Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[BMW bringing Z4 GT3 to North America, but still no Z4 M]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/27/bmw-bringing-z4-gt3-to-north-america-but-still-no-z4-m/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/27/bmw-bringing-z4-gt3-to-north-america-but-still-no-z4-m/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/27/bmw-bringing-z4-gt3-to-north-america-but-still-no-z4-m/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

BMW Z4 GT3

There's something rotten in the state of Bavaria when BMW's M division is more keen to tune out crossovers than roadsters. While the previous-generation Z4 and the Z3 that preceded it both had M versions, the current Z4 has been conspicuously absent from the hall's of the BMW performance division. That could all change if the bean-counters see a good business case for a Z4 M, but in the meantime we're reportedly slated to get something even crazier: the V8-powered Z4 GT3.

The competition-spec model loses the folding roof in favor of a fixed one reinforced by a full roll cage. It also gets racing slicks and a much more aggressive aero package. But the fun part is the V8 engine from the outgoing M3, tuned to 480 horsepower and paired with a six-speed sequential gearbox.

Inside Line has it on good authority that the Z4 GT3 will soon be available to privateer racers in America, but it will, of course, be restricted to closed tracks. And considering it costs the equivalent of over $400,000 in Europe, it hardly fills the gap left by the absence of the street-legal Z4 M we're still pining for.

BMW bringing Z4 GT3 to North America, but still no Z4 M originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw z4bmw z4 gt3bmw z4 gtsbmw z4 mz4z4 gt3z4 gtsz4 mz4mThu, 27 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20091874/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/27/bmw-bringing-z4-gt3-to-north-america-but-still-no-z4-m/20091874/article-detail.xml 20091874 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/12-z4-gt3_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/12-z4-gt3.jpg <![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #158 - 'Twas a few days before Christmas]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/22/autoblog-podcast-158-twas-a-few-days-before-christmas/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/22/autoblog-podcast-158-twas-a-few-days-before-christmas/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/22/autoblog-podcast-158-twas-a-few-days-before-christmas/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

'Twas a couple nights before Christmas, and in the Autoblog house, Paukert and Shunk got Roth off the couch... For episode #158 of the Autoblog Podcast! What better way to get into the holiday spirit than an hour and a half of new Podcast? It's fresher than egg nog this week, as the trio chews on the return of the 5.0 in the Ford Mustang, Audi's more sane torque numbers for the E-Tron, and what may yet be a Christmas miracle: Spyker's dogged pursuit of Saab. Rounding out the sextet of topics are the Alfa Giulietta and its potential as a Chrysler, the BMW Z4 GT3, and General Motors' plan to bring the Buick Regal GS to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, where it will also debut a Chevrolet Orlando-based vehicle called the GMC Granite.

For the long holiday drives, our colleagues at Joystiq and Engadget do fine work. Let us know what you think of our podcast by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #158 - 'Twas a few days before Christmas

Autoblog Podcast #158 - 'Twas a few days before Christmas originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfa giuliettaalfa romeoAlfaGiuliettaAlfaRomeoautoblog podcastAutoblogPodcastbmw z4bmw z4 mBmwZ4BmwZ4Mbuick regalbuick regal gsBuickRegalBuickRegalGsFord 5.0-Liter V8Ford5.0-literV8giuliettagmc granitGMC GraniteGmcGranitGmcGraniteMustangmustang 5.0mustang gtMustang5.0MustangGtpodcastsaabspykerspyker saabSpykerSaabZ4 GT3Z4Gt3Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:17:00 ESTAutoblog Podcast #158Autoblog1:42:40autoblog podcast; bmw z4 gt3; spyker saab; spyker; saab; gmc granite; detroit auto show; naias; buick regal gs; mustang; 5.0; alfa romeo; giulietta; chrysler http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19291442/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/22/autoblog-podcast-158-twas-a-few-days-before-christmas/19291442/article-detail.xml 19291442 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/autoblog-podcast-3_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/autoblog-podcast-3.jpg <![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #157 - Mike Levine trucks along with us!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/15/autoblog-podcast-157-mike-levine-trucks-along-with-us/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/15/autoblog-podcast-157-mike-levine-trucks-along-with-us/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/15/autoblog-podcast-157-mike-levine-trucks-along-with-us/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Our friend Mike Levine from Pickuptrucks.com joins Chris, Sam and Dan for Episode #157 of The Autoblog Podcast, bringing his vast knowledge of all that is crew-cabbed and full framed. Of course, we start off with what we're driving and dreamy talk about the Dodge Ram Power Wagon, but the real meat and potatoes news items begin with a peek at the Mercedes-Benz E-Class cabrio. Staying with Ms. Jellinek's namesake brand, the crew ponders the idea of an electric SLS supercar. Staying charged, we move right into Toyota's recent hybrid news - a tease of an all new hybrid that we'll see at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, and today's announcement of a PHEV Prius. Hybrid pickups come up before we move on to the BMW's Z4 sDrive35is and then questions. One hour, thirty minutes, in time for your Tuesday pick-me-up.

For more listening pleasure check out our colleagues at Joystiq and Engadget, and let us know what you think of our podcast by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening!


Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #157 - Mike Levine trucks along with us!

Autoblog Podcast #157 - Mike Levine trucks along with us! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoblog podcastAutoblogPodcastbmw z4bmw z4 mbmw Z4 sDrive35isBmwZ4BmwZ4MBmwZ4Sdrive35isE-ClassE-Class Cabrioe-class cabrioletE-Class ConvertibleE-classCabrioE-classCabrioletE-classConvertibleelectric slselectric sls amgElectricSlsElectricSlsAmgfeaturedmercedesMercedes BenzMercedes SLS AMGmercedes-benzMercedes-Benz E-ClassMercedes-benzE-classMercedesBenzMercedesSlsAmgmike levineMikeLevinePickupTruckspickuptrucks.compodcastpower wagonPowerWagonram power wagonRamPowerWagontoyota hybridtoyota priustoyota prius hybridToyota Prius PHEVtoyota prius plug intoyota prius plug in hybridToyota Prius plug-inToyotaHybridToyotaPriusToyotaPriusHybridToyotaPriusPhevToyotaPriusPlug-inToyotaPriusPlugInToyotaPriusPlugInHybridTue, 15 Dec 2009 13:40:00 ESTAutoblog Podcast #157Autoblog1:35:19podcast; autoblog podcast; toyota hybrid; phev prius; plugin prius; e-class cabrio; mercedes e; toyota; bmw z4 http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19281289/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/15/autoblog-podcast-157-mike-levine-trucks-along-with-us/19281289/article-detail.xml 19281289 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/autoblog-podcast-3_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/autoblog-podcast-3.jpg <![CDATA[Manhart Racing drops the BMW V10 into the Z4 roadster]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/manhart-racing-drops-the-bmw-v10-into-the-z4-roadster/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/manhart-racing-drops-the-bmw-v10-into-the-z4-roadster/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/manhart-racing-drops-the-bmw-v10-into-the-z4-roadster/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Manhart BMW Z4 V10 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The first snow? A pastel sunset? Come on, we're car guys and there are few things we love more than a big engine in a small roadster. It's the formula that put Carroll Shelby on the map, and it's very much alive today thanks to a small cadre of niche manufacturers and aftermarket tuners, a disproportionate share of them residing in Germany.

Just a few days ago we brought you news of the Wiesmann MF5 Roadster, set to debut at the upcoming Frankfurt show with a BMW M5 ten-cylinder engine packed into a little retro roadster. But if your taste veers more towards the modern than the throwback, Manhart Racing may have just the thing for you. The German tuning firm has shoehorned that same 500-hp, 5.0-liter DOHC 40-valve V10 - known in Bavaria as the SB85B50 - into the BMW Z4.

The mod job wasn't finished with the engine swap, however. Manhart also switched the transmission and differential, installed an AC Schnitzer exhaust, HJS cats and in the process just happened to have disabled the electronic speed limiter. The resultant 550 hp output in a 1450-kg package gives the ten-cylinder roadster a power-to-weight ratio of 2.6kg per HP, which places it firmly in supercar territory. (The flyweight Ferrari 430 Scuderia, for reference, packs 2.45 kg/hp.) 0-60 comes in a claimed 3.9 seconds, and we have little reason to doubt it. That is, assuming you can get all that power down through the upgraded 285/30ZR19 rear tires and keep it in a straight line with the 235/35ZR19 mounted on blacked-out BBS Challenge rims. We just hope they've upgraded the brakes to go along with the extra power. Details in the press release after the jump.


Gallery: Manhart Racing BMW Z4 V10

01_z4-v10-manhart-racing02_z4-v10-manhart-racing03_z4-v10-manhart-racing08_z4-v10-manhart-racing04_z4-v10-manhart-racing

[Source: Manhart Racing]


Continue reading Manhart Racing drops the BMW V10 into the Z4 roadster

Manhart Racing drops the BMW V10 into the Z4 roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw z4bmw z4 mBmwZ4BmwZ4Mmanhartmanhart bmw z4 v10manhart racingManhartBmwZ4V10ManhartRacingz4z4mThu, 27 Aug 2009 15:20:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19142474/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/08/27/manhart-racing-drops-the-bmw-v10-into-the-z4-roadster/19142474/article-detail.xml 19142474 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/web630-01_z4-v10-manhart-racing_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/web630-01_z4-v10-manhart-racing.jpg <![CDATA[BMW's V10 wins international respect... again]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/10/bmws-v10-engine-wins-international-respect-again/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/10/bmws-v10-engine-wins-international-respect-again/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/10/bmws-v10-engine-wins-international-respect-again/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Stiff competition from Volkswagen and Toyota failed to unseat BMW's 5-liter V10 engine as the best engine in the world for the second year in a row, according to the judges presenting at the International Engine of the Year Awards 2006 held at Engine Expo in Stuttgart, Germany. The powerplant also beat out other entrants to win in the categories of Best Performance Engine and Best Above 4.0-liters. BMW also received kudos for the Z4 M's 3.2-liter and twin-turbodiesel 3.0-liter, for a total of five awards.

Subie fans will be pleased to know that the Subaru WRX's 2.5-liter turbo garnered the company's first-ever international engine award in the 2- to 2.5-liter category.

[Source: Inside Line]

 

BMW's V10 wins international respect... again originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 May 2006 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BMWBMW V10BMW Z4 MBmwV10BmwZ4Minternational engine of the yearInternationalEngineOfTheYearSTIvolkswagenWed, 10 May 2006 20:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/616866/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/05/10/bmws-v10-engine-wins-international-respect-again/616866/article-detail.xml 616866 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/05/bmw.v10.500_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/05/bmw.v10.500.jpg <![CDATA[Geneva Motor Show: BMW unveils Z4 M Coupe racing version]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/01/geneva-motor-show-bmw-unveils-z4-m-coupe-racing-version/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/01/geneva-motor-show-bmw-unveils-z4-m-coupe-racing-version/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/01/geneva-motor-show-bmw-unveils-z4-m-coupe-racing-version/#commentsFiled under: , ,



BMW took the wraps off its latest customer-racer in Geneva - the BMW Z4 M Coupe! Although the press release makes no mention of the coupe's North American racing future, rumors have been circulating the American Le Mans Series paddock that BMW's factory-supported PTG team is contempolating switching from the M3 to a Z4 M Coupe for one of its two GT2S-class cars part-way through the season. By the look of things, it appears safe to say that the rumor just became a fact.

Interested in adding the word 'privateer' to your resumé? That'll be € 250,000 (plus VAT). That's almost $300,000 U.S.D., yankee.

More pictures and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Geneva Motor Show: BMW unveils Z4 M Coupe racing version

Geneva Motor Show: BMW unveils Z4 M Coupe racing version originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Mar 2006 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>almsamerican le mans seriesbmwbmw m coupebmw z4bmw z4 mWed, 01 Mar 2006 14:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/595549/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/03/01/geneva-motor-show-bmw-unveils-z4-m-coupe-racing-version/595549/article-detail.xml 595549 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/03/bmw1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/03/bmw1.jpg -1 2