1999 Bmw Z3 Roadster Convertible 2-door 2.5l on 2040-cars

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See the BMW 3 Series morph through history in this animation

The BMW 3 Series is now over 40 years old, and the folks over at Donut Media have put together a very cool animation to commemorate its four decades on the road. The minute-and-a-half-long video shows some of the highlights of the 3er's career, with the side view morphing from the super-basic 1975 E21 316 to the Group 5 racecar based on the same chassis, and up to the current F80-body M3 in Austin Yellow, with stops along the way highlighting different body styles from each of the car's six generations. The color names are at least as interesting as the little info callouts scattered around the video, and the sound bites of racing commentary are a definite treat, so be sure to have your speakers on. Another plus is that you can halt the video between morphing and create some very weird looking BMWs. As a bonus, the creators offer posters of the iconic German cars. It's another clip in a series from Donut Media that brought us an earlier 911 evolution video, so be sure to watch that one as well for a quick automotive history recap. Donut Media is also asking for suggestions on what to morph next. You can leave your ideas in the YouTube comments. Related Video: News Source: Donut MediaImage Credit: Donut Media Auto News BMW Automotive History Racing Vehicles Classics Videos

VW could look outside its own ranks for next CEO

Companies have two options when coming up with succession plans – hire within, or go outside its ranks. Either choice comes with advantages and disadvantages, to be sure. Hiring within means generally getting someone familiar with the company and its culture and traditions, while going outside is ideal if you're looking to shake things up and bring in fresh ideas. It's unclear which avenue the Volkswagen Group will go down when it comes time to replace its head man, Herr Professor Doctor Doctor Herr Martin Winterkorn, but he isn't ruling out a trip outside of Wolfsburg. Winterkorn has already given the reins of the VW brand to former BMW board member Herbert Diess, while Andreas Renschler, a former Daimler board member, is heading up VW's truck group. Now, Winterkorn has made some statements to a German weekly that indicate the most important thing about his successor isn't necessarily his (or her, though no women appear to be on the short-list) previous employer, Motoring.com.au is reporting, so much as his qualities as a leader and an engineering background. "A Volkswagen boss has to have a big affinity to our products. He needs to be close to customers and he needs to have a relationship with dealers," Winterkorn told Stern. "Like always, it depends on the personality and it also helps if the candidate is an engineer." Motoring throws out a couple of potential candidates from within, including Porsche boss Mathias Muller, Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler and engineering guru Ulrich Hackenberg, in addition to both Diess and Renschler. And while each candidate has a lot of potential, the only thing that's guaranteed right now is what Winterkorn has already said: "The decision about who will succeed me is not an easy one for the supervisory board."

BMW launches new M Performance accessories for M5, M6

Those looking to make their stock BMW look like an M model might be interested in an M Sport package. But those who already drive an M model and want that extra bit of attitude to take it over the top look towards the M Performance Accessories catalog, to which BMW has just added a new range of add-ons for the M5 and M6.
The new range of accessories include a titanium exhaust from Akrapovic that's 22 pounds lighter and an extra bit throatier than the stock unit. BMW's also offering a carbon-ceramic brake kit and 20-inch alloys to accommodate them, as well as a carbon aero kit, carbon interior trim and those trademark stripes for the truly extroverted BMW performance enthusiast.
You can check them out in the gallery above and the press release below to see what Martin Tomzczk, the DTM driver sponsored by BMW M Performance Accessories, chose for his matte black M6 Gran Coupe daily driver.