BMW
BMW unveils the Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid
The all new 5 Series was launched late last year and more variants of the new mid-sized sedan will soon be introduced including a touring as well as a high-performance M5. There will also be an ActiveHybrid version which is previewed by this Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid.
The concept will be presented at the Geneva Motor Show and it features an inline-6 gasoline engine with BMW’s TwinPower Turbo. There is also a 40kW electric motor and an 8-speed transmission. Just like the ActiveHybrid X6 and 7 models, the eventual ActiveHybrid based on the new 5er is expected to be a very powerful vehicle.
The concept also has an engine start stop system and brake energy regeneration. A production version of the concept is expected to be revealed in about one year. More images can be found after the jump! You can also read our test drive report of the new F10 5 Series here. Read the rest of this entry.
M Sport package for 2011 BMW X5 revealed
BMW has revealed the M Sport package for the 2011 X5 SUV. The package is made up by a retuned chassis, 19-inch alloy wheels in V-spoke design, different exhaust tailpipes, window frames finished in satin aluminum and roof rails in satin-finish chrome.
On the inside there is an M leather steering wheel, M driver’s footrest, interior trim with aluminum finish, electric sports seats for the driver and front passenger as well as an anthracite headliner.
The front and rear aprons have been modified as well and BMW revealed it worked around sensors and cameras used for the Park Distance Control and the Side View systems, which means both features can be added to the M Sport package as well. The package will be made available as soon as the updated X5 goes on sale in spring. Continue reading to view an image gallery. Read the rest of this entry.
Facelifted BMW M3 Coupe and Convertible revealed along with Auto Start-Stop and Competition Package
BMW has released details regarding the facelifted M3 Coupe and Convertible. According to the press release the only update in terms of design is the rear taillight where it looks similar to the design on the facelifted 3-Series Coupe and Convertible. Now on to some more interesting news. BMW has added the Auto Start-Stop technology to this high-performance vehicle. The technology is available with all three variants of the M3 including the coupe, convertible and the sedan.
It is also available with both the manual and the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission options. According to BMW, this system which shuts down the engine when the car comes to a stop enables the M3 to save by about 8% of CO2 emissions. Fuel consumption is also reduced to 11.2 liters per 100 kilometers (M3 Coupe with DCT). It will be quite weird whenever you stop the M3. Instead of hearing a rumbly V8 note you will hear, nothing!
BMW has also announced a Competition Package which is available for the M3 Coupe and Sedan models. The package includes a revised suspension configuration that lowers the ride height by 10mm (along with updates for the Electronic Damper Control and DSC stability control systems to suit the new lowered suspension).
The are also new items in the Original BMW Accessories program including a rear spoiler and front apron flaps in carbon that help reduce lift force. More images of the updated M3 Coupe can be found after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Driven! The all new BMW 5-Series
The all new 6th generation 5-Series is just slightly over two months old and I must say that it has a huge responsibility to carry. The previous 5-Series which is also known as the E60 did really well for BMW and became the most successful 5-Series to date. Although I feel that there is nothing to boast about the E60’s design, it did very well in the driving and comfort departments.
I feel that the exterior design is a little too different for a BMW. The cherry on the rather tasteless cake is the mundane interior. It is spacious enough but lacks appeal. It is definitely not something you can show off to your friends.
However this did not stop people from buying it. Now back to the all new 5 which drops the ‘E’ designation in its code name and is now called the F10 (which sounds a lot like the designations used to identify fighter jets).
We finally have the all-important test drive report to share with you as we flew all the way to Portugal to have a go in it. We also had the chance of driving the new premium mid-sized sedan at the Estoril Circuit. Continue reading to find out more! Read the rest of this entry.
BMW facelifts the X5 SUV, all engines are now turbocharged
BMW has released details and images of the facelifted X5 SUV that will be showcased at the 2010 New York Auto Show. The X5 now has new bumpers, reworked headlights with white corono rings as well as renewed taillights. BMW also added new body colours and new wheels.
Inside you can find a new iDrive system with a standard 6.5-inch display screen while an 8.8-inch version is optional. Buyers also have more optional features to choose from. These include a panorama glass roof, a DVD system, heated steering wheel, adaptive cornering lights, heads-up display, a reverse camera, lane departure warning and more.
Four models of the X5 are available including the xDrive35i, the xDrive50i, the xDrive30d and the xDrive40d. The 35i has a turbocharged 3.0 liter 6-cylinder that makes 306hp and 400Nm of torque. This N55 engine replaces the normally-aspirated 3.0 liter found in the outgoing X5. This delivers 100 kilometers with 10.1 liters of petrol.
The 50i has a twin-turbo 4.4 liter V8 that makes 407hp and a massive 600Nm of pulling power. This top of the line model hits 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and reaches a top speed 250 km/h. It takes in 12.5 liters of petrol to deliver 100 kilometers. The 30d features a turbocharged 3.0 liter diesel unit that can produce 245hp and 540Nm of torque. Fuel consumption is rated at 7.4 liters per 100 kilometers.
Last but not least the 40d which has a turbocharged 3.0 liter diesel that cranks out 306hp and 600Nm of torque delivers 100 kilometers with 7.5 liters of diesel. The engines are also mated to an 8-speed slush box. US customers should expect the new X5 soon after its reveal in April while sales in the UK and Germany will kick start in early June. Pricing wise, expect to pay about 54,000 Euros. As usual, more images can be found after the jump! Read the rest of this entry.
BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept to go into production in 2013?
Inside Line is reporting that BMW will put the EfficientDynamics Concept into production sometime in 2013 which is a year later than what Auto Express said. According to the website, the company will maintain the hybrid system featured in the concept and that the production version will be finished with more metal surfaces.
Apparently BMW may also limit the production to about 10,000 units. The hybrid unit with plug-in capability is made up by a 3-cylinder turbodiesel powerplant and two electric motors. Power is rated at 356hp and a massive 800Nm of torque.
G-Power Typhoon Black Pearl – goes fast, looks evil!
This BMW X5 looks and sounds evil, and has the firepower to match its fearsome name. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Typhoon Black Pearl by German tuner G-Power.
The standard X5’s 4.8-litre V8 gets forced induction in the form of G-Power’s SK III RS supercharger system. This increases power from 350 bhp to 625 bhp at 6,100 rpm, while torque swells by 225 Nm to make 700 Nm at 5,300 rpm. The compressor is from ASA, which also supplies its products to Alpina, so relaibility isn’t an issue says G-Power. The boost pressure is 1.0 bar. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is a typhoon-like (sorry, we just had to) 4.5 seconds, while top speed is “more than 300 km/h”. In addition, G-Power says that the Typhoon “reacts to any impact to the gas pedal aggressively and without any delay”.
Besides bolting on the supercharger, BMW’s V8 has undergone various changes, among them are a new set of forged pistons, weight-optimised connecting rods and a “precisely manufactured” crankshaft. Fuel injectors with a larger capacity, a new ignition map and an additional cooling system for engine oil and water are the other tweaks.
Those swelled wheelarches house 23-inch Silverstone aluminium wheels wrapped with 315/25 ZR high performance tyres by Michelin. More pictures of this badass after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
ActiveHybrid variant of the new 5-Series to debut in Geneva
BMW will present to the world an all new ActiveHybrid model at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, according to a report by Autonews. This time around, its the new F10 5-Series that will be given the ActiveHybrid treatment. Unfortunately we don’t have more details to share with you but you can safely expect the 5-Series ActiveHybrid to be a very powerful vehicle since the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 xDrive50 is thus far the most hairy-chested hybrid of all with 485hp and a massive 780Nm of torque.
