BMW Manufacturing Co. will be featured on the National Geographic Channel’s television show “Ultimate Factories,” in an episode airing at 9 p.m. Thursday.
The program focuses on the building of the Z4 Roadster at its birthplace in Spartanburg and the production of its in-line V6 engine at two of BMW’s high-tech plants in Munich and Landshut, Germany.
The show also highlights BMW Manufacturing Co.’s landfill gas-to-energy project, which siphons methane gas from rotting trash at the Palmetto Landfill in Spartanburg and provides the plant with 63 percent of its power while reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Upstate by an estimated 60,000 tons per year.
“The ’Ultimate Factories’ series features icons of industry and focuses on processes of interest,” said Chris Valentini, producer for the National Geographic Channel. “We selected the BMW Spartanburg plant and the making of the Z4 Roadster because of the BMW name brand and the incredible technology designed to make this vehicle.
“As for working with BMW, it was great. They are top-notch professionals and really helped us with the research for this show.”
The Spartanburg plant has 4,500 associates and 500 robots that produce about 600 vehicles a day.
Since its inception in 1993, the plant has more than doubled in size to 2.5 million square feet and represents about $3.3 billion in investment for BMW.
“I received a contact about eight months ago from National Geographic as they were fishing around for factories for the show,” said Bobby Hitt, BMW Manufacturing Co.’s manager of public affairs. “They came in and scoped out a plan and then spent about a week filming at the beginning of the summer.”
Hitt said he hasn’t seen the final cut, but he has viewed a rough draft of the show featuring his plant and believes the area’s TV audience will be pleased.
“The episode shows what goes on at the ground level in one of the world’s most sophisticated automotive factories,” he said.
The show should whet the appetite of car enthusiasts around the country who haven’t had the chance to view the facility since its public tours were halted in June, so it could prepare to ramp up production by focusing on building high-volume sports activity vehicles and add a new vehicle, the X6, to its lineup.
The episode also will send off the Z4 roadster in style, as BMW announced in August it would shift production of that model from Spartanburg to a plant in Regensburg, Germany.
Hitt said the Z4’s move will be made with the next model changeover.
“It’s pretty terrific,” Hitt said. National Geographic “is a well-known, quality channel, and everything they do seems to have a long shelf life. I think it’s terribly exciting.”
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
In the Autoblog Garage: BMW 335i Convertible
Thanksgiving is when I put the snow tires back on the cars. Here in New England, you never know what's going to happen; we've had our first snowfall already. Freezing temperatures also tend to herald the end of convertible season, though there still may be one or two Indian Summer days where dropping the top without freezing your earlobes is possible. Sadly, the BMW 335i convertible left our driveway long before the first frost, leaving us only memories.
The Thanksgiving holiday also heralds the beginning of the special hell that is the holiday shopping season. Don't know what to get that special someone? Drawing a blank when composing your wish list? Pencil this in: BMW 335i Convertible. Done and done.
It's all true. The decades of rhapsodic prose about BMW's 3-Series is on the mark. That goes nearly double for the coupe. The 335i is the automotive canvas where flame surfacing came of age. None of the awkwardness of the 3-Series sedan made it to the coupe. The lines are clean and taut, and the way reflections are controlled is beautiful instead of busy. This low, muscular design looks particularly evil rolling down the road, and the angry slant of the headlamps keeps the left lane clear for you.
The Thanksgiving holiday also heralds the beginning of the special hell that is the holiday shopping season. Don't know what to get that special someone? Drawing a blank when composing your wish list? Pencil this in: BMW 335i Convertible. Done and done.
It's all true. The decades of rhapsodic prose about BMW's 3-Series is on the mark. That goes nearly double for the coupe. The 335i is the automotive canvas where flame surfacing came of age. None of the awkwardness of the 3-Series sedan made it to the coupe. The lines are clean and taut, and the way reflections are controlled is beautiful instead of busy. This low, muscular design looks particularly evil rolling down the road, and the angry slant of the headlamps keeps the left lane clear for you.
