Inside The Vorsteiner Design Studio: Upcoming aero development for the F10 M5

[robert @ eas]

Inside The Vorsteiner Design Studio: Production of the upcoming aero development for the F10 M5

The heart of Vorsteiner’s passion and design ethos has always encompassed BMWs. Ten years ago Vorsteiner started producing carbon fiber components for the E46 M3, and quite simply the rest became history.

Vorsteiner’s philosophy from the beginning has been that of marketing-leading design, utilizing the best materials available and providing customers with high quality aerodynamic components that serve a purpose. Everything - including design, testing and manufacturing - is handmade with pride in California at their own production facilities. They offer innovative products that are also usable both for daily driving and for track or circuit racing.

Similar to their BMW E92 M3 product line, Vorsteiner has designed a GTS-V version of their existing carbon fiber front splitter for the F10 M5. The new GTS-V front spoiler generates additional downforce and aerodynamic aid at high speeds, and will also feature two integrated brake cooling ducts that channel air directly to the rotors.

Pictured below are the first few production stages. They begin by scanning the external front and rear end using a 3D laser head scanner with blue light technology. This digital blueprint allows them to translate their creative illustrations to a three dimensional outline. This extra step - 3D scanning - ensures that all their products line up with the factory components, eliminating the chance of any misaligned sections.

The second step is to produce a 3D rendering of the new front lip which details the overall shape, length, width and radius of the brake ducting inlets. When designing this front splitter, countless hours went into shaping the brake inlets, ground clearance and extension from the existing front bumper to not only make the lip aesthetically pleasing, but functional and practical on a daily basis.

Although Vorsteiner takes all the necessary steps to ensure proper product fitment, preliminary testing and inspecting the final product installed on the vehicle allows them to change things wherever they see fit. An initial draft is then milled on a CNC rapid prototype machine and subsequently test fitted on the vehicle.

Questions and comments are welcome! Let us know what you think

The first GTS-V front lip prototype for the F10 M5 will be displayed at Bimmerfest May 17th at the Pasadena Rose Bowl, swing by and check it out in person!


Let the 3D scanning begin! Notice the blue light as the laser scans each capture point:



The laser scanner continues around the curve of each surface, digitally mapping the terrain for exact reproduction:



Here is the Vorsteiner engineer importing the digital image:



Having the vehicle up on a lift allows us to scan all the way under each body panel for an exact fit:



Once the data is rendered on the Vorsteiner imaging software, a precise digital model can be created:



The first 3D rendering is completed, which is checked tirelessly for complete accuracy:



Here is the first virtual image! Orange highlights the brake duct inlets:



Here is another look at the digital 3D rendering:



This is another angle of the finished product. What do you think?


Initial test fitting photos to come!

[soooma]

Nice and aggressive

[RPiM5]

Very cool!

But... what about wind tunnel testing??

[patb23]

that is nice.