BimmerBoost covers BimmerFest 2013 - Hundreds of pictures/photos and event review

Sat, 18 May 2013 20:02:00 -0500

I attended Bimmerfest 2013 and this was my first time at Bimmerfest. Why you ask? Well, because Tim who owns BimmerFest banned me from the BimmerFest forum once I started BimmerBoost. Well, bygones are bygones (plus BimmerBoost is too big to try to freeze out now) and this year BimmerFest invited BimmerBoost to attend as a VIP Media Sponsor. I accepted the invitation and drove down to the Rose Bowl to check it out. I am glad I did and I simply have to admit the event is phenomenal.

The sheer size of the event is difficult to capture. It's big, much bigger than I expected. It's bigger than any other BMW event I have ever been to. Honestly, it dwarfs them in the amount of cars, vendors, people, you name it.

I was told

Porsche intends to go hybrid for their entire future model lineup, all Porsche models will be hybrids

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:53:00 -0500

This is an interesting development and one that really makes one scratch their head. Porsche obviously has demonstrated hybrid technology can work and work extremely well in sports cars with their 918 Spyder hybrid supercar. A company spokesperson at the recent Panamera Hybrid technology workshop stated Porsche developed a new hybrid module that combines the electric motor and clutches in one unit is capable of fitting in all Porsche models including the 911.

Eurocharged 2005 SL65 AMG M275 V12 dyno comparison between stock, Eurocharged Stage 1, and Eurocharged Stage 2

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:11:00 -0500

Here is a graph from Eurocharged showing three different dyno runs from a 2005 Mercedes-Benz R230 SL65 AMG. The runs show stock, then flashed with the Eurocharged Stage 1 software, and then flashed with the more aggressive Eurocharged Stage 2 software. The baseline for the SL65 shows 374 wheel horsepower meaning this is a very, very conservative reading Mustang dyno. On a Dynojet the car shows about 520 rear wheel horsepower stock so this is a heartbreaker dyno.

Regardless, the Stage I software adds about 100 horsepower at the wheels on this dyno over stock. Torque jumps up 106 lb-ft at the wheels to an eye opening 628 lb-ft. Bringing up the Dynojet again that would be close to 900 lb-ft at the wheels. Yes, an insane amount of torque.

Audi shows it is serious about weight loss - Next gen 2015 Audi Q7 to weigh 800 pounds less

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:21:00 -0500

The current Audi Q7 is a solid SUV but also pretty heavy with the diesel and V8 (which has now been replaced with a lighter 3.0 TFSI) versions coming in at about 5500 pounds. Audi has shown a lot of emphasis on as of late on lightweight materials showing they are very aware their vehicles used to be the heaviest in the segment. That is changing and Audi is quite serious about it going so far as to shave 800 pound from the Q7 for the next generation Q7 model.

That means a curb weight somewhere around the 4700 pound range. That would undercut

Watch a drag race between a BMW S1000RR HP4, Ariel Atom 500 V8, and a 600 horsepower Citroen DS3 Rallycross car

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:00:00 -0500

Interesting drag race here with opponents that do not usually square off against one another. It's basically bike versus go-kart versus rally car. The bike being the S1000RR HP4 version which is 31 pounds lighter than the standard S1000RR. The Ariel Atom 500 V8 has a 500 horsepower 3.0 liter V8 engine which makes for an insane power to weight ratio in the 1213 pound car. Last but not least is a 600 horsepower all wheel drive Citroen Rallycross car.

Mclaren set to target the Porsche 911 in 2016 with mid-engine P13 sports car slotted below the MP4-12C?

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:31:00 -0500

McLaren is expanding as a sports car manufacturer and seemingly plans to add a third model. McLaren currently builds the MP4-12C which is slotted against the 458 Italia and has a ballistic hybrid supercar called the P1 coming that will compete in the highest end of the supercar sectors likely directly rivaling the Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid supercar. It seems McLaren is not done going to head to head with Porsche and plans to take the battle to the "entry level" realm with a car to rival the Porsche 911.

The new F22 M235i coupe spotted undisguised and without camo - Hot or not? Pictures

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:50:00 -0500

So the "successor" to the E82 1-Series in the USA will be the F22 2-Series. Yes, the new 1-Series hatback will not be coming over to the USA so the 2-Series coupe will fill that void as the spiritual successor. This car will compete with the Mercedes-Benz CLA as well as the Audi A3 sedan. The M235i version you see here will likely share the exact same drivetrain as the

M-Sport edition F12/F13 6-Series launched offering unique Sakhir Orange paint and M-Sport package standard- Pointless?

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:13:00 -0500

Here is the 'M-Sport' edition of the new F12/F13 6-Series which serves to further dilute the M brand name. What this 6-Series vehicle edition consists of is a car equipped with the already optional M-Sport package which offers M designed body pieces, 19 inch wheels, black painted calipers, black 'Shadow Line' gloss trim, and LED foglamps. Inside the car gets a bunch of M badges including on the steering wheel and door sills.

All M-Sport edition models have the choice of unique Sakhir Orange paint. So, basically, this car is just a 6-Series with the M-Sport package standard and a new paint choice. You get all this for the price of $80,625 in the 640i coupe and a whopping $91,925 in the 650i coupe. Considering the 640i starts at $74,900 and the already

Officially official, here is the "best car in the world" the new 2014 W222 Mercedes-Benz S-Class - Pictures and specifications

Thu, 16 May 2013 08:32:00 -0500

After what seemed like years upon years of teasers and spyphotos Mercedes-Benz finally officially revealed the new W222 generation S-Class sedan. Was the car worth the wait? Definitely, an absolutely beautiful modern design that remains elegant and is not overdone. Inside, outside, the styling is just about perfect and is modern while at the same time reminding us it is a Mercedes-Benz. Great work Mercedes and you certainly are justified in showing pride calling this, "the best automobile in the world."

The best or nothing? Yep, that's what the chairman of the Daimler board says, ""Rather than being about safety or aesthetics, power or efficiency, comfort or dynamism, our aspirations were 'the best or nothing' in every respect. No other

Porsche finalizes Porsche 918 Spyder specifications in press release - 9150 rpm redline, PDK, 887 horsepower, 3715 pound curb weight, 7:14 Nurburgring laptime

Thu, 16 May 2013 07:15:00 -0500

Say hello to the future, officially introducing the Porsche 918 Spyder. There has been speculation on the final output and exactly what Porsche would get out of the 4.6 liter V8 engine but that has now all been put to rest. Porsche managed to squeeze an incredible 133 horsepower per liter out of the 4.6 liter V8 (the highest per liter output of any Porsche production naturally aspirated motor) for a total of 608 horsepower spinning to an incredible 9,150 rpm.

There are two electric motors that up the output to 887 combined horsepower. The front motor has an output of 154 horsepower and the rear motor 127 horsepower. Yes, the car is all wheel drive thanks to the electric motor up front. The car can drive up to 18 miles in purely electric mode.