It’s the dawn of a new age at M. Or depending on how you look at it, a return to form (a la the M535i). Either way these new diesels touched by the magic of M look and sounds fantastic. Perhaps more importantly, the numbers look extraordinary; 381 hp and 546 lb-ft from a triple turbocharged inline six. Power is driven through an eight speed automatic gearbox and put down to the pavement via a revised xDrive system. The results as impressive as expected – 0-60 should fall somewhere in the mid four second range.
But all that aside, it’s the engine’s technology that has our mouths watering.
First came the rumor. Then came the official admission. Now comes the debut. Today BMW M takes the wraps off of its first products with diesel engines. No they aren’t M cars in the classic sense but they are a new breed of cars created by M to bridge the gap between full M products and “Series” cars.
However being that these first products are diesel, they will not be coming to the US. With diesel certification an extraordinarily pricey affair for the US market, projected sales don’t justify the investment. Forbidden fruit or not, the numbers look extraordinary; 381 hp and 546 lb-ft from a triple turbocharged inline six. Power is driven through an eight speed automatic gearbox and put down to the pavement via a revised xDrive system. The results as impressive as expected – 0-60 should fall somewhere in the mid four second range.
Numbers aside it’s the engine that has us most interested. This is BMW’s first application of a triple turbo set-up and one of the first in the automotive industry. The size, arrangement and interplay of the turbos are designed to guarantee maximum power across the power range. The system comprises two smaller and one larger turbo. According to the driving situation, the low moment of inertia of the small turbochargers is exploited to the full to deliver razor-sharp responses, while the link-up with the large turbo is maximised to generate as much charge pressure as possible.
You can read more via the official press release below and the full gallery after the break. And if you still can’t get enough you can download the entire full (and lengthy) press release after the break.
Over the past six months we’ve heard rumors of several “near” M cars that have been undergoing testing. Today we have our first official confirmation from M themselves. “The BMW M Performance Automobiles” will span the range from the X6 and 6 Series Gran coupe all the way down to the much rumored M135i. The idea is simple, bring near M levels of performance to cars with better every day drive-ability. Sounds a little like the E46 ZHP doesn’t it?
This morning BMWNA officially revealed the pricing of the latest hybrid model, the BMW ActiveHybrid 5. Coming in at just under $62k it will arrive at dealers this Spring. The World Premier of this car was back in September so for a refresher you can see the full details here: World Premier BMW ActiveHybrid 5
Official Release: Detroit, MI – 9:00am EST January 9, 2012…
On January 9th 2012 the automotive world will converge on Cabo Hall, Detroit Michigan (like in Frankfurt above). This coming North American International Auto Show is going to be a spectacular event, not for the venue itself but for the number of production cars making world premieres as well as the Concept cars that will shape the future landscape of automobiles as we known them.
From the American big three to the Germans and Japanese, each company from those respective nations is said to be showing something that will come to market within the next year. BMW, not to be upstaged by the competition has some significant vehicles that will make their first appearances as well as showcasing the future of the BMW brand in North America. The following is what we believe to make appearances.
After years of avoiding it, BMW is making the Tokyo Motor Show all about alternative power plants for 2011. Making it’s official production debut will be the AciveHybrid 5 Series.
Official Release: The introduction of groundbreaking drive system innovations sees BMW taking driving pleasure to consistently greater heights, while at the same time reducing fuel consumption and emissions to ever lower levels. At the Tokyo Motor Show 2011 (3 – 11 December 2011) the German premium carmaker is underlining its pace-setting development expertise in this field with the presentation of next-generation BMW ActiveHybrid technology, new four-cylinder petrol engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and – for the first time in the Japanese market – a six-cylinder in-line diesel engine with BMW BluePerformance technology. This year’s Tokyo Show is hosting the world premiere of the new BMW ActiveHybrid 5. The full-hybrid Sedan brings together a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine, an electric drive system, an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a high-performance lithium-ion battery. This package of technology allows the brand’s third hybrid model to be driven on purely electric power around town, offers drivers a boost function delivering extremely dynamic acceleration, and enables the car to coast with the combustion engine switched off. The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 also comes with a globally unique intelligent energy management system, which works in tandem with the navigation system to prepare the car’s drive functions in advance for upcoming road conditions.
Today BMW takes the wraps off of its latest hybrid, the ActiveHybrid 5 Series. In contrast to the X6 and even 7 Series hybrids, BMW expects this car to sell in noticeable numbers and has given it the tech to make it more palatable to the car buying public. Additionally (if sources are to believed) the power-plant will also form the the basis of the upcoming 3 Series ActiveHybrid.
Official Release: BMW today announced the introduction of its newest hybrid, the BMW ActiveHybrid 5. Based
on the BMW 535i Sedan, the ActiveHybrid 5 brings together BMW’s 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder engine, an electric drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission for the first time. The latest generation of BMW ActiveHybrid technology also adds precisely controlled energy management to the mix. All of which gives the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 an exceptional balance of performance and fuel economy for a benchmark performance/luxury sedan. Its drive system generates combined output of 335 hp (DIN), allows the car to be driven on electric power alone up to 37 mph (60 km/h), and accelerates the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds (preliminary). The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 will arrive in US showrooms in March 2012.
With 2012 BMW is making a variety of changes across the line-up. Here’s a full rundown of every change on every model.
All Vehicles
BMW Apps is available as a stand-alone option on all models for $250. With this addition, the Smartphone Integration will be removed as a stand-alone option and now included in BMW Apps.
You can see the entire line-up in detail after the break.
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Sections: //M\\ Diesels, E70 X5, E71 X6, F10 5 Series, F11 5 Series Wagon, Video Jan 26th, 2012 6 Comments 
