BMW 5 SERIESS

BMW 5 Series first official shots!

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:21:00 +0000

BMW’s official unveiling ceremony isn’t until Monday, but a few authentic shots of the all-new “F10″ BMW 5 Series are floating around cyberspace. These three low resolution images only give us a frontal glimpse of the upcoming 5 Series sedan, apparently as it does a dress rehearsal for its big show at the beginning of the week.

Our first sans-camouflage observation says it looks much like the 5 Series GT, its close sibling. Thanks to its “sport sedan” role, the new 5 Series four-door sports a slightly more aggressive flair to its front facade and side styling. In case you were wondering, the little black buttons just ahead of the front wheels are side view cameras, just like those found on the 7 Series. We’ll reserve further judgment until Monday, when they pull the rest of the tarp off.

Tesla Headhunting Top Auto Execs In Lead Up To Model S Launch

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:20:00 +0000

Tesla’s managerial past has been a tumultuous one, with a number of CEO changes, white-collar job cuts and even a lawsuit with one company founder Martin Eberhard all taking place in the past 12 months or so. Today we have some good news in regards to Tesla’s latest management shuffle, with two auto industry veterans with deep engineering and manufacturing expertise joining the company.

The first is Peter Rawlinson, Tesla’s new chief vehicle engineer and the person primarily responsible for the technical execution and delivery of the Model S all-electric sedan. He previously led vehicle engineering at Corus Automotive, an advanced engineering consulting firm.

Some of his prior projects involved the Jaguar X-Type, Land Rover LR2 and LR3, Ford Fiesta, Honda Accord, BMW 5-Series, and Bentley Continental, so his expertise is widespread. Furthermore, Rawlinson’s previous work on the Think electric vehicle also set a new world record for best crash safety performance in the subcompact vehicle class.

The second new appointment is Henry Brice as program director for the Model S. Previously, Brice was assistant chief engineer of the North American Fiesta program at Ford. He also served as assistant chief engineer for Ford’s full-size sedan platform, including the Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis and Town Car Vehicle lines, while also managing as many as seven product launches per year.

With such talent on board things are looking promising for the upcoming Model S, plus there’s more to come. Sitting on a fat $465 million cheque from the Department of Energy, Tesla currently has more than 150 job openings and is interviewing candidates at all levels.

BMW X5 Facelift Spy Shots

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:50:00 +0000

The BMW X5 facelift is due to be launched in 2010 is seen here in some cool spy shoots. Thanks to the guys over at worldcarfans.com we can see some details of the new X5 such as the new front and rear bumper, new headlights which really does remind us of the 5 series GT.

Also new and bigger side mirros have been have been added, new roof railings and for the interior we should expect some minor changes as well. What will be most prominent will be the new iDrive system and a larger LCD screen.

In the case of any facelifted BMW, we can expect at least one completely new or upgraded engine to be launched.

According to speculations the BMW X5 facelift will be launched officially during the 2010 North American International Motor Show in Detroit.

Source: Worldcarfans.com

BMW MD: Malaysia's economic situation will bode well for luxury car sales

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:51:00 +0000

CYBERJAYA: While a gloomy cloud is still expected to hover over the global motor vehicle market for the rest of 2009, BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd is cautiously optimistic that the situation in Malaysia will be a little bit different, said managing director Geoffrey Briscoe.

He said the Malaysian economy was faring well compared with the rest of the world and this would bode well for the local motor vehicle industry, especially the luxury segment.

Geoffrey Briscoe ... “The Malaysian economy is holding up well.’

“The Malaysian economy is holding up well. People are still spending. We’re not bullish about the rest of 2009 because we still feel that there are still tough times ahead,” he told StarBiz in an interview, adding that the local motor vehicle industry should “pick up” in 2010.

“Our finance rates are low. BMW Malaysia also provides good financial packages through its credit arm, BMW Credit, and our inventories are still high, so there has never been a better time to buy a BMW,” he added.

For the first seven months of 2009, BMW Malaysia sold 2,048 units compared with 2,133 during the same period in 2008.

It sold 3,512 BMW vehicles and 201 Mini cars in total last year.

BMW Malaysia’s share of the luxury segment was north of 40%, Briscoe said, adding that despite the dip in the 2009 year-to-date sales, he was upbeat about the company’s prospects going forward.

“Given the current economic climate, we are just 4% down in terms of sales volume. There are still several months to go for 2009 and we would be delighted if we could sell as many cars as we did last year,” he said.

BMW Malaysia’s bestseller is its 3-series (which averages 150 units a month) and the 5-series models.

“Our 3- and 5-series tend to go neck and neck in terms of volume but it’s usually the 3-series that’s ahead. We provide great financial packages for these models through BMW Credit,” Briscoe said.

BMW Malaysia has a majority of its 3- and 5-series completely-knocked-down models built at its plant in Kulim, Kedah, which is operated in partnership with plantation giant Sime Darby Bhd. Briscoe said the plant’s capacity was virtually “limitless.”

“The capacity of the plant can be extended to where we need it to be. We’d love to build more cars, like the X1 and 7-series and we are working with the Government to build those and other models in Malaysia,” he said.

As part of its strategy to provide “efficient dynamics,” BMW Malaysia plans to launch four diesel-powered vehicles in the last quarter of 2009; three of them sedans. The vehicles are expected to be in the 2.0 to 3.0-litre range.

“The diesel segment in Malaysia comprises either SUVs (sport utility vehicles) or commercial vehicles. There’s no passenger market for diesel and we want to create one,” Briscoe said.

He added that diesel-powered engines provided better torque and were more powerful, more fuel-efficient and produced less carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared with their petrol-based counterparts.

Briscoe said about 60% of cars sold in Europe were equipped with diesel engines.

The high sulphur content in Malaysian diesel fuel has hindered performance and deterred many car companies from introducing diesel-powered vehicles.

While diesel-powered BMW vehicles were already capable of handling the substandard diesel quality here, Briscoe said the introduction of the four new models was timely as Petronas was launching its Euro 2M standard diesel nationwide tomorrow.

“The Euro 2M diesel has low sulphur content of less than 500 parts per million (ppm) compared to some 3,000 ppm. To a layman like myself, that sounds like a huge reduction and great for the environment!

“We feel that our timing is spot-on because we are bringing in the right diesel cars at the right time,” he said.

Meanwhile, Briscoe said BMW Malaysia was looking to expand its BMW Premium Selection (BPS) used-car programme to more dealers to combat the local motor vehicle industry’s growing “grey market.”

The grey market refers to the importation of used vehicles from foreign countries to Malaysia by non-franchise car dealerships, which are then sold at a cheaper price. The grey importers do not provide verifiable servicing history or factory-backed warranties.

