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BMW 1 Series M (2012)

With anticipation of enthusiasts around the world at fever pitch, today BMW M GmbH unveiled the newest member of its intimate product family. For the first time, the coveted M badge has been granted to the popular BMW 1 Series in the form of the all-new BMW 1 Series M Coupe. The M badge was imparted after a two-year development process through which BMW M engineers and test drivers achieved the exceptional power delivery and the signature, near-perfect driving behavior of a BMW M car. The 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe will be available in limited quantities and with a limited range of options at Authorized BMW Centers in Spring, 2011. Final pricing, packages, and options will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

“Eigenwillig,” a German word meaning “self-willed,” “individual,” and “determined to go its own way,” has been the proper word to describe the most unique and memorable M cars of the past three decades. With the original 1988 BMW M3 as its inspiration, the 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe combines the raw capabilities of a race car with the agility, versatility, and seating position of a compact BMW Coupe to create a pure Ultimate Driving Machine®. In doing so, the 1 Series M Coupe continues the eigenwillig tradition of BMW M. With its latest two-door model, BMW M is illustrating its ability to build race car performance into a small car, capable of everyday use.
Dimensions and Construction
The new BMW 1 Series M Coupe has been developed for near-perfect balance and a large, square footprint. It is 71 inches (1803mm) wide – 4.8 inches (122mm) wider than its 1988 M3 ancestor – yet only 1.3 inches (33mm) longer at 172.4 inches (4379mm) long. The new 1 Series M Coupe weighs in at 1,495kg DIN (3,296 lbs, preliminary), and features a 104.7-inch (2659mm) wheelbase, three inches longer than the 1988 M3. Front and rear track widths are exactly the same on the 1 Series M Coupe at 60.7 inches (1542mm) each. Compared to the 2011 BMW 135i Coupe, the 1 Series M Coupe is 0.2 inches (5mm) longer, 2.1 inches (53mm) wider, 0.5 inches (13mm) taller, and rides on the same 104.7 inch (2659mm) wheelbase. It features a track 2.8 inches (71mm) wider up front and 1.8 inches (46mm) wider in the rear, and weighs 35kg DIN (77 lbs, preliminary) less.
The new 1 Series M Coupe features a high-strength steel unibody, with unique, widened fenders and rear quarter panels to house the substantially widened track. It also features a metal roof panel which saves about 35 lbs (15kg) compared to BMW 1 Series models equipped with a moonroof. The 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe, constructed as one of BMW’s most performance-oriented vehicles in recent years, will not be offered with a moonroof. This weight savings – at the tallest point of the vehicle – provides a corresponding drop in the center of gravity, which contributes to improved driving dynamics. It also helps maximize head room (or helmet room, as the case may be).

Engineering a chassis which is “faster than its engine”
Providing sure-footed responsive handling for a high-performance, powerful and luxurious coupe, while keeping mass under control, presented numerous challenges for BMW M’s engineers. The result is an aluminum suspension originally conceived for the current-generation M3, and tuned specifically for this model at BMW M’s Nϋrburgring Nordschleife test center. Of course, every BMW design begins with arranging major components in a way that facilitates near-perfect front/rear weight balance (51.7/48.3).
Virtually all of the front-end components are aluminum, including the front struts, swivel bearings, central subframe and an additional thrust panel below the engine serving to maximize lateral stiffness of the entire front section.
At the rear axle, the subframe, transverse arms, track arms, and wheel hubs have been reconfigured by M for ideal kinematics, geometry and stiffness. Virtually every detail on the five-arm rear axle is made of aluminum and is new for this generation of BMW M vehicles, including the aluminum dampers.
Both the front and rear axles feature hollow anti-roll bars optimized for their function and weight. Incorporating two additional longitudinal reinforcement bars, axle kinematics are perfectly tailored to the overall street and track character of the car. The result, in terms of both stability and weight, conforms to the balanced performance concept of every BMW M vehicle.

