Video: BMW F1 Mechanic Gets Electro Shock

A member of the BMW Sauber F1 team received one hell of a shock when the squad’s test driver Christian Klien pulled into the pits in the modified F1.07C after a test run at Jerez. As soon as the mechanic touched the F1 car that was equipped with the experimental Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) he received an electric shock that knocked him off his feet –literally. Luckily, the mechanic didn’t sustain any serious injuries.

“During testing of the KERS car at the Jerez track this morning, there was an incident involving a mechanic,” a BMW Sauber spokesman explained. “When the car returned to the pits, he touched it and suffered an electric shock. He sustained slight injuries to his left hand and grazing on his left arm.” -Watch the video after the jump

Via: Worldcarfans

Video: 2009 BMW 3-Series Sedan & Touring Facelift

We’re wrapping up our story on the 2009 3-Series facelift with BMW’s official video footage that includes exterior, interior and driving shots of both the Sedan and Touring models. Due to make its public debut at the Paris Auto Show in early October, the facelifted 3-Series features a subtly redesigned front and rear end along with minor tweaks in the interior. Click here to read our story and see the official images of the new BMW 3-Series or follow the jump to check out the videos. -Continued

BMW 3-Series Sedan

BMW 3-Series Touring

Video: BMW M3 ALMS Racing Version

BMW has released footage of the all new racing version of the M3 Coupe completing its maiden drive on the race track. The race prepped BMW M3 that was first shown to the public at this year’s Chicago Auto Show (see details here) has been designed to compete in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) beginning in 2009. Wider and significantly lighter than its production equivalent, the M3 ALMS is powered by a modified version the M3’s 4.0-liter V8 engine delivering 485 HP. -Video after the jump

Video: BMW Unveils New 7-Series in a Gigantic Hourglass in Moscow

To mark the launch of the all-new 7 Series, BMW presented its flagship model with a unique installation on the Red Square in Moscow, Russia. The Bavarian carmaker placed a real-life 2009 7-Series in a gigantic hourglass, which at almost twelve meters high (40 feet), is the largest in the world. The hourglass was filled with thousands of shiny balls that gradually fell down thus revealing BMW’s flagship model. See the video of the presentation that includes a mini interview with BMW Group’s head designer Chris Bangle after the jump. -Continued

New BMW 7-Series Video: Driving & Static Shots

BMW unveiled the fifth generation of its flagship 7 Series sedan that will be introduced to the public for the first time at the forthcoming Paris Auto Show in October with European sales following shortly (U.S. market debut in spring 2009). With looks partially inspired from the CS Concept, the new 7-Series features a less controversial design than its predecessor and plenty of technical innovations such as rear-wheel steering, night vision and turbocharged 6-cylinder and V8 engines. Follow the jump for the video or click here for pictures and details. -Continued

BMW M3 Convertible TV Ad Mocks Mercedes SL

Our friend Henri discovered this BMW M3 Convertible German TV spot that takes a direct hit on the Mercedes-Benz SL by making it look like a boring roadster that’s good enough only for romance. It’s not the first time that BMW attempts to show the qualities of its cars by comparing them with the opposition. As you might remember, a couple of weeks ago we showed you the BMW X3 TV ad that ridicules American SUVs –click here. Check out the BMW M3 TV advert right after the jump. -Continued

Nostalgia: 1970’s Videos of the BMW M1 Procar in Monaco and the Nurburgring

Last weekend’s presentation of the BMW M1 Homage Concept (see here) prompted us to perform a search on the original M1’s history and in particular, its racing heritage. Our hunt led us to the discovery of two, nostalgic late-1970’s videos of the M1 Procar racing version, one from the Procar Series in Monaco and another one with the M1 lapping the famous Nurburgring race track.

The peppy M1 Procar edition featured among other things, a modified version of the M88 6-cylinder unit with new camshafts, larger valves, forged pistons, optimized flow ducts, slides instead of throttle butterflies and a modified exhaust system boosting, all of which helped boost output to 470–490 Hp. Weighing in at a mere 1,020 kg or 2,248 lbs, the M1 Procar had a top speed of approximately 310 km/h (192 mph). –Video after the jump

Video: BMW’s Head Designer Shows us the M1 Homage Concept

After seeing all the pictures this past weekend (click here for the high-res image gallery), it was about time we saw footage of BMW’s M1 Concept that draws its inspiration from the Bavarian carmaker’s homonymous 1970’s supercar. In this first video (we’ll show you another one later on), BMW’s Designer Director, Adrian van Hooydonk “talks his way around” the M1 Homage Concept at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2008.

