Click above to view the BMW M3 ad.
Ever since Industrial Light and Magic dropped Jurassic Park onto the scene, it's rare to see a movie, TV show or advertisement that doesn't involve some form of CGI. It's amazing what can be done by a handful of programmers and a case of RedBull, but something gets lost in translation when computerized effects are used in place of their analog forbearers. The advertising firm IdeaCity recognized this and melded high-tech wizardry with old-school filmmaking to create an absolutely beautiful ad for BMW's new M3.
The edifice for the spot began with a tour of BMW's M facility in Munich, where the IdeaCity crew studied the inner workings of the M3's 4.0-liter V8. They had three complete engines shipped out to Belgium, where manifolds were cut, cylinders were shaved and lighting holes were drilled to mount special cameras, lenses and lights. After two weeks of intensive study and preparation, the team took another four, 20-hour days to film what happens inside the 420 hp mill during a single revolution. The completed spot was filmed at 10,000 frames-per-second and doesn't utilize any form of computer-generated effects. We've already watched it a half a dozen times and we think you'll do the same. Check it after the jump.
New KITT Attack Mode revealed at Comic Con
London 2008: Honda OSM concept roadster says, "Cheerio!"
London 2008: Lotus unveils the Evora
2010 Chevy Camaro - Official Details and Images
2010 Chevy Camaro - LIVE from the reveal
In the Autoblog Garage: Aprilia RSV 1000 R
First Drive: Maserati Quattroporte S in Europe
First Drive: 2008 MINI Cooper S JCW
In the Autoblog Garage:2009 Nissan GT-R
North American Exclusive First Drive: Alfa MiTo
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
User @ Apr 7th 2008 10:10PM
Well, that was a lot shorter than I thought it would be. What a ton of work! That is a very cool commercial, though. Great cinematography! Amazing Physics in action.
jcuoit @ Apr 7th 2008 10:10PM
Thats cooler than the intro to Gran Turismo Three.
and now i have to start up the old PS2 and start playing, bye.
e90+335i @ Apr 7th 2008 10:12PM
all that for a 30 second clip
wow
they could have at least shared some more footage ;)
mcheddadi @ Apr 7th 2008 10:17PM
EPIC
3seriesisking @ Apr 7th 2008 11:33PM
Epic indeed.
Simple....yes.
Perfect combination
John Johnson @ Apr 7th 2008 10:31PM
/b/ would call that 'win'
For the 98% of you who don't get that, this commercial rules.
British_Rover @ Apr 8th 2008 9:10AM
I think they would call that epic win with cries for MOAR
steve @ Apr 7th 2008 10:38PM
wow, they could have used this during the superbowl and be charged $2.6m for 30 seconds...on top of production costs of course
why not the LS2LS7? @ Apr 7th 2008 11:04PM
I guess that's what happens inside your BMW M3 V8, if your BMW M3 V8 doesn't compress the charge before burning it.
I expect the flame front would be a lot different if the piston were in place.
I guess the M3 doesn't have Valvetronic? Did BMW decide Valvetronic is a dead end?
Tim @ Apr 7th 2008 11:08PM
Hard to burn with that horrible fuel atomization.
Looks like an old GM TBI system.
RobZ4 @ Apr 7th 2008 11:04PM
Absolutely beautiful. Internal combustion at its best.
Tim @ Apr 7th 2008 11:05PM
Meh
That engine is not running.
In any other working 4-stroke gasoline engine, the piston is at top dead center when the fuel ignites, which would make it impossible to see with the camera positioned at the bottom of the cylinder bore, as it is in the commercial.
Pretty pictures, yes; running engine, not a chance.
Yar @ Apr 7th 2008 11:55PM
Unless there is a ton of timing pulled, or maybe the new M3 has a compression ratio of 3:1?
Shipey @ Apr 8th 2008 8:10AM
Yeah, Yar is right. It'd be about 8-10 degrees before TDC... sometimes considerably more on high performance engines.
dpb! @ Apr 7th 2008 11:05PM
You all really think it was that pricey to make that commercial?! Have you seen others? Paid Celeberties? I am sure it was cheap and very unique!
Quattrofan @ Apr 8th 2008 12:14AM
Dunno. They ruined 3 brand new M3 V8's... bear in mind, those blocks are produced in Landshut, same foundry that makes BMW F1 engines. Me thinks - anything but cheap.
dpb! @ Apr 8th 2008 12:19AM
Well your name is Quattrofan and I have a pic of my BMW, so I think I know where each of us stands :)
DonatoM3 @ Apr 8th 2008 4:37PM
Honestly if you consider the costs of CGI, and actors, your definitely right the production costs on this commercial have to be a value.
When you factor in the costs of the engines are you factoring in BMW's costs or the price they charge the end user. Remember alot of the costs of these engines is the R&D costs to create them not the individual cost to produce each engine.
Bart @ Apr 7th 2008 11:19PM
This is one of those cases where you give em props for not doing it CGI and keeping it real, but then realise at the same time CGI could've produced prettier and more accurate pictures.
I'm not a fan of the new V8, but if they destroyed 3 engines to make this commercial, that's a bit of a waste. Could've shipped me the engines and I'd do it CGI.
Seoultrain @ Apr 7th 2008 11:26PM
I'm sorry, but this could've been done a LOT better. I prefer GT3's intro.
related: actual video of the combustion chamber:
http://www.carbibles.com/fuel_engine_bible_pg2.html
scroll down a little bit.