2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

The BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo combines elegance, space, comfort and variability in truly unique style.









Technical specifications

• BMW 535i Gran Turismo
  • Straight-six gasoline engine with TwinPower Turbo, High Precision Injection and VALVETRONIC
  • Capacity: 2,979 cc
  • Max output: 225 kW/306 hp at 5,800 rpm
  • Max torque: 400 Nm/295 lb-ft from 1,200-5,000 rpm
  • Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 6.3 seconds
  • Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
  • Average fuel consumption to the EU standard: 8.9 Liter/100 kilometres (31.7 mpg imp)
  • CO2 emissions to the EU standard: 209 g/km
  • Emission standard: EU5
• BMW 550i Gran Turismo
  • V8 gasoline engine with TwinPower Turbo and High Precision Injection
  • Capacity: 4, 395 cc
  • Max output: 300 kW/407 hp from 5, 500-6,400 rpm
  • Max torque: 600 Nm/442 lb-ft from 1,750-4,500 rpm
  • Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 5.5 seconds
  • Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
  • Average fuel consumption to the EU standard: 11.2 litres/100 kilometres (25.2 mpg imp)
  • CO2 emissions to the EU standard: 263 g/km
  • Emission standard: EU5
• BMW 530d Gran Turismo
  • Straight-six diesel engine with aluminium crankcase and third-generation common-rail direct fuel injection (piezo-injectors)
  • Max injection pressure: 1,800 bar
  • Capacity: 2,993 cc
  • Max output: 180 kW/245 hp at 4,000 rpm
  • Max torque: 540 Nm/398 lb-ft from 1,750-3,000 rpm
  • Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 6.9 seconds
  • Top speed: 240 km/h (149 mph)
  • Average fuel consumption to the EU standard: 6.5 litres/100 kilometres (43.5 mpg imp)
  • CO2 emissions to the EU standard: 173 g/km
  • Emission standard: EU5

Top 10 Car Brands in the World

The 2009 Best Global Brands, an annual study carried out by leading brand consultancy Interbrand (in collaboration with Businessweek magazine) shows Toyota still No. 1 among carmakers, followed by Mercedes-Benz and BMW.


Toyota was the highest-ranked auto company among the overall Top 100, positioned at No. 8, two places down from 2008 and 2007. Mercedes-Benz was No. 11 overall in 2008 and had been No. 10 in 2007 but dropped to No. 12 this year. Honda, however, did better, moving from No. 20 in 2008 to No. 18 this year. Hyundai also saw an improvement in overall ranking, going from No. 72 in 2008 to No. 69.

The survey’s summary includes brand values and reflecting the effects of the downturn in the auto industry, the brand values of all the automakers fell. Toyota’s brand value was calculated at US$31.3 billion, 8% down from what it was worth in 2008. Likewise, Mercedes-Benz also had its brand value lowered by 7% to US$23.9 billion. Among the top 10 in the auto sector, Ford Motor Company’s brand value fell the most, by 12% to US$7 billion.

Other auto-related brands among the Top 100 were Harley-Davidson (73), BP (83), Shell (92) and Lexus (96).

For those interested, the Top three Global Brands were Coca-Cola, IBM and Microsoft, respectively, all of which held the same rankings as in 2008. Coca-Cola’s brand value was estimated at US$68.7 billion, over double that of Toyota’s.

Visit the Interbrand website to view the full Top 100 list.

Source : Motor Trader

2008 BMW M3 Coupe

In 2008 BMW will kick it up a notch in the sports coupe market with the much anticipated next generation E90 M3. Both coupe and cabriolet models are planned.

The M3 coupe may feature a 6-Series like glasshouse with the possibility of a new distinct interior. The front will sport an aggressive yet subtle bumper while the rear will display quad exhausts like the new M5/M6. Power will come from a newly developed lightweight V8 producing around 400hp using the latest dual-VANOS variable valve timing system. New engine building technology and lightweight materials mean the engine should amazingly weigh the same as the outgoing 3.2 liter in-line 6 cylinder from the current E46 M3, but with considerably more power.

