Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Chris Harris explains what makes his own 1986 BMW M5 so special]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/chris-harris-explains-what-makes-his-own-1986-bmw-m5-so-special/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/chris-harris-explains-what-makes-his-own-1986-bmw-m5-so-special/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/chris-harris-explains-what-makes-his-own-1986-bmw-m5-so-special/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



The 70s were a definitive decade for music and movies. Fashion and cars, not so much. The 80s corrected one of those oversights, an era of ethereal supercars like the Porsche 959, game-changing exotics like the Ferrari Testarossa, and, best of all, everday cannons that offered mortals a generous portion of lairy thrills, such as Chris Harris' 1986 e28 BMW M5.

In 1986, a 3,100-pound, 286-horsepower luxury sedan straight from the factory that could also handle was as rare as a goose with lips. Sure, there was a more powerful AMG Mercedes-Benz E-Class but it didn't want to get into a lengthy conversation about handling, and there was the AMG Hammer, but that was a terrifically expensive tuner special. The M5 weighed the same as the 1986 Chevrolet Corvette and had 225-section rear tires just like the 'Vette, but the M5 had 36 more horsepower. And it had four, leather-covered seats. And it could corner.

All of which has to do with why Drive's Chris Harris spends eight minutes explaining, and showing, why he loves his personal M5 so much. Scroll down to learn about the sedan that compels him to say "it's the best money I've ever spent on a car."

Continue reading Chris Harris explains what makes his own 1986 BMW M5 so special

Chris Harris explains what makes his own 1986 BMW M5 so special originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 May 2012 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1986 bmw m55 seriesbmwbmw m5chris harrisdrivee28m5videoFri, 25 May 2012 13:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20243975/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/25/chris-harris-explains-what-makes-his-own-1986-bmw-m5-so-special/20243975/article-detail.xml 20243975 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/harrise28m53_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/harrise28m53.jpg <![CDATA[BMW announces M Performance Parts for 3, 5 Series]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/bmw-announces-m-performance-parts-for-3-5-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/bmw-announces-m-performance-parts-for-3-5-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/bmw-announces-m-performance-parts-for-3-5-series/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The M Division of BMW has extended its range of sportifying performance parts to the 2012 3 Series and 2011-2012 5 Series. Among the suite of components are a sport steering wheel, carbon fiber and Alcantara interior trim, carbon fiber splitters and mirror caps and two-toned 20-inch forged wheels hiding a Brembo big-brake kit with painted calipers. Oh, and racing stripes.

Naturally, in addition to making your car look more M-ish, the parts carry a multi-year BMW warranty. Scroll down for the skinny and get a visual idea of where your paycheck's about to go in the high-res gallery of photos.

Continue reading BMW announces M Performance Parts for 3, 5 Series

BMW announces M Performance Parts for 3, 5 Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 May 2012 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3 series5 seriesbmwm performance partsTue, 08 May 2012 08:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20232028/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/08/bmw-announces-m-performance-parts-for-3-5-series/20232028/article-detail.xml 20232028 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/bmwperfparts3-5_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/bmwperfparts3-5.jpg <![CDATA[BMW, Rolls-Royce issue recall over smoldering circuit boards]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/bmw-rolls-royce-issue-recall-over-smoldering-circuit-boards/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/bmw-rolls-royce-issue-recall-over-smoldering-circuit-boards/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/bmw-rolls-royce-issue-recall-over-smoldering-circuit-boards/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Drivers of 2010-2011 Rolls Royce Ghost models and several BMW models with turbocharged engines need to get their vehicles to their dealers. The cars are being recalled for a potentially hazardous defect that could turn their high-end autos into smoldering hunks of less luxurious melted plastic and steel.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the circuit boards on the cars' water pump could overheat and possibly catch fire.

The 2011 BMW models affected are the 5 Series and 5 Series Gran Turismo. 2012 models are the 6 Series, 7 Series, X5 and X6. All affected models have either the turbocharged V8 or V12. NHTSA says the number of BMWs affected is 2,846. About 60 Rolls Royce Ghosts will be recalled.

The recall is nearly identical to one announced last November that recalled 2010 Rolls Royce Ghosts. This campaign seems to address the same problem that plagued 2011 models.

