The fourth generation of the BMW 5 Series made its debut at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show, offering an evolutionary development through its design of the former model with its sporting and elegant style. A particular feature at the front was the dual round headlights behind a glass cover, with the light rings for the positioning and daytime driving lights so typical of BMW being added in the year 2000.
Both the sedan and the Touring introduced in 1997 once again offered even more space within the passenger compartment. Boasting features such as a multifunction steering wheel, a navigation system, active seats and Dynamic Stability Control, the BMW 5 Series was acknowledged as a particularly outstanding high-tech representative of its segment.
In the interest of enhanced driving dynamics and safety, the body came with a significant increase in torsional stiffness over the former model, and the fourth-generation BMW 5 Series was the first large-scale production car worldwide made almost completely of light alloy. The newly developed all-aluminium power units also helped to significantly reduce the weight of the car.
The fourth generation of the BMW 5 Series once again set up a new sales record accounting for 1.47 million units sold up to the end of production in early 2004.
In promoting the 2010 Mercedes E-Class Estate’s apparently spacious interior, Mercedes decided to build a 400-meter slot car race track through the E-Class Estate. It must have been a long day in the land of the Silver Arrows.
The track, with all of its 1275 pieces remarkably fitting in the trunk of the E-Class Estate, stretched for a total of 500 square meters with some parts of the layout passing through the interior of the car. The whole ‘project’ took about a day to make and after its completion, the engineers decided to test out their new ‘track’ by racing 1:32 scale DTM-style slot cars around it, with the unofficial lap record clocking in at 4m and 45s.
Check out the video and see what Mercedes does when there’s not a lot of things to do in the office.
Audi A4 Avant received a tuning package from the German tuner Avus Performance. Called Black Arrow is painted in gloss black finish and is powered by a 2.7-liter TDI engine that thanks to an ECU upgrade delivers 230bhp and 358 lb/ft of torque (up from a standard 190bhp and 295 lb/ft).
The car is also equipped with coilovers and lowering springs. It sits on massive 21 inch wheels. The car can be also ordered in matte black or white.
Volkswagen has just unveiled a new wagon, the Golf Estate, the fourth model based on the popular VW, next to the three door and five door Golfs and the latest Golf Plus. The Estate will be available in three different trims: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline, the last one replacing the Sportline version as the top of the line model.
At the moment, the Golf Estate will be offered with only a single gasoline engine, a 122 HP TSI four banger; and two turbo diesel options, making either 105 HP and 140 HP. In the near future, Volkswagen will add two Multipoint engines pumping out 80 HP and 102 HP as well as another TSI engine making 160 HP.
The exterior the car features a new bumper, new grill, modified fenders, headlights and a restyled hood. All inspired by the new compact Golf.
Standard equipment for the Estate includes: ESP, six airbags, daytime running lights, roof racks, power windows, shift light, heathed mirrors, split folding rear bench right in front of over 50 cubic feet of storage space. When the Volkswagen Golf Estate goes on sale in Germany, prices will start at 18,500 Euro (about $26,000).
We are all well aware of the benefits of modifying a used vehicle, for starters they are cheaper than buying a new car to start fiddling around with and even better, the older the vehicle the less likely that there are any warranties to void by swapping in a few high performance parts either. One such example is the first generation Audi RS6, produced between 2002 and 2004, the midsize A6 super car makes use of a 40 Valve 4.2 Liter biturbo V8 making 444 HP and 413 lb-ft of torque straight from the factory driving Audi’s patented Quattro all wheel drive system, and if you can find an example of the more practical avant version, even better.
MFK Autosport has developed a new tuning package that takes the twin turbocharged eight cylinder super sedan and boosts the RS6’s output all the way up to 520 HP without the aid of any wild wings or vinyl decals. MFK focused on retuning the Audi’s engine computer in order to make the most of the factory hardware along with a larger diameter Y pipe and a set of high flow catalytic converters to almost eliminate backpressure and let the turbos spool up as soon as possible. The only additional bling that MFK Autosport saw fit to add to the RS6 are a set of satin black three piece aluminum Schmidt Revolution CC-Line rims measuring 20 inches in diameter to add a bit more aggression to this even faster wagon.
When it comes to tuning cars, Günter Manhart knows a thing or two about turning factory tuned BMWs into engine transplanted fire breathing beasts. Now we have seen the Manhart Racing BMW M3 TV10 before, but it has taken them until just now to send out the call to all sporting family men. Solving the never ending dilemma of having to trade performance for practicality, Günter has officially declared his SMG shifted V10 powered 3-Series estate to be the quintessential Family Racer. It is not very often that you see a modified avant, and that is downright astounding. Besides the quirky name, wagons offer a tremendous amount of practical storage space, like a crossover, but aren’t top heavy like a CUV meaning that it is still possible for an estate to handle well. The other benefit of a modified wagon is that due to the vehicle’s already conservative appearance you won’t be tempted to go over the top with tacky decals and gaudy chrome trim.
Now Günter Manhart is a man who prides himself on going above and beyond the extraordinary when it comes to his work and that is why everything from the suede headliner and carbon fiber trim, to the 5.0 Liter BMW M5 sourced V10 under the hood it all looks like it could have come that way from the factory. Bolted to a seven speed SMG gearbox one end and a new free flowing HJS stainless steel exhaust on the other, the 550 HP power package is able to propel this five door BMW 3-Series with blistered arches and a power dome on the hood from 0 to 60 MPH in just 4.3 seconds and reach a very Autobahn ready top speed of 207.5 MPH. Combine all that performance with the look of a black on black BMW M3 estate wearing a radical set of deep dished RAD Forged wheels and massive Stoptech brakes is another reason why the Manhart Racing E91 BMW M3 TV10 would be the perfect gift for your significant other that is secretly for you.
