Filed under: New York Auto Show, Videos, Crossover, BMW

Yesterday we learned about the refreshed 2011 BMW X5 which goes on sale right after the New York Auto Show in April. Shortly after yesterday’s announcement, BMW dropped over 150 new photos of the X5 on us, along with some video footage of one on the new models running around in the snow in Arjeplog in northern Sweden.

When the updated X5s arrive, the vehicles won’t be any lighter, but the base window stickers will. The xDrive35i carries a base price of $46,675 including destination charges. That’s almost $1,800 less than a 2010 xDrive30i. We’re not sure if the equipment level has changed to achieve that lower price point, but any time you get a price drop it can’t hurt. On the other hand, no good deed goes unpunished as the $59,275 twin-turbo V8 powered xDrive50i will cost you about $2,100 more than the starting point for the outgoing xDrive48i model.

Check out the video after the jump along with all the new pics in the gallery.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Video: 2011 BMW X5 blasting around in the snow, starting at $46,675

Video: 2011 BMW X5 blasting around in the snow, starting at $46,675 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Crossover, BMW

The original BMW X5 marked Bimmer’s first entry into the then-burgeoning SUV segment, and it remains a strong seller for the company, trailing only the 3 and 5 Series. The time has now rolled around for the X5’s mid-cycle refresh, which brings two new gas engines and some mild visual updates. The lower front fascia has been reshaped with the larger outboard air intakes inspired by the X5 M. Similarly, the rear bumper is re-sculpted and both ends get more of their bodywork painted the car’s main color instead of black.

The more important changes are underhood, however, where both gasoline engines have been replaced. The base engine for the xDrive35i is now the same single turbo, 300-horsepower N55 3.0-liter inline-six finding its way into most other 2011 BMWs. Similarly, the xDrive50i gets the sweet 400-horse twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 found in the X6, 7 and 5 Series Gran Turismo. Both gas engines are paired with the new eight-speed automatic also making its way to other BMW models. The gas versions also adopt brake energy regeneration to reduce parasitic losses.

The diesel-powered xDrive35d, which only debuted just a year ago but is already accounting for about one-third of X5 sales, carries over its powertrain unchanged for 2011.

Official EPA numbers for the gas X5s won’t be available until closer to their on-sale date, which follows shortly after the X5 makes its public debut at the New York Auto Show in April.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Officially Official: 2011 BMW X5 goes all turbo

Officially Official: 2011 BMW X5 goes all turbo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hybrid, Performance, SUV, Crossover, Hatchback, BMW, Military

Wait a second here, isn’t it a bit antithetical to strap a hybrid vehicle on a dyno to measure it for horsepower? Well, in some instances we might be tempted to agree – though our curious side tells us it’s always good to know how much power any particular automobile makes – but definitely not in the case of the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6.

After all, BMW itself proclaims that this vehicle is the most powerful production hybrid ever offered with 480 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque. Claims such as this must, MUST we say, be tested. Fortunately for us, the chaps over at Inside Line happen to have a dyno at their disposal, along with the aforementioned hybrid SUV. So, how’d it fair?

Measured output at the wheels came in at 368 horsepower and 402 lb-ft of torque. Now, it’s expected that all vehicles will make a good bit less power at the wheels than at the engine’s flywheel, which is how they are rated from the factory. But in the instance of the X6 Hybrid, it made way less than expected given its prodigious claimed figures.

There are all sorts of explanations as to why the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 may not have made as many pound-feet as expected, and you can find some of them by reading Inside Line’s summary here. Acceleration tests are promised, meaning we may get an answer about those elusive few ponies soon enough. Finally, click here to read our own impressions after driving the monster hybrid SUV last November.

[Source: Inside Line]

Inside Line straps 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 on the dyno, results disappointing originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Japan, BMW, Infiniti, Jaguar, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Luxury

Tuners typically roll out one package at a time. When a big tuner show like SEMA comes around, maybe a couple at a time. But Japanese tuning firm Wald International is launching five body kits for some of the most desirable top-of-the-line luxury sedans, all at the same time.

Included in Wald’s plans are aero kits for the Rolls-Royce Ghost, Porsche Panamera, Infiniti M, Jaguar XJ and BMW 7 Series. Throw in a Quattroporte, Mercedes CLS, maybe a Bentley and the Aston Martin Rapide in there and they’d have the whole kit and kaboodle covered. Not much in the way of details available as of yet on this quintet of modified luxury wheels, but from the looks of it, each has been lowered and mounted with new front fascias, side skirts and big ol’ alloys. Check ‘em out for yourself below.

[Source: Wald International via CarScoop]

Wald International takes on Rolls, Porsche, Jaguar, BMW and Infiniti… all at the same time originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Videos, BMW, Celebrities, MISC

Who better to introduce Jay Leno to the new Morgan Aero SuperSports than company founder Harry Morgan’s grandson, Charles Morgan? He stops by the garage to show Jay this latest limited edition, built to celebrate Morgan’s 100 years of existence as a cottage builder of lightweight flyers. This Aero SuperSports happens to be a prototype, but it still knocks Jay’s socks off.

Powered by a sweet-sounding 380-horsepower version of BMW’s 4.8-liter V8, the 2,475-pound Morgan is a bit quicker than the 1932 Morgan Three-Wheeler that resides in Jay’s personal collection. It’s also got quite a few more safety and luxury amenities, although the trunk is just big enough for the targa roof panels or “one sport coat and a pair of slacks,” as Jay puts it. The Aero SuperSports is basically a targa-topped version of the Morgan Aeromax that debuted in 2008.

When Jay takes it out for a spin he seems impressed with the performance and build quality, and points out that at $150,000-$160,000, it ain’t cheap, but for a hand-built car with this level of performance you’d pay a whole lot more if it was wearing an Italian badge. If nothing else it’s a great throwback to a different era of motoring, and as the last independent British automaker, Morgan has a wonderful family business heritage with mainly second-, third- and fourth-generation employees cranking out the 800 or so units they build per annum.

We saw this car up in Monterey last August and agree with Jay that less is more when it comes to sportscars. Low weight really pays dividends for performance and economy. At 60 mph the six-speed automatic transmission is turning at just 1,700 RPM, which equates to about 30 miles per gallon. Of course, it would probably be hard to keep it at a constant 60 with an exhaust note like that snarling just below your left buttcheek. Follow the jump to see the video for yourself.

[Source: Jay Leno's Garage]

Continue reading Video: Jay Leno’s garage takes Morgan Aero SuperSports for a spin

Video: Jay Leno’s garage takes Morgan Aero SuperSports for a spin originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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