Continue reading BMW, Rolls-Royce issue recall over smoldering circuit boards

BMW, Rolls-Royce issue recall over smoldering circuit boards originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5 series5 series gt6 series7 seriesbmwNational Highway Traffic Safety Administrationnhtsarecallrolls roycerolls royce ghostx5x6Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20216669/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/17/bmw-rolls-royce-issue-recall-over-smoldering-circuit-boards/20216669/article-detail.xml 20216669 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/rrghost-recall-2011-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/rrghost-recall-2011-opt.jpg <![CDATA[BMW prices 6 Series Gran Coupe, M5 and M6 for U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/04/bmw-prices-6-series-gran-coupe-m5-and-m6-for-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/04/bmw-prices-6-series-gran-coupe-m5-and-m6-for-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/04/bmw-prices-6-series-gran-coupe-m5-and-m6-for-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe live at reveal

If you've been saving your spare change to pick up one of these new BMW models later this year, well, now you can more accurately estimate how many wheelbarrows full of nickels you'll need to dump into the Coinstar machine at your local grocery store.

We'll start with the 2013 6 Series Gran Coupe. While we already knew the six-cylinder 640i Gran Coupe would start at $76,895 including destination charges, prices on the V8 models have now been set. The 650i will sell for $87,395, while the 650i xDrive model will command $90,395. Both are powered by a twin-turbo, 445-horsepower, 4.4-liter V8, which BMW says can propel the all-wheel-drive version from 0-62 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds. (The rear-wheel-drive model is a tick slower at 4.6 seconds.) The 640i goes on sale in late June, with the V8 models coming towards the end of summer.

The M series cars will command substantially more, with the 2012 M6 Convertible commanding all of $113,995 when it goes on sale in June. The M6 Coupe and M5 will go on sale in late summer as 2013 models, with the M6 carrying a $106,995 MSRP and the M5 listing at $90,695. All three models will share a twin-turbo, 560-horsepower, 4.4-liter V8.

The price of a fourth M vehicle, the revised 2013 BMW X6 M, has also been announced. It will sell for $93,795, a $2,600 increase from this year's model. For more details, scroll down to check out the official release.

BMW prices 6 Series Gran Coupe, M5 and M6 for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5 series6 series6 series gran coupe6 series gran coupe pricingbmwbmw pricinggran coupem5m5 pricingm6m6 pricingnew yorknew york 2012new york auto showx6x6 mx6mWed, 04 Apr 2012 11:10:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20207644/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/04/bmw-prices-6-series-gran-coupe-m5-and-m6-for-u-s/20207644/article-detail.xml 20207644 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/03-bmw-6-series-gran-coupe-geneva-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/03-bmw-6-series-gran-coupe-geneva-opt.jpg <![CDATA[BMW recalling 1.3 million 5 and 6 Series models worldwide]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/26/bmw-recalls-1-3-million-2003-2010-5-and-6-series-models/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/26/bmw-recalls-1-3-million-2003-2010-5-and-6-series-models/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/26/bmw-recalls-1-3-million-2003-2010-5-and-6-series-models/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2008 BMW 5 Series sedan - gray, front three-quarter

BMW has announced it is recalling a whopping 1.3 million 5 Series and 6 Series vehicles from the 2003 to 2010 model years. Of those, Reuters notes that some 368,000 examples were sold in the U.S. - most of them sedans like the one above.

It doesn't sound like too difficult of a problem to fix, but the automaker says the cars' battery cable covers could be incorrectly mounted. BMW says no accidents or injuries have occurred because of the issue, but there is the potential that affected models may fail to start, or worse, catch fire.

Owners will be receiving a letter soon and will be asked to visit a BMW dealer for about a 30-minute repair session.

A company spokesman tells The Wall Street Journal that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been notified. Just 9 months ago, BMW was penalized $3 million for failing to report safety defects to NHTSA quickly enough. It looks like they may have learned their lesson. Read the full press release after the jump.

Continue reading BMW recalling 1.3 million 5 and 6 Series models worldwide

BMW recalling 1.3 million 5 and 6 Series models worldwide originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The new BMW M5 is taking a one-week, 3,300-mile U.S. road trip, and not only will it tour the skeevy diners, restless rest areas and truck-stop toilets of this fine land, it'll eat up its tires on nine of our nation's finest tracks. If you think that sounds like the Tire Rack One Lap of America, you'd be correct.

In addition to providing the official vehicles for the event, the Munich firm is sending a team of drivers from its BMW Performance Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina to compete in the newly created 'Showroom Stock' category. This year's week-long race begins May 4 in South Bend, Indiana, and as with all the other entries, the M5 will get just one set of tires to test its gumption in various motorsports disciplines and thousands of highway miles. Follow the jump for a press release with more info and be sure to check out One Lap Of America's website for updates when the event kicks off in May.

