automotive directory, hot cars pictures, automotive catalog, automotive blog

Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Time Warp, Tuners, BMW

When BMW rolled out the new 6 Series coupe in 2003, it reconnected with a nameplate that had laid dormant for some 14 years. The original 6-Series, produced between 1976 and 1989, earned itself a cult following and iconic status, epitomized by the 635CSi. Some apparently feel that the current 6 doesn’t pay enough homage to the original. The people at Racer X Design count themselves in that camp, and are evidently hoping there are more like-minded enthusiasts… with cash.

Racer X Design has caught our attention before with some arresting concepts, including the KC-427 and the RZ Formula. The RZ-M6, however, takes the existing 6 Series and retros it up a bit, in turn paying a bit of homage to BMW’s own M1 Hommage concept. The modified body panels would also widen the coupe by an extra 50 mm, giving it a more aggressive stance to go along with the tribute styling. Of course, Racer X Design needs to attract some potential customers to bring the RZ-M6 to life, but it’s already a few steps closer to reality than the studio’s previous projects. Check it out in the gallery below and read the full press release after the jump.

Concept Cars, Sports/GTs, Euro, Supercars, BMW, Misc. Auto Shows

BMW’s supercar icon, the M1, blew out the candles at the Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este this weekend. In honor of the car’s thirtieth birthday, BMW rolled out the new BMW M1 Hommage, a concept/design study that pays tribute to the original M1 and shows what could be possible if BMW were to produce a new mid-engined sports car. Follow the jump for the breakdown.
[Source: BMW]

Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Etc., BMW

The Wiesmann GT is about to get a mad, bad engine to match its mad, bad looks. Available since inception with BMW’s 362 HP V8 that gets it to the six-oh in 4.6, the niche maker from Muenster is said to be considering a variant that hides the M-edition five-liter V10. If Wiesmann didn’t alter the car in any way, it would be an instant boost of 148 HP for a car that weighs quite a bit less than 3,000 pounds. That would raise its performance — and its handling — from ‘more than adequate’ to ‘absolute nutter.’ There’s a chance the car could do its first meet-and-greet at the Frankfurt Auto Show next month.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Filed under: Green, BMW

BMW has found another way to tweak mileage and CO2 output levels through its Efficient Dynamics program. In this case, its efforts were spent on a revised gearbox for the Z4. While past efforts have included the adoption of formerly hybrid-only technology like regenerative braking, an Automatic Engine Start/Stop System, and even full-on hybrid research, this latest move is a lot more conventional.

The technology being shown on the Z4 illustrate how little changes can add up when combined. By using a new, more efficient rear transaxle, the Z4 is able to record lower CO2 emissions levels and better economy. The improvements can be seen on all six-cylinder Z4s except the Z4 M, with a typical improvement of 1-2 percent across the board. Again, it’s not much, but definitely a move in the right direction. Four cylinder cars get other changes to their engines that result in similar improvements. All of these eco tweaks will go into effect on cars being produced starting next month.

[Source: Autocar]

Introducing the BMW Concept CS, Germany’s leading manufacturer of premium automobiles is presenting the vision of a unique four-door car which combines the exclusivity of a genuine luxury Gran Turismo with the fascinating thrill of a high-performance sports car.

Character:
• Concept study of a four-door Gran Turismo for the luxury segment.
• Modern, sophisticated surface design bearing testimony to a supreme standard of craftsmanship and experience in moulding convex-concave surfaces.
• The very essence of brand values so typical of BMW in a new segment ensuring a perfect combination of superior dynamics and stylish exclusivity.
• Modern interpretation of the premium concept ensured by extreme precision in every design detail, choice of the most refined materials, and perfect craftsmanship.
• Previously unseen combination of vehicle dimensions and weight ensured by consistent implementation of lightweight strategies.
• European-style aesthetics, clear emphasis on the car’s stretched look, low-slung roof-line, low centre of gravity, extremely long wheelbase (see “Exterior and Interior Dimensions”).
• Innovative interior design with layered surfaces, clearly defined joints serving a functional purpose.
• Clearly defined, sporting seat position for four occupants.

