The latest results of BMW’s ongoing product offensive are taking centre stage at the brand’s Mondial de l’Automobile 2018 show stand in Paris. Emotion-packed design, pioneering technology and an even more richly engaging form of driving pleasure define the character of the new models BMW is presenting at the most important date on Europe’s 2018 car show calendar. The fresh arrivals introduce the brand’s new design language to a number of vehicle segments and represent significant advances in the areas of digitalisation, operation, sustainability and driving dynamics. For example, visitors to the Paris show will discover the first models to feature the new BMW Operating System 7.0, which creates a fully digital grouping of instrument cluster and Control Display and allows system operation to be adapted even more precisely to the driver’s personal preferences.
The BMW Group is set to revolutionise driving pleasure with the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. From March 2019, BMW drivers and passengers will be joined by an intelligent, digital character that responds to the prompt “Hey BMW”. This will mark the start of a new era for the BMW Group in which drivers will increasingly be able to operate their car and access its functions and information simply by speaking. Further innovations include BMW Laserlight and the Steering and lane control assistant, which are also available for other new models from the brand, plus the unique Reversing Assistant, which takes over steering for reversing manoeuvres in tight areas where visibility is restricted
The selection of series-production models due for market launch in the near future and innovative technology developments preparing to greet visitors to the Paris show from 4 – 14 October 2018 also reflect the rigorous implementation of NUMBER ONE > NEXT. The BMW Group’s corporate strategy spotlights development fields particularly relevant to the company’s future performance, i.e. design, automated driving, connectivity, electrification and services. The advances in these areas presented in Paris underscore the premium carmaker’s leading role in shaping the future of personal mobility. Also of key importance are BMW’s model offensive in the luxury segment (launched with the show premiere of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe), the continued expansion of the BMW X model family with the debut of the new BMW X5 and the addition of the new BMW M5 Competition (fuel consumption combined: 10.8 – 10.7 l/100 km [26.2 – 26.4 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 246 – 243 g/km) to the BMW M GmbH line-up. The BMW Group’s leading role in premium-segment electric mobility is underscored most prominently in Paris by the presentation of the new generation of high-voltage batteries for the BMW i3 (fuel consumption combined: 0.0 l/100 km; electric power consumption combined: 13.1 – 13.0 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 0 g/km) and BMW i3s (fuel consumption combined: 0.0 l/100 km; electric power consumption combined: 14.6 – 14.0 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 0 g/km).
The BMW 3 Series Sedan represents the heartbeat of the BMW brand and the epitome of sporty driving pleasure in the premium midsize segment. The Mondial de l’Automobile 2018 is the venue for the world premiere of the seventh generation of the sports sedan. The new-edition 3 Series sees BMW building above all on the sporting tradition of the best-selling car. New powertrain technology and a body and chassis design geared squarely to maximising agility and dynamics create an ideal platform for an enthralling driving experience. The new BMW 3 Series Sedan comes as standard with a newly developed lift-related damper control system, which plays a significant role in giving the car its successful blend of sporting prowess and ride comfort. Options include an M Sport differential with electronically controlled locking function in the rear differential.
Precisely drawn lines and strikingly contoured surfaces mark out the exterior of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan, which showcases the brand’s new design language. The interior also has a clear, modern and sophisticated design.
Other features of the car that highlight its innovative character are BMW Operating System 7.0 and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. Presented here for the first time, the Intelligent Personal Assistant responds to the prompt “Hey BMW”. The driver and passengers can speak with “him”, he is capable of learning and he gets better at his job all the time. The Intelligent Personal Assistant opens up a whole new avenue of interaction between the driver and car. It is a digital vehicle expert, knows the most important functions of the car and can explain them; if the driver wants to access navigation, office or entertainment functions, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is there to help. One unique feature over other digital assistants is that drivers can give him a name, so they can activate him by saying “Hey Charlie”, for example, and therefore give him an even more defined personality. The Intelligent Personal Assistant awaits the driver’s every command and is always there to assist them. BMW is also taking a leading role in progress towards automated driving in the midsize class, thanks to a significantly extended range of driver assistance systems.
A new chapter is set to be added to BMW’s fascinating history of roadster-making. The protagonist in question is the new BMW Z4, which will celebrate its show premiere in the French capital. The new version of the open-top two-seater exudes pure sporting pedigree at first glance with its emotionally powerful body design in the brand’s new design language, its classical soft-top roof with electric operation and its driver-focused interior. The dynamic potential of the new BMW Z4 is rooted in a range of extensively upgraded engines, a new chassis design and an extremely rigid body structure. Wide tracks, well balanced proportions and a compact wheelbase enhance the car’s handling agility. And its central seating position, minimised weight and low centre of gravity provide a ticket to intense driving pleasure. The new BMW Operating System 7.0 takes control and operation to an even higher level and makes use of 10.25-inch colour displays for both the digital instrument cluster and central monitor.
