1 Millionth BMW X5 sold in China

German carmaker BMW announced today it is celebrating the one millionth X5 model produced within eleven years. The vehicle in question is a sapphire black metallic BMW X5 xDrive35i featuring cinnamon brown Nevada leather trim, and is being delivered to a customer in China.

Josef Kerscher, President of BMW Manufacturing , is joined by Lutz Roemer, BMW Group’s X3 Project Leader, South Carolina State Ports Authority Boardmember Richard Hagins and South Carolina Secretary Joseph Taylor as they welcome the 1 millionth BMW X5 off the Assembly Line at BMW’s Spartanburg Factory.

One of the newest BMW X5 models today is the xDrive30d, which ispowered by a 6-cylinder diesel engine that produces 245 bhp (180 kW) and is able to cover 100 Km on 7.4 litres of fuel.




Press Release

The BMW X5: A special kind of driving pleasure a million times over.

Munich. From trendsetter to bestseller. Within just eleven years, one million BMW X5 models have been sold. The anniversary edition, a sapphire black metallic BMW X5 xDrive35i featuring cinnamon brown Nevada leather trim, came off the assembly line at the American BMW plant in Spartanburg/South Carolina and is currently on its way to a customer in China. Achieving the seven-digit production figure is a further milestone in the success story of the first Sports Activity Vehicle. When it premiered in 1999, the four-wheel driven BMW X5 was the first vehicle of its kind. Since then, the concept of combining superior dynamics on tarmac with outstanding traction on off-road terrain, has been a show-stopper worldwide, whilst also generating crucial impulses for the BMW model portfolio. With the family of BMW X models, which has meanwhile grown to comprise a total of four members, the company has recorded steadily increasing sales figures unmatched by any other manufacturer with comparable vehicles.

The BMW X5 remains the symbol and most crucial innovator for the continuing success of the Sports Activity Vehicle concept. The spacious five-door car offers up to seven seats, its intelligent four-wheel drive system BMW xDrive guarantees awesome acceleration, both on and off road. Permanent, electronically controlled four-wheel drive technology distributes motive force to the front and rear wheels variably and according to each specific situation. Furthermore, a luxurious interior ambience and a wide choice of innovative driver assistance systems contribute towards the characteristic manifestation of driving pleasure so typical of a BMW.

Moreover, numerous awards document the outstanding product quality with regard to design, driving pleasure, safety and reliability. In 2007, the BMW X5 received, inter alia, the design prize “autonis” awarded by the trade journal “auto motor und sport” for the most attractive design, as well as a Gold Award in the J.D. Power Study on customer satisfaction in North America. The American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) voted this Sports Activity Vehicle as the “Top Safety Pick” for outstanding crash test behaviour both in 2007 and 2008. Current proof of the vehicle’s exceptional reliability is given by the latest breakdown statistics issued by Europe’s largest automobile club ADAC, in which the BMW X5 ranks second place behind the BMW X3 in the all-terrain vehicle category.

Again in 2010, the BMW X5 is more than ever a role model and benchmark in its class in terms of driving dynamics, efficiency, variability, premium quality and safety. With a concisely modified design, a thoroughly revised engine range and additional innovative equipment features, it continues to extend its lead within the competitive environment. Its trendsetting qualities include outstanding efficiency unparalleled in this particular segment. A prime example of this is the BMW X5 xDrive30d, which is powered by a 180 kW/245 bhp straight six-cylinder diesel engine and achieves an average fuel consumption of 7.4 litres/100 km in the EU test cycle.

With its multitude of qualities the BMW X5 has become the most significant innovator within the entire competitive environment of four-wheel driven vehicles. At the same time, the premium car builder has also repeatedly assumed the cutting edge in each respective segment with the world’s first Sports Activity Coupe, the BMW X6, and with the compact BMW X1.

The development of the BMW Spartanburg plant is also closely linked with the success story of the BMW X5. The location, which has existed for 15 years now, has become the most crucial centre of expertise for BMW X models within the BMW Group’s global production network. Built in Spartanburg, the BMW X5 is now exported to more than 120 countries, with the BMW X6 also being produced there for export to the entire global market. Before the end of this year, production of the latest BMW X3 generation will commence at this location.

2011 Subaru WRX STI at Nurburgring [Video]

Subaru today announced that the Subaru Impreza WRX STI Sedan has become the fastest WRX STI Ever. It recorded a Nurburgring time of 7’55’’00, the fastest lap time ever in a Subaru.The production car goes on sale this summer.

Some of the upgrades received by the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI sedan include an improved chassis and suspension, and as Makinen commented, the car is controllable and precise even on tricky corners.

The test 2011 Subaru STI Sedan has the same turbo brake calipers, flexible tower bar and front lip spoiler as the R205 model from Japan. The car also has the same Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tires and aluminum hood as the 2011 Subaru STI spec C car.

The 2011 Subaru WRX STI is powered by a 305-hp turbocharged/intercooled 4-cylinder Boxer engine and 6-speed manual transmission. It comes with a lowered ride height and new pillow-ball, higher-rate springs for both front and rear suspensions, and spring rates increased by 15.6 percent in front and 53 percent in the rear.




Press Release

Subaru Releases Test Footage of Advanced Subaru WRX STI Research and Development from Nurburgring, Germany

CHERRY HILL, N.J., June 8 - Subaru today released footage covering advanced research and development carried out at the Nurburgring's racetrack in Germany, using a 2011MY Subaru WRX STI 4-door (sedan) test vehicle. Subaru has been using the famous Nordschleife course since 1992 for advanced R&D as well as tests of the WRX and WRX STI models. The video uploaded on the Subaru Global Site www.subaru-global.com features this year's development work. It is presented as a highlight of Subaru's persistent effort to stretch vehicle performance to unprecedented levels.

The concept of the 2011MY WRX STI is "The Fastest WRX STI Ever." At Subaru, the phrase "Fastest" refers to more than just top speed or maximum engine output. It implies driving with confidence. The WRX STI can be taken to its "fastest ever" performance by providing the driver with total driving control with confidence. Major upgrades to the 2011MY WRX STI focused on the chassis and suspension set-up, and tests at the Nurburgring demonstrated the supreme overall dynamics and linear behavior of the new STI. Tommi Makinen, the legendary four-time World Rally Champion, piloted the test vehicle for the development. He commented, "The car was controllable with precise and faithful handling even on tricky corners. I could easily predict the car's behavior. That is exactly what Subaru is offering, confidence. As a result, the 2011MY WRX STI test vehicle recorded 7'55''00, Subaru's fastest lap time ever, which is 4 seconds faster than the previous fastest time recorded in 2004."

The 2011MY WRX STI 4-door will go on sale world-wide this summer. Upgrades to the 4-door version will be carried over to the 5-door model.

Dealer Exclusive 2010 Viper SRT10s

Chrysler has announced today that it puts on sale three unique Dealer Exclusive Dodge Viper SRT10 units. The three Dealer Exclusive Dodge Viper SRT10 units are based on the 2010 version of the sportscar and are the result of an exclusive program run by the company in collaboration with 3 of its dealers.

Up first is a Race Yellow Viper SRT10 ACR Roadster designed by Woodhouse Dodge in Blair, Neb. The team at Tomball Dodge in Tomball, Texas tailored the Reverse SRT10 ACR using black and Snakeskin Green paint. Finally, there’s the SRT10 Coupe with Plum Crazy racing stripes, designed Roanoke Dodge in Roanoke, Ill.

The Dodge Viper SRT10 uses an 8.4-liter V10 engine that produces 600 hp (450 kW / 608 PS) and up to 560 lb-ft (760 Nm) of torque. After sprinting from standstill to 60 mph in under four seconds, the car is able to reach 202 mph (325 km/h).




Press Release

Dodge Announces Dealer Exclusive Program Offering Unique 2010 Viper SRT10s

June 7, 2010 , Auburn Hills, Mich.

The 2010 model year just got even more exclusive for the Dodge Viper. The Dodge brand is unveiling three new unique 2010 Viper SRT10 vehicles as part of its "Dealer Exclusive Program."

Dealers who sold sufficient Viper volume to qualify were given the opportunity to create their own special editions that best meet the dreams of their most loyal customers. A total of 50 cars are being built under this program, and specific combinations were determined by each Dodge dealer who volunteered to participate.

Shown here (from left to right) are the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR Roadster, developed specifically with Woodhouse Dodge in Blair, Neb., featuring a Race Yellow Clear Coat exterior with yellow driver's stripe; the "Reverse SRT10 ACR" developed with Tomball Dodge in Tomball, Texas, featuring the reverse color combination of the Snakeskin Green Special Edition introduced earlier this model year; and the Black SRT10 Coupe with Plum Crazy dual racing stripes developed with Roanoke Dodge in Roanoke, Ill.

To find all of the Dodge dealers who have 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10s on order including the various special-edition models, check out the new dealer locator function at the Viper Headquarters website: http://www.viperheadquarters.com/viper_nation/dealer_locator

With this being the last model year for the current-generation Dodge Viper, 2010 continues to be the most special year of production for the 600 horsepower V-10 powered "ultimate American sports car." Approximately 500 cars will make up the 2010 model year production run, and each one is more exclusive than ever before with more than 7,000 different possible appearance combinations.