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It’s no surprise that BMW plans to attempt to bring its uber-saloon up to AMG-levels of power when the new M5 debuts in 2011. That means that output needs to surpass the current model’s paltry 501 hp, so BMW will bore out the current V10 to 5.5-liters, slap on a couple of turbos and use direct-injection to bringing power levels up to 550 hp, or more. Grunt will be shoveled to the rear wheels via either a six-speed manual transmission or the new seven-speed M DCT dual-clutch ‘box.

But it’s not all about pavement-pummeling power. The use of the twin-turbochargers and DI is as much an attempt to reduce emissions as it is to boost output, and BMW is intent on making the next 5-series, due out in 2010, one of its most fuel-efficient vehicles. That means that start-stop technology will be used on the engine, along with its Efficient Dynamics system that uses regenerative braking to reduce load on the alternator, improving both fuel economy and engine output.
[Source: Autocar]

There are times in everyone’s life when you have an idea that sounds brilliant when explained in the audience of friends, but in practice is “exposed” as pure idiocy. The passenger of a BMW X5 gave a Cramlington, UK speed camera an uncensored view of his backside in an obvious attempt at humor, but in the end (no pun intended) the stunt could result in some hefty fines. Since local authorities weren’t amused by the Braveheart salute, the passenger could receive tickets for public indecency and for not wearing a seat belt. Well, that is if the driver is willing to rat on his or her offending comrade.

While we admit this is kind of funny at first blush, mostly because we never before noticed that a BMW grille looks a little like a human butt, mooning a speed camera is stupid for a couple reasons. First, it’s not cool to expose yourself in public. That’s the kind of thing that will get you on a sex offender list if you’re not careful. Second, speed cameras are really good at taking pictures of cars, giving authorities the plates of the vehicle as they pass through intersections. Third, and perhaps most important, why would the owner of a Bimmer want someone to press their bare ass up against their windshield? Lets just hope someone remembered to sanitize the soiled glass. Thanks for the tip, everyone!

BMW and PSA teamed up to produce the 1.6-liter four-cylinder currently found in the R56 MINI Cooper, but according to an interview with BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer, the four-pot will also find its way into the BMW 1-series. The pre-release of his interview in the Frankfurter Allegemeine Zeitung didn’t divulge which models would benefit from the four-cylinder engine, whether it will be available in both naturally aspirated or turbocharged guise or what markets in which it will be sold.

Reithofer also mentioned that the next generation 7-series, due to be released later this year, would be equipped with a new hybrid drivetrain. No timeframe was outlined as to when the hybrid 7 would be released, but when it is (likely next year), it’s expected to be the mild-hybrid, co-developed with Daimler, originally shown on the X5 Vision EfficientDynamics concept.

[Source: Forbes]

We don’t really know the back story on China’s “Omnipotence” brand, but seeing how it’s apparently going after the luxury phone segment with a vaguely Vertu-esque logo and resides in a country with a particularly freewheeling attitude toward patent and trademark law, we’re already a bit skeptical about the legitimacy of the licensing agreements (or lack thereof) that led to the phone’s Disney and BMW (yes, BMW) branding. Nonetheless, there’ll only be 130 of the 10 millimeter thick candybars produced, each bearing Disney-themed software goodies (never mind the company’s misspelling of “Mickey”) and a dubious “Design by BMW in Munich” inscription on the back — so get yours while the gettin’s good. Features include a 1.3 megapixel cam, Bluetooth 2.0, microSD expansion, touch sensitive nav buttons, and some sort of alleged certificate of authenticity from BMW. One point three frickin’ megapixels, though? In a so-called luxury phone?

[Via electro^plankton]

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It looks like BMW will begin rolling out its in-car internet system to markets outside of Germany sooner than expected, according to Automotive News. ConnectedDrive offers unrestricted access to the Web through the EDGE network, one of the faster mobile connections on the planet, and while backseat passengers can surf while on the go, front seat occupants will have to keep their speed under 5 kph if they want to check their favorite websites. BMW is setting up the system so that unlimited access will cost customers 15 euros each month.

BMW will begin offering the service to German consumers this September, with ConnectedDrive (click link for video) coming to ‘Net-addicted Bimmer owners throughout Europe and the U.S. soon afterwards. AN contacted Mercedes-Benz and Audi to ask if they intended to offer similar systems in the future. Both of automakers responded in the negative, saying that demand isn’t sufficient enough to justify the expense. BMW obviously thinks otherwise, as does Chrysler, which is developing its own system, due out before the end of the year.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

We’ve been debating whether or not this is a real photo or an expert rendering, but if it is a photoshopped image of a BMW M1 prototype, then it is very convincing. According to FreshTarmac.com, this photo was taken in a hangar in Spain. It shows a sleek two-door, probably mid-engined coupe with attributes of the new M3 incorporated into its design, especially the front fenders and hood. With BMW introducing the M1 Hommage Concept at the Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este last week, we hope this means that is already considering a production version. Come on BMW, build it! Thanks for the tip, John!
[Source: FreshTarmac.com]

BMW is marketing the X6 as an entirely new class of vehicle. As such, it’s trying to catch people’s attention in a revolutionary way. Utilizing hologram technology developed by the Dutch advertising firm, viZoo, a ten-foot long light-controlled area, the system will display a three-dimensional, interactive image of the X6 at four different locations in New York between April 21st and May 16th. The system is manipulated through a touch-screen mounted outside the display and allows participants to view the X6 from a variety of angles, check out the interior and get a run-down on the vehicle’s stats. Unfortunately, BMW hasn’t released any images or video of the X6 hologram in action, but you can read up on all the details in the press release posted below the fold.

[Source: BMW]

As regular listeners to the podcast know, Project MR-S met its untimely demise when a truck driver clipped the rear end of our 2ZZ-powered daily-driver, spinning it into the center divider with my fiancée behind the wheel.

 Fortunately, Melissa made it out okay. Unfortunately, said truck driver sped off and has yet to be found. Karma’s a bitch, so we sleep soundly with the knowledge that what goes around comes around.

But life goes on. So with summer fast approaching, we set out to find a sui

table replacement that would serve double-duty as daily driver and part-time track tool. The criteria was simple: something rear-wheel-drive, with a manual transmission, a small displacement engine and a blogger-friendly price tag. After a few weeks of research, we narrowed the list down to an NA Mazda Miata (MX-5) or something of the BMW variety. Having to install a roll bar (required for some track events) in the Miata quickly knocked it out of the running, so an E30 or E36 Bimmer became the focus of our late night, highly-caffeinated searches through Craigslist. And then, as if guided by the all-knowing entity upstairs, our friends at Modacar found a 1992 BMW 318is at an auction. It met all the criteria and had a price we couldn’t pass up. Two days later, we drove it home and Project Track Slut was born.The goal of our newest entrant into the Project Garage is pretty straightforward (for now): take care of some basic maintenance to ensure that the 1.8-liter four doesn’t go ‘pop’ while hammering through turn 7 at Laguna, and swap out the stock suspension and rollers so we’re not scraping door handles while snaking through Thunderhill.
A few days after our purchase, we did a thorough inspection of anything that could wear — from belts to bushings – and came away content that the 16-year-old Bimmer was up to snuff and for the planned day-long lapping sessions.

Our first order of business was to get rid of the stock pizza-cutter wheels that were wrapped with tire technology developed during the Carter administration. After spending some time scouring a few forums, we came across a set of E38 7-series wheels, sized 16×8 (with a 23mm offset) and wrapped in Falken ZE512 tires, sized 225/45R16 at all four corners. Rubbing isn’t an issue, since the swap is somewhat common on E36s, but a small dent in the right-rear fender (inflicted by the previous owner, ahem) caused some occasional scraping. It wasn’t common, but if we ransacked Safeway or someone over 200 pounds was forced into the back seat, we would cringe every time we hit a bump or expansion joint.
But it was a small price to pay. The new hoops and grippy rubber with stiff sidewalls proved the old edict that tires and wheels make the car. It’s the most cost-effective upgrade, adding ease and confidence to everything from sweeping on-ramps to twisting coastal roads. Naturally, we’re far from done.

