Nissan may create performance line for Infiniti like BMW M-series

Nissan North America may soon create an performance line for Infiniti, similar to rival Mercedes-Benz's AMG models, BMW's M, Audi's S and Cadillac's V alphabet-souped-up versions of their cars, according to a report in Autoweek.

Nissan has filed with the feds to trademark the names "IPL" and "Infiniti Performance Line." According to application documents filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the IPL trademark cover use of "high-performance motor vehicle parts," including turbochargers and superchargers and performance exhaust, suspension and systems.

Autoweek said a spokesman at Infiniti's U.S. HQ in Franklin, Tenn., declined to discuss the trademark or product, but that this month the VP of the Infiniti Business Unit, Ben Poore, told reporters he intends to reveal a new performance-oriented offering this summer.

2010 BMW 320d EfficientDynamics travels 1,013 miles on a single tank of gas

2010 BMW 320d EfficientDynamics

BMW announced that its most fuel-efficient and greenest 3-Series ever completed a record-breaking journey from the UK to Munich and back on one tank of gas. Fueled up and ready to go at the Channel Tunnel, the new 2010 BMW 320d EfficientDynamics sedan made it to Munich and back – a total of 1,013 miles on a single tank of fuel.

The BMW 320d EfficientDynamics was piloted by Tom Ford (of Fifth Gear) who averaged a combined figure of 57 mpg and CO2 emissions of only 109g/km. On his way to Munich, Tom was achieving a 63 mpg and said that he didn’t hit below 54 mpg the entire trip.

Luxury BMW carjacked in Sydney CBD

A man was carjacked at gun point in the CBD last night, with two masked men demanding the keys to his BMW. It is the second BMW carjacking in five days.

Police said about 9.40pm, a 31-year-old man was getting something out of the boot of his blue BMW M5 sedan, parked on Elizabeth Street near King Street.

"It is alleged a silver-coloured BMW stopped near his car before two men wearing balaclavas exited the vehicle and approached the victim," a police statement said.

2011 BMW 5 Series Diesel Headed for America

Early rumors about a 5-Series diesel making it to US soil have finally been confirmed by a BMW official. According to the new report, the diesel-powered BMW 5-Series will debut in the United States for sure.

As stated by Inside Line, the BMW official has not provided any details about which engines will head for US shores, but it is speculated that the U.S. market will get the 3.0-liter diesel engine found on the 530d. The 265 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque seems quite ideal for the new 5 Series and has already been calibrated to pass U.S. 50 state emissions regulations. The engine gives 0-62 mph in 6.3 with a top speed of 155 mph.

2011 BMW 335is – First Drive

Here's something new: For once North America will be getting a special performance edition of a popular European model that the Europeans won't receive (at least for now). This performance edition shall be known as the 335is and it comes courtesy of our friends at BMW North America.

2011 BMW 335is

The is ("i" for injection, as in fuel, and "s" for sport, as in fun) follows a tradition of s-badged sport-enhanced models, including the 320is, 325es, 325is, 535is, and most recently, the X5 4.6is and 4.8is.

This 335is features a massaged version of the N54 turbocharged inline six and an array of M Sport accoutrements to put it on a tier above the current 335i.

In spite of the recent revelation of BMW's next-generation turbo six (the single-turbo N55), the 335is will employ the more familiar N54 twin-turbo. Precision fuel injection, Double-VANOS stepless valve timing, and an advanced Digital Motor Electronics (DME) control system collaborate to push peak power from 300 to 320 hp, and torque from 300 to 330 lb-ft. There's also an overboost function that briefly kicks the peak torque to a massive 370 lb-ft under hard acceleration in "certain circumstances." (We love those kinds of circumstances.)

Other engine upgrades are placed to compensate for the increased performance, like an additional radiator behind the left side bumper intake, an oil cooler behind the other intake, and stiffer engine mounts.

The 335is comes with a standard six-speed manual transmission, or, for the first time on a non-M car, the seven-speed DCT automated manual (which includes a launch control function) as an option.

While all 3 Series coupes and convertibles have received a midlife facelift for the coming model year-including massaged body panels and front and rear light clusters-M Sport styling cues vistually set the 335is apart from its more pedestrian siblings, including a front fascia and side skirts designed to move more air to critical locations, a rear fascia with diffuser, standard Shadowline window trim, gloss-black side mirrors, 335is badges on the front quarters, and standard 18-inch wheels (19s are optional). On the inside, the M Sport upgrades include the steering wheel, sport seats, an anthracite-colored headliner, stainless steel pedals, 335is branding on the dashboard and tachometer, and M-branded sill plates, dead pedal, and gearshift knob.

BMW 5 Series Diesel Coming to U.S.

After a February test-drive in the diesel-powered version of BMW's all-new F10-generation 5 Series sedan, the most we could say about whether the U.S.-market would ever see it: maybe.

BMW 5 Series Diesel

The gloves are off now, though, with BMW confirming at a media event this week that the magnificent new 5 Series also will be available to U.S. buyers with one of BMW's magnificent turbodiesel engines. The company won't yet say which diesel — or when.

But for compression-ignition aficionados, the news gets even better. BMW is planning to give us diesel power for another as-yet-unnamed model, too.

Willem Rombauts, product manager for the 5 Series, X5 and X6, said two more models in the U.S. will offer diesels. "The 5 Series will definitely be one of them," he revealed.

Currently, the 330d and the X5 xDrive35d are the only two U.S.-spec models fitted with diesels. Both use BMW's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel that generates 265 horsepower and a sinful 425 pound-feet of torque. Both have been on sale since 2008. Neither, however, has recorded the kind of sales numbers that make the accountants back in Germany break out with spontaneous yelps of Wagnerian rapture.

Limited Edition BMW Z4 sDrive35is Mille Miglia

Still amazed by their victory at Mille Miglia race 70 years ago, BMW released a new special and limited edition of the Z4 Roadster called of course the Mille Miglia Edition. Based on the sDrive35is variant powered by a 335 bhp twin-charged I6 engine, it is developed in Italy and it’s limited to 99 units.

BMW Z4 sDrive35is Mille Miglia Limited Edition - This car must have the longest name in automotive history!

The Z4 sDrive35is Mille Miglia comes standard with a M-power body kit and a special Polaris matte grey color, and it’s distinguished by a couple of 1000 MIGLIA badges, blaked-out BMW grilles and 19-inch dark wheels.

Inside the car you get sport red/black seat covered in leather and alcantara with Q-citura style stitching. There’s also a M steering wheel, red/black floor mats and a big 1000 MIGLIA emblem on the center console.

2010 BMW Z4sDrive35is Mille Miglia Limited Edition Unveiled

2010 BMW Z4sDrive35is
MW saw enormous success with its 328 MM Touring Coupe at the Mille Miglia Italian road race in 1940, finishing first, third, fifth, and sixth. In order to commemorate the company’s historic win, it crafted a Mille Miglia Limited Edition version of the 2010 BMW Z4 sDrive35is and built a replica of the 328 Kamm Coupe.

Read more: http://wot.motortrend.com/6643453/auto-news/2010-bmw-z4sdrive35is-mille-miglia-limited-edition-unveiled/index.html#ixzz0nIRWOSkK

BMW Recreates a 328 Kamm Coupé for the Mille Miglia

BMW The 328 Kamm Coupé recreation.

The Mille Miglia, the road race from Brescia, Italy, to Rome and back that began this week, marks the 70th anniversary of the year BMW swept the race’s top spots in 1940. To commemorate, the company has entered what it describes as a contemporary replica of the so-called 328 Kamm Coupé. The replica was unveiled at the recent concours d’elégance at the Villa d’Este on Lake Como.

In the 1940 race, BMW’s 328, with its powerful in-line six, won the top spot and took third, fifth and sixth places, although the Kamm Coupé didn’t finish the race because of mechanical problems. Another 328 tied to that race, the 1937 BMW 328 MM ‘Bügelfalte,’ or trouser crease, named for its sharp fenders, was offered at RM’s auction in Monaco on May 1. Bidding on the car reached 4,300,000 euros, or $5,835,100, but because it did not exceed the reserve the vehicle remained unsold. Instead, it was purchased privately the next day.

The 1940 race was in April. But France would fall in May, which kept most participants away from the Italian road race. The result was a battle of the Axis powers, with five silver BMW 328s set in a sea of Italian Fiats, Lancias and Alfa Romeos. (Two blue French Delages were driven by Italians.)

The 328 was given many different bodies, and models varied a good deal. All used space frames with thin aluminum bodies. The Italian company, Touring, provided bodies using its trademark superleggera system of tubes and skin. The cars also helped demonstrate the idea of a streamlined, closed racer using aerodynamics to optimize power and handling.