“There’s nothing worse than having a customer say that they have a bad BMW car, which is why we offer a fully backed BPS car as a viable alternative to the grey imports,” Briscoe said.

Vehicles sold under the BPS programme need to have an approved and documented vehicle history as part of the criteria, pass a strict 72-point check by factory-trained BMW experts, are technically and visually refurbished, less than five years old or have less than 100,000-km mileage.

Two dealers currently run the programme – Auto Bavaria Glenmarie (launched in December 2008) and Ingress Auto (launched in August 2008).

“Sales for (Auto Bavaria) Glenmarie have increased 60%. The used car business currently makes up 40% of their business. It’s been an enormous success,” Briscoe said.

“We’re happy to have Ingress aboard. To be part of the BPS programme, the potential dealer needs to go through a rigorous approval process and sign our BPS agreement that’s three inches thick and we are looking at reaching out to more dealers,” he added.

On another note, Briscoe said he could not agree more with its principal in Germany to pull out of Formula One (F1) next season.

“To be in F1, one needs to make continuous progress and it wasn’t sustainable for BMW to remain in the sport.

“BMW is the greenest luxury car company in the world and spends billions on fuel efficiency and CO2 reduction measures under our ‘efficient dynamics’ programme. It’s only right that its resources are focused on that,” he said.

The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:12:00 +0000

Innovative concept car gets M3 power with record-breaking supercar economy and emissions figures BMW at the Frankfurt Motor Show

The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is BMW’s most innovative concept car ever and sets a new performance car agenda. Its unique powertrain, ground-breaking performance potential and exo-skeletal style bodywork crafted from aerodynamic knowledge gained in Formula One set it apart from anything previously seen.

Powered by a three-cylinder turbo diesel engine and two electric motors, the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is capable of BMW M3 performance but with a fraction of that model’s CO2 emissions and far greater fuel economy. The striking concept car is showcased with a powertrain producing an anticipated 356hp and 800Nm of torque for true supercar performance. However, the vehicle has been designed to be capable of recording 75.1mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 99g/km.
The vehicle’s impressive performance figures improve further when it runs solely in hybrid mode. When taking the sources of electrical energy generation into account the CO2 emissions of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics drop to a staggering 51g/km*.

The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics highlights a number of technologies that will appear on BMWs of the near future. BMW’s Air Curtain system that channels air through a front valance with the air exiting ahead of the front wheel is fitted. The Air Curtain system’s exiting air flow effectively deflects air from entering the wheel arch and causing turbulence thus improving all round performance.
The bodywork of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics also takes styling cues from the marque’s involvement in Formula 1. The exo-skeletal appearance of elements of the design mean the vehicle cleaves through the air with the least possible resistance. The drag co-efficient is 0.22 – the lowest figure of any BMW road car. The subtle folds of the bodywork that sit proud of the passenger cocoon create downforce without the need to have large spoilers.

The 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine is another feature that indicates production potential. In isolation this new engine is capable of recording peak power of 163hp, a new record in terms of output per litre at 109hp, and a peak torque of 290Nm. Mounted transversely and ahead of the rear axle, the diesel engine can be the sole power source for the vehicle or it can work in conjunction with the electric drive. Alternatively the diesel engine can be used to charge the electric drive battery pack.

The hybrid drivetrain features two electric motors – one on each axle. At lower speeds just the electric drive mode functions. The rear axle motor can produce up to 38kW of power and 290Nm of torque, while the second axle motor is capable of 60kW and 220Nm of torque. However, an overboost function allows the driver to top this up to 84kW for a 30 second boost and 104kW for a 10 second power enhancer. When taking all three power sources into account these figures equate to a car that records a peak power of 356hp and torque of 800Nm. Power is transmitted to the road via an enhanced version of BMW’s existing seven-speed Double Clutch Transmission.

The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics has a range of 31 miles when driving only on electric mode. Combined with the three-cylinder diesel engine this extends to a total possible distance between fill-ups and charges of 431 miles. Using a conventional domestic power source at 220 V would result in the vehicle being fully recharged after 2.5 hours. Access to a slightly more powerful 380 V sees the charge time drop to 44 minutes.

Unlike other hybrid vehicles that use existing vehicle architecture and then add a hybrid drivetrain, the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics isn’t penalised by weight. A V8 or larger capacity engine that would be the norm for a supercar has been substituted by a compact three-cylinder engine and two electric motors. This is fitted to an aluminium chassis to further save weight. The result of this is that the vehicle tips the scales at just 1,395kgs.

The use of low rolling resistance tyres has also taken on another twist to offer something unique. Normally customer demand for larger alloy wheels with wider tyres is at odds with aerodynamic and rolling resistance targets. However, BMW engineers working with Michelin developed a solution to this conundrum. The contact patch of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics has effectively been turned 90 degrees by virtue of specifying larger diameter wheel rims. Larger, but thinner tyres result in the same percentage of rubber being in contact with the road, but the cross section of the tyre as a whole is smaller making for less rolling resistance and greater aerodynamic efficiency.

BMW is renowned for using lightweight materials as part of its EfficientDynamics strategy and this concept car is no different. The chassis and suspension are made entirely from aluminium while the roof and the outer skin of the doors are made of a lightweight polycarbonate glass. This material also comes with special properties that allow the glass to darken in sunlight to keep the cabin temperature at the desired level.

The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics also showcases BMW’s Thermo Electric Generator currently fitted to the exhaust system of test cars and being developed for production. This works on the principle of the Seebeck effect to generate an electrical current courtesy of the temperature change between two metal based semi-conductors. This system alone generates enough charge to power some of the auxiliary features.

nside, and the 3D Head-up Display is another feature that highlights at possible production car capability as does a new incarnation of iDrive with a touchpad screen. The vehicle’s 4.6 metre length, 1.9 metre width and 1.24 metre height permit a 2+2 configuration that makes this supercar a practical form of transport. With the rear seats folded the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics even has room for two sets of golf clubs that can be stowed in the 150-litre luggage area.

The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is the centrepiece of the BMW stand at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Click here for more images and video footage of this model and other new products at the show.

Luxurious Car Gallery: BMW 5-Series GT Details and Specifications

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:21:00 +0000

BMW never stop innovation. It always think and create new car variant that more safe, enjoyable and luxurious. Like this variant, BMW 5-Series GT, the luxurious car from BMW. BMW 5-Series GT was produced to make BMW car product before being more perfect. BMW 5-Series GT performance also shows a luxurious.

Even if it was unveiled, the new BMW 5-Series GT has undergone its initial round of customization from the German tuner Hamann. Even if there are no official details about the modified GT, it's apparent that the kit will start by transforming the sporty 5-Series’ front finish with a modified front bumper as well as a new rear unit, some new exhaust tips a different set of tailpipes, a set of Hamann’s signature wheels painted black as well as a host of four of a kind interior accessories.

