BMW�s M Division Presents its First Ever Bicycle, the Carbon Racer

Initially created to facilitate BMW�s racing program, the Bavarian firm�s M Gmbh division gradually expanded its activities to include the development and manufacturing of the company�s sportiest production cars, and more recently, crossover and SUV models as well. Now, the M brand is entering new territory with the introduction of its first racing bicycle, the M Bike Carbon Racer.

The highlight of the bicycle is the lightweight carbon frame that has been developed in-house by BMW�s M division. The German company states that the frame is extremely light and stiff, absorbs shocks, and is absolutely corrosion-free. The bicycle also comes equipped with Shimano Ultegra gears and tips the scales at just 7.4 kg or 16.3 pounds.

The frame is finished in an anthracite carbon look, while the colored accents on the rims, handlebar grips, and saddle inlay are painted in the typical BMW M red color.

Prices have not yet been released, but BMW said that the M Bike Carbon Racer will be available from select dealers as well as online on the firm�s website from June 2011.

BMW M Bike Carbon Racer (anthracite)
Frame height: 52 cm, 54 cm, 56 cm, 58 cm, and 60 cm
Frame: Full carbon with BMW M logo
Rear derailleur: Shimano Ultegra RD-6700
Front derailleur: Shimano Ultegra FD-6700
Cassette: Shimano CS6700, 11�28 sprockets, ten-speed
Weight: 7.4 kg

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BMW to Fight Audi and Mercedes with Six M3 Race Cars in the German Touring Car Championship

BMW's Motorsport division announced today that it will enter six M3 race cars in the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) starting from the 2012 season. The Bavarian company will be represented in the highly competitive championship by three teams, each entering two cars. The chosen teams are long-term partners BMW Team Schnitzer and BMW Team RBM, plus the newcomer Reinhold Motorsport GmbH.

Development of the M3 DTM car has been running at full speed in Munich for the past few months, with the first track tests are scheduled to begin this month. �The concepts presented by BMW Team RBM, BMW Team Schnitzer and Reinhold Motorsport GmbH ultimately convinced us. This is an excellent team line-up for BMW. For us, it is important that all three teams have absolute equal rights. We are looking forward to cooperating over the coming years � and hope to enjoy great success together,� said BMW Motorsport boss Mario Theissen.

No announcement has been made regarding the BMW driving line-up for the DTM. Of the three teams, only Schnitzer was part of BMW's DTM participation in the 80's and early 90's, winning the 1989 title.

BMW was officially involved in the DTM between 1987 and 1992, winning two titles with the M3 E30 in 1987 and 1989, with drivers Eric van de Poele and Roberto Ravaglia respectively. Before that, private team Gubin won the inaugural 1984 DTM season with Volker Strycek behind the wheel of a 635CSi.

By Dan Mihalascu

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BMW Releases Performance Exhaust System for Latest M3 Models [with Video]

Do you happen to own a fourth generation BMW M3 Coupe, Sedan or Convertible model, and if so, do you crave for a throatier sound from its exhaust? If you answered yes to both questions and can justify spending $4,374 plus labor for installation for a performance exhaust system, then you may want to take a look the Bavarian firm's new M Performance offering.

BMW said the new exhaust system is crafted from an extremely heat-resistant and lightweight chrome-nickel alloy called Inconel, which allowed the firm's engineers to reduce the thickness of the tubing from 1.5mm to 0.8mm. This resulted in a weight reduction of approximately 40%, or about 20 pounds when compared to the M3's stock exhaust system. So basically, you're getting a much lighter exhaust system with a more powerful sound

The M Performance Exhaust also comes with perforated inner pipes and polished titanium tips, which are laser engraved with the M logo.

The company said the new exhaust may be installed at any Authorized BMW Center at a price of $4,374 plus installation.

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BMW M Car Sales Increase by More than 14 Percent in 2010

Sales of BMW's M car series continue to sprout as the Bavarian company's performance division concluded the 2010 business year with a 14.2 percent increase to 16,967 units, despite the phase out of the V10-powered M5 and M6 models.

The M brand's most popular model remained the M3 with 5,729 units of the coupe, 2,544 units of the Convertible and 1,843 Saloons. Worldwide sales of the newly introduced all-wheel drive X5 M and X6 M totaled 2,778 and 3,082 respectively.

The USA was once again the most important single market in 2010 for the performance brand with overall BMW M car sales up by more than 6 percent to 6,821 units. As before, the number two sales region was the German domestic market with sales of 1,716 cars, followed by Britain and Northern Ireland with 1,264 units.

BMW M's division saw its most dynamic growth in China where sales rose by 355 percent to 1,088 units, making the country the fourth-strongest market for the brand. Significant gains were also registered in Brazil (+ 237 percent) and Russia (+ 104 percent).

The German company said that it also recorded a 1 percent increase in sales of the M Sport packages, with 138,800 units in 2010. The main market for M Sport packages was Britain and Northern Ireland, followed by Germany and the USA. The was also a significant jump in the demand for the firm's Individual program, with 24,155 options being ordered in 2010, an increase of 47 percent over 2009.

