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Official BMW Club
Joy of Driving
Inside this Issue:
Kalender 3 President’s Corner 4 South America on a BMW 5 Street Survival 6 BMW 8 Series Coupe 8 Classified 9 All-New 2019 BMW X4 10 Charter of Turin 12
April 2018
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BMW Club of Southern Alberta The BMW Club of Southern Alberta is a member club of the BMW Club of
Canada. The BMW Club of Canada is a founding national member of the
International Council of BMW Clubs.
Mailing Address: PO Box 75012 Cambrian, Calgary, Alberta T2K 6J8
General e-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.bmwcsa.ca
Facebook: BMW Club of Southern Alberta (@bmwcsa96)
Instagram: @bmwcsa96
Twitter: @bmwcsa96
YouTube: BMW Club of Southern Alberta
Freude am Fahren [Joy of Driving] Newsletter The BMW Club of Southern Alberta (BMWCSA) publishes Freude am Fahren
in print 4 times per year and emails Joy of Driving 6 times per year.
Ideas and opinions are those of the authors, without authentication by or liability
to the BMWCSA, its Editors, Directors or Officers. BMWCSA reserves the right
to modify or edit any material or submissions.
Material in this newsletter may describe vehicle modifications or procedures
that may void your warranty, cause your car to fail emissions tests, or make
your insurance company or agent unhappy. BMWCSA, its Editors, Directors
and Officers are not responsible for any consequences that may ensue
from such modifications.
Please send Articles, Mail, Classifieds and advertising to Chris Tworek,
Editor, at [email protected]
Please submit photos at 300 dpi in tiff or jpg format, and text submissions in
MS Word or alternative format by arrangement with editor
Print Deadline: 15th of the month preceding or by arrangement with Editor
Advertisement Deadline: last Wednesday of the Month preceding
Classified Ads are free to members; $25/month to non-members
Please send Address Changes to Glen Cook at [email protected]
Directors and Officers Please limit phone calls to between the hours of 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM
President & Director Membership Newsletter Editor,
Greg Walsh Chairperson Vice- President &
403-286-2248 Glen Cook Director
[email protected] 403-274-8716 Chris Tworek
[email protected] 403-238-8049
Treasurer & Director [email protected]
Gord Anderson Social Media Manager
[email protected] & Director Production Editors
Victor Yuen Margaret Cook
Secretary & Director [email protected] Michelle Belanger
Rainer Kahl
[email protected] Webmaster National Club Liaison
Michelle Belanger & Director
Events Coordinators [email protected] Brian DeBoeck
Greg Walsh [email protected]
Bruce Borstmayer Motorsport Coordinators
[email protected] Josh Carter Motorrad Liaison
[email protected] Bill Jackson
Gary Coleman [email protected]
On the cover: Bullwinkle meets X3 in Moose Meadows. Photo by Catalin Mitrache
Kalender
Membership in BMWCSA
Membership is a family affair with many of our events devised with family participation in mind. The family membership of $60 for one year, $105 for two years and $150 for three years covers all household family members. You do not have to own a BMW to be a Club member! To join the club, download the membership form from the link below and fill in your details: http://bmwcsa.ca/resources/Membership-Application.pdf For more info, or to submit your membership application, please email Glen Cook or Victor Yuen at: [email protected] Membership privileges include newsletters and participation in many social and motoring activities, plus a 15% discount on parts & lifestyle accessories at BMW Dealerships. After one year of membership, you will also enjoy a 2% Rebate off MRSP on either a new car or motorcycle from BMW Canada. This discount is based on MRSP and not on your negotiated price. Also many of our advertising sponsors, whose ads appear in our newsletters, offer discounts to members for parts and services. Please remember to show your BMWCSA card and identify yourself as a club member when purchasing parts, accessories and service.
