IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge At Laguna Seca

The IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge cars as they come out of Turn 10 and set up along the short chute to enter Turn 11 on to the front straight at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Tire Challenge At Laguna Seca
Words By:  Brandon J. O'Brien
Images By:  Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise specified

The IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge is always a highly competitive race. The event at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca was not decided until the finals turns of the final lap.

With 10-minutes of the two-hour race to go the top four Grand Sport (GS) cars were running within two seconds of each other.  The leading No. 28 RS1 Porsche Cayman GT4 MR was being driven by Dillon Machavern and had lead the field for most of the final hour. He was followed closely by the No. 57 Winward Racing / HTP Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT4 driven by Christian Hohenadel.

The No. 28 RS1 Porsche Cayman GT4 MR lead the race until running out of fuel on the last lap.Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

The No. 57 Winward Racing / HTP Mercedes-AMG GT4 had second place secured until it also ran out of fuel on the final lap. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

In third place was the No. 46 Team TGM Mercedes-AMG GT4 driven by Hugh Plumb and in fourth was the No. 15 Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT4 driven by Scott Maxwell.

On the final lap, both the first and second place cars began to fail due to fuel starvation. As the No. 28 Porsche Cayman and the No. 57 Mercedes-AMG slowed they were quickly passed by the No. 46 Mercedes-AMG GT4 and the No. 15 Mustang GT4 with only two turns to go to the checkered flag. Being on a later pit strategy and in fuel conservation mode they both had enough fuel to make it to the end.

The Race Winning No. 46 Team TGM Mercedes-AMG GT4 driven by Hugh Plumb seen here last the top of the Cork-Screw at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

The second place No. 15 Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT4 driven by Scott Maxwell seen here exiting Turn 11 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

The Touring Car (TCR) class was an exclusive Audi RS3 LMS TCR event.  The top three finishers were the No. 77 Compass Racing Audi co-driven by Britt Casey Jr. and Tom Long.  Followed in second place by the No. 54 JDC-Miller MotorSports Audi driven by Michael Johnson and Stephen Simpson.  Third place went to the No. 12 eEuroparts.com Racing Audi co-driven by Kenton Koch and Tom O'Gorman.

Touring Class (TCR) winning No. 77 Compass Racing Audi RS3 LMS TCR driven by  Britt Casey Jr. and Tom Long
seen exiting Turn 11 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

The second place Touring Car (TCR) No 54 JDC-Miller MotorSports Audi RS3 LMS TCR  exiting Turn 11 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

The No. 12 eEuroparts.com Racing Audi RS3 LMS TCR exiting the Cork-Screw on it's way to a class third place finish driven by Kenton Koch and Tom O'Gorman. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

The Street Turner (ST) class was headed by the No.81 BimmerWorld BMW 328i co-driven by Nick Galante and Devin jones.  Second place went to the No. 73 MINI JWC Team Mini JCW co-driven by Mike LaMarrta and Max Pombo with third place going to the No. 21 Bodymotion Racing Porsche Cayman driven by Max Faulkner and Jason Rabe.

The Street Tuner (TC) class was won by the No. 81 BimmerWorld BMW 328i driven by Nick Galante and Devin JonesImage Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

Second place Street Tuner (TC) went to the No. 73 MINI JWC co-driven by Mike LaMarra and Mat PomboImage Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

Third place in the Street Tuner (ST) class went to the No. 21 Bodymotion Porsche Cayman driven by Max Faulkner and Jason Rabe  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

Continental Tire will exit IMSA competition at the end of 2018, including title sponsorship of the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, with IMSA electing not to extend its long-standing partnership, the tire manufacturer.

In addition to confirming Michelin as the new entitlement partner and official tire, the challenge series will introduce the same leader-light technology used by the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2018. All series races will be televised on a tape-delayed basis on NBCSN as part of IMSA’s new, six-year television partnership with NBC Sports.