Compound Brakes and Wheels
A suitably powerful braking system for a car with this much performance was originally developed for the current-generation BMW M3. The internally-vented, cross-drilled cast iron discs measure 14.2 inches (360mm) in diameter at the front and 13.8 inches (350mm) in the rear. Featuring large compound disc brakes and electronic anti-lock, stopping power for the 1 Series M Coupe is strong, precise and consistent. Each disc is connected to a floating aluminum hub by cast-in stainless-steel pins. This configuration reduces the thermal loads on the discs, thus increasing their performance and service life. An electrically-driven pump provides the system’s vacuum power.
Service – and safety – are enhanced thanks to an integrated wear indicator which, through a dash display, allows the driver to monitor the condition of the brake linings. Brake service – covered for four years or 50,000 miles under BMW Ultimate Service – can thus be administered when necessary without guesswork.
The 1 Series M Coupe is equipped with the M-specific, light-alloy cross-spoke wheels from the M3 Competition Package and limited-production M3 GTS. They measure 19 x 9 inches with 245/35/R19 low-profile tires at the front and 19 x 10 inches with 265/35/R19 tires at the rear, and are silver in color.
In the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, power transmission to the rear wheels also provides the ideal basis for thrilling driving dynamics due to the consistent separation of drivetrain and steering functions. The rack-and-pinion steering is fitted with the hydraulic power steering system called Servotronic, which regulates boost in relation to road speed.
Engine
The heart of every BMW is the engine, and so an inline-6 with outstanding performance, free-revving behavior, and endless thrust propels the BMW 1 Series M Coupe. The concept is familiar: in the model history of BMW M, the high-revving inline-6 is one of the classic engine formats. In the second and third generations of BMW M3, the inline-6 became famous for combining high output, razor-sharp response, and sonorous sounds. In the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, the inline-6 engine concept is realized in its most up-to-date form.
The twin-turbocharged, all-aluminum, 3.0-liter inline-6 engine is characterized by instantaneous response to the accelerator pedal, fantastic sounds, and a free-revving spirit. The combination of twin low-mass turbochargers and BMW’s High Precision direct injection offers an output a naturally-aspirated engine would only be able to provide through more cylinders and larger displacement.
The turbocharger system developed for the engine of the new 1 Series M Coupe maintains a high output throughout the entire engine speed range. Maximum output of 335 hp (250 kW) is delivered at 5,900 rpm. Nominal peak torque is 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) from 1,500 rpm to 4,500 rpm. Redline is 7,000 rpm. The enhanced engine management system of the 1 Series M Coupe includes an electronically-controlled overboost function to briefly increase torque under full load by another 37 lb-ft (50 Nm). This temporary torque peak of 369 lb-ft gives the car a substantial increase in acceleration. The 1 Series M Coupe will complete the sprint from a standstill to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds (0-100 kmh in 4.9 seconds). The standing quarter-mile mark comes up in 13.2 seconds. Top speed is limited electronically to 155 mph (250 kmh).

Signature sound to accompany the surge of power
The exhaust system of the 1 Series M Coupe has been tuned by M specifically for this new model. Acoustic engineering gives the car a unique personality in all phases of operation. The M exhaust system is easily recognized by the presence of its four signature exhaust pipes.
M Drive Button
The new 1 Series M Coupe also features the steering wheel-mounted M Drive button that made its first appearance in the 2006 M5. In the 1 Series M Coupe, the M Button activates a razor-sharp throttle response program for the sportiest driving. This means that the performance characteristics of the engine can be varied according to the driver’s wishes.

6-speed Manual Transmission
A close ratio 6-speed manual transmission is used for power transmission to the rear wheels in the BMW 1 Series M Coupe. It was specially designed to interact with high-torque engines and has been fitted for this purpose with a dry sump cooling system. An upgraded flywheel for high-torque applications is installed between the engine and transmission. The transmission is operated using a very short M gearshift lever. Final drive ratio is 3.15: 1.

Source: [BMW]

Bentley Continental GT

The Bentley Continental GT is a two-door ‘two plus two’ grand touring coupé released in 2003, replacing the previous Rolls-Royce-based Continental R and T.