April 7 Cars, Coffee & Chat, 10:00 am at The Block Kitchen and Lounge at 2411 4 St NW, Calgary
April 11 Social & General Meeting - Social starts at 6:00 PM and meeting at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm Austrian-Canadian Club, 3112 11th street NE
April 29 Grand Tour of South America on a BMW, with Rocky Bow BMW Riders, 10:00 am at Redwood House, Redwood Meadows, followed by Lunch and Country Drive. Watch www.bmwcsa.ca/events for details including FREE EventBrite registration
May 5 Cars, Coffee & Chat, 10:00 am at The Block Kitchen and Lounge at 2411 4 St NW
May 9 Social & General Meeting - Social starts at 6:00 PM and meeting at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm Austrian-Canadian Club, 3112 11th street NE
June 2 Cars, Coffee & Chat, 10:00 am at The Block Kitchen and Lounge at 2411 4 St NW
June 9 Street Survival – see article in Newsletter & website www.bmwcsa.ca/event/bmwcsa-introduces-street-survival/
June 13 Social & General Meeting - social starts at 6:00 PM and meeting at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm Austrian-Canadian Club, 3112 11th street NE
June 17 Annual Father’s Day Drive – stay tuned for details
July 7 Cars, Coffee & Chat, 10:00 am at The Block Kitchen and Lounge at 2411 4 St NW
July 11 Social & General Meeting - social starts at 6:00 PM and meeting at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, *BMW Gallery Boardroom, 7699 - 110 Ave NW, Calgary, AB (*for July only)
August 4 Cars, Coffee & Chat, 10:00 am at The Block Kitchen and Lounge at 2411 4 St NW
August 8 Social & General Meeting - Social starts at 6:00 PM and meeting at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm Austrian-Canadian Club, 3112 11th street NE
We would like to welcome to our Club family:
Jonathan Godfrey (2017 VW Golf R
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President’s Corner Greg Walsh
We have some interesting things planned for the next few months. Our own Bill Jackson, Motorrad Liaison, has arranged for a Meet-and-Greet, Country Drive and Lunch with a group of local BMW bike enthusiasts on Sunday April 29 (see announcement on pg 5). This will be much more than pleasant chit chat as the Rocky Bow BMW Riders are going to show off the true art of touring – riding the full length of the spine of South America. I am excited to meet these sociable folk and see an intriguing travelogue. Make sure to add this to your personal Kalender!
Ever wondered what it is like to drive a Formula 1 at the track? Victor Yuen is planning to set up an opportunity in May at the Race Room to experience their Full Motion Race Simulators. “You’ll race on some of the most famous race tracks from around the world - if there is a bump, rumble strip or a dip in the asphalt, you’ll feel it!” Keep tuned to our web page www.bmwcsa.ca/events/ for updates on this unique event.
If you would rather have hands-on track time, let me remind you
that there is a group of dedicated Trackaholics heading to High Plains Raceway, Colorado in May and on to Brainerd International Raceway, Minnesota in June. We will hone our skills with our own Bimmers on some exciting tracks at these BMW HPDE Schools and additional HPDE Lapping Days. Give me a shout if you’d like to join in.
For the gentler souls among you there are still a couple of spots
open on the 2018 Swiss Alps Tour in September; contact [email protected]. If this timing isn’t right for you we have plans for more tours in the coming years: 2019--Canadian Rockies, Oregon Coast, or the Grand Canyon; 2020--Northern Germany and the Nurburgring, French Alps or the Riviera. These are only suggestions now and if you’d like to explore the opportunities, or suggest others, come on out to one of our monthly CC&C (first Saturday of each month) or Social-Monthly Meetings (second Wednesday of each month). See Kalender for details.
Speaking of CC&C we are thinking that perhaps the June 2
nd event
would be an opportunity to have a somewhat competitive “Show and Shine”. Door prizes, best car prize and more on offer. Keep tuned!
And, with record snowfall in the Calgary area, members continue to
practice skills. Exchange student Jasper Kock shows what a German lad can do in High River snow using Gerard Mercier’s M3.
The weekend after, on Saturday, June 9th
, will be BMWCSA’s first-ever Tire Rack Street Survival school for young and new drivers. Plans are well advanced under the stewardship of our own Gary Coleman. This school is a volunteer public service effort of your Club. We need our membership to pitch-in to make this a successful school. If you are interested in participating as a volunteer worker, organizer or instructor do drop Gary a line [email protected]. Registration for Students is now open on EventBrite - see our www.bmwcsa.ca/events or the links in the following Newsletter article.
So, what has the Club been up to recently? The Winter Driving
School Sponsored by the BMW Club of Northern Alberta was a hoot! Lots of frozen-lake exercises and a very challenging race track on the lake. It was quite instructive to turn the ‘Nannies’* off and see where they were saving the bacon. The truly instructive experience from a personal perspective was to learn what the various Stability and Traction Control Systems would not let you do during avoidance manoeuvres on ice. No matter how much I wanted to intentionally skid the car around an obstacle, it couldn’t be done with the Nannies on. Admittedly some of these manoeuvres are for well-seasoned drivers, but if you have the skill set and react instinctively you are in for a rude awakening and a bump in the night that may have been avoided if the driver, not the car, was in control. I am far from being convinced that a fully autonomous self-driving car is currently achievable or desirable; especially in a Canadian winter. Many thanks to our northern neighbours for making this school available to the five southerners in attendance.
