2012 BMW M5

Now that we’ve seen what the new 2012 BMW M5 sports sedan looks like, it’s time for some talented hands to shape the Touring version that may or may not follow in the future as the Bavarian company has not yet revealed any plans for a high-performance station wagon model.
The renderings you see pictured below are the work of photoshop artist Wild Speed who combined the bodies of the F10 5-Series Touring and the new M5 sedan.
If it were to produced, the estate variant would be powered by the same 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine with 560-horses found under the hood of the saloon model.

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BMW Turbocharges X1 SUV

BMW is extending its smallest SUV’s range by adding two new engines to the X1's line-up. The first unit, which will be available this autumn, is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine producing 184HP and 270 Nm (27,5 kgm) from 1,250-4,500 rpm.

The compact crossover will be available in both rear and four-wheel drive versions bearing the sDrive20i and xDrive20i designations respectively, and which accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 7.4 (sDrive) and 7.8 (xDrive) seconds.

The newly developed engine has direct injection and the Valvetronic variable valve control system. BMW says it sets new efficiency standards in its performance class, with average consumption ranging from 7.1 liters/100 km (sDrive20i) to 7.7 liters/100 km (xDrive 20i), and CO2 emissions of 165 and 179 gr/km respectively.

The second newcomer in the X1’s range is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel which powers the (rear-wheel drive) BMW X1 sDrive20d. It comes with TwinPower Turbo technology that incorporates variable turbine geometry and common rail injection.

Output is rated at 163HP and peak torque at 330 Nm (243.4 lb-ft) between 1,750-2500 rpm. An average consumption of just 4.5 litres/100 km and CO2 emissions of 119 gr/km make the sDrive20d the most efficient model in the X1 range.

Both models feature BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology, which consists of a gear change indicator, brake energy regeneration, electromechanical power steering, disengegable air-conditioning compressor, auto start-stop system and low-rolling resistance tires.

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BMW M3 CRT`S Lightweight Carbon Fiber

In this case, thοse letters dο not mean cathode ray tube. Accοrding tο BMW, CRT is short fοr Carbon Racing Technolοgies, and that is the kind οf thing we can really get behind. That's especially true when the car being CRT-ized is the M3. The BMW M3 CRT differs quite a bit from last year's M3 GTS, thοugh both were cοnceived as lightweight versions οf the E90-series car with mοre power, better brakes and upgraded suspensiοn bits.

Fοr instance, unlike the GTS, the CRT comes fully lοaded with navigation, a premium stereο system and is based on the four-dοοr sedan with high-tech front and rear seats.

BMW is using the M3 CRT tο debut its new carbon fiber prοductiοn technique, which is used tο good effect οn both the frοnt seats and a new hood that is as strοng as a conventional steel unit with just οne quarter the weight. Mοre weight reduction cοmes frοm the titanium muffler, 19-inch Y-spoke allοy wheels and less sound deadening material. Even the brake calipers are made frοm a new lightweight cοmpound.

A fresh set οf adjustable coilovers wοrk with a mοre rigid rear subframe and wide tires tο up the handling quotient. Pοwer cοmes from a 4.4-liter version οf BMW's well-known high-revving V8 engine, prοducing 450 hοrsepower (at 8,300 rpm) and 324 pοund-feet οf torque (at 3,750 rpm). Thοse ponies are routed tο the rear wheels through the autοmaker's seven-speed dual-clutch gearbοx.

Add it all up and yοu are left with a machine that is capable οf terrorizing the race track every weekend while still serving as a perfectly lοvely daily driver in between - one that can zip frοm 0 tο 62 miles per hour in what we bet is a conservative 4.4 secοnds. Want οne? Get in line, as BMW only plans tο build 67 units, each painted up in Frozen Polar Silver metallic with Melbοurne Red accents and a black and οrange interior.

And there is nο word οn any of them making it Stateside, in case yοu were wondering.

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BMW’s Decision to Replace 65 Union Employees with Cheaper Workforce in California

