With the passing of the Volvo V70 and VW Passat in North America, European wagons are becoming harder to come by. But BMW is considering bringing the 5-Series Touring back to our shores to make up for disappointing 5-Series Gran Turismo sales figures.

Nothing has been confirmed, however some sources have learned that the comeback may be a strong possibility. Sales of the 5-Series GT haven’t been particularly exceptional, but the model outsold the previous 5-Series Touring since its arrival last year, even with its controversial appearance and mundane reception.

GALLERY: BMW 5-Series Touring

[Source: Autoblog]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into 120,000 BMW 7-Series vehicles. The issue is regarding the car not shifting securely into park and rolling away. The affected model years include 2002 to 2008, after receiving a complaint regarding a 2006 model that rolled away after the owner parked and exited the vehicle. The car that rolled away was equipped with BMW’s electronic access and ignition system, and an electronic transmission shifter with a gear selector mounted on the steering column. A BMW spokesman said the automaker is unaware of accidents or injuries related to this issue.

A preliminary investigation is the first step in a process that may lead to a recall if the NHTSA determines that there is a safety concern. NHTSA said no issues have been identified yet for any incident reported.

Oh Mansory, you’re like our favorite recovering celebrity. Some days we absolutely adore you, and other days we can’t help but to shake our head in disgust. Mansory’s latest creation, their rendition of BMW‘s new flagship 7-Series sedan, shows exactly why automotive manufacturers don’t mix and mingle SUV styling with luxury sedans.

For whatever reason, Mansory didn’t really go digging into the creative department when it came to styling BMW’s redesigned 7-Series. Instead, they reached right up on their shelves, pulled the same front bumper off their X5 M and X6 M packages, and got it to fit nice and snug on the 7-Series. The result isn’t so fantastic, given that we’re so used to seeing that front styling on an SUV and not a luxury sedan. Regardless, the bold and open front end design looks absolutely out of place on a luxury sedan that really sports conservative bodylines.

The front kidney grilles are also swapped out for horizontally-slitted carbon fiber variants, which is strange considering BMW’s are known to have vertically-slitted kidney grilles and the change again, looks odd and out of place. The rear features a new bumper with diffuser fitted for a quad-tipped exhaust system, presumably Mansory’s own. Roof and trunk spoilers seems to also be part of the package.

As for what’s left on the outside, Mansory paired up the 7-Series with a fittingly bad set of chrome wheels, really rounding out the lack of thought put into the package.

GALLERY: Mansory BMW 7-Series F01

Looks like the matte paint styles are being taken to a new level. With the introduction of affordable vinyl wraps, car owners are able to change the look of their car’s exterior on a budget, with the ability to revert it back to factory with ease.

Last year Vivid Racing took a customer’s BMW 750LI and covered it with a very flashy gold vinyl wrap for the 2009 Gumball 3000. There’s no doubt the reflective gold did its job for Gumball, but clearly the owner wanted something… more subtle for the streets. So Vivid Racing rewrapped the car with matte green vinyl giving it a bit of an army theme. We’re actually surprised at how subtle and clean it looks. That’s not to say that we love it, but we don’t hate it either.

The 750LI also got a smoked taillight treatment, lowering springs from H&R and a set of 22-inch EXE Wheels wrapped with Nitto Invo tires. Vivid Racing seems to be making a name for themselves  in vinyl wrap jobs, so if you’re in the Arizona area and want one yourself, make sure to look them up.

GALLERY: Vivid Racing Matte Green BMW 7-Series

[Source: Vivid Racing]

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

BMW is bringing the twin-turbocharged six-cyinder 7 Series to North America.

The 2011 BMW 740i and BMW 740Li will be available for sale in the United States in Spring 2010. Both are powered by twin-turbo 3.0L inline six engines with a claimed power output of 315 hp and 330 ft-lb. of torque.

The 740i and 740Li join the V8 750i/750Li and V12 760Li in BMW’s flagship line in North America.

Another example of BMW’s EfficientDynamics “virtual displacement” concept, the twin-turbo inline six promises the power of a V8 but the fuel consumption of a six-cylinder engine.

Other EfficientDynamic features include all-aluminum construction, direct fuel injection, double-VANOS variable camshaft technology and brake energy regeneration.

Both the BMW 740i and BMW 740Li will be available with all 7 Series options including the M Sport, driver assistance, luxury seating, rear entertainment and BMW Individual Composition packages.

Gallery: 2011 BMW 740i / 740Li

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

For the first time ever BMW will offer all-wheel drive on the 7 Series, starting this Fall. The xDrive system will be optional on both the 750i and 750Li models, increasing BMW’s range of 7 Series cars to five.

The xDrive system as found in the 7 Series will give sure-footed stability while also delivering performance, as it will be able to send up to 80 percent of the power to the rear wheels, which should help limit understeer significantly. BMW’s Integrated Chassis Management system will then work to control throttle input while adding brake in the rear (somewhat like a limited slip differential) to give “perfectly neutral handling.”

BMW promises that additional enhancements will help the all-wheel drive 7 Series models be some of the most nimble AWD sedans in the market.

Additionally, BMW has officially announced the introduction of an M Sport Package for the 7 Series which includes an M steering wheel, a lift-reducing aero kit, 19- or 20-inch wheels and Active Roll Stabilization (on rear-wheel drive models only). A special Carbon Black Metallic color will also be offered.

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

As it turns out the spy photos that were reported to be an M version of the new BMW 7 Series were actually of a 7 Series M Sport. Rather than a high-performance model, this 7 is more tuned towards aesthetics – although the new M Sport wheels are certain to be lighter weight models and may come with more rubber attached to them.

Up front the bumper gets a slight redesign, as does the rear and inside a new M Sport steering wheel is included.

No pricing is available as BMW has yet to officially released details on the car. And while we’re a little upset there won’t be an M7, with 400hp and 450 ft-lbs of torque in the 750i, an M version really isn’t necessary.

GALLERY: BMW 7 Series M Sport

[Source: CarThrottle]

Thanks to the folks over at WorldCarFans we have these spy photos of an upcoming high-performance version of the new 7 Series. Likely to be called the M7, BMW isn’t being shy about it as the vehicle was caught out testing without any real camouflage.

A new front bumper reveals significantly-sized air intakes and a bulge in the hood indicates there is some serious horsepower under the the hood. The bulge or “power dome” is much like the one found on the M3 – increasing the possibility that this will in fact be called the M7.

The M7 will compete against bruisers from Mercedes, including the S63 and S65, however, it is not known which engine will power the super saloon. There are, however, two strong possibilities.

One option is the twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 engine found in the new 760, with 554hp and 553 ft-lbs of torque. We’d wager, however, that the car would be powered by the same engine as in the X5 M and X6 M, a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 that makes 555hp and 500 ft-lbs of torque.

Expect to hear more about this car at the Frankfurt Auto Show this Fall – if not sooner.

GALLERY: BMW M7

[Source: WorldCarFans]