Month: May 2011

Categories
Accessories & Tech BMW

Pimp my dash display

BMW LCD dash display

Autoblog brings word that BMW is the latest manufacturer to turn to LCD technology for its dash display. The benefits of such technology allow users to customise what they see, rather than being locked into a standard gauge layout.

Mercedes-Benz is already using an LCD system in its S Class and Jaguar/Land Rover have introduced LCD displays to their higher end models as well.

Adding extra navigation information to the main display, or making the rev counter more prominent; these are just a couple of examples of what can be done.

It’s understood BMW will first employ the LCD tech in their updated 5 Series and 7 Series models over the next couple of years. The trickle down effect means we’ll be seeing more of these displays in future and it will be interesting to see just how far manufacturers push this technology. There’s almost limitless potential.

[Source: Autoblog]

Categories
Audi WEC

Allan McNish on the Le Mans 24 hour race

Audi and two-time Le Mans winner Allan McNish have prepared this excellent short film about the rigours of racing in the world’s most famous 24 hour race.

The promo will premiere on television screens this weekend during the final of the UEFA Champions League at Wembley.

It’s damn good, too, and the team at UK ad agency BBH should be very proud. Watch the clip above and then read more in Audi’s official presser after the break.

Continue reading “Allan McNish on the Le Mans 24 hour race”
Categories
BMW

One, two, BMW

BMW 135i Coupe

Continuing our current run of BMW stories is the latest rumour suggesting the next-gen 1 Series Coupé and Convertible (F22 and F23) will be re-badged as a 2 Series.

It makes sense in some respects, especially with a front-wheel drive 1 Series on the way. The introduction of a 2 Series will allow BMW to position those models slightly higher than the 1 Series and, of course, set prices accordingly.

So, will we see the coupé and convertible badged as the Z2, or will BMW stick with current nomenclature and run with 235i and so on?

[Source: BimmerFile]

Categories
BMW

BMW 1 Series M Coupé refresher

BMW 1M Coupe

Now that the BMW 1M Coupé is just weeks away from hitting Australian roads we thought it might be a nice idea to remind you of the key 1M-related content that has previously appeared on AUSmotive.

BMW 1M Coupé – Australian dealer bulletin
Includes a preview of the car’s local specifications.

BMW Australia confirms 1M Coupé pricing
Includes Australian pricing and first local press release.

OFFICIAL: BMW 1 Series M Coupé
The first round of photos and press material from AMW AG; includes access to over 75 2000px images and links to download BMW’s full press kit and specs.

For those who still want more 1M content, head on over to M-Power.com and read the Q&A interview with BMW M engineer Juergen Schwenker.

Categories
BMW

BMW 1M Coupé fever about to hit Australia

BMW 1M Coupe

Good news for local fans of the BMW 1 Series M Coupé with confirmation the first few customer cars have arrived in the country. Deliveries should commence in the next couple of weeks.

Limited production and build spots mean the ongoing delivery of the 100 or so models coming to Australia will be more of a trickle, rather than an avalanche. That said, it’s great to see the 1M finally on local soil.

The bad news is, after this initial run of 1M models has been delivered, that’s it. There will be no more. At least, with production of the 1M ending in December, it’s unlikely the Australian market will be able to secure any more cars due to high overseas demand.

There is growing speculation that BMW might make a 1M convertible, but it remains to be seen if that does go ahead, and if so, whether BMW Australia could get their hands on some.

[Thanks to John for the pics]

Continue reading “BMW 1M Coupé fever about to hit Australia”
Categories
BMW

Lightweight BMW M3 EVO continues testing

BMW M3 EVO prototype

The lightweight BMW M3 “EVO” is less than a month from its official launch, so it’s no surprise to see a development mule being sent to the Nürburgring finishing school to undergo last minute testing.

Understood to fill the hitherto unknown gap between the regular M3 and the limited-run M3 GTS, the EVO is expected to use a variant of the 4.0 litre S65 V8 with power likely to sit—you guessed it—somewhere in between 309kW of the M3 and 331kW of the 4.4 litre GTS.

We’ll have all the official details of M3 EVO and its CFRP body panels, lightweight interior bits and more some time on 23 June 23, or perhaps a shortly after, allowing for time differences.

[Source: M3Post]

Categories
McLaren

McLaren MP4-12C goes off chasing Ring record

McLaren MP4-12C

Word on the street, via Bridge to Gantry, says the McLaren MP4-12C had a bit of an off at the end of an industry pool testing day last week. Apparently the 12C went out at the end of the session, with the track to itself and a TV crew in chopper chasing overhead, indicating a possible lap record attempt.

