BMW introduces a wide range of vehicle concepts each year. Ever wonder what they do with these cars? At the company HQ in Germany, BMW erected a monstrous warehouse, with stacks of moveable shelves hefty enough to lift their concepts.

This compound is a car thief’s dream. Pictured is a 2007 BMW CS concept, being lifted to its final destination – several stories above ground. A tour of the facility would most definitely be more exciting than seeing the few cars spread over BMW’s headquarters.

The upcoming 4-seat SUV, and larger sibling to X5, BMW’s X6 has been spied smack dab in the middle of their latest ad campaign.

Seen above in a snagged YouTube clip, it appears this future X6 will include a redesign to the lights and bumpers. The shading and focus are not because the car was in motion, either. This blurring effect appears to be added into the commercial during post production.

According to Automobile Mag, BMW has been testing a disguised model (about the size of an X6) at their Nürburgring site in Germany.

A tri-turbo, 3.0-liter diesel V6 twin-turbo diesel powerplant is rumored to be hiding under X6 M’s hood, offering 555 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. Regular X6 models can hit 300-hp, thanks to a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. A optional twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 is also available, making 400-hp.

There are rumors that BMW has a diesel 5 Series (named M550dX) in the works, which can offer up 381 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.

Source: Automobile Mag

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

BMW is going to bring their Performance Edition package to the United States. This enhancement option, available currently for 1-Series and 3-Series models overseas (also known as the 135i and 335i) will add horsepower to an already powerful vehicle.

The package includes a kit providing an increase to the 3-Series of 20 bhp and 32 lb-ft of torque to the 3.0 liter inline-six. The boost will pump up the car’s output to 322 bhp. 3-Series Performance Edition also comes with black kidney grilles and Performance Edition badges.

Pricing for the BMW Performance Edition comes to $550, all you have to do is provide a BMW vehicle.

Source: WCF

According to WCF: “Only 464 units of the classic BMW 328 were ever made, with just 200 of them still around today.”

To fans and collectors, this make BMW’s 328 one of rarest and most cherished classic automobiles in existence.

328 initially made its debut in 1936. Its 2.0 liter engine was tuned to various outputs, which led the car to set a record top speed of 143 mph for a BMW car. The 328 Kamm Coupe went on to win the 1940 Mille Miglia challenge in Italy, a historic performance.

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 German auto maker took this opportunity to introduce their next Z4 Convertible hard top. Along with it comes an extra Design Pure Balance package made specifically for the Z4 roadster.

Created as a follow up to the Pure Design Impulse, this “Balance” edition features Mineral White metallic paint that “leaves a brilliant impression in the true sense of the word.” There is a variety of other colors available along with this package – we recommend the glossy black finish.

Interior changes are minor, including Cohiba Brown leather sport seats, black leather dashboard and Fineline Anthracite wood trim. BMW’s Design Pure Balance package will launch this summer.

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