Happy 10th birthday, BMW X5!

10 years ago, at the Detroit Motor Show, BMW introduced what would become one of their most important and successful car ever, the BMW X5. The car, which was sold in 845,000 units since then, is basically the one the created the SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) segment, one of the most competitive ones in today's market. The X5 still remains one of the most important players in this market, while the X range from the German carmaker extended with two new models, the X3 and the X6, and a fourth, the X1, almost ready for production. If you like to see BMW bragging about their X5, make sure you read the official press release (a lot of numbers and awards there). So, happy birthday X5, you trully are one of the milestones in automotive history! Source: BMW

 

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Detroit 2009: BMW pulls the cover off the new Z4

2010 BMW Z4 BMW had a Cirque du Soleil wannabe hanging upside down from a curtain to pull the sheets off of the 2010 BMW Z4 at the Detroit Auto Show. The Z4 is the third generation of BMW's small roadster since the original Z3 debuted in the mid-90s. This time around, the company is moving production from South Carolina to Europe to make room for the next gen X3 at Spartanburg. The new Z4 gets a retractable hardtop in place of the soft top, and with only two seats to cover, the proportions don't look as goofy as other hard top convertibles. The flame surfacing of the last Z4 has been dramatically toned from the last generation, giving a much cleaner look overall. Under the hood, US versions of the Z4 are restricted to 3.0L six cylinder engines with and without turbochargers. No word yet on an M version, but given recent statements from BMW it seems more likely to get a more highly boosted version of the six rather than the M3's V8. The Z4 goes on sale this summer. Expect pricing to be released closer to the sale date. Gallery: Detroit 2009: BMW Z4   Gallery: 2010 BMW Z4

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2009 BMW Z4 comes to Motown - Detroit NAIAS 2009

BMW today held the world debut of the 2009 BMW Z4 at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Sales of the new hard-top Z4 will start in fall of 2009 with pricing to be announced closer to launch date. The entry level 2009 Z4 is powered by a 3.0L 6-cylinder that makes 255-hp and a maximum torque of 220 lb-ft. 0 to 60 mph comes in at 5.6 seconds with manual transmission and 6.0 seconds with an automatic. The range-topping BMW Z4 carries a 3.0L twin-turbo making a total of 300-hp allowing it to go from rest to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds with a manual and 5.0 seconds with the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The new 2009 BMW Z4 drops its top within 20 seconds with a touch of a button - just thought you'd like to know that. Click through for the high-res image gallery. 2009 BMW Z4 - Live from the 2009 Detroit Auto Show:

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Spy shots: Test-mule for next-generation BMW 3-Series

The current E90 BMW 3-Series has only been on the market since 2005 but details about the next-gen model are already circulating with most agreeing that the new version will feature styling lifted from the Concept CS. Due in late 2011 as a 2012 model, the next BMW 3-Series will be the first of a family of BMW cars with a more recognizable face derived from the original styling of the Shanghai concept. With the new 3-Series, designers will attempt to address criticisms of the current car's awkward styling and lack of interior space. Next-generation BMW 3-Series test-mule spy shots

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2010 BMW GranTurismo / Concept CS Cancelled - Car News

BMW has canceled plans to introduce a production version of the sleek Concept CS. Shown at the 2007 Shanghai auto show, the Concept CS is a massive 7-series–based, low-roof four-door coupe. A year ago, BMW declared that this model, then referred to as the GranTurismo, would become BMW's flagship, would cost upwards of $120,000, and would go on sale in 2010. The death of the GranTurismo project is seen as BMW's first casualty of the economic downturn, but the company says that all other products in its future portfolio will continue on schedule. Keep Reading: 2010 BMW GranTurismo / Concept CS Cancelled - Car News

 

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CES 2009: Hands on with heat-sensing FLIR-equipped BMW

FLIR's CES 2009 demo. Just like we thought, FLIR wasn't on board with our plan to drive their night-vision BMW through the Nevada desert, but we did get to check out the car's in-dash display. Our demo was indoors only, though we still got a good idea of how it works. Showgoers passing in front of the BMW's heat-sensing camera appeared in nice detail despite the relatively small difference in their temperature and their surroundings. FLIR rep Jay James said the camera can detect a .05 degree difference in temperatures, which translates into many more shades of gray on the monitor. The system is tuned to look several yards down the road and so was thrown off by the number of pedestrians within inches of its bumper. But whenever someone walked through its danger zone, the system's display indicated a pedestrian by outliing that person with a yellow rectangle. The demo BMW had been retrofitted with the system, but new BMWs with the factory-installed version flash a yellow triangle in the head-up display to alert drivers to take action. Gallery: CES 2009: FLIR demos BMW Pedestrian Detection

 

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Mercedes-Benz hit with second-largest fuel efficiency fine ever by NHTSA

Mercedes-Benz has been fined $28.9 million for failure to meet federal fuel efficiency standards by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this week. The amount is the second-largest in the history of agency. Part of the U.S. CAFE standards, enforced by the NHTSA includes a provision for fines when the requisite levels of efficiency aren't met. That power of enforcement also saw Porsche Cars North America, Maserati Automobiles and Ferrari North America pay fines of $1.1-1.2 million apiece, reports the Detroit Free Press.

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