BMW 1-series M safety car for the 2011 MotoGP season.

This hardcore track version of the new BMW 1-series M coupe is the new safety car for the 2011 MotoGP season.
The only thing for the one-off safety car that remains unchanged from the production model is the twin-turbo 335bhp straight-six engine. The car has undergone drastic weight saving, including a new carbonfibre bonnet with added large air vents, plus the use of polycarbonate for the side and rear windows. A lightweight titanium race exhaust is also fitted “for the benefit of the spectators”.

See the official pics of the BMW 1-series M safety car

Styling modifications include a large fixed rear wing to boost downforce, and an additional splitter at the front of the car.
The M coupe’s adjustable high-performance suspension set-up gets a new race set-up with independently adjustable dampers. It features new 19-inch wheels equipped with 255/35 tyres at the front and 285/30 tyres at the rear.
Read the full story on the new BMW 1-series M road car
Vehicle height and camber of the axles can also be altered to suit different circuit characteristics. A six-piston fixed-calliper racing brake system completes the dynamic changes.
Inside, the car gets a rollcage, two bucket racing seats, an Alcantara-clad M steering wheel and a fire extinguisher.
The BMW 1-series M coupe road car will go on sale in the UK in price, priced from around £38,000.

See also Collection of Sports Cars

BMW launches 'i' sub-brand

BMW has confirmed a new sub-brand called i, through which it intends to market a range of advanced standalone hybrid, range-extender and plug-in electric models.

Among the first cars to carry the new badge will be the i3 and i8, both of which are planned for introduction in 2013. “These cars have been designed specifically for their respective alternative drive systems. We’re using an innovative architecture to cancel out practically all the extra weight of the batteries,” revealed Klaus Draeger, head of BMW’s R&D operations.

The new architecture, which goes under the name LifeDrive, uses an aluminium chassis to house the driveline, with the passenger cell constructed from carbonfibre-reinforced plastic developed in partnership with US-based SG Carbon.

The two-plus-two i3, previously known under its internal working title MegaCity Vehicle, is BMW’s first production model to be conceived specifically for urban driving environment. It boasts an upright one-box silhouette revealed in an official sketch generated by BMW late last year.

The first i3 will be powered by an all-electric driveline similar to that found in the 1-series ActiveE, which uses a 170bhp electric motor in combination with a lithium ion battery pack for a claimed range of 100 miles. Other versions of the i3, including a range extender, are also under development.

The i8, previewed the Efficient Dynamics concept car first shown in 2009, will use a hybrid driveline likely to combine BMW’s upcoming 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with the same electric motor used by the i3.

The i3 and i8 will be produced on a dedicated line at BMW’s Leipzig factory, which is being lined up for €400m (£336m) of fresh investment.

Mini Countryman for Dakar

Mini’s new Countryman rally car will enter the 2011 Dakar Rally.

Rally specialist X-Raid is developing the all-wheel-drive crossover with funding from energy drink firm Monster Energy. It will also run a Monster Energy livery in the event, which starts next month in Argentina.

See a rendering on the X-Raid Mini Countryman

X-Raid previously ran the successful BMW X3CC rally car and won three FIA World Cup cross-country racing titles with the car. The Mini All4 Racing’s Dakar appearance will be its competitive debut, ahead of a part-time programme in next year’s World Rally Championship.

The X-Raid Countryman will borrow the X3CC’s 311bhp, 523lb ft turbodiesel unit. X-Raid will be hoping to better last year’s fourth and fifth places acheived with the X3CC as the Countryman has larger air intakes, a shorter wheelbase and a much lower centre of gravity than that car.

New Merc supercar to fight BMW

The futuristic Mercedes-Benz Biome concept previews a full-sized design model of a mid-engined eco supercar to battle the BMW Vision ED around 2015, Autocar has learned.

Created at Merc’s Californian design studio, the ground-hugging four-seat coupé explores the future of sustained mobility to a brief set by the Los Angeles Design Challenge.

See the official pics of the radical Mercedes Biome concept

Although the eco-friendly ‘grown from a seed’ body construction and organic drive system are fictional, the ground-hugging stance, exaggerated proportions and striking design lay the foundation for a new ecological supercar.

“There are elements within the design that could easily be progressed and developed for production. We were conscious during its development to ensure it wasn’t too limited or edgy. It had to be do-able without any significant changes,” says Hubert Lee, head of the California design studio.

