MOTORREADS: Monday, 12 January 2009

mika · Jan 12, 2009

dailymotos.com: Mauritania Pellicer farewell with a victory

africarace-live.com Stage Infor and Results

BMW V8 hybrid powered Lotus?
autobloggreen.com: Lotus possibly delays new Espirt to 2011, may ad hybrid drive

Designers at Reynard must read the Weight Loss threads in Campfire. Powered by either a 170bhp Honda Fireblade or 250 bhp Hyabusa engine the Inverter weighs in at 882lb (400kg) full of fuel and ready to drive, the car is 253lb (115kg) lighter than a
Catherham Superlight and a massive 518lb (235kg) lighter than the Atom.
motorauthority.com: Reynard reveals Inverter street-legal trackday supercar

Fifth Gear- Ferrari California
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Mercedes-Benz TV ÔÇô Stirling Moss SLR
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motorstv.com: Near-record number set for Sebring test

autosport.com: Teams will accept fan-backed changes

BMW Sauber F1

Riedl: ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖre on scheduleÔÇØ

The BMW Sauber F1 Team will present its challenger for the 2009 season on 20th January, and Walter Riedl is happy with the development work completed during the winter break.

"We are on schedule," says the Managing Director of BMW Sauber AG. "The component production during the winter break went exactly to plan. Everything is now focused on 20th January, the roll-out of our 2009 car in Valencia."

From mid January, the first chassis for the BMW Sauber F1.09 will be assembled in Hinwil. "We have set aside five full days for this purpose," Riedl explains. "It will only take a matter of hours to completely assemble a new car during the season." For comparison: the team needs about eight hours after a race to dismantle a car, check and replace individual components, and put the car back together again.

Individual components of the new BMW Sauber F1.09, such as the car's gearbox, have been in production for months already. Riedl says: "We started with this as early as last summer. The latest components to have been produced are, for example, the front wing end plates. The regulations for these were only finalised midway through December."

formula1.com: Interview ÔÇô BMW SuberÔÇÖs Christian Klien

f1-live.com: FOTA turns attention to the ÔÇÿshowÔÇÖ

pitpass.com: Honda and Fry ÔÇô learning from the past

Video: Understanding Formula One 2008 ÔÇô Pit Stop and related
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The setup -
bmw-motorrad.com: From Munich to Bangkok

Now the follow up ÔÇô
worldofbmw.com: Homeward bound

bmw-motorrad.com: Blog ÔÇô Supermodel on Superbike

bmwmotorcycle.com: Great Australian F800GS

BMW Group: moderate 4.3% decrease in worldwide sales for 2008
Page 2

BMW PressClub UKÔÇÖs monthly news review
January News in Brief
Page 2

thepenisulaqatar.com: MoodyÔÇÖs may cut HondaÔÇÖs rating

Equipment failure leads to some embarrassing moments
oliepeil.nl: Croppins in training

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WOOT.com

Xkcd.com

Winter Sucks ÔÇô knjmoto.com

Bike Candy

The Harley-Davidson a new and good idea left me thinking about build a streettacekr. I checked out TheKneeSlider.com and found this example from Grand National Replicas. They will build you one for a fee that starts at $23,000 plus. If you do your own work you could purchase your parts from a company like Storz Performance Inc. have some fun and tailor it to your desires.

Ahhh to dream.

Comments:

mika · Jan 12, 2009

Page 2

BMW released world wide sales figures for 2008 and they include Motorrad numbers. The numbers for the Motorrad segment are down by 0.8% for the year, but what is not clear is if this includes Husqvarna sales or not. If it does that means the overall decrease for the BMW line would be greater than this.

BMW Group: moderate 4.3% decrease in worldwide sales for 2008
01/09/2009

Annual sales of MINI and Rolls-Royce reach all-time high
BMW Group world's leading supplier of premium vehicles
December again marked by consumer reticence

Munich. In view of the global financial and economic crisis the BMW Group was, as expected, unable to match the previous year's record earnings in its sales figures for 2008 as a whole. Nevertheless, the company reported only a moderate decrease of 4.3% from 2007's high level. Last year the BMW Group delivered a total of 1,435,876 (prev.yr: 1,500,678) BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand automobiles to customers worldwide. The company thus achieved the second-best sales result in its history, after 2007, and also remained the world's leading supplier of premium vehicles in 2008. The month of December was again marked by consumer reticence, with 112,423 (prev.yr.: 152,721 / -26.4%) vehicles sold.

Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing: "2008 was a tough year for the automotive industry worldwide. Despite the global financial and economic crisis, the BMW Group was able to set new sales records at MINI and Rolls-Royce in 2008. Overall we performed comparatively well with a 4.3% decrease. One clear reason for this is our Efficient Dynamics technology for reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions which meanwhile comes as standard in all BMW and MINI models." Robertson also added: "We have already reached fuel efficiency levels that some of our competitors still want to achieve. Month to month, we were able to sell more vehicles with fuel saving technology than some car companies do in a year." In 2008, the BMW Group delivered in Europe alone around 830,000 vehicles with Efficient Dynamics to its customers. Between1995 and 2008, the company has achieved a 25% reduction of the CO2 value of its fleet in Europe to less than 160g per kilometre.

