What we know about BMW’s aggressive push into the electric car market (via their dedicated BMW i brand) is that it is essentially a two pronged approach. Cover the exotic sports car market with the BMW i8, to effectively show that an electric car can be a desirable super-car and at the same time produce a compact and efficient city car with the BMW i3.

While both of these cars will do alot to put electric cars into the mindset of car buyers and enthusiasts, the real car market is the mainstream people mover: the family sedan. Autobild.de is reporting that somewhere around year 2015, BMW plans to introduce the BMW i5, a fully electric mid-size people mover that will take a more cross-over shape of the … CONTINUED

On the heels of the just revealed BMW M Performance Automobiles opening lineup, our spies have spotted yet another F20 prototype which we believe may be the test mule for an upcoming M135i model to join the M Performance lineup, possibly by summer.

Now that the M550d and X5/X6 M50d have officially been announced, it’s really no big stretch to believe that BMW will go with an “M135i” moniker for the F20/F21 135i equipped with M-Sport package. To revisit the info so far on a possible M135i model — a report came from a BMW presentation to Dutch dealers in November that a “M135i” 1 series hatchback was coming this summer. Those in attendance were reportedly told about a M135i featuring 320hp and powered by the N55 … CONTINUED

We bring you the very first photos of the F21 135i. We’ve previously spied a 135i 5-door hatchback (F20), but never the 135i 3-door hatchback (F21) as seen here. In fact, F21 sightings in general have been rare.

The F21 is set to be revealed as early as Spring 2012. Expect to see more powerful engines (compared to the F20 1 series 5-door) introduced with the F21. To name a few, we expect a 125i 2.0l turbo inline 4 producing in the ballpark of 220hp and a 125d to complement the 116i, the 118i and the 120d.

M135i ?

As we reported recently, we would not be surprised if BMW went with a “M135i” moniker for this car to form part of the first group of M Performance Automobiles … CONTINUED

The next generation BMW X5 (F15) has begun its public testing! We bring you the first photos of it undergoing winter testing in Northern Sweden. These photos show the F15’s new grille design for the first time - which are clearly larger, wider, and bolder than the current X5’s.

Preliminary info indicates that the hood sits flush with the larger/wider grilles. The headlights are supposed to be trapezoidal shaped and will connect to the headlights, like the F30 3 series. The F15 will also adopt many of the new X model design cues from the X3 and X1.

The F15 X5 is expected to weigh less than the current E70 X5 and ride on a modified version of the F10 5 series chassis. Expect both diesel and gasoline … CONTINUED

Right now, there are two very interesting BMWs that have either been released or are about to be released. Namely, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe (just released) and the F12 BMW M6 which is literally on the verge of official release.

And so, speculation has rightly so centered around the possibility of the ultimate BMW M sedan, a combination of the 6 Series GC and the M6, a car to challenge and crush the 2012 Mercedes Benz CLS63 AMG. Well, BMW has answered the call and it looks like the M6 Gran Coupe is a real car and judging my the very scant amount of camouflage on the car, is just around the corner as well. One wonders if the M6 and M6 Gran Coupe may … CONTINUED

We bring you the first spy photos of the BMW i8 production prototype model. Seen for the first time, this pre-production BMW i8 mule shows what the i8 will look like with production body parts and styling.

Comparison to i8 Concept Model:

Although this pre-production i8 tracks the concept version’s styling generally, as expected, there are some significant changes from the i8 concept model [official info/pics]. The front fascia has lost a bit of its shark nose front slant with a new lower front bumper design, which protrudes more than that on the concept. Also, the headlights have been moved forward to the edge of the hood. This comes as no surprise considering the fact that the extremely deeply set headlights on the concept i8 would likely limit … CONTINUED

The F33 4 series convertible prototype continues testing and we bring you another set of photos from the second spotting. As clearly seen, the F33 4 series will retain its folding hardtop. The car is still heavily masked and it appears that it may feature a bit of a false trunk or heavy camouflage on the trunk lid, making it look more extended or larger than the actual design underneath. This is the reason for the odd-looking gap and space in the transition area to the rear lights.

Aside from the roofline, the trunk, and the roof-to-trunk transition, the F33 appears to share similar lines and size with the F32 coupe (prototype pics pictured below for comparison). As always, with prototypes at this early stage of … CONTINUED

The 2013 F80 M3 sedan continues public testing, and we’ve just spotted it in Munich. Wearing the same level of camouflage as seen in our previously posted photos and videos, the F80 M3 continues to show off its brawny shape and proportions.

Expected in 2013, the F80 M3 has been conducting road testing since the summer of 2011. Based on the same platform/chassis as the 2012 3 Series sedan (F30), the F80 M3 will powered by a turbocharged 6 cylinder engine (inline or V configuration not yet confirmed). The number and type of turbos to be used is a topic of much speculation. Two or three turbos is likely, and could potentially include the use of electric turbo(s).

Regardless of what engine layout is eventually … CONTINUED

The 2013 M6 convertible (F12) has been spotted completely revealed for the first time! Spotted at the Bayonne Military Ocean Terminal in New Jersey was this beautiful blue M6 convertible.

It shows all the traditional and newest M signature parts such as big blue brakes (a la F10 M5), M side skirts, M rear bumper and diffuser, M style wheels, M quad exhausts, cross drilled rotors, M side gill, and an M front bumper which cannot be seen in these photos.

The F12 M6 cabrio will debut @ the the Detroit NAIAS show in January.