At the pinnacle of the three-pronged Z4 range is a BMW M Performance model. The new BMW Z4 M40i (fuel consumption combined: 7.4 – 7.1 l/100 km [38.2 – 39.8 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 168 – 162 g/km) is fitted with a six-cylinder in-line engine developing 250 kW/340 hp, comes as standard with features including Adaptive M Sport suspension, variable sport steering, M Sport brakes, an electronically controlled M Sport rear differential, 18-inch M light-alloy wheels and high-performance tyres, and dispatches the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.5 seconds.
The new BMW 8 Series Coupe also gets its first taste of the car show spotlight at the Paris event. It combines the dynamic credentials of a high-calibre sports car both visually and technologically with the exclusivity of a luxurious coupe. The new design language, laced with clarity and precision, expresses an unmistakable sporting aesthetic. The body structure, powertrain and chassis technology of the 8 Series Coupe are geared squarely to delivering a standout driving experience of sporting intent. All of which provides an extremely dynamic initiation into the luxury segment for the brand’s model offensive. The new BMW 8 Series Coupe’s ultra-advanced control & display, driver assistance and connectivity equipment roster also contributes to the car’s exclusive, innovative character.
The resemblance of the 8 Series Coupe to the BMW M8 GTE endurance racer is highlighted particularly vividly by the BMW M Performance model available from launch. The new BMW M850i xDrive Coupe (fuel consumption combined: 10.5 – 10.0 l/100 km [26.9 – 28.3 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 240 – 228 g/km) is powered by a new V8 petrol engine developing 390 kW/530 hp and making its debut in the car. The torque-rich power unit, chassis technology developed with motor sport expertise and an M Sport differential imbue the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe with thrilling performance characteristics. Joining the V8 in the range is a six-cylinder in-line diesel engine producing 235 kW/320 hp, which takes care of power in the new BMW 840d xDrive (fuel consumption combined: 6.2 – 6.1 l/100 km [45.6 – 46.3 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 164 – 160 g/km). Both model variants have intelligent all-wheel drive and also come as standard with Adaptive M suspension and Integral Active Steering.
The world premiere of the new BMW X5 at the Mondial de l’Automobile 2018 writes the next chapter in the successful history of the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). The fourth generation of the BMW X family’s founding father excels with majestically assured driving properties and numerous innovative equipment features. The new exterior design language clearly emphasises the presence, authority and robustness of the new BMW X5. The interior, meanwhile, blends generous levels of space with modern design and a luxurious ambience.
An upgraded range of engines, the latest generation of the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system and a raft of chassis systems included in a BMW X model for the first time generate the signature SAV combination of ride comfort, off-road performance and sporty road handling. Contributory factors here include two-axle air suspension, Integral Active Steering and the Off-Road package. A significantly expanded selection of innovative driver assistance systems now also includes the Steering and lane control assistant, and Reversing Assistant. Added to which, the new BMW X5 is fitted as standard with BMW Live Cockpit Professional. Working in tandem with BMW Operating System 7.0, it enables system operation to be adapted even more precisely to the driver’s wishes.
The BMW Group is pushing the appeal of electric mobility to ever greater heights on the back of its unstinting research and development work. The latest fruits of its labour are new high-voltage batteries, which significantly increase the operating range of purely electrically powered BMW i cars. The latest-generation batteries will be fitted in the BMW i3 (120 Ah) and BMW i3s (120 Ah), which will be presented for the first time at the Mondial de l’Automobile 2018. The new lithium-ion batteries have an increased cell capacity of 120 ampere-hours (Ah), which now brings into play ranges of 360 kilometres / 224 miles (BMW i3) and 330 – 345 kilometres / 205 – 214 miles (BMW i3s) according to the NEDC cycle, or 285 – 310 kilometres / 177 – 193 miles (BMW i3) and 270 – 285 kilometres / 168 – 177 miles (BMW i3s) as per the WLTP procedure. In everyday driving, the range of both models has increased by almost 30 per cent to a maximum 260 kilometres (162 miles). And they now offer a better balance than ever between range, environment-friendliness and a driving experience defined by the brand’s signature sporting ability and intelligent connectivity. All of which sees BMW i strengthen its position as an innovation leader and trailblazer for future-focused electric mobility characterised by driving pleasure and outstanding everyday usability.
Alongside the introduction of the new high-voltage battery, a Sport package will be offered for the BMW i3 for the first time. This comprises sports suspension (including a drop in ride height), wider tracks, 20-inch light-alloy wheels and black wheel arch surrounds. Also available for the BMW i3 and BMW i3s will be Adaptive LED headlights with matrix function for the high beam, the new exterior paint shade Jucaro Beige metallic, a new colour scheme for the interior design variant Loft, the Navigation system Business with optimised menu navigation and the telephony with wireless charging and WiFi hotspot options.
