525-hp Compressor V8 Engine and 275-km/h Top Speed – G-POWER Builds the Most Powerful BMW SUV

The G-POWER TYPHOON has arrived! With its breathtaking wide-stance styling, its 525-hp / 386-kW G-POWER SK III eight-cylinder supercharged engine and a top speed of 275 km/h the SUV based on the BMW X5 (E70) sets new standards in its class.

Muscular fender flares and strikingly styled aprons and spoilers front and back, all designed for maximum aerodynamic efficiency, dominate the appearance of the G-POWER TYPHOON. The body conversion components and the tools to make them were developed by the G-POWER designers using the latest CAD technologies. The entire base car was scanned in-house using a 3D scanner. The TYPHOON components are manufactured in OEM quality from PUR-R-Rim plastics.

The curved G-POWER fender flares on front and rear axle come complete with matching fender liners and add seven centimeters to the width of the X5. They create the space necessary for extra-wide wheels and tires. The largest version features G-POWER Silverstone Forged Edition forged wheels in size 11Jx23 in front and in size 12Jx23 on the rear axle. These wheels were custom-developed for the TYPHOON. High-performance tires in size 315/25 ZR 23 front and back from development partner Michelin provide optimal traction and sporty handling.

The G-POWER TYPHOON front apron dominates the face of the exclusive SUV aided by the wider fenders. Large air ducts not only improve the vehicle’s passing clout, they also optimize cooling of engine and front brakes. Its sophisticated shape also reduces aerodynamic lift on the front axle.

Like its counterpart in the front the TYPHOON rear apron was designed to replace the production bumper in its entirety. The rear appearance is characterized by the two tailpipes of the stainless-steel G-POWER sport rear muffler, each measuring 114 mm in diameter, and by the rear diffuser. In combination with the rear spoiler attached to the liftgate the diffuser reduces lift on the rear axle. The rear spoiler also stretches the vehicle’s roofline visually.

The TYPHOON rocker panels create an aerodynamically favorable transition between front and rear fender flares. They also feature five blue LED lights each, integrated into their undersides, which are activated by the vehicle’s keyless fob or by pulling on a door handle. They illuminate the ground on either side of the vehicle. The tops of the rocker panels feature integrated stainless-steel inserts with blue illuminated G-POWER logo.

Another example for the sophistication of the G-POWER TYPHOON version for the BMW X5, available as a kit starting at 14,500 Euros, is the four-piece underbody paneling.

Befitting its dynamic appearance G-POWER offers a very powerful engine for the BMW X5 xDrive48i. In cooperation with ASA Engineering, a world-renowned engineering company and OEM supplier of high-tech superchargers, G-POWER has developed a supercharger system for the eight-cylinder four-valve engine.

The G-POWER SK III compressor system increases power output of the 4.8-liter engine by 170 hp / 125 kW to 525 hp / 386 kW at 6,100 rpm and boosts peak torque to 600 Nm at 5,300 rpm, up from 475 Nm.

An ASA T1-521 hd supercharger with centrifugal clutch is flanged to the engine using a CNC-milled high-strength mount. The compressor is driven by the crankshaft via a cogged belt. It is lubricated by its own oil circulation integrated into the engine’s oil circulation system. Boost pressure is limited to 0.6 bars.

A two-piece carbon-fiber intake manifold with large free-flow cross sections, a generously dimensioned aluminum intercooler in the bow of the X5 and the fully stainless-steel G-POWER SPEEDFLOW high-performance exhaust with racing catalysts and rear muffler comprise the engine peripherals.

The engine itself is also modified extensively by G-POWER: Eight new injectors with higher fuel flow and new mapping for the engine electronics round out the engine conversion.

The enormous power of the G-POWER SK III compressor engine in combination with the six-speed automatic gearbox and the xDrive four-wheel drive lend the SUV driving performance that places it squarely at the head of the pack: The powerful five-door sprints from rest to 100 km/h in just 5.0 seconds and reaches the 200-km/h mark after just 18.4 seconds. Top speed is 275 km/h.

The TYPHOON cockpit can be upgraded with exclusive accessories such as an ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel, a TYPHOON-design speedometer and a number of sporty aluminum accessories. Requests for an even more customized interior can be fulfilled with exclusive leather and Alcantara interiors in any color imaginable.

