Even without BMW’s pull-out of F1, the name will still be on the grid next year. Peter Sauber (along with a few investors) bought back the team and the work that was ongoing at the time of BMW’s departure. So in many ways we’re seeing the BMW F1 2010 entry… just with a different name, a few new drivers and a lot less catered food around the paddock.
For another view on the 335is, we turn to our friends at Kilometer who had a chance to sample the 335is at the same track in Portugal last week. Here’s a quick excerpt:
Purists will likely want the six-speed manual transmission that comes standard, but new seven-speed DCT gearbox will actually get you up to speed more quickly. There’s simply no beating a pre-selected gear and computer-controlled clutch for shifting speed and accuracy. I was able to pull an honest 0-to-60 time of 5.0 seconds on the cool, damp surface of Estoril’s front straight (measured with a vBox performance meter), and that was without the gearbox’s launch control program (which was deactivated in our pre-production cars). On top of being faster, the DCT engages quite smoothly; even lugging around at low speeds it never exhibited the jerkiness that other cars with dual-clutch transmissions often do.
While at the new F10 5 Series launch in Portugal, BMW rolled out the 335is (a US specific model) for a few hot laps in an effort to get some press around the car. While we didn’t make the trek over there, our good friends at Autoblog had some time behind the wheel and have an initial review as result. It’s worth a read to get a sneak but also yet another view of the question many of us have been asking. With the M3 starting at only 8k more, the 335is really worth it?
Here’s an excerpt:
Think of it this way: a 2010 M3 coupe starts at $58,400, to which you must add $875 for destination and a further $1,300 for gas guzzler taxes (a 2011 model has not yet been announced). Total cost? $60,575 – before options. Yes, the V8-powered M3 offers significantly more horsepower (414), but does so at a skyscraping 8,300 rpm and has a comparative dearth of torque – 295 vs. 332 pound-feet – and that’s without considering the 335i’s massive overboost. What’s more, the 335is’ full measure of twist is available from just 1,500 revs, while the M3′s eight-pot needs to be spinning more than twice as fast at 3,900 rpm. Lest we forget, despite its carbon-fiber roof, it also weighs a smidge more.
It seemed plausible at the time of release but now we’re starting to see some real confirmation that BMW will be going ahead with production of the Vision concept car that debuted in Frankfurt. The car was not only a concept in regards to design but also drivetrain. Sources told us at the time that BMW was actually creating a drive-able 3 cylinder diesel hybrid that did produce the numbers given at the time of release. Typically an automaker only goes to that kind of expense when there is a real chance of production on the horizon. That’s where we pick up the story from Insideline. Here’s an excerpt from their report:
Our executive source goes on to say that total volume is being debated, but that it will fall between 5,000 and 10,000 units. The prototype’s powertrain and basic sub-3,000-pound assembly will remain intact, but, says the source, “there will be less of the synthetic glass and more solid structure added to the final design.” Uh-oh. We know why these alterations are needed, but does this mean it’s going to migrate toward being a sort of sleek Toyota Prius? Let’s hope not.
When we asked if this could finally be BMW’s second true production supercar after the Giugiaro M1, the response was a firm “quite probably.” So maybe our Prius/Honda Insight fears are overreaching. It’d be nice to maintain that 0.22 drag coefficient and the hellacious looks.
IL went on to mention that a real world test in the south of France would be happening for a few publications later this summer. Oh and those Prius fears? Obviously those of us who are close to BMW and it’s products know better. Based on what we’ve been told this car will redefine the term hybrid.
Despite the ongoing worldwide financial and economic crisis, the BMW Group has, from today’s perspective, achieved the objectives for 2009 made known over the course of the past year. “We are confident that the BMW Group will, as planned, be able to post a profit before tax for 2009. This demonstrates that rigorous cost management and other wide-ranging measures to improve profitability in conjunction with our Strategy Number ONE are taking effect“, stated Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, on Friday in Munich.
As you may have picked up from our recently posts, BMW is being very aggressive with changing to relatively new models across the range this spring. So aggressive in fact that they’ve decided to begin 2011 model year starting with Spring production of most models. Some highlights:
The M3 Competition Package is real and includes 10 mm lower suspension, 19” M3 GTS wheels, remapped Electronic Damping Control and Dynamic Stability Control systems.
X5 now comes with the N55 single turbo inline six
BMW has introduced value packages to the aging 1 and 3 series models
Most models equipped with the twin turbo N54 inline six will be transitioning to the N55 single turbo for 2011.
Most vehicles receive minor changes for MY2011 in the form of options and new or revised packages, but some models are either all-new (for example, the new BMW 5 Series sedan and BMW ALPINA B7) or substantially updated (3 Series Coupe and Convertible). For existing models, what will not change for the start of the MY2011 are base Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices. You can get all the details for the entire range in the official release below:
Turner Motorsport has taken the wraps off its newest contender in the GT class of the Rolex/ Grand-Am Sports Car Series; a Riley tube chassis Carbon Fiber BMW ///M6. Driven by a team of BMW pros including BMW Rahal Letterman Racing drivers Joey Hand and Bill Auberlen as well as Boris Said and Paul Dalla Lana the team should have a striking chance at victory this weekend in Florida.
Live TV coverage of the Rolex 24 at Daytona will be provided by SPEED TV on Saturday January 30 at 3:00 PM eastern and on Sunday January 31 at 7:00AM eastern.
This week is a great start for the BMW racing season for both Turner and BMW Rahal Letterman Racing who has recently begun off season testing in preparation for the ALMS season.
At BimmerFile we love racing and look forward to this weekend’s event as Turner has always put a great car out on the track for us race fans to root for.
Looks like the X6 is the next vehicle to be announced with the new dual scroll turbo inline six featuring Valvetronic. We have long suspected the soon to be announced X5 LCI (refresh) to sport the newest BMW six cylinder, but we believed the X6 would remain powered by the award winning twin turbo N54. These motors reportedly have the same official outputs but the new N55 is more efficient, lighter as well as providing better acceleration and throttle response. BMW’s new eight speed transmission, supplied by ZF, will be equipped in both US X6 models to provide even greater efficiency and improve shifting ability.
Worth noting is that this motor and transmission swap has currently only been officially confirmed for the EU.
Introduced for model year 2010 in the US was a factory tune for the X6 known as option 7RR. It featured the same output as the recently launch 335is (320hp/330 ft-lbs). Will this become the X6xDrive35is? We do not see this as a large leap and suspect we will hear official word in the not so distant future.
UPDATE- An unnamed source has confirmed the US will see the N55 and 8 speed switch for model year 2011. This same source reports there will be no “is” model offered at this time.
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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.
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Sections: Motorsport Jan 31st, 2010 2 Comments 
