Tag Archives: countdown

BMW

Final preparations for the 2024 FIM EWC: BMW Motorrad Motorsport on the Pre-Test for the 24 hours of Le Mans.

Le Mans. At BMW Motorrad Motorsport, the countdown to the beginning of the 2024 season within the FIM Endurance World Championship (FIM EWC) is underway. With the two-day Pre-Test at Le Mans (FRA) this week, the ultimate section of preparations for the season opener has begun. It will happen from 18th to twenty first April on the identical venue, that includes the racing traditional 24 Heures Motos. The BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, which is able to compete in 2024 with Markus Reiterberger (GER), Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR) and new addition Sylvain Guintoli (FRA), labored on fine-tuning the #37 BMW M 1000 RR for the 2024 season throughout the take a look at.

While the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team with Reiterberger, Mikhalchik and Guintoli competes within the highest class, Formula EWC, for total victories and the title, the Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team enters its second full season within the FIM EWC’s Superstock class. Like final 12 months, Kenny Foray (FRA), Jan Bühn (GER), and Loïc Arbel (FRA) will alternate on the #9 BMW M 1000 RR. Also current on the take a look at at Le Mans was BMW’s new addition Hannes Soomer. The 26-year-old Estonian will help each groups because the fourth rider within the upcoming season.

Additionally, two extra BMW groups from the Superstock class ready for the season opener on the take a look at. The Japanese Team Etoile is utilizing the #25 BMW M 1000 RR and Team T2C Racing from France is competing with the beginning quantity 2.

Reactions to the Pre-Test at Le Mans.

Werner Daemen, Team Manager BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team: “In the end, I think we can be very happy with the test. We know what to do for race week. For sure, not everything was perfect but it looks like we have found a good way. All three riders did a very good job so I think we are well prepared for the race in two weeks’ time and I have a good feeling.”

Sylvain Guintoli: “It was a positive test. We got a lot of work done and had all the conditions that we could get. We had rain and then dry and then rain again, so we did a lot of testing in the wet as well which was good. The pace was good in wet and dry for everybody so it’s looking good and we managed to find some interesting solutions for the setup which was the idea of these two days. We’re happy with the progress and now I’m very much looking forward to the race in two weeks’ time. Hopefully we can fight for the win; that’s the objective.”

Ilya Mikhalchik: “The test was quite tricky with the weather conditions but in the wet, we did not have a bad feeling and then in the end we had a few hours in dry conditions. That also went pretty well but we still have some work to do for the race weekend to further improve the bike. That will be our focus in the next two weeks. We are ready to fight again and will try to bring our bike to the top.”

Markus Reiterberger: “We finished the test in third place, and all three of us were within four-tenths of a second. Unfortunately, I encountered some traffic on my fast lap and couldn’t quite show my best but we are quite satisfied. We sorted out a lot and tried things during this test which is important for the race. It was also positive that we made good progress in the rain. All three of us were at or near the front in all conditions. Of course, we all need to keep working hard to achieve our goals because there’s always room for improvement. We have now identified everything, understood the new package for 2024, and the new team composition, and know which direction we need to work in to be at the front in two weeks. Many thanks to the team, and now we keep pushing!”

Motorsport

Porsche’s Most Potent Taycan Debuts On March 11

Porsche has formally began the countdown for its most hardcore Taycan but. The world premiere is scheduled for March 11 once we’ll uncover the “most dynamic Taycan of all time.” Marketing jargon apart, this sizzling electrical sedan is probably going a manufacturing model of a prototype that lapped Nordschleife in 7:07.55.

Having slashed 26 seconds from the Taycan Turbo S’ lap time and 17.6 seconds from the Tesla Model S Plaid’s sizzling lap of the Green Hell, the hardcore Taycan will probably be bloody quick. The new teaser picture launched in the present day solely exhibits a shadowy silhouette—however the automobile from the Nürburgring bared all. The massive wing on the again will set it other than the lesser derivatives, though we’re certain Porsche has made different aero tweaks that we’ll uncover subsequent week.

