The age of “gamification” has come, and BMW Group Financial Services is bringing this social nuance to its customer base of nearly 1 million individuals. Beginning with the development of a new and unique mobile and social experience, “The Ultimate Drive,” is a social navigation mobile app that allows users to not only discover the best roads to drive in over 50 countries, but to rank, comment and share those roads via Facebook, email or other GPS devices. Future versions will integrate the ability for BMW Financial Service customers to gain points and achieve high rankings. As the first automotive channel, and specifically captive finance organization, to create a branded social navigation tool, BMW Group Financial Services defines itself as a consistent touch point with customers, … CONTINUED

As the E90 3-series’ production comes to an end this October, attention has already been shifting to the next generation F30 3-series sedan. Here, BMW continues testing of the next generation 3-series (F30) sedan. It seems that the amount of camouflage has remained at this level for a while now, but new colors continue to appear on the FEP prototypes.

The F30 3 series spied here looks to be in Deep Sea Blue Metallic or the new Midnight Blue color introduced on the F20 1-series hatchback. This new wheel design has been spotted multiple times on F30 prototypes, so we expect it to be the premium 19″ wheel option.

F30 begins production in November 2011. The 2012 Model Year will run until June 2012, upon which point it … CONTINUED

A new BMW brake pad package shows the appearance of a new model - “M550dX”. This new F10 model could feature the long rumored tri-turbo diesel engine. According to Scott26 (quoted below), it’s going to be an all new engine and will be available on all BMW models in the upper segments by next year.

It’s not an F10 M5 with a diesel motor as some claim, but will be a stand-alone F10 model like the M5 (maybe with M badge?). It will have its own look with a specific aerodynamic kit.

BMW M5 diesel, F10 M5 diesel

BMWs are already considered some of the safest autos available, but the company is constantly developing new ways to make their vehicles even safer.

Current models already take advantage of new technologies such as side view cameras, lane departure warning system, and active crash protection system. The video below previews some of the future BMW safety features, including:

Left Turn Assistant
Intersection Assistant
Local Hazard Warning
Emergency Vehicle Warning
Traffic Light Assistant
End of Congestion Signal

See them in action below.

The upcoming 6-series Gran Coupe has now been spotted out in M-sport form. The elegant four-door coupe will share the same M-sport kit as the 6-series coupe (recently spotted) and the convertible - with more aggressive front bumper, sideskirts, and rear bumper/diffuser.

Current expectation is for the Gran Coupe to hit showrooms in 2012 as a 2013 Model Year vehicle. Engine range is expected to be identical to the 6-Series Coupe.

The BMW i3 and i8 concepts have been revealed online, but BMW i is not done. According to Scott26, the BMW i4 and BMW i5 are the next models to come out from BMW i.

The BMW i4 will be based on i3 technology, but fit into a small two seater sports car (think smaller and more affordable i8). The BMW i5 will be a mid-sized four door coupe/sedan, using the power train from the BMW i8. Concept versions will come sometime after the 2013 launch of the i3 and 2014 launch of the i8, but actual production is not expected until closer to the end of the decade.

Autogespot has put together a beautifully produced video and photoshoot featuring the BMW 1M coupe, wearing Valencia Orange. Check out the 1M eye candy inside.

This may not be the very first 3-series to M3 conversion we’ve had on BIMMERPOST, but M3 conversions are always unique and interesting to see. This particular build features a beautiful custom Ferrari Girigio Silverstone paint and several other custom touches. It was recently featured in BMW Performance Magazine, so check out the build details and photos inside.

Palbay does it again and catches the first good real life photos of the new M Sport 650i Coupe. The car looks unreal in these photos and palbay was good enough to get the car at all angles