Thanks also to Sheni’s Autotrend for an informative demonstration
of “gunk in the valve train” and Decarbonization using the Terra Clean process. It was another pleasant gathering at Sheni’s shop on Saturday, March 25. An article will follow most likely in the May issue.
Our Club succeeds because you our members step forward. Thank you all! I wish you joy of driving or riding a BMW. Greg Walsh, President
*Nannies: Automatic computerised car-controlling interventions such as Stability Control, Traction Control, Lane Departure Control, Collision Avoidance Control…..
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Grand Tour of South America
On a BMW
See what our biker compatriots experience and meet a different continent of BMW enthusiasts!
Our new Motorrad Liaison, Bill Jackson, is working on increasing our appreciation of the BMW Motorrad World and in particular seeing if there is both fit and interest for some of the Rocky Bow BMW Riders to join BMWCSA.
With this in mind, we are in the first stages of organizing a meet and greet on Sunday April 29
th at Redwood House in Redwood Meadows just
outside Bragg Creek. There are some fascinating Tour stories within this community and Audrey and Ekke Kok have a dynamic slide presentation of one of their biking trips through South America.
The show begins at 10:00 AM and we are thinking of lunch in Bragg Creek followed by a Country Tour for those interested.
Watch your email and www.bmwcsa.ca/events for further details including FREE EventBrite registration.
Some of the poster photos are enlarged at right from : http://www.ekke-audrey.ca/south_america.htm
Ekke & Audrey leaving hotel in Bogata, Columbia
At Machu Pichu, Peru
Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina
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BMWCSA announces our first-ever
Tire Rack Street Survival
(TRSS) School in Calgary
on Saturday June 9, 2018!
Real world. Hands on!
The Tire Rack Street Survival School starts where traditional driver education programs leave off.
Rather than studying driver’s manual theory, the primary emphasis of the program is a “hands on” driving experience with in-car skills development in a very safe, purpose-built, closely supervised training environment. The program includes instruction by experienced driving instructors, in the classroom and one-on-one with each student while they learn and practise emergency braking, accident avoidance, proactive vision, car placement, and car control on slippery surfaces. Students will also learn how to sit properly in their car and how to adjust mirrors for maximum visibility; they will see an actual truck blind-spot demonstration, and more.
When your teen driver, or those with less than 10 years of driving experience, attends a Street Survival school, they learn to control their own car in dynamic exercises that can’t be learned from books or games. They experience the physics of motion in exactly the types of situation that can cause a loss of control! They learn how to make good driving decisions and react more quickly. They become more aware of their own limits and learn to begin anticipating the actions of other drivers.
The event is designed to equip the next generation of drivers with real-world, behind-the-wheel skills that will help to keep them safely on the road. Students bring the vehicle that they normally use and, as a result, learn to understand the response characteristics of their individual car.
FAQs for Street Survival schools: http://streetsurvival.org/schools/frequently-asked-questions/ Two great videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trKWDq8rwdk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKgLX1xAeoo
How important is it that new drivers learn Street Survival skills?
Stats Canada reports that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among drivers in their first 10 years of driving.
They account for over 70 percent of accidental deaths in that age group.
A 16-year-old is 20 percent more likely to be killed in a crash than an adult.
Nearly 50 percent of teen-driver fatality accidents involve a single vehicle!
The Club is organizing TRSS in Calgary as a community service initiative and we envision this training becoming an annual event – over 1000 schools have been held across Canada and the US to date. BMW ownership or BMWCSA membership is NOT required.
Organizers: Gary Coleman, Josh Carter and Neill Taniguchi Thanks to our Local Sponsors of Street Survival School 2018: Calgary Police Services, BMWCCA Foundation, The Tire Rack, & Michelin Tires
Two ways you can help to ensure the
success of Street Survival:
Volunteer!
As is typical with club-supported events, volunteers create the foundation on which successful events are built – even if you do not have a student participating, the gift of your time will go a long way towards making a new driver a better driver, and maybe even saving a life down the road. Contact Gary Coleman at [email protected]
Help Spread the Word:
If you know anyone who might like to sign up as a student or a volunteer, please invite them.
If you want to sponsor a young driver, you can print out the I.O.U. Gift Certificate on the next page and give it to them!
To spread the word at work, print several copies of these pages and put them in the lunchroom so your co-workers will see it.
The program is open to the public. Help save lives!
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This I.O.U. Gift Certificate entitles any Class 5-licensed driver* who has been driving for 10 years or less to register for the Calgary Area Tire Rack Street Survival School on June 9, 2018. This is an exceptional training program that will give you some valuable life-saving skills, all in one fun day. You’ll learn how to avoid an accident and how to handle your car in ways that you never thought would be possible. *A Class 7 (Learner) licence is acceptable with a minimum of 25 hours road experience. Drivers with prior track experience will not be accepted.
