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Are you the next BMW X5?

Who knew that diecast model makers could be such a good source of leaks? Less than a month after a diecast model 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA in China, someone overseas at Diecast Empire or Jadi Modelcraft could get a bath in boiling oil for leaking uncamouflaged images of the next-generation BMW X5.
Naturally, that assumes that this image from a brochure from a Jadi brochure is indeed the F15 BMW X5 - it was posted to Diecast Empire's Facebook page. In its favor, the lines all add up if we compare it to the most revealing spy shots we have of the coming crossover - the headlight corners, the metal trim separating the kidney grille from the opening just above the license plate, the cut of the swage line, and the fact that the model picture reveals all of the most important character pieces that BMW has kept covered.
There's something written on the door of the model image that isn't in the spy shots, but that could be an xDrive badge. We will see the genuine article soon enough and we'll know for sure. For now, we might have already seen its facsimile in miniature.

BMW 2 Series specs leaked?

Thanks to spy shots from earlier in the year, we already know what the new BMW 2 Series will look like, but now we know a lot more about the coupe courtesy of an apparent BMW South Africa error and some quick-clicking enthusiasts. Though the information no longer appears to be posted on BMW's South African website, 2addicts.com managed to grab most of the details for the new coupe, including the model lineup, specs and most (if not all) of the options list for the upcoming replacement for the 1 Series.
Just like the latest 3 Series, the 2 Series model lineup starts at the 220i powered by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, but the more exciting BMW figures to be the M235i with its 320-hp, 3.0-liter straight-six. With the automatic transmission, the info says that the M235i weights 3,240 pounds and will be able to accelerate from 0-62 miles per hour in 4.8 seconds - making it both lighter and quicker than the 135is currently offered in the US. The base 220i coupe should also be fun to drive with its 180 horsepower and sub-3,000 pound curb weight.
A quick side-by-side comparison of the dimensions for the base 220i with our current base 128i shows that the new coupe rides on a longer wheelbase (105.9 in. vs. 104.7 in.), is about two inches longer (174.4 in. vs. 172.2 in.) and is an inch wider (69.8 in. vs. 68.8 in.). 2addicts.com even shows available paint colors, interior trim options and lists pricing for South African-spec models. Head on over to the forum to check out all the info they have posted, but we expect the 2 Series to be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show early next year.

2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe now more expensive than when new

At the end of the day, your friendly Autoblog editors are car guys, just like you. So, while we might have more of an opportunity to test some of the most interesting vehicles on the new car scene than does your average gear head, we can still be found whiling away those long afternoon hours looking at used cars and thinking about what could be.
Just the other day, we had a vivid reminder about one of our dream cars from the very recent past, the 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe. If you didn't catch it, Michael Harley had a great time testing and reviewing the new Dinan S3-R version of the car, which throws an impressively engineered turbo and suspension tune on a BMW that was damn near perfect out of the box.
In the Comments section of that review, a few savvy Autoblog readers pointed out that our estimated price for a used donor car, set at $50,000, was low. Odd, we thought, as the car retailed for less than $50k ($46,135) when it was new in 2011. So we started checking around.