Thursday, July 26, 2007

HAMANN Presents… BMW 3 Series Convertible

The German auto tuner HAMANN adds up a fresh item on their menu of exclusively modified vehicle models. HAMANN now applied their styling and engineering expertise, as well as exclusive HAMANN performance kit to the BMW 3 Series Convertible.

Want to know some of them?

Exterior/Aerodynamics
- new distinctive sportier looking HAMANN designed front spoiler
- new side sills
- buoyancy reducing rear spoiler
- new HAMANN rear center molding
- HAMANN 4-pipe sports rear muffler with four round tailpipes
- Fitted black Carbon-Kevlar mirror caps
- wheels in multispoke design single-piece rim “Anniversary I” in ‘silver’ finish available 18, 19 and 20 inch versions.
- PG3 wheels with a multiple five-spoke composite wheel in silver with a high-gloss polished rim flange, available in 19 and 20 inches
Tires
- Edition Race: front 8,5 J x 20 / rear 10,0 J x 20 – 235/30 ZR 20 / 285/25 ZR 20
- PG3: front and rear 8,5 J x 20 – 235/30 ZR 20
- Anniversary I: front and rear 9,0 J x 20 235/30 ZR 20

Interior
- three-spoke HAMANN airbag sports steering wheel
- carbon-fiber components in the dashboard, center console, ashtray trim, doors, steering wheel, gearshift knob, handbrake lever and the I-Drive-Controller
- sport gearshift knobs (in aluminum or leather/aluminum)
- aluminum pedals
- aluminum handbrake lever
- aluminum footrest.
- exclusive set of floor mats sporting the HAMANN logo in silver rounds
- luxurious leather upholsteries in a variety of colors

Powertrain/Suspension
- 320i: HAMANN’s boosts the engine up to 10 HP / 7 kW and 10 Nm torque
- six-cylinder engines for the 325i and 330i : additional 13 HP / 10 kW and 17 HP/ 12 kW and both about 25 Nm torque
- 335i: power boost from 37 HP / 27 kW and an impressive 279 km/h top speed
- 330d: power boost of 272 HP/ 200 kW
- suspension lowering kit comprising of four progressive suspension struts
- sport suspension tuning systems

HAMANN has not yet released their price tag for this tuned up model. Maybe I’ll upgrade my Volvo distributor cap while waiting for it.

Posted by Kev at 07:32:47 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Saturday, July 14, 2007

BMW X6’s interior detailed


The BMW 4×4 Coupe X6 is one of the Bavarian automaker’s latest breakthrough in the field of top-of-the-line vehicles.

When I viewed the spy photos courtesy of World Car Fans, I immediately concluded that the X6 is a very rigid car, yet offers a smooth ride, that can surpass even the toughest terrains.

In 2008 BMW will launch the much discussed all-new four-door all-wheel-drive Coupe, which is currently dubbed as the X6. It is said to offer the mechanics and four-wheel-drive system from BMW’s X5 SUV while it claims that its body styling is of a more elegant coupe design.

Caught during extreme hot weather testing in Death Valley, the X6 is spied to having a sloping rear end. The spied prototype appears to have less ground clearance than the X5 and is a bit longer. The boxy rear end disguise is hiding a sloping roof line. The X6 will have sportier handling and greater driving dynamics than the X5. While the latter has seven seats for its passengers, the X6 is going to be a strict allowing just four seats. The X6 gets a six speed automatic transmission.

The Bavarian car maker is expected to utilize the most powerful engines from the X3 and X5 series which include the new 3.0 liter diesel bi-turbo delivering 286 HP and the 367 HP 4.8 liter V8 petrol engine. Some time later a turbo V8 engine that delivers a 420 HP will provide the X6 with even more performance. So expect another serious rival against Porsche that will be on the road from next year forward.

Adding a Japanese car part to a German car? You can. When BMW 4×4 Coupe X6 goes on sale, go check the owner’s manual and see if the car allows other brands of parts like Toyota oxygen sensors.

Posted by Kev at 07:53:47 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Thursday, July 5, 2007

BMW to Launches 1 Series Coupe

Starting in the spring of 2008, BMW will launch its 1 Series Coupe in dealerships all over the world. According to the German automaker, the BMW 1 Series Coupe is a “modern and authentic performance coupe that draws inspiration from its iconic 2002 models of some 40 years ago” and “represents the core BMW philosophies of pure performance and premium design.”

The BMW 1 Series Coupe will roll out in dealerships with two available model trim levels: BMW 128i Coupe and BMW 135i Coupe. The 128i Coupe is equipped with a 3.0-liter inline 6-cyinder engine that is capable of producing 230 hp and generates 200 lb ft amount of peak torque. The engine for the 128i Coupe also features Valvetronic valvetrain management and aluminum/magnesium construction. For the BMW 135i Coupe, it is equipped with a more powerful BMW twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine. This power plant pumps out 300 horses and an incredibly equal output of 300 lb ft of maximum torque rotating at 1,400 rpm. The engines also comes with several components like direct piezo gasoline injectors, twin low-mass turbochargers and air-to-air inter cooling.

Exterior
- Sleek exterior with aggressive rear end styling
- Integrated spoiler on the trunklid
- Additional lip spoiler
- L-shaped rear taillights
- Horizontal lights integrated in the rear light clusters
- Adaptive Brakelights
- Adaptive Xenon headlights (optional on the 128i
- Integrated Cornering Lights
- 18-inch wheels wrapped with performance tires.

Interior
- Innovative interior design with high-quality and sophisticated trim elements
- 60/40 split rear seat
- iDrive system with the optional Navigation system integrated in the center console
- Leatherette or rich Boston Leather upholstery
- sports buckets seats with enhanced side support and distinctive leatherette materials
- SIRIUS satellite radio and HD radio
- Premium Sound system
- Bluetooth interface
- MP3 player
- Standard auxiliary input jack.
- Three-point inertia-reel seat belts and headrests
- LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) attachments
- BMW AssistTM with GPS technology and hands-free communication functions
- TeleService, allows the driver to notify the nearest BMW service center in case of car trouble

Technical Specs
- Aluminium double-pivot front suspension
- Five-link fully independent rear suspension
- BMW’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
- Dynamic Traction Control (DTC)
- Double-helical ball bearings.

Just watch out for this model when BMW rolls it out next year. I am sure you cannot find these features in BMW 2002 parts.

Posted by Kev at 09:10:19 | Permalink | Comments (1) »