Over the past four days BMW has been wining and dining the lucky recipients of sales awards (including site sponsor Ryan Amico of Steve Thomas BMW) at the BMW Sales Award 2011 event. The F12/F13 M6 convertible and coupe were on hand as well as the F10 M5.

This represents the first showing of the F12 M6 convertible, which will make its auto show debut next week at the 2012 NYIAS. Hotlap rides were given in the F10 M5.

Check out the event photos inside.

As an official sponsor of London 2012, BMW has been inspired to develop a new technology helping customers to boost their fitness in the run up to the Games.

The new driverless Running Coach feature uses a combination of ConnectedDrive technologies and surround view cameras to enable the car to follow the runner, at a safe distance, while pounding the pavement. To help with motivation, integrated exterior speakers play encouraging words while the Lock Out Logistics feature makes sure that any distance set is completed without cheating.

Alvin Alaff, Head of Futile Innovations at BMW’s renowned Forschungs und Innovationszentrum, said “It’s a car gym but not as we know it.”

The introduction of the driverless Running Coach follows the critically acclaimed success of the BMW M3 Royal Edition, built … CONTINUED

The just unveiled BMW i8 Concept Spyder naturally calls for a comparison to its open-air sibling. It’s an interesting comparison for several reasons. Seeing both concepts shows the differences between both cars/concepts but also shows some progress BMW has made in the development of the Concept i8. At first sight, the i8 Spyder looks even more focused and ‘mean’ than the i8 Coupe. Part of the reason for this is that the i8 Spyder is 15 cm or 6 inches shorter than the i8 Coupe (see full specs below). Being an open top car however results in a weight disadvantage of 150 kg or 330 lbs.

Both the i8 Coupe and the i8 Spyder have gullwing/butterfly doors, and both will retain this for series production (as seen … CONTINUED