Continue reading BMW to field 2013 M5 in One Lap Of America

BMW to field 2013 M5 in One Lap Of America originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 bmw m55 series5-seriesbmwbmw mbmw m5bmw performance centerm5one lapone lap of americaSun, 25 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20200268/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/25/bmw-to-field-2012-m5-in-one-lap-of-america/20200268/article-detail.xml 20200268 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/bmwm5oloa_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/bmwm5oloa.jpg <![CDATA[BMW M Performance Parts continue to expand the brand]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/07/bmw-m-performance-parts-continue-to-expand-the-brand/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/07/bmw-m-performance-parts-continue-to-expand-the-brand/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/07/bmw-m-performance-parts-continue-to-expand-the-brand/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

BMW M Performance Parts

The relentless expansion of M-engineered and branded wares doesn't just stop at the M diesel quadruplets and the M135i. Here in Geneva, BMW announced the latest line of M performance parts that spans the spectrum from appearance bits to powertrain upgrades.

M Performance exhausts will be available for the new 1 Series (in Europe), along with the 3 Series and 5 Series. Carbon fiber front splitters join black kidney grilles in the catalog, as does a new version of the M Performance steering wheel. BMW also claims to have some suspension components are in the works, and all this kit will be on sale and ready for installation at BMW dealers in the United States this summer.

BMW M Performance Parts continue to expand the brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1 series3 series5 seriesbmwbmw 1 seriesbmw 3 seriesbmw 5 seriesbmw m performancegenevageneva 2012geneva motor showm performance partsWed, 07 Mar 2012 09:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20187599/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/07/bmw-m-performance-parts-continue-to-expand-the-brand/20187599/article-detail.xml 20187599 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/bmw-m-performance-parts-geneva_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/bmw-m-performance-parts-geneva.jpg <![CDATA[2012 BMW M550d xDrive leaves us both giddy and quietly weeping]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/07/2012-bmw-m550d-xdrive-geneva-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/07/2012-bmw-m550d-xdrive-geneva-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/07/2012-bmw-m550d-xdrive-geneva-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2012 BMW M550d xDrive

Even though we drove it extensively last month, BMW officially took the wraps off of the 2012 BMW M550d xDrive at the Geneva Motor Show. The M-tuned five-passenger sedan continues to put a smile on our face even as it causes yet another salty tear to drip down our cheek.

We grin because BMW has dropped a tri-turbo (yes, three turbochargers) 3.0-liter inline-six diesel engine under hood. With a lot of boost, the N57S engine is rated at 376 horsepower and an astounding 546 pound-feet of torque. Mated to an eight-speed automatic, the 5 Series will crack the 60-mile-per-hour benchmark in 4.7 seconds and run to an unrestricted 185 mph top speed (BMW electronically caps it at 155 mph). Permanent all-wheel drive, in the form of BMW's xDrive, ensures the torque shreds all four tires equally. The surefooted driveline also makes the 37-mile-per-gallon oil-burning sedan the perfect all-weather friend.

Why are we sobbing? As of today, BMW has no plans to offer this magnificent machine to the North American marketplace. To read more, check out our press release after the jump and don't miss our live gallery from the floor in Geneva.

Continue reading 2012 BMW M550d xDrive leaves us both giddy and quietly weeping

2012 BMW M550d xDrive leaves us both giddy and quietly weeping originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 02:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5 seriesbmwgenevageneva 2012geneva motor showm550dxdriveWed, 07 Mar 2012 02:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20186977/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/07/2012-bmw-m550d-xdrive-geneva-2012/20186977/article-detail.xml 20186977 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-bmw-m550d-geneva_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-bmw-m550d-geneva.jpg <![CDATA[2012 BMW M550d xDrive]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/24/2012-bmw-m550d-xdrive-first-drive-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/24/2012-bmw-m550d-xdrive-first-drive-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/24/2012-bmw-m550d-xdrive-first-drive-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Diesel Thunder and Efficiency Arrive at M Performance



Having recently spent a day driving through Portugal in the well-executed but slightly less than inspiring BMW ActiveHybrid 5, we've now plunked our rumps into a very separate yet parallel 5 Series dimension. It's called the M550d xDrive, and instead of Portuguese hill country, we find ourselves driving over a heady combo of no-limit autobahn and essentially unmonitored idyllic two-lane Bavarian country roads. As luck would have it, the view ahead is sunny and dry.

