M3 GTS info! (lightweight performance edition M3)

[x838nwy]

I'm happy to believe that there's actually interesting information coming out, if none appears, then I guess I'm fooled. But that's me.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by johnbmw6

This looks interesting;
http://www.tyresmoke.net/forum/bmw-c...ml#post1447075

You perhaps did not scan this thread before posting?

[southlight]

Let me make this clear: The negative and insulting comments end right now. I don't see why Savage should be having a hard time for starting this thread. Please accept that he's not able to share any more information yet.


Best regards,
south

[southlight]

Originally Posted by gr8000

Shall we all post what we think this is going to be?

Sounds good to me.

Originally Posted by gr8000

I am kicking off by saying it will be the green / hybrid M3! I said it above, I am repeating / sticking to it again now.
(I hope this is not something that has already been released! )

Anyone else?

KERS will debut in the F10 M5.


Best regards,
south

[SUB-ZERO]

Originally Posted by southlight

Let me make this clear: The negative and insulting comments end right now. I don't see why Savage should be having a hard time for starting this thread. Please accept that he's not able to share any more information yet.


Best regards,
south

+1

[3XTR3M3]

Originally Posted by shift@red

Is this it:

BMW Group establishes joint venture with SGL Group


29.10.2009
Press Release

Cooperation for the manufacture and processing of carbon fibres for new vehicle concepts

Munich/Wiesbaden. The BMW Group and the SGL Group have agreed on the establishment of a joint venture for the production of carbon fibres and textile semi-finished products (CFRP) for use in vehicle construction. The total investment volume is € 90 million in the first development phase, the two companies stated on Thursday.

The joint venture will be operated through two companies, one based in North America (SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers LLC), and the other in Germany (SGL Automotive Fibers GmbH & Co KG). The BMW Group holds 49% of the shares, and the SGL Group 51%. The two groups will be equally represented in the management of the two companies; major corporate decisions must be made unanimously by both partners. The joint venture will initially create around 180 new jobs in North America and Germany. Its establishment is subject to approval by the cartel authorities.

"This joint venture is designed to be a classic win-win situation. We are acquiring pioneering future technologies and raw materials that we need for our Megacity Vehicle on competitive terms. The SGL Group is moving into the automobile business with us as a strong partner", BMW AG Management Board Chairman Norbert Reithofer emphasised in Munich. "With our concepts within project i, we are breaking new ground when it comes to vehicle architecture, lightweight design and the use of materials", Reithofer continued.

Robert Koehler, CEO of the SGL Group, stated: "This joint venture with the BMW Group is a milestone for the use of carbon fibres on an industrial scale in the automobile industry. For the first time, carbon fibres are taking on an important role in series vehicle manufacture. This confirms our strategy and shows that carbon fibre technology is becoming increasingly important in the materials substitution process to lighter material. This material will help to reduce CO2 emissions and save our natural resources“.

Lightweight design has been one of the core skills of the BMW Group for decades – after all, reducing weight is a major factor in cutting fuel consumption. In the use of high-tech Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), the company is also able to draw on its many years of experience. CFRP not only plays an important role in motor sports; the material is also used in series vehicles, such as in the roof of the BMW M6 Coupé.

In the Megacity Vehicle, which will be launched under a BMW sub-brand in the first half of the next decade, the high-strength yet ultra-light material will make up a significant proportion of the materials used. The combination of the advanced CFRP fibres developed by the SGL Group and the BMW Group's expertise in the industrial manufacture of CFRP components is making it possible, for the first time, to install CFRP on a large scale in a series vehicle at a competitive cost.

With the joint venture, the BMW Group is underlining its position as the most sustainable vehicle manufacturer. This claim is reflected throughout the entire value creation chain, from component purchasing to recycling. Producing CFRP in a way that protects resources is therefore a high priority. The high energy requirement for the production of carbon fibres is to be met completely by environmentally friendly hydropower. This is one of the preconditions for the production site of carbon fibres in North America. The raw material is then processed into a carbon fibre fabric at the second location in Germany. Parts and components will then be made from this light-weight durable fabric within the BMW Group.

Holy shit! Thats freakin awesome. Focus on materials is fantastic.

Can anyone confirm this is true?

Was this the big announcement or should we keep waiting?

[duk]

nice article but i hope that's not it

[7Olo]

Keep waiting. It will be an M3 CSL.

Now no more waiting.

[MJC///M3]

Originally Posted by Epacy2

Keep waiting. It will be an M3 CSL.

Now no more waiting.

I agree with you.

[footie]

Originally Posted by 3XTR3M3

Holy shit! Thats freakin awesome. Focus on materials is fantastic.

Can anyone confirm this is true?

Was this the big announcement or should we keep waiting?

Its well documented that Audi are very much committed to reducing weight and are also pushing ahead with CF as well as alloy, it's logical that their main competitors would be thinking along the same lines.

That's not a confirmation that this article is true but it's very possible.

[ChinoOrtega]

Let me make this clear: The negative and insulting comments end right now. I don't see why Savage should be having a hard time for starting this thread. Please accept that he's not able to share any more information yet.


Best regards,
south

+2, thanks south

[southlight]

Originally Posted by 3XTR3M3

Holy shit! Thats freakin awesome. Focus on materials is fantastic.

Can anyone confirm this is true?

This is an official BMW press release, so it should be true. Though, this joint venture hasn't started yet.



Best regards,
south

[!Xoible]

maybe the CEO is coming out?

[duk]

sighhhhh i need m3 sooo bad, pls hurry!!!

[foosh]

Did anyone else find the quote below in the press release interesting?

"Lightweight design has been one of the core skills of the BMW Group for decades"

[ersin]

BMW's commitment to "green" technology leads them to introduce the uber-lightweight and eco-friendly soybean M3.

[CJF]

was this the "big news?" will there be something m3 specific to come? is there any relation?

[southlight]

Originally Posted by CJF

is there any relation?

Like I said, this joint venture hasn't even started yet, because "Its establishment is subject to approval by the cartel authorities".


Best regards,
south

[e46e92love]

Originally Posted by southlight

Let me make this clear: The negative and insulting comments end right now. I don't see why Savage should be having a hard time for starting this thread. Please accept that he's not able to share any more information yet.


Best regards,
south

[Koroush]

Originally Posted by DiVinci

Finally... I hope its true... something along the lines of the R8?

M1 is the R8 killer.

[tmaung]

I can't wait! Thanks savage for something that I can look forward to on that boring day!

[Lemans_Blue_M]

Originally Posted by Koroush

M1 is the R8 killer.