Official Release: The BMW 328 is considered the most successful and best-looking sports car of the 1930s. The BMW 328’s success was the result of its design parameters – through the use of systematic lightweight construction, aerodynamic lines, opti- mum engine types and outstanding suspension technology, it laid the foundation stone for a new vehicle concept, by which performance only leads to success if combined with perfect harmonisation of all parameters and maximum efficiency. With these characteristics, the BMW 328 was even then the embodiment of what the BMW brand still stands for today – dynamics, aesthetics and a high level of innovation.
This year, the dream sports car is celebrating its 75th birthday. The festivities will begin near Lake Como at the Mille Miglia. There, the main focus will be on the fascination of the BMW 328 racing car. To this day, the award-winning vehicle BMW 328 Touring Coupé still holds the record for the highest average speed on the Mille Miglia circuit and, in 2010, was again able to win the historic revival of the race. A week later at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the two-seater’s functional aesthetics will be the focus of attention. In this area of conflict be- tween tradition and modernity, the BMW Group is paying tribute to the BMW 328 on the occasion of its anniversary with a special model – the BMW 328 Hommage. “With the BMW 328 Hommage, we wish to pay homage to the passion and inventiveness of the fathers of the BMW 328”, explains Karl Bäumer, CEO of BMW Group Classic. “They created an icon, which is consid- ered a milestone in the history of the automobile.” The BMW 328 Hommage translates the principles and the character of the vehicle of that time into present times and offers a possible interpretation of how the designers of that time, Fritz Fiedler and Rudolf Schleicher, might have built the BMW 328 in the present day using current technology.
Deep within today’s release of an official BMW press release are these gorgeous carbon items. What are they? We know that one of the easiest ways to drop weight on a modern car is with simpler carbon based seats. So do they relate to the upcoming BMW M3 lightweight? Or are they perhaps meant for aftersales? And what about the carbon hood that’s also mentioned? All good questions we hope to answer soon. In the meantime, you can read the official press release (which has no real info on the product) here:
Intelligent lightweight construction as a development principle for Efficient Dynamics: New perspectives on weight improvement.
Thanks to Efficient Dynamics the BMW Group is succeeding in continuously reducing the consumption and emission values of current and future models and simultaneously increasing the pleasure of driving characterised by dynamics and agility. Furthermore, additional requirements, such as active and passive safety and driving comfort, are taken into account. For the solution of the conflict of interests between the many demands made on premium segment vehicles and the pursuit of maximum efficiency not only efficiency optimisation of the drive system, but above all weight optimisation plays a vital role. The concept of intelligent lightweight construction creates ideal conditions for the realisation of the unmistakable character of a BMW or a MINI model at as low a vehicle weight as possible.
For your Friday viewing pleasure we have a huge gallery of BMW at the Geneva Motor Show thanks to our friends at Kilometer Magazine. Highlights are the Alpine White 1M, the ConnectedDrive Concept and of course the Gorgeous Alpina 5er wagon. (Gallery after the break)
This morning BMW took the virtual wraps off of the Vision ConnectedDrive concept car. The two-seat roadster concept gives BMW a platform for not only design but technology. Specifically the concept shows the car as a fully integrated part of the networked world. It is with this concept that BMW presents the potential of current and future in-car technology for optimizing comfort, safety and infotainment.
But it’s design where we tend to focus first and the ConnectedDrive Concept gives us a unique glimpse into the future of BMW. Most notable is the shark-nose that is eerily reminiscent of 1980′s BMWs. With the headlights nestled below the hood and in the grille this concept, more than any in recent memory, reinterprets some of BMW’s classic design language. But it’s not merely a retro statement as these design elements help the car work within EU pedestrian impact regulations while keeping the car as slippery as possible.
Perhaps just as important it looks great. In fact the original drawings (which promise something even a bit more aggressive) give us even a further glimpse into what could come in the future. Yes the connected elements of this concept are fascinating. But for us it’s the packaging and the design that give us something to look forward to.
Official Release: The BMW Vision ConnectedDrive employs a layering principal in its design, demonstrating the bond between the driver, passenger, vehicle and the surrounding environment. This is visualised by the complex light installation which shows the path of data exchange with the driver and passenger as the start and end point of each interaction. (Full gallery after the break)
According to Australia’s The Age BMW will reveal a small roadster concept at the Geneva Motor show in early March. But the big question is, what wheels will be driven? Rumors have suggested BMW will be leveraging the FWD MINI platform for many of its small cars in the years ahead. Yet there have been other rumors suggesting BMW will launch a small roadster off of the upcoming F20 RWD 1 Series platform.
BMW AG has released an extensive amount of information about the future of Connected Drive and its integration into the Efficient Dynamics concept. It will take us a few days to go through all the information and to summarize it fully for you but we felt that some of our readers would benefit from the full read. You can see the full table of contents below followed by the lengthy PDF. You can expect us to provide you with the pertinent information in the coming days and weeks.
Innovation Days Connected Drive meets Efficient Dynamics
With a few of us covering BMW racing for a title in ALMS this weekend at the Petit LeMans, we couldn’t quite make it to Paris this week to cover BMW at the Mondial de l’Automobile. However, we’ve still got you covered. We’ve partnered with Kilometer Magazine to bring you exclusive photos of of everything BMW at the show. Enjoy.
And for a look at the show in it’s entirety head over to Kilometer.
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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.
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Sections: Concept May 20th, 2011 5 Comments 