The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge will feature leader-light technology and a reduction to two classes, but the series’ familiar slate of 10 races and outstanding on-track competition remain for 2019.

The two-class format includes the lead Grand Sport (GS) class, which this year began using race cars built to international GT4 technical regulations exclusively and the TCR class, which debuted this year with front-wheel drive, turbocharged race cars governed by international TCR technical regulations. The Street Tuner (ST) class has been discontinued for 2019 as previously planned.

TAGS: Brandon O'Brien, Continental Monterey Grand Prix, IMSA, IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, Motor Driven Images, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

Crash Overshadows Lamborghini Trofeo Races At Laguna Seca

Infamous Corkscrew turn at Luguna Seca full of Lamborghini Huracan cars prepared to race in the IMSA sanctioned Super Trofeo series. Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Crash Overshadows Lamborghini Trofeo Races at Laguna Seca

Words By: Brandon J. O'Brien

Images By: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise specified

The Lamborghini Super Trofeo series has been campaigned in North America since 2013.  The car used exclusively in the series is the Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo which is brand new for 2018.  New bodywork combines functionality and style.  The front diffuser directs airflow to the rear wing giving proper down force in all driving situations.  The two air scoops normally found on the road going version have been refined into a single scoop that improves aerodynamics.  Finally a shark fin dramatically improves the handling at high speed, especially in corners.

Like many single car series popular today, the drivers are classified in either one of three classes: PRO, PRO-AM, and AM, each driver not only competing within their class but also for the overall championship.  All of these skill levels are competing on the track at the same time in equally competitive machines. The PRO and PRO-AM classes require two drivers and a driver change during the race.  The AM drivers do not have co-drivers but are still required to do a pit stop.

Race day on Saturday dawned a bit foggy and cool.  By race time the weather was warming up and it was a beautiful fall morning at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  The race started with Loris Spinelli in the No 71 P1 Motorsports, Lamborghini Broward leading the field.

Pro-Am Class winners and eventual 2018 Class Champions Loris Spinelli and JC Perez in the No 71 P1 Motorsports, Lamborghini Broward.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

About 6 minutes into the race, Sheena Monk in the No. 7 Wayne Taylor Racing, Lamborghini Paramus car came flying up the hill from Turn 6, just threading her way through two cars braking for the famous corkscrew. Apparently without slowing she went straight into the gravel, hitting a small bump that catapulted her car into the upper tires barely missing the K-rail.  Upon hitting the tires the car summersaulted backwards back onto the gravel impacting on its nose.  The car did exactly what it was designed to do and much of the inertia was dispelled with the disintegration of the bodywork.

Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The No. 7 Wayne Taylor Racing, Lamborghini Paramus car driven by Sheena Monk moments after impacting the tire barrier in the corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca during the first Lamborghini Trofeo race.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

This immediately produced a red flag and course workers and medical personnel were quick to respond.  Ms. Monk was conscious following the crash and, due to her injuries it was deemed best if the car was cut apart in order to extract her without further injuries. It has been reported that she suffered a fractured pelvis. 

With 12 minutes remaining the green flag was dropped and the pit window opened.  Most of the leaders decided to pit but Edoardo Piscopo in the No. 50 US RaceTronics, Lamborghini Beverly Hills stayed out and assumed the lead.  

The race winning and eventual 2018 PRO Class Champion No. 50 US RaceTronics, Lamborghini Beverly Hills being driven by Edoardo Piscopo and Taylor Proto after exiting the corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca during Race 9.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

With just two minutes remaining he dashed into the pits and Taylor Proto took over the car. While in the pits, and still in the lead, the No. 33 Wayne Taylor Racing, Lamborghini Paramus driven by Cameron Cassels spun in Turn 5 bringing out a full course yellow.

Proto took the checkerd flag extending their PRO class lead.  Brandon Gdovic and Shinya Michimi in the No. 46 PPM, Lamborghini Palm Beach was second while Corey Lewis and Madison Snow in the No. 29 Change Racing, Lamborghini Charlotte was third.

