Initially, BMW revealed that for the 2011BMW X5 would be getting two new turbocharged engines, as well as some very minor visual tweaks to both the front and rear fascias. Now, however, the Bavarians have dished out the details about the X5's new M Sports package, which not only gives the popular SUV a more aggressive appearance, but makes slight improvements to its overall dynamics.
No tweaks have been made to the engine's overall performance, though a slightly revised chassis setup features a high-speed setting for better handling and stability. New 19-inch light-alloy wheels are standard fare for the M kit, and a bi-colored set of 20s are optional, both of which are wrapped in different tires that BMW says are "chosen specifically for the X5." Other exterior upgrades include revised tailpipes for six-cylinder models, an M body kit, new door sills and satin-finished chrome roof rails. The M Sports treatment also adds sporty touches to the cabin, including sport seats, an M-branded leather steering wheel and brushed aluminum trim.
BMW reveals X5 M Sports package details, photos
Geneva Motor Show2010 Live: BMW 5 Series ActiveHybrid ConceptM
The dispersion of BMW's ActiveHybrid – and conjoined word – initiative continues with the 5 Series ActiveHybrid Concept. Billed as a "future-oriented full-hybrid model in the upper midrange segment" it boils down to the turbocharged inline-six you love and along with a 53-horsepower electric motor you will learn to love working through an eight-speed auto 'box for the middle-management set. They'll get 10-percent more distance for the gallon, and a squirt of instant boost thanks to those hard working electrons.
BMW X1 Officially Released with HD Video
BMW has released official details of the new BMW X1 SUV (SAV). The smallest X vehicle in the range is 4.45 metres long, has a wheelbase of 2.76 metres, is 1.545 metres high and the lightest model weighs in at 1,615kg (EU). It is designed to have a low-slung rear window to make it look the sporting car that it is, and it features wide wheel arches for an aggressive squat. The signature kidney grille is as bold and muscular as it is on the 7 Series. Standard wheels coming with the range are 17-inch alloys.
Contours and sharp lines are evident all the way to the sides and back, including the "Hofmeister kink" at the C pillar. Further confirming that this is a true BMW design are the L-shaped rear lights clusters with sharp jagged edges.
The world's fastest BMW coupe? 230 mph G-Power M6 Hurricane CS
The G-Power crew is constantly striving to produce the most insane BMWs on the planet, combining forced induction with thoroughly revised suspensions and aerodynamics to attain completely unreasonable speeds. It's latest creation, the BMW M6 Hurricane CS, takes the standard set by its M5-based Hurricane RS, and straps a duo of superchargers onto the 5.0-liter V10, boosting the coupe's output to 740 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque.
Combined with a remapped ECU and a titanium exhaust, along with carbon fiber seats and a few other tweaks to reduce the curb weight by around 100 pounds, the CS can run to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, to 124 mph in 9.6 seconds, 187 in 26 seconds and on to a claimed top speed of 230 mph – making it the fastest road-going BMW coupe on Earth.
In addition to the twin superchargers and bespoke body-kit, G-Power fitted the CS with carbon ceramic brakes at all four corners, with the front discs measuring in at 380mm and clamped by six-piston calipers. A coil-over suspension with nine adjustable settings joins front and rear anti-roll bars, and for a scant 390,000 euros, it can be yours. All the details can be found in the press release below the fold.
BMW 760Li & 760i Revealed with Newly Developed 6-Liter V12 Twin Turbo Engine
BMW has officially unveiled their new 760i and BMW 760Li which are powered by a brand new twin-turbo V12 that produces 400 kW (544 hp) and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque. Directly aimed at the 5.5-liter biturbo V12 Mercedes S600 with 380 kW (517 hp) and 829 Nm (612 lb-ft) of torque, the new BMW 760's have more horsepower but less torque.
The new all-aluminum 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 was designed from the ground up and features the latest technology such as high precision fuel injection, infinite double-VANOS camshaft adjustment, and a volume flow-controlled oil pump. BMW went to great length to specifically design the two exhaust gas turbochargers so they would provide unparalleled power and performance worthy of the wealthy owners who typically flock to this high-end model. Despite the fact that the car boasts more power than its predecessor, the new 760i actually features a 4.5 percent increase in fuel economy for an estimated rating of 12.9L/100km (21.9mpg UK / 18.2mpg US). In the terms of performance, 0-100 km/h comes in just 4.6 seconds while the top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).
