Morning Reads: Thursday, 14 February 2008

[mika]

Happy Valentines Day


Today’s Birthdays / Calendar

We used to do wheelies on a friends Super Cub when I was in high school, now…
thekneeslider.com
Honda Super Cub gets EFI



cmgonline.com
RUMOR: Calabogie Superbike


gizmag.com
Phillippe Starck designed Voxan Caf?® Super Racer Naked


More from motorcyclenews.com on BMW’s uncrashable motorcycle. [I bet I could crash it in the dirt. ]




[http://news.windingroad.com/history/mcqueens-indian-scout-to-be-auctioned-at-legend-of-the-motorcycle/]windingroad.com[/url]
McQueen’s Indin Scout to be auctioned at Legend of the Motorcycles


motorcycledaily.com
Honda/Moriwaki MD250H aimed at American your roadracing development



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classicrallies.com
Very first Ferrari makes rare appearance inaugural Desert Classic


americanlemans.com
Penske, Audi headline Sebring Hall inducties

Number of drivers participating: 16 of 9 teams (two teams running only one car)
Fastest lap overall:
Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes)
1:19.102 min
Circuit length: 4,428 km

Robert Kubica
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08-03 / BMW P86/8
Test kilometres today: 403 km (91 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:19.539 min

Nick Heidfeld
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08-02 / BMW P86/8
Test kilometres today: 417 km (94 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:19.958 min

Programme:
Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld drove the two BMW Sauber F1.08 during the first of three test days in Jerez. In perfect weather conditions the drivers did 91 and 94 laps respectively, completing today’s test schedule as planned.

Both drivers worked on the setup of the car trying various solutions and system checks, which helped the team further understand the new car. The work on the aerodynamics was affected by strong winds in the afternoon. In addition both drivers did several practice starts.

What comes next:
BMW Sauber F1 Team will test for two more days in Jerez. Tomorrow the focus will be again on improving the setup of the F1.08 car, concentrating on aerodynamic solutions and the braking system.

Media contact

J?Ârg Kottmeier
+49 170 5666112
joerg.kottmeier@bmw.de

Hanspeter Brack
+41 79 7701819
hanspeter.brack@
bmw-sauber.com

Heike Hientzsch
+49 172 6209904
bmw@heikehientzsch.de

Benjamin Titz
+49 179 7438088
benjamin.titz@bmw.de


BMW Sauber F1
BMW Motorsport

topspeed.com
Rolls-Royce Phantom by EDAG to be unveiled in Geneva


autoexpress.co.uk
Toyota IQ announced


bimmerfile.com
Made in Germany?


newkerala.com
BMW to unveil its hydrogen fueled cars in Singapore

BMW Website Review:


bmw-motorrad.co.za: Lighthouse Tour of SA – Part 5


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Pamelia Kurstin: Theremin, the untouchable music
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BMW Yachtsport


BMW Golfsport


BMW Oracle Racing


BMW Sport website


BMW PressClub: Page 2

Stuff: Everything in its place and a place for everything, including stuff

womenridersnow.com
REVIEW: Dowco Iron Rider Luggage


dps.com


diyphotography.net
Readers Projects – Got a light?


M.R. Traveler


Places 2 Ride Blog


www.biker-events.com
Finding the Good Time on 2 Wheels


Horizonsunlimited.com – Newsletter

2008 International Rally
Gillette, Wyoming, July 17-20 2008


Mining The Website


A message from home, the Home Page that is.

NEW FEATURE: Picture This!
As inspired by the Forum, each month we'll provide a topic for photo contributions. Members are invited to submit one photo that best depicts the topic. Photos will be judged by MOA staff. Those selected will be featured in the BMW Owners News. Each photo must include a 50 word (or less) description, your name, member number, city, state. Topic: Where I keep my Owners News. Send your photo to picturethis@bmwmoa.org. The winners will appear in the APRIL issue of the BMW Owners News.


BMW MOA 2008 Election Information


Threads worth following:


I am a big fan of the potential for long form posts on the forum. Canadian Odyssey – James Bay Road is a great example of this. If you haven’t checked it out yet I am not certain your really a Morning Reader.


