The BMW M4 is in pre-production form now, as AutoGuide’s spy photographers have caught a non-black M4 testing at Nurburgring.

Previous spy photos featured a black prototype; but now that a white model has been spied, the German automaker has moved onto the next stage of testing and hopefully means the M4 might debut soon – perhaps the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year.

SEE ALSO: BMW M4 Spy Photos Show Uber 4-Series Coupe

The new M4 is expected to make at least 400 hp thanks to a turbocharged, inline-six powerplant. Weight savings from switching to an inline six from a V8 will also make the M4 a more agile sports car.

GALLERY: BMW M4 Spy Photos

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It may be hard to believe, but BMWs can be cheaper in Korea than cars from Hyundai.

Lower tariffs are making German imports cheaper than local Korean-made vehicles.

A BMW 528i for example, is around $64,000 in South Korea while the flagship Kia K9 is around $76,400. Even consumers in South Korea are abandoning their dedication to their domestic brands realizing that German vehicles offer a better luxury bargain.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Hyundai Equus 82% a Lexus LS for 18% Less

BMW isn’t the only German automaker to be benefiting. Mercedes-Benz and Audi have also seen sales increase at the expense of Kia and Hyundai over recent years now that duties on European imports have fallen to 3.2 percent from eight percent since a trade pact was put into effect in 2011.

All of Germany’s big three automakers have seen sales in South Korea rise 25 percent in the first growth – that’s even faster growth than what they’re seeing in China. Hyundai on the other hand, saw its luxury high-end model sales drop 4.7 percent in the same period.

Overall, foreign luxury automakers in South Korea have seen sales grow to 41 percent from 28 percent in the past two years.

GALLERY: 2014 Hyundai Equus Live Shots

GALLERY: 2014 Hyundai Equus

[Source: Bloomberg]

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The joint sports car project between Toyota and BMW is moving right along with a concept model expected to be shown at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show.

According to sources close to the project, GT86 (Scion FR-S) chief engineer Tetsuya Tada is also heading up the new jointly developed sports car between the two automakers. Tada has already visited BMW multiple times in the past year and even headed to Munich shortly after the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

SEE ALSO: BMW, Toyota Announce Plans for Co-Developed Sports Car

It appears that BMW will be tasked with modifying the GT86 platform to underpin the new sports car, stretching it so that it can enter the midsize sports car market segment. There is, of course, a small chance that a BMW platform will be used to underpin the project, but given the success of the GT86 and Tada’s involvement, that’s unlikely.

As for engines, all signs point to a BMW-sourced, four-cylinder – especially with the success of their recent turbocharged four cylinders. But it’s not entirely safe to assume that the powerplant will be turbocharged or even supercharged. The sports car could very well be a hybrid, the same way recent supercars such as the Ferrari LaFerrari and the McLaren P1 has opted to go.

The biggest news however is that this project won’t be going the same route as the GT86, where the FR-S and the BRZ share similar sheetmetal. Both sports cars will look significantly different, making Supra enthusiasts hope for a true successor to Toyota’s sports car.

[Source: Motor Trend]

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Pricing on the 2014 BMW 5 Series Sedan and Gran Turismo has been announced, with the 528i Sedan starting from $50,425 including a $925 destination and handling fee.

Moving up the lineup, the 535i Sedan will start from $56,025 while the new 535d is priced from $57,525. The top-of-the-line 550i starts at $64,825 while xDrive variants cost $2,300 extra.

SEE ALSO: 2014 BMW 5 Series Models Revealed

As for the Gran Turismo model, the 535i Gran Turismo has a starting MSRP of $60,925 while the 550i GT will be $68,825 while xDrive variants are also $2,300 extra over the conventional model.

As for the ActiveHybrid 5, starting price will be from $62,325. All prices listed include a $925 destination and handling fee.

The 535d is powered by an inline-six diesel with 255 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque while the 535i sports 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. The 550i is powered by a V8 with 445 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. The entry-level 528i features a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder with 240 hp and carries over from the previous model year.

The 2014 BMW 5 Series lineup will be on sale at dealerships in the U.S. starting in August, 2013.

