Ever wonder which stock BMW M car has the fastest time around the ‘Ring? Wonder no more. Taken from the German auto publication Sport Auto, here are the fastest to the slowest as recorded by their famous test driver Horst von Saurma (M cars in bold).
7:50 BMW M3 CSL
7:50 BMW X5 E53 LM (M70 S70B56 engine from a V12 LMR w/700 bhp)
8:05 BMW M3 E92
8:07 BMW Z8 E52 (also listed at a more believable 8:18)
8:09 BMW M6 E63
8:10 BMW Alpina B6 S E63
8:13 BMW M5 E60
8:14 BMW Alpina B3 Biturbo Coupé E92
8:22 BMW M3 E46
8:22 BMW M Coupe E36/8
8:24 BMW X6 M E71
8:26 BMW 335i E92 Coupe
8:28 BMW M5 E39
8:32 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe E86
8:32 BMW Z4 3.0i Coupe E86
8:32 BMW Z3 M Roadster E36/8
8:34 BMW Z3 3.0i E36/8
8:35 BMW M3 E36
8:35 MINI John Cooper Works R56
8:39 BMW 135i Coupe E82 (hard to believe but this is from Sport Auto)
BMW’s new 5 Series has just earned “Top Safety Pick” status from the IIHS and the top rating of “Good” based on its performance in each of the Institute’s crash tests.
Official Release: Receiving the 2010 Top Safety Pick for the 2011 BMW 5 Series Sedan is one of numerous awards BMW has earned from the IIHS over the years. In fact, as a result of tests conducted in 2008, the 2009 BMW 3 Series Sedan as well as the X3 and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles(r) earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick.
“Safety has long been a priority for BMW, so earning a Top Safety Pick from IIHS means a great deal,” said Jim O’Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. “The press has praised the car and our consumers have eagerly awaited its arrival in showrooms. This award demonstrates that we left no stone unturned in the development of the all-new 2011 5 Series Sedan.”
You know all that code that goes behind the neatly designed iDrive interface? BMW will be launching an entirely new operating system that replaces that code according to Engadget. BMW’s partner in all of this is a company called GENIVI who is a consortium of automakers (GM, BMW, Hyundai and PSA) and technology companies (ARM, NVIDIA, Nokia and Intel). The group has declared that the platform of the future will be an iteration of Linux known in the industry as MeeGo.
Here is a fine video of Bill taking on Lime Rock in the pouring rain in the ///M3 GT. We will have our own video up soon from track side once editing has been completed.
This official video provides a look ahead to the design-future of BMW via the 6 Series Gran Coupé concept. Anders Warming, Head of Exterior Design BMW, gives us an overview of the thought behind the exterior design of the new 6 Series Gran Coupé and a look into the future of the 6 Series and of BMW design. Well worth a view.
(Updated) It’s official, MINI is making a comeback on the international rally circuit. Starting in 2011, MINI will compete in selected rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and will go on to contest the entire season from 2012 onwards. Sources are telling us that MINI has made a 3-4 year commitment (to start) with the program. This are the first official steps back into the highest levels of rally racing since MINI won the Monte Carlo 1,000 Lakes Rally and Acropolis Rally in 1967.
But what about the established players in the WRC? Does MINI even have a chance? The short answer is more of a chance than you’d think. There are two big things in MINI’s favor. First are the WRC regulations that will effectively level the playing field and introduce a new engine configuration (more on that in a minute). The second is the fact that the Countryman WRC is being built by Prodrive, the most successful rally outfit of the past 20 years. You can read more about Prodrive here in our recent feature on the company: “Why the Prodrive WRC MINI Countryman is Important. It’s also worth noting that Prodrive went racing with BMW E30 M3s in 1987 with the Rothmans M3.
As expected the car that will be competing is the MINI Countryman WRC and as we’ve reported it is being developed by Prodrive. The race car (design in close cooperation with MINI) will be heavily based on the production Countryman. But here’s where it gets even more interesting. At the heart of the racing car is a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo-charged engine from BMW Motorsport. The car complies with the new Super2000 regulations put in place by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), which stipulate the use of turbo engines with 1,600 cc displacement and four-wheel drive combined with an increased emphasis on road relevant technologies over previous WRC regulations. The result is a significant 25 per cent reduction in overall costs. The first test drive for the MINI Countryman WRC, which will also be available to customer teams, is planned for autumn 2010.
That last bit shouldn’t go unnoticed. We expect several privateer teams to invest into the MINI Countryman WRC and run the cars alongside MINI.
Drivers linked to the car are rumored to be Norwegian rally protege Mads Ostberg and rally legend Marcus Gronholm.
Official Press Release: This decision sees MINI continue its success story in the world of rallying. In the 1960s, the MINI Cooper S caused a sensation with victories at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. The company also tasted success on many occasions in the European Rally Championship. Having already demonstrated the sporty character of its models in many countries in the MINI CHALLENGE, the brand is now taking its presence in motorsport to a new level with the commitment to the WRC.
Official Release: The BMW M3 GT2 Art Car was one of the main attractions at this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours (FR). Images of the work of art, designed by American artist Jeff Koons, were seen around the world. BMW announced a photo contest for all accredited photographers who captured pictures of the car at the “Circuit de la Sarthe”. Six weeks later the winner has been chosen: Rick Dole from St. Augustine, Florida (US), made the biggest impression on the jury, which included BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen and the three drivers of the BMW Art Car, Dirk Werner (DE), Dirk Müller (DE) and Andy Priaulx (GB). As a reward for his photo of the no. 79 BMW M3 GT2, the winner receives a cheque for 1,000 Euros.
From last Wednesday, visitors to the BMW and BMW Motorsport Facebook profiles have been able to view some of the jury’s favourite shots. So far, the gallery has been viewed by 1.8 million fans, and more than 8,000 users have shown their appreciation of the work of the motorsport photographers who took part by clicking on the “Like” button. (photo after the break)
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Sections: //M\\, Nürburgring Jul 30th, 2010 10 Comments 
