Video: Is Launch Control the Most Effective Way to Drag Race Your M3?

High-performance cars are usually meant to be driven on the track. The level of performance they bring to the table should force the driver/owner to take it to the track to fully enjoy it. However, some people never do and therefore end up pushing the gas pedal of their sportscar in all the wrong places. To be honest, we’ve all done it at some point, leaving the stop sign in a hurry, with some rival on our side, trying to figure out who’s faster. But with today’s launch control sequences in mind, should you go through the trouble of activating it?

The thing is, when you’re at a stop light and someone rolls up next to you, launching fast is paramount and, to be fair, BMW’s launch control activation sequence isn’t the easiest to activate either, especially on DCT-equipped M cars. Sure, it’s not rocket science but it does take a while to get everything right and you just might not have that luxury. But how much of a difference does Launch Control actually make?

To answer this question, the guys from Car Advice took an M3 out for a quick test, to see how the car behaves with and without the feature. First, they tested how fast it is with the DSC system on, Launch Control off and putting the car in Sport+ mode. Of course, that also didn’t get the results everyone was hoping for.

Then they tried things with the DSC completely off which, of course, lit up the rear tires. Lastly they activated Launch Control and reached a 0-62 mph run of 4.6 seconds which is considerably off what BMW claims for the M3. Even so, the Launch Control run was the fastest of the bunch, showing that the car really does work at its best when used. What’s your take on what the guys did here? How do you run your car?

The article Video: Is Launch Control the Most Effective Way to Drag Race Your M3? appeared first on BMW BLOG

from BMW BLOG https://ift.tt/2jjFc6Q

KIA design chief says its “Tiger Nose” grille is similar to BMW’s Kidney Grilles

One of the most famous and iconic styling cues of any automotive brand is BMW’s Kidney Grille design. Even people who don’t know about cars could see a de-badged BMW and recognize it as such from its signature twin grilles. The design as been around since BMW started making cars 100 years ago and, while it’s evolved and morphed over the years, it’s still present and immediately recognizable. Few other brands have grilles as well-known as BMW’s. Jeep and Alfa Romeo are the only brands that come to mind, to be honest. However, Peter Schreyer, Hyundai Motor Group Design Chief, feels that KIA will now have such a grille, dubbed the “Tiger Nose”.

We’re not really sure why it’s called that, being that it doesn’t really look like a tiger’s nose, but it sounds cool so we’ll roll with it. Though that’s neither here nor there. Schreyer seems to think that KIA is onto something with the Tiger Nose and that all KIAs moving forward will have such a grille design. He even compares it to BMW’s famous Kidney Grilles, something he knows quite a bit about considering he used to work for BMW. “I think [the tiger nose grille] should be the kidney grilles,” he said in an interview with CarBuzz. “Even if BMW is kind of watering them down at the moment […] I am very happy and I think it is very good for Kia that we have [the tiger nose].”

 

 

Schreyer even feels that KIA has more design freedom with the Tiger Nose than BMW does with its famous Kidneys. “Of course, we have the freedom as compared to the kidney grilles that are more fixed. They cannot break. The tiger nose is much more variable. You can make it higher, lower, wider, smaller, pair it with different headlamps, whatever. As long as you have the two things in the middle, it always works”.

At the moment, KIA uses the Tiger Grille on every model it sells and there doesn’t seem to be any sign of that changing. And that’s smart, as a signature grille design doesn’t work if it’s only a few models. It needs to be a corporate-wide look that even the brand’s cheapest models have. That creates brand recognition. “We had a workshop recently with designers where we talked about how we want to proceed and what we want to do. One thing we all said was, ‘Tiger nose forever.’”

 

 

That’s a bold claim from Schreyer, though. BMW’s Kidney Grilles have been around for a century, KIA’s Tiger Nose has been around for five minutes. Not that it’s a bad design, just a bold claim. However, it does make sense for KIA to follow the same blueprint as BMW and it’s nice to see KIA becoming a bigger, better car company than it ever has been, with its own signature grille design that should be immediately recognizable in years to come.

[Source: CarBuzz]

The article KIA design chief says its “Tiger Nose” grille is similar to BMW’s Kidney Grilles appeared first on BMW BLOG

from BMW BLOG https://ift.tt/2HHGfbh

Top five for McNamara in Austria

La Cala Resort's Rory McNamara

La Cala Resort's Rory McNamara racked up his best finish of the season on the Pro Golf Tour when he tied for fifth in the Haugschlag NÖ Open 2018 in Austria.

The former West of Ireland and North of Ireland winner shot rounds of 72, 69 and 67 to finish just four shots behind Mathieu Decottignies Lafon of France on eight-under par at Golfresort Haugschlag, close to the Cech border.

McNamara, 29 next month, picked up €1,353.33 and is now  29th in the Pro Golf Tour's Order of Merit which will see the Top-5 earn Challenge Tour status for 2019.

from News - Irish Golf Desk https://ift.tt/2jh7Y7S

BMW X3 M40i vs Volvo XC60 T6 R-Design

We’ve not been shy about our praise for the BMW X3 M40i. With its genuine, an incredibly surprising, old-school BMW steering feel and chassis balance combined with a stellar engine, the X3 M40i is one of the absolute best BMWs to drive on the market. In fact, I’ve recently said that it’s my favorite non-M BMW on the market to drive and the only Bavarian product I’d want to live with more than it is the BMW M5. So it’s a damn good car. But Volvo is also killing it right now, making some seriously fantastic SUVs. So how does BMW’s best SUV compare to the Sweden’s best, new Volvo XC60 T6 R-Design? Auto Guide finds out.

The BMW X3 M40i is the M Perormance variant of the X3, not the full-blown M Division product, but it’s still properly quick. Its 3.0 liter turbocharged inline-six engine makes 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. When paired with its slick-shifting eight-speed automatic and clever xDrive all-wheel drive system, the X3 M40i can hit 60 mph in under five seconds. It’s also a serious driving machine, despite it being an X3. It has genuine steering feel and its steering is sharp and accurate, making it an incredibly enjoyable car to drive. It also sports a chassis balance that manages to blend compliance and performance in the sort of harmony that old-school BMWs would.

If there’s any knock against the X3 M40i, according to Auto Guide, it’s the interior which is a bit bland looking and has too many buttons. While many enthusiasts prefer its button-laden layout, as that’s easier to use while driving, AG prefers the Volvo’s touchscreen layout. Having said that, build quality is excellent and materials are rich, it’s just a bit less exciting looking than the Volvo. There is ample head and leg room, though, so it’s a practical SUV.

As for the Volvo XC60 T6 R-Design, it sports a 2.0 liter twin-charged engine that’s both turbocharged and supercharged to make a very healthy 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. What’s remarkable is that Volvo has managed to twin-charged a small four-cylinder engine and make it incredibly smooth. So it makes competitive power, however, it isn’t as quick, hitting 60 mph in around six seconds. It also has a much less effective transmission, which is a touch sloppy, even in Comfort mode. So it’s powerful and has a smooth engine but it’s just not quite the sports car that the X3 M40i is.

Though, the Volvo makes up for that by looking fantastic and having a very modern, slick cabin. Its infotainment system might be a bit more difficult to use than the BMW’s iDrive, but AG seems to prefer the Volvo’s button-less cabin more. It certainly looks better and is a fresher take.

However, Auto Guide handed the BMW X3 M40i the win, due to the fact that it’s the better car to drive. It’s more fun, has way more character and is the better car to actually drive. The Volvo XC60 T6 R-Design is a very good looking, very interesting car that’s comfortable and has a great cabin but it’s not good enough to take on the X3 M40i.

[Source: Auto Guide]

The article BMW X3 M40i vs Volvo XC60 T6 R-Design appeared first on BMW BLOG

from BMW BLOG https://ift.tt/2rcK2qL

The First European BMW M Showroom Is Opened in Brno

Specialized stand-alone BMW M showrooms are entirely a new phenomenon in Europe. Maybe, you would expect that the first one can be found in Germany. But it would be a mistaken presumption. Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic, has become the first and only in Europe in that respect.