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G-Power Receives First Batch of BMW M3 GTS Coupes, Expect at Least 600HP

With 450HP on tap, the limited edition BMW M3 GTS is not only more powerful than the stock M3, but it�s also lighter and comes with a full-blown racing suspension, making it arguably the best 3-Series model of its generation.

Nevertheless, famed BMW tuner G-Power thinks something�s missing, namely �the ultimate output�. That�s why the Autenzell-based specialist will modify three GTS models, two of which have already arrived at its headquarters in Germany.

G-Power�s SK II CS �Sporty Drive� supercharger will be adapted to work with the 4.4-liter V8 engine pushing output to over 600HP. There�s no word on any other upgrades, but buyers can expect an improved braking system and additional chassis tweaks.

In any case, G-Power is confident that the spiced up M3 GTS will give the Porsche 911 GT3 RS a run for its money. "After this modification the BMW M3 GTS can finally show the armada of Porsche 911 GT3 RS who�s the boss at the various clubsport racing events," said G-Power in a statement.

We�d say that's to be seen, but time will surely clarify this dilemma.

By Csaba Daradics

BMW 1-Series M Coupe Allegedly Laps the N�rburgring in 8:12" Making it Faster than E46 M3

The BMW 1-Series M Coupe is pretty fast on paper. Reaching the 60 mph (96 km/h) mark in just 4.7 seconds is no small feat, but nowadays, it seems that performance cars need to have a respectable �Ring� time under there belt to command respect. Now, a forum member of the 1Addicts fan site who calls himself "SteveD" claims that the Ring time for the 335-horsepower strong M model is 8 minutes and 12 seconds.

If true (and according to the N�rburgring lap times list posted on Wikipedia), this means the entry-level M model is 10 seconds faster than the E46 M3, on par with the E86 Z4 M Coupe, but 7 seconds slower than the E92 M3 .

Of course, just because something is posted on a forum, doesn�t necessarily make it true. However, it seems that �SteveD� is none other than Steve Davies, a UK journalist who writes for Skiddmark. When asked where did he received the info, "SteveD" wrote �directly from BMW when we filmed the car�.

And indeed, Skiddmark does feature a piece about the 1-Series M Coupe and it contains the information posted on 1addicts. Still, we�re going to take this one with a grain of salt until we have the official confirmation.

You can see how the 1 Series M Coupe's alleged 'Ring lap time compares with other models from BMW and other makers in the list below.

By Csaba Daradics

Nurburgring Lap Times as Posted on Wikipedia:

� E46 M3 CSL - 7:50

� E90/E92 M3 - 8:05

� E63 M6 - 8:09

� 1 series M coupe - 8:12

� Z4 M-Coupe - 8:12

� E60 M5 - 8:13

� Alpina B3 Biturbo - 8:14

� Z4 M-Roadster - 8:15

� Alpina Roadster S (Z4) - 8:15

� E46 M3 - 8:22

� 335i E92 Coupe - 8:26

Other Models Compared:

� 911 Carrera S PDK (997.5) - 7:50

� Audi R8 4.2 - 8:04

� Cayman S - 8:04 (by Walter R�hrl)

� Audi RS4 - 8:09

� Audi TT-RS - 8:09

� BMW 1 series M coupe - 8:12

� Aston Martin V8 Vantage - 8:13

� Mercedes C63 AMG PP - 8:13

� Corvette C6 - 8:15

� Cayman S - 8:16 (Sport Auto)

� Porsche Boxter S (987.5) - 8:18

� Lexus IS-F - 8:18

� 2010 VW Golf R - 8:23

� Audi S5 (2007) - 8:26

� Audi TT-S (2008) - 8:29

Source: Skiddmark , Via: 1Addicts

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Prior Design Releases Widebody Kit for the E92 BMW 3-Series Coupe

German tuning firm Prior Design has unveiled a widebody kit for the E92 3-Series Coupe, which turns the bimmer into an M3 clone with a "hormonal disposition" [whatever that means...], for a base price of �2,999. While we're not sure about those "hormones", the exterior modifications look nice enough, so Prior's kit is definitely worth a look.

The body kit fits all E92 Coupes, except, of course, the genuine M3, and is a new development manufactured from Duraflex, "a very flexible and extremely stable material", according to the company.

Designers scrapped the old front bumper and fitted the car with a new piece featuring larger air intakes. They also changed the bonnet, but didn't go for the stock M3 look. Instead, they emulated the look of the M3 GT2 racecar's hood with integrated air vents.

Lowered side skirts continue the front's muscular look, alongside the widened wheel arches. At the back, you can find a new bumper complete with a diffuser, which can accommodate the M3 exhaust system and all E92 Coupe tailpipes, minus those found on the 335i. The latter can be opted with a specially designed stainless steel exhaust system, also mimicking the M3, priced at �1,499.

Furthermore, the body kit comes with boot-lid and roof spoilers, both of which are also available in carbon fiber.

An adjustable KW coil-over kit that lowers the car's ride height for a more aggressive stance, rounds off the package.

By Csaba Daradics

Prices:

Widebody body kit: from EUR 2,999.-

Bonnet: EUR 1,390.-

Rear spoiler: EUR 299.-

Roof spoiler: EUR 299.-

Front spoiler lip: EUR 449.-

M3 style exhaust system: EUR 1,499.-

Assembly and paintwork: Price on application

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