BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and 2 Series Gran Sport Tourer.

In a strategy to bring a more radical approach to the compact segment in terms of innovation and desirability. BMW are currently working on an entirely introductory downsized luxury model for the compact segment. Spurred on by an increasing demand for downsized luxury cars and potential competitors from Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

BMW are set to introduce their 2er line in a more expansive programme emulating the larger 6er and forthcoming 4er family line to offer the customer a more sporting and exclusive option.

The key symmetrical approach for BMW would be to develop a 1er Sedan off of their new modular FWD architecture alongside a currently in development MINI sedan – aimed at increasing the potential of the … CONTINUED

We have been reporting and referring to the upcoming F32 and F82 models as the 4 Series Coupe and M4 Coupe for months now, and Automobile now comes in with their ruminations on what the M4 and 4 series lineup will bring. Although much of this is not new information, it provides a good review of what to expect for the upcoming 4 Series and M4:

4 Series Coupe (F32), 4 Series Convertible (F33), and Gran Coupe (F36)

• Coupe variant of F30 3 Series to be called 4 Series (positioned and priced in lineup just as the 6 Series Coupe is positioned in the 5/6 Series lineup)

• Four door “coupe” styled variant to be called 4 Series Gran Coupe … CONTINUED

Latest render by resident artist Harold Wood of the 2013/2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe (F06), which will debut early next year.

Latest information from homepage:

BMW has now finally officially acknowledged the model to be coming next year (US and worldwide). It will likely arrive as a 2014 model year and see its auto show debut at the 2013 NAIAS in Detroit or the 2013 Geneva show. Expect the first details of the car to be announced online by the end of this year.

The M6 Gran Coupe will be powered by the same S63Tu engine as the M5 and M6, but possibly be introduced with a bit more power than the 560hp of the M5/M6. Prototypes have been spotted testing with and benchmarked against M5s (video below). A … CONTINUED

Back in May we first confirmed that the F80 M3 and F82 M4 would be powered by an inline 6 cylinder turbo engine and indeed we’ve just received these first photos of the next gen M3/M4 engine, with visual proof of the inline cylinder setup.

The F80 M3 / F82 M4 will have some good cooling of the the heated air pumping from its turbos, via components such as the air-to-water/liquid intercooler unit (to the right of the engine cover) feeding the cylinders with cooled air. If this setup is anything like in the M5/M6 S63Tu engine, the air is cooled by this unit right before it reaches the cylinders. There appears to be twin intake boxes and the oil cooler bracket looks to be the same … CONTINUED

The 2014 F80 M3 continues prototype testing on the road and track on and around the Nurburgring. We’ve compiled this 3 minute video featuring plenty of new sights and sounds of the F80 M3 in various settings performing different maneuvers and driving action.

With its planted ride and suspension, together with plenty of power from its turbo inline 6 cylinder, the new M3 flies around the track with little body roll and suspension travel.

To reiterate our oft repeated details on the upcoming F80 M3 / F82 M4:

The F80 M3 / F82 M4 will be powered by an inline 6 cylinder engine with multiple turbochargers, pushing approximately 450 horsepower. The engine has been rumored to be an extensively reworked and reinforced N55 6-cylinder engine with a strengthened aluminium … CONTINUED

French auto magazine l’Argus strip away the 4 Series Gran Coupe prototype camouflage digitally to give us a preview of what the F36 4 series gran coupe may resemble once it is revealed. An M4 Gran Coupe may also be in the cards if the confirmed M6 Gran Coupe is any indication.

Some updated F82 M4 coupe renders from Jerry Alvarez. The white M4 coupe render now incorporates the M6/1M styled front bumper with air curtain vents recently spied on the F80 M3 sedan. Not reflected in the renders however, is an expected sleeker front fascia and headlights (compared to the F30 3 series). The F82 M4 coupe is also expected to feature a carbon fiber roof.

The F80 M3 / F82 M4 will not be constructed extensively from carbon fiber (CFRP) as some earlier reports had speculated. Because this next generation M3/M4 began development two years ago, it’s said to have been too early to take advantage of BMW’s CFRP developments with the later introduction of the BMW i cars/project. The first model (besides the i cars) … CONTINUED

The FWD 1 Series “Compactive Tourer,” – the first model in BMW’s upcoming lineup of FWD 1 series cars, will be making its world public premiere at the 2012 Paris autoshow in late September, but a purported design diagram of its rear lights has now been revealed. The FWD 1 series models ride on the UKL platform, which it will share with the upcoming MINI models. It will hit the market sometime in 2013.

Its tail lights appear to feature the floating light bar design seen in recent BMW models. The circular hole behind the light bars will house the brake light and the holes at the bottom of the lights are likely indicator and reverse bulbs.

The FWD 1-series models will join the rest of the 1-series … CONTINUED

Resident digital artist Jerry Alvarez has put together this speculative side render of the F82 M4 coupe.

Although not visible in these renders, you can expect the F82 M4 coupe to receive the same (or very similar) hood lip/bulge that we recently spotted for the first time on the F80 M3 sedan.

Also not reflected in the renders is an expected sleeker front fascia and headlights (compared to the F30 3 series). The F82 M4 coupe is also expected to feature a carbon fiber roof.

The F80 M3 / F82 M4 will not be constructed extensively from carbon fiber (CFRP) as some earlier reports had speculated. Because this next generation M3/M4 began development two years ago, it’s said to have been too early to take advantage of BMW’s CFRP … CONTINUED