The overall 2nd Place finishing No. 46 PPM, Lamborghini Palm Beach driven by Brandon Gdovic and Shinya Michimi exiting the corkscrew during race 9.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

By winning the PRO-AM class Loris Spinelli and JC Perez  secured the 2018 Class Championship. 

Brian Thienes in the No. 17 US RaceTronics, Lamborghini Beverly Hills won the AM class.

Brian Thienes in the No. 17 US RaceTronics, Lamborghini Beverly Hills won the AM class and is shown at the top of the corkscrew leading the No. 09 US RaceTronics,  Lamborghini Beverly Hills driven by D. Ockey.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Fortunately the race on Sunday was much less spectacular.  Passing the leading No. 1 Wayne Taylor, Lamborghini Paramas car driven by Trent Hindman,  Loris Spinelli driving the No 71 P1 Motorsports, Lamborghini Broward car took over the lead late in the race and won with a three second margin. 

The No. 09 AM Class winning car driven by D. Ockey.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Finishing 2nd overall Trent Hindman and Johnathan Cecotto claimed the PRO class win. 

3rd place overall went to Cory Lewis and Madison Snow in the No. 29 Change Racing, Lamborghini Charlotte car.

The AM class win went to D. Okey driving the 09 US RaceTronics, Lamborghini Beverly Hills car.

TAGS: Lamborghini Trofeo, Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo, Motor Driven Images,  Sheena Monk, Wayne Taylor Racing, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

 

Mishap Scrambles IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Field At Laguna Seca

Mishap Scrambles IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Field At Laguna Seca
Words By: Brandon J. O'Brien
Images By: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise specified

Within seconds of the Green Flag dropping at the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship the No. 99 JDC-Miller Motorsports ORECA LMP2 being driven by Misha Goikhberg, in an attempt to get past slower cars, made contact with the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac DPi  driven by Joao Barbosa sending cars scattering all over the front straight.

Dirk Mueller in the No. 66 Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT clipped the Cadillac tearing off his right front suspension.  The Cadillac was then T-boned by the No. 911 Porsche GT Team Porsche 911 RSR driven by Nick Tandy.

Although damage to many of the cars forced an early retirement, and for some in the GTLM class, Championship hopes dashed there were no injuries.

Championship hopes dashed!  The battered No. 66 Ford Chip Ganassi Ford GT after the opening lap incident.Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

Starting the No. 22 Tequila Patron ESM Nissan DPi Johannes van Overbeek at the back of the Prototype field managed to avoid hitting the airborne No. 66 Ford GT and it's bouncing right front tire.   He pitted to turn the car over to Pipo Derani 22 minutes into the race.

After a restart following the third full-course caution 46 minutes into the race Derani spun in Turn 2.  Derani then worked his way forward moving into the top five and stayed there for most of the remainder of the race.

The race winning No. 22 Tequila Patron ESM Nissan DPi exiting the Corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

He was running second when race leader Harry Tincknell spun the No. 55 Mazda Team Joest Mazda RT24-P DPi while attempting to pass a slower car.  Derani inherited the lead and was not challenged for the rest of the race.  He won by 10.9 seconds over Colin Braun in the No. 54 CORE autosport ORECA LMP2 car.  Followed in third by the No. 6 Acura Team Penske Acura ARX-05 DPi co-driven by Dane Cameron and Juan Pablo Montoya.

Jubilant winning drivers Pipo Derani (L) and Johannes van Overbeek (R) along with their team after their win at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca . Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

The second place No. 54 CORE autosport ORECA LMP2 co-driven by Jonathan Bennett and Colin Braun.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

The third place Acura Team Penske Acura ARX-05 DPi co-driven by Dane Cameron and Juan Pablo Montoya exiting Turn 11 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

In GT LeMans (GTLM) Conner De Phillippi and Alexander Sims co-drove to their second consecutive victory in the No. 25 BMW Team RLL BMW M8 GTE.  De Phillippi was able to conserve his fuel over the final hour of the race taking over the lead when the sister BMW driven by John Edwards was forced to make a dash into the pits for a splash of fuel.  Laurens Vanthoor finished 2.488 seconds back in the No. 912 Porsche GT Team Porsche 911 RSR followed by the No. 3 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C7.R co-driven by Antonio Garcia and Jan Magnussen.

The GTLM winning No. 25 BMW Team RLL BMW M8 GTE driven by Alexander Sims and Conner De Phillippi braking for Turn 6 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

GTLM second place No. 912 Porsche GT Team Porsche 911 RSR co-driven by Laurens Vanthoor and Earl Bamber in the corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

Third place for GTM went to the No. 3 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C7.R co-driven by Antonio Garcia and Jan Magnussen.Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

For the GT Daytona (GTD) class Alvaro Parente took the No. 86 Meyer Shank Racing Acura NSX-GT3 from fourth to the lead in the final 10 minutes of the race.  He was followed by the No. 73 Park Place Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R co-driven by Patrick Lindsey and Jorg Bergmeister.

First place in the GT Daytona class went to the No. 86 Meyer Shank Racing Acura NSX-GT3 driven by Katherine Legge and Alvaro Parente.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

Second place went to the No. 73 Park Place Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R driven by Patrick Lindsey and Jorg Bergmeister exiting the corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

GT Daytona No. 33 Mercedes-AMG Team Riley Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 driven by Jeroen Bleekemolen seen here leading the No. 63 Ferrari 488 GT3 into the corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

The final podium spot went to the No. 33 Mercedes-AMG Riley Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 driven by Ben Keating and Jeroen Bleekemolen.




TAGS: Acura ARX-05 DPi, Acura NSX-GT3, Acura Team Penske, Brandon O'Brien, BMW, BMW M8 GTE, Chip Ganassi Racing, Continental Monterey Grand Prix, CORE autosport, Corvette C7.R, Corvette Racing, Ford GT, GTD, GTLM, IMSA, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Mercedes-AMG GT3, Mercedes-AMG Team Riley, Meyer Shank Racing, Motor Driven Images, Nissan DPi, ORECA LMP2, Park Place Motorsports, Porsche 911 GT3-R, Porsche 911 RSR, Prototype, Tequila Patron ESM

2018 Carroll Shelby Tribute

6th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2018 Carroll Shelby Tribute

Words By: Brandon J. O'Brien

Images By: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise specified

It has been six year's since the passing of Carroll Shelby. Every year the Shelby American Organization has remembered him by hosting a tribute in his honor at the old Shelby Engine Production shop located in Gardena California.

An interested crowed of listeners gather around Cobra owners Hank Williams and Lynn Park, "Mr. Cobra" discussing the finer points of owning original Cobras.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

This year was probably one of the better years for having a nice representation of most of the models, both old and newer, made famous through Carroll Shelby's efforts.   If you are fan of Cobra's, Shelby Mustangs, or even GT 40's there was something there to peak your interest.  

The view many Corvette racers feared.  1964 289 Cobra, CSX 2355.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1965 "427" Cobra, CSX3201 was the first of approximately 100 Cobras produced with the 428 Pl engine producing 385-hp. vs the 427's 425-hp.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Beautiful Red 1966 Shelby GT 350, 6S743.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2011 Shelby GT350.  Image Credit:  2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The "Bullitt" Prototype was on display at the 6th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute.  Image Credit:  2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Not only is this time taken to focus on the man, his automobiles, and his Foundation it is also a time for Shelby American to show-case new vehicles it is producing at their Las Vegas production facility and announce new projects.

The current 2018 line-up of vehicles produced include the Shelby Super Snake, Shelby F-150, Shelby F-150 Raptor, F-150 Super Snake, and the Shelby 1000 Diesel.

