After endless teasing, BMW finally rolled out its long-awaited 1-Series M. The car was first announced last year in July 2009 by BMW M Boss Kay Segler. Over a year and a half later, the car has appeared. Introduction of an M model for a car this late in its life cycle was unexpected. While the 1-Series was first introduced in the United States in 2008, it has been on sale in other parts of the world since late 2004. In the U.S the car has been viewed as a successor to the 3-Series of the past, with its small size, rear-wheel drive and similarities in appearance. That positioning continues with the 1-Series M, and BMW has embraced the similarity. The 1 Series M gets significant changes to the exterior over its standard coupe counterpart. The body package is well done, conveying the sporting intentions of the 1-Series M. The front track has been increased by 2.8 inches and out back the increase stands at 1.8 inches. The 1-Series is also larger in every dimension: 0.2 inches longer, 2.1 inches wider and 0.5 inches taller. Despite larger dimensions, 77 pounds have been shaved off of its curb weight, which now stands at 3,296 pounds. Weight distribution has been extremely well balanced at (51.7/48.3). The 1-Series M gets BMW’s 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder, which uses twin-turbocharging to produce 335 horsepower and 332 pound feet of torque. The engine is also used in the 3-Series and Z4. While bumped up from the 320 hp figure of the 3-Series, the figures are the same as the Z4 sDrive35is. Increased throttle response can be had by pressing the “M” button on the dash, and the car has an overboost function that will add 37 lb-ft of torque under full acceleration. This is good for a 0-60 time of just 4.7 seconds. Many have complained for more power, but we think that is pretty good, especially considering the car’s size Suspension components have been upgraded with aluminum parts sourced from the M3. To handle the added power, there is a new, more powerful braking system with internally-vented, cross-drilled cast iron discs. They measure 14.2 inches (360mm) in diameter up front and 13.8 inches (350mm) out back. . Official pricing information will be revealed closer to the car’s Spring 2011 on-sale date. Three colors will be available...

Now that you have seen all the photos and read the long press release it is time to see this luxury limousine in motion. Ghost is packed with all the latest luxury and safety features guaranteeing a very safe and pleasant ride whether you are on the drivers seat or back on the passenger seat. Originally posted here: Videos: Rolls-Royce Ghost interior and exterior views Read more from the original source: Videos: Rolls-Royce Ghost interior and exterior views

Editors at TheCarConnection.com drove the 2010 Audi R8 to bring you this hands-on road test of its styling, performance, comfort, safety and features. TheCarConnection’s experts also compared the new R8 to other exotic cars, to bring you the best shopping advice and information possible. The companion R8 review condenses opinions from other … Browse Photos View original post here:  2010 Audi R8 Road Test

2010 LEXUS IS C STYLING | [6 out of 10] Car and Driver: “It looks to the untrained eyes like a sedan that has met a hacksaw” Motor Trend: “You’ll recognize the C as a member of the IS family, yet every body panel save the hood is new” ConsumerGuide: “Lexus’ usual large, legible gauges and handy, intuitive minor controls” Like most … Browse Photos See the original post here: 2010 Lexus IS C

With six months to go before the new BMW 5 Series is being released, test mules continue to be seen in the Munich area. Sporting less and less camouflage, the 2011 5 Series entered a few weeks back the Final Evaluation phase going through variety of testing scenarios to correct any issues that might arise in real life driving. BMW will revive the successful slogan used in the past, “Die neue Klasse”, to welcome its new F10 5er. the 6th generation model of the highly successful and important midclass sedan. The new 5er will of course replace the successful and avantgarde looking E60 series and will be an all-new car from the ground up. With the new 5 GT model being part of the same family, the exterior design will show slightly similar design cues: mirrors , side indicator lights and door handles. Every body panel is unique to the 5er, as BMW claims the 5er Gran Turismo is a stand alone premium concept. The idea behind the new 5 Series was to produce a car that looks expensive, but more modern and proportionate than a typical mid segment sedan. The low roofline and short overhangs are typical of this approach and in general the car is evenly proportioned with a wider track to accommodate larger wheelarches. The 2011 BMW 5 Series preserves the exclusivity of a new BMW and avoids duplicating the 7 Series look as a smaller 7er or as the popular phrase “One sausage different lengths”. What makes the car really stand out will be in the driving experience and the reduction of weight from one generation to the next. BMW needed a new solution that would help take weight off its cars and the inclusion of a press hardening process at the 5er’s production base will make this highly evident. Body shells and platforms are lighter and stronger using this new process. Efficient Dynamics will be highly featured in the next generation 5er with the usual features. BMW will offer two Active Hybrid 5 Series. One will use the same “mild” hybrid technology as the 7er – The Active Hybrid 5. The other hybrid will be the Active Hybrid 5d which uses the same system as the Active Hybrid X6, but will replace the V8 for a 3.0d. Interior design will continue down the same path as the 5 Series GT and 7 Series, a more luxurious approach with an driver oriented concept....

2010 LINCOLN MKT STYLING | [8 out of 10] Cars.com: “Rear of the MKT sports a distinctive forward-swept liftgate” New York Times: “A perfect antidote to the crossover blahs” Car and Driver: “Both front occupants enjoy the flowing, uncluttered center console” Love it or hate it, the one thing you won’t be able to do is ignore the new … Browse Photos View original here: 2010 Lincoln MKT

TheCarConnection.com’s editors drove the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class to write this hands-on road test summary of the new sedan’s styling, performance, comfort and features. TCC experts also have compared the E-Class to other vehicles to give you the best shopping information possible, and have prepared a companion review of road tests … Browse Photos Here is the original: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan Road Test

Testing on the 2011 Ford Fiesta sedan is continuing in the Mojave desert. This prototype reveals some of the changes in store for the front fascia of the U.S.-bound version. As you can see, the updates appear to be fairly subtle. The blacked out grille has a slightly wider opening while the bumper gets a new shape that's more American-license-plate friendly. The changes out back are equally minimal. Still no official word on a four-door hatchback version, but we're pretty sure that Ford has come to its senses by now and decided to give it a shot.   See the original post: Spy Photo: 2011 Ford Fiesta Sedan Testing in the Desert Originally posted here:  Spy Photo: 2011 Ford Fiesta Sedan Testing in the Desert

Ever since I started BMWBLOG, one of the main goals, beside producing the best and most BMW related content, was to connect us with you, our readers. The secret behind any successful car website is the community and I am constantly looking for ways to bring all of us together. You always help us with stories, tips and wonderful comments, so it is only fair that we would give something back, from time to time. The “BMW Of The Week” series is a way for us to express our gratitude by featuring some lucky cars in our weekly post, a car that will be seen by hundreds of thousands of readers every month. The Flickr BMWBLOG Group gives us  plenty of choices when it comes to choosing the weekly bimmer, but those choices can be very difficult. Some cars stand out with their tuning jobs, others with mods and extraordinary photography. In some cases, the car itself needs to “pampering” and can be simply stunning. Well, today we’re going back to the 1 Series – last week we saw a modded 135i Coupe that belongs to Mohammad, one of our long time readers – and we’re bringing you another stunning 1 Series Coupe. The beautiful 135i Coupe belongs to Mark Jardine and the license plate says it all: he is a true “1Addict”. As usual, words cannot describe it best, so we’ll let the photos do the talk. Thanks for the shots Mark! Go here to read the rest: Episode 5: “BMW Of The Week”

The editors at TheCarConnection.com drove the newly revamped 2010 Acura RDX to write this hands-on road test. Editors also drove competitive vehicles to provide the best shopping and comparison information possible for those interested in the RDX. For the accompanying full review, researchers studied reviews from other respected sources to … Browse Photos Here is the original:  2010 Acura RDX Road Test

TheCarConnection.com drove the new 2010 Lincoln MKT to bring you this hands-on road test review. Editors at TheCarConnection.com also compared the MKT with other crossovers and researched reviews from a wide range of reputable sources to bring you a comprehensive look at the new 2010 Lincoln crossover. High Gear Media drove an MKT … Browse Photos Read the rest here:  2010 Lincoln MKT Road Test

+ We drive the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox LT and see how hard we can push its 182-hp inline-four. [ Car and Driver ] + Porsche headquarters and several private homes were searched by prosecutors yesterday. There are allegations of former executives and other employees taking part in illegal actions to breach publication duties of the German stock market. [ Car and Driver ] + We got to spend some time with the updated 2010 Mazda CX-9, but they wouldn’t let us drive. [ Car and Driver ] + A cross-country voyage in our long-term Hyundai Genesis sedan was bound to result in a speeding ticket. [ Car and Driver ] + For 36 years, Steve Earle has been the ringleader of the Monterey Historics race. In 2010, Earle will not be returning, leaving our executive editor, Mark Gillies, a bit concerned. Gillies shares his thoughts on how this will affect the Historics in the future. [ Car and Driver ] + The Monterey week is always a good opportunity to get a run in exotic cars that don’t always end up in Michigan. Gillies got into a new Ferrari California and a not-so-new Morris Minor Traveller.  [ Car and Driver ] + The 2010 Nissan 370Z roadster offers coupe-like performance and a stronger structure. Check out our short take road test on the droptop Z. [ Car and Driver ] + Mini has launched an application for iPhone and Blackberry devices that will allow drivers quick access to roadside assistance. [ Car and Driver ] + The 2010 Audi R8 5.2 V10 FSI Quattro and the 2009 Ferrari 430 Scuderia battle it out in our latest supercar comparo. We’ve got a video of the dueling exotics in action. [ Car and Driver ] + The 2011 Hyundai Sonata has been spied completely undisguised in what looks to be a film studio. Two different grilles are seen in the photos which could indicate one of the sedans is the planned hybrid version. [ Hyundai Blog ] + The X Prize is a competition set up by Progressive Insurance between vehicles that get 100 mpg using gasoline, diesel, battery, and/or compressed-air technology. The New York Times speaks with an X Prize senior adviser about “gallons of electricity.” [ The New York Times ] + GM’s plan to sell cars through dealerships in California via eBay is picking up interest but not resulting in many actual sales. Dealers have listed 16,228...

These past two days, we had the privilege to attend our first American LeMans race at the beautiful and fast Road America track. Being part of the media can have some advantages….. sometimes…. and BMW North America Motorsport has invited us to join them for this event, an event that coincided with their first ALMS GT2 win since the BMW Rahal Letterman has launched. If last weekend BMW scored a podium at Mid-Ohio, this time, team took it all. Tommy Milner/Dirk Mueller and Joe Hand/Bill Auberlen won the top positions after an exact race controlled entirely by them from the beginning until the finish flag. As usual, we’re going to spoil you with many many photos, including some “home made” videos that will you give some behind the scenes footage taken during the race at the BMW Rahal Letterman pitsop and shortly after. Since our full review will be coming up within the next few days, we thought it will be fair to release some photos now, giving you a glimpse of what to expect next. While many times a picture speaks a thousand words, this time it’s totally the opposite: the photos won’t be able to fully show the experience we’ve been through, but we’ll do our best to walk you through it in the race review article. More: Photos and Videos: BMW Rahal Letterman M3 GT2 at Road America

Some of you that follow us on Twitter might already know that yesterday I received our short-term BMW Z4 loaner, more exactly, the powerful sDrive35i model. The new roadster will sit in my garage for a week or so, giving me the opportunity to drive it around and eventually, write that long review as I have done in the past. But this time, I decided to do something different and more interesting, so rather than waiting a full week before publishing my Z4 review, I will give you daily reports on my experience behind the BMW Z4. The Z4 I’m driving this week is the high-end sDrive35i model powered by the multiple award-winning 3.0 liter twin-turbo engine which outputs 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque at only 1,400 rpm. Unusual but highly appreciated, the Z4 came with a manual transmission and that has made my experience even more interesting. The Z4 35i also came equipped with Premium and Sport Package, along with Coral Red leather interior which matches perfectly the stunning Alpina White paint. Oh…some of you that might not know, the Z4 sDrive35i weights 3,450 and you will see later on why this was important to mention. So yesterday, it was a great day in Chicago, a tad hot some might say – 90F(32 Celsius) – but in my opinion, perfect day to take out a roadster and enjoy the summer. With the top down, I decided to cruise down the Lake Michigan shore to find a good spot for the photoshoot session. I do know by now how much you enjoy our BMW photos, so I had to keep the tradition going. From the moment I received the car, I started asking myself: “What could be the best scenery to really capture the Z4 spirit?” The beach, ocean….okay, we don’t have any ocean here in the Midwest, but we do have the beautiful Lake Michigan. Later that night, I decided to take the Z4 in the Chicago Downtown area and this time, capture the roadster against the beautiful architecture of a large city. I won’t post all the photos today, but the final Z4 photo gallery is the best we have made so far. Now back to the car since that’s what we care the most, right? Well, let me start by saying that a roadster has never been on my Top 3 list of BMWs I would buy, mostly because of the long winters we have here and the lack of a...

Same as the fellows at Road and Track , we’re still in the dark when it comes to the naming convention MINI will use for their upcoming crossover vehicle. This hasn’t stopped the R&T rendering artist to come up with these latest photos which, judging by what some sources are saying, they are not far off from the real deal. The front-bumper has the same wider separation between the  top and bottom grille sections that we have seen in the latest spy photos . The headlights have also been drawn slightly different from the Concept Crossover unveiled at the last Paris Motor Show. The MINI Crossman/Countryman will be offered with a four standard with a four seating configuration, but some markets will have the option of a 5-seater vehicle as well. The MINI crossover measures 158 in. long, 63 in. high, and 72 in. wide, with a wheelbase of 102.6 in. It is also expected to have a relatively low ride height and it will be available both with the regular front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive which is rumored to have been imported from BMW models. The MINI Crossover will make its debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show and it is interesting to see how it will measure against the BMW X1 and its targeted customers. [Source: Road and Track ] Read the rest here:  Renderings MINI Crossman/Countryman