Autoblog

BMW creates exclusive polo shirt for 1 Series M Coupe owners

George Kennedy — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, BMW, Design/Style

So you are one of the 6,309 lucky drivers to own the terrifically excellent BMW 1 Series M Coupe, but don't feel like it sets you apart enough from the rest of us? Well first, we have the tiniest violin in the world, ready to play a sad song. Once that is out of the way, BMW has some very unique gear for you. Pierre Leclercq, the Manager of Design for M Automobiles, has come out with a polo shirt that will be available only to 1 Series M Coupe owners. Each shirt will have the owner's name embroidered on the left sleeve, and the silhouette of their car will be emblazoned on the back of the shirt. It is is even stitched in the color of the owner's car!

The shirts are limited to one per vehicle, and owners are able to order a shirt by entering their VIN when placing the order online. Each shirt is produced as a one-off, specifically designed for the owner of said 1 M Coupe, making the act of wearing one a sort of 'secret handshake' for 1 Series M Coupe owners. Nice.

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BMW creates exclusive polo shirt for 1 Series M Coupe owners originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How to make art prints with your BMW M6

George Kennedy — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, BMW, Design/Style

Matt Mullins has done everything from stunts in movies to driving with the United States secret service, but the BMW Performance Driving School chief instructor has never done this before. "This" in this case is creating postcards using a BMW M6 as the printing press.

A pressurized ink system was mounted in the trunk, which spayed ink up at the rear tires. It was controlled via a switch in the cabin of the turbocharged BMW coupe. Mullin then took the M6 out onto the track at Blackhawk Farms Raceway, where pieces of paper were placed in straight lines. Matt just had to spray the ink and drive over the paper, but keeping a high-powered machine such as the M6 in a perfectly straight line is still a little challenging. You'll just have to check out the video to see how he did.

When it was all over, the results of this little experiment were cut up into one-of-a-kind postcards, which BMW is sending out to M enthusiasts across the country. Sure you could create another BMW art car, or use the rear tires to do your best Jackson Pollock, but this way a great many fans will get to own a piece of yet another great intersection of BMW life and the art world.

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How to make art prints with your BMW M6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Nov 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: BMW celebrates 40 years of M

Jeff Sabatini — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, BMW, Luxury

When we think of the BMW M division, the 1978 M1 comes instantly to mind, followed by the E30 M3 and then the 2001-2002 M Coupe. But the company's in-house hot rod shop actually dates back to 1972, when it was formed as a subsidiary to manage the company's racing operations, dubbed BMW Motorsport.

It was this month 40 years ago that what is known today as BMW M GmbH was launched. So to celebrate its anniversary, BMW has offloaded some 50 lustworthy images celebrating that performance history. See them all in our gallery.

Pics Aplenty: BMW celebrates 40 years of M originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW announces three two-car teams for 2012 DTM series

Noah Joseph — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, BMW

Touring car racing fans are eagerly anticipating the return of BMW to the DTM series. The Bavarian automaker last competed in DTM (or its progenitors, anyway) a whopping 18 years ago, but late last year announced it would return to the German touring car series in 2012. Now it has revealed the means to that end.

Rather than field its own entries, BMW will be supplying the vehicles and factory support for three independent teams: BMW Team RBM, BMW Team Schnitzer and Reinhold Motorsport GmbH. Both RBM and Schnitzer have a longstanding relationship with BMW Motorsport, while Reinhold is a completely new outfit. Each of the teams will be fielding two of the new M3 DTMs that are currently under development.

The move to DTM comes on the back of some big shakeups in BMW's racing program. Although it pulled out of Formula One two years ago, and eliminated its works World Touring Car Championship effort at the end of last year, it has recently pitched the Mini division into the WRC with Prodrive and launched the DTM program to pick up where it left off in the WTCC. Follow the jump for the official announcement, along with three additional press releases - one from each of BMW's partner teams - for the true tin-top fanatics among us.

