In this weeks "picture of the week" a BMW 730d is featured in front of the "Reichstag" in Berlin, at night.
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Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Car review: BMW 530d GT F07
Model (Code / Model Year): BMW 530d Gran Turismo (F07 / 2009)
Engine: 3 liter 6-cylinder (in-line) diesel engine
Transmission: 8 speed automatic transmission
Paintwork & Interior + interior trim + wheels: Sapphire Black Metallic; leather Dakota Ivory White / Black + Anthracite Ash-grain woord trim + styling 235 19-inch alloy wheels
Optional Equipment: Cruise control (standard), 6-disc DVD-changer, BMW Assist online portal, Head-up Display, Telephone USB audio interface, Voice Control, Loudspeaker System – BMW Professional, Navigation System – BMW Professional Multimedia, Bluetooth phone prep + telematics, Exterior mirrors auto dimming, Tailgate operation (automatic), Panoramic glass sunroof, Ambient lighting, Floor mats (velour), Lumbar support driver and front passenger, Rear-view mirror auto dimming, seat heating (front), Ski bag, Automatic Air conditioning with four-zone control, Smokers package, Comfort seats (front), High-beam Assistant, Lange change warning system, Tyre pressure monitor, Xenon headlights, ParkDistanceControl (PDC, front and rear), Headlight wash, Adaptive Drive, Comfort Access, Integral Active Steering, Reversing Assist camera, Speed limit display, Side View Camera
Performance: 245hp / 540nm
0 to 100km/h: 6,9sec
Top speed: 240km/h (150mp/h)
Weight: 1935kg
Fuel tank (US gallons): 70 liter (18.49 US gallons)
Fuel consumption in liter / 100km (U.S. miles per gallon): 10,6 liter / 100 kilometer (22,19mpg / US)
Price (Germany): €81.740
F07 engines driven: 530d, 535i
BMW has introduced a new “big brother” in the 5-series range, but what exactly is hiding behind the “Gran Turismo” badge? Is it really a 5-series, or does it share more then just the platform with the larger 7-series? Carry on reading this review and you will find out!
1. Exterior
Unmistakenly the Gran Turismo is a BMW, it features the typical kidneys and the Angel Eyes that have been common on other BMW's already. One minor change can be noted here, the previous Angel Eyes always had a “yellow glow” in it, while the GT was the first to feature a more “blue glow”, which now also can be found on the 3-series (with the optional LED-package) and the regular 5-series.
The main difference is the back of the car, it is in between a regular sedan and an estate. This body shape has its advantages for the rear passengers, which will be discussed in section 3. Furthermore the back also features the BMW typical LED-bars with the “L-shape that can be found throughout the model range.
2. Engine, Transmission & handling
BMW's 3.0 liter 6-in-line diesel engine (245hp) powers the 530d Gran Tourismo. For regular driving this engine is more then enough, although the weight and height of the car make it somewhat slower at high speeds compared to the regular 530d or 730d. The same applies for the fuel consumption, which is slightly higher then that of a 530d and on the same level as the 730d.
Although the Gran Turismo and the 7-series share the same engine (and a 7-series derived platform), the GT already is fitted with the new 8-speed gearbox which is not yet available on all the 7-series. More gears mean that the engine can shift down faster which results in less engine noise / revs and therefore fuel consumption.
Comfortable travelling is at the basis of the Gran Turismo concept, it handles not that dynamic as other BMW's (partially due to the high weight) but compensates by having an extremely comfortable ride. Adaptive Drive enables the driver to alter the characteristics (suspension, engine, steering, pedal response) of the car according to the “comfort, normal, sport and sport+” mode. In the sport and sport+ mode the aforementioned elements are firmed up and respond a bit faster, while in the normal and comfort mode the car softens more in order to provide a more laid-back feeling that tries to filter the nuisance of everyday traffic.
But make no mistake, due to its size and ride comfort, the 5-series Gran Turismo more resembles the 7-series then one might expect from the badging.
