Autoblog

Officially Official: BMW unveils all-new 5 Series sedan

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:12:00 EST

2011 BMW 5 Series - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 5 Series is an important model for BMW, particularly in North America where it's the brand's second best seller behind the 3 Series. Heading into 2010, BMW has expanded its mid-size line with the new Gran Turismo body style already on sale. However, the volume leader for the 5 Series is the four-door sedan, which officially debuts today. The 2011 model transitions to a new platform architecture shared with the latest 7 Series as well as the upcoming Rolls-Royce Ghost. The 5 Series sedan gets a four-inch shorter wheelbase than its siblings, but at 116.9 inches, it still stretches well past its competition. The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class runs a mere 113.1 inches between its axles and the Cadillac CTS is 113.4 inches.

From a technical perspective, the new 5 Series picks up much of what can be found in the 7 Series and the Gran Turismo. Read on after the jump to learn more about it.

UPDATE: Nine videos added and more images uploaded into gallery.

Gallery: 2011 BMW 5 Series sedan

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Officially Official: BMW unveils all-new 5 Series sedan

Officially Official: BMW unveils all-new 5 Series sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First official shots of new BMW 5 Series leaked online

Michael Harley — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:49:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, BMW

2010 BMW F10 5-Series - Click above for image gallery

BMW's official unveiling ceremony isn't until Monday, but a few authentic shots of the all-new "F10" BMW 5 Series are floating around cyberspace. These three low resolution images only give us a frontal glimpse of the upcoming 5 Series sedan, apparently as it does a dress rehearsal for its big show at the beginning of the week.

Our first sans-camouflage observation says it looks much like the 5 Series GT, its close sibling (nobody was expecting any radical styling departure anyway). Thanks to its "sport sedan" role, the new 5 Series four-door sports a slightly more aggressive flair to its front facade and side styling. In case you were wondering, the little black buttons just ahead of the front wheels are side view cameras, just like those found on the 7 Series. We'll reserve further judgment until Monday, when they pull the rest of the tarp off. Thanks for the tip, Brandon!

UPDATE: Full official gallery of shots from BMW added.

Gallery: 2010 BMW 5 Series F10 Official Pics

Gallery: 2011 BMW 5 Series sedan

[Source: 5post.com]

First official shots of new BMW 5 Series leaked online originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: BMW teases new 5 Series sedan ahead of unveiling using amazing kinetic sculpture

Chris Paukert — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, BMW, Luxury

2010 BMW 5 Series - click above to watch the video

We knew that BMW's pivotal 5 Series was slated for replacement soon, and we've seen plenty of spy shots to prove that it's in the cards. Up until just now, however, we didn't know when it would appear.

In a brief press release available after the jump, BMW promises that its new 5 Series will be revealed with a "Live-Stream of the unveiling ceremony" on November 23 at 8pm CET. In the meantime, the automaker has released a teaser video of an amazing kinetic sculpture at the BMW Museum that gives away the car's outline. You can check it out after the jump.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading VIDEO: BMW teases new 5 Series sedan ahead of unveiling using amazing kinetic sculpture

VIDEO: BMW teases new 5 Series sedan ahead of unveiling using amazing kinetic sculpture originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: BMW looking at cheaper 5 Series Gran Turismo, rules out M model

Chris Paukert — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Europe, Crossover, Hatchback, BMW, Rumormill, Diesel

BMW 535i Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery

The famed automotive pot-stirrers at Autocar are at it again. According to two blurbs from the UK publication, BMW's new 5 Series Gran Turismo may spawn at least one less costly, less powerful variant, but a high-performance M version is apparently off the table.

On the fuel and financial economy front, Bimmer is reportedly considering adding four-cylinder powerplants to the controversial new five-door, including the 175 bhp diesel from the 320d. A twin-turbo diesel may also be in the cards. The fear here is that the premium-priced 5GT may in fact be priced too aggressively, as it stickers above a comparable 5 Series Touring model. In any case, we don't expect to see the less-powerful diesel Stateside, although we wouldn't be terribly suprised if the company chose to shoehorn in something like the twin-turbo 3.0-liter diesel already on offer in the 335d.

