Carbon-fibre bodywork has the benefit of being lightweight but also works out rather expensive. That's why the material has so far been generally reserved for racing cars. Carbon-fibre components have played a vital role in helping Formula One teams keep their cars both light and stable. Nonetheless, the material has yet to prove its suitability for series production, as it is considered too expensive, too difficult to shape properly and too problematic to repair if damaged in an accident. For their part, however, BMW are convinced that they can make a go of it. The Munich-based carmaker has plans to use carbon fibre on a large scale in future vehicle production. In particular, they see it as perfect for use in a new generation of low-emission urban runabouts. BMW have got together with carbon specialists SGL Group from Wiesbaden to set up a joint venture for the production and processing of this super-light compound for the automotive industry.
The new BMW 5 Gran Turismo has attracted a few caustic comments on its appearance, and this mixture of saloon, coupé, estate and SUV does indeed take some getting used to. So aesthetics clearly weren't high on the list of priorities for the design team. But leaving that aside, the more important question is, who will buy it? Niche vehicles can be good earners. But a major competitor in the shape of Mercedes has already demonstrated just how easy it is to miss the mark with the R Class. On the other hand, BMW themselves have already answered the above question in convincing fashion with the X6. Sales figures for this model are highly satisfactory and the critics have had to eat their words. It's doubtful, though, whether that will be the case with the 5 series GT.
BMW has launched yet another SUV to join the X3 and the X5. At first glance you might not know it is the new BMW, as it looks so like the X3. In fact, the X1 has a wheelbase just 3.5 cm shorter than the "larger" car. The plan is that the next X3 will grow in size to give the X3 a bit more room but, in the meantime, the X1 and X3 look like they are competing with each other. However the X1 18d is a rather tempting £4,000 less than the X3 18d. The other issue with the X1 is perceived quality. A few people had already questioned the interior, so we took a close look. As well as a rather spartan dashboard, it was noticeable that some of the interior plastics felt a bit thin. Around the centre console, a moderate press with a finger produced rather more movement than you would expect.
Until now, Porsche has built the hottest SUVs in the shape of the Cayenne. But now, BMW is going head-to-head with Porsche by introducing the X5 M and, most notably, the X6 M. BMW wants the top-spot by offering more performance, even if it's just by a small margin, 555bhp as against the 550bhp of the hottest Cayenne, the Turbo S. And not just on paper: the BMW X6 series SUV already had an excellent chassis, but in the M version, it has been sharpened up and made even sportier. Porsche won't like it one bit. On a winding stretch of road, the X6 M can show the Cayenne Turbo S a clean pair of heels.
German tuner Hamann will launch the BMW X6 Tycoon Evo at the IAA in Frankfurt. There's performance aplenty in this broad makeover. Hamann has managed to extract a massive 360 BHP from the BMW X6 xDrive35i. Maximum torque is increased by 140 Nm to 540 Nm in the range from 1,300 to 5,000 rpm. Hamann also increases the speed limit from 155 to an impressive 170mph.
The Hamann Tycoon Evo rightly deserves its name and visually the BMW crossover model is a masterpiece. The new front wings and the wide stance of the rear extensions made from light-weight composite materials give the car a very masculine look that is out of this world. The bodywork has been widened by an imposing 60mm.
BMW intends manufacturing two new Mini models at its factory near Oxford. Chief Executive Norbert Reithofer said in an interview with the Financial Times, that a coupe version of the Mini and another new model are to roll off the production line in the British factory. New jobs would be created and money invested. Reithofer didn't reveal any definite figures or any time frame. Around 3,500 staff are currently employed at the factory, which, according to the newspaper, is working almost at full capacity with a yearly output of 200,000 – 220,000 vehicles. We might expect the second model to be the roadster, which will also be launched at the IAA in Frankfurt.
BMW will present a hybrid sports car at the forthcoming IAA in Frankfurt. It's known as a 'Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept Vehicle' and is a super-thrifty sports car. The futuristically styled 2+2 is crammed with fuel-saving technology and is said to do a whopping 74 miles to the gallon. At the heart of the BMW sits a hybrid power plant with two electric motors, combined with a 1.5 litre three cylinder diesel unit. The eco-racer puts down 356 hp and does 0-62 mph in only 4.8 seconds. Its top speed is electronically regulated to 155 mph.
Formula 1 fans have been well acquainted with the term 'Efficient Dynamics' for quite a while – as black letters on a white background on engine covers. After the recent announcement to withdraw from Formula 1, BMW will now invest more money in ground-breaking technologies for its production vehicles. (Photos: BMW Group)
This will please not only the female fans of the SUV: from October 2009, the BMW X1 will be with the dealers and will blow away the competition. The car can accurately be described as a more affordable cannibal. The X1 belongs to the smallest class of SUV and costs from 27,200 euros – the same price as a Tiguan. VW won't particularly like that. This 'cannibal' is a strong declaration of war from Munich.
The BMW Z4 has to be the most beautiful roadster of them all. 306 horsepower of pure pleasure. The Z4 was actually designed by a woman, Juliane Blasi. She is just 31 years old and should most definitely keep at it!
BMW have given official notice of their decision to pull the BMW Sauber team out of Formula One at the end of 2009, a season that was heralded as the one when the outfit would finally hit the big time. After three years of development and steady progress, the team around Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica initially saw themselves as genuine contenders for the world championship. The plan came to nought as BMW Sauber garnered a meagre eight points from the first ten races of the season and found themselves lying a disappointing eighth in the constructors' standings – only Toro Rosso and Force India have a lower tally. Added to the poor showing on the track came the financial effects of the global downturn and the KERS flop. BMW Sauber were amongst the protagonists of Kinetic Energy Recovery, but during the course of the season, they have uninstalled the system from their car in order to benefit from improved aerodynamics and weight distribution
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