Stellar M5 Mroof Nav 19s Bluetooth Xm 56 Pics Texas We Finance on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Five reasons to love, or hate, the culture of German cars

A few months back, we took a 500-foot view of the culture of American cars, dissecting prides and prejudices on our way to the conclusion that automotive allegiances can be simultaneously embraced and derided. We had so much fun with the narrative that we decided to do it again, this time taking a look at Germany and its world-renowned lineup of automakers, including the likes of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen, among others. Join us below as we discuss the points and counterpoints that make or have made the German auto industry what it is today. And remember, Germany did pretty much invent the automobile, after all... The V12 Engine If America is known for the proliferation of the V8 engine, an argument could be made that Germany owns the V12. Yes, of course, other companies have created V12 engines – Ferrari, Jaguar and Lamborghini immediately come to mind – but the big 12-cylinder powerplants from BMW and Mercedes-Benz, in particular, have proven to be some of the most effortless, luxurious and downright over-built engines the world has ever seen. These days, having 12 cylinders is more a case of wretched excess than ever before, and yet, you can still stroll into your local BMW or Mercedes dealership and get a brand-new 760i, S600 or even an over-the-top G65 AMG, efficiency be damned. Best of all, since the majority of these German powerhouses depreciate as fast as an anchor sinks, nearly any auto enthusiast who dreams of a dozen cylinders can satisfy their carnal desires. Current Star: 2016 Mercedes-Maybach S600 View 28 Photos Diesel Engines Remember how we talked about those glorious V12 engines? Well, you can even get one from Audi that runs on diesel. If your compression-ignition fantasies err more on the side of fuel savings, that's no problem, either. Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen have got you covered, with engines starting as small as 800 cubic centimeters (Smart Fortwo). If you want something a little more practical, it's hard to argue with a VW Golf TDI, which will provide plenty of space for you and three of your best friends, plus a fair bit of luggage, all while returning 50-ish miles per gallon. For the purposes of this discussion, we'd rather focus on the asinine levels of torque provided by Germany's high-end diesel engines than the lower-end fuel sippers.

2017 BMW M760i xDrive is an M and a 7, but not an M7

It's still not a proper M7, but the BMW M760i has a lot to offer. For one, it comes with BMW's silky smooth, 6.6-liter V12, good for 600 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. It looks elegant, even in its Geneva Motor Show-spec shade of matte gray. In terms of baller status Bimmers, this is top-shelf stuff. Or is it? As I discussed in the earlier M760i post, the newly announced Alpina B7 xDrive has just as much power, is quicker to accelerate, and will run to a higher top speed. No, it doesn't come with that awesome V12, but it's a frickin' Alpina, complete with those super rad 21-inch wheels. But I digress. The M760i xDrive (that's all-wheel drive) is quite a beast to behold, and I'm sure it'll stack up nicely with the Mercedes-Benz S600s and Audi A8 W12s of the world. Check it out in the galleries above and below. View 18 Photos The All-New 2017 BMW M760i xDrive. - Superb performance and exceptional luxury combined. - The allure of the most powerful BMW V12 production engine. - First BMW 7 Series M Performance Automobile. Today, BMW announced the all-new BMW M760i xDrive, the latest addition to the BMW M Performance line-up. With the introduction of the 2017 BMW M760i xDrive, the sixth generation BMW 7 Series adds the first M Performance TwinPower Turbo 12-cylinder to its offerings. The all-new BMW M760i xDrive combines luxurious driving, style, safety and innovative technologies while embodying M Performance dynamics with the integration of the first 12-cylinder gasoline engine with M Performance Twin Power Turbo technology. The BMW M760i xDrive will arrive early in 2017 and MRSP will be announced closer to launch. The allure of the most powerful BMW V12 production engine. The M Performance TwinPower Turbo 12-cylinder gasoline engine in the new BMW M760i xDrive has a displacement of 6,592 cc, developing 600 hp (preliminary figure) at 5,500 rpm and peak torque of 590 lb-ft from as low as 1,500 rpm. These performance figures enable the luxury sedan to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.9 seconds (preliminary figure) and on to a governed top speed of 155 mph. During the development of the all-aluminum block, the engineers focused on maximizing rigidity while also minimizing weight. Using a closed- deck construction combined with bolts holding the cylinder head down on the bed plate of the crankcase, the engine ensures maximum stability on the cylinder liners.

BMW i3 range-extender lawsuit supports Tesla's store argument

Tesla's argument that it needs to own its stores in order to sell its electric vehicles and give customers better information is about to get bolstered by an unlikely source: BMW. The German automaker is the subject of a class-action lawsuit stemming from the performance of the range-extended version of its i3 plug-in. And at least one green-car advocate and i3 owner says the problem could have been avoided by better education at BMW dealerships. The lawsuit was filed in California by some owners of the BMW i3 REx, i.e. the version that's equipped with a gas-powered "range extender," according to Green Car Reports. The issue is that, when the car's battery starts running low and the powertrain is subjected to extended stress, such as a long uphill highway stretch or a fully loaded vehicle, the car can slow from highway speeds to as slow as 45 miles per hour without warning. The claim states that the vehicle can post a danger as a result, while BMW has declined comment, citing pending litigation. Meanwhile, Tom Moloughney, owner of the first BMW i3 REx to be sold in the US, says the problem might rest at the dealership level. Moloughney says that if dealers explained the car's mechanics better – especially the fact that the range extender is essentially a 34-horsepower, two-cylinder motorcycle engine whose power is limited – drivers would be better informed about what could happen when the battery power is sapped at highway speeds. While Tesla EVs don't have the same sort of REx powertrain, this argument nicely dovetails with what Tesla Motors has been saying for a long time, that its cars should only be sold at company-owned stores because third-party dealers are less likely to understand and explain the nuances of electric vehicles. No word on whether Elon Musk's lobbyists are getting together with lawyers representing the Ultimate Driving Machine. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2014 BMW i3: First Drive View 33 Photos News Source: Green Car Reports via Automotive News-sub.req. Government/Legal Green BMW Electric Hybrid lawsuit range extender tom moloughney