| MasterCard win a BMW
MasterCard debit and credit card holders have the chance to win a BMW by making purchases with cards in Egypt. Cardholders are automatically entered into a draw for two BMW 1 Series cars every time they make a purchase with cards. The promotion runs until 28 February 2007. .
BMW Group hopes to meet sales target
The BMW Group has delivered 1,244,775 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand automobiles worldwide up to the end of November this year, it was announced yesterday. Compared with the corresponding period last year this is an increase of 33,654 vehicles, or 2.8%. In November, the BMW Group sold 114,321 automobiles, which marks a rise of 0.3% compared with the same month last year. "This year, in spite of the model changes for the MINI, BMW X5 and BMW 3 Series Coupé, we have set the ambitious goal to achieve a new sales record again," said Dr Michael Ganal, member of the board of management of BMW AG responsible for sales and marketing. "We will meet this goal and thus remain the world's leading supplier of premium automobiles," he explained while observing that the models directly affected by the changes represent almost a third of the total sales of the BMW Group.
IL Exclusive: 2008 BMW 7 Series Will Be Smaller, Sportier and
MUNICH ” The current BMW 7 Series is a sales success, especially in North America and Asia, but its controversial looks have been a downer for the luxury brand. Not surprisingly, the appearance of the flagship will be changed with the next-generation model as insider sources tell Inside Line the next 7 Series, coming in late 2008, will be less radical-looking, smaller and sportier. The next 7 Series is in the works now, under code name "F01" for the standard 7 and "F02" for the long-wheelbase version, which will reportedly be about 5.5 inches longer. Major changes are to the rear end, which will have wraparound lights and a more sculptured look. From the side, there will be three creases rather than the current two, and door handles are positioned lower. The shift lever will be moved to a more traditional location on the transmission tunnel.
.jpg)
ICA Warns of BMW Damage Issues
CHICAGO -- As has been previously reported by the International Carwash Association (ICA), the front axle control arm on the 2006-2007 BMW 5 Series all-wheel drive vehicles can interfere with the inside guide rail on some carwash conveyors. The ground clearance of these BMW 4WD SUV's is 4 3/8 inches, which is 1 inch less than the 2 WD models. However, the inside rail height of some conveyor systems is more than 4 3/8 inches and can be as much as 5 inches. Thus far, only some Flapan/3G conveyors have been reported as impacted by these specifications. The resultant interference of the aluminum front control arm and the steel guide rail causes significant wear on the control arm and could result in a control arm failure. The replacement cost of the control arm is approximately $600 at a BMW dealership.
Behind the Scenes with Seth Thomas
Behind the Scenes with Seth Thomas While most people are enjoying the holidays, BimmerWorld driver, Seth Thomas, is ready for the 2007 racing season to begin. Thomas hopes to win his first driver's title in the Speed World Challenge Touring Series in his BimmerWorld BMW E90 325i. In 2006, BimmerWorld was the only team to run the new E90 chassis and they spent a great deal of time testing and developing the car. Although they encountered many gremlins along the way, Thomas finished 12th overall in driver's points in his #38 BimmerWorld Performance Friction BMW 325i. Thomas is a natural on the track and he certainly has what it takes to help BMW reclaim the manufacturer's title. While competitive, his laid back personality and great sense of humor makes him popular in the paddock. I stopped by Seth's home town of Cumming, GA to learn more about this young energetic driver.
The Z4 goes bi: Hartge Biturbo Z30
BMW tuner Hartge is no stranger to building fast BMWs. Stuffing the 5.0-liter V10 into a 3-series, and a 4.4-liter V8 into a 1-Series are just a couple of their recent feats of magic. The latest transformation is the H30 Biturbo, taking the twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight six from the 335i and filling the bonnet of a Z3 with boost. Producing 380 horsepower and 332 ft/lbs of torque, the modified motor will get you to 62 miles per hour (100 KMH) in a scant 4.8 seconds on your way to a top speed of 177 miles per hour.More info and pics after the jump. [Source: AutoMotorundSport] Braking comes from 4-piston calipers gripping 380mm front rotors with 324mm rotors in the rear. The 20-inch wheel and tire combination featuring 245/30ZR20 front and 295/25ZR20 rubber in the rear also allows the H30 Biturbo to take full advantage of the chassis.
