nedjelja, 29. siječnja 2012.

Rain doesn't sour our first taste of BMW's brutal new two-door.

 

It would be misguided to suggest the world outside simply fades away behind the wheel of BMW's latest 6-Series Coupe. But when the rain is belting down and the fog closing in on a narrow strip of winding, bark-strewn bitumen in the mountains behind Brisbane, the realisation rapidly dawns that it's an extremely handy place to be.
Sure, there's a stonking twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine under the long bonnet to be mindful of. But unlike some performance-tuned coupes, it's surprisingly easy to moderate the throttle to such a degree that the driver can retain a confident and relaxed demeanour even under the significant duress of the bleak conditions outside.
Our 650i has such a firm purchase on the tarmac that it's even possible to progress beyond a grim determination to simply survive the appalling conditions, by shifting the Drive Dynamic Control selector from Comfort mode to Sport.
This brings firmer suspension and steering and even a small degree of latitude from the stability control, as well as sharper gearshifts from the excellent eight-speed auto to extract at least a modicum of driving enjoyment from a day better suited to ducks.
Sport-Plus mode, with its even harder edge and significantly smaller safety net will have to wait for another more appropriate day. We've similarly dismissed the polar-opposite Comfort-Plus mode as illogical on these twisting roads; its soft, wallowy settings are counter-productive to hauling the big coupe through a series of virtually grip-free hairpins.
BMW has replaced one 6-Series Coupe with two, although the cheaper 640i with its turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine wasn't offered for appraisal on the Australian media launch.
The 650i, meanwhile, is bigger than the model it replaces in almost every respect and consequently up to 120 kilograms heavier - due in part to an impressive 53 per cent more body strength, and in spite of the liberal use of aluminium body panels.
However, it is also more efficient than the model it replaces on paper, officially clocking 10.4 litres per 100km against a handy and symetrically pleasing 300 kilowatts of power and 600 Newton metres of torque.
In practice this quickly ballooned out to north of 14.0L/100km following a mix of urban running and some severely tempered enthusiasm on the aforementioned rain-sodden mountain passes.
That's unlikely to be a deal breaker for prospective owners, however, who likely won't bat an eyelid at the 650i's $232,300 price tag (before on-road and dealer costs are added).
Those imposing power and torque peaks are impressively accessible, with the two turbos nestled between the V8's cylinder banks ensuring every single Newton metre can storm into play from just 1750rpm. In theory that can translate to a 0-100km/h sprint of just 4.9 seconds - not that we were keen to tap all of that potential in the trying conditions presented.
A lovely exhaust note was muted inside the cabin while ever-present tyre roar from the run-flat tyres was not - the exact opposite of what we would prefer.
Still, those same run-flats offer an impressive level of compliance, even in the harder-edged Sport setting when only an occasional thump is felt and heard. After years of development, BMW and its tyre suppliers have finally succeeded in making the controversial technology a viable - if still noisy - tyre option across its luxurious range.
The electrically assisted power steering proved difficult to ultimately assess on sodden roads, and complicating matters further is the addition to our test cars of optional Active Steering, which can apply tiny directional inputs to the rear driving wheels to help with either low-speed manoeuvring or high-speed cornering.
However, selecting Sport mode adds noticeable weight to the steering and there's a welcome directness, albeit with some uneven weighting that's mainly noticeable navigating from one tight bend to another.
At such times you also become hyper-aware of the considerable weight of the V8 engine over the car's nose, even though it has been moved seven centimetres backwards compared to the model it replaces.
There's plenty to enjoy inside for the keen driver and their passenger, although we'd sternly counsel against any ambition to put the "2+2" coupe's back seat to any use other than minding small bags. Despite an additional 75mm being added to the wheelbase over the old model and the provision of two deep, well-padded pews, a critical lack of head- and legroom make this space unfit for human habitation.
There's also a few ergonomic oddities up front, with massive windscreen pillars obscuring forward vision in cornering and a driver's seat that sat slightly off-centre to the steering.
But there's plenty of consolation in the deep, comfortable and widely adjustable leather front seats plus a centre console that curves towards the driver, bringing all critical controls within easy reach. A new 10.2-inch sat-nav screen that uses flat panel technology is a suitable centrepiece with its crystal-clear display, although inputting a destination via the multi-level iDrive system can still be confounding in spite of many generations of development work.
Most attending the launch agreed the new 6-Series Coupe is a better-looking beast than the car it replaces with a more taut, crouching stance, assertive twin-kidney grille and a vastly improved rear-end design.
The two BMW 6-Series Coupes are on sale now, joining the previously-arrived convertible models.
They will be supplemented by the middle of next year by convertible and coupe versions of an even more performance-oriented M6 model featuring the same ballistic 412kW/680Nm V8 from the soon-to-arrive M5 sedan
Meanwhile, we'll keep an eye on the weather in the hope of finding a suitably sunny summer's day for an opportunity to revisit the 6-Series Coupes. And if it happens to rain, well ... it's not the end of the world.   - smh.drive.com.au -

