China has really proved itself to be ahead of the curve on the EV front and it seems BMW will come on board and produce an all electric 5-Series exclusively for the Chinese market.
This new car is not to be confused with the ActiveHybrid 5, which will have its official launch in September 2011. The ActiveHybrid 5 still has a gasoline motor afterall. No this new car will be an all electric vehicle and would likely fall under BMWs growing ActiveE project.
Autonews Europe is referencing a report from the Beijing Youth Daily newspaper which pinpoints a partnership between BMW and Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd in order to produce the vehicle. Brilliance is BMWs current partner in building standard Chinese market BMW 5-Series, which includes … CONTINUED
On the heels of the big BMW turbo 4-cylinder news yesterday, SCOTT26 has provided some dates for the switchover of certain BMW models from the current inline 6-cylinder to the new twinpower turbo I4 motor, as well as the end of production of the current 3-series, M3 and 1-series.
Here is the I4 switchover and end of production schedule (inside).
German AMS has published an interesting article comparing the BMW 525d sedan with the Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 D.
Unlike the name suggests, the 525d is powered by BMW’s N57 3.0l inline-6 Diesel engine, yet with a lower output of 204hp and 450 NM (530d: 258hp). It’s quite popular in Europe because it’s the entry level inline-6 Diesel. The car tested was matched with the optional 8-speed automatic.
Just like the name suggests, the Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 D is powered by a 275ph 3.0l V6 Diesel engine. The test car was equipped with a six-speed automatic which AMS considers a good match despite lacking the refinement of BMW’s automatic.
The verdicts:
The BMW 525d scored 530 points (out of 650) and wins this comparison. The … CONTINUED
Here’s a first teaser for one of the most heated ‘battles’ in 2011. Audi recently pulled the wraps off their all new A6, and this encouraged the folks at Autozeitung to a first comparison. The contenders: BMW F10 5-series and Mercedes-Benz E-class.
Autozeitung on the exterior:
“There are no suprises here, all three cars are in good shape and will age well. The Mercedes is rather ‘classic’, the BMW as usual sporty due to it aggresive kidney grilles. The design of the Audi is sharp and precise, but it could have used a bit more effort to change the trademark singleframe grille. Nonetheless, it’s a car to look forward owning.”
Autozeitung continues saying that the A6 comes in 80 kg less than the predecessor, in average. … CONTINUED
While others are speculating what to expect from the new BMW M5 coming later this year, the German Autozeitung didn’t waste its time guessing about the future but rather attended to the hottest F10 5er to date, the Alpina B5 Biturbo. Ingredients? To name just a few, 4.4L V8 Biturbo rated at 507hp and 700NM, 8-speed automatic, and limited slip differential (optional).
The outcome? As Autozeitung puts it, the Alpina B5 is the “best and most powerful F10 5er to date.” They praise the “felicitous combination of powerful, yet refined, engine, top notch quality and good comfort.”
As usual with Alpina models, exterior changes over any regular F10 5-series model are limited. An exclusive Alpina blue paint (€ 2.870) and 20 inch Alpina Classic wheels are … CONTINUED
Not to be outdone by the stars of Detroit, the BMW 1M and 6-Series, is a Space Gray 550i decked out with the factory equipment M-Sport package which includes a new front apron, rear apron and sideskirts. The car also comes with factory standard 19″ double spoke 351M wheels.
On the inside, there are sports seats featuring Alcantara / fabric upholstery especially developed for the M Sports Package give the interior a particularly sporting ambience. The upholstery’s exclusive character is underlined by high-grade materials, contrasting seams and the M emblem applied to the seat. Further interior features included in the M Sports Package comprise, an M leather-clad steering wheel, an M gear lever knob, the M footrest, an anthracite BMW Individual roof lining and M aluminium hexagon … CONTINUED
Videos often provide a more dynamic and realistic look to a car, and this video provides such a look at the AC Schnitzer F10 5-series.
Edmunds has pitted the 2011 550i (F10) against the 2011 Infiniti M56. Both are mid-sized sedans powered by powerful V8 motors. Does the M56 have what it takes to unseat the 5-series as the gold standard in the mid-size sedan category? See the review for the verdict.
Many of the F10 5-series’ functions described in its print manual are featured in videos at the F10’s owner’s manual page (linked below), providing a sometimes more intuitive and natural method of learning the features. The full owner’s manual is also available for download in PDF format the following link:
