Sprocket Specialist 501-13 on 2040-parts.com

Audi RS7 to lap Hockenheim – DRIVERLESS

Audi are taking an RS7 round Hockenheim completely autonomously Every car maker – from Mercedes to Volvo and Ford – is working hard to make autonomous driving a reality, and it looks like we’re just a few years away from seeing cars being driven by computers, with the driver relegated to passenger in many daily driving tasks. Now it’s Audi’s turn to demonstrate the progress they’re making with autonomous technology by taking an RS7 round the Grand Prix track at Hockenheim without a driver having control. It’s arguable that taking a driverless car round a track – even at race speed – is far less of a technological task than having a car running driverless through a cityscape with all its variables, but it’s an impressive demonstration nonetheless.

BMW M550d xDrive (2012) - the diesel M saloon

BMW has launched its first diesel M car: the new M550d xDrive in saloon and Touring estate forms. It's part of a strategy to fill the gap between the exclusive M GmbH division cars and the top-end cosmetic M Sport trim lines with a new range of M lite: BMW M Performance Automobiles. Developed by the engineers responsible for the M3, M5 et al, the new M550d xDrive is powered by a new high-output version of the 3.0-litre straight six turbodiesel packing not one, not two, but three turbochargers.

BMW's MPA line bridges the gap to M

Soon, bridging the gap between your father's 328i M-Sport and the M3 of your dreams will be simple, all thanks to BMW MPA. The admitedly uninspiring "MPA" moniker doesn't refer to an accounting certification available at your local community college, but rather, M Performance Automobiles. It serves as a step between the M-Sport appearance package already available on nearly every BMW model and the fire-breathing M cars at the top.