CARS FUCKING RULE

[bueller]

not my 02 but here's the guy's site:

http://www.m2bmw.com/

but i'm digging the old bmws too. 02s and e21s in particular.

[slim]

Cool site dude. So many cool bimmers.

[slim]

VW finally does something right...


No more hiding for the hottest Golf VI that receives the 'R' badge as the first official photos of the car have made their way on the net ahead of Frankfurt Show grand opening. Set to replace the fifth-generation Golf R32, the new Golf R ditches the latter's 250HP 3.2-liter V6 for the Scirocco R's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit, slightly tweaked to produce 270 horsepower and 320Nm or 236 lb-ft of torque.

However, unlike the Scirocco R that keeps the standard model's front-wheel drive layout, the hot Golf is fitted with a new hydraulic four-wheel drive system similar to the one found on the Audi S3.

A six-speed manual gearbox will be offered standard, while a six-speed, twin-clutch DSG transmission will be optional.

With the manual gearbox the Golf R speeds up to 100km/h (62mph) from standstill in 5.7 seconds, while the DSG model is a tad faster completing the same sprint in 5.5 seconds. In both cases, top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h or 155mph.

By comparison, the FWD 210HP Golf GTI with a DSG gearbox hits the 100km/h mark in 7.2 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 239 km/h or 148 mph.

Classically, the Golf R's chassis has also been significantly upgraded with a lowered suspension, new dampers and springs as well as a beefed up braking system.

On the outside, the hot Golf features similar -some could say, even subtle- upgrades to the Scirocco R with new bumpers, side skirts, darkened headlamps and tail lights, glossy exterior mirrors, a roof spoiler, a rear diffuser that houses twin exhaust pipes in the center and five-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in chunkier rubber.

Likewise, the R's interior has been lightly enhanced with a pair of front bucket sport seats, a flat bottomed steering wheel and sportier trim.

The newest addition in the Golf family that will be offered in both three and five door bodystyles is expected to go on sale in Europe towards the end of the year, while the model is also slated for a U.S. market debut in early 2010.

[VTP]

i want the sirocco, cept its not coming stateside, and if it does...$30K. you gotta be kidding me.

[slim]

This is basically the Scirocco...

[STFU]

meh, can't feign interest in a hatchback VW coupe.. unless you're using it to scoop up high school girls.

yesterday I had a nice drive up and down oak creek canyon in the //m, shortly after snaking invisible's project at grasshopper point I left early to drive it again before the sun went down.

I sandbagged until a massive line of tourons formed behind me and I was sure the road in front was wide open for this section:



best part was watching the gay'd out mini cooper S with blue bulb demon eyes vanish behind me

[slim]

high school girls.

Right up your alley?

[RockPharmer]

that looks nauseatingly fun

[pmahnn]

Hardly nauseating, but certainly fun.

[slim]

You have obviously never had the "Hell Ride" treatment.

It will make you beg for your life.

[slim]

This is it; the BMW M3 that we've all been waiting for after the demise of the previous, E90 M3 CSL. The hardest ever production M3 that gets the GTS moniker is a track-focused yet completely road-legal, limited edition model and it comes with many weight saving measures, more power from a larger capacity V8 engine and lots of juicy upgrades that you normally find on aftermarket tuned cars.

It doesn't take long to see that this isn't your 'every-day' M3. The car is distinguished by several unique features ranging from the Porsche 911 GT3-like orange finish and the numerous matte-black applications, to the adjustable front splitter and rear wing that can provide a higher level of downforce and the unique 19-inch wheels with ample 225/35 tires at the front and 285/30 at the rear.

A closer look at the car also reveals the beefy fixed caliper brake system with six pistons at the front and four at the back as well as the new yellow springs with a small M logo. BMW says that the M3 GTS features a special threaded suspension, adjustable in compression and rebound.

