New - 2011 BMW 5-Series



The sixth-generation 5-Series is easily recognized by a wider "twin-kidney" grille inspired by the CS concept and 7-Series sedan. The adaptive xenon headlights are standard.

The welterweight 5-Series is at the very core of BMW's model portfolio and, together with the 3-Series and 1-Series, generates more than half of the German carmaker's profits. Yet the all-new, sixth-generation BMW 5-Series sedan has more in common than ever with its range-topping 7-Series sibling, including all-new multilink front suspension members. It was effectively developed on the same architecture, shares many components and will be built in the same plant in Dingolfing, Germany. It even looks like a trimmer 7, but only at first glance. The 535i at the car's launch in Portugal is slightly bigger and rides on a noticeably longer wheelbase than its predecessor. It nonetheless proves impressively agile, stable and refined. In fact, this new 5-Series sedan is the best-handling, best-riding and most comfortable ever, and might just be the cream of the current crop of midsize luxury sedans.

Model Line-up

The 535i is powered by a revamped 3.0-liter 300-horsepower turbocharged inline six, and the 550i by a twin-turbo 4.4-liter 400-horse V8. Both are rear-wheel drive and will be delivered with a 6-speed manual gearbox — an exclusive trait in this segment. An all-new 8-speed automatic gearbox is optional. Coming later in the fall will be all-wheel-drive xDrive versions and a 528i that gets a naturally aspirated 240-horsepower 3.0-liter inline six.

A bit bigger than its predecessor, the 2010 5-Series has grown by 1.8 inches in length and about half an inch in width, and rides on a wheelbase stretched by a full 3.1 inches. The front and rear wheel tracks have increased by 1.7 inches. Since the new 5 is also 0.16 inch lower, it looks longer and slimmer. The front view is more squat and aggressive, with larger "twin-kidney" grilles inspired by the CS Concept and current 7-Series; on the other hand, the rear view evokes the 3-Series. The aerodynamic drag coefficient is unchanged for the 535i, at 0.29.

BMW upped the tech quotient in the new 5, positioning it toe-to-toe with its chief rival, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Some new systems are a surprise, given BMW's traditional emphasis on driving dynamics: Parking Assistant lets the car back itself into a space; Top View cameras show all that surrounds it; Frontal Collision Warning can apply the brakes by itself; Active Cruise Control can stop the car completely and get it going again in traffic. You can also get Blind Spot and Lane Departure warning systems, a neat heads-up display and BMW's Night Vision system.



There's a hint of the current 3-Series in the three-quarter rear view of the new 5-Series, with sculpted volumes and new light clusters now filled with rows of LEDs.

Inner Space

On the driver's side, the cockpit wraps around you without feeling narrow or confining. Accessible controls let you adjust the well-sculpted seat 10 ways, fine-tune your driving position and save the settings easily. The wheel is electrically adjustable in height and reach, with redundant controls for the audio system, onboard settings and cruise control. The rim's size, shape and texture are impeccable.

BMW pioneered driver-oriented instruments and controls long ago, and the new 5-Series rekindles this practice with controls that are angled toward the driver by about 7 degrees. The design and control layout are straightforward. No revolution here.

Speaking of which, the fourth-generation iDrive interface has been improved with the addition of separate buttons for main functions, contradicting its original intent. The standard display screen is 7 inches across, and you get a superb 10.2-inch screen with an optional navigation system that is nicely complemented by an available heads-up display. Its various menus are still too fragmented and needlessly complex, though.

The rear seat offers an extra half-inch of knee room, and you can get a 60/40 split-folding seatback, a pass-through and a ski bag as options. Trunk volume is up appreciably, to a class-leading 18.2 cubic feet, easily bettering the Mercedes E-Class and Audi A6's 15.9 cubic feet. The new 5 can also be equipped with a rear-seat infotainment system. You get a pair of 8-inch screens or larger 9.2-inch units that play independently with the Professional system.



Driving ergonomics are top-notch as usual, and the cockpit is angled toward the driver once again. The sharp 10.2-inch screen comes with the optional navigation system.



