Downshift Daily - Chase's Blog

BMW X1 SPIED AT NURBURGRING ALONG WITH X5M & X6M

Apparently BMW are following up their sales with the addition of the X1. The X1 will be the smallest Sports Activity Vehicle that they produce. Right now, their largest SAV is the X3.

Munich is also revamping their largest SAV, the X5 and X6, with additions for the M-division. Both will harness the same twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 packing 555 hp and 500 lb.-ft. of torque connected to a 6 speed automatic. BMW says they can hit 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds with the new launch control system engaged.

This is madness. We will soon be going off-road at Corvette, Subaru STI, and EVO speeds.

They've also fitted each with monstrous 15.6" front and 15.2" rear rotors, the largest on any production BMW ever. BMW fits 315/35R20 rear tires and 275/40R20s fronts to get the power to the ground. Expect a price tag around of around $80,000.

This will make the X5M and X6M even more powerful than the Porsche Cayenne.


A PLACE TO GO 200-MPH LEGALLY

Forty years ago, Jetpark was intended to be the world's largest airport, but the project eventually died because of environmental impacts. Jean-Paul Libert, 13-time participant in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and co-owner of Delaware-based World Class Driving decided to buy the strip, giving drivers the chance to top out their favorite Ferrari down the 10,499-foot runway.

The first “200 mph World Class Driving Xtreme Challenge” had zero fatalities. So did the second. Now you can try to hit the 200 mph mark if you have a driver's license, helmet and a check for $4,495.


COST OF DRIVING STAYS THE SAME FOR 2009

According to AAA, the cost of driving has remained the same during 2009 as the previous year. In 2008, the average cost of owning a vehicle was 54 cents a mile. The price of gasoline has also dropped $1.28. Drivers of SUVs saw their costs decline 1.3 cents to 68.4 cents a mile, or $10,259 annually. The cost for minivans moved up 1.2 cents, to 58.8 cents, or $8,815 a year.


PORSCHE PANAMERA FOCUSES ON THE COMFORT OF THE BACKSEAT

The Porsche Panamera is the company's first four-door sedan. The Panamera is 195.7 inches long, 76.0 inches wide and 55.8 inches tall--making it slightly shorter but wider and lower than the Maserati Quattroporte.
Porsche will offer 2-engines both currently in use by the Cayenne, but 3 versions. The S and 4S get a naturally aspirated V8 producing 394 hp and 369 lb-ft. tq and the Turbo gets a turbo V8 with 493 hp and 516 lb.-ft. tq. Porsche claims 0-62 times of 5.6, 5.2, and 4.2 sec. The turbo will reach 100 in 9.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 188 mph.

The Panamera goes on sale in October at $89,800 for the base rear-wheel-drive Panamera S and $93,800 for the four-wheel-drive Panamera 4S. Topping the lineup will be the extensively equipped four-wheel-drive Panamera Turbo, with a $132,600 price on par with the Quattroporte GTS and the upcoming Aston Martin Rapide.