NEW BMW CARS

The BMW 7-Series has always been a very important car to look at for those who loves BMWs. As the flagship model, new design cues and technology more often than not makes its debut on the 7-Series first and then slowly trickles down the rest of the model range. Let’s have a close look at the new F01 7-Series after the jump.












NEW BMW 5 SERIES

The new facelifted BMW 5-Series is now available in Malaysia, and is available in 523i SE, 525i Sports, 530i, 540i, 530d and of course the top of the line BMW M5.

All of the 5-Series models have Active Steering, Adaptive Headlamps, High Beam Assistant, runflat tyres (except the M5) and something new is that the whole range of 5-Series now comes with GPS satellite navigation with maps on a DVD.

The 530i and 540i now has BMW Night Vision, and all the models except the 523i SE are now equipped with a Head-Up Display. I managed to try out BMW’s HUD back in Athens with the BMW X5 and I must say it is the most useful when it displays satellite navigation guidance - you don’t have to turn your head to look at the iDrive screen.

NEW BMW 3 SERIES

BMW has released full details on the new BMW 3-Series Sedan and Touring facelift. The following are the full list of changes for the 2009 facelifted model.

• A new front end comprising of a new front kidney grille, a new bumper, and headlamps with new internal graphics including LED turn signals.
• The rear end is made to look broader thanks to more detailed lines. The rear headlamps now return to the classic L shape and have new lense graphics.
• The side profile has different wing mirrors.
• The power window control panel has been changed slightly for ergonomics purposes. BMW also says there are new cubby holes to store things.
• The iDrive system has been updated with an 8.8 inch display and the new enhanced iDrive with 3D navigation graphics and a web browser using BMW ConnectedDrive (GPRS and EDGE) is available. Navigation storage no longer uses DVD but a 80GB hard drive, which can also store music files.

BMW X5

One of the key points of improvement in this new BMW X5 over the previous version is third-row seating. The previous BMW X5 only seated 5, which made it unattractive for people with large families. This third row is optional, and with the third row seats installed the new BMW X5 seats 7, 2 in front, 3 in the middle and 2 at the back. To accomodate this extra seating, the X5 has grown longer by 19mm and wider by 6mm. With all seats in place, the X5 still has a comfortable boot space of 200 liters, but when you remove them this storage grows to 620 liters. This is up 155 liters compared to the first generation BMW X5.

Power and torque has also gone up across the model range. The BMW X5 3.0 receives 41hp power boost, bringing it up to 272hp from the previous 231hp figure. Torque goes up from 300Nm to 315Nm. The X5 3.0 goes from 0-100km/h in 8.1 seconds, and has a top speed of 225km/h The turbodiesel BMW X5 3.0d now makes 231hp and 520Nm torque, successing the previous model that only has 204hp and 480Nm torque. The top of the range BMW X5 4.8i has it’s power upped to 355hp and 475Nm of twisting action, up from 320hp and 440Nm. Top speed is 250km/h. Note that all three top speed figures are with the Dynamic Package offered by BMW, without it top speed for all three X5s are limited to 210km/h.