2018 Shelby Super Snake on display at the 6th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Shelby Super Snake is newly revised for this year and can be optioned with a 800+ hp Carroll Shelby Engine.  The body has an all-new front fascia assembly including a new hood with divided hood grille and rockers to yield much improved under-hood cooling for the turbo's.  The model comes standard with a Shelby-tuned performance suspension with a track suspension available as an option.  Also available as an option is a widened body to accommodate enhanced tire width.

2018 Shelby F-150 as seen at the 6th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Shelby F-150 comes with a 755-hp Carroll Shelby Engine with direct fuel-injection. To accommodate all this power the truck comes with a sport-tuned suspension, 20 in. wheel/tire combination, and 10-speed transmission.  Visually the truck sports a Shelby designed hood, front grill, bumpers, and badging.

The F-150 Super Snake has all of the above features along with a lowered street suspension.

2018 Shelby F-150 Raptor on display at the 6th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Shelby F-150 Raptor,  designed for off-road use, has a 525-hp Carroll Shelby Engine and FOX 3" Raptor Stage 2 shock system and 6x wheels/tires.  Exterior changes include Shelby badging, Shelby Ram-Air hood, bumpers and chase rack along with interior upgrades.

The Shelby 1000 Diesel features 1000 lb/ft torque.  Enough to smoke the tires while pulling a trailer laden with a Shelby Super Snake.  The truck features both exterior and interior upgrades.

Two speciality cars were also on display and a third received it's world-wide unveiling.  The Original Venice Crew (OVC) Shelby Mustang GT 350 - Competition Model was announced in 2017.  On display was one of the two prototypes.  

Prototype OVC Shelby Mustang GT 350 - Competition Model on display at the 6th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The idea was to build the cars as close to the way it was done in 1965 except for safety items and design features that Peter Brock had on his drawing board at that time but did not have the time or budget to consummate in 1965.  

Only 36 cars will be built by Shelby American and they can be ordered with either the solid rear axle as originally supplied or with the independent rear suspension that was being tested by Ford Advanced Vehicles in 1964/65.  Visual changes include a more efficient front fascia, rear quarter windows, rear brake ducts (both features became standard on the 1966 GT 350), and revised rear window glass without the hump.  Pricing is $249,995.00

The other car on display which had been unveiled earlier this month was the 1967 GT 500 Super Snake Continuation.  Only 10 of these will be produced.  These cars will be built with a special Carroll Shelby 427 engine, 4-speed transmission, Detroit locker, and upgraded interior.  They will be serialed with Shelby serial numbers reserved back in 1967.  Pricing was announced to be $249,995.00

1967 Shelby GT 500 Super Snake Continuation model on display at the 6th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The world premier was of the most advanced Shelby American product to be produced to date.  Shelby American announced the limited production of the Shelby Series 2.  Visually based on the 1999 Series 1 this is an all new vehicle. Along with the Series 1 this is the only Shelby street vehicle that was designed from the ground up by Shelby American.  The new Series 2 will be made available either with an aluminum body (only one produced per year) or the "standard" carbon fiber body (limited to 3 per year).  

The unveiling of the Aluminum bodied Shelby Series 2 at the 6th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Front view of the Aluminum bodied Shelby Series 2 unveiled at the 6th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The buyer will have a choice of custom engine options from the Carroll Shelby Engine company attached to a 5 or 6-speed transaxle.  The suspension is based on the push rod system used in Formula 1.  All of this is mated to a honey comb aluminum chassis.  Pricing for the Carbon Fiber version will be $349,995.00 and the Aluminum bodied version will be $849,995.00.  Think of it this way - with such limited production, the value can only go up.   

In place of the Oldsmobile Aurora V8 Shelby American has been testing a Carroll Shelby Engine in Series 1 CSX 5249. Note the Formula 1 Push Rod front suspension components.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Tribute seems to get better each year.  This year there were more varied cars both on display, in and around the building and also along the street.  Assuming there will be a 2019 Tribute it will be held on May 18th.  It's not too early to put a reminder into your smart phone.