[Source: BMW Motorsport]

Continue reading BMW announces three two-car teams for 2012 DTM series

BMW announces three two-car teams for 2012 DTM series originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW pulls out of World Touring Car Championship

Noah Joseph — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, BMW

BMW 320si WTCC - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you were disappointed with BMW's decision to leave Formula One at the end of last year, hold on to your hats as the Bavarian automaker is further scaling back its racing programs, announcing the discontinuation of its factory-backed World Touring Car Championship effort for next season.

The move follows a change in leadership at BMW Motorsport in which longtime director Mario Theissen is making way for incoming boss Jens Marquardt. Last year, after pulling out of the Sauber F1 team, BMW announced it was downsizing its WTCC works effort from three factory-backed teams to just one. But following its decision to compete against Audi and Mercedes-Benz in the national DTM series, it has evidently opted to shut down that single WTCC team as well.

BMW will, however, continue supplying its recently reworked 320 TC to independent teams in the WTCC, following the same path forged by SEAT in its withdrawal from the series after claiming the championship last year. The move leaves Chevrolet and Volvo (which enters the series in a limited capacity next year after dominating the Swedish Touring Car Series) as the only works teams in the series. Official announcement after the jump.

Gallery: BMW 320si WTCC

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW pulls out of World Touring Car Championship

BMW pulls out of World Touring Car Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW Motorsport changes leadership as Mario Theissen exits stage left

Noah Joseph — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, BMW

Incoming and outgoing BMW Motorsport directors Jens Marquardt (left) and Mario Theissen (right)

For over a decade now, BMW has had its racing program directed by one man: Mario Theissen. Having joined the Bavarian automaker as a development engineer back in 1977, Theissen became the company's motorsport director in 1999, driving BMW onto the Formula One grid as an engine supplier to Williams before spearheading its acquisition of the Sauber team, which he then ran until the BMW's withdrawal from the sport at the end of the 2009 season. Since then he's been overseeing the construction of the carmaker's racing programs, but he's now stepping down to make way for new leadership.

Taking the reins in Theissen's place will be one Jens Marquardt, who - similar to his mustached predecessor - directed Toyota's Formula One program until it, too, withdrew from the grid. Prior to joining Toyota Motorsport in 2000, Marquardt worked on F1 and Indy engine development at Ilmor Engineering. He'll take over at BMW Motorsport on July 1, working in tandem with Theissen for six months as the company's new DTM program takes shape. Details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW Motorsport changes leadership as Mario Theissen exits stage left

BMW Motorsport changes leadership as Mario Theissen exits stage left originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A behind-the-scenes look inside the BMW Classic warehouse

Michael Harley — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Europe, BMW

BMW Classic in Munich - Click above for high-res image gallery

Located just a short distance from the BMW Museum and Welt (famous as the company's European delivery center) in Munich, Germany, is BMW Classic. According to the German automaker, "BMW Classic coordinates all activities that are connected with the company's varied and successful history covering everything from the historical archives, assortment of aeroplanes, communication, the museum and BMW's role in the international club scene." In a nutshell, BMW Classic is tasked with archiving, restoring and preserving the company's ninety-year manufacturing history.

Earlier this year, the BMW Classic Center opened its doors to the public offering a full range of classic parts, restoration services and vehicle authentication. While local dealerships will continue to stock late model parts and accessories, BMW Classic is tasked with keeping an inventory part supply for vehicles (including motorcycles) that are generally more than fifteen years old. Not only are 30,000-plus components kept on hand, but the tooling that is relevant for subsequent fabrication is held at the facility as well. In addition, there are on-site restoration services, using 100 percent original parts, upholstery and paint, at prices that are very competitive to local shops (especially when you consider that BMW Classic Center is a one-stop shop for a turn-key restoration process).

While the downstairs shop area is in a constant flurry of activity, the multi-story warehouse - where much of the really good stuff is stored - is unfortunately closed to the public. However, thanks to a special invite, Autoblog was recently escorted on a private behind-the-scenes tour of the facility.