It is equipped with a 5,998 cubic centimetres (366.0 cu in) (6.0 litre) twin-turbocharged W12 engine, which produces a DIN-rated motive power output of 412 kilowatts (560 PS; 553 bhp) at 6,100 rpm, and torque of 650 newton metres (479 ft·lbf) at 1,600-6,100 rpm. Torsen-based permanent four-wheel drive is standard. It will accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour (0.0 to 62.1 mph) in 4.8 seconds, and go on to reach a top speed of 318 kilometres per hour (197.6 mph).
Flying Spur
The four door Continental Flying Spur saloon was first displayed at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. The Flying Spur utilizes the most of the technical underpinnings of the Bentley Continental GT, and was introduced to European and North American markets in the summer of 2005. Together, the Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur have boosted Bentley’s annual production from around 1,000 units in 2003, to 9,200 units in 2006.
One notable aspect of the Continental Flying Spur is its grille. Made to look like traditional chromed brass mesh, it is a metal-covered plastic-core. This was fitted as a safety feature; it is designed to break apart upon impact with a pedestrian.
GTC
The convertible version of the Continental GT, the Continental GTC, was first presented in September 2005, and was introduced to several world markets in the autumn of 2006. With the second generation Azure, it is the second Bentley convertible released in 2005. The roof is produced by Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany.
It uses identical powertrain detail as the GT, and completes the acceration discipline of 0 to 100 kilometres per hour (0.0 to 62.1 mph) in 5.1 seconds. With the roof up, it will reach a top speed of 314 kilometres per hour (195.1 mph), and with the roof down 305 kilometres per hour (189.5 mph).
GT Speed
On 1 August 2007, Bentley released details of a more powerful GT. Power is increased to 449 kilowatts (610 PS; 602 bhp), with a top speed of 325 kilometres per hour (201.9 mph) and a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds. The Continental’s weight is also reduced by 35 kg (77 lb). Minor exterior changes include a tinted front grille and larger exhaust tailpipes. The price for this model is £137,000. The Continental GT Speed is the first production Bentley officially capable of reaching 325 km/h (201.9 mph), and the world’s fastest four-seater, despite the fact the car weighs over 2,268 kilograms (5,000 lb).
GTZ
Unveiled in the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, the Continental GTZ is a rebody option by coachbuilder Zagato.
World Speed Record on Ice
In early 2007, a Bentley Continental GT Speed, driven by four-time World Rally Champion Juha Kankkunen, broke the World Speed Record on Ice – on the frozen Baltic Sea near Oulu, Finland. It averaged 321.6 kilometres per hour (199.83 mph) in both directions on the “flying kilometre”, reaching a maximum speed of 331 km/h (205.67 mph). The previous record was 296 km/h (183.9 mph), achieved with a Bugatti EB110 Supersport. The record-breaking Bentley was largely standard except for a roll-cage, aerodynamic improvements, and low-temperature fuel and calibration




Lotus Elise

Lotus Elise

The Lotus Elise is a two seat, rear-wheel drive, mid-engined roadster conceived in early 1994 and released in September 1996 by the English manufacturer Lotus Cars. The car has a hand-finished fibreglass body shell atop its bonded extruded aluminium chassis that provides a rigid platform for the suspension, while keeping weight and production costs to a minimum. The roadster is capable of speeds up to 240 km/h (150 mph). The Elise was named after Elisa, the granddaughter of Romano Artioli who was chairman of Lotus at the time of the car’s launch.



Series 1

Lotus makes cars lightweight instead of making powerful engines in order to achieve performance. Lotus Elise weighs only 725 kg (1,600 lb). (In production form in 1996) For comparison, a Porsche Boxster is 74% heavier at 1,250 kg (2,756 lb). The Series 1 Elise was able to accelerate 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds despite its relatively low power output of 118 bhp (88 kW; 120 PS). Braking, cornering, and fuel consumption are also improved by the car’s reduced weight. Series 1 was designed by Julian Thomson, then head of design at Lotus, and Richard Rackham, Lotus’s chief engineer. Besides the standard higher-performance variants listed below, Lotus also released some limited edition models such as Sport 135 (1998/9) with approx 145 bhp (108 kW; 147 PS) , Sport 160 (2000) with 150–160 bhp (112–119 kW; 152–162 PS) and Sport 190 (190 bhp (142 kW; 193 PS)). These were more competent on track with sports suspension, wheels and tires, seats according to model. There were other special editions such as the 50th Anniversary Edition (green/gold) celebrating 50 years of Lotus cars, the Type 49 (“Gold Leaf” red and white two-tone), and Type 72 (“JPS” black/gold) which refers to it’s successful Grand Prix car type numbers. 111S A faster edition called the 111S, named after the Lotus type-number of the Elise M111, was introduced in early 1999 and had a VVC Rover K-Series engine with a modified head and VVT technology, producing a declared 143 bhp (107 kW; 145 PS) rather than the standard Rover 1.8 L K-series 118 bhp (88 kW; 120 PS) I4 unit, along with a closer ratio manual gearbox and lower ratio final drive. It also had more padding in the seats. The 111S had headlamp covers, rear spoiler, cross drilled brake discs, alloy window winders and a 6 spoke road wheel design.

111S
A faster edition called the 111S, named after the Lotus type-number of the Elise M111, was introduced in early 1999 and had a VVC Rover K-Series engine with a modified head and VVT technology, producing a declared 143 bhp (107 kW; 145 PS) rather than the standard Rover 1.8 L K-series 118 bhp (88 kW; 120 PS) I4 unit, along with a closer ratio manual gearbox and lower ratio final drive. It also had more padding in the seats. The 111S had headlamp covers, rear spoiler, cross drilled brake discs, alloy window winders and a 6 spoke road wheel design.
Series 2
Announced on October 9, 2000, the Series 2 Elise was a redesigned Series 1 using a slightly modified version of the Series 1 chassis and the same K-series engine with a brand new Lotus-developed ECU.