The previous set of 4 Series Gran Coupe photos may have given us our first look at the M Sport package equipped model, but our new photos give us the best look yet, and in Estoril Blue II, which has proved to be the most popular 4 Series color among our members yet (see color poll).

The Gran Coupe variant (F36) of the 4 Series effectively shares the same exterior styling as the Coupe, but with an elongated roofline and an extra pair of doors. The interior will also be shared with the other 4 Series models [previous interior spy pics].

The 4 Series Gran Coupe will debut next year, with production possibly by 3rd-4th quarter of 2014. The F36 will generally feature the same model and … CONTINUED

The first M Sport 4 Series Gran Coupe has been spotted and there’s no surprises here as its M Sport aero parts are the same as those of the 4 Series Coupe.

Photos from the latest sighting of the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

Now that the 4 Series Coupe has been revealed and the Convertible nears its debut, the next model in the lineup – the 4 Series Gran Coupe (F36), has re-emerged in testing, after a nearly 6 month hiatus since our last spotting. It has re-emerged with Eric Bana doing the testing and with less camouflage than ever – shedding the heavy camouflage from its front and rear (that’s not really Eric Bana).

What’s revealed is what was expected – a Gran Coupe styled 4 Series which effectively shares the same exterior styling as the Coupe, but with an elongated roofline and an extra pair of doors. The interior will also be shared with the other 4 … CONTINUED

Upcoming 2014 BMW models will be available with the new iDrive Touch system, which features a touch sensitive controller knob for a whole new way of input. Instead of having to scroll for letter input, users can now write letters on the surface of the iDrive knob.

This new written input method can be used anywhere where a speller wheel is needed: navigation, multimedia search, contact search, phone numbers, etc.

It also accepts gestures for such actions as zooming in and out on a map.

Check out a demo below.

We have added even more revealing spy photos of the 2014 X5 (F15) interior.

We’ve gotten another look at the F15 X5′s interior and it provides the best idea yet of what it will look like once revealed.

Interior / Wheels

The F15 X5′s general dashboard design takes after the F30 3 Series with a multi-layered look. Compared to the current X5 (E70), the next X5′s dashboard has also become more driver-centric, a design element seen in recent new BMW models. It will also be more upright compared to the current X5′s dashboard, which angles and curves away sharply from the driver and passenger. See a comparison image below.

Following on the design of the newest BMW models, the next X5 will feature a large free-standing navigation/infotainment LCD screen. This screen looks to be the 8.8 inch panel used in the latest … CONTINUED

Testing and development of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (F36) continues, with the prototypes undergoing cold weather testing in Sweden.

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 4 Series / M4 lineup].

Like the 6 Series Gran Coupe, the 4 Series Gran Coupe combines the convenience … CONTINUED

Our latest spy photos of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (F36) may not reveal anything new for the exterior [see past spy photos] , but this is the first look at the F36′s interior.

And it looks just like the F30 3 Series interior. But, what’s new is the presence of the iDrive Touch controller. This comes as no surprise as BMW has already announced details for a touch sensitive iDrive controller knob and it’s been previously seen on the 2014 BMW X5 (F15) prototype. The iDrive Touch system will debut with the next X5 in Fall 2013 as that comes before the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s expected debut in 2014.

Inside is some official information on the upcoming iDrive Touch system and a video demonstration.

The … CONTINUED