As with any diesel phenom, the story here is not in the horsepower, which nonetheless rests at 376 between 4,000 and 4,400 rpm. You have to look at the peak torque: 546 pound-feet belting out a high-speed freight train tune between 2,000 and 3,000 rpm. That twist joins hands with the rising horsepower curve and spirals (in hugely inspiring fashion) up to a scorching rendezvous at 4,500-4,600 rpm. After which point, the two forces share a smoke, rest up, maybe chat a little to kill time while the sweat dries, and then have at it again. And again. And again. Like any active and happy young couple should do.

Continue reading 2012 BMW M550d xDrive

2012 BMW M550d xDrive originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20132 bmw m550d xdrive5 seriesbmwfeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivem550dM550d saloonFri, 24 Feb 2012 13:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20178524/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/24/2012-bmw-m550d-xdrive-first-drive-review/20178524/article-detail.xml 20178524 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/03-2012-bmw-m550d-xdrive-fd-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/03-2012-bmw-m550d-xdrive-fd-opt.jpg <![CDATA[BMW to unveil 6 Series Gran Coupe, M Performance Parts at Geneva]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/16/bmw-to-unveil-6-series-gran-coupe-m-performance-parts-at-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/16/bmw-to-unveil-6-series-gran-coupe-m-performance-parts-at-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/16/bmw-to-unveil-6-series-gran-coupe-m-performance-parts-at-geneva/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

BMW M Performance Parts

BMW has announced a whole slew of products it intends to showcase at the rapidly approaching Geneva Motor Show, with the biggest reveal being the first public showing of the five-passenger 6 Series Gran Coupe.

But that's just the tip of the Bavarian iceberg. Another highly anticipated machine, the BMW M6 Coupe, will make its world debut in Geneva before going on sale in the U.S. in the late summer as a 2013 model. The M6 Convertible, which is a big seller for BMW in the States, will debut in April at the 2012 New York Auto Show and will go on sale shortly thereafter.

Also on hand will be the BMW M550d xDrive, M550d xDrive Touring, X5 M50d and X6 M50d. Together, these four diesel-powered machines launch BMW's line of M Performance automobiles (not to be confused with M-badged models like the M3 and M5). Sadly, these oil-burners are not headed Stateside.

Naturally, the brand new 2012 BMW 3 Series will be on display, with Europeans getting their first look at some of the new diesel engine offerings. Those of us in the U.S. will be more interested in the 3 Series with the M Sport Package that will go on sale in August and the 3 Series ActiveHybrid that will hit the market in September.

Geneva showgoers will get to see the refreshed 2013 BMW X6 ahead of its entrance into the U.S. market in the spring, plus the electrified i3 and plug-in hybrid i8. And finally, BMW will unveil a new line of M Performance Parts and official accessories for the new 3 Series. On the M Performance front, those new additions will include blacked-out kidney grilles, exhaust systems, carbon fiber front splitters and M-branded steering wheels.

We know that's a lot to digest, so we won't mind at all if you want to click past the break for the complete press release. But first, be sure to check out the high-res image gallery of M Performance Parts above.

Continue reading BMW to unveil 6 Series Gran Coupe, M Performance Parts at Geneva

BMW to unveil 6 Series Gran Coupe, M Performance Parts at Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3 series5 series6 series gran coupebmwgenevageneva 2012geneva motor showm performancem6x6Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20173689/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/16/bmw-to-unveil-6-series-gran-coupe-m-performance-parts-at-geneva/20173689/article-detail.xml 20173689 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/bmw-performance-parts-3-series-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/bmw-performance-parts-3-series-opt.jpg <![CDATA[2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/03/2012-bmw-activehybrid-5-first-drive-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/03/2012-bmw-activehybrid-5-first-drive-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/03/2012-bmw-activehybrid-5-first-drive-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

BMW Finally Builds A Serious Full Hybrid

2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 5

After having us over to drive its raging new M5 last September, BMW is now aiming to show just how efficient their F10 5 Series can be with the occasionally silent and rage-free ActiveHybrid 5. Whereas the ActiveHybrid X6 and ActiveHybrid 750i arrived somewhat lacking in state-of-the-art hybrid credentials, the ActiveHybrid 5 carries a true and undeniable full parallel hybrid powertrain starting with all the goodness you find in a 535i.