The BMW stand at the Mondial de l’Automobile 2018 also has a world premiere in store for fans of high-performance cars, as BMW M GmbH unveils the most powerful and sportiest variant of its high-performance sedan – the new BMW M5 Competition – for the first time in Paris. Engine output raised by 19 kW/25 hp (over the standard version of the new BMW M5) to 460 kW/625 hp, even more direct response and bespoke chassis tuning serve up a driving experience inspired overtly by motor sport competition. The new BMW M5 Competition also channels its power via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and M xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive. The specific power delivery of the V8 engine, which gains from upgrades to various details, is reflected in a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) time now reduced to 3.3 seconds. The new BMW M5 Competition hits 200 km/h (124 mph) from rest in 10.8 seconds.
A model-specific M Sport exhaust system, bespoke engine mounting and exclusive 20-inch M light-alloy wheels round off the elite athlete’s performance-enhancing package. Special design features in high-gloss black and “Competition” lettering added to the “M5” badge on the boot lid point to the exceptional dynamic potential of the new flagship model.
BMW PRESS CLUB
If you are a BMW traditionalist there is a lot wrong with an X2.
Starting with it being a “X” model, and thus a Sports Activity Vehicle (aka SUV) even if in junior SAV mode, and thus not a sports sedan or sports car like as a “proper” BMW.
It has 3 cylinders, which is exactly half the number it “should have”.
And, perhaps more importantly it is front wheel drive, which is the work of the devil as far as a traditionalist is concerned.
So, the burning question is, does it drive and feel like a BMW?
And the answer is a resounding "yes".
Thanks to a generous loan for an entire weekend donated by Brighton BMW to be auctioned as part of the fund raiser for the Royal Children Hospital on Good Friday, I was able to take an X2 on the club’s drive to Healesville Sanctuary and for the rest of the weekend which provided a great mix of roads and conditions.
And if you think an X2 is an odd choice for such a prize, let me stress that this was largely my choice with an eye on my next vehicle purchase.
Such are the ravages of time that my wife (Shaaron) and I have to face the fact that getting in and out of low slung sports cars on a daily basis is a thing of the past.
The X2 has the higher H-Point (or hip point, seat in plain speak) which is better for us oldies and also young families hauling kids into car seats – back breaking work in a sedan. It also gives more apparent leg room as one’s lower legs are more vertical.
First up, looks – a very personal thing. But I think the X2 hits the marks, not obviously a SAV and certainly not a dull hatchback. I like it. The BMW roundel on the C pillar harks back to the fabulous E9 2.5/2.8/3.0 coupes. It still has dual round headlamps flanking the iconic kidney grilles, but now the grilles are wider at the bottom than at the top. Still instantly recognisable as a BMW.
The loaner did not have Comfort Access so I had to go to the enormous effort of actually using the key to unlock the car. But it did have keyless start.
Once inside I felt right at home. Unmistakably BMW. The wheel to pedal placement, the layout of the controls, all exactly as expected and a perfect fit. Except, that is, for the gear lever which is a little bit too low and forward for me.
Tom from Brighton BMW quickly paired my phone and the contacts list uploaded in no time. The latest iDrive system is similar but different from the 2008 spec in my daily drive, but easy to use without training and a very nice clear display. I’m not keen on touch screens in cars even when operated by the passenger, and this one quickly had a few finger marks on it from our experimentation. Best avoided I think. The iDrive does it all anyway.
The door mirrors are a nice and large with a commanding view. The same can not be said for the interior mirror or over the shoulder where the view out is hampered by the attractive swoopy styling.
Fear not, as a reversing camera is included with trace lines to show you where you are going and multiple alerts from front and rear parking sensors to show you what you are about to hit, including kerbs when parallel parking. And it works properly in the dark. And while we are talking about parking, I found it to be especially easy with a very good turning circle and nice short overhangs.
The loaner was a s18i, so 2 wheel drive and 1.5 litre 3 cylinder turbo petrol, none of which is apparent when driving unless really pushed. Producing 103 kW it is certainly not an M-Car but it scoots along perfectly well, surprisingly quickly in fact. To put it in perspective, my 1981 323i (described as the ultimate sports sedan in many reviews when new in 1978) has about the same power although slightly less mass.
Certainly I did not find it wanting and it compared favourably with my daily drive E90 320d, although it did not have the wall of torque the diesel provides.
As with most new cars now it has Stop/Start functionality to turn the engine off when stopped in traffic. Unlike most systems, this one does not, illogically, turn the engine on when the parking brake is applied and the foot brake released.
The 7 speed auto is silky smooth and unobtrusive in traffic, holding onto gears slightly longer when in Eco-Pro mode, which makes the car feel slightly heavier and lethargic but still acceptable. Personally, I think I would just use the Comfort mode most of the time but I’d be interested to see what actual improvement in economy it produces. During my testing the system told me I gained 4.2 km during a 60 km drive. If that was maintained my credit card would tell me to use Eco-Pro quite often!
Sport mode spices things up and is ideal for more spirited driving on the open road where the steering also comes to life with plenty of feel and weight. And if that is not enough the auto gearbox can be operated manually, and I mean manually. It will stick with the gear you have chosen unless the road speeds falls too low!
