"NEWS"
This page was last updated on 10/17/00
Folding Hardtop for New 3-Series.
Bertone & Edscha have developed a retractable hard-top for the BMW cabriolet. The SLK style roof uses five hydraulically operated panels.
More Muttering’s from Munich.
With the excellent new M3 & the Awesome M5, what’s next for our intrepid hero’s at BMW’s M-Division?The X5 I here you say, but no this has already been planned using a 4.7 litre V8 rather than the M5’s 5.0 litre. So what about a small car? The 2-Series an M2? "It’s a question of priorities," says Karl-Heinz Kalbfell, BMW’s brand boss, Adolf Prommesberger head of the M-Division is more cautious. "There has been no work on the 2-Series " I’m using the name because that is what the newspapers call our new small car - & no decision on an M version. Next year we will look at it". We do know that the 2-Series will have rear wheel drive & be powered by the new Hams Hall four-cylinder engine, beyond that details are scratchy. A BMW source said that the weight must be kept under the 1000kg mark. Much of the body & running gear is made of expensive aluminium, magnesium & composites. BMW wants to emulate the 2-Series package to have the appeal of the 1600-2002 models that were such a huge success. Sources say that the 2-Series will not share any components with the 3-Series, but may use engines, gearboxes & suspension parts. Insiders reckon any M2 will be powered by an ultra-clean high-revving engine - an 8500 Rpm plus Red line was mentioned - based on the Hams Hall four pot, possibly with a magnesium block. (With extracts from Autocar 04/10/00).RS.
Z9 Convertible.
Like its predecessor, the Z9 gran turismo coupé, the Z9 convertible once again represents BMW’s design philosophy of the future.With its classic silhouette combining a long engine compartment with the short rear end, this unique convertible bears out all the dynamism of BMW design. From the front to the rear, all the car’s lines and surfaces create a feeling of excitement and tension, the highly expressive lines of the car reduced to the bare essentials exuding that characteristic BMW profile. You might well say without exaggeration that the energy of this unique car literally "flows" from front to rear. The strategy pursued in creating this design was of course to highlight and reinforce the car’s major elements, BMW design thus pointing into the future according the new philosophy of "dynamism defines design".
At very first sight the interaction of the interior and exterior colors full of contrast clearly alludes to the outstanding character of this concept car: The dark anthracite gold metallic of the body accentuates the light cream and silver-gray interior, BMW thus focusing in particular on the area of the car the customer will experience much more intensively day in and day out than its exterior: the interior forming the very "heart" or center of sheer driving pleasure. The interior design is "open" and light, following lines clearly inspired by the world of architecture.
In technical terms the Z9 convertible follows in the footsteps of its coupé
predecessor. Measuring 4,760 mm or 187.4" in length, it is slightly shorter than the
coupé, but exactly as wide with its overall width measuring 1,970 mm or 77.6".
Thanks to the open roof, the Z9 convertible measures exactly 1,280 mm or 50.4" in
height, 60 mm
or 2.4" less than the gran turismo. Wheelbase, finally, is 100 mm or 3.9"
shorter at precisely 2,950 mm or 116.1".
Unlike the Z9 gran turismo, the laminated carbon outer skin of the convertible rests on
an extra-strong frame guaranteeing superior stiffness also with an open car. Power is to
be provided by BMW’s proven 4.4-liter V8 developing maximum output of 210 kW (286
bhp) and maximum torque of 440 Nm (324 lb-ft). 285/40 tires running
on 21-inch rims at the rear convey this superior power to the road, while the front tires
measure 245/45 and run on 20-inch rims.
Extra-large sports brakes, finally, ensure optimum stopping power.
2-Series News update (13th Sept):
BMW Board Member Helmut Panke said the new small BMW car under development will be sold in the United States."It's a high-performance, luxury car in a smaller package than the 3 Series," he said. "We've got to decide by next summer where we'll build the plant for that," he added.
BMW plans to invest more than one billion marks ($445 million) in a plant for the new small car, due to arrive in 2004, officials told the German newspaper Die Welt over the weekend.
The rear-wheel drive small car, which contrary to some reports will not be called the 2 Series, is inspired by the 2002, the car that put BMW on the map in the U.S. market. BMW imported the 2002 into the U.S. market from 1968 until the end of the 1976 model year.
Production is expected to reach around 200,000 annually for the small car.
BMW's New 6 Series Reborn.