For more information and to register, see the following website: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2018-bmwcsa-tire-rack-street-survival-driving-school-tickets-43511894247. This is a community service initiative supported by volunteers from the BMW Club of Southern Alberta.
NOTE: This I.O.U. Gift Certificate has NOT been paid for and is instead a promise to pay by the person who gave you this certificate. When you’re ready to register, ask the person who gave you this Gift Certificate to fill in the relevant details on the payment screen, or to reimburse you after you’ve paid for the course.
Value: Priceless! ($125 to be paid upon registration)
I.O.U. Certificate
To: __________________
From:__________________
The BMW Club of Southern Alberta introduces Calgary’s first Tire Rack Street Survival School for young drivers: a “hands on” driving experience with one-on-one instruction for in-car skills development in a safe, purpose-built, closely supervised training environment.
Date: Saturday, June 9, 2018, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location: Calgary Police Service Training Grounds. (Directions to the location will be sent to all registered participants.)
Cost: $125 (including EventBrite fees) for a full day of training, lunch and refreshments.
Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2018-bmwcsa-tire-rack-street-survival-driving-school-tickets-43511894247
What to Bring for Each Participant:
A valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s Licence, or equivalent. A Class 7 (Learner) licence is acceptable with a minimum of 25 hours of road experience.
A car (alternatively, one car can be shared between 2 participants). Cars are NOT provided. Participants are encouraged to use the car they normally drive to learn how the car would perform in an emergency.
Signed waiver. Registration kit includes waivers for those over and those under 18. Participants under the age of 18 must have the waiver signed by parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
Parents are encouraged (but not required) to spend the day with their student. BMW ownership or BMWCSA membership is NOT required.
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Warm-up laps in Italy & Daytona:
The new BMW 8 Series Coupe undergoes
vehicle dynamics testing on the racetrack
Many of us loved the sleek lines of the original 8 series coupe. The E31, made from 1989 to 1999, came as an 840 (V8) or 850 (V12). BMW wanted to create a state of the art flagship and spent over $1 billion USD over an eight-year development period. Production models were all two-door coupes, although a prototype cabrio model is on display at the Munich BMW Museum. About 31,000 were built but only about 7400 made it to North America.
The car had many firsts including an electronic drive-by-wire throttle and a multi-link rear axle. BMW used CAD tools, still unusual at the time, to design the car's all-new body. Combined with wind tunnel testing, the resulting car had a drag coefficient of 0.29, a major improvement from the previous BMW M6/635CSi's 0.39. While most of the cars came with 4 or 5 speed automatics there were a few, especially some of the V12 models, that came with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The CSi models are still the most coveted as they had many performance features and improvements, especially in the suspension area.
BMW billed it as a Grand Tourer – designed to move beyond the market of the original E24 6 Series, with greater performance and a higher purchase price. Unfortunately, many drivers felt the power-to-weight ratio made it only a slightly better driver than the Mercedes of that era – aptly described as “a stuffed Ottoman on wheels!” It was a toss-up between its driving reputation and world events (1990’s world recession, Persian Wars and energy spikes) that killed production of the original 8-series coupe.
Now BMW has decided, as part of its NUMBER ONE > NEXT strategy to try again with a new generation Concept 8 flagship coupe with many innovative features. To achieve the target high vehicle dynamics, the new BMW 8 Series Coupe is being developed in close coordination with the BMW M8 and the BMW M8 GTE racing car.
This parallel process has a close-to-series prototype currently undergoing intensive testing on a high-speed proving ground in Aprilia, Italy. Concurrently, the M8 GTE was debuted at the January 24-Hour Daytona. The M8 GTE will also compete in numerous other racing events in the FIA WEC and the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship (IWSC) in North America and in the June 24-hour race at Le Mans. The knowledge gained there will directly benefit development of the BMW 8 Series Coupe.
Daytona was a great indicator of the car’s potential and design. Both cars showed great reliability and managed to complete the tough endurance classic without major technical issues in their maiden race
appearance. No other new BMW GT racecar has ever been more reliable on its debut.
The issue at Daytona was ISMA’s Balance of Performance (BoP). This is a complicated handicap system to equalize the scoring of the various cars in each class. Suffice to say, it will take some time to develop and get agreement on the parameters for the new M8 GTE to allow it to score well in endurance races.
