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.

HSV Celebrating 20 Years Of ClubSport With Limited Edition Model

HSV has unveiled a special edition ClubSport sedan to celebrate the car’s 20th anniversary. The HSV 20 Years Of Clubsport will be equipped with the company's performance suspension, 20 inch Pentagon wheels in Millennium silver and leather seats as standard. The HSV 20 Years Of Clubsport will also wear a unique decal on the rear window showing a modern iteration of the original VN CS ClubSport badge.

The CS ClubSport features HSV performance suspension, 20in millennium silver Pentagon alloys and leather seats, as well as a “CS ClubSport” decal on the rear window in a modern take on the original VN badge.

The 100 limited edition 20 Years of ClubSport models will start appearing in HSV Dealers show rooms across Australia from late June. The vehicle will come with an RRP of $66,690 for manual and $68,690 for automatic.






Press release

Australia’s high performance car manufacturer, Holden Special Vehicles, has launched a limited edition model to help celebrate 20 years of its most successful and enduring nameplate – the ClubSport.

The ClubSport brand first appeared as a permanent fixture within the HSV range back in June of 1990 as a VN HSV ClubSport. Featuring a 5.0 litre engine boasting 180kW and 400Nm only 410 VN series ClubSports were built. The model has evolved today to become the highest selling vehicle in the HSV line-up.

General Manager of Marketing and Communications, Tim Jackson, said this milestone was worthy of celebration for the company.

”If we step back 20 years to 1990, this really was a watershed year for the HSV brand. Not only did we introduce our first ClubSport model in June but 1990 also represented our first Bathurst victory with the Holden Racing Team, who are also celebrating 20 years of success this year.

”The ClubSport has such great history and meaning within our business, and it has always been our purists vehicle - bringing track focused performance and handling to a road vehicle,” Tim Jackson said.

For that reason HSV has taken a ‘back-to-basics’ approach with the 20 years of Clubsport model producing a feature packed high performance vehicle for the true HSV collector.

The 20 Years of ClubSport model will receive as standard HSV’s performance suspension, 20 inch Pentagon wheels in Millennium silver and leather seats for no additional cost. It will be identifiable by a unique decal on the rear window, which the HSV enthusiast will recognise as a modern iteration of the original VN “CS ClubSport” badge, to commemorate the anniversary of the model.

General Manager of Sales, Darren Bowler, said he expected the car to be well received within the HSV Dealer network and amongst HSV’s strong customer base. “With this level of value add at no additional cost we anticipate the 100 vehicles will move very quickly and good luck to the person who manages to grab No.1 in the model build.

“City Motors HSV in Perth recorded the highest HSV vehicle sales in 2009 and have been rewarded with the privilege of retailing the No. 1 vehicle to the lucky HSV buyer,” Darren Bowler said.

The 100 limited edition 20 Years of ClubSport models will start appearing in HSV Dealers show rooms across Australia from late June. The vehicle will come with an RRP of $66,690 for manual and $68,690 for automatic.

HSV ClubSport Fast Facts:

- The ClubSport model has been exported to both the UK and the Middle East markets.
- The best build year for ClubSport was 2003 with over 2200 being built.
- When the first ClubSport went on sale (VN), its RRP was $33,320 (man) and $34,140 (auto), and a total of 410 were built. Its engine was a 4987cc V8 producing 180kw ' 400Nm.
- The ClubSport model has had four different engine variants over its lifespan including the original 5.0 litre then the 5.7 litre LS1, 6.0 litre LS2 and the current 6.2 litre LS3.

2011 Panoz Abruzzi Spirit of Le Mans

Entrepreneur Don Panoz, founder of the American Le Mans Series, has unveiled his latest automotive creation, a limited-edition 600-horsepower exotic car called the Abruzzi Spirit of Le Mans. The first of a limited run of 81 cars is slated to be delivered in 2013.

The hand-built Panoz Abruzzi Spirit of Le Mans will be built with an engine that produces over 600 horsepower (447 kW / 608 PS) and up to 590 ft-lb (799 Nm) of torque.  Developed by American niche manufacturer Panoz, the car will be limited to 81 vehicles, and is guaranteed to be street legal in Asia, Europe, Middle East and South America.

Only 81 Panoz Abruzzi Spirit of Le Mans will see the daylight, for which production will stretch on the next three years and all of the future customers will get their cars delivers at the Le Mans circuit where the automaker is also throwing in a free driving course.

The 2011 Panoz Abruzzi Spirit of Le Mans will introduce the a three-stage TRIFECTA COOLING technology that improves engine performance and efficiency. The body of the 2011 Panoz Abruzzi Spirit of Le Mans is built using the REAMS material technology - or Recyclable Energy
Absorbing Matrix System - that promises to offer environmental, performance and structural advantages.




Press Release

PANOZ MAKES HISTORY WITH ABRUZZI 'SPIRIT OF LE MANS'

New supercar quite appropriately unveiled at Le Mans

LE MANS, France - Don Panoz again has captured the Spirit of Le Mans. This time, one of the world's most forward-thinking entrepreneurs is pairing his newest automotive masterpiece with the legacy of the world's greatest auto race. The Panoz Abruzzi "Spirit of Le Mans" broke cover today at the Circuit de La Sarthe, an appropriate venue for the world debut of a ground-breaking automobile with a very appropriate delivery and acquisition program for its customers.

"This is culmination of equal parts time, effort and dreams," said Panoz, founder of the Panoz Motor Sports Group. "The Panoz brand always has prided itself on hand-building and delivering an exotic automobile and experience to our customers. Our new offering takes this to a completely new level."

The Abruzzi "Spirit of Le Mans" is more than a technological masterpiece from Panoz Auto Development (PAD), based in Hoschton, Ga. It represents a new chapter in automotive production and delivery, tied into the world's most demanding auto race.

The super sports car will be offered as a strictly limited edition. Only 81 Abruzzi "Spirit of Le Mans" vehicles will ever be produced, corresponding to the number of Le Mans 24 Hour contests between the inception of the race in 1923 and the race to be held in 2013.

Abruzzi: The Car
The hand-built Abruzzi "Spirit of Le Mans" is a unique, front-engine, rear-transaxle and rear-radiator super sports car - road-legal in Europe and many countries of Asia, the Middle East and South America. The powertrain will deliver 600-plus HP with 590 ft.-lbs. of torque. Advanced design and aerodynamics offer astounding downforce and road-holding.

Performance is just one facet that sets the Abruzzi apart from other exotics. It also breaks new ground in environmental design and construction starting with the unprecedented implementation of the R.E.A.M.S.® - Recyclable Energy Absorbing Matrix System - body system that offers environmental, performance and structural advantages like no other automobile body system on the planet. Never used before on any road-going automobile, the multi-layer composite system is lighter than carbon fiber yet equally strong. Unlike carbon fiber however, it is dent-resistant, shatter-proof and recyclable.

Abruzzi also introduces TRIFECTACOOLING® technology. In addition to a normal high-efficiency radiator, there are stage two and stage three systems that lower coolant temperature on both the inflow to and the outflow from the radiator.

"These are advancements that will open up a new era of automotive design," Panoz said. "Dating back to our first road car - the AIV Roadster - PAD has been a believer in efficient construction and design. This philosophy continues with our Abruzzi."

Abruzzi: The Experience
The Panoz Abruzzi harkens back to a day where drivers would pilot their cars to Le Mans, race it twice around the clock then drive back home. It essentially captures the "Spirit of Le Mans" with a never-before-seen acquisition program that sets a new standard for personalization and delivery.

Given the roots of Panoz's automotive dreams, it is only appropriate that the Abruzzi "Spirit of Le Mans" will be delivered to its owners at the famed Circuit de la Sarthe, shipped directly there from the Panoz factory. Each automobile will be linked to a specific Le Mans 24 Hour race, with the chassis number also containing that specific race date and the initials of the winning drivers and the history of that year.

Professional drivers will instruct owners in driving the car on the Bugatti Circuit at Le Mans. Service and repairs also will be attended to at the ACO facilities of the Circuit 24 Hours of Le Mans.

New vehicle owners also will be invited to the 24 Hours of Le Mans as guests of the ACO and Panoz at the ACO's hospitality facilities in the "Model Sportif" at the circuit. New owners also will have the unique opportunity to drive a parade lap of the full 8.3-mile circuit at that year's event.

During the Le Mans race week a "Spirit of Le Mans" reception will be held at the clubhouse of the famed Golf Des 24 Heuers in the historic town of Arnage. The new owners for that year will be the guests of the ACO officials and past "Spirit of Le Mans" award winners such as Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell.

"Being associated with the ACO and Le Mans is something very special to me," Panoz said. "Being able to stand side-by-side with the heroes and legends of Le Mans gives me a sense of appreciation and passion for this grand event. I felt it was important to give our customers the same experience, and I am grateful to our partners at the ACO for helping make this happen."

Panoz Auto Development produces leading-edge, fully certified automobiles and is best known for the first US-manufactured AIV (Aluminum Intensive Vehicle) - the Panoz AIV Roadster. The Panoz Esperante body and chassis also extensively employs aluminum for performance, safety and efficiency. The Panoz Esperante GTLM earned world-famous stature as a race car by winning the GT2 category at both the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a single year - 2006.