One of its interesting creations is the police package the company made for the 1-Series. It debuted at the Essen Motor Show in Germany as part of the “TUNE IT! SAFE!” initiative. The latest is its tuning package for the new 5-Series.

The changes to the body are subtle – this is a tuning package for those who don’t want to mess with the BMW formula too much.

However, there are new wheels and a there’s a body package that includes with a new front fascia, a chromed grille, side skirts, roof and trunk spoilers, and a rear apron with diffuser.

Changes to the suspension consist of a lowering by 25 mm via stiffer springs and up front there is a new 8-piston caliper brake system.

AC Schnitzer has also bumped up the power, and it is choosing to focus on the diesel range. The boost in power is currently available for the 530d and its straight-six turbo diesel.

AC’s modifications take the engine from 245 horsepower to 286 hp. The company says power boosts the rest of the diesel 5-Series lineup is coming as well.

The interior has the option of black carbon fiber with silver accents, as well as an aluminum foot rest, pedals, iDrive controller and gear shift knob in leather and aluminum.

The package is available immediately. An interesting fact about AC Schnitzer is that Aachen, Germany, where it is headquartered, has a license plate code of AC . Hence the double “AC” designations in their license plates.

Normally, manufacturers wait a bit to introduce other model variants to continue the hype going, but BMW is doing it differently, introducing the wagon model just as the sedan is going on sale in Europe. Wagon/hatchback variants in Europe are big sellers and crucial to overall sales of a model lineup.

It is an interesting choice of Touring name instead of  drab wagon moniker. One thing is pretty well certain – we’ll never get this thing here. We’re getting the American version instead, and that would be the 5-Series Gran Turismo. It sits higher like a crossover and besides that, we’re not too sure what it does better.

We like the consistency and design of the rear taillights; this design direction is altogether better than the one BMW was previously taking. Hooray for the return of the good-looking BMWs.

Besides looking different, the 5-Series Touring is the exact same as the standard 5-Series sedan, so we won’t bore you with the details. Of note is that BMW’s twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 won’t be available at launch. What say you, would you rather have the 5-Series Gran Turismo or the 5-Series Touring? Let us know in the comments section.

Accompanying the debut and press materials drop yesterday is three official videos (including much-desired driving footage) that demonstrate some of the new technology features available.

Seeing is believing, right? Thanks for not making us wait to see them, BMW -- the videos show what the new 5-Series has to offer better than I could ever explain. Check them out for yourself below.

Say hello to generation six of the critically-acclaimed 5-Series lineage, codenamed “F10″. Stylistically, BMW has taken a step back from the Bangle-look, but perhaps not as much as the new 7-Series and 5-Series GT do.

It follows the same template as those cars mentioned, but with a few detail differences in the headlights and rear-end that set it apart. There are also some hints of the BMW CS Concept in the design. The front is closer in overall appearance to the BMW 3-Series, despite the increase in size.

On the previous car, the “Bangled” rear view was much derided, but on this generation the rear is actually the car’s most flattering view. The front has been growing on me as well though.

The main thing to celebrate is that this car is in every way a better looking vehicle then fifth-generation “E60″ 5-Series. It isn’t a revolutionary change, but look at the progression – has the 5-Series ever been? And rightfully so – the 5-Series is the second-best selling BMW in the United States, behind the 3-Series. On January 29th, 2008 the 5 millionth 5-Series was built.

The interior has also been heavily redesigned – the main focus being a center stack that is canted to the driver like past BMWs. In fact, the generation before the current car, “E39″ that ran from 1995-2003, was the last 5-Series to be designed in that way. The dash is also asymmetrical, due to the overall curve in towards the driver. BMW says the horizontal lines “accentuate the feeling of space.”

Controls have also been reorganized: all displays, knobs and buttons serving comfort functions are placed centrally; controls for the driver’s use only are to the left of the steering wheel, on or near the steering wheel, “or on the front center console” (last one is a bit confusing).

Space has been increased, with knee-room for rear passengers increased by 0.5 inches and the luggage compartment by 18.2 cubic feet.

The 5-Series brings it in the engine department as well. The V-8 is a twin-turbo 4.4-liter unit standard in the 550i, making a whopping 400 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, an undisputably excellent figure.

The standard engine (for now) is BMW’s new “N55″ turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six, making 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. A new engine for the base model 5-Series is coming later this year, and it makes 240 horsepower in the 528i. Along with it, BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive option will be come available.

A manual and six-speed manual transmissions are available, with the automatic being BMW’s new 8-speed (!) unit. The 550i is estimated at a 0-60 time of around 5.0 seconds, with a top speed of 150 mph in sport package guise. Interestingly, BMW’s Brake Energy Regeneration system that recharges the vehicle’s battery during braking and deceleration.

As far as the new 5′s suspension and under the skin components goes, it is an end of an era. Since 1965 (other than the M1, BMW notes) all BMW front-suspension systems have been of the strut type. The current model has double-pivot arms, a continuation of this type of suspension.

