BMW is doing a running jump into the diesel market by releasing a few new variations in one day. The highlight of this trio of diesels is the long-rumored M550d xDrive scheduled to appear at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2012. In Germany, the M550d xDrive will go on sale at a starting price of 80,800 euro ($104,500 at the current exchange rates) for the sedan and 83,750 euro ($108,400 at the current rates) for the station wagon version.
The BMW M550d xDrive is the first model to come from BMW’s latest M Performance Automobiles division and is joined by the X5 M50d and X6 M50d. All three models will share a new tri-turbo straight-six diesel engine that delivers a total of 381 HP and a peak torque of 546 lb-ft. In the M550d xDrive, this power is just enough to sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds, while top speed is limited to 155 mph. Fuel economy comes in at 44.8 mpg.
UPDATE 01/26/2012: This review has been updated with the official images and specs for the BMW M550d xDrive.
Just a few months before the car’s official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW has decided it was time to reveal the official specs on the fifth generation M5 sports sedan. After seeing the first concept version at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show, now we can see the M5 in all its glory. And we sure like what we are seeing.
The M5 name was used for the first time back in 1984, but since then, the car has evolved into an impressive sedan that combines track potential with the comprehensive practicality of a luxurious business sedan. The new generation brings a high-revving 4.4-liter V8 engine with an M TwinPower Turbo package that delivers an impressive 560 hp at 6,000 – 7,000 rpm and a peak torque of 502 lb-ft from 1,500 rpm. The model will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and, when the speed limiter is removed, is capable of hitting an impressive top speed of 190 mph. Despite these impressive performance numbers, the car will deliver an estimated fuel economy of 28.5 mpg.
UPDATE 01/09/2012: BMW arrived at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show with the confirmation of a 6-speed manual transmission on the North American version of the upcoming 2013 BMW M5. This new 6-speed manual will be a no-cost alternative to the 7-speed M-Double Clutch Transmission (M-DCT) and its ratios have been optimized for acceleration, flexibility, and fuel economy. The new transmission is mated to a short throw shift linkage topped with a black leather backlit shift knob.
Before we even get into the top list of sportscar for 2011, we think it would be best to clear something up: the new Porsche 911 would have definitely made the list if it wasn’t for the fact that it won’t be hitting Stateside until 2013.
That being said, we have a few top hitters for 2011 that we would be foolish not to take notice of. It was a battle trying to choose between the plethora of options provided in the sports car segment, but what we ended up with was a range of 450 HP to 560 HP, 0-60 mph sprint times between 4.6 seconds and 3.7 seconds, and speeds topping out between 186 mph and 198 mph.
Right before Christmas, German magazine Autobild gave themselves a little present: they took all of the current BMW M models and tested them on the circuit to see which one was the fastest. All of the tests were done on the Sachsenring circuit in Germany and, surprising or not, the fastest model turned out to be the M3 CRT (E90). In fact, according to Autobild, not only was it the fastest from all the models tested, it was also the fastest M Car they have ever tested on the Sachsenring.
The M3 CRT lapped the circuit in 1:38.87 , closely followed by the M5 with a lap time of 1:38.90 and the 1-Series M Coupe with a time of 1:40.18. The list continues with the M3 in coupe, sedan, and convertible forms and ends with the X6M and X5M. Both SUVs were faster than the old E60 M5.
German automaker BMW has come up with a cute way to share their holiday spirit with all of their fans. All they did was bring a 2012 BMW M5 to the L’Anneau du Rhin Circuit and have their own driver, Urs Inauen, take illustrator Gavin Patterson out for a ride on-board the new M5 around the track.
The catch? Patterson had to draw a "cliché Christmas motif" while riding shotgun with Inauen as the latter raced the M5 around the circuit.
That’s when the hilarity ensued.
For all of his talents as an illustrator, it was clear that Patterson wasn’t in his best ’creative element’ to come up with a Christmas card for all of us BMW fans. But given the resources and the circumstances behind his predicament, Patterson was able to make the most out of his work, cleverly piecing together an illustration of Santa Claus lugging around some presents for all the well-behaved kids of the world.
In the end, Patterson’s illustration clearly demonstrated what can happen when you try to make a holiday card sitting on the passenger seat of a car that’s going bonkers on a race track.
Guess that’s what BMW meant when they said that this is the "fastest Christmas card in the world."
