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30th Anniversary BMW M5 information leaks out

BMW hasn't kept its 30th Anniversary M5 a very big secret. It even hinted that "a surprise" was coming while celebrating its Autobahn-storming sedan's 30th birthday. However, what exactly was on the way has been a mystery... until now. The folks over at Bimmerpost have found some leaked details about the new model, and it's definitely more than just some badges special paint.
The biggest upgrade for the M5 is that power allegedly increases to 592 horsepower (600PS) and 516 pound-feet of torque (700 Newton-meters). That is a 32-hp and 14-lb-ft increase over the standard M5 and 17 ponies more than models with the Competition Package. The forum claims that all of the cars come with a dual-clutch gearbox, even in the US.
Styling also sees an upgrade with BMW Individual Frozen Dark Silver Metallic exterior paint, special 20-inch wheels, dark chrome trim and 30th Anniversary badges. The interior mixes Merino leather and Alcantara upholstery with dark aluminum trim and more celebratory badges.

BMW 5 Series wagon makes incognito grocery run by way of the 'Ring

With a debut in 2009, it's high time that BMW delivered the world with the standard mid-cycle refresh of its popular 5 Series. While we aren't expecting to see it here in the United States, that freshening will include the vehicle shown above, the 5 Series wagon.
This is only the second time we've spotted the camo'd, long-roof 5er in the past year, and while it was chained to a flat-bed in those snaps, today, we can see it lapping the Nürburgring. In addition to the images from the track, we also have our first look at the cabin of the freshened 5 Series, although even it is covered in camouflage, making it quite difficult to spot anything of substance.
As for the exterior, expect modest changes for the second-half of the F10 5er's life, with typical tweaks like new headlights and taillights, and perhaps a freshened front fascia. Considering we last saw the upcoming 5 Series just over a year ago, we'd expect an auto show debut for this smoothed-over model in the not-so-distant future, with Paris a leading candidate.

BMW expects China to pass US as its top market in 2013

When you combine two billion citizens, 100 cities with more than a million inhabitants and an economy that's as unrestrained as Jim Cramer on an Adderall binge, China's explosive auto industry growth shouldn't be a huge surprise. Audi already lists the communist country as its largest market, while Mercedes-Benz is expecting it to be there in the next few years. Now, according to a report from Automotive News, BMW is expecting the People's Republic to overtake the United States in sales by the end of 2013.
We already discovered the extent that BMW is going to in establishing a dedicated Chinese stronghold, when we explored BMW's Shanghai-based DesignWorks studio ahead of April's Shanghai Motor Show. And while we argued that DesignWorks Shanghai hasn't really borne fruit, it isn't due to a lack of sales.
BMW China has seen a 16-percent jump in year-over-year sales, lead by a 28-percent gain in 5 Series sales. Part of BMW's growth strategy comes from an ever-expanding dealership network. Remember those 100 cities we mentioned with over one million people? According to Karsten Engel, CEO of BMW's Chinese operations, those 100-million-plus city dwellers don't have access to a premium dealership.