BMW 135i tii up against V8 supercar, F1 racer at Australian Grand Prix
BMW's little 1 Series has proven itself to be a credible performer that's able to hang with nearly anything else it likely to encounter on the road. But against an Australian V8 Supercar and BMW's own Formula 1 racer? Not a chance. Regardless, these three vehicles will indeed face off at the upcoming F1 season opener Down Under. To help level the playing field, each vehicle will start with a handicap, so the real excitement will begin near the end of the lap when the three cars close in on one another as they sprint to the finish line.
The 1 Series that's taking part in the event will be equipped with the German automaker's potent 3.0L twin-turbo inline six and will wear 18" alloys bolted up to a tuned suspension set up with cross-drilled brakes. A set of tii decals and a full BMW Performance aerodynamic body kit top things off. The race will be repeated 5 times starting on Thursday, March 26th.
Spy Shots: Production 5 Series GT revealed via BMW TV
As expected, BMW is obviously pretty far along with the production version of the 5 Series Gran Turismo concept that debuted earlier this month at the Geneva Motor Show. While show-car details like the thin metal blades connecting the side mirrors from the concept have been replaced with more conventional bits, the general shape of the new GT has been left almost exactly intact. The same can't be said about the interior, which seems to have lost its artful air in exchange for BMW's typically Germanic sobriety.
We'll reserve final judgment for when the production version makes its official debut, likely at an undetermined auto show later this year. Click past the break to see the production BMW 5 Series GT on a video capture of BMW TV, along with the car's German-speaking project leader, Hans-Jurgen Branz.
BMW Developing 6-Series GT, Z2, 3 Series Supersports & New Mini Variant
We've got some exciting news on the BMW front. Sources over at Germancarzone, say BMW is planning a GT version of the next-gen BMW 6 Series. They also claim BMW is working on a Z2, to be introduced later this year, a 3 Series Supersports, and a new MINI model.
Just a short while after the introduction of the BMW 5 Series GT, the German automaker looks to be in the concept development stage of a BMW GT 6. This concept would be based on the platform for the new 6 Series, expected to hit the market at the end of 2010. Look for it to have some design cues similar to the on-again-off-again BMW CS Concept, with suicide doors in back. The rear-hinged doors should make entering and exiting the car very easy for backseat passengers, while maintaining a flowing look thanks to the elimination of the B-pillar. If it goes to dealerships, a 6 Series GT would be a natural competitor to the Audi A7 Sportback, the Mercedes-Benz CLS, and the forthcoming Porsche Panamera.
Give this 550-hp V10 Hartge BMW Z4 a home
Here at Autoblog, we cherish the simple things in life. Like a cold beer on a hot afternoon, spending the holidays with family or stuffing an oversized engine into a little sportscar. It's a time-honored tradition, and this example is no less worthy than any that has come before.
Evidently unsatisfied with the S54B32 inline-six powering the top-of-the-line BMW Z4 M, one European enthusiast dropped in the 5.0-liter V10 from the BMW M5 and M6 into his little BMW Z4. But even the stock 507 horses from the high-revving ten wasn't enough for this Bimmerphile, so he went with Hartge's 550-hp version, complemented by the tuner's own 20-inch rims, but, worryingly, no sign of upgraded brakes to go with the 200+ extra horsepower. The converted roadster cost €170k new, but is now on the market for under €98k (tax in), or about $138,000 in American greenbacks. A hefty sum for sure, but can you really put a price on 0-60 in under 4?
2011 BMW 5 Series Details Emerge
While BMW's next 5 Series won't appear until early next decade, technical details are leaking out. Codenamed F10, the 2011 5 Series will feature engines based on the new turbo range. (Note: The present-generation car is pictured). There's a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six in the 540i, a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 in the 550i, and a twin-turbo clean diesel. Even the M5 will switch from the ultra-high-revving V-10 to a turbo V-8, we hear. Hybrids will likely be available as both full dual-mode and mild types, depending on how they're received in the upcoming BMW X6 and 7 Series hybrids.