nedjelja, 22. siječnja 2012.

What the drivers say

"BMW Team RLL has become something of a second family to me," said Dirk Müller. Read more driver comments on the exciting 2012 ALMS programme…

Dirk Müller: "It's that time again. Following our great success last season, all the other teams will obviously have their sights set on us. They will be going all out to take our titles off us. However, we have not been resting on our laurels this winter. BMW Team RLL has become something of a second family to me. In 2011, the team’s hard work really paid off. Long may it continue."

Joey Hand:  "I am really looking forward to the ALMS. After all, it is something very special when you line up as the defending champion in a series. To win a title is one thing, but to defend it is perhaps even more difficult. BMW Team RLL has what it takes to maintain the immensely high standards it set last year. Everyone on the team is doing all they can to ensure we are successful. The fact that I will also be racing in the DTM gives me additional motivation. As a racing driver, you simply cannot spend enough time out on the track – especially at the wheel of a BMW M3."
 
Bill Auberlen:  "I am pleased to return to BMW Team RLL for a fourth season and defend our GT class championships. Jörg and Uwe will be excellent additions to the line-up as they both have proven experience in the BMW M3 GT. Our test at Sebring in December showed that Bobby’s team has worked hard since Petit Le Mans and I’m confident we will be able to take on all challengers."

Jörg Müller:  "I have nothing but good memories of the American Le Mans Series. In 2001 we also achieved a hat-trick of titles with the BMW M3 GTR, just as BMW Team RLL did last year. It is great to return to this fantastic championship after all the successful years with BMW. I am sure I will soon feel at home again on the circuits of North America."

Uwe Alzen:  "I know the BMW M3 GT and my team-mates very well from the last two years and also gained experience in the American Le Mans Series in 2008, so I feel well primed for my starts with BMW Team RLL. The competition in the GT class is extremely fierce – and that is precisely what I am really looking forward to." bmw-motorsport.com

BMW introduces new 2012 6 Series droptop

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico – BMW introduced the new-generation 6 Series convertible in a place they were fairly sure the sun would be shining— Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

As bad as the weather’s been this year in much of the U.S., no one minded travelling to the end of the Baha Peninsula to drive the car. And since we didn’t have to drive the car all the way down the coast, we could concentrate on the interesting and varied roads they chose for the drive: we headed through mountains with great sweeping bends, as well as some nice twisty bits. It was a good test for this cruiser.

And the 2012 BMW 650i convertible is a cruiser.

With 400 hp. and 450 lbs-ft of torque coming out of its 4.4-liter, twin turbo V8 engine, and plenty of electronic assists that allow you to choose the car’s driving characteristics, it eats up the road and the hours most capably.

The car comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, available only in North America. BMW’s new eight-speed automatic transmission is a no-cost option. We drove the automatic, and the ability to adjust the performance characteristics through the Driving Dynamics Control was a distinct advantage.

There are settings for Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport+ and the system changes the throttle response, power steering assistance, shock absorbers, roll stabilization (if equipped), Integral Active Steering (if equipped), and automatic transmission shift characteristics.

In Sport+ mode, the settings are changed to the most aggressive, allowing the driver to “hang” the rear end out ten degrees for faster cornering. It was hard to switch out of this mode, but I did test all of them. Sport is just slightly less aggressive, and the Normal and Comfort settings do calm everything down. That doesn’t limit the capability, it merely smoothes everything out.

Should you need to tell folks this car’s efficiency, let them know the EPA rates the BMW 650i at 15 mpg in city driving and 22 mg on the highway for the manual transmission and 16 mpg city and 24 mpg highway with the automatic.

