We already knew that a production version of the CS Concept BMW debuted at the Shanghai Auto Show was in the automaker's product plans. Dubbed 'Gran Turismo', the four-door technological tour de force took a serious step toward reality today when BMW announced that Gerhard Richter, a manager at BMW M GmbH, is taking over control of the car's development. While he's adding that little bit of M flair to the Gran Turismo, Albert Biermann will be taking his place developing M models for the rest of us to enjoy.
While BMW didn't release any real details about the production version of the Gran Turismo, it did say that the car "will round the BMW product range upward as important technology carriers." That's the broken English of our translation, but you get the point. Like we said before, it'll be a technological tour de force.
G-Power recently put the M5, dubbed Hurricane, to the test at the Nardo high speed test track in Italy and “only” achieved a premature top speed of 322 km/h (200 mph) due to an electrical fault compared to its potential 350 km/h (217 mph) according to G-Power engineers. G-Power is currently planning to increase boost pressure to 1.0 bar for an output of 800hp. Details to follow towards the end of the month.
The WORLD EXCLUSIVE Autospies have received information from internal sources at BMW regarding the much rumored cooperation between Apple and BMW. Previous reports pegged BMW as the first auto maker to have iPhone compatibility and now Autospies reports Apple will help BMW with their much maligned iDrive user interface in the form of two iPod-like circular scroll wheels mounted on the steering wheel. Following the lead of the current E65 7-Series which debuted the iDrive system at Frankfurt in 2001, this iPod influenced user interface is expected to launch with the next-generation 7-Series sometime in 2008.
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MINI enthusiasts have a whole new reason to get excited, now that the name of the company's upcoming crossover has been released. The MINI Crossman, previously referred to internally as the "Colorado," will bring the brand firmly into new territory. This news comes from an auto motor und sport interview with MINI CEO Kay Segler.
What will likely be called the R58 within BMW from here on out, the Crossman is expected to ride higher than current MINI models, and have All Wheel Drive, making it a potential choice for off-roaders. With these new capabilities, MINI plans to expand their customer base to include young men who want something a little more "masculine" than the current models.
Initial response to the new name has made some wonder if MINI lost its creative edge. Likewise, one potential downside to the company releasing a crossover is if they will end up alienating the fan base that has rallied around the small car brand since the release of the Cooper. A possible look for the crossover, displayed above, makes the MINI appear as if it were named in the Mitchell Report on steroid use in baseball.
This new vehicle will also mark the first time a MINI is assembled outside the U.K. Austrian manufacturer Magna Steyr will build the car for MINI, which is rapidly running out of space at their current facilities.
The MINI Crossman is scheduled for release in 2010. Segler says there are currently no plans for a fifth MINI model.
BMW's big Detroit debut will be the production X6 Sports Activity Coupe (unsurprisingly, BMW avoids the somewhat unbecoming "SAC" acronym), which will be arriving in US showrooms sometime during the second quarter of 2008. When it does, buyers get two flavors to choose from. The xDrive50i is powered by a new twin-turbo, direct-injected 4.4L V8 pumping out 400-horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. The xDrive35i, meanwhile, gets the automaker's acclaimed 300-hp TT inline six-cylinder. Dynamic Performance Control is a standard feature that can direct torque to either rear wheel, further aiding steering in both dry weather and sloppier conditions. Design-wise, the production X6 looks pretty much just like the hybrid-equipped concept version we saw earlier this year. Basically, it's a larger "X" model with a coupe roofline. Not bad, as SUVs go, but the sloping roof obviously forces owners to compromise some space in the name of style. Still, the driver and three friends can stow their golf clubs in back while riding in comfort. Interior appointments are typical BMW fare, meaning they're quite nice. If you've been in a modern Bimmer, you know precisely what to expect. The X6 is no slug, either, with a manufacturer-claimed 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds for the turbo V8 model. We'll have plenty more to say after we check it out firsthand in a few weeks.
Source: Autoblog / BMW
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue has officially been released in Japan! Here is the intro, my jaw dropped, my hairs stood on ends. Nothing has made me want a PS3 so so very very much.
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