As you can see from the images, the 2013 BMW 3-Series will feature a blend of interior styling influences from the new 5-Series and the Euro-spec 1-Series.

Click here for more details on the 2013 BMW 3-Series.

We’ll have more details and full high-res photos for you on Friday. Stay tuned.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: jokeforblog (via BMWBlog)

For the past couple of days, many have been seeing spy shots of a beefed up Lexus LS hanging around the Nurburgring. We now have a video of what is known as the Lexus LS TMG edition circling the Nurburgring along with some new details.

Apparently, the Lexus LS TMG Edition is a project car by Lexus of Germany. No word on what’s going on this model but Lexus will release more details as time goes on.

For now, we know that the Lexus LS TMG Edition is powered by a 5.0 liter V8 pumping out 641-hp and a peak torque of 524 lb-ft. That enables it to run from 0 to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds with a top speed of 198 mph. The Lexus LS TMG Edition weighs a heft 4,563 pounds.

More details to come shortly. For now hit the jump for the video.

Do you think Lexus should do a high-performance LS sedan? Let us know your answer by casting your vote in the poll below.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Inside Line

A new photograph of the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe has popped up on the internet. Last month, images of the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe hanging out in the garage hit the webs.

It seems like the new 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe now gets a more fluid design that is bringing it closer to the current Hyundai lineup theme, introduced by the Hyundai Sonata.

The 2012 Hyundai Genesis will debut at the 2011 LA Auto Show.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: hyundai-blog

Word on the street is that Audi has some pretty interesting test mules for the next-generation R8 running our in Germany. Reports have suggested that Audi is also testing an R8 with a 2.5 TFSI and a 3.0 TFSi with rear-wheel-drive and an S-tronic match.

“It’s all part of Audi’s experimentation in downsizing,” one source says.

Click here for more news on the Audi R8.

Whatever the case is under the hood, we’re pretty excited to see what Audi designers come up with for the Lamborghini Gallardo based supercar. A new image, courtesy of Fourtitdue, has popped up on the Internet and it apparently gives us a peak at what the front of the next R8 will look like.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Fourtitdue

The 2012 BMW 3-Series will be unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show next month but the new 3 was recently spotted during a photo shoot. These pictures were taken by a reader of F30post who spotted the car during a photoshoot in Spain.

As expected, the 2012 BMW 3-Series gets the updated design theme of new Bavarian vehicles, bearing a strong resemblance to the rear of the new 5-Series sedan.

BMW will released all the high-res photos and details later this month – stay tuned for all the details.

Click here for more news on the BMW 3-Series.

2012 BMW 3-Series Spotted During Photo Shoot:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: F30post

We really can’t wait to see the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera make its public debut next month at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show but while we wait, spy shots and spy videos keep popping up everywhere. The latest video shows the 2012 911 cruising around the streets of Stuttgart, German wearing very little camouflage.

Click here for more news on the Porsche 911.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: YouTube

We’re looking forward to the future of compact Mercedes-Benz models. The debut of the Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class at the 2011 New York Auto Shows debuted one of the most exciting studies so far this year.

Up next is the next-generation Mercedes-Benz B-Class, which will share a front-wheel-drive architecture wit the A-Class. A photo of a completely undisguised Mercedes-Benz B-Class has popped up on the Internet for your viewing pleasure and it seems to be a huge improvement over the outgoing model.

As you can tell from the picture, the next-generation Mercedes-Benz B-Class will keep its MPV feel, while the A-Class will go a more hatchback route.

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is expected to spawn a coupe, sedan, convertible and a crossover.

Mercedes-Benz Concept A:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: JokeForBlogspot.com (via CARandDRIVER)

Mini this morning dropped some ‘official spy shots’ of the upcoming 2012 Mini Coupe. The two-seater Mini Coupe will go on sale later this year as the company’s first two-seater model with a range of engines, chassis tuning, weight distribution and aerodynamic touches that “all focused on delivering optimum performance” Mini says.

Heck, Mini evens says without any hesitation that the Mini Coupe “radiates the brand’s hallmark go-kart feeling with a whole new depth of intensity and achieves the best performance statistics ever recorded by a volume-produced MINI.”

The Mini Coupe lineup consists of:

• Mini Cooper SD Coupe: 2.0 L 4-cylinder turbodiesel making 143-hp with max torque of 225 lb-ft. 0 to 62 mph comes in 7.9 seconds with a top speed of 134 mph. Fuel-economy estimated at 54 mpg.
• Mini Cooper Coupe: 1.6L 4-cylinder gasoline with BMW VALVETRONIC technology making 122-hp and 118 lb-ft of torque. 0 to 62 mph in 9 seconds with a top speed of 127 mph. Fuel-economy estimated at 43 mpg.
• Mini Cooper S Coupe: 1.6L 4-cylinder gasoline with a twin-scroll turbocharger producing 184-hp and a peak torque of 177 lb-ft (192 lb-ft with Overboost). 0 to 62 mph in 6.9 seconds with a top speed of 143 mph. Fuel-economy is estimated at 40 mpg.
• Mini John Cooper Works Coupe: 1.6L 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger making 211-hp and a max torque of 192 lb-ft (207 lb-ft with Overboost). 0 to 62 mph in 6.4 seconds with a top speed of 149 mph. Fuel-economy estimated at 33 mpg.

Check out the high-res gallery and press talk after the jump.

2012 Mini Coupe Prototype:

A recipe for unbridled driving fun.
The MINI Coupé.

MINI is expanding its product family with the launch of a model geared squarely to maximising driving fun. The MINI Coupé indulges the keen driver with a level of agility unmatched in the small car segment, along with a unique body and interior concept and the brand’s customary commitment to premium levels of quality and equipment. The first two-seater in its line-up sees MINI not only breathe new life into its successful racing history but also provide a shot in the arm for the super-compact sports car class. The selection of engines, chassis set-up, weight distribution and aerodynamic properties of the MINI Coupé are all focused on delivering optimum performance.

The latest generation of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.

The MINI Coupé can be ordered with the most powerful petrol and diesel engines in the brand’s arsenal. Outputs range from the 90 kW/122 hp of the MINI Cooper Coupé, to the MINI Cooper SD Coupé (105 kW/143 hp) and
MINI Cooper S Coupé (135 kW/184 hp), all the way up to the
MINI John Cooper Works Coupé, a thoroughbred athlete producing 155 kW/211 hp.

The ultimate in go-kart feeling.

A level of chassis quality unmatched in the small car segment gives the new MINI model the handling flair you would expect from the brand. The precise Electric Power Steering, the standard-fitted DSC stability control system, powerful brakes and measures designed specifically to optimise torsional rigidity ensure the MINI Coupé driver can enjoy the ultimate in go-kart feeling.

Distinctive roof form, optimised aerodynamics, impressive storage space.

At a glance.

• MINI gives the small car segment another fascinating injection of variety with the presentation of the first two-seater in the brand’s current model range. The MINI Coupé represents the faithful transposition of the brand’s sporting DNA into a cutting-edge vehicle concept with a new interpretation of the super-compact sports car class; unrivalled handling agility and the best performance figures of any model in the MINI line-up; innovative design with a distinctive “helmet roof” form and optimised aerodynamic properties; a wide-opening tailgate and large, variable-use luggage area ensuring extensive versatility.
• Latest generation of four-cylinder engines; most powerful petrol and diesel units in the MINI range; engine technology underpinned by the development expertise of the BMW Group / derived directly from
  motor sport; MINI John Cooper Works Coupé with 155 kW/211 hp,
  MINI Cooper S Coupé with 135 kW/184 hp, MINI Cooper Coupé with 90 kW/122 hp, MINI Cooper SD Coupé with 105 kW/143 hp; exceptional efficiency thanks to wide range of standard MINIMALISM technology;
  six-speed manual gearbox fitted as standard, six-speed automatic optional for MINI Cooper S Coupé, MINI Cooper Coupé and
  MINI Cooper SD Coupé.

• A chassis set-up, weight balance and body structure geared squarely to providing unbeatable driving fun gives the car’s go-kart feeling unrivalled depth; Electric Power Steering and DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) as standard, DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) with EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control) optional (standard on
  MINI John Cooper Works Coupé); innovative pedestrian protection systems and measures to enhance body rigidity shift the car’s weight balance slightly further forward, giving the front-wheel-drive MINI Coupé optimised traction; agility and safety boosted by increase in torsional rigidity using carefully targeted, model-specific strengthening elements.
• First “three-box” MINI with strikingly stepped rear end in the classic style of a gran turismo; sporty, flat coupé silhouette; sits 29 millimetres lower than MINI; new, faithful expression of the hallmark MINI design language; distinctive “helmet roof” with integral roof spoiler; first MINI with an active rear spoiler to optimise airflow at higher speeds; rear spoiler extends automatically at 80 km/h (50 mph).
• Strict two-seater concept with extended stowage and loading capacity behind the driver and passenger seats; large, variable-use luggage area; large through-loading facility into the passenger compartment; wide and extremely high-opening tailgate makes loading easier.

Engine variants:

• MINI John Cooper Works Coupé: Four-cylinder petrol engine with
  twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection, plus numerous technological details carried over directly from motor sport.
  Displacement: 1,598 cc,
  output: 155 kW/211 hp at 6,000 rpm,
  max. torque: 260 Nm/192 lb-ft at 1,850 – 5,600 rpm
  (280 Nm/207 lb-ft with Overboost at 1,700 – 4,500 rpm).
  Acceleration: 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 6.4 seconds,
  top speed: 240 km/h (149 mph).
  Average fuel consumption according to EU standard:
  7.1 litres per 100 kilometres (39.8 mpg imp),
  CO2 emissions: 165 g/km. 