On the M side of the equation, Autocar says that the gasoline V8-powered 550i will remain the pinnacle of the range, as BMW has "ruled out" a M-Technik variant. Given that BMW has recently seen fit to move M beyond traditional cars (see: X5 and X6) and that these higher performance models often have thicker margins attached, this strikes us as somewhat curious decision - especially as the 5GT figures to be the most dynamically promising of the bunch. This source also doesn't jibe with what we heard from BMW officials just last month when we drove the car in Portugal. At that time, the official line was that no decision had been made, but knowing glances and meek smiles seemed to indicate that things looked good for the model.

In other words, we'll believe it when we (don't) see it.

Gallery: First Drive: BMW 535i Gran Turismo

[Source: Auto car]

Rumormill: BMW looking at cheaper 5 Series Gran Turismo, rules out M model originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2011 BMW 5-Series

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:04:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, BMW

The 2011 BMW 5-Series is slowly undressing as far as camouflage goes, and its looks are going the "more substantial" route to match its more substantial, modified 7 Series chassis along with a dose of 5 Series Gran Turismo in back. The front end gets a less sculpted treatment while, if the swirls don't deceive us, the rear glasshouse slopes more steeply into the trunk lid. The lower rear fascia gets the same severe angle as that on the 5Series GT.

Inside - at least according to the forms, since everything but the shift lever and iDrive is covered - it is beginning to look like a 7 Series in miniature.

Under the hood will be the usual suspects, with the 550i supposedly getting the brand's eight-speed auto. There are also rumors of a turbocharged four-cylinder and Active Hybrid. The car should make its first public appearance sometime early next year.

[Source: Speedlux]

Spy Shots: 2011 BMW 5-Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW reportedly stopping production of current 5 Series to pave way for new model

Noah Joseph — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, BMW, Luxury

BMW 535i Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery

No matter what you think of the new BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo wagon/hatchback/crossover/thing, if you want to get your hands on a brand-new Bimmer 5, that may be your only choice for the time being. Reports suggest that the Bavarian automaker has stopped taking orders for the E-60 5 Series sedan and wagon, with production tipped to end in December in preparation for the new model.

Dealers have reportedly been instructed only to take "special orders" for the outgoing 5 (whatever that means) with the new GT version scheduled to hit the streets by year's end. Of course, dealers stocked with extra sedans and wagons will be eager to offload their inventory, and we'll be keeping an eye out for hints of the new model coming around the bend.

Gallery: First Drive: BMW 535i Gran Turismo

[Source: BimmerFile]

BMW reportedly stopping production of current 5 Series to pave way for new model originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: BMW 535i Gran Turismo evolves the wagon with clever packaging, solid dynamics and... a prehensile tail?

Chris Paukert — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Crossover, Hatchback, BMW, First Drive, Design/Style, Diesel, Luxury

BMW 535i Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery

Evolution is a tough thing to watch - and not merely because it takes millions of years. While the developmental pace of the automobile has proven to be rather quicker than the natural world surrounding it, the car industry's recent house-on-fire rush into new niches and sub-genres has often been similarly challenging to make sense of. Like those primordial fish that beach themselves, drag their bellies on the sand with their fins and eventually mutate into, say, Adriana Lima, you just have to know that the industry's recent diversification efforts will eventually yield a timeless beauty or two. But thus far, you could be forgiven for thinking that the process will take a few hundred millennia - especially where it concerns the industry's nascent call-me-anything-but-a-station-wagon movement.

While the burgeoning four-door coupe segment has already yielded some supermodels, the kinlugger set has yet to work out the same way. This, despite seemingly every automaker downing the midnight Red Bull in an effort to hit upon a package that bundles the functional attributes of a family hauler without their social stigma. Some companies are disguising their efforts as SUVs (traditional square-rigged crossovers); a few have waded in with quasi-minivans, while others are staking their claim to the muddy hatchback middle ground. Enter the latest automotive platypus, BMW's 5 Series Gran Turismo, a distinctive new five-door that aims to meld the practical utility of a CUV and a station wagon without the either genre's dynamic and civil penalties.

Gallery: First Drive: BMW 535i Gran Turismo

Continue reading First Drive: BMW 535i Gran Turismo evolves the wagon with clever packaging, solid dynamics and... a prehensile tail?