BMW M3 CSL Supercharged sets new record on the ring- WOWSwedish racing star Richard Göransson once more took place behind the wheel of the project car
Swedish racing star Richard Göransson once more took place behind the wheel of the project car "Loaded", and drove lap around the Nürburgring Nordschleife that puts supercars like the Koenigsegg, Pagani and Porsche in the shade. With the time of 7 minutes 22.8 seconds around the 20.6 kilometer long track he was over five seconds faster than the original target of 7 minutes 28 seconds.
22 November 2007An ICON Award for a BMW iconA great motorcycle is...
A great motorcycle is only as good as its rider, and fortunately many of the world's most passionate riders insist on buying BMW bikes for their 'sheer riding pleasure'. All over the globe BMW owners can be seen riding across countries and even continents just to see how far they can go and to discover what is around the next corner.
Legendary riders such as Norwegian Helge Pedersen travelled over 250,000 miles - more than ten times the actual distance around the world - on his trusty GS during his ten-year journey across five continents. And Argentinean rider Emilio Scotto travelled a massive 460,000 miles (the equivalent of a round trip to the moon) from 1985 to 1995 through 279 countries. But surely there can't be many riders who can claim to have ridden more than a million miles� or can there?
Several years ago, BMW owner Dave Swisher became the first motorcyclist in the world to ride one million miles (1.6-million kilometres) on BMW bikes - an incredible achievement in itself - but he has obviously been spending a lot more time in the saddle since then as he has recently clocked up a staggering 1,400,000 miles (2,250,000 km). To put this in perspective, this is the equivalent of riding for 973 days and nights (or over two-and-a-half years) at a constant speed of 60 mph (100 km/h).
BMW Motorrad USA's Laurence Kuykendall - who had presented David with the very first Million Mile Award ever given under the BMW Motorcycles High Mileage Award programme - returned to give David a very special 'BMW Icon' award in recognition of his latest amazing achievement.
"We always try to recognise riders whose loyalty to the BMW brand complements our relentless pursuit of creating the perfect two-wheeled machine, and until I met David, we'd given hundreds of bronze medallions and certificates to BMW owners who'd proven their dedication to the brand by riding them a minimum of 100,000 miles. Our BMW High Mileage Awards are modelled on the medallions provided by BMW Motorrad in Germany during the 1920s and 30s for high kilometre riders, but when David achieved a million miles, we realised something special would be required because a medallion, however nice, would hardly be enough for such a massive achievement.
"So for that occasion we created a special award using a solar-powered Boxer engine and I had the pleasure of presenting it to David in person. Since then, David has also received his 1,100,000, 1,200,000 and 1,300,000 mile awards, and each one of these awards had to be specially designed, because each milestone was an achievement unprecedented by any other BMW (or other) rider that we know of. But there comes a time when it's not just about how many miles you ride, but what kind of rider you are - and David is one of those motorcyclists whose decency, good spirits and love of riding are an inspiration to others. So, as a direct result of the challenge we faced in keeping up with David, we devised a BMW ICON Award modelled on Ernest Henne - one of the greatest BMW riders ever."
The BMW ICON Award recognises riders who have made unusual or even extraordinary contributions to the BMW motorcycle brand. Hand-cast in bronze by noted Ohio sculptor Ric Stewart, no two ICON Awards are the same, due to the nature of the casting process, and the personalised inscriptions.
David Swisher's BMW ICON Award was presented to him by dealer principal Jeff Massey and BMW Motorrad USA's Laurence Kuykendall at the Virginia-based Morton's BMW Open House event earlier this month. This time, however, the award wasn't just about riding so many miles (as impressive as this is) but also for providing such an inspiration to at least two generations of BMW riders.
Although he is now 77-years-old, David actually began riding BMWs in 1973 at the tender age of 43. His current fleet comprises a pair of K 1100 LT models - one with over 100,000 miles on it and the other with more than 200,000 miles on it. A lifelong dairy and grain farmer who once joked that he "had to sell the cows because they were getting in the way of his riding", David is living proof that age isn't defined by the physical frame but by attitude, which in his case is forever youthful.
