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BMW's next-century concept mentions no powertrain, and we're sad

So the Ultimate Driving Machine might soon become the Ultimate Machine Driver. We get it, that's the way things are moving. For its part, BMW still plans to involve a driver in its next-century designs, as foretold by the Vision Next 100 concept it unveiled at its centenary celebration kickoff event. But what gets us is that BMW, Bayerische Motoren Werke, the company known for delivering some of the most sorted powertrains – gasoline and otherwise – over the last century makes no mention of the future of propulsion when presenting its idea of the next 100 years on the road. Maybe it's the fact we just don't know what will power our cars even 10 years down the line; locking into one concept or another could look bad in hindsight. But the whole, er, concept of a concept is to look at what might be possible, not avoid sticky issues. Where are the in-hub motors, the wireless charging mats, the onboard fusion reactors we were promised in Back to the Future Part II? This is an opportunity to offer innovative solutions. Skipping over the power was a mistake, and one that makes me a little disappointed in the company. I'd have liked to see BMW go big with a bold prediction, or even just admit that gas will be gone and some form of electrification will take its place by 2116. We're okay with electric motors as long as they don't drain the life out of cars, and they don't have to, which is something companies like Tesla and even BMW have proven. Here's hoping one of BMW's other centenary concepts will pick up where the Vision Next 100 fell short. Related Video: Featured Gallery BMW Vision Next 100 Concept Green BMW bmw vision next 100 concept

Motor Trend first to compare Jaguar XE and BMW 3 Series

How many automakers have loaded up how much ammo and taken how many shots at the BMW 3 Series? Yet here we are, decades on and at least a decade away from the 3 Series' halcyon days, waiting for someone to give the sport sedan something beyond a flesh wound. In this most recent episode of Head 2 Head, Johnny Lieberman goes to Spain to figure out if the Jaguar XE is the sedan to do it. Here the champion wears the guise of the 335i M Sport, powered by a 3.0-liter, turbocharged, inline-six with a square 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque run through a ZF eight-speed transmission. After a short time behind the wheel Lieberman quotes from a familiar hagiography, saying it's evident "just how great this car is and why it defines the segment." The all-aluminum challenger from Jaguar comes in XES trim, meaning a 3.0-liter, supercharged V6 with 340 hp and 332 lb-ft. It uses the same eight-speed transmission as the BMW, but with different programming. According to the specs in the video, some of which are manufacturer estimates, the Jaguar is heavier, more expensive, and much thirstier at the pump. Away from the spreadsheet, Lieberman holds that the XE looks better and feels more special inside. In case you're wondering, the comparo was done before MT could get its mitts on the 320-hp BMW 340i. Lieberman says the English company spent its money on the XE suspension and it shows, but there have been other efforts from other automakers with excellent dynamic chops that weren't enough to threaten the BMW. His final assessment is that one of the two cars is awesome, and one is quite a bit better. Watch the video to find out which is which. Related Gallery 2016 Jaguar XE View 74 Photos Related Gallery 2016 BMW 3 Series Refresh View 57 Photos News Source: Motor Trend Channel via Carscoops, YouTube BMW Jaguar Luxury Performance Sedan motor trend jaguar xe head 2 head

BMW X4 M40i leaks ahead of LA Auto Show

Leaked photos of the higher-performance BMW X4 M40i emerged today ahead of its expected debut at the 2015 LA Auto Show. The new model builds on the xDrive35i model, offering an extra 60 horsepower and 43 pound-feet of torque. The hotted-up X4 should use that power well. According to Auto Guide, it will hit 62 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds and should be limited to a top speed of 155 mph – a notable improvement over the existing xDrive35i, which takes 5.2 seconds to hit 60 and has a top speed of 130 mph. Expect the X4 M40i to be followed by an similar version using the X3's more versatile body style, both of which will use an eight-speed automatic and a more aggressive all-wheel-drive setup. Despite the "M" in its name, this is not a full-blown M car. Instead, it takes the same tack BMW has used for the M235i here in America, as well as the M50d models sold in Europe: higher performance over stock, without offering the full enchilada that is a proper M car. That explains the slightly more aggressive body kit, which isn't as sporting as that of a proper M car. On top of the new front and rear clips, there's a set of meaty 19-inch wheels that look to be wrapped in sporty Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. In the cabin, an oversized M-branded steering wheel is the most notable addition. Naturally, we'll have the full range of details on the X4 M40i when it debuts in a couple of months in LA. Related Video: The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience.