian Redman, Sam Posey, and Hans Stuck will be on-hand for the unveiling. Also on-hand will be original BMW Motorsport Director Jochen Neerpasch, and the complete BMW Motorsport crew from the 1975 IMSA Camel GT effort.

BMW will bring a number of BMW USA Classic vehicles to display at the event:

  • On the show field, BMW will display the 1975 25 BMW 3.0 CSL that received Best in Class honors at the 2014 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and was part of the team that won the 24 Hours of Sebring in 1975, paired with the current No. 25 BMW Z4 GTLM Tudor United Sports Car Championship race car.
  • In addition to the Mille Miglia-winning 328 Touring Coupe, BMW Group Classic will display a 1973 street version the BMW 3.0 CSL that was developed for homologation, as well as the 1980 BMW M1, the first street car developed by BMW Motorsport (also for racing homologation).
  • The then-new BMW Z3 Roadster used in the filming of the James Bond film “Goldeneye” 20 years ago will also be featured. Since BMW is a company whose legacy rides on two wheels as well as four, a BMW R69 motorcycle will also be featured.

While honoring its past, BMW resolutely looks to the future. Also on display through the weekend will be newly-updated, 2016 BMW 6 Series Convertible and all-new 2016 BMW X6 M, along with the 2015 BMW i8, the company’s award-winning plug-in hybrid sports car.

IN THE NEWS: BMW to Debut 567-hp X5 M at LA Auto Show

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Woodcliff Lake, N.J. October 29, 2014 7:00pm EDT/4:00pm PDT…The new BMW X5 M is setting the pace once again in the high-performance Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) segment. When the previous generation arrived in 2009, it was the first time the high-performance character distilled by BMW M GmbH had been transplanted into an all-wheel-drive BMW X model. The result was class-leading dynamics. The new BMW X5 M pulls no punches in writing the next chapter in this success story with another significant step forward in dynamic excellence, distinct M design and outstanding efficiency. The 2015 BMW X5 M will be offered at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $99,650, including $950 Destination and Handling, and will arrive in US showrooms in the Spring of 2015.

The new BMW X5 M combines the characteristic features of the successful BMW X family – exclusivity, robustness, agility and everyday usability – with the commitment to high performance that defines an M vehicle. The latter is resoundingly highlighted by the vehicles’ impressive performance figures. Both models complete the sprint from 0 to 60 mph in  4.0 seconds in conjunction with the new eight-speed M Steptronic transmission.

Innovative engine technology.
The new M TwinPower Turbo V8 for the BMW X5 M is the most powerful engine ever developed by BMW for an all-wheel-drive vehicle. Boasting innovative M TwinPower Turbo technology with a pair of TwinScroll turbochargers, cross-bank exhaust manifolds, VALVETRONIC and High Precision Direct Injection, the 4.4-liter V8 produces maximum output of 567 hp between 6,000 and 6,500 rpm. That represents a 3 percent increase over the predecessor models. The step up is even clearer when it comes to the power development of the new engine. Peak torque has been boosted by 53 lb-ft which equates to a rise of 10 percent. Its 553 lb-ft can be enjoyed across a broad rev range between 2,200 and 5,000 rpm.

At the same time, fuel consumption of the new BMW X5 M in the European cycle (official EPA values will be available closer to the start of sales) has been cut by 20 percent, CO2 emissions are likewise down by more than 20 percent, to 258 g/km. The two models accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds through the standard eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).

Powerful looks and exclusive equipment.
With its striking use of forms, the looks of the new BMW X5 M foretell its performance potential. With its exterior painted fully in body color, it cuts a low-slung figure on the road, while mixed tires showcase its sporty track width. Additional exterior design modifications, moreover, elevate the M even further than before from the standard BMW X5. Large air intakes at the front end, side gills with a model badge and Air Breathers, signature M exterior mirrors in twin-stalk style, and a typically M four-tailpipe exhaust system gives it a standalone look M fans will immediately recognize. Setting the seal on this exclusive range of features are standard M-specific, forged 21-inch M light-alloy wheels.

