Ucarmagazine

Designed by Romanian fresh industrial design graduates Andrei Avarvarii (exterior design) and Adrian Vasiliu (interior design) the BMW Z0 project is a sports car for the next decade.

The fuel-challenged years ahead are a real threat to the traditional driver’s machine. However we think that, by going back to the roots of the automobile, we were able to create a smart, efficient and environment friendly sports car.

For many years the key to performance was the power to weight ratio and not just power. Manufacturers these days seem to have forgotten that and got absorbed in an absurd competition for power.

The Z0 is the proof that less can be better. As the name suggests the car is intended as the smallest sports car produced by BMW. The “0” number signifies that the vehicle is reduced to the essence and it has zero harmful emissions.

The small 1.6 liter turbo hydrogen engine and the 450 kg kerb weight ensure top performance in an affordable package. Modern, yet nostalgic the Z0 is a tribute to the cars designed for the lucky person behind the wheel. The open cockpit offers unfiltered driving pleasure similar to the competition cars.

SPECS:

• Body: CFRP chassis with GRP and aluminum body parts
• Powertrain Layout: FR
• Estimated kerb weight: 450 kg (992 lbs)
• Length: 4384 mm (172.5 in)
• Width: 1990 mm (78.3 in)
• Heigth: 1130 mm (44.5 in)
• Wheelbase: 2631 mm (103.5)
• Wheel track: 1730 mm (68.1)
• Engine: Hydrogen fueled 1.6 liter DOHC turbo L4
• Power: 200 bhp @ 8000 rpm
• Torque 220 Nm @ 2500-5000 rpm
• Transmission: 6+1 MT
• Suspension: McPherson (front), Multilink (rear)
• Brakes: 350 mm (13.7 in) drilled discs (front), 300 mm (11.8 in) drilled discs (rear)
• Tires: 255/50 ZR19
• 0-100 kmh (0-60 mph): 4s
• Top speed: 220 kmh (136 mph)

BMW M1 Procar revival at Hockenheim
BMW X6 3D Virtual Tour

Munich, 30th June 2008. The F1 German Grand Prix programme this year will see the revival of the most spectacular single-make competition in motor racing history. The BMW M1 Procar series will be back at Hockenheim on 19th and 20th July as a field of ten cars.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen, for one, is looking forward to the event: “The M1 was unveiled 30 years ago as the first car created independently by the then BMW Motorsport GmbH. It was a racing car which BMW customers could also drive on the road, a unique project which had to overcome some tricky administrative hurdles before getting off the ground.” In order to gain Group 4 homologation, 400 units of the super sports car had to be built within a period of 24 months. As Theissen continues: “The idea of organising a single-make series was born out of necessity – i.e. the requirements of homologation. Nobody expected the BMW M1 Procar series to go down quite so well. Just a mention of it today still triggers an enthusiastic reaction. This revival serves as a ‘thank you’ to the fans.”

“There hasn’t been a series as attractive as this before or since,” says Marc Surer. Now working as a Formula One expert on TV, Surer is well placed to judge. As a young Formula 2 driver, he conducted testing and set-up work for the prototypes at the time. “With its mid-engined layout, the M1 was a bit of an animal to drive and had an outrageous soundtrack. The series fed off the appeal of the cars and the opportunity for young drivers to measure themselves against the leading Formula One stars at the time.”

The five fastest drivers from Friday practice for the Formula One Grand Prix earned themselves a drive in the M1 race. The 15 remaining 500 hp machines were piloted by hungry young hopefuls. “You were really somebody if you got to drive in one of those races,” recalls Surer. “It was a unique opportunity to pit your skills against the F1 drivers – and they were certainly pretty quick in the M1. The handling of the mid-engined car suited them down to the ground. Plus, in 1979 – the first of the two years the series was held – they always started from the front and were given works cars. That made it pretty tough for us junior drivers in the independent teams. We had to look after our car, but at the same time did everything we could to make our mark.”

The idea of developing the BMW M1, however, was the brainchild of Jochen Neerpasch, the head of BMW Motorsport GmbH at the time, and it was he who initiated the single-make series with Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley within the relatively relaxed structure of F1 three decades ago.

A handful of past masters are set to line up once again for the two show races at Hockenheim. Surer will be joined by Jacques Laffite, Dieter Quester, Christian Danner, Harald Grohs and Prince Leopold of Bavaria. Jochen Neerpasch will also be there, at the wheel of the BMW M1 turned into an Art Car by Andy Warhol. His co-driver will be none other than Frank Stella, who also created an Art Car – a BMW 3.0 CSL which raced at Le Mans in 1976. The 72-year-old remains a keen motor racing fan.

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A SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) such as the X5 also looks well kitted out with such sporty accessories as a front spoiler, rear skirt and two-piece side sills. Unlike the HARTGE “HUNTER”, which transforms the X5 into a thoroughbred off-road vehicle, this version from the German-based automaker on a BMW basis bears the unmistakable hallmarks of an individual “road runner”. Under the hood, a modified ECU performs absolute miracles, boosting the power of the 3.0d engine from 235 hp (173 kW) to a solid 275 hp (202 kW), while the maximum torque goes up from 520 Nm (lb-ft 384) to almost 600 Nm (lb-ft 443). This power boost lends this 4-wheel-drive vehicle, with its 6 speed automatic gearbox and weighing in at more 2150 kg, outstanding performance figures, allowing it to sprint in 7.4 seconds to a speed of 100 km/h (production vehicle 8.3 sec.) and reach a top speed of 232 km/h. The additional 16 km/h is derived – if only to a minor extent – also from the aerodynamic components and the reduced frontal area. Thanks to a sports spring set with level control system for rear axle, this X5 is namely 30 mm lower.

Complementing the sporty outfit, HARTGE equips this X5 with a set of “Classic 2” light alloy wheels. These 22-inch wheel rims are fitted with 285 Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires at front and rolls on extra-wide 335-size tires of the same type at the back. Simply chic – the set of HARTGE carbon (silver) casings for exterior mirrors. Geared precisely to HARTGE and ideally suited for this X5 is the set of emblems for bonnet and boot lid in addition to a 120 x 19 mm insignia. The rear skirt is flanked by a HARTGE stainless steel tail piece with oval tail pipes left and right.

Looking through the HARTGE 3-spoke leather steering wheel with its silver carbon inserts, which replaces the BMW 3-spoke standard airbag steering wheel, another eye-catching feature is the 300 km/h speedometer with dial in silver metallic and red needle. It is possible to equip the automatic pedals with a two-piece set of aluminum pedals with a non-slip napped finish. Further interior touches are added by a HARTGE carbon interior trim for dash board, gear knob panelling and front and rear doors in addition to floor mats in black velour for the X5 with 3rd row rear seat. For this seven-seater version of the X5, HARTGE is also offering a load floor mat in black velour with extensible flap to cover rear bumper as an added convenience.

The total price for this fully kitted out version of the X5 is ˆ 57,554 plus VAT. Needless to say, all the HARTGE add-on parts can be retrofitted individually.

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