The Evolution of F1 Timing Systems

You might agree with me that something was definitively lost as accuracy was gained!



Great video from Australian Motorsport Forums.




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BMW F10 5-series "spy" video

Perhaps what's more interesting here is to see some of the things they do in winter testing, like going backwards up snowy hills. In this "spy" video we see the sedan and the "touring" which looks to be a xi 4wd diesel model by the way it turns in the snow and the sound.


(car)




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When Rallies go bad...

Frankly I'm speechless. Probably in Spain, if I find more details I will add them.






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Nipping at Hamilton's heels: Karts to run F1 support races.

Organizers of the British Formula Kart Stars (FKS) say they have Bernie Ecclestone's nod to run support races on the European portion of the 2010 Formula 1 season. Ecclestone is even said to be providing "special prizes" (a paddock access may be the most valuable prize Uncle Bernie could provide these youngsters).

The program is a reincarnation of the Stars of Tomorrow Karting Championship which, sponsored by Mclaren-Mercedes provided healthy returns with alumni you may have heard of, guys like Gary Paffet, Paul DiResta and one Lewis Hamilton who has become the series official patron.

A similar program was started in the USA by Bryan Herta and now owned by Bobby Rahal. It's called the "Snap-on Stars of Karting Presented by the Indycar Series" and with a sponsor like Snap-on you would think they might have come up with a... snappier name!

But I digress, what's interesting here is that the Rahal racing organization which now runs Formula BMW-Americas and BMW's ALMS's program, has created for the first time in America, an almost complete road racing development path for young drivers, from karts to F1.

I said almost because if the aim is Formula 1, there is still no getting around the step of racing in Europe, in the US there is no equivalent to a British Formula 3 or a Formula Renault at the moment. That may change if the USF1 team actually materializes.

Certainly with all teams now scouting drivers from their early teens and, following Mclaren's lead, taking a long term approach to the careers of the most promising, it is in these series where the next Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso or Lewis Hamilton will get their start, the right way.

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Hot Blond shows us her TTS

Lookout Vicki here comes Cathi Felser!


(RTL)
In case you actually care about the verdict...I believe she says TTS' are best for the street but she'd rather drive a Cayman around the Nürburgring.





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Show us your Garage

Our old friend Jeff Gabel suggested the idea, I had expressed full blown garage envy after seeing a picture he had sent to our "Axis Reader Rides" group.
Look at this awesome "M-House" ... there is even a hidden lift to go along with the built in air line....check out more pictures after the jump.
Share your garage? email us






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In case you missed the USF1 announcement ...

...yes, Danica Patrick and Scott Speed came up. As did the phrase "Skunk Works"... Very short on details, the biggest surprise is how long this has been in the works.



More clips after the jump.





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More New York Diesels

Diesel fuel now costs about the same as premium gasoline. At that price, if you need a large SUV, diesel is a no-brainer.
Here Is an Audi Q7 TDi parked/planted on 56th street on Monday







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2009 Spec e30 season on the way!

Here is Robert Allen's race at VIR this past Sunday 2/22. Started 8th, finished 5th. Nice Start!
Race gets pretty nuts towards the end. Very not cool car 167 passing when there are Tow trucks on track (how is that not a full yellow anyway?). Note reaction of driver of the yellow car when he gets bump drafted (about 6:40)


SpecE30 race VIR 2/22/09 from Robert Allen on Vimeo.



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USF1 preview...

The official announcement will come a 12 noon Tuesday meanwhile, Peter Windsor stopped by to see Dave Despain and discuss... Danica Patrick. Speed TV.







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(E30 Drifter by ekkoj)




Suggestions for Picture of the Day? email us

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Axis style socialism

Recently Axis proposed following Portugal's lead and spending public money to create fantastic world class racing facilities (read about it HERE).   Hey, why not, better than new bridges to nowhere, right? 

In Argentina they are way, way ahead. The Circuito Potrero de los Funes was financed as a public work by the government. Of course it did not hurt that ex Formula 1 driver Carlos Reutemann was a provincial governor and is now running for president of the country.

Write your congressmen now!
(thanks CG)






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The BMW M3 really does go 200 mph!

Indicated anyway...  The car everyone loves to hate shows a healthy disregard for its 155mph limiter.   328km/h=203.8mph.

("professional driver on a closed course"... of course!)


oldie but goodie....

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Formula 1 2009: Axis pre-season executive summary.

I've resisted writing about F1 lately, mainly because historically there is very little to learn from off season testing. This year however there is the added component of sweeping rule changes which for the first time in years will provide a wide variety of technical solutions to the sport. So, as a service to our faithful readers, I put together this extended executive summary for you...



Because engine development has been , stupidly in my opinion, stifled, most of development has gone into aerodynamics and packaging and that KERS unknown, shoved down the teams throats. In any case, engineers do love a challenge so let's take a quick look.

Roughly speaking in 2009 you will see car divided between Anteaters (Ferrari, Mclaren, Toyota, RedBull) and Fatnoses (Renault, BMW, Williams). These are two different philosophies in dealing with the 2009 requirement of a standard center section of the front wing. The BMW, Williams and Renault solutions seeks to use the wide nosecone as to speed up airflow under it and create downforce for less drag. The pointy nose solution instead is aimed at passing the largest volume of air possible to other element of the car. It is worth noting that all reports say that slick tires require more of the car's weight and center of pressure to be moved forward. Front wings are now allowed driver adjustable elements so expect even more fiddling with knobs on onboard shots.



