BMW Art Car to compete in 24 Hours of LeMans
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/motorsports/" rel="tag">Motorsports</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/design-style/" rel="tag">Design/Style</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/racing/" rel="tag">Racing</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/jeff-koons-bmw-m3-gt2-art-car/"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/art-car-630-1270571602.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><sma ll>Jeff Koons BMW M3 GT2 Art Car - Click above for <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/jeff-koons-bmw-m3-gt2-art-car/">high-res image</a></small></strong></em></div>
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The 17th <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/bmw/">BMW</a> art car is slated to follow in its ancestors footsteps by competing in this year's running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car, an <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/m3">M3</a> GT2, has been worked over by artist Jeff Koons. Though critics first cried foul at the notion of putting Koons in the same league as Worhol, Calder and the like, the guy's preliminary sketches sound top notch.<br />
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Koons photographed multiple race cars at speed, then stretched the images and incorporated them into a massive digital collage. That collage is what's getting spread all over the M3 GT2's sexy flanks. Once finished, the car will get its debut at the Paris Center Pompidou before heading off to Le Mans to go fender to fender with the rest of the racing world.<br />
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The Paris Center Pompidou has hosted the BMW art car unveil since the center opened in 1977, where Roy Lichtenstein first showed off his fluid 320i. This year, the collage <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/20/video-sebring-2010-bmws-dirk-m-ller-talks-about-hour-1/">M3 GT2</a> will take the stage on June 1, and the car will boast the number 79 in tribute to Andy Warhol's 1979 M1. Press release after the jump.<br />
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[Source: BMW]<br /><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/06/bmw-art-car-to-compete-in-24-hours-of-lemans/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>BMW Art Car to compete in 24 Hours of LeMans</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/06/bmw-art-car-to-compete-in-24-hours-of-lemans/">BMW Art Car to compete in 24 Hours of LeMans</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:58:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/06/bmw-art-car-to-compete-in-24-hours-of-lemans/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19428423/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/06/bmw-art-car-to-compete-in-24-hours-of-lemans/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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Spy Shots: Clearest look yet at BMW's next 6 Series
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/" rel="tag">Spy Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/luxury/" rel="tag">Luxury</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/spy-shots-2011-bmw-6-series/#2"><img hspace="0" border="1" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/630xx.jpg" /><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><sma ll>The next BMW 6 Series-click above for high-res image gallery</small></em></strong></div>
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We've been seeing spy shots of the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/27/spy-shots-new-bmw-6-series-cabrio-caught-reveals-no-more-flyin/">upcoming 6-Series Convertible</a> for some time now (also, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/22/spy-shots-2011-bmw-6-series-cabrio-getting-swirly-whirly/">here</a>), but this is the first time we've seen the hard topped version out in the streets. Well, halfway out in the street, as BMW has it all wrapped up for up for a psytrance after-party. We will tip our hats to <a href="http://autoblog.com/make/bmw">BMW</a> for this black and white disguise, however, as there's a slight resemblance to the Maserati 4200 GT in front, while they taped off the C-pillar ape the Z32 300ZX. That said, they're not fooling anyone. <br />
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First of all, the stuff they didn't/can't cover with camo-wheels, brakes and mirrors-all scream BMW. Especially the "Efficient Dynamics" brake kit that will charge the battery while you're slowing down. Also, the trunk is still fairly Bangled, though less so than the current car.<br />
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<img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/snout250.jpg" /> The engines will be coming out of the 7 Series, though probably not the vaunted <a href="http://autoblog.com/tag/760Li">760Li's</a> twin-turbo V12. Expect the double-scroll single turbo 3.0-liter straight six and the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8, as well as few diesel mill we won't be seeing in the States. As far as the next <a href="http://autoblog.com/model/m6">M6</a> goes, that's up in the air. Early reports indicate that BMW will be selling some manner of R8-fighter based on the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/29/report-2013-bmw-vision-efficientdynamics-supercar-moving-toward/">Efficient Dynamics Concept</a>, though it will probably be stuffed with a 600+ horsepower version of the BMW 262 cubic inch twin-turbo V8. <br />