The high-quality interior impresses with its well-thought-through combination of sporty features, exclusive materials and flawless workmanship. The M instrument cluster, M leather steering wheel with aluminum gearshift paddles and M gearshift lever – which works in the same way as the familiar M Double Clutch Transmission gearshift lever – are complemented by electrically operated M multi-function seats for the driver and front passenger, an M driver’s footrest and the optional Head-Up Display which, in addition to the standard information, also includes an M-specific display with gear indicator, rev band and shift lights.

New BMW X5 M customers also have the choice between various options exclusive to the M models, such as Merino full-leather trim. And there’s also a choice of two new and exclusive M paint finishes – Long Beach Blue Metallic and Donington Grey Metallic.

A finely balanced overall concept.

At BMW M GmbH, high performance is about more than engine output and top speeds alone. Here, high performance means all of a vehicle’s components working in perfect harmony and the precise interplay of various details resulting in maximum performance, agility, precision, poise and assurance out on the road. This sense of balance is a defining feature of all the vehicles produced by BMW M GmbH and is, needless to say, also present in the new BMW X5 M.

Function-led design.
The function-led design of the new BMW X5 M is immediately clear with athletic, muscular looks betraying their high-performance credentials before they so much as turn a wheel. The four large air intakes and flaps at the front end, and the diffuser at the rear, are fully functional, they are an essential part of the engineers’ drive to optimize aerodynamics and ensure efficient cooling.

Thanks to a clever aerodynamics concept, the airflow is guided so efficiently around the vehicle that drag is minimized and lift is also reduced. The engine, powertrain and brakes are all kept sufficiently cool, even when placed under extreme loads on the track. Elements which look like pure design accents when they first catch the eye, in fact, fulfill functional tasks. For example, the M-specific Air Breathers behind the front wheels reduce turbulence in the front wheel arches.

Optimum temperature management.
The high-performance engine under the hood of the new BMW X5 M requires a high-performance cooling system in order to guarantee the optimum operating temperature in all conditions – i.e. normal everyday driving, stop-start traffic and extreme action on the race track. A highly efficient, newly developed combination of low-temperature and high-temperature radiators, which also handles the cooling of the turbochargers, charge air and transmission oil, maintains an optimum temperature, even with all components working flat out.

New Eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic.
The new BMW X5 M sends its engine power to the wheels via the newly developed eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, which closely follows the operating philosophy of the M Double Clutch Transmission used by other M models. With its instantaneous responses, rapid gear changes and direct reaction to load changes, the torque converter automatic transmission links up seamlessly with the new higher-torque turbocharged engine and showcases its talents. At the same time, its wider ratio spread allows it to offer a clear drop in fuel consumption over the six-speed transmission offered in the previous generation, as well as an increase in driving comfort and improved performance.

The new eight-speed M Steptronic transmission allows drivers to sit back and enjoy automatic shifts or change gear manually using the gearshift paddles on the M leather steering wheel. And for the perfect getaway, the driver can activate the Launch Control system adapted from use in racing vehicles. Here, the driver keeps their foot on the brakes and pushes the accelerator down almost to the floor, which prompts the system to dial in the ideal getaway rpm. Releasing the brakes prompts Launch Control to let the vehicle off the leash, and it accelerates off the line with maximum propulsion.

The driver can also use the three-stage Drivelogic function to choose whether to prioritize fuel economy, comfort or Sport performance. This functionality is available both in automatic and manual shifting modes.

Intelligent all-wheel drive.
BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive and Dynamic Performance Control play a key role in the outstanding dynamics of the new BMW X5 M. The xDrive system employs an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch to allow fully variable distribution of drive between the front and rear axles – from 100 percent at the rear to up to 100 percent at the front. This ensures the best possible traction in all road conditions. In the interests of greater agility, xDrive normally operates with a rear-biased torque split-in the BMW X5 M.