While in the past airflow from the front wing was directed mainly inside the front wheels, this year there is an emphasis on directing flow outside or over the front tires. Here again we see different solutions: Renault has wide endplates to direct air over the tire, most other cars work to push the air around the side. Mclaren goes a step further than other teams with its intricate wheel fairings designed to clean up this airflow even more.






The rear of the cars this year is all about small and tight. The rear diffuser has been mandated to be further back and lower. Here designers (Williams, Toyota, RB) have exploited gray areas of the runes by molding the mandatory rear crash structure into extractor channels. Pushing against the rules is of course what it's all about, Ferrari for example used apparently legal mounting pillars as turning vanes. Clever.









Of all the cars designed this year, one stands out as the most innovative in a "back to the future" sort of way, the Red Bull RB5. The RB5 is all about skin tight and a high nose. Adrian Newey has always had a thing about tight packaging and high noses since the Leighton House March days (a car drivers barely fit in) and one has to wonder if Mark Webber might not have had his feet surgically altered to fit in the tiny nosecone. I cannot imagine he will be a happy man this year and not just becasue he has Vettel to contend with.

Unlike the rest of the field, the RB5 uses a pullrod rear which puts shocks lower in the car and lowers the center of gravity (I wonder if they are much harder to access though). The front steering arm is moved lower, again lower CG and cleaner flow.

In the rear Newey completely does away with the central mounting of the rear wing which is instead connected by the side panels to the diffuser (a solution shared with Toyota). Simple, clean, strong enough? Certainly in pre season testing the Red Bull has looked fast.

Very little is actually know about KERS development and details, most are using batteries but Williams was rumored to be using an inertial system. we'll see what it all means. It certainly is odd to see F1 mechanics approaching cars like power utility workers.

F1 being F1 the off season was not free of drama, Drivers are up in arms over increased licensing fees. Max Mosley agreed to discuss the matter but only if drivers disclose their salaries... F1 might end up in court again.

Years ago Formula 1 abandoned tobacco and embraced less controversial sponsors, banks.... no need to say more.

The most positive aspect of the current climate is the increases cohesiveness of the constructors association (FOTA) led by Luca di Montezemolo. Again we are in "Back to the Future" territory with the teams using tactics pioneered by Ecclestone and Mosely in the 70's against them. If you are interested in the subject further, I would direct you to this well written piece on Grand Prix.com.

This will be the first year with three Sebastiens in Formula 1, Vettel, Bourdais and Buemi. Apparently Red Bull only allows people named Sebastien to drive as Sebastien Loeb's off season test showed.

Finally, you'll hear a lot about the prospect of a new all-American team on the horizon, you know, with Danica Patrick and Scott Speed. We called it first and everyone, apparently, believed us. Go figure.

Melbourne in about a month, let's see if Kimi Raikkonen will show up.

Top Picture by Fuzzleduck

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Power Wars: Scuderia vs GT2 vs LP560 vs GT-R

Scientific? No. Relevant? Not really. Entertaining? Sure.
Best Motoring having fun with 500hp+ cars.





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Yellow Oil Burner

Changing times, a VW Jetta TDi yellow cab in Manhattan.




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The Pagani Zonda R, the ultimate track day world championship tool.

Perhaps best to just let figures speak for themselves:

Not street legal, not eligible for any racing series.

6000 cc V12

750 hp

1070kg (2360lbs)

0-100km/

€ 1.4 Million

Limited to 15 (just to make the 30 FXX owners mad)

Stee and I were just discussing Pagani Zondas yesterday.  This Zonda R  certainly is a rolling work of art, but would you choose it over an FXX if you had to?

Don't miss the video clips after the jump...for the sound, it's quite amazing.


(Pagani and carplatform.com)



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Carrera GT 'Ring lap: final installment of the EVO Supertest

Supercarmovies.com released the final clip of the EVO Supertest and the Porsche Carrera GT's turn to set fastest time around the Nürburgring.

Marc Basseng lapped the Porsche supercar in 7:28.71 which is precisely the same time Walter Röhrl achieved in the GT.   I was surprised to hear the Carrera GT's weak point was its suspension tuning, it's a strange compromise given the car's non street friendly features like a super lightweight clutch.  In the end Porsche was slower than a notoriously not "tuned at the Nordschleife" Enzo with broken shocks.

Looking at the video though you would never guess, the car looks great and sounds fantastic. The V10 Porsche bottoms out a few times but you get few clues Basseng might have felt "not confident"!

Below is just a tease, just the first couple of turns, to see the whole thing at much better resolution you'll need to go to the Supercarmovies.com site HERE 

Supercarmovies.com

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Three Blondes and a Scud.

Nice work if you can get it.  Jason Plato cannot but be smug, wouldn't you be?

Best part is really the first half of the clip when Plato slides the Ferrari F430 Scuderia around a wet track.  Of course it's wet,  it's Great Britain, it's always wet.

Go ahead...use the fullscreen button on the lower right of the player....







