Tag Archives: BMW

News

Toyota Supra has reached its end

At the beginning of 2024, BMW announced that it plans to stop producing the two-seater Z4, also known as the E85 in roadster form and E86 in coupé form. Now it appears that another manufacturer is retiring its sports car and grand tourer in 2026. It is the Toyota Supra, which was launched on the market by the Japanese manufacturer in 1978.

The reasons for this decision are the problems of the company Magna Steyr, which produces both sports cars in Austria. According to reports, this company is laying off 500 employees from the plant in Graz because the production of several models has either already ended or will soon end. Models like the BMW Seres 5 or the Fisker Ocean were also produced in this facility.

Toyota did not comment on this information, but Auto News investigated and found that the Supra could indeed end its life journey. “We’ve partnered with BMW and it’s been successful. We’re looking at what’s going to happen in the future. If we’re going to produce something, we’re going to figure out how to do it,” said Toyota North America Vice President Dave Christ.

Dave Christ did not specify whether production will be moved to another facility. However, the first option would be more likely because in the first three months of 2024, Toyota sold only 484 units of this model, which is a drop of 44.4 percent compared to the same period in 2023 (871 units).

Source: Auto News

News

BMW Skytop is going into production after all

A few days ago, BMW presented the Skytop concept car at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, which was then said not to enter production. However, it seems that BMW has changed its mind overnight, so we could see this car on the roads in the near future. According to Adrian van Hooydonk, head of design at BMW Group, the Bavarian company could produce 25 examples of this car in the next two years.

The Skytop concept was inspired by the 503 and Z8 models, and shares the platform with the current generation BMW M8 Competition. “The concept BMW Skytop perfectly fit into the philosophy and environment of the famous Italian exhibition, and the designers and engineers made an effort to create a car that brings with it an optimal combination of dynamics and elegance,” said the first man of the BMW design department, Adrian van Hooydonk.

In terms of design, the car is truly unique and exotic. Despite the proportions of a grand tourer, the open-top two-seater concept with a V8 engine offers a combination of dynamic driving and elegance at the highest level. Under the bonnet will be a 4.4-L twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which also powers the M8, with 626 hp (460 kW) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque. The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Although it was announced that BMW could produce 20-25 copies of the Skytop concept, Domagoj Dukec, head of BMW’s design, went even further saying that the idea of ​​producing a thousand copies is more attractive.

This is not the first time that BMW has openly considered production of the concept. Last year, the Z4-based BMW Touring Coupe Concept teased similar specs, but the project never went into production.

Source: BMW

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BMW Skytop is going into production after all
Tuning

MANHART MH8 5.0 V8 Limited based on BMW 850i (E31)

One of the best tuners in the world and the best tuner of BMW cars, Manhart, presented his new project based on one of the best models from the end of the 20th century. These are five special restored examples of the BMW 850i (E31) model called MANHART MH8 5.0 V8 Limited.

The cars received a sports exhaust system that emphasizes the sound experience, upgraded chassis with H&R springs, Bilstein B6 shock absorbers, powerful 4-piston fixed callipers and perforated 340 millimeter brake discs on the front axle, and a new set of new 20″ Concave One alloy wheels wrapped in 255 /30R20 front and 295/25R20 rear Continental Sport Contact 7 tires.The rest includes sills taken from the 850 CSi model, rear lip spoiler and M side mirror housings.

The sports interior is covered in leather and now feature colored applications and stitching, while the BMW sports steering wheel, the gear lever and the handbrake have been finished in soft Alcantara.

Under the bonnet is a 5.0-liter V12 engine, from the E39 M5 model, with 420 hp (313 kW) paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox that sends power to the rear wheels.

Manhart will produce only five examples of the MH8 V8 Limited model, and the example shown in the photos costs 149,000 euros.

Source: Manhart

Gallery:

MANHART MH8 5.0 V8 Limited based on BMW 850i (E31)