Even though we had nice sunny weather on our drive, the leather (or fake leather) dash covering did not reflect in the windscreen – which is a problem I usually have. And the optional panoramic roof fitted made the interior light and airy.
Our route to Healesville, expertly selected by Peter Williams, included some town driving to get out of the city limits and some twisty roads to have some fun. The road surfaces varied and included a representative sample of VicRoads’s finest to some needing a lot of TLC.
Although many reviews describe the X2’s ride as jiggerly on the press car’s optional M Sport set up, I found the standard set up’s ride compliant and the body movements well controlled. Just about perfect in fact.
The loan car did not have the optional automatic climate control which presents another 1st world problem, manually controlling the temperature controls! But, more annoyingly in traffic, a feature of many recent model BMWs is that the recirculation control repeatedly turned itself off. Probably fixable with a laptop or Carly.
I thought the Xenon headlamps on my 320d were good, but the X2 is better again, although I did not have chance to try the updated adaptive headlamp operation.
Understandably, the boot is smaller than my current 320d, but still big enough to get two suitcases in, which is about all we are routinely likely to put in there. And the back seat does fold.
Whilst we are at the back of the car, the rear seat has plenty of leg room. I could easily sit behind myself, if you know what I mean. And there is plenty of head room for my long-body-for-my-height frame.
In summary, would I buy one. I think, yes - and there is now an X2 M35i. Don’t tempt me!
Lawrence Glynn | Member #3 BMW Drivers Club Melbourne
N.B: Cover photo via BMW Press Club.
Dear Members,
In my last report I mentioned that we had nearly 200 members. At the end of August I think we came in at 197, but only 2 days into September we punched through at 204 and now as I’m writing this we are sitting on 227. We're so proud of what we have achieved in such a short period of time!
September kicked off with AROCA Sprints at Sandown, with a fantastic turn out of BMWDCM members and we were pretty lucky. The rain held off for most of the day and we managed to get most of our sessions in under dry conditions. Special thanks to Phil Kolar, who attends many of our track days with his son Blake, for cooking up a storm with Jo – the egg and bacon rolls for breakfast the sausages etc for lunch and coffee all day was fantastic! It's great to have our members come together in such a fantastic, friendly atmosphere. That's what it's all about!
Our September members meeting was held at Makulu Vehicle Storage. Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend because I was completing a CAMS Assessors course, but I'm told it was a great night. Thank you to Clive and Jesse for having us.
Speaking of CAMS, if anyone in the Club is interested in getting involved in Motorsport as an official, feel free to have a chat to Jo or myself about becoming a CAMS Licenced Official. It is a great way to get involved without putting your car on the track and there are opportunities to go to all levels of events - from club level right up to F1, V8’s or even Superbikes! There is a bit of a time commitment involved, but you get fed and watered all day and get closer to the action than anyone else!
We are very lucky to have the support of Bendigo Bank Mornington, who are offering great deals on loans for our members and refinancing. Anyone who is interested should speak to Amanda Stanford from Mornington Branch and mention that you are a member of our club, who in turn support us. What a great bank! They gave over a million dollars to community-based clubs in our area last year and hopefully this year, we can be one of them.
Head on over to our member services page to find out more information about what's on offer!
We had some other great events, like the Healesville Cruise and our outing to Bendigo to display our E30 M3 at the VACC Centennial Show and Shine. Be sure to take a look at our News | Blog page to read all about them!
Christmas is fast approaching now and we're looking forward to the next few months, with some great events planned:
Also, with daylight savings coming next week and the warmer weather approaching, we are planning some casual evening meet ups so keep your eyes on emails and Facebook for that too.
We have also been busy looking at venues and talking to tracks about booking our own track days next year and I can let you know that we have some exciting news coming very soon!
If you have anything you think may be of interest to our members, please contact the committee and we would be only too happy to look it over and discuss it with you.
Graeme Bell | President BMW Drivers Club Melbourne Inc.
P.O. Box 81, TYABB, VICTORIA. 3913 Incorporated in Victoria #A0102695G BMW Drivers Club Melbourne Inc is a member of: BMW Clubs Australia and the BMW Clubs International Council CAMS Affiliated Motorsport Club
2018 marked 100 years of the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) which was founded in Bendigo in 1918. So, to mark this event, VACC organised a Cavalcade of 100 cars, one from each year, from Melbourne to Bendigo. They also chose 100 cars, again one from each year, to be represented in the Show N Shine, and our E30 M3 was one of the lucky entries to be chosen.
It was an early start to get to the muster point in Bendigo by 8am but we made it, there we were lined up with all the other participants, to wait to be ushered into the staging area. This did take a little time but the organisation was well done and the cars were all lined up perfectly. We also all received a beautiful grille badge for our efforts, which is a wonderful memento.
Pretty much on time, at 12 noon, the first parade cars started to roll in and Shane Jacobson was on stage giving a running commentary of the cars and their history. It was a real spectacle and well worth getting up at 5am to be a part of.
