BMW updates and expansions: M5 gets more oomph, new diesels on their way
BMW seems to be matching pace with Audi in its pursuit of becoming all things to all people. We know that a new compact crossover is in the works, along with a supercar to best its cross-town rivals, and the soon-to-be-U.S.-bound 1-series will be released in both coupe and convertible forms.
But BMW isn't letting its core products rot on the vine. They'll be upgrading their European oilburning offerings with a new 2-liter diesel, set to find its way under the hood of the 123d, while the X5 will get a 3-liter diesel, producing 286 HP and 580 Nm of torque.
In an effort to combat the upcoming RS6, BMW also plans to revamp the M5 with a revised version of the 5-liter V10 that should bump horsepower into the 520 to 530 realm. Along with the engine upgrades, expect to see several interior upgrades, including a new heads-up display system.
[Source: Motor Authority]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Turbofrog 7:41PM (6/01/2007)
I wonder when it's going to get direct injection. I imagine that would be good for almost 10% more power by itself...
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Scott Eaton 7:55PM (6/01/2007)
I'd love to drive this car, but I've stopped being impressed by "go faster" engineering. The really impressive engineering design change would be getting this car to 60 just as fast, but without dropping gas out onto the highway as it goes... 12 city/18 highway is downright awful and not what I expect from the best engineers in the world.
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Icheb 8:00PM (6/01/2007)
So who is going to be able to tell the difference between 507 and 520 / 530 bhp? No one? Yeah, thought so.
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Bart 8:03PM (6/01/2007)
As long as they dont update the godawful drivetrain, I couldnt care less how well it performs. And then we havent even discussed its looks.
The Mercedes E63 is a much better drive to me, and I want to see how the RS6 competes with that. The BMW can stay at the showroom collecting dust.
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nirad 8:30PM (6/01/2007)
Wow, Audi has BMW running scared. What BMW fails to understand is that
1) no amount of power is going to make up for the way their cars look
2) the more power these cars have, the more quattro will trump RWD.
It's impressive that the lesser S6 is as fast around a track as the much more expensive M5, and good luck trying to anyone trying to compete with the R8. C&D had it lapping Willow Springs faster than the 997TT. Evo suggests it is faster around Bedford than the Gallardo and F430.
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Sandouras 2:36AM (6/03/2007)
The R8 faster than the F430? And the S6 faster than the M5? Yeah right!!!
Ken 9:13PM (6/01/2007)
I'd be more impressed if they took out a hundred pounds or so, gave it better fuel economy, and corrected the ergonomic and operating screw-ups that EVERY SINGLE publication has pointed out.
Its already fast enough, now its time to REFINE it.
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Pouya 3:03AM (6/02/2007)
@ Bart
I find your experience interested. To be honest, Mercedes has never impressed me with the way they drive. The fact that they don't offer a proper manual transmission is a complete bar for me. The fact that it is offered in a traditional automatic, not even a DSG-like transmission, is ridiculous for a proper performance model. Then there is the rubbery, disconnected steering feel, the disconnection between my foot on the throttle pedal and the transmission (which refuses to downshift or do anything I want it to do), and its boat-like feel (attributed to a combination of its suspension tuning for comfort and its obese weight). I would take an M5 over a Mercedes E63 anyday. A much more pleasurable driving experience. And, I guess this is as important, I actually like the way it looks. The styling of the E class hasn't changed all that much during this century.
@ nirad
The Audi R8 is a nice car, but it's no Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Gallardo, or Porsche 997tt. There are numerous publications that have illustrated this both objectively and subjectively. The F430, for example, is a full second faster at the 1/4 mile and out performs it at the track as well. Its performance is closer (a bit better in some respects) to a Porsche 997 Carrera S or Carrera 4S (e.g., see http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/12513/2008-audi-r8-vs-2007-porsche-911-carrera-s.html).
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Fabulo 2:47AM (6/02/2007)
I'd rather have a lighter car, but since the HP race is on, and as useful as a penis measuring contest, this is not soon to happen.
500hp to 530 hp upgrade? Probably moving the red line 120-150 rpm up. More torque? no. Then go back to the drawing board and give me more torque. And less weight.
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wslcrew 3:28AM (6/02/2007)
I think the auto companies should instead channel their resources toward building a light car that can also meet the safety requirements. Classic cars like golf GTI Mk.I and peugeot GTi were light and nimble. Look at cars now, it's big, heavy, filled with gadgets to compensate for the weight. I'm not saying we should give up technological advances but perhaps they should look into using more composite materials and new manufacturing techniques to make cars lighter and more agile, instead trying to add few horsepowers.
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SpeedandStamina 4:54AM (6/02/2007)
I'll be looking closely at the 123d, more so if it's going to be in the 3 door hatch (at some point hopefully). It might not mean much to some, but we could be looking at the first non-limited edition 200+ bhp diesel hot hatch (with rwd).
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nirad 6:16PM (6/02/2007)
@Pouya
You need to get a copy of the July Car & Driver. They tracked the R8 against the 997TT, and the R8 is faster around Willow Springs by 3 seconds. Also look at the EVO test where it outperformed the F430 its Gallardo cousin.
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nirad 4:06PM (6/03/2007)
@Sandouras
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/luxury/sedan/112_0702_luxury_sports_sedan_comparison/results.html
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rahul 7:01AM (7/26/2007)
WHEN ARE BMW SUPER BIKES COMMING TO THE MODERN INDIA???
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