2009 BMW Porsche Cayman

MSRP: $50,300 - $60,200

Invoice: Not Available

The 2009 Cayman is a 2-door, 2-passenger luxury sports car, available in two trims, the Base and the S.

Upon... introduction, the Base is equipped with a standard 2.9-liter, H6, 265-horsepower engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the highway. The S is equipped with a standard 3.4-liter, H6, 320-horsepower engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims, and a 7-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional.

The 2009 Cayman is redesigned for 2009.

2010 BMW Z4

MSRP: $45,750 - $51,650

Invoice: $42,090 - $47,520

The 2010 Z4 is a 2-door, 2-passenger convertible sports car, available in two trims, the sDrive30i and the... Drive35i.

Upon introduction, the sDrive30i is equipped with a standard 3.0-liter, I6, 255-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 28-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The sDrive35i is equipped with a standard 3.0-liter, I6, 300-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 7-speed manual transmission with overdrive is optional.

The 2010 Z4 is a carryover from 2009.

2011 BMW 135i Coupe and Convertible get New Twin Scroll Turbocharged 3.0-liter N55 Straight-Six

BMW is gradually replacing its N54 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six (featured in models like the 335i) with the firm's new twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six cylinder engine, designated N55. The latest Bavarian products to get the N55 are the 2011 model year 135i Coupe and Convertible that will go on sale in the United States in Spring 2010.

With a maximum output of 300HP at 5,800 rpm and a peak torque of 300 lb-ft available from 1,200–5,000rpm (U.S.-spec version), the new six-cylinder produces the same level of performance as the current twin-turbo six-cylinder.

However, BMW says that thanks to the adoption of the single, twin-scroll turbocharger and the integration of VALVETRONIC throttle-less intake technology, the new engine promises better throttle response and even more fuel efficiency.

In addition, the automaker claims that peak torque is reached 100rpm earlier than with the previous engine while engine boost response is improved across the entire engine speed range.

Both the 135i Coupe and Convertible will be optionally available with BMW's 7-speed Double-Clutch Transmission (DCT) that now features dedicated steering wheel paddles for upshifting (on the right) and down shifting (on the left).

For the 2011 model year, BMW also replaced the HiFi System Professional with a new Harman Kardon Surround Sound System while the climate control instrument unit features a new alignment and optics.

BMW Adds New Four- and Six-Cylinder Gasoline Engines to X1 SUV Range

Starting from March 2010, BMW's most compact X model will be available (in most markets) with a new entry-level four-cylinder version and an additional six-cylinder power unit expanding the engine portfolio available in the X1 to a total of three gasoline and three diesel engines.

The new entry-level X1 sDrive18i is powered by BMW's 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit producing 150HP at 6,400 rpm and a peak torque of 200Nm or 147 lb-ft at 3,600 rpm.

When fitted with the standard six-speed manual gearbox, the rear-wheel drive (that's what the 'sDrive' moniker stands for) crossover accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in 9.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 202 km/h or 125 mph.

In conjunction with the optional six-speed automatic transmission, the X1 sDrive18i reaches 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds and has a top speed of 200 km/h or 124 mph.

BMW announces a combined fuel economy in the EU test cycle of 8.2 lt/ 100km (equal to 28.7 mpg US and 34.4 mpg UK) with a CO2 rating of 191 g/km for the manual model. The corresponding figures on the automatic transmission model are 8.4 lt /100 km (equal to 28 mpg US and 33.6 mpg UK) and, respectively, 195 g/km of CO2.

Supplementing the top-of-the-range 258HP X1 xDrive28i is the new X1 xDrive25i that comes with a straight-six petrol that delivers an output of 218HP at 6,100 rpm and 277Nm/204 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm.

Featuring BMW's intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system and a six-speed automatic transmission as standard, the X1 xDrive25i sprints from 0- 100 km/h (62mph) in 7.9 seconds and has a top speed of 223 km/h or 138 mph.

According to the Bavarian firm, the xDrive25i's combined fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 9.3 lt/100 km (equal to 25.2 mpg US and 30.4 mpg UK) with a CO2 emission rating of 217 g/km.

In addition to the two new engine variants, for 2010, BMW has extended the availability of its six-speed automatic transmission to the X1 xDrive18d, X1 sDrive18d, and the X1 sDrive20d models while the range of paintworks has been enhanced with five new shades - Space Grey, Cashmere Silver, Tasman, Sparkling Bronze, and Graphite Blue metallic.

We remind you that BMW's baby crossover / SUV model is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. in 2011.

SPY SHOTS: 2011 BMW M5 with Twin-Turbocharged V8

Having already introduced the next generation 5-Series sedan, BMW and in particular, its M division, is now concentrating on the development of the flagship version of the series, the M5 that was caught here testing at the Nordschleife. The hotly anticipated M5 will debut about a year after the standard 5-Series that is due to make its first public appearance at the 2010 Geneva Show next March.

Until recently, it wasn't clear if the new M5 would continue to use the current model's exotic V10 powerplant or if the Bavarian's would go for the new 4.4-liter bi-turbo V8 that debuted in the X5M and X6M. However, BMW officials have now confirmed that the new M5 will indeed be equipped with the turbocharged V8.

In the X5M and X6M, the bi-turbocharged unit produces an output of 555 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 680Nm or 501-lbs/ft of peak torque, available between 1,500 and 5,650 rpm. In comparison, the current M5's naturally aspirated V10 makes 507HP and 520Nm or 383-lbs/ft of peak torque.

Details on the new M5's engine specs remain scarce, though it has been suggested that the direct-injection V8 may be further honed, boosting output closer to the 600HP mark.

The new V8 will not only be more powerful than the V10, but also more compact in size, lighter in weight and more fuel efficient with lower CO2 emissions.

Along with the new powerplant, the 2011 M5 will get a re-engineered version of the BWM M3's seven-speed twin-clutch transmission (DCT), and hopefully for purists, a classic manual gearbox.

As with every other product bearing the M badge, the 5-Series-based model will benefit from suspension, brake and steering system upgrades to further improve handling and driver's feedback.

Even though the prototype model seen in these spy pictures features the standard roof, it is rumored that BMW is working on a carbon fiber top similar to that of the current M3 and M6. Other cosmetic differences will include engorged wheel arches housing larger rims and of course, a full body kit.

If BMW keeps its usual time schedule, we should see the new M5 breaking cover at a major auto show in 2011, with sales starting in Europe towards the end of the same year, and the rest of the world including the U.S., in 2012.