TAGS: Carroll Shelby, Carroll Shelby Tribute, Cobra, 289 Cobra, 427 Cobra, GT 350, GT 500, Motor Driven Images, Raptor, Shelby, Shelby Tribute, Shelby Series 1, Shelby Series 2, Shelby 1000 Diesel, Super Snake, Series 1, Series 2 

BMW M5 Competition Announced For 2019

2019 BMW M5 Competition.  Image Credit: copyright 2018 BMW M GmbH

BMW M5 Competition Announced For 2019

Words By: Brandon J. O'Brien

Images By: BMW M GmbH unless otherwise specified

BMW M GmbH has unveiled the most powerful BMW M5 sedan ever.  "The new 2019 BMW M5 Competition Sedan raises the bar for performance, agility, and precision within it's class. With engine output increased to 617 hp, sharper response times, and enhanced chassis tuning."

2019 BMW M5 Competition.  Image Credit: copyright 2018 BMW M GmbH

Along with the recently announced M2 Competition Coupe, BMW M GmbH has created a new product category, M Competition. This was due, in part, to the popularity of model-specific M Competition packages (M3 Sedan, M4 Coupe and Convertible, and M5 Sedan) that were ordered by M buyers.  According to BMW M GmbH, "Some 40 percent of all previous-generation BMW M5's sold worldwide were equipped with the optional M competition package."

From the first E30 M3 Coupe BMW M GmbH has been known to make the "M-version" more than a step above it's standard BMW model.  Now we will view the M Competition as more than a step above the "standard-spec" BMW M model it represents.

2019 BMW M5 Competition.  Image Credit: copyright 2018 BMW M GmbH

The 4.4-liter V8 now generates 617 hp at 6,000 rpm.  Peak torque stands at 553 lb-ft between 1,800 and 5,860 rpm.  Almost 200 rpm wider than the standard BMW M5.  The car jumps from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds.

Specially designed engine mounts optimize responsiveness and cornering characteristics.  Due to this, spring rates were raised from 3,312 lbs/in (standard-spec M5) to 5,139 lbs/in and the chassis was lowered by seven millimeters.  The task of delivering all of this power to the road is handled by an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with three driver modes available; efficient, sporty, ultra-high performance.  This is coupled to the standard 2019 BMW M xDrive system.

Increased negative camber at the front axle enhances the car's ability to absorb lateral forces through high-speed corners.  Fitting the toe links with ball joints instead of rubber mounts has resulted in more precise wheel guidance at the rear axle.

Along with the internal, never seen changes, the M5 Competition will have specially developed light-alloy wheels, High-gloss black finishes on the door handles, mirror bases and mirror triangles, and the mesh of the M grills.  High-gloss Shadow Line trim is featured on the door window surrounds and B-pillar trim.

2019 BMW M5 Competition lightweight wheels.  Image Credit: copyright 2018 BMW M GmbH

2019 BMW M5 Competition front end gloss-black accents.  Image Credit: copyright 2018 BMW M GmbH

The interior has subtle changes from the standard-spec M5.  The black seat belts have a striped pattern in BMW M colors. A distinctive "M Competition" graphic appear in the instrument cluster upon start up. Although not mentioned, it is assumed that the door sill will display "M5 Competition".

2019 BMW M5 Competition interior.  Image Credit: copyright 2018 BMW M GmbH

The kidney grille surrounds feature high-gloss black accenting as does the detailing for the rear bumper cover.  This forms a color-coordinated composition with the tailpipes in black chrome.  Both the rear spoiler and "M5 Competition" truck lid logo are also finished in high-gloss black.

Pricing has yet to be announced and there is no mention as to whether the model will be a limited edition.  Due to the popularity of the M Competition packages sold with the previous M5 it would make sense that this model will not be limited.




TAGS: @The_EDJE, BMW, BMW M, BMW M GmbH, M5, M5 Competition