This ActiveHybrid 5 is essentially a 535i sedan that pollutes less, travels farther on each of its 17.7 gallons of fuel, is painted BMW's alternative-propulsion color of choice, Bluewater Metallic, and weighs 330 pounds more due to its electric motor, electric power unit motherboard and lithium-ion battery pack. Both CO2 emissions and range are said to improve by roughly 16 percent in a car that performs up to par with a 535i, so it's a likeable proposition. Sticking with the standard 17-inch wheel/tire setup and setting the Driving Dynamics Control to Eco Pro mode, that'd make the CO2 rate 240 grams per mile - an impressive stat that most Americans still don't care about - and an average EPA city/hwy combined fuel economy score of around 31 miles per gallon.

Continue reading 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5

2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 bmw activehybrid 55 series5 series hybridactivehybridactivehybrid 5bmwbmw activehybrid 5bmw hybridfirst driveFirstDriveFri, 03 Feb 2012 11:56:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20163356/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/03/2012-bmw-activehybrid-5-first-drive-review/20163356/article-detail.xml 20163356 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/2013-bmw-activehybrid-5-fd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/2013-bmw-activehybrid-5-fd.jpg <![CDATA[BMW M shows off new diesel-powered lineup in motion]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/bmw-m-shows-off-new-diesel-powered-lineup-in-motion/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/bmw-m-shows-off-new-diesel-powered-lineup-in-motion/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/bmw-m-shows-off-new-diesel-powered-lineup-in-motion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



If you'd like to see more of BMW newly unveiled range of M Diesels, here's your chance. To recap, BMW revealed four tri-turboed, diesel-engined, all-wheel-drive M cars for European buyers yesterday: the M550d xDrive (a.k.a. 5 Series) sedan and touring, the X5 M50d and the X6 M50d. All use a 3.0-liter inline-six putting out 376 horses and 545 through an eight-speed auto, and in the case of the M550d sedan it can get to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds.

That makes each of the white knights in the promo piece both sporty and powerful, as you'll hear often in the video after the jump.

Continue reading BMW M shows off new diesel-powered lineup in motion

BMW M shows off new diesel-powered lineup in motion originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5 seriesbmwbmw mbmw m dieselbmw m550dbmw m550d touringbmw x5 m50dbmw x6 m50ddieselmm dieseltri-turbovideox5x6Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20157098/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/26/bmw-m-shows-off-new-diesel-powered-lineup-in-motion/20157098/article-detail.xml 20157098 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/bmwmdieselsvid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/bmwmdieselsvid.jpg <![CDATA[BMW M goes diesel, introduces M550d, X5 M50d, X6 M50d]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/25/bmw-m-goes-diesel-introduces-m550d-x5-m50d-x6-m50d/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/25/bmw-m-goes-diesel-introduces-m550d-x5-m50d-x6-m50d/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/25/bmw-m-goes-diesel-introduces-m550d-x5-m50d-x6-m50d/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



Rumors of BMW M launching a diesel model have been circulating for over a year, and confirmation has finally arrived in the form of not one, not two, but four M-fettled oil-burners, each sporting all-wheel drive and the oft-rumored tri-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six. And before you get excited, none of them are slated for sale in the U.S. - this is a Euro-only affair.

So with that unfortunate fact out of the way, let's get to the details.

The new M models come in the form of the M550d xDrive sedan, M550d xDrive touring, X5 M50d and X6 M50d. Each makes use of a 3.0-liter inline-six common-rail diesel with the aforementioned trio of turbos specifically developed for the M Performance range. Output is rated at 376 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 545 pound-feet of torque available from 2,000 to 3,000 revs. If you're keeping track at home, that's a bump of 80 hp and 103 lb-ft over the 535d and 74 hp and 103 lb-ft more than the 3.0-liter mill fitted to the diesel X5 and X6.

Each model comes equipped with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and standard xDrive AWD, allowing the M550d sedan to hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds - just four tenths of a second off the all-new M5's 0-60 run. You read that right. The M550d Touring hits 60 in 4.9 seconds, with the X5 M50d and X6 M50d passing the mark in 5.4 and 5.3 seconds, respectively. All models are limited to 155 mph and fuel consumption ranges between 6.4 liters/100km and 7.7 liters/100km.

Interestingly, the M-ified diesel 5ers ditch the standard electromechanical steering for a hydraulic system that's derived from the M5, and both the X5 and X6 variants uses systems similar to those on the X5 M and X6 M.

And if you're wondering why we won't see these M diesels here in the States, blame the necessity to reengineer the SCR (selective catalytic reduction) systems to make them comply with emissions standards across the country. We'll be seeing all four live from the Geneva Motor Show in March, but you can get the first batch of details in the press release after the break.

