Rahal Letterman BMW ALMS GT2 program gets new shoes from Rays
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/motorsports/" rel="tag">Motorsports</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Sports/GTs</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><a href="http://www.motorworldhype.com/2008-10-23/collab-rays-engineering-x-rahal-letterman-racing-alms-bmw/#more-1345"><img hspace="4" vspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/rlr_alms_m3_450.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Earlier this year Rahal Letterman Racing announced its <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/06/chicago-2008-bmw-back-in-alms-with-rahal-letterman-racing-m3/">partnership with BMW</a> to bring M3s back to ALMS GT2 in 2009. The Rahal Letterman deal is a new venture for BMW, putting its ALMS race operations in the hands of an unfamiliar crew. While Rahal Letterman is a proven open wheel race team, they are not one of the existing ALMS teams with prior BMW sports car racing experience. It is an interesting match-up that will be exciting to watch next year. <br /><br />To keep in step with this fresh-faced approach, Rahal Letterman Racing has now also announced a partnership with Rays Engineering, which will supply wheels to the RLR ALMS program. Widespread use of Rays' wheels has yet to take hold throughout the world amongst the professional ranks, but they have been tried and tested for years in every type of event found in Japan. Rays Engineering is best known for their Volk Racing wheel line and the lightweight TE37 model in particular. They have established a reputation for classic design, combined with a high strength, in featherlight package. Demand for their designs has also garnered them the opportunity to supply the stock wheels for the new Nissan GT-R.<br /><br />The complete Rahal Letterman, BMW and Rays Engineering package will no doubt be a dynamic force in the next ALMS season. All three organizations have a lot of respective racing history between them, and they all certainly want to prove their worth in the total equation. They have the knowledge to be competitive from the get-go, so no teeth cutting should be necessary.<em> Thanks for the tip Andy!</em><br /><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.motorworldhype.com/2008-10-23/collab-rays-engineering-x-rahal-letterman-racing-alms-bmw/#more-1345">MotorWorldHype</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.motorworldhype.com/2008-10-23/collab-rays-engineering-x-rahal-letterman-racing-alms-bmw/#more-1345>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/24/rahal-letterman-bmw-alms-gt2-program-gets-new-shoes-from-rays/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1351639/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/24/rahal-letterman-bmw-alms-gt2-program-gets-new-shoes-from-rays/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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Volvo to BMW rumor pops up yet again
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hirings-firings/" rel="tag">Hirings/Firings/Layoffs</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/volvo/" rel="tag">Volvo</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/rumormill/" rel="tag">Rumormill</a></p><a href="http://business.timesonline.co.u k/tol/business/industry_sectors/engineering/article5014601.ece"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/05/bmwvolvo_450.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Another day, another rumor of the sale of Volvo's automobile operations. Of course, Ford is the current owner of the Swedish maker of shapely bricks, and the Blue Oval could definitely use the money as it tries to regains its shaky footing in its home market. A sale of Volvo has been spoken of for the last few years, and industry talk has seemed to pick up steam as Ford unloaded the other automakers that used to make up its now defunct Premium Auto Group. BMW has been <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/09/bmw-reportedly-interested-in-buying-volvo/">mentioned as a possible suitor</a> for Volvo in the past and its name has popped up yet again. At some point, we have to wonder if there's some truth to these rumors, despite the fact the both automakers have continued to deny the possible sale. Still, it wouldn't seem to be the ideal fit, as Volvo's reputation of building safe but somewhat dowdy vehicles clashes with BMW's sporty intentions.<br /><br />[Source: <a href="http://business.timesonline.co.u k/tol/business/industry_sectors/engineering/article5014601.ece">Times Online</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://business.timesonline.co.u k/tol/business/industry_sectors/engineering/article5014601.ece>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/volvo-to-bmw-rumor-pops-up-yet-again/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1353027/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/volvo-to-bmw-rumor-pops-up-yet-again/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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BMW learns buyers want to save money, not planet
