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BMW iNext coming in 2021 with lots of new tech

BMW has been showing off fanciful visions of the future with concept cars like the appropriately named BMW Vision Next 100 Concept. But the company is also a full-time player in the plugged-in vehicle sales effort, and on that front we learned a little bit more about the next (we think) BMW i vehicle, the i NEXT, which is coming in 2021. Speaking today at BMW's 96th Annual General Meeting in Germany, the Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Harald Kruger, said that the i NEXT will be, "our new innovation driver, with autonomous driving, digital connectivity, intelligent lightweight design, a totally new interior and ultimately bringing the next generation of electro-mobility to the road." Kruger first talked about the i NEXT a few months ago. Okay, granted, that's not a lot of detail, and we would expect a vehicle not due for another five years to have a "totally new interior." But at least it's a little glimpse into the new ways that BMW wants to sell us plug-in vehicles. It's going to update the current line-up with the i3 getting a 50-percent electric range boost and the BMW i8 Roadster in 2018. Kruger said that, when it comes to electric cars, its about more than specs and details: The discussion about e-mobility is an emotional one, but the decisive factor is that we move things forward. I am certain that government measures will prove effective. It is always better to make a decision than to wait – and the purchase incentive will directly benefit customers. There was never any doubt that we would participate. Such a participation by the industry is unique worldwide. After all, the only way to make progress is by manufacturers, customers, lawmakers and society all working together. Related Video: Featured Gallery BMW Vision Next 100 Concept News Source: BMW Green BMW Technology Emerging Technologies Electric Future Vehicles bmw vision bmw inext bmw vision next 100 concept

BMW M5 spied as camouflage striptease continues

The facelifted BMW M5's striptease continues. The latest spy images of the super sedan show even more headlight and taillight details, on top of more overt signs of this car's character. Our first spy photos of the M5 showed a car with production 5 Series wheels and tiny quad exhaust pipes. The next set got sportier black wheels. But the latest shots depict a machine that gets the current M5 Competition Package's black wheels along with BMW M's trademark blue calipers, just like the current car. It also ditches the camouflage on the pillars, roof rails, and rear windows. Beyond those changes, stripping away some of the camouflage has shown modest tweaks. We're finally getting a good look at the updated, squared-off LED running lamps and the tweaked front fascia. Updates are even more minor in back. But there may be something more drastic at play with the taillights. Studying these shots, we can't really see any detailing in the rear lamps. There's a similar thing going on between the normal LEDs on the BMW M4 and the OLED units in the new M4 GTS. Backing up this speculation is a single shot of one of the rear turn signals illuminated. It doesn't look quite like the current car's signal, but we can't be certain. It's possible that the shots and the camouflage might be playing tricks on our eyes. And since this is the first time we've seen the updated M5 with production taillights, there's no real basis for comparison. Still, BMW's tantalizing new OLED tech is sure to proliferate beyond the M4 GTS. We just can't yet be certain if it's coming to the next M5. Related Video:

Ex-Rolls-Royce design chief Ian Cameron killed at home

Former Rolls-Royce design chief Ian Cameron, the man who oversaw the automaker's design renaissance with the Phantom and Ghost ranges, was stabbed to death at his home in Bavaria (translated) on July 12. German newspaper reports have identified a suspect via surveillance camera (translated) whom police say is the killer. Apparently, the man went shopping at a store less than a mile from Cameron's house, then changed clothes and showed up at Cameron's door. A surveillance image before the suspect gets to the house shows him wearing the items that neighbors described, notably light pants, a dark blue hoodie, a red backpack and "yellow-green gloves." Someone reportedly cut the wires on the home security system, the suggestion being that the suspect or someone else involved had cased the house for at least a few days. It's said the killer rang the doorbell, attacking as soon as Cameron opened the front door, stabbing the designer to death. Verena Kloos, Cameron's wife, escaped to a neighbor's house and called police. This is a bizarre incident. Reports have floated the motivation that the killer wanted one of the vehicles in Cameron's car collection at the Bavarian property. Instead of going after a car, though, the killer ran off in his distinctive outfit, staying in the open long enough for neighbors to give a detailed description. He then changed clothes and ditched the backpack on a lakeside promenade not far from Cameron's house. Strangest of all, the man apparently left the clothes near the backpack, and the backpack contained items the man had bought during his shopping trip before the murder.  At the time of writing, police are searching throughout Germany but haven't caught the suspect. With a clear picture and a likely trove of DNA evidence, authorities have excellent leads. Anyone who can help is asked to get in touch with the Furstenfeldbruck Criminal Investigation Department at (+49) 8.14.16.120. Cameron's career started at Pininfarina in 1975, culminating in a greatest hits of designs while at BMW. He has exterior design of the third-generation Range Rover on his resume, as well as the BMW Z8. It was Cameron's Phantom, though, that helped create an entirely new Rolls-Royce after BMW bought the brand. CEO Chris Brownridge wrote on LinkedIn that "Ian played a significant role in shaping Rolls-Royce from when it was first acquired by BMW Group and moved to its home at Goodwood, West Sussex.