The new specialized BMW M showroom was opened by the local authorized BMW dealer, the Renocar company. A big reconstruction of its BMW Group sales and service center preceded this event. On the surface area of 45,000 square meters visitors can find also modern showrooms of BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad, together with a museum of BMW oldtimers.

At least three or four M cars in all model variants are stable prepared as demo cars and five M cars can be seen in the showroom.

“Within this space, the customers of BMW M sports models acquire all necessary information regarding the individual M models. A specially trained staff is a matter of fact, not only in the area of sales, but also in service,” announced David Haidinger, Corporate Communications Manager for BMW Group Czech Republic.

The idea, however, is not to introduce standard cars to customers in that M showroom. The BMWs presented there are unique as models of BMW Individual and customers can find limited editions cars, as well. Moreover, some special attractions can be seen in the showroom like, for example, the 28 years old M3 (E30) in the „Johnny Cecotto” limited edition or the M exhaust system exhibited on the wall.

“We are a part of the M community, we also organize meetings or race events for M fans,” adds Martin Kovalčík, Renocar’s M salesman.

The opening of M showrooms is a part of the BMW’s retail strategy. Thus, their numbers can be expected to be growing, not only in Europe.

 

The article The First European BMW M Showroom Is Opened in Brno appeared first on BMW BLOG

from BMW BLOG https://ift.tt/2rb28sx

BMW Official Shuts Down Rumors of More Powerful i8 S Model

Talks about a more powerful version of the i8 has been going around since we learned that the car only comes with a 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder engine. Understandably so, too, since the i8 looks like nothing else on the road today, having a design that’s both beautiful and exotic at the same time. Trying to keep this car somewhere in between efficiency and sportiness, BMW turned it into a proper hybrid from a number of perspectives. However, people are still hoping there will be an i8 S coming in the near future.

The fact that BMW decided to enhance the i3 with a couple of carefully picked upgrades and bring out the i3 S also poured additional gas on the proverbial fire, spurring on those hoping for an i8 S. The chances of that happening are null according to the man in charge of the i8, Marcus Pluntke. Speaking to Car Advice at the event launching the i8 Roadster, the i8 Product Manager admitted that no “S” version will be coming out.

“Customers are very happy with the performance it has. Especially as it is so quick, you know the electric motor’s response is like immediately, like reading your mind, and that is what customers really ask for in a sports car,” said Pluntke. “They don’t say ‘ooh, I need more power’ quite the opposite they say ‘It’s so fast on public roads. I can’t believe how quick it reacts and how quick it is,” he added.

He does have a point but then again, some bigger wheels and more performance definitely wouldn’t hurt. It looks like it won’t happen though and the same goes for a less-powerful and yet more accessible version that would borrow the looks but not the performance. When asked about such a prospect, Pluntke said “If you do a proper sports car – especially a BMW – will always have a proper sports car performance and with the i8 I think it does have that, we will keep it this way.”

It definitely looks like this is it for the current i8.

The article BMW Official Shuts Down Rumors of More Powerful i8 S Model appeared first on BMW BLOG

from BMW BLOG https://ift.tt/2KoiOp2

TEST DRIVE: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Tire – The New Performance Benchmark

It was 5 a.m. and my alarm was going off. I didn’t mind though as I was on my way to Monticello Motor Club for an M Track Day put on by BMW of North America. A day filled with driving the latest BMW M cars on one of the premier race tracks in North America was very exciting and made it easy to roll out of bed!

Michelin is one of the few sponsors of the BMW M Track Days and all of the cars would be equipped with Pilot Super Sport tires. To make the day even more interesting, BMW loaned me the M4 Competition Package which raced in the Tire Rack One Lap of America on the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (PS4S) tire! But when I stepped outside to get on my way, it was starting to rain, so I was going to test them for the first time in wet conditions.

