Welcome to another installment of Tuesday’s Obscure car of the day. I know I have been missing in action for the past few weeks but I should pick up on it soon. Today’s car is not obscure however, the way you can order is. If you know the right people and have enough bank you can order you car painted in a Silver Matte called Frozen Grey Metallic from your local BMW dealer. This is possible through BMW’s Individual, Munich’s custom-trim and personalization arm. At the cost of five thousand, if you’re the enterprising/conniving/begging type, you might be able to convince BMW of North America to sell you a car painted in an appealingly shine-free shade of silver as follows.
Naturally, there’s a catch: Individual paint is only available by special order, and many dealers are either ignorant of the process or refuse to admit that it exists. Ordering an Individual color often adds several months to the build and delivery rigamarole. Lastly, only a small number of American Individual requests are granted each year, and there’s often no rhyme or reason to the veto process. So for $5000, if persuasive enough you can gain access to a seemingly endless palette of color choices which is the only way to get a factory-sprayed, matte-finished production sedan in America.
Here is a brief excerpt from an article written by John Sviokla for the Harvard Business blog. To read the complete article, check out other articles and resources, and sign up for a free subscription to Harvard Business Daily Alerts, please visit dailyalert@email.harvardbusiness.org.
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Better Customer Service Through Transparency, Tribes, and Talent
I confess that I have a warm spot in my heart for customer service operations. It is probably because I met my wife of 29.5 years when she and I were on the customer service phones at the Polaroid Corporation. As an old phone jockey, it is apparent to me that the world of customer service is transforming. If we look back at history, we can see that the central tendency of consumer businesses is to move more and more function to the end consumer and to provide them more visibility to the availability of the product or service. As the phone grew in this country as a consumer device, clever pundits predicted that in order to meet the emerging demand for phone calls, the entire country would have to become telephone operators, and that is exactly what we are: We dial our own service. Likewise, when Michael J Cullen opened his first King Kullen store in Jamaica, Queens with 6,000 square feet, on August 4, 1930 with the wonderful catch phrase, “Pile it High, Sell it Low,” he ushered in the world of supermarket self-service at low prices. When they can, firms let customers roll their own.
Today, technology is enabling new capabilities and I see three trends which are recreating customer service in a new, more responsive, and economically efficient manner: transparency, tribes, and talent.
Transparency is best exemplified by Federal Express’ efforts over the years. They were among the first companies to “expose” their internal systems so that not only could the customer schedule pick-ups, print labels, and manage his account, but he could also see the same level of detail the firm had about the location of his shipment. Many firms could benefit by letting customers see where their product or service truly is. BMW allows people who have configured and ordered a Mini Cooper to check the status of the order, and see it location on the high seas as it is shipped across the Atlantic. So what? Well, just think about how the dynamic with your cable company would change if you could actually see if the service truck was on its way to your house. It certainly would change the attitude between the customer and the company. Heck, even the government enables you to track tagged polar bears!
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So my questions for you are:
• Are you transparent?
• Do you lead your tribe?
• Have you unlocked the talent latent in your customer base?
What will you lose except the illusion that you are in control of your customers?
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John Sviokla is vice chairman of Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, Inc. He is a former professor at Harvard Business School in Marketing, MIS, and Decision Sciences.
To read the complete article, check out other articles and resources, and sign up for a free subscription to Harvard Business Daily Alerts, please visit dailyalert@email.harvardbusiness.org.
At home, I often park my motorcycle on the street, facing out with its rear tire backed up against the curb. It is a blue BMW K100RT, with a four cylinder motor that displaces nearly a liter. This bike’s major problem is that its fuel tank only holds a little more than 5 gallons, enough for perhaps 180 – 200 miles between stops. What it really needs is a 9 gallon tank.
Looking through my living room window, I contemplate its thoughts as I sip my morning coffee.
“North South East West,” it thinks.
“North? South? East? West?”
It doesn’t know. It doesn’t have a passion for any particular direction. It just wants to go.
I understand. That’s why we get along so well, my motorcycle and me. Today, like the days of years before, I have no destination planned. I just want to ride, to cover ground, watch the miles tick away, burn fuel, feel the machine humming below me, feel the fairing slice through the wind, tuck myself into the ergonomics of the machine.