Legendary riders such as Norwegian Helge Pedersen travelled over 250,000 miles - more than ten times the actual distance around the world - on his trusty GS during his ten-year journey across five continents. And Argentinean rider Emilio Scotto travelled a massive 460,000 miles (the equivalent of a round trip to the moon) from 1985 to 1995 through 279 countries. But surely there can't be many riders who can claim to have ridden more than a million miles� or can there?
Several years ago, BMW owner Dave Swisher became the first motorcyclist in the world to ride one million miles (1.6-million kilometres) on BMW bikes - an incredible achievement in itself - but he has obviously been spending a lot more time in the saddle since then as he has recently clocked up a staggering 1,400,000 miles (2,250,000 km). To put this in perspective, this is the equivalent of riding for 973 days and nights (or over two-and-a-half years) at a constant speed of 60 mph (100 km/h).
BMW Motorrad USA's Laurence Kuykendall - who had presented David with the very first Million Mile Award ever given under the BMW Motorcycles High Mileage Award programme - returned to give David a very special 'BMW Icon' award in recognition of his latest amazing achievement.
"We always try to recognise riders whose loyalty to the BMW brand complements our relentless pursuit of creating the perfect two-wheeled machine, and until I met David, we'd given hundreds of bronze medallions and certificates to BMW owners who'd proven their dedication to the brand by riding them a minimum of 100,000 miles. Our BMW High Mileage Awards are modelled on the medallions provided by BMW Motorrad in Germany during the 1920s and 30s for high kilometre riders, but when David achieved a million miles, we realised something special would be required because a medallion, however nice, would hardly be enough for such a massive achievement.
"So for that occasion we created a special award using a solar-powered Boxer engine and I had the pleasure of presenting it to David in person. Since then, David has also received his 1,100,000, 1,200,000 and 1,300,000 mile awards, and each one of these awards had to be specially designed, because each milestone was an achievement unprecedented by any other BMW (or other) rider that we know of. But there comes a time when it's not just about how many miles you ride, but what kind of rider you are - and David is one of those motorcyclists whose decency, good spirits and love of riding are an inspiration to others. So, as a direct result of the challenge we faced in keeping up with David, we devised a BMW ICON Award modelled on Ernest Henne - one of the greatest BMW riders ever."
The BMW ICON Award recognises riders who have made unusual or even extraordinary contributions to the BMW motorcycle brand. Hand-cast in bronze by noted Ohio sculptor Ric Stewart, no two ICON Awards are the same, due to the nature of the casting process, and the personalised inscriptions.
David Swisher's BMW ICON Award was presented to him by dealer principal Jeff Massey and BMW Motorrad USA's Laurence Kuykendall at the Virginia-based Morton's BMW Open House event earlier this month. This time, however, the award wasn't just about riding so many miles (as impressive as this is) but also for providing such an inspiration to at least two generations of BMW riders.
Although he is now 77-years-old, David actually began riding BMWs in 1973 at the tender age of 43. His current fleet comprises a pair of K 1100 LT models - one with over 100,000 miles on it and the other with more than 200,000 miles on it. A lifelong dairy and grain farmer who once joked that he "had to sell the cows because they were getting in the way of his riding", David is living proof that age isn't defined by the physical frame but by attitude, which in his case is forever youthful.
Next generation BMW 7-Series details starting to leak- Exclusive details
Now that the X6 concept is out the door, the next vehicle slated for introduction from BMW is the next 7-Series and we’re hearing rumors that it could come as early as the 2008 Geneva auto show in March.
Sources tell the Spies that the next generation will stick to the BMW formula of an evolutionary exterior design change coming after a radical design change like the current model.
If you're hoping for something totally different, you've got another 5-6 year wait.
What WILL be radically different though from the current car is the interior dash layout and control center.
Look for the most sophisticated gadgetry, like night vision 3.0, more exterior cameras than cars should be allowed to have that will survey the perimeter plus secure the car and the most amazing radar cruise control on the planet.
