Tag Archives: BMW

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BMW suspends operations in Russia

BMW suspends operations in Russia. The news comes after other carmakers like Ford, Volkswagen, GM did the same. This decision refers to the delivery of vehicles to the Russian market, but also to the cessation of production in Kaliningrad.

“We condemn the aggression against Ukraine and follow further developments with great concern and horror. Due to the current geopolitical situation, we are stopping local production and exports to the Russian market until the next decision,” a BMW spokesman said.

Russia is a growing market for BMW, which in partnership with Avtotor, assembles cars for the Russian market in a joint factory. Also, BMW has subcontractors in Ukraine from whom it gets some car parts. In 2021, about 12,000 cars were assembled, while about 47,000 BMWs were exported to Russia.

The company announced that due to the current situation and the difficult supply of parts, it is suspending work in Russia. BMW’s business is not only affected in Russia but also in other countries, such as the UK, where BMW owns the British automotive marque Mini.

Volkswagen recently announced that it is suspending production in Dresden and Zwickau, also due to problems with the supply of electronic parts from Ukraine, where the company owns two factors.

Source: BMW

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McLaren F1 with BMW engine and Audi gearbox

In honor of the five McLaren F1 GTRs that finished the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1995, McLaren produced five examples of the powerful F1 LM model and one prototype. It is an extremely rare and expensive car that most cannot afford, but can make a replica.

McLaren never released blueprints and diagrams of the F1 LM model, but that didn’t stop a big McLaren fan, Danie Brough, from making a replica of this car. It took him 23 years to realize his dream.

Proportions taken from photos and smaller models were used in the production. The car is painted in Papaya orange, and is made of aluminum, carbon fiber and plexiglass, while the chassis is a combination of aluminum and carbon fiber.

“Everything you see on the car, I made myself. The exception is BMW’s twin-turbo V12 engine paired with Audi’s 6-speed manual transmission. The project required years of research, photo viewing and sizing,” Brough said.

The McLaren F1 replica is powered by a 6.0 liter V12 engine with 650 hp (485 kW), and weighs 1,180 kg which is 40 kg more than the original.

Every goal is achievable, if you strongly believe in it. The proof is this gentleman from South Africa, Danie Brough.

Source: Cars.co.za via YouTube

News

2022 BMW M2 CS Racing as a safety car for the new MotoGP season

The new MotoGP season is about to begin, and BMW has introduced a new safety car, the BMW M2 CS Racing. It is a new BMW 2 Series model with which the M department is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

“With a safety car based on a real race car, the BMW M is once again setting new benchmarks this year. The BMW M2 CS Racing MotoGP Safety Car shows how deeply rooted the BMW M is in motorsport, ”said Carmelo Ezpeleta.

“The BMW M2 CS Racing has been successful in a number of championships and, as a ‘purebred’ race car, is perfect for the safety car in motorcycle racing,” said BMW M department director Franciscus van Meel.

The new M2 CS Racing is powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 450 hp (331 kW). The car is painted in races red and blue, and is equipped with a new front grille, mechanical limited-slip differential with pre-load and separate cooling, improved drive shafts, carbon roof and special markings for the 50th anniversary of the BMW M department.

With the new car, BMW has expanded its offering as it introduced three safety car models last year: the M3 Sedan, the M4 Coupe and the M5 CS.

The new MotoGP season starts in less than a month and we are sure it will be exciting.

Source: BMW