New Spi Polaris Mirrors Sm-12208 on 2040-parts.com

BMW 5-series is in line for the company's new triturbo diesel engine

Details leaked from a dealer conference held in Holland this week suggest that BMW's upcoming 550dX will be the first recipient of the German carmaker's new high-tech triturbo 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel engine. The new engine, which also is destined for the new X5 xDrive50d and X6 xDrive50d models, is claimed to produce 376 hp and more than 516 lb-ft of torque--some 70 hp and more than 74 lb-ft more than the most powerful version of BMW's existing twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel engine, as found in the X5 xDrive40d. The radical new engine, which is rumored to use two traditional exhaust-blown turbochargers in combination with an electrically driven turbocharger to add low-end response, is planned to be offered exclusively with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive.

Concept Car of the Week: Peugeot Proxima (1986)

Presented at the 1986 Paris Motor Show, the Proxima concept was the ultimate vision of '80s futurism, both in terms of its design and engineering. To assert its blue-sky vision, Peugeot named its creation after Proxima Centauri, the closest star to the sun. The exterior design was directed by Gérard Welter, and featured a long wheelbase, mid-mounted engine and very small overhangs, putting the accent on power and performance.

Lincoln hires ex-Cadillac designer

Lincoln has hired ex-Cadillac designer Max Wolff to be its design director starting on Jan. 3. Wolff, 38, will oversee the look of Ford's luxury brand as it plans to launch seven new vehicles over the next four years, including its first C-segment small car.