![Gran Turismo 5 demo coming to PSN on Dec 17, GT Academy returns [w/VIDEO]](http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/370z-gt-academy_143x85.jpg)
BMW 135i tii up against V8 supercar, F1 racer at Australian Grand Prix
Click above for high-res gallery of the BMW Concept 1-Series tii
BMW's little 1 Series has proven itself to be a credible performer that's able to hang with nearly anything else it likely to encounter on the road. But against an Australian V8 Supercar and BMW's own Formula 1 racer? Not a chance. Regardless, these three vehicles will indeed face off at the upcoming F1 season opener Down Under. To help level the playing field, each vehicle will start with a handicap, so the real excitement will begin near the end of the lap when the three cars close in on one another as they sprint to the finish line.
The 1 Series that's taking part in the event will be equipped with the German automaker's potent 3.0L twin-turbo inline six and will wear 18" alloys bolted up to a tuned suspension set up with cross-drilled brakes. A set of tii decals and a full BMW Performance aerodynamic body kit top things off. The race will be repeated 5 times starting on Thursday, March 26th.
Gallery: BMW Concept 1 Series tii
[Source: BMW]
PRESS RELEASE
BMW 135i Coupé Takes on the Big Guns at Australian Grand Prix
The heralded BMW 135i Coupé is set to take on the muscle of Albert Park at this year's 2009 Australian Grand Prix.
A specially equipped 135i Coupé, bearing the famed tii livery and featuring BMW Performance gear, will take part in the Ultimate Speed Comparison.
A race between a V8 Supercar, fully prepared BMW Sauber Formula 1 car and road going BMW 135i Coupé, the Ultimate Speed Comparison is a crowd favourite which pits three high performance forms of motoring against each other in a one lap race to the finish line.
The Ultimate Speed Comparison is held on five separate occasions during the race weekend. The event is run with a timed handicap, giving each car a chance at taking line honours.
The BMW 135i Coupé is fitted with a number of performance and cosmetic upgrades from the BMW Performance stable, which is renowned for a range of exclusive and dynamic sports accessories.
A full BMW Performance aerodynamic package, road holding suspension set up, cross drilled and weight saving brake package and BMW Performance 18" light-alloy wheels are fitted to the car.
Carbon fibre mirror covers and carbon fibre look bonnet with integrated roof and boot sports stripes, further accentuate the sporting character of this unique vehicle.
The 135i Coupé bears 'tii' decals front and rear to highlight the fascination of motorsport and heritage of the BMW brand.
Inspired by the famous BMW 02 model introduced in 1966, which in its time was acknowledged as the epitome of supreme agility and thrilling driving, the BMW 135i is also distinguished by its compact dimensions, low weight and perfect balance front-to-rear.
A powerful 6-cylinder twin turbo engine, generating 225 kW ensures the car can reach 100km/h in just 5.3 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.
The pilot for the BMW 135i at this year's Ultimate Speed Comparison will be motoring journalist Paul Gover, who took the BMW M Coupé through its paces at last year's event.
Christian Klien will be at the helm of the BMW Sauber F1 race car, while Greg Murphy will take on both BMW's in his V8 Supercar.
BMW has taken part in the Ultimate Speed Comparison since its inception.
"BMW is pleased to support this fantastic spectacle," says Tom Noble, General Manager Marketing, BMW Group Australia.
"The Ultimate Speed Comparison has proven to be a particularly popular segment on the Grand Prix schedule and perfectly embodies 'The Ultimate Driving Machine' claim," he says.
Over its short time in the market, the BMW 135i Coupé has claimed a number of coveted awards, such as the 2008 Drive Car of the Year (Best Sports Car over $60,000) and Australia's Best Cars, Best Sports Car 2008 taking on the likes of many exotic high performance sports vehicles.
Unlike the F1 car or V8 Supercar, Australians can purchase the BMW 135i including the BMW Performance parts fitted.
A comprehensive range of BMW Performance components is available exclusively through the BMW dealer network.
All BMW Performance components reflect the BMW brand in their technology, design, quality and safety.
Ultimate Speed Comparison times:
11.40am Thursday 26 March
4.25pm Thursday 26 March
2.15pm Friday 27 March
1.00pm Saturday 28 March
1.10pm Sunday 29 March
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MixiM 12:46PM (3/21/2009)
HEhe, lame pre-orchestrated races... will be boring to watch.
Reply
zamafir 7:33PM (3/21/2009)
indeed. which is why i'm watching Speed right now, LeMans is far from boring... though BMW appears not to have the cash nor the heart to compete. Acura's actually doing well for pete's sake.