I have no desire to push it, or drive fast. Most days, I set the throttle for 60 mph and feel the bike settle into a comfortable, humming glide. The BMW K100RT can handle speeds far quicker than this, but at such low speeds, the bike feels refreshingly confident and upright. I ride it like a trotting horse, with my shoulders directly above my hips, my lower back straight and my elbows down at my sides. At 60mph, the engine turns about 3800 revolutions per minute, dead smooth, with a light “diesel” clatter from the cams and valves and gears connecting the crank and output shaft.
The K100 engine has a history of “buzzing” somewhere between 4500 and 4900 rpm. The buzz is caused by an imbalance in the firing pulse of the four pistons. If one or two pistons are firing more strongly than the others, a pulse will be felt in the driveline. At speed, this feels like a buzz. This problem is remedied by balancing the flow of air into each cylinder so each produces the same amount of power throughout the operating range of the engine.
Some vibrations are to be expected and BMW, in their infinite wisdom, isolated the engine from the frame using rubber bushings. However these bushings need to be mounted in a neutral and stress free position in order work effectively. The problem occurs because the K100 uses the engine as half the frame of the motorcycle. A sectional frame is bolted to the top of the motor and transmission and holds the seat, fuel tank and steering head. Small differences in size and position means that no two frames or engines will be exactly the same dimensions. Thus, there may be gaps between the engine mounting lugs on the frame and the surface surrounding the bolt holes on the engine.
Mine does buzz a bit at these speeds, but I’ve diminished the effect by shimming the engine mounting points to take up the slack, or space between the engine and frame. If the engine mounting bolt is tightened with a space left between the frame and the engine, it distorts the rubber bushing used to isolate these parts. When the bushing is under tension, it can not isolate the vibrations effectively.
And so my bike sits contemplating its next run. And I sip my coffee and watch it, contemplating mine.
My home is situated in the confluence of five major freeways: 280/680, 101, 880/17. Another route, “The Alameda” or Route 130, passes by a few blocks from my home . Following it east would take me through downtown San Jose, where it is named Santa Clara Street, and up into the foot hills east of town. There Route 130 becomes Mount Hamilton road, a tight and twisty mountain road that winds up and over the foot hills, around ravine switchbacks, to the Lick Observatory on the peak of Mt Hamilton. Two more hours of twisty one-and-a-half-lane lead to the central valley. A full tank of fuel is recommended as there is little in the way of civilization between the observatory and there. A whole new world opens up on the other side: the central valley, Interstate 99 and the towns of Modesto. Head northbound and one can reach Carson City and Reno; head west through Yosemite, over snowy Sequoia mountain passes to the valleys beyond; south on 99 to Fresno and points farther south.
Several other major freeways radiate from my home. Clockwise from eastbound Route 130, interstate 101 heads south, past the farms of Salinas and Hollister where the rich aroma of farmland stretches for miles, and further south, through the Pacific mountains towards the beach cities: 3 hours to San Luis Obisbo, 2 more to Santa Barbara, and a few more to Los Angeles, San Diego and Mexico.
Continuing clockwise, another southbound option is Route 17. It heads south over the Santa Cruz mountains, past Scotts Valley and into Monterey Bay area. It’s my most direct path to the Pacific coast, and also provides residents of Santa Cruz commuter access to the Bay Area. Commuters on 17 are a strange breed, having grown numb over the years to one of the world’s most challenging high speed freeways. On a typical weekday morning, the column of local cars can reach speeds up to 75 mph over a dizzying array of high speed mountain switchbacks. Oblivious to the constant blanket of thick fog, the solo commuters fiddle with their radio tuners, seeking the strongest FM signal up high in the mountains.
However descending into Santa Cruz, the freight train pace of 17 comes to an abrupt column of slow-moving traffic as the highway ends on the edge the town. As the pace of traffic slows, so does the pace of life, and one is tempted to park and walk through town, perhaps buy a slice of pizza or a sandwich and enjoy it on a café table while watching the local hippies and freak parade. One can air out the helmet and decide, as there is much to ponder.
For northbound, Route 1 leads up the peninsula coast past rugged coastal towns like Half Moon Bay and Pacifica. At any time, one could hang a right into the hills and drive for days on some of the most highly rated motorcycle roads in the world: skyline drive, Route 9, Route 84, Old Santa Cruz road, Sandhill Road. They all lead to the premier hangout for west coast motor heads: Alice’s Restaurant.