Photo Assignment:
Here is a link to the PHOTO ASSIGNMENT INDEX, with links to the various excellent Photo Assignment threads

Latest project: “Old Cro” the R-evolution

Diary of a Barn Queen



Today’sRoadFood.com


Woot

Todays Woot
The Blog

Packer News: Packers.com, jsonline.com - Packers Plus Online


Humor

Over Heard in New York | Voice of the City
Sluggy Freelance
The Onion
xkcd


Bike Candy:


From Motorycles Insight.it – Brakes – The front revolution

]THE END

 

[mika]

Page 2

BMW Group Press Conference on the occasion of the 2008 Canadian International Autoshow
02/13/2008

Speech by Mr. Lindsay Duffield
President & CEO, BMW Group Canada
Toronto, February 13, 2008

The Spoken Word Applies


Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to the BMW Group stand at the Canadian International Auto Show.

You know that 2007 was another record breaking year for BMW Group in Canada. BMW sales were up 20%. We celebrated our 17th consecutive year of sales increases - no easy task in a Luxury Market that was down 3%.

Our MINI Brand sold 3703 cars, up 9% over 2006. MINI has sold more cars in every year since its launch in 2002.

And our two-wheeled division at BMW Motorrad rode to an impressive 36% , yes you heard me right ÔÇô 36% increase over 2006, with 1627 bikes retailed.

We now have over 200,000 BMW and MINIs on Canadian roads.

But 2007 is history, and you all know that at BMW Group, we do not rest on our laurels. As the #1 Premium Vehicle Manufacturer in Canada, the only direction is forward and the only speed is ÔÇ£pedal to the metalÔÇØ. 2008 will be our most aggressive product launch year in history:

1. We are extending the MINI family, with the new MINI Clubman. It goes on sale today!
2. We are launching seven new BMW motorcycles - two all-new Enduro bikes - the F650GS and F800GS, two new high performance models - the HP2 Megamoto and HP2 Sport; the all-new G450X Sports Enduro and finally our most popular R1200GS and GS Adventure are getting extensive updates.
3. We are introducing the new segment shaping BMW X6 Sports Activity Coup?®, which will feature the first application of our new twin turbo V8 gasoline engine, with direct injection.
4. This fall, we are delivering on our Efficient Dynamics strategy with the launch of BMW Advanced Diesels with BluePerformance.
5. We are introducing a new generation of M3 Coup?®s, Sedans and Cabriolets; and last, but certaintly not leastÔǪ..
6. We are launching the 1 Series in Canada for the first time..

Over 40 years ago, BMW brought the BMW 2002 to North America, changing the performance car landscape and redefining the term ÔÇ£sports sedanÔÇØ. The Editor of CAR AND DRIVER MAGAZINE at the time, David E. Davis JR., proclaimed it ÔÇ£one of modern civilizationÔÇÖs all-time best ways to get somewhere sitting downÔÇØ.

Now, we will do it all over again, with the new 1 Series. The 1 Series Coup?® was unveiled at the Montreal Auto Show last month, and weÔÇÖre pleased to introduce you to the 1 Series Cabriolet.

This car is striking in its design, and thatÔÇÖs because the cabriolet was the original 1 Series design concept. The Coup?® followed the cabriolet and not vice versa.

Note the elegant shoulder-line that stretches from the front to rear and is reminiscent of the BMW 2002. Its particularly low and broad for a car in this segment. These broad shoulders not only demonstrate the strength of the car but also encapsulates advanced safety features of the body.

The 1 Series Cabriolet looks like a BMW Cabriolet, and it drives like a BMW Cabriolet. LetÔÇÖs talk premium substance, sporty characteristics, compact and nimble body, rear wheel drive, 50/50 weight distribution, and powerful and efficient in-line 6 cylinder engines. This car is BMW distilled to its purest form - pure excitement, pure power and the purest driving experience.

The 1 Series Cabriolet, like the Coup?®, will be available in two 6 cylinder engine variants:

* The 128i ÔÇô with its lightweight, 230 hp inline 6, with Valvetronic Technology, and

* The 135i - with our award winning ÔÇ£Engine of the YearÔÇØ 300 HP / 300 footpounds of torque, twin turbo six.

The 1 Series Coup?® and Cabriolet will be available next month at the attractive base prices of $33,900 for the 128i Coup?® and $39,900 for the 128i Cabriolet. The 135i Coup?® starts at $41,700 and 135i Cabriolet - $47,200.

With the new 1 Series, we plan to attract an even younger customer than the average 3 Series customer ÔÇô by about 10 years. These target customers want a compact and premium car that complements their dynamic lifestyle. The 1 Series fills that need, like no other car.