Luxury Sports Coupe to take on Mercedes CLK, on sale late '03, priced from £35,000. Cabrio version later, M3 & M5 Engines.BMW is planning a new luxury coupe combining sensational performance & handling, that will seat four adults. Intended as heir
to the 6-Series phased out in 1989. Likely to be badged as a Z6 & will be based on the next generation 5-Series platform.
M3, M5 & Diesel engines are plannedwith high-tech features including a joystick to replace much of the convetional switchgear.
2+2 Cabriolet planned for 2004, code name E63. M3 engine likely to develop 341 Bhp, 0-60 should be 5.3 secs with a top speed
of unrestricted of 180 Mph.
BMW is keen to develop its straight six as a hallmark sporting engine, with its sharp throttle response, smoothness & evocative exhaust note.
M5 engine from the Next M5, not to be confused with the latest M5 400 Bhp engine. New engine N62 likely to get 100 Bhp per litre (500 Bhp).
3.0 Litre Diesel engine is likely to feature.
Manual & Automatic transmissions. Z6 uses 5-Series underpinnings means it should have class leading ride & handling, retaining suspension
layout of MacPherson struts & a multi-link rear setup with greater use of Aluminium to reduce weight. May even incorporate carbon-fibre in its suspension.
Z6 will share new 5-Series 42 Volt electrical system & inside likely to have a central control unit, which will allow the driver to alter audio, climate, navigation & other vehicle functions, using a single joystick & LCD screen.
Properly built in Germany, but any 5-Series production line should be capable of production.
(Thanks to Autocar 16th August 2000). (Picture later in week)
Z22 Concept, Ultra Light estate, seats five, same performance as 528I, returns 47 mpg, loads of technical innovation.
Also two seater off-roader planned.
BMW’s advanced vehicle engineering & design centre has produced a radical super-light prototype jammed with futuristic technology. It is to be as short as the 3-Series, but has the wheelbase of the 7-Series. The result isn’t beautiful but is intended as a technology test bed, not a styling exercise.
To allow maximum body flexibility the engineers seperated the Z22’s aluminium chassis frame from the carbon fibre & aluminium body. The result is 50% less than a steel bodied vehicle.
Power for the Z22 is a totally new 136 Bhp 2.0 litre engine, four cylinder engine that is transversely mounted in front of the rear axle. The aluminium engine will never reach the showroom BMW says.
Chassis uses titanium springs, magnesium rims & carbon fibre suspension arms to cut the weight to half that of the current 5-Series. Carbon fibre brakes are 65% lighter than steel brakes.
Electronic steer-by-wire means there is no mechanical link between the steering wheel & front wheels, instead a sensor at the steering wheel sends signals to the electric motors that operate the steering rack.
The electronics are capable of processing information 24 times faster than the current 7-Series.
Head-up display instruments & cameras instead of mirrors & headlamps that turn to see round corners.
The first BMW to use the Z22’s technology will roll off the line in 5 years.
Technik also unveiled the secret Z18 prototype effectively an X5 4x4 drive-line under a unique two-seater plastic roadster body. BMW claims it’s the worlds first all-terrain roadster, though it could also become a pick-up or a coupe.
Thanks to Autocar (9th August 2000).
| Jeepers! This weird and wonderful creation
has emerged from the studios of none other than BMW. The normally restrained manufacturer
has shown a wild streak by unleashing this open-top 4x4, as well as an advanced-technology
test bed model. Grabbing all
the attention is the 'off-roadster', a cross between an X5 and Jeep beach buggy. Proving
that now and again BMW's top brass let their designers off the leash, the Z18 has been
holed up in total secrecy. But to mark 15 years of tuning arm BMW Technik GmbH, the firm
has chosen to bring it out into the public eye for the first time. |
BMW TO EXTEND X-RANGE PROTOTYPES
BMW is planning a massive assault on the 4x4 market now that it has parted company with Land Rover. A new generation of X-vehicles is being drawn up behind closed doors. Leading the charge off-road is an affordable Series-sized contender due in 2004, to be followed one year later by a luxurious Series-scale Range Rover rival.
BMW's chairman Joachim Milberg said: "A credible differentiation between the products offered by Land Rover and the X5 would have become increasingly difficult. To this extent, the withdrawal from Land Rover offers an opportunity for us to exploit the growing SAV (Sport Activity Vehicle) segment." Currently, the projects are at an early stage, with design proposals being submitted by BMW’s Design Works centre in California and the Munich HQ styling studio. For both the X3 and X7, the company will evolve the X5's sophisticated monocoque platform to suit. This promises to deliver outstanding results.
