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BMW supplies V8 to Range Rover

Land Rover has launched the all new Range Rover, which counts the BMW X7 as one of its main competitors, along with the Bentley Bentayga, Aston Martin DBX and Rolls-Royce Cullinan. The new Range Rover has been given an all-new platform and a new, sleek design, which may look as boxy as ever but it has given the new RR a drag coefficient of 0.30, making it the most aerodynamic model in its segment.

It may come as a surprise to discover the top-tier engine available for the new Range Rover comes from BMW. It’s the familiar S63B44T4 twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 available in a variety of BMW M models and serving here as a replacement for Jaguar Land Rover’s supercharged 5.0-litre V8. In this new application, it’s been detuned to deliver 530hp and 750Nm (551 lb ft) of torque.

The BMW heart enables the 2022 Range Rover to reach 60mph in a respectable 4.3 seconds, provided the launch control system is activated. Flat out, it will reach an electronically limited 155mph. Land Rover says the V8 engine has been adapted for its installation in the Range Rover, featuring a bespoke

BMWs S63B44T4 twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 will power the new top of the range 2022 Range Rover…

sump that allows the SUV to provide 45° of articulation during intense off-road situations. The air intake has also been modified to enable a maximum wading depth of 900 mm. Range Rover engineers have also fitted a beefier starter motor and heated sump while making other tweaks to ensure the V8 will fire up even in the coldest climates of the world.

While BMW’s X7 comes exclusively with a single wheelbase length, the Range Rover continues to offer short and long configurations with four-, five-, and seven-seat interior layouts. Another difference between the two is the lack of a plug-in hybrid option in the case of BMW’s largest SUV, whereas the RR will be offered with two PHEV powertrains.

BMW Group sourcing green steel…

In its quest to push forward with climate protection, the BMW Group is systematically pursuing its goal of significantly reducing CO2 emissions at their source in the supply chain. From 2025 onwards, the company plans to source steel produced with up to 95% less CO2 emissions and without requiring fossil resources such as coal. The BMW Group has now reached an agreement to this effect with the Swedish startup H2 Green Steel, which uses hydrogen and only green power from renewable energies for steel production.

Owing to its particularly energyintensive manufacturing process, steel production is considered one of the main sources of global CO2 emissions. BMW’s goal is to reduce CO2 emissions in its steel supply chain by about two million tonnes by 2030.

In addition to the delivery of steel produced using green power, the BMW Group and H2 Green Steel have also agreed to recycle sheet metal remnants, such as those produced at press plants when panels like doors and bonnets are punched out. It will process these offcuts so they can be shipped back to the plants as new steel rolls. Since it requires less energy to produce, recycled steel lowers CO2 emissions by an average of 50 to 80%, compared to primary material.

Latest news from the Redux E30 M3

The day when Redux 002 finally hit the rollers finally arrived. To mitigate the risk of scratching anything, the M3 arrived at the Roger Clarke Motorsport rolling road session semi-naked. Even with only the bare essentials fitted, she still drew admiring glances and comments from the few people lucky enough to see her break cover for the first time since being painted.

The rolling road session turned out to be a big success. The Redux guys told us that the sound from 002’s naturally aspirated S14 engine at max revs is incredible. The re-engineered 2.5L S14 engine hit its projected horsepower and torque figures of 300hp and 205ft/ lb torque at 8,000rpm. Based on the mapping data, the team is quietly confident it could potentially pull to 9,000rpm. Most pleasing was the consistency of each run - always within 1hp - and the relatively flat torque curve produced.

Days later and 002 is virtually complete. With the electronics

The Redux 002 E30 M3s S14 engine produced 300hp and 205ft/lb torque on the rolling road – photos were deliberately kept black and white to keep 002s paint colour under wraps…

programming completed, the Alcantara and leather-trimmed components were slotted into place, followed by the cabin’s abundance of bespoke billet parts, which are all anodised, laser engraved (where applicable) and look incredible. Seeing the first interior trim parts fitted was very satisfying. First in was the Alcantara headliner, followed by the Alcantaratrimmed rear parcel shelf. By adding rear seat belts, C-pillar trim and rear quarter glass, the initial transformation is incredible.

The car is being tested by Top Gear magazine soon, so it needs to be completed and shaken down, hopefully we’ll have some first impressions next month…

And before we went to press we were informed by the Redux guys that 003’s donor is loaded in a container and waiting to be shipped from the USA.

AC Schnitzer suspension goodies

German BMW tuner AC Schnitzer has released lots of new suspension kits and other goodies for a plethora of BMW models just in time for Christmas. Why not treat your car to a Schnitzer upgrade this winter?

First up is BMW’s G22/23 4 Series. Schnitzer offers two levels of kit, the first being a Spring Kit for all 4 Series Coupés and Convertibles, with and without BMW adaptive suspension or xDrive. Secondly, a Sports Suspension Kit replaces the springs and dampers, currently for cars without BMW adaptive damping only. Similar kits are already available for the 3 Series.

Next up is the BMW F40 M135i. Schnitzer is offering an RS Suspension Kit, which is a set of premium adjustable coilovers. It comes preset with AC Schnitzer’s own ride height, compression and rebound damping settings.

If you own a BMW G30/31 5 Series, Schnitzer offers a spring kit that fits the bill. Whether your car has adaptive or passive dampers, xDrive or rear wheel drive, a saloon or touring body, the kit suits them all.

For the owner of BMW’s new G80 M3, Schnitzer has a spring kit which lowers the car 15 to 20mm at the front, putting a little more weight on the nose for improved steering response with little or no loss of ride quality. No lowering is necessary at the rear. Schnitzer’s RS adjustable coilover suspension will be available for the M3 soon too, watch this space.

Finally, Schnitzer also has a spring kit for the F60 Mini Countryman.

For more information on these kits etc, contact AC Schnitzer UK on 01485 542000, or visit www.ac-schnitzer.co.uk

AC Schnitzer has lots of suspension goodies for a plethora of models, including a spring set for the new M3…

BMW E24 M635CSi hits $110K…

Showing that the heat in the classic car market hasn’t dissipated yet, a 1987 M635CSi sold recently on Bring-a-Trailer for a huge $110,000 or £82,000 sterling. The car in question had covered just 11,000 miles and was finished in Royal Blue metallic with a tan leather interior; both paintwork and interior were said to be in near perfect condition. Unfortunately it was originally a North American market car, so it sported the ungainly federal bumpers. Even so, it was a stunning example of the classic sharknose coupé, which we’re glad to see is enjoying something of a renaissance at present.