On to our next exciting introduction. For the first time in 13 years, the M3 is once again available as a four door sedan. LetÔÇÖs take a look.

The all new BMW M3 Sedan complements the M3 Coup?® as shown in Montreal last month, and the M3 Cabriolet, which we will unveil at the Vancouver Auto Show next month. All M3s feature the first V8 engine in a production M3. The M trademark high revving powerplant develops 414-horsepower at 8,300 rpm, accelerating the M3 Sedan from 0 to 100 km/ hr in 4.9 seconds.

All M3 models will be introduced this Spring, starting with the Sedan and Coup?®, followed shortly by the Cabriolet. The MSRPs will be $69,900 for the M3 Sedan; $71,300 for the M3 Coup?®; and $81,900 for the M3 Cabriolet.

The 2008 M3 Coup?® offers customers an equipment adjusted added value of $5,420 compared to the previous generation. The new M3 Cabriolet has an equipment adjusted increased customer value of $6,550.

WhatÔÇÖs truly remarkable about the M3ÔÇÖs new V8 engine is that it:

* Delivers 24% more horsepower;
* Is 33 lb lighter
AND
* Consumes 8% less fuel than the outgoing M3 in-line 6 cylinder engine.

As you can see, even our highest performance vehicles like the new M3, have been fitted with a series of innovations to lower fuel consumption. At BMW Group, we are continuously striving to improve fuel economy, reduce environmental impact and improve driving dynamics. This is what we call BMW EfficientDynamics.

Our responsibility starts well before we sell a car. In the last ten years, we have reduced the energy consumption required to build a vehicle by 26%, water usage by 47%; carbon dioxide emissions by 24% and solvent emissions by more than 50%!

At the same time, we have made great strides improving the efficiency of our vehicles For example, a current 328i Sedan consumes 36% less fuel than a 1990 325i, even though the 2008 model is 5% larger overall, has 37% more horsepower; and accelerates to 100 km 27% quicker. This is EfficientDynamics in action, and being delivered in every BMW Group product today!

LetÔÇÖs not forget our MINI Brand when it comes to Green Performance. MINI proved that cars can be sporty, compact, premium and fuel efficient, all at the same time. Both the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper Clubman qualify for the Federal Government $1000 EcoAuto Rebate reinforcing their miserly fuel consumption.

And today, Natural Resources Canada presented the 2008 MINI Cooper and the new 5 door MINI Cooper Clubman with the ecoENERGY award as the most fuel efficient vehicles in their respective class.

Let me now direct your attention over here to the BMW 335 Diesel race car that placed fourth in the 2007 Thunderhill twenty-five hour enduro race in California. Yes, Performance and Diesel is not an oxymoron anymore. BMW will introduce the ÔÇ£BMW of DieselsÔÇØ to the Canadian marketplace this fall.

Our BMW Advanced Diesel engine, with BluePerformance, produces nearly as much torque as our 6 litre V12.but with fuel consumption roughly 30% better than a comparable 6 cylinder gasoline engine. This new twin turbo diesel will be offered in our 3 Series Sedan and X5 Sports Activity Vehicle.

Last year we showcased the BMW Hydrogen 7 at our stand, representing the GroupÔÇÖs long term vision for virtually zero emission driving. This year we are pleased to introduce you to a nearer term EfficientDynamics addition to the BMW Family ÔÇô our first two-mode ActiveHybrid.

Helping me today, I am pleased to have Mr. Marc Breithecker, a BMW Engineer who is stationed in Troy, Michigan working in our Hybrid Cooperation Project with GM, Daimler and Chrysler.

Welcome Marc! Now tell me what is the difference between BMWÔÇÖs hybrid technology and other hybrids?

Marc:

* First: With our Two-Mode Active transmission we are combining a high-efficiency and high-performance combustion engine with two high-performance electric motors..
This allows us to make use of the hybridÔÇÖs fuel-saving potential across a much wider speed range. In other words: The BMW Hybrid can be driven at maximum efficiency on any kind of road ÔÇô in the city or on the highway. And this is something that traditional hybrid technology hasnÔÇÖt been able to achieve.

* Second: The BMW Hybrid offers substantially higher driving dynamics. A hybrid developed by BMW will always be a vehicle that reflects the typical BMW performance characteristics. You can literally call it the BMW amongst Hybrids.