3. Interior
More similarities can be found in the interior, not only the cockpit layout is almost exactly the same, also the interior design and build quality of the 5-series Gran Turismo and 7-series is very comparable.
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| BMW 750Li F02 |
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| BMW 530d GT F07 |
4.Optional Equipment
This section discusses (part of) the optional equipment available on the F01. Ranking from 1 (definitely a yes), 2 (nice to have, but not a minimum requirement) to 3 (not worth the money).
BMW Assist online portal (ranking 2) = provides the driver with a helpdesk to assist with any questions or issues, from the next Italian restaurant to the nearest dealership. Definately a must for the driver that travels a lot.
Head-up Display (ranking 3) = Is a very nice feature, but not absolutely necessary, especially undesirable because of the high price.
USB audio interface (ranking 1) = Allows a direct (iDrive) navigation of your iPod / iPhone / Blackberry with just the “plug of a button”.
Loudspeaker System – BMW Professional (ranking 2) = Only the professional ear / music listener needs the “big” audio system, otherwise the normal system is sufficient.
Navigation System – BMW Professional (ranking 1) = The business navigation comes with a small screen and look optically less attractive, so I'd prefer the Nav Pro as one is likely to use it every day.
Tailgate operation (automatic) (ranking 1) = The boot lid of the 5-series GT is quite heavy, some assistance is very helpful, another advantage is that one can keep his / hers hands clean when opening the boot when the car is dirty.
Panoramic glass sunroof (ranking 2) = Let's a huge amount of light into the car giving the car a roomier feeling, but with a large price tag it should only come second to other important features.
Ambient lighting (ranking 2) = Should also come second, but is relatively cheap and provides a nice atmosphere in the (dark) car.
Automatic Air conditioning with four-zone control (ranking 2) =
Lange change warning system (ranking 1) = Every driver is bound to make a mistake at one point, this system helps when the driver is does not pay enough attention when changing lanes. Very helpful feature and might save you one accident at one day!
Xenon headlights (ranking 1) = Apart from a minor advantage in the lighting of the road and the increasing the visibility, xenon headlights give a car a more business like look and therefore is one of the most important options on my list.
ParkDistanceControl (front and rear) (ranking 1) = The car is hard to oversee, in order not to hit obstructions the PDC is absolutely vital.
Reversing Assist camera (ranking 1) = As the rearward vision is minimal, the camera is vital to for the driver.
Final thoughts:
Gran Turismo, the name says it all, the 5-series GT is a car designed for “grand tours” and succeeds very well in this job. It is a very comfortable car to drive long distances in, while the space inside allows passengers to have an equally comfortable ride. From my experience, the 5-series GT is on the same level as the 7-series, it matches its bigger brother not only in terms of comfort but also has the same level of build quality. The main difference between the 530d GT and 730d is the price tag, with the Gran Turismo you get (almost) the same for €20.000 less, therefore making the GT a very good buy.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tales of the Autobahn: road construction
From the north to the south, in many places the Autobahn is subjected to road works. In order to maintain the capacity of a dual carriageway, the hard shoulder is replaced with small parking spaces each few hundred meters and the left lane is narrowed down to just 2 meter. Espacially with large trucks on the right side, these can be challenge to overtake.
But to quote the famous Barney Stinson, "challenge accepted", as can be seen in the video below.
But to quote the famous Barney Stinson, "challenge accepted", as can be seen in the video below.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Picture of the week 12
On the first day of spring, Guitigefilmpjes has a picture of the BMW X5 in the Black Forest (Schwarzwald).
