BMW Freak Club

BMW CONCEPTS:

The cars they could have made #2001 #BMW-Z29 . BMW’s first attempt at a lightweight sports car built entirely from carbon fibre and aluminium wasn’t the prettiest of things, but it did what it was supposed to…

In the late 1990s, BMW was riding high from its success in just about every sector it dipped its toe into. But rather then rest on its laurels, future development was crucial to stay ahead and BMW was looking forwards. It meant thinking outside of the box a little, not just in terms of technology, design and innovation, but construction and materials, too. That’s where the Z29 concept entered in 2001.

The project’s focus was to explore the use and practical feasibility of introducing lightweight exotic materials to car construction. Designed to be very light, the Z29 featured a central tub which housed the two occupants and was made from plastic reinforced carbon fibre. Front and rear subframe sections made from aluminium were then attached either end to support the running gear, drivetrain and suspension.

The body panels, also made from carbon fibre, were then attached to form the shape and were not-structural, although the Z29 wasn’t exactly what you would call pretty. The primitive shapes and lines indicate BMW’s designers may well have been finding their way working with the foreign material, hence the basic design, although the scissor doors added some extravagant style. Inside was a similar affair and things were kept relatively plain and simple, although the actual design of the dashboard wasn’t very BMW, aside from the cluster cowls. However, strangely, the dash design did share more than a passing resemblance with the dash found on the first generation of Audi TT…

Aside from the design, the plan to keep weight down worked and the car was indeed light. Total weight was said to be around 1600kg; a relative featherweight for the time and to make the most of that crucial weight saving, power was provided by the S54 straight-six borrowed from the E46 M3 and Z3M. Output was around 340hp and it was coupled to BMW’s #SMG-II transmission, rather than a manual gearbox. This combination produced potent performance and 62mph from rest was quoted as a lightening 4.4 seconds.

Of course, the Z29 didn’t progress too much further than a single working prototype, but that’s not to say the project wasn’t a success or that its spirit didn’t live on. As a general design and idea, the Z29 doesn’t look too far removed from a #BMW-Z4M that arrived a few years later, complete with the same engine and running gear.

But the bigger picture was that the car’s construction appeared to serve as a successful stepping-stone for BMW’s future. It seems like no coincidence that it began introducing mass-produced carbon fibre to production cars not long after the #BMW-Z29-Concept experiment took place in the form of the M3 CSL’s roof panel. And look where that has evolved since then, as BMW now builds entire production cars in a very similar way to how the Z29 was designed and built in the i3 and i8. How’s that for success?

The Z29 originated in 2001 but #BMW didn’t actually allow anyone outside the company to see the car until 2010!

Sharper new BMW set to give big-selling compact exec a fresh-look this autumn, and it hides new platform and raft of tech.

Saloon to get plug-in hybrid power before EV joins the range / #BMW-i4

New platform and motors; evolutionary look inside and out

Switch to #BMW-CLAR platform will allow for more space in cabin, as well as the boot. Our exclusive images preview the BMW-3-Series ’ updated front end.

/ #BMW-3-Series / #2019-BMW-3-Series / #BMW-3-Series-i4 / #BMW / #2019 / #BMW-3-Series-Mk7

V12 LMR / #Jenny-Holzer / #BMW-Art-Cars / #1999 / #BMW-V12-LMR / #BMW-S70/3 / #BMW-S70 / #BMW-V12 / #BMW-V12-LMR-Jenny-Holzer / #BMW-Art-Car / #Art-Cars / #Art-Car / #BMW / #BMW-V12-LMR-Art-Car /

After a break of four years since David Hockey’s 850CSi BMW returned to its roots with the 15th Art Car – it was going racing again! Art Cars The 15th machine in the series: Jenny Holzer’s V12 LMR.

As BMW’s Art Car project started with racing cars one could argue that over the ensuing years it’s used far too many road cars, and even when it did choose to adorn its racing cars they were never used in anger on track – witness the two E30 M3s and the E36 Touring Car that never went near a circuit. The first four cars all took part in the #Le-Mans 24-Hour and 1999 saw a return with Jenny Holzer’s V12 LMR.

