BMW has released the first official details about the facelifted 2011 X5.
Set to debut at the New York Auto Show, the X5 features new bumpers, additional body-color accents, revised wheels, new headlights, relocated fog lights, and redesigned taillights.
Inside, the only change appears to be the addition of a new iDrive system with a 6.5-inch display (an 8.8-inch display will be optional). Despite the lack of updates, BMW added some new optional equipment. Goodies include active-ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a panorama glass roof, four-zone automatic climate, and a DVD entertainment system. On the tech side, the X5 can be outfitted with a head-up display, adaptive cornering headlights, high-beam assistant, park distance control, a reversing camera, active cruise control (with a stop & go), a lane departure warning system, and a speed limit information display.
The X5 xDrive50i boasts a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 powerhouse (instead of a naturally-aspirated 4.8-liter V8), which churns out 300 kW (408 PS / 402 hp) and 400 Nm of torque. Thanks to this powerful engine, the X5 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). It consumes an average of 12.5 liters/100 kilometers (19 mpg US) and emits a fairly large 292 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
The 2011 X5 will go on sale in the US shortly after it is unveiled in April, while UK and German sales are scheduled to begin June 5th (they will be priced from £43,980 and €54,200, respectively).
As a press stunt, BMW decided to sex up their new wind tunnel by inviting the Dutch model Sylvie van der Vaart for a photo shoot. Officially called a “hairdo experiment”, Sylvie started out by wearing “an eighties-style Bordeaux-colored dress,” echoing the 1987 BMW 3 Series Convertible she was sitting in. Later, she changed into “an elegant beige-colored trouser suit” and got behind the wheel of a 2009 3 Series Convertible.
As you would imagine, the differences in aerodynamics between the two cars were quite remarkable. As Van der Vaart said: “What a difference from the older model! I couldn’t feel the wind at all (in the 2009 model) - I even had to check to see if they’d even turned it on.”
Tuner Alpina has introduced a new, long-wheelbase version of the BMW B7 Bi-Turbo at the Tokyo Motor Show. Next to the Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo LWB you’ll be able to see the D3 Bi-Turbo at the company’s stand in Tokyo.
The B7 Bi-Turbo features a 507 bhp 4.4-litre V8 engine that produces up to 700 Nm of torque. However, the long wheelbase version is expected not to hit the 4.7-second 0-100 km/h mark set by the standard unit. In helping the engine to generate even more power there are two large turbocharges connected to a tuned intercooler. Power is reigned in with a ZF six-speed automatic transmission.
The company also announced that their 3,000th unit ever produced is en route to Tokyo, set for delivery exactly thirty years after their first delivery in Japan. To date, over 300 Alpina-made 7-series cars have been sent to Tokyo.
BMW has used the Frankfurt Motor Show to officially introduce the highly controversial 5-Series Gran Turismo.
As the video proves, the car is definitely ‘not a looker’ but the GT does have some redeeming values. It offers the same rear legroom as the 7-Series, the same headroom as the X5, and up to 1,700 liters (59.5 cu ft) of luggage capacity.
Described as “a prestige saloon, a modern Sports Activity Vehicle crossed with a classic Gran Turismo”, the new Bimmer blends sedan styling with hatchback practicality.
At launch, three different engines will be offered. These are the 3.0-liter turbo-diesel with 245 hp, the 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six with 306 hp, and the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 with 407 hp. All models will come standard with BMW’s new eight-speed automatic transmission.
Excited by the new BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car? So are we. But while the rest of us have to wait another couple of weeks to see the future-think show car at the Bavarian automaker’s show stand in Frankfurt, one lucky enthusiast got an early glimpse while visiting the company’s flagship BMW Welt in Munich.
By the looks of it, he got a good view of the car, as Car and Driver’s photo gallery of the car contains pictures from every possible angle. Follow the link to see all pictures.
BMW has now released official details of the new 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 kidney grille is as bold and muscular as it is on the 7 Series. The X1 will come with 17-inch alloys as standard.
The X1 is confirmed for the USA in 2011, so US customers will need to have patience. US-bound engines and powertrains will be confirmed closer to launch.
The image of the white BMW X1, which you are obviously so deeply focused on, is blurred by design. It’s part of yet another teasing game by BMW to build hype around the company’s newest and smallest SUV. Websites like Facebook have been used to drum up support with the target market which consists mainly of young people.
After plenty of spy pictures and official teaser images and videos the X1 will finally make a splash into the European market this autumn. Power will come from petrol and turbo diesel engines with horsepower figures of up to 204.
Wait for the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show for some face time. Full clear frontal shots will probably become available some time before then. And by that we mean shots of the car.
Unfortunately BMW has confirmed the news that is has cancelled further development and production of the BMW Z4 M.
The German car manufacturer said the economic downturn and a lack of customer interest in the model ruled out going forward with an M version of the Z4.
Strangely enough, the company is going forward with the X5 M and the X6 M and a whole host of new products that are large, expensive and not very economical on fuel costs.
Therefore, the lack of customer interest in the model - rather than the crisis- is perhaps the main reason for killing the M-powered roadster. Although it remains hard to believe, there is one consolation prize: the Z4 will get an M Sport package, just like the 135i.
Here we go, a black BMW 760Li spied in broad daylight. A very similar car (though with different plates) was spied a few weeks ago and hailed as the BMW M7. It wasn’t. Although BMW sources have admitted to the company being in the process of producing an M7 high-performance luxury sedan, this is not that car. What this happens to be is a 760Li, the long-wheel-base version of the 760i.
The pictured prototype features big black wheels, a longer wheelbase, four tailpipes shaped like flattened rectangles and what looks like the word “V12″ covered in tape on the front side of the car. Bits of the interior can be seen through the reflective glass but not much in specific detail can be observed.
At the moment BMW is only offering the new 7 Series up to 750i/ Li level where a 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 is used to produce 300kW (407hp). Traditionally the 760i/ Li have been the range toppers for the BMW brand with their V12 naturally aspirated engines. Although technical details are not available yet for obvious reasons, speculation is that the V12 configuration has been retained but with an added two turbos for power persuasion. The BMW 760i/ Li should break cover at the Shanghai Motor Show in a couple of months’ time.