Dynamic Performance Control oversees the continuous distribution of torque between the rear wheels – both under load and on the overrun – regardless of engine output. Working in combination with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the result is a whole new bracket of dynamic flair, agility and traction. The vehicle follows the course set by the driver far more accurately, whatever the road surface, and the system also reduces the amount of wheel work required of the driver: the steering responds more directly and far fewer corrections are necessary. Moreover, the inherent propensity of conventional all-wheel-drive vehicles to understeer is eliminated. An improvement in traction is also impressively noticeable (on road surfaces with differing friction levels, in particular), and active safety is markedly enhanced as a result. The driver can see how Dynamic Performance Control is operating on the display, with arrows at all four wheels visualizing where the engine power is currently being sent.

An open door to controlled drifts.
Among the other highlights of the overall concept behind the new BMW X5 M is Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). The control functions of DSC have been Optimized over previous versions of the system to improve driving dynamics further still. The extra functions which have become part of DSC enhance active safety (Brake Standby, Brake Drying, Fading Compensation) and comfort (Start-Off Assistant, parking brake with automatic hold function).

Dynamic Stability Control allows the driver to choose from three modes: DSC on, MDM (M Dynamic Mode), DSC off. While DSC on counteracts understeer and oversteer to great effect with selective brake activation and torque reductions, MDM allows greater wheel slip – to give keen drivers the chance to execute some mild drifts. However, the driver aids will also intervene to assist the driver in this mode if a predefined limit is exceeded. Deactivating DSC (through DSC off) gives the driver the chance to fully explore the vehicle’s limits on the track and nudge the vehicle into power oversteer (i.e. a drift) using the accelerator. In this mode, the system will only intervene in extreme situations involving significant shifts in lateral acceleration.

The new M TwinPower Turbo engine. A V8 with even more torque, backed by an emotionally rich soundtrack.

To say the newly developed engine of the new BMW X5 M has a pounding heartbeat would be something of an understatement. After all, the 4.4-liter V8 uses innovative M TwinPower Turbo technology – consisting of cross-bank exhaust manifolds, a pair of TwinScroll turbochargers, High Precision Direct Injection and VALVETRONIC – to push torque and output to higher levels still. This unrivalled combination ensures that a strong wave of torque is maintained from low revs and allows direct and rapid responses, linear power delivery and customary M soundtrack.

Maximum performance meets outstanding efficiency.
The peak output of the new M turbocharged engine powering the BMW X5 M is, at 567 hp, three percent higher than that of its predecessor and is available between 6,000 and 6,500 rpm. At the same time, the engine’s peak torque has been boosted by around 10 percent to 553 lb-ft, which can be enjoyed across an extremely broad rev band – from 2,200 to 5,000 rpm. The extraordinary power development of this M turbocharged engine allows the new M version of the BMW X5 to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 4.0 seconds. The top speed of both is electronically limited to 155 mph.

The outstanding efficiency of the new M TwinPower Turbo engine is illustrated by its 20 percent lower fuel consumption and emissions in the in the European cycle (official EPA values will be available closer to the start of sales) compared to its predecessor. All of which means that the range of the two vehicles on a single, identically sized tank of fuel has increased by 26 percent to 475 miles) in each case (European cycle).

Optimized responses.
The turbocharged V8 engine fitted in the BMW X5 M delivers impressive performance with lightning-fast responsiveness.  The key factors here are the engine’s High Precision Direct Injection (2900 psi injection pressure), state-of-the-art VALVETRONIC system and cross-bank exhaust manifolds, which send two converged exhaust gas streams to drive the two TwinScroll turbochargers through four separate exhaust ducts.

The new engine features a closed-deck crankcase with an extremely rigid construction. This enables higher cylinder pressures to be achieved, paving the way for improved power output. A forged, torsionally stiff crankshaft is used to transfer the impressive torque, its low weight contributing to a significant reduction in rotating masses and thus a further sharpening of the engine’s responses.

From race track to road.
In the development of every model at BMW M GmbH, a familiar maxim applies: it must be “fit for the Nordschleife”. The aim in the development of BMW M cars is to master the world’s most challenging race track at race speed without a hitch. The extreme lateral and longitudinal acceleration generated when lapping the Ring places huge demands on the engine’s oil supply. But sophisticated oil sump and suction snorkel geometry allows the new BMW X5 M to safely operate up to 1.2 g lateral acceleration.

