BMW
BMW's K1200R - a radical new direction for the once conservative Motorrad brand
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March 20, 2005 This was the first the world saw of BMW’s new K1200R roadster muscle bike when the machine made its world debut at the Intermot motorcycle show late last year – almost certainly the first time the image-savvy BMW brand managers have ever condoned one of their roadgoing vehicles to be displayed in such vulgar hoon-like behaviour. When the smoke cleared, we could see why. Using the same donk built for the K1200S ultra high performance sports machine, the K1200R is quite unlike anything we’ve ever seen from the normally understated German marque. The aggressively-styled unfaired street bike has 163 bhp and an uncompromising “street fighter” attitude. Read More
BMW's new 130i - six into 1 really goes
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February 12, 2005 It had to happen. When BMW announced their diminutive 1 Series, it fitted perfectly with the upmarket, luxury, high-tech image of BMW in almost every way except one - where was the performance model? So it was no surprise when the enthusiast element at BMW shoehorned the new high performance in-line six cylinder engine into the vehicle to produce the widely anticipated 130i. Boasting a power output of 190 kW, with an awesome 300 Nm of torque, performance figures of 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h are the tantalising results. The BMW 130i will make its international debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Read More
BMW M6: New V10 Super Coupé
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December 15, 2004 BMW's high performance M3 and M5 cars are set to be joined by the M6, a sporting rendition of the two-door luxury 6 Series Coupé. Powered by the same 500 horsepower Formula 1-inspired V10 motor and seven-speed sequential manual transmission fitted to the M5, the thoroughbred M6 will be available in very limited numbers towards the end of 2005. Read More
BMW release new M3 Coupe Competition Package
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November 25, 2004 BMW Australia
has released the new BMW M3 Coupe Competition Package option for the iconic M3 Coupe. Drawing a myriad of components from the AUD $210,000 M3 CSL, the new BMW M3 Competition Package option delivers increased responsiveness and agility, M Track Mode dynamic control, optimised suspension settings, a quicker steering rack, M3 CSL-style 19-inch light alloy wheels with beefed-up brakes and a unique BMW-Williams F1-inspired Interlagos Blue metallic paint to transform your M3 Coupe into the ultimate racing vehicle. Read More
The New BMW 3 Series
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October 29, 2004 BMW has released details of its all-new BMW 3 Series. To be shown for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show next March, the E90 3 Series is will go on sale in mid-2005.
The E90 3 Series adds an armoury of impressive, innovative improvements for engine, chassis, safety technology as well as driving comfort.
Three new engines.
The new BMW 3 Series comes with three engine options: two all-new six-cylinder engines and an optimised iteration of the famous 2.0-litre four-cylinder slots into the 320i entry model Read More
BMW Sets Speed Records with Hydrogen fuelled V12
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Hydrogen propulsion moved from rockets to racers this week as BMW set nine new speed records for hydrogen powered automobiles. The record attempt was conducted at the high-speed Miramas Proving Grounds in France, where the 210kW hydrogen prototype proved BMW's point that hydrogen can replace conventional fuel without a performance compromise. The H2R Record Car uses a six-litre 12 cylinder power unit and accelerates to 100 km/h in approximately 6 seconds with a top speed of 302.4 km/h (185,52 mph). Based on the 760i power unit, the main modifications involved the fuel injection system being adapted to the special requirements of hydrogen. Read More
Landmark BMW helmet system
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BMW has shown a landmark new helmet system designed to reduce noise via noise cancelling technology inside the helmet and enable crystal clear voice communications and music. The helmet uses state-of-the-art materials (kevlar, carbon fibre) to create an ultralight, aerodynamic and very quiet helmet wind-tunnel tested to be the quietest helmet on the market. The helmet will enable communication with the pillion, or anyone via your bluetooth phone, or to listen to music clearly and wirelessly ON ANY MOTORCYCLE. The entire system is inside the helmet so it can be used on any motorcycle. Read More
BMW's new V10 engine in detail
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Each time BMW M introduces a new model, the focus of attention is centred on what lurks beneath the domed bonnet bulge. For the E60 M5 sedan due on sale in Australia mid-2005, the answer is a high-revving ultra-powerful V10 - a superb, state-of-the-art engine which BMW recently detailed for the world's press. Read More
BMW enters the high-performance motorcycle market
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BMW's K1200S is the first model from BMW to directly address the ultra-high speed sports bike market dominated by the "big four" Japanese manufacturers. The new K1200S high performance sports bike began production on the June 1, 2004 with more performance credentials than any previous BMW two-wheeler - 167 horsepower and a top speed in excess of 300kmh. Read More
BMW Brake Force Display