The BMW brand delivered 1,202,239 (prev.yr.: 1,276,793 / -5.8%) vehicles to customers worldwide in 2008, placing it clearly ahead of core competitors in the premium segment. In the month under review 97,256 units - or 26.2% fewer vehicles - were sold than in the same month last year.

Annual sales of MINI and Rolls-Royce reach all-time high
The MINI brand made further sales gains in 2008 to achieve a new all-time high. With a total of 232,425 deliveries it grew 4.3% over the previous year. In December the brand reported sales down 27.8% to 15,010 (prev.yr.: 20,800) vehicles. A temporary interruption in the MINI model programme also contributed to this relatively substantial decrease. The MINI Convertible ceased production back in August 2008 - with the new MINI Convertible not scheduled for market launch until late March 2009.

In 2008 sales of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars climbed 20.0% higher than the previous year to reach a total of 1,212 (prev.yr: 1,010) automobiles. With six consecutive years of sales growth, Rolls-Royce remains the clear market leader in the super luxury class segment. The brand delivered 157 motor cars to customers in the month under review (-16.9%).

BMW once again most successful European automotive brand in the U.S. in 2008
The United States remained the biggest single market for BMW Group automobiles in 2008. The BMW Group delivered a total of 303,190 (prev.yr.: 335,840 / -9.7%) vehicles here. Despite a decrease of 15.2% for the year ending in December, the BMW brand was once again the most successful European automotive brand in the USA in 2008 (249,113 vehicles sold). No other automotive brand from Europe sold more vehicles in the world's biggest auto market in 2008.

The MINI brand can also look back on a successful year in the United States. In fact, 2008 was the brand's best year since the premium small car was launched on the U.S. market in 2002 (54,077 vehicles sold/ +28.6%). For the very first time, the U.S. became the largest single market for MINI.
Germany was second among the BMW Group's major markets with a total of 284,353 new registrations (prev.yr. 284,690 / -0.1%). With sales almost reaching the previous year's level, the BMW Group performed considerably better than the overall market here, which shrank by 1.8%.

In spite of difficult conditions on the global markets, BMW Motorrad was nearly able to match last year's record sales. 101,685 (prev.yr.: 102,467) BMW motorcycles were delivered to customers in 2008 (-0.8%). Sales in December were even 9.3% higher than the previous year (6,821 units) at 7,457 units.

BMW Group sales in/up to December 2008 at a glance
In Dec. 2008 Comp. with previous year Up to and incl. Dec. 2008 Comp. with previous year
BMW Group Automobiles 112,423 -26.4% 1,435,876 -4.3%
BMW 97,256 -26.2% 1,202,239 -5.8%
MINI 15,010 -27.8% 232,425 +4.3%
Rolls-Royce 157 -16.9% 1,212 +20.0%
BMW Motorcycles 7,457 +9.3% 101,685 -0.8%

BMW PressClub UKÔÇÖs monthly news review
January News in Brief
01/07/2009

BMWÔÇÖs most fuel efficient car announced

BMW is pleased to announce the launch of the new 116d ÔÇô the marqueÔÇÖs most fuel efficient and least polluting vehicle. With a combined consumption figure of 64.2mpg and a CO2 emissions figure of 118g/km, the BMW 116d even trumps the current World Green Car of the Year, the BMW 118d.

Available in both three- and five-door guises, the BMW 116d is powered by a four-cylinder diesel engine producing 116hp. The 1,995cc powerplant with its 260Nm of torque from 1,750rpm ensures it is capable of a zero to 62mph time of 10.2 seconds (10.3 seconds for the five-door) before going on to a top speed of 125mph.

The BMW 116d costs just ?ú35 a year to tax courtesy of a Band B Vehicle Excise Duty rank, while its 13 per cent Benefit-in-Kind rating also ensures it makes economical sense for the business user. The new three-door BMW 116d costs from ?ú17,605 OTR, while the five-door 116d is priced from ?ú18,135 OTR. Both models go on sale in March 2009.

New Sport trim launched for BMW 1 Series

Three- and five-door versions of the BMW 116i, 116d and 118d are now available with a new Sport trim level. Customers choosing this car over an ES model gain 17-inch alloy wheels, front foglights, heated exterior mirrors and windscreen washer jets, a Sport multi-function leather steering wheel and Sport seats. The announcement of the Sport specification marks the launch of a fifth trim level to the 1 Series line-up that historically featured Standard, ES, SE and M Sport specifications. Prices start at ?ú17,220 OTR for a three-door BMW 116i Sport.