Both, the X3 and X7, will feature unique bodywork and interiors compared with their saloon counterparts. For the X3, there will be a choice of four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, just as there is with the saloon, according to BMW. Permanent four-wheel drive, featuring the sophisticated electronic systems ASC+T and DSC 3 to optimise its off-road ability, will be standard, together with independent suspension for accomplished on-road dynamics. Prices will fall within the 60,000 - 80,000 Mark region.
Ironically, the X7 will feature much technology from the next-generation Range Rover, which will see through its development under BMW – part of the agreement with Ford. Compared to the Range Rover, however, the X7 will favour on-road driving rather than mud-plugging, although adjustable air suspension should see it deliver the most adept off-road performance of all the X cars. Both V8 and V12 petrol engines, plus the new V8 super-diesel, will be offered. The price, however, is likely to start at around 150,000 Marks.
Apart from this, BMW’s own sports division, the M GmbH, and the well-known Bavarian tuner of BMW cars, Alpina, are currently both developing hot versions of the X5. Caught while testing on the Nürburgring circuit in Germany, these are the first sights of the M-Sport tuned version of BMW’s new X5, due in showrooms by late next year, and the X5 Alpina, due around the same time. This means they will be available in time to steal the thunder from Porsche's new SUV and the AMG-tuned Mercedes M-Class. To create the ultimate 4x4, BMW has looked no further than its existing model range, with power supplied by the awesome 400 bhp V8 engine currently used by the M5 saloon. This will instantly make the X5-M the world's most powerful off-road vehicle – at least until the Porsche SUV raises the stakes in 2002. The finished version of the X5-M looks nearly the same as the outrageous X5 V12 Le Mans concept car unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in February. At the front, the most obvious difference is a huge bonnet scoop which directs cool air over the engine and helps to provide additional downforce at speed. If this isn't enough to make other road users move out of the way, then the deep front air-dam, wing and sill extensions, and rear spoiler should. The oval-shaped door and interior mirrors replace the standard car's rectangular items, and the wheels will be 20-inch M-Sport alloys on production cars. The interior of the X5-M will be altered to give greater sporting emphasis, too. The regular car's luxurious theme will be replaced by aluminium and silver-painted trim – again borrowed from the Le Mans concept model – but with special sport seats rather than the show version's impractical racing 'buckets'.
Not quite as radical will be the Alpina X5 which comes with a less sculpted bonnet, a less radically shaped front bumper, standard mirrors and thinner sills. However, under the bonnet will be the Alpina V8 engine, delivering at least 347 HP an a maximum torque of around 480 Nm. That should make the heavy X5 (even with automatic) reach a 100 km/h in less than seven seconds.
BMW Range Rover unleashed.
Prototype vesions of BMW's new X7 (4x4) are currently being tested. The £100,000 Range Rover rival will be on sale early 2004. Using lengthened X5 platform, luxury 7 seater, range of V8 or V12 & diesel engines, these include; 450 Bhp 6 litre V12, 300 Bhp 4.4 litre V8, & 245 Bhp V8 common rail diesel.
Chassis to be more technology advanced than current 7-Series, Beefed up suspension, self leveling air system.
Small 3-Series Hatch?
BMW’s New Sub-3-Series hatch looks set to have rear wheel drive when it is launched in 2004, maintaining a long BMW tradition & making the new car unique in its class.
BMW is still considering a range of concepts for the new small car, which has yet to be named. But Munich insiders say it will be very hard to create a front wheel drive car that feels like a BMW.
The firms engineers are said to have found a way to engineer a small rear wheel drive platform that allows the new car to match its front wheel drive rivals for interior space.
BMW has announced that it will build another factory to cope with the extra output generated by the new car. Production will start at the Regensburg factory in Germany in 2004, which currently builds all variants of the 3-Series. Either car could switch to the new plant, due for completion the same year.
BMW refuses to comment, on likely locations for the new plant but it is almost certain to be in Europe.
Engines will be supplied from BMW’s new Hams Hall plant near Birmingham, which specialises in longitudinal fours for BMW’s existing rear wheel drive cars. Courtesy of Autocar 19th July 2000.
New Small BMW.
MUNICH, July 13 (Reuters) - German luxury auto maker BMW said on
Thursday it planned to begin production of its new compact car at its plant in Regensburg
in southern Germany but would also build a new plant to provide extra capacity. A decision
on the location of the new plant and which models it
would produce would be made by the middle of next year, the company said in a statement. A
spokesman said there was still no decision on where the compact model would be produced
after the start-up phase.
