Despite the challenges of making an MPV an “Ultimate Driving Machine”, BMW is responding to market needs by developing an MPV which might be called the BMW V5. The project is called the BMW Space Functional Concept, and it’s production version results will go against the likes of the Mercedes Benz R-Class as a spacious and luxurious people mover. An Automedia artist’s impression is shown above.

Rumours are that the production version of the BMW Space Functional Concept will be called either the V5 or V6, followed by a more compact BMW V3 model.

If BMW follows the footsteps of Honda’s Odyssey and Stream, it shouldn’t be too hard to inject sporty and good driveability into an MPV.

Related Posts:
Possible 2008 BMW V3 Artist Impression

Source

BMW adds two 335 badges to it’s new E90/91/92 BMW 3-series arsenal in the form of the BMW 335i (read test drive report) and the BMW 335d. The twin-turbocharged diesel-powered BMW 335d joins it’s 197hp single turbo 3.0 diesel 325d and 228hp single turbo 3.0 diesel 330d siblings carrying the award-winning sequential twin turbocharged 3.0 liter diesel engine under it’s hood.

The 335d’s 3.0 liter twin-turbodiesel engine which made it’s debut in the BMW 5-Series makes 286 horsepower and comes with an astonishing torque chart. The plateau-like torque curve reads a maximum of 580Nm of torque from as low as 1,750rpm, with 95% of that amount available from low as 1,500rpm.

Thanks to the impressive performance figures, the E92 BMW 335d Coupe goes from 0-100km/h in 6.1 seconds, while the E90 sedan and E91 touring versions takes 6.2 and 6.3 seconds respectively.

Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd (EON) will be closing down 10 sales branches and 4 service centers from September 1 onwards, as part of its rationalisation exercise for greater efficiency.

The sales branches to be closed are:

Jalan Templer
Old Klang Road
SS2
Bukit Mertajam
Jalan Makloom, Penang
Jalan Kampar, Ipoh
Kangar
Johor Jaya
Bentong
Labuan

Service branches to be closed:

Kangar
Bentong
Labuan
Lahad Datu

This brings EON’s outlets down to 42 sales branches and 33 service branches, which is about the right size for it’s current operations according to their management.

EON previously engaged in a Voluntary Separation Scheme exercise to trim it’s workforce.

This is BMW’s new X5, the second in it’s generation since it’s release back in 1999. Like it’s predecessor, BMW calls the new E70 a Sports Activity Vehicle or SAV rather than an SUV, as BMW says it’s dynamics are a step above it’s rivals’ utilitarian construction. So what’s new with BMW’s flagship 4WD? More details after the jump.

[UPDATE: Test Drive Report of 2007 BMW X5 4.8i and 3.0d in Athens.]

[UPDATE: The new second generation E70 BMW X5 has been launched in Malaysia. Click here for prices and other details.]

Click here to read the rest of New 2007 BMW X5 (E70)

These are artist impressions of the upcoming 2007 Renault Laguna. Nissan’s large car platform is currently the FF-L platform. The new Renault Laguna will likely share this platform with the Nissan Altima/Nissan Primera. Rumours are that there will be both lift-back sedan and coupe versions, and even possible an estate version. Two more impressions after the jump!

Click here to read the rest of 2007 Renault Laguna Artist’s Impression

UK magazine AutoExpress carried photos of the Chery QQ crash test results yesterday. Clearly European consumers are a little worried about the influx of Chinese cars into their market soon in the future, for example the new Nanjing-assembled MG Rover cars, the JiangLing Landwind, and the Geely Beauty Leopard. Bad crash test result photos (as well as some good ones?) of the Chery QQ have been around the internet for a long time, so it is not exactly breaking news for us. There are also accusations that the Chery QQ is a rip-off of the Chevy Spark, and there was a lawsuit but it was settled out of court and since dropped.

What raised my curiosity is this little excerpt from the article…

A Chevrolet spokesman told us: “The QQ results are horrific. China clearly isn’t ready to sell cars in Europe.” After complaining about copyright infringement, Chevy’s parent firm GM made an out-of-court settlement with Chery which agreed not to sell the QQ outside China.

Since the Chery QQ is available here in Malaysia, is AutoExpress misquoting the Chevy spokesman?

Source: AutoExpress

More Proton Satria Neo-based photoshops by Theophilus Chin. Above is a sedan car based on the Proton Satria Neo, pretty much the same as before but this time in Iridescent White instead of the usual orange you see on most Satria Neo images. The bling turbine wheels have also been replaced with something similiar to the first wheel design featured on the Proton Waja.

Like the Chevrolet Optra has it’s brother the Optra Estate, Theophilus has given the above sedan a sibling in the form of this estate car. Estate, station wagon, it all means the same thing anyway.

Make the body larger, raise the suspension and you have an SUV! This is what Proton’s possible upcoming SUV could look like, if it carries Satria Neo design cues.

As usual, click on any of these images for an enlarged version.

Nihon Car and Bike posted these scans from a Japanese magazine offering a look at how the Lexus IS500 looks like. The Lexus IS500 is Lexus’ opponent for BMW’s M3 and the Mercedes Benz C63 AMG.

Quad tailpipes on the rear are a tell tale of the enormous power than lurks under the hood, rumoured to be Toyota’s 2UR-FSE engine - a 5 liter V8 that makes 420hp at 5,800rpm and 550Nm of torque at 3,800rpm.

Another front shot after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Lexus IS500 Preview

It’s time to be amused by the little fun car manufacturers overseas have poking and prodding each other thanks to their bitchy (in a good way) creative agencies.

Do you remember that little grey monster thingy that Volkswagen is using to promote it’s Volkswagen Golf GTI? Volkswagen calls it a Fast, and it’s supposed to be that desire inside of you for speed, acceleration, G forces, the sound of a roaring engine and all that.

I’m pretty sure a Fast would not be very happy with the silent Tesla Roadster. Anyway, this is what Subaru thinks about Volkswagen’s Fast. You can click on the image for a larger version. Enjoy!

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Volkswagen Golf GTI Fast Documentary
Volkswagen Golf GTI Fast Advertisements

Malaysian Chevrolet distributor Hicomobil has plans to launch the new Chevrolet Aveo Sedan here in Malaysia in September 2006, so I thought I’d give you guys a little preview of the car based on the version they are selling in India. The Chevrolet Aveo Sedan was launched in the Indian market in February and is assembled in GM’s plant in Halol. GM hopes to sell 14,000 Chevrolet Aveo Sedans this year, with future targets of about 20,000 units a year.

Our Chevrolet Aveo Sedan will likely come in CBU form from Thailand until Hicomobil can get their CKD operations up and running. The Chevrolet Aveo Sedan was designed by Italdesign Giugiaro Design Studio and GM’s global engineering team using their Virtual Reality Design Center. It will be manufactured for this region at GM’s plant in Thailand’s Rayong Province.

More details on the car after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Chevrolet Aveo Sedan Thai CBU