BMW Adds xDrive AWD Option on all 5-Series GTs and the 740d

BMW is completing the range of the new 5-Series Gran Turimso with the introduction of its so-called "intelligent" xDrive all-wheel-drive technology that will be offered on all engine variants of the crossover model.

Beginning from June 2010, 5-Series GT customers will have the choice of two versions of the car featuring xDrive, the 530d with a 245HP inline-six diesel, and the 550i with a 407HP 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 petrol.

According to the German firm, the 550i GT xDrive accelerates to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.4 seconds while top speed is cut off by the engine's electronic control unit at 250 km/h or 155 mph. Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 11.8 lt/100 km, equal to 23.9 mpg imp, with CO2 emissions amounting to 275 g/km

The 530d xDrive GT accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 235 km/h or 146 mph. It returns an average fuel consumption of 6.9 lt/100 km, equal to 40.9 mpg imp, in the EU test cycle. The CO2 rating, finally, is 183g/km.

In September, the xDrive range will be rounded off with the 535d xDrive GT and the 306HP 535i xDrive GT. Performance and fuel economy figures for these two models will be released at a later date.

Finally, the same all-wheel drive system will also make it appearance on the 740d limo that's powered by a 306HP turbo-diesel unit in autumn of 2010.

AMI 2010: Chevrolet Cruze Irmscher Edition with 186HP

Chevrolet and its European tuning partner Irmscher presented a humbly beefed up version of the Cruze compact sedan with cosmetic and performance upgrades at this week's AMI motorshow in Leipzig, Germany.

Dubbed the Cruze Irmscher Edition, the car gets an optional boot lid spoiler along with 18-inch alloy wheels shod in beefier 225 sport tires and aluminum door sills.

Irmscher's performance modifications include a 25mm suspension drop and exhaust silencers with elliptical twin exits along with a 36HP and 146Nm boost for the 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine increasing total output to 186HP and 466Nm at 2,300 rpm.

According to the tuner, the diesel version accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 8.0 seconds.

The Cruze Irmscher Edition is available for order at Chevrolet's German dealerships.

Citroen Unveils New 240HP 3.0 HDi V6 Diesel for C5 and C6 Range

French carmaker Citroen just announced a new range-topping diesel engine for its C5 Sedan and Estate and C6 models. The replacement for the firm's 2.8-liter HDi V6 diesel has grown in size to 3.0-liters and now features a new, third-generation direct injection / common rail system. The 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 diesel produces an output of 240HP and a maximum torque of 450Nm or 331.9-lbs/ft at 1,600 regime rpm, up from the 2.7 HDi's 208HP and 440Nm.

As with the 2.8 HDi, the new 3.0 HDi V6 is coupled to a six-speed automatic gearbox. With the new powertrain, the C5 and C6 accelerate from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in 7.9 and 8.5 seconds respectively

Despite the 32-horspower spike, Citroen said that fuel consumption and C02 emissions on both cars have been reduced by 12 to 15 percent over the outgoing models with the 2.7 HDi V6. According to the French carmaker, both the C5 and C6 3.0 HDi achieve an average fuel consumption of 7.4 liters of diesel per 100 km (31.8mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 195 g/km.

New Renault Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet to Hit UK Showrooms in July

Renault has confirmed UK pricing and specification for the all-new Megane Coupé-Cabriolet, which completes the French automaker's C-segment range. The new the hardtop convertible models comes in a choice of two trim levels, Dynamique TomTom and GT, priced from £21,595.

Buyers of the four-seater drop-top model have a choice of six engine and transmission combinations. The range includes a 1.4-liter turbo petrol with 130HP, a 2.0-liter petrol with 140HP that's hooked up to a CVT, a 1.5-liter diesel with 110HP that's linked to a dual clutch transmission and a 1.9-liter diesel with 130HP.

The lineup tops out with two GT versions, one powered by a 2.0-liter turbo petrol with 180HP and the other by a 2.0-liter turbo diesel with 160HP.

All Megane CC models come equipped with comes with a an electric panoramic folding glass roof, 17-inch alloys, 4x15W radio CD with Bluetooth and AUX input, air conditioning, automatic headlights and wipers, cruise control, fixed glass wind deflector, hands free keycard, speed limiter and fully integrated Carminat TomTom satellite navigation as standard.

The GT variants benefit from numerous upgrades including 18-inch alloys, bespoke sport front and rear bumpers, dark chrome surround for the windscreen frame and waistline, with matching door mirrors, door handles and front fog lights, as well as sport seats, aluminium-faced pedals, an analogue rev-counter and polished carbon interior trim.

Version	Engine	CO2 g/km	Combined MPG	Price OTR
Dynamique TomTom	1.4 TCe 130	169	38.7	£21,595
	2.0 CVT 140	184	35.3	£22,595
	1.5 dCi 110 EDC Auto FAP	130	56.5	£23,595
	1.9 dCi 130	149	48.7	£23,095
GT	2.0 TCe 180	188	34.9	£24,880
	2.0 dCi 160	175	42.2	£25,830

BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Completes 1,013 Mile-Long Journey from UK to Munich and [Almost] Back on One Tank

Motoring journalist and TV presenter Tom Ford has managed to complete what he claims to be a record-breaking journey from the UK to Munich and almost back to Britain with a BMW 320d EfficientDynamics saloon on a single tank of fuel.

Ford filled up the diesel-powered bimmer at the Channel Tunnel and made it to Munich, Germany, then as far back as Lille, France on the return before needing to refuel completing a total driving distance of 1,013 miles or 1,629 kilometers on one tank.

Although Ford said he switched the air con and radio off as "a concession to fuel saving", the journalist stated that he didn't use efficient driving techniques such as coasting, or drive deliberately slowly for the trip, which was covered in yesterday's Sunday Times newspaper.

According to Ford, on the way to Munich, he achieved highs of 75.9mpg UK [63.2 mpg US or 3.7lt/100km] , and didn't dip below 65mpg UK [54.1 mpg US or 4.4 lt/100km] for the entire trip. Overall, he achieved an average speed of 59.3mph [95.4km/h] and 68.9mpg UK [57.4 mpg US or 4.1 lt/100km].

"I was prepared for this car to fail in the real world. I was wrong," said Ford. "Although I did try and be careful and drive in a feather-footed manner, I did cruise at a reasonable 65ish mph [105km/h] on the autoroutes and autobahns, so faster than the usual economy run pace."

"Think about it in the context of everyday motoring: comfortably more than 1,000 miles on one tank of diesel means just 12 fills a year for the average motorist – and even driven normally I still think you're looking at 750-800 miles per fill. BMW's EfficientDynamics: it does what it says on the tin," Ford concluded.

The 320d EfficientDynamics sedan is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel engine that develops 163HP between 3,500rpm to 4,200rpm and 360Nm of torque from 1,750rpm to 3,000rpm.

It propels the BMW from zero to 62mph (100km/h) in 8.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 137mph or 220km/h while returning a combined fuel consumption of 4.1 lt/100km, equal to 57.4mpg US or 68.9 mpg UK, and a CO2 rating of 109g/km in the EU test cycle.

To achieve these figures the uber-frugal German sedan comes with a suite of fuel-saving technologies including Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration, Electric Power Steering, a longer transmission ratio, lowered suspension and the use of specially designed aerodynamic alloy wheels with Michelin EnergySaver tires.

BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Gallery