First Drive: BMW 535i Gran Turismo evolves the wagon with clever packaging, solid dynamics and... a prehensile tail? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2009: 2010 BMW 5 Series GT is almost schön in person

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:35:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Wagon, Crossover, BMW, Diesel, Luxury

BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery

The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo took a whirl on the plinth and we have to admit it doesn't look the least bit absurd standing in person. We completely forgot to be offended at the fact we're being handed this instead of the perfectly fantastic 5 Series Sport Wagon. At least, until we played around with the dual-action lift gate -- then the word "gimmick" did flit through our cranial region for a moment.

Still, it's not bad, and on the road it looks like it has the potential to get a whole lot better. As the Hesse-novel-length press release after the jump explains, the car will combine the legroom of the 7 Series, head room of the X5, 59.5 cubic feet of storage space, and a base diesel with 245 hp and 43 mpg. Go for gold, and there's a V8 twin turbo with 407 hp and a 5.5-second run to 60. Check it out for yourselves in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: 2010 BMW 5 Series GT

Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: 2010 BMW 5 Series GT is almost schön in person

Frankfurt 2009: 2010 BMW 5 Series GT is almost schön in person originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2010 BMW 5 Series nearing completion

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Spy Photos, Sedan, BMW

2010 BMW 5 Series - Click above for a high-res image gallery

The 2010 BMW 5 Series is due to hit the market early next year and these latest spy shots are a clear, if predictable, indication of what styling changes are on their way.

The front fascia adopts the upright nose, elongated twin-kidney grille and contoured headlamps (Dame Edna be gone!) originally shown on the 2009 7 Series, while the rear takes on a set of similarly styled tail lamps and looses the Bangled rump we've come to know and loathe.

The overall effect should tie in well with the recently revealed BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, and expect similar powertrain options to be available, including the 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, 3.0-liter inline-six and a host of diesel options offered abroad. Transmission choices will likely include a six-speed manual and an all-new eight-speed gearbox supplied by ZF. And then there's the 2011 M5 to look forward to.

Expect the next M-fettled 5er to pack the X6 M/X5 M's tweaked twin-turbo'd eight nestled within a revised chassis sure to use considerable amounts of aluminum and carbon fiber. It's obvious that development of the next 5 is well underway, and we wouldn't be surprised to see it unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September, with the M5 appearing later in 2010.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2010 BMW 5 Series

Spy Shots: 2010 BMW 5 Series nearing completion originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo may write epitaph for range's wagon bodystyle in America

Chris Paukert — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Crossover, BMW

BMW 5 Series Sports Wagon - Click above for high-res image gallery

Autoblog road test editor Damon Lavrinc is in Spartanburg, South Carolina to drive BMW's new all-conquering X6M, and in between bouts with the monster-motor'd crossover, he has had a chance to bend the ear of Martin Berkmann, manager of product planning for BMW North America, about another new capacious Bimmer - the 5 Series Gran Turismo.

Given the Bayern brand's increasingly crowded stable, it should come as no surprise that the boundary-blurring 5GT may result in the death of the sole 5 Series Sports Wagon model offered here in the States (a 530i model is shown). While the company's Touring variants carry a lot of water for BMW in other markets, the 535i xDrive SW makes up but a sliver of U.S. sales, and apparently BMW officials reckon the 5GT could just about extinguish what little demand there is.

By our measure, that's something of a shame, as the 535i xDrive wagon is a nice package all the way around. Further, the 4,100-pound wagon's more compact form, coupled with what figures to be a lower center of gravity ought to make for significantly better handling than the 4,800-pound 5GT. That said, our man Lavrinc is about to get a bonus preview ride on the company's test track in the Gran Turismo, so perhaps we'll learn otherwise very soon.

In any case, the official word hasn't come down yet, but judging by the fact that top officials are even willing to engage in discussions with us, this strikes us as a likely move.

Gallery: 2009 BMW 5 Series Sports Wagon

Gallery: 2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo may write epitaph for range's wagon bodystyle in America originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2011 BMW 5-Series mule caught in the desert

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, BMW

2011 BMW 5-Series - Click above for gallery

A year ago, we showed you pics of the next-generation BMW 5-Series doing some high-speed testing on the Nürburgring, but that was pretty much the last we heard about this midsize bahnstormer. Well, intrepid spy photographer Rich Truesdell spotted a similar mule out in the desert last week, and he has filled us in on some additional details. The car he spotted appears to be a 2011 BMW 540i sedan. Rich relates that the car was big enough to have him thinking 7-Series at first, but BMW helped out by having a clearly larger current 7 on hand for comparison purposes. How thoughtful of them.

