M3 M3 Beautiful Fast Bmw on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Next BMW X5 caught testing in the snow

That's not taken long at all. Less than three years after BMW introduced the current X5, the German automaker has already kicked off winter testing for its replacement. The new Sport Activity Vehicle (that's BMW for crossover) has been spotted in snowy terrain, complete with heavy camouflage and extra driving lamps. Now, this is a mule, which means we're absolutely not looking at production sheetmetal. Instead, we'd wager the next X5 is hiding well beneath this swirly camouflage. Compared with images of the current car, it looks like we're seeing a longer front overhang, a shorter rear overhang, and a tighter dash-to-axle ratio. That makes us think the next X5's exterior dimensions might be just a smidge smaller than the current model. And that gels with at least some of what our spies are telling us. For one, they're reporting that the new X5 will be significantly lighter, as is the trend nowadays. It will also be more comfortable and techy, both of which would put it in line with the new 7 Series. Beyond that, though, we're in the very earliest days of BMW's next SAV. The debut of the fourth-generation X5 will likely come in 2018 as a 2019 model. Related Video:

BMW sets Guinness record for longest drift with new M5 [w/video]

In September of 2011, Chinese drifter Wang Qi broke the Guinness record for the world's longest sustained drift, doing 13 laps inside the Olympic Center Stadium in Tianlin, China for 5,802.3 meters. That was broken in February of this year by Abdo Feghali in Abu Dhabi drifting a new Chevrolet Camaro around a skidpad for 11,180 meters - almost seven miles. In March, BMW decided it wanted the record "back in the US," and set up a course at its BMW Performance Driving School near Greenville, South Carolina to get the job done. On May, 11 it was Mission Accomplished when Performance Center driver Johan Schwartz drifted an M5 around a skidpad continuously for 51.3 miles.
Despite that accomplishment, we're pretty sure that professional drifter Vaughn Gittin, Jr. isn't impressed. The way Guinness defines "drifting" can also describe a donut, which is effectively the kind of drifting that's been done for these last three records. BMW went even further by watering down the surface of the track, reducing the skill required and the need to change tires during the effort. On the other hand, you can't drift a car for long in a straight line, but perhaps there should be some clarification or classifications added to the milestones.
There's a short video below taken during the record-breaking run, and a press release from the company that did it.

BMW wants world drifting record back in US

BMW just can't stand the thought of the world record for the longest drift winding up in the hands of someone else. The German automaker is set to take a crack at setting a new record by blowing the old one straight out of the water. A driver in China holds the current title after kicking a car sideways for a full 3.6 miles. Now, on May 11, BMW Performance Driving Instructor Johan Schwartz will attempt to pitch a BMW M5 sideways for some 40 miles as part of a stunt to raise funds for the BMW Pro-Am Charity.
We've had the distinct pleasure of riding with the instructors at the BMW facility in South Carolina, and we can tell you that if anyone can keep an M5 at full tilt for 40 miles, it's these guys. BMW has released a teaser video to drum up attention for the stunt. You can catch it below.