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/green/" rel="tag">Green</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/uk/" rel="tag">UK</a></p><a href="http://www.press.bmwgroup.com/pressclub/gb02.nsf/fwPressemeldungFrame?read form&docid=0E4B20BEB10B3B F6C12574EC00591719"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/bmw_dc_surgb.jpg" /></a><br /><br />BMW carried out a survey of 2,068 motorists in Great Britain and found that no matter what motorists claim to want, what they really want is a BMW. While 20% of respondents said they look at CO2 levels when they research new cars, 75% said they'd only buy a car if they saved money. Which really means they'd only buy a car that slurped less gas than the one in the driveway. Another notable tidbit in the "Driving Change" survey revealed that only 13-percent of people believed that other folks were really buying environmentally friendly cars because of reduced emissions. That means that those Britons know why you <em>really</em> bought that Prius...<br /><br />Fifty-four percent of the surveyed motorists also said that diesels are better on highway journeys than hybrids, and an unknown percentage of them "are demanding premium performance as well." It's a good thing then that BMW has a line of diesels mated to its <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/EfficientDynamics/">EfficientDynamics</a> technology that gets better gas mileage, emits fewer emissions, costs less in taxes, and has higher residual values. And in case you didn't know this about BMW, they're supposed to be a lot more fun to drive. If you have a massive amount of time on your hands, you can read the full report <a href="http://www.press.bmwgroup.com/pressclub/gb02nsf/(DocID)/0E4B20BEB10B3BF6C12574EC0 0591719/%24file/081024_bmw_ed_report.pdf" >here</a>. Otherwise, skip the words and do your duty: buy that BMW you've had your eye on, save the Earth and have fun doing it.<br /><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.press.bmwgroup.com/pressclub/gb02.nsf/fwPressemeldungFrame?read form&docid=0E4B20BEB10B3B F6C12574EC00591719">BMW</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.press.bmwgroup.com/pressclub/gb02.nsf/fwPressemeldungFrame?read form&docid=0E4B20BEB10B3B F6C12574EC00591719>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/bmw-learns-buyers-want-to-save-money-not-planet/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1353001/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/bmw-learns-buyers-want-to-save-money-not-planet/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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BMW working on multi-function smart key
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/gadgets/" rel="tag">Gadgets</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Tech</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><a href="http://www.gizmag.com/bmw-working-on-multi-functional-smart-key/10256/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/p0044469_opt.jpg" alt="" /></a>BMW's research unit has announced its latest innovation; the groundbreaking research has led to.... a Mobil Speedpass. This new multifunction smart key, co-developed with NXP Semiconductor, is actually more functional than ExxonMobil's 11-year-old RFID gadget, but that's the general idea. Wrapping NXP's latest SmartMX chip into a prototype car key will enable users to pay for items with the key, as well as using the contactless payment feature to pay for public transportation and tolls, too. Personalized services using BMW telematics will also be possible with the key - whatever that really means, we don't know. Will you be able to play a Euro version of Michael Knight? The most important thing BMW's new smart key will do, however, is efficiently give access to your car and personal finances to someone else should you misplace the doohickey. Marvelous. Please, BMW, for your next trick could you add some simplicity to your cars? <br /><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/bmw-working-on-multi-functional-smart-key/10256/">Gizmag</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.gizmag.com/bmw-working-on-multi-functional-smart-key/10256/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/bmw-working-on-multi-function-smart-key/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1352064/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/bmw-working-on-multi-function-smart-key/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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Car 2 Car working to create vehicles that can talk to any other car, not just Bimmers
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/" rel="tag">Etc.</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Euro</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Tech</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><a href="www.press.bmwgroup. com/pressclub/us02.nsf/(DocID)/B3466768F428F94BC12574EC0 050E281/%24file/pm_car2car_gb.pdf"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/c2c_bmw_frq.jpg" alt="" /></a>Thirty different auto manufacturers and technology companies are partners in a group called <a href="http://car-to-car.org/">Car 2 Car Communication Consortium</a>. The point is to create cars that talk to each other -- but instead of swapping secrets only with other cars of the same brand, the group wants to create vehicles that can speak to any other car, truck, or motorcycle on the road.