Viewed from the outside, the building is nothing spectacular. Yet, hidden inside its concrete walls are several floors of immaculately restored and preserved engines, motorcycles and automobiles. In addition to some of the company's most classic offerings, such as the BMW 507 and BMW 328, we stumbled over Isetta microcars and mint-condition 2002 race cars. We found the famed E53 X5 fitted with a V12 LMR powerplant (the 700 horsepower SUV clocked a record-setting 7:49 lap around Nürburgring at the hands of Hans Stuck nearly a decade ago) and a pristine street-ready McLaren F1 (parked yards away from its race-ready F1 GTR siblings). Look past the James Bond's genuine E38 7 Series (with highly-custom rear-seat driving controls), and you will see the fluorescent orange nose of the 1972 BMW Turbo Concept - the vehicle that inspired the BMW M1, arriving just five years later.

Our favorite has got to be an unassuming 1987 E32 7 Series, (aka the "Goldfish" 767), fitted with a prototype 6.7-liter V16 rated at 408 horsepower. The only hint to its potency are custom gill-like air intakes on each rear quarter panel - its massive engine is so long that the engineers were forced to move its cooling system to the trunk.

Take a long look through our extensive gallery, and let us know which ones are your favorites.

Gallery: BMW Classic Warehouse

A behind-the-scenes look inside the BMW Classic warehouse originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW Motorsports parts now available in the U.S.

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, BMW, Racing

BMW Motorsport Parts come to the U.S. - Click above for high-res image

It's official, they're finally here: Racers of the roundel can buy BMW Motorsport parts at four locations in the U.S. The catalog selection includes the 2008 BMW Z4, 1995-2010 M3, and the 3 Series sedan from 2006 onward. You'll need to get yourself to Illinois, Atlanta, New Hampshire, or Solon, Ohio to pick your parts by hand... but you want to win, don't you? Follow the jump for the press release from BMW.

Gallery: BMW Motorsport parts available in the U.S.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW Motorsports parts now available in the U.S.

BMW Motorsports parts now available in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW opens up Classic Center to customer cars, establishes dedicated vintage racing division

Noah Joseph — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:39:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Plants/Manufacturing, BMW, Mini, Motorcycle, Racing

BMW Classic Center - Click above for high-res image gallery

Owners and lovers of classic BMWs have what to be thankful for. The Bavarian automaker estimates that roughly one in ten units it produced through the 1980s are still on the road, accounting for some 600,000 classic cars and another 70,000 motorbikes... that it knows of. In order to service and repair all those vintage vehicles, BMW has expanded its Classic Center and opened it up to the public.

Previously known as the Historic Workshop, the classics department has until now been responsible for maintaining the factory's own collection of classics. Now the enlarged division is opening up its doors for privately-owned vehicles, with services extending from re-manufacturing discontinued parts to factory certification and even sales.

In addition to the reborn BMW Classic Center, the company has launched a dedicated motorsport division for vintage Bimmers and Minis, offering race support services and even complete restoration of racing models for such events as the Oldtimer Grand Prix, Goodwood Festival of Speed, Mille Miglia and Le Mans Classic.

With the worldwide count of classic BMWs expanding each year, the Classic Center and Motorsport divisions promise to keep vintage models on the road and track for years to come. Full details are available in the pair of press releases after the jump, and photos in the twin galleries below.

Gallery: BMW Classic Center

Gallery: BMW Group Classic Motorsport division

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW opens up Classic Center to customer cars, establishes dedicated vintage racing division

BMW opens up Classic Center to customer cars, establishes dedicated vintage racing division originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW Z4 GT3 is the V8-powered Z4 M you can race

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, BMW, Racing

BMW Motorsport Z4 GT3 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Late last year we told you that BMW would be creating a race-ready Z4 GT3 for customers who participate in motorsports, and we now have official images of the too-hot Z4 in all of its glory. We've always liked the styling of the Z4-based coupes, and this GT3 spec is certainly a looker.

BMW has shoehorned the M3's 4.0-liter V8 under the hood of the Z4 GT3, and when managed by a Type-408 ECU and Power400 control unit, the high-revving V8 cranks out a whopping 480 horsepower, and a six-speed sequential gearbox sends all of that power to the rear wheels. ABS and central-locking wheels are standard, and for consumers who want an extra touch of civilization, air conditioning is optional.