Meanwhile, prototype testing continues at the Apriia proving ground: situated close to Rome, it has a 4-kilometer long oval circuit, including steep bends, offering all the perfect conditions for high-speed and high friction coefficient tests. The acceleration, braking and steering behavior are analyzed on circuits, slalom courses and different road surfaces. This highly demanding test program facilitates the targeted harmonization of all drive and suspension systems. The Italian tests serve to optimize the vehicle’s driving dynamics on surfaces with a high friction coefficient and mark yet a further decisive stage on the way to the launch of the new BMW 8 Coupe during 2018.
The test drives are being carried out with a heavily camouflaged prototype, which nevertheless gives strong indication of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe’s sports car proportions. The dynamically stretched lines, the flat silhouette and the powerful front and rear ends give a foretaste of the exhilarating driving experience.
BMW suggests that this testing under the most severe conditions shows that they are right on target with impressive vehicle dynamic values for the new BMW 8 Series and M8 Coupe. The driver can expect maximum agility and precision with comfort included! Sources: BMW Press Feeds, Historical Research and ISMA Results
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Classified Ad
Garage Find: 1974 BMW Turbo-Look 2002
Okay - so it was in my garage! Twenty-seven year ownership. Originally a Houston car. Complete body restoration in Sikkens epoxy paint in early 90's when we lived in Houston. New hood/trunk, fenders, fascia, turbo flares and spoiler. Motor and re-assembly in 1994 when we lived in Tulsa. Head and bottom end work done at proper machine shop. Motor built with turbo pistons (6.9 CR) to go with belt driven Camden supercharger running 7psi boost. External oil cooler, 320is 5 speed, Recaros, new carpet, body rubbers, moldings and trim, ANSA exhaust, 8x13 original minilites, strut braces, rear battery....and more!
About 2000 miles on restoration--maybe 100 miles of those miles in last 20 years. Always stored inside: no salt / no rain.
Expensive - no trades. Contact James at 403-650-4293 cell
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Chassis technology has been systematically refined and honed for
the specific requirements of the Sports Activity Coupé. A double-joint spring strut axle at the front and five-link rear axle forms the ideal basis for a harmonious blend of dynamism and comfort. Fitting aluminum swivel bearings, lightweight tubular anti roll bars and new wheel location components at the front axle has brought about a considerable reduction in unsprung mass. Also, the specially tuned variable Electric Power Sport Steering with speed-sensitive Servotronic power assistance, delivers extra-dynamic handling qualities.
The car’s sporty handling characteristics are enhanced by the powerful lightweight braking system and the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system. This system has a wealth of features including the Antilock Braking System (ABS), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Automatic Differential Brake (ADB-X), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Start-Off Assistant and Hill Descent Control (HDC).
The second generation Sports Activity Coupé offers a wide array of new generation safety features:
The standard Driving Assistant Package includes Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Daytime Pedestrian Protection, Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Active Protection initiates protective measures when an accident situation is imminent tensioning belts and closing windows and sunroof to a small gap.
The Driving Assistant Plus Package builds upon that with: Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Active Lane Keeping Assistant with Side Collision Avoidance, Evasion Aid & Cross Traffic alert front and rear.) Active Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go, brakes the car to a halt in stop-and-go traffic and automatically restarts to drive.
The standard built-in SIM card (see Apple CarPlay below) allows drivers to use Intelligent Emergency Call with automatic locating and accident severity detection. With the new BMW Teleservice Accident Assistance, the vehicle now also detects low-speed collisions below the threshold for airbag deployment. The driver receives a message in the iDrive display offering to contact the BMW Accident Assistance service directly. The push of a button is all it takes to obtain professional support from the BMW Accident Assistance team, who can also put the customer in touch with a BMW Service Partner if necessary.
(Editor’s note: With all these features, getting tougher to find someone to blame!)
An increase in exterior length of 81 mm to 4,752 mm, an extra 37 mm of width, and 54 mm added to the wheelbase (now 2,864 mm) and a 3mm drop in height lend the X4 dynamically stretched proportions. Short overhangs and subtly hexagonal wheel arches emphasize the nearly perfectly balanced 50:50 distribution of weight between the front and rear axle.
The increased size allows three full-size seats in the rear compartment with an additional 27 mm of legroom over the predecessor model. The trunk has a capacity of 525 liters and the load space can be expanded to a maximum of 1430 liters as required by folding down the sections of the rear backrest, with its standard 40:20:40 split. The standard storage package has additional compartments, USB ports and 12V sockets, as well as multifunctional hooks and lashing rails in the trunk. For added ease, the backrest sections can be released remotely from the trunk, while the optional cargo function allows their angle to be individually adjusted, too.
