In China, 2010 is the metal tiger year. This signifies that the year 4707 of the Chinese calendar involves an encounter between hot ferocity and cold metal. And indeed, one look at the BMW M3 Tiger Edition is enough to show that this encounter has been fully realised; the vehicle has been produced in a limited edition of only 30 cars, exclusively for the Chinese market.

Outwardly, the Tiger Edition, which was presented this week in Beijing, represents a mixture of the BMW M3 GTS and a BMW M3 Coupé with the Competition Package, but without the carbon-fibre roof, since all BMW M3 coupés in China are sold exclusively with a glass sliding roof.

As befits the name of the model, each of the headrests is embroidered with an orange tiger’s head, while the entrance sills bear the legend ”Tiger Edition”. The black Novillo leather upholstery is also enhanced with orange stitching.

The coupe is a veritable eyecatcher, thanks to the Orange Metallic paintwork and black 19-inch wheel rims in 359M design.

The edging of the radiator grill, air inlets and gills, together with the dark anodised chromium exhaust pipe provide colour contrast.

Under the bonnet of the special edition is the standard 4.0-litre, 420bhp V8 engine with BMW M dual clutch transmission.

To maximise driving dynamics, the BMW M3 Competition Package is also included.

The Tiger Edition also marks the occasion of the BMW M3’s 25 anniversary in Beijing. The BMW M ancestral gallery on show in China stretches from the legendary BMW M1 to the 24h Nordschleife winner, the BMW M3 GT2, presented by BMW works driver, Jörg Müller. Even chairman of the BMW M GmbH managing board, Dr. Kay Segler, wore a BMW M leather jacket in a classic racing design, to demonstrate his affinity with tradition.

But for the most powerful letter combination in the world, it just as important to keep a sharp look ahead as it is to cultivate its magnificent history: the Middle Kingdom is currently growing into one the German automobile industry’s most important markets; BMW posted growth rates of over 100 percent in this region for the first half of 2010. And to cater for the rising demand for both BMW M models BMW Individual vehicles, a network of certified BMW M dealers will be set up in the country, similar to that in Germany. Clearly, the M in China is not just at the front of the showrooms, but in the hearts of all its supporters, which is just where it belongs.

[Source: BMW]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpGxfb-IRns

While everyone and their mother seems to have made Top Gear USA bashing the new national pastime, you might want to take a look at the newest video tease it’s just released. While the appeal of the BBC show undoubtedly revolves around the chemistry between its three mismatched hosts, at its core, it’s a show about cars. So even if we’re not certain the three American hosts can live up to the legacy established by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, perhaps they really don’t need to.

Top Gear USA isn’t a replacement for the BBC show after all – it’s more of a spin-off. And as long as the production values stay high – and from the looks of it, they have – it’s just more car pr0n for all of us. Case in point: the video you’ll see after the jump. The storyline is fairly straightforward: Round up the baddest Lamborghinis from the corral – Superleggera, Balboni and SuperVeloce – and open them up so we can see what they’ll do. Can there possibly be a loser? Maybe the matador. Follow the jump to see the Top Gear USA guys on their run with the bulls. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

[Source: Auto Blog,The History Channel via YouTube]

Who is the Stig?

Mr Collins, 35, is a former Formula Three driver who lives in Bristol and is known to possess one of the trademark white racing suits.
His company, Collins Autosport, made significantly more money after taking on work to provide “driving services provided for the BBC, mainly in the Top Gear programme” in December 2003, the Sunday Times reported.

That increased revenue came just a month after the first appearance of the Stig in a white suit, who had previously been dressed in black.
Collins Autosport said the business had a “cornerstone year”, the newspaper said, adding that the directors noted the work offered “good long-term prospects for continuing income”.

Mr Collins has been contacted by this newspaper and others previously in connection with the suggestion that he is the mysterious driver but has repeatedly failed to answer the question.
He answered his phone to the latest query on Saturday but said he was in Hungary before adding: “I can’t speak to you. I’m going into a tunnel”.

The Stig, whoever that is, has been in dispute with the BBC over his attempts to write an autobiography.
The Corporation’s bosses have issued legal warnings to stop him because they believe any book would identify him, breach a confidentiality agreement and ruin the mystery of his character.

The driver is reportedly unhappy that the BBC is making money from his “brand” but he is not received a share. Stig-themed products include bubble wash, pens, keyrings, soap on a rope, lunchbags and even a “sonic toothbrush”.

The driver is thought to earn between £5,000 and £10,000 per show.

[Source: Telegraph]

Check out the new Factory Five GTM generation 2 model that was just released by Factory Five Racing.  You can read more about the new updates on the launch page for the Gtm Launch Page.  Some of the new updates revolved around the following concepts listed below.

