Hamann BMW 3-Series Convertible: Power Boost For 320i, 325i, 330i, 330d and 335i

Hamann Motorsports revealed today its latest performance package for the 2008 BMW 3-Series Convertible consisting of an aerodynamic kit, engine upgrades for all models, new alloy wheels, suspension components and interior enhancements. Just for the record and even though Hamann didn’t go haywire this time, in our opinion, the aero pack and especially the rice-racer boot-spoiler, somewhat distort the 3-Series’ sexy lines. But whatev.

Mechanically, Hamann recalibrates the standard ECU in all versions boosting power in the 320i by 10Hp to 180Hp, in the 325i by 13 Hp to 231 Hp, in the 330i by 17 Hp to 287 Hp, in the 335i by 37 Hp to 343 Hp and finally in the 330d by 41Hp to 272 Hp. -Press release and high-res images after the jump

BMW 3-Series Convertible By HAMANN

• Sportier aerodynamic kit
• Power boost for 320i, 325i, 330i, 330d and 335i
• Three different wheel designs in 18-20 inch, lowered suspension and improved brakes
• Stylish interior with sports steering wheel, aluminium parts and carbon fibre

July 20, 2007- HAMANN from Laupheim, Germany, has already begun with modifications for the youngest 3-Series Convertible. An aerodynamic kit, power boost, new wheels, suspension components, as well stylish interior enhances the sporty elegant features and improves driving performance of this Bavarian beauty.

Power boost for gas engines and diesels

HAMANN boosts the power in this Convertible by means of optized curved maps. Meaning, the electronic power boost is achieved by recalibrating the standard ECU. The four-cylinder model 320i receives HAMANN’s boost of 10 HP / 7 kW and 10 Nm torque. Enough to speed up the 320i to 233 km/h (standard: 228). The six-cylinder gas engines 325i and 330i experience a plus of 13 HP / 10 kW and 17 HP/ 12 kW and both about 25 Nm torque as well. Top speed climbs to 250, respectively 265 km/h (standard: 325i 245 km/h, 330i 250 km/h). Included in price for the 330i is deactivation of 250 km/h speed restriction.

Likewise the 335i receives a power boost from 37 HP / 27 kW and an impressive 279 km/h top speed. For easier “breathing” capabilities of the 6-cylinder model HAMANN offers a sport air filter. For the current diesel model 330d customers can expect a significant power boost of 272 HP/ 200 kW making possible a top speed of 256 km/h (standard: 245) and 600 Nm at 2000 rpm/min.

By fitting a HAMANN 4-pipe sports rear muffler with four round tailpipes, the 335i publicizes it’s power. The four stainless steel tailpipes, each 76mm in diameter, make the rear end of this Convertible even more attractive.

Powerful sport aerodynamics

BMW tailored beautiful body-work for the 3-series Convertible. HAMANN provides customers a even more individual look with specially powerful enhancement. Fitted to the standard bumper is a new, distinctive sportier looking HAMANN designed front spoiler. The visual lowering effect created by the new side sills, lend the side view more character. The buoyancy reducing rear spoiler in combination with the new HAMANN rear center molding designed for conjunction with the HAMANN 4-pipe sport muffler, incorporates matching cutouts for the tailpipes and is a real eye-catcher. Fitted black Carbon-Kevlar mirror caps lends the HAMANN 3-Series Convertible that final polished look.

Wheels from 18 to 20-inches

HAMANN really goes to town when it comes to wheels. Three unique individual designs and three sizes from 18 to 20 inch make selection difficult. A multispoke design is featured in the single-piece rim “Anniversary I” is available in ‘silver’ finish and features an outer rim with an INOX steel lip. HAMANN offers it in 18, 19 and 20 inch versions. The wheel PG3 is a multiple five-spoke composite wheel in silver with a high-gloss polished rim flange. Here customers can choose between sizes 19 and 20 inches. Unquestionably, 20 inch wheels suit the customized 3-Series Convertible best. HAMANN offers this size as top model design “Edition Race”.