The work of Jenny Holzer, who was born in Ohio, USA, in 1950, cannot be put into conventional categories. Since the late seventies, she has rejected traditional forms of expression such as representational painting, working with words instead of pictures. Messages in the form of LED lettering are arranged together with carved plaques, benches or sarcophaguses made of stone to make up complete installations. It is this interplay of language, objects and context as equal elements that render her work so unique and makes her one of the most consistently exhibited artists worldwide. The Art Car designed by the American concept artist was adorned with messages which she said, “Will probably never become void”. Bold statements in capitals such as ‘Protect me from what I want’ and ‘What urge will save us now that sex wont?’ were emblazoned on the car.

Her concept is based on traditional colours and materials used in motor racing. To allow the characteristic blue and white BMW colours to remain visible during the 24-hour race at Le Mans, she used reflecting chrome letters and phosphorescent colours. During the day the sky is reflected in the letters, during the night the foil is desorbing the saved daylight in blue. Except that the car never raced at Le Mans, although it was one of three V12 LMRs that was used for the preliminary qualification in May, for the actual race BMW elected to use the more traditionally liveried cars. It would have been disappointing had BMW left it at that, but fortunately the car did compete in its Holzer livery in a round of the American Le Mans Series in 2000 at Road Atlanta for the Petit Le Mans. Sadly by this time the LMRs were no longer competitive and had to play second fiddle to the Audis with the Holzer car coming in a distant fourth place.

Finally brave again! The next 3-series and all new to 2021. The future of #BMW-G20 / #2018-BMW-3-Series
NEW
Come #2018 TRIPLE Striking kidney and headlights with OLED - and laser technology. Genuine design jump
The i-offensive? In the exit. Design jumps? No longer really recognizable. If BMW as out of step? Not at all. Why the next three, a new era begins.


What would you do if you were BMW boss? Since you have a successful design language, are technically anywhere at eye level, and its sales people tell you constantly: "Just do not change, we sell great." Would you actually continue surfing on the wave? The head says spontaneously Yes, wants to play it safe. On the other hand you know that every wave hits even on the beach. And before that happens, you need to ride again on the next wave. The problem? Given by model cycles of approximately six years, it is difficult to estimate as to when the wave rolls. At BMW they believe the current wave of success would last a few more years, because the new fives, which goes on sale early 2017, a noticeable design change is made. But do not worry: The new era, it comes with the next three. This starts with the design. From the outside, the genes of the three are indeed still clearly visible, but the larger, downward-drawn three-dimensional kidney changed the face of the car considerably. These slotted new headlights come with a combination of OLED technology and laser light. OLED? These are organic light-emitting diodes, which can illuminate homogeneous unlike traditional LED large areas. This thin-film elements, which are also used in modern screens are used, are not only flat, but also flexible. They enable entirely new lighting designs. BMW combined with the laser beam light used in sevens. First Curved Display Unlike Mercedes for the E-Class, BMW also the next three-he on a freely on the fittings board positioned, optional large display. It will be first bent toward the driver. Also extra charge: a digital instrument cluster. How should we imagine all this, BMW showed the study i Vision Future at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. "As already put a lot from the next three in there," says a BMW insider. But the end of the head-up display is not in sight: Until the display of information in the entire windscreen it will take a generation of vehicles. The basic triple receives analog instruments and a small touch screen in the middle. Service? As BMW is the chosen with the sevens path. The number of fixed buttons is reduced, voice and gesture control expanded. Do not worry, dear BMW fans who do not want or chatting in the car can continue on the iDrive system, the known rotary-push button, draw. While the cockpit design is revolutionary, changes to the exterior dimensions virtually nothing. "The threesome has the perfect format," says BMW. The wheelbase is however down somewhat, and the car is slimming around 80 kilos. This should help to improve the handling of the three again.

