Hamann is teasing with these two sets of wheels fitted to the new BMW 7 Series. They are the only wheel sets currently in development. Body has not been changed, yet, but that might turn out differently when the full tuning package is released. Soon.

The 7 Series has undergone an evolution rather than a revolution, as per BMW Director of Design’s wishes. Mr Chris Bangle reckons evolution is the way to go every second generation, and therefore only worked to improve on 2001 7er rather than completely radicalise it.

Engine menu for now is 730d (180kW, 540Nm), 740i (240kW, 450Nm), and 750i (300kW, 600Nm), the latter two also coming in LWB Li versions. Read the rest of this entry »

The BMX X6 is a tricky vehicle to classify. In photos, it can look like a hot-hatch on steroids. Up close, you see the SUV in the vehicle. It’s dimensions are even larger than the X5 and the only thing that cramps its cargo room to make it less than the X5 is the sloping hatch - a styling cue that makes the X6 unique and hard to pin down.

Of course, the term-du-jour is Crossover, which is what Hamann-Motorsports uses to describe the X6. But their treatment is a little more adventurous than that. Hamann boosts the X6’s 3.5i gasoline/petrol version from 306 to 360 hp and the 3.5d (diesel) from 286 hp to 320 hp. Cranking power is also considerably elevated by 140 Nm to 540 Nm in the 3.5i and taken to a massive 660 Nm in the 3.5d from a previous 580 Nm.

On the outside, Hamann offers the option of 23-inch rims, in need of 315/25R23 tires. Oh, and the price tag for just the four wheels is 9,385 euros. Yes, this is an audacious tuner that also messes with the BMW sound with a four-pipe exhaust system that gives the X6 a more grounded sound.

The tuning kit also comes with a collection of spoilers and skirts and the interior gets a once-over with special carbon-fiber materials too. But Hamann is a performance tuner and this X6 definitely puts on a show.

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AC Schnitzer present X6 Falcon - a project largely following the styling features seen on the recently-launched new X5 of the same name. The newest predator in its namesake’s valley territory, AC Schnitzer are keen to point out the X6 Falcon’s parallels to its bird of prey counterpart. Broad wings are however where the name originates, but such characteristics go more than skin deep.

Tthe X6 Falcon has been painstakingly ‘adapted to its habitat’, undergoing numerous laps of Nurburgring testing by engineers, namely to fine tune the set up of the AC Schnitzer springs. The result: traction even at speeds only achievable by a falcon in ‘nosedive’. The styling package was designed for ‘downforce instead of lift’ and includes front and rear skirt, moved fog lamps and a contoured spoiler edge.

Instead of protection to the underbody and ’submarining’, a rear diffuser and spoiler has been added, while skirts are now body-coloured so as the body appears more drawn down. We’ll avoid calling the alloy wheels the ‘legs’ of the falcon like AC Schnitzer, but nonetheless it is AC Schnitzer 22-inch alloy wheels Type Vll, available in black or silver, that complement this new look.

AC Schnitzer Racing Design have given the Falcon an exhaust system to shout about, providing excellent resonance for its equally well-performing range of engines, enhanced by Control Unit. Two diesel units, the 30d and 35d, are enhanced from 235 hp and 286 hp to 272 hp and 310 hp respectively.

“Decorated and equipped in this way, the AC Schnitzer Falcon really has no natural enemies out there.”

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German based BMW Group tuning specialist Hartge first showed us off-the-shelf parts for the 1-Series coupe when it was first released, and then shortly followed with the aerodynamics kits. Now Hartge have developed an ECU upgrade for BMW’s already potent 3.0-liter bitrubo engine in the 135i coupe releasing an additional 44hp.

The result is a total of 350hp at 5660 rpm and 480 Nm (lb-ft 354) at 2950 rpm. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) arrives in 4.8 seconds – a half second faster than its standard 5.3 seconds. Also, an unrestricted top speed allows 280 km/h (174mph).

Hartge states that a 135i fully equipped with the entire suite of components will cost in Germany € 48,162.14, excluding VAT. See press release below for more details.
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Distinguished by a power to weight ratio improvement of 10%, the previous generation E46 CSL (Coupe, Sport, Lightweight) was slated as a purists’ club-racer version of the standard M3 with many features intended to increase performance and reduce weight. Visually, it was differentiated by its’ carbon fiber roof, front and rear bumper fascias with integrated carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFP) splitters, special 19-inch wheels and a decklid with integrated rear spoiler.

