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2011 BMW 5-Series nabs IIHS Top Safety Pick laurels

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Safety, BMW, Luxury

2011 BMW 535i – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 BMW 5 series can stick another feather in its jaunty Alpine cap. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has awarded the German automaker’s middle child the coveted Top Safety Pick accolade. The newest generation of the 5er managed to nab the highest ratings possible for front, side, rear and rollover crash protection, becoming the first 5 Series to win the Top Safety Pick in the model’s history. Surprisingly enough, the 2011 5 Series is also the first BMW to take the award since the IIHS incorporated its new roll-over test.

The institute says that BMW has made up impressive ground in the area of side impact protection. Last year’s car only managed a “marginal” rating during that section of testing, while the new car was granted the highest rating possible. The institute goes on to say that its test replicates an impact from a larger vehicle, such as an SUV of a pickup truck, to accommodate for the higher number of these vehicles on the road today. Full details at the link below.

Gallery: 2011 BMW 5 Series IIHS Crash Test

[Source: IIHS]

2011 BMW 5-Series nabs IIHS Top Safety Pick laurels originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 1 Series five-door caught with rumored turbo’d four

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, BMW

2012 BMW 1 Series spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

The big BMW 1 Series news is the upcoming M-badged coupe, but we mustn’t forget that an all-new 1er is currently in development. Our spies have just recently snapped this five-door model testing, concealing what could be a highly anticipated turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Sources suggest this new four-pot could be a new tri-turbo setup, meaning the 1 Series would still be plenty powerful and could replace the naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-six currently used in 128i models. Additionally, we won’t rule out the possibility that BMW is testing the new N55 twin-scroll single-turbo for use in the 1 Series, since that mill seems to quickly be replacing the current twin-turbo 3.0-liter setup.

Expect the next-generation 1 Series to hit the road sometime in 2012. With that in mind, a debut at next year’s Geneva Motor Show doesn’t seem out of the question.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 1 Series Five-Door

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 1 Series five-door caught with rumored turbo’d four originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW recalling 2010-2011 5 Series, 5GT models over fuel tank sensors

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Hatchback, BMW

2010 BMW 550i Gran Turismo – Click above for high-res image gallery

If the fuel gauge in your 2010 or 2011 BMW 5-Series sedan or 5-Series Gran Turismo tells you that you’ve got plenty of petrol, you may want to hit the gas station before going on that long trip anyway. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website reports that 6,080 5-Series sedan and GT models built between January 12 and July 1, 2010 are being recalled for a faulty fuel sensor. In certain cases, the sensor can wedge itself against the tank, which will lead to the fuel gauge reading that the vehicle has more fuel than it actually does. Drivers suddenly saddled with a fuel-free Bimmer while driving could wind up getting into an accident or being stranded by the side of the road, and that’s not good at all.

The NHTSA website currently shows that BMW still hasn’t provided an appropriate fix for the issue, but when the automaker does, owners will doubtlessly be able to head over to the nearest BMW dealer for a free repair. Head across the jump to read over the official NHTSA press release.

Gallery: Review: 2010 BMW 550i Gran Turismo

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading BMW recalling 2010-2011 5 Series, 5GT models over fuel tank sensors

BMW recalling 2010-2011 5 Series, 5GT models over fuel tank sensors originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW reportedly green-lights 6 Series Gran Coupé concept for production

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, BMW, Luxury

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé concept – Click above to watch video walkaround after the jump

As a testament to its success in starting the four-door coupe movement, the Mercedes-Benz CLS is nigh on its second version, yet competitors have only recently begun to crowd the room. With the Audi A7 about to gain membership in the club, BMW couldn’t hang back, so it has reportedly slapped a sales date on the 6 Series Gran Coupe concept: it’ll be here in 2012.

Rumored for the summer of 2012 by German publication Automobilwoche, that puts its introduction a year behind the next-generation 6 Series. Engines are said to be a mix of gas and diesel, and BMW evidently spoke of a potential hybrid application. Perhaps most importantly, design cues such as the frameless doors and LED lighting will be carried into production. Those trick exhaust tips, however, not likely. Follow the jump for a video walkaround of the exterior and check out our high-res gallery below for a refresher.

Gallery: Beijing 2010: BMW Concept Gran Coupe

[Sources: Automobilwoche (translated), BMW Blog]

Continue reading BMW reportedly green-lights 6 Series Gran Coupé concept for production

BMW reportedly green-lights 6 Series Gran Coupé concept for production originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 to be last season for Mustang Challenge racing series

Filed under: Motorsports, Ford, Racing

Ford Racing Mustang FR500S – Click above for high-res image gallery

It doesn’t seem too long ago that Ford launched the “poor man’s racer” FR500S Mustang and the Mustang Challenge Series at SEMA in 2007, and already it’s coming to an end. The series announced that the September race at Miller Motorsports Park will be the last, although the FR500S will still be sanctioned for various other racing series.

No specific reason was given for the ending of the series, but our best guess is that it was due more to the slow economy than a lack of enthusiasm. Everyone involved, from the drivers to the sponsors to Ford all seem sad that the Mustang Challenge will be ending.

“We are disappointed to not continue what we started with the Mustang Challenge,” said Series Director Lynda Randall. “But we should hold our heads high, as this was a tremendously successful program and we were fortunate to get to be a part of what really became a family.” You can read more about the series over at Mustang Challenge.com, or you can click through the high-res gallery of the FR500S below.

Gallery: Ford Racing Mustang FR500S

[Source: MustangChallenge.com via MustangBlog.com]

2010 to be last season for Mustang Challenge racing series originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renntech and Domani Motors team up for meaner Benz SL65 AMG Black Series [w/video]

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Specialty, Luxury

Renntech SL65 AMG Black Series – Click above for high-res image gallery

Allow us to provide you with your daily dose of lunacy. Not too long ago, the head honchos over at Domani Motors happened to find themselves with a Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series in their showroom. Unsatisfied with the car’s already otherworldly performance, they called up the twisted minds at Renntech to have them install the tuner’s Perfomance Package 1. Think of it as PCP for Silver Arrows. The work included remapping the car’s ECU, installing an easy-breathing exhaust and a few other tricks. The result? A mind-bending 805 streetable horsepower and 1,000 pound-feet of torque.

The team had to install a unique, 100 percent locking rear differential just to handle the dizzying power from the engine. Likewise, the gearbox had to be upgraded as well. Even so, we’re guessing this particular SL65 AMG Black Series would have no problem turning its tires aerosol should the driver demand it. So far, neither Renntech nor Domani Motors have released any times on the car, but we’re guessing the numbers are nothing to scoff at. Hit the jump for a video of the car on the dyno, as well as the press release.

Gallery: Renntech SL65 AMG Black Series

[Source: Renntech]

Continue reading Renntech and Domani Motors team up for meaner Benz SL65 AMG Black Series [w/video]

Renntech and Domani Motors team up for meaner Benz SL65 AMG Black Series [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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