BMW BLOG

“There will never be an M version of the X5″. This exact phrase we heard it a few years back when BMW introduced the high-end X5 4.8is model. Fast forward a few years and the phrase turned into “This is not a real M car, what were they thinking?”

No really, what was BMW really thinking? Or could they have really nailed it down with this first all-wheel drive M car? We took on the task of putting the BMW X5 M through an extensive review, both as a daily driver, but also as a race track performance monster.

Has it let us down? We shall find out next. Read the rest of this entry »

Back at the LA International Auto Show, I told you about taking the new ActiveHybrid 7 for a nice, but unfortunately, short drive around Los Angeles. Part of the same short test driving sessions, I had the chance to drive around ActiveHybrid X6 as well. Although, with the X6, I had a little bit more of an interesting drive.

Read on to see what I mean…

First off, the BMW X6 has been a hit or miss car. It has been very popular with most people around the world, but then there is this other group of people that might refer to it as pointless and even harsher words, hideous. It seems to be a love it or hate it sort of car which despite the initial criticism has exceeded BMW’s sales expectations. While I guess I can understand why some people may dislike the X6 for being a big SAC with not much of an off-roading personality (not what BMW intended to be anyway), along with not having a lot of useful room for being so large, but it’s still an interesting vehicle.

I love the X6 for being, plain and simple, a massive brute with sports car attributes. While it belongs to the same X-family as the X5, the X6 offers smaller passenger room. It only seats four and it doesn’t have room in the back for my German Shepherd. However, I don’t really care about that.

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While I was out in the city of Angels for the 2009 LA Auto Show, I took a hot spin in BMW’s new ActiveHybrid 7-Series sedan.

Before I go any further, though, I must tell you…I don’t like hybrid cars very much. I’ve never been a big fan of them because of the politics, big goose egg of a fun factor, and 0% intelligent design. And by intelligent design, I’m not talking about the engine. I’m more or less talking about the style, interior and sporting factors.

With that said, my first impression was, as is my general impression of the new F10/F11 7, that it’s gorgeous. A really beautiful body just enhanced with an engine that will please all of the Hollywood celebrities trying to save the world one luxury car at a time. While there is no doubt that this is a great appeal to most people who want a luxury car with all of the space and room that the 7-Series offers, but with the added comfort of a hybrid motor, without killing any of the BMW spirit.

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Speaking of BMW’s with electric motors and hybrids, we thought it might be a good time to revisit one of BMW’s most notable hybrids – the MINI E. We’ve already tried it once before when it first debuted last year but recently we had a chance to take a short second look at the car to see what we thought a year later.

I press the start button – wait – nothing. I pull the key fob out, wait, put it back in and press the start button. I do this a few more times before I happen to press the start button and catch the gauge in front of me bounce up to life.

OK, so I’ve managed to successfully turn on the MINI E after about 1 minute of trying. It’s not that the fully electric MINI is broken or has issues, it is just that quiet when you’re turning over a car that has no cylinders to fire up and runs strictly on a massive battery pack sitting amidship the little coupe. It literally makes no sounds if the radio is off upon start up – eerily efficient.

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As I slide down through a quick right-hander, I see a sign that is good news: a yellow road sign with a squiggly line down the middle indicating very curvy roads ahead. I pull the gear lever to the left and press forward to engage a lower gear then point the nose towards the first corner it is supposed to battle and hit the throttle.

The nose complies and slides runs, head-long, into the first of a wonderful series of turns; the cool fall atmosphere turns into a blur of orange, red, and yellow all around me. On my left, a guard rail holding back a steep drop and on my right a protruding rock face with scattered, bare trees, both hoping the car and driver don’t misstep. As I propel the car through the turns it doesn’t do what I expect it to: instead of running wide, the nose sticks and glides through the turns, composed and ready to take on the next turn without question.

As I exit the long series of S curves with a hint of a smile on my face, I look down at the display in front of me only to be shocked to see the suspension setting reads “COMFORT.” This was one of my favorite moments of a day with BMW’s all new 550i Gran Turismo and for those who are short on time, rest assured, the new 5 Series GT model still drives like a BMW should drive.

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After three long, yet glorious days at BMW North America’s facility in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, I found myself watching old episodes of Top Gear as a means of relaxing while waiting for my flight back home. Who knew you could relax while listening to Jeremy Clarkson?

Ironically enough, it was an episode from Season 10 in which the Top Gear boys purchased a BMW 330d and converted it to racing spec for a 24-hour endurance race at the historic Silverstone circuit.

I’d seen it hundreds of times but it’s still enjoyable to see Top Gear give a somewhat serious look at a BMW performance, much less a diesel one at that. However, the episode brought me back to my experience at BMW’s New Jersey headquarters earlier that day.

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We’re a few days into our BMW X5 M road test and we would like to take the time to share with you some of our findings, along with a few great photos. Ever since we tested on track the other twin, BMW X6 M, we’ve said that with the X5 M will focus mostly on daily driving, using the car in different scenarios, from a family car to an enthusiast vehicle at night or in the weekends. To complete the scenario, we’ve done a lap around the track also, just so we can satisfy your hunger for cool in-motion photos.

Evaluating a vehicle can be sometimes instinctual and subjective, each one of us have different needs, expectations and preferences, but we would like to believe we’re maintaining that objective approach. Since we’ve already tested all the current M models, we have a well defined idea of what to expect from an M car: stability, speed, dynamics, handling, thrill and last but not least, safety.

Driving a 555 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque SAV brings new emotions, on one hand, you’re getting the safety and stability from a massive all-wheel drive Sports Activity Vehicle and on the other hand, the power of “real Motorsport” car, a power that along with the exhaust sound turned many heads when we decided to push it a little.

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Living in the U.S. can have its perks when it comes to cars, but unfortunately many BMW models are not available for the North American market, especially the latest diesel powerplants that are getting a lot of praises from the European consumers. While attending the Frankfurt Auto Show, we decided to take on the task of driving one of these diesels, and not any diesel, but the BMW X6 xDrive30d, the entry level Sports Activity Coupe in the European market.  Over a distance of 900 miles, we put the X6 xDrive30d through different driving scenarios, from urban driving  to the open and exciting german Autobahn.

Under The Hood

The X6 xDrive30d is powered by a light alloy six-cylinder in-line common-rail diesel engine with four valve technology and a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry. It outputs a maximum 235 hp @ 4000rpm and a maximum torque of 427lb ft @ 2000-2750rpm.

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