New Z4 Spied

BMW’s M1 Homage

BMW has created the M1 Homage in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the M1. The design study was unveiled at the 2008 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este held in Cernobbio, Italy.

Produced from 1978 to 1981, the M1 was BMW’s first and only mid-engined streetcar. The project was originally contracted to Lamborghini for chassis development and assembly, but when the Italian firm hit a financial rough patch BMW took over. A total of 456 M1s were built.

The M1 was powered by a 3.5-liter six-cylinder that was later modified and used in the M5 and M6. No powertrain details were shared for the M1 Homage as the car was built as a design showpiece.

[Source: Automobile Magazine]

Click below for more images of the M1 Homage.

 

 

BMW Enters the Home Speaker Business

Press Release

BMW GROUP DESIGNWORKSUSA DESIGNS INNOVATIVE PREMIUM HOME SPEAKER FOR THE LEGENDARY KLIPSCH® BRAND

04/21/2008 

Los Angeles – Acoustics and aesthetics blend harmoniously in the new premium Klipsch® Palladium P-3(TM) 9F floorstanding speaker designed by BMW Group DesignworksUSA. This collaboration resulted in a compelling design and enhanced concert-quality sound for the company”s flagship speaker series, and audio industry authorities have seen and heard the difference.

Earlier this year, the innovative P-39F garnered a top-ten spot on Germany’s Audio magazine ranking of speaker reviews in recent years. Also, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) TechHome Division recognized the speaker as one of three finalists for the 2008 Mark of Excellence Awards in the “Best Speaker – Floorstanding Speaker” category.

Very few speaker companies have been around as long as Klipsch. For over 60 years, the company has developed premium sound solutions that create the most engaging, emotional and dynamic entertainment experiences. From state-of-the-art home theater systems to audiophile-quality architectural speakers and from compact iPod® speakers to massive professional cinema systems, Klipsch has a product for every lifestyle, application and budget.

“Building on the company’s legacy of audio innovation and trends in furniture design, we created a resonant design theme for the new premium speaker inspired by classic audio and contemporary furniture,” said Verena Kloos, BMW Group DesignworksUSA President. “The theme naturally links contemporary lifestyle aspirations with the essence of Klipsch’s brand values and core technology.”

Finished in a horizontal zebra-grain veneer, the cabinet stands nearly five-feet high and reflects the sophisticated audio technology it encases. Its striking curved form, influenced by the catenaries curve of Physics, intrinsically lends structural and visual benefits and optimizes the aural experience.

The new speaker design also celebrates Klipsch’s hallmark horn-loaded technology, which delivers high-efficiency sound with low distortion, controlled directivity, flat frequency response and wide dynamic range. Showcasing it in a package befitting of a modern lounge or home theater, the metallic horn is recessed into the top of each cabinet in a jewel-like setting. Meanwhile, the low frequency drivers are modestly concealed below, and the speaker appears to float on a brushed aluminum base.

The elegant mix of materials, rich color-stained zebra-grain veneers with high-luster metal finishes, echoes trends in contemporary home furniture design, compliments a wide range of home décor and imparts a distinctly premium Klipsch presence. The Palladium™ P-39F, priced at around $15,000 per pair, will begin shipping to U.S. specialty retail outlets this summer. For more information, visit: www.klipsch.com/palladium.

About Klipsch

Established in 1946, Klipsch-a wholly owned brand of Klipsch Group, Inc.-is a leading global manufacturer of high-performance loudspeakers and other audio products for the consumer and professional markets. Through proprietary horn-loaded technology, Klipsch is committed to developing loudspeakers that create the most engaging, emotional, and dynamic entertainment experiences. A family tradition, chairman and CEO Fred S. Klipsch and his wife, Judy, purchased the company from founder and cousin Paul W. Klipsch in 1989. Based in Indianapolis, Ind., the company’s headquarters is home to one of the most advanced professional audio research facilities in the world. For more information, visit klipsch.com.

About BMW Group DesignworksUSA

With offices in Los Angeles, Singapore and Munich, BMW Group DesignworksUSA is a subsidiary of BMW Group with diverse and cross-functional expertise in the fields of design strategy, design research, brand communications, color and materials, product development, 3D modeling, and engineering. Beyond its automotive design work for BMW Group, the design consultancy is commissioned by a large number of leading companies working in the transportation, consumer electronics, medical, consumer packaged goods, and lifestyle industries. More information can be found at: www.designworksusa.com

2008 M3 Commercial

Mini Cooper Considered Most Iconic Car

The Mini Coopers in the ever-popular film The Italian Job have been named the all-time top movie cars.

The iconic models in the 1969 movie, starring Michael Caine, came first in a survey of more than 2,000 film fans by Uniroyal tyres.

The computer car KITT from Knight Rider came in at number two, followed closely by James Bond’s Aston Martin Vanquish from the 007 film Die Another Day.

The Volkswagen Beetle Herbie 53, also known as the Love Bug, scooped fourth place, while the specially-modified time-travelling De Lorean from Back to the Future was fifth.

Tracey Hyem, brand manager at Uniroyal said: “The survey shows that it’s not always actors who are the stars of the show. We were overwhelmed by the number of entries, ranging from top blockbusters to small independent films.

“It shows that Brits are really passionate about their cars and that they are constantly looking for inspiration from movies and television shows.”

Bimmers Confirmed to go Diesel

3-SERIES: A diesel-powered version of the 3 called the 335d will join the 3-series lineup for 2009. The 335d is powered by a 3.0 liter inline six cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque. BMW estimates a 0-62 MPH time of 6.2 seconds. The engine will use AdBlue urea injection and will be 50-state emissions compliant.

X5: The same 3-liter turbodiesel found in the 335 will be available in a version of the 2009 X5 SUV called the X5 xDrive35d. Power output is the same as in the 335d, with 0-62 acceleration estimated at 7.2 seconds and fuel economy predicted to be 19 MPG city/25 MPG highway or better.

X6: BMW is calling the 2009 X6 a Sports Activity Coupe, and calling it the first vehicle of its kind. (Some might argue that the X6 is a four-door sedan, and that it looks an awful lot like now-defunct Subaru’s Outback SUS (Sport Utility Sedan)). Semantics aside, the X6 will be available in two versions, the X6 xDrive35i (3.0 liter twin-turbo inline six, 300 hp, 300 lb-ft) and the X6 xDrive50i (4.4 liter V8, 400 hp, 450 lb-ft), both with a six-speed automatic and all wheel drive.