 

The drive to Monticello Motor Club takes just under two hours from New York City which gave me plenty of time to feel out the PS4S on the freeway. One of the very few complaints I had with the Pilot Super Sport is that it was a little harsh when going over small cracks and ruts in the road, like the dividers between concrete sections for example. The Pilot Sport 4S seems to have solved this issue as it was quite comfortable at freeway cruising speeds.

As the sun started to come up, and I got closer to the track, I realized that the rain was actually coming down a little harder than I had thought. I didn’t have a clue though as it felt as if I was driving on a dry road. The Pilot Super Sport has always been good in the rain, but the PS4S appears to be even better! The asymmetric tread pattern features side-by-side, 24 Hours of Le Mans-derived compounds, with the center ribs and inboard shoulder featuring a silica-infused wet compound designed to increase performance in wet conditions.

Since all of the cars at the BMW M Track Day were equipped with Pilot Super Sports, I wouldn’t get any track time on the PS4S, but it would be a good reminder of how its predecessor and current industry benchmark performs. BMW M Track Days are a great way to experience the wide array of BMW M vehicles and have some fun with different driving skills. We were treated to track time with the M2 and M3, an autocross in an M4, and drag races in X6 Ms and M6s.

Surprisingly, this was the first time on track for me in the M2. And even though it was raining so hard that at times I had to move off line to see through the spray from cars in front of me, I was grinning from ear-to-ear. The M2 is just so fun to drive on track as it has a great combination of power and performance. The Pilot Super Sports never let me down and were predictive throughout my sessions with a progressive roll-off when traction did start to go away. Considering the way the PS4S handled the water on the way there, I’m confident it will be just as good, if not better.

Once the track day had concluded and I had received my award for my podium finish in the autocross, I headed on to Boston to spend the weekend with a good friend. The rain continued its torrential downpour and it was nearly impossible see through it in the dark. It took much longer than expected as everyone was driving along at about 40 mph! But once again, the PS4S made it feel like there was hardly any water on the road. The tire just gives you that comfortable reassurance that if you needed to, you had the traction to avoid any possible bad situation.

The next day, my friend and I went to find a good place to have a photoshoot since the Michelin livery on the BMW M4 was such an eye-catcher. We were also keeping our eyes open for a remote road or two to test out the grip under heavy acceleration. Thankfully the sun came out, the roads dried off, and we found a nice empty stretch to see how the PS4S would handle when I laid down the power.

If you’ve driven the current M3 or M4, you may have noticed that it is quite easy to light up the rear tires with traction control turned off—or even in M Dynamic Mode (MDM). Just give the throttle a quick punch and be ready to counter steer! So I was prepared to lay down some 11s when I selected MDM and launched it off the line.

NOPE! The PS4S rear tires hooked up and the M4 took off like a rocket!

“I think my vision blurred…,” remarked my friend. Which made me giggle for a while and only want to do it again—which we did a few more times.

After a good day of catching up, I had to get heading back home. And when you’re driving from Boston to New York on a Sunday evening, there’s nothing worse than Interstate 95 through Connecticut! So I programmed in my home address and checked the box to avoid freeways. I wanted to test the PS4S on some backroads.

It turned out to be a beautiful evening and the roads were perfect and flowing with a few fun twists thrown into the mix. Michelin says that the PS4S features a low-void outer shoulder which utilizes a new dry-focused hybrid tread rubber for improved dry handling and braking over the previous generation. This can be felt as you enter a corner and load up the outer tire’s shoulder. Once the weight has been transferred, the tire feels like it grips into the pavement and you can really carve through the corner! It was a great feeling as I cruised back to the city where it seems like you can’t get away from the stop-and-go traffic and evasive pothole avoidance maneuvers.

With spring just around the corner, and the winter tires coming off your car, it’s a great time to put on a set of the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires! The Pilot Super Sport set the benchmark for Max Performance Summer Tires, and was perennially at the top of the rankings, but that legacy has come to an end with the PS4S. The king is dead, long live the king!

The article TEST DRIVE: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Tire – The New Performance Benchmark appeared first on BMW BLOG

from BMW BLOG https://ift.tt/2Fv3PpB