BMW Group Smashes Monthly Sales Record in March with More than 165,000 Units

The BMW Group is on track to reach new records in 2011 with the company posting its strongest monthly sales ever in March. The Bavarian automaker delivered a total of 165,842 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles in the past month, not only significantly beating the figure for March 2010 (141,717 units / +17%) but also the previous sales high of 152,721 vehicles recorded in December 2007. March sales rose in Europe by 7.8% to 93,540 vehicles, in Asia by a whopping 52% to 35,048 units, as well as in the Americas by 18.6% to 32,020 vehicles.

Read more »

BMW Group Smashes Monthly Sales Record in March with More than 165,000 Units

The BMW Group is on track to reach new records in 2011 with the company posting its strongest monthly sales ever in March. The Bavarian automaker delivered a total of 165,842 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles in the past month, not only significantly beating the figure for March 2010 (141,717 units / +17%) but also the previous sales high of 152,721 vehicles recorded in December 2007. March sales rose in Europe by 7.8% to 93,540 vehicles, in Asia by a whopping 52% to 35,048 units, as well as in the Americas by 18.6% to 32,020 vehicles.

Read more »

From China for China: BMW Teams up with Brilliance to Create 5-Series Plug-in Hybrid Sedan

BMW has teamed up with joint venture partner Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd. to develop a new plug-in hybrid model based on the long wheelbase version of the local market 5 Series Sedan, which is available exclusively in China. The prototype model will receive its world premiere at the Auto Shanghai 2011 later this month.

Read more »

From China for China: BMW Teams up with Brilliance to Create 5-Series Plug-in Hybrid Sedan

BMW has teamed up with joint venture partner Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd. to develop a new plug-in hybrid model based on the long wheelbase version of the local market 5 Series Sedan, which is available exclusively in China. The prototype model will receive its world premiere at the Auto Shanghai 2011 later this month.

Read more »

Prior Design Working on New Tune for BMW 5-Series F10

While BMW works on the production version of the new V8-powered M5 sports saloon, tuners across Europe continue to roll out packages for the standard versions of the F10 5-Series. This one comes from Germany and Prior Design, which recently teased its tuning kit for the new 6-Series Coupe and Convertible models as well.

Read more »

Prior Design Working on New Tune for BMW 5-Series F10

While BMW works on the production version of the new V8-powered M5 sports saloon, tuners across Europe continue to roll out packages for the standard versions of the F10 5-Series. This one comes from Germany and Prior Design, which recently teased its tuning kit for the new 6-Series Coupe and Convertible models as well.

Read more »

Wald International Tricks Out BMW’s Latest 5-Series F10 Sedan

Noted Japanese tuning house Wald International is preparing its first customization take on the latest BMW 5-Series sedan. Details are still scant as this is a project in the works, but the Wald-modified 5-Series Sports Line Black Bison Edition gets a collection of aero body pieces made from fiberglass-reinforced plastic.

The exterior kit includes a new front bumper design with additional air vents and LED daytime lights, along with bespoke side skirts, a beefy rear apron housing a diffuser and the firm’s familiar exhaust tail pipe design, and a fixed boot lid spoiler. A new set of multispoke alloy wheels complete the look.

Read more »

Wald International Tricks Out BMW’s Latest 5-Series F10 Sedan

Noted Japanese tuning house Wald International is preparing its first customization take on the latest BMW 5-Series sedan. Details are still scant as this is a project in the works, but the Wald-modified 5-Series Sports Line Black Bison Edition gets a collection of aero body pieces made from fiberglass-reinforced plastic.

The exterior kit includes a new front bumper design with additional air vents and LED daytime lights, along with bespoke side skirts, a beefy rear apron housing a diffuser and the firm’s familiar exhaust tail pipe design, and a fixed boot lid spoiler. A new set of multispoke alloy wheels complete the look.

Read more »

VIDEO: 2012 BMW M5 Prototype Put Through its Paces

Leading up to the world premiere of the 2012 M5 that’s believed to take place at the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall, BMW is releasing a series of videos slowly uncovering its high-performance sports saloon.

This time, we get a three-and-a-half-long video clip of the M5 flung around on the snow. There’s also a lot of talk going on, but unfortunately, it’s all in German, so if any of you out there can translate the basic bits, we’d appreciate it. We’ll remind you that the new M5 will be motivated by a twin-turbocharged V8 engine with direct-injection pumping out close to 600 horsepower. Take (another) look at the M5 in the video after the jump.

Read more »

VIDEO: 2012 BMW M5 Prototype Put Through its Paces

Leading up to the world premiere of the 2012 M5 that’s believed to take place at the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall, BMW is releasing a series of videos slowly uncovering its high-performance sports saloon.

This time, we get a three-and-a-half-long video clip of the M5 flung around on the snow. There’s also a lot of talk going on, but unfortunately, it’s all in German, so if any of you out there can translate the basic bits, we’d appreciate it. We’ll remind you that the new M5 will be motivated by a twin-turbocharged V8 engine with direct-injection pumping out close to 600 horsepower. Take (another) look at the M5 in the video after the jump.

Read more »

VIDEO: Chris Harris Takes 2012 BMW M5 F10 for a Spin on the Ice

After the first couple of somewhat cryptic teaser films, BMW allowed Evo Magazine’s Chris Harris to sit behind the wheel of its upcoming 2012 M5 sports saloon and share the video with the rest of the world.