More choices

In future, the BMW Dreier owners influence the interpretation of his car more than ever already in the configuration. So BMW offers the somewhat more comfortable standard and a sports seat in the future to a comfort chair. The spread of the adaptive chassis is considerably larger. Target: more comfort on long motorway journeys, more agility for fun in fast corners. the other hand, nothing fundamental will change to the engine range of the three. Although by then especially the six-cylinder engines are again thoroughly revised, but the levels remain from a few hp equal. Likewise, BMW is sticking to the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. For basic engines, there are also after 2018 a six-speed manual-switch. The top model BMW M3 will not make-the horsepower arms race and to remain well below 500 hp. Instead, the BMW M GmbH on lightweight construction and an electric boost function. The next M3 gets more parts made of carbon and magnesium and an electric motor between the engine and transmission, which provides in particular driving situations extra power. For those functions he needs the 48-volt electrical system, which is to keep the latest 2016mit the facelift in 2021 when he three-catchment. It allows the intermediate storage of energy. Thus, the three can then autonomously parallel parking and electrically, among other things and save fuel.

The #BMW-i5 is a crossover

And as it goes on with the i-models? The i8 also gets a new stage like the i3. The term "facelift" does not fit in this context, because it is less about the look than to the improvement of the electric drive. The i3 is changed from previously 64 ampere-hours on 93 and is therefore likely to increase in everyday life its reach to more than 200 km (currently around 120 km). Discussion There are still around the i5, a more spacious electric car. Until mid-2015 the board the idea of a coupe-like four-door sedan was at a premium. That has changed. In December 2015 BMW boss Harald Krüger and his fellow board members surveyed three designs. One went towards a triple GT, it was quickly rejected. Top candidate has postponed an attractive crossover model, in which the battery technology can be integrated better. Currently launch: beginning #2021 earlier is now the Urban Cross come a roughly four-meter City-SUV based on the front-wheel drive platform. The design is adopted, it should end 2017 to go on sale. Problems are naming as the terms "urban" and "Cross" were protected in some markets in the world by other companies. "X2" is still available, but is not, because the car is less than the X1.

In the same year will also start selling the #BMW-Z4 successor jointly developed with Toyota. The Japanese put a closed sports car, BMW a Roadster with soft top. For enhanced driving dynamics, the axes of the current M3 and a further weight reduction to make. Also, the four-door two is a done deal, the rear-wheel drive for this car but off the table. "That should not cheaper three opponents are," says BMW. He's driving dynamics still top, is discussed to provide him with all-wheel drive.

The niche strategy of BMW remains smart and efficient, but the music plays in the volume-oriented segments. In other words: The new three must arrive, the rest is just the freestyle.

The BMW i5 Could also be called #BMW-i6 . That there is a crossover at the next i-model, is becoming more likely

TWO GRAN COUPE
What has made Mercedes with the CLA, BMW is now trying with the four-door two
QUAD COUPE
The series takes on the art of three. Strong focus on driving dynamics

BMW X7 The Americans should exchange their Cadillac Escalade against a #BMW-X7 planned even with twelve-cylinder engine / #BMW-X7-V12

URBAN CROSS
Expressive Drawn City SUV with front and all-wheel drive. #BMW responds to Audi Q2
Z4 Without assistance system-frills, but with M3-axis: a classic roadster soft top

CONCLUSION
BMW celebrates on March 7, 2016, a ceremony to be 100-Yea existence. Recently, the trade fairs and vehicle performances felt but often so on, as will once well-known brand has often standards in connectivity try other manufacturers like Audi, BMW rank last brave again!

Once well-known sold as new. With the next three BMW is again noticeably innovative in the future. And this is important: set the auto industry. This has made them so strong and attractive. Attention: Operation and expire. And the i5 comes after the E-cars from Audi and Porsche.

TECHNOLOGY

BMW is working on the Internet of Things

The trend in the use BMW has always been. In future, the driver indicates menus that are shown on tiles, and confirm the selection by touch pad on the steering wheel. The topic of "Internet of Things" is promoted: The next evolutionary stage of ConnectedDrive includes the "Open Mobility Cloud", connecting through to home and car together. So the mirror could report home on the Real Time Traffic Information in dressing room, that on the previously entered in the navigation system's route congestion. The planned route is displayed with the traffic delays. The other way around can be checked out of the car shutters or the hobs.

