Spied Up Date: 2011 BMW 5-Series

Caught wrapped in psychedelic camo, spy images of BMW’s new 5-series show the mid-sizer is taking shape with a broader snout and a larger twin-kidney grille similar to that of the new 2009 7-series. A rounded tail also alludes to a more conservative familial resemblance as the German automaker continues to tone down the controversial flame-surfaced styling of the current 5-series.

While we expect more information at an auto show later this year, the new 5-series will be slightly longer, wider, and lower than the existing car when it arrives in early 2010. It will again feature a hybrid steel-aluminum structure, with the doors, hood, and roof made of the lighter metal. However, this is in contrast to the existing car’s design, which employs aluminum for nearly the entire front half of the vehicle for optimum weight distribution. The new structure is easier and less expensive to manufacture, yet still could aid handling by offsetting the weight of the engine and lowering the center of gravity. Rear-wheel drive is standard and the automaker’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system will again be optional, and expect the torque-vectoring active differential from the X6 crossover to be offered as an option on certain models.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

Hot News: The New GM

GM has officially been reborn as a new company after it exited its 39-day stay in bankruptcy protection.

GM chief Fritz Henderson described the announcement as a “new beginning” for the troubled car maker. Under the terms of the sale, GM will now be 60.8 per cent owned by the US treasury.

The new GM will be focused around its four key brands – GMC, Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet – while other unwanted assets will be left behind in bankruptcy court to be sold off or liquidated.

Pontiac is the major brand that will be discontinued, while Saturn, Saab, Hummer and Opel/Vauxhall will be sold off.

The US treasury is providing new GM with £37.3 billion of funding in return for its 60.8 per cent stake. The United Auto Workers union are the next biggest stakeholder with 17.5 per cent, while the Canadian government and GM bondholders will get 11.7 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.

Henderson said: "One thing we have learned from the last 100 days is that GM can move quickly and decisively. Today, we take the intensity, decisiveness and speed of the past several months and transfer it from the triage of the bankruptcy process to the creation and operation of a new General Motors.

"Business as usual is over at GM. Today starts a new era for General Motors and everyone associated with the company. Going forward, the new General Motors is fully committed to listening to customers, responding to consumer and market trends, and empowering the people closest to the customer to make the decisions.

"Our goal is to build more of the cars, trucks, and crossovers that customers want, and to get them to market faster than ever before."

The US treasury plans to run new GM as a less bureaucratic company by cutting 20 per cent of its white collar workforce ad 35 per cent of executives.

It will become a more fuel-efficient company, based around its flagship plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt, which is due to go on sale in the US later next year.

Thanks to: Autocar

Unofficial Picture: 2011 Mercedes SLS AMG

It's the real deal. The first photo of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has leaked. The above image comes courtesy of German automotive magazine Auto Bild and, according to our European sources, is nothing short of the actual car. Shown are front and rear three quarter views paying plenty of homage to the legendary 300 SL "Gullwing."

A key difference, however, could be the engine. The standard SLS uses a reworked V-8 from the SL63 and produces 571 hp and 479 lb-ft. But if you want more, you'll have to go electric. Mercedes is developing a plug-in electric version of the SLS that could appear in limited production in 2015, Autocar reports.

Called the SLS eDrive, the zero-emission coupe would offer around 525 hp and 649 lb-ft of torque from four electric motors. The motors route power to each wheel through a planetary drive set. Wolf Zimmermann, who is heading eDrive development, puts 0-62 mph at sub-four seconds and a top speed of over 120 mph.

The eDrive would use a modified version of the rear-drive platform, with batteries occupying space normally reserved for a torque tube and gas tank. A pushrod suspension with horizontally mounted coilover dampers replaces the wishbones up front to free space. Autocar reports a range between 93 and 112 miles.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Spied: 2012 Volkswagen Sharan

The new VW Sharan people carrier has been spied testing two years ahead of its launch.

The car will be unveiled at the 2011 Geneva show and is expected to expand in both size and price.

The current car, launched in 1995, could remain on sale alongside the new Sharan, as a cheaper model.

Insiders say the new VW Sharan will have more interior space, better quality and more seating combinations.

A van-like sliding door is likely to be introduced, to improve access to the rear. The new model is expected to adopt the VW family styling cues, with tail-lights reminiscent of the current Sharan and Golf-style lamps at the front.

In profile, the Sharan will move away from a clear one-box design, borrowing its shape from the smaller VW Touran.

Petrol engines will range from 115bhp to 200bhp turbo units, while diesels will have up to 160bhp. Expect the efficient 1.4 TSI engines to appear too, and a green Bluemotion version is likely.

Thanks to: Autocar

Hot News: Hummer's Chinese Talk Begins

Hummer’s proposed new owner Tengzhong has begun talks with the Chinese government in a bid to try and get its deal with GM approved.

A Tengzhong spokesman said: “We have already got in touch with the relevant government departments (for approval of the deal) and will keep in touch with them.”

The spokesman didn’t confirm how much progress had been made in the talks, however.

Tengzhong has been much criticised in the Chinese media for its attempts to buy Hummer.

Media reports claim the heavy machinery manufacturer is inexperienced in international business and it is a peculiar move at a time when China is trying to cut its CO2 output.

Under Chinese laws, any company wanting to buy an overseas firm for more than $100 million (£62 million) must get state approval.

Thanks to: Autocar

Spied Up Date: 2011 Porsche Cayenne

These spy pictures show the second generation Porsche Cayenne, which is expected to be packed with technology from the Panamera five-door.

This technology is expected to include a stop/start system and a hybrid model with a supercharged V6.

The new Porsche Cayenne is also likely to share its architecture with the VW Toureg, and our spy shots show that the body is likely to be sleeker and more aerodynamic.

Along with other new Porsches there is expected to be significant weight improvements and increased efficiency.

Reports suggest that as much as 200kg coudl be shed from the Cayenne, with the weight loss being used to improve effieicency and performance and handling.

Thanks to: Autocar

Hot News: Audi Q3

Form an orderly Q! This is the Q3, the car that’s set to become the latest addition to Audi off-roader line-up, and our exclusive images show precisely how the curvy and compact 4x4 is shaping up.

Joining the imposing Q7 and understated Q5, the Q3 is the car Audi fans have been waiting for to rival the forthcoming BMW X1 and MINI Crossman – taking Audi into an all-new market segment.

Previewed by the Cross Coupe Quattro concept at the 2007 Shanghai Motor Show, the production model will share its proportions with that show car, but lend heavily from the flowing creases and clean surfaces of the Q5.

The chassis will be borrowed from Audi’s parent company VW – more specifically from the similarly sized Tiguan. Both two and four-wheel drive version will be available, with the latter using a Haldex-developed all-wheel drive setup also shared with the Tiguan.

Engine choices are likely to include a 2.0-litre TDI turbodiesel with either 138bhp or 168bhp, as well as the 2.0-litre TFSI unit from the Golf GTI with up to 207bhp, channelled through either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG ‘box.

And our renderings are much more than wishful thinking – Audi has already confirmed that the Q3 will enter production at SEAT’s Martorelli plant in Barcelona in 2011. Expect to see another Q3 concept – bearing a closer resemblance to the production version this time – some time next year. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express