We bring you the first ever look at the F33 3 Series convertible (or 4 Series as it may be called when released) in testing with its hardtop roof retracted. The F33 largely shares the same proportions with the current E93 3 series convertible, although like the rest of the new F3x 3 series generation of cars, it will have slightly shorter overhangs, a longer wheelbase, and a bit more rear legroom.

These photos also represent the first clear look at the interior of the F33 convertible, which, from what can be seen, looks largely the same as the F30 3 series sedan. But, the rear view mirror is different, as is the new iDrive knob and controller system.

We also notice something curious about the front seats, … CONTINUED

This isn’t our first sighting of the F31 3 Series Touring M Sport, but it’s the best look yet at the F31 in beautiful Estoril Blue II and M Sport package.

The camouflage tape remains a formality since the F30 3 series sedan M Sport has already been revealed. The F31 touring will share the same front and rear bumpers/diffusers and sideskirts. What’s missing from the test cars so far are the M Sport wheels (Style 400M 18″ or 403M 19″) and M Sport brakes (more info).

The next 3 series touring / wagon is expected to make its debut at the AMI auto show in Leipzig in early June. It should hit the US market sometime in the first half of 2013.

As for F31 variants? North America … CONTINUED

Last we saw the BMW i8 hybrid sports coupe prototype it was being tested during the dead of winter in Northern Sweden. It’s now Spring and the i8 mule is being tested in the much more pleasant settings of Southern Germany.

The camouflage remains the same as before, but with these clear prototype i8 photos and the recently revealed i8 Spyder Concept, we already have a pretty good idea of the size, proportions, stance, and styling details of the 2014 i8 production car. It will resemble the car seen in the renders posted below.

Powertrain and Sales Target:

The concept i8 specs should give a great idea of what to expect for the production i8 model. The concept i8 features a high performance 3-cylinder petrol engine (164 kW) in … CONTINUED

We bring you the first ever track footage of the F31 touring. These F31 3 Series Touring Sport Line models were spotted just this week getting in some test laps at the Nurburgring. It won’t be long now until the F31 reveal (though not much is left camouflaged) so these are the last stages of development being conducted. Despite the extra hatch that the F31 carries, it looks quite nimble handling the challenges of the Nurburgring.

The F31 touring is confirmed to be making a return to the North American market. It will launch in Europe before hitting North American shores. Only BMW knows how long the gap will be, but we don’t expect it to be any longer than a few months. The F31 should launch … CONTINUED

The M6 Gran Coupe opened the Nurburgring testing season in March and we’ve now caught it on video, giving you a good idea how just how well it tackles the track. That such a large car can perform like this on a challenging track is an impressive sight.

As the M6 Gran Coupe will utilize the same S63Tu engine as the F10 M5 (although the M6 Gran Coupe may be introduced with a slightly uprated power figure from the M5’s 560hp), it’s seen testing with and benchmarked against several M5s in the video, including the M5 Ring Taxis.

The M6 Gran Coupe will feature the same front and rear design as the M6 Coupe and Convertible and will have a similar carbon roof to the one on the … CONTINUED

The 2013 6 series Gran Coupe has already made its rounds on the auto show circuit, but has never been presented officially in M Sport form yet. Seen here at the BMW Performance Center in South Carolina is the first good look at a fully equipped 6 Series Gran Coupe M Sport. This frozen bronze 650i Gran Coupe wears the same aggressive, sideskirts and rear diffuser as the M Sport 6 series coupe/convertible M Sport. It rides on the 20″ M Sport wheels.

To our eyes, the 6 Series Gran Coupe looks particular good with the M Sport aero parts as it balances out the ends of the rather lengthy body and gives it an added bit of sportiness to the 6GC’s sleek dimensions.

We’ve also reposted below … CONTINUED

Here are photos from the latest F31 3 series touring sighting. Are we possibly looking at the first indication of a 328i xDrive with manual transmission? When we previously interviewed BMW on which F30/F31 xDrive models would receive a manual transmission, all we were told was that there would be at least one xDrive model with manual transmission. So, *if* this particular F31 is a 328i xDrive model (the front suspension appears to sit a bit higher?), then it would appear that the 328i may be one of the xDrive models to receive a manual transmission option.

Now that the new M6 coupe/convertible and M5 have all debuted, our thoughts often turn to the next M3 - the F80. And although we’ve previously rendered the F80, here is our take on what the next generation M3 may resemble now that the M6 has been revealed. So far, the multitude of F80 M3 spy photos / videos we’ve posted have not been very telling in terms of the lower front bumper design, but we’ve used our imagination based on the new M6 and M5 to take a stab at what the F80 M3’s front fascia may resemble The prototypes have also yet to show what the fender gills will look like, so we’ve adapted a version somewhat similar to that seen on the new … CONTINUED

The 3 Series Li Long Wheelbase model has just premiered in China (for the Chinese market only), so the next 3 series variant to be introduced will be the F31 touring wagon. We expect it to make its debut at the AMI auto show in Leipzig, Germany in early June.

Seen here are FEP (final evaluation phase) F31 Sport Line and a F31 Luxury Line models being put through the paces on the Nurburgring.

To repeat, the F31 touring is confirmed to be making a return to the North American market. When will it hit the States? In our interview from the 2012 NYIAS, we learned that the F31 will be available in the European market before it launches into North America. Only BMW knows how long the … CONTINUED