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Unusual Angle: Monaco 2001

A blast from the past: I shot this from a tiny window in the service stairwell of the Mirabeau apartments in Monaco in 2001.

It required some contortion but a great angle!

Bonus: Juan Pablo Montoya when he was still on fire.



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Guess...

(photo: proscriptus)
Considering how quickly you figured out the last one, I guessing this might still be way too easy ...





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Racing Bailout Plan: GM to run same car in all series.

As part of its viability plan unveiled yesterday, GM's racing division announced dramatic cost savings achieved by running a NASCAR platform in all racing series across the globe.

"It's a no-brainer really..." said GM spokesman Lazarus K Pocketslop. " Not only are the cost savings obvious but we are promoting our green credentials by recycling the same body and simply apply different stickers to simulate different brands, models and aero setups".

Newly named global team "czar" and former ice racing celebrity Jasper Bullbanger indicated Danica Patrick and Scott Speed would be tapped as sole drivers and comply with the "Buy American" provision of the bailout.

The new GM Global Racing Platform, seen here testing in a combination endurance racing/tarmac rally form, is expected to debut in late 2009 and be powered by leftover Hummer, Saturn and Saab motors.

(photo: Roberto Blank)



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White Menace.

Cool demo clip by Salt Lake City production company Vita Brevis Films. For techie photographers, it was filmed with a Red One camera @ 4k using Zeiss super speed primes.  You might want to check it out in HD on the Vimeo page.

A friend was telling me recently how he had a chance to drive a manual big 6 and what a fantastic hooligan tool it is.  Coincidentally BMW has somewhere on their web site a great clip of an M6 lighting up tires in best wagnerian dorifto fashion.

Side note: thank you for all the pictures you sent in, I was away for the week end and my mailbox filled over quota, if you sent a picture and do not see it on the Axis Reader Riders Flickr set, please, send it again!

Axis Reader Rides on Flickr

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World Record Drift: 2 Hours, 29 Minutes, 27 Seconds!

Uwe Nittel said his hands and feet were falling asleep at times during his five hours going around in circles.

Five hours? That's right, a first attempt ended just shy of the record when sensors failed on his Mitsubishi Evo X. Not one to be denied, Nittel jumped back into the car once it was fixed and went back out for the record on a new set of Kumhos.
45.63 km sideways later, Uwe did admit being a tad queasy but presumably, happy.

The record was achieved on an irrigated skid pad at the Sachsenring, Germany.

(sport Auto thanks to la capra andreadebi!)
Shop for KUMHO tires

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Curious about the BMW Concept 5 GT?

Everything you could possibly want to know about the 5GT, after the jump ...>.


BMW CONCEPT 5 SERIES GRAN TURISMO AT THE 2009 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW
02/13/2009

A BMW with driving dynamics, compelling style, and versatility; the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo.
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - EMBARGOED UNTIL: February 13, 2009, 12:00PM EST... With the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo, BMW opens a new segment in the automobile market by incorporating BMW driving dynamics, quality, and style into a new type of vehicle. As was the case with the BMW X5 as the world’s first Sports Activity Vehicle and the BMW 1 Series, to this day the only rear-wheel-drive premium small car, BMW is again developing a new market segment and giving additional driver groups the unique experience of The Ultimate Driving Machine.

The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo is the production-destined rendition of the Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS) development idea. For the first time, this concept car combines the looks and appearance of a sporty BMW Sedan, a modern Sports Activity Vehicle, and a classic Gran Turismo. Perhaps the most outstanding feature of the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo is its combination of stylish quality, luxurious comfort, and remarkable convenience.

As the name indicates, the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo is the ideal car for long journeys while still offering a dynamic driving experience in everyday traffic or short jaunts. The design of the body presents the character of a BMW dedicated to sporting performance.

A brilliant concept for modern mobility.
The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo conveys modern mobility by focusing on the requirements of a discerning driver who appreciates first-class ambience and enjoys all the benefits of a flexible interior.

With this in mind, the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo projects an individual flair oriented to each occupant’s needs and preferences. Such flair makes it possible to win over new driver groups for BMW. The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo is an attractive offer to the driver wishing to retain classic features such as presence, luxury, and quality while living a versatile and spontaneous lifestyle.

The interior of the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo combines spaciousness, personal luxury, and an exquisite choice of materials to provide a first-class experience. The entryways allow ergonomically ideal access to all seats, the driver-oriented design of the cockpit, in typical BMW fashion, suggests sporty performance, and the slightly elevated seating position promotes good outward visibility.

Unique design in the rear provides a modern, generous atmosphere. With the rear seats adjustable fore-aft by up to 4”, both legroom and the seat angle may be set to the preferences of the passengers. Headroom is virtually the same as in the BMW X5, giving driver and passengers a genuinely comfortable experience.

Luxury, comfort, and impressive usefulness.
With the rear seats slid aft, legroom will be roughly the same as in the BMW 7 Series and luggage capacity amounts to 15.1 cubic feet. With the rear seats moved forward and the rear bulkhead partition opened, luggage capacity increases to almost 20 cubic feet. Even in this position, legroom in the rear still meets the demands for a full-size sedan.

After completely folding the rear seats as well as the bulkhead partition leading to the luggage compartment, large and bulky objects may be loaded into the rear. With the bulkhead partition stowed in the floor of the luggage compartment, maximum luggage capacity becomes nearly 58 cubic feet. For convenience, the rear seats fold by pushing a button on the side panel of the luggage compartment. The option to fold down the rear seats individually provides even greater flexibility.

Optimum visibility thanks to the elevated seating position.
In the front seats, both driver and passenger benefit from a slightly elevated seating position. This “semi-command” seating position offers an optimum outward view, much like in the BMW SAV models.

Elegant interior design accents the unique feeling of space.
In the cockpit, the horizontally arranged, cascade-like surfaces finished in different materials strongly accentuate the width of BMW’s new concept car. The displays and controls are grouped according to their functions. Through its design, the instrument panel enhances the very good visibility provided by the elevated seating position, giving the driver a clear view from above of the control elements for the lights and the start/stop button on the middle level. Also important in this context, the horizontal orientation of the entire cockpit accentuates the generous character of the interior.

The trim bar stretching out as an arch through the entire width of the instrument panel continues into the door panels. The interaction of ascending and descending lines throughout the interior optically connects the front and rear seats. All lines and surfaces, finished with sophisticated materials, taper out behind the rear seats, and give the interior its comfortable and spacious character. The flow of lines, uninterrupted by the B-pillar, emphasizes the length of the interior. Last but not least, the feeling of spaciousness is augmented by the center console, which extends all the way to the rear.

Special concept materials and colors within the interior.
The colors and materials for the interior further enhance the impression of personal luxury and the interplay of surfaces and lines. All surfaces within the interior are finished in high-quality natural leather, the surfaces on the seats and the door armrests form a “comfort zone” in Glacier White leather. This creates the impression of a bright brand extending around the lower section of the instrument panel, the cool and elegant color giving particular emphasis to the generous and luxurious feeling of space.
The bright surfaces in the comfort zone are surrounded by a dark, warm reddish brown, this special color referred to as Copper Brown providing a smooth link to the exterior paintwork.

The impression of modern luxury is further enhanced through the use of authentic materials such as polished billet metal and ceramic elements. The quality of the interior finish is borne out particularly by the solid wood trim with metal inlays extending generously across the instrument panel.

Instrument cluster with color display in black panel technology.
The instrument cluster of the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo is a high-resolution color display in black panel technology presenting the four round instruments in traditional sports car style, including status displays, navigation data, and information from the Check Control.

Introduced in the new BMW 7 Series, black panel technology ensures precise and sophisticated presentation of the instruments and displays. In Rest mode the entire panel forms a homogeneous black surface. When activated, the numbers on the circular instruments are generated electronically along with other symbols on the display.

The iDrive Control Display screen, arranged on the same plane as the instrument cluster, is integrated into the dashboard as a free-standing element. The Control Display forms one common design unit with the black panel and houses the controls for the audio system and climate. For optical purposes, this unit is separated by the horizontal trim bar with its central ventilation grid and a storage box. In the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo, the special look of black panel technology continues into the center console: dynamism in typical BMW style combined with the elegance of a Gran Turismo.

Exterior Dimensions
The body design of the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo ensures an exciting balance of innovation and tradition. The concept car stands out as a genuine BMW, as the overall look of the exterior clearly alludes to the extension of BMW’s model portfolio made by this unique automobile. Indeed, the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo enters new terrain in the history of The Ultimate Driving Machine.

In its exterior dimensions the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo fits perfectly between the BMW 7 Series and BMW’s various SAV models. Its length of 196.8" is second only within the BMW model range to the 7 Series, while the car’s height of 61.2" is exceeded only by BMW’s X models. The width is 74.8” and the wheelbase is 120.9”.

The characteristic look of the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo results from the car’s proportions - the long hood, long wheelbase, and the greenhouse moved aft bear out the athletic characteristics of a BMW. These features are combined with elements that highlight the qualities of the new concept; the large passenger cell bears testimony to the luxurious, versatile interior. The coupe-like roofline extends into the spoiler at the rear, and represents the sporting elegance of a Gran Turismo.

Paintwork in Fluid Cuprite, a new color developed specifically for this concept car, again highlights the unique design of the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo. The extremely fine surface flair reminiscent of liquid metal impressively models the surfaces on the body through its powerful contours. And to provide an appropriate supplementary touch, the brake calipers and the inner surfaces on the exhaust gas tailpipes are finished in a new color called Copper.

Front view with forward-pushing motion.
The front view of the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo is characterized in particular by the strong presence of the low-slung BMW kidney grille, the large lower air intake, and BMW’s characteristic dual round headlights. The BMW kidney grille is slanted slightly forward, its upper edge marking the foremost point on the body. The kidney grille is further accentuated by surrounding surfaces.

All contour lines flowing along the engine compartment out of the fenders aim at the kidney grille at the front of the car. The air intake, in turn, is lower in the middle where it extends beneath the kidney grille. And last but not least the contours on the headlight units taper out smoothly towards the middle of the car.

Just as the size of the BMW kidney grille demonstrates the engine’s need for cooling air, the power dome in the middle of the engine compartment lid emphasizes the sheer muscle of the engine itself. The outer flanks of the hood facing downward form a cascade-like contour together with the widely flared wheel arches, giving the front view of the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo a wide and powerful look.