Just as easily, one could also head south on Route 1: the Pacific Coast Highway. It is perhaps the most spectacular road in the world, a destination for motorcycle tourists worldwide. Descriptors such as “awe inspring” and “breath-taking” seem mundane where the Pacific ocean grinds away at the Continent in a god-scape of views and driving thrills.
In some places the road travels high up on the mountains. Far below, the pounding surf cuts into the rock, slowly chipping away at its base, and causing rock and mud slides and sheer cliff faces, 100 feet high. Yet, where the road descends and passes along a long flat beach, and waves lap gently across 200 yards of sandy beach, the two seem to caress one another in a love embrace.
Here, two old VW buses can be seen parked along the side of the road, their owners nearby, wearing wet suits and bare feet, chatting with one another, or out riding the surf. The pacific wind sculpts the beach and tears at the VW’s ragged curtains through its open windows.
Back at home, many other routes are available, too. Interstate 280 leads west then north, up the crest of the Santa Cruz mountains north to San Francisco. 101 north rolls north through the many towns and cities stacked up the peninsula towards San Francisco. And I 880 North is the major thoroughfare linking San Jose with Oakland and all “East Bay” cities and towns.
“North? East? West? South?” For my motorcycle, the Pacific Coast Highway is just another temptations in a long list of temptations. The tug of the road is strong. The bike wears worn tires to prove it.
Worn tires but has reached no particular destination.
The 2011 BMW 7-Series is bringing back six-cylinder engines.
confirms today that its range-topping 7-Series sedan will get two additions in 2011. The new 740i and 740iL will join the existing ActiveHybrid, eight-cylinder, and twelve-cylinder models in the 7-Series lineup.
The new engines are twin-turbo in-line six-cylinders, with the short- or long-wheelbase body being the primary difference between the two. The new engine will put out 315 horsepower at 5800 rpm, and 330 pound-feet of torque from 1600-4500 rpm.
does not confirm it, but the powertrain seems technically similar to the twin-turbo six-cylinder engine in today’s sedan, which would mean a displacement of 3.0 liters–not the 4.0 liters indicated by the badge. It’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
last offered a six-cylinder in the 7-Series in the 735i model, which joined the lineup in 1988 and was sold until 1992.
The new 2011 740i and 740iL go on sale in the spring, with a long list of available features including an M Sport package, seating for the rear passenger cabin, a DVD entertainment system, and individual options for leather and wood trim.
Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen will race for Lotus next year, after the newly-formed Formula 1 team confirmed its line-up in a press conference held in Malaysia today
Lotus reveals new team logo
from F1 news – autosport.com
Lotus F1 Racing revealed its new team logo today, retaining the famous green/yellow colours of the legendary Lotus marque – but at the same time providing the F1 team a completely new identity
Mosley: I could have averted pull-outs
from F1 news – autosport.com
Former FIA president Max Mosley believes he might have kept BMW and Toyota in Formula 1 had he visited the manufacturers’ bosses to explain the reasoning behind his budget cap plan
Lloyds invests in Manor F1 team
from F1 news – autosport.com
The private equity arm of the Lloyds Banking Group has taken a stake in the new Manor Formula 1 team, which will run under the Virgin Racing banner
Henkel says Mercedes deal is invalid
from F1 news – autosport.com
German company Henkel says a sponsorship deal apparently agreed with the Mercedes GP team was put together by an ex-employee acting without authorisation, and that it will not be honouring the partnership
Ferrari: Schumacher deal ‘not binding’
from F1 news – autosport.com
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo says his company would not prevent Michael Schumacher from racing for Mercedes in Formula 1 if he wished to do so – but added that the German had not yet discussed any such situation with him
Di Grassi to partner Glock at Virgin
from F1 news – autosport.com
Virgin Racing has confirmed that Lucas di Grassi is to race alongside Timo Glock at the team next year.
Campos still in talks with de la Rosa
from F1 news – autosport.com
Campos team president Jose Ramon Carabante says the Spanish squad is still in talks with Pedro de la Rosa to fill the second seat for its debut season.
Parente, Razia join Virgin as testers
from F1 news – autosport.com
Virgin Racing has announced Alvaro Parente will be its test driver in its debut season in 2010.
