BMW 5-series

BMW Promises More Hybrids, Compares Itself to Chanel

BMW is out to prove that Ultimate Driving Machines can also be Efficient Driving Machines. The famed German automaker is already dabbling in hybrid technology with models such as the X6 and large, range-topping 7 Series, but soon the marque will expand the fuel-saving technology to its mainstream 5 Series and even 3 Series models.

Speaking at the automaker's normally scheduled annual meeting, Chairman Dr. Norbert Reithofer said that the upcoming 5 Series ActiveHybrid will go into production in 2011. This application should pair a larger 40-kilowatt electric motor to the mild hybrid system currently used in the 7 Series, and it will reportedly be capable of powering itself using electricity only. Closely following the 5 Series is likely to be a hybrid version of the next-generation 3 Series.

Interestingly, Reithofer also pointed out that BMW is poised for future success as it is apparently very highly thought of by the younger generation.

BMW is the most prestigious brand among Generation Y. Generation Y refers to the young people born between the late 1970s and the year 1994 in the U.S. This consumer group has an annual spending capacity of 200 billion dollars – and the most prestigious brands to this young generation are BMW and Chanel.

You can find the rest of Reithofer's speech after the break.

[Source: BMW]

Tags: 3 series, 3 Series Hybrid, 5 series, 5 series activehybrid, 5 series hybrid, bmw, BMW 3 Series, bmw 3 series hybrid, bmw 3-series, BMW 5 series, bmw 5 series activehybrid, bmw 5 series hybrid, BMW 5-series, Generation Y

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Lexus, Infiniti Not Currently Planning BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Competitors

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

BMW 535i Gran Turismo – Click above for high-res image gallery

Depending on who you ask, BMW is either at the forefront of an exciting new automotive genre with the 5 Series Gran Turismo, or is inventing market segments with no real purpose other than to grab several thousand new sales from those who simply must be seen in the latest trendy niche. In other words, the 5 Series GT is nothing if not polarizing.

For now, it seems that you can put such luxury brands Lexus and Infiniti in the latter camp, though fellow upmarket Japanese automaker Acura is headed down a similar path as its German counterpart with the new ZDX – at least with regard to the X6. Speaking to Auto Observer at the New York Auto Show, Ben Poore, Nissan North America's vice president of the Infiniti business unit, said, "What [we are] seeing is a much stronger preference (among consumers) for a trunk."

Granted, some may see little difference between such vehicles as the 5 Series GT and Infiniti's own EX and FX crossovers, but Poore suggests the machines aren't direct competitors. "I'd rather be on (either) the crossover styling or the trunk styling," he said. Dave Nordstrom, Lexus' vice president of marketing, concurs, saying, "We don't have any plans for it right now. We have not seen the demand from our customers – but we continue to look at it."

Gallery: BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

[Source: Auto Observer]

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Tags: Acura, Acura ZDX, AcuraZdx, bmw, BMW 5 series, bmw 5 series gran turismo, bmw 5 series gt, BMW 5-series, BMW 5-Series GT, BMW 5-Series Touring, Bmw5-series, Bmw5-seriesGt, Bmw5-seriesTouring, Bmw5Series, Bmw5SeriesGranTurismo, Bmw5SeriesGt, Infiniti, infiniti fx, InfinitiFx, lexus

BMW Launches All-New 5 Series Luxury Sedan

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

BMW has finally taken the wraps off its brand-new 5 Series sedan, culminating months of anticipation for the Bavarian automaker's mid-range luxury saloon. The styling takes its cues from the new 7 Series and the recently launched 5 Series Gran Turismo, ending years of controversial styling ad replacing it with a more dynamic shape.

The new 5 is being offered in the North American market with a choice of two turbocharged engines: an all-new 300-horsepower twin-scroll 3.5-liter inline six for the 535i, and a 400hp twin-turbo direct-injection V8 in the 550i. Both are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and benefit from F1-derived regenerative braking for improved economy and optional four-wheel active steering. Additional engines – including diesels and more compact gasoline engines – are also available in overseas markets, with more powertrain options expected to join in the future, including hybrids and a new M5 performance model.

It's a pivotal product for BMW, and features a state-of-the-art cabin with all the luxury amenities you could expect from a luxury sedan. Browse through our high-resolution gallery below for a closer look, or follow the link to our sister-site Autoblog for a more in-depth analysis.

Gallery: 2011 BMW 5 Series

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Tags: 5 series, 5-series, 5Series, bmw, bmw 5 series, bmw 5-series, bmw 535i, bmw 550i, Bmw5-series, Bmw535i, Bmw550i, Bmw5Series

BMW 5-Series to Get a Shot in the Arm for '08

by Erin Mays (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The 5-series variants of The Ultimate Driving Machine will get a boost in 2008 with a more powerful six-cylinder engine, complete with a name change to reflect the increase. Formerly known as the 525i and 530i, the new engines will be the 528i, now with 230 horsepower, and the 535i with 300 horsepower, respectively. The 2008 535xi wagon also gets an increase in horsepower, putting it above the previous 540i wagon by 10 horses despite its eight cylinders.

Pricing for the '08 models start at $45,075 for the base 528i, topping the 525i's sticker price by almost a grand, but staying competitively priced between the Audi A6's $43,725 and the 2007 Mercedes-Benz E350's $51,325.

[Source: Worcester Telegram]

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Tags: audi a6, AudiA6, bmw 3-series, bmw 5-series, Bmw3-series, Bmw5-series, mercedes-benz e350, Mercedes-benzE350