World of Wheels

Sixth-gen BMW 5 Series bows in

 
BMW has taken the wraps off the sixth generation of its midsize 5 Series sport sedan.

Not only does the new ‘5’ now offer the longest wheelbase in its class, it now shares a platform with its big brother, the 7 Series, and is built at the same plant in Dingolfing, Germany.

The new exterior design closely follows the example set by the new 7 Series and the hatchbacked 5 Series Gran Turismo. Of course that kidney-shaped grille and Hofmeister kink at the bottom of the C-pillar are ever-present.

The new BMW 5 Series will launch in June of 2010 (as a 2011 model year). Initially, it will be available as a 535i and 550i. The 528i and xDrive all-wheel drive variants of all three models will arrive later in the year.

Mitsubishi delivers electric i-MiEV in Vancouver

Mitsubishi made history last week when three examples of its mass-produced, all-electric, zero-emission, i-MiEV hatchbacks were presented to the City of Vancouver and BC Hydro. Their delivery fulfills a promise made in April to have the cars online for testing and evaluation before the end of 2009.

“This is a first in every sense of the word,” said Tomoki Yanagawa, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada Inc.’s vice president sales/marketing & corporate planning “The i-MiEV is the world’s first highway-capable, mass-production electric car.  It’s a first for Vancouver and a first for North America.”

The delivery of the i-MiEVs (Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle) represents the first time that a production all-electric vehicle, designed and built by a major international manufacturer, has been put into service on public roads in North America (The Mitsu went on sale to the public in Japan this past summer).

Mercedes goes it alone in F1 in 2010

Mercedes-Benz will enter the 2010 Formula 1 season with its own team. Parent company Daimler AG and the automaker’s largest shareholder, Aabar Investments, have bought 75.1 percent of the championship-winning Brawn GP team.

The move means major changes are afoot going into 2010. First and foremost, the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team is no more, as the German automaker has ended its 15-year on-track relationship with the British company.

Meanwhile, Brawn GP ties-up with Mercedes, creates the new Mercedes Grand Prix team. Brawn GP was born last year from the tatters of the Honda F1 team. Technical director Ross Brawn, transformed the outfit into a winning concern and will continue to lead the new M-B factory team.

Production Chevrolet Cruze headed to L.A. show

Chevrolet has confirmed that it will unveil the North American-spec version of its new compact Cruze sedan at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December.

Already on-sale in Europe and Asia, the Cruze will reach our shores in the third quarter of 2010. Chevy says, with more than six million kilometers of quality and durability testing worldwide, its “one of the most globally tested Chevrolet products prior to a [North American] launch.”

Chevy says Cruze will offer class-leading highway fuel economy. It new family of engines will include a 1.4-litre turbo (do we see hints of Ford’s EcoBoost mentality here?).

Outrun this! Nissan GT-R police car

Nissan’s GT-R has joined the list of high-powered sports car that have been pushed into police service.

Like the Lamborghini Gallardo did in Italy and Porsche 911 in Germany, the twin-turbo Japanese coupe has joined the Abu Dhabi constabulary in the United Arab Emirates.

It’s the first GT-R police car to enter service. The 485-hp twin-turbo machine was recently seen patrolling the streets of the UAE capital during the recent F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Kia begins bolting-up all-new Sorentos at its first North American assembly plant

The first North American-built Kia - a white, all-new Sorento - rolled off the production line yesterday at the Korean automaker’s first U.S. assembly plant in West Point, Georgia, southwest of Atlanta.

Representing an investment of US$1 billion, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) will produce 300,000 vehicles a year at full steam and employee about 10,000 people on-site and at the surrounding suppliers.

Kia says KMMG is utilizing some of the world's most advanced manufacturing techniques, with modern features like height-adjustable conveyors on the 0.8 km (half mile) assembly line and the only wood flooring in a North American plant. Both are designed to improve the comfort of workers.

Volvo drive around the world virtually via Facebook

Volvo Cars has launched an online contest challenging people to ‘virtually’ drive its uber fuel-efficient C30 DRIVe around the world in 80 days, using only their Facebook friends.

The Swedish automaker will donate 15,000 Euros in the winning team's name to a carbon-offset project promoted by the Myclimate organization. Volvo says the donation is enough to neutralize the amount of carbon dioxide generated by the average person during a lifetime.

With its Start/Stop technology and turbodiesel powertrain, the C30 DRIVe can cover 1,327 km on a tank of fuel. That’s how far each participant must “drive” the car before handing it off to a Facebook friend.

Rolls-Royce motors into ultra-rich Arab address

Rolls-Royce has opened a new showroom on Pearl Island, the ultra-exclusive man-made peninsula in Doha, Qatar, west of Saudi Arabia.

Catering to the oil-rich and ultra wealthy, the Pearl Qatar is “one of the most luxurious islands in the world,“ and measures 400 hectares. Its website says the Riviera-style setting offers up luxury apartments , town homes, penthouses and villas, an international yachting hub, three five-star hotels and two-million square metres of international shopping, restaurants and entertainment.

A motorbike as cool as McQueen

Britain’s Triumph Motorcycles and watchmaker TAG Heuer have teamed up to produce a special edition, Steve McQueen-inspired, bike.

The TAG Heuer Bonneville wears blue and orange livery inspired by the Porsche sports car driven by McQueen in the film Le Mans, which in turn was the inspiration for TAG’s 40th anniversary edition of the Monaco watch.

 “We are delighted to play our part in this exciting project. The Triumph Bonneville and TAG Heuer Monaco are both timeless masterpieces, celebrating their respective 50th and 40th anniversaries this year,“ said Neil Morley, Triumph’s head of brand communications. „We also both have a natural connection with Steve McQueen, who famously wore a Monaco watch in the film Le Mans and was renowned for his love of our bikes, making this a very natural collaboration.”

Pirelli launches P Zero Trofeo track and street tire

Pirelli has introduced its new ultra-high-performance tire, the P Zero Trofeo. Unveiled at the SEMA show in Vegas last week, the radical rubber is dubbed, “a fast track tire that gives racers the flexibility to drive on the street to and from the track.”

The Trofeo’s one serious-looking tire, almost a racing slick were it not for the asymmetrical tread and the three wide central ribs. Pirelli say the pattern on the outer edge was derived from asphalt rally applications.

The Italian tire giant say its put its knowledge from 100 years in motorsports into the P Zero Trofeo’s design. The tires are actually unique front and rear and good for both dry and wet driving and racing.