BMW 335 first drive
Filed under: BMW, First Drives, Sports Coupes
San Francisco–we might’ve left our hearts there, too, but the bigger tragedy by far was the new-for-2007 BMW 3 Series 335i coupe we had to say goodbye to last week. After spending just a couple of days becoming familiar with the 335i twin turbo, we’re missing it more than any old internal organ. The 3 Series Bimmer is heralded world-’round as the benchmark of the entry-luxury class, and it’s clear why from the moment you step into one. The 2007 models have taken everything that made BMW’s reputation in this class what it is, and improved from there. The end result is a sight to behold, inside and out–and an awful hard automobile to walk away from.
Under the hood is where the biggest news sits. Pop the latch on the top-dog 335, and staring back out at you is a 3.0-liter inline six, based on the familiar mill from last year’s car. It’s an all-aluminum affair, with the VANOS variable valve timing. Sitting atop that familiar sight, though, is a pair of serious-looking Mitsubishi turbochargers-the likes of which haven’t been seen on any US-bound auto wearing the propeller badge in 25 years. The added aspiration adds up to 300 horsepower at 5800 rpm, and just about the flattest torque curve you ever saw, with all 300 lb.-ft. on tap from 1400 all the way up to 5000 rpm. The effect is like putting a finely-honed welterweight on steroids–all the smoothness and sublime response is still there, but with a new veneer or pure power as well. From a standing start, the 335i makes it to 60 mph in a scant 5.3 seconds (.2 seconds more for an automatic).
Read the full car review BMW 335
More pictures - 2007 BMW 3 Series Coupe, the 335i and 328
Filed under: BMW, Coupes, New Car Previews
Here are another 30 pictures of the new 2007 BMW 3 Series Coupe. We added pictures of a Silver 328 Coupe and an Interlagos Blue 335i.
Here’s a link to the full photo album of all 2007 BMW 3 Series Coupe Pictures.
BMW 335i puts M3 on Notice!
Filed under: BMW, Coupes, New Car Previews
The launch of BMW’s new twin-turbo 335i is the opening shot in a new German horsepower war. However, this war is not being waged between the major German manufacturers, but within the confines of BMW’s own stable.
The 335i feels very quick to us, and should easily beat BMW’s predicted 0-60 time of 5.4 seconds. Its torque curve is a work of art, with peak torque on tap as early as 1400 rpm! The car boasts 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque, which BMW touts as a “+75 hp and +86 lb-ft improvement over the 2006 330Ci.” But what’s really got us on the edge of our seats is how the 335i will stack up against the 2007 M3, which will sport a V8 for the first time in 3 Series history. When tuners finally get their paws on the new twin-turbo six, any BMW model not packing a V-10 is going to have a real fight on its hands.
With the V8 M3 evolving into a more direct competitor to Porsche’s 911 and Audi’s RS4 as well as Mercedes-Benz’s CLK550, the 335i is well-positioned to succeed its big brother as the top dog of inline-sixes. The inline-six and the 3 Series have been inseparable longer than this writer has been alive, and we at Roadfly applaud BMW for continuing that tradition with the new 335i.
Follow this link for BMW Car Pictures (Photography by: Alex Stack) Over 100 pictures of the new BMW 3 Series Coupe, the 335i Twin Turbo.
Join the Discussions in the Roadfly - BMW 3 Series Forum. (The largest 3 Series Forum in the world!)
Chevrolet Corvette to pace Allstate 400 in Indianapolis
Filed under: Chevrolet, Sports/GT
For the first time ever, a Chevrolet Corvette will pace the field at the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.
Chevrolet vehicles have served as the pace cars of this high-profile NASCAR race for the last twelve years, but this will be the first time that America’s most enduring sports car gets to do the honors.
In a nod to the hardcore enthusiast, the field will be led by a 2006 Corvette Z06, the 7.0 liter, 505-hp beast currently rewriting the sports car rulebook. The only modifications to the car will be strobe lights, safety equipment, and a paint job befitting a pace car.
Full press release follows:
_____________________________
Corvette to Pace the Field During the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for First Time
505-horsepower Corvette Z06 Given Pace Car Honors for Historic NASCAR Race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
INDIANAPOLIS – A new specially-outfitted Corvette Z06 will serve as the official pace car of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on August 6. Chevrolet cars have enjoyed the honor of pacing this event for 12 consecutive years, but this year is especially significant for the brand as it’s the first time a Corvette serves as the pace vehicle at the prestigious NASCAR event.
“We’re excited to have the 505-hp Corvette Z06 back at the world-famous Brickyard speedway as the Allstate 400 pace car,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “The Corvette is so racing-ready that all we do is add strobe lights, racing safety belts and a fun paint scheme and it’s ready to pound the bricks at up to 198 mph.”
While all Corvettes are considered high-performance machines, the Corvette Z06 stands out among its counterparts. It is the fastest vehicle ever offered by Chevrolet and General Motors. With 505 horsepower (377 kw) and 470 lb.-ft. of torque (637 Nm) from its 7.0L all-aluminum, racing-inspired engine, the Corvette Z06 leaps from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 198 mph. It also differs from other production Corvette models with extensive use of lightweight materials, including carbon fiber front fenders and a chassis comprised of aluminum and magnesium. A racing-ready suspension and large, 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch rear wheels help keep it glued to the tarmac.
Nor does the car require drivetrain modifications to satisfy its role in front of the racing pack. With a dry-sump lubrication system, the Z06’s engine is equipped to handle the highest cornering forces when traveling around Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s 12-degree banked turns. In the car’s official capacity, it is outfitted with a variety of safety equipment and highly-visible strobe lights – but is still mechanically identical to those available at Chevrolet dealerships.
The Corvette Z06 for the Allstate 400 wears a unique paint scheme, inspired by an asymmetrical theme that conveys an “empathic sense of motion,” according to Kip Wasenko, the pace car designer. “We’ve used the new sixth-generation Corvette to pace several races recently and its shape is so iconic that we’re comfortable getting a little more abstract and artistic with the pace car theme and not sticking to a design that follows the lines of the car,” Wasenko said. The Corvette Z06 features broad stripes of yellow, white and blue which complement the Allstate 400 logo and resemble banners that accentuate the car’s sense of speed.
The 13 th annual Allstate 400 at the Brickyard will open with a variety of exciting, fan-friendly activities, including NASCAR Nextel Cup driver autograph sessions, with Chevy Day at the Brickyard on Friday, Aug. 4.
Highlights of Chevy Day at the Brickyard will include appearances by Chevrolet-sponsored NASCAR drivers in question-and-answer sessions with Riki Rachtman, the former host of MTV’s “Headbangers Ball,” on the Chevy Stage in the Hall of Fame Museum parking lot, and autograph sessions with Chevy drivers and team owners in the Pagoda Plaza.
The 13 th annual Allstate 400 at the Brickyard starts at 2:30 p.m. (ET) Sunday, Aug. 6 and will be televised live on NBC.
About Chevrolet
Chevrolet is America’s No. 1-selling automotive brand. In addition, Chevrolet delivers more-than-expected value in every vehicle category, offering cars and trucks priced from $9,890 to $78,000. Chevy delivers expressive design, spirited performance and great value with standard features usually found only on more expensive vehicles.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 327,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2005, 9.17 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM operates one of the world’s leading finance companies, GMAC Financial Services, which offers automotive, residential and commercial financing and insurance. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