For the new 5-Series, it gets A-arms up front and a multi-link in the rear. Most components of the new suspension are made out of aluminum, as is the doors and other body components.

An interesting fact is that the 5-Series is now based on the same platform as the 7-Series and recently introduced 5-Series Gran Turismo.  The car also has electric power steering with Servotronic assistance. Overall the car is up in length compared to the previous model, coming in at 192.9” vs. 190.6″.

The technology package on the 5-Series is amazing and exhaustive. Here is just a list of some of the standard and optional  features on the new 5-Series, such as a Head-up Display, Night Vision with pedestrian recognition, Lane Departure Warning and Speed Limit Info.

New is a Surround View system that utilizes cameras in the side mirrors and the front wheel arches in conjunction with Park Distance Control and the optional Reversing Assist camera to provide a 360 degree view the car from above of on the iDrive display to assist in parking.

For instance, Integral Active Steering (IAS) is a standalone option on the 5-Series. IAS is an evolution of the Active Steering system on the current-generation 5-Series; it has the ability to add rear-wheel steering when cornering.

Up front it can also adjust the steering ratio to the level “required for parking maneuvers, U-turns and sharp corners,” according to BMW. At low speeds, the rear wheels are steered opposite to the front wheels, and at high speeds they turn along with the front wheels. Also new is a streamlined version of the original (and much derided at launch) iDrive control system.

So that’s that – the BMW 5-Series has been updated smartly, with BMW’s styling team working to take away the styling cons of the old car.

Overall, it appears much more in line with the natural BMW progression from generation “E39″ to F10. Driver-focused elements from older BMWs like a center stack canted toward the driver have reappeared, and that is great to have reappear.

We’ll have to see how the changes to the suspension geometry affect the excellent drive we’ve always seen from the car. Until then though, the new BMW 5-Series is looking good.

It has long been expected that the 5-Series would follow a similar tack to the 5-Series Gran Turismo, itself adhering closer to the new, more conservative BMW styling language that debuted on the 7-Series.

There are three new (and grainy) images posted on 5Post that show the 5-Series with the cover still on, revealing the design of the front end.

It does look like a smaller 7-Series overall, but I like the look of both the 7 and the 5-Series GT from what I can see. Key is from what I can see – and that isn’t very much right now. We won’t have to wait much longer though – tomorrow is the day of BMW’s reveal.

Federal standards are remaining the same for now, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has made a change to its testing for vehicles to get the “Top Safety Pick” award. The new ones focus on roof strength in the event of a rollover, requiring roof strength to withstand 4 times the vehicles weight before reaching 5 inches of crush. The results are quite surprising!

Only 19 cars made the grade this year. To put things into perspective, the following automakers have no entries on the list for model year 2010: BMW, Cadillac, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Lexus, Saab and Scion.

An interesting fact is that Subaru is the only manufacturer with a winner in each of the 4 vehicle classes that it competes in. Toyota in particular was outraged with the results, putting out a press release after the announcement calling the IIHS tests “extreme” and “misleading” because only three of its vehicles were actually tested.

IIHS spokesman Russ Rader responded saying that the institute offered Toyota the ability to nominate vehicles for the test and none were selected by the manufacturer. Also, the Toyota Camry would have made the list if it achieved good marks in rear end crash testing (it met the roof standard but not the rear crash test). Enough of the spat between the IIHS and Toyota though – here is the complete list of “Top Safety Picks” from the IIHS for the 2010 model year.

Large cars
Buick LaCrosse
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKS
Volvo S80

Midsize cars
Audi A3
Chevrolet Malibu built after October 2009
Chrysler Sebring 4-door with optional electronic stability control
Dodge Avenger with optional electronic stability control
Mercedes C class
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Volkswagen Jetta sedan
Volkswagen Passat sedan
Volvo C30

Small cars
Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control
Kia Soul
Nissan Cube
Subaru Impreza except WRX
Volkswagen Golf 4-door

Midsize SUVs
Dodge Journey
Subaru Tribeca
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC90

Small SUVs
Honda Element
Jeep Patriot with optional side torso airbags
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan

BMW has always said that the GT sits “between the 5-Series and the 7-Series.” It has a wheelbase length similar to the 7, and in reviews many have pegged the GT as being closer in feel (while not looks) to the 7. I’ll have to test it myself to know for sure.

BMW’s pricing information covers only V-8 model, not the entry-level V-6 variant.   A leak of what seemed to be an official BMW document came out earlier today regarding the GT, and that prompted BMW to release the official information. The 2010 BMW 550i Gran Turismo starts at $64,725, around the level of a loaded 5-Series sedan and about $15,000 less than the base model 7-Series.

$64,725 seems pretty high, as it can go up very quickly with options (for instance a backup camera costs $750 extra). The V-6 model should come in quite a bit lower, in the $55K-range. The V-8 model seems to be pitched as a more versatile, less-expensive 7-Series. It’ll be interesting to see how potential buyers view the car – the sales mix of V-6 models versus V-8 will be very telling.

