This new gallery of the BMW 5 Series Touring gives us a closer look at what is indeed a sporty and elegant style. While the video after the jump includes the usual marketing spiel, it certainly shows off some of the aspects of the new 5 Series Touring like the redesigned interior with more boot space and different seating set-up. This is probably about as sexy as a station wagon will ever get, but it certainly wins on the luxury comfort factor. See more in the gallery and video below.

BMW 5 Series touring new pics

Continue reading: BMW 5 Series Touring more pics and video

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The new BMW 5 Series Touring will be presented in April as the company keeps a couple of tricks up its sleeve for the post-2010 Geneva Motor Show scene. The 5 Series Touring will be available from September this year with the same engine line-up as the sedan: that includes the 523i fuel version with 204 hp, and the 3.0-litre turbo 535i with 306 hp.

The diesel versions are the 2.0-litre 520d with 184 hp as the entry level model, and the 3.0-litre 530d with 245 hp as the top-of-the-range model. The entry level petrol model consumes 5.2 litres per 100 km. Other modifications to the BMW 5 Series Touring include a larger boot space of 560 to 1,670 litres, which is 60 litres more than the current version. The rear seats can be moved forward for an extra 30 litres, which is more than enough family touring fun. Anyone for ‘I spy’…?

BMW 5 Series touring pics

Continue reading: BMW 5 Series Touring official pics

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At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show BMW presented the new 5 Series, the 5 Series ActiveHybrid concept, and the ActiveE electric concept based on the 1 Series coupe. The BMW catch cry for this year is “Efficient Dynamics“, a project which was first launched at Geneva three years ago. For a better idea of why BMW is so focussed on what may seem a boring concept, check out the BMW physics lesson video after the jump, which takes a jab at Audi via an upstart youngster who knows how to draw the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car.

BMW is more than serious, though, about the technology from that concept car that it intends to adopt across the range. The entire range of BMW vehicles has a calculated average of fuel consumption for each vehicle of just 5.9 l/100 km. The ActiveE will soon start road tests, while the Megacity concept development will get underway.

In addition to the environmental focus, on display at the show is the X5 restyling, the 3 Series coupe and cabriolet restyling, the 2010 X6 range and the Z4 SDrive 35is. There was also the 135i with Valvetronic Twinpower Turbo N55 with dual-clutch technology, which is a technical novelty for the BMW M5 now available with Start-Stop, a Competition Package and rear LED lights. We’ll be bringing you more details and pics of the new BMW 5 Series, X5 and the other models from the show, but see these live pics from Geneva to see if BMW is staying exciting while focussing on its technology.

BMW 5 Series live pics from Geneva motor show

Continue reading: BMW live pics from Geneva and Efficient Dynamics physics lesson video

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The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics prototype will get to production, although it may have a different name when it does get rolled out (thank God, right?). The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics was a very impressive 2+2 hybrid concept that first debuted at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September last year.

There was already talk about whether this very sleek car would ever see production, and nbow the response from BMW is a probable ‘yes’. No time frame has been established yet, although apparently we could be looking at a limited run of between 5,000 and 10,000 units. We originally guessed that BMW would use different components from the Vision concept car on various models in its range, but the possibility of seeing a dedicated model is quite exciting. We get the feeling it may have a head start on the Audi E-Tron in terms of image and style, and if both go into production we could see an all-out war in hybrid coupe models.

While the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics originally had a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbodiesel engine combined with two electric motors, some of the essentials may change. The engine combo, producing 163 hp may stay the same, but according to a BMW insider, less synthetic glass and more solid structure will appear in the final design, making the chassis and style of the car slightly different.

Source | InsideLine via 4wheelsnews

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Perhaps in response to Jeremy Clarkson rubbishing the BMW X6, in particular its ability as an off-road vehicle, BMW has produced two videos on the snow driving capabilities of both the X5 and X6. The “M” versions of the cars are driven through the Passo Valparola in Italy’s Dolomites mountain range, in a kind of off-road instruction video.

You can see the BMW X6M and X5M drifting and then in hillside driving (in the second video after the jump). In fact, it’s actually high-speed driving up a ski slope. If you’re a BMW driver and fan, you’ll probably be convinced, and I think the videos are useful for anyone who intends to actually use their SUV as an off-road vehicle. I very much doubt that Jeremy Clarkson would be very convinced, at all…

Continue reading: BMW X5 and X6 off-road driving videos

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The BMW 3 Series coupe and cabriolet facelift for 2011 will also get the M-Sport treatment with sports bumpers and side skirts. M-Sport 18-inch wheels are included (19-inch wheels are available as an option), with sports wheels base and xeno lights. No interior pics are available of the 3 series M-Sport, but we can expect the sports style to continue inside with sports seats, alcantara fabric, and black tint. No autobloc differential is included which is a shame, but more details should be released soon. More pics of the new 3 Series coupe and cabriolet are below, with the first official video after the jump.

Continue reading: BMW 3 Series M-Sport package: more pics and video

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Here’s a look at the new BMW 3 Series facelift for both the coupe and cabriolet models. Beyond just a change in look, though, the 335i models get new engines, together with style updates, seen also on 328i models. The facelift is a 2011 model year improvement, and will see the new 3 Series coupe and cabriolet on sale in spring.

The new 335i engine is completely made from aluminium, and features a turbocharged, three-litre unit that is more fuel efficient and responsive than the previous model. It has 300 hp and about 406 Nm of torque, combined with a six-speed manual transmission, or a six-speed Steptronic automatic with “pull-style” shift paddles.

New aesthetic features for the 3 series include specially designed headlights, an interior with greater detail, and new exterior mirrors. It creates a sporty look, combined with the 3-series handling and drive feel. For all the details and a closer look, check out the gallery and press release after the jump.

2011 BMW 3-Series coupe and cabriolet

Continue reading: BMW 3-Series coupe and cabrio pics

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The BMW 5-Series GT will soon be available in an all-wheel drive xDrive version, specifically aimed at the US market. It should come into direct competition with the Mercedes R-Class, which has been available since its launch date in 4Matic all-wheel drive.

The first available version of the 5-Series GT four wheel drive will be the 550i GT xDrive, which will be available from June. In September the 535i and 530d will also be available with xDrive, and the models are expected to cost about 7,000 euros more than the standard rear wheel drive model.

Source | AutoInternationaal

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Here’s the final instalment in the BMW 5-Series GT production videos, where we see the 5-Series desert testing and high-speed driving before its official debut. To see the previous production videos, including the original design and initial testing, see the first instalment of the 5-Series GT production.

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A coupe, with high driving position and off-road capabilities…? The BMW X6 always looked like a ridiculous car to me, and I’m happy to have Jeremy Clarkson confirm this for me. The SAV (or Sports Activity Vehicle) has plenty of BMW class and technology, with two petrol and two diesel engine options, and the buttons in the interior to boot. But apart from that, this is an unimpressive effort from BMW, where they’ve tried to do too much in one vehicle.

For example, what is the point of a coupe and a jeep all in one if the back passengers wanting to enjoy the off-road experience can’t fit in properly because of the sloping roof line…? What’s more, trying to drive the X6 is very complicated once you’ve figured out what the computer display system is actually saying, the direction in which the gear change is supposed to work and which steering wheel paddle you use to shift up or down (apparently you can do both with both…). In Clarkson’s words: “What was the boss of BMW doing when all the clowns in the laptop department were coming up with this rubbish?” See it all in the video.

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