The cooling system for the new BMW X5 M is similarly track-ready, as highlighted the first time you set eyes on the vehicles by the large air intakes in the front end. A combination of low-temperature and high-temperature radiators ensures that the optimum temperature is maintained for engine cooling fluid, charge air, engine oil and transmission oil – even when venturing into high-performance territory.

The exhaust system has been modified to satisfy the sporting ambitions of the new M models. A distinctively familiar BMW M engine note resonates out across the whole rev range via electrically controlled flaps, which open or close according to demand, and sounds even sportier and richer than that of its predecessor. Selecting one of the preconfigured driving modes, moreover, engages a finely balanced set-up that also provides acoustic feedback on the engine load at any one time.

The chassis. Hitting the heights of agility, precision, poise and assurance.

The new BMW X5 M once again sets the pace in the high-performance Sports Activity Vehicle segment thanks to extensive chassis upgrades. These combine to provide outstanding performance together with unbeatable directional stability and excellent traction, along with the type of neutral self-steering typical of M vehicles, in particular when accelerating out of corners and approaching with the dynamic limits.

To this end, the double-wishbone front suspension features revised kinematics. A modified upper wishbone (increase in camber, optimized camber progression and steering pivot axis) allows a further increase in cornering force potential and agility. At the same time, M-specific elastokinematics with more rigid bearings improve wheel guidance and therefore directional stability – both at the front suspension as well as  the Integral-IV rear suspension (an independent suspension system with anti-squat and anti-dive geometry). Firmer suspension spring tuning and a 10-milimeter drop in ride height team up with the Active Roll Stabilization to bring about an effective reduction in body roll, pitch and yaw. In addition, the BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M come standard with self levelling rear air suspension. Dynamic Damper Control with electronically adjustable dampers – the driver can select from three modes (COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT+) at the touch of a button – ensures the perfect balance between dynamic flair and ride comfort.

Mixed tires for optimized handling.
Another central element in the driving characteristics of the new BMW X5 M are the special tires, whose development closely followed that of the front and rear axle design. In the high-performance segment, tire choice for the front axle focuses – alongside lateral stability and brake forces – primarily on steering precision and feel. By contrast, the engineers’ attention in the development of the rear tires centerd on traction, lateral stability and directional stability. In order to meet these part-contradictory, part- complementary demands, the BMW M GmbH engineers have developed two sets of mixed tires for the new BMW X5 M. The interconnected development of tires, steering and axles endows the new vehicles with assured handling properties and good rolling comfort. Both models are fitted standard with low-weight non-runflat 21-inch forged wheels (front: 10 J x 21, rear: 11.5 J x 21) shod with Michelin Pilot Super Sport UHP tires (front: 285/35 R21 Y, rear: 325/30 R21 Y).

M Servotronic steering with individual adjustment.
One of the most important interfaces between driver and vehicle is the steering. Here, BMW M GmbH’s high-performance models have set the benchmark from day one when it comes to providing a direct steering feel, precise feedback on the driving conditions and a finely-tuned balance when exploring the dynamic limits. Continuing this tradition, the M Servotronic steering in the new BMW X5 M comprises M-specific gear ratios and an intelligently composed overall set-up. This rack-and-pinion system with electric power assistance uses no energy when the vehicle is travelling straight ahead. The Servotronic function familiar from hydraulic systems, which controls the degree of steering assistance according to the vehicle’s speed, is another integral element. Furthermore, drivers can choose from three steering settings (COMFORT, SPORT, SPORT+) – at the touch of a button in the center console or by storing their preferred settings in the M Drive buttons – to adjust the steering characteristics to personal tastes or the situation at hand.

