SPIED: 2011 BMW M5 Super Saloon Sheds More Camouflage

Now that there's less reason for secrecy since we've already seen the standard versions of the new F10 5-Series on the road, BMW has started peeling off the psychedelic camouflage from its 2011 M5 prototypes.

Key stylistic highlights of the new M5's look will include the four tailpipes, chunkier front and rear bumper designs, unique exterior mirrors and alloy wheels while there's also talk about a carbon fiber roof and bootlid which should also help reduce weight.

As we've already told you in earlier posts, BMW's new uper saloon will be the first M5 to adopt turbocharging with power coming from a reworked version of the X5 M and X6 M's 4.4-liter bi-turbo V8 that replaces the current model's V10 unit.

Details of the new engine remain secret but it is believed that in the M5, the V8 engine will produce more than the 555HP and 680Nm or 501-lbs/ft of peak torque it does on the X5 M and X6 M, flirting closer to the 600HP mark.

The new unit will not only be more powerful and lighter than the outgoing V10, but also more efficient. Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions will be further reduced thanks to a suite of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies including a start and stop system, electronic flaps in the front fascia of the car that can close to improve aerodynamics, Brake Energy Regeneration and Electric Power Steering.

Along with the new V8 powerplant, the F10 M5 will get a re-engineered version of the BWM M3's seven-speed twin-clutch transmission (DCT), and hopefully for purists, a 6-speed manual gearbox (this has not yet been confirmed).

Like today's model, the new M5 will also benefit from suspension, brake and steering system upgrades to further improve handling and driver's feedback.

We could see the M5 in the flesh as early as this fall at the Paris Motor Show, though it's more likely to be unveiled at a major international car show in 2011 with sales to start towards the end of the same year.

Scoop Video: Up, Close and Personal with the 2011 BMW X3

For obvious reasons, unlike New York, a parked BMW dressed in swirly camouflage doesn't cause a bomb scare in Munich (click here to read about the NYC incident). So, instead of notifying the authorities, this Youtube user took out his camera and shot a two-and-a-half minute long video that walks us around the new 2011 BMW X3 crossover.

The video after the jump gives us a pretty good look of the Bavarian automaker's new crossover that appears to be more stylish as well as a bit bigger than the current X3.

A range of four- and six-cylinder diesel and petrol engines will be available on the new X3, ranging from a 2.0-litre four-banger to the firm's recently revised 3.0-litre turbocharged straight six turbo with 306HP. A new gasoline-electric hybrid powerplant may also be on the cards.

The second generation of the BMW X3 is expected to make its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October.

Thanks for the tip Timo!

Camouflaged BMW X3 Prototype Sparks Bomb Scare at NY Museum

There's no such thing as bad publicity, as BMW intends to prove. After a variety of recent bomb scares, man-made catastrophes, and natural disasters worldwide, a cleverly oblivious test driver left an X3 prototype parked and running in front of the American Museum of Natural History...so he could go for a walk in the park, according to the New York Daily News.

The end result is just what one would expect: the bomb squad showing up Hurt Locker-style, busting in through the rear window, and making sure the swirly-wrapped SUV (sorry, SAV) was no longer a threat. Oh, and now everyone's talking about BMW. Word of mouth is the best marketing, after all.

Driver Martin Birkmann explained, "It's a misunderstanding...I was test-driving it." Clearly you were NOT, sir; bomb squads don't show up to defuse cars when people are driving them...nor are tickets for idling issued.

The second-generation X3 debuts later this year. Thankfully, Mr. Birkmann didn't have any scores to settle with museums and the prototype was not deemed a threat. Whether or not it will be a threat to the X5's or X1's sales, however, is yet to be determined.

By Phil Alex

Via: NY Daily News

2011 BMW M5 Sedan [F10] Rendered Again

From Alpine325Ci, the 'Bimmerpost' artist who created last week's pretty 6-Series photoshop (and those previous M5 renderings), comes another look at the next BMW M5.