Stumpy 12:54PM (3/21/2009)
tii is going to win it all, when it spins out the V8 and cuts off the F1! Or, the F1 will win at the very last second, like it alwasy does.
Reply
superman211 1:25PM (3/21/2009)
I really want a 135i now. But I can't justify the 45K.
caddy-v 1:30PM (3/21/2009)
Sorry, that roofline destroys the rest of the car's looks. Lower it or streamline it a little, but for now it looks like a tank turret.
Reply
nzo 1:40PM (3/21/2009)
I think its actually the front of the car that kills it. The hood slopes down too far and too fast. From the read 1/4 and back the car looks awesome. If they had kept the same dimensions up front as they have in back (more squared off and blocky) this car would look so much better.
PJ 3:53PM (3/21/2009)
The pinched butt kills it for me. The 1-Series looks so much better as a hatchback, as it was always intended to be.
Still, it'd take a whole lot of ugly to turn me off of a 3-Series minus 200 lbs and a foot of length.
GT 5:45PM (3/21/2009)
actually it's the rocker panel to me. That curve it has makes it look like, if it was animal, a small mouse that eaten a whole all-you-can eat cheese buffet all day long. A former athlete that gained a few pounds after stopping to exercise while eating the big diets that they have.
Dan 1:47PM (3/21/2009)
How odd. Maybe they could do handicap racing in the main event too?
Reply
Arun 2:00PM (3/21/2009)
This is awesome... it's nostalgic. In one of the first seasons that Schumacher raced for Ferrari, they did this. They started a Fiat out early, after it had completed over about 1/3 of the course, they sent out a Ferrari supercar behind it. Meanwhile Schumie is outside of his car reading the newspaper.
With the Fiat over halfway through the course, and the Ferrari out about 1/3 of the track, Schumie gets in the F1 car and takes off.
While true gearheads may not be surprised by the F1 winning, it allows us to once again appreciate not only the powertrain, but also cornering and braking capability of F1 cars.
MixM - if you're that knowledgeable, the majority of Top Gear comparo's are pre-orchestrated and pointless. That doesn't mean it's not worth watching. Don't complain and flame, just don't watch it.
Reply
EU_reader 2:25PM (3/21/2009)
agreed, this is the whole point. And MixiM just doesn't get it.
What would be the point of starting these three cars at the same time? That would be boring. This 'race' is just a display of how superior F1 cars are. Everyone can appreciate how extraordinary a BMW 1 Tii already is. So it makes a good yardstick to judge those F1's against.
It's not a race, it's a show, a bit of promo and entertainment.
So indeed, people that don't get it shouldn't complain and post comments, and ignore it. If it's all that 'stupid' you won't miss a thing by NOT watching is. That's how simple these things are.
I remember something similar in top gear. Jeremy in a ford , then a WRC ford and coulthard in an F1. It's been done many times before i think.
addictive 5:00PM (3/21/2009)
Sounded cool, so I went and looked it up on youtube. I thought it was pretty cool, so I thought I'd share the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6va3CHwDFE
Version 1.0 2:43PM (3/21/2009)
And I'll be there for it!
Reply
Hamhock 2:50PM (3/21/2009)
Get the boost up to 30 psi (or whatever the weakest link in the motor can handle for the race duration) and the Supercar might be fair game....
Reply
EU_reader 3:49PM (3/21/2009)
Do you have an idea about what V8 supercar that might be? To be honest i don't know much about Australian supercars :)
The only absolutely brilliant V8 I can come up with is the vauxhall monaro V8. But i don't know if it qualifies for 'supercar'. It's more a muscle car sort of thing. (but an all time favourite with the top gear crew :) )
Lee 9:55PM (3/23/2009)
Greg Murphy will be driving his Holden Commodore V8 Supercar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrUQmYvEDak
J Christopher 7:36PM (3/21/2009)
We would like to see an 1M
Reply
JDMlover 7:53PM (3/21/2009)
boring......BMW get over yourself.
Reply
bduddy 8:15PM (3/21/2009)
McLaren/Mercedes has done several of these types of things before. Just look on YouTube...
Reply
Kai 12:50AM (3/22/2009)
You guys obviously have no idea about the performance of a V8 Supercar. We are not talking about a V8 steet motor with a blower... more of a NASCAR in a touring body shell.
The shells are based on a current Ford Falcon or a Holden Commodore, and the engines being either a 5.0 L Ford Windsor SVO or Chevrolet Aurora race engine. They pump out about 620 - 650hp with a 7500rpm limit.
I don't think the BMW would stand a chance... considering the V8 supercars are only a matter of a few seconds off lap times on identical tracks (See China/Bahrain)...
Reply