Continue reading BMW M goes diesel, introduces M550d, X5 M50d, X6 M50d

BMW M goes diesel, introduces M550d, X5 M50d, X6 M50d originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5 seriesbmwbmw mbmw m550dbmw m550d touringbmw x5 m50dbmw x6 m50ddieselmm dieselx5x6Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20156972/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/25/bmw-m-goes-diesel-introduces-m550d-x5-m50d-x6-m50d/20156972/article-detail.xml 20156972 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/02-m-performance-diesels-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/02-m-performance-diesels-628.jpg <![CDATA[BMW ActiveHybrid 5 priced from $61,845*]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/11/bmw-activehybrid-5-priced-from-61-845/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/11/bmw-activehybrid-5-priced-from-61-845/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/11/bmw-activehybrid-5-priced-from-61-845/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

BMW ActiveHybrid5 - front three-quarter

The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is only a few months from hitting dealer floors, which makes this as good a time as any to release pricing. The ActiveHybrid 5 will start at $61,845, *including a $895 destination and handling charge.

That's about $8,000 more than the 535i, but the extra coin will go towards a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder engine that packs 335 horsepower when combined with a 55-horsepower electric motor. That's enough power to launch the ActiveHybrid 5 from zero to 60 in a scant 5.7 seconds and the lithium-ion battery pack carries sufficient juice for the ActiveHybrid 5 to travel 2.5 miles on electricity alone.

The ActiveHybrid 5 arrives in dealerships this spring. Hit the jump to read BMW's uncharacteristically brief press release.

Continue reading BMW ActiveHybrid 5 priced from $61,845*

BMW ActiveHybrid 5 priced from $61,845* originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5 seriesactivehybridbmwbmw activehybrid5bmw hybridbmw pricingpricingWed, 11 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20144104/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/11/bmw-activehybrid-5-priced-from-61-845/20144104/article-detail.xml 20144104 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/01-bmw-activehybrid-5-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/01-bmw-activehybrid-5-628.jpg <![CDATA[BMW still has "no plans" for 1 Series hatch in States, X6-like X3 variant in the cards]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/bmw-still-has-no-plans-for-1-series-hatch-in-states-x6-like-x/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/bmw-still-has-no-plans-for-1-series-hatch-in-states-x6-like-x/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/bmw-still-has-no-plans-for-1-series-hatch-in-states-x6-like-x/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

2012 BMW 1 Series five-door

We've just returned from a Detroit Auto Show media roundtable with Klaus Draeger, member of the Board of BMW AG, Development, and he's helped shed some light on both some near- and far-term developments for BMW in the States.

Draeger confirmed that BMW has absolutely no plans to expand the 1 Series lineup in the U.S. with a hatchback variant like the new generation F20 range sold in Europe. While Draeger says that the 1 Series has done a "wonderful job" for BMW, he notes that the model is positioned very differently in the U.S. and Europe. In the States, the 1 Series is a car for hardcore driving enthusiasts, but in Europe, with its fuller range of (primarily lower-power) engines and bodystyles, the 1 Series is positioned as more of a family car - an entry point to the brand (70 percent of European 1 Series buyers are new to BMW).

Klaus Draeger, BMW Board, DevelopmentIn the short-term, Draeger confirmed that the 740i six-cylinder model will receive the company's xDrive all-wheel drive system before the end of the year. The system is currently available on the V8-powered 750i, but with the biggest market for the 7 Series being the New York tri-state area, not having the additional foul weather performance of xDrive in the I6 has left a vacuum in the model lineup.

In more general terms, Draeger says we can expect to see electric power steering and start/stop systems in all BMWs, and indeed, a number of models in the company's portfolio already feature the fuel-saving technologies.

Also on the fuel-saving front, Draeger says that X5 diesel sales are going well in the States, accounting for roughly one-third of sales. Despite that, the X6 will not get a diesel variant, as the current model only has two or three years left in its life and it wouldn't make sense to introduce one this late in life. However, he wouldn't rule one out for the next-gen X6, nor was he willing to preclude a diesel's inclusion in the new X3. The new generation 3 Series and current 5 Series are also likely candidates for oil burning motivation, but they won't happen this calendar year.

When asked if BMW is happy with X6 sales, Draeger said "Yes. Absolutely." As a followup question, Draeger was asked if it then made sense to do a similar variant on the X3, and he said "Yes. Yes." Unfortunately, he wasn't at liberty to elaborate.

Finally, BMW officially announced yesterday that its smallest crossover, the X1, will go on sale here soon (likely not before a mid-cycle refresh), but Draeger maintains that there is "no real synergy" to justify bringing production to the U.S.

