The new BMW F 700 GS, F 800 GS and F 800 GS Adventure.

The new BMW F 700 GS, F 800 GS and F 800 GS Adventure – authentic characters featuring optimised functionality.
For years the GS models of the F series have embodied carefree motorcycling pleasure and sporty dynamics on the road, combined with a high level of travel suitability and robust off-road competence. For the model year 2017, BMW Motorrad has now taken the quality of this successful mid-range enduro motorbike a stage further.

As before, the new F 700 GS is mainly aimed at motorcyclists who like the ride feel of an enduro but do not require quite so much off-road competence. Its strengths are a lower seat height, all-round capabilities and more than sufficient power, along with excellent fuel efficiency and everyday qualities.

The new F 800 GS combines road and travel suitability with distinct off-road talents, combining these abilities at a level that is unique within its class.

Based on the F 800 GS, the F 800 GS Adventure particularly offers enhanced travel suitability even in the most remote corners of the planet. For touring motorcyclists with a bent for off-road riding, globetrotters and travel enduro riders it provides a genuine BMW GS Adventure concept in the mid-range segment.

EU4 adaptation and newly designed tailpipe.
The 798 cc engines have been adapted to the EU4 regulations for model year 2017. The visual hallmark here is the newly designed end piece of the stainless steel tailpipe. The HP sports exhaust by Akrapovič has also been redesigned and is available as an Original BMW Motorrad accessory.

Electromotive throttle controller for further improved response and the modes “ Rain ” , “Road ” , “ Enduro ” and “ Enduro Pro ” to cater for individual rider preferences.
An electromotive throttle controller now passes on the rider’s commands directly from a sensor on the twist grip to the engine control system and therefore to the throttle valve. The result is even finer controllability and an improved response. At the same time, this also enables the new standard riding modes “Rain” and “Road” to be used for riding on damp or dry surfaces as well as the modes “Enduro” and “Enduro Pro” - available as an ex works option (for the F 800 GS / F 800 GS Adventure only) - which are designed for lighter and more intense off-road use respectively.

Instruments with new dials and even more information.
The new F 700 GS, F 800 GS and F 800 GS Adventure are fitted with newly designed and more easily readable dials. An additional Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) ensures the EU4 norm is met, while the display has been extended to include riding mode information.

Dynamic colours and styles convey the bike's character more distinctly.
Powerful yet distinct character qualities are expressed in three paint finish/style variants for each of the new F 700 GS and F 800 GS, and there are two additional paint finishes for the BMW 800 GS Adventure fitted with new galvanised radiator trim elements, a new intake silencer cover and a new ignition lock casing.

An overview of the highlights:

• Adaptation to EU4 requirements.
• Newly designed end piece of the standard tailpipe and HP sports silencer by Akrapovič available as an Original BMW Motorrad accessory.
• Electromotive throttle controller for improved response and controllability.
• Riding modes “ Rain ” and “ Road ” as standard. Riding modes “ Enduro ” and “Enduro Pro ” (only F 800 GS / F 800 GS Adventure) as an ex works option.
• Instrument panel with new dials, MIL indicator lamp and riding mode display.
• Dynamic paint finish and style concepts.
• Side reflectors on fork slider tubes and fixed fork tubes.

McLAREN 570S SPRINT TO MAKE GLOBAL DEBUT AT THE 2016 GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED

The recently-announced McLaren 570S Sprint will make both static and dynamic global debuts at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed as part of the largest presence by McLaren to date. The track-only model will thrill crowds on the famous Hill run and be on public display in the Supercar Paddock alongside the McLaren P1™ GTR, 650S Can-Am, 570S Coupé and the 675LT Coupé which only recently set the fastest ever time around the BBC Top Gear track. A second example of the 570S Sprint will be on private view for McLaren guests at its central location, adjacent to Goodwood House.

The 570S Sprint is the most track-focused model in the McLaren Sports Series line-up.  It has been conceived purely for owners to enjoy on the track and without the restrictions of any race series. Power and torque levels have been optimised to ensure the ultimate levels of driver engagement and the best levels of noise, too, as visitors to Goodwood will soon hear. 

Below the skin, the 570S Sprint is built around the carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis shared with all Sports Series models, and also features the familiar mid-mounted 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine and seven speed SSG transmission.

The 570S Sprint features enhanced cooling via a front centre GT3-inspired high temp radiator, along with a more aggressive front splitter and floor assembly as premiered on the 570S GT4. As standard, the 570S Sprint is filled with New Life™ 0W-40 engine oil, developed by McLaren Automotive technology partner Mobil 1.

