A high-performance M version returns to the 5 Series lineup for 2013 after taking a few model years off.
More 2011 L.A. Auto Show Coverage
Visual changes are pretty typical for an M car with a gaping front lower grille, quarter-panel vents and quad-tip exhaust. Under the new M5's hood is a twin-turbocharged V-8 replacing the previous M5's V-10.
There's nothing surprising about the latest M from BMW.
Traditional M styling cues — a gaping front lower grille, vents in the front-quarter panels and quad exhausts — look right at home on the new 5 Series, and black grates in the twin-kidney grille — as opposed to chrome ones — really stand out on the silver car here.
More 2011 L.A. Auto Show Coverage
As you might expect, the M5's cockpit is awash in premium materials, and most surfaces that weren't finished in metal were trimmed in leather.
The Toyota Camry was the most stolen new passenger car in 2009, according to the most recent information provided by the National Crime Information Center, a government agency that is part of the FBI.
Out of all the Camrys produced in 2009, about 781 were stolen. Keep in mind that the Camry was (and is) the best-selling passenger car. So the fact that it leads the list isn't remarkable; in fact, the rate at which it was stolen was nearly half the national average.
The 2012 BMW X5 helped to bridge the driving sensibility gap between Cars.com Family reviewer Carrie Kim and her husband, aka Mr. Driving Enthusiast. While he enjoys tiny cars that hug the road, she wants to ride in comfort in an SUV. With the X5 SUV, both Carrie and her husband were happy. With its precision handling, acute responsiveness and large backseat and cargo area, there were few complaints about this five-seater.
2012 BMW X5 Family Review
BMW is recalling 32,084 2008-11 model-year vehicles equipped with an eight- or 12-cylinder engine because of the potential for an engine fire, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The 2008-11 models included in the recall are the 5 Series, 5 Series Gran Turismo, 7 Series, X5 and X6.
In the affected vehicles, an auxiliary water pump, which supports cooling of the turbocharger, can malfunction because of a defective circuit board. In certain situations, this circuit board can overheat and smolder the water pump, which may lead to an engine compartment fire or vehicle fire.
The recall is expected to begin in November. BMW dealerships will replace the pump free of charge. Owners can call BMW at 800-525-7417 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.
BMW has worked judiciously over the past few years to improve its fleetwide gas mileage, and that mantra continues today with BMW’s best-seller: the 3 Series.
Besides an all-new design that makes the car slightly larger, the redesigned 2013 BMW 3 Series makes news with the addition of a four-cylinder powertrain and a hybrid system. Other fuel-efficiency measures include a lighter curb weight, smarter automatic transmission and auto start-stop and regenerative braking technology. Despite the new green emphasis, BMW promises that the new 3 Series will be faster and handle better than the outgoing model.
The new 240-horsepower inline-four comes standard on the 328i — the same engine has already shown up on the BMW 5 Series and Z4. BMW says the new engine will be powerful — it makes 10 more hp compared with the outgoing I-6 — and will propel the 328i from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph, and 155 mph with the Sport Line trim.
BMW will reveal its new 3 Series sedan via Facebook at 4 p.m. EDT Friday. The event will take place at the company’s world headquarters in Germany and will be broadcast live on the social network.
We’ll have our own coverage here on KickingTires and expect to learn if the new model will make its North American debut at the L.A. Auto Show next month or at a later date.
We’re predicting the sedan to carry-over powertrains in current 3 and 5 Series models, including a new turbocharged four-cylinder base model and turbocharged six-cylinder to top the range at launch. We doubt that a high-performance trim like the 335is (pictured above) or the M3 will be announced Friday. The new 3 Series convertible and wagon variants will also likely be revealed at another time as 2012 versions of those bodystyles are already reaching dealers. That makes us believe the new 3 sedan will carry a 2012 model year designation.
List any questions you may have about the upcoming 3 Series below, and we’ll try to answer them this Friday.
The just-announced 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 could be the first hybrid-powered car from BMW that garners mainstream appeal. Like the Lexus GS 450h and Infiniti M35h, the ActiveHybrid 5 will blend power performance gains and fuel economy.
The ActiveHybrid 5 will be marketed as a midrange trim for 5 Series shoppers, a far cry from the pricey and now-defunct 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid X6, which was eschewed toward performance gains only at a steep price. However, the only real luxury hybrid success stories have been the RX 450h and Lexus CT 200h, both of which will cost far less than this 5 Series.
The ActiveHybrid 5 will be powered by the same 3.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged inline-six-cylinder found in the BMW 535i, mated to the similarly designed eight-speed automatic transmission. On top of those conventional components will be a 55-horsepower electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. BMW says the system makes a combined 335 hp. Unlike the mild-hybrid system in the ActiveHybrid 7, this system is an evolved version of the dual-mode hybrid system found in the ActiveHybrid X6 but now equipped with a precisely controlled energy management system.
The 2012 BMW X5 is a luxury SUV that’s hampered by some major problems and frustrations, according to Cars.com editor Kelsey Mays. On top of that, purchasing one might create some buyer’s remorse as there are strong indications that a redesigned X5 is coming to dealerships soon.
This week’s Cars.com podcast is a duality of sorts. First, we give an overview of the aging 2012 BMW X5, which is likely to be replaced with a new model soon. Afterward, we talk about something entirely different: the all-new 2012 Hyundai Velsoter. The three-door hatch opens up a completely new market for Hyundai, a carmaker that’s been making headwinds in the affordable-sedan category over the past few years. Talking about these polar opposites are Cars.com editors Joe Wiesenfelder, Mike Hanley and Kelsey Mays.
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