BMW will be offering the Z4 GT3 to consumers in the second half of this year, with an estimated price of around 298,000 Euro (that's over $405,000 based on current exchange rates). Hit the jump for the official words from BMW Motorsport.

Gallery: BMW Motorsport Z4 GT3

[Source: BMW Motorsport]

Continue reading BMW Z4 GT3 is the V8-powered Z4 M you can race

BMW Z4 GT3 is the V8-powered Z4 M you can race originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW Z4 GT3 coming in 2010 with M3 powerplant

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, BMW, Racing

2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is - Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW Motorsport has announced a lust-worthy addition to its growing line of customer racing offerings in the form of the BMW Z4 GT3.

Although BMW hasn't released pics yet, the factory-built Z4 will be powered by an uprated version of the M3's 4.0-liter V8 currently fitted to the race-ready M3 GT2. Controlled by a Type-408 ECU and Power400 control unit, the 4.0-liter V8 is good for a claimed 480 horsepower and sends its ample grunt through a standard six-speed sequential gearbox. Central-locking wheels, ABS and a host of other kit will allow the Z4 GT3 to campaign in a number of sanctioned events, including the FIA GT3 European Championship, International GT Open, ADAC GT Masters and several 24-hour enduros.

Deliveries begin in the second quarter of 2010, with an estimated price of 298,000 euro, or over $425,000 on a straight exchange. Full details and ordering information available in the press release below the fold.

Gallery: 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is

[Source: BMW Motorsport]

Continue reading BMW Z4 GT3 coming in 2010 with M3 powerplant

BMW Z4 GT3 coming in 2010 with M3 powerplant originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: $170k BMW M3 GT/GT4 Street probably not coming to U.S.

Noah Joseph — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:20:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, BMW

BMW M3 GT4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

No three letters get Bimmer fans as riled up as CSL. The initials have historically been applied to lightweight, performance-focused versions of BMW's most extreme machinery. But while BMW isn't currently offering any CSL models for public consumption, the emergence of an M5 CSL and spy shots of a potential M3 CSL have Munich's followers frothing at the mouth.

The former turned out to be a one-of-a-kind special. But details on the latter are beginning to circulate, and they look promising. Firstly, sources suggest that the model won't wear the CSL designation at all, and instead be labeled either M3 GT or M3 GT4 Street, in reference to the homologated racing version.

First, the good stuff: the engine is tipped to be tuned in the neighborhood of 450 horsepower, give or take, driven exclusively through the 7-speed dual clutch transmission with no manual expected to be on offer. Stopping power is anticipated to come from Brembo 6-piston calipers up front and 4-pots in the rear gripping slotted steel discs, and while carbon-ceramics may be on the options list, the jury's still out on when BMW will roll out the production version of its F1-derived Kinetic Energy Recovery System, a.k.a. regenerative braking. Recaro buckets and the removal of the rear seats should help the M3 GT (or whatever it will be called) shed some 220 lbs of weight, sitting 25mm lower on BBS alloys mounted to a Sachs suspension with standard roll bars.

The prototype is said to have already lapped the Nurburgring in 7:40, with testing still underway in France. Targeting the Porsche 911 GT3, the hard-core M3 will be extremely limited in production - possibly as few as 25 examples annually - available directly from BMW Motorsport but certified for road use - at a price point hovering around 110,000 euros ($172k). Unfortunately, the signs suggest that it won't be making the transatlantic voyage Stateside. Thanks to Tim for the tip!

[Source: M3Post.com]

Rumormill: $170k BMW M3 GT/GT4 Street probably not coming to U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Setting the Pace: BMW X6 M debuts as MotoGP safety car

Noah Joseph — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, BMW

BMW X6 M MotoGP safety car - Click to view in high resolution

Coupes, sedans, convertibles, even sport-wagons... BMW's venerated Motorsport division - known to all the world by the letter M - has tuned all sorts of vehicles from the Bavarian automaker's lineup, but with the launch of the new X5 M and X6 M, this is the first time the tuning division has been tasked with tweaking a crossover or SUV... or anything with four-wheel-drive, for that matter. Purists might view it as a bridge too far for the garage that has turned out such precision driving tools as the original 3.0 CSL, the exotic M1 and the spectacular M3, but Munich's marketing department has evidently wasted no time in assuaging those doubts by putting the new X6 M on the track as quickly as possible, and in one of the most speed-crazed, testosterone-infused forms of motorsport on the planet: MotoGP.

Fresh off the floor of Manhattan's Javitz Center, where it debuted at the ongoing New York Auto Show, the X6 M debuts this weekend Qatar as the official safety car of the MotoGP race at Losail. The new M-tuned "sports activity coupe" joins a paddock full of vehicles provided by BMW to serve as safety cars and trackside VIP transports, including the M6, M5 Touring and M3. This marks the eleventh season in which BMW has partnered with MotoGP. Follow the jump to read more in the full press release, and check out the pair of images of the X6 M safety car by clicking the thumbnails below.

Gallery: BMW X6 M MotoGP safety car

[Source: BMW via MotoGP]

Continue reading Setting the Pace: BMW X6 M debuts as MotoGP safety car

Setting the Pace: BMW X6 M debuts as MotoGP safety car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW Sauber launches F1.09 at Valencia

Noah Joseph — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, BMW

Click above for high-res image gallery of the BMW Sauber F1.09

When it rains, it pours. Formula One racing fans spend most of the year watching the same crop of cars running around in circles, until the off season when all the teams unveil their new cars in the same two-week window of time. So after Ferrari, Toyota, McLaren, Williams and Renault have uncovered their 2009 challengers, with Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Force India not expected to unveil their new cars until next month, and with Honda's F1 future still in limbo, the BMW Sauber team have become the latest to join the party.

Called, simply enough, the F1.09, this will be the car in which Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld, with the support of perennial test driver Christian Klein, will take on the rest of the field in the coming season. Its form is dictated by the same new aero regulations as its competitors, with BMW's own battery-based Kinetic Energy Recovery System installed underneath. Several teams have stated that, given the short timeframe they had to develop the hybrid system, they may delay its implementation, and Sauber's troubled gestation process was well publicized. Notably absent, meanwhile, from the car's livery this year is longtime sponsor Credit Suisse, the banking giant that cited a change in marketing strategies as its reason for not renewing its sponsorship. BMW Sauber unveiled the F1.09 on Tuesday morning at the test track in Valencia, Spain, which you can see in the high-resolution image gallery below.

Gallery: BMW Sauber F1.09

[Source: BMW Motorsport]

BMW Sauber launches F1.09 at Valencia originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW's Ultimate Computing Machine

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 20:54:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Technology, BMW

The ultimate driving machine is getting the ultimate computing machine. OK, maybe that's an exaggeration, but BMW has reached an agreement with Intel to use their new Albert 2 supercomputer at the BMW/Sauber Development Center near Zürich, Switzerland. The Albert 2 is only 60th on the list of world's fastest supercomputers at 12.8 teraflops per second. We think that's even quicker than the 20,000 RPM F1 engines.

BMW Motorsport director Dr. Mario Theissen says the Intel deal will stretch beyond the motorsports division, however. BMW will also switch all of its corporate servers over to Intel-based products. Office computers, entertainment and information applications, service computers, they'll all be using Intel equipment in the future. Will new BMW iDrives sport an "Intel Inside" sticker?

One other thing we know about this relationship is that the Formula 1 cars will sport Intel livery. Even with this agreement, Intel is still committed to its arrangement with Toyota as well, where the chip company is a big tech partner for the Japanese automaker's F1 program as well. Somewhat hard to believe, but BMW plans to show off its first Formula 1 car designed with Albert 2 on January 16! That seems very quick indeed.

[Source: Heise via Engadget]

BMW's Ultimate Computing Machine originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Dec 2006 20:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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