According to the Touring Car Times BMW is expected to announce their return to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters shortly.
“The BMW Board of Management is going to decide in the coming weeks. We look forward to once again welcome BMW to the DTM,” said ITR board member Thomas Betzler to Focus.
BMW last took part in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters during the eighties, with Roberto Ravaglia claiming the title in 1989.
The DTM is undergoing changes in the regulations next year, in hopes to have more manufacturers join because since 2005 the race series has only had MB and Audis battling it out on the track. BMW has been present during the discussions on the coming regulations.
“We have presented our concept to BMW and we know that it is going to get a benevolent reception in Munich. It is not without a reason that BMW has been regulars at all major DTM meetings,” said Betzler.
In late 2009 BMW ended its attempts to win in F1 as well as decreased its presence in the World Touring Car Championship. At the time this was seen as a cost savings measure as well as a push to focus more on production model based racing. It is very possible that if BMW joins the DTM, they would pull out of the WTCC to focus there efforts on GT racing and DTM racing.
Yes this isn’t our first experience behind the wheel of the 335is. However it is our most thorough to date. Look for a full review soon. And photos? BMW asked us to not take any photos of the car driven since it was pre-production and wasn’t correct in final specification.
Here’s a thought; the 335is is more of a replacement for et E46 M3 than the current M3. It’s got similar power (320 hp) with decidedly more torque (332 ft-lbs) for performance that is equal if not better than the previous M3. It’s powered by a six cylinder powerplant like the M3 (albeit turbocharged) and weighs about the same (i.e. about 200 lb. less than the current M3).
We got a chance to spend an afternoon with the 335is recently and walked away thoroughly impressed. While we plan on having a much more thorough test later in the year, we can conclude a few things right away. For starters, this thing sounds nasty. When I first cranked the cold engine I literally had to ask a BMW representative if that was the final exhaust note. I simply couldn’t believe BMW could and would be that aggressive. But they are and it is.
BMW knows the importance of the Chinese market and will be introducing new products accordingly. Beyond the rumored 5 Series electric car that will be built in China and for China, BMW intends on releasing it’s Active E field study in the Chinese market for 2011. Then in 2013 China will be part of the worldwide launch of the first Megacity product. In the short term expect to see around 120,000 vehicles sold this year. Here’s the full release:
Official Release: The BMW Group is aiming for a larger increase in sales volumes in China this year than originally planned. “China is, and will remain, one of the most attractive automobile markets in the world. We expect to see significant sales growth to around 120,000 vehicles in China in 2010,” said Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Norbert Reithofer, at the Auto 2010 motor show in Beijing on Friday. The company had previously been targeting a sales volume of more than 100,000 automobiles.
It’s official, BMW will be launching the first of it’s sub-branded megacity products to market in 2013. The first product will be a lightweight urban minded vehicle that is 100% electric. Based on sources and official information we believe this car will be sub-branded as iSetta. In fact we believe BMW will start a new naming system using the letter “E” to denote full electric vehicles. So the iSetta E1, E2 and so on.
We’ve also heard reports that this will strictly be meant for urban transportation and that the driving experience we know from today’s BMWs won’t be a part of it’s DNA. In other words, this will be efficient and not sporty transportation.
Carbon fiber construction. Zero emissions. 160 mile range. And it’s only three years away.
Official Release: With the launch of its Megacity Vehicle in 2013, the BMW Group will be bringing its first series-production electric-drive model to market. “With this innovative vehicle, designed from the ground up, we will be creating new benchmarks for electric mobility from 2013 on. Our Megacity Vehicle will be significantly lighter than conventional cars and, in terms of sustainability, will set a new standard across the entire value-added chain,” said Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, on Thursday ahead of the Auto China 2010 show in Beijing.
It seems like spy photos of the next generation M5 are popping up everywhere these days. The twin turbo powered V8 is in the final stretch of drivetrain and suspension tuning in and around Germany and we expect it to debut sometime this fall in lightly disguised concept form. Then in early 2011 look for a final production M5 to show-up. But in the meantime you can see test mules attacking German roads below.
The spewing ash from the Icelandic volcano has not only caused a major disturbance of air travel for passengers. The flight ban has created all sorts of headaches for the manufacturing sector as well, BMW has not escaped from the white dust unscathed. According to multiple sources, including the Wall Street Journal, BMW will temporarily halt production in Germany at certain sites this week due to flight restrictions.
BMW will temporarily halt production Tuesday evening in Dingolfing, southern Germany. Similar stoppages will take place in Munich and Regensburg on Wednesday and Thursday.
According to BMW this production stoppage will delay the construction of approximately 7,000 1, 3, 5 and 7 Series vehicles.
BMW production in the US has also been impacted by the flight restrictions. BMW is cutting production at its assembly plant in Spartanburg, S.C., as well. BMW produces the X6 and X5 SAVs at this sole US plant with some components coming from over seas. BMW spokesman Jan Ehlen says volcanic ash is grounding planes that bring leather seat covers from South Africa and transmissions from Europe. He says the plant will not stop production, but employees will work shorter shifts until the supply of parts returns to normal (via AP)
Our friends at Bimmerpost.com have the best look yet at the new F25 X3 in motion. For who may have missed our previous coverage on the new crossover, the X3 will be the first to ride on BMW’s new 3 Series platform that will ultimately spawn the new 1 Series as well. In fact if you look closely you’ll notice the second test mule seen in the video wears the exact same 17″ wheels that recent F30 3 Series prototypes have had.
Official Release: The BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team M3 GT Coupes finished 3rd and 5th in Saturday’s American Le Mans at Long Beach event. In a 100-minute action-packed sprint slowed by three caution periods, BMW drivers Bill Auberlen and Tommy Milner brought the No. 92 M3 home in 3rd place with 65 laps completed, 5.4 seconds behind the GT class leader. Dirk Mϋller and Joey Hand finished the race with the No. 90 M3 in 5th position.
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Sections: Motorsport Apr 23rd, 2010 No Comments 