<br /><br />As one would expect, there are a number of things needed to successful implement the idea. The most important hurdle has just been cleared with the announcement that all parties have agreed on the European radio frequency that vehicles would would use to communicate. Ultimately, the consortium wants to create the ability for a Car 2 Car equipped vehicle to warn any nearby vehicle of an icy patch on the road, or for a motorcycle nearing an intersection to notify you while you're behind the wheel. Now that the consortium has a common channel to use, it only needs to decide on a common language. Esperanto, anyone? You can read the full release after the jump.<br /><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.press.bmwgroup.com/pressclub/us02.nsf/(DocID)/B3466768F428F94BC12574EC0 050E281/%24file/pm_car2car_gb.pdf">BMW</a>]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/car-2-car-working-to-create-vehicles-that-can-talk-to-any-other/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Car 2 Car working to create vehicles that can talk to any other car, not just Bimmers</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com"><img src="http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Autoblog" style="float:left;padding :0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/car-2-car-working-to-create-vehicles-that-can-talk-to-any-other/">Car 2 Car working to create vehicles that can talk to any other car, not just Bimmers</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:33:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.press.bmwgroup.com/pressclub/us02.nsf/(DocID)/B3466768F428F94BC12574EC0 050E281/%24file/pm_car2car_gb.pdf>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/car-2-car-working-to-create-vehicles-that-can-talk-to-any-other/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1353304/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/car-2-car-working-to-create-vehicles-that-can-talk-to-any-other/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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رد: Car 2 Car working to create vehicles that can talk to any other car, not just Bimmers
 

BMW creating 'green supercar' for 2012
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/green/" rel="tag">Green</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/supercars/" rel="tag">Supercars</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-m1-homage/935393/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/m1hommagea07_450op.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<div align="center"><em><stron g><small>Click above for a high-res gallery of the BMW M1 Homage concept</small></strong></em><br /></div>
<br />BMW is hard at work on the M1's successor and according to Autocar's sources, officials inside the automaker are calling it a "breakthrough green supercar" that will arrive towards the end of 2012.<br /><br />Taking inspiration from the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/M1Homage/">M1 Homage</a> concept and equipping the two-door with BMW's <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/EfficientDynamics/">EfficientDynamics</a> system, the mid-engine supercar is rumored to be packing the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six found across BMW's range. The automaker expects fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions to be on par with a mid-range 5-series sedan, primarily through the use of direct-injection, brake regeneration, start-stop technology and even its F1 team's kinetic energy recovery system.<br /><br />The unnamed BMW supercar is expected to carry a price tag close to its rivals, the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/AudiR8/">Audi R8</a> and the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/MercedesBenzSLC/">Mercedes-Benz SLC</a>.<br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-m1-homage/">BMW M1 Hommage</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-m1-homage/935382/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/m1hommagea06_thumbnail.jp g" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-m1-homage/935393/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/m1hommagea07_thumbnail.jp g" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-m1-homage/935394/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/m1hommagea08_thumbnail.jp g" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-m1-homage/935395/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/m1hommagea09_thumbnail.jp g" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-m1-homage/935396/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/m1hommagea10_thumbnail.jp g" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/BMW-Concepts/235611/">AutoCar</a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com"><img src="http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Autoblog" style="float:left;padding :0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/28/bmw-creating-green-supercar-for-2012/">BMW creating 'green supercar' for 2012</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:02:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/BMW-Concepts/235611/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/28/bmw-creating-green-supercar-for-2012/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1355481/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/28/bmw-creating-green-supercar-for-2012/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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