BMW insider reveals details about ‘green’ supercar based on M1 Homage
Despite BMW not having built a true supercar for 30 years since its original M1 model, a "high ranking insider" at the firm insists management is trying to reinvent its performance image with a new 'green' supercar based on the wild M1 Homage concept revealed earlier this year.
BMW is reportedly studying the viability of the project, with the ultimate goal to create a two-seater sports car that showcases all of firm’s most sophisticated environmental technology, with a view to releasing it for a limited production run at the end of 2012.
Legendary Brabham Racing Returns as BMW Tuner after 16 Years
Brabham Racing marks its return with an appearance at the Essen Motor Show and introduces the BT 70, BT 60 and the BT 92. That last number being a reference to the year Brabham went bust, something to do with not paying their bills. Probably an unintended reference.
But let's have a look at the cars.
The BT 70 is what Brabham Racing calls a "sporty interpretation of the SUV X6".
The BT 60 is a re-invented BMW M5.
Spy Shots: Production BMW 135tii
Few models in the BMW lineup have as much tuning potential as the newly released 135i, and the Bavarian boys and girls are intent to capture as much of that market as possible. The BMW 1-series tii concept proved that BMW was serious about offering performance parts to boost (and possibly lighten) its new turbo'd coupe, and a member of 1addicts posted photos of what could be the first 135 to get the in-house tuner treatment.
Most of the parts shown are carryovers from the tii concept, including the revised front fascia, side skirts, carbon fiber diffuser and matching rear wing. The C.F. hood may have been swapped out for a stock aluminum piece, but we're guessing the weave has been covered in matching white paint. The upgraded brakes are one of the most obvious additions, while inside, there's plenty of Alcantara covered kit, from the shift boot to the seats, which are also dead ringers for the thrones shown on the concept. The steering wheel is new however, sporting more grippy suede and complete with three different sections packed with LEDs. Your guess is as good as ours about the two displays mounted at 11 and 1, but the center mounted LED arrangement is likely a shift-light/rev meter.
[source: Autoblog]
BMW X5 GETS IT RIGHT: Luxury SUV a big improvement from earlier generation
The X5 has clearly been touched by an angel. There's no earthly explanation for a vehicle making such an immense improvement from one generation to the next.
The first X5, which went on sale seven years ago, was a truck. It bore a BMW badge but offered little of the nimble handling and eager response that marks the Bavarian brand's cars.
The new X5, despite growing significantly larger and heavier, has a light-footed feel and curve-carving handling that belie its size.
Prices for the 2007 X5 start at $45,900 for a 265-horsepower 3.0si model powered by a 3.0-liter straight-six engine. The 4.8-liter V8 350-horsepower 4.8i has a $54,500 base price. All-wheel-drive is standard.
I tested a well-equipped X5 4.8i with a $71,245 sticker price. All prices exclude destination charges.
The X5 4.8i competes with luxury SUVs like the Audi Q7, Cadillac SRX, Lexus GX 470 and Mercedes-Benz M-class.
Despite the lack of some common features and its high price, the X5 holds its own with those tough competitors. The BMW's handling, looks and sophistication overcome its shortcomings.
The new X.5 is 7.4 inches longer, 2.3 inches wider and 2.0 inches taller than the model it replaces, but it looks smaller and sportier, thanks to its flowing lines and short overhangs.
The curvaceous hood and front fenders are particularly attractive. Oddly, though, the hood projects in front of the headlights where the metal curves down to the grille, giving the X5 a slightly bucktoothed look.
A minor overbite can be very appealing combined with high cheekbones and flowing hair, but it looks a bit out of place on a 5,335-pound SUV.
Passenger and cargo room increase from the first X5. Front-seat room is generous, and the rear leg and head room improve. I did not test an X5 with the optional third-row seat, but I'd be very surprised if it were comfortable for anyone older than 3.
The video screen for movies, on the other hand, delights children but is less than perfect for adults. Nearly every vehicle with a rear-seat entertainment system uses a screen that folds away -- into the roof or the center console -- when it's not in use, but the BMW's screen is fixed in place, standing at the rear of the console/armrest between the front seats.
That makes the system seem like a poorly integrated afterthought and guarantees that drivers and passengers will occasionally bump into the delicate screen.
