November 26, 2008

BMW Performance Goes Online: 1-Series and 3-Series Get First Upgrades

ARTICLE TOOLS        | E-MailPrint Subscribe

Send an e-mail to colleagues Please fill out the form below to send a link to this story to your colleagues.
Your Name:	Your E-mail:
Colleagues' E-mail (Separate each address with comma):
Message: (Max. 500 chars.)
Enter the verification code as it is shown below without spaces. (Not case-sensitive) Enter Code: What's this? Image Code Verification Automated programs can't "read" the code you see in the box: only humans can. When you enter this code, it ensures that your order is going to a real person. If you don't see an image, make sure your browser is set to display images and try again. If you're not sure what the code is, make your best guess. If you're incorrect, you'll get another chance to enter a different code on the next screen. Close
CANCEL

MUNICH, GERMANY – BMW has released a video on its Web site promoting its new ‘BMW Performance’ range of accessories, which is designed to allow customers to purchase factory-backed performance and aesthetic upgrades for their cars. There is now a full list of accessories online about the new BMW Performance range. One of the more interesting accessories listed is an F1-style racing wheel displaying gear-shift lights, lap times, and a host of other motorsport-related data, according to www.motorauthority.com.

The Web site video shows a 1-Series Coupe decked in racing white alongside a white 3-Series. The Web site also reveals that the 1-Series and the 3-Series will be the first to benefit from the new accessories, with other models to hopefully follow later.

For the 1-Series, BMW is offering a full bodykit that increases downforce and improves handling, including a carbon-fiber rear diffuser, a new front grille, a carbon-fiber front splitter, and a roof spoiler, rear spoiler, and side mirrors, all made from carbon fiber. The 3-Series forgoes the carbon roof spoiler and mirrors, but also gets the carbon front splitter and rear diffuser.

Both the 1-Series and 3-Series get upgraded six-piston aluminum fixed calipers painted in yellow and grooved cross-drilled discs to up the braking power. Both models also get chassis and suspension upgrades, including ultra-stiff shock absorbers, suspension struts, and anti-roll bars, plus a carbon fiber suspension cross-brace, as well as lighter wheels to reduce corner weights further, according to www.motorauthority.com.

In the cockpit, aluminum pedals and an Alcantara-swathed gearknob are available on both models, along with various carbon-fiber accents to give the interior a sporty feel. Apart from the short-shifter and racing seats that we reported on earlier, a new F1-style racing wheel is available with a three-section display built into the top of the wheel. This allows drivers to call up a variety of motorsport-related data and functions, including lap times, split times, maximum acceleration, and speed, and the time taken for the quarter-mile sprint. It also shows gear shift indicator prompts, water, and oil temperature readings, and figures for straight-line and lateral acceleration.

[ Request more info about this product/service/company ]

Request More Info Fill out the form below to request more info regarding the company/product/service featured in the story.
* Name:	Company:
* E-mail:	Phone:
Preferred contact method: EmailPhone
I would like info on the following:
Enter the verification code as it is shown below without spaces. (Not case-sensitive) Enter Code: What's this? Image Code Verification Automated programs can't "read" the code you see in the box: only humans can. When you enter this code, it ensures that your order is going to a real person. If you don't see an image, make sure your browser is set to display images and try again. If you're not sure what the code is, make your best guess. If you're incorrect, you'll get another chance to enter a different code on the next screen. Close
CANCEL