As we can see, his take on the big M retains the new 5's attractive snout while gaining the M division's dumbfounded-expression front bumper and more aggressive skirts.

The mirrors also get a little tweak, and it wouldn't be a stretch to believe the F10 M5 would be coming with that carbon fiber roof.

As for technical specs, BMW will use a version of the X5M's twin-turbo 4.4 liter V8 that would probably put out more than the 555-horsepower it currently makes. This is a sports sedan, after all, in a very important segment image-wise. The less comparison to those sell-out X5s and X6s from M,the better.

Drive trains are likely to include BMW's DCT dual clutch transmission and, depending on demand, a no-cost manual option.

The F10 M5 is set to enter the market in 2011.

By Phil Alex

Via: Bimmerpost

VIDEO: 2011 BMW M1 with Juiced-Up 3.0-liter Turbo Filmed at the 'Ring?

While BMW officials are keeping a tight lid on the possibility of an "M" or a "tii" version of the 1-Series Coupe, photographers are continuing to churn out spy shots and videos of camouflaged 1-Series Coupe prototypes testing on the road and the track.

This time we have a new video showing what appears to be a modified 1-Series partially wrapped in BMW's characteristic black and white camo, testing at the Nurburgring race track.

According to the grapevine, the M1, 135tii or whatever else BMW decides to name the car, will be powered by a modified version of the firm's twin-turbocharged straight six (and not the newer twin-scroll unit) pumping out somewhere around 350HP. If true, that's 44HP more than the 135i but 70HP less than the M3.

Via: 1Addicts

VIDEO: All-New 2011 BMW X3 Spied with Less Camoluflage

With the European market launch of the new X1 small SUV, BMW is now rushing the second-generation of its larger X3 SUV towards production.

Spied here testing on the streets of Germany, the video reveals that the new X3 gets a more sloping front hood and larger front air intakes, while the crossover's profile is cleaner and resembles the crossover's smaller brethren.

It also appears that the new X3's dimensions have grown a bit allowing some breathing distance between itself and the X1.

Based on the next 3-Series platform architecture, the new X3 will come with all-wheel drive, though it is possible that the Bavarian automaker may also offer rear-wheel drive only variants of the compact SUV.

Depending on the market, engine options will include four- and six-cylinder diesel and gasoline units topping out with the 306HP 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six petrol. A new hybrid version is also expected to be on offer.

The new X3 will be produced alongside the X5 and X6 models at BMW's Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, with sales expected to start in 2011.

Video via: Bimmerpost

VIDEO: BMW's Performance 1-Series Coupe with Wide Bodykit Spied on the Track

Here's the latest [short] video of BMW's upcoming performance 1-Series. What it'll be called (M1, 135is, 135tii, or something all-new) is to be determined, but at least it's getting closer to its debut.

Rumors regarding the car have been building up for what seems like ages, but what can be deduced is this: it'll be packing a high-output version of the 135's turbo'd 6, possibly wide-body fenders (which would be very appropriate), and hopefully a bunch of weight savings.

If we could get really racy, I'd like to throw in the idea of GT3-like roll-cages, racing buckets with harnesses, and a rear-seat delete. That would make for one racy little coupe.

By Phil Alex

Via: 1Addicts

2012 BMW M5 Sedan Realistically Rendered

A member of the F10 bimmer forums has put his photoshop talents to good use creating a series of realistic renderings of the upcoming 2012 (or 2011, depending on which side of the Atlantic you're on) BMW M5 Saloon.

Due to arrive in 2011, the Bavarian automaker's new high-performance super saloon will be powered by a downsized, 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that was first used on the X5M and X6M.

In those two models, the V8 produces 555HP at 6,000 rpm and 680Nm or 501-lbs/ft of peak torque. However, it has been suggested that BMW's M division may further tweak the twin-turbo engine boosting output closer to the 600HP mark.

Via: F10 Forums (by Alpine325ci)