All posts by admin

Press Release

M Roadster Returns for 2006

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – November 7, 2005…The BMW M Roadster returns to the stable of BMW M products for the 2006 model year. This time it is based on the enhanced and widely acclaimed BMW Z4 Roadster. The Z4 Roadster receives a number of enhancements for the 2006 model year, not the least of which are the latest Valvetronic inline six cylinder engines.

The new BMW M Roadster

The car that so many enthusiasts have been asking for, the 2006 BMW M Roadster, will make its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2006, alongside the 2006 Z4 Roadster.

At the heart of the new M Roadster is BMW M’s award winning, 3.2-liter in-line six cylinder engine. In 2005, this engine was voted “Engine of the Year” by an international jury a record fifth consecutive time. With its high-speed concept, this engine works through a six-speed manual transmission to provide exhilarating performance in all speed ranges. As in the BMW M3, this 3,246 cc engine features dual overhead cams, double-VANOS variable valve timing, and six individual throttle plates. This normally aspirated engine generates more than 100 hp per liter. On the road, this means 0 – 60 in less than five seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph.

The M Roadster features the speed-sensitive variable M differential lock, already well-proven and admired in the M3. It provides outstanding stability and traction, particularly when accelerating out of bends. The M differential lock enables the enthusiast to fully experience the benefits of rear wheel drive. Under challenging conditions such as a different frictional coefficient on each side of the car, often the case in wet or slippery weather, the system contributes to a remarkable level of traction and stability.

New generation of six-cylinder engines for the Z4 Roadster

More power isn’t limited to the M Roadster. The 2006 Z4 Roadsters will feature two different 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engines. These new-generation powerplants, with the BMW engine designation N52, both feature BMW’s latest aluminum and magnesium construction and include double-VANOS variable valve timing and Valvetronic for optimal performance and fuel efficiency.

Six speeds in all models

Both 2006 Z4 Roadster models will come standard with six-speed manual transmissions. The available six-speed STEPTRONIC automatic transmission for both models offer SMG-style shift paddles behind the steering wheel to allow the driving enthusiast to be fully engaged while retaining the attributes of an automatic transmission.

Chassis and suspension designed for outstanding ride, handling and safety

The BMW Z4 Roadster was designed from the outset for maximum chassis stiffness. At 14,500 Nm/degree of static torsional stiffness, this is the stiffest bodyshell in the segment.

In addition to thrilling agility, it also means that the BMW Z4 Roadster provides class-leading occupant protection. It achieved excellent results in the demanding EuroNCAP crash test – four out of five stars, a remarkable accomplishment for an open two-seater. In the 2004 EuroNCAP crash test, the Z4 Roadster scored 15.64 points for head-on collisions and 16 points for side-on collisions both out of a possible 16, the best results ever measured on the dummies in a roadster. These results earned the Z4 Roadster the EuroNCAP “Best-in-Class” Award. With the best test results in its segment, the Z4 Roadster offers better passenger protection than many fixed-roof cars.

New Dynamic Stability Control sets the standard for active safety

For 2006, the Z4 Roadster and M Roadster benefit from the latest developments in DSC to provide the utmost in active safety. Emergency braking capability is maximized by features such as Brake Drying, which works to keep the brakes dry in wet conditions, and Brake Standby which immediately positions the brake pads nearer the discs whenever the driver lifts off the accelerator pedal quickly in anticipation of an immediate move for the brakes. Emergency braking is enhanced further by automatic Brake Fade Compensation, which helps to maximize brake pressure and stopping ability whenever the brakes get hot.

Smooth starts and stops are facilitated by the Start-Off Assistant, which holds the brakes briefly on a hill after the brake pedal is released in order to prevent the car from rolling back, and Soft Stop, which allows for smooth stops every time.
The DSC system in the M Roadster is designed to take full advantage of the capabilities of the M differential lock.

Steering to match the performance

The Z4 Roadster was the first to use BMW’s electromechanical Electric Power Steering (EPS) system. For the 2006 Z4 Roadster, Servotronic vehicle-speed-sensitive power steering will be standard along with EPS.
The M Roadster uses a hydraulic power assist system tailored to its higher performance capability.

High-performance Compound Braking System for the M Roadster

To maximize its braking capabilities, the new M Roadster uses BMW M’s floating compound high performance braking system originally conceived for the M3 CSL and included in the M3 Competition Package. With weight-saving aluminum hubs and steel cross-drilled discs, this system minimizes the risk of warping under hard use.

Design enhancements to match the performance

Both the updated Z4 Roadster and the new M Roadster continue the characteristic design language of BMW Roadsters. The modified front section incorporates new foglights and reflectors. The newly standard xenon headlights feature the four lighted rings that have quickly become a BMW design hallmark. The restyled rear taillights include BMW’s two-stage Adaptive Brake Lights.