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| Click to enlarge |
Friday, March 18, 2011
Car review: Audi A8 3.0 TDI
Model (Code / Model Year): Audi A8 3.0 TDI Facelift (4E/ 2009)
Engine: 3 liter V6-cylinder diesel engine
Transmission: 6 speed automatic transmission (Tiptronic)
Paintwork & Interior + interior trim + wheels: Phantomblack Metallic, Dark Walnut Trim Brown (5MG),
Optional Equipment: Xenon plus, Auto dimming rear view mirror, Sportseats with memory, Lumbar support, Seat heating, four-zone automatic climate control, Sunblinds rear side windows (manual) & rear (automatic), multifunction steering wheel, Bluetooth, Bose Surround Sound, CD-Changer, Speech control, MMI, Navigation, Adaptive Air Suspension, Audi parking system plus, Electric moonroof, Adaptive Cruise Control;
Performance: 233hp / 450nm
0 to 100km/h: 7,8sec
Top speed: 243km/h (152mp/h)
Weight: 1830kg
Fuel tank (US gallons): 90 liter (23.77 US gallons)
Fuel consumption in liter / 100km (U.S. miles per gallon): 11,9 liter / 100 kilometer (20,1mpg / US) / 60% Highway, 35% Local Roads, 5% City
Range: 1600 kilometer (1000 miles)
Price (Germany): €100.000
4E engines driven: 3.0 TDI
Audi is the youngest member of the German premiumsegment, in which Mercedes Benz and BMW have been competing for decades. Since 10 years Audi has become a serious competitor in this segment, with the introduction of the Audi A8 8E in 2001. An effective marketing effort has been the swith of the German goverment from Mercedes Benz S-class to the Audi A8, making the statement that Audi “has arrived”. For almost 10 years the A8 has been Audi's icon in the luxury market, since it has been replaced by a new A8 (the 4H) in early 2010.
But let's turn our attention to the 4E, which had received a Facelift back in 2008, and how well did it fare against the S-class and BMW 7-series?
1. Exterior
In 2007 Audi introduced the A5, together with a new design philosophy that is more aggressive. Unfortunately Audi has since lost its humble yet elegant appearance, but the A8 4E has been the pioneer of the "old philosophy" and therefore is a perfect match for the driver that appreciates luxury, but does not want to have the attention that comes with the newer A8. The 4E has undergone two facelifts (2005, single frame grill, 2008, LED-package) since its introduction in 2001, and the facelifted A8 still manages to look modern in the streets that are crammed with new car designs every day.
2. Engine, Transmission & handling
Normally the sound from the Audi diesel engines is more audible and more raw then comparable BMW oder Mercedes Benz engines. However, the A8 successfully filters most of the noise and reduces the noise level to acceptable standards. Not only the engine noise is filtered, when the doors are closed an oasis of tranquility is created, giving the driver the feeling that he / she is detached from the outside world.
The 3.0 TDI engine itself is a descent engine, combined with the Quattro four-wheel-drive system there always is enough performance available. In contrast to the A6 3.0 TDI, the A8 3.0 TDI feels more powerful when accelerating. Fuel consumption is a downside, the Quattro-system and the engine design itself increase the consumption about 1 to 1,5 liters above the competition (most notable the BMW 730d).
Adaptive Air Suspension is also available on the A8, and enables the setting of the suspension in different modes (“lift”, “comfort”, “automatic”, “dynamic”) in order to adapt to the road surface. When driving at speeds above 120km/h the suspension automatically lowers itself and in comfort mode is smoothens the ride. The ride itself is sporty enough to allow the driver to have some fun, while it is comfortable enough to drive long distances without getting tired. As opposed to the A6, Audi has managed to combine the best of both worlds (sport vs. comfort) in this car.
3. Interior
A car in the luxury segment should also convey a luxury feeling to the driver. In the cockpit of the A8 the driver is endulged into a serene atmosphere in which classic materials like wood are combined with a modern touch of aluminium. However, small details like buttons that are painted silver and the plastic overhead unit for the moonroof operation are not in line of what can be expected from a car in the luxury segment.
Other small details, mainly in the tech department, do show that the A8 4E is not that fresh anymore. The pixels of the automatic airconditioning in the center console or the small screen and relatively low resolution of the navigation are surpassed by new systems these days. What I particularly like about the Audi navigation systems is the fact that when calculating a route, several possibilities are offered up front to the driver.
