BMW announced quite a while back that they plan to separate the two door from the four door versions of what used to be the 3 Series into the same model plus the 4 Series one.

The 1 Series is about to get the same treatment, hence the seriously delayed introduction of coupe/convertible version of the F20 generation.

What the spy photographers have caught here is something internally called the F23 BMW 2 Series convertible. The drop top on sight is among the first chances we get at this body shape.

In theory, the 2 Series could bring the Bavarian brand back to its roots. It would be a compact sports car with great driving feel.

This is a spot that used to be taken up by the 3 Series at some point in its life (thinking around the E30 period) but given how much the car has grown to the F30, it’s now more of a 5er in terms of size.

Going back to the roots with the new 2 Series doesn’t mean that you’ll get the same sort of spartan equipment that was offered back in the ’80s.

BMW will be making the 2 Series with all the bells and whistles of modern driving life. The drivetrain lineup will also be impressive having sharp engines and serious transmissions.

It should be quite the interesting and exciting car, regardless of the coupe or convertible shape however there’s some bad news about its unveiling.

The first time we’re going to properly see the new F23 BMW 2 Series until next year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. That’s scheduled for 2013.

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

This weekends agreement between Toyota and BMW to build a special new sports car was a surprise to most of us but the details have only now started to come in.

Nobody is making a Toyota style/powered BMW or any other doubtful decision like that. It’s actually the other way round that it’s going to happen.

A successor to the Toyota Supra is apparently being developed and it’s being done the best way round as it’s going to borrow some ideas from the 6 Series.

In short, BMW will develop the engine, the platform underneath it and maybe a few other components as well. Then Toyota would step in with their cost cutting efforts.

The Japanese company would also be in charge of the exterior design, interior accommodations and whatever toys they want to fit inside.

Allegedly BMW could make a cheap large coupe as well but the demands would be distinct from the 6 Series or whatever design Toyota comes up with.

It might even be a genuinely fast sports car, to create a different taste to platform, the kind the BMW 6 Series can’t really claim to have.

After all the F12/F13 BMW is a genuinely brilliant GT cruiser and though it can occasionally tackle the mountain road, it will never be a track beast the likes of some Japanese cars.

There’s some decent talk about the way the new Toyota Supra may actually borrow some technology from the BMW i8 as well.

Overall the next generation of the Toyota Supra and whatever BMW models may emerge from this collaboration sound better than expected.

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The recent news of a partnership between Toyota and BMW have made corporate headlines all over the world, somehow us petrolheads just nodded in approval and went on with our lives.

We may have been a little hasty in our decision to dismiss the importance of this alliance. It goes well beyond the hybrid and fuel cell technology we’ve recently heard about.

There’s a “nasty” rumor going round about how Toyota and BMW’s future partnership also includes the words “sports car” which is where we take notice.

Toyota have produced some pretty good sports cars in the past and currently they’re doing the GT86 in alliance with Subaru.

BMW’s etiquette on sports cars and enjoyable vehicles to drive is far more impressive than that but it’ll probably be very interesting to see how the new collaboration pans out.

Maybe BMW can make a great sports car and maybe Toyota can cut back on the costs while still keeping it as fun a product as possible.

Akio Toyoda, CEO of the Japanese company, had a major role to play in the emotional appeal of the GT86 so maybe we’re not going to end up with a boring BMW Z2 or something along those lines.

The Japanese leader actually went on record to say he’s a big fan of BMWs and that he had a bit of a nightmare at the Nurburgring race because of them.

It’s not that big a surprise to see him actually admit to such an idea, in front of the media and, more importantly, in front of Norbert Reithofer, CEO of BMW.

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

According to some reports from German magazine Autobild, the BMW Megacity will see its official debut at the 2011 Franfurt Motor Show.

To be honest, I may have gotten a bit more excited than necessary as by then the Bavarians will be showing us the first prototype of the Project I Megacity Car.

Still, the Frankfurt automotive event just got a bit more interesting and is going to be eagerly awaited by BMW fans with this in mind.

The actual production version of the Megacity will be arriving at a much later date, 2013 being mentioned but quite possibly, still the same motor show will house its launch.

While that remains to be seen there are still a few bits of information we, BMW fans, can enjoy as some sources are saying that the new car will be completely new, sharing no parts with other BMW brethren and thus becoming unique in its own right.

The BMW Megacity will feature a carbon fiber structure, will be full-electric, will be available in three body styles (four-seater, two-seater and a sports car) and will be built in Leipzig.

According to BMW targets the car is expected to sell around 150.000 units every year.

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

BMW’s electric four seater, the Megacity, is one eagerly awaited vehicle but according to some recent speculation it may be just the tip of the iceberg for the new market the Bavarians are approaching.

Apparently BMW are considering offering more than one variant of the Megacity and are even considering adding a sports car to the line.

BMW sales and marketing boss Ian Robertson has admitted to the fact that we could be expecting these multiple versions of the Megacity, when interviewed by Autocar, and also referred to the Vision EfficientDynamics sports car concept as something with a strong potential for becoming a pure electric sports car.

This said though it is to be expected that a production version of the Vision EfficientDynamics will be different in some ways but one thing has been set clear about the Megacity and this potential EV Sports Car, they will both be sold with BMW badges and no different brands are going to be started. They will still have a certain distinction, pretty much what you can expect from the M powered cars.

Until we see either of them on the road there’s a few things you need to know, neither will come cheap since BMW are very decided on killing weight as much as possible so most of the construction will be made of carbon fiber. Add to that pretty high cost of development and low target sales and prices aren’t going to be joyous.

Either way I have to say I’m eagerly awaiting an EV that’s done properly.

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com