BMW has released pricing information on its new “M Sport Package” for specific 3 Series, 5 Series, and X5 models. The package allows buyers to purchase many of the “M-Technik” (aka Motorsport) go-fast cosmetics commonly found on the BMW M3 and BMW M5 in a factory package (sans the screaming V8 or V10 and the upgraded brakes, of course). While the “ZMP” package varies from model to model, it generally includes sport-tuned suspension, upgraded wheels, sport steering wheel, sport gearshift lever, anthracite headliner, aggressive sport bodywork, and several strategically-placed “M” badges. BMW’s official pricing:

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BMW 3 Series E90 Sedan $3,750
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BMW 3 Series E91 Wagon $3,270
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BMW 3 Series E92 Coupe $3,250
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BMW 3 Series E93 $3,250
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BMW 550i $4,800
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BMW X5 3.0 and 4.8 $6,500

Source: BMW

As BMW’s 5 series becomes more and more typical occurrence on today’s roads, engineers have taken it upon themselves to refresh the look of 2010 5 series. The whole front end fascia will be redesigned with a beefier hood, bulging air dams and update headlamps reminiscent of what would birth a Z4 and 7 series. Tuned will have further information on the vehicle and updates pictures as soon as they are released.

Chief Designer at BMW, Chris Bangle, has decided to quite both his positions at the german company. Reports suggest that he will be leaving behind his design duties at MINI and Rolls Royce all together and will pursue other design opportunities, outside of the automotive industry. BMW claims that Bangle has been much of the reason as to why the company has had so much success in the past 15 years. Mr. Bangle has included some of his design cues in many of BMW’s most popular lineups such as the E46 M3 and the newest installment of the Z4. We can expect most of his designs to be included in the BMW models for at least 3 more years.
Reports also suggest that Adrian Van Hooydonk will be the replacement for this infamous designer. Tuned would like to wish Chris Bangle all the best in his future endeavors.

The latest vehicle registration numbers verify that the Audi A4 is Germany’s most successful premium automobile. No other model in the premium segment surpassed the 98,714 A4 models registered last year. The Audi A6 also topped its segment with 45,304 registrations. The second generation of the Audi TT design icon was registered 10,630 times in Germany – making it the most successful sports car in Germany in 2008.

AUDI AG was able to expand its market share on the domestic German market to 8.1 percent – an increase of 0.8 percent. In Western Europe, Audi boosted its market share by 0.4 points to 4.8 percent: No other premium brand succeeded in strengthening its market position this significantly.

“Audi is presently experiencing stronger growth than any other premium brand in the region – and thanks to new models we will maintain this dynamism,” says Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “In a difficult market environment, we want to further expand our market share in Germany and Western Europe.”

The Audi A4 is presently undergoing further upgrading: The top versions of the model line – the S4 Sedan and Avant – are now arriving in Europe’s showrooms. The new A4 Avant was just launched in April 2008. In addition to the fleet award from Auto-Flotte magazine, Audi’s best-selling model has already won countless accolades and has beaten the competition in all relevant comparison tests.

The product improvement of the A6 was launched in September 2008. Also the winner of the fleet award in its class, today the A6 is Germany’s most successful business sedan.

With the Audi TTS, the top version of the TT line, Audi introduced the first S model in this class. The Audi TT TDI debuted as the first production sports car powered by a diesel engine.

About Audi AG
AUDI AG sold a total of 1,003,000 cars in 2008 and thus achieved its thirteenth consecutive record year. Audi produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Györ (Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium). Aurangabad in India saw the start of local production of the Audi A6 at the end of 2007 and of the Audi A4 in early October 2008. The company is active in more than 100 markets worldwide. AUDI AG’s wholly owned subsidiaries include Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A. in Sant’Agata Bolognese (Italy) and quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm. Audi currently employs around 57,000 people worldwide, including 45,000 in Germany. The brand with the four rings invests more than €2 billion each year in order to sustain the company’s technological lead embodied in its “Vorsprung durch Technik” slogan. Audi plans to significantly increase the number of models in its portfolio by 2015 to 40. The Audi brand celebrates its 100th birthday in 2009. The company was founded by August Horch in Zwickau on July 16, 1909; he named it Audi after the Latin translation of his surname (“hark!”).

AUDI AG will present the complete results for the 2008 business year at its Annual Press Conference on March 10, 2009 in Ingolstadt.

Source: Audi AG

Eric’s M3 is an absolute amazing machine! Even though its widebodied, good luck trying to scrape a fender or hit the valence, this thing is solid! The suspension is an absolute masterpiece and with all the power under the hood with the supercharger, it has to be. It was a pleasure driving this car and I look forward to seeing it back out on the show circuit!