BMW said development work on the new model, which is intended to occupy the upper end of
the segment also occupied by the VW Golf, was proceeding well with a number of concepts
being examined. The new model is expected to be launched in 2004. The Regensburg plant,
which houses production of the BMW 3 series,
is currently running at full capacity and the new plant will be needed to handle extra
production, a spokesman said. He said the company was currently considering sites in the
European Union and eastern Europe.
Copyright © 2000 Reuters Limited
Mille Miglia Victory
A 1937 BMW 328 OMille Miglia' has won the historic Mille Miglia re-run on the 60th anniversary of BMW's only victory on the classic event. Driven by Italian duo Giuliano Cané and Lucia Galliani, the historic BMW trounced the opposition, finishing well ahead of the second and third placed Mercedes and Aston Martin. Cané is an experienced Mille Miglia campaigner, winning in a BMW 507 in 1992, and in the 328MM in 1995 and 1996, though he has promised not to compete next year to Ogive my rivals a break'. Over 370 historic cars competed in the event, with factory support from BMW and several cars being entered by the Munich firm's historic arm, Mobile Tradition. One of these was driven by BMW engine designer, Paul Roche, who was partnered by ex-BMW race ace Prince Leopold von Bayern.
New Z3
Chassis from E46 3-Series, Out in 2002, Built in North Carolina, Four & Six cylinder engines, All Steel body, Varible Valve Timing, 3.0 Litre engine planned, M Roadster with 3.2 Litre as in new M3 E46, Six speed manual & Automatic Gearboxes available.
BMW have given the green light to the creation of an all new 2-Series, positioned between the new Mini & the 3-Series Compact (Now axed). The new model will be a sharply focused sporting small car that looks to the classic 2002, the 60's model that made BMW's reputation as a builder of class-leading drivers cars.
The decision makers at BMW must now determine if the new car, likely to be a 3 & 5 door hatch, & possibly a coupe, is is to be driven by the front or rear wheels. This has properly already been decided, although BMW denied it at last weeks tense Munich press conference annoucncing the departure of Rover & the sale of Land Rover. "It's all up in the air - it's far too early to be talking detail," one source told us. However, we have learned that the idea for a 2-Series took hold in January, when the BMW board gave chairman Professor Joachim Milberg just 2 months to stem the Rover losses. Milberg knew that it meant either selling off Rover or closing it down. Either way, BMW needed a new small car, wearing BMW badges, & positoned above the Mini & below the 3-Series Compact. The only option was to build the 2-Series BMW as a sister car to the R30, the jointly developed small Rover/BMW due out in 2002.
Possibly powered by 3 different engines. The 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder direct injection. New engine is still under construction, that may use new technology including a carbon-fibre magnesium block that permits very high revs & strong Bhp. Rumours sugest the 2.2 six makes 240 Bhp & close to 180ib ft torque.
Possiblility of using all alloy body to keep the weight down, with a target weight of under 1000kg & under 4000mm-long with Z-Axle rear suspensionused on the Z1.
Thanks to Autocar for the Article.
Compact Axed New Z2?
15/3/2000 - BMW has been thrown into turmoil after company bosses ordered that the next
generation 3-Series Compact must be ditched and replaced by a small sports car, labelled
the Z2. According to insiders at the German firm, managers at the highest level are
unhappy about the costs and performance of the new Compact.
The car was due to be launched early next year, but the top brass have called for
feasibility studies on making a smaller, sportier car to rival the forthcoming Mercedes
SLA. The death knell sounded for the next Compact after BMW's management board drove the
new model during winter testing shortly before Christmas. With the car only months away
from launch, no problems had been anticipated, but insiders claim the board was far from
impressed, and immediately ordered a rethink.
The main problem was with the manner in which the car drives. Based on the chassis of the current 3-Series, it was certainly refined, but not considered sufficiently sporty to attract younger buyers. Larger bodywork also meant the new Compact was 150kg heavier than the current car, blunting the entry-level 1.8-litre engine's already weak performance.
Further evidence was added to the argument against the Compact when the accountants calculated what it would cost to build. Despite similar appearances, the car actually shares few body components with the 3-Series, making it nearly as expensive to produce as a saloon. Customers, though, rightly expect the showroom price of a Compact to be lower, and this would squeeze BMW's profit margins to unacceptably small margins. Crisis meetings have since come up with an alternative, which promises far more excitement - both to look at and drive - and will allow the company to recoup its investment in the long term, even allowing for the horrendous losses which would result from scrapping the Compact so late in its development cycle.
