Auto For Speed

MINI brand may develop a new small car for its parent company, Bmw, according to brand boss Wolfgang Armbrecht. The so-called ‘mini’ MINI will be firm’s smallest vehicle, and will be Bmw’s dream to build a small and spacious car. Armbrecht also said that the car will be previewed in a concept form in January at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, and will represent ”the next spectacular idea from the Mini brand”. ”Keep a close eye on the coming months,” he added.

Moreover, Bmw’s development chief Klaus Draeger said that MINI brand should be careful in order to protect its images and not build too many large cars. This means that you should not expect a any big car from MINI.

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With an BMW M3 GT2 winning the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, rumors are suggesting BMW will build a limited edition M3 to celebrate the victory.

M3post is reporting a reliable source, known as Scott26, has told them the car will be called the M3 GTS-R. It will be based on the M3 GTS and feature a matte black paint job, a front spoiler, wider rear fenders, and lightweight alloy wheels. More importantly, the GTS-R will use plenty of carbon fiber components. In addition to the standard carbon fiber roof, other components such as the rear spoiler, hood, and deck lid would also get the fiber treatment to keep weight down.

Under the hood, power will likely be provided by a massaged 4.4-liter V8 with at least 450 PS (331 kW / 444 bhp). Mated to a seven-speed M dual clutch transmission (M-DCT), the GTS-R could potentially be equipped with a KERS regenerative braking / boost system from the 2011 BMW M5.

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As far as we can tell, there’s little if anything wrong the BMW E92 M3. However, according to a post on Bimmerfile, that small point will not be stopping BMW from offering a Competition Package on 2011 models. What goes into a Competition Pack? We’re not certain, and Bimmerfile can only speculate (bigger wheels, brakes, maybe). Knowing that much, we’ll join ‘em. But first, a little history.

Way back in 2005, BMW began a Competition Package for the E46 M3. Included were upgraded wheels, larger brakes, stickier tires,a firmer suspension and a revised Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system identical to the one on the hardcore M3 CSL. In addition, the E46 M3 Comp Pack also came with a quicker steering ratio. Inside, a bit of fussing took place in the form of Alcantara steering wheel and hand brake coverings and the steering wheel saw a few buttons (multi-function controls and cruise) deleted in favor of a DSC M button.

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Because no serious tuner can accept that a factory car will be more powerful than their tuned version of the same car, these power-loving companies are always trying to outgun the standard car by a mile if they can. G-POWER’s reputation is one of gung-ho power that seems to know no boundaries. Read the rest of this entry »