 In the next installment, we’ll be swapping out the tired stock suspension with something that balances rigidity with civility, and rolling the rear fenders to make sure that when things get low, our rubbing issue isn’t exacerbated. From there, it’s all about a tune-up, new brakes, pads and lines, and some lightweight wheels wrapped in sticky summer rubber. We might even hit the junkyard to find an LSD. In early July, we’ll be hitting up our first scheduled track event to see how the car and our mods are fairing, providing continuous updates and technical tidbits throughout. Stay tuned. Fast, cheap fun is on the way.
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As a fellow E36 owner (non-M), my heart momentarily stopped when Mike S. sent us this link to BimmerForums, where one member had a close encounter of the multi-spoke kind while driving down I-880 near San Jose, CA. The wheel apparently fell off another vehicle going in the opposite direction on the freeway, hit the center divider and flew into the air, landing with a tremendous amount of force onto the roof of kpipalldaway2’s incredibly clean M3. Judging by the lack of damage to the rest of the vehicle,

 he was able to pull off the road safely, but even more amazingly, he only suffered a broken shoulder and some cuts from the broken glass. While it’s sad to see such a pristine example destroyed by such a gaudy piece of rolling stock, it gets worse. The M3 driver was on a basketball scholarship and his broken shoulder may have put an end to his game days.
[Source: BimmerForums]

As regular listeners to the podcast know, Project MR-S met its untimely demise when a truck driver clipped the rear end of our 2ZZ-powered daily-driver, spinning it into the center divider with my fiancée behind the wheel. Fortunately, Melissa made it out okay. Unfortunately, said truck driver sped off and has yet to be found. Karma’s a bitch, so we sleep soundly with the knowledge that what goes around comes around.

But life goes on. So with summer fast approaching, we set out to find a suitable replacement that would serve double-duty as daily driver and part-time track tool. The criteria was simple: something rear-wheel-drive, with a manual transmission, a small displacement engine and a blogger-friendly price tag. After a few weeks of research, we narrowed the list down to an NA Mazda Miata (MX-5) or something of the BMW variety. Having to install a roll bar (required for some track events) in the Miata quickly knocked it out of the running, so an E30 or E36 Bimmer became the focus of our late night, highly-caffeinated searches through Craigslist. And then, as if guided by the all-knowing entity upstairs, our friends at Modacar found a 1992 BMW 318is at an auction. It met all the criteria and had a price we couldn’t pass up. Two days later, we drove it home and Project Track Slut was born.
The goal of our newest entrant into the Project Garage is pretty straightforward (for now): take care of some basic maintenance to ensure that the 1.8-liter four doesn’t go ‘pop’ while hammering through turn 7 at Laguna, and swap out the stock suspension and rollers so we’re not scraping door handles while snaking through Thunderhill.

A few days after our purchase, we did a thorough inspection of anything that could wear — from belts to bushings – and came away content that the 16-year-old Bimmer was up to snuff and for the planned day-long lapping sessions.

Our first order of business was to get rid of the stock pizza-cutter wheels that were wrapped with tire technology developed during the Carter administration. After spending some time scouring a few forums, we came across a set of E38 7-series wheels, sized 16×8 (with a 23mm offset) and wrapped in Falken ZE512 tires, sized 225/45R16 at all four corners. Rubbing isn’t an issue, since the swap is somewhat common on E36s, but a small dent in the right-rear fender (inflicted by the previous owner, ahem) caused some occasional scraping. It wasn’t common, but if we ransacked Safeway or someone over 200 pounds was forced into the back seat, we would cringe every time we hit a bump or expansion joint.

New rubber replaces tread technology from the 40s.

But it was a small price to pay. The new hoops and grippy rubber with stiff sidewalls proved the old edict that tires and wheels make the car. It’s the most cost-effective upgrade, adding ease and confidence to everything from sweeping on-ramps to twisting coastal roads. Naturally, we’re far from done.

 In the next installment, we’ll be swapping out the tired stock suspension with something that balances rigidity with civility, and rolling the rear fenders to make sure that when things get low, our rubbing issue isn’t exacerbated. From there, it’s all about a tune-up, new brakes, pads and lines, and some lightweight wheels wrapped in sticky summer rubber. We might even hit the junkyard to find an LSD. In early July, we’ll be hitting up our first scheduled track event to see how the car and our mods are fairing, providing continuous updates and technical tidbits throughout. Stay tuned. Fast, cheap fun is on the way.

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