The production powertrain would incorporate all of Mercedes-Benz’s extensive alternative drive know-how, just as BMW is doing with its Vision EfficientDynamics supercar, recently confirmed for production in 2013.

Read the full story on the Mercedes Biome concept

At 4040mm in length, 2500mm in width and 1200mm in height, the latest Merc concept is shorter than a C-class, much wider than the GL-class and lower than the SLK.

For production, however, the width will have to be considerably reduced to fit through traffic-calming pinch points, usually set at 2.2m.

Mercedes may also adopt one of the concept’s interesting features: a central driving position flanked by two passengers. But the fourth seat, positioned behind the second row and rear-facing, is unlikely to have a production future.

BMW M3 concept supercar for 2050

This vehicle is a BMW concept imagined for the year 2050. Designer Daniel Nikonchik has designed BMW M3 concept supercar for 2050 that would enhance ownership status and be equally environmentally friendly too. Daniel Nikonchik’s BMW M3 Concept Car is not only elegant but also technically advanced. The BMW M3 is fitted with new features and innovations that will surely appeal to all car lovers.

BMW Sport Cars M3 Concept Car For The Year 2050

Other than the new innovations such as Nano Paint, fiber optic door jams, fully down loadable interiors, the BMW Sport Cars M3 by Daniel Nikonchik Concept Car For The Year 2050 features millions of nano sized cameras incorporated with the exterior paint, allowing the occupant see through the body panels even though there is no transplant windows.

The data from the cameras is then sent to depth-perceiving high definition displays made possible by the millions of cameras on the exterior to provide stereoscopic camera angles. This allows for new continuous ideas in body shapes without having to account for the traditional greenhouse as well as night vision capabilities and the ability to zoom in on road signs not yet in viewing distance.

BMW Sport Cars M3 Concept Car For The Year 2050

The BMW Sport Cars M3 features high torque electric motors powered by hydrogen power cells and engine’s only by product is pure H2O. The interior is additionally equipped with advanced features such as digital touch screen displays, moving gauges and controls to more convenient locations. The individual will also have the ability to log onto the companies’ website to download (similar to downloading an app for a smart phone) different interior packages for a small price.

The rear wheel drive vehicle is designed to open like a flower which will add more to the status of the owner while getting out of the vehicle. While getting in the car, it does exactly the opposite. Once the owner is in, vehicle folds back down, then “seals” itself back together.

Thanks, [Daniel Nikonchik]

BMW Sport Cars M3 Concept Car For The Year 2050

BMW Sport Cars X9 Concept

One more concept car unique and daring. This vehicle is BMW X9 Concept Cars, designed by Khalfi Oussama. it could be a proposal for a new Batmobile. BMW has seen some rather odd looking cars roll off the production line over the past 10 years, but Khalfi Oussama’s new X9 off-roader concept coupe takes oddball Beemers to a whole new level. This time the designer of the concept car is a 18-year-old man named Khalfi Tunisian Oussama. With the expectation that the design of the car could replace the car Batman the Dark Knight. Khalfi car design called the "BMW X9".

BMW Sport Cars X9 Concept

The BMW X9 Concept blends the sporty bodylines of a Sport Cars coupe with the rolling stock of an off-roader – much like BMW’s chunky yet sporty-looking X6 soft-roader. The X9s Sport Cars massive wheels and excessively wide, tyres combined with its colour-matched side-steps and heavy-duty crash plates front and rear definitely showcase the car’s intentions.

But still had differences with the X9 Sport Cars big wheels and body width tires combined with color combinations that match the sides. On the front is deliberately designed for heavy duty and protected with steel plates and the rear of the increasingly sharpening the mission of the X9 Sport Cars goal was made.

BMW Sport Cars X9 Concept

The X9 Sport Cars coupe also carries a new interpretation of BMW's signature kidney grille, although Oussama's version is considerably smaller than the current flock of BMWs. The grille sit along side a set of unique twin-headlights, as well as a pair of tiny foglights that are set into the bumper.

Hailed as the BMW X9 Sport Cars Concept, Khalfi Oussama, might surely have thought of a modern vehicle for Batman before giving shape to this vehicle. Unfortunately we don’t have all that technical info of the vehicle or what was the inspiration behind.

