According to the news wire at Bimmerfest, BMW has decided to produce the Grand Coupe Concept in 2012 as a new direction for the 6 Series.  It looks like the next 6 will enter the market under the “sedan-coupe” segment which will position it as a possible contender for the next Mercedes CLS.  Check out a video below of the announcement made at the BMW Welt.

As it stands right now SpoCom is the only dedicated car show that still makes a stop in Long Beach and for that we’re grateful (especially since Long Beach is our back yard!) but one of the things we appreciate about SpoCom the most is how they really bring back the vibe of car shows from years past.  It was crowded but not too crowded it was a large show but not obnoxiously big and the quality of cars on the show floor was top shelf!  It was a great show and I highly recommend attending if they make a stop in your area.  Check out some of our pictures below and for a full photo gallery visit our Facebook Fan Page.

After the participants of the Targa Trophy took off from the starting line in Hollywood last weekend I took a stroll across the street to check out the So Cal Euro car meet.  There was a ton of nice examples but what really stopped me in my tracks was this E92 M3 with the Vorsteiner GTRS3 widebody kit built by VF Engineering, complete with an Air Force theme and flat green vinyl wrap!  This was easily the freshest car at the meet, and there was a Porsche Carerra GT there!

Is a product still considered “aftermarket” if it’s offered by the OEM themselves?  I asked myself this question when I read the press release from BMW about their new line of carbon fiber exterior parts for the M3.  The menu so far consists of front lip add-ons, side mirror caps, and a deck lid spoiler.  I think someone from BMW has been paying close attention to our friends at Vorsteiner!  Either way the pieces look pretty nice but I wonder if the price point (not announced in press release) will make it worth the time to buy parts from BMW rather than sticking with the aftermarket.

This is easily the freshest on-board video I’ve seen in a while.  Below is a 3.0 liter BMW powered Norma M20 chassis piloted by Alain Castellana taking on a tight twisty road at speed.  The engine sound is sick and this guy is an awesome driver! This is a great way to spend 2:50 minutes!

If you can’t make it out to Las Vegas this weekend for XDC then I would suggest heading out to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA tomorrow for Bimmerfest 2010.  Not only is Bimmerfest the biggest concentration of BMWs on the planet but its possibly one of the biggest car meets period! If you’re pushing a BMW right now you might want to hit up Bimmerfest.com and hit up their forums to see if there will be a caravan near you.

I will be the first to say that despite being a BMW fan, I am not a fan of the Gran Turismo version of the new 5 series.  However, looking at what HAMANNdid to it here I have to admit that I don’t hate what I see.  It is amazing to see what a nice set of wheels, a drop, and a lip kit can do to a car that you previously thought unattractive.  To balance out the superficial enhancements HAMANN also includes a ECU re-tune with this package to get a few more horses, as well as an exhaust system.  Not sure on what the MSRP is or if you can even pull one of these here in the statesbut its nice to know that the possibility is out there for the Gran Turismo.

Ending the day with a track-inspired fresh note.  Below is two minutes of the infamous BMW M3 GTS taking a hot lap around Nurburgring with BMW’s M-Power test driver.  Enjoy and you’re welcome!

Check out this video of the BMW Concept Grand Coupe reveal.  The camera is kind of far back but not too far away to appreciate its awesome lines.  However, you might want to hit the mute button on your computer before you watch this unless you’re a fan of haunting Chinese techno balads.

It is official.  HAMANN officially made me move the BMW Z4 from the uncool list to the cool list.  I know this type of aero styling isn’t every one’s cup of tea but in this case I like it!  It is almost austintatious but stops just short which makes for a nice balance of aggression. 

Press Release:

HAMANN kicks off the cabrio season and presents its comprehensive modification programme for the BMW Z4 Roadster

Just in time for the start of the cabrio season, HAMANN Motorsport is introducing a comprehensive programme for accessories and modification of the current BMW Z4 Roadster, known internally as the E89. The broad palette of customisation options for the roadster with the fold-away hardtop includes exciting bodywork styling, striking rim designs and powerful performance improvements.

The HAMANN aerodynamics programme is characterised by top-quality workmanship on body components with impressive design and optimised airflow over the vehicle silhouette: The specialists have replaced the series production front spoiler on the front axle with an in-house development that features two integrated LED day lamps. Striking side skirts between the front and the rear impress with a convincing design concept, and lend the Z4 an even lower and longer appearance. The lift force on the rear axle is reduced by a HAMANN technical development that sees a shapely spoiler mounted on the tailgate. A new rear apron completes an impressive overall appearance and makes space for the four tailpipes responsible for the throaty sound of the HAMANN sports exhaust system.

The HAMANN engine specialists have developed a powerful performance improvement for the BMW Z4 sDrive35i engine, which also lifts the 250 km/h limitation. The optimisation of the series production control device has resulted in performance figures of 360 hp / 265 kW at 5230 rpm (standard is 306 hp / 225 kW at 2500 rpm). The maximum torque simultaneously increases to an impressive 540 Nm, which is available in the engine speed range of 1300 to 5000 rpm (standard is 400 Nm at 1300 - 5000). This modification results in a top speed of 285 km/h.

One of the technical highlights in the comprehensive range of wheels is the three-part HAMANN light alloy wheel known as the EDITION RACE “MATT BLACK”. The 20″ forged wheel combines sportiness with elegance. The matt black, polished spoked rims and the titanium screw joints accentuate the wheel dynamics, while the highly polished rim flange makes for a sophisticated impression. HAMANN is offering the wheel/tyre combination of 8,5Jx20 inch including 235/30ZR20 front tyres with 10,0Jx20 rims plus 295/25ZR20 back tyres from 7,640 Euro. Extra focus is on the new aluminium wheels with special chassis springs that allow the centre of mass on both the front and back axles of the Z4 Roadster to be lowered by 30 millimetres. Handling of the sports car is simultaneously enhanced.

 For the interior, HAMANN Motorsport has come up with subtle internal applications. The aluminium gear knob and the set of foot mats with the silver stitched HAMANN logo provide a sporty look. On request, hand-made complete leather fittings in line with the exclusive demands of every BMW Z4 Roadster driver can also be supplied.

For more information about the extensive HAMANN tuning programme, please visit the web site www.HAMANN-MOTORSPORT.com .