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

Powered by a 320hp version of the N55 3.0-litre inline 6, the M135i will be the fastest 1-series currently available. As BMW puts it, “moreover, the characteristic handling precision of BMW M Performance automobiles is obtained through model-specific suspension technology that includes an M sports braking system and is perfectly adapted to match the supreme road performance. 18-inch M light alloys with a double spoke design additionally complement the car’s sporting character.” So we expect the M135i’s performance to come quite close to the already-legendary 1-series M Coupe.

The M135i has been confirmed to be coming with optional manual transmission and AWD xDrive. The coupe version of the M135i (which may be called the M235i as the F22 coupe may take on the 2-series badge) has been … CONTINUED

The camouflage on BMW prototypes usually comes off slowly like a strip tease as prototypes advance from one test stage to the next. But, this time we’ve spied some parts of the next generation 2014 BMW X5 (codename: F15) in exposed form much earlier than expected.

It looks like an automotive version of the Sci-Fi horror film Predator, but this post crash test X5 prototype actually reveals much - the headlight shape, hood lines, fenders, and the side body character line. Keep in mind that some of the lines and panels you see up front are distorted due to the crash test.

Judging by what’s seen here, the X5 retains its muscular shape and will not be much larger than the current E70 X5 (based on previous comparison … CONTINUED

We’ve spied an advanced 7 Series LCI facelift prototype and it’s looking like the reveal is coming in the very near future.

The refreshed 7 Series’ biggest change will be to the front fascia. Full LED headlights will come to the 7 series for the first time, with the turn signal lights now integrated into the eyebrow. We can now also make out a more aggressive lower bumper, with more pronounced and longer splitter fins on the lower lip, in an overall look similar to the BMW Concept 7 Active Hybrid from 2008.

The Kidney grilles receive a thicker and more pronounced grille surround and the side mirrors now incorporate side indicator lights.

The interior does not show too many cosmetic changes. What we see is that the trim … CONTINUED

The 2013 M6 coupe and 2012 M6 convertible have now made their world premieres and North American premieres, which brings us to the M6 Gran Coupe as the next M6 variant in the pipeline.

We’ve already seen plenty of the spy photos/videos of the M6 Gran Coupe, which together with the already revealed production 6-series Gran Coupe (photos 1, photos 2), gives us a very accurate idea of what the M6 Gran Coupe will look like. We previously posted some front and rear renders (reposted below) and we now present some side views.

The M6 Gran Coupe will wear the same front and rear end design as the M6 Coupe and Convertible, only with 2 more doors and a longer body. We’ve also included the sporty carbon fiber … CONTINUED

Wagon fans should be smitten over this one. We’ve spied for the first time the F31 3 series touring in M Sport form, in the stunning Estoril Blue II color.

The camouflage remains a formality at this point since the F30 3 series sedan M Sport has already been revealed and the F31 touring will share the same front and rear bumpers/diffusers and sideskirts.

What’s missing from this test car are the M Sport wheels and brakes.

The next 3 series touring / wagon is expected to make its debut at the AMI auto show in Leipzig in early June.

The F31 has been confirmed to be making a return to the North American market. In an interview we had at the 2012 NAIAS with Paul Ferraiolo, Manager, Product Planning … CONTINUED

We’re happy to share the first spyshots of the F33 4 Series Convertible with its top down and in operation. Earlier spyshots suggested that the 4 Series Convertible will retain its folding hard top mechanism, first introduced on the predecessor E93 3 Series Convertible. These spy photos officially confirm this. As far as we can tell, the hard top operation and design is largely similar to the E93’s so we wouldn’t be surprised if this was a takeover from the current car.

That’s where the similarities end in these photos, as the F33 sports unique seat which remind us of the F12/3 6-series seats, and which could signal an upmarket position from the F30 3 series sedan. The exterior is still heavily camouflaged (no, the round rear … CONTINUED

We’ve spied the upcoming 3 series F31 touring again, but this time we get a look at it against the outgoing 3 series E91 touring model. As one can see, the two share similar rooflines and tailgate shapes. However, the F31’s tailgate appears more sculpted, extending out to a more pronounced trunk lip than the E91. The F31’s roof spoiler is also flatter than the E91 roof spoiler, giving the F31 roofline a sleeker shape near the C pillar.

The F31’s side character line is also deeper and longer, extending all the way into the tail lights, unlike the E91’s which ends before reaching the side of the tail lights.

Reviewed together with the F31 rear design patent CGIs (images below), little is left to the imagination as … CONTINUED

Lovely Spring days bring warmer weather but it also returns BMW prototypes to Nürburgring testing, and we’ve just spied on video the king of all current BMW prototypes - the much-anticipated [B]F80 M3 Sedan[/B]. Powered by an inline 6 or V6 displacing more than 3 litres good for roughly 450hp and featuring up to 3 turbos (with possible electric turbo), the new M3 is set to be better than its predecessor in any and every regard, as usual. BMW will again offer both a 6-speed manual and an (optional) 7-speed double clutch transmission for the M3.

As we’ve oft repeated, the new 2014 F80 M3 may be the only M3 model BMW will offer for the next generation as rumors suggest that the F82 … CONTINUED