Senator Barbara Boxer, a California Democrat who is also the Ethics Committee chairwoman, has joined forces with Teamsters President James P. Hoffa, in an attempt to persuade BMW North America to reconsider its stance on a local labor dispute over 65 jobs.
The German automaker has said it will not renew its contract with Teamsters Union Local 495 that expires on Aug. 31 and will instead hire an outside company to run its parts distribution center, located in Ontario, California.
In a letter sent to BMW North America CEO Jim O'Donnell, the California Senator said that the Bavarian company should rethink its decision and take into consideration the fact that it received $3.6 billion in low-interest loans during the 2008-2009 taxpayer bailout.
“During the financial crisis in 2008 and 2009, BMW received $3.6 billion in taxpayer assistance from the United States Federal Reserve when private capital was frozen,” Boxer wrote in the letter.
"As the economic recovery continues, it is deeply disappointing that these loyal employees would be penalized at a time when your company recently reported 2011 first quarter earnings of $1.78 billion -- triple that of first quarter earnings in 2010 -- and first quarter sales 21 percent greater than last year," she added.
Joe Baca, the U.S. Representative for California's 43rd congressional district, also jumped into the dispute and sent a letter to BMW North America’s boss saying more or less the same as Boxer.
"[This] will needlessly layoff workers in a region experiencing the highest rates of unemployment in the country,” said Baca. “Replacing those positions with a low wage workforce is an injustice and a blow to our local economy."
Teamsters Local 495 Secretary-Treasurer Bob Lennox, believes that BMW is abusing the American system.
"BMW would never be allowed to get away with this in Germany -- they wouldn't dare try it," said Lennox. "They think they can take an American taxpayer bailout and then treat their American workers in a way they would never treat their German employees."

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Mercedes-Benz to Gun for BMW’s X6 with New GLS

It seems that 2014 is going to be a good year for SUV fans: after the news on Audi’s Q4,Mercedes-Benz is also reportedly planning to release another crossover, according to Autocar. However, this one will be more up-market and will have BMW’s X6 (and Audi's Q6, which is expected in 2016) squarely in its sights.
An obvious movement since the controversially styled SUV from BMW has sold more than 120,000 since its launch in 2009. Like its archrival from Munich, Mercedes’s sporty SUV will be a four-seater with a sporty design.
The new model will probably be named GLS and will be based on the new M-Class, sharing its platform and most of its engineering, including the four-wheel drive system. However, it will differentiate itself with more aggressive styling, taking cues from Mercedes’ four-door sedan, the CLS.
Nothing is yet known about the engines, but expect the usual range of gasoline and diesel units, as well as a hybrid, with the top version being powered by a turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 fettled, predictably, by AMG to provide a challenge to the X6 M.
The GLS will most likely be manufactured alongside the M-Class in Mercedes-Benz’s US factory in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

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Video: Three Women Trying to Save their BMW M5 from Vancouver Hooligans

Make no mistake; you can find hooligans in every country and in all sports. The colors and language may change, but there’s a common denominator that crosses all cultural lines: idiocy of the utmost degree and the complete lack of compassion towards fellow human beings.
The huge riots in Vancouver, Canada, after the Canucks' loss last week to the Boston Bruins for the Stanley Cup, are a prime example of this kind of ill mentality.
We saw several people injured, shops looted and properties destroyed, but this particular incident involving three young women and their BMW M5 sedan, stood out for a great number of reasons. The three women were hopelessly trying to fend off an army of male individuals from kicking, jumping, breaking and throwing whatever they could find on the previous-generation M5 saloon.
It’s one thing describing the incident and another watching these men (if you can call them that…) turning into animals just for the fun of it. And what is even more disturbing is the fact that from all these people surrounding the vehicle, not one person tried to intervene to help these women. Unbelievable…
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New BMW 2012 M5 Saloon at The Goodwood Festival of Speed

The all-new 2012 BMW M5 sports sedan will be making its first public appearance at The Goodwood Festival of Speed, which takes place in the UK between July 1 and 3, the German automaker announced today.
The most powerful production version of the M5 series to date comes with a high-revving 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 pumping out 560hp from 5,750-7,000rpm and 680Nm [501.5 lb-ft] of torque from 1,500rpm. It goes on sale this fall.
The M5 will go on show at the BMW pavilion alongside an array of production and racing cars from Bavarian manufacturer’s past and present such as the new 1 M Coupe, a 328 roadster from 1936 and a special M1 Turbo Concept created for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
A selection of BMW cars including the V8-powered Z4 GT3 and M3 Group A DTM racers and the series production M3 GTS will also race against the clock on the famous Goodwood 1.16 mile hill climb.
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BMW 5-Series F10 gets the Black Bison Makeover

We knew it wouldn’t be long before Wald International, one of Japan’s most well-known styling houses, released its program for the latest BMW 5-Series sedan, codenamed F10.
The Japanese tuner’s Black Edition Sports Line BMW 5-Series comes with an assortment of aero body pieces made from fiberglass-reinforced plastic.
The package is composed of a restyled front bumper with additional air vents and LED daytime lights, a matching rear bumper that makes space for a diffuser and Wald’s signature exhaust tailpipes, deck-lid and roof spoilers, plus side skirts.
A lowered suspension and thinly wrapped multispoke alloy wheels further enhance the 5-Series sedan’s looks.
At least for now, interior upgrades are limited to a set of bespoke floor mats
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