BMW 5 Series Business Edition models launched

BMWÔÇÖs award-winning 5 Series range has now been expanded with the introduction of the Business Edition model portfolio. Offered on 520d, 525d and 530d Saloon and Touring variants, and in SE and M Sport trims, the Business Edition specification represents a significant customer saving on a range of equipment normally offered as an option.

For a premium of ?ú1,000 over a standard 520d SE or M Sport model, a Business Edition vehicle comes equipped as standard with Dakota leather, Bluetooth with telematics, BMW Business Navigation system, BMW ConnectedDrive Assist and Online, and a six-disc CD changer. The door sill finishers on an SE come with the ÔÇÿEditionÔÇÖ designation, while M Sport models retain M Sport door sill monikers.

For a premium of ?ú1,750 over a standard 525d or 530d SE or M Sport model, Business Edition vehicles receive the same upgrades as the 520d Business Edition models with the addition of a BMW Professional Multimedia Navigation system, Extended voice control and a USB audio interface in place of the six-disc CD changer. M Sport Business Edition models powered by either the 525d or 530d gain 19-inch M Double-spoke alloy wheels. This same 19-inch alloy wheel is also now offered for the first time on all 5 Series Touring models.

Prices for a 520d SE Business Edition Saloon start at ?ú28,430 OTR and rise to ?ú41,960 OTR for a 530d M Sport Business Edition Touring.

New engines for BMW 116i and BMW 330d Convertible

BMWÔÇÖs flagship 3 Series diesel-powered Convertible is available with a new engine. Featuring third generation common-rail injection technology with piezo injectors, the new BMW 330d Convertible now has a 2,993cc engine that produces 245hp, up from 231hp. Torque has also improved from 500Nm to 520Nm at 1,750rpm.

The fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures have similarly improved. The BMW 330d Convertible now records a combined consumption figure of 46.3mpg as opposed to 43.5mpg, while emissions have dropped from 170g/km to 162g/km. This now places a manual transmission-equipped car into the lower Band D Vehicle Excise Duty bracket and sees it meet the new stringent EU5 emissions target. The BMW 330d Convertible is priced from ?ú37,610 OTR.

News of this change comes as the existing 1,599cc powerplant in the BMW 116i has been replaced by the Hams Hall-built 1,995cc engine already showcased in the 118i and 120i models. The latest edition to the BMW 1 Series range still produces 122hp, but torque has been increased by 25Nm to 185Nm between 3,000 and 4,250rpm. Acceleration from zero to 62mph has improved as a result of this. A five-door 116i now records a 9.9 seconds time as opposed to 10.2 seconds, with the three-door posting a time 0.1 seconds quicker. The vehicle retains its CO2 emissions figure of 139g/km and Vehicle Excise Duty C banding. The BMW 116i costs from ?ú16,410 OTR.

BMW Sales

The full year sales of BMWÔÇÖs 1 Series Coup?® and the widespread acceptance of BMWÔÇÖs award-winning EfficientDynamics technologies helped BMW weather the credit crisis storm in 2008.

In what was a difficult year for the motor industry as a whole, BMW managed to stay ahead of the market trend by the end of December. The first full year of 1 Series Coup?® and a sales growth in three-door 1 Series model uptake combined with a 22 per cent increase in 5 Series Touring sales were highlights in 2008. Year-end sales figures show BMW finished the year with 113,132 registrations.
While the overall car market was down 11 per cent, BMW managed to increase its market share to 5.31per cent of Total Industry Volume despite sales falling by seven per cent.

Tim Abbott, BMW UK Sales Director, said: ÔÇ£2008 was very much a year of two halves. A strong first six months saw BMW sales increase overall, but this was unfortunately cancelled out by the difficult times all manufacturers faced in the last six months. BMW has not been immune to the current credit crisis but has ended the year in a stronger position than the market as a whole and with an increase in market share compared to 2007. Following a degree of restructuring in 2008, BMW is now well placed to tackle the challenges that lie ahead in 2009.ÔÇØ

New BMW Z4 to make international debut at Detroit

BMWÔÇÖs first roadster to come with a Retractable Hard-Top roof makes its international debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit this month. The two-seat sports car, offered with three six-cylinder petrol engines with a range of outputs from 204hp to 306hp, is also the first BMW roadster available to be specified with a Double Clutch Transmission and an Adaptive M Suspension. Following its debut in Detroit the car will then be showcased in Geneva.

The new BMW Z4 goes on sale in the UK in May 2009. The BMW Z4 sDrive23i costs ?ú28,645 OTR, the BMW Z4 sDrive30i is ?ú32,660 OTR and the BMW Z4 sDrive35i ?ú37,060 OTR.

Ends

PAULBACH · Jan 12, 2009

Some real good news in today's MOTORREADS

Ride For Kids Sets New Record in 2008, Raising $5.2 Million

MOTORREADS: Monday, 12 January 2009

mika

Still Wondering

mika

Still Wondering

PAULBACH

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