The M Roadster distinguishes itself from the standard Z4 starting with its front air dam consisting of an X-shaped combination of lines and openings, plus the large air intake scoops. The M Roadster uses exclusive double-spoke design 18-inch alloy wheels. And last, but certainly not least, the rear of the M Roadster incorporates a horizontal diffuser and the four round tailpipes which have become a hallmark of BMW M design.

The distinctive M touches continue in the interior. As on other BMW M products, the white-on-black instruments include red indicator needles accentuated by white illumination. Also included is the engine speed band in the tachometer. As in other BMW M cars, the yellow pre-warning field and red warning field show the safe operating range of engine speed as a function of oil temperature. As the temperature of the engine oil increases, the suggested speed range increases, making it easier for the driver to know when the engine operating temperature allows full throttle usage.

Other interior elements are also upgraded for the M Roadster, including the steering wheel, gearshift knob and door sills.
New exterior colors, including three that are exclusive to BMW M, allow the new Z4 or M Roadster to be tailored to individual tastes.

Just as it is with the Z4 Roadster, all BMW M Roadsters will be built exclusively at BMW’s U.S. manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, SC. Full U.S. product information for both the 2006 Z4 Roadster and M Roadster will be available before their world debuts in January.

Courtesy of BMW NA

Information

John Works Cooper GP Kit

A great sequel to the Cooper S, or perhaps a better car altogether? Take a look at what UK based “John Cooper Works” has been doing to the Cooper S recently. It is a nice addition to the line, even though it’s existence will be limited!

It may sound like a mouthful when reading on your screen, but the title is true, and has just as much mind blowing features to go with it. Those interested in the European sport compact market should familiarize themselves with the company “John Cooper Works”, founded by life long Mini tuner John Michael Cooper. Early in 2005 John’s company produced a performance package, called the “John Works Cooper Performance Kit” which pushed the known limits of what Mini would allow as a fully warranted Mini Cooper.

The John Works Cooper Performance Kit, consisted of suspension, interior, and engine parts to enhance a factory mini making it both look, and perform better then a stock cooper S. Most of the parts required dealer instillation to maintain the factory warranty, and as a whole amounted to a mini that produced 210hp as opposed to 160 on the stock S model.

John Cooper Works GP Kit

Newly introduced during a Mini United meeting in Misano Italy, is a totally new kit from John Cooper Works called the John Cooper Works GP Kit (or GP Kit for short). The kit consists of similar parts that are found in the Works Cooper, but with a few added changes to give it more spice.

New Performance Features Include

– Power is up to 218hp (8 more then the John Cooper Works Kit)
– Torque is up to 180 ft/lbs (Power and torque increases are stated to be mostly due to intercooler modifications)
– High performance brake upgrade with red calipers
– Special edition ultra-lite 18″ alloy wheels
– Control arms are now aluminum as opposed to steel (reduces weight)
– Minor bodywork and trim modifications to reduce weight
– Removal of portions of sound insulation material
– AC is removed (is also a no charge option if desired)
– Rear seats are optional
– New aerodynamics package to reduce drag coefficient
– Standard Recaro sport seats

With the enhancements to the body, interior and other components, the Works GP Kit is actually a limited edition car, more then a “kit”. The car is said to be 88 Lbs lighter then a standard Mini Cooper S production model, which itself is no heavyweight! The car is also unmistakable coming with new ground effects, front spoiler, and lastly a new rear wing. The aerodynamic package is both for looks, and to reduce drag.

The appearance is much more aggressive then the standard S, however the rear wing is something that may not go over well with some people. One last thing that sets the Works GP apart from other Coopers, is the signature color chosen for all copies of this car. All Works GP cars will come in an exclusive grey-blue metallic, with pure silver roof paint treatments. Since this is a limited edition car, there will only be a quantity of 2,000 total units, all priced around 30,000 Euros.

Story by: Matt Wellumson
Photography provided by: BMW Media Relations

Press Release

THE 2006 BMW 7SERIES

The most successful BMW 7 Series in history is now better than ever.

Courtesy of BMW NA

Driving dynamics and sporting performance are substantially enhanced. Luxury and presence are further refined.

All-new V8 engine
Improved performance
Refinement of the outstanding chassis and suspension
Refinement in design
New equipment and features
Woodcliff Lake , NJ – January 27, 2005… The most successful 7 Series in the history of BMW will set a new standard in the luxury performance class once again as it enters the 2006 model year. A significant improvement in performance along with enhancements to the chassis and suspension reaffirm the BMW 7 Series as the driver’s car in the segment. Refinement in design, in turn, expresses the car’s enhanced driving dynamics and sportiness at very first glance while retaining the unmistakable presence that gives the BMW 7 Series its elegant and charismatic character.