BMW X3 Ad Makes Fun of American Truck Based SUVs

This BMW X3 TV commercial gave us a good laugh today with its overly sarcastic humor. It depicts a guy driving an American SUV (it looks like a GM model) who suddenly hits the brakes only to see the body of his vehicle flying away thus uncovering the truck hidden beneath it. Now if only we had to show you a countermeasure ad featuring the BMW X3 attempting to go off-road… –Video after the jump

BMW Performance Parts Promo Video Featuring the 1-Series Coupe

Pictures are nice but we are aware that most of you would like to see a BMW pimped with the Bavarian carmaker's newly launched Performance Parts Accessories in live action so here's the official promo video featuring the 1-Series Coupe (most probably the 135i). The Performance Parts range was previewed through the 1-Series Coupe tii concept (Pics here, Video here) at the 2007 Tokyo Motorshow. Available for both 1 and 3 Series models, it includes upgrades to the engine, braking system, suspension and alloy wheels, as well as interior and exterior enhancements. -Video after the jump

Video: BMW PAS Fastback Prototype Scooped

BMW calls it the PAS which stands for Progressive Activity Sedan; we prefer to call it a 5-Series fastback with a tad of SUV and MPV elements. Anyway you call it, the PAS is yet another attempt from BMW to broaden its line-up with an all-new model following the X6 and it will go into production in 2009 or 2010. The PAS will be based on the underpinings of the 5-Series, so we should expect more or less the same engine range. As Autocar rightfully points out in the spy video, we’ll probably get a glimpse of the car in the form of a concept either this year at the Paris Show in September or maybe in Detroit next year. -See the video after the jump

Via: Youtube , Source: Autocar

Video: BMW M1 History

The first creation of BMW’s “M” division was the iconic M1 model which was built in just 451 examples between the years of 1978 and 1981. The first and only mid-engined BMW was developed in association with Lamborghini and designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The M1 employed a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter straight 6 engine delivering 277 PS and it could reach a top speed of 260 km/h or 162 mph. When it went on sale in Germany in 1978, the M1 cost about 100,000 DM (approx. $45,000). -See the video after the jump

Breaking: 2008 BMW X6 Production Version Video!

Now here’s something that no one here at CarScoop was expecting: an official promotional video featuring the production version of the BMW X6 crossover concept! We have no idea whether this video was prematurely leaked or not -it wasn’t on BMW’s official press site the last time we checked though so we're guessing it's a crack in the Bavarian dam, but who cares!

In comparison with the concept that was previewed at the Frankfurt show in September (click here & here), the only notable differences seem to be the visible B and C-Pillars, the larger exterior mirrors and the new exhaust pipe outlets. We’ll have more on this story as it evolves throughout the day.

Via: Germancarzone –Thanks for the tip Jeff!

Video: BMW M6 vs Lamborghini Gallardo

Can’t say that BMW M6 driver didn’t try, but fact is that he got totally pwned by his fellow “night driver” in the yellow Lamborghini Gallardo. Actually he got pwned twice as you can see in the second video right after the jump... -Continued

Thanks for the tip Jurgen!

BMW M3 CSL Supercharged Laps The Nurburgring In 7min 22.8 sec!

Yes, that’s 7 minutes and 22.8 seconds or 5 seconds faster than the Pagani Zonda F Clubsport (7:22.82 - see video here)! The car that managed to shame the Zonda is a 2003 BMW M3 CSL fine tuned by the owner Anders Fransson while the driver was Swedish racing star Richard Göransson. Dubbed “Loaded”, the M3 CSL is equipped with a Vortech watercooled supercharger that sends 532.7 HP to the rear-wheels. -Continued after the jump

"The changes made on the car are not that advanced really. It has a supercharger, a rollcage for safety, the weight has been reduced and it has other brakes and suspension. It is an amazing feeling to be able to beat supercars like the Koenigsegg CCR, Pagani Zonda F and Porsche Carrera GT with our M3 CSL," said Fransson.

What’s even more impressive though is that the car’s owner, Anders Fransson will sell the supercharged BMW M3 CSL through a unique bid via the site bid2aid.com. "It works in the way that the person placing the lowest unique bid gets the car. That means you could place a bid of 2 euro and get the car! It is a great chance for enthusiasts and others to get this very special car for a very special price! It is also a good way for us to repay everyone for all the support we have received in this project," said Fransson.