The most potent Taycan thus far is the Turbo S with 938 horsepower, already an enormous bump contemplating the previous one had 750 hp. You can anticipate the longer term flagship to pack a good higher punch, presumably exceeding the 1,000-hp mark to match the Plaid with its monstrous 1,020-hp output. Neck-snapping acceleration is a given contemplating the brand new Turbo S already does 0 to 62 mph in simply 2.4 seconds, down by 0.4s in comparison with the previous Turbo S.

Porsche Taycan EV Nurburgring Record

The automobile’s title stays a thriller, though some are referring to the crown jewel because the Taycan Turbo GT. Another lacking piece of the puzzle is the variety of electrical motors since varied studies state Porsche’s engineers are cramming a 3rd motor. However, take these particulars with the proverbial pinch of salt.

A 3rd motor would add weight to an already heavy automobile, though Zuffenhausen would possibly attempt to offset the additional bulk by placing the electrical sedan on a weight loss program. For reference, a Taycan Turbo S weighs 5,082 kilos within the United States.

With the facelift launched a few month in the past, Porsche elevated pricing throughout the lineup. The Taycan Turbo S is now $14,445 costlier than earlier than, kicking off at $210,995. It’s secure to imagine the Turbo GT or no matter it will be known as goes to command a severe premium. Don’t be too stunned if it will price roughly $250,000 or about the identical as a Lucid Air Sapphire. An AMG EQS begins at $147,550 whereas the Plaid is a cut price by comparability, at $89,990. However, whether or not Tesla is a luxurious model or not, that is up for debate.

BMW

FIA WEC: The BMW M Hybrid V8 Art Car will bear the beginning quantity 20 on the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Munich. The countdown for the revealing of the twentieth BMW Art Car is underway. On twenty first May, the BMW M Hybrid V8, designed by artist Julie Mehretu and set to compete on the 24 Hours of Le Mans on fifteenth/sixteenth June, will probably be introduced on the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France. The artist is already offering glimpses into her work. Additionally, it’s now confirmed that the Art Car will carry the beginning quantity 20 and will probably be pushed by Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Robin Frijns (NED), and René Rast (GER).

 

The #20 BMW M Hybrid V8 would be the first Art Car for the reason that 2017 season, the place the BMW M6 GTLM designed by John Baldessari raced on the 24 Hours of Daytona (USA), adopted by the digital BMW M6 GT3 Art Car by Cao Fei on the FIA GT World Cup in Macau (CHN). In the previous, essentially the most well-known BMW Art Cars have participated in Le Mans: in 1975, Alexander Calder’s BMW 3.0 CSL, in 1976, Frank Stella’s BMW 3.0 CSL, in 1977, Roy Lichtenstein’s BMW 320i Turbo, in 1979, Andy Warhol’s BMW M1, in 1999, Jenny Holzer’s BMW V12 LMR, and in 2010, Jeff Koons’ BMW M3 GT2. This illustrious assortment is now enriched by Julie Mehretu’s BMW M Hybrid V8.

Fusion of picture motif and racing automotive creates artwork on wheels.

For the design of the twentieth BMW Art Car, Mehretu makes use of the color and type vocabulary of an current large-format portray from a more moderen collection of works: obscured images, dotted grids, neon-coloured spray paint and Mehretu’s iconic gestural markings give her design an summary visible type. She transfers the ensuing picture motif as a high-resolution {photograph} onto the automobile’s contours utilizing a 3D mapping approach. This creates the distinctive creative foiling with which the BMW M Hybrid V8 will compete within the Le Mans race.