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Before you get salty tears in your coffee, our spies also inform us that a four door version of the new 6 Series is expected. Something along the lines of a 650i Gran Turismo, including a hatch/trunk lid similar to the one found in the 550i GT. A model needed (apparently) to combat the upcoming Audi A7 four-door coupe. Those wacky Germans...<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-bmw-6-series/low/">Spy Shots: 2011 BMW 6 Series</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-bmw-6-series/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/01-bmw-6-series-coupe-spy-april_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-bmw-6-series/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/02-bmw-6-series-coupe-spy-april_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-bmw-6-series/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/03-bmw-6-series-coupe-spy-april_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-bmw-6-series/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/04-bmw-6-series-coupe-spy-april_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-bmw-6-series/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/05-bmw-6-series-coupe-spy-april_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/06/spy-shots-clearest-look-yet-at-bmws-next-6-series/">Spy Shots: Clearest look yet at BMW's next 6 Series</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/06/spy-shots-clearest-look-yet-at-bmws-next-6-series/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19428323/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/06/spy-shots-clearest-look-yet-at-bmws-next-6-series/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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Spy Shots: 2011 BMW X3 out and about in Munich
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/" rel="tag">Spy Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/paris-motor-show/" rel="tag">Paris Motor Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/spy-shots-2011-bmw-x3/#4"><img hspace="0" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/bmw-x3-3-630op.jpg" alt="" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><sma ll>2011 BMW X3 - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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We're expecting the 2011 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/x3">BMW X3</a> to debut sometime this year and judging by this latest crop of spy shots out of Munich, Bimmer's mid-level 'ute should be ready for prime-time when the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/paris-motor-show/">Paris Motor Show</a> rolls around this fall.<br />
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Although the prototype appears slightly larger than the current model, the changes will be largely cosmetic, particularly up front, where the outgoing X3's plebeian proboscis has been dispatched in favor of <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/bmw/">BMW's</a> new upright fascia. The headlamps appear to have grown in size and we're particularly digging the sculpted bumper, with it's larger lower grille, more dramatic lip and angular air intakes.<br />
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The styling appears more standard on the sides and out back, although BMW is sure to redesign the D-pillar and fit new LED taillamps inspired by the rest of the range.<br />
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Naturally, the 2011 X3 will feature BMW's 3.0-liter six-cylinder powerplants - either naturally aspirated or turbocharged - with a handful of diesel mills available to our friends abroad. However, don't be surprised to hear about some kind of four-cylinder fitted to the X3 after it's initial launch, and here's hoping that the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/3+series">335d</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/x5">X5 xDrive35d's</a> impressive oilburner finds its way under the hood of the X3 in the U.S. in short order.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-bmw-x3/low/">Spy Shots: 2011 BMW X3</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-bmw-x3/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/01-2011-bmw-x3-spy-april_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-bmw-x3/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/02-2011-bmw-x3-spy-april_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-bmw-x3/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/03-2011-bmw-x3-spy-april_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-bmw-x3/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/04-2011-bmw-x3-spy-april_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-bmw-x3/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/05-2011-bmw-x3-spy-april_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/06/spy-shots-2011-bmw-x3-out-and-about-in-munich/">Spy Shots: 2011 BMW X3 out and about in Munich</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/06/spy-shots-2011-bmw-x3-out-and-about-in-munich/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19429068/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/06/spy-shots-2011-bmw-x3-out-and-about-in-munich/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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Spy Shots: Best look yet BMW's forthcoming hi-po 1 Series [w/poll]
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/" rel="tag">Spy Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/spy-shots-bmw-m1-1-m-135is-135-tii/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/bmw-m1-1-copy.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><sma ll>BMW M1/1 M/135is - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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The oft-speculated M version of the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/1+series">BMW </a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/1+series">1 Series</a> appears to be getting closer to production reality if our latest batch of spy pics is anything to go on. Exactly what badge it will were remains unknown at this point. It seems improbable that it will actually be called M1 since BMW likely wants to preserve the badge for its original M supercar. However, it is possible that the hotted up 1 could follow the pattern of the X5/X6 and be called the 1 M - and it might not even get an M badge altogether. Perhaps it will just be dubbed 135is like the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/28/first-drive-2011-bmw-335is-munich-finally-builds-a-special-on/">new-for-2011 335is that we recently reviewed</a> - or even a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/03/bmw-m1-reborn-as-the-new-tii/">135 tii like a previous concept</a> shown by BMW. <br />