GALLERY: 2014 BMW 5 Series Sedan

GALLERY: 2014 BMW 5 Series Touring

GALLERY: 2014 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

GALLERY: 2014 BMW 5 Series ActiveHybrid

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BMW has revealed its Competition Packages for the 2014 M5 and M6 models designed to enhance handling and improve performance, shaving 0.1 seconds off its 0-62 mph sprint time.

Power output is upped from 560 hp to 575 hp with the Competition Package and is available for the M5, M6 Coupe, M6 Convertible, and M6 Gran Coupe models. Vehicles equipped with the Competition Package are lowered about 0.4 inches with more aggressively tuned damping and sway bars. Improved traction comes from a modified control unit for the Active M Differential.

SEE ALSO: 2014 BMW M5 Officially Revealed with Minor Updates

20-inch M alloy wheels are outfitted onto each corner of the Competition Package-equipped vehicles along with a sport exhaust system featuring M twin tailpipes in black chrome. Those looking for even more performance from their M models can opt for the M carbon ceramic brakes.

No pricing was announced by the German automaker on the Competition Package.

GALLERY: BMW M5 Competition Package

GALLERY: BMW M6 Competition Package

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BMW has formally announced its 5 Series lineup for the 2014 model year, revealing the updated Sedan, Touring, Gran Turismo, and ActiveHybrid models.

Since the launch of the current-generation 5 Series, BMW has sold over one million units worldwide, and for the 2014 model year, the German automaker has tweaked its design, added new engine variants, and expanded the range of available equipment to build on the lineup’s success. The changes to the exterior are subtle, but include additional contour lines on the surround of the kidney grilles and newly structured lower air intakes. An extra crease was added to the rear apron and the taillights get a slight change to give it an even more striking appearance.

SEE ALSO: 2014 BMW M5 Officially Revealed with Minor Updates

Xenon headlights are standard on all models with Adaptive LED headlights available as an option. The side indicator lights are now integrated into the mirrors while the automaker has added its Luxury Line and Modern Line packages to the 5 Series lineup.

Minor interior changes include chrome trim on the Control Display while storage compartments and cup holders in the center console have been increased in capacity. The 5 Series Gran Turismo gets additional trunk space.

Added to the lineup is the BMW 518d, a four-cylinder diesel engine with 143 hp on the sedan and touring models. The top-of-the-line engine now offered on the 5 Series lineup is a new V8 unit with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology pushing out 450 hp. In total for the sedan and touring models, there are four gasoline engines and six diesel engines, including what’s offered on the M550d xDrive. The Gran Turismo has two gasoline engines and three diesel powerplants to choose from.

The ActiveHybrid 5 has also been slightly tweaked with its Proactive Driving Assistant to improve its intelligent energy management.

No pricing was announced for the 2014 BMW 5 Series lineup.

GALLERY: 2014 BMW 5 Series Sedan

GALLERY: 2014 BMW 5 Series Touring

GALLERY: 2014 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

GALLERY: 2014 BMW 5 Series ActiveHybrid

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As expected, BMW has unveiled its 2014 M5 sports sedan, giving it a rather quick update to the new body style that debuted just a year ago.

The changes are rather subtle for the 4.4-liter V8 powered sedan with 560 hp. Mated to a seven-speed M dual-clutch transmission, the new M5 can also be had with a Competition Package that cranks power output to 575 hp.

SEE ALSO: 2014 BMW M5 Facelift Leaked

As for changes, the front kidney grilles now feature the double-spoke slat design found on the M6 while there is now an added option for Adaptive LED Headlights. Standard on the 2014 M5 are redesigned taillights with strikingly thin LED strips.

Inside, the M leather steering wheel gets a redesign while storage has grown in volume under the armrest in the center console area. Chrome trim is now seen on the Control Display and for the first time, the German automaker is offering an optional Touch Controller for the infotainment system.

BMW Individual will offer new exterior color shades for the 2014 M5 including Pure Metal Silver, Pyrite Brown metallic, Frozen Blue metallic, and other matte finishes. Exclusive leather shades include Cashmere Beige and Nutmeg.

Pricing for the 2014 BMW M5 was not announced.

GALLERY: 2014 BMW M5

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For those that want a regular BMW 6 Series with some added sports car flare, the brand has just introduced the 6 Series M Sport edition.

The M Sport Edition package can be paired with every single variant of the 6 Series, along with any of the engine options.

The package adds all of the improved aerodynamics found on BMW’s M Cars, along with 19-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design, LED foglamps, BMW individual high-gloss shadow line, black-painted brake callipers and exhaust tail pipes in dark chrome.

On the inside, the 6 Series M Sport gets a leather wrapped dashboard and steering wheel, M door sill finishers and sports seats finished in Alcantara/nappa leather. Tech is also boosted with the package, which comes with BMW head-up display, multifunction instrument display,a 10.2-inch control display, voice control, extended hands-free telephone system, and BMW ConnectedDrive Services among others.

A M Car exclusive color option, Sakhir Orange metallic, is also now available as part of the package.

The 6 Series M Sport edition will become available in July, 2013.

GALLERY: BMW 6 Series M Sport

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BMW Performance Driving School instructor Johan Schwartz has set a new world record for drifting 51.278 miles in a new M5.

Of course the term “drifting” should be used loosely here, since competitive drifters would argue that this isn’t exactly drifting. Conducted at the BMW Performance Center, Schwartz kept the M5 sideways for 322.5 laps, which is no easy feat regardless. As far as the Guinness Book of World Records is concerned though, drifting can also describe doing a donut, which is essentially what previous records were.

Even more, the German automaker watered down the track in South Carolina, which undoubtedly helped keep the tires in check in order to sustain such a long “drift.” Considering the previous record was seven miles done by a Chevrolet Camaro in Abu Dhabi that was set in February, the 51.3-mile mark by BMW should hold up for a bit longer.

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GALLERY: BMW M5 Guiness World Record for Longest Drift

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BMW will offer its 2014 M5 with a facelift, and images of the car leaked through an updated version of the brand’s online car configurator. 

The changes are mild and borrow from the more expensive M6. For example, BMW borrowed the same vertical slats for the kidney grilles in the new M5.

In the same way, cabin changes are also taken from the M6 — most notably the cars will now share their steering wheel. The iDrive controller will also be touch sensitive. Aside from that, the cabin looks the same.

Finally, BMW is expected to offer a competition package in the upcoming model year that will bump output up by 15 hp. The package will also offer new wheels, driving modes and suspension.

GALLERY: 2014 BMW M5 leaked photos

[Source: Autocar]

BMW and Pininfarina have teamed up to build what is being called the Gran Lusso Coupe, which will make its public debut at the 2013 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on May 24, 2013.

The BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe is a sequel to the stunning Zagato Coupe BMW unveiled at the event last year. The Gran Lusso Coupe takes a different approach however, featuring the refined imprint of Pininfarina for an elegant and exclusive coupe.

SEE ALSO: BMW Zagato Coupe Unveiled

Very little details were revealed except for the teaser images, but the one-off creation blends the best of Italian and German design into one. The project will feature a long wheelbase, stretched hood, short overhangs, and a set-back greenhouse with a smoothly sloping roofline. Powering the Gran Lusso Coupe will be a V12 engine.

GALLERY: BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe

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The BMW Group, which consists of BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce, has posted its best April global sales yet with a total of 155,419 vehicles sold last month.

The strong April, which was an increase of 6.8 percent in sales, gave the BMW Group a new all-time high of 603,619 vehicles sold during the first four months of the year. BMW brand vehicles rose 7.5 percent to 130,598 last month compared to April 2012 while worldwide MINI sales increased 3.3 percent. The BMW Group is enjoying success thanks to strong gains in the Asian and American markets.

Deliveries of the BMW X1 increased 14.8 percent compared to last year, with 11,837 units delivered in April. The 3 Series climbed 16 percent compared to last year to 38,491 units while the 3 Series Touring more than doubled with 104.6 percent growth. A total of 512,000 BMW vehicles have been delivered to customers worldwide in 2013, an increase of 7.1 percent.

Last month, MINI delivered 24,581 vehicles and its worldwide sales increased 3.3 percent.

China accounted for 30,311 deliveries last month while the Americas sold 36,547 vehicles for an increase of 11.7 percent. Europe contributed to the total with 69,957 vehicles.

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