25 years of BMW
(Yes, the video is in German...)
This week, BMW Motorsport celebrates 25 years since the first BMW M5. In an event hosted at the Nurburgring racetrack, a group of selected journalists had the opportunity to explore the history of the M5, past, new and unreleased models.
To top off the event, an one-off model, M5 E60, was revealed for the first time. Dubbed “CSL” by many journalists, the “special” M5 is an upgraded version of the current M5, featuring more horsepower, larger engine capacity and other mechanical/electronic upgrades.
After BMW revealed the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, they are also preparing a production version X5 Hybrid for 2010. The first BMW model to benefit from the Active Hybrid system will be the 7-Series (set to be revealed in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show) followed by the X6.
The first prototypes have already been caught testing in the California. The difference between the concept revealed in the 2008 and the prototypes caught by the spy photographers is its engine. If the concept combined a diesel engine with an electric motor, the prototype was powered by a gasoline engine. But even so, BMW will also produce a diesel-hybrid powertrain, we’ll just wait to wait longer to finally see it.
2010 BMW 1-Series
BMW is reshaping the way they make cars; the German automaker is planning on selling lots and lots of BMW 1 Series hatchbacks and has just revealed details about the all-new car for 2010. Starting this September the luxury carmaker will add four new models to their compact lineup: Starting off with the BMW 120i Coupé and the BMW 118d Coupé and then the Lifestyle and Sport Editions of the BMW 1 Series three and five-door body styles.
The new BMW 120i Coupe is powered by a 2.0 Liter four cylinder engine with BMW High Precision Injection (direct gasoline injection) with piezoelectric fuel injectors. The engine makes 170 HP and 155 lb-ft of torque, allowing the BMW 120i Coupé to accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in 7.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 149 MPH. The new diesel powered BMW 118d Coupe has the same engine displacement, except this one is developing 143 HP and 221 lb-ft of torque. It can go from a standstill to 60 mph in 9.0 seconds and reaching a top speed of 130 MPH.
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