AC Schnitzer unveiled their tuning program for the BMW 5-Series GT at the Geneva Motor Show last week.

In an effort to make the ‘wagden’ (half wagon, half sedan) look more appealing, Schnitzer added front and rear spoilers, a ventilated hood, aggressive side skirts, a redesigned rear fascia, chrome exhaust tips, and new wheels (available in a number of different styles, sized from 19- to 22-inches). Inside, the company installed aluminum pedals, velour floormats, and a new cover for the i-Drive controller.

On the performance side, the engine in the 530d has been tuned to produce 213 kW – an increase of 31 kW. Schnitzer also added a twin rear silencer and a specially tuned sports suspension.

Press Release (Click to expand)

Adapted from WorldCarFans

A typical 25-year anniversary is celebrated with silver, but if you’re BMW celebrating 25 years of the 5-series, it’s celebrated with an M5 CSL.

The M5 CSL is “the M5 CSL we never built,” according to Albert Biermann, head of BMW’s M division development. The M5 CSL continues the tradition of building a hardcore street model that lacks the niceties common in most cars. The idea began in the 1970’s when BMW built the 3.0 CSL, quite literally a race car for the road. The idea came to light again some 20 years later when the E36 M3 CSL entered production in 1995. In 2003, BMW introduced a new M3 CSL based on the E46 M3 and built less than 1400 cars over the car’s short production run.

In accordance with BMW’s other famous CSL models, BMW both lightened the M5 CSL and increased the power output from the V-10 engine. To lighten the car, BMW installed a carbon fibre roof (which also helps lower the center of gravity for better handling), replaced the standard front seats with carbon fibre units, and removed the rear seats.

Although official power and torque figures have not been revealed, Biermann hints that it is around 432 kW and 542 N.m of torque, up from 373 kW and 515 N.m of torque in a standard M5. To accomplish the increase in output, BMW enlarged the V-10 from 5,0-liters to 5,5-liters. Additionally BMW’s M division fitted a secondary oil cooler and a larger carbon fibre intake manifold to help cool the V-10 and allow it to breathe more freely.

Combining the M5’s diet and power increases leads to an even better performing car. BMW has not made any performance claims for the car, but according to Biermann it is “comfortably faster than the standard M5’s 4.1 second 0 to 100 km/h.” Biermann also said the M5 CSL lapped the Nürburgring in under eight minutes, making it at least 20 seconds faster than the stock M5.

“It’s a lot gutsier than the standard M5,” says Claudia Hürtgen, the BMW racing driver who did the Nürburgring lap. “You can sense the added drive out of corners. There’s more bottom end shove. I’m pulling over 288 km/h under the bridge at the Döttinger Hohe (the fastest point of the track).”

In place of the M5’s normal seven-speed SMG transmission is BMW’s new seven-speed DCT as seen on the new E92 M3. With the DCT in the M5 CSL, this means shifts are actuated quickly without the herky-jerky motion typical of the SMG.

Unfortunately there are no plans for production of the M5 CSL as BMW says it is concentrating to heavily on the next-generation M5. That does, however, give us hope that the next-gen M5 might be as fast as the M5 CSL is.

Adapted from AutomobileMag

The new BMW 5 Series GT is out in the open and slowly we have moved away from the multitude of spy photos that we have seen in the past few months. These days BMW is focusing on promoting the new vehicle at various public and private events taking place around the world.

And what better way to market a new vehicle than displaying it in one of the busiest and largest airports in Europe: Munich ‘Franz Josef Strauss’ Airport. With an estimated passenger traffic at 34.73 million in 2008, the 530d GT should receive plenty of attention while on display.

Adapted from AutoSpies

Following an earlier image leak, BMW has officially taken the wraps off its new 5-Series Gran Turismo. As expected, the production 5-Series GT doesn’t stray far from the show car first shown at the Geneva Motor Show – and it gives us a glimpse of the next-generation 5-Series sedan and wagon.

Showing its love for new acronyms, BMW has dubbed the vehicle a “PAS” – Progressive Activity Sedan. We suppose “luxury hatchback” is simply too bland a label for the German automaker. The 5-Series GT will be the first of several variants for the model, which will also see traditional sedan and wagon options.

Combining the attributes of a wagon and crossover, the 5-Series GT offers loads of space for people and cargo. In its standard configuration, the GT offers the same rear-seat legroom as the 7-Series sedan and the same rear-seat headroom as the X5 while still maintaining 430 litres of cargo space. If more cargo room is needed the rear seats can be moved forward 100 millimeters — leaving the same rear-seat legroom as the 5-Series sedan — creating 586 litres of cargo room. For all-out hauling duties, the rear seats can be folded flat, revealing a cavernous 1684 litres of space.

Depending on the options and packages, the GT will be riding on 18- to 21-inch wheels. The GT will be offered with three engine choices — a twin-turbo six-cylinder generating 225kW, BMW’s 303kW 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 and a turbo-diesel making 182kW. Not surprisingly the V8 model will be the hot rod of the bunch, checking in with a zero to 100km/h time of 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h.

All models will use an eight-speed automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels.

In order to ensure the 5-Series GT handles like a true BMW, the new PAS will come equipped with the automaker’s Dynamic Drive Control. Optional Adaptive Drive will further ensure the GT’s sporty nature.

Overall styling is similar to the X6, but the 5-Series GT has a decidedly sportier look, thanks to its lower profile.

Interior touches include an optional panoramic sunroof, fully adjustable rear seats and a dual-function trunk lid — the latter intended to open wide for larger object but keep the cabin isolated when a standard trunk opening will do. In many ways, the 5-Series GT is like a scaled-down X6.

In true premium car fashion, the 5-Series GT will be available with a number of features, including BMW’s ConnectedDrive, a unique feature that includes Cruise Control with Stop & Go, a High-Beam Assistant, Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Speed Limit Info, BMW Night Vision with detection of individual persons, Side View, Top View, and a back-up camera.

Adapted from LeftLaneNews