BMW still has "no plans" for 1 Series hatch in States, X6-like X3 variant in the cards originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1 series3 series5 seriesbmwdetroitdetroit 2012detroit auto showklaus draegerx1x3x5x6Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20145251/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/10/bmw-still-has-no-plans-for-1-series-hatch-in-states-x6-like-x/20145251/article-detail.xml 20145251 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/2012-bmw-1-series-five-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/2012-bmw-1-series-five-opt.jpg <![CDATA[2013 BMW M5 to get six-speed manual as no-cost option]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/09/2013-bmw-m5-to-get-six-speed-manual-as-no-cost-option/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/09/2013-bmw-m5-to-get-six-speed-manual-as-no-cost-option/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/09/2013-bmw-m5-to-get-six-speed-manual-as-no-cost-option/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Rest easy, die-hard enthusiasts. BMW has officially confirmed that the 2013 M5 sedan will be offered with a do-it-yourself six-speed manual transmission here in the United States. When the car arrives Stateside this summer, it will come standard with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission or a row-your-own gearbox as a no-cost option. BMW even goes so far to state that while the manual transmission has one less gear than the DCT, its "ratios have been optimized for acceleration, flexibility and fuel economy." Sounds good to us.

Continue reading 2013 BMW M5 to get six-speed manual as no-cost option

2013 BMW M5 to get six-speed manual as no-cost option originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 bmw m55 seriesbmwm5m5 manualmanual transmissionsix-speed manualMon, 09 Jan 2012 10:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20143787/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/09/2013-bmw-m5-to-get-six-speed-manual-as-no-cost-option/20143787/article-detail.xml 20143787 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/13-2012-bmw-m5-fd628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/13-2012-bmw-m5-fd628.jpg <![CDATA[Vicki from <i>Fifth Gear</i> wrings out BMW's new M5]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/19/vicki-from-fifth-gear-wrings-out-bmws-new-m5/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/19/vicki-from-fifth-gear-wrings-out-bmws-new-m5/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/19/vicki-from-fifth-gear-wrings-out-bmws-new-m5/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Vicki Butler-Henderson of Fifth Gear has taken the 2012 BMW M5 into her deft hands and massaged it oh-so-gently through the corners and curbing of southern France. All right, quite the opposite of "gently," instead preferring to put a billowing white chokehold on every single one of the M5's 560 horsepower and 502 pound-feet.

Check out the video after the jump for VBH's detailed take - and plenty of powerslides. Her conclusion? Much the same as ours - BMW's new super saloon is almost perfect.

Continue reading Vicki from Fifth Gear wrings out BMW's new M5

Vicki from Fifth Gear wrings out BMW's new M5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 bmw2012 bmw m52012 m55 seriesbmwbmw m5fifth gearm5Vicki Butler-HendersonvideoMon, 19 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20130443/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/19/vicki-from-fifth-gear-wrings-out-bmws-new-m5/20130443/article-detail.xml 20130443 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/m5fifthgearvicki_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/m5fifthgearvicki.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Ward's</i> releases annual 10 Best Engines list]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/08/wards-releases-annual-10-best-engines-list/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/08/wards-releases-annual-10-best-engines-list/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/08/wards-releases-annual-10-best-engines-list/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 engine

It's that time of year, folks. No, we're not referring to the oodles of time spent shopping for the holidays, we're talking about end-of-the-year lists. Kicking things off in the automotive spectrum is industry stalwart Ward's Auto, which has just released its annual 10 Best Engines list.

Without further ado, here are the award-winners for 2012:
It comes as little surprise that seven of the ten engines on the list feature the most recent advance in power and efficiency, namely direct injection, or that a full half of them are boosted with the addition of either a supercharger or a turbocharger. Perhaps more surprising is that there's only one hybrid powertrain on the list, and it's from Infiniti, not Toyota or Lexus.

In fact, there isn't a single engine from Honda or Toyota on 2011's edition of the 10 Best Engines, nor are the 1.4-liter/111kW electric motor package in the Chevrolet Volt or 80kW AC motor in the Nissan Leaf anywhere to be found - both of which were on the list in 2010. Also missing? A diesel... any diesel - and there certainly are a few options from the likes of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen from which to choose.

Though its neither direct-injected nor turbocharged, the Pentastar V6 from Chrysler is surely worthy of inclusion, if for no other reason than its single-handed ability to transform any vehicle it's in from an also-ran to a competitive proposition.

