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Mini might build a sedan because it's running out of shapes

Rumors suggest we could soon see a Mini with a trunk to haul your junk. Autocar cites unnamed insiders who claim the sedan is part of the brand's plan for upmarket growth. There's even a possibility the new model could use the Riley moniker in reference to the Elf (pictured above) from the 1960s, which was a Mini with a tiny trunk. The Mini sedan would use BMW's front-wheel-drive platform that underpins the X1 and Clubman and might share the wheelbase and frontend styling with the Clubman as well, according to Autocar. Mini's execs think the four-door would perform especially well in North America and China, where there's less demand for hatchbacks. Ralph Mahler, vice president of Mini's product management, hinted at the possibility of the four-door to Autocar. "For example, in Asia and the US, the sedan segment is very big. This is very interesting to us, of course," he said. Mahler admits that many people don't know about the Mini-based vehicles with trunks from the '60s, like the Riley Elf, so it would be hard to market the new model on that heritage. This could be the perfect time to add a Mini sedan to the lineup, and it might not be a completely new idea for the brand under its BMW stewardship; a rumor from 2012 shows that Mini's bosses considered a four-door at least once before. The company launched new versions of its Hardtop, Convertible, and Clubman, and even added four-door and all-wheel-drive versions of the Hardtop to further blur the lines between that car, the Clubman, and the Countryman. The next-generation Countryman crossover should debut later this year, and the brand reportedly cancelled the Superleggera Vision roadster and Rocketman compact, as Mini has chosen to go big with its new models and its lineup breadth. There are only so many versions of a hatchback a company can make, and the short-lived Mini Coupe wasn't exactly a huge success. If Mini is going to try a new body style, a sedan actually makes some sense, even if we'll probably prefer the look and practicality of the hatches. Related Video:

2014 BMW Z4 offers minor refinements with a majorly orange wrapper

The redesigned BMW Z4 was rolled out onto the show floor at the Detroit Auto Show, with the example in question being an sDrive35is variant, with the just-less-than-screaming Hyper Orange Package. The exclusive colorway includes the metallic orange paintjob, as well as trim-specific seats, stitching and accents for the interior. More importantly, the 35is driveline means that you'll find a high-output version of the turbocharged 3.0-liter N54 engine, here outputting 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, and a 7-speed DCT gearbox.
Two slightly less ferociously powered versions of the Z4 will be available for the new model year, too (both familiar). The Z4 sDrive35i is good for 300 hp and 300 lb-ft, while the still-potent sDrive28i features a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder making 240 hp and 260 lb-ft.
You'll fine some more details about the 2014 BMW Z4 in our original news story about the model here, or by scrolling down to read the full BMW press release.

LAPD will get 100 BMW i3 electric cars

BMW of North America said Wednesday that it will supply the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) with 100 BMW i3 electric vehicles. Still, anyone hoping to see those oddly shaped vehicles in hot pursuit along Southern California's streets will have to wait. That's because the cars will be used to transport officers from one place to another, and for community outreach. They won't be used for chasing the bad guys. BMW beat out some other electric vehicles (BMW didn't mention who) in a field trial. The i3 gained points for its combination of drivetrain efficiency, connectability (for fleet management), and reliability. It also helped that the Bimmer has a short wheelbase and tight turning radius, making it easier to navigate the perpetually traffic-filled streets of Los Angeles. The i3 has a base price of $42,400, so the cars aren't exactly cheap. Still, 100 Level 2 chargers and four DC fast chargers will be supplied to the LAPD by Greenlots, and refueling costs will be low. The LAPD had been testing a couple of Tesla Model S electric sedans during the past year, though those were slated for high-pursuit use. Still, while BMW's nod doesn't necessarily mean Tesla is out, the LAPD has indicated that concerns over a possible power outage and resulting lack of ability to recharge the Teslas were probably going to stop the force from using the EVs. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said last year that the city would eventually lease 160 electric vehicles which would be split among various city departments. Take a look at BMW's press release below. Related Video: BMW of North America Wins Bid to Supply the Los Angeles Police Department with 100 BMW i3 Electric Vehicles Los Angeles, CA – June 8, 2016... BMW of North America today announced that it has won its bid to supply the Los Angeles Police Department with 100 fully-electric BMW i3 vehicles for use in the department's transportation fleet. This announcement comes after a field trial during which a BMW i3 was evaluated alongside other EVs on the streets of Los Angeles as part of the LAPD's every day fleet. Ultimately, the BMW i3 was selected due to a combination of EPA rated best-in-class efficiency, reliability and state-of-the-art ConnectedDrive services, which can be used to support fleet management applications.