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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.”

 

Motorsport

Watch Live As Ford Performance Reveals Its F-150 Lightning Off-Roader

Ford Performance is conserving itself busy this yr. As 2024 will get underway, the Blue Oval’s motorsport outfit has some thrilling new stuff to share with its “Season Launch” occasion. At 7 PM ET, the automaker will showcase “A new golden age of Ford motorsports,” highlighting the corporate’s bold world racing program. You can watch the livestream under.

This yr, Ford might be racing in numerous collection and occasions, battling for podiums and factors with the brand new Mustang and different Ford autos on six of the world’s seven continents. It’ll compete on tracks like Le Mans and Interlagos, the Dakar trails, and extra. The automaker revealed its new NASCAR Cup Series Dark Horse Mustang in November, and it’ll additionally race on this yr’s 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Mustang GT3.

Ford will seemingly showcase the Switchgear, a rugged Raptor-like F-150 Lightning pickup revealed earlier at this time with widened fenders, huge wheels, long-travel suspension, and Ford Performance branding on the hood. 

The firm additionally teased a Raptor-branded race truck to compete in subsequent yr’s Dakar rally. Ford is already racing with the Ranger on this yr’s occasion, and Ford will take what it learns this yr to enhance its possibilities of an outright win in 2025.

Ford introduced six racing versions of the Mustang when it revealed the brand new mannequin in 2022. The lineup contains two Mustang Dark Horse variants – S and R, a GT4, the NASCAR competitor, and extra, lots of which can hit the observe for the primary time in 2024. The Blue Oval additionally introduced in 2023 that it might return to Formula 1 with Red Bull Racing, so Ford may have so much to spotlight.

Ford has often emphasised its curiosity in motorsports over the previous few years, however what we’ll see on the occasion continues to be unclear. Ford Performance may share one thing new and thrilling, so tune in later tonight to catch all of the information.

The Ford Performance Season Launch Event begins at 7 PM Eastern Time.

Featured

Mercedes-Benz GLS Facelift Launched In India At Rs 1.32 Crore

Bookings for the brand new GLS are already underway and it may be had in two trims: GLS 450 and GLS 450d

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS

  • Prices vary from Rs 1.32 crore to Rs 1.37 crore (ex-showroom).

  • Comes with design adjustments to the outside like a brand new grille, redesigned bumper and new alloy wheels

  • Cabin stays kind of the identical but it surely now will get new trims and fabric choices.

  • Gets each turbo-petrol and diesel engine choices with a 9-speed computerized transmission.

The Mercedes-Benz GLS facelift has been launched in India after being unveiled globally final 12 months. The flagship luxurious SUV from Mercedes-Benz will get rugged adjustments to its exterior design, minor updates to the cabin, each diesel and petrol engine choices, and a few function additions. Here, you’ll discover all particulars of the GLS SUV, beginning with its worth.

Price

Ex-showroom Price

GLS 450

 Rs 1.32 crore

GLS 450d

 Rs 1.37 crore

 

Mercedes-Benz discontinued the GLS 450 variant of the outgoing SUV some time again but it surely has made a comeback with this facelift. Compared to the outgoing model, the 2024 GLS is pricier by Rs 4 lakh.

Design

With this facelift, the GLS now has a barely extra macho design. The carmaker has modified the entrance grille and it now comes with 4 vertical slats, and the entrance bumper – which homes the reshaped air vents – has been redesigned. These updates now give the entrance added highway presence. 

Also Read: Kia Sonet Facelift Claimed Fuel Efficiency Figures Revealed

The alloy wheels have been up to date, and on the again, the GLS now sports activities a redesigned bumper and barely tweaked LED tail lights.

Interior

The design of the cabin stays unchanged and the dashboard structure is kind of the identical because the outgoing GLS. Only minor adjustments have been made to the dashboard and the MBUX infotainment system. However, Mercedes-Benz has added new trims and fabric color choices, and the off-road mode now has new graphics, lateral inclination, compass and steering angle readouts. 

New Features

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS Displays

The 2024 GLS will get twin 12.3-inch screens (MBUX infotainment show and digital driver’s show). In addition, it additionally comes with 5-zone local weather management, a 13-speaker Burmester 3D sound system, ambient lighting, powered tailgate and a panoramic sunroof. 

In phrases of security, the luxurious SUV packs as much as 9 airbags, ABS with EBD, digital stability management, entrance and rear parking sensors, rearview digital camera, 360-degree digital camera and a set of ADAS (superior driver help system) options like lane hold help, adaptive cruise management and auto emergency braking.

Powertrain Options

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS Engine

Variant

GLS 450

GLS 450d

Engine

3-litre 6-cylinder turbo-petrol

3-litre 6-cylinder diesel

Transmission

9-speed AT

9-speed AT

Power

381 PS

367 PS

Torque

500 Nm

750 Nm

Drivetrain

AWD

AWD

The up to date GLS will get each 3-litre turbo-petrol and diesel engine choices. These engines include mild-hybrid help and are paired to a 9-speed computerized transmission in an all-wheel-drive setup. The 48V mild-hybrid system provides 20 PS and 200 Nm to the engine output.

Rivals

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS

With its costs starting from Rs 1.32 crore to Rs 1.37 crore (ex-showroom), the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS goes up in opposition to the BMW X7 and the Audi Q8.

Read More on : Mercedes-Benz GLS diesel

NewsNew

2024 DAKAR PROLOGUE

The 2024 Dakar Rally bought underway Friday with a brief 27-km prologue that noticed Honda supported Tosha Schareina on high. There is usually a cat and mouse sport to begin the occasion, with riders hesitant to complete in entrance however unwilling to lose an excessive amount of time. This 12 months the organizers threw in some tough sections that value some riders time–amongst them Skyler Howes. With a forty fourth positioned end 5’10’’ behind his teammate Schareina, Howes occupies the final place within the Rally GP class. As a end result, the official HRC rider will probably need to open the best way tomorrow, which is an unenviable process for a stage introduced as lengthy, tough and complex to experience as a lone ranger. At least he will probably be very more likely to decide up the bonus factors initially of the particular, although this will probably be of scant comfort to him, leaving him little alternative however to go for broke.Before the race even began, Mason Klein was already dealing with main difficulties. His Kove race bike was caught in customs in Dubai till the final second. He rushed it although tech inspection after Kove mechanics did an all-night drive by means of the desert.

Mason Klein was minutes away from lacking the beginning of this 12 months’s Dakar Rally.
Ricky Brabec cruised to a secure thirteenth within the Prologue

Ricky Brabec: It’s simply the prologue however I’m completely happy to get by means of that and begin the rally. We’ll see how everybody chooses their place for tomorrow and hopefully we’ll begin in a great spot. The prologue wasn’t technical, nevertheless it wasn’t simple, the navigation was a little bit bit tough, trickier than you’d assume going by means of all these canyons. It’s solely the prologue so ending a minute and 20 seconds out will not be a giant deal. P13

Skyler Howes fell and broken his highway e book within the Prologue.

Skyler Howes: This prologue was actually not a very good begin for me, the group likes to play a bit with some issues they usually had some sticks that we have been speculated to undergo. There have been so many strains going by means of every means all through the open desert that it was arduous to see these sticks, I reduce throughout to undergo them, hit a giant camel grass that was clearly off monitor and had a extremely large crash, however fortunately I used to be OK. I broken the bike, misplaced fairly a little bit of time and it was arduous to experience afterwards as I’d additionally broken the highway e book so I needed to depend on following the tracks.
Then in a while within the stage there was a tough word, clearly I had no highway e book to confirm so I used to be roughly going round in circles simply making an attempt to determine it out. Finally I validated the best way level and was capable of proceed on however I misplaced about 5 minutes as we speak which is tremendous irritating and an annoying approach to begin the race like this. P42

Tosha Schareina completed on high within the Prologue, however received’t have to fret about opening the course tomorrow. Top riders are allowed to decide on their begin place.

Rider Standings

PROVISIONAL STANDINGS AFTER PROLOGUE

Pos. Rider Num Nation Team Time/Gap
1 SCHAREINA Tosha 68 SPA Monster Energy Honda Team 00H 17′ 35”
2 SANDERS Daniel 4 AUS Gas Gas Factory Team +0:12
3 EVAN BRANCH Ross 16 BWA Hero Motorsports Team Rally +0:19
4 VAN BEVEREN Adrien 42 FRA Monster Energy Honda Team +0:24
5 BENAVIDES Luciano 77 ARG Husqvarna Factory Racing +0:26
6 SUNDERLAND Sam 3 GBR Gas Gas Factory Team +0:28
7 QUINTANILLA Pablo 7 CHI Monster Energy Honda Team +0:47
8 PRICE Toby 18 AUS Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team +0:51
9 BENAVIDES Kevin 1 ARG Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team +0:56
10 KLEIN Mason 43 USA BAS World KTM Racing Team +0:58
13 BRABEC Ricky 9 USA Monster Energy Honda Team +1:19
42 HOWES Skyler 10 USA Monster Energy Honda Team +5:10
Motorsport

Porsche 911 GT3 R Rennsport Debut: A Powerful Race Car with a $1M Price Tag

Porsche’s Rennsport Reunion 7 event in California introduces a special automobile to celebrate the brand’s racing history. The incredible 911 GT3 R showcased is not street-legal, nor is it suitable for GT3 competition. This Porsche 911 GT3 R rennsport is simply extraordinary.

Porsche refers to this car as the 911 GT3 R rennsport, with a lowercase “R” – a stark contrast to the vehicle itself, which is anything but lowercase. Underneath its massive rear wing, requiring additional support braces due to the downforce it generates, lies a naturally aspirated 4.2-liter flat-six engine borrowed from the GT3 race car. However, this model is not built to GT3-class specifications and delivers an impressive 611 horsepower. The engine is optimized for E25 fuel and features custom pistons and camshafts. With a higher compression ratio and an astounding 9,400 RPM redline, one can only imagine the incredible sound it produces.


News

Take A Look Inside The 2023 Motorcycle Cannonball With Wheels Through Time

The 2023 Motorcycle Cannonball is currently happening, taking place from September 7 to September 24, 2023. Participants are riding their antique motorcycles on a grueling 3,800-mile journey from Virginia Beach, Virginia to Oceanside, California.

The Motorcycle Cannonball is a challenging endurance event where riders navigate the organizers’ chosen route across the United States. Originally held biennially, the event’s scheduling shifted to odd-numbered years due to the pandemic.

Dale’s Wheels Through Time Museum has been involved with the Motorcycle Cannonball since its first edition in 2010. In a video, Matt Walksler explains how his father, Dale, participated in the inaugural Cannonball riding a 1915 Harley.

Although Wheels Through Time Museum is not officially running a bike in the 2023 Cannonball, Matt’s friend, Gary, is riding a 1928 Harley-Davidson JD. Matt sold him the bike in 2022 specifically for Gary’s participation in the next Motorcycle Cannonball.

The video provides insight into the history of the event, the challenges faced by riders, and the anticipation surrounding Gary’s progress. The mechanical strain of riding 300 to 400 miles a day on backroad courses designed by the organizers is immense, especially considering the age of these antique motorcycles.

Antique machines like these come with their own set of mechanical issues, which the riders must contend with. In this particular video, Gary arrives at the Wheels Through Time Museum late, after other riders have already taken their required break and moved on to the next leg of the journey. It turns out that Gary’s clutch has been malfunctioning since the start of the Cannonball. Matt is surprised that Gary managed to make it as far as the museum. Upon inspection, they discover that the single nut holding the clutch in place is missing. Matt fixes the issue by installing a new nut and tightening it properly. They then restart the motorcycle, and Matt even joins Gary on a 1915 Harley to continue the Cannonball.

If you’re interested in daily updates on the progress of the 2023 Motorcycle Cannonball, you can find videos, photos, and written posts from the road on the event’s official Facebook page. They also post daily scores as PDF files, allowing you to track your favorite riders and their progress. As of Stage Nine, Gary Brace on his 1928 Harley-Davidson JD from Wheels Through Time is holding strong in 25th place.

The majority of participants in the Cannonball are riding various antique Harley-Davidson and Indian motorcycles. Only four bikes in the top 25 rankings do not belong to these two brands. Notable among them are a 1917 Henderson G in third place, a 1926 Rudge Special Four-Four in tenth place, a 1929 Scott Flying Squirrel in eleventh place, and a 1924 Henderson Deluxe in twentieth place.

Currently, the top two bikes in the race are a 1909 Indian Single, ridden by Todd Cameron in first place, and a 1911 Harley-Davidson Single, ridden by Dave Currier in second place. With seven stages remaining, it’s anyone’s guess who will cross the finish line in Oceanside, California, on September 24, 2023. Stay tuned for updates.

Motorsport

Rendering Reveals Potential Look of BMW M5 Touring Sporty Wagon

The official teaser campaign has begun for the upcoming BMW M5 Touring. While the initial image only provides a glimpse of the high-performance wagon covered in a sheet, the team at Kolesa has attempted to uncover what the production version might look like.

The M5 Touring shares its front end design with the sedan, featuring an aggressive fascia with prominent inlets on the outer edges. In the center, there is a trapezoidal section divided into segments by vertical bars. The grille is broad, although not as large as in other BMW models like the latest 4 Series. The hood has a dip in the center.

In terms of styling, the rendering of the M5 Touring matches the sedan up to the A-pillar. The rendered M5 boasts wheels with a complex design of split spokes, finished in black and with red calipers visible behind them.

From the rear, one can clearly see the wide fenders of the M5 Touring. The roof spoiler features two raised sections, and underneath the hatchback, there is a prominent diffuser with dual exhaust pipes on each side.

According to reports, both the M5 sedan and Touring wagon will feature a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine paired with an electric motor for additional assistance. In the BMW XM Label Red, this powertrain setup produces an impressive 738 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque, although official figures for these cars are not yet available.

While there are no pictures of the new M5’s interior at this time, it is likely to resemble the regular 5 Series. The standard model of the 5 Series features a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen. The performance-focused M5 might have additional upgrades such as seats with thicker side bolsters and sporty trim, possibly including carbon-fiber elements.

BMW has confirmed that the M5 Touring is being developed and tested on public roads in Munich, Germany, at the M GmbH headquarters in Garching, as well as at the Nürburgring racetrack. The wagon is expected to go on sale in 2024.

This will be the third generation of the M5 Touring, following the introduction of the first model in 1992 and the V10-powered variant in 2007.

The new M5 Touring is set to debut around the same time as rival models from its German competitors. Audi has a refreshed RS6 Avant with wider front fenders on the way, and there is confirmation of a new E63 wagon from Mercedes-AMG, although only spy shots of the E53 variant have been revealed so far.

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.