BMW 750i and 750Li: Powered by an all-new VALVETRONIC V8.

The 2006 750i and 750Li will feature a new 4.8 liter VALVETRONIC V8 engine capable of 360 horsepower (SAE net) and 360 lb-ft of torque. The new models are even more responsive than their predecessors, with a 0–60 mph time of just 5.8 seconds.

BMW 760i and 760Li: Twelve-cylinder engine with a unique combination of direct fuel injection and VALVETRONIC.

Launched in 2003, the BMW 760i/Li V12 remains unchanged, with engine output of 438 horsepower (SAE net) and maximum torque of 444 lb-ft. With its combination of four-valve technology, VALVETRONIC, double-VANOS and direct fuel injection, the BMW 760i/Li remains unique in the marketplace. VALVETRONIC ensures the engine’s very high level of fuel economy under partial load. Direct fuel injection, in turn, serves to increase both torque and output.

New engines reflect BMW’s ongoing commitment to the ultimate driving experience: More power, greater efficiency, lower emissions.

Together with its ongoing model initiative, BMW’s recent engine initiative ensures that BMW will continue to deliver the ultimate driving machine.

Recent examples of this commitment include the new 3.0-liter inline-six with its composite magnesium/aluminum crankcase, and, of course, the 5.0-liter V10 high-speed power unit in the BMW M5.

In the development of new engines, BMW’s engineers carefully consider all parameters and components for their potential, at the same time questioning virtually all conventional principles. The result is innovative materials, new machining processes and optimized procedures in production. The BMW customer, in turn, receives far more powerful, lighter and cleaner engines that offer a significantly higher standard of fuel economy.

Efficient Dynamics: Overcoming conventional conflicts of interest.

Increasing engine output and torque while reducing fuel consumption, enhancing agility and nimble performance, and intensifying the experience of driving dynamics enjoyed by the customer: This is what BMW refers to as “Efficient Dynamics”, the guiding principle underlying all of BMW’s development and innovation. This applies equally to engine construction as it does to chassis development.

In a nutshell, Efficient Dynamics means consistently solving and eliminating conflicts of interest. In conventional terms, more power also means more fuel, more comfort means more weight, which again means more fuel, and so on. Particularly in the case of large luxury-performance sedans like the BMW 7 Series, solving such conflicts of interest is an especially great and demanding challenge.

BMW is able to escape this continuous loop through the use of intelligent materials and systems – for example, aluminum helps give the chassis and suspension of the 7 Series its light-footed, nimble behavior.

Chassis and suspension have been refined to improve both handling response and ride comfort.

The BMW 7 Series features an aluminum suspension which offers outstanding steering precision, exceptional agility and well-balanced driving characteristics. As a result, the chassis and suspension of the 7 Series combine superior agility and sporting performance on the one hand, with superior comfort on the other. In other words, it offers the best of both worlds.

The chassis and suspension of the 2006 BMW 7 Series has been updated and enhanced. The rear track is wider by 14 millimeters or 0.55 inches. Combined with enhanced suspension kinematics and BMW’s revolutionary Active Roll Stabilization, the 7 Series will continue to offer an unparalleled driving experience. For those seeking an even sharper edge, the Sport Package will again be offered with its unique suspension calibrations.

As a result, BMW offers the widest choice of suspension control systems in the luxury sedan segment, naturally also including enhanced brakes reflecting the higher level of power and performance.

Refinement in design: Even more sporting and dynamic, but with unmistakable presence and elegance.

The enhanced performance and dynamic qualities of the BMW 7 Series ensured by the new engines are appropriately reflected by suitable refinements in design. Apart from the new, striking powerdome in the hood, the kidney grille, headlights and front air dam have all been discreetly revised. The rear, in turn, is characterized by surfaces and body panels with even clearer contours, a new chrome trim strip, modified tail lights and the redesigned rear air dam. At the side, the more pronounced light contour in the sills emphasizes the enhanced sportiness and dynamic character of the BMW 7 Series.

In all, BMW’s luxury performance sedan preserves its powerful presence and clearly stands out on the road through its charismatic, elegant and truly unique appearance.

Inside the car, the unique feeling of luxury and peaceful tranquility has been further refined by the choice of materials and colors, with the control elements following the main lines of the instrument panel. So again, the interior of the 7 Series is now even more luxurious and sophisticated than before.

The iDrive control concept: Refined in its details, even more user-friendly.

BMW’s iDrive control concept, the ergonomically sensible combination of single-button control and display monitor introduced in 2001 and much copied since then, has now been further refined.

Optimized menu guidance in the Control Display, the upgraded presentation of menus, and direct access to the various entertainment functions – for example , one can now directly select audio source and radio frequency band – are essential elements of the updated iDrive system in the BMW 7 Series.