The frontal impression is further enhanced by the foglamps positioned at the outer edges of the lower air intake, while the aluminum bars separating the two outer elements on the air intake and extending beyond the foglamps further enhance the look of width at the front.

Dual round headlights typical of BMW; new LED corona rings.
The dual round headlights typical of a BMW come with new contour lines and a new technology for the daytime running lights on the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo. Slanted to a distinctive angle and extending far into the fenders, the headlight units are highlighted by surrounding bars, the headlights themselves cylindrical in shape bordering at the top on a matte headlight cover. This emphasizes the unique look of the front end, with its clear, penetrating focus. Apart from the turn signals, the new LED corona rings for the daytime running lights generate bright, even light.

Side-view: coupe-like roofline and waistline emphasizing the sleek elegance of the car.
Appropriate lines along the side create the harmonious symbiosis of the front end, the side view and the rear section on the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo. The dominating feature from the side is the character line of a BMW extending from the outer edge of the headlights and moving back at the same level as the door handles along the entire length of the car, rising up slightly in the process and continuing into the contours of the rear light clusters.

The equally striking sill-line continues into the upper edge around the air intake at the front and the contour in the rear diffuser, this interplay of the waistline and the sill-line making the car look lower and more crouched down on the ground and emphasizing the dynamic wedge of the body.

The unusual presence of a coupe-like roofline adds character to the car’s design and is a visual expression of the features and qualities the car has to offer. With its sporting flair, the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo leaves a positive impression through its spacious and generous interior.

The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo comes with frameless doors, a feature of particularly sporting cars now to be admired for the first time on a 4-door BMW.

The door cutout bars are another special feature, forming one unit across both entry areas and thus corresponding with the overall harmonious flair conveyed by the door panels inside the car.

Large, flared wheel arches symbolize the sporting potential of the car: The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo showcases 21-inch light-alloy wheels offering excitement and elegance through their unique multi-spoke design. Yet another feature of particularly sporting cars the short overhang, which keeps the fenders low and long. This effect is further intensified by the horizontal lines of the car borne out by the waistline as well as the joint and contour line on the engine compartment.

The “Hofmeister kink” re-interpreted in modern style.
The design of the side windows also presents a re-interpretation of a classic BMW feature: on the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo the window surrounds are one-piece, this three-dimensional shape giving the aluminum frame a sophisticated and dynamic look around the famous “Hofmeister kink”. The exterior mirrors also represent a new design element, with the mirror base forming part of the foot of the A-pillars and thus blending harmoniously with the fender of the car.

The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo offers a new rendition of the “Hofmeister kink.” In this case the inner radius of the “kink” is particularly large, the outer radius strikingly small. This creates an exciting contrast to the roofline moving down smoothly and gently to the rear.

Powerful rear design.
The design of the rear end offers a striking impression of this unique concept with its exceptional strengths and features. The two outer roofline as well as the shoulder lines merge into the spoiler on the tailgate, giving the rear in its fastback style a surrounding line while adding a compact touch to the car.
The rear view of the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo is split by horizontal lines highlighting the width and powerful stance of the car. The rear reaches its full width around the wheel arches, with exhaust tailpipes positioned far to the outside also directing the eyes to the wheels. The distinctive light edge in the lower part of the bumper adds a further touch, while a diffuser finished in black marks the gap between the rear valence and the road.

Impressive versatility: two tailgates in one.
With the rear panel of the car appearing to start directly beneath the rear light clusters in order to convey a sporting impression, the low loading sill on the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo is not visible at first sight.

Another innovation crucial to the mission of the car is only recognizable when opening the rear hatch: To stow luggage, the bi-modal trunk may be opened in traditional fashion or the entire hatch may be opened to load larger objects. When only the lower section is opened, one loads the luggage compartment as in a sedan, benefiting in the process from the low loading sill. Using the trunk in this way keeps the interior of the vehicle from being disturbed by outside climate effects.

The L-shape of the rear light clusters typical of a BMW is re-interpreted on the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo, with the two rows of light following a dynamic sweeping motion. The rear lights extend far into the side panel, emphasizing the full width of the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo even at night.

The rear light clusters are connected by a chrome bar continuing from the waistline at the side into the line extending into the rear lights and thus accentuating the width of the rear end.

BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo: new momentum in a demanding market.
With the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo, BMW is again demonstrating its ability to develop innovative vehicle concepts. The world’s most successful manufacturer of premium cars follows the challenges created by the need for up-to-date mobility solutions.
This new concept addresses a demanding driver group seeking to combine style, luxury, and impressive versatility with individual style, while meeting the demands and requirements of an active lifestyle. The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo offers these qualities and reaches beyond BMW’s existing customer groups.

The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo thus stands out as a modern interpretation of the Gran Turismo segment so rich in tradition, cars which at all times have combined athletic driving qualities with a truly comfortable interior.

Stylish elegance, luxurious spaciousness, and impressive versatility all come together in the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo. Features never before combined in one car make the new concept a truly progressive innovation serving ideally to set new standards in the most demanding upper midrange segment.

Establishing a new vehicle segment in this process, BMW is continuing its successful development strategy. Qualities typical of the brand are again carried into a new market with an innovative concept. Hence, BMW is using all of its innovative power to give new customers that unique thrill of The Ultimate Driving Machine® and to continue the ongoing growth of BMW in a lasting, long-term process.

A replay of the Internet livecast of the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo preview unveiling, featuring a background presentation by Chris Bangle, is available at the following link (runtime 35 min): http://www.thomson-webcast.net/de/dispatching/?bmw_090213

Concept Vehicle Highlights
Character:
• With the future still offering sufficient room for an exciting new driving experience, BMW has once again defined a brand-new vehicle segment: The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo is the series-based adaptation of the Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS) in the premium midsize segment via a new concept.
• With its stylish appearance and comfortable driving experience, the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo transfers the characteristics of a classic Gran Turismo to a very special four-door vehicle with four seats. These typical features of a Gran Turismo are then enriched by the highest standard of intelligent, versatile functionality.
• The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo combines style, space, comfort, and versatility. In a combination never seen before, the features of a prestigious sedan, a modern and versatile Sports Activity Vehicle, and a classic Gran Turismo are all united in this unique Concept Car.
• Besides the typical BMW proportions, the coupe-like roofline accentuates the stylish, sporty character of the car and the sheer length of the car’s body. In addition, the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo has four frameless windows and striking aluminum trim.
• The interior is surprisingly generous considering the coupe-like silhouette of the car, creating a spontaneous feeling of luxury for driver and passengers. This impression is further enhanced by the slightly elevated seating position, and the panorama roof provides a particularly pleasant travel experience.
• The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo is highly versatile: a flexible interior comprised of the rear seats, the bulkhead partition, and the luggage compartment allows the adjustment of the interior to personal requirements – from a separate luggage compartment, as in a sedan, all the way to a capacity of almost 58 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. This flexibility is rounded off by a bi-modal hatch with separate openings for additional convenience.
• The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo addresses a demanding and modern driver group – discerning individuals who attach great importance to genuine style, luxurious comfort and flexibility in use. This gives BMW the opportunity to win over customers who currently drive a sedan, SUV, or wagon model in the respective competitive segments.
• The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo extends the BMW model range through a fresh, intelligent vehicle concept for modern mobility at the highest standard. Through its unique combination of style, space, comfort, and variability, the car creates a powerful impression of relaxed presence. Indeed, these new characteristics enrich the driving experience to a higher standard and appeal to new groups of drivers. Last but not least, the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo authentically projects quality and a new standard of sporting performance borne out by the car’s dynamism and efficiency.

Interior design:
• The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo offers a spacious and luxurious ambience with inspiring and modern interior design. As the world’s only combination of variable spaciousness and uncompromising premium quality, this new concept car also stands out through the most sophisticated materials and excellent quality of finish. Supreme harmony in interior design, reflected by the trim surfaces extending from the front to the rear doors, creates a modern symbiosis of the two seats at the front and the seats at the rear. The panorama glass roof, in turn, further intensifies the light and generous ambience inside the car, while the stylish cockpit emphasizes the sheer width of the vehicle through its horizontal lines, black panel technology and a fully integrated 10.2-inch Control Display.

• Seating comfort, ample headroom and elbow room in the front provide the standard of a luxury performance automobile, the slightly elevated seating position ensures an optimum overview and makes access to the car particularly comfortable. Tilted slightly to the front, the instrument panel, finally, optimizes the degree of control comfort on the driver’s seat.

• Optimized access as well as freedom of movement characterize the generous atmosphere in the rear seats. Extending to the rear, the center console in the concept car emphasizes the length of the interior. Outstanding versatility, in turn, is ensured by single seats at the rear. Adjustable fore-and-aft, their backrests folding forwards individually under electric power and the adjustable backrest angle ensure comfort.

• With the rear seats in their regular position, the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo offers the passengers at the rear the same legroom as in the BMW 7 Series and virtually the same headroom as in the BMW X5. In this configuration, luggage compartment capacity is 15.1 cubic feet. The partition wall behind the rear seats separates the passenger and luggage compartments from one another in terms of both acoustics and climate conditions, like in a sedan. If necessary, the rear seats move fore-and-aft by more than 3.9" – so that with the seats moved as far forward as possible, the occupants still enjoy the same legroom as in the BMW 5 Series Sedan, with luggage capacity increasing to almost 20 cubic feet. Then, once folding down the rear seat backrests and the partition wall, the luggage compartment further increases in size to its maximum capacity of nearly 58 cubic feet. The firm cover on the luggage compartment may be stowed away in the floor of the compartment, again in the interest of extra convenience.

• The two-piece tailgate allows unique variability in loading the luggage compartment: Opening the small, sedan-like tailgate beneath the rear window enables the driver and passengers, in combination with the closed partition wall, to load the luggage compartment without creating any drafts into the passenger compartment or changing the temperature the passengers wish to enjoy. To conveniently load bulky objects, all the driver has to do is open up the large hatch similar in its configuration to that of a Sports Activity Vehicle.

Exterior design:
• The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo combines the Gran Turismo with four doors and all the quality of a Sedan, and the versatility of a Sports Activity Vehicle. BMW proportions are borne out by the long hood, the long wheelbase, the coupe-like roofline, and the greenhouse moved rearward.

• The dynamic character of the car’s front-end is accentuated by the large BMW kidney grille positioned low down and standing upright, as well as the large air intake.The dual round headlights give the front end of the car a particularly modern look. The corona rings come for the first time in LED technology.

• From the side, the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo clearly visualizes its innovative character, the waistline and the coupe-like roofline accentuate the look of the car and the length of the body. Following the example of a coupe, the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo comes with four doors and frameless windows. The aluminum surrounds on the side windows are milled out of one solid unit and holding the elegantly designed exterior mirrors as yet another important design feature. Yet a further element on the side is the exciting re-interpretation of the famous “Hofmeister kink” typical of BMW at the rear end of the window.

• Horizontal lines at the rear emphasize the width and sporting character of the car, accentuated by the waistline extending from the side into the rear panel, a three-dimensional chrome bar and the flared wheel arches. The outer rooflines merge into the spoiler and encompass the rear in its fastback design. The L-shaped rear light clusters come with horizontal rows of lights extending far round into the side of the car.

BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 83 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

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Tiff does the Renault R26.R

...I guessing even a hotter Caterham would not have done much better in those conditions. In any case Mr.Needell likes the Renault track day special!

As it turns out, our friends at RSR Nürburg just announced they have added a Renault R26.R to their rental fleet starting March 1st.    The ultimate hot hatch on the ultimate track,  perfect!

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Oligarch Staff Car: The Maybach Zeppelin

Mercedes will unleash the ultimate version of the Maybach at the Geneva Motor show.  

The Maybach Zeppelin continues in the tradition of the original Maybach,  considered the most luxurious automobile of the 1930's.   Maybach is claiming the ultimate luxury limousine crown  and how can it not with features such as a perfume vaporizer, hand stitched everything and  631 hp/738 ft-lbs under the hood? 

Only 100 are to be made with a list price of 470000 Euro.  Pretty much the perfect conveyance for our times.  Oh the humanity!

(Corriere della Sera, Original Zeppelin pictures by Our Man In Monaco)





The new Maybach Zeppelin: The reincarnation of an automotive legend

The Maybach brand is bringing out the new Maybach Zeppelin to spearhead its luxury saloon model range. The new model, which is receiving its premiere at the Geneva Motor Show, represents the absolute zenith in the high-end luxury saloon segment. This makes it a worthy successor to the legendary Maybach Zeppelin, which was revered worldwide as the ultimate in high-class automotive engineering in the 1930s. The hallmark features of the new Maybach flagship's unique sense of style include a stunning paint finish, featuring a shoulderline in a contrasting colour, as well as the exquisite, meticulously crafted materials in the interior, whose long list of optional extras includes a world first – a highly sophisticated perfume atomiser. The new model's performance even outclasses the rest of the Maybach range, making it the most powerful Maybach ever. In a nutshell: the Maybach Zeppelin epitomises stylish elegance and the art of vehicle manufacture at its most refined as no car has ever done before. The new Maybach Zeppelin is being built in a limited edition of just 100 worldwide.

Even today, the name "Zeppelin" has an incomparable ring to it in the realm of high-end luxury cars. As in bygone times, Maybach is once again building the Maybach Zeppelin for drivers who are seeking something extra special, even in this most luxurious of automotive segments. Not only do the Maybach 57 Zeppelin and Maybach 62 Zeppelin stand out for their exquisite elegance, inventive ideas and phenomenal performance, only one hundred of these special model versions of the high-end luxury saloons will be made worldwide.

Even greater power for the Maybach Zeppelin
The Maybach 57 S and the long-wheelbase version, the 62 S, serve as the technical basis for the new range-topping model. Supreme performance is assured in both cases by the 6.0 litre V12 biturbo power unit under the bonnet, which now delivers 471 kW/640 hp (+ 28 hp) and a peak torque of 1000 Newton metres.

