The new generation BMW 5-Series sedan made its world debut today, and like everyone expected it comes with no surprise. The design takes cues from both the 7-Series and the 5-Series GT and offers the 5-Series a more elegant look.
The new 5-Series will be offered with a V8 engine and three six-cylinder petrol engines as well as two six-cylinder diesels. Line-up includes: BMW 520d with 184 hp, 535i powered by a straight-six with BMW TwinPower Turbo, High Precision Injection and VALVETRONIC with 306 hp, BMW 528i with 258 hp and BMW 523i with 204 hp. The top of the line, the 550i is powered by a V8 engine with 407 hp.
Diesel line-up includes: BMW 530d with an output of 245 hp and the BMW 525d with 204 hp. All the new 5-Series models come equipped with the new eight-speed automatic transmission. The BMW 550i comes as standard with BMW’s automatic transmission optimized for efficiency, just like EPS Electric Power Steering featured on all models.
Ford’s ’10 Unleashed campaign has given us some pretty good entertainment over the past couple of months. There was the touching story of a blind man getting his first taste of sitting behind the wheel of a 2010 Mustang, there was that owner who decided to turn his Mustang into a rally car, and of course, there was the four Need for Speed gamers who took their video game skills out on a real race track.
The latest instalment of the hit campaign sees the 2010 Mustang take on a group of professional skateboarders in a sort-of can-you-top-this competition.
Of course, we need to have a certain level of perspective as to how this challenge played out. After all, the 2010 Mustang had the decided advantage of computer-generated graphics on its side. So, in a nutshell, you can say that the competition wasn’t done on an even playing field – no pun intended.
Check out the videos after the jump to see who rocked whose wheels.
Even if the demand is present, the German automaker BMW has decided to leave the job of tuning their luxury limousine up to Alpina and discarded the idea of a high performance M7, however they have decided to offer new car buyers a more aggressive looking 7 Series with an optional aero upgrade package. Unfortunately for some, their sales slips were signed before the automaker made the M Sport package available, but have no fear because European Auto Source has come to the rescue with their own version of the 7 Series’ Motor sport appearance package.
Similar to the OEM pieces, ESA’s kit includes an M Sport style front bumper with larger air intakes and matte black trim along the edges. However the genuine article’s stretched out horizontal chrome strips that sit at the edges of the big mouth front bumper are sold separately. But out back the EAS unit is almost identical to the one that comes from Germany. And while European Auto Source’s rolling stock are not quite the same as the split five spoke rims that come fitted to the 7 Series M Sport, these 21 inch alloy wheels finished in matte black with their classic mesh design do the trick.
We are well aware of what the German tuning firm 9ff is capable of when they put their minds to something, like the 253 MPH GT9R or the 850 HP BT2 complete with classic Gulf Racing livery. However 9ff is set to unveil something a little more mundane at the upcoming 2009 Essen Motor Show with the Speed9. While it is based on a 911 Turbo, 9ff is paying homage to the classic 1955 Porsche 356 1500S Speedster for all those high performance Porsche aficionados who want to ride around with the wind in their hair.
Thanks to modern day running gear, the only thing that is reminiscent of the old ’55 is the styling. Covering that aspect 9ff included a new ground effects package that consists of a new front apron, side skirts and rear bumper along with 9ff Speed9 sports seats and matching steering wheel. The 911 Turbo that serves as the vehicle’s foundation received an upgraded ECU, free flowing exhaust and a set of sport catalytic converters that let the bi turbo flat six breathe to the tune of 650 HP and 656 lb-ft of torque. Even though 9ff hasn’t let us in on any performance figures as of yet, you can expect the Speed9 to go faster than you ever want to with the top down.
In an effort to douse the growing fear that the Lexus LF-A’s price tag would be too much to spare, Lexus has decided that they will lease the cars to prospective owners and not sell them outright. According to Automotive News, Lexus will be offering two year leases of the LFA to interested parties at a fixed price and, after the two-year period expires, will give these people the chance to buy the car outright.
This development should come as a welcome relief to those interested in getting one of the 500 LF-As Lexus is set to build. This allows people the opportunity to go home with one of the most sought-after supercars in the world without having to pay the full price tag for the privilege. In the event that they’d want to let go of it after two years, they won’t have to pay for the outstanding balance of the car. But if they want to keep the LF-A in their garage, they would only need to pay the remaining balance.
Ever since the car was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, the buzz surrounding the car has grown exponentially with more and more people salivating at the thought of owning a limited edition model. But while the price tag has yet to be released, people are still expecting the LF-A to come with a six-digit price tag, which, given the signs of the times, might be too much for their wallets to bear.