High-performance brakes borrowed from motor sport.
The remarkable high performance potential of the BMW X5 M is backed up by the M compound brakes with large six-piston fixed calipers at the front and single-piston floating callipers at the rear. Excellent stopping power, precise feel, low weight and increased resistance to heat are their headline features. The brake discs in compound systems – which were originally developed for racing – use a cast iron, ventilated and cross-drilled rotor mounted to an aluminum hat. The surface of the brake pads is 50 percent larger compared with those on the predecessor models. At the same time weight is down by 1.6 kilograms, helping to reduce unsprung and rotating masses. This also contributes to the improved acceleration, responsiveness and handling of the BMW X5 M. The compound brakes signal their performance capability visually as well. All the brake discs are perforated and inner-vented, and the brake callipers are painted in Dark Blue metallic, in typical M fashion, and marked at the front wheels with the M logo.

The design. High performance, even when standing still.

The outstanding performance of the new BMW X5 M is also showcased through its M design signatures. The proportions provide an instant showcase of its muscular power and elegance, not to mention its impressive versatility.

The new BMW X5 Mhas been designed for use on the road. It combines the raised seating position of an all-wheel-drive BMW X model with the outstanding overall concept balance of a BMW M vehicle. In order to visually reinforce the further improved on-road attributes of the new M models, the whole body is painted the same color. In combination with a 10-millimeter reduction in ride height and the wider track created by the use of mixed-size tires, the vehicle has a lower, more powerful stance, cut an even sportier figure even when stationary, and as a result enjoys a very distinct personality when compared with its BMW X5 sibling.

Visually striking yet fully functional front end.
The front-end design of the BMW X5 M is likewise a clear departure from that of the respective standard model and follows the classic “form follows function” maxim. The large air intakes and voluminous “kidneys” of the radiator grille, with the now customary M double-bar look, are mandated by the high cooling air requirements of the powerful engine, transmission and high-performance front brakes. Despite the large amount of cooling and more stringent pedestrian protection requirements, the designers have managed to integrate foglamps into the front end of the vehicles. The new M model borrows its headlights from the BMW X6, complete with headlight washer system. Elsewhere, the special flaps low down in the outer air intakes –adapted from those on racing vehicles – reduce lift and emphasise the optimized aerodynamics of the two new models.

Powerful rear end with racing accents.
The rear end of the BMW X5 M also differs significantly from its standard sibling, exuding a stronger aura and majoring on bold, sporty accents. This approach is underlined in particular by the wide rear tires (which are a different size from the fronts), the distinctive M rear aprons painted in body color and the hallmark M four-tailpipe exhaust. The diffuser element (likewise in body color) adapted from racing vehicles helps to ensure aerodynamically optimized airflow at the lower edge of the rear bumper moulding, allowing the new M model to highlight once again the impressive functionality of its design features.

Sporting ambience and flawless ergonomics.
As with all vehicles from the BMW brand, the design of the interior prioritizes intuitive, quick and error-free usability. And M GmbH also makes its own distinctive mark here. For example, the BMW X5 M comes with a newly developed, ergonomically optimized M leather steering wheel with gearshift paddles, while the M gearshift lever has an equally distinctive design. The instrument cluster, M Drive menu in the information display, displays in the optional Head-Up Display and special multifunction switch with M Drive buttons on the steering wheel also fit the M template.

The sporting ambience on board the new BMW X5 M is accentuated by the exclusive, electrically operated M Multifunction seats for the driver and front passenger – in fine-grain Merino leather with contrast stitching and embossed M logo in the backrests – and by the leather-covered BMW Individual instrument panel. Door sill strips with model lettering, aluminum interior trim strips and the standard Alcantara anthracite roof liner lend the interior an additional touch of exclusivity.

High-quality standard equipment and options.

The new BMW X5 M comes with an extensive range of exclusive equipment from the factory which illustrates their character as high-performance Sport machines that can be used every day. Customers can also dip into a large selection of optional equipment with which to make their vehicle even sportier, for example, or to satisfy the most exacting requirements in terms of comfort. Standard-fitted exterior features painted in body color and fitting the classic M profile are a key factor in the striking appearance of the new BMW X5 M. These include a front apron with large air intakes, a double-bar kidney grille, familiar M twin-stalk exterior mirrors, side gills with the M logo and Air Breathers, a rear apron with integrated diffuser and a four-tailpipe exhaust system in chrome. It is fitted with standard forged 21-inch BMW M light-alloy wheels in Orbit Grey and with mixed non-runflat Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.