It was nice to see some of our members there as well, who stopped for a chat and to admire the cars on display and in the cavalcade.
Graeme Bell | Member #1 BMW Drivers Club Melbourne
The classical roadster, reinterpreted and sportier than ever: new BMW Z4 fuses typical sports car dynamism with emotion-packed design, an exclusive ambience and advanced equipment features. Unadulterated driving pleasure meets state-of-the-art powertrain, chassis, operating and connectivity technology.
The man in the suit looked surreptitiously around all the classic cars, then he slowly opened the left-hand side of his jacket – lots of pocket watches were dangling inside his jacket. “Special price, special price”, he murmured to the astonished onlookers. . . Scenes like this are typical for the Goodwood Revival Meeting: It’s a spectacle from start to finish.
Every guest is part of the drama at the annual rendezvous around the Goodwood Circuit and on the race track located in southern England. Genuine performers, professional racing drivers and innumerable mechanics revive an era of motor sport that has long since passed into the annals of history. This year once again, more than 150 000 visitors took a trip down memory lane and enjoyed some 360 automobiles and 30 motorcycles on the race track, along with the numerous heritage treasures waiting to be admired.
Classic motorcycles from BMW Motorrad were put through their paces on the race track and demonstrated that they should certainly not be consigned to the scrap heap. Australian racing legend Troy Corser achieved some impressive records and a historic triumph. On the BMW R 57 Kompressor, he and Herbert Schwab won the overall placings as they competed for the traditional Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy. Already in the first race on the Saturday, the duo crossed the finishing line in third place after a false start and a subsequent spectacular pursuit. In the second race on the Sunday, Corser and Schwab even succeeded in passing the chequered flag as winners. This enabled them to come out on top in the overall placings when the two results were put together. This was the first overall win for BMW Group Classic at the Goodwood Revival.
The sensational performance of the BMW R 57 Kompressor was complemented with a further tour de force by Corser. The two-times Superbike World Champion rode the fastest lap of the entire weekend and simultaneously achieved the best lap time ever ridden on the Goodwood Circuit with a classic motorcycle. The other teams also made their contribution to the exceptionally successful appearance by BMW Motorrad Classic in Goodwood. Maria Costello and Claus Clausen riding the second BMW R 57 Kompressor came tenth when they competed in the race on the Sunday. In the same race, Klaus Ottillinger and Sebastian Gutsch rode their BMW R 5 to fourth place.
The races for the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy recall the “BMCRC 1000cc Scratch Race” in which grand prix bikes, slightly modified road motorcycles and specials battled for victory on “Motor Cycling Goodwood Saturday” in 1951. At the Goodwood Revival in 2018, historic automobiles also competed in a trial of strength emulating an old tradition. The entrants included an Austin Mini Cooper S Competition and a BMW 1800 TI/SA. They even took part in the same race for the “St. Marys Trophy”, named after the bend with the most action on the 3.8 kilometre Goodwood circuit. They were competing with lots of other classic Minis, a veritable horde of Ford Lotus Cortinas, Alfa Romeo 1600 GTA coupés and Jaguar Mark II saloons. The drivers lived up to their reputation and delighted the public gallery. The races are not show acts – nobody wants to be overtaken here even if there is only fame and honour to be gained.
The classic Mini heralded the entry into motor sport for a host of drivers who subsequently became successful professionals – names like Lauda, Hunt and Stewart are associated with the car. There again the “Rally Professor” Rauno Aaltonen – who subsequently went on to become head of BMW driver training – achieved his biggest successes in the diminutive British car. The BMW 1800 TI/SA is one of those cars that allowed the make to prove its potential in touring-car racing during the 1960s. The1.8 litre four-cylinder engine powering the saloon in the road-going version generated 110 hp, while two twin carburettors and higher compression in the motor-sport guise of the “Special” – “Sonderausführung – (SA) increased the power to 130 hp to allow a top speed of up to 190 km/h.
Alongside the racing events on the Goodwood Circuit, BMW Group Classic fascinated the public with the acclaimed BMW 507 once owned by Elvis Presley, a rare BMW 503 convertible and an open-top Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. The vehicles were presented entirely in the style of the 1950s and 1960s. A replica of the traditional London motor-car dealer Kevill-Davies & March was set up not far from the race track.
As the new BMW 3 Series Sedan prepares for its world premiere, it can already look back over a lifetime of hard work. The new generation of the sports sedan is entering the final phase of an extensive programme of testing that every new BMW model must go through as part of its pre-production development. Here, the full range of stresses and strains a car will encounter over many years of everyday driving are reproduced in concentrated form. From extended periods driving flat out to endless stop-start traffic, sub-zero temperatures to searing heat, twisty country roads and high-speed autobahns to pothole-infested tracks, ice and snow to gravel and desert sand – the prototypes sent through the test programme for the new BMW 3 Series Sedan have experienced everything their production equivalents will come across in everyday life. Only they have done so at a much higher level of intensity and with seasoned developed engineers on board to record in detail the pre-production model’s every response to the various weather and road conditions and countless other influencing factors. In short, the testers ensure there are no circumstances – however unusual – which might compromise driving pleasure in the final production car.