A two-tone exterior identifies the new Maybach flagship

Whatever angle it is viewed from, the new Maybach Zeppelin radiates character and the sort of style which appeals to all the senses. From the outside, the luxury brand's new top-of-the-range model can be recognised by its two-tone special paint finish. The shoulderline is painted right through to the background of the headlamp assemblies in Rocky Mountains light brown, which forms a stylish and scintillating contrast to the Taiga black finish used for the rest of the vehicle body. Dark red tail light units and a fine vertical partition in the tailpipe add striking visual touches at the rear. Naturally, customers may also specify their Maybach Zeppelin in any other paint finish they wish.
The Maybach Zeppelin's newly designed 20-inch wheels in a Chrome Shadow finish complete the picture. These were first painted with a black undercoat, before having a silver topcoat applied using an elaborate painting process that causes the tone to gradually increase in darkness from the outside in.
The streamlined exterior mirrors, which produce even less wind noise, are new to Maybach. They have a more angular design and are separated from the door frame by a slender arm, giving them a more expressive look. They also feature an enlarged mirror surface together with integral indicators in the shape of a horizontal "V" for even greater perceptual safety.
The curving "ZEPPELIN" lettering that appears below the distinctive double "M" emblem on the radiator grille and on the boot lid instantly gives away the elite status of the new Maybach Zeppelin.
Finest-quality leather and high-gloss piano lacquer trim
The new Maybach Zeppelin is a car for connoisseurs, as is immediately apparent from its interior. Here, the luxurious leather appointments in California beige leather form a delightful contrast with the exclusive leather in deep Stromboli black that gives added impact to the shoulderline on the inside too. At the same time, the lustrous deep black tone of the leather harmonises beautifully with the exquisite piano lacquer finish of the trim elements. The precisely crafted contrasting topstitching in the dashboard and on the doors reinforces the Maybach Zeppelin's sense of dynamism. The unusual diamond quilting pattern on the seat cushions and backrests together with the black piping gives the opulently styled seats a character all of their own. The occupants' feet rest on genuine lambskin carpeting.
The limited-edition special models bear a number of discreet identifying markings in the interior too. The centre console in the front, the partition screen that is available as an option for the Maybach Zeppelin 62, plus the silver champagne flutes included as standard are all marked with the lettering "MAYBACH ZEPPELIN", while the door sill panels as well as the key ring are engraved with the word "ZEPPELIN".
World first – a system for a fine interior fragrance
Customers are also able to opt for an especially refined equipment detail that is exclusive to the Maybach Zeppelin – an imaginatively designed, extremely high-quality perfume atomiser, the only one of its kind in the world. It easily eclipses all previous efforts to produce something similar, both in terms of its visual appeal and its operation. Its sophisticated technology and premium fragrances, which can be individually chosen, create a unique aromatic experience in the Maybach Zeppelin's interior at the push of a button – stimulating the senses of the occupants not with an overpowering perfume but with a soft, delicate scent.
The system's core component is an internally illuminated Plexiglass sphere on the rear centre console, into which Maybach Zeppelin owners can insert a vial of their preferred fragrance. A regulator pump then directs a gentle flow of air into the Plexiglass sphere, fanning the vial's perfume molecules into the vehicle interior.
The ingenious control understands the human sense of smell
The perfume atomiser can be activated either from the driver's seat or by means of a button in the rear centre console, with an additional thumbwheel in the rear for sensitive aroma control. The chosen fragrance gently wafts into the passenger compartment within ten to twelve seconds. On models with a partition screen, only the passengers in the rear are able to activate the atomiser.
The aroma experts took the human sense of smell into consideration when designing the control mechanism. As the nose adjusts to smells in such a way that it no longer perceives them after a short while, the perfume atomiser switches off after about ten minutes. Once the system has switched off, the fragrance – which does not seep into the interior's materials or the occupants' clothes – quickly evaporates. Reactivating the atomiser later allows the experience to be enjoyed all over again.
Artistic, hand-blown vials and specially developed fragrances
The system comes supplied with two select fragrances, which have been
exclusively developed for the Maybach by a renowned perfumer from global specialist Givaudan: one light and refreshing, the other slightly heavier and woodier.
Maybach Zeppelin owners can also use other fragrances, or even have one specially developed and enjoy the luxury of immersing themselves in their very own, personally designed aroma. The fragrance holders are easily interchangeable. The specification includes a total of three valuable vials, which are hand-blown by a well-known glass artist.
The elaborate, silent-running perfume atomiser system is a patented Maybach innovation.
The Maybach 57 Zeppelin costs €406,000, the Maybach 62 Zeppelin has a price tag of €473,200 (German list price, excl. VAT). The perfume atomiser that is exclusive to the Zeppelin can be ordered for an extra €3950 (German list price, excl. VAT).
The new Maybach Zeppelin goes on sale on 3 March 2009, with the first models expected to be delivered to customers in September 2009.
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Ergonomics...

We are forever arguing about this issue at Axis BBQ's... more buttons or less buttons?

As far as the Panamera, get used to it, it's the shape of things to come. The BMW X6 led the way, you are seeing the wake effect, from Porsche to Toyota. Discuss.

That last photoshop of the BMW 5 Series GT (Progressive Activity Sedan) was pretty close to the real thing, no? 

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"Grandpa" Schumi at it again, dumps bike, passes out.

The seven time world champion continues to push his luck. As reported by Spain's Marca, Michael Schumacher fell at 230 km/h while testing a bike on the Cartagena circuit in Spain. He hit his head and lost consciousness. Schumacher was taken by ambulance to a hospital and given a CAT scan which, according to his own web site, found no major lesions.
Major lesions are certain to appear after Schumacher returns to Switzerland and faces his wife Corinna.

(Marca)
(Michael-Schumacher.de)







And here is the rest of it.

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"A track day is the Ultimate Sunday Drive"

...or for that matter, any other day of the week in our books! 

One thing I'm not clear about, the Euro spec BMW 330d claims 50 mpg while the US spec 335d with a touch more horsepower and marginally quicker performance gets about half the milage? 

Perhaps BMW might have considered the 330d in order to better highlight Diesel's "green" advantages. The 330d and 335d both have 3 liter turbo engines, not sure if one is just a detuned version of the other or if they are different enough that they would need to be crash tested separately. In the latter case then you have the answer to the riddle since it makes no economic sense to go though the homologation process for two diesel engines in the US.

Marketing considerations aside, Vicky Butler-Henderson proves once again she's the tracktard's perfect date!






And here is the rest of it.

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'Ring Dreams

I saw this over on Dale's BTG.com, a 70 page guide loaded with tips, tricks and Sabines.

Can't miss it if you are planning, or even only dreaming of taking the pilgrimage to the Nürburgring.

Get your own - Open publication

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