BMW M4

The BMW M4 is a high-performance version of the 4 Series automobile developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, the BMW M GmbH, the M4 is one of the fastest M cars ever produced by BMW achieving 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.1 seconds (equipped with 7-speed DCT automatic gearbox). Part of the renumbering that BMW splits the 3 Series coupe and convertible models to the 4 Series (to further differentiate with the 3 Series sedans), the M4 replaces the M3 Coupe and Convertible models, as well as the Gran Coupe. Upgrades over the standard 4-Series include: a very powerful and responsive, twin turbocharged engine; improved handling, suspension, and braking systems; aerodynamic body enhancements; interior/exterior accents with the tri-colour "M" (Motorsport) badging; the significantly reduced weight compared to the standard 4 series and its predecessor with an all-new stiffer chassis and extensive use of carbon fiber, especially the roof of the car.

F82 M4

AC Schnitzer

AC Schnitzer is a third party tuning company based in Aachen, Germany specializing in BMW and MINI cars, and BMW motorcycles.

Founded in 1967, Schnitzer has headquarters in Aachen. The firm has roots with Schnitzer Motorsport, but is a completely independent concern both commercially and legally. AC Schnitzer is part of the Kohl Group, which also counts Steinmetz as one of its associates.

Brands and products

AC Schnitzer was established in 1987. Its range includes tuning for BMW motor vehicles and also motorcycle arm and the Mini and Land Rover makes. The range includes individual components such as chassis, custom exhaust systems and light-alloy wheels, as well as complete vehicles and performance tuning for petrol and diesel engines.

AC Schnitzer components are obtainable in more than 50 countries worldwide. In addition to its customizing business with 55 employees, the firm’s building in Aachen are home to several car firms, boutiques and a luxury restaurant.

Products

The core products offered by AC Schnitzer include chassis components, which receive final tuning on the Nürburgring. As well as chassis components, the firm produces light-alloy wheels up to size 22 inch.

BMW

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (German pronunciation: [baˈjɛɐ̯ɪʃə mɔˈtɔʁn̩ ˈvɛɐ̯kə]; German for Bavarian Motor Works), usually known under its abbreviation BMW, is a German luxury automobile, motorcycle, and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. Headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, it also owns and produces Mini cars and serves as the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad, and plug-in electric cars under the BMW i sub-brand. It is one of the best-selling luxury automakers in the world. The company is a component of the Euro Stoxx 50 stock market index.

History

BMW was established as a business entity following a restructuring of the Rapp Motorenwerke aircraft manufacturing firm in 1917. After the end of World War I in 1918, BMW was forced to cease aircraft-engine production by the terms of the Versailles Armistice Treaty. The company consequently shifted to motorcycle production as the restrictions of the treaty started to be lifted in 1923, followed by automobiles in 1928–29.

Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer

Carbon-fiber–reinforced polymer, carbon-fiber–reinforced plastic or carbon-fiber–reinforced thermoplastic (CFRP, CRP, CFRTP or often simply carbon fiber, or even carbon), is an extremely strong and light fiber-reinforced plastic which contains carbon fibers. The spelling 'fibre' is common in British Commonwealth countries.

CFRPs can be expensive to produce but are commonly used wherever high strength-to-weight ratio and rigidity are required, such as aerospace, automotive and civil engineering, sports goods and an increasing number of other consumer and technical applications.

The binding polymer is often a thermoset resin such as epoxy, but other thermoset or thermoplastic polymers, such as polyester, vinyl ester or nylon, are sometimes used. The composite may contain other fibers, such as an aramid (e.g. Kevlar, Twaron), aluminium, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) or glass fibers, as well as carbon fiber. The properties of the final CFRP product can also be affected by the type of additives introduced to the binding matrix (the resin). The most frequent additive is silica, but other additives such as rubber and carbon nanotubes can be used. The material is also referred to as graphite-reinforced polymer or graphite fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP is less common, as it clashes with glass-(fiber)-reinforced polymer). In product advertisements, it is sometimes referred to simply as graphite fiber for short.

BMW M3

The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3-Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M.

M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46, E90/E92/E93, and F80 3-series, and sold with coupe, saloon and convertible body styles. Upgrades over the "standard" 3-Series automobiles include more powerful and responsive engines, improved handling/suspension/braking systems, aerodynamic body enhancements, lightweight components, and interior/exterior accents with the tri-colour "M" (Motorsport) emblem.

The last M3 coupe was produced in Germany on 5 July 2013, replaced by the F82/F83 M4 Coupe and convertible starting with the 2015 model year, but the M3 name will remain in use for the saloon version.

The BMW M3 remains the only car ever to have earned more titles than the venerable Porsche 911 in Motorsport, and also is the most successful touring, and grand touring car ever to have participated in racing.

E30 M3

Based on the 1986 model year E30 3-Series, the E30 M3 used the BMW S14 engine.