More wheelbase, but proportions and space remain similar

TRIPLE TOURING
The combination follows a half year after the sedan. So much space as before

Still Future music: information projected onto the windshield
Fewer buttons, more control by gestures and language
Large, curved towards the driver display yet

MODERN COCKPIT
Revolution in the interior: curved screen and digital instrument cluster, hardly buttons BMW

03 Rich Hardesty-DeMenge’s #Air-ride LS1 V8 #BMW-E30-V8 / #BMW

People love to have a moan about feature cars that have had non-BMW engine swaps carried out, questioning why on earth would you remove the original engine in favour of something ‘inferior’ but when it comes to the crunch you clearly can’t hate them that much, as this LS1- powered E30 takes this year’s bronze medal position. Mind you, there’s no way you couldn’t love such an incredibly well-executed car and from the dash-riding frog plushie to the small matter of 5.7-litres of American muscle nestling under the bonnet, this is an awesome car.

We all clearly loved the fact that it’s so clean and really gives nothing away about the fact that it’s got almost 400hp to play with, courtesy of that breathed-on V8. Factor in the perfectly polished #BBS 17s and air-ride that combine to deliver the sort of stance and fitment that will have people breaking out the #goals on Instagram and you’ve got yourself one drop-dead gorgeous E30.

02 Nick Singh Sahota’s #V8 #BMW-E30

Little more than two fistfuls of votes separated the runner-up spot from this year’s winner and the former is occupied by Nick Sahota and his rather tasty #V8-powered E30 Chromie. Nick took home the (virtual) trophy last year with his orange, S54-powered, air-ride E30 M3 in an equally exciting battle for the top spot, and while this year’s entry from the Sahota stable was a rather more low-key affair, it clearly struck a chord with you guys out there as it quickly established itself in a strong second spot before surging after the eventual leader in the latter stages of voting.

Another exceedingly clean E30, there is a lot to love about this car, such as the incredibly rare rear window louvres combined with the delightfully retro heckblende panel, the highly-polished 16” Schmidt splits, the immaculately executed interior with its Recaro Highbacks and Nardi steering wheel and gear knob and, of course, the 4.0-litre M60 V8 sitting snugly in the immaculate engine bay. This all adds up to a heady mix of E30 goodness that’s impossible to resist.

01 Truls Johansen’s 580hp turbo E30 M3

When we were compiling the shortlist for this year’s Car of the Year, we couldn’t help but speculate which car might be the potential victor this time around, but we could never have predicted this result. It’s as pleasant a surprise as we could have ever imagined. In a sea of spotlight-stealing show cars and insanely intricate big power builds, it was this turbocharged E30 that captured your imagination and you subsequently propelled it into the lead with such force we wondered if anything could possibly catch it. Please don’t think we’re taking anything away from Truls and his E30 M3, we loved it enough to put it on our June cover after all, but when the BMW-loving public is concerned, we never know what the outcome might be.

So just what is it about this car that made it such a crowd pleaser in this year’s contest? Well, you certainly can’t go wrong with an E30 M3, and this one is arguably the very definition and embodiment of a performance BMW. With minimal styling additions, including some Evo 2 aero accoutrements and some lush Porsche seats, this car is all about power and rather than swapping in a larger engine, Truls chose to stick with the S14, carrying out some seriously extensive internal upgrades before strapping on a fat turbo and hitting 583hp, all with just four cylinders to play with. We love the end result and, clearly so do you. ‏ ‏ — with Shelby Glenn

Concept Congratulations / #BMW-X2 / #BMW-X2-Concept / #BMW-Concept / #2016 /

As I normally contribute to BMW Car by way of providing classic/historic BMWs, occasionally through Mike Taylor and others in the distant past, I sincerely hope that you will not mind my commenting on your article related to the Paris show launch of the Concept X2.

The vehicle on show firmly revives what the 2 Series BMW of the late ‘60s/early ‘70s really was – a sporting saloon – whereas the first recent revival of the 2 Series was a people carrier for mums on the school run. So very well done indeed to BMW designers, it’s a winner!

