Today it seems to be the day of
The direction the designer was going with this design was towards the Audi’s R8, but the car has a lot of elements borrowed from the Aston Martin DB9, Mercedes-Benz and even the BMW 6 series
What it came out is a futuristic design that combines the luxury with the sportiness in a car.
Don’t hold your breath on hoping to see a similar car in production, but as Mr. Oberkampf showed us, sky is the limit.
[Source Tuvie ]
First built in 1978, the M1 is one of BMW
A version of this motor was later used in the South African version of the BMW 745i, of which 209 examples were built between 1984 and 1986, as well as the E24 BMW M6/M635CSi and E28 BMW M5. The engine had six separate throttle butterflies, four valves per cylinder and produced 273 hp. The production model reached a top speed of 260 km/h (162 mph).
The M1 Procar version was Modified into the M88/1 by a team led by Paul Rosche and it was capable of producing 470 horsepower at 9000 rpm.
The M1 coupe was hand-built between 1978 and 1981 under the Motorsport division of BMW as a homologation special for sports car racing. The body was designed by Giugiaro, taking inspiration from the 1972 BMW Turbo show car.
Only 456 production M1s were built, making it one of BMW’s rarest models, so I wasn’t surprised when we saw the M1 being priced at $140,000 in a recent auction.
The BMW M1 in the photos below was delivered in 1980 by Styling Garage Spezialkarosserien of Hamburg with numerous cosmetic modifications reminiscent of the all-out racing M1s. At this time the car would enter the collection of the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani. It eventually “moved” to the U.S and it is shown in an unrestored condition and original to the age of customization.
Here is some data mining based on the votes accumulated:
It has been an interesting weekend. In honor of the M1’s 30th birthday,
The M1 Hommage was placed next to an original M1 and the 1972 Turbo Concept. Nearly thirty years ago, BMW has entered the supercar market with the M1, which shortly became an icon in terms of performance. BMW are no strangers to retro design, THE MINI global success is the perfect example. The M1 Hommage combines the retro style with modern elements, and it stands out by its aggressive and wide body style.
Looked from a side, the M1 clearly mimics the older design, which is easily recognized by the louvered rear window, the BMW badge placement and the metallic bronze paint, just like the first M1 prototype in 1972.
The purpose of the new M1 project is uncertain and the M1 Hommage is strictly a design exercise meant to celebrate the past of its supercar. The car displayed at the Villa d’Este Concours was a non-functional prototype, with no engine and interior, but with working lights and steering. Of course, the speculations will start flowing now and many people will probably look forward to a future design similar to the M1 Hommage, but there are no clues on whether BMW will ever manufacture an M1.
We have heard many rumors in the past that a 1 series M version might be built in the future, but each time we have spoken with BMW executives, the rumor has not been confirmed. In my opinion, I would rather see the retro style M1 being brought back rather than an M1 based on the 135i.
So, as we mentioned in the past also, the new generation 2010
The BMW M5 will downgrade their engine, from a V10 to a V8 turbo, something that it was reported recently by us as well.
MotorTrend is reporting that the new 2010 BMW 5 Series will grow a couple of inches, but the goal is to keep the car at the current weight levels by using extensive aluminum in the exterior panels. The control-arm front suspensions will replace the MacPherson Struts and many options from the 7 Series will be reused: Integral Steering Package, Adaptive damping, sideview and night vision cameras or the head-up display.
To follow BMW’s plan on keeping the production costs lower, the platform will be imported from the smaller 7 Series, F01 and it will be implemented in other series as well. Even though MotorTrend states that the CS Concept was canceled due to this platform being too small, I have to disagree with them. First, the CS Concept was canceled due to the economic downturn and BMW’s goal to focus on smaller, cleaner, efficient cars for now and second, the F01 and especially the smaller Rolls Royce are using the same platform and the wheelbase size was similar to the CS Concept. This has been also confirmed by other BMW engineers as well.
Hopefully within the next few months we will have more solid information and an idea of what to expect.
One little nugget before we go — we heard BMW was planning to announce who gets the media account today. GSD&M is waiting on bated breath, no doubt. Anyway, apparently the automaker wants to make one more audit, says a source familiar with the matter, before a decision is made.
That should be made pubic by next Wednesday. Reminder: GSD&M was just awarded the global creative account for BMW.The front-end will likely feature a more upright kidney grille in order to comply with stronger pedestrian protection laws, while the headlights won’t be stretched out like on the current model. BMW’s characteristic interaction between convex and concave shapes will still be emphasized, and will be clearly indicated in the engine hood’s lines.
