BMW revealed today the official details on the M3 GTS. The car features a orange exterior color with numerous matte black applications.
The car is fitted with a 7-speed M dual clutch transmission with adapted shift characteristics. But an absolute highlight is to be found under the bonnet. Exclusively for the BMW M3 GTS, the engine builders of BMW M - recent winners of the Engine of the Year Award once again - have developed a power unit based on the M high-performance engine of the current BMW M3: with a capacity of 4.4 litres and an output of some 450 bhp, it will catapult the light BMW M3 GTS into a whole new sphere.
The M3 GTS sits on 19-inch wheels with ample 225/35 tires at the front and 285/30 at the rear. The car only weights 1490 kilos thanks to the use of lightweight parts in the interior, the use of Macrolon for the car’s windows in the back, the lack of air conditioning, navigation and radio and the entire rear seat also gets the scales the down.
Press release and teaser video after the jump.
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While a tall SUV with more power than a BMW M5 may not be the most ideal vehicle, if a company was going to create one, at least its BMW. At this week’s New York Auto Show the BMW X5 M will make its first public appearance. The superfast SUV will share the stage with its mechanically similar stalemate, the X6 M.
The X5 M is powered by BMW’s twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine. The new turbos combined with a revised exhaust manifold creates 555 hp in this application. THis is a 205 hp step up from the next most powerful X5, the 350 hp X5 xDrive48i. It’s mated to a six-speed M Sports Automatic transmission, and both the engine and transmission are shared with the X6 M.
As we’ve seen from the lightly covered spy shots, the X5 M gets new front bumpers with large jowls to help with air intake. The M package also includes 20-inch alloy wheels and a full body kit.
More pics and full breakdown in the press release after the jump.
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BMW announced today that the Simple concept is on display at the BMW Museum. The concept was first revealed in 2005 and is a lightweight vehicle with a kerb weight of approx. 450 kgand a 36 kW combustion engine.
Simple combines features and advantages from both automobiles and motorcycles. The concept owes its passenger cell to the car, providing protection from wind and weather as well as shielding the driver from exterior noise and offering occupants a high degree of safety in the event of an accident.
The motorcycle inspired the slim design of the Simple (at just 110 centimeters wide) and its configuration for two people sitting one behind the other. Plus it boasts the dynamic driving style typical of a two-wheeler, allowing you to lean right into corners as desired. The designation “simple” is an acronym of the project name “A sustainable and innovative mobility product for low energy consumption”.
Press release after the jump.
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BMW will unveil at the Frankfurt Motor Show a limited edition M6. Only 100 customers will be lucky enough to enjoy this special model, that features an exclusive design on both interior and exterior.
The new M6 Competition Limited Edition comes with a new exterior paint: Frozen Gray Metallic in matte finish, combined on the interior with Merino full leather interior with either black or light gray two-tone contrast stitching.
This high-performance coupe will add improved driving dynamics thanks to suspension modifications, revised springs, dampers and stabilizers.
Video after the jump (from M5Board)
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Set to be revealed in two weeks time at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the first details on the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept were revealed during this week-end. BMW described the new concept as a "symbol for future high-performance driving dynamics and driving pleasure all with a pioneering level of efficiency".
The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is a 2+2-seater plug-in hybrid model powered by a three-cylinder turbodiesel engine combined with two electric motors. All three of them are delivering 356 hp and a peak torque of 590 lb-ft. Fuel consumption is reduced to 75.1 mpg imp, while CO2 emissions is just 99 grams/km. The new hybrid concept can hit a top speed of 155 mph, while the 0 to 60 mph sprint is made in 4,8 seconds.
The concept is all about energy recovery; in order to do that, all the electric power generated while driving is being captured thanks to the new Brake Energy Regeneration technology, without additional fuel consumption. A further option is to connect the lithium-polymer cells to a conventional power socket for a simple and efficient charge process, using a plug-in connector in the front-right wing of the car. In electric mode the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics has an estimated range of approx 31 miles.
Press release after the jump.
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The second hybrid model, next to the ActiveHybrid 7, coming today from the luxury automaker BMW is the ActiveHybrid X6. Based on the latest BMW SUV, the new ActiveHybrid X6 is the world’s first Sports Activity Coupe with full hybrid drive. Sales will begin later in the year.
The hybrid SUV combines a 407 HP V8 gasoline engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology and two electric synchronous motors delivering 91 HP and, respectively, 86 HP. Total output goes up to 485 HP and 575 lb-ft of torque. With this amount of power the new ActiveHybrid X6 sprints from 0 to 60 MPH in 5.6 seconds, while top speed is limited to 146 MPH.