Based on the aerodynamic ‘shrink-wrapped’ design of the 570S Coupé, the 570S Sprint features an air piercing front bumper which separates the airflow above, below and through the bodywork, while the intricate design of the ‘floating’ door tendons channel air into the side-mounted radiators. The elegant flying buttresses are also retained. An additional aerodynamic upgrade which includes a large carbon fibre fixed rear wing and front dive planes, brings the highest level of downforce yet seen on any model in the Sports Series.

Centre-locking lightweight cast magnesium wheels shod with Pirelli racing slicks are fitted as standard, while the double wishbones and anti-roll bars front and rear are shared with the suspension system seen on the 570S Coupé. An optional motorsport air jacking system to aid wheel changes is also available.

Inside the stripped out, driver-focused cabin, an FIA-approved rollcage adds further protection to the lightweight carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis. The FIA-approved flat back driver, and optional passenger, seat are fitted with a six-point racing harness, and a fire extinguisher system is also installed as standard.

While the 570S Sprint is not homologated for any race series, a GT4 compliance pack is available as a further upgrade for the 570S Sprint. Having been developed in parallel to the 570S GT4 – currently completing its final testing phase in the live race environment of the British GT championship – the package includes all items required to meet the FIA standards for GT4 competition.

Finished in McLaren Orange as standard, the 570S Sprint can be optioned with any of the colour palette available on the Sports Series, along with a unique range of liveries through MSO Defined. Deliveries will commence in 2017 and pricing starts from £148,000 ex. works (local market pricing applies).

See a preview of the McLaren 570S Sprint in action at: 

https://youtu.be/hr-QGdQ0aIg.

CITROËN RACING’S DEVELOPMENT OF 2017 WORLD RALLY CAR ACCELERATES IN FINLAND

Citroën Racing chose the roads of Finland for the third development test session of its 2017 World Rally Car. Running at maximum speed on the famous jumps, Kris Meeke and Craig Breen were able to test the car’s aerodynamic performance.

With its large, fast and rolling roads, Finland is among world rallying’s most revered venues. Due to the high speeds and the difficulty to “read” the road, it is one of the toughest terrains to grasp, with the drivers needing to concentrate on the jump approaches that send the cars flying into the air.

It is, therefore, no surprise that this country figures among the priority destinations for the team in charge of developing the Citroën that will compete in the 2017 FIA World Rally Championship. After the rough terrain of southern France and the mud-filled tracks in Portugal, Finland was ideal to continue assessing the car’s reliability and performance.

For this test, the aerodynamics were closely scrutinised by the engineers. “The freedom allowed by the FIA regulations offers us a much larger range of possible solutions than before,” says project manager for the 2017 World Rally Car, Alexis Avril.

“The bodywork of the WRC must entirely cover that of the original model and the maximum width is set at 1875mm. In this framework, we have a lot of freedom to design the wheel arches and bumpers. We can also create air intakes for re-cooling the rear brakes and add on a diffuser. Paradoxically, there are more restrictions for the design of the rear wing than today, but its efficiency will be increased tenfold by its further backed and raised positioning.”

The aerodynamics of a race or rally car must solve the complex equation of attaining maximum down-force, minimum drag and maximum cooling. To achieve this, Citroën Racing’s engineers have adopted what is now a standard methodology.

“We started the work with the CFD calculations, which let us sift through the possible options, continues Alexis Avril. “We collaborated with the Citroën design studio in order for the race car to resemble the characteristics of the production model. From this data, we built a model that was used in the wind tunnel. Between sessions, we carried on with the CFD calculations in enriching the data from the tests, and vice versa.”

With this approach, the expertise gained during the development of the WTCC Citroën Elysée has been widely put to use: “We have made great strides in our understanding of the flow principles and aerodynamic performance since 2013 and the debut of the WTCC programme. We have saved time in utilising the proven solutions. As the disciplines are different not everything was transferable, in circuit racing, there is a form of systematisation that doesn’t exist in rallying. Thus, the compromises are more important.”

While the aerodynamic development itself was done with CFD calculations and wind tunnel tests, the test sessions were used to assess the resilience of various components. “Vulnerability is an essential point in rallying. The dirt, mud, stones and gravel can quickly tear away the element or block the air intakes,” recalls Alexis Avril. “So you have to run in all the conditions to find a compromise between reliability and performance.”