You incorrectly state roundels on those C pillars are not a design element that BMW has ever used on a production car, when in fact they were used on the Bertone 3200CS of 1956, the 2000CS in 1965, the E9 Coupés to 1975 – in all a total of almost 20 years. So to see BMW picking up on previous design features in its DNA is very refreshing. However, I thought the colour used for the concept was too close to an Alfa Romeo hue – wouldn’t it have been great if BMW had gone for something like Granada red from the ‘60s? That would have made a classic statement.

BMW 3 SERIES FUTURE #BMW-G30 gets mad! / #2018 / #2018-BMW-3-Series / #BMW

To counter Audi and Mercedes-Benz in the family D+ sector, is working on his new #BMW-3-Series Scheduled for 2018, posting a new design and a rise in sensitive range.

Long undisputed star in the category of family, the 3 Series is now facing stiff competition, including within the BMW range. The X1 SUV, the MPV Series Active Tourer 2 or the 4 Series Gran Coupe and Coupe (four doors) represent real alternatives effect. Added to this is the classic rivalry of other German manufacturers, who do not spare their efforts. In Germany, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class W205 is selling more than the 3 Series, the Audi A4 has just revamped and the Volkswagen Passat has never been high-end...

A real little 7 Series to cope, the 3 Series is about to radically change. It will include grow a few centimeters to reach 4.70 m. Its design will also evolve: will be even more distinguished with a front face very expressive, with a three-dimensional grille. Already renowned for its high quality finish, the family will make further progress on this care plan sheet metal assemblies with very narrow joints. On board, the same recipe will be applied with increasingly high-end materials. Staffing side, the 3 Series will approach the 7 Series G11/G12, especially in terms of very high-tech equipment. This will provide the ability to maneuver the car from the outside (to exit the car from close up, for example) via the touch screen on the remote.

Inside, a gesture recognition will display.
A sleeker Touring wagon

THE CURRENT SERIES TOURING 3

Within the 3 Series family, the station wagon Touring enjoys the best loading volume and is more practical with its tailgate. If he is not really a mover status (a VW Passat is much better), the capacity of its trunk is correct in the category of premium family. It will always be the case with the new generation, which is expected to grow even in this regard through a few extra centimeters longer small.

Taut lines for Touring station wagon, and a volume of loading slight increase...
Is it better than its rivals chewable 3 Series will counter with a sharp grille? This aggressive will face anyway BMW family to strengthen its dynamism. This will go hand in hand with an offer of more powerful engines.

LAUNCH: end of #2018
■ LENGTH: 4,70 m approximately
■ GASOLINE ENGINES: 136 to 550bhp (M3) + plug-in hybrid
■ DIESEL ENGINE: from 116 to 436bhp
■ RATE: from € 32,500*

Combining the looks of a ’60s Russian saloon #GAZ 21 Volga with the underpinnings of an #E31 850CSi #S70B56 #BMW-E31 , the #Volga #Volga-V12 Coupé was quite unlike anything else…

Volga V12 Coupé #GAZ-21 based design It’s fair to say that most people outside of Russia would struggle to tell you much about the country’s automotive industry. But Russia has a lot of love for the automobile and as well as producing cars for an awfully long time, the country is more than a little passionate about BMWs. This one-off coach built creation then, commissioned by an anonymous Muscovite entrepreneur combines Russian styling and German engineering, married the classic lines of the #GAZ-21-Volga with the underpinnings of an #BMW-850CSi – a match made in heaven?

The unenviable task of creating this dream machine fell to Anatoly Mikhailov, founder of Moscow-based #Autolak , specialising in crash repairs and painting expensive cars. A V12 was requested so it was agreed that the #BMW-850CSi-E31 would form the basis of the car and due to the fact that the GAZ 21 is smaller all-round, a bespoke inner structure and body panels were required. Step one was to source a low mileage CSi, before dismantling it and replacing any worn parts, which included springs, dampers and the steering gear among others. The paint was stripped away and all the panels were removed, right down to the rear wings and roof. Every new panel was hand-crafted from 0.8mm thick sheet steel while the roof was hand-beaten from 1.2mm thick steel and reinforced with boxshaped steel sections. The owner had asked for an electric sunroof so a complete BMW module was sourced and integrated into the roof. The main structure of the car was then spot and seam welded while the outer panels were spot and argon-arc welded and in order to ensure the car could withstand the harsh Russian weather and give its new owner plenty of enjoyment, all the hidden cavities were wax-injected to prevent any corrosion.