While it’s doing all the hard work, inside, you’re cossetted in comfort and luxury. Our tester cost $106,000, so you’d expect everything to be quite nice, and it was. The 20-seat adjustments of these Nappa-leather covered seats let you find just the spot. Even with the top down at highway speeds, you can carry on a comfortable conversation or enjoy the very competent sound system.

The standard audio system comes with a hi-definition radio, MP3-compatible CD drive, Aux-In connection and nine speakers. The optional Premium Sound Package adds SiriusXM satellite radio, iPod and USB adapter, and the 12 loudspeakers powered by a digital amplifier. Most buyers will opt for this, and should.

more on troyrecord.com

srijeda, 18. siječnja 2012.

BMW B6 Biturbo Coupe by Alpina


While many are sitting back, patiently waiting for the arrival of the BMW M6, German tuner Alpina has been hard at work on a project that will shed some light on the future model. Their new B6 Biturbo Coupe may not be as impressive as the upcoming M6, which is rumored to deliver about 600 HP, but it’s here now. Plus, we’re sure Alpina left enough room for a new tuning package for the M6.

But back to their Alpina B6 Biturbo Coupe. The B6 is an evolution of the old 507 HP B6 cabrio, but uses an aluminum twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8, equipped with MAHLE pistons and a high-performance cooling system. This setup is give for a total output of 540 HP and 516 lb-ft of torque. With the extra power, the B6 Biturbo will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and will hit a top speed of 198 mph. Alpina has also opted for a Akrapovic titanium exhaust system that will make the car sound better than ever and, of course, a new set of 20" Alpina Classic rims fitted with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.

For the aerodynamic updates, the B6 BiTurbo Coupe has been fitted with a front spoiler, an integrated carbon fiber front splitter, and a rear spoiler with an optional rear wing. The interior was also revamped with a sport steering wheel, hand-stitched in LAVALINA leather, blue illuminated entry sills, a navigation system with preparation for Bluetooth mobile phone, USB audio interface, Xenon lights, and LED fog lights.
- topspeed.com -

Ihre neue B6 Biturbo Coupé ist vielleicht nicht so beeindruckend wie die kommenden M6, die Gerüchten zufolge etwa 600 PS liefern, aber es ist jetzt hier. Plus, sind wir sicher Alpina links genug Platz für ein neues Tuning-Paket für den M6.

Leur nouvelle B6 Biturbo Coupé peut-être pas aussi impressionnant que la M6 à venir, qui est répandu pour livrer environ 600 CV, mais il est ici maintenant. De plus, nous sommes sûrs Alpina laissé assez de place pour un paquet de nouveaux réglages pour le M6.

Их новый B6 Biturbo Coupe может быть не столь впечатляющи, как предстоящей M6, который, по слухам, поставлять около 600 л.с., но это здесь и сейчас. Кроме того, мы уверены, что Alpina оставалось достаточно места для нового тюнинг-пакет для M6. 

2013 BMW Gran Touring

Just a few days ago BMW has unveiled the 6-Series Gran Coupe - competitor for Mercedes famous CLS luxury four-door coupe. And, as Mercedes has promised a CLS Shooting Break - set to be released in March 2012 at the Geneva Motor Show - of course there might be a possibility for BMW to offer a Touring version for their Gran Coupe model.

Of course that exactly like with the CLS Shooting Brake the BMW Gran Touring model will add some extra space, but will feature the same design language and technology as with the sedan version.

If built, the Touring model will be powered by a TwinPower turbo 6-cylinder engine with an output of 315 HP at 5,800 to 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 330 lbs-ft delivered between 1,300 and 4,500 rpm. The model will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds and will hit a top speed of 155 mph. - topspeed.com -

Gerade vor ein paar Tagen hat BMW das 6-Series Gran Coupe vorgestellt - Konkurrenz für Mercedes CLS berühmten Luxus viertürige Coupé

Juste il ya quelques jours BMW a dévoilé le coupé Série 6 Gran - concurrent pour Mercedes CLS luxe célèbre coupé quatre portes

Всего несколько дней назад BMW представила 6-Series Gran Coupe - конкурента для Mercedes CLS известных роскошных четырехдверное купе