Welcome to Death Valley, in the US state of Nevada. Here, it is not only the automatic climate control system of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan that can expect a taxing work-out. The multi-day heat tests see the cars fried repeatedly in the sun for several hours, then cooled and thoroughly checked over. Everything has to work, there can be no squeaks or creaks – even when the temperature tops 50 degrees Celsius in the shade outside the car and 60 degrees inside, and the interior is then cooled again as quickly as possible.
The heat certainly gives the electronics something to think about, but that’s not the whole story: the electromagnetic rays emitted by the hydroelectric plant at the Hoover Dam represent the ultimate test of strength for the functional reliability of the electronic systems on board the new 3 Series. This is why all the car’s functions – from the digital instrument cluster to the tyre pressure indicator – are tested extensively in the shadows of the huge forest of electricity pylons on the banks of Lake Mead. At the same time, another development team is putting engines, transmissions and brakes through their paces. They are even given police protection for their runs up and down the 4,000-metre-high Mount Whitney. While law enforcement secures the test route at the top and bottom of the climb, the testers hustle the prototypes time and again up the snaking roads and back down – accelerating hard and braking suddenly to a standstill with crushing frequency. The bone-dry desert roads of Death Valley and beyond also provide an ideal place to find out how effective the cars’ flaps, doors, bonnets and lids are at keeping out dust. In their test drives around the gambling hot-spot of Las Vegas, the engineers leave nothing to chance.
There could be few greater contrasts with the hot-weather testing in the USA than what goes on at the BMW Group’s winter testing centre not far from the Arctic Circle. Arjeplog in Sweden offers the perfect conditions for a testing programme that eclipses anything day-to-day driving in central Europe, North America or Asia can throw at a car. However, Arjeplog doesn’t only give the prototypes the chance to demonstrate their imperviousness to extreme cold – it also provides the stage for the new model’s chassis controls systems to show off their full range of abilities. The closed-off expanses of ice offered by Lake Kakel and the “Mellanström-Runde”, one of the most popular test routes around Arjeplog, couldn’t be better suited for fine-tuning the DSC stability system and its myriad functions. Indeed, on this glassy surface you don’t need to drive quickly to provoke the control systems into action and therefore analyse their responses. All of which allows the link-up between DSC and the xDrive all-wheel-drive system and the interplay with the new BMW 3 Series Sedan’s M Sport differential to be refined down to the last detail under constant conditions.
Here again, cutting-edge technology helps to identify and consistently eliminate weak points. If an inconsistency crops up during testing, the engineer presses a button on the small testing screen next to the transmission’s selector lever to log it for subsequent analysis. For the problem to be solved, the relevant situation has to be reproduced exactly. The vehicle data is stored on a large hard drive in the car’s boot, pored over every day and reworked.
In the north of Sweden, as in the west of the USA, the test drives carried out by the BMW development teams rarely go unnoticed. Which means that, to prevent curious onlookers from clocking too many details of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan’s design, every prototype is carefully clad in a disguise before it heads out onto public roads. In the basement of BMW’s Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ) in Munich, pre-production vehicles are kitted out with a made-to-measure and confusingly patterned cloak of camouflage. Applying the black-and-white wrap requires an expert hand and takes a whole working day to complete. Then comes the plastic cladding, which distorts the lines and surfaces of the car. The light units, sections of the window surfaces and, of course, the brand badges also get a layer of sticky camouflage. The interior needs to be hidden from sight as well. To this end, the cockpit is “curtained off” with black matting, which the test engineers partially remove at the start of testing and then painstakingly replace at every pause in proceedings – so that no prying eyes can spot or even get a photograph of the displays and controls.
Long before the first test runs on public roads, the development process sees each new model taken into the company’s own testing facilities. In the initial phase of the programme, computer simulations help to set important areas of the car off on the right path. Here, the testing programme – which is still purely digital at this stage – involves simulating more than 12,000 driving manoeuvres (from lane changes to cornering and roundabout driving to dynamic acceleration and braking) using a computer-generated vehicle model, with the sole aim of determining and optimising its dynamic properties. On the basis of the knowledge gained here, development mules are made consisting of just a body and chassis. On the kinematics compliance test bench they are fixed into a test assembly and sent on virtual test drives. A variety of road conditions can be faithfully reproduced on this test rig, from cobblestones to the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit, so the rigidity of the body structure or the susceptibility to vibrations of axle constructions can be properly inspected. This intensive development work is essential in enabling the first full prototypes to already display the target driving characteristics. However, they still have to prove they can do it on the road. In normal traffic, on BMW proving grounds and on the race track they undergo a detailed tuning process, which gives the eventual production cars their inimitable driving pleasure.
