The friends at Bimmerpost have got their hands on some photos of what we thought it would be the future BMW F3, a crossover concept. As we have previously seen, the test mule is actually a 3 Series E91 that is used for engine and drivetrain testing.
The only difference in this case is that this particular testing model is sporting the front of the future X1 model. As we have mentioned before, the BMW X1 will use the platform found in the E91 cars and the model will be placed somewhere between the X3 and the 3 Series.
Our sources indicate that the X1 is still on schedule for a late release in 2009.
Looking back at the original CGI that were posted back in 2007, the BMW F3 might actually turn out to be a good looking car.
[Source E90Post.com ]
As many of you might know by now, BMW is in the final stage of testing a facelifted version of BMW 3 Series E90(sedan). The recent and most interesting news is that BMW is already working on a facelift version of its M3 sedan model. To us, that is a little surprising since the car has just been recently released and knowing BMW's history of refreshing their models somewhere in the middle of their life cycle(usually 3-4 years).
The BMW M3 Sedan facelifted was spotted somewhere in Germany and our friends at M3Post.com managed to get their hands on some spy photos. The new M3 sedan will be getting the same LED taillights that were already spotted on the 3 Series facelifted models, but we are positive there are more changes than we can see in these first spy photos.
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17 May
Posted by Horatiu B. as Spy Photos
Here are some random but in the same time interesting things we have found out about the BMW 3 Series E90 Facelift models.
According to our sources, on the facelifted E90 3 Series, the back lights don't look all that different in compare to the current models. There are still a few a small differences between them and one of them is a small offset between the components. It has been confirmed that also that they will be LED back lights.
As everyone has mentioned before, the wing mirrors are larger due to new regulations. The lights at the front have "eyebrows" on them, which are to the large part unfunctional, have the aspect that they help focus light a bit better, and the light "coronas" with the xenon lights will be more "marked".
The 3 Series Facelift is fully prepared for the US market with respect to diesel, as there is an opening at the back on US spec models for filling up the cat on diesel motors, so expect this car to be coming in probs all six cylinder diesels to the states.
Back in 2007, BMW has refreshed a little bit the design on their 1 Series hatcback models. The guys at MotorAuthority are saying that a 2011 BMW 1 Series hatchback has been spotted being tested.
To us the car looks pretty much the same as the current model, but according to them, some car dynamics elements have been slightly changed. Even though we are about three years out, it is normal for BMW to be testing the chassis, drivetrain and other components.
What we know for sure is that the next-generation 1 Series will be using four-cylinder engines developend by BMW and PSA. The engines will range from 1.4 liter to 2.0 liter and they will include the twin-turbo as well.
Still no news on whether the BMW 1 Series hatchback will make their way into the U.S market, but there is definitely a demand for it that BMW might take in consideration. If we will get the new hatchback in the States, I really hope that BMW will improve the rear seat space.
[Source: MotorAuthority ]
Getting close my dear readers, getting close. The 2009 BMW 7 Series starts revealing itself more and more every day. These recent photos seem to be similar to the ones we have posted in the past few weeks, pretty much the same camo scheme.
The general consensus is that the 7 spotted in the photos is actually the F02 version. The test mule seems to keep the same sleek and slim profile that we have seen before and honestly, I really hope that the final product will be along this line.
One thing that I have noticed in these photos is the potential of having a driver-oriented dashboard again. I personally loved the dashboard I had in my E46 3-Series, the driver-oriented dashboard made more things more comfortable for the driver.
I'm wondering what the test driver was trying to cover in these photos
Also, if you look closer, you will see how they covered up the new i-Drive as well.
Photos via Germancarzone.com
We are getting closer to the release date of the BMW 3 Series Sedan Facelift and as expected, BMW has lowered their guard a bit and more revealing photos have started to pop-up. Once again, the fellows at LeftLaneNews are on top of the game and they have some new photos to show.
As seen in the previous spy photos, the taillights on the sedan facelift will be quite different. We're inclined to believe that the sedan will be equipped with LED taillights.
We have already mentioned before that the front will have as well some new elements, such as: new bumper, grille and different fog lights.
Still waiting one more interior photos.
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[Source Leftlanenews ]
Dugedug a member of E90post.com has spotted near Mojave, CA, a truck transporting the new BMW's 7 Series Hydrogen cars. The BMW Hydrogen initiative was announced back in 2006 when California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger took advantage of the assembled press at the LA Auto Show to list his environmental achievements. Less than two years later, BMW seems to be pushing the Hydrogen cars and they are looking at releasing other hydrogen models as well( i.e X6).
We're really hoping to see soon the BMW Hydrogen 7 on our U.S roads.