The appearance of this three piece, ultra-lightweight, forged rim is a cross-spoke design with a black spider characterized by the 9 main spokes, each of which branches outwards into 2 further spokes. Following this exciting design, the titanium bolts are a particularly attention-getting design. The high-gloss rim flange adds the finishing touch to this stylish look. Typical wheel / tire combination in 20 inch: Edition Race: front 8,5 J x 20 / rear 10,0 J x 20 – 235/30 ZR 20 / 285/25 ZR 20 PG3: front and rear 8,5 J x 20 – 235/30 ZR 20 Anniversary I: front and rear 9,0 J x 20 235/30 ZR 20 Choice of combination with wider rear axle tires is possible for all 19 and 20 inch versions from Anniversary I and PG3 as in the case of Edition Race wheels as well. HAMANN provides advice as requested regarding all possible combinations.

Better handling and powerful gripping brakes

By fitting a suspension lowering kit comprising of four progressive suspension struts, HAMANN succeeds in lowering the vehicle’s center of gravity by 35 mm front and by 20 mm rear. For vehicles with sport suspension tuning systems from stock, that’s still around 15 mm. In both cases, a clearly better handling results. Among race drives it is said “races are won on the brakes”. For those who prefer to use somewhat more rapid acceleration, HAMANN program suggests powerful gripping brakes for security purposes!

Interior designed with numerable accessories creates an even more pleasurable stay in HAMANN’s 3-Series Cabrio. Thanks to the three-spoke HAMANN airbag sports steering wheel, the driver’s hands always hold the reins securely. A sporty flair is added by the decorative carbon-fiber components, which HAMANN fits to the dashboard, center console, ashtray trim, doors, steering wheel, gearshift knob, handbrake lever and the I-Drive-Controller. HAMANN adds further sporty nuances in the form of sport gearshift knobs (in aluminum or leather/aluminum), aluminum pedals, an aluminum handbrake lever and an aluminum footrest. An exclusive set of floor mats sporting the HAMANN logo in silver rounds off the interior offerings.

Of course, HAMANN customizes every 3-Series to individual customer requests. For example, luxurious leather upholsteries in a variety of colors are possible, as are extensive multimedia conversions featuring DVD player, TV or PlayStation.

Ads: "Fiat Stilo with Skywindow - The largest sunroof you have ever seen"

Marketed as a direct rival to the VW Golf, the Fiat Stilo was what we’d call a complete disappointment, but you can’t blame the Italians for a lack of creativity in their ads. Here Fiat shows off the Stilo’s glass sunroof. -Continued after the jump

Via: Autoblog.nl.

Bikini Washing Video: Beware, Slippery When Wet...

In theory, this video should cause a chuckle or two, but after seeing that arse vibrating like a Holley carb on a Hemi V8 we quickly surpassed the funny ending and started the video clip from the beginning to get a second taste of those killer butt-cheeks.

Frankfurt Show: 2008 Mitsubishi Colt

Along with the all new, Lancer and Lancer EVO X, Mitsubishi will also reveal the 2008 model-year Colt at the Frankfurt Show in September. There’s nothing worth to get excited about though as Mitsubishi simply enhanced the Colt range with new metallic colour offerings, revised interior trim, new 15 and 16-inch alloy wheel designs and improved standard equipment.

Simultaneously, Mitsubishi will add a new pan-European special edition version to the Colt range featuring among others, black headlamps, blacked-out A-, B- and C-pillars, black dashboard and door trim panels and 16-inch alloy wheels. Apparently, the special edition variant will carry a different name in every country since Mitsubishi did not refer to it in the press release. -Full press release and high-res image gallery after the jump

Mitsubishi Motors Europe @ 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show

- 2008 Colt: fine-tuning -

Confirming its best-seller status for Mitsubishi Motors in the region, Colt has started its fourth year in the European market with some fine-tuning to be announced at the forthcoming 62^nd Frankfurt Motor Show.

Success

With 205,561 cars (3-door, 5-door and coupé-cabriolet included) sold between the initial launch of Spring of 2004 and May 2007 - therefore covering three successive fiscal years – New Colt has successfully re-established the “Colt” nameplate in many a major European market, like Italy (9,122 units for CY2006 / + 8% in Europe’s largest B-segment market) or Germany (20,129 sales for CY2006 where it commands a 3.5% market share in the segment).

With most of these sales being conquest - since Mitsubishi Motors did not have any model in this sector before - Colt’s performance (81.504 sales for CY2006 or +12.7%) is even more remarkable. More so as the B-segment is one the toughest in Europe, involving all the mega-budget big players and driven by the introduction of new models.

As a further evidence, in B-segment-orientated Southern Europe, Colt sales increased in Spain by 24.3% during CY2006, with the sporty 3-door variant representing 45% of the total.

Mid-point

Representing nearly 30% of Mitsubishi Motors Europe sales, this CO² friendly range remains an essential pillar for the dealer network to attract newcomers to the Brand (over 70% conquest rate – 2006 data) and also to retain existing multi-motorized Mitsubishi customers looking for a smaller vehicle to second their Pajero, their L200 or their Grandis.

Action

Capitalizing on this success, Mitsubishi Motors has committed investment for short- and mid-term actions to enhance Colt’s appeal with (further) potential customers:

Short-term:

• The Colt family now benefits from several trim, equipment and color changes:
• New 15” and 16” alloy wheels*
• New metallic colors (Sparkling Black, Cranberry Red, Glamour Grey)
• New seat fabrics (black/red -3-door only-, grey -5-door only- or black*)
• New translucent elements colour (grey instead of blue)
• New shift boot colour (black instead of blue)
• Auto light and rain sensor available for high grades

At the same time, Colt will welcome a new pan-European special action model available with both the 3 door and 5 door bodystyle*. Sporty in spirit, as it suits Mitsubishi Motors products, these latest limited editions will feature:

• Black headlamps
• Darkened rear combination lamp reflectors
• Blacked-out A-, B- and C-pillars
• Privacy glass (5-door only)
• Black side sills and lower section of bumpers (5-door only)
• Rear roof spoiler (3-door only)
• New 16” alloy wheels
• Front fog lamps
• Rain sensor
• Auto headlamps
• MP3 functionality
• Unique seat fabric
• Black dashboard and door trim panels
• Black perforated leather for steering wheel and M/T shift knob

Available in the two new colors (metallic Cranberry Red and metallic Glamour Grey) as well as metallic Lunar Silver and solid Porcelaine White, these new variants will be offered with all Colt powertrains (1.1 / 75 ps, 1.3 / 95 ps, 1.5/109 ps, 1.5 DiD / 95 ps), except the 1.5 Turbo, and in both manual and AllshiftÔ automated manual** gearboxes.

As a reminder, such limited editions have been used pro-actively by all Mitsubishi distributors and dealers throughout Europe to create local special action models, accounting for over 20% of the Colt volume in average.

Mid-term lastly, a significant booster will be unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. Stay tuned…

Zhonghua Brilliance M3 Coupe 1.8T 170Hp

Remember the Zhonghua Brilliance M3 Coupe, a pre-production version of which was previewed at the Geneva Show earlier this year? Well, the M3 Coupe, known in Europe as the BC3 for obvious reasons, was fully revealed at the Changchun car fair in China. Equipped with a Mitsubishi derived, 1.8-liter turbo engine delivering 170 Hp, M3 Coupe accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under 10,0 sec and it reaches a maximum speed of 210 km/h (131mph). Prices in China start off from €16.000 - $22.000 but expect the BC3 to cost a tad more when sales start in Europe next year -that is if ADAC stays put avoiding any embarrassing crash tests… -More pics after the jump

Via: Motorpasion , Pics: Autohome

Quiz: How The Heck Do You Manage To Drop A Peugeot 206 CC?

Obviously the driver in the Peugeot 206 CC wasn’t speeding –if he did, he would’ve just smashed the car into the building. But then again, if he was going slowly, he either would’ve stopped the car right before it fell, or in the worse scenario, he would’ve just got the two front wheels stuck in the hole. You don’t say someone… dropped in there? Totally weird. -More pictures of the accident after the jump

Pics via: homeofmuppets

2008 BMW X6 SUV-Coupe Spied With Minimum Camouflage

For the first time ever, BMW’s radical X6 crossover has been caught by Autobilde’s spy photographers wearing nothing more than duck tape thus finally revealing its kinky-styled rear-end which was always covered up until now. Thanks’ to the apocalyptic pictures we get a clear view of what to expect next year when the X6 goes into production at BMW’s North American plant. More of a 5-door sporty hatchback with extended ground clearance than your usual crossover / SUV, the X6 is destined to create a havoc in BMW forums with its appearance.

Based on the second generation X5 SUV, the X6 will be less practicable and spacious but it promises to offer even sportier driving dynamics and of course, more distinct styling. By the look of things, BMW is set to create an all-new niche segment with the X6. -Continued after the jump

Pics via: Autobilde