Hyundai America Nabs BMW Designer Christopher Chapman

If there's one thing that Hyundai and Kia can lay claim to, is that both companies eventually understood the importance of design and made significant efforts to improve the styling of their vehicles in the past few years.

To achieve their goal, the Koreans didn't hesitate to bring in experienced designers from other brands, with the most notable transfer being that of Peter Schreyer from Audi who took over and revolutionized Kia's design language.

The South Korean group continues to inject its brands with foreign designers, with its latest hire being Christopher Chapman of former BMW fame. Chapman was named chief designer of the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, California, and will be responsible for new vehicle and concept design for Hyundai.

“With over 22 years of experience in the industry working on esteemed automotive brands, Chris provides a level of talent that will help further our design portfolio,” said SukGeun Oh, Head of Design, Senior Executive Vice President Hyundai Design Center. “We are thrilled to have Christopher Chapman as chief designer for Hyundai and look forward to continuing the strong momentum of our vehicle designs.”

Chapman started his career at the Isuzu Technical Center of America in Cerritos, California, in 1989 and was the designer chosen for the exterior of the XU-1 show car, which won Best Concept at the 1993 Tokyo Motor Show.

In 1994, he joined the BMW Group at DesignworksUSA in California, where he designed the exteriors of the X5 Sport Activity Vehicle and X Coupe concept car before he moved to Germany to design the CS1 concept shown at the Geneva Auto Salon in 2002, followed by the first generation 1 Series production Coupe and its derivatives.

In 2002, Chapman was appointed Director of Automotive Design and has been responsible for leading several conceptual and production vehicles including the new X5, X3, Z4 and the first BMW 1-series E87.

“Christopher Chapman is an outstanding addition to the design team at HATCI,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. “We are proud to add such a talented individual to lead the team of dedicated designers at HATCI that will continue to develop innovative vehicles for both the United States and global auto markets.”

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

AC Schnitzer Adds Speed and Style to New BMW 1-Series F20

Making its world debut at the Essen Motor Show 2011 this week in Germany is the program AC Schnitzer tuning for BMW 1 Series F20 tailgate with both style and performance.

AC Schnitzer starts with a power play that is initially available in four-cylinder diesel models from Series 1, to get an engine control unit reprogrammed and unknown mods. In the 118d, the output is 143HP to 171HP from the survey, while the 120d, 184HP to 210HP for.

The package also includes a performance sport lowered suspension kit and a raucous exhaust system with chrome exhaust pipes.

Outside, AC Schnitzer offers a front spoiler and roof spoiler and graphics option and a selection of designs of alloy wheels in sizes 18 - or 19 inches.

What is interior, the tuner knob is a good measure of driving, with or without display digital devices with aluminum cover i-Drive system, aluminum pedals and hand brake handle, floor mats and custom AC Schnitzer is also the working on a new sports steering wheel.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

2012 BMW 1-Series M Coupe with 335HP

After much anticipation, the new BMW 1 Series M Coupe finally revealed to the world today. As you can see in the photo gallery after the jump, the Bavarian automaker is trying his best to convince us of the similarity between the original E30 M3 in 1988 and his latest creation to wear the coveted badge M, but we know that Now on the side of.

The name, why BMW went to the somewhat awkward sounding 1-Series M Coupe nickname to avoid confusion with the legendary M1. The smaller model and economically Family Award is based on the M Coupe 135i.

However, it is 0.2 inches (5 mm) longer, 2.1 inches (53mm) wide, 0.5 inches (13 mm) taller than his brother 135i, and that tipped the balance in the DIN 1495 kg (3296 lbs ), which means that weighs 35 kg (77 pounds) less. BMW says the near-perfect weight distribution at (51.7/48.3).

Under the hood is the Z4 35iS "3.0-liter twin-turbo inline six-cylinder that produces 335 horsepower at 5900 rpm, with set at 7000 rpm redline. There are also £ 332-ft (450 Nm) of torque available up to 1500 rpm 4500 rpm, while the more overboost function briefly this second question 37 lb-ft (50 Nm) and 369 lb-ft.

At first, 1-Series M Coupe is offered only to a close relationship with 6-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels through a limited slip differential M BMW claims a sports car from standstill to 60 mph sprint complement [96 km / h], only 4.7 seconds (0-100 kph in 4.9 seconds), and the prestige quarter mile 13.2 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph (250 kph).

Turning to the upgrade of the chassis, Baby M model includes new aluminum suspension components of M3 and a more powerful braking system with ventilated drilled discs measure 14.2 inches melt (360mm) in diameter at the front and 13.8 inches (350mm) on the back. The rack and pinion steering is fitted with power steering system called Servotronic, which regulates boost compared to the speed of the road.

As with other M cars, the new 1 Series steering wheel Model M Drive button that adjusts the throttle response program for sporty driving.

1-Series M Coupe M-rides, special alloy wheels crossed spoke, race packet M3 and M3 GTS Limited production. The alloy wheels measure 19 x 9 inches with 245/35/R19 low profile tires in front and 19 x 10 inches with 265/35/R19 tires on the rear, and a silver.

Outside, the car has an M body kit with new bumpers and new spoilers, side skirts, mirrors and traditional single queue four exhaust pipes, fenders strongly with blisters and LED taillights. There are three exterior paint finishes to choose from, including non-metallic Alpine White, Black Sapphire Metallic and Valencia Orange Metallic, available exclusively for this model.

Inside, we find the typical improvements of a model M such that the filling of the sports steering wheel and single seats, lots of leather and Alcantara with contrast stitching decorated in orange, and a redesigned dashboard.

Said that the 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe will be available in limited quantities from the spring of 2011, adding that the final price, packages and options will be announced prior to the date of sale.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Read More