Rosberg: Pressure is on to win title
from F1 news – autosport.com
Nico Rosberg has admitted that the pressure is on Mercedes GP to win the world championship next year – amid continued speculation that Michael Schumacher could be on his way to the outfit.
Virgin car set for February run
from F1 news – autosport.com
Virgin Racing’s new Formula 1 car is on schedule to run for the first time in February – with technical director Nick Wirth confirming it will not be tried out in a wind tunnel before that maiden test.
Branson: Virgin can go all the way
from F1 news – autosport.com
Richard Branson believes the sky is the limit for his new Virgin Racing Formula 1 team, as he predicts a bright future for the outfit.
Virgin promises innovative approaches
from F1 news – autosport.com
Virgin Racing chiefs have promised to bring some innovative approaches into Formula 1 next year – as the eyes a closer relationship with the sport’s fans.
Virgin aims to earn respect from rivals
from F1 news – autosport.com
Virgin Racing sporting director John Booth says the team’s first target is to earn the respect of its rivals at the start of next season.
Di Grassi: F1 drive a dream come true
from F1 news – autosport.com
Lucas di Grassi says securing a deal to race in Formula 1 is a dream come true, after the Brazilian was confirmed as Timo Glock’s team-mate at the Virgin Racing team for next year.
Virgin eyes success with lowest budget
from F1 news – autosport.com
Richard Branson believes Virgin Racing can make a success of Formula 1 through talent rather than its chequebook – after revealing that the team will run with the lowest budget of any in 2010.
Massa commences F2007 test
from F1 news – autosport.com
Felipe Massa returned to the track in a 2007 Ferrari at Mugello yesterday, but was only able to complete 30 laps
Renault announces Genii partnership
from F1 news – autosport.com
Renault has confirmed it remains committed to Formula 1, after announcing on Wednesday that it has sold a large stake in the team to Luxembourg company Genii Capital Investment, as AUTOSPORT predicted
Red Bull retains Renault engines
from F1 news – autosport.com
Red Bull Racing will continue with Renault engines in 2010 as part of the company’s renewed commitment to Formula 1
Genii aims for Renault resurgence
from F1 news – autosport.com
Renault’s new partner Genii Capital is confident that it can give the French car manufacturer the support and finances it needs to return to the top in Formula 1
Stand-in drivers to get test days
from F1 news – autosport.com
Formula 1 teams will be allowed to give mid-season substitute drivers a day of testing from 2010 as part of rules tweaks announced by the FIA
Profile: Genii’s Gerard Lopez
from F1 news – autosport.com
For a bright businessman who speaks fluently in seven languages, and has been at the cutting edge of new technology business for more than a decade, it was almost inevitable that Gerard Lopez would eventually end up in Formula 1
“We want to be here longer than Ferrari”
from Racing news from en.espnf1.com
Virgin Racing’s team principal Alex Tai speaks to Claire Furnell about the 2010 season
Fry hints Schumacher return is on
from Racing news from en.espnf1.com
Speculation that Michael Schumacher will return to Formula One hit its highest point yet after Mercedes CEO Nick Fry hinted Schumacher was at the top of his list to partner Nico Rosberg at the German team
Ferrari won’t stop Schumacher comeback
from Racing news from en.espnf1.com
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has said his team would not stop Michael Schumacher from making a comeback in Formula One
Button misses out on top BBC award
from F1-Live.com
Jenson Button has finished runner-up in the coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year award at a star studded ceremony in Sheffield
Trulli and Kovalainen to race at Lotus
from F1-Live.com
Lotus has confirmed Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen as its race drivers for next year
Virgin is F1’s only fully British team – Branson
from F1.BrandBroadcast.net Latest 10 News Articles
Dec.16 (GMM) Sir Richard Branson on Tuesday said he is proud to be involved with the last fully British team in formula one.
FOTA votes to retain in-season testing ban
from F1.BrandBroadcast.net Latest 10 News Articles
Dec.16 (GMM) The F1 teams alliance FOTA last weekend reportedly decided to keep a full in-season testing ban in place for 2010.
Virgin car to have black/red livery in 2010
from F1.BrandBroadcast.net Latest 10 News Articles
Dec.15 (GMM) Virgin Racing team principal Alex Tai on Tuesday said the new team would field a black and red livery in 2010.