While not a lot of final detail shows through, Truesdell points out that the heavy rear quarter cladding could be a tip that something is brewing in the recently revamped styling department in Munich. In particular, around the C-pillar, there was a lot of camo, indicating that perhaps there's something worth hiding. Beyond that, the sedan looks like a shortened 7-Series from most angles, and the dual exhausts suggest that this is likely the V8-powered 540i. Follow the source link to read what Rich thought of the vehicle and to see all of the photos in high-res.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2011 BMW 5-Series mule

All images (C) 2009 Rich Truesdell/Automotivetraveler.com

[Source: Automotive Traveler]

Spy Shots: 2011 BMW 5-Series mule caught in the desert originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: BMW 5-Series GT

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 12 May 2009 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, BMW

A couple of near production-ready 5-Series GTs have been caught on BMW's home turf, and to our eyes they don't hurt the car, but they don't make a case for it either. The last time we were in this situation -- hoping a car's production version would be a huge improvement over it's pre-production form -- was with the Porsche Panamera, and we know how that ended. While we're certain this Progressive Activity Sedan has some purpose, we wonder where are all of these potential buyers are who supposedly demand a little more cargo room than a 5 Series sedan, a little less than a wagon, and one less seat. Check out more photos by clicking the image above.

[Source: 5post]

Spy Shots: BMW 5-Series GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 May 2009 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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F10 BMW 5 Series pokes its nose out on web

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, BMW, Rumormill

Back in December, we got a dismembered preview of the 2010 BMW 5 series' new fascia, complete with a restyled air dam and more sculpted headlamps inspired by the new Z4 and 7 series. The supposedly leaked image above fills in the rest of the details of the upright nosejob, along with a set of LED indicators nestled into the air dam and a revised hood that includes an ovoid character line leading from the roundel to the windshield.

We're not quite convinced of the legitimacy of the image, particularly with the unveiling of the BMW Concept 5 series GT just a few days earlier, but if this is any indication of what's to come, we like what we see so far. Thanks for the tip, Steve!

[Source: 5post]

F10 BMW 5 Series pokes its nose out on web originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: BMW 5-Series Touring

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Wagon, BMW

Who needs a 5-Series PAS when you've got one of these? The next BMW 5-Series Touring is out testing, and despite the fact that it looks as long as a football field and it's buried under cladding, it doesn't look awkward or ungainly - something that cannot exactly be said for the coming Mercedes E-Class wagon.

The BMW wagon isn't expected to debut until the latter portion of 2010, but there are hints that the car will get the 400 hp, twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 - perhaps for an M Touring assault on Mercedes' E63 AMG wagon? The family carrier is also hinted to offer turbodiesels and three transmission options: 8-speed automatic, 7-speed DKG, and 6-speed manual.

[Source: Global Motors]

Spy Shots: BMW 5-Series Touring originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2008 BMW M5

Dan Roth — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Sedan, BMW

2008 BMW M5 - Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW's M5 is understated enough to fly under the radar of the general public, but those in the know, familiar with its capabilities and the legacy it carries, grow silent with reverence if you pull up to them at the gas pump. Who can resist a vehicle that can stop conversations mid-sentence, and accelerates strongly enough to extinguish candles on the next block? We certainly couldn't, and thus began our week with the mighty M5.

Gallery: Review: BMW M5

Continue reading Review: 2008 BMW M5

Review: 2008 BMW M5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2011 BMW 5 Series

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, BMW

Now that the world has a good idea of what to expect from the next BMW 7 Series, our attention naturally turns to BMW's tweener car, the 5 Series. Spy photographers have managed to snap off a few shots of the upcoming sedan, and although it is still heavily camouflaged, some of us are already beginning to appreciate the end of the 'flame surfacing' that defined the propeller-brand's last generation of products. Instantly noticeable are the huge double-kidney grilles up front, which appear to mimic those introduced on the Concept CS sedan and featured on the new 7. Reports indicate that the 5 Series will add a fastback coupe similar in concept to the X6 to go along with the expected sedan and wagon.

