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BMW

24h Nürburgring Qualifiers: BMW M Motorsport groups face a very powerful endurance check earlier than the 24-hour race.

Nürburgring. The brief and intensive preparation section for the Nürburgring 24 Hours (GER, 1st/2nd June) reaches its climax this coming weekend on the 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers. There, BMW M Motorsport groups RMG and ROWE Racing will compete in necessary preparatory races for the season spotlight. Nine BMW M works drivers shall be deployed in three BMW M4 GT3s.

BMW M Team RMG is as soon as once more counting on a younger, extremely proficient line-up of drivers in 2024, with three members of the Gen2K group created by BMW M Motorsport (BMW M works drivers born in 2000 or later). Dan Harper (GBR) and Max Hesse (GER) will compete for the fourth time along with the workforce led by Team Principal Stefan Reinhold within the prime class on the 24-hour race. Joining them within the cockpit of the #72 BMW M4 GT3, sporting the design of BMW M Motorsport Premium Technology Partner Shell, is Charles Weerts (BEL). The 23-year-old will make his debut on the 24h Nürburgring however already has a formidable and profitable GT3 profession, particularly within the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, the place he was the general winner in 2021. In current weeks, Weerts, Harper, and Hesse have already accomplished a number of check laps on the Nordschleife and have been intensively making ready for his or her race entries.

ROWE Racing will area two vehicles. This coming weekend, BMW M works drivers Raffaele Marciello (SUI), Maxime Martin (BEL), and Marco Wittmann (GER) will take turns within the #98 BMW M4 GT3. In the sister #99 automobile, Augusto Farfus (BRA), Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), and Dries Vanthoor (BEL) shall be within the cockpit. As the seventh driver, Robin Frijns (NED) will compete within the 24-hour race, nonetheless he shall be absent from the Qualifiers as a consequence of a scheduling battle with Formula E. Nevertheless, Frijns has additionally managed to finish a number of check laps on the Nordschleife previously weeks.

At the season opener of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) final weekend, no BMW M4 GT3 might participate as a result of most drivers had been taking part within the concurrent GT World Challenge Europe occasion at Le Castellet (FRA), the place Harper, Hesse, and Farfus gained along with the ROWE Racing Team.

BMW is the official automobile companion of the Nürburgring.

Good information for all BMW followers got here a couple of weeks in the past at the beginning of the Nürburgring season. From the 2024 season, BMW is the official automobile companion of the Nürburgring. At least till 2026, the service and monitor security autos for the racetrack employees will come from BMW. In addition to the prevailing dedication of BMW M on the Nürburgring, the newly determined automobile partnership represents an extra enlargement of collaboration and the presence of BMW on the legendary racetrack.

A complete of 25 new BMWs will initially strengthen the Nürburgring’s fleet. Nine of them shall be used on the racetrack as a part of monitor security. Eight BMW 3 Series Touring and one BMW X1 shall be deployed on the Nordschleife and Grand Prix circuit to make sure security. For this objective, the autos shall be given a particular Nürburgring design with warning components to be simply seen by all racetrack customers, corresponding to vacationer drivers or members in driver coaching classes. As service autos, the 1 Series, 3 Series, and the X1 and X3 shall be out there to workers, additionally that includes design components of the Nürburgring silhouette and the Nürburgring emblem, making them interesting representatives of the versatile occasion location.

Comments on the 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers:

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “The 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers are very important for us, as they are every year. This coming weekend, we will test all our race procedures and prepare ourselves as well as possible for the season highlight. Our advantage is that the BMW M Motorsport engineers, as well as our teams ROWE Racing and RMG, have a lot of experience on the Nordschleife and do not need much time to optimally adjust to the 24-hour race. Accordingly, we approach the coming weeks with confidence. Seeing that BMW is now even more prominently represented at the Nürburgring as the official vehicle partner pleases me greatly. The brand is extremely popular with fans – whether in racing or for everyone on the road.”

Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal BMW M Team RMG): “This season, the preparation for the 24-hour race is extremely short. Therefore, the two races we will compete in this coming weekend are all the more important. Our team now has experience on the Nordschleife, which will surely help us. Nevertheless, it is always about training all procedures under competitive conditions to be optimally coordinated when it comes to racing in the big one in June. We have already completed several test days under various weather conditions in advance, during which we covered many kilometres and collected valuable data. Our new driver Charles Weerts also had plenty of time to adjust to our team and the BMW M4 GT3 on the Nordschleife. He has made a great impression and harmonises very well with Dan Harper and Max Hesse. I am convinced that we will present ourselves as a strong team.”

