The latest issue of EVO magazine features the EVO Car of the Year feature. The BMW M135i makes the short list of great cars under consideration.

The results are as follows (from best to worst), according to EVO:

1) Pagani Huayra
1) Lotus Exige V6 (tie)
3) Porsche Boxster S
4) Mclaren MP4-12C
5) Porsche 911 Carrera
6) BMW M135i (8 speed auto)

Other contenders that didn’t make the final shootout:

Mercedes C63 AMG Black
Alpina B3 GT3
Morgan 3 Wheeler
Toyota GT 86

The BMW Group continued to perform successfully during the period under report despite difficult market conditions. Sales volume, revenues and earnings figures all constituted new highs to date for a third quarter. Revenues during the three-month period from July to September rose by 13.7% to € 18,817 million (2011: € 16,547 million). The profit before financial result (EBIT) increased by 13.8% to € 2,004 million (2011: € 1,761 million). Third-quarter profit before tax (EBT) improved by 17.6% to € 1,987 million (2011: € 1,689 million). Net profit for the period came in 16.0% higher at € 1,289 million (2011: € 1,111 million). The total number of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles delivered to customers during the third quarter increased by 9.0% to 434,963 units … CONTINUED

The last time we posted photos of the FWD 1 Series GT in testing, it was nearly a year before the debut of the BMW Concept Active Tourer [official info] at the recent 2012 Paris auto show.

Here, we see it with less camouflage than ever and although some fairly heavy and tricky camouflage remains, one can look to the concept model [photos below] for a very good idea of what the production model will look like. BMW has a strong track record of keeping production models very close to the concept versions.

We expect that the 1 Series GT models may come with 3 cylinder, hybrid 3 cylinder, and possibly also a 4 cylinder powertrain options. The plug-in hybrid eDrive system on the concept model pairs … CONTINUED

Check out the sights and sounds (video included) from the Summer’s last Street Culture Nürnberg XXXLutz car show held last month.

The M Flight club also had a good turnout with lots of M cars up on the top floor of the parkhaus.

Enjoy the photos from our moderator, Dackelone (David).

BMW is putting huge effort in launching a revolutionary, new “three” [full technical details inside]. Before you get too excited, let’s be clear that what we are talking about is not the next generation of the quintesssential sports sedan. The “three” refers to the entry-level iteration of BMW’s new, modular engine family. In the quest to modernize its engine portfolio and achieve maximum economies of scale, Munich is launching closely related three-, four- and six-cylinder engines for diesel and gasoline applications.

There is a lot of good news hidden here. For one thing, BMW won’t need to co-operate with PSA Peugeot and Citroen anymore to fulfill its engine needs in the compact segment. Secondly, the vast economies of scale mean that BMW can optimize its cost … CONTINUED

If resident BMW insider Scott26 is correct, the upcoming 1 Series FWD BMW model lineup will be available with M Sport packages.

Although the FWD models will be front-wheel driven, BMW has sporty intentions with the lineup; something we don’t doubt judging by how well MINIs (with which the FWD 1 Series models will share the UKL platform) handle and perform. Offering M Sport packages for the FWD BMW models will serve to enhance the sportiness (in looks, and perhaps performance) of the future front wheel drive range of cars.

Here are some speculative renders by resident digital artist Harold Wood of the BMW Concept Active Tourer (CAT) FWD electric hybrid in M Sport trim.

Think there are a lot of 1 Series in Taiwan? If you didn’t, this should change your mind. This recent meet saw over sixty 1 Series in attendance, with twenty of them being 1M coupes, which would be impressive even in a big BMW market like the US or Germany.

Check out the event videos and photos.

The BMW Group experienced growth in many regions around the world in September and achieved another record month in sales. With 177,716 (prev. yr. 159,223) BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand automobiles delivered worldwide, sales were 11.6% higher than in the same month last year. It was also the best first nine months for the company, with sales up 8.3% compared to the same period last year. A total of 1,335,502 BMW Group vehicles were delivered during this time (prev. yr. 1,232,619).

Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing BMW: “We made solid gains in many of our markets last month and were once again able to achieve record sales in September, despite the difficult environment in some European … CONTINUED

Deliveries have now begun for the BMW M135i, the company’s first gasoline powered model in the M Performance Automobile lineup. Congrats to 1ADDICTS member washy for being one of the first lucky owners and our site’s very first owner of the M135i.

Check out some initial photos inside from the excited new owner.