SPEED To Air Highlights Of Inaugural MOTO-ST Daytona 8-Hour
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. “ Fans and competitors of the newly-formed SunTrust MOTO-ST Series, which kicked off this past October with the 8 Hours At Daytona, will get a special look at the twin-cylinder motorcycle racing series on December 17 at 3 p.m. ET, when SPEED airs a one-hour race highlight package from the series' inaugural event. The race, which ran on October 21 at the “World Center of Racing," was won overall by the Super Sport Twins class No. 46 San Jose BMW R1200 of Brian Parriott, Stephane Mertens and Nate Kern, which outlasted the No. 18 M4 EMGO Suzuki SV1000S trio of Michael Barnes, Chris Ulrich and Geoff May. The show was filmed and produced by Chet Burks Productions in concert with SPEED. “SPEED has done a great job producing races in the Grand American Rolex Series and KONI Challenge Series for years now, and we were thrilled to have the network capture this historic motorcycle event," said Grand American Road Racing Association President Roger Edmondson.
BMW Convertible - official
The new 3 Series Convertible has innovations, unique technologies and powerful yet low emission engines, and BMW claims it will offer unparalleled levels of performance and refinement. Clearly a 3 Series, the Convertible is differentiated in design at the front, back and side from the Saloon and Touring variants with its visually elongated lines and wide stance. The new Convertible also features the first electronically-operated folding hard-top roof offered by BMW and is the world's first car to be offered with SunReflective seat cooling leather. Under the skin, it will be powered by two efficient yet powerful engines at launch. The 162 kW 325i does 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds and has a top speed of 152 km/h, while the 228 kW twin turbo 335i rockets to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds, and runs up against the electronic limiter at 250 km/h.
According To Taste
This is a bit of an odd one. I can see why Volvo would want to investigate the sports coupé/hatch market, but it's putting itself up against formidable opposition from Audi (with the A3) and BMW (with the 1-Series). Whatever the merits of those cars - and I must admit I haven't yet driven a 1-Series that impresses me - there is no shortage of younger drivers who aspires to the brands in question. I find it hard to believe that quite so many Bright Young Things are counting the days until they can afford to buy a Volvo, and if I'm right about that it surely follows that the C30 would have to be very different from anything else the company produces in order to entice the smart set into the showrooms. It certainly looks different. There are familiar Volvo touches, most of them at the front end, but the basic profile and the treatment at the rear bear little resemblance to anything else in the current range (though the tail harks back to the 1800 ES and the later 480).
Thunder Arabia race set
THE fourth round of the National Race Championship will be held today and tomorrow at the Bahrain International Circuit. Action starts at 8am and finishes around 4pm on both days. The only race on the first day will be the ninth round of the Thunder Arabia series while qualifying rounds in the Bapco Caterham Challenge, Formula BMW and Mini Cooper's will be the added attraction. The final two rounds of the Thunder Arabia series will be held tomorrow along with . seventh and eighth rounds of the Formula BMW and the fifth and sixth rounds of the Bapco Caterham Challenge and the Mini Cooper's. Meanwhile, more than 60 cars from Bahrain and the other Gulf regions will take part in the final round of test and tune tonight from 5pm to 11pm. The event is being organised by the Bahrain Drag Racing Club (BDRC) ahead of next week's third round of the Chevrolet National Drag Racing Championship.