We also hear they have teamed up with a 'Levinson-like' company to bring the next generation of audio/video amazement to the luxury set.
The 7 will also finally get a panoramic roof option ala Mercedes S-Class and the interior material quality will make an Audi A8 look like a Chevy Cavalier.
Well, maybe not that much better but it will be the best in BMW history.
An all new suspension system is being readied and it is supposed to be even more amazing than what's on the market today.
More luxury amenities than humans should be allowed to have are in the mix AND...
The big surprises?
Besides a twin-turbo, 500hp starting base engine?
How about a hybrid version that bests the Lexus LS600h....for LESS money.
The high end luxury segment is going to get even MORE exciting...VERY soon!
Sources tell the Spies that the next generation will stick to the BMW formula of an evolutionary exterior design change coming after a radical design change like the current model.
If you're hoping for something totally different, you've got another 5-6 year wait.
What WILL be radically different though from the current car is the interior dash layout and control center.
Look for the most sophisticated gadgetry, like night vision 3.0, more exterior cameras than cars should be allowed to have that will survey the perimeter plus secure the car and the most amazing radar cruise control on the planet.
We also hear they have teamed up with a 'Levinson-like' company to bring the next generation of audio/video amazement to the luxury set.
The 7 will also finally get a panoramic roof option ala Mercedes S-Class and the interior material quality will make an Audi A8 look like a Chevy Cavalier.
Well, maybe not that much better but it will be the best in BMW history.
An all new suspension system is being readied and it is supposed to be even more amazing than what's on the market today.
More luxury amenities than humans should be allowed to have are in the mix AND...
The big surprises?
Besides a twin-turbo, 500hp starting base engine?
How about a hybrid version that bests the Lexus LS600h....for LESS money.
The high end luxury segment is going to get even MORE exciting...VERY soon!
The BMW Hybrid Car Combines Style And Performance
German automobile manufacturing giant, BMW have announced that within the next four years, their Hybrid car would be in bulk production and sales. This announcement comes in the wake of the environmentally friendly and phenomenally popular Hybrid cars that have been launched by many other car manufacturers.
BMW’s record of innovation and quality that has enriched the automobile world would mean that this development would be another standard setting achievement that others would have to follow.
BMW plans to introduce engines that would run both on hydrogen and petroleum on the 7 series BMW models. Some prototypes are already under trial in various countries and engineers and researchers are getting practical feedback which enables them to keep perfecting their to-be-launched Hybrid car.
It is BMW’s intention to launch a truly environment friendly, high performance and good-looking car.
Instead of using the usual fuels used so far by Hybrid car manufacturers, BMW opted for a hydrogen-petroleum combination in an internal combustion engine. This has entailed much more research and development as such engines require fuel in liquid form.
The problem is to keep the hydrogen sufficiently cool, to prevent evaporation while in the car as well as in transit. BMW claims that it has solved both the problems of keeping the temperature low in the engine as well as a method of transporting hydrogen, which will ensure that it does not evaporate during transit.
BMW sees hydrogen as the fuel of the future for automobiles. It estimates that it will take about a couple of decades before a car can actually be run on hydrogen exclusively. They however claim that this is an achievable goal.
BMW claims that they have been working for the past three decades on technology that could well deliver an engine that can power a car using only hydrogen as fuel. They have already developed a car running on water, one that emits water vapor at the exhaust and are well on the way to a revolutionary solar powered method to wed with water to extract hydrogen fuel.
BMW says that it has chosen hydrogen as a source of power for cars as it offers the best solution to the problem of vehicle emissions causing environmental pollution. Hydrogen does not release dangerous emissions on combustion and causes no damage to the air. It does not deplete any natural resource and can be generated from recyclable sources.
BMW may well be zeroing in on hydrogen fuel extracted from water using solar energy. Such a technology was showcased at the Expo 2000 through the BMW 750 hl prototype exhibited. BMW along with its partners may be lagging behind in the mass production of Hybrid cars, but are certainly in the forefront of the Hydrogen Hybrid technology.
