Autoblog

Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 1 Series three-door caught in Munich

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Europe, Hatchback, BMW

2012 BMW 1 Series three-door - Click above for high-res image gallery

The next-generation BMW 1 Series three-door has been spotted again, this time on the streets of its hometown in Munich, Germany. Despite the swirlies covering all its details, it's clear that the basic shape, size and proportions of the new iteration aren't going to change much from the current model, which has never been offered in North America. We Yanks have only had the fortune of sampling the 1 Series in coupe and convertible form, though no one's complaining.

The headlamp clusters on this three-door 1 Series prototype appear to be sloped back and stretched along the top of the fender line like those on the new 5 Series. Similarly, the wider grille has been pushed forward to be flush with the bumper line below it. The profile shot also indicates that the hood now features the increasingly familiar clam-shell with side cut-lines and a higher arc to provide improved pedestrian protection.

Judging by the hood-to-cabin proportion of this prototype, it's also safe to say that the next 1 Series has not been converted to front-wheel drive (even though 80 percent of owners already think it is FWD) as BMW has indicated it might do with future smaller models. We expect the new 1 Series will debut sometime next year as a 2012 model, and until that time we have the high-performance 1 Series M Coupe to look forward to.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 1 Series hatchback

[Source: Carpix]

Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 1 Series three-door caught in Munich originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 1 Series five-door caught with rumored turbo'd four

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:26:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, BMW

2012 BMW 1 Series spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

The big BMW 1 Series news is the upcoming M-badged coupe, but we mustn't forget that an all-new 1er is currently in development. Our spies have just recently snapped this five-door model testing, concealing what could be a highly anticipated turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Sources suggest this new four-pot could be a new tri-turbo setup, meaning the 1 Series would still be plenty powerful and could replace the naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-six currently used in 128i models. Additionally, we won't rule out the possibility that BMW is testing the new N55 twin-scroll single-turbo for use in the 1 Series, since that mill seems to quickly be replacing the current twin-turbo 3.0-liter setup.

Expect the next-generation 1 Series to hit the road sometime in 2012. With that in mind, a debut at next year's Geneva Motor Show doesn't seem out of the question.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 1 Series Five-Door

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 1 Series five-door caught with rumored turbo'd four originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: BMW 3 Series Touring closer to hauling into showrooms

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 25 May 2010 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Wagon, BMW

BMW 3 Series Touring spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 3 Series is perhaps the most important vehicle in BMW's lineup, and though the automaker has given it a few minor tweaks for the 2011 model year (fascia nip/tuck, new N55 single-turbo mill), an all-new version is in the works for 2012. We've seen photos of the next-generation sedan all covered in BMW's signature swirly paper, but our spies have just caught the ~~wagon~~ Touring version of the new 3er roaming around European streets, as well. Aside from the obvious addition of a more capacious boot, not much should differ between the 3 Series sedan and wagon when it hits showrooms, which figures to feature a range of new engines and a design more akin to that of the F10 5 Series and new Z4.

We're sure that the new 3 Series Touring will fare well in European markets, but it's unclear how the wagon will be received here in the States, especially since BMW is rumored to be working on a 3 Series Gran Turismo - similar to the 5 Series GT that launched earlier this year. However, the 5GT's slow initial sales numbers may cause BMW to rethink its product planning, and the new 3 wagon will be perfectly poised to do battle with the likes of the Audi A4 Avant and Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, as well as the new TSX Sport Wagon from Acura which will be arriving in early 2011.

No word yet on when we'll see the production version of the next-generation 3 Series, though we certainly won't rule out a possible debut at this year's Paris Motor Show. For now, click through the gallery below to see the 3 Series Touring showing off its new rump.

Gallery: Spy Shots: BMW 3 Series Touring

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: BMW 3 Series Touring closer to hauling into showrooms originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 May 2010 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hotted-up BMW X6 prototype spotted in Brooklyn - Next M?

Dan Roth — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, BMW, Specialty

You can see all sorts of things in Manhattan's boroughs, but camouflaged automaker mules aren't common. At least BMW's crazy whirl-filled disguise stands a chance of escaping notice in the hustle and bustle. GMInsideNews forum member GeneralMischief didn't walk by this extra-sinister X6 without realizing that something wicked is going on. Cameraphone shots of the exterior are all we have to go on at this point, but the conspicuous location of camo - on the front and rear fascias and on the front quarter panels - hints that an X6-M is in store.

The X6 XDrive 50i already has an M-division feel about it, with a 400 horsepower turbo V8 wallop and accompanying raucous exhaust note. Our imaginations reel with the thought of the M5's spectacular V10 finding its way into the X6's engine bay, but that's probably not going to happen. Most likely is a boost tweak for more power, revised suspension tuning, and more aggressive - yet still understated - bodywork. When it's a BMW wearing M badges, it's safe to assume power delivery akin to a solid rocket booster, backed up by handling that will make the X6's avoirdupois dance more gracefully than it already does. Maybe they will find a way to fix the V8's flinty ride while they're at it.