BMW Sport Cars X9 Concept

BMW X3 xDrive20d SE Reviews

The new X3 aims to rectify its predecessors flaws

It has sacrificed some sportiness for the sake of becoming a more well rounded vehicle

The platform has been completely redeveloped

Overall, it’s 83mm longer than before at 4648mm and 28mm wider at 1881mm

15mm has been added to the wheelbase (now 2810mm) and the tracks are a significant 92mm wider

Despite the expansion, it weighs 25kg less than its predecessor

Only the four-cylinder diesel xDrive20d SE will be offered in the UK at launch

In the new X3 it produces 181bhp and 280lb ft of torque - both increase over its predecessor

The interior has been transformed

It uses quality materials, a generous standard spec and an ultra-clean layout

The increase in the car’s size has resulted in usefully more cabin space than before

There’s now enough leg, shoulder and elbow room for two 6ft-plus adults to sit in comfort

It's less agile than the old car, but its ride is relatively supple even in sportier settings

The luggage bay is now the biggest in the class with a capacity of 550-1600 litres

BMW X3 xDrive20d SE

Price: £30,490; Top speed: 131mph; 0-62mph: 8.5sec; Economy: 50.4mpg; CO2: 149g/km; Kerb weight: 1715kg; Engine: 4 cyls, 1995cc, turbodiesel; Power: 181bhp at 4000rpm; Torque: 280lb ft at 1750-2750rpm; Gearbox: 6-spd manual

BMW Concept

BMW will preview the next generation 6-Series with a special concept car that will make its world debut at the Paris Auto Show at the end of September. The concept features a new design language that will be used in lots of future BMW models.

The 6-Series Concept is defined by stretched bonnet, the short front overhang, a passenger compartment set well to the rear, and a low silhouette incorporating a dynamically flowing roofline. There are also new LED headlights, which combine the typical BMW twin round headlight format with innovative lighting technology.

The interior is defined by functionality, elegance and exclusiveness. There is a new 10.2-inch iDrive Control Display in the centre of the instrument panel, Head-Up Display system and a hi-fi system designed specially for the concept.

BMW revealed no details on the concept’s specifications, but we presume we will get more details closer to the official unveil.

BMW announces end of M6 production

Like it or not, it's officially time to say auf wiedersehen to the potent M6. BMW has just announced that it has ceased production of both the M6 coupe and convertible. The uniquely styled GT cars primarily found favor here in the U.S., with a total of 3,528 of the hardtops and 3,247 convertibles sold on American soil. In total, the company managed to sell 14,152 of the cars since production of the M6 started in 2005. As you may recall, the drophead version didn't hit the assembly line until 2006.

We're sure the loss of the M6 is a heartbreak to some out there, but we know that there's a replacement model on the horizon, and we're more morose over the news that BMW is also sending the muscular V10 at the heart of the car to pasture at the same time. That's right, kids. BMW is no longer planning to shoehorn a 10-pot into any vehicle it makes, opting instead for forced induction and eight cylinders. The 5.0-liter engine with its astronomical 8,250 rpm redline is the stuff of mechanical daydreams. Or at least it was.

[Source: BMW]

Audi A7 Sportback

Not to be outdone by the likes of Aston Martin, BMW or Porsche, Audi has jumped into the sportback segment of the automotive market with the new A7. The concept of the sportback is simple. Take a four door sedan but streamline it so it gives off the impression that it is in fact a two door coupe. Then combine in the versatility of a hatchback and POOF… instant sportback. Porsche has the butt ugly Panamera, BMW has the 5 Series Gran Turismo and Aston Martin now has the stunning Rapide.

Design wise it’s difficult to make a car in this configuration and have it look good. In fact up until now Aston Martin was the only manufacturer to nail it. Audi however is coming in hard and fast with the A7 and truth be told, it’s a good looking automobile. The new A7 has design elements that give its body line a low-slung, aerodynamic look and feel. Combine that with the long sloping hood and chopped rear deck lid and you have one aggressive looking gran touring sedan.

From a visual standpoint the A7 is light years ahead of BMW’s 5 Series Gran Turismo and Porsche’s turtle shaped Panamera. The real question though is how is this going to affect the sales of Audi’s other big beauty, the A8. Side by side both cars exude power, elegance and sophistication, as a buyer though I’d think I’d be torn on which one to buy.

From a technical standpoint the new 2011 Audi A7 features fun toys like touchscreen navigation, a Bang & Olufsen stereo system with 1,300 watts of power (that may be overkill), full bluetooth capabilities and just about every current automotive safety feature known to man. Right now there is not too much information for those of us here in the States, but stay tuned because as soon as we learn more, you’ll learn more.