We haven’t spotted the F82 M4 Coupe at the Nurburgring since July, when the F82 was spied for the very first time in public testing. Well, it’s now back at the Ring during an onslaught of BMW prototype testing in the past week, including the F80 M3, F82 M4, F36 4 Series Gran Coupe, F15 X5 M, 3 Series GT, and the M6 Gran Coupe.

Below are the most recent photos and a video of the F82 M4 in testing at the Nurburgring, as well as a recap of what’s known and speculated about the next gen M3/M4 thus far.

SUMMARY

Lighter than current M3
targeting E46 M3 weight (source)
More powerful than … CONTINUED

Apple recently released its iPhone 5 and with it came a change to its connector from the previous 30-pin to the new 8-pin ‘Lightning’ connector.

This change unfortunately means that the new iPhone will no longer work with BMW’s current iPhone snap-in-adapters. So when can we expect the the new adapters for the iPhone 5 from BMW?

We’ve learned that BMW has already started work on the snap-in-adapters for the newest iPhone. The changes however, are said to be quite complex (due to the new connector) and development will therefore require some months to complete. The changes are not as easy as one may think. For example, the iPhone/iPod Out function requires the video D/A converter circuitry to be integrated into the actual snap-in adapter, which will naturally … CONTINUED

Here’s a fun matchup. Watch as the BMW F10 M5 drags against the Tesla Model S to 100MPH. Here are their specs on paper:

Tesla Model S - 443 lb-ft torque @ 0-5100rpm, RWD, 0-60mph 4.4s (factory quoted), 4,647 lbs
F10 M5 - 502 lb-ft torque @ 1500-6560rpm, RWD, 0-62mph 4.4s (factory quoted), 4,288 lbs

The race is a close one and many variables shift the advantage to the Tesla S in such a race. For one, the race is only to 100MPH. Although the Tesla is heavier, it gets full torque to the wheels instantly. You can see the M5 catching up and about to pass at the 100MPH mark, resulting in it winning 1 of the 3 races. If this … CONTINUED

It’s the start of a big testing week for BMW at the Nurburgring, where we’ve just spied the next generation BMW X5 M (F15) in testing. Check out the photos inside. Expect the X5M as a 2015 model year.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe (F36) has now taken its development to the Nurburgring for some high speed performance testing. It’s the first we’ve seen of the prototype on the Ring, as well as being fitted with M Sport Brakes.

As always, don’t worry about the headlights and tail lights of the prototypes at this stage of testing. They are merely fakes for testing purposes. Expect the 4GC to share the lights with the rest of the upcoming 4 Series lineup.

Codenamed as the F36, the 4 Series Gran Coupe will be positioned and priced in the 3/4 Series lineup just as the 6 Series Gran Coupe is positioned in the 5/6 Series lineup (in between the coupe and convertible models). [See our recent article previewing the future … CONTINUED

Check out how the BMW M Performance exhaust for the F30 335i sounds in these videos from startup, idle, and revving at stop.

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

Here is the first BMW Individual Frozen Brilliant White M3 delivered to an M3POST member. Lucky owner PrimoM3 recently took delivery of it in Munich (via European Delivery).

It’s already on its way over the Atlantic towards its final home in California and upon arriving will be treated to some modifications immediately, in the form of edition black kidney, side grilles and BMW M Performance exhaust. Check out the photos inside.

Here is a preview illustration of the upcoming 2 Series Coupe, courtesy of our resident BMW ‘insider.’ The 2 Series Coupe will replace the current 1 Series Coupe in the BMW lineup as the entry level sports coupe. It’s expected to debut in 2013. Per Scott26:

With the forthcoming separation of the BMW Compact segment family to accommodate each equal family such as the UKL/Next generation 1 Series , the current 1 Series and the all new 2 Series family are distant in looks and purpose.

The 2 Series maintains the ability of a RWD drivetrain and the benefits of an entry sports coupe. The renaming of the current 1 Series Coupe and Cabrio allows BMW to expand on the model line by resorting back … CONTINUED