Gallery: X6 M-version

[Source: GMInsideNews Photos: GeneralMischief]

Hotted-up BMW X6 prototype spotted in Brooklyn - Next M? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2011 BMW 6-Series Cabrio getting swirly-whirly

Noah Joseph — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Coupe, BMW

In its 93 year history, BMW has only produced two generations of the 6-Series: the original from 1976 to 1989, and the current model introduced in 2003. But these days a product cycle over five years is growing long in the proverbial tooth, so the Bavarian automaker is preparing to launch the third-generation 6 by 2011.

Although it is hard to tell much from the spy shots of this heavily disguised test mule, the 2011 6-Series is expected to follow the same form as the current model, although like the new 7-Series and Z4 roadster, it will feature toned-down styling to minimize the controversial "flame surfacing" technique and the so-called "Bangle Butt" that characterizes the current model.

While this convertible test mule appears to be wearing a soft-top, sources point out that the new 6 is expected to go with a folding hard hat in its next iteration (remember that mules for the original Z4 were initially spied wearing a faux canvas roof, only to have the production car carry a retractable hard-top,). It is too early to tell if that means that a hard-top convertible will be the only version offered, but given that the two-door 3 Series is offered in both coupe and cabrio bodystyles, our money is on the 6 Series continuing down both paths.

[Source: CarScoop]

Spy Shots: 2011 BMW 6-Series Cabrio getting swirly-whirly originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: BMW 3-Series facelift

Dan Roth — Sat, 31 May 2008 10:07:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Europe, BMW

For those fond of delving deep into E90 minutiae, these are the best shots yet showing off the subtle changes coming to the BMW 3-series. For the rest of us, the tweaks are largely inconsequential. World Car Fans has unearthed some of the clearest shots yet, and the change that most people will notice are the taillamps, which look to get a slightly different shape. It even appears that the cutlines between the taillamp pieces on the trunklid won't line up with the rest of the cluster mounted in the quarter panel - asymmetry. The mirrors look to gain large repeaters for the blinkers, possibly just a camouflage ruse, and minor updates likely go on inside and underhood, too. Also likely to be quite noticeable once the wraps come off is a reshaped front fascia, which appears to place foglamps next to the license plate. Overall, a mild refreshing until a new 3-series can be whipped up. In the meantime, the new 7 will set the template for BMWs to come.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Spy Shots: BMW 3-Series facelift originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 May 2008 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Next-gen BMW 7-Series showing almost everything

Dan Roth — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Europe, BMW

BMW's current E65/66 7-Series has been roundly bashed since its introduction in 2002, and it's creeping up on retirement. Whether it was deserving of all the uproar or not is down to taste, but following up the classically styled E38 while also making a turn toward a new ethos is a 1-2 punch of controversy. BMW's finally grown into its flame surfacing, and the 2009 7-Series has been nabbed in its peculiar paisley camouflage.

Overhangs are still short like on the current car, and it looks like the headlamps might possibly be 5-Series inspired. Things are conservative and clean down the flanks, and we think it's handsome. The bustle trunk of the current 7 has been one of the biggest bones of contention, and from what we can make out, it's been treated to significant rhinoplasty. We'll have to wait and see, but we sincerely hope the unmasked car's taillights don't bear the same resemblance to a 2002 Maxima that we're seeing in the spy shots. Squinting and ignoring the black tape has us predicting that 2009 will be the year the BMW 7-Series gets is sexy back, even if they graft Trabant blinkers to its tukas.

[Source: Motive Mag, Photo: Auto Zeitung]

Spy Shots: Next-gen BMW 7-Series showing almost everything originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: BMW V-Class

Chris Tutor — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 15:04:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Minivan/Van, BMW

Winding Road has photos of what they say is BMW's new V-Series crossover. Expected to be built on the 5-series platform, the V-Sseries is rumored to be BMW's attempt to give buyers more interior space than the new X6, but more comfort and sportiness than the X5.

Engine choices should be similar to the 5-Series, with a 3.0L I-6 on the low end and, possibly, the 500i's 420 HP V8 on the top of the line V-Series. In between those two extremes could easily slot another I-6 and even one of BMW's diesel powerplants. All-wheel drive is another rumored option.

Chances the V will come here may well depend on U.S. reaction to the X6, which shares some lines and characteristics with the V. But if anyone has the ability to sell a minivan-like crossover here, it's BMW.

Check out Winding Road for more spy shots of this highly-disguised, baby-hauling BMW.

[Source: Winding Road]

Spy Shots: BMW V-Class originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Sep 2007 15:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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