High-quality interior with an exclusive allure.
Elegance and impressive functionality are also defining features of the interior of the new BMW X5 M. As well as the new M leather steering wheel with integrated aluminum gearshift paddles and M multi-function seats in Merino leather for the driver and front passenger (with electric adjustment and memory function), the M-specific standard equipment also includes a Nappa leather dashboard, an Alcantara anthracite roof liner, aluminum interior trim strips, door sill finishers with model lettering, knee pads on the center console and an M footrest for the driver.

Likewise included as standard equipment for the new BMW X5 M are an alarm system, power tailgate, automatically dimming rear-view and exterior mirrors, a headlight washer system, 4-zone automatic climate control, a Harman Kardon surround sound system,  Park Distance Control rear-view camera. Xenon and adaptive headlights are also part of the standard equipment for the BMW X5 M. These items are in addition to the driver assistance systems familiar from the regular BMW X5 and the mobility services from BMW ConnectedDrive. Among the highlights here is the new-generation Navigation system Professional, which boasts even greater capability and sharper graphics and incorporates 3D elements into its map display.

In keeping with its high-performance pretensions, the new M model also comes as standard with an M-specific instrument cluster – complete with displays showing the gear selected, system status (engine dynamics, Dynamic Damper Control, M Servotronic), M Drive mode and a compass, the M Drive menu in the information display and M-specific buttons on the M leather steering wheel. Over and above the information projected by the standard system, the optional Head-Up Display for the new BMW X5 M also features a special M display including a digital speed display, gear display, rev band and Shift Lights.

Accurate analysis of driving style with the M Laptimer app.
BMW M GmbH has developed the BMW M Laptimer app for smartphones so customers can access extensive analysis of their personal driving style on the track. With the smartphone linked up to the vehicle, the BMW M Laptimer app can be operated using the iDrive Controller. The app records the vehicle’s speed, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, the gear currently engaged, steering angle and accelerator position. This data can subsequently be used to precisely analyze the driver’s actions and reactions at the various points around the track via graphic displays on the customer’s smartphone. Another feature allows two recordings on the same track to be compared corner-by-corner. The readings used here can be either the driver’s own or data shared by other drivers via email or social networks.

The all new 2015 BMW X5 M will make its World debut at the 2014 Los Angeles International Auto Show and arrive in US showrooms in early 2015.

IN THE NEWS: Valerie Thompson Sets 217-MPH Personal Best at Texas Mile Festival of Speed

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Woodcliff Lake, NJ – October 29, 2014. . .Valerie Thompson, seven-time land speed record holder and one of the world’s fastest BMW racers, returned to Beeville Texas October 24 – 26 for this year’s second Texas Mile top speed competition. Thompson broke her personal best top speed of 212 mph, set at the March 2013 Texas Mile, with a blistering run of 217.7 mph on her record-setting CTEK Battery Charger sponsored BMW S 1000 RR.

The Texas Mile is a bi-annual motorsports festival created in 2003 for high-performance vehicle enthusiasts, welcoming a wide variety of racing vehicles, including race cars, modified street cars, land speed racers and motorcycles. Event organizers claim it is the fastest and most challenging 1-mile track in the world. The October event set a new record in number of competitor entries and spectators.

Thompson made seven runs during the three-day extravaganza of speed, each over 200 mph, making her one of two females with a best top speed on a motorcycle. This is Thompson’s last motorcycle competition of the year, but will race a land speed racecar with The Maxx2Racing Team at the Mojave Air and Space Port Runway ‘Invitation Only’ event on November 1.

“We’ve enjoyed a successful year thanks to my sponsors and team members. We had to do a complete bike inspection at Go AZ Motorcycles after setting a new record at Bonneville, so we had a real thrash just to make this event. I thank Kerry Alter for his awesome tune ups and my crew chief, Ray Garcia, for making all the right calls at the track,” said a smiling Thompson. “Our goal was to go 215, so I’m delighted by our results. We added Magic Bullet to our fuel which I know really helped our performance,” added Thompson.