The BMW 5-Series GT is currently being offered with two different engines. The first is the new 3.0 Liter turbocharged straight two that makes 306 HP & 295 lb-ft of torque, a 4.4 Liter twin turbo V8 producing 408 HP also a 3.0 Liter turbo diesel mill that makes 245 HP, but they are expecting to see an improvement of at least 30 HP or more from the aftermarket manufacturer.

Article Source; www. topspeed.com

The future of car buying: Don't supersize me

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:10:00 +0000

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Big cars and trucks are out. Smaller ones that offer more for your dollar are in. And many drivers will hang onto the new cars they buy longer.

We've seen some of this before — in the 1970s. But there's reason to believe that this time, American car-buying habits have changed forever.

Scarred by the worst financial crisis since the 1930s and still leery of high gas prices, people are walking into showrooms intent on spending less. The trend is strongest among baby boomers, who are 44 to 63 years old and make up a quarter of the population, dealers and industry analysts say.

A generation ago, boomers drove the economy out of the second-worst recession since World War II. After the downturn ended in 1982, they went on a buying spree throughout the '80s; for many, free-spending became a way of life that didn't end until last year. But their investments and home values have taken a hit. And with time running out until retirement, economizing on the second-biggest purchase most people make has become common.

"Up until now it's 'I want bigger and more than I had last year,'" says Jerry Seiner, who owns several GM franchises in the Salt Lake City area. "This has been the biggest awakening of the United States population since the Great Depression."

Ford's top sales analyst, George Pipas, describes the shift as one from "conspicuous consumption" to "careful consumption."

To a degree, the shift has been forced on consumers. The Great Recession ended the days of easy credit, which propelled car and truck sales most of this decade. During the boom years, almost anyone qualified to buy a new vehicle. Zero percent financing on purchases and cut-rate deals on leases kept monthly payments low and encouraged people to trade every three or four years. Sales ballooned to record numbers of about 17 million vehicles a year in the first half of the decade.

Today, loans are harder to get and come with higher payments. About 60 percent of buyers finance a new car, and many no longer qualify for luxury models — or want big monthly payments.

So many drivers will keep running up their odometers and scale back when they do buy, continuing to push down sales of large cars, sport utility vehicles and luxury brands. A poll taken in April by research firm AutoPacific found that 59 percent of recent buyers will keep their cars four years or more, up from 46 percent in 2008. It's easy to keep a vehicle longer because of improved quality.

On a recent evening, Haiying Sun of Ann Arbor, Mich., drove his family's 1998 Ford Windstar minivan to Howard Cooper Honda to look at new cars. And look is all he did. Although the van has 80,000 miles on it, Sun says he can wait for the deal he wants.

"I don't think this car is too bad," he said. "I still can drive it for maybe two years."

The trends suggest annual vehicle sales will stay close to this year's 10 million level instead of rebounding to mid-decade levels. It was the collapse of the sales rate to as low as 9.57 million in January 2009 that pushed GM and Chrysler into bankruptcy reorganizations financed by the federal government, leaving Uncle Sam with a controlling stake in GM and as broker for Fiat's takeover of Chrysler. Even mighty Toyota, which has done relatively better than most, posted the biggest loss in its history in its last fiscal year.

"I think caution will be with us for a while," says Martin Zimmerman, a former Ford Motor Co. chief economist who now teaches at the University of Michigan. "That will color people's willingness to go out and buy houses or buy cars."

Even before the collapse of Lehman Brothers triggered the financial industry meltdown a year ago, buyers' habits were starting to change. Fresh off a summer that featured $4 per gallon gas, people entered showrooms thinking smaller and armed with dealer invoice prices and rebate offers gleaned from Internet sites.

Small cars made up just 12.6 percent of the market in 1998, but that has grown to 21.1 percent, according to Ward's AutoInfoBank. The popularity of the federal government's Cash for Clunkers program this summer showed that Americans will embrace small if they're being budget-conscious or if they get a good deal. In August, the last month of the program, sales of the smallest domestic cars tripled from a year earlier.

Automakers are banking on the shift being permanent, unlike the last big swing to small cars, which followed the Arab oil embargo in 1973 and another oil shock at the end of the decade. People went back to larger cars as soon as oil supplies increased and gas prices went down. From the '80s until last year, gas stayed relatively cheap. Besides big passenger cars, the "light truck" market — minivans, SUVs and pickups — exploded and U.S. automakers made billions.

This time, though, higher gas prices are more likely to stick. Even though gas has dropped to around $2.50 a gallon, few expect it to stay there. The end of the global recession and burgeoning auto markets in China and India are expected to increase the demand for oil. Higher government fuel economy standards also will drive sales of small cars.

The shift will leave Detroit automakers no choice but to figure a way to make money on compact cars. In the past, these were money losers for U.S. car makers and were subsidized by big cars and light trucks.

GM and Ford say contract concessions from the United Auto Workers make it possible to turn a profit on U.S.-built compacts. GM even says it can make money on subcompacts built in Michigan, but Ford and Chrysler will build them in lower-cost Mexico.

Those who buy smaller vehicles or non-luxury brands will still want the amenities they've become used to, such as voice-activated phones, navigation systems, heated leather seats and premium sound systems.

That's what Art Shand, 48, a building industry consultant from Palm Harbor, Fla., was looking for when he decided to lease a third car to keep from racking up miles on his family's other two vehicles, an Acura MDX luxury sport utility and a BMW 5-series sedan.

Although he could afford another premium brand, he shopped for value and leased a Hyundai Genesis, the Korean company's new entry in the luxury market.

It has all the amenities sought by Shand, yet costs nearly $20,000 less than a BMW 535i.

Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 1-Series

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:48:00 +0000

BMW released an updated version of the 1-Series compact late last year and since then suspicious prototypes of the car have been captured running around the south of Germany. Until now, we had only seen early development test-mules but the latest shots reveal the first full prototypes for the next-generation 1-Series Hatchback model.

The current 1-Series has often been criticized for having a back seat no full-sized adult would be comfortable in. However, the rear seat room in this new 2012 model is expected to be much improved. This may also see BMW finally release the Hatchback version of the 1-Series in the all-important U.S. market. A slightly longer wheelbase and wider track than the current model will be present.

Last year BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer revealed that the four-cylinder engines destined for the next-gen 1-Series will be the same compact units developed jointly by BMW and France’s PSA Peugeot-Citroen for the Mini and a number of French models. The engines will range from 1.4 to 2.0-liter in displacement and will be available in both turbocharged and naturally aspirated forms. Expect to see BMW’s award-winning straight six engines also appear in the lineup. Engines could be downsized somewhat to meet more stringent emissions and fuel economy rules, but with the aid of the direct injection and forced induction, power figures may not decrease substantially, and could even increase in models like the 135i.