Another point of bother is the amount of buttons of the MMI system. BMW did exactly the opposite and the lack of buttons was making the system hard to navigate, Audi is on the other end and the amount of buttons is confusing to use, forcing the driver to look away from the traffic downwards to the center console. A significant amount of comfort in a luxury car is derived from the seats. This A8 was fitted with the (optional) sports seats which are excellent in any way. They feel very soft to sit in, but also have enough support to let the driver sit in a certain position for extended periods of time with no problems or points of tension in the back. I'd even prefer them over BMWs comfort seats, as the sports seats offer less positions and thus a comfortable seating is found faster.
4.Optional Equipment
This section discusses (part of) the optional equipment available on the F01. Ranking from 1 (definitely a yes), 2 (nice to have, but not a minimum requirement) to 3 (not worth the money).
Sportseats with memory (ranking 1) = excellent seats enable the driver to make long trips without any problems
Four-zone automatic climate control (ranking 2) = only useful if people travel in the back seat on a regular basis
Sunblinds rear side windows & rear (ranking 1) = increases the privacy on the back seat, not only for passengers, but also for any items that might attract the attention of undesirable elements
Bose Surround Sound (ranking 1) = excellent sound system for a relatively small amount of money
CD-Changer (ranking 3) = when a media interface is available to listen music directly from an iPod or USB-unit, completely useless
Adaptive Air Suspension (ranking 1) = allows the car to adapt to the driving conditions, therefore a large increase in comfort
Audi parking system plus (ranking 1) = the A8 is a big car and hard to navigate without the park sensors
Adaptive Cruise Control (ranking 1) = comfortable driving without having to brake an accelerate all the time
Final thoughts:
Although some points reveal the age of the A8 4E, different other characteristics still make it a very good car. The design, the build quality, the suspension, engine and transmission are all still up to premium standards. Only the technical goodies are dated, for example the low resolution and small navigation screen.
However, if an A8 can be purchased second hand for a reasonable price, it is still a very good buy and will offer the driver a large amount of comfort and driving pleasure.
More pictures of the Audi A8 can be found in the gallery, click to enter:
For video´s on the performance (acceleration and flat out) of the Audi A8 3.0 TDI, please watch the two video´s below:
Engine: 3 liter V6-cylinder diesel engine
Transmission: 6 speed automatic transmission (Tiptronic)
Paintwork & Interior + interior trim + wheels: Phantomblack Metallic, Dark Walnut Trim Brown (5MG),
Optional Equipment: Xenon plus, Auto dimming rear view mirror, Sportseats with memory, Lumbar support, Seat heating, four-zone automatic climate control, Sunblinds rear side windows (manual) & rear (automatic), multifunction steering wheel, Bluetooth, Bose Surround Sound, CD-Changer, Speech control, MMI, Navigation, Adaptive Air Suspension, Audi parking system plus, Electric moonroof, Adaptive Cruise Control;
Performance: 233hp / 450nm
0 to 100km/h: 7,8sec
Top speed: 243km/h (152mp/h)
Weight: 1830kg
Fuel tank (US gallons): 90 liter (23.77 US gallons)
Fuel consumption in liter / 100km (U.S. miles per gallon): 11,9 liter / 100 kilometer (20,1mpg / US) / 60% Highway, 35% Local Roads, 5% City
Range: 1600 kilometer (1000 miles)
Price (Germany): €100.000
4E engines driven: 3.0 TDI
Audi is the youngest member of the German premiumsegment, in which Mercedes Benz and BMW have been competing for decades. Since 10 years Audi has become a serious competitor in this segment, with the introduction of the Audi A8 8E in 2001. An effective marketing effort has been the swith of the German goverment from Mercedes Benz S-class to the Audi A8, making the statement that Audi “has arrived”. For almost 10 years the A8 has been Audi's icon in the luxury market, since it has been replaced by a new A8 (the 4H) in early 2010.
But let's turn our attention to the 4E, which had received a Facelift back in 2008, and how well did it fare against the S-class and BMW 7-series?
