BMW To Bring 5-Series Diesel Over In Wagon Form?!

Just when it seemed like wagon aficionados were going to have to make an occupy-every-auto-manufacturer movement, BMW swoops in with some exciting news.

If Endras BMW is to be believed (who by the way seems to have taken over representing BMW in Canada from the ever dormant BMW Canada), the 5-series is going to be available on our shore in diesel form! The 550d in Europe gets a tri-turbo 3.0 litre six which makes 375 horsepower and a whopping 546 pound feet of torque all while returning on average 6.3 L/100 kms and producing 167 g/km of carbon dioxide.

But wait, it gets better.

The 550d will also come with BMW’s X-Drive all-wheel drive system optional as well as BMW’s M package being available to spruce things up look-wise.

But probably the best news of all? This can all be had in wagon for as well. BMW had decided to not sell the 5-series wagon on our shores with the 5-series GT stepping in to fill the gap. However, as good as the 5-series GT is, it’s not exactly a sales star.

The 550d with the M-pack and in wagon form was actually Jeremy Clarkson’s pick for car of the year this year and it’s not hard to see why.

All this seems too good to be true and when that happens, it usually is. However, Endras BMW claims an 550d Xdrive M wagon can be available to us Canucks as early as March.

Now, all BMW needs to do is add a manual transmission to that wagon and boy, do we ever have one drool-worthy family hauler.

[Endras BMW]

The Ultimate Driving Machine Is Back!

After a experimenting for about a year with a new slogan and marketing campaign, BMW has apparently decided that “Joy is BMW” isn’t quite resonating with the people as much as its more famous “The Ultimate Driving Machine” slogan. In fact, I’d wager that slogan is one of the more famous slogans for any brand – including outside the car world. It may even be akin to Nike’s “Just do it” or MacDonald’s “I’m loving it”. I would also wager most people (car nuts or otherwise) would be able to identify “the ultimate driving machine” as BMW’s slogan.

Earlier in the year BMW hired a new marketing team and this is the newest commercial that they have come up with for the 5-series. While the slogan doesn’t appear in print at the end of the ad as it once did in the past, it is mentioned at the end by the narrator.

The ad also manages to highlight what we all have come to expect from BMW (performance) but also molds it quite well with BMW’s new commitment fo efficiency. Basically the ad wants to convey that you don’t need to give up driving pleasure in order to save gas and the environment.

Think it worked? What do you think of BMW’s new marketing direction?

[Youtube]

Your SUV Isn’t This Cool

Seriously, this is awesome!

The folks at Alpina, best known for making the closest we’ll ever get to seeing an M7, apparently got their hands on the new 5-series wagon to make the B5 Alpina

They tuned the standard 4.4 litre V8 to 506 horsepower and 516 pound feet of torque and mated it to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. 0-100 is expected to be under 5 seconds, which is pretty quick considering how much a 5-series wagon weighs.

In addition, the B5 Alpina gets all the typical exterior treatment such as an aero kit and the company’s signature 20 spoke wheels. It looks fantastic and is a great alternative to the family man that has petrol in his veins.

The B5 Alpina will make its official debut at the Geneva Auto Show.

[Alpina]

Hot Seller: 2011 BMW 5-Series Sold Out in All Markets

Turns out BMW may have a winner on their hands in the form of the new 5-series. The all-new design just went on sale a month ago in North America, but apparently it is already all sold out. Not just in our market either, but every market accross the globe!

If you had your heart set on one, you’re going to have to wait an estimated three to four months now.

The new 5-series comes ins 535i and 550i trim levels. It is expected to gain a 528i varient later this year and by the looks of it, BMW would be mighty smart to do so. Although the 5-series initially is not offered with a manual transmission option, one is expected to show up further down the line.

Audi and Mercedes-Benz better start ramping up their A6 and E-Class. Looks like BMW has the game set.

Oh Hi: 2011 BMW 5-Series Touring

And the wagon invasion continues!

BMW has officially released pics of the new 5-series wagon Touring which reaveals no surprises in terms of design. It is essentially the new sedan body style from the B pillar forward and a lot more room for your stuff in the back.

If it’s half as good as the 550i GT is, then consider us to be very excited. It will get the same twin turbo V8, but unlike the 550i GT, it will not be available at launch. A 535i variant is expected to hold down the fort until the 550i version arrives. The 535i will get 300 horsepower from BMW’s new 3.0 twin-scroll turbo inline six. We’re betting that Europe will get a diesel version, but we probably won’t get it here.

So the big question is: which would you rather? A 5 series GT or a 5-series Touring? We think the wagon design definitely looks cleaner.

Check out the new 5 wagon in action after the jump

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