Road Tripper

BMW tuning house Alpina has unveiled an edition of the 3 Series sedan called the B3 Bi-Turbo. The new BMW Alpina B3 Bi-Turbo indeed continues the tuning philosophy of the firm for the first time with the BMW 3 Series base. The B3 Bi-Turbo debuted at the 2007 Geneva Salon d’Automobile.

Alpina began its modifications on the B3 Bi-Turbo fitting it with a DOHC 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, twin turbochargers, administers the compression ratio and adjustments. The result is an increase in output to 360 horsepower and torque to 369 pound-feet. The core of the B3 Bi-Turbo provides 360 horses at 5,500 - 6,000 revolutions per minute, as well as maximum torque of 500 Nm from 3,800 - 5,000 rpm. The B3 Bi-Turbo’s engine has a sporty engine’s willingness to churn out 7,000 rpm.

The B3 is fitted with a ZF six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel. Alpina claims 0-60-mph acceleration takes less than 4.9 seconds, and speed peaks at 177 mph. The BMW ALPINA B3 Bi-Turbo embodies pure driving enjoyment – whether cruising along or enjoying all 7,000 revs in each gear. The reason for the spontaneous responsiveness of the B3 Bi-Turbo is the ZF 6-speed sport automatic transmission with its very short shift sequences.

The intense driving experience and an immediate bonding with the B3 Bi-Turbo are markedly influenced by refined materials and advanced ergonomics. The standard leather interior featuresThe tuner makes additional suspension modifications and fits 18-inch alloy wheels shod with Michelin tires; 19-inch combinations are optional.

Other significant BMW parts include an Alpina Switch-Tronic steering wheel, a digital speed read-out, an Alpina plaque identifying its unique production number and optimized front and rear aerodynamics.

Immediately noticeable is the B3 Bi-Turbo’s light-footed, extremely sprightly road handling. The secret lies in an ideal 50/50 weight balance between front and rear axles in combination with Alpina’s neutral and supple suspension.

Alpina plots to build only a couple of hundred production units of the B3 each year which will hit dealerships in October.

Details of the new BMW M3 Coupe’s pricing have been announced. Finally!

Its long-awaited pricing has made BMW customers hungry for some M3 rolling. Although the pricing cashed in a hefty amount, that doesn’t seem to budge most hardcore BMW car buyers anyway.

What has gotten most consumers car-azy for the M3 coupe? The technical masterpiece carries 420 horsepower V8-engine that has a capacity of blasting from zero to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds before going on to an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph. yes, it delivers that power which could be found only in racing cars. The engine’s mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and features a DOHC 4.0-liter. The use of the lightweight engine components means the engine weighs 15kgs less than the previous 3.2-liter six-cylinder. BMW’s engineering team has dealt with minimizing the powerplant weight and launch elements of BMW’s EfficientDynamics program.

Other significant features of its BMW parts are its Brake Energy Regeneration which coalesces with an induction system involving eight individual throttle butterflies and double-VANOS variable valve technology. It’s because of this technology that the BMW M3 posts a consumption figure of 22.8 mpg on the combined cycle (a stunning eight percent improvement for the coupe).

The M3 coupe’s roof is made of carbon-reinforced plastic to help keep all that weight down. The coupe is trimmed and tummy tucked which only carry the usual components such the regular 3 Series’ doors, deck lid, windows, headlights and taillights, the M-squad suspension and steering rods.

BMW’s M3 coupe will bear a sticker that’s etched with £50,625 or in the U.S., it harbors an approximate sum of $101,265 when it hits in British showrooms in September. The coupe is scheduled to reach U.S. dealers as a 2008 model. So it’s going to be a long wait for awhile. U.S. prices will be announced closer to the car’s launch in the States.

The M3 coupe is one unique fusion of versatility, high-peak prowess and elegance which make its customers wildly excited.

At the recent Shanghai Auto Show, BMW’s all-new Concept CS was unveiled which the automaker says the concept car is a “unique combination never seen before”. The concept car is a portent of a forthcoming premium luxury sport coupe. CS is a concept car BMW underlines, but with the latest knowledge of coming models we are sure, it is more than just a concept car.

The BMW Concept CS corresponds to its entry in to the hot upmarket four-passenger luxury coupe segment and will compete against the likes of the Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide and the high-end versions of the Mercedes-Benz CLS.

The Concept CS dons a sporty impression, heavily swirled in elegance and sculptured designs. The styling elements set the groundwork for future generation of BMW models. A production version of the Concept CS is expected to be based on revamped keystones from the next-generation 7 Series.