BMW Malaysia introduces facelifted 5 Series

-Posted by Anthony Lim

BMW Malaysia today launched its updated 5 Series, and the new line is made up of six model choices - the 523i SE, 525i, 530i, 540i, 530d and the M5.

Externally, a number of modifications give the refreshed 5 Series a more elegant and contemporary appearance. These include headlights that now feature new clear glass technology, with transparent glass panels covering the direction indicators and chrome surrounds highlighting the round headlights.

5 Series, revised, but most of the fun is hidden away inside and underneath.

The front end has also been given a tweak; the surrounds on the BMW double kidney grille are now flush with the surfaces on the front air dam, and the air intake now sweeps up at the side along the same dynamic line as the headlight contours.

Elsewhere, there's an additional light contour along the side sills to lend the vehicle's body an even sleeker, more stretched look viewed from the side, while at the rear, the tail lamps also come in a new, sophisticated clear-glass look and now feature LED direction indicators.

Making light out of it.

Inside, the cabin gets, among other things, a twin-tone finish on the door panels, as well as additional storage options - the door pockets now provide greater storage capacity. The biggest giveaway on this one is the new, electrical gear selector lever for the automatic transmission.

Power output figures are 190bhp for the 2.5l block on the 523i SE (13bhp more than its predecessor), 218bhp for the 525i and 272bhp for the 530i; the 3.0 diesel does 218bhp, and the M5 continues on with its massive 507bhp run. As for the V8 4.0l engine found on the 540i, that one turns out 306bhp, and in case you would like to know, this helps the 540i do the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.2secs.

The first thing you'll notice inside the new one, really.

The automatic transmission on the new 5 Series has also been given a new gear selector which controls the new automatic six-speed transmission electronically and enables significantly faster gearshift times (except the M5).

Lots of goodies too on the new one. All the 5 Series variants are fitted with Active Steering, Adaptive Headlights, BMW Navigation system Professional, High Beam Assist and the trademark BMW runflat tyres (again, except the M5).

Face is softer, more approachable, don't you think?

BMW is also unique in equipping the 525i, 530i, 530d, 540i and M5 with a Head-Up Display (HUD) system. The HUD creates a virtual image that contains key driving data such as speed, navigation directions and other necessary indicators directly into the driver’s field of vision, enabling him or her to keep the road constantly in view.

BMW Night Vision, BMW’s state of the art infrared technology that enables drivers to detect people, animals and objects on and next to the road up to a distance of 300 metres, is also made a standard offering in the M5, 540i and 530i variants.

Exclusive to the BMW 540i is the Lane Departure Warning system, a mechanism which warns the driver when the car is at risk of veering out of its lane by vibrating the steering wheel.

The retail prices (on-the-road, without insurance, with BMW Service Inclusive + Repair) for the new BMW 5 Series model range are:

523i SE – RM376,000

525i – RM409,800

530i – RM543,800

530d – RM499,800 540i – RM628,800

M5 – RM898,000

The New Mercedes BLK

Mercedes has answered the message from its rival - BMW 1 Series, with the C Class based Mercedes BLK.

The release of this model is targeted at young buyers with an affordable price, from the front, we see the same 3 bar grille with the significant 3-pointed star Mercedes badge completing the sporty look of the car. It also gets a rakish tailgate, LED rear lights and neatly sculpted flanks.

Interior wise, it features higher-quality materials and its standard kit includes climate control, an MP3 player socket and Bluetooth phone connection.

Under the hood, the engine is a 3.5-litre petrol V6 for the BLK 350, while diesel options will include Mercedes’ latest low-emission Bluetec power-plants.

This car will be released in 2011 with hatchback and sports coupé appearing first, followed by the drop-top version.

BMW 1-Series

The new BMW 1-Series which made its global debut at the Geneva Motorshow in March this year is now available at BMW showrooms in Malaysia. After chalking up sales of more than 200,000 units worldwide to date, the premium compact car now has Efficient Dynamics, courtesy of new powertrains, significant modifications to its exterior design as well as interior redesign. And for the first time, the 1-Series is also offered in a 3-door bodystyle.

“The BMW 1-Series was tremendously successful not only in terms of its worldwide sales figures but also for the fact that it still remains unique as the first and only rear wheel drive car in this segment,” said BMW Malaysia’s MD, Wolfgang Schlimme of the latest model from BMW, adding that the new 1-Series, with its new feature changes coupled with its new pricing strategy, is set to be more popular than its predecessor.

“A new BMW always raises the bar set by its predecessors and this is the same with the new 1-Series. Everything about this car exudes sportiness and agility – from the sophisticated materials and fresh colours utilized to create this car to its interior trimmings as well as from its concave and convex exterior looks right up to its performance capabilities”, said Mr Schlimme.

The new 1-Series has four engine variants. The top end variant, the 5-door 130i features a straight six petrol engine with double VANOS and Valvetronic (195 kW/265 bhp; 315 Nm). The 3-door 120i Sports has a new 4-cylinder engine with second generation direct fuel injection (High Precision Injection) and produces 125 kW/170 bhp with 210 Nm of torque.

Next comes the 118i with an engine that has a fully-variable Valvetronic system as well as Bi-VANOS variable camshaft timing. This engine develops 100 kW/136 bhp and generates 190 Nm of torque. The lowest-priced version is the BMW 116i which has a 4-cylinder petrol engine petrol engine with double VANOS and churns out 85 kW/115 bhp and maximum torque of 150 Nm.

In the styling, prominent changes are very apparent in the front with a newly redesigned and larger kidney grille coupled with new headlight contours that have darker headlamp surrounds. Additionally, a wider air inlet in the front airdam as well as a horizontal trim strip and integrated rectangular fog lights gives the new 1-Series a particularly muscular outlook.

At the rear, horizontal lines with distinctive light contour uphold the car’s sporty and agile perspectives. Furthermore, a new taillight design with LED functionality now features on the new 1-Series to not only offer a homogeneous lighting effect at night but also making this BMW much more recognisable.

From the side view, the five door model shows superior variability whilst the three door version expresses the 1-Series focus on enhanced performance. Longer doors accentuated by a single-piece frameless window moving right to the back end of the car also give the three door body a balanced outlook.

Inside, improvements are significant and portray a superior look and feel that matches that of the higher BMW model series. A new redesigned centre console that is joined seamlessly to the dashboard gives the cockpit a stylish yet sporty experience. Sportiness is further accentuated with a shortened sports gearlever for enhanced shifting experiences at the centre of the cockpit. Additionally, new door trims with materials echoing the upholstery furnish the compact car making the interior more refined.

Specific to the BMW 118i are chrome trimmings on the sports leather steering wheel and controls for the radio and automatic air conditioning whilst automatic transmission is now made available for the BMW 116i.

Other premium innovative offerings in the new 1-Series include front airbags, side air bags and curtain head air bags in the front and rear, AUX-in connector for personal audio file playback via the BMW Radio System Professional, Runflat tyres and dual level brake lights are standard.

In drive feel, the 1-Series promises a very engaging drive due not only to its rear wheel drive capabilities but also to its near perfect 50:50 weight distribution. Optimal 50:50 weight distribution, precise steering with aluminium-strengthened front axle and a finely tuned sports style chassis all contribute to the superior handling of the 1-Series.

The 120i Sports offers a more sports-like personality with an elongated shape of the windows making the car dynamic, elegant and sporty with optional chrome line linking the window area to appear almost as a single unit. The sporty coupe also comes with the M sports package consisting of the M Aerodynamics package, M light alloy wheels double spoke 207M with mixed tyres, satin chrome window frames, M Sports Suspension, Anthracite headliner, Sports seat for driver and front passenger, M Leather steering wheel, an M badge door sill finisher as well as Bi-Xenon lights with new daytime running lights.

The new 1-Series, like other BMWs, comes with special financing packages offered by BMW Credit and BMW Lease, which give BMW customers a truly unique one-stop solution from the company’s specialist financial arm. “With these new packages, owning the 1-Series can be a reality for many people because the attractive finance plans make the model a lot more accessible,” said Mr Schlimme.

Retail prices (on the road, without insurance, with BMW Service Inclusive + Repair) are as follow:
BMW 130i – RM 329,800
BMW 120i Sports – RM 223,800
BMW 118i – RM 199,800
BMW 116i – RM 179,800