Finally BMW getting serious on Dakar
 

Thanks God, finally BMW getting serious on Dakar. Instead of bulky, huge X5's they are going to right direction with X3. More spesificaly "X3 CC".

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/1603/x31fy8.jpg

And we have a great driver behind the steering wheel this year... Jutta Kleinshmidt. :thumbup: Yes, she is not with VW anymore...

http://img400.imageshack.us/img400/6417/juttavr3.jpg

Source: http://x-raid.de/index.php?id=301

Date of birth: 29.08.1962
Place of birth: Cologne, Germany
Place of residence: Monte Carlo (Monaco)
Marital status: Single (Partner Bruno)
Profession:Degree in physics

Started rallying:19871987First participation at a cross country event on a motorbike (Pharaoh's Rally)

1988First participation at the Paris-Dakar Rally on a motorbike

19921st overall Ladies Motorbike category Paris-Capetown Rally and Pharaoh's Rally

1993First participation in a car as co-pilot of Jean-Louis Schlesser (Schlesser Buggy), UAE Desert Challenge

19941st overall Ladies motorbike category Paris-Capetown Rally and Pharaoh's Rally First participation in a car in the Tunisia Rally (Schlesser Buggy) Vice World Champion Cross Country World Cup, 2WD class (Schlesser Buggy) Moved to the 'GeCo Raid Team' of Sven Quandt (Mitsubishi) 4th overall UAE Desert Challenge (GeCo Raid Sport - Mitsubishi)

1995First participation in a car in the Paris-Dakar Rally (GeCo Raid Sport - Mitsubishi) Moved to the Schlesser-Team (Schlesser-Buggy) Vice World Champion Cross Country World Cup, 2WD class1996Vice World Champion Cross Country World Cup, 2WD class19975th overall Paris-Dakar Rally, two stage wins, first woman ever who win a stage in the Dakar Rally (Schlesser-Buggy)

1998Moved to the Mitsubishi Factory Team 4th overall UAE Desert Challenge (Mitsubishi)

1999Cross Country rallying (Mitsubishi) 3rd overall Granada-Dakar Rally, two stage wins, first woman ever who lead the Dakar Rally overall as well as first woman ever finished on the podium 4th overall Baja Italy 4th overall Rally Tunisia 3rd overall U.A.E. Desert Challenge 4th overall final standings of the Cross Country World Cup

2000Cross Country rallying (Mitsubishi) 5th overall Paris-Dakar-Cairo Rally 2nd overall Rally Tunisia 4th overall Morocco Rally 2nd overall Baja Spain 2nd overall Master Rally 2nd overall Por Las Pampas Rally 6th overall U.A.E. Desert Challenge Vice World Champion Cross Country World Cup, 1st overall T2 category

2001Cross Country rallying (Mitsubishi) VictoryParis-Dakar Rally, first ever overall victory of a woman VictoryBaja Italy 2nd overall Baja Portugal 2nd overall Master Rally 2nd overall Por Las Pampas Rally Vice World Champion Cross Country World Cup, 1st overall T2 category

2002 2nd overall Arras-Dakar Rally (Mitsubihsi)Moved to Volkswagen Factory Team 2003Cross Country rallying (VW) 8th overall Rally Dakar (VW Tarek-Buggy) 7th overall Baja Italy 3rd overall Baja Germany, 1st overall 2WD category

2004 21st overall Rally Dakar, first stage win of the Race Touareg 4th overall Rally Morocco (1st overall diesel category) 3rd overall Rally d'Orient (1st overall diesel category) 13th overall U.A.E. Desert Challenge

2005 3rd overall Rally Dakar, first diesel car ever on the podium of the Rally Dakar (1st overall diesel category) 3rd overall Rally Por Las Pampas 4th overall Rally Tunisia

3rd overall Rally Morocco

2006not finished Rally Dakar Moved to the BMW X-raid team of Sven Quandt



Other drivers will be Nasser Al-Attiyah and Guerlain Chicherit.

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Technical specs for X3 CC


Three X-raid BMW X3CC for the Dakar 2006
Source: x-raid.de

The X-raid Cross Country Rally Team based in Trebur, Germany and Magna Steyr-Automotive Group a division of Magna Int. Inc. based in Graz, Austria officially announced a partnership agreement for the development and build up of the new X-raid BMW X3CC. The X-raid BMW X3CC will compete in the 2006 Dakar Rally and selected events in the FIA Cross Country World Cup.

Magna Steyr is a leading global Brand specialising in independent engineering and a manufacturing for leading international OEMs. Magna Steyr is a partner to BMW Magna Steyr assembles the BMW X3 SAV. Magna Steyr’s current technological developments in the automotive industry focus on vehicle weight drive systems, electrical engineering and electronics as well as safety. Magna Steyr’s strengths are also strong points of the X-raid team a close cooperation with Magna Steyr will create a powerful network and a highly developed BMW X3CC.

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Godspeed X3...:thumbup:

Will be interesting to see how the diesel engine performs. Haven't seen those often in a rally.

Those pics just became my desktop background.

I agree - much better to use the quick, athletic and nimble X3. The current X5 has indeed aged a bit, and looks large and heavy (which it is). I'll never get over the terrible interior space management of the X5. The X3, on the other hand is a perfect example of extremely efficient use of space. :thumbup:

BMW Diesel X3's did just great. 4 BMW's in first 9. :thumbup:

http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/6371/clip206cy.jpg

Job well done guys, AND Mrs Kleinschmidt... Congratulations. :thumbup:


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VW has been using diesel engines for the past few years. The diesel will perform just fine, probably better than the petrol engines.

All the trucks are using diesels as well and we have all seen how they plow through the dunes:)

hey, I want one of those! :thumbup:

I SHOULD ASK YOU

would they rather have this "little thing" http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...333/x31fy8.jpgwith this GIRL driver http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...3/juttavr3.jpg


who drove a vw and has no experience compare to this....



http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...sconcept01.jpghttp://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...z333/motor.jpg"BIG AND BULKY" MACHINE W/ a driver http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...hans_stuck.jpgwho has had more experience then that girl has lived....


enough said :xoutpost::gun:

Great photos:thumbup:

Cool pics and info post!
Thanks, MrDuck!
BR,mD