• BMW

    Sledgehammer Time: The New BMW M5 

    by
    Tom
    Published on 08-02-2012 06:54 PM
    Categories:
    1. Local
    2. BMW
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    The fastest, most powerful M car yet
    • Fifth generation of the world's most successful performance sedan
    • Most powerful series production engine ever in a BMW M car
    • New high-revving turbo-charged V8 engine - power up by 10 per cent, torque up by 30 per cent yet fuel consumption down by 30 per cent
    • Seven-speed M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic featuring new Low Speed Assistance
    • New Active M differential for track-car dynamics and supreme touring comfort
    • Two M Drive buttons for alternate, pre-defined handling characteristics
    For more than 25 years the BMW M5 Sedan has defined the high-performance Sedan segment, in the process becoming the most successful car of its type in the world. Now a new fifth-generation model raises the concept of the premium executive Sedan combining track-car dynamics and supreme touring comfort to an even higher level.

    The M5 features the most potent engine ever developed for a BMW production car together with race-bred chassis technology that includes, for the first time, an Active M differential.

    Based on BMW's highly successful 5 Series Sedan, the exterior design of the M5 follows the technical requirements of the car, while the interior offers an extensive range of innovative driver assistance systems and premium comfort features.
    The new M5 Sedan will be available in Australia from February 2012, priced from $230,000 (Incl. GST & LCT)

    [Long Version]
    Engine M TwinPower Turbo V8
    Power 412 kW
    Torque 680 Nm @ 1500-5750 rpm
    Transmission 7-speed M Double clutch transmission with Drivelogic
    Acceleration 0-100 km/h - 4.3s
    Top Speed 250 km/h - (electronically limited)
    Fuel Consumption (EU) 9.9l/100km's
    CO2 emissions 232 g/km

    Drivetrain: The heart of any BMW M car is its engine, and never more so than with the new M5. For the first time an M5 features a turbocharged power unit – a high-revving 4.4-litre (4,395cc) V8, here making its world premiere. Developing 412 kW from 6,000-7,000rpm, it is the most potent series-production engine ever to emerge from BMW‟s high-performance M division. Incorporating the company‟s M TwinPower Turbo technology consisting of two twin-scroll turbochargers, high-precision direct fuel injection, VALVETRONIC variable valve control and a cross-bank exhaust manifold, it guarantees legendary BMW M-car thrust with seamless lag-free delivery from little more than tickover speed thanks to 680Nm of torque from only 1,500rpm.
    Compared with the previous V10-engined M5, maximum power is up by around 10 per cent and peak torque has increased by more than 30 per cent. As a result, the latest M5 can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds. The electronically limited top speed is 250 km/h.
    The two cylinder banks of the V8 engine are arranged at 90 degrees, leaving space to accommodate the two turbochargers and catalytic converters in the V-section. This ensures that the engine is not only extremely compact, but that the catalytic
    converters reach operating temperature more quickly to boost efficiency, while the short length of the unique intake and exhaust ducts minimises pressure losses. BMW‟s patented cross-bank exhaust manifold optimises gas flow to the twin-scroll turbochargers, which have been specially developed for the M5 Sedan to deliver a maximum charge pressure of 1.5 bar.
    Solenoid fuel injectors positioned centrally between the valves, within immediate range of the spark plugs, deliver multiple sprays of fuel directly into the cylinders at a maximum pressure of 200 bar. The cooling effect of direct injection allows an
    extraordinarily high compression ratio of 10:1, a further aid to efficiency. VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control adjusts the lift of the intake valves to minimise throttle losses in the gas cycle, while Double-VANOS fully variable camshaft control helps the engine achieve its outstanding level of torque at low rpm.
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    Unique – and now More Exceptional than Ever: The New BMW X6 

    by
    Tom
    Published on 27-01-2012 09:09 PM
    Categories:
    1. Local
    2. International
    3. BMW
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    The BMW X6 is the world's first ever Sports Activity Coupé, still a unique combination of sporty dynamics and supreme versatility and with further enhanced appeal from spring 2012. Selective modifications in design and innovative equipment features hone the profile of the new BMW X6 as a distinctive model within the premium segment of all-wheel-drive automobiles. Its exceptional standing and ongoing popularity is due to both its highly expressive design, combing the athletic and elegant lines of a coupé with the supremacy of a BMW X model, and the fascinating driving experience provided by powerful petrol and diesel engines fitted with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology and the intelligent all-wheel-drive system xDrive, including Dynamic Performance Control.
    Since its market launch, more than 150,000 of the Sporty Activity Coupé were sold within approximately three years. This far exceeded the original plans. And the continuing high level of demand for the BMW X6 on the worldwide automobile markets is impressive confirmation of the unusual vehicle concept of the Sports Activity Coupé.


