New Photos: 2011 BMW 5 Series Touring

Press Release: The new BMW 5 Series Touring is the perfect symbiosis of driving pleasure, efficiency, versatility and sporting elegance. The 4th generation of the Business Touring convinces through powerful design aesthetics, modern premium-level functionality and brand-typical driving dynamics combined with exemplary efficiency. Extensive comfort and safety features, which include numerous BMW-exclusive driver assistance systems, substantiate the outstanding qualities of the new BMW 5 Series Touring as an upper midrange touring car.

Design: individual styling, sporting elegance.

The design of the new BMW 5 Series Touring is characterised by a high level of individuality with regard to its proportions and surface design. Its uniqueness is reflected by dynamic and powerful looks. With its long bonnet, short overhangs, the longest wheelbase in its segment, the stretched silhouette and a steeply inclined roofline, the new BMW 5 Series Touring possesses an elegance unrivalled by its competitors.

Versatility: intelligent solutions for modern functionality.

Thanks to a multi-functional interior and intelligent detail solutions, the new BMW 5 Series Touring is fully equipped to meet the most diverse demands. The luggage compartment has a capacity of 560 litres. If desired, an increase in capacity to a maximum of 1,670 litres is guaranteed by 40 : 20 : 40 split folding rear seats, which are unique in this segment. The backrest angle is variable by up to 11 degrees. The backrest can be folded down using two control levers inside the luggage compartment, the loading space cover of which is automatically lowered when the tailgate is closed. The separately opening rear window automatically swings upwards at the push of a button.

The driving experience: supreme dynamics and outstanding comfort.

The most advanced drivetrain and suspension technologies ensure supreme sportiness and a higher level of motoring comfort. Optional Dynamic Driving Control enables drivers to set the suspension individually to their personal requirements. The new BMW 5 Series Touring features as standard pneumatic suspension on the rear axle, including automatic self-levelling. Adaptive Drive and Integral Active Steering are optionally available.

The new BMW 5 Series Touring is making its debut with a choice of two straight-six petrol engines as well as a four-cylinder and a six-cylinder diesel. The BMW 520d Touring is powered by a 135 kW/184 bhp four-cylinder turbo diesel power unit featuring an aluminium crankcase and Common Rail direct injection. It is equipped with Auto Start Stop function as a standard feature, and with an average fuel consumption of 5.1 litres/100km (55.4 mpg) and a CO2 emission level of 135 g/km in an EU test cycle, it achieves the best efficiency in its segment.

The straight-six engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo under the bonnet of the BMW 535i Touring, with High Precision Injection and VALVETRONIC, develops a power output of 225 kW/306 bhp. Maximum power output of the straight-six engine featured in the BMW 523i Touring in lean operation is 150 kW/204 bhp. The BMW 530d Touring features a straight six-cylinder diesel with a 180 kW/245 bhp output. Thanks to BMW BluePerformance technology it fulfils the EU6 emission standard. All versions of the new BMW 5 Series Touring fully comply with the EU5 requirement.

BMW EfficientDynamics: BMW 5 Series increases the lead even further.

All versions of the new BMW 5 Series Touring are optionally available with BMW’s eight-speed automatic transmission. Like the electro-mechanical power steering EPS utilised on all variants, it makes an additional contribution towards efficiency. Depending on the model, the standard BMW EfficientDynamics measures comprise brake energy regeneration, Auto Start Stop function (BMW 520d), gearshift point indicator, demand-dependant ancillary components and active air flap control. An intelligent lightweight construction is obtained through doors, bonnet, front side panels, drivetrain and suspension components made of aluminium.

Innovative driver assistance systems by BMW ConnectedDrive.
The spectrum of features offered by BMW ConnectedDrive comprises,

inter alia, a Parking Assistant, Surround View, collision warning with brake activation in conjunction with Active Cruise Control, Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Speed Limit Info, High-beam Assistant, BMW Night Vision with detection of persons as well as Head-up Display. Furthermore, innovative office functions can be utilised via Bluetooth.

Joint development and production together with the BMW 7 Series.

The BMW 5 Series Touring is based on a newly developed vehicle architecture also used for the BMW 7 Series luxury sedans. Joint production of the BMW 5 Series Touring, the BMW 5 Series Sedan, the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo and the BMW 7 Series at the BMW Dingolfing Plant, combined with the extensive use of shared components, ensures highly efficient production incorporating maximum possible quality standards.

[Source: BMW ]

BMW Group reports 10.8% sales increase in May

BMW brand volumes up 12.3%; MINI 2.7% higher

Munich. The BMW Group continues its upward trend in sales: The company increased global sales of its three premium automobile brands, BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, by 10.8% (120,843 / prev. yr. 109,049) in May. Deliveries for the year to the end of May climbed 13.3% to 552,864 vehicles (prev. yr. 487,914).

Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing: “The sales trend remains positive – we reported healthy double-digit growth once again in May. Thanks to our numerous new models, such as the BMW 5 Series and the BMW X1, we are on course to maintain our position as the world’s leading manufacturer of premium vehicles throughout 2010.”

The BMW brand sold 101,775 units (prev. yr. 90,649) worldwide last month – an increase of 12.3%. For the year to the end of May, sales were 14.1% higher than the previous year’s figure (408,377) at 466,087 vehicles. The models with the strongest growth in the month under review were the BMW 7 Series, with an increase of 33.6% (4,501 / prev. yr. 3,370), and the new BMW 5 Series Sedan, with an increase of 13.1% (13,716 / prev. yr. 12,131). The latest BMW 5 Series Touring will come onto the market in the autumn and is set to give sales a further boost, especially in Europe. The BMW 3 Series (+6.9% / 35,398), the BMW Z4 (+10.9% / 2,624) and X6 (+3,3% /3,743) models also made gains in May. Yesterday, 8 June, marked another milestone for the BMW X5, as the one millionth BMW X5 left the production plant of the US site in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This successful model, now in its second generation, has been in production since 1999 and remains the clear market leader in the premium off/on roader segment. Following its recent model overhaul, the BMW X5 is now available with new, more powerful, even more economical engines.
 
With 18,848 (prev. yr. 18,349) sales worldwide in May, MINI brand volumes were 2.7% higher. The MINI Clubman was purchased by 7.7% (3,624 / prev. yr. 3,366) more customers than in the same period last year. MINI’s traditionally best-selling Hatch versions also made gains in May. The 12,298 deliveries (prev. yr. 11,930) of this model represent an increase of 3.1%.
 
The company once again made strong gains in the emerging “BRIC” countries. China was one of the clear leaders – also among the Asian growth markets. The BMW Group sold more than twice as many BMW and MINI vehicles here than last May, with an increase of 107.3% (13,998 / prev. yr. 6,752). Strong growth was also reported in Europe’s key high-volume markets: For example, deliveries climbed 44.6% (6,251 / prev. yr. 4,323) in France; 28.1% (10,965 / prev. yr. 8,557) in U.K/Ireland; and 29.4% in Spain (3,995 / prev. yr. 3,087).

The new Rolls-Royce Ghost, which joined the model range in December of last year, continues to drive the Rolls-Royce brand’s highly dynamic growth, with 220 (prev. yr. 51) automobiles sold in May. As such, sales grew more than four fold (+331.4%) compared to the same period last year. The number of Rolls-Royce vehicles delivered to the end of May increased by 145.7% to 678 (prev. yr. 276) vehicles. Ian Robertson: “The new Ghost has been very well received by customers all over the world. With this new model, we aim to double total Rolls-Royce sales this year.”

BMW Motorrad once again achieved a substantial increase in sales in May and continues on its successful course. Despite the continuing strong decline in the global motorcycle market in the segment over 500cc, sales in May climbed 19.3% to reach a total of 12,139 (prev. yr. 10,172) units. For the year to the end of May, BMW Motorrad reported sales growth of 20.9% to 45,431 (prev. yr. 37,570) units. The lasting boom at BMW Motorrad can be attributed to its broad range of attractive products. With 3,705 (prev. yr. 2,766 / +33.9%) deliveries in May the R 1200 GS / GS Adventure model with the new Boxer engine remains the best-selling product in the BMW motorcycle portfolio. Alongside the other R Series Boxer motorcycles, the F and K Series models are also in strong demand. Sales of the S 1000 RR continue to perform well: 5,236 (in May 1,345) units of BMW’s first Supersport motorcycle have already been delivered to customers worldwide in the year to the end of May.

MINI Cooper challenges Porsche 911

2011 Mercedes Benz E-Class Wagon - 2010 New York Auto Show

Audi TT and TTS Get Some Tweaks for 2011

Although the Audi TT has been a winner since its introduction back in 1995, that doesn’t mean there still isn’t room for improvement. And improvement is just what Audi will be imparting on the 2011 version of their much-loved TT.

There are a host of equipment changes for 2011 TT Starting with the 2.0 TFSI Quattro, you will now get chrome dual tailpipes, optional Audi magnetic ride with better differentiation between the ‘Sport’ & ‘Normal’ modes. The sport button program will modify the steering servo boost as well as the exhaust sound and there are new standard bumpers, radiator grille, fog lamp grille and fog lamps in chrome.

Additionally there are interior aluminum optic accents including the steering wheel, center console, and door liner, and the accents continue on the rings, frames, and strips in high-gloss black. There is an aluminum strip above the glove box door that is now brushed grey.

There are new exterior colors for America: nougat brown, titanium gray, and garnet red. Along with the new exterior colors, Audi has added optional Fine Nappa leather that is thermally resistant and reduces the temperature of the seating upholstery up to 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
For the TTS, Audi has added a new grille, fog lamp grille in honeycomb optic, fog lamps and horizontal cross braces in chrome.

R56 MINI facelift to be revealed in July

July comes and MINI will be unveiling their latest life cycle improvement to the R56 hatchback model. The successful small premium city car gets a number of improvements, starting with multiple engine updates that bring new levels of efficiency and lower CO2 outputs.

Exterior wise, the MINI gets a mild facelift, most likely invisible to the less enthusiast crowd. The front-end receives new headlights with new graphics and LED technology. In light of customer personalization options, the MINI facelift will offer an optional “Red roof” and mirror caps for the JCW models, bringing us back to the previous generation MINI GP.

The MINI facelift brings back the MINI-lite spoked alloys. Inside, the R56 also receives new colors and interior updates.
The mid-cycle refresh will continue across both the Cabrio and Clubman models.

According to sources close to the brand, the marketing geniuses at the Oxford-based company will innovate once again with a new fresh, bold, advertising campaign.

The mid-cycle refresh will continue across both the Cabrio and Clubman models.
According to sources close to the brand, the marketing geniuses at the Oxford-based company will innovate once again with a new fresh, bold, advertising campaign.