In the very near future, these developments and innovations will benefit all of us. We will also be effecting considerable savings in fuel costs and causing little or no pollution to the atmosphere. It would not mean driving around in little uncomfortable and low powered cars. With cars like the BMW Hybrid, you can expect sophistication, power, elegance and style, without the disadvantage of environmental pollution.
BMW’s record of innovation and quality that has enriched the automobile world would mean that this development would be another standard setting achievement that others would have to follow.
BMW plans to introduce engines that would run both on hydrogen and petroleum on the 7 series BMW models. Some prototypes are already under trial in various countries and engineers and researchers are getting practical feedback which enables them to keep perfecting their to-be-launched Hybrid car.
It is BMW’s intention to launch a truly environment friendly, high performance and good-looking car.
Instead of using the usual fuels used so far by Hybrid car manufacturers, BMW opted for a hydrogen-petroleum combination in an internal combustion engine. This has entailed much more research and development as such engines require fuel in liquid form.
The problem is to keep the hydrogen sufficiently cool, to prevent evaporation while in the car as well as in transit. BMW claims that it has solved both the problems of keeping the temperature low in the engine as well as a method of transporting hydrogen, which will ensure that it does not evaporate during transit.
BMW sees hydrogen as the fuel of the future for automobiles. It estimates that it will take about a couple of decades before a car can actually be run on hydrogen exclusively. They however claim that this is an achievable goal.
BMW claims that they have been working for the past three decades on technology that could well deliver an engine that can power a car using only hydrogen as fuel. They have already developed a car running on water, one that emits water vapor at the exhaust and are well on the way to a revolutionary solar powered method to wed with water to extract hydrogen fuel.
BMW says that it has chosen hydrogen as a source of power for cars as it offers the best solution to the problem of vehicle emissions causing environmental pollution. Hydrogen does not release dangerous emissions on combustion and causes no damage to the air. It does not deplete any natural resource and can be generated from recyclable sources.
BMW may well be zeroing in on hydrogen fuel extracted from water using solar energy. Such a technology was showcased at the Expo 2000 through the BMW 750 hl prototype exhibited. BMW along with its partners may be lagging behind in the mass production of Hybrid cars, but are certainly in the forefront of the Hydrogen Hybrid technology.
In the very near future, these developments and innovations will benefit all of us. We will also be effecting considerable savings in fuel costs and causing little or no pollution to the atmosphere. It would not mean driving around in little uncomfortable and low powered cars. With cars like the BMW Hybrid, you can expect sophistication, power, elegance and style, without the disadvantage of environmental pollution.
Video: BMW M3 CSL De-Thrones Pagani Zonda F as Nurburgring King
The Nurburgring in Germany is a proving ground for all sorts of supercars and the 'ring now has a king. Beating the Pagani Zonda F by a full five seconds, a lightly modified BMW M3 CSL managed to complete a lap in a mere 7 minutes and 22.8 seconds.
Typically, the fastest cars on this track have been the ones that weigh the least and have the most horsepower. Ironically (or surprisingly), the BMW M3 CSL actually weighs 400 pounds more than the Pagani Zonda F. What's more it has 70 fewer horsepower too, so the time must have been made in the corners rather than in the straights. The supercharged BMW M3 CSL puts out 532.7 rwhp and weighs 3,139 pounds with 30L of fuel.
And you just might be able to buy this Nurburgring king for a couple of pennies. The BMW M3 CSL that you can watch in the video below is actually for sale and it's an auction where the winner is the person with the lowest unique bid.
Typically, the fastest cars on this track have been the ones that weigh the least and have the most horsepower. Ironically (or surprisingly), the BMW M3 CSL actually weighs 400 pounds more than the Pagani Zonda F. What's more it has 70 fewer horsepower too, so the time must have been made in the corners rather than in the straights. The supercharged BMW M3 CSL puts out 532.7 rwhp and weighs 3,139 pounds with 30L of fuel.
And you just might be able to buy this Nurburgring king for a couple of pennies. The BMW M3 CSL that you can watch in the video below is actually for sale and it's an auction where the winner is the person with the lowest unique bid.
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