Sir Jack Brabham considering legal action over use of his name

Australian racing legend Sir Jack Brabham has revealed that he is disappointed that a company in Germany, which he has no association with, is using his name to promote a range of aftermarket performance parts and accessories. The tuning firm is Germany's Brabham Racing, which plans to develop a range of performance modifications, including whole cars, based on the BMW M3, M5 and X6 SUV. Brabham, now 82, together with his family is considering mounting legal action against the German firm despite his poor state of health. Brabham Racing at Essen Motor Show

 

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Spy shots: 2009 BMW 7-Series Security

BMW will soon be adding another model to its armored 'Security' division with the sighting of this 2009 7-Series prototype in Germany suggesting that development of an armored version of the latest saloon is well underway. The latest model comes just months after the reveal of the existing 5-Series and X5 Security models. Clear giveaways that this is in fact an armored model are the wide fail-safe tires and ministerial flag holders on the front fenders. Like the current Security models, the new 7-Series version will likely be rated at VR4 ballistic protection level. 2008 BMW 5-series Security

 

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Report: BMW M Division dropping high-rev engines in favor of turbos

BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer recently revealed plans to phase out diesel V8 engines across the board, but as drastic as this sounds it could be just the tip of the iceberg for the carmaker's future plans to shakeup its powertrain lineup. BMW's hallowed 'M' division could also be affected by the new wave of environmental consciousness sweeping carmakers across the world, the end result being smaller engines and turbochargers in future M cars. Speaking with AutoWeek, high-ranking BMW sources have revealed that the 4.0L and 5.0L high-rev V8 and V10 engines in the current M lineup will make way for forced-induction engines, possibly as early as next year. BMW X5 M Spy shots - August

 

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AC Schnitzer releases new package for facelifted 3-Series

Specialist BMW tuner AC Schnitzer has announced the release of another new upgrade package, this time for the facelifted BMW E90 3-Series sedan and E91 touring models. AC Schnitzer has upgraded the cars with a number of aesthetic and performance pieces, including a dramatic new front spoiler. The Aachen-based company claims that the new aesthetic appearance places an emphasis on dynamics and that "instead of bulky curves, straight and slender forms are used." Additionally, in homage to BMW's race cars, the front spoiler elements finish at the bottom in a pointed "bow". AC Schnitzer E90/91 BMW 3-Series

 

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Next-generation BMW 1-series could get 'shooting brake' variant

BMW released an updated version of the 1-series compact late last year and since then a suspicious prototype of the hatch has been captured running around German streets. At first appearance the car looks like an ordinary 1-series hatchback but look closer and you'll notice several key features that reveal it is very different. Now new information about the next-generation car has just been revealed by Klaus Draeger, BMW's product development guru, indicating that a 'shooting brake' elongated two-door wagon/hatch variant may be in the works. Noting that it's very tough to find a way to expand the 1-series lineup without impinging either on Mini's sales at the lower end or on the 3-series sales above, Draeger says he only sees one new body type as having a serious chance at production, according to a report in AutoBild. BMW 1-series mule

 

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Zwickenpflug reveals 445hp BMW M3 'Leather Edition'

Though BMW's latest 3-series treatment is something of a love-it-or-hate-it design, the gang at Zwickenpflug are decidedly in the 'love it' camp, leaving their customized car's exterior almost completely untouched. Inside, there's a score of changes, and the engine even gets some tweaks to boost output to 445hp (332kW). Exactly what was done to the 4.2L V8 inside the M3 isn't clear, but the ECU has been tweaked to yield a gain of almost 6%, likely from adjusting fuel ratios and ignition timing. Zwickenpflug BMW M3 Leather Edition

 

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BMW Performance goes online: 1-Series and 3-Series get first upgrades

BMW has released a video on its website promoting its new 'BMW Performance' range of accessories, which is designed to allow customers to purchase factory-backed performance and aesthetic upgrades for their cars. We first saw details about the new BMW Performance range in September of last year, but now the full list of accessories is online with some surprising additions to the original lineup. One of the more interesting items includes an F1-style racing wheel displaying gear-shift lights, lap times and a host of other motorsport-related data. BMW Concept 1-series tii

 

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