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1 Series enthusiasts' forum <a href="http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=371795"> 1Addicts.com</a> has an FAQ of unknown provenance that indicates the car will be launched late this year and on sale in the first half of 2011. Power is expected to come from a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline six which perhaps indicates that the 135is branding is the most likely scenario. A convertible may also be part of the plan. <br />
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Our spy shooter notes that this car is clearly further developed from the previous prototypes with tacked-on black fenders. The front spoiler, widened fenders, and big alloys shrouding oversized drilled discs appear to be near-production items too. Given that the current 135i puts offers 300 horsepower, and going speculation has the hotter model delivering 350-370 horsepower.<br />
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All of which begs the question: What do you want the new top-rung 1 Series to be called? Take our survey below and let us know what you think.<br />
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<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/07/spy-shots-best-look-yet-bmws-forthcoming-hi-po-1-series-w-pol/#poll44068">View Poll</a></p><br />
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[Sources: CarPix, <a href="http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=371795"> 1Addicts</a>]<br />
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<br /><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/07/spy-shots-best-look-yet-bmws-forthcoming-hi-po-1-series-w-pol/">Spy Shots: Best look yet BMW's forthcoming hi-po 1 Series [w/poll]</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:19:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/07/spy-shots-best-look-yet-bmws-forthcoming-hi-po-1-series-w-pol/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19429745/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/07/spy-shots-best-look-yet-bmws-forthcoming-hi-po-1-series-w-pol/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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GSR Autosport BMW 350R: Part II - We decimate a 335i and a Formula Drift racecar materializes
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/motorsports/" rel="tag">Motorsports</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/special-limited-editions/" rel="tag">Specialty</a></p><em><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/gsr-autosport-bmw-350r/#32"><img hspace="0" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/bmw350r630-1270656733.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><strong> <em><small>GSR Autosport BMW 350R - Click above to watch the progress of the build</small></em></strong></strong><em><br />
</em></div>
<em> <br />
Formula DRIFT is recognized as the North American professional drifting championship series. Autoblog has been invited behind-the-scenes with GSR Autosport, and their driver Michael Essa, as the team builds, tests and campaigns a V10-powered BMW 350R during the 2010 racing season. This is the second installment in our <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/05/gsr-autosport-bmw-350r-part-i-we-help-build-a-formula-drift-r/">series</a> as we follow the team throughout the creation, testing and race season. Now, back to the build in progress...</em><br />
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Armed with a 2008 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/bmw/">BMW</a> 335i coupe, a shattered BMW <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/m5">M5</a> and boxes of components stacked around the shop, the team gets busy tearing the near-perfect <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/3+series">3 Series</a> apart. The bumpers, doors, hood and trunk go first, followed by the glass sunroof and remaining sheet metal on the roof (hundreds of spot welds must be painstakingly drilled out). The stock twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter N54 is carefully removed and put aside. The interior is completely gutted and the heavy glass front, side and back windows are cut out. The chassis sits bare on the cold concrete shop floor.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/gsr-autosport-bmw-350r/low/">GSR Autosport BMW 350R</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/gsr-autosport-bmw-350r/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/bmw350r01_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/gsr-autosport-bmw-350r/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/bmw350r02_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/gsr-autosport-bmw-350r/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/m5back_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/gsr-autosport-bmw-350r/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/m5front_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/gsr-autosport-bmw-350r/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/bmw350r12_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/07/gsr-autosport-bmw-350r-part-ii-we-decimate-a-335i-and-a-formu/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>GSR Autosport BMW 350R: Part II - We decimate a 335i and a Formula Drift racecar materializes</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/07/gsr-autosport-bmw-350r-part-ii-we-decimate-a-335i-and-a-formu/">GSR Autosport BMW 350R: Part II - We decimate a 335i and a Formula Drift racecar materializes</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/07/gsr-autosport-bmw-350r-part-ii-we-decimate-a-335i-and-a-formu/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19429472/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/07/gsr-autosport-bmw-350r-part-ii-we-decimate-a-335i-and-a-formu/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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