An intelligent material mix brought a substantial weight saving in the chassis design and in the body’s construction and numerous other components. BMW Efficient Lightweight design includes an increase in the proportion of aluminum as well as high-strength and ultra-high-
continued on page 10
The All-New 2019 BMW X4:
The eye-catching athlete
Much like the new X2 that was featured in the Nov-Dec Newsletter, the new X4, available in July, is a showcase of cutting edge performance, safety and technology features. The standard xDrive30i is featured packed and the M40i M Performance variant is a treat for the performance junkie.
The xDrive30i comes with a four cylinder generating 248 hp and peak torque of 258 lb-ft. With a twin-scroll turbocharger, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve timing and Double-VANOS variable camshaft control, the X4 xDrive 30i sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds.
The M40i betters this performance rocketing from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. The inline six-cylinder engine delivers maximum output of 355 hp and peak torque of 365 lb-ft. The sensation is enhanced through the sound system. Flap-controlled M sports exhaust system and trapezoidal tailpipes in black chrome form a stunning visual highlight.
The X4 M40i comes equipped as standard with M Sport brakes with blue M calipers, M light-alloy wheels, variable sport steering and M Sport suspension with firmer spring and damper tuning. The M Sport brakes are specially designed with an extra-large master cylinder to help optimize braking feel. Customers can also opt for the Adaptive M suspension, which is exclusively available for the M Performance model and further broadens the range of adjustment between sporty handling and well-balanced ride comfort. The M Sport differential generates a precise locking effect at the rear wheels, priming the car perfectly to power out of corners with dynamic drive.
Both model variants direct their engine’s power to the road via an eight-speed Steptronic transmission and BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive as standard. The latest version of the xDrive all-wheel-drive system has less weight and increased internal efficiency. There is more precise electronic control of the splitting of drive power via the Performance Control system to all wheels under various conditions. This is especially noticeable with the rear-biased set-up that produces a highly rewarding driving experience when powering through corners. Besides offering BMW handling stability, xDrive also enhances traction over loose terrain, endowing the X4 with tremendous off-road capabilities. With a ground clearance of 204 mm, a fording depth of 500 mm, break over angle of 19.4° and angles of approach and departure of 25.7° and 22.6° respectively, the Sports Activity Coupé takes everything in its stride, from crests and bumps in the road to gravel tracks, icy roads and steep slopes.
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Continued from page 9
strength grades of steel. This has made the body structure more solid than ever, serving up benefits for both vehicle agility and occupant protection. Additionally, the car has a significantly lower center of gravity that enhances the Sports Activity Coupé’s cornering dynamics.
Another factor is a reduction in aerodynamic drag of around 10 percent resulting in a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.30. This segment benchmark advance has been achieved by streamlining the body while incorporating active air flap control, Air Curtains in the front apron and additional underbody cladding.
Both models have the large BMW kidney grille in the three-dimensional look. Twin headlight units with dynamic contours and horizontal fog lamps integrated into the outer air intakes form a new interpretation of the familiar six-eyed face embraced by BMW X models. The rear lights, with their three-dimensional shaping, are slim in design and positioned at the extreme edges of the rear. Combined with the twin exhaust tailpipes, they magnify the width of the rear end. All lights are LED. The side body panels have a dynamic shoulder and character line and an elongated take on the Hofmeister kink “counter-swing” at the base of the C-pillars.
From here, the appearance and features of each model can be
individually tailored. The X4 xDrive30i comes standard with xLine. The xLine design
combines front and rear underguard elements and side skirts in Glacier Silver metallic with side window surrounds and styling accents in a satin Aluminum finish. Standard sports seats and interior trim strips in Dark Oak Wood with accent strips in Pearl-effect Chrome give the cabin of the X4 xDrive30i an air of elegance. The audio and air conditioning control panels sport a Pearl-effect Chrome surround and high gloss Black highlights.
The M Performance model pushes a dynamic look with its aerodynamically optimized front/rear aprons and side skirts, and accents in High-gloss Black. M specific sports seats, a Sport leather steering wheel and the anthracite-colored BMW Individual headliner, complemented by interior trim strips in Aluminum Rhombicle and accent strips in Pearl-effect Chrome are standard. The instrument panel and door shoulders can be optionally specified with leatherette.
The new Vernasca leather upholstery is optional for both models. It is exclusive to the X4 in the color Tacora Red and Black. The M model has a choice of blue or red contrast stitching.
The X4 M40i can now also be specified with options from the BMW Individual portfolio including the Individual paint finish Sunstone metallic and 21-inch BMW Individual light-alloy wheels and Merino leather upholstery (in the color combinations Ivory White/Black, Fiona Red/Black and Tartufo/Black).
But wait – there is more!