While running exclusively on electric power, the model can hit a top speed of 37 MPH for up to 1.6 miles, with the combustion engine being activated automatically whenever required. The new ActiveHybrid X6 also comes with: an electronic power steering system, an Auto Start/Stop system, a modified suspension, a lightweight braking system, a "powerdome" hood, and 20-inch light-alloy Aero wheels.
Press release after the jump.
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The German automaker BMW has officially unveiled the new ActiveHybrid 7, the first car in the world to combine a V8 gasoline engine, eight-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor as a mild hybrid concept.
The V8 engine delivers 449 HP between 5,500 and 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 479 lb-ft consistently all the way from 2,000 to 4,500 rpm. The ActiveHybrid 7 accelerates from 0 to 60 MPH in just 4.9 seconds, and can hit a top speed of 155 MPH.
The V8 engine is combined to a three-phase synchronous electric motor positioned between the combustion engine and the automatic transmission converter. The electric motor generates additional drive power of 20 HP, with maximum power increasing to an even more substantial 27 HP in the generator mode charging the lithium-ion battery. In the driving mode BMW ActiveHybrid 7 benefits from maximum output of 465 HP and peak torque of 516 lb-ft.
Other green technologies included in the new ActiveHybrid 7: Brake Energy Regeneration, two interconnected on-board power networks, and a 400 watt-hour 35 cell lithium-ion battery which weighs 59.5 lb and measures 14.6 x 8.7 x 9.1 inches.
Full details in the press release after the jump.
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The German automaker BMW has just launched the High Security version of the new 7-Series reserved for high-risk celebrities and the Pope. The security version is built from either a 760Li or 750Li luxury limousine to meet the strict regulations of the new ballistic protection level VR7.
Even though the High Security version wears quite a bit of extra armor that doesn’t mean that it can be a slouch, the BMW 760Li High Security can accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in just 6.2 seconds and the 4.4 Liter V8 from the 750Li based version happens to be the first gas burning engine of its kind with turbochargers located in between the cylinder banks, shortening the lengths of all the necessary plumbing and creating a much more efficient design. The innovative eight cylinder cranks out a maximum output of 407 HP and a peak of 442 lb-ft of torque straight to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission which allows the BMW 750Li High Security to go from 0 to 60 MPH in a slightly slower 7.9 seconds.
The High Security models also come with a host of safety systems aimed at protecting the occupants inside. These improvements include chassis reinforcements, reinforced amour plating for the body panels and advanced "safety glazing" on the glass. The undercarriage has been reinforced and the doorjambs sealing in order to prevent life-threatening objects like bullets and shrapnel from entering the cabin. There is also a high tech intercom system, assault alarm, fire extinguisher and an internal air supply in case of a lethal gas attack.
Press release after the jump.
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The German automaker BMW has just added two new models to the 7-Series line-up: the all-new 760i and stretched wheelbase 760Li. Both versions will be powered by a direct injected TwinPower Turbo V12 that displaces a huge 6.0 Liters and produces 544 HP and 553 lb-ft of torque. Handling all that newfound power will be a brand new eight-speed automatic transmission.
Both the new BMW 760i and the new BMW 760Li will come standard with creature comforts like Dynamic Damping Control as part of the Dynamic Drive Control system that is operated by a button on the centre console. The new luxury limousine will also feature speed-related Servotronic steering assistance to make things easier for the driver as well as anti-roll stability control as part of the Dynamic Drive system. The longer BMW 760Li comes with even more high tech gadgets like air suspension with a self-leveling rear axle. Last but not least, both models are available as an option with Integral Active Steering featuring speed-related adjustment of the steering angle on the rear wheels.
On the outside, the new 7 will ride on a set of light weight 19 inch alloy wheels and in order to distinguish itself as the top of the line V12 powered model, the stretched Bimmer will feature a few chrome-plated elements like the grill, tailpipes and chrome bar that ties the taillights together.
Press release after the jump.
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After BMW revealed the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, they are also preparing a production version X5 Hybrid for 2010. The first BMW model to benefit from the Active Hybrid system will be the 7-Series (set to be revealed in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show) followed by the X6.
The first prototypes have already been caught testing in the California. The difference between the concept revealed in the 2008 and the prototypes caught by the spy photographers is its engine. If the concept combined a diesel engine with an electric motor, the prototype was powered by a gasoline engine. But even so, BMW will also produce a diesel-hybrid powertrain, we’ll just wait to wait longer to finally see it.
The concept revealed in 2008 features the Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept with a twin-turbo, 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel that’s mated to a hybrid motor. The car is also equipped with BMW’s regenerative braking system and photovoltaic solar panels mounted to the roof. Thanks to the Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept, the concept returns fuel economy in the region of 43.5mpg and CO2 emissions of just 172g/km.
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