1. Exterior
In 2007 Audi introduced the A5, together with a new design philosophy that is more aggressive. Unfortunately Audi has since lost its humble yet elegant appearance, but the A8 4E has been the pioneer of the "old philosophy" and therefore is a perfect match for the driver that appreciates luxury, but does not want to have the attention that comes with the newer A8. The 4E has undergone two facelifts (2005, single frame grill, 2008, LED-package) since its introduction in 2001, and the facelifted A8 still manages to look modern in the streets that are crammed with new car designs every day.
2. Engine, Transmission & handling
Normally the sound from the Audi diesel engines is more audible and more raw then comparable BMW oder Mercedes Benz engines. However, the A8 successfully filters most of the noise and reduces the noise level to acceptable standards. Not only the engine noise is filtered, when the doors are closed an oasis of tranquility is created, giving the driver the feeling that he / she is detached from the outside world.
The 3.0 TDI engine itself is a descent engine, combined with the Quattro four-wheel-drive system there always is enough performance available. In contrast to the A6 3.0 TDI, the A8 3.0 TDI feels more powerful when accelerating. Fuel consumption is a downside, the Quattro-system and the engine design itself increase the consumption about 1 to 1,5 liters above the competition (most notable the BMW 730d).
Adaptive Air Suspension is also available on the A8, and enables the setting of the suspension in different modes (“lift”, “comfort”, “automatic”, “dynamic”) in order to adapt to the road surface. When driving at speeds above 120km/h the suspension automatically lowers itself and in comfort mode is smoothens the ride. The ride itself is sporty enough to allow the driver to have some fun, while it is comfortable enough to drive long distances without getting tired. As opposed to the A6, Audi has managed to combine the best of both worlds (sport vs. comfort) in this car.
3. Interior
A car in the luxury segment should also convey a luxury feeling to the driver. In the cockpit of the A8 the driver is endulged into a serene atmosphere in which classic materials like wood are combined with a modern touch of aluminium. However, small details like buttons that are painted silver and the plastic overhead unit for the moonroof operation are not in line of what can be expected from a car in the luxury segment.
Other small details, mainly in the tech department, do show that the A8 4E is not that fresh anymore. The pixels of the automatic airconditioning in the center console or the small screen and relatively low resolution of the navigation are surpassed by new systems these days. What I particularly like about the Audi navigation systems is the fact that when calculating a route, several possibilities are offered up front to the driver.
Another point of bother is the amount of buttons of the MMI system. BMW did exactly the opposite and the lack of buttons was making the system hard to navigate, Audi is on the other end and the amount of buttons is confusing to use, forcing the driver to look away from the traffic downwards to the center console. A significant amount of comfort in a luxury car is derived from the seats. This A8 was fitted with the (optional) sports seats which are excellent in any way. They feel very soft to sit in, but also have enough support to let the driver sit in a certain position for extended periods of time with no problems or points of tension in the back. I'd even prefer them over BMWs comfort seats, as the sports seats offer less positions and thus a comfortable seating is found faster.
4.Optional Equipment
This section discusses (part of) the optional equipment available on the F01. Ranking from 1 (definitely a yes), 2 (nice to have, but not a minimum requirement) to 3 (not worth the money).
Sportseats with memory (ranking 1) = excellent seats enable the driver to make long trips without any problems
Four-zone automatic climate control (ranking 2) = only useful if people travel in the back seat on a regular basis
Sunblinds rear side windows & rear (ranking 1) = increases the privacy on the back seat, not only for passengers, but also for any items that might attract the attention of undesirable elements
Bose Surround Sound (ranking 1) = excellent sound system for a relatively small amount of money
CD-Changer (ranking 3) = when a media interface is available to listen music directly from an iPod or USB-unit, completely useless
Adaptive Air Suspension (ranking 1) = allows the car to adapt to the driving conditions, therefore a large increase in comfort
Audi parking system plus (ranking 1) = the A8 is a big car and hard to navigate without the park sensors
Adaptive Cruise Control (ranking 1) = comfortable driving without having to brake an accelerate all the time
Final thoughts:
Although some points reveal the age of the A8 4E, different other characteristics still make it a very good car. The design, the build quality, the suspension, engine and transmission are all still up to premium standards. Only the technical goodies are dated, for example the low resolution and small navigation screen.