Lexus’ decision to lease the LFAs instead of selling them outright allows people to enjoy the car’s glorious 552 horsepower without having to sell all their appendages in the black market.
Lexus will reveal at the Los Angeles Auto Show the replacement for the GX470 luxury SUV. Called GX460, the new SUV is based on the European model Toyota Land Cruiser and will go on sale in early 2010.
The difference between the Land Cruiser and the GX460 is given by the Lexus grille, reworked headlights and tail lamps, re-profiled bumpers and the chrome trimming on the side windows and lower door moldings, and of course by a more luxurious interior.
Under the hood the current 4.7 liter V8 engine is being replaced by the new 4.6-liter V8 engine that delivers 310-hp and 327 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift.
Ferrari unveiled the 195 Inter in 1950 at the Paris motor Show. It was in fact a 166 Inter with a slightly longer wheelbase and a modified engine. Ferrari built only 24 units of the 195 Inter, as in 1951 it has been replaced by the 212 Inter.
For the 195 Inter the wheelbase has been enlarged from 2420 mm to 2500 mm, to increase cabin space. Like in the 166 Inter, the chassis frame was of the same basic tubular steel construction as that of the earlier model and featured independent front suspension via a transverse leaf spring, with a rigid axle and semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear, and Houdaille lever shock absorbers all round.
There was a concurrent 195 Sport model, which was built in the even chassis number competition car range. An example of the 195 Sport in berlinetta form, driven by Marzotto/Crosara won the 1950 Mille Miglia, ahead of the 195 engine Touring barchetta of Serafini/Salani. The range of body design houses altered to include Motto and the Swiss Ghia Aigle concerns; each produced a single example of their craft on a 195 chassis, whilst Stabilimenti Farina dropped off the list. With this model, the Ghia and Vignale body styles seemed to find greatest favor with clients, considerably outnumbering the other contenders.
After seeing MTM’s customization program for the new Golf GTD we know that Honda and Mugen don’t have a monopoly on the modified hatchback market. As further proof, the German tuning house ABT Sportsline has just come up with a kit of their own for the diesel burning turbocharged Golf VI. Aside from giving the TDI hatchback a 50 HP kick in the pants with one of their ABT Power units, the Germans have also reworked the Golf’s exterior to further suit their own brand of style.
The aero mods include a new front bumper with much more angular intakes as well as a set of stylish strips of LED driving lights. Out back the new rear diffuser makes room for ABT’s signature quad tipped exhaust pipes while an oversized wing keeps things planted at speed. Finishing off the design, ABT is offering a few wheel and tire options with their sporty AR and BR models available in either 18 or 19 inches in diameter. The alternatively fueled 2.0 Liter power plant now makes a total 190 HP and a very diesel like 288 lb-ft of torque, and although it may not sound so impressive going from 0 to 60 MPH in 7.1 seconds isn’t too bad for a diesel, and neither is a 143 MPH top speed. The best part about tuning a diesel is that when you are done you’re still driving a green vehicle.
Just so that you understand that there is nothing new about Honda performance and racing specialist’s game, this 1984 CRX Mugen Prototype is about as solid a piece of evidence as any showing the Japanese automaker’s intention of bringing unmatched levels of performance ever since the early 1980s and looked almost as good as new 25 years later at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
Mugen massaged almost every aspect of the little CRX; developing high performance components for the the engine, suspension, brakes and body. The improvements that were made to the basic CRX turned it from a very affordable vehicle into a real head turner that thanks to its lightweight nature was able turn fast laps at the track as well, not to mention that a little LSD didn’t hurt. It was truly a treat to see this modern classic at the world’s greatest aftermarket car show, because it is certainly not every day that you get to touch such an iconic vehicle at least not in this good condition.
Not too long ago Topspeed reported about Honda’s in house tuner Mugen and their plan to take the Civic Type R hot hatch and pump up the adrenaline a few notches. Well today the Japanese automaker has confirmed that their R spec hatchback will indeed go on sale in the European market, and Mugen won’t be far behind with their own tuner ride complete with aggressively restyled bumpers, vented hood and fenders and an oversized rear wing that would make even the boldest of Evo owners jealous.
To go along with the boy racer body pieces, Mugen is also offering a set of lightweight 18 inch alloy wheels available in either gunmetal or bronze. Mugen has also dedicated quite a bit of time and energy into making the race ready Civic light on its feet and able to change directions at a moments notice, so they have fitted a sport suspension package as well as an upgraded brake kit. However the best parts of the car are those which you wish you never have to see, like a copper fiber clutch set that is made to take the added abuse that comes along with making quick shifts thanks to the Mugen short throw shifter, but the Pièce de résistance is a limited slip differential that is sure to cure any of the woes associated with a front wheel drive performance vehicle.
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