In the BMW scope, there is also likely to be an M version. BMW has never done an M version of the 7 Series before so this car will permit the automaker to bring out an M version above the M5. The engine bay’s powertrain partsfor the car would be a 6.0-liter V12 cylinder which would be an M5 engine with two extra cylinders added.

Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW chief designer, called the BMW Concept CS as “a step forward from today’s look’. We wanted to do a big, sporty car without making it appear heavy.” The lustrous and trimmed car is sizable at just about 201 inches long, 78 inches wide and 53.5 inches high on a 120-inch wheelbase measurement.

The BMW Concept CS also harbors innovative BMW parts featuring a dashboard that consists of a newly developed metal structure and tech-heavy ceramics for the controls and instruments.

What’s new with BMW? Here’s what’s new: BMW has proclaimed its sponsorship of the TED.com website which is completely redesigned to promote the free exchange of ideas and diatribes from great minds and doers.

The new site features brilliant talks made famous by the TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) Conference held in Monterey, California annually. “We are extremely pleased to be partnering with TED again on a venture that falls so perfectly in line with BMW’s commitment to technology, sustainability, passion and the profound experiences that the power of ideas can deliver,” said Jack Pitney, Vice President of Marketing, BMW of North America.

The new TED.com offers an array of rare content and technological contributions that enhance the user’s experience. BMW’s sponsorship of the new TED.com provides visitors a chance to slot in an idea of a post-carbon future by presenting a front-page “Ideas from our Sponsor” video by Dr. Klaus Topfer, former UN Director for Environmental Policy.

The BMW Hydrogen 7 was a featured automobile at TED 2007 the attention of much dialogue among the conference’s bigwigs and speakers. BMW has focused on liquid hydrogen as the suitable source of energy for the automobile. Hydrogen has very different combustion characteristics, with a much faster, hotter and more aggressive burn. The internal-combustion engine represents available and well-understood technology.

The BMW is smooth, polished and poised on the road. Of course, with the BMW 7 Series, the BMW Hydrogen 7 is powered by a 260 horsepower running on a twelve-cylinder engine with top speed blasting off from zero to 60 mph in 9.3 seconds.

The BMW 7 Series has a range of features in its auto body parts which include a dual-mode internal combustion engine that switches at the push of a button from hydrogen to gasoline. The hydrogen filler hose simply locks in place on the fitting. The car and the filling station then communicate electronically to check the system and transfer fuel.

BMW will unveil the BMW Hydrogen 7 in the Fall of 2007 to promote public interest and awareness for the development of a practical hydrogen infrastructure. Now thanks to TED.com in supporting the strategy of building extensive acceptance of hydrogen as replacement of fossil fuels, insights and interaction will be well received for BMW.

The German automaker, BMW, has recently announced that it will uncover its curtains off a new high-end sportscar concept in Shanghai. Some auto analysts have claimed that the aforementioned sports car could reach production which will be dubbed as the Z9. Do not get confused about the previous Z9 which BMW used on a gull-winged concept at the 1999 Frankfurt Auto Show with a convertible version making the show circuit in 2000.

The sportscar gives off a singular look with the Z4, making it its big brother. It’s a canvas-topped two-seater with a long nozzle and a rear-wheel drive. European publications sources have reported that BMW still haven’t decided to whether equip the vehicle with a 5.0-liter V10 from the M5/M6 or a new 6.3-liter V12 driving a seven-speed sequential gearbox.

Yes, the Z9 is supposed to replace the failed retro-look of the Z8. BMW’s last limited-edition performance roadster, the Z8 sold fewer than 6,000 units between the 2000 and 2003. The company’s sales target for the Z9 is 15,000 units a year. We could all assume that the BMW studio is being asked to come with a more aggressive style than the hapless and plain Z8.

Also, the Z9 is BMW’s latest entry into the supercar market segment. The car’s BMW parts will be built primarily of carbon-fiber and aluminum superframe chassis on which the combination yields a power-to-weight ratio of 458 hp per ton beating the heck out of Porsche Carrera GT and the Ferrari F430. BMW focuses on pitting the two-seater against the Audi R8 and Mercedes-Benz SL particularly.

Open-topped, the carbon-fiber folding roof allows keeping weight and the center of gravity down. It will include tech-heavy innovations together with active spoilers and a venturi underbody to suck onto the tarmac.

We’ll just wait and see for the production model to come out. In the meantime, log onto BMW’s official site for more details.