Hans-Peter Naundorf (Team Principal ROWE Racing): “After the fantastic start to the season at Le Castellet, we want to continue in the same vein this coming weekend. The Qualifiers are not just a preparation programme for the big race at the beginning of June for us. We want to race this weekend, push hard, and as always, fight for podium places. Our driver line-up is already well sorted out; five of the six BMW M works drivers who will be competing this weekend know the team and our processes, some for many years. The schedule gives us enough opportunity to give Raffaele Marciello as many kilometres as possible in the BMW M4 GT3 on the Nordschleife.”

News

Audi plots ‘versatile’ swap to EVs based mostly on demand

Audi remains to be planning to section out all of its ICE vehicles by 2033, however boss Gernot Döllner hasn’t dominated out shifting that date again if electric car demand doesn’t decide up.

While a number of automotive makers have scaled again or delayed plans to transition to an all-electric line-up within the wake of weakening demand for EVs, Dollner stated there was “no doubt” that “the future of the vehicle is electric”.

Audi will start a serious product offensive this yr, with the brand new Q6 e-tron electrical SUV the primary of 20 fashions – with each ICE and EV powertrains – that can launch in 2024 and 2025.

It might be adopted later this yr by a brand new A6 e-tron electrical saloon and new variations of the A4 saloon and property (rebranded A5) and Q5 SUV.

Audi is aiming to have an EV in “all core segments” by 2026, with the goal to additionally launch its last new ICE automotive that yr, working in the direction of a beforehand introduced date to section out non-EV gross sales in 2033.

Asked at Audi’s annual media convention about that 2033 date, Döllner stated the agency was “fully committed to e-mobility” but it had to be “ambidextrous” in its future planning, hinting that plug-in hybrids can even play a key position.

“We have and will ensure that a combination of battery-electric and clean, efficient combustion engines and plug-in hybrid powertrains will be available for the transition period [towards electric],” stated Döllner.

“We are renewing our total portfolio, so we’re very flexibly positioned.

“The plan is for the last combustion and PHEV premieres to take place in 2026, and in 2033 we plan to conduct the phase-out of combustion vehicles – but if there are any ups and downs, we can flexibly react to it.”

News

The Entry-Level AirPods May Get a Key Pro Feature in 2024

Apple is planning to release the fourth iteration of its popular wireless earbuds, which will replace the second and third-generation AirPods. The new AirPods will feature noise cancellation, a smaller stem, a USB Type-C port on the charging case, and an onboard speaker to help locate them if they are misplaced.

The price for the fourth-generation AirPods has not been announced, but it is expected to be around $200, based on the current $249 price of the second-gen AirPods Pro. In addition to the basic AirPods, Apple is also working on the second-generation AirPods Max headphones, which will have a USB Type-C port for charging and new color options. These headphones may also include audio improvements and health-centric features.

News

The Entry-Level AirPods Could Include a Pro Feature in 2024

Apple plans to discontinue both the second and third-generation AirPods next year and introduce the fourth generation of their popular wireless earbuds. In addition to noise cancellation, the upcoming AirPods will feature a new design with a smaller stem, a USB Type-C port on the charging case, and an onboard speaker to help locate them if they are misplaced.

The pricing for the fourth-generation AirPods has not been announced, but it is expected to be around $200, based on Apple’s current asking price of $249 for the second-generation AirPods Pro. According to Bloomberg, the Pro models will receive an update in 2025, including a fresh design and a new audio chip.

In addition to the basic AirPods, Apple is reportedly working on the second-generation AirPods Max headphones, which will be released next year. These headphones will also switch to a USB Type-C port for charging and offer new color options. While the design may not change significantly, there could be improvements in audio quality and new health-related features.

BMW

BMW M Motorsport News, 10th October 2023

Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport:

“What an exciting phase of the motorsport season! Every week, titles are being won all over the world and I am delighted to again be able to congratulate BMW M Motorsport drivers and teams – particularly Adrenalin Motorsport Team Motec on their overall victory in the NLS. For the sixth time in a row – awesome! I am also pleased for Walkenhorst Motorsport, who dominated the season in the top SP9 Pro class and deservedly won the NLS Speed Trophy. I would also like to congratulate all the other members of the BMW M Motorsport family, who brought a successful season on the Nordschleife to a close on Saturday! In North America, Zac Anderson won the Silver class in GT4 America. Charlie Postins and James Clay also won the title in the Am category. I was at Indianapolis myself and was able to congratulate them personally. When title races are so close, there are obviously disappointments. I can ensure the BMW M Motorsport drivers and teams who narrowly missed out that we are still very proud of their magnificent performances this season. I am sure they will get another chance!”

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NLS: Adrenalin Motorsport celebrates sixth title in a row.

Philipp Leisen, Oskar Sandberg and Daniel Zils (all GER) of Adrenalin Motorsport Team Motec have once again won the championship in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS). The German trio in the #1 BMW 330i again won the VT2-R+4WD class to secure the title. Adrenalin Motorsport celebrated its sixth overall victory in a row, making it the most successful team in NLS history.