The project - dubbed E46/5-S within BMW - is set to become the Z2 and will be ready to launch in the autumn of 2002. To reduce costs, it uses the platform and engines of the axed Compact, which fixes the wheelbase, engine mounting points and windscreen position. In spite of this, a team led by the Z9 concept's designer, Chris Bangle, has succeeded in making the Z2 look stunning, either as a practical 2+2 coupé or a two-seat roadster.
The chassis will be tuned to give sporty responses, in an attempt to counter criticism that BMW has become too staid, and attract younger buyers back to the fold. In another cost-conscious move, engines were taken off the shelf, but still promise lots of performance potential. The cheaper models will be powered by the new generation of four-cylinder motors built in the UK and shared with Rover. A 2.3-litre unit from the facelifted 3-Series will also be offered, and a 2.0-litre turbodiesel will be sold in some markets, but not the UK. Later in the car's life, BMW's M-Sport division will get its hands on it, and the result is sure to worry even Porsche - a 2.2 four-cylinder engine is planned, giving 240bhp.
Producing the Z2 would also allow BMW to edge downmarket without damaging its carefully fostered image or treading on the toes of its Rover and MG subsidiary in the UK. These were among the reasons why a front-wheel-drive 2-Series BMW never made it to the showrooms.
Le Mans X5
4x4, 700 Bhp, V12 Powered by derestricted Le Mans race engine. 0-60 Mph in 4.7 Top Speed 173 Mph. £600k Yes £600,000. Intensive Cosmetics. 20" Alloys. Bucket Seats.
New Light-weight M3 planned.
A light-weight raw new M3 is planned. It will have racing seats, harder suspension, bigger wheels, and will have been stripped out to give a more "drivers" M3. As a lot of ciritics complained about the outgoing M3 as "too soft". It is unknown which formats the car will be in but it will be more appealling to drivers of track days.
Adaptive Driver Response: "And you thought Speed Camera's were bad news";
Drivers might be suddenly stopped from speeding by an automatic Satellite system. The new device costing a couple of hundred pounds per vehicle, could be controlled by Satellite remotely. If you exceed the speed limit on "ANY" road the fuel could be cut by Satellite, until your speed reaches the pre-designed level. Trails are now taking place to test this new system which in less than 10 years could be fitted to all our cars, thus enabling no further use of the speeding ticket & points.
Whilst I fail to see the "real" benefit of this "castration" of the motorist, surely the money would be better spent on driver education.
Remember, big brother is watching you.
M1 ?
- It's sleek, sexy and It'll be here by the year 2002, if they get the green light from BMW's top brass. If it goes into production, It'll be the 2nd mid-engined BMW car, the first being the famous M1 built 20 years ago. Engine-wise, the new supercar might be using a high-tech in-line 6 engine, following in the tradition of the M1. The 6, being lighter than a V8 or a V12 allows the car to be lighter and more nimble. Low weight is a key factor in this car. Target weight is 1'000Kg, thats less even than McLaren's F1 roadcar. The M1 was desidned by famous italian designer, Giorgetto Guigiaro, the new car will be a complete in-house effort. All BMW studios have been asked to submit proposals. According to reports, the new engine 'sqeezes' out 375hp from a mere 3.6 litres. Bearing in mind that it is a normally aspirated in-line 6 engine, this is a very high output. Tech delights include direct injection and ignition, BMW's patented VANOS tecnology....etc. Performance wise, the new car [yet to be named], will at least equal, if not exceed it's famous predecessor. Also, it is said that if it gets the green light for production, only 1'000 units of this car will be built.
BMW's new mid-engined exotic!
Z8 really a Cobra? Apparently in the new James Bond Film "The World is not Enough" the Genuine Z8's weren't ready in time, so Glass fibre copies were made with 5.7 Chevy engines & Jaguar running gear were used, including fake rear discs (as Jaguars have in-board discs). BMW provided the lights, grilles, wheels, chrome, badging & Technical guidance, so not even the hardened film fan will notice. Genuine Z8 used for the press & close up shots later during filming. Even more unbelievable is the fact that remote quarter scale cars were used & you can't tell when. Maybe they should have called the film "One Z8 is not Enough".
The new BMW 6-series
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Concept 6 Series Coupe.
This page was last updated on 10/17/00