    Striking accentuations at the front and rear, adaptive LED headlamps as a new option.

    Precisely modified details in the front view give the new BMW X6 an appearance characterised by exclusive athleticism and supremacy. The standard fog lights are now set in matt finish surrounds in the upper area of the outer air inlets. Their higher and more lateral position emphasises the width of the vehicle. The striking three-dimensional modelling of the frame and newly designed bars, angled in the lower section, make the BMW kidney grille stand out especially conspicuously within the vehicle front section. The angle of the grille bars is flush with the bottom of the headlamp units, thereby creating an additional horizontal line which likewise highlights the wide track and stable road-holding of the new BMW X6.

    Unique – and now more exceptional than ever: the new BMW X6.

    As an alternative to the standard bi-xenon light, the new BMW X6 is the first vehicle in its segment to be fitted optionally with adaptive LED headlamps. Their bright white light ensures optimum visibility, while their high-quality appearance represents a new interpretation of the brand's hallmark twin circular headlamps. The three-dimensionally shaped luminous rings of the adaptive LED headlamps are strikingly levelled off both at the top and bottom and are overlaid at the upper edge by an LED-fed accent light. The light sources for low and high beam light are LED units positioned on a horizontal bar at its centre, feeding their light into the reflectors in front. In the new BMW X6 M50d and BMW X6 M, adaptive LED headlights are fitted as standard.


    With its newly designed rear lights with LED technology, the powerfully shaped rear section of the new BMW X6 also features more intense styling. The rear lights are now two LED-fed light banks which create the brand's hallmark night design as a harmoniously glowing light mass. The fact that they are horizontally aligned and stretch far out to the sides emphasises both the width of the vehicle and the flowing transition between the side section and rear.

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    “Fast n’ Loud”: BMW Announces M3 Coupé Pure Edition II in ‘Individual’ Paint Finishes 

    by
    Tom
    Published on 25-01-2012 02:55 PM
    Categories:
    1. Local
    2. BMW
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    • Limited production run of 50 units, exclusively for the Australian market
    • Design enhancements focus on sporty highlights of the M3 Coupé
    • Additional exclusive M specific design elements
    • Additional sports-oriented specification as standard
    • Select BMW Individual paint finishes as standard
    Following overwhelming demand for the first M3 Pure Edition, BMW has announced details of a ‘Pure Edition II’ for the M3 Coupé in Australia. This exclusive release offers additional features over and above the original M3 Pure as well as providing access to a large range of attention-grabbing paint finishes straight from the ‘BMW Individual’ colour pallet.

    All 100 units of the first M3 Pure Edition were snapped up in record time which saw M3 Coupé sales in Australia increase by almost 10% in 2011.
    The M3 Coupé Pure Edition II offers the same distinctive design enhancements as the original model, which include highlights such as 19” M Double-spoke light alloy wheels finished exclusively in Black High-Gloss with 245/35 R19 tyres up front and 265/35 R 19 tyres at the rear, bonnet air intake in Black High-Gloss, BMW Individual kidney grille in Dark Chrome, BMW Individual side gills in Dark Chrome and BMW Individual exhaust tips in Dark Chrome.

    Differentiating the Pure Edition II from the original M3 Pure is a multitude of attention grabbing colours from BMW Individual. The selection includes Fire Orange, first seen on the limited edition M3 GTS, Dakar Yellow II, Laguna Seca, Sepang Bronze, and Imola Red. Offered as part of the package costs, the Individual paint finishes alone represent as much as $10,000 in added-value.

    Completing the ‘Edition II’ exclusive features are BMW Individual handbrake lever with “M Power” stitching and door sill finishers with M3 chequered flag inlay.
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    BMW Australia Reveals New 3 Series Entry Models Ahead of Market Launch 

    by
    Tom
    Published on 20-01-2012 08:16 AM
    Categories:
    1. Local
    2. BMW
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    • BMW 320i and 318d now available to Australian customers from March production
    • New four-cylinder TwinPower turbo petrol 320i now tops the class in pace and efficiency
    • New entry price-point for the BMW 3 Series range starting from $56,400
    BMW Australia has bolstered its highly acclaimed new BMW 3 Series range, today announcing the introduction of two new entry models: the 320i and 318d.

    The two new variants are available for customer order from March production and complete an all turbo-charged engine line-up for BMW’s iconic sixth-generation compact sports sedan ahead of the model’s highly anticipated Australian market launch in February.

    BMW Group Australia Managing Director, Phil Horton said the combination of powerful yet economical engines, a high standard specification and the lower entry-price-point makes the 3 Series a standout in its competitive class.
    “We have built substantially more value into the standard specification of this new car,” said Mr Horton.
    “It’s been hailed overseas as the best in its class both in terms of value and performance and we expect Australian customers to agree,” he said

    Pricing for the BMW 3 Series range now starts at $56,400 for the all new 318d which features a four-cylinder turbo-charged diesel engine producing 105kW of power and 320 Nm of torque. The 318d accelerates to 100km/h in 9.3 seconds and boasts a staggeringly low fuel consumption figure of 4.5l/100km.