Exterior design:
• Sporting, sleek and low-slung all-round look as an expression of a four-door Gran Turismo.
• Highly expressive, dynamic front-end design with the striking BMW kidney grille as the central highlight.
• Prominently positioned BMW kidney grille to ensure a good supply of cooling air to the engine.
• Re-interpretation of BMW’s classic contour line at the side, door handlers fitted flush in position as a consistent testimony to the car’s attractive sculpture.
• Powerfully flared wheel arches, 21-inch light-alloy wheels, body width increasing towards the rear and thus emphasising the sporting, wide track of the car.
• Flowing roof area with aerodynamically optimised contours.
• Innovative headlights with LED reverse projection technology and extremely slender rear lights behind clear glass. Night design with homogeneous light bodies.

Interior design:
• Uncompromising, highly aesthetic interior design with layered surfaces (layer design concept) and clearly defined functional joints.
• Driver-oriented cockpit with clear ergonomic structuring of functions relevant to the driver and oriented towards superior comfort in the controls and displays.
• Layer design concept also applied to the design of the double circular dials to provide clearly structured information on several visual levels.
• Focus on the joints and seams around the body panels serving to consciously use air venting and ambient interior illumination options.
• Supreme exclusivity and perfect craftsmanship in the finish of the interior highlighted by contrasting colours and surfaces in different kinds of leather.
• Introduction of particularly sophisticated, powerful-looking ceramics as the material for the controls and instruments.
• Innovative sports seats with a fold-up collar element.

This unique combination never seen before offers the perspective to enjoy sheer driving pleasure in a dimension quite unprecedented in the world of motoring. Indeed, the BMW Concept CS is a new definition of design culture. Concentrating on powerful, expressive design, materials of the highest quality, and quality of finish in perfection, this unique new model offers a completely new understanding of premium quality. And within its interior, the BMW Concept CS combines stylish luxury with the most uncompromising ambience full of class and value.

Through its design alone, the BMW Concept CS underlines the supreme skill and competence of the BMW brand in developing the most sporting and dynamic cars offering ample space for more than two occupants. The most spectacular rendition of this heritage at BMW is the BMW M5, which established a brand-new segment in the world of motoring more than two decades ago and is acknowledged to this day as the benchmark in high-performance saloon motoring.

Now the know-how BMW has acquired over the years and decades comes together with the worldwide fame of the company as a manufacturer of premium automobiles, the BMW Concept CS thus offering the best of both worlds.

BMW is using the skills and competence established over such a long time to combine the most fascinating highlights of sporting performance and sophisticated luxury in an unprecedented new concept. Hence, the BMW Concept CS impressively proves how the successful strategy of the sporting four-door may be carried over consistently into the luxury performance segment.

Unparalleled and typical of BMW: the BMW Concept CS.

The unique flair pampering both the driver and his passengers within the BMW Concept CS is an equally clear expression of both a new culture in body design. Both outside and inside, the BMW Concept CS therefore conveys the same message, telling the world that the experience of driving a saloon now comes in an entirely new rendition. So in presenting this new Concept Car, BMW is not only entering a brand-new segment of the market never occupied before, but is also setting the milestone with a brand-new type of car: The four-door luxury Gran Turismo enters a new dimension of motoring in new style and with new features.

A new experience of dynamics and the ambience around us, exemplary quality in design and finish, extreme precision in the dimensions of the car, and concentrated luxury within the interior – these are the features that characterise the BMW Concept CS. And at the same time all this bears clear testimony to the superior know-how and competence of BMW’s engineers and designers in creating such truly emotional automobiles. The sum total of such qualities in the BMW Concept CS can be created only on a sound foundation of firmly defined values: innovative power, sporting performance, aesthetic design, an open frame of mind, and full awareness of quality. Precisely these are the values BMW has been applying consistently for decades in the development of particularly outstanding saloons and fascinating, truly dynamic sports cars. And now these values are concentrated even more than before in an unprecedented manner in the BMW Concept CS.