However, if an A8 can be purchased second hand for a reasonable price, it is still a very good buy and will offer the driver a large amount of comfort and driving pleasure.
More pictures of the Audi A8 can be found in the gallery, click to enter:
For video´s on the performance (acceleration and flat out) of the Audi A8 3.0 TDI, please watch the two video´s below:
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Picture update: BMW 530d Gran Turismo
Model (Code / Model Year): BMW 530d Gran Turismo (F07 / 2009)
Engine: 3 liter 6-cylinder (in-line) diesel engine
Transmission: Steptronic 8 speed automatic transmission
Paintwork & Interior + interior trim + wheels: Sapphire Black Metallic; leather Dakota Ivory White / Black + Anthracite Ash-grain woord trim + styling 235 19-inch alloy wheels
Optional Equipment: Cruise control (standard), 6-disc DVD-changer, BMW Assist online portal, Head-up Display, Telephone USB audio interface, Voice Control, Loudspeaker System – BMW Professional, Navigation System – BMW Professional Multimedia, Bluetooth phone prep + telematics, Exterior mirrors auto dimming, Tailgate operation (automatic), Panoramic glass sunroof, Ambient lighting, Floor mats (velour), Lumbar support driver and front passenger, Rear-view mirror auto dimming, seat heating (front), Ski bag, Automatic Air conditioning with four-zone control, Smokers package, Comfort seats (front), High-beam Assistant, Lange change warning system, Tyre pressure monitor, Xenon headlights, ParkDistanceControl (PDC, front and rear), Headlight wash, Adaptive Drive, Comfort Access, Integral Active Steering, Reversing Assist camera, Speed limit display, Side View Camera
Performance: 245hp / 540nm
0 to 100km/h: 6,9sec
Top speed: 240km/h (150mp/h)
Weight: 1935kg
Engine: 3 liter 6-cylinder (in-line) diesel engine
Transmission: Steptronic 8 speed automatic transmission
Paintwork & Interior + interior trim + wheels: Sapphire Black Metallic; leather Dakota Ivory White / Black + Anthracite Ash-grain woord trim + styling 235 19-inch alloy wheels
Optional Equipment: Cruise control (standard), 6-disc DVD-changer, BMW Assist online portal, Head-up Display, Telephone USB audio interface, Voice Control, Loudspeaker System – BMW Professional, Navigation System – BMW Professional Multimedia, Bluetooth phone prep + telematics, Exterior mirrors auto dimming, Tailgate operation (automatic), Panoramic glass sunroof, Ambient lighting, Floor mats (velour), Lumbar support driver and front passenger, Rear-view mirror auto dimming, seat heating (front), Ski bag, Automatic Air conditioning with four-zone control, Smokers package, Comfort seats (front), High-beam Assistant, Lange change warning system, Tyre pressure monitor, Xenon headlights, ParkDistanceControl (PDC, front and rear), Headlight wash, Adaptive Drive, Comfort Access, Integral Active Steering, Reversing Assist camera, Speed limit display, Side View Camera
Performance: 245hp / 540nm
0 to 100km/h: 6,9sec
Top speed: 240km/h (150mp/h)
Weight: 1935kg
The complete file with more pictures can be found here (click to enter):
Monday, March 14, 2011
Picture of the week 11
This week an Audi A6 2.7 TDI Avant poses for the picture of the week:
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| Click to enlarge |
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Please vote in the poll
At Guitigefilmpjes, we are interested in your opinion and preferences. So if you haven't done so, please take a few seconds to vote in our poll: "What is your preferred full-size luxury car?", that can be found at the right side of the weblog---->
Thank you very much for participating!
Thank you very much for participating!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Picture of the week 10
A BMW 730Ld strikes a pose in the inner city of "Zwolle" as the picture of the week 10.
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| Click to enlarge |
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Picture of the week 09
In the spotlight this week is the Mercedes Benz CLS 320 CDI of the previous model, the picture is an analogy to the sun setting over the production of this model.
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| Click to enlarge |
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