BMW 8-Series Specifications |
|
| |
| 1997 BMW 8-Series Performance & Efficiency Standard Features |
-5,379 cc 5.4 liters 12 V 60? front longitudinal engine with 85 mm bore, 79 mm stroke, 10 compression ratio, light alloy block, light alloy head, overhead cam, automatic valve adjustment and two valves per cylinder
-Premium unleaded fuel
-Fuel economy EPA highway (l/100km): 11.8
-Multi-point injection fuel system
-Main 90 liter fuel tank
-Power: 240 kW , 322 HP @ 5,000 rpm; 361 ft lb @ 3,900 rpm
|
| 1997 BMW 8-Series Handling, Ride & Braking Standard Features |
-ABS
-2.81:1 axle ratio
-Four disc brakes including two ventilated discs
-Electronic traction control via engine management
-Immobilizer
-Driver selectable responsive suspension
-Fullsize alloy rim internal spare wheel
-Strut front suspension with stabilizer bar independent with coil springs , multi-link rear suspension with stabilizer bar independent with coil springs
|
| 1997 BMW 8-Series Exterior & Aerodynamics Standard Features |
-Body color narrow body side molding
-Front and rear body color impact absorbing bumpers
-Chrome/bright trim
-Coefficient of drag: 0.29
-Driver and passenger power heated body color door mirrors
-External dimensions: overall length (mm): 4,780, overall width (mm): 1,854, overall height (mm): 1,341, wheelbase (mm): 2,685, front track (mm): 1,554, rear track (mm): 1,562 and curb to curb turning circle (mm): 11,491
-Front fog lights
-High pressure headlight cleaners
-Projector beam lens halogen bulb twin concealed headlights
-Heated door locks or key
-Luxury trim leather on gearknob
-Gloss multi-coat paint , metallic multi-coat paint , black multi-coat paint
-Fixed rear window
-Front body color lip spoiler
-Front steel electric tilting sliding sunroof with one-touch opening
-Tinted glass
-Weights: gross vehicle weight rating (kg) 2,300, curb weight (kg) 1,945, gross trailer weight braked (kg) 0 and gross trailer weight unbraked (kg) 0
-Two-speed windshield wipers with W/S wiper mist setting and variable intermittent wipe
|
| 1997 BMW 8-Series Interior Standard Features |
-CFC free liquid air conditioning with climate control
-Diversity antenna
-Remote control anti-theft protection
-Front and rear illuminated ashtray
-Audio anti-theft protection: code
-Stereo manufacturer's own audio system with AM/FM
-Cargo area light
-Cargo capacity: rear seat up; to lower window (liters): 266, rear seat down; to lower window (liters): 0, rear seat down (liters): 0, all seats in place (liters): 266 and all seats removed (liters): 0
-Hands-free fully mobile cellular phone with steering wheel mounted phone controls
-Front seats and rear seats illuminated cigar lighter
-Digital clock
-Ten functions computer with average speed, average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption, range for remaining fuel and stop watch
-Dashboard full console , floor full console with covered storage box
-Delayed/fade courtesy lights with two switches in footwell
-Steering wheel mounted cruise control
-Door ajar warning
-Door pockets/bins for driver seat and passenger seat
-External temperature digital display
-Floor covering: carpet in passenger compartment and carpet in load area
-Carpet floor mats
-Driver and passenger front airbag
-Bucket seat
-3-point reel height adjustable front seat belts on driver seat and passenger seat with pre-tensioners
-Lockable illuminated glove compartment with lid
-Height adjustable electric adjustable head restraints on front seats
-Heated washer
-Internal dimensions: front headroom (mm): 912, rear headroom (mm): 881, front leg room (mm): 1,118, rear leg room (mm): 658, front shoulder room (mm): 1,453, rear shoulder room (mm): 1,405 and interior volume (liters): 2,299
-Low fuel level warning
-Low washer fluid level warning
-Memorized adjustment with three settings on door mirror position and steering wheel position with three driver's seat positions
-Remote power locks includes trunk/hatch, includes fuel filler door and includes dead bolt
-Vehicle speed proportional power steering
-Front power windows with door mounted switches, safety operation and two one-touch , rear power windows with door mounted switches and safety operation
-Front and rear reading lights
-3-point reel rear seat belts on driver side and passenger side
-Folding rear seat center armrest with ski bag
-Bucket symmetrical two rear seats
-Automatic operation rear view mirror
-Leather seat upholstery with additional leather
-Seating: four seats
-Service interval indicator
-Twelve speakers
-Leather covered steering wheel
-Tachometer
-Driver and passenger illuminated vanity mirror
-Ventilation system with digital controls, push button heater controls, variable fan speeds, recirculation setting and micro filter
|
|
|