The latest version of the iDrive operating system offers a more flexible and ergonomic control of vehicle, navigation, communication and infotainment functions. Its Control Display now takes the form of a freestanding monitor with a screen diagonal of 26.6 cm (10.25-inch) as standard. The high-resolution display that comes with the Navigation system Professional includes touchscreen functionality. The intuitive touch control also offers a tile-style menu layout with live content.
The voice control system is the latest from BMW and can follow freely formulated instructions to find a point of interest such as, “Find a coffee shop near my location” or simply, “I’m hungry”.
There is also the optional BMW gesture control allowing certain functions to be operated with simple movements of the hand or fingers, which are registered by a 3D sensor in the center console and translated into the relevant commands.
Another option is the new-generation BMW Head-Up Display, whose projection area has been expanded by 75 percent. This system reflects driving-related information onto the windscreen in full color and with a resolution of 400 x 800 pixels, so that it appears directly in the driver’s field of vision. The optionally available multifunctional instrument display, meanwhile, visualizes the driving-related cockpit information in a style that reflects the selected driving mode.
The options list also includes a Wi-Fi hotspot offering a high-speed Internet connection (LTE) for up to ten mobile devices. Apple CarPlay Compatibility is included with a one-year trial. The industry’s first implementation of a wireless Apple CarPlay solution is now augmented with a flexible way for customers to continue the feature after their trial period. After the inclusive one-year trial, customers can elect to buy the feature from the ConnectedDrive Store within the My BMW ConnectedDrive portal or directly from within the iDrive system of the vehicle.
This system also comprises the Top View, Panorama View and 3D View functions, which combine to depict a 360º image of the vehicle and the surrounding area on the Control Display. The Remote 3D View function additionally gives drivers the ability to call up a three-dimensional live image of their vehicle and its immediate vicinity on their smartphone via BMW Connected.
Gee – the X4’s other features - heated seats, active seat ventilation
and three-zone automatic climate control - a larger two-section panoramic glass sunroof with sun blind - adjustable six colour mood lighting - large storage trays, roomy door pockets, cup holders and various compartments just seem so pedestrian!
Source: BMW Press Feeds
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Charter of Turin: A New Way to
Look at Historic Vehicles
For historic cars, it’s 30 years and maybe you qualify! Following up on recent articles on the Japan Car Auctions and the Car Appraisal articles by Norm Flanders, your editor came across the Federation Internationale Vehicules Anciens (FIVA) and their Charter of Turin that really goes after the extremely fine points of vintage value.
FIVA is a global group working to make sure that old cars not only have a place on roads today but also will continue to do so in the automated future. They recently republished their Charter of Turin as a nearly 100-page handbook detailing and illustrating principles of the storage, preservation and restoration of historic vehicles. The Charter is a landmark document recognised worldwide by organisations such as UNESCO, the EU and the FIA, that presents a voluntary protocol on the preservation and use of historic vehicles. There are similar Charters for Ships, Buildings and Railroad equipment. You can download a free copy in PDF form from: www.fiva.org.
The charter originally was published in 2013, and included 11 articles. Two years later, a Glossary of Terms was added to help readers understand nuances between such words as conservation, modification, restoration and repair. These included important references including the terms established in professional circles and international law concerning cultural goods since the 1960s.
The 2017 edition is the latest. It is not a static document with as the role of the historic vehicle is not static, and updates will be published, potentially on the FIVA website.
The guide looks at historic vehicles as cultural artefacts, arguing that we need to appreciate such machines in a new way. Given the impact of automobiles on our lifestyles and the radical changes they brought to our lives in a very short space of time, historic vehicles should “no longer be seen just as a hobby, a toy for grown-up boys, but rather a part of the cultural heritage of our civilization.”
The Handbook offers practical advice on the delicate subject of the restoration and maintenance of historic machine including the following contributions:
An introduction to the cultural role and significance of historic vehicles, by Rodolphe Rapetti, Conservateur en Chef du Patrimoine of the French Ministry of Culture.
A more in-depth look at the subject, with particular attention to preservation activities, by Richard Keller, Curator of the Cité de l’Automobile in Mulhouse, France.
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The Pantera was brought in by a long term customer and had been through a specialty shop in the US. However many details were poorly done. The new shocks had been installed with 7/16” bolts rather than the proper but much harder to install ½” bolts. The shocks were rattling around and the excuse was that “nobody drives these collector cars”. The body area under the brake master cylinder had been sprayed with body undercoating, which looked great until brake fluid drips turned it to a gooey mess. A complete rebuild of the brake system, and replacing the undercoating mess with a high quality trunk bed lining material, fixed that situation. Similarly, the air conditioning condenser, which had been strapped into the front compartment, was relocated to the back of the car and the engine cover and trunk tray modified to fit properly and look factory correct. The car was also rewired to fix other issues. New rims were found that better matched the Pantera’s lineage. They posed a refinishing challenge, as they were magnesium. Careful bead blasting and recoating of the porous surface restored the wheels. Then the challenge was to find appropriate 15-inch tires.