Thanks for the tip Sanjay!
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The fellows at Motor Authority have posted some photos today of what they assume to be the next generation BMW X3. The test mule that was spotted at Nurburgring has a similar design as the 3 Series Wagon, but it shows a taller ride-height. Honestly, I looked at the photos and I am not really sure if that's even close to what the X3 will be.
Since the new generation X3 is still at least 2 years down the line, any spy photos that we might see at this point, might not reflect the actual product.
All we know for sure is that X3 production will be moved back to the U.S and that BMW will have a selection of engines, starting with the acclaimed 3.0 liter twin-turbo petrol, a diesel engine and a hybrid.
I will be happy to hear your opinion on these photos.
We have debated on whether we should post these new photos that just popped out of the upcoming 7 series. They are mostly interior photos and from it looks like, it's an actual mock-up rather than a finished product.
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We are back with our exclusive news and today, we have the opportunity to show you the new iDrive knob that will be available in the next generation 5 Series, probably the 7 and the 3er's as well. Our friends at bimmerfile have already shown you the new iDrive system in a 3 series test mule.
Obviously BMW has learned from their mistakes and the new iDrive system seems to be simplifying things for the driver and the new row of buttons around the knob will help navigate faster through menus and settings.
From an engineering and designer point of view, I can certainly see how the new added buttons will help tremendously the iDrive user, cutting some unecessary steps. The Back and Option buttons are placed in a comfortable position, behind the knob, which in a way works as a computer mouse, with 2 click buttons. I haven't seen the new system myself, but as soon as I have a chance to play with it, I will report back on how the functionality on it really is.
Edit: To eliminate any confusion, the interior is of a current 5 Series.
One of our readers has just sent in a picture of what it looks to be a BMW M1 Prototype. Honestly, we cannot swear by it and it is really hard to tell if it's a photoshop or not, but if there are any design experts out there, please, feel free to jump in and tell us what you think.
The picture was taken by the guys at Freshtarmac.com, somewhere in Spain. The prototype has definitely imported some design elements from the current M3.
The release of this photo along with the BMW M1 Hommage that was unveiled a few days ago, it makes me wonder if BMW is really working on a new BMW M1. Would it make sense for them to revive the M1? Absolutely. Will they go ahead and actually build it? Hmm, not sure at this point, but hopefully we will have something soon for you
Thanks for the tip Daniel!
The fellows at Motor Authority have decided to come up with some new rederings of the 2009-2010 BMW Z4. As much as I would like to believe that this is how the future Z4 will look like, I just simply cannot do that.
I went back and looked at all the Z4 spy photos and videos that have been posted in the past and I came to the same conclusion: the Z4 will be quite different. If you take a look at the spy photos that were posted here, here and here, you will see that some elements are similar, despite the pretty good BMW camouflage, but the car shown in the lateste renderings seems to be larger in size and quite bloated.
I might be wrong, so feel free to chime in.
These have to be some of the most revealing spy photos of the upcoming 2009 BMW 3 Series Facelift. The fellows at LeftLaneNews are "responsible" for bringing those to the bimmer fans.
As we have noticed before, the front fascia will re-designed with a new bumper, along with a new grille and different fog lights. I think the most exciting changes lay in the rear, where the 2009 3 Series will get some new taillights.
According to the LeftLaneNews' sources, we can expect the facelifted 3er's to run on cleaner engines.
Even though we are a little tired of the same spy photos that we have seen before, including the weird zebra camouflage used by BMW recently, we thought you might be interested on seeing them. These new photos are similar to some of the ones we have seen in the past, the exterior design is still pretty well masked, so no change there.
If I were to guess based on the history of previously released BMWs, we should see some undisguised photos within the next two months. Since the release date is set for late fall, the next couple of months will definitely bring more information.
Thanks for the tip Jurgen!
The fellows at MotorAuthority.com have an interesting article on BMW developing a 3 Series crossover, which will be called V3. Back in March, we have shown you some spy photos of a BMW, which apparently could have been the 3 series crossover. At that time, we mentioned that the car in the photos might not be the actual V3, but rather a 3 series touring used to test the drivetrain.
As you can see in the computer generated images at MotorAuthority, the design looks very different. Since many times CGI's are not accurate, I wouldn't assume that these images are the "real thing".
We do agree on one thing with the guys at MA, BMW will definitely be stressing the car’s coupe characteristics just as it did with the X6, which it might turn out to be a successful model.
We can also assume that it will come with both RWD and xDrive AWD configurations, with 4 and 6 cylinder engines.
Since the launch date seems to be set for 2012, expect the final design to be approved sometimes in late '09 or even 2010.