BMW M5 Tourin

GENEVA — BMW's stand at the annual spring show here will be anchored by the new M5 Touring, a station-wagon companion to the M5 sedan.

The M5 wagon — which BMW's press department refers to as "a sports car with roof racks" — shares the sedan's magnificent 5.0-liter V10 which, in European trim, produces 507 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is BMW's controversial seven-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG), which has probably irked more enthusiasts than any other aspect of the vaunted M-series cars.

This is the first BMW wagon to offer a 10-cylinder engine, and probably the quickest BMW wagon ever, with the ability to sprint from zero to 60 mph in less than 4.8 seconds. But the M5 Touring won't kill you at the fuel pump; highway fuel economy is 22 mpg.

Of course, families who opt for this performance-oriented grocery getter will appreciate the subtle differences between the M5 and the standard 5 Series wagon: a front airdam, side sills, air intakes in the side panels and the rear airdam, plus four round exhaust pipes. In addition, the M5 Touring gets the usual upgrades to suspension, steering and brakes.

What the five-passenger wagon offers over its sedan counterpart is an ample cargo bay, with 57.8 cubic feet of storage space. An optional cargo-storage package includes dividers for the floor, folding partition panels, lashing belts in the side panels and multifunction supports.

Features include leather upholstery, dynamic stability control, air suspension, electronic damper control, variable differential lock, multifunction steering wheel, two-piece panoramic roof and BMW's iDrive controller.

Among the options are heated rear seats, power tailgate, head-up display and navigation system.

Spyker C8 Spyder GT2R

(from Spyker Press Release) In March 2005, during the 75th International Motor Show of Geneva, Spyker officially introduced its new race car, the Spyker C8 Spyder GT2R. This race car is the race version of the production car Spyker C8 Spyder and is entirely developed in-house by Spyker Squadron.

The Spyker C8 Spyder GT2R runs the Audi V8 engine used in all road cars. The race version of this engine has been developed in-house by Spyker Squadron’s technical team, headed by Peter van Erp and is mated to a Hewland six speed sequential gearbox.

The company has already won two major victories with its new race model, the Spyder GT2R. This race car obtained two podium places in 2005 by finishing second in its class in September 2005 during the LMES 1000km of Nьrburgring (LMGT class), Germany and in November 2005 during the FIA GT (GT class) race in Dubai.

Inspired by the encouraged results in 2005, Spyker has expanded its 2006 race program in 2006 by entering two factory Spyker C8 Spyder GT2Rs in 10 races including Sebring, 24-Hours of Le Mans, all Le Mans Endurance series races and some FIA GT races.

The Spyker C8 Spyder GT2R is also available to privateers. The factory provides full service to privateers throughout Europe and the United States.

As a serious and challenging participant during the LMES and FIA GT races, Spyker Squadron offers interesting opportunities to sponsors. By becoming a sponsor, the sponsor and its guests also become members of the highly select inner circle of the world’s most renowned race events such as the 24-hours of Le Mans and the 12-hours of Sebring.