Unfortunately, BMW has decided to cancel plans for the E92 M3 CSL, however, that hasn’t stopped California based tuner, Vorsteiner, from creating their own interpretation. With emphasis on the visual aspects, Vorsteiner has created a body kit which consists of a dry carbon fiber front add-on spoiler, rear diffuser with 3 integrated aero fins and a new replacement boot lid with a built in lip spoiler. Also, Vorsteiner has added a titanium performance exhaust system that weighs only 7.9 kg (17.3 lbs) versus the factory system that weighs 25.6 kg (56.3lbs). Vorsteiner has also developed a 5 spoke wheel design named V-302 series. This forged 3 piece aluminum wheel is available in 20×8.5J and 20×10J – front and rear respectively. For the interior, Vorsteiner offers a full carbon fiber interior trim kit to complement the carbon fiber exterior of the vehicle.
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For the E90 BMW 3-Series sedan, Japanese tuning company, Wald International, has released another new body kit which follows the same hard edged look with louvered styling elements previously seen in the recent Bentley Conti GT Black Bisson Edition and Mercedes C-Class Black Bisson Edition. Despite the resemblance, Wald has decided not to give this 3-Series a Black Bisson Edition designation but instead a simpler WALD E90 Sports Line name.

Whatever you want to call it, the body kit includes front bumper fascia with dual fog lamp projectors, side skirts, rear bumper fascia, luggage lid spoiler and exhaust system. Also seen are WALD’s latest wheel set, MAHORA M11C, 19 x 8.5J in the front with Face dish 1 and 19 x 9.5 for the rear with Face dish 3.

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When the E63 BMW 6-Series debuted back in 2003, Hamann brought to market a tuning package a year and a half later. For the facelifted BMW 6-Series which debuted a year ago, it seems Hamann might be speeding up their process, with an all-new styling package which subtly differentiates itself from the original styling kit of 2004. Showing an evolution of design, the aerodynamic package consists of a front and rear bumper fascia, side skirts and rear roof and bott lid spoilers.

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The German BMW tuning specialists, G-Power, have developed a new supercharger package called, G-POWER EVO III, for the BMW Z4 3.0i. Elevating just past the Z4 M levels, the kit consists of an ASA T1-12 supercharger, air-to-air intercooler, oil cooler, remapped ECU and complete exhaust system including racing-headers and catalytic converters. The result is 375 hp at 6,450 rpm and 420 Nm torque at 4,650 rpm – far above the standard 231 hp BMW Z4 3.0i.

The G-POWER G4 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and 200 km/h in 15.1 seconds, which overshadows the BMW Z4M with a top speed of 300-km/h. The conversion of the standard engine to the G-POWER EVO III configuration is 18,850,00 Euro including the installation; which can only be done at G-Power headquarters in Autenzell Bavaria.

The rest of the G4 package continues into the 4-piece exterior styling kit, coilover suspension, 20-inch wheels, 8-piston brake calipers and disks.

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For the purpose of reducing emissions and energy consumption, the UK has turned into a somewhat hostile social environment as the government imposes increasingly stringent taxation upon motorist, particularly those with vehicles in the luxury segment.

In response, famous BMW supported tuner, Alpina, has taken the 2.0-liter twin turbo diesel from BMW’s 123d model, tweaked it to produce 10 more horsepower and stuck it in their E92 3-Series Coupe.

As a result, the increased hp and lighter engine means an overall power-to-weight ratio of 146hp per tonne – virtually matching BMW’s own 330d Coupe. The car is capable of 152mph and 0-62mph in 6.9 secs and yet the official fuel consumption and emission figures tell a very different story: 52.3mpg (overall EU) and 143g/km! (manual trans).

This year only 100 units of the ALPINA D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe will be available in the UK.

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Audi’s RS6 Avant with its 580 bhp 5.0-liter FSI twin turbo V10 engine is the most powerful car ever produced by the marque and tuning specialist, Motoren Technik Mayer GmbH (MTM) from Wettstetten, Germany has got a performance focused tuning package which boost the performance of this super-fast station wagon even more.

With electronic ECU modifications only, MTM engineers have boosted power to 656 bhp at 6,180 rpm. Upon request from the customer, MTM has the ability to electronically regulate top speed in increments of either 279, 290 or 310 km/h. Torque grows to 785 Nm from the standard 650 Nm, allowing zero to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds (standard 4.6 sec) - vertebrae crushing power all for only 3,999 EUR.

Adding onto this entry-level package, MTM is currently preparing an even bigger one. By adding a stainless steel exhaust system with throttle control downstream from the catalytic converter and a sports air filter and additional 46 bhp is conjured for a total of 702 bhp. This kit is available for 9,950 EUR.

MTM has taken a reserved styling approach, which includes a carbon-fiber front spoiler lip and a carbon-fiber rear diffuser. Also, six-piston monoblock brake calipers with slotted brake disks are available for the front, plus sport dampners. Rounding out the sports suite are 21″ MTM bimoto wheels.

MTM offers this entire suite of compoents for the RS6 R which includes power-boosted engine, modified breathing, exhaust system, suspension struts and 21-inch wheels for a package price starting from 15,500 EUR.

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