Optimisation of aerodynamics and passive safety also takes place largely behind closed doors. At the BMW Group’s Aerodynamic Test Centre in Munich, full-size vehicle models, prototypes and production vehicles are tested using precise reproduction of real-life airflow conditions on the road. At the centre’s wind tunnel, the new BMW 3 Series Sedan has been given the detailed touches required to bring its drag coefficient down to 0.23. The key factors here are not only how the car manipulates the airflow, the ideal channelling of air around the underbody and the optimisation of the spoiler lip at the rear of the body, but also details such as combinations of wheels and tyres. The introduction of the WLTP fuel consumption testing procedure has meant all the wheel variants available for a particular model have to be put through an extensive aerodynamics test. Every variant is checked to establish how the wheel design and tyre size impact on the aerodynamic characteristics of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan and therefore its fuel consumption and emissions.
Differences in the stipulations for occupant protection applicable in different continents mean that several pre-production examples of a new model have to be deformed in a controlled process as part of crash testing at BMW’s Safety Centre. As a result, the new BMW 3 Series Sedan not only provides driving pleasure to customers around the globe, it also meets the full set of safety requirements to score top marks in all the relevant crash tests worldwide.
The proving grounds at Aschheim, a few miles north-east of the development centre in Munich, provides the venue for undisturbed dynamic testing. It was here, at an early stage of the development process, where the first steps were taken in imbuing the new BMW 3 Series Sedan with its impressive dynamic potential. The testing programmes at the BMW Group’s test facility in Miramas, southern France are even more extensive. Used by BMW for the development and testing of new models for over 30 years, Miramas has a long asphalt oval, a motorway “ring” for high-speed testing, slalom, twisty and spherical tracks, plus several handling courses and circuits with surfaces of every kind. Detailed analysis and optimisation of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan’s acceleration, steering and braking responses was also carried out here.
The acid test for a vehicle’s driving dynamics remains the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit. Precise tuning of all powertrain and chassis systems is carried out at the legendary venue in Germany’s Eifel mountains. Here, too, every lap of testing with the new BMW 3 Series Sedan carries far more weight than the number of miles notched up might suggest. After all, if a car gets the thumbs up from the BMW test engineers at the Nordschleife, you can be confident it will provide driving pleasure in everyday conditions throughout its lifetime.
The BMW M GmbH is extending its range of high performance models in the segment of Sports Activity Vehicles (SAV) and Sports Activity Coupes (SAC). The high-performance character so typical of BMW automobiles will be passed on to two further BMW X models, the series development of which has already been kicked off. During the DTM racing weekend at the Nürburgring (7 – 9 September 2018), prototypes of the BMW X3 M and the BMW X4 M will be test driven on the circuit. Thus, the camouflaged pre-series vehicles will be making their first public appearance precisely where the dynamic driving qualities of the BMW X3 M and BMW X4 M will reach their final level of maturity. The Nürburgring is the traditional setting for the completion of the ultimate testing and tuning programme for the specific overall M package comprising drive system, suspension and aerodynamics.
With large air intakes at the front, specific M features for optimised aerodynamics and an exhaust system with four tailpipes integrated into the rear apron, the vehicles already bear the characteristics of a BMW M model at an early stage of their development phase. The technological highlight of the BMW X3 M and the BMW X4 M is a newly developed straight six-cylinder engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology and high-revving characteristics.
Part of the development process is the specific tuning of the M xDrive technology introduced for the first time in the new BMW M5. This technology is deployed in the BMW X3 M and the BMW X4 M to ensure constant supreme and performance-oriented transfer of engine power to all four wheels. The M-specific further development of the intelligent four-wheel drive system guarantees maximum traction and loss-free distribution of drive torque for achieving extremely dynamic handling characteristics. In interaction with the active M rear axle differential, cornering dynamics, agility and precision in the driving behaviour of the BMW X3 M and the BMW X4 M are lifted to a level unrivalled within the competitive environment.
“With their M specific performance characteristics, the BMW X3 M and the BMW X4 M will set benchmarks in terms of dynamics in their respective vehicle segment,” says Frank van Meel, President BMW M GmbH.
With the development of its latest model innovations, the BMW M GmbH is once again breaking into an additional segment. The BMW X3 M and the BMW X4 M render it possible for the first time to experience superior performance, agility and precision also in a Sports Activity Vehicle and a Sports Activity Coupe of the premium mid-range class. Thus, the BMW M GmbH is consistently continuing its successful strategy of dynamic growth with new and particularly attractive vehicle concepts.
Following the first BMW M8 GTE victory and a third place at the previous round at Virginia International Raceway (USA), BMW Team RLL heads to this weekend’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship round at Laguna Seca Raceway (USA) with a lot of momentum. Team Principal Bobby Rahal (USA) and his squad aim to extend the success streak on the iconic Californian circuit within sight of Monterey Bay.
