Road Tripper

 

Currency Motor Cars, a California-based tuning specialist, prides itself on launching the first production of the $350,000 2006 BMW M5 that’s fitted with a high compression turbocharged V10 engine, a four-valve cylinder and a custom inter-cooler system. It rolls out 810 horsepower with a maximum running acceleration of 240 mph along with its Asanti three-piece forged wheels and rims and 14-inch rotor brakes. This flagship model is now dubbed as the fastest and most powerful four-door luxury sedan tops.

Brent Harvey, Current Motor Cars spokesman boasts that the production is a “Super Sleeper”. The company which was founded by Ron Cash will unfortunately build limited editions of this model – only 10 units this year.

The engine bay consists of a handcrafted intercooled system which is linked to a seven-speed transmission and speeds off from zero to 60 mph in a mere 3.6 seconds. This is actually the first offering from the new design company. According to the company, it will tune vehicles from Rolls-Royce to Corvettes. “We decided to do the M5 first because it was considered impossible to do,” Harvey reiterated. Its chassis and suspension includes Koni struts and dampers with H&R Coilover springs lowered by 1.5 inches.

It is the only car of its kind in the world. The uniqueness adds to that certain appeal which would be totally engaging to most BMW clients and customers. “It looks like a beautiful BMW”, Harvey enthused. “You’d never know what it was unless you looked under the rear carriage or opened the door and saw the $100,000 interior.”

The sedan has some stunning modifications in its BMW parts including the interior cabin which is encased in an elegant black hue. The tailored interior is all carefully crafted and hand-stitched. It is designed and installed by Judy Amic-Angelo (a prominent product designer).

The leather in the armrests, steering wheel and dashboard is the same leather stitched in the seats. The headrest is dolled up in crocodile skin called “Florida crocodile” in black (yes, the leather is not faux pas) and is fully aniline dyed. Only the finest suede and leathers have been used much like the classic Delahaye and Bugatti roadsters dating back in the 1930s.

 

Any fan of the BMW 3 Series will absolutely go crackers with its new and trendy accessories. The acessorized elements distinguish this convertible with more open-air excitement. This convertible is surely aims to a more free-spirited road driving.

Enhanced driving dynamics is achieved with original BMW accessories that fit quite nicely into the two-seater. The BMW 3 Series Convertible provides a wide range of choices available in addition to the optional features installed in the factory’s facilities. The assortment of accessories includes high-grade light alloy wheels, an aerodynamics package, interior design cues and a uniquely designed windbreak. Options also feature a high-end in-car entertainment system including an interface for the Apple iPod, integrated hands-free mobile phone installations and luggage storage solutions developed exclusively for the BMW 3 Series Convertible.

The accessorizing set also consists of a front apron and rear fairing. The components included in the aerodynamics package are made of fiberglass-reinforced polyurethane (PUR). Also available is the rear spoiler made of the same material, offering a downforce on the rear axle. Those light alloy wheels comes in a star spoke, radial spoke or BMW M cross-spoke design. The wheels are exclusively fitted with tires featuring runflat technology.

Optional accessories also include illuminated door sill trims by which its illumination is effected by means of an electroluminescent foil, cleverly designed gearshift lever/gear selector lever on automatic transmission, a matching diamond black cover for the sports steering wheel, additional interior storage space, folded rear seat, a rear compartment bag and protective covers for both outside and inside usage.

One primary accessory that both auto and audio junkies will like is BMW’s hi-fi technology. A BMW interface for Apple iPods is also available which allows digitally stored music files to be saved directly to the convertible’s audio system. The iPod’s operated by the iDrive controller, the multi-function steering wheel or the radio controls.

Take note of these BMW’s array of accessories:

•    aerodynamic packaging
•    cover for sports steering wheel in diamond black
•    suitcase set: 2 cases consisting of a big roll suitcase and a small suitcase, 2 business cases (left and right)
•    Car Cover Outdoor
•    Art-Windschott
•    Door entry sills (illuminated)
•    Light alloy wheels (star, radial and BMW M cross spokes)
•    Fond bag
•    iPod interface
•    hands-free set Bluetooth

Sales and retrofitting is carried out by BMW retail subsidiaries along with its BMW parts and authorized dealers.

 

The All-New BMW 1-Series has targeted the eye of the mainstream automotive market when it had its premiere at the Geneva Auto Show. The new model has several significant specifications that were added customer demands and needs.

Additional components include the BMW 1-Series new four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines.  It also comes with a start-stop system, brake energy regeneration and electric power steering (yes, its aim is to reduce fuel consumption – everyone’s in the environmental hoopla that I hope all this hype won’t fritter away soon enough), all of which are standard.

The new BMW 1-Series also consists of two variants of the new generation gasoline engines. Both utilize second-generation High Precision Injection direct fuel injection. It preserves a lean-burn mode throughout a wide array of engine acceleration.

The new lean-burn engine also includes a main catalytic converter close to the engine and downstream catalytic converters for NOx emission prevention.

The BMW 1-Series’ engine bay comprises  a 2.0-liter that guns an output of 125 kW/170 hp and rockets off to a mere 7.7 seconds to 100 km/h. Not bad for this speedy model. Fuel consumption runs a 6.4-liter and the new engine has fuel consumption reduction capabilities which lessen smog-particles by almost 14 percent.

How the High Precision Injection works, you ask. The method uses a jet-guided combustion rather than wall-guided. BMW engineers did fit the piezo injectors between the valves instantly adjacent to the spark plug despite lack of space constraints in the cylinder head. It also enables more accurate metering of fuel quantities and ensures a faster and more efficient blended preparation without losses caused by fuel gusts on the cylinder walls.

On its fuel parts like the fuel tank, an electric pump is fitted that only switches on when needed. It also supplies high pressure pump on the cylinder head. The high pressure pump thus produces 200 bar of pressure in the supply line for the four injectors.

Additional revamps to create the BMW’s weight loss, the vehicle has a lightweight hydroforming camshaft and a switchable intake manifold (DISA) made of synthetic material. According to BMW, its engineering team will introduce a 1.6-liter four-cylinder member of the new gasoline engine range which produces 90 kW/122 hp and a 160 Nm/118 lb/ft maximum running torque in for its upcoming vehicles. 

 

Along the BMW grapevine, the German automaker will be naming its newest crossover, the X6. The vehicle will be much longer and lower, obviously a spin off the X5 though it will only seat four passengers. But what the X6 will lose in seating arrangements, it will gain in massive engine performance.

It was reported that BMW has confirmed that the latest crossover will indeed be called the X6 which will be produced and manufactured at its Spartanburg’s plant in South Carolina in 2008. According to Norbert Reithofer, CEO stated that the capacity would be expanded to 200,000 at the factory which will take on a quarter this year.

Although Reithofer didn’t go any further into the vehicle’s detailed production and specifications as stated by BMW spokesperson, it was assured that a moment’s wait for the release of the X6 will be worth it. The BMW X6 is still in the works and its BMW parts will be fitted with more BMW dynamics.

Most new BMW models that are still in production will add on high-precision injection combined with lean-mixture concepts for four- and six-cylinder engines and equipped with BMW’s very own diesel engines. Lately, as most automakers are doing for the sake of the environment (although it’s wholly becoming a trend and I hope the “green” hype won’t dissipate soon enough), BMW will partake on reduction in fuel consumption. Also, BMW has been harboring brake energy recovery methods for all new models and that means the X6 will be conceptualized as a sort of hybridization.

The BMW spokesperson reiterated, “It will have the body shape and roof like a coupe and not necessarily be a two-door.” He described that the X6 have undisputed characteristics of an SUV and a coupe.

The BMW X6 would be the third model for the Spartanburg plant which also produces the X5 crossover and Z4 sports car. Its features will be phased beginning this spring.

The 2009 BMW X6 will be released by late 2008.

 

The renowned MSN website conducted an annual survey about the best and most favorite vehicles around. Its website readers voted for the 2007’s new coupe Car of the Year, the BMW 3 Coupe Series, topping most of its supercar competitions such as the Ferrari 599 GTB and the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640. These roadsters were also voted on the best cars list.

I’m doubly sure most readers and car enthusiasts have placed their bets on the online MSN best cars poll. The BMW 3 Series Coupe guns its performance parts with 23 percent of the votes. Readers also rated the 3 series coupe above most of its rivals because of its style cues, durability and that brand heritage that keeps its vehicles in tip-top shape.

Tom Evans, Manager of MSN cars, reiterates, “After two years where the winners were the brilliant but somewhat inaccessible Aston Martin DB9 and Bugatti Veyron, it’s great that our users chose the BMW 3 Series Coupe – a car that many may end up driving sooner or later. It’s a cracking looking car and great to drive too, making it a worthy winner.”

