Aug 31, 2012

iND has started on its first F10 M5 portfolio project car, for their client, Tom. Per iND:

Perhaps the effect will wear off in time, but for now seeing an F10 M5 in the flesh feels like peering into a toy store. For our client Tom, who has already brought several of his cars to us for some special touches, even a stock twin-turbo super sedan cannot be left untouched. Tom has been an ardent BMW enthusiast since medical school, jumping right into the fray with a supercharged E36 M3. Today, with his X5M having departed, we knew this new replacement would have to really turn heads.

Despite the power output of his new M5 topping even his R8 V10 right out of the box, Tom felt that both sound and output could be improved, so of course we happily obliged with the recently-introduced Eisenmann Sport rear section exhaust system for some added throatiness. This was ordered specially with the rare oval tip option, which will further distinguish this particular F10 from its peers. To make these fit properly, the exhaust was combined with the innovative Eisenmann rear diffuser painted gloss black for sharp contrast with the Alpine White body color.

Matching the rear diffuser is a gloss black Revinora front lip, which fills in the lower end of the bumper for an OEM Plus look. We added IND’s Cosmetic Package, including custom painted gloss black front grilles and side grilles in Alpine White with light LED tint. Our rear spoilers with CRT theme have gained popularity quite rapidly, and we installed a lightweight one from BMW Performance with an Alpine White stripe setting off the carbon fiber perfectly. Rather than leave the existing rear M5 trunk badge chrome, gloss black paint was applied to again bring relief against the light-colored body.

Stance and handling have always been an integral foundation of any project we undertake, and the new F10 is no exception. The factory wheels were swapped with a gorgeous set of BBS RE in 20×9.5 front and 20×10.5 rear, painted silver, which singlehandedly changed the presence and feel of the car. The proper ride height was achieved with a new Variant 3 coilover kit from KW specifically designed for the F10 M5. These come with an EDC delete module that eliminates any errors caused by disconnecting the original BMW EDC dampers.

In addition to providing many levels of damping with respect to compression and rebound, the F10 M5 coilovers supply mildly progressive springs while maintaining optimum shock travel. For compliant ride comfort, custom bump stops are used, and ride height has a wide range of adjustment to obtain the best possible stance. We never tire of the colorful purple and yellow used by KW, and the fit and finish quality is absolutely world class as always. Even more importantly, confidence is inspired by the relentless amount of testing and calibration done by the engineers at KW, from their state-of-the-art computer simulated environments and test rigs to world-renowned race circuits such as the Nurburgring and beyond.

Our client and friend Tom now has an F10 M5 that is not only set apart from any other on the road today, but also can hold its head high when parked alongside any of his other cars. Standing out next to something like an R8 is a difficult prospect for virtually any car, but we all feel proud that this new M5 has been improved well beyond OEM while staying within BMW’s amazing engineering standards. We here at IND consider ourselves fortunate to have been able to enhance such an iconic new machine!

Aug 31, 2012

In less than a month, BMW will unveil a new concept at the 2012 Paris Auto Show: BMW Concept Active Tourer. The compact concept is the first BMW to use a front-wheel drive platform and when it comes in production it is rumored to carry the 1 Series GT badge. First launched in the super compact model, the front-wheel drive architecture is expected to make its way into the 1 Series family when the next generation hits the market in 2019.

A latest rendering from Autobild offers a closer look at the design of the Concept Active Tourer and with just days ahead of its unveiling, we believe that the rendering is fairly close to the actual design.

The FWD concept comes equipped with a three cylinder engine, part of a new family of turbocharged engines that we dubbed “baby-six”. The 1.5 liter three cylinder TwinPower turbochaged engines can produce up to 180 horsepower, but it’s expected to output even more power in the future. The new small petrol engine shares its 500cc individual cylinder capacity and other key elements with BMW’s classic 3.0-liter straight six petrol unit.

BMW will offer the 1 Series GT with a wide range of features and gadgetry, from the iDrive system with 8.2 inch display to numerous assistance systems and ConnectedDrive.