For the primary time, Mehretu is working with BMW on a three-dimensional format. The interaction of the surfaces and geometry of the automobile creates a remix of components of her portray and opens up new views for the artist in her inventive course of. In accordance with the laws of the FIA, the 3D model of the art work can solely be utilized to the BMW M Hybrid V8 with a movie wrap. For this, Mehretu is working carefully with the German Race Spirit group led by Manuel Eberl and Gertraud Brenninger to design the twentieth BMW Art Car. Race Spirit was already concerned in realising the design created by Jeff Koons for the seventeenth BMW Art Car.

Quotes on the twentieth BMW Art Car.

Julie Mehretu: “It wasn’t until after going to the 24 Hours race in Daytona last year that the idea of how to approach the BMW Art Car really crystallised. I was thinking about Frank Stella’s grid and how this could also be a shout-out to former BMW Art Car artists. And I kept thinking of this painting in my studio that I had just finished and the model of the Art Car was in my studio and I thought maybe we can try to have the car move through this painting. The creative play of what you can do in this new three-dimensional space and how many imaginations and inventions are played out to build it is highly instructive. It is not just the car itself but the designers and their deliberations as well as and foremost the drivers and their desires and aspirations which make it become this place of dreams where painting, conceptual art, aerodynamics, speed and aesthetics can participate.”

Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH: “The prospect of competing in a BMW Art Car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is an additional incentive for the entire M Motorsport team to prepare the BMW M Hybrid V8 as perfectly as possible for this big stage. In the 100th year of the race’s existence and 25 years after BMW’s last victory at Le Mans, winning there with a BMW Art Car would be the greatest possible success for all of us.”

Sheldon van der Linde: “I’m a big fan of the art that the BMW Art Cars represent. I still remember seeing the last Art Car, driven by Augusto Farfus in Macau in 2017. I’m proud to now be part of an Art Car crew myself. I haven’t seen the design yet, but I’m extremely curious and confident it will look really cool. For us, it’s something special to be even more in the spotlight at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as if that wasn’t already the case at such a big event.”

Robin Frijns: “It’s the primary time in my profession that I’m driving a automotive with a particular design. That it is going to be one of many well-known BMW Art Cars is incredible. With such a automotive, we’ll stand out from the remainder of the sphere in Le Mans and appeal to consideration from each the media and followers. I’m positive we’ll have an action-packed week in Le Mans. Our objective is to be aggressive with the BMW M Hybrid V8 Art Car and obtain a great outcome.”

René Rast: “It’s a great honour to drive a BMW Art Car and thus become part of a very special story. As drivers, we will undoubtedly be more in the media spotlight than usual. I am very much looking forward to being a part of it.”

 

BMW

Second issue of FREUDE.FOREVER magazine turns reading into an immersive digital experience.

Munich. Premium carmaker BMW is undergoing a process of transformation as it prepares for the arrival of the Neue Klasse. With new developments happening every day, BMW is taking a fresh perspective and reevaluating the concept of “new.” The second issue of FREUDE.FOREVER, BMW’s award-winning magazine, explores the meaning of “new” through the eyes of inspirational individuals in their lives, work, and art.

This issue, titled THE NEUE NEW, continues the structure of the pilot issue by engaging the seven human senses. However, it also introduces a new dimension: augmented reality. In collaboration with Icelandic art collective Fischersund, the FREUDE.FOREVER team has created a digital flower that embellishes the cover of the magazine. Scanning a QR code inside the magazine provides an immersive augmented reality experience of the flower. This interaction between the readers and the magazine’s cover combines sight, hearing, emotions, and technology, offering a new world of perception and communication, in line with the BMW brand.

Jens Thiemer, Senior Vice President Customer and BMW Brand, explains that BMW sees a significant opportunity in the fusion of the analogue and digital worlds, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual reality. Similarly, FREUDE.FOREVER aims to enrich the pleasure of reading through an immersive digital journey, combining the analogue and the digital.

The concept of “new” for BMW is not limited to something created for the first time but also involves embracing fresh perspectives and understanding the power of vision. It requires an open mind, courage, flexibility, self-criticism, honesty, and the willingness to view change as an opportunity. These stories are reflected in the second issue of FREUDE.FOREVER.

