BMW Confirms 5-Series for China and 2012 1-Series

For the past few months, we�ve been hearing various rumors about BMW�s future plans, but today, the German automaker came out with official details at a press conference in Munich starting with the debut of a plug-in hybrid version of the China market 5-Series at next month�s Shanghai Auto Show. 
�A highlight at the Shanghai Motor Show in mid-April will be the presentation of our New Energy Vehicle, said BMW Chief Executive Dr. Norbert Reithofer. �This model will be our e-car from China for China � a long version of the BMW 5 Series as a plug-in hybrid. This car will benefit from the strength and the excellent reputation of the BMW brand.�
Reithofer confirmed the presentation of the production version of the MINI Coupe, first seen as a concept model at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, and the second generation of the BMW 1 Series, both of which will be launched this year alongside the new M5 sports saloon and the 6-Series models. 

BMW also revealed plans to add a small displacement three-cylinder turbocharged engine to its range, though the Bavarian automaker did not get into any more details.
�We are gradually utilizing the BMW TwinPower Turbo technology in all petrol and diesel engines within our new BMW EfficientDynamics motor range,� said Reithofer. �This innovative engine technology package is based on a modular strategy. This holds true for future 4- and 6-cylinder engines as well as for our anticipated 3-cylinder drive. This modular system will generate significant economies of scale. It will also facilitate the standardization of interfaces and processes.�
Finally, BMW said it will begin assembling the X3 in India alongside the 3-Series, 5-Series and X1 for the local market from the second quarter of the year, while the firm�s new Tiexi plant in China which is scheduled to start production in 2012 will produce among other models, the X1 crossover.

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Porsche New Cajun SUV

Today, Porsche put an end to the rumors concerning the production location of the Cajun by confirming that the assembly will take place in Leipzig, in the Saxony region of Germany, alongside the Cayenne SUV and Panamera sports sedan model.
The facilitate production, Porsche plans to extend the Leipzig factory and turn it into a fully-fledged manufacturing site for the Cajun, including body assembly line and paint shop. Porsche said the decision to build the Cajun will create at least 1,000 new jobs in Leipzig and Stuttgart.

The Leipzig plant has been producing the Cayenne SUV since 2002, with Porsche expanding the factory in 2009 to accommodate the Panamera. To date, Porsche has invested around 280 million euro in Leipzig.
The Stuttgart-based automaker said the Cajun will come with typical Porsche traits such as �light weight� and �refined handling� adding that the baby SUV model �is expected to pave the way for new, younger customers to enter the world of Porsche�. The new model is expected to be introduced towards the end of 2012. 

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Honda Accord 2011

It seems that the petrol-sniffing Yellow Sac spider that forced Mazda to issue a recall on some 52,000 cars in the USA last week has a thing for mid-size Japanese sedans as the eight-legged arthropod also caused problems to Honda in the past. According to reports, Honda posted a Technical Service Bulletin in the summer of 2009 alerting its dealers to check Accords for possible infestation by the Yellow Sac spider, but had not issued a recall then.
�Spider webs are clogging the EVAP canister vent hose or the drain box,� said Honda�s service bulletin with the corrective action being to clean the webs and install a spring in the drain box.
Now, in the wake of the Mazda6 recall, Honda reportedly told its dealers to be on the lookout for the same spider in 2008-2009MY Accords.
But while in the Mazda6 the spider webs could cause air pressure problems in the gas tank potentially leading to a crack and fuel leakage, Honda says that�s not the case with the Accord. "It's just not happening in our cars," Honda spokeswoman Christina Ra told CNN. The company said that in the Accord, the spider webs create blockages with the only visible symptom being a "check engine" light coming on.


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BMW 5-Series GT 2011

Trussardi, one of Italy�s top design brands mostly known for its leather jackets, jeans, handbags and accessories, is celebrating its centennial anniversary this year with numerous events and special products, one of which includes a cooperation with BMW Italy. The two companies joined forces to design a limited edition version of the 5-Series Gran Turismo with bespoke styling cues.
The design of the 5-Series GT by Trussardi is said to have been inspired by the world of leather and gloves, which characterized the origins of the Italian brand. The emphasis was on new exterior details and a more luxurious interior treatment.
On the outside, Trussardi�s designers tried to polish up �pun intended- BMW�s crossover model with a an exclusive warm metallic brown named �Heraldic Brown� that features three layers of paint. Numerous elements, such as the double kidney grilles and the window line decorations are in the same color as the body, while the strip in the front air intake and the 20-inch alloy wheels are finished in a dark grey matte color. Trussardi�s coat of arms that appears on the front fenders rounds off the exterior changes.
Inside, the 5-Series GT�s seats are covered in a special Glove Beige color, with contrasting stitching that creates a caned motif inspired Trussardi�s glove series, while the company�s logo is embossed on the headrests and the center tunnel.
The 5-Series GT by Trussardi is available with two petrol and two diesel engines, all of which can be equipped with BMW�s all-wheel drive system. The engine range includes a 3.0-liter turbo diesel with 245HP (530d) or 300HP (535d), a 3.0-liter turbocharged petrol with 306HP (535i) and a 4.4-liter V8 turbocharged petrol with 407HP (550i).
BMW said the 5-Series GT by Trussardi will be built by custom order adding that it takes approximately six-weeks to complete each car. Pricing has not yet been announced. 

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Mercedes SLS AMG GT3

The AMG Driving Academy just got a little more interesting with the announcement that in 2011, fans will be able to get behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 race car. The V8-powered competition coupe will be available in the most advanced skill level programme, the Masters, which consists of four stages: Experience, Warm-up, Training and Competition.
The first leg takes three hours and includes a driving session with the road version of the SLS AMG, followed by an introduction and a seated �rehearsal�. After that, participants get to drive the SLS AMG GT3 on the track behind a lead vehicle. In the end, a professional racing driver gives them a ride in the same car.
The Experience stage is open to everyone, but in order to be allowed in the following stages, entrants must complete race track training sessions. The Warm-up and Training are more complex and intended to gradually familiarize participants with the controls of the race car and to teach them how to drive on slick racing tyres.
The Competition part is where AMG fans will get all the action. Expected to start at the end of 2012, this stage will consist of individual and team races, in which contestants will drive either the SLS AMG GT3 (booking prices per event start at �1,500/$2070), or their own cars.
First deliveries of the customer racing oriented SLS AMG GT3 are due in March 2011, with the net starting price being �334,000 ($461,500), or �397,460 ($550,500) with German added value tax included.


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