Audi R8 Fighter

More info on BMW’s upcoming Audi R8 fighter

May 28th, 2007

It was reported in early April that BMW will be unveiling a high-end sports car at the Shanghai Auto Show that would compete with the Audi R8 and Mercedes-Benz SL. What we saw instead was the BMW CS Concept, a basis for an upcoming four-door coupe model. Well now according to AutoZeitung, the CS Concepts design will also be the basis for the upcoming Audi R8 fighter.

AutoZeitung says that the front-engine car is under development at BMW’s M headquarters and that the car will most likely be called the M10. We highly doubt it will be called the ‘M10′ and that BMW will stick with ‘Z9′ as reported before.

The high-end BMW sports car is expected to be powered by a modified version of the V10 engine found in the M5 and M6 which will develop 550 horsepower.

While the car is expected to be the size of the 6-Series, it will be much lighter in order to increase performance and aerodynamics. BMW hopes to keep the weight below 1,400 kg with the use of carbon fiber, aluminum and magnesium.

Previously reported the car is expected to be priced way below the $130,000 price tag of the Z8, which we expect will be in the ballpark of Audi R8’s $109,000 to $118,000.

Check out the full image at AutoZeitung.

Source: AutoZeitung

 

BMW among parties looking at Ford’s Volvo Cars, sources say

BMW, the German carmaker, is in informal talks to buy the Swedish car manufacturer Volvo Cars from its owner Ford, according to two sources close to the situation. One source said that the Bavarian car maker has examined the financials of Volvo Cars in recent months, and is now exploring a possible acquisition of the company. The source added that, however, other companies have also studied Volvo Cars‘ financials.

BMW and Ford declined to comment.

A second source, close to BMW, confirmed that a Volvo cars sale process is currently taking place. He also confirmed that BMW is looking at Volvo Cars’ books but does not believe that the German company will end up buying Volvo Cars.

“BMW has already everything that Volvo cars cannot offer,” the source said.

Several industry sources have downplayed the possibility that Volvo Cars could be an attractive target for private equity, in spite of the fact that Chrysler Corp was acquired by Cerberus Capital just two weeks ago. The sources argued that it would make no sense for a private equity firm to buy an automotive company, given their cyclical nature and the prospect for making large losses in a downturn.

“In this economy, where there are so many other opportunities, PE would prefer companies with strong cash flow and not car opportunities which make high leveraged companies dependent on strong cash flow,” one source said.

Hampus Engellau, an analyst at Handelsbanken Capital Markets, disagreed with this view, saying that private equity might find Volvo Cars’ recently updated range of models attractive because little investment would be required for renewal.

An industry source said he heard that Nordic Capital has expressed some interest in Volvo Cars in an attempt to return the brand back to its home market. A private equity director dismissed the idea, however, pointing out that a Volvo acquisition would likely be beyond Nordic Capital’s investment size criteria. Ford acquired Volvo in 1999 for USD 6.5bn.

Handelsbanken’s Engellau concurred, adding that an attempt to recreate a Swedish car brand through such a deal “makes no sense.”

Nordic Capital declined to comment.

Volvo Cars delivered 427,964 cars to consumers in 2006 down 3.6% from 443,947 in 2005. But the company has said it had a strong first quarter this year and is launching seven new models between 2006 and 2009. It sells cars in more than 100 countries but has a relatively small market share of 1-2% in its main markets of the US, the UK, Germany and Italy. However, Volvo is much stronger in Sweden where it is estimated that one in every five cars sold is a Volvo.

 

Lindsay Lohan – Bmw

NEW YORK: Lindsay Lohan and her mother have been sued by a New York City freelance photographer who claims the “Georgia Rule” actress struck him with a BMW in the West Village.

Photographer Giovanni Arnold claims he “sustained severe and permanent personal injuries” when he was struck on March 13.

Arnold’s attorney, Marc Mauser, said Tuesday that his client suffered injuries to both knees and was “still getting medical treatment.” He said Arnold was seeking unspecified monetary damages “for his pain and suffering and his lost wages.”

Robert Stephan Cohen, a lawyer for Dina and Lindsay Lohan, was in a meeting Tuesday and was not immediately available for comment, his office said.

The complaint claims the Lohans were “negligent, careless and reckless” with the vehicle.

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The lawsuit, filed last Thursday, says the BMW was owned by Lindsay’s mother, and that the 20-year-old actress was driving it with her permission.

Arnold reportedly was among several photographers trailing Lindsay Lohan to the Hotel Gansevoort in the Meatpacking District from a nightclub when the incident occurred.

Lohan reportedly told the New York Post in March that one of the shutterbugs jumped on the hood of her car, accidentally knocking Arnold down.

According to Mauser, Arnold was in front of the BMW when Lohan put it in reverse and then drive, throwing him on the hood and then the ground. He said the actress stopped to check on Arnold before leaving.

The Lohans have 30 days to respond to the lawsuit, which was filed in state Supreme Court in the Bronx, the borough where Arnold lives.

 

NEW 2008 BMW 5 SERIES MAKES U.S. DEBUT IN NEW YORK

Superior Power and Striking Interior Enhancements Underscore Its Sporting, Refined Character

The new BMW 5 Series made its North American debut at the New York International Auto Show today. A carefully refined exterior is combined with a striking enhancement of style and sophistication in the interior that underscores the sporting yet elegant and refined character of the BMW 5 Series. The interior reflects the premium character of the vehicle. High quality new materials and colors, ergonomic door panels with an optimized design, padded armrests, additional storage options and newly designed control elements all create an exceptionally refined ambience.