The most powerful Mercedes Benz station wagon of all times made its world debut today at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new E63 AMG Estate will go on sale starting in February 2010, with prices to be announced at a later date.
The E63 AMG Estate is powered by a variant of the high performance hand built 6.2 Liter AMG V8 that delivers 525 HP, 11 HP more than the previous model, which is enough to send the estate from 0 to 60 MPH in 4.6 seconds, and reach an electronically limited top speed of 155 MPH, or 173 MPH with the optional AMG Driver’s Package, all while consuming 18.3 MPG. The engine is mated to the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7 speed sports transmission equipped with four drive modes that include: "C" (Controlled Efficiency), "S" (Sport), "S+" (Sport plus) and "M" (Manual).
In order to keep the powerful estate under perfect control, Mercedes is offering the E63 with an improved version of the AMG Ride Control as well as a sports tuned chassis, ceramic brake discs, individual 3-stage ESP system and a set of 18 inch titanium grey AMG five spoke light weight alloy wheels to finish off the package.
The luxury automaker Mercedes Benz has just revealed the official details about the 2010 E-Class Estate, a model that will go on sale in Europe starting November priced at €44,803 for the diesel powered E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY version.
Based on the new theme of Mercedes styling that was introduced with the S-Class and then showed up again in the restyled C-Class, the new E-Class Estate brings the new flavor of German styling full circle. The estate model has a length of 4895, width of 1854 and a height of 1471 millimeters, offering a total cargo capacity of 1950 liters.
In November the new model will be offered with a choice of three diesel and two gas burning engines. The petrol lineup will include a 288 HP E 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY and the 382 HP E 500. The alternatively fueled lineup will include a 168 HP E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, the 201 HP E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and the 228 HP E 350 CDI Blue-EFFICIENCY. In 2010 Mercedes will add another two diesel engines to the mix.
With the new E-Class Estate Mercedes is offering the latest in safety technologies with systems like attention assist, Distronic Plus (cruise control on steroids), and Pre-Safe braking (automatic braking in emergencies), but also nine airbags fitted as standard, four belt tensioners and belt force limiters, and NECK-PRO crash-responsive head restraints for the driver and front passenger.
Two decades after the first Legacy rolled off the assembly line; the Japanese automaker Subaru is introducing the next generation of their flagship wagon, the Legacy Tourer for the U.K. The touring model is based on the stylish fifth generation Legacy with its winged front grill, hawk eye headlights and sculpted arches. Now while this practical Legacy looks a lot like the Outback here in the U.S. you should take note that where the rugged SUV alternative wears a two tone paint scheme and a set of bulky looking bumpers. Whereas the Legacy Tourer is wrapped with only one coat of color and has the same aggressively shaped bumpers as the regular Legacy hanging off of either end. The Legacy Tourer is already on sale, with prices starting at £23,295 for the diesel burning 2.0D S and climb all the way up to £27,295 for the CVT equipped 2.5i SE NavPlus Lineartronic model.
Being a Subaru, every Legacy Tourer is powered by a horizontally opposed boxer engine connected to a symmetrical all wheel drive system that makes for a surprisingly sporty driving experience. Subaru U.K. believes that the most popular Legacy Tourer will be the diesel powered 2.0 D that accelerates from 0 to 60 MPH in a very efficient 9.6 seconds and can hit a top speed of 120 MPH. While the performance figures don’t seem too impressive, it is astounding that the full size luxury wagon is able to get and average of 46.3 MPG.
The more traditional 2.5 Liter flat four gas burning power plant makes a total of 165 HP and 169 lb-ft of torque by taking advantage of Subaru’s new i-AVLS, active valve lift system to help the internal combustion engine breathe a bit easier. The petrol model also benefits from Suabru’s recently developed chain driven Lineartronic continuously variable transmission that propels it from 0 to 60 MPH in a lofty 10.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 120 MPH. So no matter which kind of Legacy Tourer you choose, you will be getting a solid and practical ride.
We can thank General Motor’s Australian arm, Holden, for making a few of the more memorable modern day high performance Pontiacs available here in the U.S. market; however no matter how hard they tried, the new defunct automaker couldn’t seem to keep the GTO and G8 around for too long. The latter is still available down under as the Commodore, and in the outback one of America’s favorite four door sport sedans is also available as a five door wagon and even a modern day El Camino cross between a G8 and a pickup truck better known as the Holden Ute.
The Australian automaker is currently working on series of factory tuned performance models that will carry a very interesting combination of GM high output monikers. Chevrolet contributes their Super Sport logo along with Cadillac’s V-Series lineup of sports cars so that Holden can come out with the SS V-Series Special Edition Commodore, Sportwagon and Ute models a little later on this year. The new limited edition vehicles will offer around $7,500 worth of Holden factory options at a considerable savings. The SS V-Series Commodore will get the familiar Pontiac G8 GT aggressive twin kidney grill and hood with matching scoops as well as a deck lid spoiler and a few key chrome accents. Just like the SS V-Series cars will be a limited production run, they will also be available in a limited selection of colors, like: Phantom black, Red Hot and Voodoo blue.
Unlike either an SS or V-Series powered GM car, these budget minded Holden’s are more focused on efficiency, so instead of a 426 HP LS3 V8 under the hood, the special edition Holdens are offered with a very efficient 3.6 Liter direct injected V6 under the hood connected to a gas sipping four speed automatic transmission; providing customers with everything they need and none of the excess that they don’t. The Holden SS V-Series Commodore, Sport wagon and Ute are the perfect solution to the new car buyer that wants some additional cargo room without sacrificing fun, or breaking the bank while doing it.
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