BMW has unveiled its new M Sport package for all members of the X5 range, giving the SAVs a sportier look and feel inside and out. A new bodykit gives the X5 a more aggressive appearance, with updated fascias, flared fenders, black low-profile roof rails, and a choice of different 19″ and 20″ wheels.

Inside, electrically-adjustable sport seats and an M steering wheel can be augmented with any number of customization options from BMW Individual, and the X5’s already-sporting character is further enhanced by a retuned suspension that reinforces the “sport” in Sport Activity Vehicle (hey, that’s what they want to call it, so who are we to argue?). A variety of available paint finishes complete the deal.

German pricing for the M Sport upgrades is €6,350 for the X5 3.0si and 3.0sd, and €4,840 for the more-powerful X5 4.8i. There’s no word yet on if or when the package will be available stateside.

[Source: BMW]

Man, these sure would look good in the TV room. Galleria Ferrari is exhibiting collector Sergio Cassano’s eye-popping collection of Ferrari racing posters all summer. The posters reflect a variety of artistic styles from a number of different artists, and all of them have a common theme: Ferrari is the featured marque in each one.

That’s not surprising, given Scuderia Ferrari’s rich racing history, and to make the exhibit even more special, the posters are joined by a pair of the racers that helped shape the Ferrari racing story over the years: the 500 F2 and 750 Monza. Come to think of it, those’d look really good in the garage. Y’know… to match the posters in the TV room.

The exhibition will run through Spetember 16.

Full details are in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Ferrari]

In-car user interface systems run the gamut in terms of usability. BMW’s iDrive (which we’ve found to be alternately wonderful and maddening) and Audi’s slicker, easier-to-use MMI are two of the most well-known. Devising an interface that makes it easy to control multiple systems is no easy task, but Ford thinks it’s found a sweet spot with the HMI (Human Machine Interface) that’s included in some versions of the all-new Mondeo.

The system is used to control the car’s phone, cruise control, audio, and tire pressure monitoring systems. It’s operated via a set of buttons on the steering wheel that emulates the primary input device used on mobile phones: buttons at each of the four compass points, and an “OK’ button in the middle of them.

The reasoning, according Dr. Stevan Becker (right), who supervised the HMI project, is that around 95% of people use a mobile phone already and are familiar with that kind of control setup. The HMI’s GUI is displayed on both the 5″ info screen in the center stack as well as in the instrument cluster itself. Read more »

We still remember being extremely excited about the 200 HP, 2.5L V6 in the SVT Contour, so every time the think of FWD family sedans approaching 300 HP, we shake our heads in amazement. And if an Altima can have 275hp, then what the heck do automakers do with exotic sports cars? Easy, crank up the juice until drivers are able to break the sound barrier on the Interstate track. Somewhere around 600-650hp, OEMs start to get nervous, and the aftermarket takes over.

The tuning specialists over at 9ff took an “ordinary” 911 turbo cabrio and kicked up the power into the 910 HP stratosphere. Since the standard 911 turbo can hit 60 MPH in under four seconds, we can’t imagine what would happen if you doubled the grunt on a car that weighs only 3,200 lbs. Since 60 will come and go well before you kick it into second gear, perhaps top speed is most relevant here, and achieving speeds that pass 240 MPH has already been done by 9ff while using only 850 HP. 9ff has already done a coupe and Carerra GT versions with identical power numbers, so the drop-top was easy.

At some point we fully expect the horsepower war to taper off, but you won’t hear us calling for a truce. We hope this monster comes with a standard helmet and a four-point safety harness.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Earlier this month we brought you a rumor that BMW was in talks with Ford to buy Volvo. Then just this week the rumor popped up again, in a Swedish newspaper. Now Ford comes out to officially quash the story, saying, “Ford Motor Company is not in discussions with BMW or any other company regarding an interest in the Volvo Car Corporation.”

That should take care of it, right? Well, not with everyone. Reuters quotes several industry analysts saying such a sell wouldn’t surprise them. Ford could make a load of much-needed money by getting rid of Volvo, and one analyst said he would expect Ford to look at all serious offers.

A Merrill Lynch analyst told Reuters Ford might get as much as $8 billion for Volvo, if, of course, it were for sale.

We’ve already stated our thoughts on BMW buying Volvo, but with the sale of Chrysler to a private equity group, could Volvo be the next Cerberus target? A Chrysler/Volvo team could be the halo marque the automaker needs, and Chrysler could also benefit from Volvo’s safety first image.

Such a matchup might also mean a Magnum-based Volvo wagon. Interesting.

Thanks for the tip, SobeSVT!

[Source: Reuters via Yahoo]

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) just wrapped up its own version of a clinical demolition derby on some of the newest drop tops around, and when the airbag dust settled, the Saab 9-3 and the Volvo C70 earned the Institute’s Top Safety Pick award.

Both vehicles scored “good” in front, side and rear crashes, while others, like the Pontiac G6, didn’t fare quite as well.

[Source: IIHS] Read more »

Earlier this month, Autocar reported that BMW had expressed significant interest in buying the Volvo brand from Ford Motor Company early in 2007. The report claimed BMW had gone so far as to request financial data about the Swedish automaker.

Yesterday, the Swedish newspaper Goteborgs Posten threw another logo on this rumor’s fire by reporting that sources within Ford have confirmed that BMW is exploring the possibility of purchasing Volvo. Another source has even claimed BMW and Ford have already begun informal talks.

Our previous post already touched on all the questions that need answering, including why BMW, which became the go-it-alone automaker after owning Land Rover left a bad taste in its mouth, would jump back into the ownership game. Also, while BMW and Volvo have distinct identities (the Ultimate Driving Machine versus the ultimate safety machine), there would at least be some overlap in their respective lineups.

Finally, while Ford has stated that nothing is sacred when it comes to its Premiere Automotive Group, of which Volvo is a member, why would it sell one of PAG’s most promising brands? We have an answer for that one: Volvo’s actually worth something. While many, including Ford itself, might hate to see Volvo leave the fold, the Swedish brand would likely catch a premium price on the market and help Ford fund its turnaround.

Would a BMW/Volvo ticket capture the consumer’s heart? This armchair analyst is hardly qualified to give an answer, except to say that Volvo is a brand on the verge of some big things (C30 anyone?) and requires a patient parent company with deep enough pockets to see it through.

Thanks to everyone who sent us the tip!]

[Source: Reuters]