In this second generation car, the team here at Factory Five focused on feedback from customers but kept some simple goals in mind thru the process…

1. Reduce cost
2. Make the car easier to build
3. Improve quality of parts
4. Increase performance/function

Check out the video below of Dave Smith president of Factory Five explaining why he choose Forgestar as the official wheel supplier for the GTM.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXsd1rqT3xY

If you have built a Factory Five GTM in the past  and want to order the new GTM Gen 2 Forgestar wheels contact your Factory Five rep or you can order direct from Factory Five at the weblink below.
http://factoryfiveparts.com/product.php?productid=16595&cat=298&page=1

Factory Five GTM Gen 2 with Forgestar F14 Wheels

12►

Official Porsche 918 Spyder Video Below

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J-vYph6abI

While we’ve heard rumblings that Porsche was going to show its hot new 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept here at Pebble Beach, it appeared that the car was only going to be shown to a select few at private events scattered around the Monterey Peninsula during the week.

Well, today at the Pebble Beach Lodge, site of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the company surprised us by driving the hybrid supercar up to the concept lawn for all to see – and hear. They did a quick turn around after sitting still for a second and as the V8 rumble died away, the car started moving forward again. A couple of people were taken by surprise as they thought the driver may have forgotten to engage the parking brake, but no, the car had switched over to battery power.

Check out the video below from Pebble Beach

www.youtube.com/watch?v=h48Gi5-CNQc

[Source: Autoblog]

We finally know what Mercedes-Benz was up to when Tiff Needel stopped by the Isle of Man to drop in on some sort of high-budget commercial shoot. It turns out that the Silver Arrow wanted to nab the title of the world’s fastest 3D film by shooting David Coulthard as he pushed the company’s new SLS AMG to 167 mph. The whole shindig was captured by an army of camera vehicles, including at least one helicopter, a boom truck and, fittingly enough, another SLS AMG. The company even talked rally fiend Robbie Head into piloting the lead car ahead of Coulthard.

The full feature will air this coming Sunday on the Sky 3D pub channel, but the rest of us can catch the action when the footage hits Mercedes-Benz dealerships all over the world later this year. Here’s hoping they’ll hand out some equally classy 3D specs just for the occasion. Hop the jump to enjoy a lengthy teaser of the feature as well as a making of video showing just what goes into creating a film with an extra dimension.

Check out the video below

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncCKemPij2w

[Source: Autoblog]

Jeremy Clarkson has got his hands on a Ferrari 458 Italia, and his particular take on the coupe involves a comparison to the venerable 308, a drag race with James May’s personal F430, and a lap with the Stig.

The visuals to go with the “record.” Pagani blasted its Zonda R over the Nürburgring for the purposes of testing production components. Removing all the mystery from the endeavor, the in-car video shows the view out the window as the driver of the R resets yet another bar at 6:47. We put “record” in quotes simply because this flier isn’t road legal, so we’re in all kinds of gray area. But it beat the Ferrari 599XX, and that’s feat unto itself. Follow the jump for the sights and sounds.

[Source: Autoblog]

Check out the video below

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPd0ATqvoJM

Pagani Zonda R Gallery

Almost finished

Overfinch 2010 Front Bumper Painted.

Overfinch Side Skirts painted and installed.

Overfinch Rear bumper painted and installed.

I was just missing a few clips for the front bumper. It will go on tomorrow with the rear window spoiler. Then the car will get a full color sand and buff and it should be ready for me early next week.

There’s a three-to-four month wait for a new 5 Series and BMW has raised its 2010 global forecast to 1.4 million units. Mercedes-Benz Q2 production exceeded 300,000 units and Daimler’s operating profit for the period was €2.1 billion ($2.7B U.S.) Audi’s percentage increase in sales in 2010 compared to last year has outdone both BMW and Benz. The reasons for all that, says Bloomberg, is new product, growing U.S. demand and Chinese-market growth “that’s way beyond expectations.”

While there’s an undeniable story in the recovery of U.S. sales, this is even more so about China. The demand for luxury by that country’s million or so millionaires and their underlings is a leather-lined sinkhole, and the three German manufacturers are doing everything they can to fill it. Their best is barely enough. Benz and Bimmer have added workers and shifts this summer to try and fill orders.

From the sounds of it, they might not be able to manage that this year – China’s appetite is such that the demand “won’t be easily derailed even if economic growth slows,” according to one analyst. If nothing else, and assuming the analyst is correct, it should lay a decent foundation for 2011 and perhaps allay some concern about that double-dip recession talk.

[Source: Bloomberg via BusinessWeek | Image: Doug Kanter/AFP/Getty]