The Bavarian company is still keeping mum on the performance details, but officials confirmed that the twin-turbocharged V8 lump that replaces the outgoing M5’s 507HP V10 will have more oomph than on the X5 M / X6 M. “Do you really think we would give it less than an X6M?”, BMW officials told Harris. In the X6 M, the twin-turbo V8 kicks out 555HP and 680Nm or 501-lbs/ft of peak torque.

Read more »

VIDEO: Chris Harris Takes 2012 BMW M5 F10 for a Spin on the Ice

After the first couple of somewhat cryptic teaser films, BMW allowed Evo Magazine’s Chris Harris to sit behind the wheel of its upcoming 2012 M5 sports saloon and share the video with the rest of the world.

The Bavarian company is still keeping mum on the performance details, but officials confirmed that the twin-turbocharged V8 lump that replaces the outgoing M5’s 507HP V10 will have more oomph than on the X5 M / X6 M. “Do you really think we would give it less than an X6M?”, BMW officials told Harris. In the X6 M, the twin-turbo V8 kicks out 555HP and 680Nm or 501-lbs/ft of peak torque.

Read more »

Italy’s Trussardi Celebrates Centennial with Limited Edition BMW 5-Series GT

Trussardi, one of Italy’s top design brands mostly known for its leather jackets, jeans, handbags and accessories, is celebrating its centennial anniversary this year with numerous events and special products, one of which includes a cooperation with BMW Italy. The two companies joined forces to design a limited edition version of the 5-Series Gran Turismo with bespoke styling cues.

The design of the 5-Series GT by Trussardi is said to have been inspired by the world of leather and gloves, which characterized the origins of the Italian brand. The emphasis was on new exterior details and a more luxurious interior treatment.

Read more »

Italy’s Trussardi Celebrates Centennial with Limited Edition BMW 5-Series GT

Trussardi, one of Italy’s top design brands mostly known for its leather jackets, jeans, handbags and accessories, is celebrating its centennial anniversary this year with numerous events and special products, one of which includes a cooperation with BMW Italy. The two companies joined forces to design a limited edition version of the 5-Series Gran Turismo with bespoke styling cues.

The design of the 5-Series GT by Trussardi is said to have been inspired by the world of leather and gloves, which characterized the origins of the Italian brand. The emphasis was on new exterior details and a more luxurious interior treatment.

Read more »

Geneva 2011: Alpina BMW B5 Bi-Turbo Touring is a 5-Series Estate on Steroids

Catering to the needs of those looking for an über fast premium station wagon, longtime BMW tuning house Alpina has developed the B5 Bi-Turbo Touring based on the station wagon version of the latest 5-Series. With 507HP and 700Nm (516 lb-ft) under the hood and up to 1,670 liters of storage space, Alpina's creations is a party animal at the front while keeping it...professional at the back.

Read more »

VIDEO: AC Schnitzer's Diesel-Powered BMW Z4 and 540HP 5-Series

The new BMW Z4-based 99d roadster and the BMW 550i-based ACS5 sports saloon will hog the limelight on AC Schnitzer's stand at this week's 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Both models were developed to offer performance without compromising on fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions. The Z4 99d comes with a 190HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine, while the ACS5 features a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 gasoline unit pumping out 540-ponies. Scope out the first promotional videos of AC Schnitzer's newest tunes right after the break.

Read more »

Geneva Preshow: AC Schnitzer Turns the BMW 550i into the 540HP ACS5 Sport S Saloon

AC Schnitzer has prepared two production ready concept cars for this year's edition of the Geneva motor show. We've already told you about the first car, the diesel-powered 99d that is based on the BMW Z4 roadster, so here's the tuning firm's second proposal. The ACS5 Sport S Saloon is based on the latest BMW 550i sedan and is said to feature numerous performance and styling upgrades, though AC Schnitzer is keeping mum about most of the details.

Read more »

New BMW Performance Kit Boosts 2.0-liter Diesel's Output to up 200HP

As well setting the stage for the world premiere of the Vision CD roadster concept and the production version of the pure-electric 1-Series ActiveE, the Geneva Motor Show will also see the launch of BMW's new Performance Power Kit for the firm's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine found on numerous models including the 1-,3- and 5-Series range in both rear- and all-wheel drive configurations. The upgrade is available for both the previous 177HP as well as the newer 184HP 2.0L engine.

Read more »

Hamann’s Tuning Program for BMW 5-Series Models fitted with M Sports Package

Buyers looking to tune their cars these days can choose between factory packages and aftermarket kits, and usually it's one or the other. But that's not the case with Hamann Motorsports, which is extending its offerings for the latest generation 5-Series to include an individualization program for those that have opted for BMW's recently launched M Sports Package (see here).

Read more »

Official: BMW 2.0-liter Turbo Coming to the USA in 2011, Replaces 3.0-liter Straight-Six

We knew BMW's brand-new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine was coming to the States but now, the Bavarian automaker has made it official. The German company released a statement saying the first cars to be equipped with the force-fed four-banger will "arrive later this year" in the USA.

The 2.0-liter unit made its debut on the X1 compact crossover and will eventually replace BMW’s trademark normally aspirated 3.0-liter inline six. While BMW's US division has yet to announce which models will get the new engine, in Europe, the automaker has already confirmed the powerplant for the Z4 coupe-roadster and the 5-Series range.

Read more »