At 21.9 cubic feet, the X5's cargo bay is useable, but considerably smaller than five-passenger versions of the Q7, SRX, GX 470 and ML 500.
The interior of the X5 I tested was attractive and modern, wrapped in black leather, warm brown wood and trimmed with understated matte chrome.
The fits between a couple of chrome trim pieces and the dashboard were slightly misaligned, however, and the iDrive system BMW uses to reduce the number of buttons for navigation, climate, audio and other systems is still over-complicated, despite refinements in the years since the feature debuted. There was also a grave lack of useful rear cupholders.
I was surprised the X5 I drove did not come with a power tailgate. The convenience feature has become routine in minivans and SUVs with prices less than half that of the BMW .
The X5 has plenty of other sophisticated features, though. They include a very effective optional sport-tuned suspension that includes road-sensing shock absorbers and adaptive roll bars.
The net result is an SUV with a comfortable boulevard ride over bumpy roads and the ability to dig in and hug curves in active driving. The X5 is the first BMW since 1961 without struts for its front suspension, replacing that venerable layout with a double-wishbone multilink design.
The speed-sensitive steering is precise and responsive, providing good feedback and on-center feel.
The X5's fuel economy -- 15 m.p.g. city/21 highway for the '07, 14/19 m.p.g. for '08 under the EPA's revised test program -- is better than V8 all-wheel-drive models of the Audi Q7, Lexus GX 470 and Mercedes ML 500, but not quite as good as the Cadillac SRX.
The 4.8-liter V8 provides excellent acceleration and the six-speed automatic transmission is smooth and precise.
The transmission's sport mode allows the engine to rev quickly all the way to the redline and shifts so quickly that the optional manual mode seems superfluous.
The X5 features BMW's latest attempt to reinvent the shifter, an appealing console-mounted lever that looks and feels like a computer game's joystick.
So press "play" and enjoy the best BMW SUVyet.
Other BMW Cars
+ 2007 BMW Alpina B7
[source:http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070726/COL14/707260409/1015/BUSINESS02]
2008 BMW 650i Coupe and Convertible Preview
BMW 6 Series fans and enthusiasts will be pleased with the new 2008 650i Coupe and 650i Convertible, since it now comes with the new six-speed Sports Automatic Transmission as well as the six-speed manual transmission.
On the exterior, you can expect the standards like bi-xenon dual round headlights. New color options come in the metallic paint colors of Deep Sea Blue and Space Gray, and other options like the new light-alloy rims give the buyer a chance to enhance the already sporty elegance of the new BMW 6 Series to their liking. Since other car markers have been taking notice of BMW’s style and then subsequently copying it, BMW has given the rear deck lid and spoiler lip a more concave design to give the rear a more distinctive and dynamic look. In the front, the trademark kidney grill has been widened and integrated more with the lower spoiler in order to visually widen the stance of the car.
Inside, look for the new Chrome Pearl Grey Design as a nice finish on some controls and instruments. New colors for trim and upholstery like Saddle Brown will be also be optional. If you don’t like the standard aluminum trim, you can opt for trim made of trained maple wood or dark birch wood for a more elegant look. You can also go with the optional Pearl exclusive leather and add leather to the armrests, door grab handles, and the center console. Standards are the electrically adjustable seats for both driver and passenger as well as the three spots for seat position memory on the driver’s seat.
Journalists have been carping about the iDrive and BMW continues to refine it. The newest iDrive Controller (introduced in the new X5) comes with six programmable memory keys, meaning direct access to your favorite presets, phone numbers, and other features.
Under the hood is the 4.8-liter V8 engine (360hp at 6,300rpm and 360lb-ft of torque at 3,400rpm) that takes you from 0-60 MPH in 5.3 seconds in the manual Coupe and 0-60 MPH in 5.6 seconds in the Convertible. However, for all of you speed demons out there, engine management will shut you off at a top speed of 155 mph in both models. Varioserv steering assistance helps to provide efficient steering support and assistance based on the driver’s needs.
The 6 Series Convertible also comes with the optional, at no extra charge, six-speed Sports Automatic Transmission if you don’t want the six-speed manual. With the Sports Automatic Transmission, you move the lever from drive to the left to activate the manual gearshift mode. This means you can then shift with the paddles on the steering wheel or with the gear selector level. Press the Sports button that is behind the gear selector lever, and the results will be an even faster gear shift change.
Going a little too fast into a turn? BMW ’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) can help by applying the brakes to individual wheels as needed or can intervene via the engine management system in order to counteract such instances of over- or under-steer in corners. Automatic Stability Control helps keep the car from spinning on looser or slippery ground, and the Cornering Brake Control and Brake Assist also help the DSC in steering emergencies. For less experienced manual drivers who are still a little nervous about starting on a hill, the Start-Off Assistant will help you start smoothly without the use of the handbrake. It will also keep you from rolling back.
Driving while sleepy and not staying in your lane? The new Lane Departure Warning system will let you know by vibrating the steering wheel if you veer out of your lane. Night Vision will sense people and animals via thermal imaging up to almost 1,000 feet down the road and then show you an image on the central Control Display. These safety features plus the active headrests help insure the safety of the driver and passengers.
Overall, look for the 650i Coupe and Convertible to carry on the BMW legacy of fine Grand Touring abilities and style, while also incorporating touches of luxury.
Other BMW Cars
+ 2007 BMW Alpina B7
+ BMW X5 GETS IT RIGHT: Luxury SUV a big improvement from earlier generation
[source:http://www.roadfly.com/2008-bmw-650i-preview.html]
2007 BMW Alpina B7
Our friend's mispronunciation of the legendary German tuner brand is rather surprising. He had just climbed from an Isuzu Vehicross, so he's obviously a connoisseur of important automobiles (well, rare ones anyway). But our 2007 BMW Alpina B7 had thrown him a backdoor curveball."
At first I didn't know what to make of it," he says. "But then I saw that Alpina badge and I knew it was something special."
B7 Not M7
It is something special. Packing a supercharger and 21-inch wheels and tires, the ultrahigh-performance BMW Alpina B7 is unlike any other BMW, including those developed by BMW M, the company's own in-house speed shop.
"It's sort of a limited-edition, factory-approved, tuner version of the 750i," we tell our friend. "BMW builds a 750i in its factory in Dingolfing, Germany, then ships it to Alpina's facility up the road in Buchloe, where it becomes a B7."
"So it's sorta like one of them Sayleen Mustangs," he says with remarkable insight. "Only German and way more expensive."
He's right. Saleen modifies Ford Mustangs for a living, but the United States government considers it a small manufacturer, and Alpina has the same status over in Deutschland.
"Yeah, kind of," we reply, "but you better make that way, way more expensive."The BMW Alpina B7 carries a base price of $115,695 and includes the interior and all the standard features of a 760Li including power sunshades and soft-close doors. But there are extra-cost options, and our test car has them all, including night vision and a rear-seat entertainment system. Toss in the $1,300 gas-guzzler tax and the B7's MSRP is a knee-buckling $124,480. Or approximately three Saleens.
"Wow," says our admirer. "Have you ever driven an Austin Martin or a Lamborghini Gayyardo?"
Alpina, the Story
You can't really blame our friend for his lack of exposure to Alpina. Although the tuner has been tweaking BMWs since 1961, the B7 is only the second Alpina-modified BMW ever offered in America. The first was the Roadster V8, a car based on the Z8 Roadster, and BMW imported only 450 of them in 2002-'03.
Alpina first made its name when it helped BMW develop the lightweight BMW 3.0 CS of the early 1970s, but the company's recent models have delivered very high levels of performance at moderate engine rpm and with an automatic transmission.
In other words, they contrast starkly with the machines developed by BMW M, which always feature high-revving engines backed by either a manual or sequential manual (SMG) transmissions.With the appearance of an AMG version of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW has decided it needs a breathed-on 7 Series to keep pace, but an M7 has never been part of the company's portfolio and possibly never will. "For an ultraperformance version of the 7 Series, a platform that is defined by lavish luxury and generous interior space and offered only with an automatic transmission, something other than 'M' performance character was called for," BMW tells us.
Enter the boys from Buchloe and the blower.