Petronas to stay with Sauber – report
from F1.BrandBroadcast.net Latest 10 News Articles
Dec.15 (GMM) In the wake of BMW’s withdrawal, Sauber is reportedly set to retain Petronas as a major sponsor.
Baguette linked with Sauber reserve role
from F1.BrandBroadcast.net Latest 10 News Articles
Dec.15 (GMM) Bertrand Baguette is tipped to secure a role with the Sauber team in 2010.
Di Grassi Q&A: Chance to race in F1 is a dream come true
from Formula1.com – Latest Interviews
After competing in GP2 for four seasons and regularly testing for Renault, Lucas Di Grassi has been a familiar face in the Formula One paddock for a number of years. In fact, ever since he won the prestigious Formula Three Macau Grand Prix back in 2005, Di Grassi has been on the radar of many team principals as a young talent to watch. It may have been a long wait but next season the Brazilian will finally make it onto the Formula One grid, racing for the newly launched Virgin team alongside former Toyota driver Timo Glock. Here the 25 year-old discusses his new team, Glock and his prospects for 2010…
Fernandes: Lotus drivers have the ‘full package’
from Formula1.com – Latest Interviews
Lotus team principal Tony Fernandes admitted he was still pinching himself after signing two of the biggest names on the grid to drive for his new, Malaysian-backed squad next season. In Jarno Trulli, Heikki Kovalainen and Malaysian tester Fairuz Fauzy, Fernandes believes he has the perfect driver combination…
Q&A with Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen
from Formula1.com – Latest Interviews
Lotus’s signing of Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen for 2010 gives the new Malaysian-backed team one of the quickest and most experienced driver line-ups on the grid. So why did two seasoned F1 professionals agree to drive for an unproven squad? The Italian and Finn speak about their decision…
‘Kobayashi in talks with Sauber’
from GPUpdate.net
With Virgin Racing’s Tuesday announcement having seen more pieces of the 2010 driver jigsaw fitted into place, a number of spots on the grid remain vacant ahead of the upcoming season. With Mercedes’ second seat generating most speculation, Finnish media suggests that ex Toyota pilot Kamui Kobayashi may have signed with Sauber.
McLaren season review
from itv.com/f1 News and Features
It may have been a poor year by McLaren’s standards, but one of the best recoveries in history sets it up well for 2010.
Full Renault statement regarding F1 future
from Planet F1 | Motor Racing News
Renault’s full statement regarding the team’s future participation in Formula One…
Top 20 sporting moments of the decade: Michael Schumacher wins seventh title
from telegraph F1
Was Michael Schumacher’s seventh world title the moment of the decade?
Stefan GP opens job vacancies
from F1technical.net . Motorsport news by Tomba
Stefan GP, the new Serbian team that is trying to make its way to the 2010 Formula One grid is now hiring people. A new job page on their website calls for people who are willing to work in either Germany or Serbia.
Hulkenberg trains in Qatar
from F1technical.net . Motorsport news by Principessa
The AT&T Williams team’s newly appointed race driver, Nico Hulkenberg, commenced his winter physical training programme at the Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence this week. Continuing his stay in Doha following a Formula One demonstration event at the Losail International Circuit on Thursday last week, Team Principal Sir Frank Williams joined Nico at the Doha-based sports academy to witness the world class facilities at first hand.
Grosjean to race in Andros Trophy Ice event
from F1technical.net . Motorsport news by Principessa
Romain Grosjean, who drove the final seven races of the 2009 season for the Renault F1 Team, has confirmed that he will be driving in two rouds of the Andros Trophy ice racing event in France. This weekend, Grosjean will come in action for the first time.
POLL: Should Michael Schumacher return to F1?
from Crash.Net Formula One Newsfeed
Michael Schumacher looks set to return to F1 in 2010. Do you think he should come out of retirement and compete with Mercedes?
2010 Season countdown – 90 days to go
from F1 Wolf by F1Wolf
Ten days have passed since the 100 days mark, it is time for another 2010 season countdown post. Here is a summary where F1 stands with 90 days to go.
Lotus boss accepts Branson’s bet
from F1-Live.com
Lotus boss Tony Fernandes, accepts Richard Branson’s bet
2010 Season countdown – 90 days to go
from F1 Wolf by F1Wolf
Ten days have passed since the 100 days mark, it is time for another 2010 season countdown post. Here is a summary where F1 stands with 90 days to go.
