Click above to view the teaser video of the BMW X5 M after the jump

After countless spy shots and rumors, BMW has finally admitted that an M version of its X5 SAV is on the way. The proof of concept comes in the form of a video released on the automaker's bmw-web.tv site, and not surprisingly, the clip doesn't divulge much about the M-modified 'ute. Bernd Limmer, an exec at BMW M GmbH, discusses the essence of "M-ness" that BMW infuses into all of its Motorsports models, goes into detail in regard to how the different systems interact with each other and then hits the Nurburgring to show off the X5 M's prowess on the Nordschleife. There's still no word on when the BMW X5 M will make it's debut, but considering that the original X5 debuted at the Detroit Auto Show almost a decade ago, the Bimmer boys could have something up their sleeve for the festivities in Motown. Hit the jump to see the video.

Gallery: BMW X5 M and X6 M - see shots

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In honor of the 70th anniversary of Maserati’s first Indianapolis 500 win, the automaker will present a special edition of the Quattroporte sedan at next month’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Quattroporte Sport GT S sees an upgrade to 433 horsepower, a tuned suspension, a sports exhaust and styling modifications.

Maserati says that remapping the engine delivers 433 horsepower, an upgrade of 8 horsepower over the 425-horse Quattroporte S. The transmission software has been reprogrammed to allow for faster shifts, as well. To esteem it handle the power bump, Maserati has stiffened the springs and lowered the ride height and, to provide what Maserati calls a “deep, throaty sound,” the GT S features a sports-exhaust.

Outside, the Quattroporte GT S gets red accents, new headlamps in a metallic titanium finish and shadow-line finishing. GT S buyers are treated to new Alcantara and leather-covered seats an titanium-colored Titanex composite trim inside.

Check back here in early December for Leftlane’s live coverage of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Source: www.leftlanenews.com

Outside of a Terry Gilliam film, where else can you see a used car blessing ceremony, a city of one million people with 535 different public bus routes, roadblocks set up by car mechanics, and kids dressed in zebra suits patrolling crosswalks? Bolivia, that's where. The South American nation, attempting to halt an explosion of automobile buying that's clogging their limited road network, has banned importing used cars more than five years old.

The president of Bolivia issued the ban to halt the tide of right-hand-drive cars coming in from Japan. The cars are more reliable than what was on offer before, and in this way cheap that Bolivians have been buying them up, painting "Taxi" on the sides, only to sit on traffic-choked roads. Shutting down the import trade brings Bolivia more in line with its South American neighbors, and it could open the roads up a bit as well and curb air pollution issues. The mechanics who convert right-hand drive cars to left-hand drive have protested and blocked roads, arm-in-arm with the used car dealers who sell them.

Bolivians who wanted the used cars are losing out twice: Used cars less than five years old usually don't make it to Bolivia, and they will be denied "the road trip to bless a new used car at a popular Catholic shrine on Lake Titicaca -- where proud owners splash their new wheels with beer and tape flowers to the side mirrors -- has become a regular solemnity of passage." Oh, and the kids dressed up similar to zebras? They get paid by the city to to scold drivers that block crosswalks. It's probably not a bad gig unless you get run over on your first day and spend three days in hospital like one zebra in La Paz. Ah, Bolivia...

[Source: CBS]

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