New Car: 2013 BMW 6-Series M Sport Edition

BMW has made its 6 Series range more enticing, offering a new M Sport Edition model for each 6 Series coupe, convertible, and four-door Gran Coupe variant. Moderately priced over base models, the new trim level will offer a sportier appearance, more standard features, and exclusive goodies formerly only available on the M6 when it goes on sale in July.

The M Sport Edition package adds lightweight M 19-inch alloy wheels, LED adaptive headlights and foglamps, an M aerodynamics package, BMW high-gloss Shadow Line, and dark chrome-finished exhaust tips. Inside, each M Sport Edition gets an M leather steering wheel, M door sill plates, nappa leather-upholstered sports seats, head-up display, and a HiFi Professional audio system. The navigation package is also standard on M Sport Editions, and includes a 10.2-inch display and voice control functions. BMW’s Park Distance Control and rear-view camera also come standard. For 650i M Sport Edition models, Active Driving Assistance, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, as well as Side and Top View Camera systems are also included.

 Sakhir Orange metallic, a paint color originally only offered on M6 models, is optional for the M Sport Edition. Interior options from the BMW Individual program, including Merino fine grain leather in Opal white with Sakhir Orange contrast stitching, are also available. For coupe models, the M Sport Edition carries a $4800 premium with either engine choice. Opting for the M Sport Edition costs an additional $4600 over a standard convertible, and $5300 over a base Gran Coupe. Base prices, then, range from $80,625 for a 2014 BMW 640i M Sport Edition coupe to $99,225 for a 2014 BMW 650i M Sport Edition convertible. With this package, perhaps BMW can boost sales of the 6 Series, which sold 760 units in April, more than the 1 Series and Z4, but less than the 7 Series.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Spied Up Date: 2014 BMW 2-Series

What It Is: New spy shots of the BMW 2-series, which will replace the 1-series coupe and convertible, caught completely uncovered. The 2-series lineup eventually will include both body styles, and they will look less like the current rear-drive 1-series hatchback than ever before, with a unique front-end treatment. The design scheme allows BMW to place its entry-level cars into the hierarchy followed by the 5-series–based 6-series and the upcoming 3-series–based 4-series. Generally speaking (the 6-series Gran Coupe being an anomaly), sedans, wagons, and hatches will wear odd numbers, and coupes and convertibles will wear even numbers. 

No piece of sheetmetal carries over from the current 1-series coupe, but the 2-series doesn’t deviate far from its formula. It continues to be a compact, three-box two-door with rear-wheel drive and the option of powerful engines. The interior is virtually identical to that of the second-generation 1-series hatchback now being peddled outside the U.S. Only the hood for the instrument panel is different from the earlier form, being more rounded. Our photos show the M235i with the M Sport package, including unique interior trim, aggressive wheels, and meaner exterior detailing. Even though we were previously denied a version of the M135i, we’ve heard that the M235i will have a spot in BMW’s U.S.-market 2-series lineup. Base models will likely be badged 228i and come with four-cylinder power, with the M235i being the sole non-M six-cylinder 2er—there will be no regular-grade 235i. 

Why It Matters: The BMW 2-series will have the same marching orders as those of the 1-series coupe and convertible: to introduce new buyers to the brand. A more-efficient base engine will help. The top-dog 2-series will be the rip-snorting M2, but the car’s classic proportions, neat dimensions, and ostensibly sporty dynamics should entice enthusiasts even in sub-M form. 

Platform: Like the previous and current 1-series, this car is derived from BMW’s compact rear-wheel-drive platform. All-wheel drive is a distinct possibility—it’s offered on the Euro 1-series—and if BMW’s U.S. diesel expansion plans prove successful, the company could offer us a diesel 2, as well. It’s worth noting that the 1-series nameplate eventually will migrate to a front-wheel-drive model riding on the same architecture as the next-generation Mini Cooper. 

Powertrains: Engine choices for the U.S. market will be a 240-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four in the 228i, along with the N55 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six tuned to 320 horsepower in the M235i. Happily, there will be a follow-up to the awesome 1-series M coupe, and that car—the M2—will have 360 or more horsepower. It will directly target the Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG and the upcoming Audi RS3, and we definitely want it to come here. Six-speed sticks should be standard across the board; the regular-strength cars will offer a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic. The M2 could be fitted with an optional seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. 

Thanks to: Car and Driver

Unofficial Picture: 2014 BMW M5

The facelifted BMW M5 has leaked ahead of its unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, where it’ll be revealed alongside updated versions of the saloon, Touring and GT.

These images were found on an official BMW configurator and reveal a very subtly updated look, with the most obvious change being a new grille complete with double vertical slats.

There’s a subtle redesign on the inside, too, featuring the stylish three-spoke M steering wheel recently used on the BMW M6 variants. It looks as though BMW has fitted the latest iDrive controller, which now allows drivers to input letters by drawing on the top of it.