Jakarta, 11 November 2009 - BMW Indonesia hari ini mengumumkan pembukaan BMW Studio di Plaza Indonesia. BMW Studio ini menghadirkan desain dan suasana yang membuat pengunjung dapat secara emosional merasakan nilai-nilai brand BMW melalui pameran bertema khusus.
Suasana sophisticated dari BMW Studio yang berlokasi di lantai dasar pusat perbelanjaan bergengsi ini menginterpretasikan citra BMW ke dalam nilai-nilai eksklusivitas, inovasi, estetika, disain, dan seni. Tema pembukaan Studio BMW ini adalah Expression of Joy dengan menampilkan BMW Z4 terbaru.
Karya seni miniatur BMW Z4 yang diciptakan oleh seniman kontemporer Indonesia ternama seperti Agus Suwage, Nus Salomo, Randi Arwinda, Rangga Oka Dimitra, dan Ugo Untoro, juga di pamerkan di Studio BMW ini. Penampilan karya seni yang dipinjam dari kolektor pribadi ini adalah bagian dari keterlibatan BMW Indonesia dalam rangkaian kegiatan seni dan budaya di Indonesia. Karya seni miniatur BMW Z4 akan di pamerkan sampai dengan 20 Desember 2009, yang kemudian akan dilanjutkan dengan tema baru.
Pembukaan BMW Studio ini juga bersamaan dengan diperkenalkannya kampanye marketing global – Joy is BMW – yang telah meraih berbagai penghargaan dunia.
“Joy adalah inti dari brand BMW, “ kata Ramesh Divyanathan, Presiden Direktur BMW Indonesia. “Brand kami tidak hanya menawarkan kenikmatan berkendara, namun juga memastikan secara holisitk totalitas kenikmatan yang dirasakan lebih dari sekedar mengemudikan sebuah mobil. Hal ini yang membedakan kami dengan kompetitor. Kami percaya bahwa emosi yang diciptakan oleh produk kami jauh lebih penting dari pada produk itu sendiri.“
The 5 Series is an important model for BMW, particularly in North America where it’s the brand’s second best seller behind the 3 Series. Heading into 2010, BMW has expanded its mid-size line with the new Gran Turismo body style already on sale. However, the volume leader for the BMW 5 Series is the four-door sedan, which officially debuts today. The 2011 model transitions to a new platform architecture shared with the latest BMW 7 Series as well as the upcoming Rolls-Royce Ghost. The 5 Series sedan gets a four-inch shorter wheelbase than its siblings, but at 116.9 inches, it still stretches well past its competition. The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class runs a mere 113.1 inches between its axles and the Cadillac CTS is 113.4 inches.
From a technical perspective, the new 5 Series picks up much of what can be found in the 7 Series and the Gran Turismo. Read on after the jump to learn more about it.
Since the 5 Series now shares its platform with the 7 Series and GT, the suspension is essentially carried over from the other two with multi-link arrangements at all four corners, dispensing with the struts of the five previous generations. The outgoing E60 5 Series marked the debut of active front steering for BMW with a steering ratio that varied based on vehicle conditions such as speed and lateral acceleration. The new F10 (BMW’s internal nomenclature for the latest 5 Series) adds to that electric power steering assist, which should help reduce parasitic power loss and improve efficiency. How it impacts steering feel remains to be seen, although the 7 Series felt quite good for such a large car when we tested it earlier this year.The F10 also picks up features like optional active rear-wheel steering, which countersteers the rear wheels for a tighter turning circle while using in-phase steering at speed for extra stability. Other options include an adaptive damping system and active roll control to further minimize lean during cornering.
Inside, the new 5 Series also picks up themes from the GT and 7 Series with a return to an instrument panel layout where the center stack is tilted toward the driver for improved ergonomics. While BMW gave the Gran Turismo an elevated seating position for that “command view,” the 5 Series retains a lower position more typical of sedans. Barely a year after introducing its third generation of iDrive in the 3 Series and 7 Series, the new 5 Series gets what BMW is describing as generation four. It’s not clear at this point how much better it is, but hopefully the system will have expanded voice controls to get deeper into the menus without having to use its control knob. All models get an LCD display in the dash to display audio and climate control information, while cars without the navigation system get a seven-inch display and those with get the gorgeous 10.2-inch panel from the 7 Series.
