Spy Shots: New BMW X1 Switches to FWD Platform and Gains 3-Cylinder Engines

The closer BMW edges to being a…Volkswagen brand of this world instead of an exclusively premium manufacturer, the more mainstream some of its products become, and you can see this from the designs to the expansion into popular segments and the adoption of front-wheel drive platforms for models like the X1.

Truth to be told, from a mainstream buyer's perspective, it makes a lot of sense for smaller SUVs and crossovers that won't necessarily be ordered with all-wheel drive to come with a front-wheel drive layout as this solution offers reduced costs, increased fuel economy, less weight and more driver-friendly handling.

As such, the second generation X1, expected to be revealed at next year's Frankfurt Motor Show, will abandon the current model's older (E91) 3-Series Touring's platform with RWD and AWD, switching to the BMW Group's UKL1 architecture shared with the new Mini models like the hatch, which utilizes transversely mounted engines powering the front- or optionally, all-four wheels.

For its motivation, the X1 will also share the same engine lineup with the new Mini range, comprising 1.5-liter three-cylinder and 2.0-liter four-cylinder mills, all turbocharged. Unlike the current model, the new X1 will not be available with six-cylinder engines.

The competition for the X1 when it hits the market in 2016 will include the Mercedes-Benz GLA and Audi Q3, both of which will be offered in the States this year. 

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS

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Spied: New BMW 7-Series Sedan Coming Next Year

Before we get into details about the new G11-codenamed BMW 7-Series, allow us to make a correction noting that, as some of you rightfully pointed out, the prototype model we scooped last November and mistakenly believed to be the 5-Series replacement, was indeed the new 7-Series with the regular wheelbase. The Touring model, however, was the 5-Series.

What can we say; without a tape measure, it’s not always easy these days to separate same body-style offerings from German luxury brands and being on a trailer doesn’t help either…

With that out of the way, let's see what BMW's new breed of luxury is bringing on to the table. From these photos, the new 7-Series appears to continue the much welcome downward trend in bulkiness that began with the current F01.

The G11 will not only be slimmer to the eye, but to the scales as well, since it will be the first regular BMW after the i3 hatchback and i8 hybrid sports coupe to adopt the use of carbon fiber along with aluminum and steel in its construction, dramatically cutting down in weight over the current version.

Combine that with a new suit of technologies and revised powertrains, and the 7-Series will offer significant reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures.

Besides the usual array of turbocharged straight-six, V8 and V12 engines, we hear that BMW may follow Mercedes' and Audi's lead offering a force-fed 4-cylinder unit at the bottom of the range – possibly a hybrid powertrain. BMW officials are also warming up to an M7, which if realized, will be the first in the model's four-decade long history.

The new G11 7-Series should break cover at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show in Germany.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS

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Spied: New BMW M4 Convertible Chilling Out in Sweden

If you prefer an open top experience with an M4, BMW will soon have just the thing for you with the hardtop convertible version of the high-performance series, which was spied here while taking a rest from cold weather testing in Sweden.

You may lose the carbon-fiber roof and gain more than 200kg (440 pounds) in the process (FYI the 435i Coupe weighs 1,585 kg / 3,494 lbs while the 435i Convertible 1,815 kg / 4,001 lbs), but look at it from the bright side; you'll be able to enjoy the summer sun at a touch of a button in just 22 seconds.

Other than that, the M4 Convertible will benefit from the same mechanical and styling revisions as the M4 Coupe, including, of course, BMW's new 3.0-liter straight-six turbo that delivers 425hp (431PS) and 550Nm (406 lb-ft).

Channeling drive to the rear wheels will be a standard six-speed manual gearbox, but more tech-orientated buyers will be able to pick an optional seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (DCT) with remote paddle shifters.

Prices for the M4 Convertible should command a premium over the Coupe edition.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS

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BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe Shows its Two Other Doors in New Rendering

You can now get so many variants of the 3-Series that traditional BMW buyers and drivers are left dazed and confused when confronted with the current lineup. They have tried to mix things up a bit by calling the two-door version the 4-Series, but now it’s all becoming rather jumbled with the upcoming 4-Series Gran Coupe, seen here in rendered form courtesy of IndianAutosBlog (IAB).

As you’d expect, it’s the front and rear sections of the new coupe from BMW, with the middle that strongly hints at the larger 6-Series Gran Coupe.

This rendering is based on IAB's information that it won’t be receiving an extended wheelbase over the two-door, with the engineers reportedly resorting to shortening the doors so as to be able to fit four of them where only two were needed before. That sounds like a big compromise in regards to its practicality…

However, that's not what we've heard, as our intel says that the 4-Series Gran Coupe will ride on the 3-Series GT's extended wheelbase, which at 2,920mm (115 inches) is a 110mm longer than that of the 3-Series sedan (2,810mm or 110.6 inches).

If you ask me, it does look good and sleek in the photos below, but it’s still just as pointless as when they first announced they were going to do it.

By Andrei Nedelea

Story References: Indianautosblog

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BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe Patent Drawing Pops to Life with Colors

If the grey-scale patent drawings of the upcoming BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe that we shared with you on Thursday left you wanting more, then perhaps this colored version (complete with wheels and courtesy of Autofans) of one of the profile images can help you form a better picture of the Bavarian brand's four-door coupe.

We have nothing new to add in the way of information at this point, as BMW isn't talking about the car, but we should learn more in the coming months, since the 4-Series Gran Coupe is scheduled to debut at an international auto show sometime next year.

The 3-Series-based saloon with the 4-Series-esque look will be the sixth globally available body style of BMW's extended range of compact executive models after the 3-Series sedan, Touring and Gran Turismo, and 4-Series Coupe and Convertible.

Story References: Autofans

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New BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe Outlined in Purportedly Official Patent Drawings

Recently published patent illustrations sourced from China are giving us a fresh look at the upcoming production version of the BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe, which will carve a new niche in the brand's compact executive car offerings sitting just above the 3-Series.

Depending on which way you view this segment, the Gran Coupe is a four-door version of the new 4-Series Coupe or a sportier looking and handling edition of the 3-Series saloon that rides on a longer wheelbase length than either model.

The 4-Series Gran Coupe's closest competitor is the Audi A5 Sportback, but unlike Ingolstadt's model, the BMW will be available in North America where it will launch with a similar engine lineup to the 4-Series, so expect a 4-cylinder 428i and a six-cylinder 435i, both turbocharged, while Europe will likely get diesels as well.

Story References: Autohome via F30 Post

Thanks to Justin for the heads up!

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New BMW M4 Spotted in the Wild in Silverstone Finish

BMW chose to launch the all-new M4 coupe in the same shade of light yellowish gold that made the E46 M3 such a standout car back in the day. It’s a nice color but, at least for me, it would not be near the top of the choices list for this particular vehicle.

It’s still a really new model so there are hardly any out on the road yet (even standard 4-Series are still rare), so this Silverstone Metallic one snapped up by reader Sebastian for Bimmertoday, shows an alternative hue.

If you ask me, the color itself is okay, but it’s still not a top choice for the car, especially on such a dim and overcast day like the one it was photographed on, and not with the darker contrasting wheels.

The beige leather interior with no wood trim does redeem it a bit, though.

Scroll down and check it out after the virtual jump, where the gallery awaits.

By Andrei Nedelea

Photos via Bimmertoday

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