The 850CSi and Volga were different in every way – the size, shape and proportion of the pair are totally at odds with one another. The resulting hybrid therefore bore little resemblance to either car, and with the Volga shape stretched to fit the larger 8 Series chassis the end result looked more like a 1950s American car than a compact Russian saloon. Aside from the vast amount of bodywork that was required, there was even more work needed beneath the surface. For example, due to the curvature of the side windows, the guide rails had to be altered while the mechanism of the BMW door locks was changed due to the external Volga door handles. Shorter wipers were fitted as the windscreen was smaller but this meant there was a larger area of unwiped glass so the right-hand wiper had to be moved.

The CSi mirrors were retained while 17-inch period-look chromed wheels were fitted and the classically styled headlamps housed xenon bulbs with electric height adjustment. Under the bonnet was the CSi’s V12 which had not been tampered with and while it was powerful enough, the car it now found itself in weighed an impressive 200kg more than the already portly 850CSi. This meant performance was blunted, though it was still brisk, capable of cracking the 0-62mph sprint in 6.4 seconds and topping out at 150mph. However, the retro-styling also had an effect on fuel economy, with the car struggling to achieve 12mpg. But it looked damn cool and certainly made a statement. Whatever that might be…

The #2002 #Volga-V12-Coupé
Engine: #BMW #S70 5.6-litre V12
Transmission: Six-speed manual
How many: Just the one…
What is it: Russian fantasy machine

BMW CONCEPTS: The cars they could have made. #BMW Concepts - how about a #BMW-Z4-M-Coupé that looks like a Mille Miglia car? With the underpinnings shared from an M car, a lightweight body and nostalgic styling, this concept car celebrated the a past master in style…

Sometimes, it’s nice to see concept cars built just for a bit of fun. The #BMW-Concept-Coupé-Mille-Miglia from #2006 wasn’t ever intended to become BMW’s next budding sports car, or to exhibit the company’s latest technical innovations. Instead, it was simply built to commemorate a great moment in BMW’s past; the 328 Coupé’s landslide victory on the #1940 900-kilometre #Mille-Miglia race, which it won by more than a 15-minute margin.

To celebrate, BMW created this nostalgic #BMW-328-Coupé homage, as a modern take on an old style. BMW stated; ‘With its unique concept study, the developers and designers in the BMW Group are showing how traditional values, modern expertise and visions can be unified into a fascinating vehicle.’ It certainly was fascinating. The concept was largely based upon Z4 M Coupé mechanicals but with bigger overall dimensions, being some 23cm longer, 14cm wider and 4cm lower. Although that made it fairly big, it was actually very light, as despite the car looking like it was made from aluminium, just as the original 328 was, the entire body was actually made out of lightweight carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) and then painted a fine shade of silver.

The material might be different but styling closely followed the original 328’s, from the large round headlights, huge vertical kidney grilles, long bonnet and sweeping front wheel housings through to the low windscreen, streamlined roof line and angled rear wings. The rear of the roof section featured an asymmetrical design, complete with a large, narrow LED taillight that ran across the whole back section. To match the rear light, the headlight panels also featured a series of LEDs. There were no doors and access to the cabin area involved lifting the entire roof section upwards and back. Once in the open position it revealed a somewhat sparse interior, which was dominated by the rollcage.

The huge arches were filled with equally huge specially developed 20-inch wheels and were fitted with 245/40 20 tyres. These were actually a little skinny in reality, as the Z4 M’s complete engine and running gear was also fitted. That meant a 3.2-litre straight-six engine producing 343hp, connected to a six-speed manual gearbox. The concept car also featured a revised intake and exhaust system for an improved soundtrack.

As mentioned, BMW never had an intention of releasing the Mille Miglia, although the CFRP bodyshell suggested it may well have gained some useful experience working with the exotic material. Regardless, it’s a pretty concept car and no doubt a fitting tribute to BMW’s 1940 success. #BMW-328-Kamm-Coupe