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BMW will incorporate a new Brake Force Display on most models from May 2004 - Brake Force Display is a simple yet effective way of communicating to following traffic that the BMW in front is stopping quickly, providing extra advance warning of a potential road hazard ahead. Read More
BMW shows the new 1 Series
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BMW has announced an all-new 1 Series five-door rear-wheel drive sports tourer hatch which will be unveiled to the public at the Paris Motor Show this September. The new premium compact will make its Australian debut just weeks later at the Sydney International Motor Show where it is sure to be one of the stars of the show. Read More
BMW announce new 6 Series Convertible
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BMW has announced the arrival of the BMW 6 Series Convertible, a variant on the 6 Series Coupe that incorporates a side fin roof designed to give the same visual impact as wide C-pillars and maintain the unique balance between coup'-like styling and the new 2+2-seater Convertible form. Read More
Limited Edition BMW 645Ci sells out in less than 7 minutes
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Friday October 24, 2003: The 2004 BMW 645Ci featured in this year's Neiman Marcus Christmas Book went on sale recently via a phone hotline - six minutes and 57 seconds later, all 50 of the limited-edition models were sold. Read More
BMW's Electric-Booster Research Engine
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Wednesday August 13, 2003: BMW researchers have recorded fuel savings as high as 15 % and produced 1,000 Nm of torque at low revs by using a high-power electric booster motor positioned between the combustion engine and gearbox of an experimental BMW X5. Read More
BMW and MINI release Data Storage Watches
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A portable USB drive incorporated into a wristwatch - we were impressed by the idea when we first discovered the MEMIX watch, and now BMW and MINI have jointly released their own versions of a Memory Watch. Storing up to 128MB of data via an internal memory card, both watches emulate the style of the automotive namesakes... Read More
New BMW 6 Series Coup' features head-up display and glass roof
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Friday July 11, 2003: BMW has given the world a sneak preview of its second generation 6 series BMW - a car slated for its first public showing at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The first models will be available in the Australian market from the second quarter of next year. Read More
Australia to get 20 hand-built BMW CSL supercars
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A limited production run of just 20 BMW M3 CSL supercars will reach Australia later this year. The fire-breathing M3 CSL boasts an output of 265 kW (81.5 kW per litre) and a 10% improvement in power-to-weight ratio over the standard M3. Read More
19,000 RPM BMW Formula One engine
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Though Ferrari dominated the F1 in 2002, the engine with the most horses was the Williams V10 BMW. Read More
BMW develops head-up display for Ralf Schumacher's helmet
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BMW Technology Office has taken the wraps off an innovative Formula One product - a miniature (6x8 mm) head-up display system will be integrated in Ralf Schumacher's helmet next season to create a "visual information window" enhancing pit-driver communications and safety. Read More
Trekking on the Mothership - BMW LT1200
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BMW'S K1200LT is a showcase of techno-wizardry. If you were travelling to somewhere a long way away, and wanted to go by bike so you could smell and feel the place better, this is one of the bikes you would consider. Satellite navigation, an awesome sound system, heated grips and seats, a torquey, economical 1200CC motor and a suspension and brake package which matches the weight. There's even a reverse gear.Satellite NavigationEvery bike should have one, particularly when being ridden in parts unknown. Once you've mastered the two-button interface, which was possible even when being ridden (we're not sure if this skill shows extremely high intelligence, or the opposite), it interupts themusic momentarily to give clear, precise verbal instructions in a soothing female voicethrough the speaker system, with the tankmounted display offering directions in writtenand diagram form. Bloody marvelous! Read More
BMW StreetCarver - high speed, high thrill, high cost skateboard
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July 2002 It looks like a skateboard but feels more like a snowboard. It costs between three and four times more than the previously most expensive skateboard.It is much larger than it looks, and it's heaps of fun. It is the BMW Streetcarver and it's one of the more bizarre brand extensions to come from the automotive segment in recent years, (see also the Chrysler Razor Concept Car and the Ford Tonka Truck) particularly given that the skateboard fraternity is hardcore, hard baked, irreverent and the US$695 price of the StreetCarver is a lot of money in any language. But the StreetCarver is not a normal skateboard. With the sport of snowboarding gaining instant legitimacy thanks to the winter Olympics, BMW's StreetCarver is reaching the market at exactly the right time. Though it gets its edge in a different way to a snowboard, it sweeps and carves in exactly the same way, and is an absolute hoot to ride. Read More
