You may have already read reviews of the 2011 BMW 1-Series M Coupe (aka 1M), but if you have, you’ve likely suffered through strained historical analogies, detailed comparisons to previous M cars, and sheets of performance data.

You’ll find a minimum of that here. Instead, I offer you a fellow enthusiast’s take on the car, filtered through the desire for a nimble, focused, affordable car that’ll get you to work and get you seat time at the track with equal ease and ability.

The forum for my analysis: the official BMW North American press launch, held en route to and at Monticello Motor Club, where BMW brought me briefly to test the car. It was a limited day-long engagement, restricted to a few hours of open road driving and a dozen or so stop-and-go laps. Not enough time for a full evaluation, but enough to get the overall feel of the car.

Nuts & bolts

This is a parts-bin car, from the ground up. Read the spec sheet, and there are only a handful of parts actually unique to the car–and those are mostly body panels. The 335-horsepower, 369-pound-feet of torque (in overboost) N54 twin-turbo inline six under the hood is found in the new sDrive35is models, and is itself a hotter version of the engine that drove most of BMW’s lineup before the revised, refined, twin-scroll/single-turbo N55 came along last year.

That’s not to say the 1-Series M Coupe is merely the sum of its parts. Borrowing brakes, differential, and wheels from the M3, adding its own unique take on M Dynamic Mode (MDM) and its full-performance track mode, as well as an aggressively relaxed stability/dynamics control system, the 1-Series M Coupe is, in fact, the M car I’d buy if I were going to buy one.

After Porsche, BMW released another special edition M3 coupe, this time passing the Chinese market in the U.S.. It’s called Frozen Black M3 and looks like it was dropped in a barrel with tar (in a good, if possible).

Engines remains the same, ie 4-liter V8 to 420 horses, served through the box with double clutch M-DCT, which shortens the momentum up to hundred kilometers from 4.7 4.5 seconds.

All 20 Series models will receive exclusive Competition Package M3 GTS wheels 19 “(black, naturally), along with a set of optional heated seats, GPS and a stereo system (here we refer to roar engine, it’s even an audio system).

Black on the outside is felt in the cabin, where you get the black Novillo leather adorned with red patches.

From all angles show the hell … well, that sinister air. And costs only $ 80,000 - with about 3000 more than the previous special edition dedicated to the U.S., namely Frozen Gray (I leave you to guess the color This one), which occurred in 30 copies.

Does what Americans will be served? If everything was gray, then black, we believe that BMW will make up a Frozen White, produced in 10 copies, and that would cost about $ 85,000. Too bad it’s only for the state.

What you have proposals for a possible M3 limited edition for Europe? For inspiration, you and some pictures below, Frozen Black.

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Audi R8 - 70 years in the making

Inspired by the most successful Le Mans racing car of all time, the Audi R8 has been created from 70 years of motorsport innovation. The mid-mounted, high revving V8 4.2 FSI engine delivers 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 187mph. quattro® permanent four-wheel-drive distributes power when and where you need it. And the breathtaking design is recognisable the moment it appears in a rear view mirror.

Desing

Interior Beneath the skin is a deceptively spacious two-seat cabin with plenty of racing car inspiration in its layout and appearance, and full of typical Audi luxury - evident in its fine Nappa leather upholstery and trim.

Wheels

The Audi R8 is fitted with 5-arm double-spoke design 19-inch alloy wheels. The 235/40 size tyres at the front and up to 285/35 at the rear provide all the road-holding you need.

Colours

Choose from a range of eight exterior colours. The sideblades are in a harmoniously contrasting finish, also optionally in Oxygen Silver or Carbon Sigma.

Lights

See and be seen with Xenon Plus ellipsoidal headlights with headlight washer system, dynamic headlight range control and LED daytime running lights.

Performance features

The new Audi R8 combines the time-honoured hallmarks of the best of the classic sports cars with futuristic construction, transmission and suspension technologies. All this is underpinned by the steadfast reassurance of the quattro four-wheel-drive system.

V8 engine

The high-revving V8 petrol engine delivers 420PS, spontaneous response and a thrilling engine sound. It punches the R8 through the 62mph barrier in just 4.6 seconds.

quattro

The R8’s unique engine position, together with quattro permanent four-wheel drive, results in outstanding dynamic performance with very high directional stability and enormous lateral acceleration.

Transmission

You can choose a 6-speed manual transmission to channel the 430Nm of torque, or the race-inspired R tronic sequential shift gearbox with joystick and paddle control, which offers exceptionally fast gear changes.

Audi Magnetic Ride

Audi Magnetic Ride, optional on the R8, is an adaptive suspension system with two selectable modes: Normal and Sport. Sensors in the car monitor the road conditions and adjust the damping effect by varying a magnetic charge that passes through a fluid-based shock absorber, delivering improved road handling, outstanding chassis control and excellent driving comfort.

FSI®

Audi’s exclusive FSI technology means a higher power output, higher torque, lower fuel consumption and reduced exhaust emissions.

Safety features

Supreme sports cars such as the Audi R8 need to balance exhilaration with reassurance. It achieves this – and more – thanks to a standard specification that offers superior safety: large-size, ventilated brakes; the ESP 8.0 Electronic Stability Program; the robust occupant cell surrounded by energy-absorbing zones and numerous electronic assistance systems.

Brake system

8-piston fixed callipers on the front axle and 4-piston fixed callipers on the rear axle give the Audi R8 supreme stopping power and directional stability.

Electronic stabilisation

The Electronic Stability Program, ESP 8.0 - configured in three modes for the first time - offers high driving safety and vehicle stability.

Xenon headlights

Bi-Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED rear lights assist the driver at night, or when visibility is poor, and gives the R8 its distinctive look.

Audi R8 wallpapers and pictures:

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New BMW M6: The Rebirth of an Icon

Power and performance, however, are not everything. Rather, what really counts is a car’s acceleration and driving dynamics on the road. And this depends, first, on the weight of a car and, second, on the thrust and power which actually goes to the drive wheels - which, in turn, is a result of engine torque and the overall transmission ratio. BMW’s high-speed engine concept allows an optimum gearbox and final drive transmission ratio in all cases, thus guaranteeing impressive thrust and momentum on the road at all times.

The Interior

Inside, the new M6 comes with fully adjustable M sports seats that include lumbar support and an adjustable backrest width as standard. They are covered in extended Merino leather, with the owner able to choose between Black, Silverstone or Sepang.

The new car also features BMW M’s version of the new Head-up Display system. Unlike the standard Head-up Display available on 5 and 6 Series models that offers navigation instructions and cruise control information, the system on the M6 projects driver-focussed information such as engine speed, gear selected and road speed directly into the driver’s view, obviating the need for the driver to take his or her eyes off the road ahead.

Base Price: 2007 BMW M6 - $98,600 / 106,500 $‚ - (last update: 2/20/2007)

Specifications

BMW M6 wallpapers and photos, Tunign and concept:

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