The diverse line-up of powerplants in the BMW 5 Series has now been enhanced by newly developed straight-six engines which offer superior power, while taking the lead in terms of fuel economy in all performance classes. The engines are mated to a choice of superb transmissions, including a six-speed manual as well as a quick and precise six-speed automatic transmission and BMW’s new and unique Sport Automatic Transmission with shift paddles. The six-cylinder engine variants of the new BMW 5 Series are available with BMW xDrive permanent and variable all-wheel-drive technology.

The new BMW 5 Series also offers a wide range of innovations in driver assistance and comfort features. It is the only car in its segment available with Active Steering, BMW Night Vision, a Head-Up Display and, from now on, Active Cruise Control featuring a Stop & Go functions as well as Lane Departure Warning. Featured as standard equipment is iDrive control, with no less than six freely programmable memory buttons as well as an optionally available navigation system with voice control and full-word entry, enhancing the driving comfort of the BMW 5 Series to a new, unprecedented level.

Exterior design: sporting character with new elegance.
New highlights in design and continuing refinement have created a perfected synthesis of sporting character, elegance and lightness in both the BMW 5 Series Sedan and the BMW 5 Series Sports Wagon. In the cleanly engineered front air dam, the edging of the double kidney grille is now flush with the adjacent surfaces. The characteristically molded headlamps come with brilliant clear glass technology. Chrome edging highlights the technically sophisticated round headlamps. Another distinguishing feature is the air intake, sweeping up at the side and provided with a horizontal trim bar, highlighting the wide sporty track of the car.

The 5 Series has a sleeker, more stretched appearance on the side, an effect produced by an additional light contour along the side-sills. The rear is dominated by horizontal lines highlighting the look of superior power. Like the headlamps at the front, the rear lights also come in a new, sophisticated clear glass design and now feature LED direction indicators.

First-class style within the interior.
Enhanced control comfort, new design and particularly sophisticated materials on the surfaces give the interior of the new BMW 5 Series a new standard of quality the driver and passengers will see and feel at first sight, ensuring superb driving pleasure at all times. High-class Pearl Gloss Chrome, the comfortable padding on the armrests and center console and the two-tone finish of the door panels all reflect the new interior style. Black door trim bars and a lower panel section in the interior color take up the appearance and materials used on the dashboard. The resulting harmony of design underscores the atmosphere of relaxed comfort of the interior environment, as do the dynamic waves of the lines and forms of the door panels. The buttons for the window lifts and mirror adjustment have been integrated into the armrest, just as the handles for closing the doors have been optimized in their ergonomic design. Storage space has been increased with larger door pockets and with an open tray in the center console. The elegant and ergonomic design of the gear selector lever for the automatic transmission merges perfectly with the BMW 5 Series stylish interior.

Control of the iDrive vehicle management system has been optimized to an even higher standard. Menu guidance and graphics have been refined. Six freely programmable favorite buttons permit direct access to important functions. At the touch of a button, for example, a stored destination, a frequently dialed telephone number, or a preferred radio station can be called up.

 

BMW wins International Engine of the Year again…

For an unprecedented third year in succession, BMW has been named the outright winner of the acclaimed International Engine of the Year, this time for its 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol engine fitted to BMW 335i models. Following successes in 2005 and 2006, with the 5.0-litre V10 engine powering the M5 and M6 models, this year it was the turn of the six-cylinder. The engine was originally launched in the BMW 335i Coupé and is now available in Saloon, Touring and Convertible models.
BMW UK’s managing director, Jim O’Donnell, said: “BMW is immensely proud to receive this significant award for a third successive year, and the timing of the award couldn’t be better. The 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine perfectly encapsulates BMW’s new EfficientDynamics 
programme, delivering power, performance and impressive consumption and emissions figures.

“With its two turbochargers, the six-cylinder engine delivers the power and torque normally associated with a larger V8, but with the economy and emissions expected of a 2.5-litre car. As a result, owners can benefit from the dynamic driving experience expected of any BMW, yet potentially save hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds in fuel costs throughout their ownership.”

BMW took more category honours than any other manufacturer winning a total of seven awards for four engines. As well as winning the overall title, the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged unit took ‘Best new engine of the year 2007’ as well as ‘Best engine 2.5-3.0-litre 2007’. The winner of the top honour for the last two years (the V10 5.0-litre) was, this year, awarded two honours – ‘Best performance engine 2007’ and ‘Best engine – 4.0-litres and over 2007’.

In the smaller engine categories, BMW’s 2.5-litre six-cylinder engine used in the BMW X3 2.5si and Z4 2.5si Roadster models won ‘Best engine 2.0-2.5-litre 2007’ while, for the first time, an engine powering a Mini was successful.

In the 1.4-1.8-litre category, the trophy was awarded jointly to BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroen for the 1.6-litre turbo engine in the new Mini Cooper S and Peugeot 207. The innovative twin-scroll turbo technology with direct fuel injection has a power output of 175hp, while achieving nearly 41mpg combined fuel consumption. All Mini petrol engines are assembled at BMW Group’s Hams Hall plant in the Midlands, before being delivered just-in-sequence to the Mini plant at Oxford.

 

BMW

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