For example, Fischersund explores how a new world of floristry can be experienced, while David Zilber experiments with redefining taste in top-class cuisine through fermentation. Keisei Kawahara, an athlete and model, leads a new generation of prosthesis wearers who see their orthopaedic aids as opportunities for growth. Other stories in the magazine feature developers teaching machines to feel and an artist duo showcasing the future potential of holography technology. Interviews with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Pieter Nota, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, provide further insights into constant reinvention and the transformation of the automotive industry.

FREUDE.FOREVER is a collaborative project between BMW and the LOOPING GROUP, the magazine’s publisher. Recognized for its content and design creativity, the first issue received accolades from the Society of Publication Designers and the Art Directors Club. The new issue, THE NEUE NEW, is available for purchase in English and German through the online shop www.freudeforever.com and magazine retailers for 10 euros.

Motorsport

Alfa Romeo Supercar Is Reportedly A Hybrid Maserati MC20 With 800 HP

Alfa Romeo is finally ready to unveil its highly anticipated supercar. The company has set up a livestream on its official YouTube channel for the reveal, which will take place at the Alfa Romeo museum in Arese, Milan on August 30. According to a report by Quattroruote, the new supercar will be based on the Maserati MC20 but with a hybrid twist.

2024 Alfa Romeo Supercar Rendering

2024 Alfa Romeo Supercar rendering by Motor1

The Maserati MC20 currently offers a gas-powered Nettuno engine, with an electric powertrain expected to arrive in 2024 with the MC20 Folgore. However, the Alfa Romeo version will reportedly combine a gasoline engine with an electric motor. It is said to feature a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine and at least one electric motor, resulting in a combined output of around 800 horsepower. This represents a significant increase from the gas-powered MC20, which produces 621 horsepower. There are also rumors that the hybrid variant will be accompanied by a fully electric version, although nothing has been confirmed yet.

According to the report, the new Alfa Romeo supercar is already sold out. Only a limited number of units will be produced, rumored to be in the “few dozen” range. The price is expected to be in the seven-figure range, and it is uncertain whether the pricing details will be made public. The styling of the supercar is said to be inspired by the iconic 33 Stradale, and it may also adopt a similar name.

It is unclear whether this will be the last Alfa Romeo model to be powered by an internal combustion engine. Alfa Romeo is planning to launch a small crossover below the Tonale next year, which will be a sister model to the Jeep Avenger. The Avenger is primarily offered as an electric vehicle but can also be ordered with a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine equipped with mild-hybrid technology.

BMW

BMW M Team WRT begins preparation for WEC with BMW M Hybrid V8

Munich. BMW M Motorsport is gearing up for its return to the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Last week, BMW M Team WRT successfully conducted the first test drives with the BMW M Hybrid V8. The rollout of the test car took place on May 27th at the BMW Group plant in Dingolfing.

 

The initial test drives were led by BMW M works driver Nick Yelloly, who brought his experience from the BMW M Hybrid V8’s participation in the North American IMSA series. Yelloly, along with his teammate Connor De Phillippi and BMW M Team RLL, secured the first IMSA win for the BMW M Hybrid V8 at Watkins Glen and achieved two podium finishes in previous races.

The first test days took place at Aragón, Spain, with the BMW M Hybrid V8 running smoothly for three days. BMW M works drivers Jesse Krohn, Maxime Martin, Sheldon van der Linde, and Dries Vanthoor all took turns behind the wheel. Additionally, the members of the BMW Junior Team and BMW M works drivers Dan Harper and Max Hesse conducted a functional test over the weekend.

In the coming weeks and months, BMW M Team WRT will continue with numerous tests to prepare for the start of the FIA WEC season in March 2024. The aim is to have as many BMW M works drivers as possible providing feedback to the engineers.

