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BMW is rounding out its Detroit Auto Show premier lineup with the North American debut of the 535i Gran Turismo. The 550i GT that's powered by the 4.4-liter twin turbo V8 is already on sale in the U.S., but we won't get our shot at the six cylinder model until the spring of 2010. Like the recently-announced 5 Series sedan, the Gran Turismo is getting a new version of the 3.0-liter inline six cylinder turbo.

The current 535i and 335i both use a version of the six with two turbochargers. The version in the GT produces the same 300 hp and 300 pound-feet of torque with a single twin-scroll turbocharger. The engine also incorporates BMW's Valvetronic valve control system to reduce fuel consumption by eliminating the throttle and reducing pumping losses. The six will be mated up with the same new ZF eight-speed automatic used in the 550i and the ActiveHybrid 7.

Source:[Autoblog]

For more info on the 550i or any BMW models, contact your BMW Hampton Roads dealer, Checkered Flag BMW.

Article from Autoblog-

Late last month, BMW officially revealed its next generation 5 series sedan in Munich and the opening salvo of powertrains includes the usual array of gas and diesel six- and eight-cylinder engines. However, with the recent launches of the ActiveHybrid X6 and 7, no one expects it to stay that way for long. BMW officials have acknowledged its intent to expand hybrid capability to other models going forward and, as the next redesign, the 5 would be the logical choice.

We're not sure if the new 5 will show up at the Detroit show next month, but it should appear by the Geneva Motor Show in March. At that time, the ActiveHybrid 5 will probably debut as a concept with the production version possibly arriving by the end of 2010. At this point, it appears unlikely that we'll see any more BMW applications of the two-mode hybrid system used in the X6 (with the possible exception of the X5). Instead, the modular mild hybrid from the 7 is the likely candidate since it delivers much of the benefit at a lower cost and smaller packaging size.

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The 5 Series is an important model for BMW, particularly in North America where it's the brand's second best seller behind the 3 Series. Heading into 2010, BMW has expanded its mid-size line with the new Gran Turismo body style already on sale. However, the volume leader for the 5 Series is the four-door sedan, which officially debuts today. The 2011 model transitions to a new platform architecture shared with the latest 7 Series as well as the upcoming Rolls-Royce Ghost. The 5 Series sedan gets a four-inch shorter wheelbase than its siblings, but at 116.9 inches, it still stretches well past its competition. The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class runs a mere 113.1 inches between its axles and the Cadillac CTS is 113.4 inches.

From a technical perspective, the new 5 Series picks up much of what can be found in the 7 Series and the Gran Turismo.



Since the 5 Series now shares its platform with the 7 Series and GT, the suspension is essentially carried over from the other two with multi-link arrangements at all four corners, dispensing with the struts of the five previous generations. The outgoing E60 5 Series marked the debut of active front steering for BMW with a steering ratio that varied based on vehicle conditions such as speed and lateral acceleration. The new F10 (BMW's internal nomenclature for the latest 5 Series) adds to that electric power steering assist, which should help reduce parasitic power loss and improve efficiency. How it impacts steering feel remains to be seen, although the 7 Series felt quite good for such a large car when we tested it earlier this year.

The F10 also picks up features like optional active rear-wheel steering, which countersteers the rear wheels for a tighter turning circle while using in-phase steering at speed for extra stability. Other options include an adaptive damping system and active roll control to further minimize lean during cornering.



Inside, the new 5 Series also picks up themes from the GT and 7 Series with a return to an instrument panel layout where the center stack is tilted toward the driver for improved ergonomics. While BMW gave the Gran Turismo an elevated seating position for that "command view," the 5 Series retains a lower position more typical of sedans. Barely a year after introducing its third generation of iDrive in the 3 Series and 7 Series, the new 5 Series gets what BMW is describing as generation four. It's not clear at this point how much better it is, but hopefully the system will have expanded voice controls to get deeper into the menus without having to use its control knob. All models get an LCD display in the dash to display audio and climate control information, while cars without the navigation system get a seven-inch display and those with get the gorgeous 10.2-inch panel from the 7 Series.

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Source:[Autoblog]

Take a look at these first official images of the 2010 BMW 5-Series from 5Post.com. I dig it! How about you?  Stay tuned to Checkered Flag BMW for more images when BMW lets the 5-Series out to play without its cape!