This was Thompson’s third time racing at the Texas Mile and according to her, “it just gets better and better.” Thompson’s CTEK Battery Charger sponsored team provided free battery maintenance services for competitors and event attendees throughout the three-day speed festival.

For complete video, visit http://youtu.be/VlIXD1ctGaM

IN HISTORICS: Restored BMW Alpina 2002ti Returns to the Track in Monterey

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Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – August 5, 2014 …Today BMW announced that it will run its newly restored 1970 BMW ALPINA 2002ti in the annual Rolex Monterey Motorsport Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca next week. The car will be raced by Road & Track Executive Editor and vintage racer Sam Smith.

This racing 2002ti was built by German BMW constructor/tuner/race team ALPINA GmbH in 1970 and features ALPINA’s signature Weber side draft carburetor setup, engine performance upgrades, flared fenders and three piece ALPINA alloy wheels. In late 1970, the car was sold to Vasek Polak BMW of Hermosa Beach, California. The car was then campaigned by Competition of Torrance in SCCA events for the 1971 and 1972 seasons and then retired.

The car spent the next 24 years in storage before being purchased by BMW of North America, completely reconditioned and painted in non-period-correct BMW Motorsport livery and entered for the BMW celebration at the 1996 Monterey Historic Races.  Nick Craw, John Morton, Danica Patrick, Boris Said, Bill Auberlen and Tommy Milner have all vintage raced the car since its rebirth.

In early 2014, the car was restored to its original 1970 BMW ALPINA Team Orange with Semi-Gloss Black hood and rear deck livery with the help of ALPINA. Even the steering wheel was returned to ALPINA in order for ALPINA’s leather specialists to restore the hand stitched leather on the original wheel.

BMW and ALPINA, both at home in the German state of Bavaria, have a long history of working together to produce special BMW automobiles. Burkard Bovensiepen, son of the founder of ALPINA Business Machines and an enthusastic racing driver/engineer, began his automotive career path in 1961 by developing a dual-carburetor setup for the just-introduced BMW 1500 sedan – the precusor to the venerable 2002 models. It was a predictive beginning: to take an already fine-performing BMW (which also just happened to be a practical sedan) and making it perform even better. ALPINA soon became a name famous in Europe and the wider world for putting a particular performance accent on BMWs and winning races.

By 1964, BMW had officially recognized ALPINA’s contribution to BMW performance. Not long thereafter, Burkard Bovensiepen founded the ALPINA company – ALPINA Burkard Bovensiepen KG – that continues today, creating special versions of BMW automobiles that offer a particular brand of performance for discriminating auto enthusiasts. Yet outside the circle of dedicated BMW enthusiasts, ALPINA has kept a low profile in North America. In addition to racing versions of BMWs, ALPINA has developed a progression of BMW-based cars based on 3, 5, 6, 8, Z4 and Z8 models and offered them on a limited-production basis. ALPINA is located in the small Bavarian city of Buchloe, some 50 miles southwest of Munich, BMW’s headquarters city and the capital of Bavaria.

In recent models, ALPINA has concentrated on delivering very high levels of performance with moderate rpm ranges and automatic transmission. ALPINA currently offers the B7  model line  based on the BMW 7 Series and newly introduced BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe in the US market.

The BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe delivers the exceptional 0 to 60 mph acceleration of only  3.7 seconds. The 540-horsepower and 540 lb-ft output of the ALPINA V8 Bi-Turbo engine is channeled through an 8 speed Sport Automatic Transmission with ALPINA Switch-Tronic and BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system.

A carefully tuned high performance stainless steel ALPINA exhaust system with twin elliptical tailpipes resonates with a deep but unobtrusive exhaust note.

BMW Adaptive Drive with Active Roll Stabilization technology works together with the fully variable torque distribution of the xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system.  The seamless integration of chassis and powertrain enables agile and neutral driving dynamics that meet the highest demands for sportiness, comfort and all-weather traction.

