New BMW M550d xDrive Sedan with Photos

One of the models that BMW will reveal at the 2012 edition if the Geneva Motor Show next week is the M550d xDrive, the 5-Series based model of the M Performance Automobiles sub-brand that also make its premiere at the same event. As is common practice these days, the “550” badge doesn't reveal the engine’s capacity as it used to. The M550d is powered by BMW’s new 3.0-liter inline-six diesel that features no less than three turbochargers, including two smaller and a larger unit.
The numbers speak for themselves: 381HP, 740Nm (546 lb-ft) of torque at just 2,000 rpm are more than adequate for a 4.7 seconds sprint from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) – just 0.3 seconds slower than the M5.
Being a diesel, the performance and the standard four-wheel drive system of the M550d do not come with a large penalty at the pumps, as the sedan's average fuel consumption is just 6.3 lt/100 km (37.3 mpg US).
Following an earlier announcement, today the Munich-based company published the first non-studio shots of the M550d xDrive.
The humongous on-location gallery includes 98 images, which you can check out for yourself right after the break.

PHOTO GALLERY

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Volvo V40 Won't be Coming to the U.S.A.

We had a hunch that the all-new V40 hatchback wouldn't be making it to the United States after the Swedish automaker stated that it expects to sell 90,000 units per year with 85 percent of those or 76,500 cars earmarked for the European market. Nevertheless, just to make sure, we contacted Laura DiStefano, who is the Corporate Communications Manager for Volvo Cars of North America, asking her if the Swedish company had "plans to bring the new V40 or any of its future derivatives to the U.S.A. or Canada".
DiStefano replied, "We have no plans to bring the V40 to the U.S. market".
Of course, these things are not written on stone and depending on the situation, Volvo may have a change of heart in the future, but for now, U.S. buyers can cross the V40 from their shopping list.

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First Official Photos of Kia's New K9 RWD Sedan

Only hours after we shared with you a video showing the Kia K9 without any camouflage whatsoever, the South Korean automaker revealed the first official photographs of its all-new flagship sedan that will be launched in its home market this summer. Initially referred to by its codename 'KH', Kia confirmed that the Korean market version of the car will be named 'K9' adding that the name for export markets, as well as overseas launch timings, will be announced later this year.
With the new K9, Kia completes its domestic range of "K" sedans, which also include the K5 (Optima in overseas markets) and K7 (Cadenza in overseas markets).
We'll start with the first thing we noticed about the K9 and that has to do with its design. What started out as a hunch when Kia showed us a handful of teaser sketches of its first ever rear-wheel drive saloon has now became more of a certainty. And yes, as many of you also noticed, the K9 appears to borrow one too many styling elements from BMW and especially its 7-Series flagship.
We could go on and on, but some of the things that stand out are the headlamp "eyebrow" accents, the low forward bend in the C-pillar and the rear end design as a whole – notice for example, the reverse lights incorporated into the chrome trim on the boot.
That doesn't mean the K9 isn't a good looking car, in fact, we wouldn't be surprised if some may find it more handsome than the 7-Series.
Soon-Nam Lee, Kia's Director of the Overseas Marketing Group, commented on presentation of the firm's new flagship : "K9 is our first rear-wheel drive large sedan, created without compromise in its design, driving performance and new technologies. K9 sets a whole new level of standards and values in the large sedan segment, and its design will be another Kia demonstration of our brand's power to surprise the world."
Kia did not release any additional information on the K9, but as we previously noted, it most likely shares its platform and engine range with the Hyundai Genesis, meaning it could be offered with the same 3.8-liter V6, and 4.6-liter and 5.0-liter V8 units.

NEW KIA K9 SEDAN

BMW 7-SERIES

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