 

Reactions to the test kickoff:

 

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “The first test drives were a very good start to our WEC preparation. The BMW M Hybrid V8 performed well and provided valuable insights to our engineers and the team. Thank you to everyone involved for making this successful start possible. The experiences gained from the IMSA series races with BMW M Team RLL have been instrumental in our preparation. While the start has been successful, there is still a lot of work to be done. We are highly motivated for the upcoming challenges.”

 

Vincent Vosse (Team Principal BMW M Team WRT): “This is a big step and a milestone for the team. Representing BMW at Le Mans in the top category is a dream come true. We have the best manufacturer and the best team behind us. The rollout and testing went smoothly, and it was an important first step in our preparation for the 2024 season. I want to thank everyone involved.”

 

Jesse Krohn (BMW M works driver): “The test was an incredible experience for me. It was my first time driving a prototype and working with the WRT team. They met all my expectations, and it was one of the smoothest tests of my career. I thoroughly enjoyed driving this great car and contributing to the program. It’s all about gathering important data in these initial tests.”

 

BMW

BMW M Team WRT begins preparing for WEC with rollout and initial test drives of the BMW M Hybrid V8

The countdown has begun for the return of BMW M Motorsport to the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Last week, BMW M Team WRT successfully completed the first test drives with the BMW M Hybrid V8. The rollout of the test car for the 2024 WEC season took place at the BMW Group plant in Dingolfing, Germany.

The initial test drives were led by BMW M works driver Nick Yelloly, who has extensive experience with the BMW M Hybrid V8. Yelloly previously raced with the BMW M Hybrid V8 in the North American IMSA series, where the vehicle has already achieved success this season. The BMW M Team RLL, including Yelloly and teammate Connor De Phillippi, celebrated their first IMSA win with the BMW M Hybrid V8 at Watkins Glen, USA.

Following the functional test, the BMW M Hybrid V8 underwent three days of test drives at Aragón, Spain. The car performed without any problems, allowing the team to gather valuable data. BMW works drivers Jesse Krohn, Maxime Martin, Sheldon van der Linde, and Dries Vanthoor took turns behind the wheel. Additional functional tests were conducted by the members of the BMW Junior Team and BMW works drivers Dan Harper and Max Hesse.

In the upcoming weeks and months, BMW M Team WRT will continue to carry out numerous tests to prepare for the start of the FIA WEC season in 2024. The goal is to have as many BMW works drivers as possible providing feedback to the engineers.

Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, expressed his satisfaction with the test kickoff, stating that it was a successful start to their WEC preparation. He thanked everyone involved in making it possible and emphasized the motivation to continue working hard throughout the rest of the year.

Vincent Vosse, Team Principal of BMW M Team WRT, described the test as a big step and a dream come true for the team. He expressed confidence in their partnership with BMW and praised the team’s hard work in preparing the car. Vosse thanked everyone involved and looked forward to the preparation for the 2024 season.

Jesse Krohn, a BMW M works driver, shared his excitement about the test and his first outing in a prototype. He praised the WRT team’s working methods and teamwork, describing it as one of the smoothest tests of his career. Krohn expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the program and gather important data.

Lamborghini

Endurance personified: 24h in the life of Romain Grosjean

Lamborghini Factory Driver Romain Grosjean opens up on life after Formula One as the countdown to the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship with LMDh begins

Sant’Agata Bolognese, 20 June 2023 – Former Formula One and Lamborghini factory driver Romain Grosjean is preparing for his next challenge: as a key player in Lamborghini’s campaign in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship. Profiled in two new Lamborghini films, the Swiss-French star discusses the exhilarating power of endurance racing; the anticipation surrounding Lamborghini’s newly announced LMDh contender; and the impact the events of the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix had on his life, and personal philosophy.

Now based in Miami, 36-year old Grosjean made 179 race starts in Formula One in a career that spanned nine seasons, from 2012 to 2020, as well as appearances in 2009. Since 2021 he has competed in the American IndyCar Series. He made his debut for Lamborghini’s Squadra Corse motorsport division when he raced a Huracán GT3 EVO2 in the celebrated Daytona 24 Hours race in January 2023. With progress on the LMDh rapidly gathering momentum, Grosjean is playing a key role in the development of Lamborghini’s eagerly-awaited LMDh racing hybrid prototype. The car is powered by an all-new 3.8-liter twin turbo V8, whose power output is limited by regulation to 680 CV.

Says Grosjean, “I love endurance racing. When I moved to the US, I really wanted to come to Daytona and the opportunity came with Lamborghini to do it. I love the atmosphere, and I love the fact that we were able to represent such an iconic brand. When you’re 20, all you care about is being the fastest. Now I’m older I love having team-mates. It’s not only about you, it’s about making sure that your team is the best around the race-track. It’s about compromise and making sure that everyone is happy.”

He continues: ‘There’s a lot of trust there, and the biggest challenge really is the endurance – for everyone, including the mechanics and the engineers. The drivers get the easy job, we get to rest! You have to expect the unexpected in endurance racing, and be ready for it.”

As well as the FIA World Endurance Championship, which includes the famously challenging Le Mans 24 Hours race, the LMDh will also contest the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in North America. This marks Lamborghini’s greatest commitment yet in motorsport following three class wins in the GTD category at the 24 Hours of Daytona, two consecutive wins in the Sebring 12 Hours, and numerous other successes during the past decade. Now the Hypercar class of the world’s two most fiercely contested endurance racing championships beckons, with Grosjean one of the drivers leading the charge.

“I’m very excited to be part of the project with the LMDh for next year,” he says. “I love the brand, I like the project, I like the approach, I like the people behind it. I know there’s a lot of work to do and there’s going to be a lot of learning for everyone, but I’m ready. Lamborghini is a brand that loves to be successful, one with a lot of history. So when we go into something, we need to do it right.”

During the opening lap of the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, Grosjean survived a terrifyingly high-speed impact which saw him trapped in his Haas VF-20 for 28 seconds while an inferno raged. Arguably one of the most dramatic incidents in modern F1 history, Grosjean reflects positively on how the crash and its aftermath have affected his life.

“My accident changed my perspective in a big way. Being brave is about pushing yourself to always go further than you think you’re going to go. It’s about challenging yourself. Life is a beautiful thing, and I didn’t realize it could go away so quickly until that accident. It sounds a bit crazy but because my life is better now, I would think of [my accident] as a positive. I want to enjoy life in a bigger way, have fun and make sure that every day is a good day. I’m aware that I take risks in my life but there are also limits I set for myself.”

A committed family man, amongst his many talents Grosjean is an accomplished cook, and recently learned to fly. This is a man dedicated to expanding his horizons. “I’m a father, I’m a husband. I’m just someone normal that loves activities, that loves ‘doing’. When I start something I go flat-out. Flying makes my travelling and my life more efficient and more fun. I feel peaceful when I fly. You are taking a small space in the sky for yourself when you fly, you see the Earth in a different way.”

Back on terra firma, Grosjean has an equally stimulating mode of transport: a Lamborghini Urus Performante[1]. As he says, it’s a family car but one with a serious twist. “It’s just so cool to drive. The Performante sounds amazing, and even if it’s an SUV everyone knows it’s a Lamborghini. And I’ve got space for my kids.”

Lamborghini’s outstanding colour palette presented some problems, however. “My daughter wanted purple or pink. My second son wanted yellow. My eldest son wanted orange, and my wife wanted black. So I said, ‘all right guys, you know what? We’re going to go with green. It’s my car, I decide…”

[1] Fuel consumption and emission values of Urus Performante; Fuel consumption combined: 14,1 l/100km (WLTP); CO₂-emissions combined: 320 g/km (WLTP)