Bolt on the Blower
The blower is a centrifugal supercharger bolted to the front of the B7's DOHC 4.4-liter V8. Although BMW fits its 750i with a 360-horsepower 4.8-liter V8, Alpina uses the smaller-displacement V8 used in this car's predecessor, the 745i. Alpina has also fortified the engine with a stronger bottom end, a lower 9.0:1 compression ratio and a new exhaust system.
The supercharger makes 12.0 psi of boost, which cranks up the engine's power peaks to 500 hp at 5,500 rpm and 516 pound-feet of torque at 4,250 rpm. That's up from 325 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque, so you should be considerably impressed. It's also 62 hp more than you get in the V12-powered 760Li.
Throttle response is a bit sluggish (probably due to that long intake tract), but all that grunt (along with the shorter final-drive ratio from the 760Li) is enough to make this the quickest 7 Series you can buy. Acceleration to 60 mph is accomplished in a neck-snapping 5.0 seconds flat, and the quarter-mile is covered in only 13.3 seconds at more than 108 mph. Wicked quick in anybody's book, and more than a second quicker to 60 mph than the last 750i we tested.
Sure, an M5 will eat its lunch in the quarter-mile, but the B7 nearly matches the M5's 0-60-mph run of 4.8 seconds. It's a real testament to the B7's serious bottom-end torque, especially when you realize the B7 weighs 4,704 pounds — 700 more than an M5.
So the blower works, but it does its thing incognito. Blower whine is not part of the B7's soundtrack. Instead, its big V8 supplies its endless amounts of torque with a deep V8 bellow — again in stark contrast to the high-pitched exhaust sound of an M engine.
Backing the beast is the same six-speed automatic used in a 750i, but Alpina has fitted it with Switch-Tronic, a manual-shift program controlled by buttons located on the back of the Alpina steering wheel. The buttons work well enough, but the B7's transmission is not this car's finest piece. Aside from the fact that it makes every start from a stop in 2nd gear, we find it annoying that the transmission doesn't hold gears in manual mode nor does it match revs when downshifted. If the B7's engine might be ranked a 9.5, its transmission is just a 5.
Ridin' in Style
Alpina does, however, get the B7's suspension just right. The combination of firmer suspension calibration and 21-inch wheels and tires sounds like a recipe for a teeth-chattering ride. But it isn't. The B7's ride is certainly on the firm side of the luxury sedan envelope, but it's remarkably smooth and compliant.
By the way, the design of these 21-inch radial-spoke rims is an Alpina signature. It features 20 slender spokes and mimics a design Alpina has used on every one of its models since the BMW 3.0 CS of the early '70s. And those 21-inch Michelins, well, they cost $550 apiece to replace. How do we know? Don't worry about it. Just keep the B7's stability control on or be ready to write a large check to your local tire shop.
Although the wheels are what everyone notices first about the B7, the sizable rear spoiler and the other tweaks to the look of this 7 Series don't exactly go unnoticed. Meanwhile, the interior additions are more subtle. Along with the three-spoke steering wheel, Alpina adds only badging and a new instrument cluster with a 200-mph speedometer.
Steering feel is exceptional and the factory-installed Active Roll Stabilization system keeps body roll in check. The B7's balance and overall grip is impressive. This very large, very heavy sedan generated 0.85g on our skid pad and blazed through our slalom at almost 69 mph. In other words, it handles as well as an M5, but with a much more agreeable ride.
The B7 also stops like an M5, hauling down from 60 mph in just 114 feet with absolutely zero fade after three hard stops. Again, this car weighs 4,704 pounds. Unbelievable. Alpina has accomplished this by fitting the brakes from the 760i — a model only sold in European markets — that feature rotors that are 1 inch larger in diameter.
It's a Hit
BMW calling in Alpina on this one is like a scene from The Sopranos. Remember when Tony tells Silvio to call in "some friends of ours from out of state?" You know, to take care of the thing with the guy. Why get the dirt under your own fingernails?
Did Alpina make the hit? Fahgeddaboudit, the 2007 BMW Alpina B7 is one of the finest and fastest sedans ever. It's just what the doctor (make that the Beverly Hills plastic surgeon) ordered to help BMW fight off the S63s and S8s of the world.If you buy one, just be prepared to educate the Vehicross contingent.