May the lowest bidder win –whatever than means…

Facts: "Loaded"

The car is approved and inspected by TüV. The engine, with supercharger, produce around 530 rear wheel horse power and is prepared by ESS Tuning in Norway. Brakes and dampers are upgraded and a rollcage has been fitted for safety. The weight of the car has been reduced with carbonfibre parts like the bonnet, fenders, bumpers, doors and roof. Aerodynamic aids like a rear wing and front splitter are mounted to make the car more stable at high speeds.

The modifications and fine tuning have been done by BMW-guru Tom Schirmer at Schirmer Race Engineering in Germany.

BMW M3 CSL E46 2003/07

Weight: 1427 kg, with driver and 30L fuel.
Engine: 3.2 liter straight six with 10,5:1 compression. Vortech watercooled supercharger, extra oilcooling, modified fuelsystem with catchtank.
Output: 532,71 rwhp / 0.85bar / 98 octane
Torque: 483,67 nm / 0.85bar / 98 octane
Driveline: 3:91 differential, sachs sinter clutchkit, 6-speed SMGII gearbox.
Brakes: AP Racing calipers, Performance Friction (PFC) discs and PFC racepads.
Wheels (front): BBS 10x18 ET 40, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup R 265/35/18, 15mm spacer.
Wheels (rear): BBS 11x18 ET 35, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup R 295/30/18, 12mm spacer.
Exhaustsystem: Supersprint lightweight racingsystem with racecats.
Exterior: Carbonfibre hood, boot, roof and fenders.
Interior: Recaro Pole Position raceseats with 6-point harness. FIA-approved lightweight rollcage.

Via: Autoblog.it , Source: Loaded

BMW Concept 1-Series Tii Tokyo Show Presentation Video

Isn’t it a darn shame that BMW decided not to equip the Tokyo Show 1-Series Coupe Tii Concept with a powertrain? Car shows are all about pipe dreaming; tell a lie and say that it’s fitted with a prototype twin-turbocharged, 250Hp 4cylinder engine. What’s the good in just saying that it features lightweight materials, optimised aerodynamics and a race-inspired interior if you know that the car is an empty dummy? For details and high-res images of the 1-Series Coupe Tii click here.

BMW 135i Coupe TV Commercial

If you’re waiting to see Bimmer’s newest coupe showing off its 306 Hp turbocharged engine or its road handling capabilities in this TV commercial, get ready to be disappointed. The Bavarians chose to show a man getting in a 135i Coupe that’s being built in the factory. The guy is so impressed by the car that he doesn’t care less about the machines working around him. We know that the 135i Coupe will be bought by many people as a status symbol on wheels, but what’s wrong with a traditional ad showing a guy racing the coupe around the Nurburgring track?

2008 BMW E90 M3 Sedan Commercial

Here’s a brand-new online ad for the just released 2008 BMW M3 E90 Sedan (see images here and promo video here). Four pilots take the new M3 Sedan for a straight-line acceleration test. Once completed, the coordinator kindly asks the pilots to abort the car but… -well, let’s not spoil the surprise. One of the funniest commercials BMW has made in a while.

Via: Autoblog.it

Video: 2008 BMW M3 Sedan 420Hp

BMW’s answer to the Audi RS4 and Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG (click here for the video) comes in the form of the M3 Sedan which is equipped with the M3 Coupe’s normally aspirated 4.0-liter V8 engine delivering an output of 420 Hp. According to the Bavarian carmaker, the M3 Sedan sprints from zero to 100km/h - 62mph in 4.9 seconds (0.1 seconds slower than the M3 Coupé), while its top speed is electronically governed at 155mph- 250 km/h. Check out our previous post on the E90 M3 Sedan that includes a high-res image gallery by clicking here.

Video: 2008 BMW 1-Series Convertible

BMW has officially launched the fourth model in the 1-Series range, the 1-Series Convertible which is expected to go on sale on both sides of the Atlantic in spring 2008. Equipped with an electro hydraulic operated soft top that closes within 22 seconds, the 1-Series Convertible will be available in the US in two guises, the 128i which receives a 3.0-liter, 230 Hp inline six-cylinder engine and the 135i with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 300 Hp. European’s will get a broader range that includes apart from the 135i, the 125i (3.0L, 218 Hp), 120i (2.0L, 170 Hp), 118i (1.8L, 143 Hp) and the 120d (2.0L diesel, 177 Hp). You might also want to check out our BMW 135i Coupe Video by clicking here