The 1 Series GT will officially debut in 2014 to compete with similar offerings from Audi, Mercedes and even Volkswagen.

 

Aug 31, 2012

Automotive manufacturer MINI and sports lifestyle brand PUMA have signed a worldwide license agreement sealing their partnership over a period of several years. The collaboration brings together two innovative and iconic brands with a long-standing passion for functionality, performance and design, and centres on a joint collection of clothing, shoes and accessories. The lifestyle product lines will be available from September 2012 under the label MINI by PUMA. Selected MINI dealerships will be selling a range of items, while PUMA stores and PUMA retail partners will carry the entire collection.

MINI by PUMA – Driving style meets sporting fashion.

The collection unites MINI’s “creative use of space” principle and PUMA’s strengths in designing clothing, shoes and accessories. Inspired by the UK, the home of the automotive brand, the collection features British icons like the Union Jack and bulldogs as design elements to add an extra fashionable edge. High-quality materials, clean lines and contrasting linings combine to create a sleek, stylish look.

“In PUMA we have found an ideal partner that shares our enthusiasm for a sporty, urban look and lifestyle, has a worldwide presence and, like MINI, appeals to young, open-minded target groups”, says Dr Thomas Goerdt, Director Lifestyle Collections at the BMW Group.

The first MINI by PUMA collection, which will be launched in September, features sporty yet stylish unisex bags and accessories, including larger weekend bags, compact handbags and wallets. The cleverly designed interior compartments and zips make for practical bags with ample storage. The strap and handle designs are inspired by MINI seatbelts. The various models come in black with neon yellow luggage tags. The bags will be complemented by a range of sneakers, which will include different models of low-cut sneakers and chukka sneakers for both men and women. The sporty, lightweight shoes have a narrow last and feature “cool Britannia” design details. The collection’s colour palette focuses on black, white and green. The MINI by PUMA collection will also feature a variety of fashionable clothing ranging from T-shirts to parkas.

MINI brand partnerships.

MINI has a long history of licence partnerships. For example, the automotive brand collaborated with Japanese shoe brand Onitsuka Tiger on a shoe collection and also teamed up with sonoro audio, a German manufacturer of design audio products, to produce a special MINI multifunctional internet radio receiver. This latest collaboration with PUMA is the most comprehensive license agreement MINI has signed for its Lifestyle Collection to date.

[Source: MINI | Motoringfile]

 

Aug 31, 2012

The FWD 1 Series “Compactive Tourer,” - the first model in BMW’s upcoming lineup of FWD 1 series cars, will be making its world public premiere at the 2012 Paris autoshow in late September, but a purported design diagram of its rear lights has now been revealed. The FWD 1 series models ride on the UKL platform, which it will share with the upcoming MINI models. It will hit the market sometime in 2013.

Its tail lights appear to feature the floating light bar design seen in recent BMW models. The circular hole behind the light bars will house the brake light and the holes at the bottom of the lights are likely indicator and reverse bulbs.

The FWD 1-series models will join the rest of the 1-series lineup which in the next generation is expected to go all FWD. Meanwhile, the F22 coupe and F23 cabrio (both RWD) are likely to be badged as “2-series”.

Will the FWD 1 Series be destined for the US? If Ian Robertson’s (BMW AG’s board member for sales and marketing) words from the Paris auto show in September 2010 still holds true, these vehicles will have a four-cylinder engine in the United States at launch. At the time he made those comments, Robertson also indicated that he expected significant volume from BMW’s future small car lineup, with sales of 100,000 vehicles worldwide a year.

And how will they perform? If MINIs are any judge, these should not be considered “entry level” performance wise, but serious, refined, sporting engined cars.

Aug 31, 2012

This will be a grand week for many M5POST members as tomorrow (September 1) kicks off european deliveries for the 2013 BMW M5 (F10).

The very first day will see the largest batch of owners - with 22 confirmed M5POST members taking deliveries of their F10 M5. We will be on hand to cover the momentous day, as well as BMW media.

Congrats in advance to all the owners!