History: BMW ///M logo colors explained

Since we just posted some bits from BMW’s history, we decided to stay on the topic and talk about the ///M logo, the three stripes that make M branded cars even more recognizable. So, let’s see what we can learn about the “M” today.

The first Red stripe represented Texaco, the famous American oil retail brand, who had partnered with BMW during the early days of M racing. Blue represented BMW and Bavarian region. The purple was used to represent the partnership and to allow for a nice transition between the two colors, blending as some may call it.

Once the BMW/Texaco partnership ended, BMW had to buyout Texaco for the rights to the red.

For those of you that are in the imaging or graphics field, here is something that I dug out, the color names and codes used in the ///M stripes:

Pantone:
Blue — Pantone Process Blue
Purple — Pantone 268
Red — Pantone Warm Red

Paint:
blue violett GLASURIT-BMW 4000
light blue GLASURIT-BMW 5002
red GLASURIT-BMW 353

RGB:
Blue — 0 138 201 (Hex: 008AC9)
Purple — 43 17 90 (Hex: 2B115A)
Red — 241 26 34 (Hex: F11A22)

Pantone = color process (order) used by printing shops to define colors.

Paint = in this case it is refering to a GLASURIT paint code. Or a specific mix of auto paints.

RGB = Red, Green, Blue. The same process your computer monitor or TV uses to make colors.

Stay tuned for our next BMW history lesson!

Thanks to Automarket for the inspiration!

Nissan Skyline R34 GTR Z-TUNE

Manufacturer: Nissan Motorsport (NISMO)

Scale: 1/1

Nissan Skyline R34 GTR Z-Tune

Nismo originally designed the concept of the Z-tune in 2002 when Nissan was putting an end to the R34 Skyline production. The first Z-tune was built in 2003, using a used 2002 Skyline GT-R V-Spec II. It was built with a concept RB26DETT 'Z1' engine. This engine was based on Nissan's Lemans GT2 and GT500 racing experiences. As with the racing vehicles a strengthened engine block and stroked crankshaft were utilized. The engine was also bored. With the new displacement of 2.8L and upgraded turbo-chargers the Z1 produced 370 kW (500 hp). The Z-Tune had a 0–100 km/h (0–60 mph) time in 3.2 seconds and has a top speed of over 195 mph.^{[citation needed]}

Nismo was then given the approval from Nissan to build Z-tune models for the Nismo anniversary. Nismo then purchased 20 used R34 GT-R V-Specs, each with less than 18,000 miles (29,000 km) on the clock, they were then completely stripped and were resprayed to a "Z-tune Silver," a special color exclusively for the Z-tune.^[17] For each of the 20 production models, the 2.8L engine was revised to allow it to reach 8000 rpm. The turbochargers were supplied by IHI in Japan. The engine is advertised as making as much as 370 kW (500 hp) (for warranty reasons). This second revision of the Z-tune engine is called the 'Z2'. The bodywork is designed with the same functional components used in Nismo's GT500 racing cars, such as engine bay vents on the hood and fenders, as well as wider fenders for wider wheels. The Z-tune is also improved with an aggressive suspension setup from Sachs, and a specially designed Brembo e brake system.

The entire car is essentially handmade, with the car being completely stripped and re-built from the chassis up. Engineers reinforced and stiffened the chassis seam welding in key areas such as the door seams and door frames and added carbon fiber to the strut towers and transmission tunnel and the engine bay, completely redesigning the suspension, drivetrain, engine, gearbox and other components so as to work at maximum efficiency and reliability as is expected of a road-going vehicle. Although Nismo planned on building 20 cars, they ceased production on only 19 (including 2 prototypes).^[18] The Z-tune is often regarded as the most expensive (prices for some have been known to exceed US$180,000) street legal GT-R ever built.^{[citation needed]}

Vorsteiner Release New Body Kit for BMW E90 M3 Sedan. (Real Car)

Vorsteiner Release New Body Kit for BMW E90 M3 Sedan

California-based Vorsteiner prefers working on the German brands BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Having already provided kit for the BMW E92 M3 (coupe) Vorsteiner has now released a new lightweight aero kit for the E90 M3 (sedan).

The package is made up of parts like a carbon-fiber add-on spoiler, a carbon fiber rear diffuser with three integrated fins and a carbon fiber boot lid with a lip spoiler. The latter acts to enhance down force and weighs over 35 percent less than the stock unit which is made of steel.

Thanks to these components the lighter-than-average Vorsteiner M3 sedan should be better placed to exploit BMW's factory 4.0-litre V8 with its 414 bhp (309 kW; 420 PS) and 400Nm of torque.

Source: Vorsteiner