BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer confirmed the company will build the X4 crossover in an interview with Auto Motor und Sport.

“The executive declined to give additional information, but the magazine says the model will measure approximately 4.65 meters (15.25 feet) long and share engines with the X3.”

Reports indicate the X4 should hit foreign and domestic markets by 2014. We’ll have more details as they emerge.

Source: WCF

These photos, courtesy of Pickuptrucks.com and KGP Photography, show this Camino style Beamer pacing around a practice ring. Is this a hint of what’s to come in BMW’s future.

Source: Pickup Trucks

The high-tech vehicle is also reported to get 75 miles per gallon when its twin electric motors kick in, supporting a 1.5 liter diesel powerplant. BMW also claims i8 hits 60 MPH in about 4 seconds. Check out the vid and tell us if you think that’s fast enough:

“While this video were taken from a distance,” World Car Fans states, “you can see the car is a more production-ready version of the VED concept that debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Most of the extreme styling carries over, but there’s a revised hood and modified doors.”

As previously reported, the BMW VED features a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbodiesel engine and two electric motors that produce 356 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to the plug-in hybrid, the car can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.8 seconds, hit a top speed of 155 mph, and return 63 mpg.

This particular vehicle is probably another concept, but the production model is slated to be released in 2013, with a base price of approximately $231,985.

Source: WCF

Most of these additions will center around “intelligent” technology – this enables cars to almost think for themselves, automatically reacting local road conditions and improving safety and fuel economy.

According to Motor Authority: In terms of safety, BMW’s new cars will feature laser-based lateral collision avoidance systems, traffic light communication systems to detect oncoming cars from multiple directions, and an advanced pedestrian detection system dubbed “AMULETT”. This latter feature requires pedestrians, typically small children, to wear a transponder, which BMW’s cars are designed to avoid.

Comfort features include more advanced parking assistants including one that allows the driver to remotely park their car using just the key fob, new smart keys that owners will be able to charge up with electronic money and use on public transport, a voice-operated email service, and automatic news and traffic updates.

Finally, there will be a raft of technologies to help curb fuel consumption. These include the new ILENA intelligent sat-nav system, which can direct drivers using three different routes: standard, eco or quick, a new ‘sail’ mode for automatic gearboxes that disconnects the engine when the driver lifts off the accelerator pedal, thermoelectric generators that draw energy wasted in exhaust heat, and even a public transport information system that can advise the driver whether it is quicker to actually drive or use a bus or train for the particular journey.

Expect the next-generation 2013 BMW 3-Series to be one of the early adopters of this new tech.

Source | Motor Authority

The Motor Report has confirmed BMW’s 2012, 2013 Electric City Car. The “Megacity” vehicle, which is rendered above by TMR, is part of the German Auto make’s plan to introduce several electric vehicles over those two years. It is rumored BMW’s microcar will be part of their 1-Series.

According to reports, ” Development costs could be cut by sharing the small platform with the next-generation MINI range, stretching it for five-door models and providing a better basis for small roadster models. If built, the small new BMW could draw power from four and three-cylinder engines. One question is whether BMW would stick to its no-front-wheel-drive credo, or allow a lower entry price by offering a FWD model.”

The prototype has been caught before, rummaging around the snow and ice of Europe. Today we finally get some non-camo photos of the vehicle, which looks like a X5 was hit with the ray-gun from Honey I Shrunk the Kids. Soon to be available in both three & five door models, BMW hopes the vehicle will be the next great step to a larger audience with their smaller ride.

Rumors suggest the next-gen BMW 1-Series will contain a turbocharged three and four-cylinder engine, both of which are also in a fresh development phase. There’s also grumblings of a twin-turbo four-cyl for a 1-Series Supersport. Great find by TMR!

According to source: Motor Authority: With 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque on tap, the smallish roadster packs plenty of punch. It even has some reserves, with an overboost function allowing brief stints at 369 pound-feet of torque under full load. The end result is a 60 mph sprint time of 4.7 seconds. Like all BMWs, the 2011 Z4 sDrive35is is electronically limited to 155 mph. Ultimately, though its performance is excellent, it’s not as hardcore as a true M model would be.

The Z4 sDrive35is’s rear wheels are driven by BMW’s seven-speed DCT dual-clutch transmission, while the full M Sport treatment is also standard equipment, including a more aggressive body kit, lower suspension setup and electronic shock absorbers.

The BMW Simple concept measures just 110 centimeters wide, and is meant to combine the protective qualities of an automobile, with the speed and maneuverability of a motorcycle. Both vehicles are on display now at the BMW Museum in Munich, you know, the place where 1940 didn’t happen.