2014 BMW M4 Coupe Specs Allegedly Revealed Through VIN Check

Just because carmakers don't publicize specifications of future models, doesn't mean that they're not obliged by law to register prototype vehicles created for development purposes if they intend to use them on public roads.

In some cases, depending on the country and local rules, they have to provide specific details. If we are to believe a report from the BMW loving crew over at the F30Posts, one of their members discovered a registration document for an M4 Coupe test car through a VIN check (there no mention on how and where).

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Designer Imagines a 2014 BMW M5 Touring

Touring variants (BMW talk for station wagons) of the M5 have been an on-off affair for the Bavarian carmaker, which to date, has only presented two such models in the vehicle's 28 year-long history.

The first M5 Touring came with the second-generation model (E34) in 1992 and the last, with the fourth generation E60 in 2007. BMW had also created a prototype for the third gen M5 (E39), which it kept a well-guarded secret until it finally showed the car to the public in 2009.

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BMW M4 Coupe and M3 Sedan Concepts Realistically Imagined

The word on the street is that BMW is making plans to unwrap a thinly disguised concept version of the M3 sedan at the Frankfurt motor show in September, with the final production model to appear in dealerships around the world in 2014.

Like many other publications, Britain's Car Magazine has come up with an illustration to give us an idea of what to expect about the M3 sedan's looks in its latest issue.

And it's not alone, as the creative minds over at Bimmerpost used their Photoshop skills to turn the BMW 4-Series Coupe Concept from the Detroit Motor Show into an impressive M4 Coupe study.

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U Design: New BMW M2 Convertible Rendered

As BMW begins to circulate craftily camouflaged prototypes of its second generation 1-Series Coupe and Convertible models, which will form the new 2-Series range, out in the open, the question arises if the Bavarian carmaker has plans for an M2 high-performance version.

From what we have heard, BMW M seems open to creating an M2 model, possibly powered by a four-cylinder turbocharged engine instead of the M135i hatchback's 3.0-liter force-fed straight-six, which would mark a first for the brand since the demise of the original M3 E30 back in the early 1990s.

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Future Cars: Rendered Evolution of the 2014 BMW X5 SUV

Evolution is a great process for refining most things we see in life; from science to technology and industrial design just to name a few. Examples of this in the automotive industry can be seen in the internal combustion engine, aerodynamics and styling; speaking of which, one company does this better than most - Porsche.

Its iconic 911 symbolizes the pinnacle of design evolution (although some say it's because they can't be bothered) from its humble beginnings as a squashed and streamlined VW Beetle to the current 911 Carrera; making it arguably one if the most recognizable pieces of automotive sculpture around the globe.

Porsche isn't the only brand taking this approach; evolutionary examples can be seen in the VW Golf, Range Rover, Mazda Miata and various BMW's. The Hofmeister kink and twin-kidney grill are the most recognizable aspects of BMW's design DNA, but things are also getting familiar with surface styling too.

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Spy Shots: New BMW M3 Sedan Dashing through the Snow

Driving in the snow to make your living sounds like a drag, unless you happen to be a test driver for a sports carmaker like BMW's M sub-brand, in which case, we would happily exchange places.

This BMW employee was out testing the next generation of the M3 sedan, which from next year, will be the only M3 you will be able to buy (unless, the Germans have plans for a Touring variant) as the coupe and convertible will be renamed after a UK motorway to M4.

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2014 BMW M4 Coupe Rendered: What do You Think?

BMW’s decision to rename the 3-Series Coupe the 4-Series has certainly resulted in a lot of debate. Munich’s reasoning is that the Coupe is different enough to its saloon sibling, upon which it is based, to deserve a new designation.

Moreover, it adheres to the carmaker’s decision to name coupes, convertibles and sportier-looking sedans (think 6 Series Gran Coupe) with even numbers, something that will also be applied to the forthcoming 1-Series Coupe that will be renamed the 2-Series.

Does the name change really matter? You betcha; that’s because it will also affect the M-Division-fettled range topper of the coupe and possibly convertible range, which will no longer be named the M3 (though, the name will continue with the sedan) but the M4.

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Scoop: New BMW i3 Prototype Fitted with Final Production Ends

BMW's new urban electric mini has been spied wearing its production front and rear end parts, and in particular, the bumpers and lights. Previously, i3 prototypes were fitted with fake front and rear panels.

While it’s clear that the overall shape and styling will resemble the original i3 Concept car displayed at the 2011 Frankfurt Show, the production model's exterior will be toned down a notch with less fancy detailing.

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Most Revealing Spy Shots of 2014 BMW X5 SUV Yet

BMW is one of many carmakers that gradually ease up on the camouflage on their prototype models as they edge closer to revealing the production version.

Such is the case with the next X5 that's due to launch next year, possibly at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September, though we wouldn’t rule out an earlier reveal.

In these fresh scoop photos, the third generation of the X5 has done away with many layers of foil wraps allowing us to see the sharper and more protruding nose with the production headlamps, the elongated shape of which bring to mind those found on the F30 3-Series, and the more upright double kidney grille.

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Spy Shots: Meet the All-New BMW 2-Series Coupe, the 4-Series' Smaller Sibling

At the end of November, our trusty spies caught up with a prototype model of the upcoming 2-Series Convertible with a traditional canvas top. Now, they’ve managed to meet up with the coupe version of the series,  about a year ahead of its market launch.

The 2-Series, which is to the 1-Series what the new 4-Series is to the 3-Series, will be the second model in BMW's range to adopt the firm's new nomenclature that calls for the use of an even number for sportier looking body styles, and an odd number for traditional saloons, hatchbacks, estates, crossovers and SUVs.

While covered in camouflage, we can still see that the 2-Series Coupe test car is bigger than the current 1-Series Coupe and sports a less pronounced booty.

Good news for those of you who don't like the second generation 1-Series hatchback's ginormous headlamps, as the prototype coupe appears to feature a sleeker set of lights. Like the 4-Series Concept, the 2-Series also gets a prominent hockey-stick-like vents right behind the front wheels.

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U Spy: Reader Nabs 2014 BMW X5 in Munich

BMW is hard at work developing the next generation of its X5 SUV that was captured here in prototype form by CarScoop reader Peter S. from Hungary while he was visiting the Bavarian capital city of Munich in Germany. Read more »

U Spy: New BMW M3 F30 Sedan Nearing Closer to Production

CarScoop reader Michael G. from Germany dropped these spy pictures of a prototype BMW model that he captured earlier this week in our mailbox.

"I think this might be the new BMW M3 Saloon," he tells us. "These photos were shot in Munich." Well done Michael, and thank you for sharing these shots with our readers.

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Convoy of 2014 BMW X5 and Possibly X5M Prototypes Filmed in Georgia

A YouTuber who goes by the name Frank Steele stumbled upon a convoy of five 2014 BMW X5 prototypes in the city of Chamblee in Georgia, this past Sunday.

We can't be 100 percent certain because of the quality of the video and the fact that the cars were on the move, but there's a good chance that the first model seen in clip may be an M Performance model or an X5 fitted with the M Sport Package, while the fourth test car looks like it could be the new X5M.

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U Spy: BMW i3 Coupe Concept Parked on the Streets of LA

As we were reminded earlier this week, BMW has been working on electric cars for four decades now beginning with the 1602 Electric in 1972, and next year, it will introduce its first series production EV in the form of the all-new i3 five-door supermini.

At the recent LA Auto Show, BMW displayed a three-door concept version of the sub-compact model named the i3 Coupe, and it is this car that CarScoop reader Alfred H. spotted on the road this week.

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Spy Shots: BMW's i8 Hybrid Coupe Shows its Revised Hofmeister kink.

We were hoping that by the end of this year, BMW engineers would have peeled off most of the camouflage covering their i8 coupe prototypes, but as you can see, that's not going to happen – unless, of course, Munich surprises us over the next couple of weeks.

What we do get from these fresh spy shots of the i8 that was captured once again during cold weather testing in Europe is a less obstructed view of the car's upper profile as the company's people removed some of the swirly wraps covering the side windows.

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Scoop: BMW 2-Series Convertible Caught for the Very First Time

We were wondering when we would see what BMW is preparing for its 1-Series Coupe and Convertible replacements, and now, thanks to these fresh spy shots, we can show you the first pictures of what we're likely to come to know as the 2-Series Convertible as part of a rumored broader change of names for the Bavarian carmaker.

In the exactly the same way that the 4-Series Coupe and Convertible variants will be based on the F30 3-Series, the 2-Series models will share their platform, interior and mechanical hardware with the latest 1-Series hatchbacks.

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Scoop: BMW's New 4-Series Gran Coupe Parades on the 'Ring and on the Road for the Camera

Calling a four-door sedan a coupe is clearly a paradox, but the German auto industry has managed to bring the term into mainstream culture with cars like the Volkswagen CC and Mercedes-Benz CLS, which are both described by their respective makers as "four-door coupes".

BMW has coined its own term for these types of models, the "Gran Coupe" moniker that debuted on the 6-Series saloon, and which will soon find its way on a 3-Series based model named the 4-Series Gran Coupe, or at least that's what we have been hearing for the past couple of years.

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Best Spy Shots Yet of the All-New 2014 BMW 4-Series Coupe

The F30-generation of BMW's popular 3-Series Coupe, which from what we have heard, will likely be renamed to the 4-Series, has been caught out in the open wearing very little camouflage - at least when compared to previous prototypes.

Our scoop photographer tells us that the F32 4-Series Coupe was captured in BMW's home town of Munich in Germany, while it was being loaded to a truck for an "internal presentation", though, we could not independently confirm this at the time we wrote the article.

It's worth mentioning that earlier today, Car&Driver magazine reported that BMW will present a thinly disguised concept of the 4-Series Coupe at the 2013 Detroit auto show in January, citing inside sources. We wouldn't be surprised if this is the "near-production concept" the publication was referring to.

The name may be different, but all the design cues from the 3-Series sedan are here including the flatter and more prominent front end with the traditional double kidney grilles.

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Fresh Photos of the All-New BMW M6 Gran Coupé

Here's a new batch of images of the most powerful and sportiest model to grace the range of the BMW 6-Series Gran Coupé to date, courtesy of the brand's M division.

These pictures come into the light after a previous (and admittedly, more revealing) set of photos were posted on Chinese website, and which we shared with you earlier today.

The new M6 Gran Coupé won't be making its online debut until the first days of December, when we will have more information on the car, while its public premiere will take place at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in mid-January.

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Spy Shots: New BMW M6 Gran Coupe Exposed During Nürburgring Event

BMW sure chose a strange way to unveil the production version of its upcoming M6 Gran Coupe. The German carmaker brought the sports sedan along to an unrelated happening at the Nürburgring, and unsurprisingly, a few journalists attending the event did not miss out on the opportunity to snap a few pictures of the camouflage-free model.

The Bavarian brand did not release any information regarding the M version of the Gran Coupe, which itself, despite the confusing name, is a four-door sedan iteration of the 6-Series Coupe.

Nevertheless, we already know that the M6 Gran Coupe shares its powertrain with the two-door M6 models (coupe and convertible), meaning there's a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with 553hp (560PS) delivered from 6,000 to 7,000 rpm and a peak torque of 680Nm (501 lb-ft) from 1,750 to 5,750 rpm, lurking under the hood.

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