Investors currently value BMW at approximately twice the amount of what Mercedes-Benz’s car business is worth. BMW’s market capitalization has risen to 45 billion euros ($58.8 billion) compared to 42.2 billion for Daimler. But, take away a reasonable estimated price for Daimler’s truck business and that the market cap figure drops to 25 billion euros for Mercedes’ passenger car business.

“The market is saying that the prospects for Mercedes are much worse than for BMW,” said Hans-Peter Wodniok, an analyst with Fairesearch in Kronberg, Germany. “The market’s always right. In terms of innovation, BMW is the leader.” “The market’s confidence in Daimler management is pretty much at rock bottom,” said Max Warburton, a Bernstein analyst in Singapore. “Investors have little or no confidence that current management … CONTINUED

It’s shootout time again at CAR and they’ve got their hands on some hot hatches. In this preview video, they pit the BMW M135i against the Focus ST, Golf GTI, 35 Astra OPC and Renaultsport Megane 265 RB7 in a 1/4 mile drag race.

No surprise here, the M135i destroys the rest of the field at 13.16, followed by the Megane at 14.28. Chris Harris comes in last, no doubt due to the car he was racing in

Check out the full shootout results and action in the January 2013 edition of CAR.

The just announced M6 Gran Coupe comes next summer to compete with the Mercedes CLS63 AMG. Until now, the CLS63 has really had no direct competition in terms of a car that closely matches its size, styling, performance, and segment.

Now that the CLS63 has some competition, we’ve put together this comparison of specs and photos for your reference. We don’t yet have final physical specs for the M6 Gran Coupe, but we’ve used the 6 Series Gran Coupe exterior dimensions and took a good guess as to the M6 Gran Coupe’s weight.

Many are calling the just revealed F32 4 Series Coupe Concept a baby 6 Series coupe, an understandable comparison given the coupe’s new sleek low-slung and rear fastback shaped look. Some of you have requested a comparo, so here’s a look at how the two coupes compare visually and specs-wise.

As with the other comparison threads, keep in mind that we are comparing a concept against a production model, but nonetheless the general styling, shape, and dimensions of the 4 Series Coupe Concept will carry over to the production model. The more conceptually styled elements such as the bumpers, mirrors, fender vents, and wheels will look different on the production model.

Also see our other comparisons:
F32 Concept vs E92 3 Series @ http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=777968
F32 Concept … CONTINUED

With the 4 Series Coupe Concept being revealed to overwhelmingly positive reactions, the question on many a fan’s mind is what the production version may be priced at when it hits the market in late summer of 2013. With its 4 Series badging, the coupe has now been slotted above the 3 Series in the lineup and the presumption is that the 4 Series price premium above the 3 Series will increase more than ever (the coupe has always been priced higher than the sedan).

BMW insider SCOTT26 has chimed in with this bit of early speculation:

“Now the advent of the 4er is here and aims to bring a more upmarket perspective to the 3er line. The 4er (in Germany ) is projected at just … CONTINUED

It’s been known for a while that BMW’s intention with the F32 4 Series coupe was to distinguish it from the F30 3 Series sedan more than a 3-Series-based-coupe-model has been with previous 3 Series generations. With the reveal of the 4 Series Coupe Concept, there’s little doubt that this has been accomplished.

In addition to the unique styling elements you can see on the F32 concept, the F32 is longer, wider and lower than the F30, giving it a squat aggressive look. We’ve put together a visual look at how the F32 looks compared to the F30, along with some physical stats.

Look for the 4 Series Coupe Concept to debut in January at the 2013 Detroit auto show and production to begin in July 2013, … CONTINUED

Here are some side-by-side comparisons of the just revealed F32 BMW 4 Series Concept Coupe [full details and photos] against the E92 3 Series Coupe (LCI). The 4 Series Coupe will replace the 3 Series Coupe as BMW’s mid-size sports coupe in its lineup.

Keep in mind that we are comparing a concept against a production model, but nonetheless the general styling, shape, and dimensions of the 4 Series Coupe Concept will carry over to the production model. The more conceptually styled elements such as the bumpers, mirrors, fender vents, and wheels will look different on the production model.

Expect to see the 4 Series Coupe Concept have its public debut at the 2013 Detroit NAIAS in January.

Compared to the E92, the F32 4 Series Coupe is:… CONTINUED

Have a look at a visual comparison between the just fully revealed 3 Series GT against the 5 Series GT.

MotorSport Magazine was in attendance with us at the 40 Years of M Event at the Nurburgring, where BMW revealed the BMW M6 Gran Coupe and BMW M3 DTM Champion Edition.

Available for us to drive was an assortment of modern and classic BMW M models and MotorSport Magazine took the opportunity to put together a series of back to back video/sound clips of the E92 M3 GTS, E90 M3 CRT, E46 M3 CSL, and the 1M Coupe.