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BMW Competition Edition: 'ultimate version' of M5

BMW isn't waiting to see how much power the upcoming Mercedes-AMG E63 will have and is firmly placing itself at the top of the performance list with a new edition of the M5. BMW claims the M5 Competition Edition is the ultimate version of the sedan and will be limited to 200 models. BMW has confirmed that the vehicle will only be sold in Europe, which makes sense as the automaker just announced a US-only edition. The Competition Edition utilizes the same platform as the M5 with the Competition Package. The M5's twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 receives an updated ECU and an increase in boost pressure for 40 more horsepower and 16 pound-feet of torque. The special edition now puts out 600 hp and 516 lb.-ft. of torque. With the M dual-clutch transmission as standard, the sedan takes 3.9 seconds to get to 62 mph from a standstill. The M5 Competition Edition also benefits from all of the go-fast goodies found in the Competition Package, which include: a recalibrated differential, special steering calibration, a reprogrammed M chassis control system, and an upgraded and lowered suspension. The limited-edition model will be finished in two body colors, Carbon Black and Mineral White, both of which are metallic, while the exterior is adorned with carbon fiber. The rear diffuser, spoiler, and mirror caps are all finished in carbon fiber, with the kidney grilles and side gills wear a "M5 Competition" badge. A unique set of black wheels wrapped in performance tires rounds out the exterior touches. On the inside, the M5 Competition Edition is finished in Merino Black leather with contrast stitching in Opal White. Even the floor mats, which are black, have Merino Opal White bordering. "///M5" is prominently embroidered on the performance seats' headrests, while the carbon-fiber interior trim bears a plaque (one to 200) to indicate the vehicle's limited quantity. All of the special editions will come with a Bang & Olufsen stereo system in addition to a host of high-tech features. The M5 Competition Edition is currently available for approximately $142,696 or roughly $42,000 over a M5 with the Competition Package. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2016 BMW M5 Competition Edition News Source: BMWImage Credit: BMW BMW Special and Limited Editions Performance Sedan limited edition

2015 Dinan M235i First Drive

The first rule you learn about playing hide-and-seek is to wait until the seeker is out of sight before you move on to your next position. That feeling comes back to us as we're sitting in the Dinan-tuned 2015 BMW M235i on the twisty stretch of Route 152 near Gilroy, CA. Construction restricts the road to one lane before opening up to five miles of uninterrupted switchbacks. A local tipped us off to pull over and wait for traffic to clear, guaranteeing an open road and no risk of law enforcement seeking us out. Our first turn behind the wheel of the Dinan M235i started just a few miles north at the tuner's engineering and development center, located in an unassuming office park south of San Jose. Dinan conversions are known for being simultaneously subtle and awesome; an enhancement of products that already stand out in their respective classes. Dinan obtains its R&D cars through consumer channels, unlike some tuners that get early access to BMW's engineering for their own development projects. The development process is "reverse engineering," as technical director Casper van der Schoot describes it. Some development cars also come to Dinan through the generosity of its owner fan base. Customers hand over personal vehicles in exchange for discounted products. An M2 is already on order, and the Dinan engineers are on the edge of their seats waiting to take it apart. The Dinan treatment of the M235i increases performance without reinventing the dynamically sound package. As with other Dinan cars, the treatment on the M235i increases performance without reinventing the dynamically sound package. Approved dealers can install the Dinan parts, as can "anyone with a modest amount of technical aptitude," according to van de Schoot. Dinan's approach is to extract more of the best aspects of BMW products before supplanting stock parts with its own. That's why the M235i, like all Dinan products, comes with the eponymous Dinantronics engine control unit that remaps and finds more power from the stock inline-six-cylinder engine. A bespoke carbon-fiber cold air intake and stainless steel free-flow exhaust system add at least 15 more horsepower. The most significant alterations in the M235i's engine bay are a Dinan-rebuilt turbocharger and larger intercooler, which help increase total output beyond 440 horsepower. At this point you might wonder if all this untapped capacity is at BMW's disposal from the start, why does it take Dinan to release it?

China's auto sales continue to drop

The days of unending growth of carmakers in China look to be over, and some analysts are even forecasting a net drop in volume this year, The Detroit News reports. After falling numbers in June and July, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers tallied total sales, including trucks and buses, in August to 1.7 million, down 3 percent from 2014. There were some tiny specs of good news in China, but there's no turnaround in sight. Total vehicle sales from January to August are actually still up but only 2.6 percent. Like the rest of the world, SUVs are booming with numbers up 45.6 percent from the previous year. Honda managed a very impressive 50.7 percent gain on the strength of the CR-V and Vezel (the HR-V here), according to The Detroit News. Also, the country's domestic automakers, which generally offer less expensive products, posted a 2.5 percent growth in sales. The news continues to look bad for Detroit's automakers, though. Volume from General Motors dropped 4.8 percent in August, and Ford fell 3 percent in August. Both of them have invested significant amounts there in the past years. The vehicle industry in China grew last year, but there was burgeoning evidence of weakness. At the end of 2014, dealers there pushed back against huge inventories pushed by automakers. Even before the big drops began in June, GM saw the writing on the wall and started cutting prices. BMW responded to the slump by cutting back production to deal with the changing demand. News Source: The Detroit NewsImage Credit: Mark Schiefelbein / AP Photo BMW Ford GM Honda Car Buying