2000 Bmw 323ci on 2040-cars

Auto blog

BMW begins restoring Elvis Presley's 507 [w/video]

Imagine the King of Rock n' Roll driving a car and you'll likely picture a pink Cadillac or a yellow De Tomaso shot full of holes. But Elvis also owned a 1957 BMW 507 roadster, and now that roadster is returning home to BMW headquarters.
The 507 was a rare bird, of which only 254 examples were ever made. They were sold mostly to celebrities and royalty, but Elvis Presley was a GI when he bought it while stationed in Germany. The example that he bought had been displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show, used as a press car and raced by Hans Stuck (which is how Elvis came to see it in the first place), so when he took delivery of it second-hand, the dealership had a new engine installed. It was originally white, but legend has it that Elvis got tired of women writing their phone numbers on the side of it in lipstick that he had it repainted in red.
Stories differ on what exactly happened to it next, with some saying that he returned it once the lease was up and other saying that the army shipped it back to him in the States after his tour was over. But what we do know is that the car sat for many years, neglected but sheltered from the elements. Now it's heading to the the BMW Museum in Munich, where it will be on display until August 10, after which the BMW Group Classic department will undertake a comprehensive restoration of the star-studded roadster that's expected to take two years of work.

BMW X5 eDrive Concept is utilitarian plug-in hybrid

Bridging the gap between internal combustion engine-powered vehicles and electric vehicles are plug-in hybrids, and BMW has made one out of its biggest sports utility vehicle, even if it's just a concept car at this point. The plug-in hybrid X5 eDrive Concept debuted today at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and it sits attached to a charge port on the show floor.
As we reported in August, the X5 eDrive Concept combines a turbocharged four-cylinder engine of unknown output with a 95-horsepower electric motor, to achieve longer range and lower emissions. The X5 eDrive can drive up to 75 miles per hour and 19 miles on electric power alone, manage about 62 miles per gallon (3.8 liters per 100 kilometers) and accelerate from 0-62 mph in under seven seconds, according to BMW.
Three drive modes are offered: one that automatically operates the hybrid system, an all-electric mode and a Save Battery mode that operates the vehicle using the engine only.

2015 BMW X6 stays the course with more power, RWD model

What would this world be without the BMW X6? Oh, sure, the whole coupe-crossover design trend surely would have started somewhere, but BMW was the first, launching its odd duck back in 2008. Much as we like to harp on the X6 (for being less functional and more expensive than the X5 on which it's based), people around the world sure do seem to like the thing, BMW having sold some 250,000 examples since the CUV's birth. And as you first saw thanks to leaked images this morning, the second-generation X6 has just arrived.
The shape is familiar, as are specific styling elements like the larger headlamps (now available with a full-LED treatment) and taillamps, mimicking those found on the X5. Two trims are available - xLine and M Sport - the former taking a more subdued approach, while the latter uses the traditionally bulgy and aggressive M-badged kit, with larger air intakes and matte aluminum grille bars. All X6s come standard with 19-inch wheels, and 20s are optional.
Regardless of trim, BMW will now offer the X6 in three guises here in the United States: sDrive35i, xDrive35i and xDrive50i. Dissecting the nomenclature, that means the first two models will be powered by BMW's 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, good for 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. The sDrive X6 uses rear-wheel drive, while the xDrive, of course, uses all-wheel drive. Moving up, the xDrive50i uses the same twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 as its predecessor, though power has been increased to 450 hp and 480 lb-ft. All X6 models are fitted with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and BMW says that the new powertrains are more efficient than before, though official fuel economy numbers have not yet been released.