    The starting point for the petrol line-up is the new BMW 320i featuring BMW’s much-lauded new TwinPower turbo four-cylinder direct injection engine producing 135 kW and 270Nm of torque. The 320i comes standard with a new 8-speed Sports Automatic Transmission (with steering wheel mounted paddle-shifters). The result is class-leading acceleration and performance with the new 320i sprinting to 100km/h in just 7.6 seconds. At the same time, the 320i also boasts class-leading fuel economy of just 6.2l/100km.
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    MINI Confirms Pricing for its Wayward Twins – The New MINI Coupe and MINI Roadster 

    by
    Tom
    Published on 18-01-2012 04:47 PM
    Categories:
    1. Local
    2. BMW
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    And then there were two! MINI’s radical new two-seater line up is now complete, with the MINI Roadster joining its helmet-headed hardtop twin down-under.


    MINI Australia today announced pricing for the MINI Roadster starting from $45,500 for the Cooper S model and $55,100 for the range-topping John Cooper Works variant. Pricing for the drop-tops represents a premium of just $2,510 and $2,500 over their respective Coupé siblings.


    MINI Australia General Manager, Kai Bruesewitz said the MINI Roadster and MINI Coupe are unique characters with distinct appeal.

    “Although created from the same MINI DNA, these hot twins take Go-Kart driving thrills to a whole new level,” said Mr Bruesewitz.


    With maximum torque of 240 Nm available from as low down as 1,600 rpm (increasing to 260 Nm when using overboost function) and a power output of 135 kW, the 1.6-litre power plant in the Cooper S Roadster delivers an exhilarating driving experience.


    Equipped with cutting-edge technology such as TwinTurbo, direct injection and a fully variable valve control system, thrust is delivered efficiently with a combined fuel consumption figure of 6.4 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of just 149 grams per kilometre allowing bragging rights as the most efficient engine in its class.


    The Cooper S Roadster completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.0 seconds, accelerating up to a top speed of 227 km/h.

    Exhilaration steps up a gear with the John Cooper Works (JCW) variant of the MINI Roadster. With numerous technical features drawn directly from motorsport development including modifications to the cylinder head, pistons, crankshaft, turbo and exhaust system, the JCW engine delivers 155 kW at 6,000 rpm and torque figures of 260 Nm from 1,850 – 5,600 rpm. Overboost increases this to 280 Nm 2,000 – 5,100 rpm.


    The MINI Roadster JCW offers impressive performance figures of 0-100 km/h of 6.5 seconds with a combined fuel consumption of just 7.3 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of169 grams per kilometre.
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    BMW Launches 3 Series Heritage Photo Competition 

    by
    Tom
    Published on 13-01-2012 05:02 PM
    Categories:
    1. Local
    2. BMW
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    BMW Australia is calling on BMW 3 Series enthusiasts to submit photos from the past of themselves together with their cars, in order to recreate those memories involving the new car.
    BMW Group Australia General Manager - Sales and Marketing , Tom Noble said 3 Series owners are fanatical about their cars and many are bound to have boxes of happy snaps from days of old.
    “We are sure our owners will have aged as gracefully as the BMW 3 Series and are excited to see how both our customers and our cars have evolved over the years”, said Noble.
    The competition is being run via the BMW Australia Facebook page and calls on entrants to submit photos of themselves together with their car – the older the better.
    Photography must be set in Australia as where possible the winning shot will be recreated at the original location.
    First prize not only includes the recreated photo but also one month’s use of the new BMW 3 Series together with a BMW Driver Training course under the tuition of ex racing Champion and Chief Driver Trainer Geoff Brabham.,
    Five runners up will receive photo recreations and products from BMW’s lifestyle collection.
    Entries close 30 March 2012 with the winners to be announced on 5 April.
    The new sixth generation BMW 3 Series launches in Australia in February making the competition winner one of the first people in the country to experience the new car.
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    X Appeal: BMW X5 Performance Edition 

    by
    Tom
    Published on 01-11-2011 06:17 AM
    Categories:
    1. Local
    2. BMW
    Article Preview

    BMW’s top-selling Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) is now even sportier, with the Australian arrival of a unique, limited edition model – the BMW X5 Performance Edition.
    Featuring a package of sporting visual enhancements from the BMW Performance range of accessories, the BMW X5 Performance Edition offers the ultimate in on-road presence and performance.
    The accessories fitted to the BMW X5 Performance Edition as a single package include:
    • 21 inch Performance Y-Spoke alloy wheels
    • Front
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