Given that BMW’s middle name is Motoren, the heart of any Bimmer resides under the hood. In this case the U.S. version of the F10 5 Series will launch with two turbocharged engines. The 550i sedan gets the same marvelous 400-hp twin-turbocharged, direct-injected reverse flow V8 found in the X6, 750i and 550i Gran Turismo. Below that is a 300-hp turbocharged inline-six in the 535i.
However, the latter engine is not a carryover from the current 535i and 335i. The existing turbocharged inline six-cylinder uses two turbochargers feeding the front and rear halves of the engine and retains a throttle plate. This new engine keeps the same displacement and maximum output of 300 hp and 300 pound-feet, but uses only a single twin-scroll turbocharger and dispenses with the throttle in favor of the Valvetronic variable lift system to manage airflow into the engine. That makes it the first BMW turbo six with the Valvetronic system.
Both engines are paired with the same new eight-speed automatic transmission found in the Gran Turismo and the ActiveHybrid 7. The six-cylinder model is also available with a six-speed manual gearbox, a unique offering among its competitors in the U.S. market. Later in 2010, BMW will also add a normally aspirated version of the six with 240 hp.
The new 5 Series will be the first U.S.-market BMW other than the company’s new hybrids to get brake energy regeneration. Like the new electric power steering, this regen braking system uses a special heavy duty glass-mat battery in combination with an intelligently controlled alternator. While a normal alternator is being driven continuously, this unit only charges the battery when the car is decelerating to avoid adding any load to the engine.
Of course, the most obvious difference for the new 5 is its styling. Over the past decade, BMW has had some very controversial exercises in design, including the current E60 5 Series. The new 7 Series is considered one of the most successful BMW designs in many years and the 5 Series picks up that mantle. Unlike the the somewhat awkward looking Gran Turismo, the sedan keeps a lower profile more akin to the 4th generation E39 5 Series. The nose is also more upright like the 7 Series and GT compared to the slope back shape of the E60.
The bodywork picks up some of the surface queues seen on its siblings including a pair of prominent creases on its flanks at the rocker panel and just below the belt line. Speaking of the lower edge of the side glass, this wouldn’t be a BMW without the Hofmeister Kink, but this time the radius has been reduced. The overall effect is less avant garde and more muscular than the E60, and most observers will likely find it more pleasing to the eye.
The new 5 Series sedan will certainly spawn a new high-performance M5 version at some stage, although BMW is not giving any details at this time. In all likelihood, the days of the 5.0-liter V10 are over and the M5 will get a version of the 550-hp twin-turbo V8 found in the X5 M and X6 M. On the more efficient side, we may get a diesel 535d at some point and almost assuredly a hybrid, probably with the mild hybrid system used in the ActiveHybrid 7. What we probably won’t see again in the U.S. is the slow-selling Touring station wagon, which doesn’t really have much reason to exist alongside the Gran Turismo.
Setelah sukses menjalani musim 2009 di World Superbike dengan mengandalkan Troy Corser dan Ruben Xaus, BMW berancana mengikuti pula ajang German Superbike, British Superbike (Inggris) dan AMA Superbike (Amerika). Hal tersebut untuk selain untuk mengembangkan markket juga untuk mengembangkan motor mereka sendiri yaitu BMW 1000RR.
Di WSBK musim 2009 memang belum pernah menempatkan pembalapnya di podium namun tim ini pernah mencatatkan fastest lap dan di posisi akhir klasemen pabrikan, tim BMW masih berada di atas Kawasaki dan Suzuki.
Friday Morning we got up with plans to hit the first day of the Los Angeles car show. We walked through Ford, Lincoln, Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, and Honda. That was just one building of cars…. we still had three more showrooms to go!!! It was a whirlwind of chrome, muscle, flash and innovation and spent hours looking, sitting and oowing and ahhing.
We saved ourselves for Mike’s moms home cooking and ended up eating her Vegetable Stew again!!!! That stuff is sooooo good. I got the recipe and will be making it myself.!
For dinner we had Mike’s sister and daughter come over and they made a Rice, Raisin meal which was great.!
