Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has confirmed headline performance figures for Ghost, their new model which will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in September.
Engine power output of 563 bhp / 420 kW / 570 PS @ 5250 rpm
0-60mph in 4.7 seconds / 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds*
Top speed of 155 mph / 250 km/h (electronically governed)
Maximum torque 780 Nm / 575 lb ft @ 1500 rpm
The Ghost will be powered by a brand new 6.6 litre turbo charged V12 engine unique to Rolls-Royce. This engine will produce 563 bhp, delivering a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds and a governed top speed of 155 mph. The engine is combined with an 8-speed automatic ZF gearbox.
Official Release: The BMW Museum, reopened in 2008, sets benchmarks with its innovative and fascinating exhibition design, just as it did when it first opened in 1973. Since its reopening, the BMW Museum has raked in 13 internationally prestigious prizes.
Playing a pivotal role in these awards is the Kinetic Sculpture in the entrance area of the Museum. It represents the form-finding process in the car manufacturing ösector. 714 computer-controlled metal balls suspended from fine steel strings display a range of shapes through their movements before the actual BMW design materialises. Besides this sculpture, the outstanding design concept of the Museum’s so-called “Mediatecture” is attracting further prizes. The façades of the “Houses” in the new low-rise building are made up of LED surfaces which showcase the exhibits.
Lime Rock is known fondly as BMWs “home” track in the ALMS season as it is the closest sanctioned race to the NJ headquarters of BMWNA. The track was adorned with new BMW cars at the entry gates and advertisements, touting “Power” and the “Ultimate Driving Machine” throughout the park for the weekend. Those are some big statements to make when you are competing against the names Porsche and Ferrari. Fans of the Roundel arrived early to park their cars together in the “corral” to show some brand camaraderie and discuss what spot would be the best to view the race from. With home track there comes added pressure and expectations, both of which the crew and racers were fully aware of and welcomed with open arms.
The two white BMW ///M3s were sporting some new decals for this race at the beautiful track in the Connecticut hills. The new livery is compliments of the newest rendition of the video game Need For Speed, coming this fall which will showcase the GT2 M3 and driver Tommy Milner. The Efficient Dynamics emblems were also given a more befitting scheme making the cars look a bit more finished.
The first N54 engine kit has reached the US and is currently at BMWNA. The kit will be available to consumers in about 3-5 weeks. There have been numerous hold ups with this kit not originating in the US. The final numbers have not been officially announced but expect an “underated” power increase of 25 hp and a similar torque bump. We also have additional BMW Performance news that we will report on soon.
First, we would like to thank the Rahal-Letterman Racing Team, along with BMW Motorsport and BMWNA for allowing us full access to the team during this race. We were able to photograph and conduct interviews from the pits and from areas around the track during the race. We are editing through countless shots, so here are a few that we have completed, many have notes. Enjoy!
Our full report and edited photos will follow. For now: The Hand/Auberlen car, finished third. The Milner/Mueller ///M3, broke a half-shaft and was forced to pit for an extended amount of time so it could be replaced. Both cars were quick around the track but it was a race with its fair share of issues.
Official release: Lakeville, Conn. – July 17, 2009… With only one-thousandth of a second between their qualifying times, the two BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team M3s will start fourth and fifth in the GT2 class for tomorrow’s American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park.
Official Release: The new BMW Z4 draws attention to itself not just on the road but also among internationally renowned design experts. Just a few weeks after its market launch, the Roadster has now received the International Design Excellence Award (IDEA) 2009 in the USA. The award is presented annually by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), based in Duelles in the state of Virginia. The BMW Z4 received the bronze award, thus continuing the success story of BMW Group vehicles in this competition. Since 2000, nine vehicles of the brands BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad have been recognised for their outstanding design.
Brute force. Testosterone laden visceral feel. Über man-ness. These are qualities the new Z4 does not have an abundance of. Even with the optional M Suspension set to the hardest setting, the 2009 Z4 35i feels softer than a bone stock 2008 Z4. Hardly the stuff of BMW legend you might say.
And generally you’d be right. But not all is measured in G-readings and bone jarring ride when it comes to successful cars, let alone roadsters.
But before we get into the nuts and bolts of this Z4 we need to go back a few years to understand what brought about this new car. In the early-90′s BMW developed the Z3 has a response to such small roadsters as the MX5 (Miata in the US). When it was released in 1996, it played on the premium side of the scale while still on the lower end of the BMW spectrum at $28k. At first only available with 4 cylinders, the original Z3 was conceived as a back to basics roadster with measured performance, respectable efficiency and solid handling (provided there were no bumpy corners). While it sold relatively well, BMW wasn’t entirely satisfied with the marketing position by 2000. The answer? The Z4. The first Z4 was launched in 2002 as a new model meant to play in a higher class with the Boxsters and the SLKs of the world. It was larger, harder edge and much more flamboyantly designed. In a word is was masculine as compared to its predecessor.
Yet there were new problems. While the Z4 (especially the M variants) played well with enthusiasts, it’s combination of challenging styling and hard edge ride simply didn’t move enough cars off the lots. Even the addition of a gorgeous coupe in 2006 didn’t stop the downward sales slide.
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We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
We long for the days of the wave and for the days of roll-up windows. Yet we love the gadgets on the inside and the xenons on the outside.
In short, we can't get enough of BMWs. This is BimmerFile.
Sections: Official News, Rolls Royce Jul 21st, 2009 No Comments 