* And third: The fuel consumption of the BMW Hybrid is up to 20 percent lower versus a comparable vehicle with a conventional combustion engine. Thus the BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid is a perfect example for BMW EfficientDynamics: it is the combination of Sheer Driving Pleasure and efficient use of energy at the same time.

Lindsay: Thanks Marc. I know everyone is anxiously awaiting BMWÔÇÖs first hybrid. It will go on sale in Canada in 2009.

Marc, you and your team have worked extremely hard to develop BMWs first hybrid. Can I ask you to do us the honour of unveiling the BMW X6 Concept ActiveHybrid for the first time in Canada.

Thank you all for your attention and enjoy the show.



BMW Canada announces pricing for 2008 BMW M3 lineup
02/13/2008

Whitby. BMW Canada is pleased to announce pricing for the juggernaut of 2008 BMW M3 models soon to be unleashed to Canadian driving enthusiasts.
The M3 Coup?® and M3 Sedan, arriving at BMW retailers on March 8th, will debut with MSRPs of $71,300 and $69,900, respectively. The M3 Cabriolet, with an MSRP of $81,900, will find its way into BMW showrooms on May 17th.

The highly anticipated fourth-generation M3ÔÇÖs will share the same light-alloy, high-revving V-8 engine, producing 414 hp at 8,300 rpm and 295 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm with 85 percent of the maximum torque available consistently through 6,500 rpm. This power output represents a 17% increase over the six-cylinder from the last generation M3 yet the new engine weighs 7% less and consumes 8% less fuel than its predecessor.

All M3 variants will transmit power to the rear wheels through a close-ratio, oil-cooled six-speed manual gearbox, via a twin-disc clutch and Variable M Differential Lock rear axle. Equipped with six-speed manual transmission, the 2008 M3 Coup?® storms from 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, the M3 Sedan a ÔÇ£tickÔÇØ later at 4.9 seconds even, and the M3 Cabriolet simultaneously rockets from 0-100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds.

A brand new, race-bred, 7-speed Double-Clutch transmission with Drivelogic will also be offered as an option on all M3 models. The fourth-generation automated manual gearbox developed specifically for the M3, features eleven electronically controlled driving programs ÔÇô five in automatic mode and six in manual mode. The smoothest and quickest M3 gearbox yet helps to propel the potent new M3 trio, when equipped, from 0-100 km/h in a blistering 4.6, 4.7 and 5.1 seconds, respectively, in the M3 Coup?®, M3 Sedan and M3 Cabriolet.

The 2008 BMW M3 stable, in either drivetrain variation, are the highest-performing M3s ever offered by BMWÔÇÖs M division, setting new performance benchmarks once again.

As M heritage dictates, the potent thrust of the new M3 is matched in all variants with all-new chassis design featuring unprecedented levels of torsional rigidity, all-new suspension with forged aluminum track control arms and a plethora of other purpose-designed lightweight components, bringing a new level of handling dynamics to the new M3 family. The optional Electronic Damper Control features three selectable control maps: Sport, Normal and Comfort, allow the driver to tailor the vehicleÔÇÖs chassis dynamics to his or her preference and even store the preferred setting to the available steering-wheel-mounted ÔÇ£MDriveÔÇØ button for quick access.

As expected, the most competent M3 chassisÔÇÖ yet are complemented by equally competent high-performance brake systems with massive, cross-drilled ventilated compound brake discs, producing track-worthy deceleration capability.
When the driver is done enjoying the symphony of eight cylinders, the sumptuous and functional interior comes standard with the powerful LOGIC 7 sound system with 13 speakers (11 speakers in the M3 Cabriolet). For serious audiophiles, an all-new BMW Individual Audio System is available as an option. Featuring 16 speakers with rigid HexaCone?« diaphragms and neodymium magnets driven by a 9-channel, 825 watt digital amplifier (12 speakers and 675w amplifier in the M3 Cabriolet). The system also includes DIRAC LiveÔäó Technology - used exclusively in an automotive application by BMW ÔÇô ensuring a perfectly timed sound experience in all seats.

The 2008 BMW M3 family of thoroughbreds is poised to transcend their legendary predecessors and redefine the benchmark for ultra-performance Coup?®s, Sedans and Cabriolets.

 

[PAULBACH]

Brakes ÔÇô The front revolution

Looks like changing those brake pads were be a bear to change. Design looks intriguing.