We may already have a good idea what it looks like from the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo and other leaks, but in typical fashion, they are still teasing us anyway with this unique teaser video.

I’ve never seen anything quite like it -- a kinetic sculpture of metal spheres attatched to computer-controlled strings. They come together to form a basic outline of the new 5-Series, showing the beltline and giving away……absolutely nothing. Still, it is cool. Check it out!

Apparently not. A new report out by Edmunds’ Inside Line says that the M5 could be shedding that engine for a V-8 powerplant.

The report flies in the face of a previous one we heard about the M5 in June. That one said that the M5 would be getting more outrageous than ever, utilizing not just the same naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V-10 in the current car, but a twin-turbocharged one. Crazy? Oh yes.

That never seemed like the likeliest course of action, but it was always good to dream right? A turbocharged V-8 in the new M5 should ensure that power doesn’t suffer. BMW executives haven’t confirmed which V-8 will find it’s way into the M5′s engine bay, but the likeliest engine will be the 4.4-liter unit in the X5M and X6M. Goodbye M5 V-10, we hardly knew ye!

The 5 GT is set for an official debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show this fall with European market sales to start later in the year, and initially will be available in three trim levels.

The base model will be the 535i Gran Turismo.  Fitted with BMW’s now-ubiquitous 3.0L direct-injection twin-sequential turbocharged Inline 6, this model will produced a healthy 306bhp and 295 lb-ft of torque.  Fuel economy is expected to be 31.6mpg (imperial) combined, which isn’t too bad for a 300bhp mid-size luxury sedan.  BMW claims it’ll do 0-60mph in 6.3 seconds, which is pretty rapid.

For the diesel-lovers, there’ll be the 530d Gran Turismo, with BMW’s single-turbo 3.0L diesel with common-rail direct injection.  Power output is pegged at 245bhp and 398 lb-ft of torque, and 0-60 comes up in a rather un-dieselly 6.9 seconds.  Overall consumption on this model is an impressive 43.5 imperial MPG, or about 36 mpg combined on the US scale.

And for those wanting a bit more power, there’s the top dog 550i Gran Turismo.  This model, powered by BMW’s unusual reverse-flow twin-turbocharged V8, makes 407bhp and 447lb-ft of torque.  With all that power, the 5.5 second 0-60 time actually seems a bit conservative, but we’ll see.  Overall consumption isn’t quite so good at 25.5mpg Imperial, but you can’t make an omelette without breaking an egg, as they say.

All of the new 5 Gran Turismo models will use BMW’s new 8-speed automatic transmission, which debuted recently in the new 7-series.  I think this is overkill; a vehicle with a broad powerband and 447 lb-ft of torque doesn’t really need 8 gears, but it’ll help with fuel economy and emissions, which is becoming increasingly important these days.

The Gran Turismo really doesn’t differ too heavily from the recently debuted concept version, save for smaller wheels and more realistic interior trim and other minor details.  The impressive thing about the GT is the interior flexibility, which is obviously what BMW is emphasizing on this car.  The rear seats can slide forward and back up to 4″, providing more cargo space or more rear passenger space.  BMW claims with the rear seats all the way back, the 5 GT provides legroom comparable to the 7-series and headroom comparable to the X5.  With the rear seats all the way forward, there’s 20.7 cubic feet of storage (up from 15.4 with the seats all the way back), and with the seats foward and folded, there’s a wagon-like 59.5 cubic feet.  Another neat feature: that rear tailgate is two-piece, opening either as a trunk or as a hatchback depending on what you’re putting in the trunk.

Other tech highlights include aluminum-intensive suspension (double control arms front and independent rear), self-leveling rear air suspension, active rear steering, 3-mode variable chassis settings with adaptive dampers and reduced stability control intervention in Sport+ mode (for the hoons?), LED “angel eyes” (curiously, BMW calls them “Corona Rings”) driving lights and LED tail lamps, 10.2″ LCD display for the thankfully-revamped iDrive, and a all the other techno-geek stuff you’d expect from a modern BMW.

I will say, the interior looks like a drastic improvement over the current 5-series, which I find to be a bit too modern-art and not enough comfort and traditional luxury.  The 5 GT interior looks to be made of top-shelf materials and has a pleasing, clean design to it.  I’ll give it a thumbs up at least on asethetic appeal, minus that bizarre mobile-phone shaped shift lever.

US availability of the different powertrains isn’t clear yet, but it’s thought that the V8-powered 550i GT will make the trip over first, and probably priced somewhere near $70,000.  It remains to be seen how many hatchbacks BMW can sell at that price…  I mean, look how well VW did selling sedans at that price!  These kind of “brave market moves” are of questionable wisdom with the market like it is now.  I mean, the concept makes sense – but I’m not sure how big this will sell.  Unlike the buff-looking X6, the 5 GT is rather soft-looking, so it’s harder to get away with the awkward proportions it posesses.  Regardless, with plenty of grace, space, and pace the 5 GT is sure to find some buyers.  But whether this is a made-up-niche too far for BMW remains to be seen.