Engine stop-start and electrical-regenerative systems should carry over into the new series as well as possible new EfficientDynamics technologies such as heat-recovery systems and solar panels. BMW has also revealed that initial testing of thermoelectric generators and solar panels on its cars showed savings of up to 5% in fuel consumption.

Expect the new 1-Series Hatchback to launch in 2011 and be followed by new Coupe and Convertible variants, as well as a possible shooting brake model and high-performance M version.

Car Trouble

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:53:00 +0000

We decided to sell our car. There are many reasons for it, don't wanna get into explaining, the point is we wanna sell it. In the middle of October, we are planning to drive back home to Hungary, and advertise it for sale.

The big question was and still IS, what type of car should we buy here?

Browsing through hundreds of cars on websites, we have reduced our list to the following:

1. Audi A4

2. Audi A3

3. BMW 3 Series

3. VW Passat

4. Mazda 6

5. Vauxhall Astra / Vectra

6. Volvo S40

7. Chrysler 300C - This is just a joke, Mrs. Smith would kill me buying this :)

This is quite a list, but this gets more complicated. We want maximum 4 year old car, with low mileage, and cheap insurance / roadtax, and low fuel consumption.

Before you start throwing bricks to me, I have to tell, England is the land of the cheap second hand cars. Ridiculously cheap the second hand market, comparing to the European one. So, looking to buy some high range cars, does not mean you are filthy rich :)

I remember a story, when we were living in Manchester, and a very good friend of mine had a Volvo S80. (5 Cylinder, 2.5L engine). Two new Hungarians came to the UK to get a job and some experience, and we were helping them out at the beginning (and they became good friends of us). Anyway, we were having a discussion, and somehow we talked about cars. As we were organizing a trip or something, they asked my friend what type of car he has. When he said the type, these two blokes became silent for a sec, than one of them asked: - Hmmm, and tell me, how can I get a job like yours? :))))))

So, the point is, in the UK, it does not matter what sort of car you have, people just don't care. They are not gonna be jelaous of you, they just don't care. I really like this approach, because these thing really should not matter at all.

At the weekend, we visited the nearest Audi salon to look around. We finally could sit in an A3, and A4, then popping into another salon, we could compare them with BMW 3 series.

Let me tell you how disappointed I was with these cars.

Audi A3 is small. Tiny from inside. Very very small. Hate it.
Audi A4. Bigger a little bit. But if I adjust the seat to my height and size (185cm/95kg), no single person can at the back behind me. It is ridiculously small inside for the people on the back seat. (I had a friend who had a LADA 1500, with all of the shiny equipments on it, sports wheel, "sport everything". He removed the complete back seat, to allow the car to be lighter hence more powerful. When I asked how people will travel at the back, he told me: This is not a bus motherfucker!) Even if I don't wanna follow this lovely friend's advise, this is still too small. Obviously most of the time we would be travelling together, without a third or fourth person, but I do not wanna buy a car, when you can not transport friends easily. I would buy a coupe If I were to use it only for us.
BMW 3 Series: Interior was quite cheap, and simple. And also, same issue with the backseat places. (Before you start, I know, I know, that 3 Series size is limited, if I want bigger, buy 5 Series, or 7 Series. (Sorry Craig and Lucian if you read me, I know BMW means a lot to you ;))

So, so far Audi A3-A4, and BMW Series 3 are off the table. I hate to say it, but I do not want to buy a car which looks perfect from outside, but from inside you have to compromise to like it. And also, don't wanna spend a couple "K" more to buy bigger size like, Audi A6, or BMW 5 Series.

So far I can say, the priority is the VW Passat, as I already seen/tried Astra, and Mazda 6.

The last one is the Volvo S40 which is a decent car, I am gonna have to ask my manager what she thinks about that, as she have one.

The funny thing in the whole thing is, this is only in planning stage, as until my job does not settle, I can only dream about buying a new car.

Edmunds’ First Impressions of the BMW 5 Series GT

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:17:00 +0000

As we’ve seen earlier in the day, the first drive impressions of the BMW 5 Series GT are starting to pop up. First, there were the folks at Autocar UK that gave thumbs up to the 530d GT and now, Edmunds’ InsideLine fellas posted their own review of the Gran Turismo, the 535i GT this time. The U.S. driving event will take place in a couple of months where we will get behind the 550i GT and share our own impressions. From what we’ve seen back in July at the 5 GT Preview in Spartanburg, the new model left a good impression on most of the U.S. journalists present there and if the driving experience will match the luxury design of the GT, then BMW might have a winner on their hands. In contrast to what Autocar concluded earlier today, InsideLine has not been ecstatic about

Automakers on uphill road to build brand in China

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:45:00 +0000

SHANGHAI/HONG KONG (Reuters) - After driving his BMW 5 series model for just three years, Chinese futures trader Jerry Lin traded in his car for an Audi A6.

His decision had less to do with performance and more with image: BMWs have become associated with China's nouveau riche, while Audis are favoured by 'old money' and senior government officials.

"When people made money the first thing they did was get a BMW," says Lin, who lives in Wenzhou, a city known for its rich entrepreneurial culture. "I had a lot of fun driving my BMW. Now, I want to try something different."

China's car market is the world's largest with growth opportunities that are dazzling. About 10 million vehicles will be bought in China this year, a 500 percent increase from 2000.

Yet despite the opportunities, foreign automakers face an uphill battle marketing cars in an intensely competitive and fickle market.

"The huge amount of foreign brands pushing into the Chinese market somehow overloads potential customers with far too much information," said Jochen Goller, Vice President of marketing for BMW China (BMWG.DE).

"So it is getting more and more difficult to get brand and product messages through to and understood by the audience."

BMW tries to separate itself from the rest of the luxury car pack with "experiential marketing," hosting events such as a car rally across China called Destination X which has received 35,000 applicants for only a few places in this year's race.

Despite the novelty of such campaigns as well as viral marketing initiatives such as a social networking website for BMW owners, industry experts say Chinese consumers have little brand loyalty.

"Few foreign automakers have successfully differentiated their brands in China so far because pricing, more than anything else, is still the number one concern for most buyers," said Huang Zherui, an analyst with CSM Worldwide, a global industry consultancy.

"Customer loyalty is almost an unheard of concept here and even a moderate price-cut can easily swing customers away to the competing brands," Huang added.

In China's luxury sector, which makes up about 5 percent of car sales, Audi and BMW owners are starting to switch brands without a second thought.

"We have an Audi at home. I am here to pick a BMW as a birthday gift," said a woman, who gave her name only as Wu, as she inspected a BMW 7 model at a Shanghai dealership.

OVER THE HILL

While names such as Toyota (7203.T), Volkswagen (VOWG.DE) and Honda Motor (7267.T) have well-defined images in the West, honing their brand in China is challenging due to huge demographic differences in a country where many people rode bicycles as their primary mode of transport just a decade ago.

In some cases, circumstance plays a crucial role in creating brand equity. Take General Motors' GM.UL Buick, a car seen as over the hill back home where sales have been dropping.

Yet in China the Buick enjoys enormous success with a prestigious brand cachet that dates back to the early 20th century when historical figures such as Pu Yi, the last emperor of China, and Zhou Enlai, communist China's first premier, owned, drove or were driven in Buicks, GM said.

In fact, the Buick is enjoying double digit growth in China where sales have already topped 2 million. Other popular cars are VW's Passat, Honda's Accord and Toyota's Camry and Corolla.

Tailoring its models to the tastes of Chinese consumers, GM sells Cadillacs and other sedans with roomy backseats as many well-heeled Chinese prefer to be chauffeured through traffic-choked roads in China's mega-cities.

Even Porsche launched a relatively staid four door sedan in China this year which offers ample leg room for company executives traveling in the backseat.

Drivers are often used for corporate cars and among the well-heeled because the commutes to work in China's traffic-clogged roads can be long, tiresome affairs. And drivers are cheap, earning just a few hundred dollars a month.

BLAND BRANDS

Gloomy predictions for car sales in China this year due to the financial downturn were swept away by a multi-billion dollar government stimulus plan that included tax breaks and sales tax cuts on some car models, fuelling a demand spurt at a time when many factories had slowed down production.

Demand for new cars jumped so high, so quickly that some customers have had to wait weeks for deliveries of new vehicles due to manufacturing logjams.

Industry analysts predict double digit sales growth in the coming years as more first-time car buyers enter the market and China's wealthy and upper middle class become two car families.

Many of the cars that will end up on Chinese roads will come from the factories of domestic brands such as Geely (0175.HK), Chery and Brilliance China Automotive Holdings (1114.HK).

The local brands are significantly cheaper but so is their quality. Car prices can range from 300,000-700,000 yuan ($44,000 to $102,000) for top range cars from the BMW 3 and 5 series and Audi A4 and A6. Meanwhile, the cheapest local brands such as Chery's QQ can go for as little as 30,000 yuan ($4,400) or less.

Cars in the luxury category include BMW, Audi, Toyota's Lexus, Honda's Acura, Nissan Motor's Infiniti (7201.T) and General Motor's Cadillac which offers a model that stretches about 10 cm longer in the back for the local market.

In sharp contrast to its sporty and sophisticated reputation in most of the world, BMW's flashy image in China owes much to the company's entry to the market in the mid-1990s when the first generation of newly wealthy began to emerge.

Desirable or not, the nouveau riche image has helped make China one of BMW's fastest growing markets, with sales up 28 percent to 65,822 units last year.

"Some super rich people have actually been collecting BMWs, getting one not just for themselves but for their wives, kids and even their mistresses," says Lin, the futures trader.

Audi, meanwhile, benefited in a different way as the only foreign car brand on government procurement lists until recently, helping its A6 to become a favorite among senior Chinese officials.

Such unofficial endorsement has not only helped Audi, VW's luxury brand, get a fifth of its annual China sales from government bodies, but has also made it a favorite among China's new generation of business elite who often depend on government connections to get their jobs done.

"Audi buyers are people who want to keep both feet on the ground. They want to convey a very down-to-earth but still powerful image," said Klaus Paur, director of automotive industry market research firm TNS's North Asia branch.

(Editing by Megan Goldin)

Forza Motorsport 3 BMW adds a splash of Joker

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 07:47:00 +0000

One of Forza's strong points is the extensive car customization, just as we've seen in Forza Motorsport 2, even more is coming to the third game. Don't believe me? A new video from the Penny Arcade Expo proves the statement with a BMW designed completely around the Joker from the Batman series.

It's a sicker, darker Joker, to go into detail but it's still a car I would drive. Seriously, I would. Also at the break is some drifting!

Forza Motorsport 3

REPORT: BMW sues dead suspected fashion model killer

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 08:02:00 +0000

And you thought the story couldn't get more bizarre. Well, it turns out Ryan Jenkins, the now-deceased Canadian Realtor-turned-reality-TV-contestant-turned-accused-murderer may have allegedly tossed more than Jasmine Fiore in the dumpster. According to BMW, Jenkins hadn't made a payment on his leased 3 Series since March, and his account is now seriously past due.

BMW is going after Ryan Jenkins for about $11,553 (US dollars) in outstanding payments on his '07 BMW 335xi sedan (his monthly lease payments were $844, proving he was about as successful in automobile purchasing negotiations as he was with relationships). While the vehicle in question has been returned to the automaker and since sold, the outstanding amount (plus interest) still needs to be collected. Regardless of BMW's next move, the line of creditors to this train wreck's estate is likely very long.

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 07:15:00 +0000

Saab Reveals 9-5, 9-3X Changing Perspective Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 07:10:00 +0000

A couple of hours before the official unveiling of their new 9-5, the ailing Swedish brand has released pictures and a press release for the new car. (Nice to have Saabsunited for English versions :-D) It’s the Aero-version that’s being presented, and . . . well . . . I don’t know how this car is going to make any impact on car buyers not already into Saab. At the same time, Saab has released a new world-wide commercial campaign on their 9-3X, called Changing Perspective. Saab is a relatively small car manufacturer in the global market, which over the years has driven many innovations, from turbo technology and seat heating to effective use of alternative fuels. “Now we’ll bring back an even larger share of the production and initiatives to Sweden, and then we also want to take a starting point based on what actually makes us unique,” says Annika Priou, Marketing Communications Manager. Good lycka with that.

New Honda Accord Crosstour Unveiled, gets All-Wheel Drive System

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:44:00 +0000

The wait is finally over for the newest member of the Honda Accord family as the Japanese automaker today released an official set of photos of the Crosstour that will go on sale in the States as a 2010 model year sometime this fall. Honda skimped on the details but a close inspection of the photos reveals a "4WD" badge meaning that the Accord Crosstour will either be offered with all-wheel drive as standard or as an option.

The five-door Crosstour is based on the North American market Accord sedan with Honda claiming that it combines car-like ride and refinement with a Crossover Utility Vehicle's (CUV for short) increased ride height and all-weather potential.

"We know SUV buyers like the commanding view of the road that comes with a high eye-point and like the comforts of living with an SUV," said Erik Berkman, vice president of American Honda Motor Co. "This vehicle meets the needs of buyers looking for those attributes yet at the same time want an image that is different from a conventional SUV."

Maybe we're wrong, but we can't help thinking that the Crosstour looks like the weird offspring of an illicit three-way love affair between a BMW 5-Series GT, a X6, and a Honda Accord...

Beware the biodiesel-ready Scorpion! 2011 Ford Super Duty gets all new 6.7-liter diesel V8

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:35:00 +0000

Ford's ongoing issues with its long-time heavy duty diesel engine supplier, Navistar, will soon be coming to an end. The 2011 edition of the Ford Super Duty pickups will get an all-new, in-house designed diesel V8 code-named Scorpion. So, now, if Ford has any durability issues with its big diesels it will have no one to blame but itself.

Officially the Scorpion retains the Power Stroke badge, but that and eight cylinders in a V-configuration are all that are carried over. The Scorpion engine picks up a variety of technologies that have been appearing on other recent engines both gas and diesel fueled, as well as adding a few new tricks, particularly the turbocharger. The biggest change for the architecture is the move to an inside-out layout. Since the early days of the V-engine configuration, most examples have had the intake system mounted in the valley between the banks with the exhaust on the outside. Like BMW's new turbocharged gas V8 and GM's currently-on-the-shelf Duramax 4500, the Scorpion switches this around. Read on after the jump to learn more.

[Source: Ford]

A turbocharger uses the engine's exhaust gases to spin up a turbine which in turn drives a compressor that pushes more air into the engine thus making more power. The beauty of the system is that it consumes very little energy under light load conditions and allows smaller engine displacements for improved efficiency most of the time. When extra power is needed, the turbo helps expand the engine's operating range on-demand. Therein lies the rub, in the on-demand part.

Turbos, of course, are not immune to physics and most people have heard of turbo-lag. That's the time delta between when the driver pushes the accelerator and all that "on-demand" power actually becomes available. There are two main causes of lag. One is the time it takes for the exhaust gases to actually get from the cylinder to the turbocharger and apply pressure to the turbine. Over the years, engine designers have attempted to address this by moving the turbo physically closer to the exhaust ports. This is problematic on a V engine with two sets of exhaust ports because the exhaust has to be plumbed around the engine to the turbo. One solution is to mount two turbos, one on each cylinder bank with very short exhaust manifolds. This however, adds cost, weight and complexity.

The alternative is the inside-out layout. By essentially reversing the flow direction through the cylinder heads with the exhaust exiting in the valley, extremely short manifolds can be used to feed a single turbo mounted on top of the engine. In this way, the turbo spins up much more quickly, delivering compressed air to the intake runners which wrap around the ends of the cylinder heads to the outboard-mounted intake ports.

The other source of lag is the turbo itself. Any device that rotates at speeds up to 100,000 rpm will be subject to the limits of inertia. The larger the rotating mass, the more energy it takes to spin it up to speed. The radius of the mass also impacts the inertia. The previously mentioned, sequential turbo systems combat this by using a smaller turbo for light load, low speed conditions. As the exhaust flow energy increases it is diverted to a larger turbo with more capacity. Another solution has been to use a variable vane turbo where adjustable venturis in the inlet tract are used to increase the velocity of the exhaust stream. This helps to spin up the turbo faster.

The Scorpion features a brand new turbocharger design from Honeywell that we will likely see in many more applications in the coming years. It combines the principle of the sequential turbo approach with the variable vane system. However, instead of two separate turbochargers, two smaller diameter are mounted in one housing on a common shaft. The smaller diameter reduces the rotational inertia of the system while still allowing for sufficient flow capacity at higher speeds. It also eliminates the extra plumbing complexity of a dual turbo setup.

Besides performance, the new architecture affords a number of other benefits. The turbo plumbing on the current Navistar-supplied PowerStroke engine means that the cab has to be removed from the frame to access the turbocharger. With the turbo now sitting directly on top of the engine that is no longer an issue and assorted other components are also now more accessible.

Beyond the new turbo technology and layout, most of the rest of the engine is becoming increasingly common place. In order to meet the latest emissions standards, the Scorpion features many of the same technologies found on the latest light duty diesels. The Bosch common rail fuel injection system operates at 30,000 psi and the piezo-electric injectors can provide up to five pulses per power cycle. The multiple fuel pulses spread the power delivery and reduce the combustion temperature. The effect is that the engine runs cleaner, producing less soot and NOx, while using less fuel and producing more power at the same time.

However, the engine still needs extra help down stream. The after-treatment system kicks off with the usual oxidation catalyst which eliminates unburned hydrocarbons and also increases the exhaust temperature. The increased temperature helps improve the efficiency of the selective catalytic reduction system. The SCR is the increasingly-common urea injection. A solution of 2/3 water and 1/3 urea is injected into the exhaust stream where the urea decomposes into ammonia which reacts in a second catalyst to turn NOx into nitrogen and water. Finally the exhaust passes through a particulate filter to trap most of the remaining soot.

Finally, Ford has sought to reduce the mass and improve the durability of the new diesel. Ford and Peugeot were the first automakers to use compacted graphite iron for diesel engine blocks for their jointly-designed 2.7-liter V6 that debuted back in 2003. Since then, Audi has also used the material for some of its diesels including the V12 used in the R10 TDI race car. The CGI block has double the strength of typical gray iron and better fatigue resistance. This allows Ford to make the block lighter with thinner walls without sacrificing durability. Ford claims the engines have been run continuously on the dynamometer for the equivalent of 250,000 miles without problems.

The aluminum cylinder heads have dual water jackets to ensure they stay cool enough to withstand 2,600 psi combustion pressures. Also aiding the weight reduction measures is the use of a push-rod valve-train. In spite of the cam in block layout, the Scorpion still has four valves per cylinder as we saw in a Ford patent filing several months ago.

So far, Ford isn't releasing much in the way of specifications for either power or efficiency of the new engine other than to say that it is both more powerful and more efficient than the engine it replaces. It will be debuting on the refreshed 2011 Super Duty pickups that we will learn more about soon.

There is one last little tidbit that fleet users will be happy to learn about. Like the 2010 version of GM's 6.6-liter Duramax, the 6.7-liter Power Stroke will be fully compatible with B20 biodiesel blends, addressing one of the issues some current Power Stroke operators have had. Because the current engine injects some fuel into the exhaust stream for particulate filter regeneration, the use of B20 has caused damage to some engines. This will no longer be true for the new engine.

support for Bavarian Autosport's

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 05:13:00 +0000

Come join the fun at Show & Shine 2009!
Bavarian Autosport's Customer Appreciation Day
benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure


When:	Sunday, October 4, 2009 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Rain or shine!	Where:	Bavarian Autosport 275 Constitution Ave Portsmouth, NH 03801 (just an hour north of Boston) Get Directions

It promises to be a great day filled with camaraderie, good food, D.I.Y. demos, thousands of dollars in raffle prizes, and of course, lots and lots of BMWs and MINIs.

About the Event:

It's free!

Show off your BMW or MINI and share styling and detailing ideas with other enthusiasts.

Check out a vast array of BMWs and MINIs, from old to new, from 100% stock to super-modified.

Watch live demos on how to do simple repairs, detail your car, repair paint chips, etc

Chat with representatives from companies such as Bilstein, Sachs, Yokohama, P21S, Bosch, PIAA and others.

Take advantage of special "Show & Shine Only" discounts in our showroom.

Enter our free raffle and win one of dozens of prizes.

Enjoy a complimentary BBQ and refreshments

Join us in supporting Susan G. Komen for the Cure by purchasing $5 tickets (or 5 for $20) for our charity raffle. You could win one of 13 prizes ranging in value from $100 to more than $2,500. PLEASE NOTE: If you can't make it to Show & Shine, you can still support the cause by buying your raffle tickets online or by phone. You need not be present to win. Click here to purchase your raffle tickets!

Event Schedule:
8:00 am – The parking lot opens. PLEASE NOTE: Only BMWs and MINIs will be allowed on the grounds; spectator parking is available nearby. (If you plan stay for just a couple of hours, we recommend using the spectator parking, as it can be difficult to exit the grounds once the show begins.) Free coffee, juice and donuts will be available under the tent.

9:00 am – Our showroom opens. You're welcome to come in and browse, ask questions of our staff and make purchases, if you're so inclined. PLEASE NOTE: In the interest of keeping checkout lines short, please take care of any returns or customer service issues during our regular hours of operation, Monday thru Saturday.

10:00 am – The vendor tent opens. Product and do-it-yourself demos begin. Entry forms for the free raffle are available. Tickets for the charity raffle can be purchased. A limited number of Show & Shine 2008 t-shirts and commemorative beer glasses will be available for sale. Proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

11:00 am – Raffle drawings begin and continue throughout the day, with a grand prize drawing held at 2:00 pm.

12:00 pm – Lunch is served! We will provide a free BBQ lunch for everybody. The menu usually includes hamburgers, hot dogs, knockwursts, chips, dessert and refreshments.

1:00 pm – More do-it-yourself demos, raffle drawings and, of course, hundreds of BMWs and MINIs to check out.

2:00 pm – Grand prize drawing, valued at more than $2,500.

For more information, call 800.535.2002 or download a PDF of our Show & Shine information letter.

For more information, call 800.535.2002 or click here to download a pdf of our Show & Shine info letter.

Happy motoring!

The first of its kind.

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 02:38:00 +0000

The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo.

Travel in style: the idea behind "Gran Turismo". The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is a new interpretation of a classic concept incorporating sophisticated elegance, generous spaciousness and surprising versatility. Powerful yet efficient, the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo offers superb driving comfort as well as plenty of room in the luggage compartment for large items. Inside the dynamic coupé-like design awaits something completely new: the perfect combination of a stylish sedan, touring car flexibility and the versatility of an SUV.

Future Sport Cars

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:11:00 +0000

Make your life with high class performance.The ladys will fall in love with you.

05/04/2009 - Chevrolet's excellent new Camaro still has wet paint out of the factory, but the performance-tuned aftermarket new Camaro models are rolling in, along with some high-performance show cars from the Bowtie itself.

BMW GRAN TURISMO

02/15/2009 - BMW disappointed with the announcement that its BMW Gran Turismo Concept, which slotted in right around the 7 Series, would not be seeing production. A similar, smaller idea resurfaces with the first glimpses of the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Concept.

HONDA MUGEN

02/09/2009 - Hybrid four door sedans don't exactly have much of a reputation for tuning potential. Will the new 2010 Honda Insight change all that? Japanese Honda tuner MUGEN thinks so, as they are offering up an exterior and powertrain tuning program.

NEW ASTON MARTIN

12/29/2008 - The Aston Martin One-77 GT supercar and Rapide uber-sedan are getting closer and closer. Here's what we know about these two exciting new Aston models so far

HYUNDAI GENESIS SEDAN

11/11/2008 - No less than six factory-commissioned tuner Hyundai Genesis cars were on display at SEMA this year, each showcasing different elements of the new RWD Hyundai sedan and coupe's performance potential. Photos galo

MITSUBISHI LANCER

10/16/2008 - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Race Car debuts at Silverstone, where the track tuned WRC rally Evo X sport compact demonstrated reliable performance, endurance and speed. Lancer Evo X pushes limits.

CHEVROLET ENTICES

07/07/2008 - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette S-Limited. Chevrolet is banking on high American supercar interest in that country with the brand new Corvette S-Limited, the first Corvette tailored specifically to Japanese sports car lovers’ tastes.

2012 Tesla S pictures revealed

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Tesla has today revealed pics of its sleek 2012 ‘S’ sedan showing the four-door in motion.

The Tesla S is set to rival other EVs such as the Fisker Karma as well as conventionally powered luxury rivals including the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Designed by Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla says the front end styling of the ‘S’ will be the future face of the electric automaker. Short front and rear overhangs not only give the sedan a clean, sporting look, but also allows for the maximum interior space.

The Tesla S rides on 21-inch alloys while inside features include a highly customisable, 17-inch touch screen for HVAC, audio and navigation controls as well as 3G wireless internet; digital and satellite radio and a panaoramic sunroof.

The ‘S’ has seating for five adults, plus optional rear-facing seats for two small children in the cargo area.

In keeping with the brand’s green theme, Tesla uses chrome-free vegetable tanned Italian leather on interior, and 100 per cent recycled PET carpeting.

The electric sedan can travel up to 480 kilometres on a single charge with a “QuickCharge” taking only 45 minutes to complete. If that’s not quick enough, the battery can be changed for a fully-charge unit in under five minutes.

To further increase efficiency, the door handles retract at speed making a cleaner aerodynamic shape.

With a tare weight of 1490kg and a single speed variable transmission the ‘S’ makes the 0-100km/h run in 5.6 seconds and can run to 400m in 14 seconds flat. Top speed is estimated at 193km/h.

Braking comes courtesy of six-pot Brembos up front, and fours on the rear. An all-wheel drive model is also planned in the near future.

The ‘S’ will be Tesla’s second model joining the Roadster sports and is due for production late 2011 with a retail price of US$49,900 (after the US$7500 electric vehicle tax credit).

More Details On 2011 BMW 5-Series

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:20:00 +0000

With the 2009 Audi A6 facelift now on sale and the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class starting to hit showrooms, attention now turns to the next-generation BMW 5-series. A class leader since its inception, the 5-series Sedan and Touring wagon remain crucial vehicles in BMW’s lineup and with the next-gen versions now just months away from launch speculation about their final design has been heating up.

The new 5-series Sedan is expected to arrive early next year as a 2011 model but we can already gather a number of details from disguised prototypes seen testing around the streets of Munich. Most of the planned changes for the 2011 BMW 5-Series, however, are skin-deep.

Under the new sheet metal, BMW will continue with its new found love of turbocharging. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 from the X6 and new 5-series GT is expected to appear in a range topping model, while more turbodiesel variants are expected to join the lineup as well. BMW is also expected to launch two hybrid versions of the new 5-Series: a ‘mild’ hybrid gasoline-electric version similar to the recently revealed ActiveHybrid 7 as well as a diesel-electric version.

The transmission systems will include a six-speed manual and a six-speed Steptronic semi-auto gearbox, however a new eight-speed unit from ZF is also expected to be available. New EfficientDynamics technologies will also be available, such as specially designed aerodynamic wheels and brake-energy regeneration systems.

Performance will also be improved thanks to the extensive use of lightweight materials including carbon-fiber and aluminum. The car’s construction will be a mix of an aluminum spaceframe for the front section and a traditional steel monocoque for the passenger compartment and rear. This will ensure a favorable front-to-rear weight distribution and improved handling. Up front will be an independent suspension with MacPherson struts, with a multi-link layout for the rear. High-performance models will possibly include carbon-fiber body panels to shed even more weight.

MECs choose cheaper cars

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:31:00 +0000

Gauteng's top politicians appear to have heeded the call by Premier Nomvula Mokonyane to curb spending on luxury cars.

It has taken The Star a month to get a complete list of vehicles being driven by Mokonyane and her 10 MECs.

The list shows that none have bought new cars since the infamous R920 000 Mercedes-Benz purchased by former agriculture and rural development MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.

So far, no departments have indicated plans to splash out on new vehicles, and the MECs are driving their predecessors' cars or hiring from the government's fleet (G-Fleet).

Mokonyane is using a 2007 BMW 750 which belonged to earlier premiers Mbhazima Shilowa and Paul Mashatile. Her office has said that "a decision has not been taken" on whether to buy a new car. She is assigned two alternating drivers by the police's VIP Protection Unit.

All but one of Gauteng MECs are driven around in BMWs, with Roads and Transport MEC Bheki Nkosi using an Audi Q7. At least five departments hire from the G-Fleet, with some contracts due to run until 2011.

G-Fleet's Thando Zungu said MECs pay about R23 500 a month to hire their cars. The vehicles are replaced when they have done 120 000km, and are fully owned by the fleet. At this rate, an MEC would spend about R280 000 a year on his or her transport.

According to the ministerial handbook, a minister or MEC is allowed to buy a car costing about 70 percent of his or her annual remuneration package.

In the case of Nkomo-Ralehoko, the purchase of her Mercedes-Benz fell within the rules. However, she was dismissed after it turned out that the car had not been insured before being hijacked less than 24 hours after it was collected from the dealership. There have also been allegations of fraud within the department surrounding the deal.

The "WaBenzi frenzy" has struck several ministries, with the latest being Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor, who bought a pair of matching Mercedes-Benzes worth a total of R1.4 million.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has come under fire for his two BMW X5s worth R1.3m, including R200 000 for extras. The DA estimates that the total spent on new government vehicles was almost R20m. The party has dubbed the scandal "cargate".

But DA Gauteng leader Jack Bloom on Sunday congratulated Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu for setting a good example by driving her 2006 BMW 5 series. The car is on loan from G-Fleet.

"I think this is an appropriate vehicle, recognising her status but not extravagant when money is desperately short to fix our hospitals and clinics," Bloom said. "I hope her colleagues take note."

Cars used by other MECs include a BMW 530, a BMW X5, a BMW 520, a BMW 520d, a BMW 550i and an Audi Q7.

o This article was originally published on page 3 of The Star on August 17, 2009

2010 North American Car of the Year: And the Nominees Are...

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:17:00 +0000

NACTOY logo

Enlarge Photo
Each fall, 50 journalists from the most respected automotive media outlets get together to choose NACOTYs--in long form, the North American Car of the Year and Truck of the Year.

In just a few years of existence, the NACOTY have become one of the most respected awards in the industry. Designed to recognize the outstanding new vehicles in their segments, the awards also have given car shoppers and car enthusiasts an inside tip on the vehicles driving the future of the auto industry--vehicles like the 2009 Hyundai Genesis, the 2008 Mazda CX-9, and the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado.

The jury pool for the 2010 awards reads like a who's who of the automotive media. It includes editors from Edmunds, Road & Track, Automotive News, Kelley Blue Book and USA Today, as well as the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times, the Boston Globe, the Toronto Star and the Detroit Free Press. The jury also includes an experienced group of freelancers published across the Web, in print, and on camera.

I'm proud to report that this year, I've been selected as a member of the NACOTY jury. It's an honor that roughly equates to 20 years of weekends poring over media kits and sites, shooting cars at sunrise and dusk, praying for a sane driving partner on press events, and sitting in the middle seat on cross-country flights to preview next year's new cars and trucks. And it's pretty humbling, when you consider the experienced hands already on deck.

Along with the other newbies--Car and Driver editor Eddie Alterman and freelancer Ezra Dyer--I'm spending this month catching up on the vehicles introduced for the 2010 model year that made the list of nominees. You'll read about all of them in future posts across High Gear Media's network of Web sites. And later this fall, you'll get the earliest rundown of the finalists for January's 2010 NACOTY awards, coming to you from the 2010 Detroit auto show.

For now, take a look at this list and let us know which car and truck qualifies as your NACOTY. While you're at it, why not write about it for High Gear Media, too?

BMW E39 5 Series - NEW STERN 18" Mesh Rims/ Wheels!

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 05:33:00 +0000

For your consideration, I'm selling brand NEW 18" BMW Mesh Wheels (Set of 4) rims. *** Note: These are DEEP dish with huge 2.5" Lip, stable & lightweight super strong wheels with the classy mesh design that's so popular on 5 series vehicles. I paid over $1200 for this set, which was an elegant upgrade for my 540i. The car is sold, so I have no need for this BRAND NEW set of 4 wheels, never mounted, still freshly packaged in the box. The wheel sizes are staggered for that aggressive racing look. x18" rims with the Rears are 9.5" x 18" rims, with offset of 15mm all around to provide that sleek stable wide stance. Bolt pattern for all wheels are 5x120 standard for the BMW 5 series. This would make an excellent upgrade for older 5 series beemers..... These wheels are guaranteed to fit your 525i, 530i, 535i, 540i, M5, from 1996 to 2003. Lower profile wheels improves handling and control while providing an aggressive looking wide stance. *** Email for further details or to make an appointment. Thanks for your interest.

* Location: Albany
* it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

Fronts are 8.5"
PostingID: 1325127611