We’re expecting power to still come from the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, though it’s unknown whether it’ll stick with its 552bhp power output. Just as Mercedes has done with the new, more powerful E63 AMG S Model, BMW could add a more powerful version of the M5 to its line up, featuring around 570bhp.

Full details on the M5 and the rest of the facelifted 5 Series range will be revealed at the Frankfurt Show in September. All models are expected to go on sale in the UK early in 2014, with the M5 starting from around £75,000. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

Sneak Peek: BMW Gran Lusso Concept

BMW will unveil the Gran Lusso Coupe Pininfarina concept at the Concorso D’Eleganza later this month, possibly previewing a future return of the BMW 8 Series coupe.

All we’ve got so far are sketches and teaser shots of the concept, which has been designed in partnership with Italian styling house Pininfarina. Nevertheless, you can still make out a few trademark BMW styling cues, like the Hofmeister kink at the rear of the windowline, the short overhangs and the bold crease running the length of the car’s flanks.

The Gran Lusso Coupe is powered by the 529bhp 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 used in the flagship 760i model, and it’s likely that any production version of the Lusso would be based on the 7 Series.

It fits with BMW’s current trend of creating stylish, sporty new cars based on their existing range; the 3 Series will spawn a 4 Series coupe, the 1 Series will be made in to a 2 Series and the 5 Series coupe already exists in the 6 Series.

The original 8 Series was discontinued in 1999 and was a kind of luxury GT car featuring the same front-engined rear-wheel-drive layout as the Gran Lusso. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

Spied: 2014 Toyota Corolla

Our spy shooters once again cast their lenses upon the 2014 Toyota Corolla, giving us our third look at camouflaged versions of the future compact sedan. Though it’s covered in cladding, it’s still easy to discern styling cues from the Furia concept on this 2014 Toyota Corolla test car.

The Toyota Furia concept, shown at this year’s Detroit auto show, was said to hint at future styling direction for the Corolla. But a source told us all of the concept car’s hard points — greenhouse, C-pillar, and so on — would carry over to the production car. Sure enough, this 2014 Toyota Corolla prototype has the same sloped hood; fat, sloping C-pillar; upswept beltline and prominent character line; and stubby trunk as the Furia.

 Likewise, we see evidence to confirm one source’s promise that the 2014 Toyota Corolla would look, “as though an Avalon and a RAV4 had a baby.” This prototype’s nose has the same wide, plunging grille treatment seen on both of those Toyota models. The grille is bisected by what appears to be a body-color panel, before leading to the lower grille opening. Despite the uncovered 15-inch steel wheels, this is obviously a high-spec Corolla as it has fog lights and HID headlights.

Under the hood, the 2014 Toyota Corolla is likely to use an updated version of its current 1.8-liter inline-four engine, with transmission choices comprising a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission. Expect a significant fuel-economy bump compared to the current car’s ratings — it only manages up to 27/34 mpg (city/highway) with a manual transmission. There is also an outside possibility Toyota will introduce a Corolla hybrid with either the 1.5-liter system from the Prius c or the 1.8-liter system from the standard Prius.

The 2014 Toyota Corolla should debut later this year.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Spied: 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon

Last time we saw GM’s full-size SUVs, the camouflage looked like an ill-fitting black sweat suit. In these new spy shots, the Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, and GMC Yukon XL now sport tight-fitting swirly camo that shows off more of their physique. We’ve embedded a video showing the Chevrolet and GMC SUV prototypes at the bottom of this post.

Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban prototype headlights resemble those on the new 2014 Silverado, though the SUVs’ side marker lights appear more swept back than those on the pickup. Unlike, the 2014 Sierra pickups‘ bold center-mounted projector headlights and upper and lower LED running lights, the headlights of the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL appear to have stacked headlights, though the SUVs’ marker lights are buried beneath the camouflage. The GMC SUVs also have unique taillight graphics under clear lenses.

 While sales of full-size body-on-frame SUVs are down, GM’s big people-movers remain popular for those who need space for people and cargo (Suburban and Yukon XL) as well as towing. GM hasn’t confirmed powertrain details for the new SUVs, but we expect the volume engine to be the Silverado/Sierra’s 5.3-liter V-8 producing 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed automatic transmission. While current models are V-8 only, the 4.3-liter V-6 is now rated 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque in the half-ton pickups and could be offered for those with fuel economy in mind. The 6.2-liter will likely remain for Yukon Denali and Cadillac Escalade models.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Recall Up Date: 2013 Subaru Legacy & Outback

The Problem: On certain 2013 Outbacks and 2013 Legacys made from February 15, 2012 through June 15, 2012, the inner and outer shafts of the steering column assembly could become disengaged from one another. If the shafts do become disengaged, the driver may not be able to steer the vehicle.

The Fix: Subaru dealers will replace the steering column assembly with a new one; the recall begins this month. Owners can contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

Number of Vehicles Potentially Affected: 5379 Subaru Legacys and Subaru Outbacks from the 2013 model year.

Thanks to: Motor Trend