The interior shots show the newly-revised iDrive system with its enlarged display. BMW still plans to cover its center-mounted navigation screen with a gigantic domed hood, and the joystick-style gear lever used in some of its current models also returns, but the iDrive controller appears to be relocated to a more natural spot forward on the console.

[Source: The Car Connection]

Spy Shots: 2011 BMW 5 Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Lexus GS-F

Dan Roth — Wed, 16 May 2007 18:10:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Lexus

F, now there's a letter that says high performance, don't it? Lexus must have figured that all the good ones were taken, so why not just go with the first letter of FAST. No doubt, the GS-F will be a rocket. It better be, if it wants to try kicking sand in the face of the M5. The artist's rendering gives a credible estimation of what kind of styling *ahem* enhancements might accompany the increased athleticism in the GS's chassis, and the increased power under the hood. We guess that the GS-F will need to call some attention to itself to help build street cred, but if the actual car looks anything like the rendering, there'll be no stealth bombing for you.

[Source: Paultan.org]

Rendered Speculation: Lexus GS-F originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2007 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW intros new technology with 2008 5 series door panel

Dan Roth — Thu, 10 May 2007 12:34:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Technology, BMW

It isn't just the outside of the 5-series that's been breathed upon for '08. Inside, new ground was broken by BMW and OEM Johnson Controls to create two color door panels using a single sheet of material. Typically, door panels that have multiple colors have multiple pieces. That adds weight and expense to the final assembly, not to mention all the eventual squeaks and rattles. The new 5 series door panels use a single backing panel, and a two color film is applied. It's not a trifle to get everything to line up - as the film is applied, it stretches. Tolerances where the two colors converge are tightly monitored and adjusted on the fly by trick new machinery developed by BMW and Johnson Controls in the automated process. We're sure it won't lead to cheaper 5 series Bimmers, but anything that can help keep weight and complexity down is welcome - especially for us poor saps who buy these things used and find out exactly what gets loose.

[Source: The Auto Channel]

BMW intros new technology with 2008 5 series door panel originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2007 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lutz lets a bit of Edmunds survey slip, GM takes 13 first place picks

Chris Tutor — Fri, 04 May 2007 09:24:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying

Sometimes news is just too good to keep to yourself. Just ask GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz. With his company supposedly claiming 13 spots on Edmund's Consumers' Most Wanted list, Lutz just had to brag a bit on the corporate blog before the winners were made public.

And he should brag. Most other car of the year awards are chosen by us automotive writers who usually prefer horsepower over hip room. As the name implies, Edmund's CMW awards are chosen by the car-buying public. And despite not voting with their wallets, the car-buying public who visits Edmund's really like their GMs.

The GMC Acadia got Most Significant vehicle of the year, beating out Honda's Fit, the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Ford Edge and the Toyota Tundra.

Click through to see Edmund's press release as well as the other category winners.

[Source: Edmunds, GM FastLane Blog]

Continue reading Lutz lets a bit of Edmunds survey slip, GM takes 13 first place picks

Lutz lets a bit of Edmunds survey slip, GM takes 13 first place picks originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 May 2007 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Regenerative braking coming to BMW 3-series in October

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 08:53:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Green, BMW

We already know that BMW isn't interested in making any hybrid gas/electric vehicles unless they can find a way to make the system more efficient than their most efficient diesels (click here for more from AutoblogGreen). But, that does not mean that some of the technology pioneered in hybrid vehicles can't find a place in the BMW model range.

Take for instance regenerative braking. While your standard hybrid is capable of recapturing energy normally wasted in braking with their electric motor(s), the same technology can be used in a more mainstream application by aiding the alternator in energy production. The BMW 5-Series and 1-Series have already used this type of system with good effect, so it comes as no surprise that BMW would implement it in their best-selling 3 Series as well.

The system is capable of coupling and decoupling the alternator from the engine, which has the dual benefits of slowing down the vehicle when engaged and freeing up more engine power for the wheels when disconnected. It's nice to see that performance and fuel-economy can cohabitate under the same hood.

Trickle-down tech: Non-hybrid BMW 5 Series to feature regenerative braking

[Source: Motor Authority]

Regenerative braking coming to BMW 3-series in October originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 08:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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