Oh – yes – back to Bimmers! Todd’s personal restoration project is a 750i that he bought from a customer. The V12 powered machine, originally imported from Japan had been through the AC Schnitzer rework process and carries the Schnitzer badge. The car has some 50,000 miles on it and just needs some brake and detail work before it hits the road. www.scpautomotive.ca or find us on Facebook
Continued from page 12
A section on authenticity and authentic restoration, by Thomas Kohler, spiritual father of the Charter of Turin.
A more practical look at the principles of a vehicle’s bodywork, by Alfredo Zanellato Vignale, nephew of the illustrious designer, engineer, painter and teacher.
A practical mechanical section, by Lorenzo Morello, former Professor at the Polytechnic School of Turin and a FIAT consultant.
An in-depth chapter on paint and paint processes provided by Dr. Katharina Fechtner, Chemist, BASF Coatings GmbH and Jürgen Book, Classic Cars, BASF Coatings GmbH.
The Charter of Turin Handbook includes how-to guidelines ▲
“The Charter of Turin is intended only as a guideline, and as helpful advice on good practice,” explains President of FIVA Patrick Rollet. “FIVA’s intention is to protect and promote a correct and historically respectful way of looking at the past and we hope the new Handbook will prove both fascinating and useful to those who choose to apply the principles of the Charter to their own vehicles – as well as prompting further discussion and debate on the cultural role of historic vehicles.”
It was considered a great guide and especially for grading and evaluating vehicles in international competitions and auctions. Then, some started reading the fine print and that, as they say, is when the fight broke out. The last year or two has been a series of discussions and clarifications.
The fuss started over the “30 year rule” – basically that a car, once modified, had to age 30 years after the “modifications” to be considered historic or vintage.
The initial interpretation of “modification” was essentially “something done to the car to change its original state.” It was first taken that those vehicles like hot rods, classic car resto-mods (e.g. updated brakes, engines, addition of air conditioning) and various race-cars would only have historic or vintage period value after the modifications had aged thirty years (i.e. period correct).
However, much like what drove most of us crazy in the dreaded high school English Literature class, there is always the ‘deep diver’ looking for that ‘meaningful interpretation’, usually far beyond what the author or poet ever intended. The definition of “mint restoration” quickly became the battle ground as FIVA appeared to be saying that “Mint” restorations were equivalent to customization and should be rejected. This threw the Concours d’Elegance crowd into an absolute hissy fit. We have all seen the over-the-top, off the frame restorations with panels and paint far more excellent that any factory production
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line could produce and with every mechanical detail polished to absolute perfection. There are even detailers who wax and polish undercarriages prior to any major judging event. Some of these cars change hands for substantial amounts of money and for FIVA to even suggest that they should age for 30 years after restoration was pure heresy!
A further concern was that local governments that issue historic vehicle license plates and emission exemptions and vintage vehicle insurers might adopt the same standard, reversing years of coverage.
The clarifications have begun but the controversy is far from over. In an attempt to differentiate automotive classes, one term in FIVA’s glossary is Mobile Technical Heritage. Basically, a vehicle is deemed historic not only because of age but for its cultural or technical significance. Thus, Karl Benz’s first motorized vehicle is historic, as are the Mustang from Bullitt, the General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard, and Minis, which are cultural icons of the “swinging sixties.”
That makes sense so long as the vehicle is left “as was.” Basically, FIVA says vehicles should be maintained in their original but running order. Sometimes that means repair or even restoration, but when those are done, new parts should be labeled as such and the original parts should be retained for historical purposes. Furthermore, you can modify the car (e.g. add disk brakes) so long as you keep the original parts and document all changes you make so that some future owner could put the car back into the condition that might have occurred during its normal lifespan, which FIVA says is 15 years.
After that, we are back in that English lit class when it comes to vehicles restored to better-than-original condition. Some of the handbook’s authors opine that “a perfectly preserved vehicle is a vehicle which is mobile as originally intended” and “vehicles which are at least 30 years old preserved and maintained in a historically correct condition and are not used as means of daily transport are therefore part of our technical and cultural heritage.”
Personally, I prefer to grip and rip my Ultimate Driving Machine and avoid such first world problems…
Sources: FIVA and The Classic Cars.com Journal (Your daily dose of steel, rubber and soul!)
FIVA President Patrick Rollet with his
1932 Lagonda 16/80 Semi Sports