It was an historic moment when the #25 BMW M8 GTE crossed the line at Virginia International Raceway on 19th August when Connor De Phillippi (USA) and Alexander Sims (GBR) celebrated the maiden victory for the all-new GT car. Their team-mates Jesse Krohn (FIN) and John Edwards (USA) completed the success in the #24 sister car by finishing third and thus securing the maiden double-podium for the BMW M8 GTE. Laguna Seca has seen two BMW victories in recent years. The BMW Z4 GTLM won in 2015 with Edwards and Lucas Luhr (GER) behind the wheel and the BMW M6 GTLM was victorious last year. Edwards shared the 2017 win with Martin Tomczyk (GER). This year, the two BMW Team RLL M8 GTEs are driven by De Phillippi/Sims (#25) and Krohn/Edwards (#24). In addition, Bill Auberlen and Robby Foley (both USA) will team up in the #96 Turner Motorsport BMW M6 GT3, again in the GTD class, at Laguna Seca.
Quotes ahead of the Laguna Seca race: Bobby Rahal (Team Principal, BMW Team RLL): “As a team, or for me as a driver, historically, we have had great success at Laguna Seca. Last year’s win with John Edwards and Martin Tomczyk was a tremendous strategic victory for us and John did a fabulous job getting the maximum mileage that was necessary to realise that strategy. I have to say it was probably one of the most satisfying wins I have ever had as a driver or a team owner so we look forward to returning to Laguna Seca, especially given the performance of the BMW M8 GTE at VIR. We hope to be in the hunt for the win again.”
Connor De Phillippi (#25 BMW M8 GTE): “Laguna Seca has always had a special place in my racing career since it is the first ever track I drove a race car on. It is one of my top three favourites on our calendar and it definitely is one of the most iconic circuits in North America. Coming off our first win at our last event, I’m looking forward to keeping this momentum rolling and aiming for another one at my second ‘home’ race of the season on California soil.”
Alexander Sims (#25 BMW M8 GTE): “After we secured the maiden win for the BMW M8 GTE last time out at VIR I’m hopeful that we can get the car dialled in to the very different characteristics of Laguna Seca. It’s a wonderful circuit that’s fun to drive but will pose plenty of challenges for everyone. We need to work hard to optimise the car and our driving to be on the front foot come race day.” Jesse Krohn (#24 BMW M8 GTE): “Laguna Seca is an amazing track that even non-racing fans know about. The team has done a great job over the last few months and the results were starting to show at VIR. I am confident we can keep a similar performance level at Laguna Seca and I am looking forward to the weekend.” John Edwards (#24 BMW M8 GTE): “Laguna Seca has treated me very well in the past! We had a win last year in a black BMW M6 GTLM and we’re coming back with a black BMW M8 GTE after a double podium at VIR so we have great momentum. I think we have a good shot at the first win for the #24 car this weekend. The GTLM field has been super-tight the past few races so it will definitely be an intense fight.”
Many of us have desires for a number of cars greater than we can house. “If only I had somewhere to store it” is often the problem. Help is at hand.
Club member Clive Massel has a solution to that problem in the form of a professional car storage facility, Makulu Vehicle Storage. He kindly invited the club to use it for our September members meeting.
Somewhat obviously, a car storage facility has cars in it, mainly interesting ones. So there was plenty to look at, with some of Clive’s own pride and joys prominently displayed for our visual pleasure along with an eclectic array of motoring memorabilia.
Clive and his facilities manager, Jesse Bryan, made us very welcome and laid on some light refreshments which were greatly appreciated.
Cars are housed on “double stackers” – purpose-built car lifts which allow one car to be stored above another with a drip tray section between the cars. Car covers are used to keep off the dust etc and battery maintenance chargers look after the battery. Some customers want their car to be “exercised” periodically, others do not.
Either way, the cars are well looked after and kept in top condition.
As well as looking at cars and how to store them, we were delighted to introduce Amanda Stanford from Mornington Bendigo Bank to our members.
The club banks with Bendigo Bank which, unlike the “big 4” operates on a community banking model, returning profits to the community it serves. Which is a refreshing change from what we have been hearing from the media over the last few months about the financial sector.
A big part of the culture is to provide service and assistance, which I have found to be immediately apparent upon entering the branch. Certainly, there were very helpful when we were setting up the accounts for our new club.
Mornington Bendigo Bank have generously agreed to sponsor our perpetual trophy for motorsport. But the support does not stop there. If a loan taken out by someone who is referred to Mornington Bendigo Bank by a club member, or is a club member, Mornington Bendigo Bank will provide sponsorship money to our club. All you have to do is mention the club’s name. Obviously, we don’t want club members taking out a loan just because of this, but if you are planning a loan anyway, why not go to Mornington Bendigo Bank?
In what we hope will be a tradition member put their membership cards in a barrel and a lucky door prize was drawn, won by David Jack.
Altogether a very happy evening with plenty of time to chat and get to know people.
Shaaron Glynn | Member #14 BMW Drivers Club Melbourne
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