But there's more than meets the eye to this M3. Since the serial-production model is already weight-optimized with a bevy of measures such as the carbon lightweight roof that was previously reserved for the GTS's predecessor, the E90 M3 CSL, BMW's M division had to come up with new solutions to lower the car's weight.



The weight-saving measures adopted on the new 2011 M3 GT3 include a new set of light body-contoured front seats, optimization of the insulation, the use of lightweight parts in the interior, the use of Macrolon for the car's windows in the back, the removal of the air conditioning, navigation and radio systems and the rear seats that have been ditched altogether - who needs them anyway on a car like this.

Furthermore, the GTS features a new titanium rear silencer that not only promises to produce a more race car-like symphony but it is also much lighter than its serial production counterpart.

According to BMW's M division, the M3 GTS tips the scales at around 1,490 kilograms (3,285 pounds). That's more than impressive given that the standard M3 (U.S.-spec model) weighs in at 1,680kg (3,704 lbs).

As a track focused model, the M3 GTS has been prepared for installation of 6-point seatbelts for use on the race track while there are also mounts for the roll-over protective structure bolted on from the B column plus a fire extinguisher and a battery master switch/emergency shut-off preparation.

Which brings us to the heart of the M3 GTS; the engine bay. The serial production M3 gets a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter V8 engine pumping out 420HP. For the M3 GTS, BMW's M department enlarged the displacement of the V8 to 4.4-liters thus promising an output of around 450 horsepower. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 7-speed M dual clutch transmission with adapted shift characteristics.

BMW says that it intends to shatter the lap time of the iconic M3 CSL on the Nürburgring Nordschleife with the M3 GTS. "The test runs certainly give grounds for optimism," the firm said in a statement.

We're still waiting for BMW to release performance figures and more technical details on the new M3 GTS, but we can tell you that the price of the custom ordered model is expected to be €115,000 (US $170,000) for delivery in Germany, including 19% VAT.

BMW said that the first examples are due to be supplied in Germany in May 2010 while according to current planning, registrations in other countries will be possible from Summer 2010.

[STFU]

jeeez for that price you could buy a CSL or LTW plus a fucking yacht

[slim]

BMW is looking at a new M model below the M3, according to highly placed sources from inside the firm’s M division, who suggest the new car has been favoured over a BMW supercar.

Based on the next-gen 1-series, the new car will be designed to introduce younger customers to new M cars. It would compete with cars such as the next-generation Audi S3, with pricing starting at around £32,000.

“We’re conscious that our existing customers are gravitating towards larger and more expensive models such as the X5/X6 M,” said an M division source. “We’re looking at ways to attract new customers to the brand, and an entry-level model is part of those plans.”

Among the new car’s biggest backers is newly installed BMW M division boss Kay Segler. The former head of brand management at Mini, he has experience with fast, compact two-doors: he oversaw the introduction of the Mini Cooper S and Cooper S Works.

Asked whether BMW’s M division was considering producing a sports car to go up against the Audi R8, Mercedes SLS and Porsche’s 911 Turbo, Autocar’s source said, “Such a project would fit nicely with our operations and would be greatly accepted by the engineers. But the priority right now is a more affordable model underneath the M3.”

The car is likely to be based on the next 135i, meaning it will use a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight six producing around 330bhp. And BMW may well revive the M1 badge for the car.

[malachi]

jeeez for that price you could buy a CSL or LTW plus a fucking yacht

911 GT3 RS -- AND a used M3 for daily driving

[Bug]

[hweight]

nothing wrong with a minivan; I lived in one for a while. I miss that sumbitch sometimes, usually when I'm a bit overserved and would like a warm, comfy place to sleep.

[hweight]

Dodge Viper? Daffy Duck?

[slim]

Motor from new Mercedes SLS Gullwing

[hweight]

Motor from new Mercedes SLS Gullwing

Is this the car enthusiast's version of a centerfold? Cause I don't see anything that looks like a blooming flower . . .

[pmahnn]

It's more dissection...perhaps a car enthusiasts version of a photo from an A&P book.