BMW has since been plaguing auto markets with its grand dose of vehicle lineups. This honor comes as the BMW 335i has been shortlisted for the title of 2007 World Performance Car and the BMW Hydrogen 7 for the title of 2007 World Green Car. Both of these models have made the initial entry list of 28 vehicles to a shortlist of three vehicles per category. BMWs have been preferred and voted by fans by an international jury consisting of 44 world leading automotive journalists from around 22 countries.

Wait for the results of the 2007 World Car of the Year awards will be announced at the New York International Auto Show this April.

The BMW M3 concept was recently presented by the BMW group at the Geneva Motor Show with the 3-series two-door. The concept car is quite stunning really with its chrome shadow paint touches. It gives a hint of what to expect when the production version of the E92 generation M3 Coupe is released (if you’re a BMW fan, watch out for it). Obviously, the M3 Concept car is based upon the BMW 3 Series Coupe.

Revamped body panels are suited with high-performance machinery that’s sure to offer driving energy for enthusiasts. Auto analysts have scrutinized its driving secret: it’s an uncalled for race-track weapon.

The BMW 3’s components include unique exterior artistry buying into the whole superior powerdom. The core of its engine tucks away a V-8 six-cylinder dominated by three big air intakes.

Its shape outlines a huskier profile. In front, a sharper spoiler, a hood power bulge, and big air intakes sketch out the M3’s putative performance. Down the sides of the body, more pronounced wheel arches, fender gills, and side skirts give the silhouette some additional ballast. The M3 concept also wears striking 19-inch alloy wheels and rims in the classic Y-spoke design. Rear air diffusers and dual exhaust parts complete the impression.

The M3 concept car is also fitted with an advanced Formula One developed technology carbon-fiber reinforced plastic roof panel (everybody uses carbon-enhanced features these days) and finely structured clear-polished surface.

“The BMW M3 represents the cutting edge of BMW driving superiority, and the Concept revealed at the Geneva Motor Show is more than a hint of what we can expect to be driving very soon,” said Guenther Seemann, BMW Group Australia Managing Director.

This concept car is anticipated for the series car once it goes into production.

 

BMW’s been racing through the green pastured automotive industry (I say green since most are so environmentally conscious about their beloved heaps all for the good of the environment and of mankind) and will be selling diesel powered cars in the United States next year. That’s according to BMW’s chief executive. “Next year we are also going to offer our diesel vehicles in the U.S. — another step in protecting the environment,” CEO Norbert Reithofer said in a speech to the Geneva Auto Show.

BMW has wiped away broken mufflers and sold half a million vehicles which are equipped with diesel engines. Note that they are more fuel-efficient and if you just sound patronizing in a good way, it’s more reliable than most petrol-fueled cars of this day.

These diesel cars are outfitted with higher fuel efficiency which most of us should be more grateful for. BMW’s execs mentioned that production achievement of these hybrid babies will likely precede its car segment in 2009. Reithofer observed that the hybrid hype takes a dip this semester. “It has not reflected reality anyway.” It’s not pessimism but Reithofer said when he referred about the Toyota Motor Corp. is that less than four percent of the 9 million vehicles were fitted with hybrid powertrain parts. 

Don’t just walk away with sagged shoulders since hybrid vehicles will likely come to the automotive industry’s life and let us harbor good feelings about the aforementioned hype.

Catch your BMW juice in its official website.

 

At the Geneva Auto Show, BMW will be affixed by the ultra fast new M5 Touring – a station wagon companion to the M5 sedan. The M5 wagon shares sedan’s brilliant 5.0-liter V10 which produces 507 horsepower and 383 lb/ft maximum torque capacity. Highly impressive as it might seem with BMW’s press department refers the M5 to a “sports car with roof racks”.

The speed transmission is BMW’s seven-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) much to car aficionados’ and purists’ chagrin. Actually, this is the first BMW wagon to offer a 10-cylinder engine and probably the quickest BMW wagon there is. Speed imps might need to brush on their pacing skills as this BMW model gallops from zero to 60 mph in less than 4.8 seconds! But the M5 Touring won’t kill you at the fuel pump; highway fuel economy is 22 mpg, an improvement for your sought-after fuel parts.

This five-passenger station wagon offers a sufficient cargo hold with 57.8 cubic feet of storage space. This cargo-storage package includes dividers for the floor, dividing partition panels, lashing belts in the side panels and multifunction supports. The interior features ranges from plush leather upholstery, dynamic stability control, air suspension, electronic damper control, variable differential lock, multifunction steering wheel, two-piece panoramic roof (this is where “roof racks” comes in) and BMW’s iDrive controller technology. The heated rear seat, power tailgate, head-up display and navigation system serve as options.