The feisty Mac had almost completed its lap when it went past the tourist entry gates at full noise on the Döttinger Höhe straight. Moments later, however, tyre screeches were heard and some nasty impact sounds were also reported.

Soon after, a covered recovery truck was seen on track, presumably to collect the wreckage. Unsurprisingly McLaren has yet to confirm the incident and it’s not clear how badly damaged the car was, or if the driver sustained any injuries, but we hope all is okay and the Mac is back on track soon.

[Source: Bridge to Gantry]

Categories
Lamborghini

Lamborghini Aventador aims for Melbourne

Lamborghini Aventador

Good news for Lambo fans with word coming through form the Australian International Motor Show confirming the Aventador LP700-4 will be on display in Melbourne later this year.

Andrew Smith, managing director of Lamborghini Melbourne, has recently driven the car and is naturally singing its praises, “The Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 is two generations ahead in terms of design and technology.

“Its performance is simply astonishing and is unrivalled in the super sports car arena.

“The Aventador looks amazing in photographs, but this is nothing to seeing it in person. I’m sure the visitors to the Australian International Motor Show are going to love it.”

So there you have it. The motor show opens in Melbourne at 6pm on Friday 1 July and runs until Sunday 10 July.

Continue reading “Lamborghini Aventador aims for Melbourne”
Categories
BMW

Is BMW considering new “M-One” supercar?

BMW Z5 rendering

The illustration above is not an official rendering from BMW, rather a concept dreamed up by a coupe of talented Turkish designers named İsmet Çevik and Fatih Tezel. Their work was seen on Carscoop in January and at the time it was little more than fantasy. Now, it seems, the young Turks were actually onto something.

Word from regular forum poster and BMW insider Scott27 suggests BMW are indeed considering a new supercar to compete with the Audi R8, Ferrari 458 Italia, McLaren MP4-12C and their ilk. Internally known as the “M-One” the new creation would be built on a unique chassis.

The M-One is currently at sketch stage only, so technical details and visual styling cues remain up in the air. However, it would make sense if BMW referenced the M1 Hommage.

Assuming the project is approved beyond its current stage, we should expect to see the M-One in 2015.

[Source: German Car Forum & BimmerPost]

Categories
Aston Martin

Aston V12 Zagato: The Rapture in full voice

As we know the gorgeous and curvaceous Aston Martin V12 Zagato was given its first public showing at the Villa D’Este Concours last weekend. Prominent YouTuber Marchettino was on hand to capture some of the action. Here, we can see and hear The Rapture in full voice. The end of the world has actually happened; don’t believe the nay sayers. The V12 has summoned the final judgement and we are now living in a new parallel universe where horsepower is king. Long live the king!

[Source: YouTube]

Categories
F1 in pictures Formula 1 Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2011 Spanish Grand Prix in pictures

2011 Spanish Grand Prix

Despite being teased by our own Mark Webber when he scored pole position, the Spanish GP ended up being yet another Sebastian Vettel victory. That’s four from five races for the 2010 champ and history suggests that impressive start is already enough to put Vettel at almost unbackable odds to make it a second world crown.

As usual there’s some great pics from the latest race and there’s a couple of shots where you can see how dramatic the marbles are with the new Pirelli tyres.

We’re already in another Grand Prix week with the classic Monaco GP just a few days away. Can Mark match his unstoppable performance from 2010, or is he fast becoming a broken man with shattered confidence?

Continue reading “2011 Spanish Grand Prix in pictures”
Categories
Formula 1 Renault

Robert Kubica likely to miss entire F1 season

Robert Kubica

When we last spoke about Robert Kubica we had the positive news that he had been released from hospital and his recovery was going well. That said, it’s probably no surprise to learn Kubica is not expected to race in Formula One this year.

Speaking to Spanish media at last weekend’s Grand Prix, Gerard Lopez, Renault F1 chief, said, “We will probably manage for (Kubica) to do a Friday session at some point in the year but for sure his return this season will not be possible.”

Lopez continued by suggesting Kubica’s future return to F1 is no certainty, “Robert has survived an impressive accident and now he has to do the hardest thing, to recover fully, which is something that nobody knows whether he will succeed. Not him, nor the doctors, nor us.”

Whatever the case may be, we wish Kubica the best for his recovery and hope to see him in a Formula One car as soon as possible.

[Source: Reuters UK | Pic: Lotus Renault GP/LAT]