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Monday, 24 March 2008 |
Nick Heidfeld has hailed BMW Sauber’s progress after their strong performance in Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix. While team mate Robert Kubica brought his F1.08 home second, the Pole’s best-ever F1 result, Heidfeld scored his and the team’s maiden fastest lap on his way to sixth place.
Based on BMW Sauber’s modest showings in pre-season testing, few had expected them to be able to challenge the two top teams, and given their tally of 19 points from the first two races - nine more than in the opening two rounds of 2007 - even Heidfeld admitted he was surprised at their improvement.
"I didn't expect that we would be able to match the pace of the McLarens in Malaysia, and even be slightly faster than them in the closing stages of the race,” Heidfeld told BMW Sauber’s official website. “Compared to the off-season tests, we have made a huge leap."
Starting fifth on the grid, Heidfeld’s race was compromised early on by a first-corner tussle with Toyota’s Jarno Trulli. However, the German fought back, pulling off arguably the best passing move of the afternoon, and then clocking the fastest lap on his penultimate tour of Sepang.
"Overtaking Alonso and Coulthard at the same time, in the opening stages of the race, was really big fun," the 30-year old admitted. "For me, this was the crucial move on the way to securing the best possible result after having lost several positions due to the close encounter with Trulli."
Team principal Mario Theissen was understandably delighted with the result. Furthermore, he is convinced there is plenty more to come from the F1.08 - enough, in fact, for the German-Swiss team to achieve their declared aim of a 2008 victory.
“We have not yet tapped our car's full potential,” said Theissen. “Therefore, I'm confident that we will be able to achieve the goal we've set ourselves for the 2008 season: to close the gap to the top teams and to secure our maiden Grand Prix win. Everybody is working hard to help us realise this goal, at the racetrack, during testing, as well as in Munich and Hinwil.”
Heidfeld and Kubica lie third and fifth respectively in the driver standings, while BMW Sauber are second to McLaren in the constructors’ table.
Source: F1.com
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Monday, 17 March 2008 |
Last sunday, i managed to get myself up early (not as early as some other participents though) and headed down to Changi Exhibition Centre for the event. The road leading in was a nice bonus too. Wide, open, long and "private".
It was a nice event held by PML, letting everyone have the chance to drive the car around without having to cough up any fees is a great way to promote the car as well as create some good brand awareness.
There was some light breakfast when i got there and juice too, had my fill, sat in for the short theory session. (which i think is still good to hear again even after goin for the ADT, kinda like a refresher). After the theory session, it was time to head out for the cars. There were a total of 5 520i's awaiting us outside, 4 for the participants (for my session) and 1 for the instrutor to potter around in.
Think of this event kind of like ADT "super lite", the sessions were short and brief but, everyone still had their go at the car, with exercises in emergency braking (1 go each), brake+swerve (1 go each), and emergency lane change (3 times each, if i remember correctly), after which, everyone took turns taking the car out for a time slalom/combination of exercises course.
End of the day, everyone had a go as passengers with the lead instructor as the driver. Nothing really spectacular but good enough to show how the car handles.
Even though it was a short session, it was still great fun and enjoyable. Too bad the skies opened up midway and it started to pour after a while, totally soaking the tarmac.
So, how's the entry level 5er? I guess almost everyone will be saying that it's "underpowered", that it's "not a true blue inline 6 BMW", "blah blah blah". And they are not wrong of course, its a large car for the little 4 potter to push around. Acceleration is not neck snapping fast either, its really rather slow honestly, but it does have some pretty good dynamics. Handling of the car is pretty spot on, effortless and without drama.
The simple truth i figure though, is that we are looking at the car in the wrong way. The car isn't wrong, but we are. Of course, it's not a great car, but it isn't a lousy car either. Can anyone who's driven it truely and honestly say the car is lousy?
I suspect most people who buy the 520i will not be power hungry folks trying to get their car sideways when exiting expressways but more sensible folks who just want a decent car to drive from point A, to point B. It's easy to drive, it's (relatively) comfortable to be in, and it still retains it's handling magic which can either help propel you out of trouble one day or just put a smile on your face and the next bend. It might not have the firepower of it's bigger engined brothers, but my guess is, that's not what it's about.
As a highly strung performance executive sedan, it fails due to it's lack of grunt. Think of it more as a daily commuting runabout though and it's not half bad at all. It's all rather good for that actually.
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Friday, 14 March 2008 |
Hartge has released its new body kit programme for the BMW 1 Series coupe and convertible. As no pricing has yet been announced, all there is to go on for now are specs on what to expect. Bodywise Hartge has provided a set of carbon casings for the exterior mirrors, adjustable sports suspension for E82 and E88 and sports suspension for 120D, 123D and 135i. The latter will run 25mm lower.
Interior promises even more with goodies like a series of 3-spoke sports steering wheel to choose from, aluminium handbrake, aluminium pedals and Hartge speedos reading up to 300km/h. Not sure if it will do this type of speed but it may certainly try.
Hartge gives customers a choice between Continental or Pirelli tyres, although run flats are available on request. These range from 8.5 x 18" offset 40 with 225 / 40 ZR 18 front to 9.0 x 19" offset 46 with 255 / 30 ZR 19 rear
No info on engine changes, if any yet. But we know they can make a BMW run over 300km/h per with no sweat at all.
Source: WorldCarFans.com / Hartge
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Wednesday, 12 March 2008 |
Date: 13 to 16 March 2008
Venue: Changi Exhibition Centre
Session Duration: 2.5 hours per session
Timing:
3 sessions per day:
8.30am to 11am (Breakfast included)
12pm to 2.30pm (Lunch included)
3.30pm to 6.00pm (Teabreak included)
To learn more and more importantly, to sign up. Head over to Performance Motors' website now.
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