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BMW rethinks all-wheel-drive M cars

BMW M hasn't been able to decide whether it wants to jump on the all-wheel-drive bandwagon or not (with the exceptions of the X5 M and the X6 M, which are based on AWD architecture). That might be changing though, since M's president Friedrich Nitschke recently realized that 70 to 80 percent of Mercedes-Benz E63 AMGs are ordered with all-wheel drive. Earlier this year, Nitschke said that there were no new AWD M models planned, so this comes as somewhat of a surprise.
"On our cars we are thinking of all-wheel drive, but it won't come before we get the successor of the M5 and M6," Nitschke said in a Motoring report. "That's the timing and it's not practical to react in the current life cycles."
"On our cars we are thinking of all-wheel drive." - Friedrich Nitschke, BMW

Elvis Presley's BMW 507 has never looked better

After two grueling years of work, BMW Classic is finally finished restoring the 507 roadster that once belonged to Elvis Presley. Now that it is restored to original condition, the vehicle will be on display at this year's Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach, CA, on August 18. The 507 will be in the exact same shape as when the King of Rock 'n' Roll took delivery of it on December 20, 1958. Not only did BMW Group Classic bring the 507 back from the scrapyard, it also went to great measures to ensure that the classic was restored in an authentic manner. The vehicle was painted once again in Feather White. But the primer coat, filler, and top coat were applied using methods that were used roughly 60 years ago, giving the 507 a truly original shine. The 150-horsepower 3.2-liter V8 was restored to its original spec, but utilizes a variety of old and new components. Other notable features include a black-and-white interior, center-lock rims, and a Becker Mexico radio. The 507 will be on display alongside numerous vintage BMWs as the company celebrates its centennial. Related Video: Featured Gallery Elvis Presley's Restored 1957 BMW 507 View 20 Photos Related Gallery Elvis Presley's 1957 BMW 507 View 59 Photos News Source: BMWImage Credit: BMW Auto News Celebrities BMW Convertible Classics Pebble Beach bmw 507

Ward's Automotive Ten Best Engines of 2014 dominated by diesels, turbos

With the Car and Driver Ten Best decided, the North American Car and Truck of the Year finalists announced and Cadillac, Ram and Subaru chalking up wins with Motor Trend, it's fair to say that the automotive awards season is in full swing. The next set of trophies to be handed out will be from Ward's Automotive, which has announced the winners of its 2014 10 Best Engines.
The latest contest was marked by the widespread emergence of diesel power and the continued success of turbocharged engines. There was even an electric motor on this year's list. In fact, only three of the ten winners were naturally aspirated and only two winners returned from last year.
"We weren't looking to throw the bums out, as they might say about an election. We were just really impressed with the flood of new powertrains," said Ward's Automotive Editor-in-Chief Drew Winter. Those new powertrains include the 83-kilowatt electric motor from the Fiat 500e, the 1.0-liter, EcoBoost three-cylinder from the Ford Fiesta and the 2.0-liter turbodiesel from the Chevrolet Cruze.