BMW has revealed its fifth generation 5 Series Touring. The new estate car is larger and more spacious than the outgoing model, but around 100kg lighter. It will be available with four engines, with stand out figures including a 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds for the 3.0-litre 540i while the 520d offers up to 65.7 mpg. The boot capacity has increased and the now standard-fit Air suspension at the rear means the new car can carry loads of up to 730kg - 120kg more than its predecessor. The BMW 5 Series Touring will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
BMW
Concept car, Motor Show, News, SUV
VIDEO: Paris reveal for BMW Concept X2
BMW has revealed a new Concept X2 at the Paris Motor Show. Previewing a forthcoming production model, the compact concept has a sporty design with a stretched roofline, short overhangs and a heavily raked windscreen. Up front, huge air intakes give it a low-slung look while the tapering roof line finishes with a rear spoiler. Muscular wheel arches house large 21-inch-alloys, while grey body cladding contrasts with the Luminous Red paint finish.
VIDEO: Elvis Presley’s BMW 507 restored to former glory
BMW Classic has fully restored a 1957, 507 roadster that once belonged to Elvis Presley. Driven by King of Rock n Roll in the late 50s while he was carrying out military service in Germany, its was once thought that chassis number 70079 was lost for good.. until it turned up, in an old pumpkin warehouse in 2009 in California. The 507 was sprayed red at Elvis’s request to stop girls writing notes on the car in lipstick and was found minus its engine and gearbox. After a two year, true-to-original restoration no salvageable part was replaced - with the car now purring again to the sound of a 3.2 litre V8 rebuilt from spares.
Concept car, Hatchback, Hot Hatch, Luxury, Quirky, Technology
VIDEO: BMW Group reveals futuristic MINI Vision concept
The BMW group has revealed a new ‘MINI Vision Next 100’ concept as part of its centenary celebrations. The Vision concept looks to a future where fully automated car-sharing will be available 24/7. Wrapped in a silver skin, like a blank canvas, the car displays different colour as well as personalised messages. On the inside, a new ‘Cooperizer’ centrally-positioned dial acts like the car’a brain, controlling personalised settings for each driver, and features an ‘Inspire Me’ button which checks downloaded user data for a perfectly personalised driving experience.
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Concept car, Classic car, Events, Sports car
VIDEO: BMW ‘2002 Hommage’ harks back 50 years
BMW has revealed a beefy ‘2002 Hommage' concept car - paying tribute to the classic 2002 model first seen 50 years ago. The one-off was conceived for this years concours event at Villa d’Este and features a low slung sporting silhouette and, like the original model, is distinguished by just two single headlight units. Aerodynamic details include large spoilers front and rear, while huge moulded wheel arches house 20-inch light-alloy wheels, as well as recalling the Trans Am race variants of the classic 2002 turbo.
Concept car, Coupe, Sports car
VIDEO: BMW reveals Concept M4 GTS
BMW has previewed the Concept M4 GTS - a future high-performance model for road and track. It features new technologies such as an engine water injection system - which offers a ‘noticeable increase’ in output and torque and comes with carbon fibre aplenty. It runs on 20-inch lightweight M sport alloys and has a new light signature with organic LEDs.
VIDEO: All-new BMW 7 Series unveiled
BMW has launched its all-new 7 Series. A new generation of power units includes a plug-in hybrid system and a petrol V8, mated to an eight-speed Steptronic transmission. The new BMW flagship weighs 130kgs less than the outgoing model thanks to a carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic body structure combined with steel and aluminium. Luxuriously appointed, rear seat passengers enjoy an ‘Executive Lounge’ with massage chairs and a panoramic glass roof. Prices for the new BMW 7 Series have yet to be announced.
VIDEO: New BMW 7 Series prototype tested
BMW has released further details of its next generation 7 Series. The new Saloon features extensive use of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic borrowed from BMW's i division, increasing rigidity and strength while weighing in 130kg lighter than the outgoing model. New engines and a new eight-speed Steptronic gearbox also feature on the new range-topping 7 Series which also debuts a new remote control parking option and an infotainment system controlled by hand gestures. Pricing and further specification have yet to be announced.
SUV, Technology, 4x4
VIDEO: BMW reveals plug-in hybrid X5
BMW has revealed a new plug-in hybrid version of the X5. The xDrive40e combines the versatility of the large SUV, with BMW's eDrive technology for greater efficiency. A 2.0-litre petrol engine is paired with an electric motor for a total system output of 313bhp. 0-62 takes 6.8 seconds and the top speed is limited to 130mph, while fuel economy is as high as 85.6 mpg and CO2 emissions are as low as 77 g/km. The plug-in hybrid BMW X5 is set to go on sale in the Autumn. Prices have yet to be announced.
Family car, People Carrier, Motor Show
VIDEO: BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer to debut in Geneva
BMW has added a new Gran Tourer to its 2 Series range. The big brother to the recently launched 2 Series Active Tourer has more space, with seating for up to seven and luggage capacity of 1,905 litres with the seats folded. An all-wheel drive version will be available from launch, and power comes from a choice of five newly developed turbo engines offering up to 192bhp with the most frugal returning as much as 72.4 mpg. The 2 Series Gran Tourer will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show.
VIDEO: MINI exhibition launches at BMW museum in Munich
BMW has opened a new Mini-themed exhibition at its museum in Munich. ‘The Mini Story’ spans the history of the much-loved little car, including some rather wacky variations along the way. The exhibition - which runs until January 2016 – covers everything from the 1959 Issigonis-designed original through to the 2001 reincarnation and finishes up with the modern day MINI and a few recent concepts, including a stretched limo and 2010's MINI Beachcomber.
Convertible, Sports car, Saloon
VIDEO: BMW reveals M4 Convertible
BMW has revealed the new M4 Convertible - the fifth-generation open-top car to bear the M badge. Powered by the same 431bhp six-cylinder engine as the M4 Coupe, it will get from 0 to 62mph in 4.4 seconds with the optional seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission. Despite having more equipment, it's around 60kg lighter than the outgoing M3 Convertible and features a three-part metal roof that can open fully in just 20 seconds. Sales kick off in September with prices starting from just over £60,000 on the road.