After three back-to-back wins, Christian Krognes (NOR) and Jakub Giermaziak (POL) were again to be found at the front of the field during the season finale. This time, however, they had to settle for fourth place in the SP9 Pro class. Despite that, the #34 Walkenhorst Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 comfortably won the NLS Speed Trophy on the Nordschleife.

The FK Performance Motorsport team also had cause for celebration on Saturday, claiming an impressive one-two in the SP10 class. Nick Hancke, Thorsten Wolter and Nick Wüstenhagen (all GER) took victory in the #187 BMW M4 GT4, ahead of Christian Konnerth, Michael Schrey (both GER), Ranko Mijatovic (SUI) and Sindre Setsaas (NOR) in the #178 BMW M4 GT4.

BMW Motorsport teams and drivers were also out in front in the BMW M240i, BMW M2 CS, V4, VT3 and H4 classes.

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GTWC/GT4/GT/TC: Many highs and some lows at Indianapolis.

The ST Racing team, with Samantha Tan (CAN), BMW M works driver Neil Verhagen and Jake Walker (both USA) finished sixth in the Pro-Am class at the wheel of the #38 BMW M4 GT3 at the finale of this season’s Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS, which took place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway (USA).

In GT4 America, Zac Anderson (USA) was crowned champion in the Silver Class. He finished third and fourth alongside John Capresto-Dubets (USA) in the #51 BMW M4 GT4 at Indianapolis, and secured the title with a lead of 21 points. The winner of the opening race was also a BMW M4 GT4 as Kevin Boehm and Kenton Koch (both USA) from the Random Vandals Racing team won the Silver Class in the #92 BMW M4 GT4. They then finished third in race two to earn third place in the overall standings and round off an outstanding result for BMW M Motorsport.

In contrast, there was disappointment for James Walker Jr. and Tyler McQuarrie (both USA). The #82 BimmerWorld BMW M4 GT4 failed to finish race one in Indianapolis. Race two saw Walker and McQuarrie launch an impressive fightback from 17th on the grid. In the end, however, they had to settle for sixth place in the Pro-Am class, meaning they missed out on the title by one solitary point.

The title in the Am class went to Charlie Postins and James Clay (both USA) from the BimmerWorld team in the #36 BMW M4 GT4.

In TC America, BMW M Motorsport teams celebrated not one but two double podiums. Colin Garrett (USA/Rooster Hall Racing) in the #44 BMW M2 CS Racing finished runner-up in the opening race, with Adam Gleason (USA) from Fast Track Racing coming home third to complete the podium in the #21 BMW M2 CS Racing. Garrett was second again in race two. That time, he was followed over the finish line by Kenny Schmied (USA) in the #14 BMW M2 CS Racing for AOA Racing.

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GT4 France: Lessennes/van der Ende narrowly miss out on the title.

Benjamin Lessennes (BEL) and Ricardo van der Ende (NED) came within a whisker of winning the GT4 France title at the final weekend of the season at Le Castellet (FRA). On Saturday, the #17 BMW M4 GT4 (G82) finished fifth in the Silver class. The duo from the L’Espace Bienvenue team went one better and came home fourth on Sunday.

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BTCC: Hill celebrates at season finale.

Jake Hill (GBR) from the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport team ended this season’s British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) on a high. The Brit won the third and final race of the season finale at Brands Hatch (GBR). Team BMW driver Stephen Jelley (GBR) came home third to make it a double podium for the BMW 330e M Sport. The weekend at Brands Hatch had been a disappointing one for BMW up to that point. The #4 BMW 330e M Sport of Colin Turkington (GBR/Team BMW) was the best-placed BMW in the opening race, finishing fourth. In race two, sixth place for Hill in the #24 BMW 330e M Sport made him the best of the BMW drivers. A strong end to the season saw Hill finish third in the overall standings, ahead of four-time champion Turkington in fourth. In the Manufacturer competition, BMW finished runner-up, narrowly missing out on the title by just four points.

Motorsport

Mini Aceman Spotted in Hot Weather Testing with Unique Camouflage

The Mini Aceman, an upcoming electric vehicle, is progressing with its development and undergoing hot weather tests in Europe. Our photographers captured images of a prototype of the electric car, which featured a new type of camouflage instead of the previous yellow-over-black disguise. Additionally, the Aceman showcased a fresh design for its wheels, featuring a five-twin-spoke layout.

At first glance, the Mini Aceman may resemble a larger Mini model, possibly the size of the Countryman. While this is partly true, there are reports suggesting that the British manufacturer will reposition the new Countryman as a slightly larger crossover that shares its platform with the BMW X1. This strategic move will create more space between the Mini hatchback and the Countryman, positioning the Aceman as the middle child within the Mini family.