BMW maintains that the sometimes maligned 5-Series GT is a good seller despite the public perception, so much so that a scaled down 3-Series iteration has been under development for some time. Now it seems the development of this car is nearing the point of public release and so BMW has dropped the typical body cladding and now only covers the car up in a minimal amount of camouflage tape.
While the general shape of this car has been known to follow the 5-Series GT lines, what … CONTINUED
A month ago, a new BMW prototype was spied for the first time. At the time, given its fastback shape and substantial similarities to the 3 Series GT (3GT) prototypes we’ve been spying for months, we deemed it to be a 3GT with some camouflage removed or altered. But, the prototype has been spotted again and the additional looks at the prototype have us convinced that it is indeed the F36 4 Series Gran Coupe (4GC) being tested.
Here’s a brief analysis of the clear differences between … CONTINUED
A 2014 M3 test prototype resumed testing at the Nurburgring yesterday and the strip tease continued by way of a possible (or intended) camouflage malfunction. Here’s what we see.
Air Curtains
By coincidence (?), the passenger side lower front bumper camouflage was flapped open during the test runs, revealing and confirming the air curtain vents on the F80. Whether the camouflage was peeled back to feed air to the air curtains for testing purposes, resulted from a camouflage malfunction, or was purposely peeled back to tease us, matters … CONTINUED
The 2014 F80 M3 prototype continues hot climate testing in Spain and we continue getting more live looks and listen at the next generation M3 sedan.
Our new video provides a good listen at the M3 prototype accelerating from a stop, though it’s obviously not a full out acceleration run. For full throttle acceleration at speed, see the previously posted M3 and M4 prototype videos from Nurburgring testing, copied below. We also hear the car’s startup for the first time. One thing’s for sure – there will … CONTINUED
BMW continues testing of the 2014 F15 X5 and we’ve just spied a prototype exposing the standard model bumper. The previous model spied (pics below) featured large intakes, likely from the M Sport or X5 M, but this test mule gives us the first look at the standard F15 X5′s front apron design.
It’s also the first time we see that the F15 X5 will feature integrated air curtain vents in its bumper design. Those who are not fans of the hood cutlines (separated from the kidney … CONTINUED
The Alpina F30 B3 has started development and we’ve got the first sighting of the prototype. The B3 test mule (based on the F30 335i) provides a good preview of the external styling to expect on the F30 B3, with its Alpina front lip spoiler, aggressive trunk spoiler, quad exhaust, and of course Alpina wheels. It appears that Alpina has now changed the front lip spoiler design from its original preview render. The production version is likely to feature a special exterior color as in past … CONTINUED
The 2014 M3 (F80) prototype which was spotted in Los Angeles this past weekend has made its way into the California Mojave Desert’s Death Valley for high temperature testing.
With high temperature testing always comes the removal of some front end camouflage, necessary to increase the prototypes’ air intake and cooling; which makes us the indirect beneficiaries of ever better looks at an exposed front end.
Yesterday’s F80 M3 spy pics (some copied below) gave us the best idea yet of the lines and shape of the front … CONTINUED
The F80 M3 sedan is coming together visually bit by bit with each new sighting of the development mules, and it’s looking sportier by the spotting.
We recently brought you the first look at the F80 M3 hood bulge, and now we share with you the first glimpse of the F80 M3′s front end styling, which will feature an aggressive design much like the 2013 M6′s very attractive front fascia, with a pinch of 1M styling thrown in.
Although still covered in a cloth covering, the shapes and … CONTINUED
The F34 3 Series GT (Gran Turismo) is just months from its debut and the first F34 chassis has now been spotted.
The 3 Series GT will feature a similar engine lineup to the F30 3 Series and we expect its public debut to possibly come at the 2013 NAIAS in January (if it will be sold in the US) or 2013 Geneva show in March.
For previous coverage and details thus far on the F34 GT, see http://www.bimmerpost.com/?s=f34
Although it’s a powerful beast, it’s clear that a stock F10 M5 is no match for the Ferrari 458 on the track. But, how about a tuned M5 with 640hp? The M5 is tuned by PP-Performance to 640HP and 780 NM torque. Goes from 0-100kmh in 3.9 seconds and 310kmh top speed.
Check out the results from this comparison video of the M5 vs Ferrari at the Yas Marina track in Abu Dhabi.
