2011 Bmw M3 on 2040-cars

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BMW planning to stretch i3 into i5 family hauler?

If you're sweet on the new BMW i3 but wish it had more space to carry people and stuff, we've got good news for you. According to Autocar, BMW is planning on stretching the platform that underpins the i3 to create a new model, expected to be called i5.
The stretch job would add an extra four inches of legroom in the back and another six inches of rear overhang to the benefit of cargo space. The result would create a vehicle longer than the current Mini Countryman - although the next Countryman is likely to be even larger. As Autocar points out, the process of extending the i3's composte passenger cell likely wouldn't be as difficult or cost-intensive as lengthening a conventional metal chassis, although the rear doors would need to be re-engineered.
Whether the resulting vehicle would more closely resemble a hatchback, wagon, minivan or something in between remains to be seen, however BMW is said to have already registered the nameplates i1 through i8, signalling that the possibility is at least there to add more members to its new EV family.

The BMW 2002 Hommage is a retro concept done right

BMW has been building hommage cars for years now. They're teases that let us know the designers remember what was great about BMW design past, even if that's not always obvious in the new cars. The latest tribute car is this 2002 Hommage, which makes its debut at the Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este this weekend. Like past hommage cars, the 2002 is more about design than mechanicals. BMW doesn't even mention what theoretically powers this car, and frankly we don't care. There are clues, however, from the classic livery, which includes an M tri-color front splitter with "obrut" ghosted over it, similar to the reversed text on the original '02 Turbo. We'll guess it's a powerful turbocharged engine under the hood, whatever the specifics are. View 17 Photos Neat details abound. There's a carbon-fiber band at the beltline that is supposed to recall the original 2002's chrome trim. The greenhouse is more slick 2 Series than boxy '02, and the flared-fender goodness is a definite nod to the homologation 2002 Turbo. The off-center roundel at the tail is another nice 2002 touch. We're into the ducktail spoiler out back, and, although not quite '60s-specific, the snowflake wheels are pretty great. Even the lighting elements are retro-tinged. The headlight lenses have a gold hue since this is the golden anniversary of the 1966 model. There are also separate turn-signal units embedded above the headlights, here stuck into a piece of carbon trim. Of course, this hommage is likely nothing more than eye candy. BMW uses them more as design exercises than forecasts of future styling. It's good daydream fuel, at least. Image Credit: BMW BMW Coupe Concept Cars Performance villa deste concorso deleganza villa deste bmw 2002 bmw 2002 hommage

Driving the Toyota Supra, Honda Passport and BMW 3 Series | Autoblog Podcast #582

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Green Editor John Beltz Snyder and West Coast Editor James Riswick. First, they talk about the cars they've been driving, including the Honda Passport, BMW 330i and Audi RS5. They follow up with notes about driving the Toyota Supra and 86, and whether Toyota's new sports car strategy makes sense. Then they discuss the news, including the Ferrari SF90 Stradale plug-in hybrid, a possible Renault-FCA merger, death rumors for the Jaguar XJ and thoughts on the upcoming Chevy Trailblazer. Autoblog Podcast #582 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Cars we're driving: 2019 Honda Passport 2019 BMW 330i 2019 Audi RS5 Sportback Toyota Supra, 86 and the company's sports car strategy In the news: Ferrari SF90 Stradale FCA and Renault Jaguar XJ going away? Chevy Trailblazer Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: