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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Bmw M6 will turn into Future LC5 cls fighter | LC5



With Jaguar, Volkswagen, and Audi all working on rivals to the banana-shaped Mercedes-Benz CLS, did you think BMW would stand on the sidelines? Of course not. Indeed, BMW is readying a stretched version of the next 6-series, which would feature four doors and four seats under a coupelike roof.
To its credit, the BMW team is taking a somewhat different approach from Mercedes-Benz. The car, codenamed LC5, will do without B-pillars. Instead, the structural integrity of the body will be supported by overlapping doors (the rear ones always shut first and open last) plus reinforced sills and side panels. All seats feature integrated belts and side air bags. The oval-shaped lateral aperture and the connected door skins are supposed to help spread out the energy in the event of a side impact. The engine lineup consists of four units: a 300-hp, 3.0-liter turbocharged six; a 400-hp, 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8; an M version powered by a 550-hp, 5.5-liter V-10; and a 3.0-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder diesel.
Transmission offerings are to include a conventional six-speed manual and two automatics, one a dual-clutch design. Both automatics will feature seven speeds and optional paddle-shift operation. The gear selector is a joystick with two parallel shift modes: flick it to the left, and you're in manual; flick it to the right, and you're in automatic. Pushing a button on top of the lever engages park. We also should see new electrohydraulic brakes, active steering, and wheels ranging in size from eighteen to twenty inches. It is not yet clear whether the new arrival will be part of the 6-series family or whether BMW would rather launch it as a 7-series coupe. Either way, the car is expected to reach showrooms in 2011, shortly after the next 6-series coupe/ convertible--and, coincidentally, around the same time asthe second-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS, the car that started it all.

2010 Bmw V5 pics and specs



BMW's upcoming "progressive activity sedan" will join the X6 "sports activity coupe" on the list of vehicles attempting to tap into niches that you didn't even know existed. This tall sedan-cum-hatchback puts an emphasis on rear-seat room, with styling taking its own back seat.
The V5 gets its platform from the next 5-series, and it will be available in either a four- or five-seat configuration. The V5 mixes visual elements from both the X6 and the 5-series, and it attempts to combine those cars' missions. Rear-seat occupants will be treated to roominess rivaling that of the 7-series. The cargo opening can open either like a hatchback or hinge at the base of the rear window like a traditional sedan's trunk.

A choice of three turbocharged engines will be offered: a 3.0-liter in-line six, a 4.0-liter V-8, and a 3.0-liter diesel. All engines will be mated to a new ZF-developed, eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels.

THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MINIVAN: We admire most of BMW's lineup, but this just seems like overkill. Does the world really need three SUV/SAC/crossover vehicles (X5, X6, V5) based on the 5-series? Especially if they all look about the same?

Mercedes benz S class


The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is as synonymous with state-of-the-art luxury and safety features as it is with country club prestige. As Mercedes' largest sedan, the S-Class offers the most room for rear-seat passengers, making it a favorite of wealthy dads and heads of state alike.
Mercedes has used its flagship sedan to pioneer many modern technologies, such as airbags, antilock brakes and stability control. And though the most popular versions like the S430, S500 and S550 have been powered by V8s, some of the earlier cars could be had with six-cylinder and diesel engines as well. Since the '90s, Mercedes has also offered the V12-powered S600.
A choice of standard or long-wheelbase has been a longstanding tradition, though more recent years have seen just the longer ones imported to the North American market. Even AMG, Mercedes' in-house tuning division, has imbued the S-Class with its magic, giving this substantial luxury sedan performance equal to that of a sports car.


Before the 1990s, the S-Class' chief competition was the BMW 7 Series sedan, which like the Benz could be had with six- or eight-cylinder power and also offered standard and long-wheelbase variants. Now the big Mercedes faces rivals from Audi, Jaguar and Lexus as well, all of whom offer powerful, long-wheelbase flagships stocked with every conceivable luxury feature known to mankind. In spite of the pressure from these worthy opponents, the finely engineered and crafted Mercedes-Benz S-Class still stands as a solid choice is this lofty segment.
Current Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Debuting in 2007, the current Mercedes-Benz S-Class heralded a new styling direction for the company, meaning aggressive wheelwell flares and a wedgelike profile that's emphasized with a rising character line. The cabin now has a multifunction controller (similar to but easier to use than BMW's iDrive setup) mounted between the seats, which reduces the number of buttons on the dash. There are five trim levels: S550 (382-horsepower V8), S550 4Matic (S550 with all-wheel-drive), S600 (510-hp twin-turbo V12), S63 AMG (518-hp V8) and S65 AMG (604-hp twin turbo V12). All S-Class trims are equipped with an automatic transmission (seven speeds in all but the V12 versions, which have a five-speed unit).
Luxury feature highlights include a navigation system, hands-free cell phone communication, a Harman Kardon audio system and of course, rich leather and wood trim. The AMG versions add 20-inch alloy wheels, an active suspension, larger brakes, sport seats and specific interior and exterior styling tweaks. Optional features for the V8 models, such as a keyless entry and start system, adaptive cruise control and an infrared night vision system, are almost all standard on the V12 models.
With even the "entry-level" model having nearly 400 hp, the S-Class provides stunning performance. Zero-to-60-mph times range from the low-4-second to low-6-second range -- seriously quick by any standard, let alone when one is referring to a large luxury sedan. Handling and ride dynamics are impressive as well, as the S-Class' athleticism on a twisty road makes it feel much lighter than its 2-tons-plus mass would suggest.


Past Mercedes-Benz S-Class models

The fourth generation of the S-Class ran from 2000-'06 and was lighter and sleeker than the massive version that preceded it, making it more preferable for driving enthusiasts. Two versions were offered initially, both V8s: the S430 (275 hp) and the S500 (302 hp). The V12-powered S600 (362 hp) debuted a year later, as did the AMG version, the S55 (354 hp). A midcycle refresh in '03 brought lightly revised light clusters, the availability of all-wheel drive (called 4Matic) and a big boost in power for the S55 and S600 (both rated at 493 hp). A seven-speed automatic came on line in '04. Hitting both ends of the spectrum for '06, the S350 brought back six-cylinder power (241 hp) while the S65 AMG offered no less than 604 hp.
With many of these cars available as "certified pre-owned" (meaning a pristine, lower-mileage example with all maintenance up to date and an extended warranty), this generation represents the best choice for a consumer looking to get into an S-Class Benz that should serve them for a long time without having to spend a small fortune. In reviews of the time, our editors were impressed by the car's spacious interior and state-of-the-art safety features. Downsides to this generation included a complicated control interface (the COMAND system) and some interior materials that seemed too low in quality for Mercedes' flagship.
Running from 1992-'99, the third generation of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class represented a big step in the ultra-luxury direction. Fitted with dual-pane windows and the availability of V12 power for the first time, this S-Class gained nearly 600 pounds compared to the previous car. Four trims were offered, ranging from the S320 (228-hp inline-6) and S420 (275-hp V8) to the S500 (315-hp V8) and S600 (389-hp V12). If you are considering the purchase of one of these, be forewarned that (as with any complex, high-end luxury vehicle) a clean Carfax report and an impeccable maintenance record are musts.


The S-Class cars of the second generation (1981-'91) were offered in turbodiesel (300SD, 350SD/SDL), inline-6 (300SE/SEL) and V8 (380 SE/SEL, 420 SEL, 560 SEL) versions. This is the generation that introduced cutting-edge safety technology such as airbags and antilock brakes as standard equipment. Perhaps the least desirable of the lot are the 380 series, which made just 155 hp and were prone to timing chain failures. Chances are good that if you find a used 380-series, it will have been retrofitted with a double timing chain. Diesel versions are known for their incredible longevity and it's not unusual to find an example with mileage approaching 300,000 on its original powertrain.