New features for extra safety, comfort, and individual style.

As of spring 2005, the BMW 7 Series is available with an even higher standard of series equipment and individual options for customizing the car:

All BMW 7 Series now feature BMW’s two-stage Adaptive Brakelights: Whenever the driver applies the brakes harder than usual, motorists following behind are warned by the larger brake light area.
The optional CD changer is now MP3 CD-capable.
The standard BMW Assist telematics service now includes Bluetooth hands-free phone capability.
Last but not least, the updated BMW 7 Series offers the customer a choice of four new paint colors, four new upholstery colors, as well as new 18-inch wheels on the 750i and 750Li.
The most successful BMW 7 Series ever.

Accounting for almost 160,000 units delivered to customers worldwide, the fourth-generation 7 Series is the most successful prestige luxury performance sedan in BMW’s history. Since its introduction to the world in 2001, the current 7 Series has already outsold the former model by almost 8 percent. And with customer deliveries of 57,899 units worldwide in its most successful year so far, 2003, the current BMW 7 Series outperformed its predecessor in that model’s best year (1997) by almost 14 percent.

In Germany, the BMW 7 Series became the sales leader in the luxury sedan market in 2004. Sales have shown impressive growth in Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Oceania and Africa where, compared with the former model, sales of the current 7 Series have more than doubled after 38 months in the market. Sales volumes in those regions are catching up with the markets where, by tradition, the BMW 7 Series has always had a strong position – in particular, Europe and North America.

In the United States, the success of the current 7 Series is unparalleled. In its first three years, it outsold its predecessor’s three best years by a significant seven percent.

Accounting for more than 50 percent of total sales, the BMW 745i/Li with its large V8 power unit has been the best-selling model worldwide. The long-wheelbase version, in turn, accounts for more than half of all BMW 7 Series sold.

The BMW 7 Series combines two cars in one: On one hand, it is a genuine BMW offering those typical BMW virtues such as driving pleasure, agility and nimble handling for the customer who enjoys driving. On the other hand, it is a highly prestigious luxury sedan offering generous space and comfort for the driver and passengers.

More than any other car on the market, the BMW 7 Series offers that Sheer Driving Pleasure so typical of BMW not only in the classic sense, but also in the extended sense of being driven. It is indeed this perfect combination of two worlds that the BMW customer opting for this luxury performance sedan appreciates so much, making this model the most successful 7 Series ever.

The J.D. Power & Associates 2004 APEAL Study (Most Appealing Premium Luxury Car) and the Strategic Vision Total Delight Index (Best Luxury Car, two years in a row) affirm that 7 Series owners love their cars. The 2006 BMW 7 Series will give them more to love.

New V8 engines combined with numerous other enhancements will ensure that success of the BMW 7 Series will continue with the 2006 model.

The most important facts and figures – an overview:

750i/Li replacing 745i/Li:

V8 engine with VALVETRONIC, Double-VANOS, and steplessly-variable intake system.
Engine thoroughly updated and enhanced.
Displacement: 4,799cc (745i/Li was 4,398,+9percent).
Power: 360hp at 6,300rpm (was 325at 6,100, + 11 percent).
Torque: 360 lb-ft at 3,400rpm (was 330 at 3,600, +9percent).
0–60mph in 5.8seconds (was 5.9)
Fuel economy, EPA est. MPG, city/highway: No data.
760i/Li:

V12 engine with VALVETRONIC, Double-VANOS, and direct fuel injection.
Unchanged from 2005 model.
Displacement: 5,972cc.
Power: 438hp at 6,000rpm.
Torque: 444 lb-ft at 3,950 rpm.
0–60 mph in 5.4seconds.
Fuel economy, EPA est. MPG, city/highway: 15/23
Chassis and suspension:

Revised and updated.
Three suspension variants available straight from the factory:
Standard suspension with Active Roll Stabilization
Adaptive Ride Package (standard on 760i/Li; optional on 750i/Li)
Sports suspension (included in optional Sport Package on 750i/Li)
Rear track 0.55″ wider.
Safety:

Two-stage Adaptive Brakelights are standard.
Design:

Elegant exterior with unique, unmistakable presence.
Even greater emphasis of the car’s sporting performance and dynamic qualities: Powerdome on the engine compartment lid, revised kidney grille, headlights and front air dam.
More pronounced contours at the rear with new chrome trim, new tail lights and new rear air dam.
New light contour on the side-sills.
Even more sophisticated and painted surfaces inside the car.
Control elements with similar functions combined in groups for optimum clarity and distinction.
Control, communication, entertainment:

Detailed optimization of iDrive for even greater user friendliness.
CD changer with MP3 CD-capability.
Bluetooth hands-free phone capability.