Hi Member's, Do you like the Concept BMW ? Please enter your vote in the poll...I'm just happy that some companies are still producing/making 2 door coupes

2013 BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe - First Look

BMW does the two-door 3 Series one better.

</HGROUP>By Dan Roth December 5, 2012

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Nigel Tufnel's amplifiers went to "11," and the BMW 3 Series coupe has also gone one more as it transitions to the F30 platform. BMW wants to capitalize on the willingness of coupe buyers to pay for exclusivity and aspirational design, hence the Concept 4 Series Coupe. Calling it a concept for now is just BMW being coy; this car will change very little, if at all, before arriving in dealerships.
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</FIGURE>Before that happens, the 4 Series Coupe will make its debut on the show stage. All signs are pointing to a 2013 Detroit Auto Show debut, and BMW prattles on with enough words to cover every inch of the sheetmetal they describe as more dynamic, sporty, and striking than merely a two-door 3 Series. When you see it, though, you'll still probably think that it's a great-looking, two-door 3 Series.
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</FIGURE>Arriving Next Fall
In terms of a retail timeline, BMW told us the current 3 Series coupe and convertible will be in production well into the middle of 2013. That squares with a 4 Series on-sale date sometime in the third quarter of the year after capitalizing the 2013 auto show season to build interest.
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</FIGURE>No Surprises Under This Handsome Hood
Turbocharged four- and six-cylinder powertrains will surprise no one, and when asked if we'll ever see an ActiveHybrid or diesel engine in the 4 Series, BMW suggested it would be "an aggressive assumption" to expect the 4 Series powertrain strategy to diverge from the 3 Series. Translation: no, at least not for now.
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</FIGURE>Compared to the 3 Series coupe it replaces, the 4 Series wheelbase is up two inches, and 45 mm have been added to the front track. The rear track gets nearly twice as much additional width, up 80 mm. In fact, the widest point of the 4 Series Coupe are the rear wheel arches. The roof is 16mm lower, too, all of which adds up to a car with classic coupe proportions and more visual muscle than before.
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</FIGURE>Classic Design Elements, Updated
The trademark twin kidney grille is now blocked off from behind, serving only as a showpiece between hexagonal LED headlamps that update the BMW twin round tradition. BMW Individual contributed to the interior habadashery of the 4 Series Coupe, which features more premium materials and handsome, driver-centric design. There's even specially hand-braided leather trim that extends all the way to the cup holders.
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</FIGURE>The Bottom Line
Until BMW finalizes its powertrain and pricing plans for the 4 Series Coupe, the only hook they're going to be riffing on is the styling, and that's really what's different from the F30 sedan.

 

Road Tests

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I like....what's not to like!

 

Exclusive First Look: 2014 Nissan GT-R
Taking one of the world’s greatest cars and making it better.

</HGROUP>By Nick Kurczewski November 29, 2012 / Photos by Chris Cantle

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The 2014 Nissan GT-R has been retuned and re-engineered for better responsiveness at the race track, while simultaneously offering a higher degree of luxury and refinement than ever before in the Japanese automaker's performance flagship. Making its official North American debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, the new GT-R is a careful evolution of an already formidable force in the world of exotic cars. With acceleration to challenge a Bugatti Veyron, and a level of high-speed maneuverability that shames many of the finest Italian supercars, the GT-R has already earned plenty of respect.
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Granted, it's not the prettiest objet d'art to ever grace the automotive scene. However, the GT-R's engineering ethos has always been one of form following function. The outlandishly curvaceous bodywork favored by other manufacturers takes a backseat to whatever technology makes the GT-R go faster, corner harder, and brake better than the competition. This helps explain why Nissan's effort at rounding off some of the GT-R's rough edges included a regime of hot-laps at the world famous Nürburgring in Germany.

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2014 Nissan GT-R




Tuned at the Track
Years of racing knowledge, and thousands of miles spent circulating the Nürburgring, one of the world's most daunting circuits, have led to a thorough round of improvements for the road-going GT-R. Overall power from the 545-bhp turbocharged 3.8-liter V-6 engine remains the same, but Nissan's team of engineers focused plenty of attention on improving mid-range engine response and high-speed acceleration. The Nissan GT-R story is "one of continuous improvement," said Carl Phillips, Nissan's head of marketing for the GT-R in the U.S. "There's always something new for every model year. We're taking one of the world's greatest cars and making it better."