Well-sculpted front sport seats are comfortable and supportive. The cockpit seems to shrink-wrap around the driver for a perfect fit without feeling tight or confining.

BMW has virtually squared the circle by making its new sixth-generation 5-Series sedan bigger, roomier, better-equipped and more refined than ever before, while further improving its standard-setting dynamics. It also looks the part entirely, its elegant lines and chiseled features belying increased girth. The challenge now is to make this sharp new 5-Series as competitive in price as it is on the road against its direct German rivals.

2010 New York Auto Show (2-11 April) Part 6

Below is some picture galleries of two cars in the NY Auto Show - Bentley Continental GTC Supersports and the 2011 Volvo S60. Have fun looking at them!

1st is the Bentley Continental GTC Supersports.











2nd car is the 2011 Volvo S60.













~~~~That's the end of the NY Auto Show~~~

2010 New York Auto Show (2-11 April) Part 5

Hyundai Goes Upsale



If Hyundai's elaborate but well conceived plan to launch its largest, most luxurious sedan ever comes to fruition, replete with a game-changing customer service experience, it could very well become the new Audi or Lexus.

The Hyundai Equus is a full-size 4-door packed with all the frills and features people expect from an upscale luxury sedan, including a strong V8, a pampering interior and rear-wheel drive. It will go on sale in the United States this fall and carry a price tag somewhere between $50,000 and $60,000. That's a steep discount compared to the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS and Mercedes S-Class, which Hyundai stacks the Equus up against.

Having seen it up close, and sat in the Equus on display here at the New York Auto Show, there appears to be plenty of substance behind Hyundai's claims. The paint is high luster, the leather is supersoft, the design is elegant and the controls inside have a sense of quality and solidity.

Hyundai packed premium features into the Equus, including heated and cooled leather seats, suede-lined roof, heated steering wheel, massaging driver's seat, radar cruise control, parking cameras, reclining rear seats and electronic air suspension. While this list of standard features isn't unique in the category, Hyundai isn't trying to reinvent the luxury sedan. Instead, the company hopes to set the Equus apart with an unrivaled customer service experience.

Despite all of the efforts to go upscale, the Equus will hold true to Hyundai's high-value mantra. "It's not over-the-top luxury, but rather intelligent luxury," Zuchowski says. For example, despite costing less than the Lexus LS460, the Hyundai Equus is larger in every dimension. And where many European luxury sedans are designed to run on premium fuel, the Equus can use regular gasoline, albeit with a performance penalty. The 4.6-liter V8 engine produces 385 horsepower with premium fuel and 378 horsepower on regular.

With the Equus, Hyundai makes clear once again how serious it is about reshuffling the hierarchy of brands in the auto industry.

Next: 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon Debuts



Acura's TSX stable is about to grow again. Following the addition of a V6-powered sedan for the 2010 model year, Acura revealed the TSX Sport Wagon on Wednesday at the New York auto show.

While the sedan is available with the choice of a 2.4-liter I4 or a 3.5-liter V6, the Sport Wagon will be launched only with the four-cylinder bolted to a five-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Horsepower and torque figures haven't been released, but they should closely match the sedan's 201 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, the six-speed manual transmission will not be offered on the wagon.

The increased rear cargo space includes integrated under-floor storage bins and a removable side panel to allow the Sport Wagon to transport wider items such as a set of golf clubs.

As with its sedan brethren, the TSX Sport Wagon will be available with a host of technology features including navigation with a new 8-inch high-resolution color screen, real-time traffic updates and an ELS premium sound system. A moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seats and Bluetooth are standard.

The TSX Sport Wagon to roll into dealerships late this fall as a 2011 model. Pricing hasn't been announced, but expect the wagon to start at about $32,500.

2010 New York Auto Show (2-11 April) Part 4

New Mitsubishi Outlander Sport



Mitsubishi revealed a new variant of the 2011 Outlander at the New York auto show, one that is shorter and lighter overall compared with its full-scale siblings.

Known internally as the Outlander Sport, Mitsubishi deliberately left the name unclear to promote a contest at the New York show to come up with a moniker for the new model.

The entry-level model, which will start at about $19,000 when it goes on sale late this year, offers all of the Outlander features, including an available all-wheel control system that uses electronically locking differentials to save weight compared with hydraulically actuated systems. The new electronic system, which eventually will make its way into all Mitsubishi all-wheel-drive systems--including the Evolution--is equal to the hydraulic setup.

We tested both systems back to back at the Team O'Neil rally school in New Hampshire earlier this year and found the new system extremely capable on harsh rally trails. It will be more than up to the job for on-road drivers, and it won't give up any prowess for those who need extra traction and all-wheel-drive capability in tougher conditions.

The new crossover is equipped with a 148-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission in ES models; a six-speed magnesium paddle-shifted CVT is available in ES models and is standard in premium SE models.

Mitsubishi notes that the "sport" model is compact (it's a foot shorter overall than the standard Outlander) and lightweight--it even boasts plastic front fenders--making its 3,042-pound curb weight as light as the Lancer model with which it shares its platform. The Outlander's light weight and attention to aerodynamics help the CUV reach 31 mpg on the highway.

Next: Scion's New Dynamic Duo


Scion iQ


Scion TC

For the first time since its introduction in 2004, Scion has revamped its sportiest model, the tC coupe. The youthful brand also showed off a production version of its smallest car ever, the iQ, which will go on sale in the United States early next year.

The tC anchors Scion's small-car lineup with the highest level of performance the automaker offers. The new model has been improved - on paper, at least - in pretty much every way possible: Its 180-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine makes 19 ponies more and 11 lb-ft more torque than the engine in the previous version. The suspension has been fine-tuned for better handling dynamics. The wheels (18 inchers) and brakes (16 inches in diameter) are larger. The optional automatic transmission now has six speeds instead of four, plus sequential shift capability. The standard 6-speed shifts better than before. The car even gets better fuel economy.

But what Scion fans will notice first and foremost is how different the new tC looks. The windshield and side glass mimic a racing helmet's visor, a design cue taken from the Scion Fuse concept car that was unveiled at the 2006 New York International Auto Show.

The Scion tC's interior also has a more-premium feel than before. One detail will appeal to racing fans in particular: The steering wheel has a flat bottom like those on race cars and exotic sports cars, which include the feature to ease ingress and egress. The panoramic, sliding glass roof of the previous model carries over to the new one.

It goes on sale this fall.

The iQ
Scion's other new model is the tiny, 2-door iQ. It offers an amazingly versatile interior sure to appeal to urbanites. The company calls it a "3+1" layout, with three full-size seats and a kid-sized one behind the driver.

The rear seats fold flat and Scion says there's enough cargo space for two sets of golf clubs.

With a car this small, safety is a huge concern, so Scion included 10 airbags, including what the company says is the world's first "rear-window curtain airbag."

The iQ is powered by a 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine that puts out 90 horsepower and has a continuously variable transmission.

2010 New York Auto Show (2-11 April) Part 3

Previously or the previous 2 posts, I will say out the winner of the World Cup Honours. And now I am going to announce to you the results.

The Volkswagen Polo was named World Car of the Year this afternoon at the 2010 New York International Auto Show. This is second time the German automaker has captured the coveted award in as many years; the automaker's popular Golf won it last year, beating out the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Toyota Prius.



Though quite popular in Europe, the Polo is not yet sold in the United States. It carries similar styling to the Golf, and is available as a 3- or 5-door with a variety of fuel-efficient engine options. Volkswagen is still trying to determine if there is a market for this small car in America.

"We're honoured that the Polo was chosen by this distinguished group of jurors as the 2010 World Car of The Year," said Martin Winterkorn, chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG. "After the great triumph of the Golf last year, we are delighted to repeat this success with the new Polo."

Other World Car Awards News

Volkswagen also earned the award for World Green Car with its efficient BlueMotion cars: Passat, Golf and Polo. While BlueMotion models feature fuel-efficient diesel engines similar to those found in the American market VWs, the BlueMotion brand is used only in Europe. In addition to the efficient powertrain, BlueMotion models feature regenerative braking, a Start-Stop system, low-resistance tires and especially-lightweight and aerodynamic wheels . The clean-diesel BlueMotion models were chosen ahead of two hybrid models, the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight.

World Sports Car went to the Audi R8 V10. Beating out the Ferrari California and Porsche 911 GT3, the sexy R8 boasts a 525-horsepower V10 engine that drives power to all four wheels via Audi's legendary quattro all-wheel drive system.



And finally, World Car Design of the Year went to the all-new Chevrolet Camaro. One of the most recognizable vehicles on the road, the Camaro fits the bill as a modern version of the iconic muscle car. The Camaro's eye-catching design was chosen by the jury over the two other finalists, the Kia Soul and the Citroen C3 Picasso.



To be eligible for the World Car Awards, vehicles had to be in production and sold on at least two continents during 2009. Vehicles are selected and voted on by a panel of 59 top-level automotive journalists from 25 countries around the world.

2010 New York Auto Show (2-11 April) Part 2

New Look for Mercedes R-Class



Mercedes-Benz designers have reworked the front of the R-Class wagon for the 2011 model year, installing a more upright grille, a taller hood and reworked fenders and headlamps for a more rugged look. The rear fascia is also resculpted.

A new look that is closer to SUV that station wagon may be the tonic for the anemic sales of the R-Class. Mercedes sold 2,825 copies of the R350 in 2009, down 63.5 percent from the year earlier. This year, sales of the R350 totaled 295 units in the first two months, down 46.1 percent from the same period last year.

The R350 powertrain lineup remains unchanged from the 2010 model — a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine rated at 268 hp or a 3.0-liter V6 diesel rated at 210 hp. All-wheel drive is standard on the R-Class.

Next, is the Cadillac CRS-V Sport Wagon.



The next addition to Cadillac's athletic and luxurious V-Series is breaking cover at the New York auto show with the reveal of the CTS-V Sport Wagon.

This is the halo for Cadillac's line of car-based wagons, and it blends striking sheetmetal with some of General Motors' most potent and race-bred technology. Packing 556 hp from a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, the CTS-V Sport Wagon will be available late this year.

Cadillac will use the bright lights of New York to debut a special version of the wagon, which the brand is calling a show car. It's not intended for production, but some of its outfittings could be used for future trim packages. The car will be shown in a midnight silver color used on the iconic Cadillac Sixteen concept, complemented by liquid silver wheels and a chrome grille with black mesh insert. The show car also gets a unique rear fascia and upper spoiler. The interior is marked by black leather with Alcantara accents and special Recaro seats.

The CTS-V Sport Wagon rounds out the CTS line, which has become almost a subbrand for Cadillac. It joins the landmark sedan, which was key to the brand's rebirth through design and performance, and the coupe which launches this summer. All versions now have top-shelf V editions. Cadillac is trying to position its performance line in the same manner as BMW's vaunted M models.

Third one is the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.



The next natural extension of Ford's hybrid strategy is being revealed at the New York auto show with the unveiling of the 2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid.

The new luxury sedan shares many of its features with its siblings in the stable of Ford hybrids, including the powertrain, interactive SmartGauge with EcoGuide and Sync connectivity. Like the Fusion and Milan hybrids, the new Lincoln will be capable of 41 mpg in the city when it launches this fall.

The MKZ is the first hybrid for Lincoln and the first four-cylinder engine for the historic brand. It's taking square aim at the Lexus HS 250h luxury sedan. Lincoln claims a number of edges, including fuel economy and top speed in electric mode, though it will face a challenge winning buyers from loyal Lexus owners.

The MKZ hybrid uses a 2.5-liter I4 engine which works with an electric motor for a total net output of 191 hp. The car can reach speeds of 47 mph on electricity.

Other features include wood trim, 10-way power seats, heated and cooled seats, a reverse sensing system and keyless entry.

There will be more pictures of the cars in the NY Auto Show coming up soon.