  MINI Cooper S Coupé: Four-cylinder petrol engine with
  twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection and fully variable valve management based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology.
  Displacement: 1,598 cc,
  output: 135 kW/184 hp at 5,500 rpm,
  max. torque: 240 Nm/177 lb-ft at 1,600 – 5,000 rpm
  (260 Nm/192 lb-ft with Overboost at 1,700 – 4,500 rpm).
  Acceleration: 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 6.9 seconds,
  top speed: 230 km/h (143 mph).
  Average fuel consumption according to EU standard:
  5.8 litres per 100 kilometres (48.7 mpg imp),
  CO2 emissions: 136 g/km.

  MINI Cooper Coupé: Four-cylinder petrol engine with fully variable valve management based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology.
  Displacement: 1,598 cc,
  output: 90 kW/122 hp at 6,000 rpm,
  max. torque: 160 Nm/118 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm,
  Acceleration: 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 9.0 seconds,
  top speed: 204 km/h (127 mph),
  Average fuel consumption according to EU standard:
  5.4 litres per 100 kilometres (52.3 mpg imp),
  CO2 emissions: 127 g/km.

  MINI Cooper SD Coupé: Four-cylinder turbodiesel with aluminium crankcase, common-rail injection and variable turbine geometry.
  Displacement: 1,995 cc,
  output: 105 kW/143 hp at 4,000 rpm,
  max. torque: 305 Nm/225 lb-ft at 1,750 – 2,700 rpm.
  Acceleration: 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 7.9 seconds,
  top speed: 216 km/h (134 mph).
  Average fuel consumption according to EU standard:
  4.3 litres per 100 kilometres (65.7 mpg imp),
  CO2 emissions: 114 g/km.

Exterior dimensions:
Length: 3,728 millimetres (MINI Cooper S Coupé,
MINI John Cooper Works Coupé: 3,734 millimetres)
Width: 1,683 millimetres
Height: 1,378 millimetres (MINI Cooper S Coupé,
MINI John Cooper Works Coupé: 1,384 millimetres)
Wheelbase: 2,467 millimetres

- By: Omar Rana

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen leaked interior shots of the 2012 BMW M5 (and probably won’t be the last). Today, the wonderful Internet brings us three leaked images of the new M5 including a close-up of the gear-shift area, speedometer and the steering.

The 2012 BMW M5 will make its production debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September and will go on sale in the United States in early 2012.

Click here for more news on the BMW M5.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: GermanCarForum (via BMWBlog)

Spies recently caught Toyota and Subaru’s upcoming FT-86 (which will come to the United States as the Scion FR-S) hanging around the Nurburgring, undergoing some final testing.

Click here for more news on the Scion FR-S.

The model will be undergoing some high-speed testing at the Nurburgring track to test how potent Subaru’s 200-hp 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo boxer engine is.

As you can see in the video here, the Toyota FT-86 / Scion FR-S is in its final stages of development, judging by the extensive disguise applied this prototype.

Click here for more news on the Toyota FT-86 Concept.

Scion FR-S Concept:

Scion FR-S Concept:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: FT-86 Club

What you’re looking at here is the first photo of the new BMW M5 F10 engine, obtained by M5board forums.

The 2012 BMW M5 will make its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, which is when we’ll get the full specs of the car’s powertrain.

So far, BMW has confirmed that the 2012 BMW M5 will use a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 featuring TwinPower Turbo Technology. The engine is speculated to produce somewhere north of 580-hp while reducing fuel-consumption and emissions by 25 percent.

Click here for more news on the BMW M5.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: M5board (via BMWBlog)

The beautiful BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Concept was recently caught rolling around the streets of Berlin during a photo shoot. Bystanders managed to snap some photos and videos of the Vision ConnectedDrive for those of us that were there.

The Vision ConnectedDrive Concept shows “current and future methods of mobile networking in a particularly focused way.” The coupe version of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics, which will be known as the BMW i8, is scheduled to go into limited production in 2013 with prices starting around $250,000 a unit.

Refresher: Power for the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics prototype comes from a 1.5L 3-cylinder turbo diesel engine mated to a hybrid synchronous motor at the front axle and a full-hybrid engine at the rear axle. Jointly the system will produce an output of 328-hp. 0-60 mph comes in just 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph. Fuel-economy is estimated at 63 mpg and the concept can provide 31 miles of zero-emissions driving. The production version of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics will go on sale in 2013.

BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Concept Spotted in Berlin:

BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Concept:

BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Concept:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: BimmerToday (via BMWBlog)

It’s been called the BMW M3 Lightweight Concept, BMW M3 GTS Sedan and most recently – the BMW M3 EVO. Whatever, BMW calls it we’ll get more info when the official model makes it debut at the M Festival at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in June.

Until then, we’ll have to enjoy random spy shots and news about the car like this one here. A member of Germancarforum recently spotted the BMW M3 GTS Sedan (that’s what we’re calling it for now) at the BMW testing facility near the Nurburgring.

Click here for more news on the BMW M3.

So far the model is being described as something between an M3 and the M3 GTS and is rumored to be powered by a more powerful version of the 414 4.0L V8 in the standard M3.

BMW M3 GTS Sedan Concept Spotted Near Nurburgring:

BMW M3 GTS Sedan Concept:

- By: Roman Bronfenbrener

Source: Germancarforum (via BMWBlog)

BMW has just released a new video of the 2012 BMW M5 Prototype undergoing testing at the test-track in Miramas, France.

Here is the text that accompanies the video:

High speed: more than 300 km/h (app. 190 mph), Launch Control vs. smoky burnout, a wet handlingcourse -the BMW engineers are optimizing the new BMW M5 even for extreme conditions. This video documents the testing of the new BMW M5 at the test-track in Miramas, France.

Click here for our original post on the BMW Concept M5.

BMW has confirmed that the 2012 BMW M5 will be powered by a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 featuring TwinPower Turbo Technology. The engine is speculated to produce somewhere north of 580-hp while offering a 25 percent reduction in fuel-consumption and emissions.

Click here for more news on the BMW M5.

Hit the jump for the video and make sure you turn up the volume.

2012 BMW Concept M5:

- By: Omar Rana

While the BMW Concept M5 made its world debut at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show last month, the production version won’t be unveiled for a couple of weeks.

Click here for our original post on the BMW Concept M5.

BMW hasn’t officially confirmed the following, but it has been rumored for quite sometime that the next-generation BMW M5 will be offered both in a manual and a 7-speed M dual-clutch transmission. A prototype carrying the manual gearbox was apparently spotted earlier this week in Southern California.

Click here for more news on the BMW M5.

If you take a close look at the video (posted after the jump), you can see a little bit jerkiness while the driver is shifting.

So far – BMW has confirmed that the 2012 BMW M5 will be powered by a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 featuring TwinPower Turbo Technology. Official output numbers are still being kept a secret but BMW has confirmed that the engine will offer a significantly increased output level and a 25 percent reduction in fuel-consumption and emissions.

2012 BMW Concept M5:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: 5Post (via BMWBlog)

Earlier this year at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, De Tomaso said that it is returning to the car making business with a debut of the new Deauville Concept, the Pininfarina designed 5-door Sport Luxury Sedan kicked of De Tomaso’s return.

However, many of us are concerned whether or not De Tomaso will bring back the legendary Pantera. Earlier reports have suggested that the next De Tomaso Pantera will debut at the 2011 LA Auto Show in November.

A new video on YouTube allegedly shows the next Pantera undergoing testing. The heavy camouflaged mid-engined De Tomaso Pantera prototype shows a low roofline and a design we could really get excited about. Power for the next De Tomaso Pantera is expected to come from a V8 engine making close to 550-hp.

Stay tuned for more details from the 2011 LA Auto Show in November.

Check out the video after the jump.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: WCF

Cadillac ATS Prototype

The Cadillac ATS lineup will first hit the market as a sedan and will be followed by a coupe and convertible variant over a year. GM announced last year the ATS will be built at its Lansing Grand River plant in Lansing, Mich.

According to earlier reports the base 2014 Cadillac ATS will be powered by a 2.0L inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine making 270-hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. Fuel-economy is estimated to come in at 22/32 mpg (city/highway). Moving up a level, the Cadillac ATS 3.6 will be powered by a 3.6L V6 making 330-hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. The top-of-the-line, the Cadillac ATS-V, will get its grunt from a 6.2L V8 making 470-hp and 438 lb-ft of torque.

Sales are scheduled to begin in 2013.

Click here for more news on the Cadillac ATS.

Hit the jump for the video.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: ATS Forum

Secret Prototype at Plant 0

All of BMW’s manufacturing plants are assigned a number – there is Leipzig Plant 7, Steyr Plant 5, South Carolina Plant 10. But when you ask anyone about Munich Plant 0 inside BMW’s research center, they’ll tell you that they didn’t even know that it existed.

Protected by spy photographers and highly secured, Plant 0 hand-builds the very first version of each BMW Group model before it enters full production.

Everyone that works at Plant 0 has significant knowledge on how each BMW should be built. This is the place where all the prototypes are built and prototypes of the way vehicles will be built in the future.

Check out the video after the jump as BMW takes us behind the scenes of Plant 0.

- By: Omar Rana