We give you the first clear look at the interior of the F22 BMW 2 Series (M235i) coupe. As the 2 Series lineup is based off the current F20/F21 1 Series hatchbacks, it comes as no surprise that the interiors are nearly identical.

Interior

As this is the M235i (there will be no regular 235i), we see all the M Sport bits fitted from the M135i hatchback, including alcantara sports seats (with hexagonal pattern and blue contrast stitching), aluminum dash trim and door handles with hexagon texture, and estoril blue accent strips on the dash. The door panel shares the same hexagon pattern as the seats. Also seen is the 6 speed manual transmission.

But, the M235i does feature something the M135i does not – the M Sport … CONTINUED

We have spied a new F10 M5 LCI mule and it showcases some new design elements. Seen for the first time on the M5 are double slatted kidney grilles (a la the M6). Like the M6, the F10 M5 LCI will also feature an M5 badge on the grilles, which is covered under black tape but can be seen on this mule’s grilles.

This M5 wears new style wheels, in black, which look great set off against the gold M carbon ceramic brakes. Also seen are the optional LED headlights with squared off corona rings.

The rest of the exterior look to only receive very minor updates, with the biggest change coming to the area on the front fascia under camouflage tape. That change can be seen … CONTINUED

Will we be seeing the F32 4 Series coupe make its public debut at the 2013 Shanghai auto show in just over a week?

These photos are purported to be production stage 4 Series coupes at the airport waiting to be loaded for a plane to Shanghai. They may look like they are wearing the usual pre-production prototype camouflage, but per insider Scott26, the camouflage is just protective vinyl for the trip.

Although the production 4 Series coupe has recently been spotted completely revealed [pics below], we have not yet seen the M Sport version (which is represented by the Estoril Blue 4 Series seen below).

The 2013 Shanghai auto show begins on April 20th. Keep your fingers crossed

For the latest in 4 Series news and … CONTINUED

Sure, we’ve already seen the F10 LCI basically revealed (at least for the front end updates), but this is the first look we get at the M Sport LCI model as well as the LCI interior.

The interior shows the new iDrive touch system and new M Sport steering wheel, which resembles the F30 3 Series M Sport steering wheel.

The exterior doesn’t show much changes to the M Sport bumper except perhaps a new foglight housing. This prototype also features a trunk spoiler (as standard?).

As we’ve mentioned previously, mechanical changes will include updated steering and the N63Tu engine (445hp / 480 lb-ft) for the 550i. Production for the F10 LCI begins this July, with deliveries starting in August/September.

The F10 5 Series and F10 M5 LCI refresh models are coming soon, but spy photos have shown the external styling updates will be understated, with tweaks to the upper front fascia and headlight updates (sleeker looking and with optional full LED squared-off headlights), but the M5 will receive no changes to the lower front bumper design. Like the 5 Series, the F10 M5 will also receive light updates to its tail lights and lower rear bumper.

As for the interior, the most recent 5 Series LCI spy photos show that it will be offered with the new iDrive touch system. The M5 LCI will receive the M6 steering wheel as standard.

With these changes in mind, we’ve mocked up a preview render look at the F10 … CONTINUED

Watch and listen to some super sedans blasting around the ring, in a great back-to-back listen of some of BMW’s most exciting current and future M models – the F80 M3, E90 M3 CRT, F10 M5.

THIS INFO IS FOR EUROPEAN CARS ONLY; THOUGH THEY MAY BE OVERALPS AND SIMILARITIES WITH OTHER MARKETS AS WELL:

Available from launch (summer 2013):

Xdrive30d will have 258 PS (254hp), 8-speed automatic, CO2 (g/km):168
XM50d 381 PS (375hp), CO2 (g/km):180
xdrive50i 450 PS (443hp), CO2 (g/km): 250 [N63Tu engine]

December 2013 production:

sdrive25d 218PS (215hp) CO2 (g/km): 149
xdrive25d 218PS (215hp) CO2 (g/km): 155
xdrive40d 313PS (308hp) CO2 (g/km): 172
xdrive35i 306PS (301hp) CO2 (g/km): 199 (production for US starts August 2013)

The US gets the following models, with these start of production dates:

sDrive35i – August 2013 start of production
xDrive35i – August 2013 start of production
xDrive35d – December 2013 start of production
xDrive50i – August 2013 start of production

These used to be extras for E70 X5 … CONTINUED

We have looked at the F32 4 Series Coupe against the E92 3 Series Coupe (comparison pics), now let’s look at how the 4 Series Coupe looks against its most direct competitor in the marketplace – the Audi A5 Coupe.

Compared to the A5 Coupe, the 4 Series Coupe in concept form is:

+ 0.6 inches (16mm) length
- 1.8 inches (28mm) width
- 0.5 inches (12mm) height
+ 2.3 inches (59mm) wheelbase

Note: these are calculated using concept (not production) 4 Series dimensions.

As for the aesthetics, well, that’s subjective of course, but we think that overall (except maybe the front end, which still isn’t totally clear in the spy photos) the F32 looks sportier and more athletic than the A5.

As expected, the 2014 F10 M5 will be receiving a LCI update/facelift together with the F10 5 Series. The 5 Series LCI facelift has already been partially revealed, but it’s been unknown how much of the M5′s design would be affected.

These spy photos show that the F10 M5 will receive the same upper front fascia and headlight updates [pics] as the 5 Series, but will receive no changes to the lower front bumper design. Like the 5 Series, the F10 M5 will also receive light updates to its tail lights and lower rear bumper.

The 5 Series LCI will receive tweaks to its steering, but it’s not yet known if the F10 M5 will be affected by this, or receive any other mechanical updates.