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BMW to follow Honda back into F1?

The economic downturn wrought devastating effects on motor racing. Formula One alone lost half its engine suppliers when Honda left at the end of the 2008 season, and both BMW and Toyota followed at the end of 2009. But things are looking up again. Cosworth may have dropped out this season, reducing the engine suppliers to three: Ferrari, Renault and Mercedes, the latter of which admits that it may have left had the engine formula not changed. But Mercedes has stayed and is dominating the championship. Honda is coming back next season. And word around the paddock is it may not be the only one.
According to Giancarlo Minardi - founder of the team now known as Scuderia Toro Rosso - BMW engineers have been conspicuously spotted lately at F1 test sessions and grands prix, lending to speculation that the new engine regulations may entice the Bavarian automaker back into the series. According to Minardi, BMW's marketing division is pushing for the automaker's return to F1, with the board slated to make a decision in May. BMW would be more likely to consider an engine-supply deal rather than taking a team over like it had with Sauber, but with which team or teams it might collaborate remains a big question mark at this point.
As if that's not enough, Ford is said to be considering taking over Cosworth's aborted V6 turbo engine program to take both outfits back into the sport as well. Cosworth supplied F1 engines under the Ford banner for years, but returned under its own name for four seasons from 2010 through 2013 before shuttering its program to develop an engine to meet the new regulations adopted this season.

Next BMW X5 caught testing in the snow

That's not taken long at all. Less than three years after BMW introduced the current X5, the German automaker has already kicked off winter testing for its replacement. The new Sport Activity Vehicle (that's BMW for crossover) has been spotted in snowy terrain, complete with heavy camouflage and extra driving lamps. Now, this is a mule, which means we're absolutely not looking at production sheetmetal. Instead, we'd wager the next X5 is hiding well beneath this swirly camouflage. Compared with images of the current car, it looks like we're seeing a longer front overhang, a shorter rear overhang, and a tighter dash-to-axle ratio. That makes us think the next X5's exterior dimensions might be just a smidge smaller than the current model. And that gels with at least some of what our spies are telling us. For one, they're reporting that the new X5 will be significantly lighter, as is the trend nowadays. It will also be more comfortable and techy, both of which would put it in line with the new 7 Series. Beyond that, though, we're in the very earliest days of BMW's next SAV. The debut of the fourth-generation X5 will likely come in 2018 as a 2019 model. Related Video:

Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #334 LIVE!

We're set to record Autoblog Podcast #334 tonight, and you can drop us your questions and comments via our Q&A module below. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.
Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #334
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