The rear roofline and C-pillar connects more fluidly to the trunk lid, which is now devoid of the Bangle-butt that was so universally derided with the E60 model. Parts of the tail-lights continue onto the trunk lid in order to strengthen the impression of width. We must say, this design is very pleasing and if
The new 5-series is being built off an entirely new chassis, with double wishbones in the front, like on the new X5. The move is designed to give better control and road grip around corners, according to the chassis engineers. With the aid of the extremely fast Flex-Ray automotive network communications protocol, the adaptive shock absorbers is set to become more effective, as will active steering.
BMW will also be updating its iDrive system for the new 5-series, making life a little easier with the addition of yet another pair of programmable buttons. Those that think the standard 5-series isn’t sporty enough will have to wait for a few more years until the new M5 turns up with its V10 motor and more power than the 507hp offered in today’s edition. The M version will be the only 5-series model offered with a new dual clutch gearbox (similar to VW’s DSG technology).
The standard version will instead be fitted with an 8-speed automatic transmission that will take the fight to Lexus. This gearbox is being developed by ZF, which will also manufacture a new four wheel drive system that will feature in the new Five. A new 5-series wouldn’t be complete without the introduction of more electronic driver’s aids, and this time BMW is bringing Dynamic Performance Control to the table. The system actively distributes torque between the wheels, depending on how the car acts during a turn. The result is increased security and the ability to handle larger side forces. The new differential will also come in the new 3-series and potentially even the 1-series as an option.
A full-hybrid system, featuring an electric motor in parallel with an engine, is not currently planned for the new 5-series, which instead is likely to feature the same system already used in the 1-series. This light-hybrid system consists of an electric starter motor that’s connected to the crankshaft and can function as both a generator and a propulsion system, spinning the engine during initial off the line acceleration. The light-hybrid will be available in both diesel and petrol versions and expect a new V8 diesel engine to make its debut in the next-gen model.
The two-mode hybrid transmission that was developed by BMW together with General Motors and DaimlerChrysler is mostly aimed at bigger vehicles such as trucks and SUVs. The design features dual motors, and an advanced control system that can allow both engines can be turned on simultaneously, and to regenerate electric power during braking.
This two-mode system, however, is not currently planned for the next generation 5-series, although BMW has not eliminated the possibility that a similar technology can be added towards the end of the model’s life cycle. We’ll have to make do with the light hybrid at the moment since BMW feels it has already succeeded in heavily reducing the fuel consumption of their engines. However, it remains to be seen whether or not BMW will be able to reach the EU’s new requirements for average CO2 emissions of 130g/km by 2012.
We hear: GSD&M has picked up the Ace Hardware account, and will be announcing the win tomorrow. A call to the agency was not returned but the time this story was published.
The win would not be huge for GSD&M, but a victory just the same. In December of last year, the shop was in the running for the Home Depot account, which it did not win. That business went to Dallas based Richards Group.
The agency is also waiting to hear if BMW has selected them for media responsibilities. We hear it's between GSD&M and McCann. However, news broke today that Canadian firm Media Experts won the national account (in Canada). It was my impression that GSD&M and McCann were vying for the global media account, but that may have been incorrect.
China's growing importance in the global auto market is the reason behind Porsche's decision to perform the world debut of the new Panamera at the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show from that runs from April 20 - 28. The five-door sports saloon that will enter the market in late summer will initially be available with a range of V6 and V8 direct-injection petrol engines covering a power range from 300 to 500HP. Depending on the model, power is transmitted to the rear or to all wheels by a six-speed manual gearbox or optionally, the Porsche seven-speed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) (Double-Clutch Gearbox). For more pictures of the Panamera
Well it looks like Subaru won't be giving us a glimpse of its highly anticipated Toyota co-developed RWD compact coupe the Detroit auto show in January. Instead, the Japanese carmaker will perform the global debut of the Legacy Concept that showcases the styling direction of the next generation Legacy sedan that is expected to arrive in U.S. dealerships in the first quarter of 2010.
The teaser image doesn't tell us much other than that the Legacy Concept will boast a more aggressively styled front fascia and flared wheel arches. As for the interior, Subaru claims that "it embodies modern, high-tech architecture while delivering a comfortable environment for occupants". Subaru Spartan press release also informs us that the concept car will be powered by a 3.6-liter Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine and that it will feature the firm's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.
Even though we've yet to see the concept in full form, we reckon that Best Car's artist impression gives us a pretty accurate view of the 2010 Legacy Sports Tourer, especially in what concerns the car's fascia.
