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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However, the competition will not surrender; cue GM and Porsche with their new Corvette Stingray and 911 models respectively, as prime examples - hence why Nissan is expected to respond again.
For those of us like myself who grew up as part of the early-adapting PlayStation generation, the GT-R obsession grew with the R32-34 Nissan Skylines of the 1990's. Their bang-for-buck thrills combined with endless modification options has turned the GT-R moniker into something of an automotive cult status.
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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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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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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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On the heels of the latest Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, GM's Cadillac unit has been busy massaging the truck-based platform with the aim of turning it into America's ultimate luxury SUV statement.
When first introduced in 1999, the aim was to tackle opposition from the likes of the Ford Group's Lincoln Navigator. The resulting effort was rather dismal as GM hastily took the GMC Yukon Denali as a starting point and barely modified it; thankfully whilst still being truck-based, successive generations have somewhat improved.
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The current generation of the Sport has been with us since 2005 as a sportier alternative to the larger Range Rover. It's been a hit with the trendy suburbanites and downtown corporate suites here and in Europe - although in the latter land they're mainly used for transporting hit-men and smugglers.
This is a lucrative market and Land Rover knows it, hence why the brand is expanding its lineup of luxury off-roaders.
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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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The Super Sport racer will be unique to the championship as the production-going road car has yet to be revealed and won't even built in the United States; to find it's country of origin you'll have to get an atlas and turn it upside down; yes that's right, it will be built in the backyard that Crocodile Dundee calls home - Australia.
Based on the Zeta architecture, the new SS won't be entirely new to the market when it goes on sale next year as a 2014 model. In fact, it's GM's second attempt to get the Holden-based Commodore on US shores - with the last try drying up after the Pontiac division was dissolved.
GM realizes that they still have a good product with the Commodore down under, so coinciding with the upcoming Aussie redesign they have given it another chance. This update is expected to bring substantial technological and interior quality advances over the previous G8 / current Commodore.
In fact, the latter even has blood ties with Skoda due to Volkswagen buying the Czech subsidiary back in 2000; and that bond will become even closer with the next chapter of Octavia as it joins the Golf and Audi A3 on the diverse MQB platform.
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The current Silverado has been battling it out strongly since 2007, only finishing as bridesmaid to Ford's F-150 on the sales charts, which is one thing for certain that GM would love to change.
The outgoing model has arguably been wearing the bridesmaid's tag when it comes to styling too; sure, it's reasonably appealing with its modern and rugged clothes, but doesn't push any design envelopes. Being a fresh slate for the 2014 model year, Chevrolet is changing this and gunning Ford, Dodge and Toyota head on in the pickup design stakes.
The new all-duty hauler expands on recent GM design themes with it's blunt square-ish and rounded sheet metal pressings. The front is more brash thanks to it's detailed chrome grill (with honeycomb inserts) and headlight surrounds, which incorporate more sophisticated projector headlights and turn signals.
Since you have already seen the real life 2013 Maserati Quattroporte, which will make its grand premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this January, we wanted to ask your thoughts about our design.
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Hours upon hours have been consumed in getting the look as close to the real thing as possible via feedback and our own extensive investigation, and now, we can finally show you the next generation of pony car. Make no mistake; this isn't our view of the next Mustang, but how Ford's designers are actually imagining the car to look like.
The Mustang has been Ford's halo car since 1964, and the 2015MY 'Stang is expected to emerge from the stables in time for its 50th birthday. This nameplate is one of the longest running in Ford's automotive history - and that's something you do not want to mess up. Bearing this in mind, taking on the challenge of rendering the actual 2015 version was hugely exciting.
Working closely with our own sources as well as gathering all the extra information we could, including from a Ford forum thread that concerned a recent consumer clinic about the next Mustang (and which by the way, has since been shut down…), we created these renderings. The car in question has been designed in GT trim, so one can expect even wilder versions like the Boss 302, CS, and GT500 down the track.
The first model isn't much of a surprise as it concerns the roadster version of the Aventador, through, we are told that it could break cover as early as this autumn before it goes on sale in spring or summer of 2013, depending on the market.
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Josh's speculative take blended the shape and styling elements of the retro-penned fifth generation model (both the original and the facelifted versions) with hints from Ford's modern design language as displayed in cars like the production Taurus and the conceptual Evos.
Several sites and forums quickly picked up the rendering with readers touching up our original design (we can assure you, none of them asked us), some of whom lightly modded the rendering with new elements like the headlamps based on what they heard from owners who rated the next Mustang at a recent consumer clinic.
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Insert Toyota and its popular crossover here; the current RAV4 is fast growing a few grey hairs and has lost some of its youthfulness of yesteryear. Not wanting its direct competitors to seize on this, the boffins at Toyota have been working hard on its next generation of their popular compact SUV.
This hard work has become more apparent in recent months with numerous camouflaged spy photos hitting the cyberspace. Based on those photos, I have created an illustration that previews the new design direction for the 2013 Toyota RAV4.
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