We'll also give a shout-out to Ford, which earned two spots on the list but could seemingly have garnered another for the excellent 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine in the F-150 pickup. Ward's has plenty of commentary on why each engine was chosen, and you can read all about it right here. But first, have a look at each powerplant in our high-res image gallery.

Ward's releases annual 10 Best Engines list originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10 best engines3 series3005 seriesa6accentdirect injectionecoboostedgeenginemm35hmazda3mustangmustang boss 302pentastarregalsoulwardswards 10 best engineswards autowranglerz4Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20123767/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/08/wards-releases-annual-10-best-engines-list/20123767/article-detail.xml 20123767 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2012-ford-mustang-boss-302-engine_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2012-ford-mustang-boss-302-engine.jpg <![CDATA[2012 BMW 550dx to be AWD torquemonster with 516 lb-ft]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/22/2012-bmw-550dx-to-be-awd-torquemonster-with-516-lb-ft/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/22/2012-bmw-550dx-to-be-awd-torquemonster-with-516-lb-ft/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/22/2012-bmw-550dx-to-be-awd-torquemonster-with-516-lb-ft/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2011 BMW 5 Series

A BMW dealer in the Netherlands has leaked what it says is a tasty bit of information on the upcoming diesel 5 Series. According to 5post.com, the vehicle will boast a tri-turbo inline six-cylinder oil burner good for around 381 horsepower. That number is a far cry from the 500-pony speculation that had been making the rounds until recently, but that doesn't mean that the big 5 Series will be any slouch on the road. The dealer also let slip that the vehicle will arrive packing 516 pound-feet of torque, which should be more than enough for the big sedan's all-wheel drive system to rip up massive handfuls of asphalt to throw at lesser machinery.

Speaking of all-wheel drive, word has it that the 550d will only be available with all four corners turning, at least initially. Production is set to kick off in March of next year, and true to form, there's no telling whether or not the big, powerful diesel will be available to U.S. buyers. There's also some indication that this potent engine will show up in hardware like the next-generation BMW X5 and X6, though there are no fuel economy estimates to be had at this time. Presumably, a Touring variant like the one shown above will be on offer overseas, as well, making it this Bimmer a covet-worthy alternative to a premium crossover.

2012 BMW 550dx to be AWD torquemonster with 516 lb-ft originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 bmw 550dx5 series5 series diesel5-series550d550dxbmwbmw 5 series dieselbmw dieseldieselTue, 22 Nov 2011 13:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20112292/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/22/2012-bmw-550dx-to-be-awd-torquemonster-with-516-lb-ft/20112292/article-detail.xml 20112292 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/2011-bmw-5-series-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/2011-bmw-5-series-628.jpg <![CDATA[These are the industry's most profitable cars and trucks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/21/these-are-the-industrys-most-profitable-cars-and-trucks/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/21/these-are-the-industrys-most-profitable-cars-and-trucks/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/21/these-are-the-industrys-most-profitable-cars-and-trucks/#commentsFiled under: ,



At the end of the day, every mass-market automaker is nothing more than a company looking for profits. And while you can have a great-looking vehicle that performs well and draws critical acclaim, but if it doesn't sell and it doesn't have decent margins, it doesn't do the company much good. So when it comes down to pure profit, what automobiles are the biggest cash cows?

That's what analyst Max Warbuton aimed to find out. With the help of his team at Bernstein Research, Warbuton looked at the automotive population and created this list of the twelve best money-makers since 1990. According to Automotive News, Warbuton said the top twelve cars and trucks all combine "high prices, huge volume and long periods of production that spread development costs over a long period." While we might quibble that not all of the entries are high in price, the volume side of Warburton's equation makes a lot of sense, especially considering that the Number One most profitable vehicle of all time is - glance back up at the lead image once more - the Ford F-Series.

F-150 aside, all of the American full-size pickups did particularly well in this study, with the Ram 1500 and General Motors twins (Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra) filling out the second and third place spots. (No surprise, given that body-on-frame vehicles like pickups and SUVs are known to be cash cows). German and Japanese automakers round out the top twelve, and we urge you to click through our attached image gallery to see exactly which vehicles have been raking in the most cash for their companies over the past 21 years.

These are the industry's most profitable cars and trucks originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>15003 series5 series911accordbernstein researchcamrycar salese-classf-150f-seriesfordmax warburtonprofitsram 1500s-classsierrasilveradoMon, 21 Nov 2011 19:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20111658/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/21/these-are-the-industrys-most-profitable-cars-and-trucks/20111658/article-detail.xml 20111658 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/01-most-profitable-vehicles628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/01-most-profitable-vehicles628.jpg -1 2