�� BMW �� 2009 - �� 46

�� · #**226** 28-10-2009, 11:29 PM

Click above to watch the video after the jump

When we think about off-road prowess, brands like Land Rover, Jeep and Hummer come to mind. We've never once considered putting BMW on that list, though the Ultimate Driving Machine gets its kudos for its on-pavement athletic talent. That predisposition could change after watching a rough-and-ready BMW X5 go all "monster truck" on a pair of unsuspecting sedans.

Hit the jump to watch a dimwitted X5 owner as he or she earns a big fat Fail in the art of parking lot etiquette. The video starts off normally enough, but it gets very interesting about 20 seconds in when the driver inexplicably slams on the gas instead of the brake, catapulting the Bimmer on top of one of the cars while using the other vehicle as a ramp. The unidentified driver then takes off after spending about ten "holy crap" seconds staring at the stupidity he or she created. Time to change the couture jeans.

On the bright side, the X5 would appear to have more rock-hoppin' skills than we ever imagined. And is it just us, or does the Honda CR-V in the foreground look a little jealous?

[Source:

YouTube

via BoingBoing]

Continue reading VIDEO: How not to park your BMW X5

VIDEO: How not to park your BMW X5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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�� · #**227** 29-10-2009, 12:30 AM

Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, GM, Mercedes-Benz

According to The Detroit News, the big joint development program formed several years ago between General Motors, Daimler, Chrysler and BMW to develop a two-mode hybrid system for light duty vehicles is over. With all four automakers now having launched versions of the gas-electric system, the joint program is being wound down and the Troy, Michigan office where engineers from each company collaborated will be closed by the end of this year. Most of the joint work actually ended last June and many of the staff have already been relocated to other facilities.

The Mercedes-Benz ML450 hybrid and BMW X6 ActiveHybrid are both going into production right about now using a version of the two mode transmission built by Daimler. Chrysler, which briefly built a version of the Durango and Aspen SUVs with the hybrid system last year, remains committed to re-launching the system in the Ram pickups in 2010. At this point, however, it looks unlikely that the planned light-duty hybrid will launch anytime soon in the Ram 1500.

[Source: The Detroit News]

REPORT: Two-mode hybrid joint development disbanded; Ram hybrid coming in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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�� · #**228** 29-10-2009, 03:20 AM

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Performance, BMW, Luxury

BMW M5 CSL - Click above for image gallery

To celebrate 25 years of the M5, BMW has created a one-off version of the E60 super saloon that Albert Biermann, head of BMW's M division calls, "the M5 CSL we never built."

The transformation began with a modified version of the standard M5's 5.0-liter V10, which has been stroked to 5.5-liters and fitted with a carbon fiber intake, secondary oil cooler and a new fascia. BMW remains mum on official power figures, but Biermann says the mods are good for around 580 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque over the standard 507 hp engine.

Mated to the modified mill is a fortified version of the seven-speed dual-clutch Getrag gearbox fitted to the current M3, while a carbon fiber roof joins a set of lightweight, carbon fiber seats up front. That, combined with the removal of the rear seats, sheds around 110 pounds from the M5's curb weight.

Although performance stats haven't been released, BMW says the M5 CSL laps the Nurburgring around 20 seconds faster than the standard model, so something around the 7:50 mark isn't out of the question. What is out of the question is the opportunity to buy the CSL. BMW has no plans to offer it to the public, and to that we say... fine. We'll wait for the twin-turbocharged V8 version coming in 2011.

[Source: Autocar via BMWBlog]

BMW creates an M5 CSL, and no, you can't have it originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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�� · #**229** 29-10-2009, 11:20 PM

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Performance, Europe, BMW

BMW E34 M5 Convertible - Click above image for high-res gallery

Amongst M Division cognoscenti there rages an eternal debate concerning what's the best ever BMW M car. To the casual Bavarian-enthusiast the answer is quite simple: E39 M5. However, strong cases can be made for both the E30 M3 and the OG E28 M5, which featured the M1's race-bred 3.5-liter straight-six. In fact, there's a whole subculture of folks that feel a car's not really a BMW (let alone an M) without an inline-six. With that said, the E34 M5 is a pretty compelling candidate for best ever M car, as is the M1. Oddly, no one ever advocates in favor of the E60 M5. Moving on...

Think about it now -- the E34 M5 is the last of the totally hand built M cars. Sometimes one worker made an entire car, though usually the cars were built by specific teams. In fact, BMW test engineers could tell which person (or people) had built each individual car. That's pretty nifty. Only thing is, all those doors. And that roof! Who needs it? Sadly, it was only with the introduction of the E63 M6 that the big M cars got back to just two doors and a drop top. Or was it?

Turns out that back in the late '80s BMW built a convertible E34 M5 and they've kept it under lock and key for the past 20 years until showing it to a select group of journalists during a 25 years of M5 celebration. Based of the E34 chassis, the convertible version featured lengthened doors and was actually all set to go into production.

But then, just one week before its introduction at Geneva (they'd booked space for the car and everything), BMW pulled the plug and canceled the M5 convertible, fearing demand for non-M5 convertibles would cut into the highly profitable 3 Series convertible sales. Too bad, as this thing looks sweet. Also, if BMW pulls the long-rumored-though-never-built M8 out from some dark corner of the storage bin, well, we'll be pretty upset. Yet thrilled at the same time.

Gallery: BMW E34 M5 Convertible

[Source: AutoCar]

BMW builds E34 M5 Convertible, keeps it secret for 20 long years originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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�� · #**230** 01-11-2009, 03:50 PM

Filed under: Truck, Videos, Crossover, BMW, Ford

Raptor vs. X6 M: Click above to watch the video after the jump

The Ford SVT Raptor and the BMW X6 M are alike in that both vehicles represent the most extreme versions of their base forms. The Raptor, with its the triple-bypass Fox shocks and 35-inch tires, is a Baja-ready version of the F-150 right off the showroom floor. Meanwhile, the BMW X6 M is the 550-horsepower speed-demon version of the mild-mannered X6 luxury crossover. The two rides have little in common other than their extreme, top-tier positioning, yet 0-60 Magazine has found a way to put the two together for its Winter 2010 issue.

We don't know what the gang at 0-60 actually did with the Raptor and the X6 M, but the magazine has managed to slap together a teaser video to whet the palette. Hit the jump to watch 0-60 have a bit of fun with the X6 M and the SVT Raptor. And if you're not a big fan of the vid, you can simply sit back and enjoy the 1:21-minute excerpt of Motley Crue's "Kickstart My Heart" that sets the aural backdrop to the onscreen mayhem.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor