The BMW 5-Series ActiveHybrid will make its debut at this December’s Tokyo Auto Show, featuring BMW’s familiar twin-turbo I6 engine and an electric motor that will produce a total output of 340 horsepower. Backed by an 8-speed automatic, the car will be able to operate in pure electric mode up to 37 mph.

The ActiveHybrid’s 55 horsepower electric motor will be powered by a trunk mounted lithium-ion battery pack, and also allow the driver to coast with the gasoline engine shut off. A boost function will also enable rapid acceleration, though BMW did not elaborate on its exact nature. An energy management system is said to work in concert with the car’s GPS unit to adjust for road conditions.

BMW also markets hybrid versions of the 7-series and X6. A 3-Series Hybrid will bow in 2012, while the i3 and i8 electric cars will debut in 2013 and 2014 respectively.

This may look like a BMW 7-Series sedan with some oddball rims, but our spy photographers report that the vehicle in question is actually a prototype for a new BMW i sedan, based on a couple key points.

For starters, there are apparently electric motors mounted in the wheel hubs, which would suggest a new kind of electric propulsion system previously unseen on a BMW. Furthermore, the front and rear fenders look like they’ve been radically altered to fit the vehicle, which further suggests some alien technology lurking underneath the sheetmetal.

If we had to guess, we’d say that BMW is preparing something to bring the fight to the Tesla Model S and Fisker Karma, but there’s very little information to go on at this time.

GALLERY: BMW i Large Sedan

BMW is recalling 32,000 vehicles in order to replace potentially faulty electric auxiliary water pumps. An issue can cause the water pumps to overheat, potentially causing a vehicle fire. Models impacted by the recall include 2008-2011 5-Series, 5-Series Gran Turismo, 7-Series, X5 and X6 equipped with either the eight- or 12-cylinder turbocharged engines.

Two engine compartment fires have already been reported with 102 cases of pump failures worldwide. No crashes or injuries have been reported due to the issues however. The pump in question is an auxiliary pump that helps cool the turbocharger and in case of failure can cause the circuit board to overheat. BMW said in cases that this does occur, a warning message will illuminate on the instrumental cluster.

The issue was first discovered in June of 2009 on a test vehicle and in April 2010, a smoldered electrical cable of the water pump was found on a BMW-owned vehicle. Owners impacted by the recall will be contacted next month with BMW replacing the faulty electric auxiliary water pump.

We’ve certainly given up on believing that we’ve seen it all these days. Enthusiasts are getting more and more creative in finding new ways to set their cars apart from their neighbors, and this time around it looks like the newest craze are glowing wheels.

As shown in the below video of a BMW 7-Series, rim neons or LED lights are used to illuminate the wheels from behind, giving a Tron-like feel to your night on the town.

Check out the video after the break.

[Source: DUB Daily]

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An obscure Canadian law makes it illegal for private citizens to own bulletproof cars, but Dave Pankew of Autoblog Canada ended up spotting one just north of Toronto, with the vehicle in question being a rare BMW 760Li High Security.

Allegedly, this car has the top-of-the-line F03 package, and has all kinds of spy-novel-esque gadgets including bulletproof glass, run-flat tires, a bomb-proof undercarriage and a toxic gas sensor that shuts off outside ventilation should it detect any threats.

While technically illegal, the 760Li was wearing German license plates, meaning it’s not registered in Canada. If the owner (or driver, in this case) held a drivers license in Germany, then the car would likely be legal, as it’s merely being driven on Canadian roads by a foreign national, rather than legally imported and registered.

Alternately, it could be owned by BMW Canada (and with the Munich license plates, that’s a real possibility) and the whole thing is just a lot of fuss over nothing. Either way, it’s a cool car, and if they had this back in 1996, Tupac Shakur might have survived his untimely death.

[Source: Autoblog Canada]

BMW is working on a new engine for its diesel cars, and it’ll be packing three turbos for the X6 and the 7-Series—just like the next M3.

The Tri-Turbo will be a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with more turbochargers than BMW’s twin-turbo models, but less than Bugatti’s quad-turbo engine. Combined, power of these pinwheels will be between 350 and 400 horsepower.

The engine is currently being tested in the 750d and 750ld flagships, which will be introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September, and Europeans will be able to three-ball it starting next spring.

[Source: BMW Blog]

Well, here’s a new one. In a world where front end and rear end conversions are long gone – thankfully – the Internet has found a new gem that even the most creative car builders might scratch their heads on. Now before you think we’re completely hating on this build, we have to commend the overall craftsmanship that was involved in putting it together. The front end and rear end conversion are actually nicely done, flowing well with the overall body lines of the BMW E23 7-Series. Of course these photos aren’t exactly the highest of quality, but the fit and finish seem pretty impressive.

What we have here is a rare first-generation BMW 7-Series sporting a Shelby Mustang front end and a rear end conversion sporting the unmistakable look of an R34 Skyline GT-R. Is it something we’d ever do? Probably not. But when it comes to a cookie-cutter world, we have to commend those that think outside the box. Even if it’s way outside the box.

[Source: Carscoop]

GALLERY: BMW 728i with Shelby Mustang front & Skyline R34 rear

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

The BMW 7 Series Composition really tickles our ivories. Developed in partnership with Steinway pianos and BMW Individual (BMW’s bespoke service), the 7 Series Composition comes in a (*groan*) ebony or ivory paint scheme, with a contrasting merino leather interior.

A gold pinstripe, 20″ wheels unique to the composition and lambswool carpeting help give some exclusivity to the Composition. Naturally, the interior trim is rounded out with…piano black trim! Bet you didn’t see that one coming.

Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but interestingly, the package can also be ordered on the 7 Series ActiveHybrid.

[Source: BMW]

Jaguar‘s sleek new XJ flagship has been declared Car of the Year by Professional Driver Magazine. The buff book for livery drivers chose the XJL 3.0 diesel, as “judges loved the XJ’s looks, its beautiful and distinctive interior and outstanding driving dynamics.”

The XJ bested perennial favorites like the BMW 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class in the competition, which carries significant weight due to the fact that most large luxury sedans are purchased by car services.

Jaguar offers substantial support for chauffeurs and other livery drivers in the UK, with insurance programs and the promise of a similar vehicle when their main car is in for servicing.

[Source: Left Lane News]