Have a first look at some of the M Performance Parts for the F10 M5 and M6. These includes (but are not limited to), the Performance Grilles, Carbon Fiber Exhaust Tips, Trunk Carbon Fiber Spoiler, OLED M Performance Steering Wheel, Carbon Gear Stick, Carbon Central Console Trim, LED Black Line Tail Lights, and Akrapovic M Performance Exhaust.

We’ll bring you more details and the full official catalog soon.

We recently posted the official launch drive event pics of the BMW X5 from on-location in Vancouver, now have a look at our photos. Our X5 review is in the works.

These are the xDrive50i and xDrive35d models. The xDrive50i is seen in Black Sapphire Metallic and Mineral White, while the xDrie35d wears Space Gray paint. The Black Sapphire X5 is outfitted with the xLine package (more details on package).

Specs for each are as follows:

xDrive50i
4.4L V8 (N63Tu)
445 hp between 5500-6000 RPM / 480 lb-ft torque @ 2000-4500 RPM
0-60 mph: 4.9 sec (0.4 sec faster than … CONTINUED

The BMW i8 made its splash onto the stage during the BMW press conference at the 2013 Frankfurt IAA show in Protonic Blue, but there were several more colors on hand at the show.

Check out the i8 in Crystal White, Ionic Silver and Sophisto Grey. These four colors round out the initial colors available for the i8, which hits US showrooms in Spring 2014 at a starting price of $135,700 (plus destination and handling).

To recap, the BMW i8 is a 2+2-seater hybrid electric sports car capable of generating 266 kW / 362 hp (max. torque: 570 Nm / 420 lb-ft) and covering 0 – 100 km/h / 62 mph in 4.4 seconds, combined with fuel economy of: EU fuel consumption: 2.5 litres per 100 km … CONTINUED

The long rumored 2 Series Gran Coupe has yet to be spotted in testing, but we’d be highly surprised if BMW did not go after the CLA and A3 sedan with its own small sports sedan. The company is seemingly entering all niches in which its German competitors have offerings, even niches with much smaller sales potential than the small sedan space, so we expect to see a 2 Series “Gran Coupe” sedan after the Coupe and Convertible 2 Series are released. Artist Theophilus Chin has rendered what he thinks the 2 Series Gran Coupe may resemble, drawing heavily upon the nearly fully uncovered M235i Coupe we showed you four months ago.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe would be a 4 door version of the Coupe … CONTINUED

Alpina has just pulled off the wraps on its F30 D3 at the 2013 Frankfurt show after showcasing its F30 B3 at the Geneva show earlier this year. The next model up for the company will be the B4 Coupe Bi-Turbo.

Should the B4 Coupe Bi-Turbo come with the same powerplant as the B3, we will see it put down 410 HP / 443 LB-FT from a twin turbo inline 6 motor.

Thankfully, per usual, Alpina takes the understated and subtle approach for its cosmetic upgrades to the 4 Series, with a small front lip spoiler, color matched air breather vent trim, classic 21 spoke Alpina wheels, trunk spoiler, rear diffuser, lower suspension and quad exhaust tips.

Look for the Alpina B4 to make its debut at the … CONTINUED

Are there any M versions of i cars in the pipeline? No, according to Cypselus von Frakenberg, BMW Group head of technology communications. Speaking at the Frankfurt IAA show, Mr. Frankenberg says that not only was there zero input from M engineers in the development of the i8, but there will be no M version in the future. In his words:

“It is separate – M and i,” he begins. “It’s two different sub-brands, but there will be no ‘M’ i-car in the future.

“These [M] are the high performance cars with combustion engines, and on the other side you have the ‘i’ cars with electric drive. They won’t come together.

“I don’t think that it would make sense to mix these two sub-brands in one car. We … CONTINUED

We have added a video of a black F80 M3 sedan advanced prototype out on the highway.

Augusto Farfus (BR) is back on the top step of the podium: the BMW Team RBM driver produced a flawless race in Oschersleben (DE) to win the eighth race of the DTM season, coming home 6.298 seconds ahead of Mike Rockenfeller (DE, Audi). The 30-year-old laid the foundations for his victory at the start, when he got away cleanly from second on the grid to pass Jamie Green (GB, Audi) and take the lead by the time he reached the first corner. It was the 57th win for BMW Motorsport in the DTM and the 49th for the BMW M3. Farfus celebrated his third victory in the popular touring car series, and his second of the season.

In the Drivers’ Championship, Farfus moves up to second … CONTINUED

We have updated our photo gallery of the BMW i3 electric car, and added a video showing an on-board lap in the i3 as it goes around the track that’s been erected at the BMW Display at the Frankfurt IAA 2013.