With a top speed of 198 MPH, the BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe impresses not only through its effortless and confident super-high performance, but also with its finely balanced handling and smooth refinement.

The BMW ALPINA 2002ti is scheduled to race at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion from Thursday August 14th through Sunday August 17th.

1970 BMW ALPINA 2002ti Specifications:

 

General Data           

Weight                                                                                   approx. 1990 lbs.

Length x width                                                                      166.5 x 64.0 in.

Wheelbase                                                                             98.4 in.

Engine

Engine Type SOHC, 16-valve 4-cylinder, twin side-draft 2-barrel Weber carburators

Displacement                                                                 1990 cc

Bore x stroke                                                                89 mm x 80 mm

Power output                                                               approx. 220 hp @ 8000 rpm

Drivetrain

Drive system                                                             Front engine/rear-wheel drive

Transmission                                                             5-speed manual

Chassis

Front suspension                                           McPherson strut with

coil springs, anti-roll bar

Rear suspension                                            Semi-trailing arms with

coil springs, anti-roll bar

Steering type                                                   Worm & Roller

Brake system                                                  4-wheel ventilated discs

Wheels/Tires                              ALPINA 3-piece Mg/Al wheels/Hoozier 205/60 R 13

PICK OF THE DAY: Pristine 40,000 Mile BMW 320is

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As a sleeper in the making, the BMW E21 has thus far been overlooked by most collectors and enthusiasts, being viewed more as a   high schooler’s car or upscale economy car. As such, most have been driven hard, succumbed to rust, and generally not held in the same kind of esteem as the 2002 that came before it, or even the E30 that came after. It is a pity as the 320i (as we knew them on these shores) possesses all the traits that make any BMW a BMW: excellent driving characteristics, driver-oriented comfort and ergonomics, build quality and dependability. It is, for the moment, also an opportunity as the 320i is poised for deserved recognition. In particular the ‘S’ model, which BMW added in the US market in an attempt to stimulate slow sales of the 320i. Atop the its already desirable attributes, the 320is adds Recaro seats, stiffer suspension, special wheels, and a unique front air dam, among other refinements. This particular 320is is an excellent example of an E21 that has been given the love and respect that these cars warrant. It is said to be all original with no paintwork and a just over 40,000 miles covered by a single owner. Every aspect of this 320is radiates pampering, from the quality of the finish and wheels, to the spotless interior, to the meticulous records and documentation. Though priced well above current E21 values, it is still at half of what a comparable-quality, round-tailight 2002tii might bring. It may also prove to be a bargain down the road, when the E21 is given its due. Find it here on Craigslist in Seattle WA for $15,000.

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PICK OF THE DAY: Original One-Owner 50,000 Mile BMW Bavaria

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As it was when it was new, the BMW Bavaria is a much-loved classic sport sedan. The Bavaria was the US version of the E3 and was well-equipped with full leather interior, air conditioning, and power accessories. On top of its comforts, the Bavaria is every bit Ultimate Driving Machine. With a 3.0-litre inline six, shared with the legendary CS Coupé, power comes on strong and works through a smooth, crisp 4-speed gearbox, typical of BMW. Steering is tight and suspension—biased toward handling over ride—is nevertheless silken and makes for a proper touring car. With nearly 35,000 Bavarias imported between 1971 and 1977, they aren’t particularly hard to find. Many however have succumbed to rust and, despite—or perhaps because of—having an ardent following, those that survived have been driven routinely—habitually even— without much regard for preservation. Finding a low-mileage, rust-free example is rare, but here is one that is not only that, but an original, one-owner 3.0 Bavaria. Though it wears a few battle scars, paint is said to be all original. Interior could do with some sorting, but is also original and shows no decay. Drivetrain is also original, with only the Zenith carbs swapped for Webers. With just over 50,000 miles, it should be a strong, durable performer. Trunk-mounted toolkit is not pictured, but it does have its original books in the pouch. With very little work, this is a classic BMW sedan that will turn heads and upturned smiles. Find it here on Craigslist in Laguna Beach CA for $8,500

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