German tuning company, Alpina, has created a new program based on the BMW 5-Series which they’re calling the D5 Bi-Turbo. Comprised mostly of performance modifications, the D5 Bi-Turbo features a re-tuned version of the car’s original 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six diesel engine that produces an improved output of 345 horsepower. Count that up compared to the standard output of 245 horsepower and that’s an improvement of 100 ponies.
What’s more fascinating about Alpina’s program is that the company was able to manipulate the car’s fuel system to generate the same fuel-efficiency rating for the D5 Bi-Turbo - 6.2 liters/100 km, 37.9 mpg - with the BMW 530d. That may not look all that impressive, but considering the fact that the latter only produces 240 horsepower, you’ll be able to piece together exactly why that’s something worth your attention.
Moving out from under the hood, other important modifications done on the car include a revised suspension system with shorter springs, a new ZF SWITCH-TRONIC eight-speed Sport Automatic transmission, and a new set of 20" Alpina Classic rims that come wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.
By no means are we brushing off the D5 Bi-Turbo as just another impressive work in a long list of programs Alpina has done over the years. Despite the minimal changes done on anything that can’t be found under the bonnet, Alpina’s D5 Bi-Turbo still warrants some serious attention, especially for those that put premium on substance over style.
The Indianapolis MotoGP received a nice treat last weekend when the new 2012 BMW M5 Safety Car officially made its debut at the event. Taking the place of the 1-Series M Coupe Safety Car that was used earlier this year, the M5 Safety Car received a number of aesthetic changes for its debut stint in the world of MotoGP.
Among the changes done on the car include the same livery scheme that was used on the 1-Series M Coupe, as well as new front and rear spoilers, a lightweight Akropovic titanium exhaust system, a high performance coilover suspension, a set of 20" alloy wheels, Recaro bucket seats, and all the amenities included in a safety car.
With the exception of adding the Akropovic exhaust system, the engine of the vehicle was left largely the same, which means that the 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine still carries 560 horsepower and 502 lb/ft of torque. This leaves it with a 0-62 mph time of just 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph courtesy of BMW’s M Driver’s Package.
Check out more photos of the 2012 BMW M5 Safety Car at the source link provided.
It’s been rumored for a long time, but until recently, it was all just that: rumors. But now that the covers have been pulled and an announcement is merely imminent, it appears that BMW will soon be releasing a diesel-powered version of the 2012 M5.
The full details of the car have not yet been announced, but it’s all formality from here. The high-powered model is expected to carry a 3.0-liter diesel engine that will predictably carry less horsepower than the gasoline version. On the flip side, the torque output is expected to be significantly higher and, as a result, there’s a pretty big chance that the model will only come with all-wheel drive.
There are plenty more details about the car that need to be confirmed, and we’ll be on top of them as soon as BMW officially introduces the car. For now, we did our best to paint a clear picture of the M5 Diesel, or whatever name it’s going to have.
Find out more about the 5-Series M Diesel after the jump.
Full story
Japanese tuners like Wald International have never been the type to have any nationalistic bias with their programs. If there’s a car that’s ripe for a project, they don’t hesitate to put their boots on and get to work. That’s no more evident than with the 2011 BMW 5-Series, codenamed ’F10’. Despite being a German brand, Wald International nonetheless prepared a pretty slick restyling program for the sports car, one that includes fresh aerodynamic pieces forged from fiberglass-reinforced plastic.
Among the notable upgrades done on the 5-Series are a restyled front bumper with its own set of new air vents and LED daytime lights, a seemingly mandatory addition for just about every high-end tune-up on the market these days. Matching wits on the front end is a rear that sees its own set of fresh additions, including a complementing rear bumper, a new deck-lid, roof spoilers, side skirts, and the Japanese tuning company’s very own exhaust tailpipes. Added elements like a lowered suspension, new side skirts, a limited set of bespoke floor mats, and a set of multi-spoke alloy wheels gives the new 5-Series added cool points, making it one of the most freshly-styled 5-Series’ on the market today.
These changes, plus the car’s eight-cylinder BMW TwinPower Turbo engine with 407 horsepower, makes it worthy enough to sit in any BMW fan’s garage.
BMW has just expanded the 5-Series line-up with the addition of a new model called the 520d EfficientDynamics. This new model sets a new benchmark for efficiency and driving pleasure in its class. On the British market, the 520d will be priced at £30,435 - or about $49,000 at the current exchange rates.
The BMW 520d EfficientDynamics is powered by a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine that develops a total of 184 HP and a peak torque of 280 lbs-ft. It has a fuel economy of 62.8 mpg and carbon dioxide emissions of 119g/km, but can still get up and go to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds.
The engine will be combined with standard Auto Start-Stop, Optimum Gearshift Indicator, Brake Energy Regeneration, and Active Aerodynamics. Another impressive feature is BMW’s new ECO-PRO Mode. A driver-activated switch promotes economical and comfortable driving at low speeds by adjusting the engine mapping, throttle sensitivity, automatic gearshift points, where applicable, and the amount of power consumed by electrical ancillaries including climate control and heated seats.