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2014 Nissan GT-R




Like the iconic Porsche 911, the Nissan GT-R story is one of gradual change, not drastic makeovers. New high output fuel injectors have been incorporated into the engine, to better control fuel injection and improve throttle response. "A new oil pan baffle better stabilizes oil under high g-forces," explains Carl Phillips. A new specially developed orifice to the relief valve is added to the turbocharger bypass, to help maintain the GT-R's acceleration at high speeds. Thanks to these detail improvements, keen drivers will notice a stronger plateau of torque from 4,500 to 6,000 rpm in the latest GT-R.

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2014 Nissan GT-R




For those moments when you're not stomping the gas pedal on a straightaway, you can pop open the hood for an extra bonus. "I'm not sure we've talked about the craftsmanship of the GT-R that much in the past," says Phillips. "The [GT-R] engines are all built by hand...a single person builds each engine from start to finish." To drive the point home, a plaque located at the front of the engine, near the oil dipstick, bears the name of the individual who constructed the turbo V-6 for each GT-R.

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2014 Nissan GT-R




Clipping Apexes
Based on its years of racing experience, and those aforementioned testing sessions at the `Ring, Nissan's engineering team worked to lower the GT-R's center of gravity. Having as much weight located as low as possible is a sure-fire way to improve handling and the overall behavior of the suspension. Nissan's modifications were done with an eye on improving performance during track day sessions and, conversely, giving a boost to driving refinement during everyday use. Nissan began by lowering the GT-R's center of gravity with the deflection of the suspension bushings and tires. The shock absorbers and front anti-roll bar have also been retuned for the 2014 model year, to provide more stable behavior at high speeds.

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2014 Nissan GT-R




Cam bolts have been installed on the front suspension to improve camber accuracy and better maintain alignment settings. Meanwhile, the torque from the driveshaft to the hub bearings is increased, to improve reliability during what Nissan refers to as "high-stress situations" (i.e. track driving). Chassis reinforcements were also added behind the dash panel bar and instrument panel, to boost rigidity. While not new for the 2014 model year, it's worth noting that Dunlop developed its SP Sport Maxx GT600 tires exclusively for the GT-R. "The close working relationship between our engineering team and Dunlop is a big part of the car's development," says Nissan's Carl Phillips.

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2014 Nissan GT-R




Despite some earlier predictions that the new GT-R could shed a few pounds, the 2014 model has approximately the same 3,825 lb. curb weight of the outgoing model. Nissan also decided not to tweak the GT-R's ATTESA ET-S four-wheel-drive system, adaptive sport suspension, and dual-clutch automatic (with manual controls). Sometimes it pays not to mess with a good thing.

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2014 Nissan GT-R




All in the Details
The wheels and exterior of the GT-R are also carry-over, though don't be fooled into thinking the brutish-looking style of this Nissan is short on technical advancement. Believe it or not, the GT-R has a drag coefficient of only 0.26 Cd. That's almost equal to the 0.25 Cd served up by the fuel-sipping ToyotaPrius hybrid. The "aeroblade" design of the GT-R's fenders not only looks aggressive, the shape has been optimized to improve airflow along the sides of the car. The vents in the front fenders are also entirely functional, and are there to pull heat from the V-6 engine, reduce air pressure, and provide more extra downforce.

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2014 Nissan GT-R




Nissan says cabin improvements, especially an optional "amber red" leather trim available on the Premium trim level, are meant to appeal to a wider range of customers – specifically women and older, more mature clients. While the added luxury is a nice touch, we're willing to bet that GT-R customers remain a dedicated core of enthusiasts who value 0-60 mph times over soft-touch surfaces. Still, the improvements are appreciated, and impart a more upscale feel to the cabin. Pricing will be announced closer to the 2014 GT-R's official on sale date, scheduled for the early part of next year. If you simply can't wait, then consider a move to Japan, where the new and improved GT-R is already available.

 

The `Price $$$ & that I can't afford one ~> lol

I do love the GT-R 4-$ure

 

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Thank You for your time...It's gone...I'm gone...Now (LOL) Peace/Out