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BMW's fuel cell coming after 2020

Honda made news earlier this week at the Tokyo Motor Show by announcing details of the what will be its first production hydrogen fuel cell vehicle earmarked for the US next year. As for BMW? Not so fast. The German automaker might start working on a fuel cell vehicle for one of its larger sedan lines, but don't expect it to see the light of day before 2020, Reuters reports, citing remarks made by BMW executive Merten Jung in Tokyo. Bimmer has been collaborating with Toyota on advancing fuel-cell technology since 2013, but any production vehicle from BMW would take place after that collaboration expires. In fact, one point Jung made was that the BMW fuel cell would be able to go further on a full tank (of hydrogen) than the Toyota Mirai's 300+ miles. Earlier this year, reports surfaced that BMW may have a fuel-cell vehicle ready before the end of the decade, and that it would likely be sold under Bimmer's i brand of advanced-powertrain vehicles. Additionally, this summer, videos started coming out showing a hydrogen fuel cell i8 prototype (a rather sporty one, actually) as well as a 5-series prototype, so getting a handle on BMW's plans for fuel cell vehicles is a bit of a moving target. As for Honda, the Clarity will be earmarked for fleet and business customers in Japan first before marketing starts for everyday drivers. We've got some brief first-hand impressions of what it's like to drive a Clarity prototype here.

Watch the next BMW M5 slide its way around the Nurburgring

By now, you've probably seen the spy photos of the next BMW M5 – we posted three sets of camouflaged cars last year. Now comes recently captured video showing three camouflaged examples – including the car shown in our June 2015 photos – lapping Germany's famed Nurburgring. The (obvious) advantage of video when looking at prototypes like this is that we can actually see the vehicle in motion. That allows us to make a couple of educated guesses, particularly when it comes to the rumors about the next M5 moving to an all-wheel-drive setup. In the video, we can clearly see the next super-sedan throw its tail out around a bend. Judging by the way the driver takes the turn and the change in engine note, it looks and sounds like the driver was actively trying to throw the tail out. That could point to a rear-drive layout, or at the very least an AWD setup with a heavy rear-wheel bias. Beyond seeing the M5 sliding about, we also get to hear its thumping, twin-turbo heart at work. It's widely expected BMW's popular 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8 will carry on under the hood, and this video gives us absolutely zero reason to think otherwise. It sounds a lot like the current car, down to the abrupt upshifts of the seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission. According to the video's caption, that upgraded V8 should get around a 60-horsepower bump, which would put it around 620 hp. That's 20 ponies more than the 30th Anniversary car and would contradict a June 2015 report claiming that M was capping its cars at 600 hp. Related Video:

Updated 2017 BMW i3 goes 114 miles with new 33-kWh battery

The trend of electric vehicles getting bigger batteries and thus longer ranges continues with today's announcement that the 2017 BMW i3 will come with a 33-kWh battery good for 114 miles of range. That's a solid increase from the 81 miles of range from a 22-kWh pack in the original i3s. Officially called the 2017 BMW i3 (94 Ah) – that's not gonna roll off the tongue – the new battery is the same size as the original pack, but has a more than 50 percent increase in capacity. BMW says that the 114 miles will be available, "varying weather conditions and with the air conditioning or heating turned on," which sure sounds like real-world driving to us. The range-extender version of the i3 will also be available with the new 94 Ah battery. In the days' biggest non-surprise (given the i3 news), the BMW i8 is also getting a range boost and a facelift. Read more about the i3 in the press release below. Related Video: The new 2017 BMW i3 (94 Ah): More range paired to high-level dynamic performance: BMW i3 (94 Ah) with more powerful battery (33 kWh). Up to 114 mile combined1 (hwy/city) range under everyday conditions2. New BMW Home Charger Connect offering additional comfort and connected functions. Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – EMBARGO: May 1, 6:01 pm EDT / 3:01 pm PDT... Today BMW announced that BMW i will offer a new model range of its compact electric car, the BMW i3 and from the 2017 model year will be offering a new version with more than 50% increased battery capacity. The 2017 BMW i3 (94 Ah) has a capacity of 33 kilowatt hours (kWh) thanks to the higher energy density of the lithium ion cells. The BMW i team worked to ensure that the battery dimensions remain unchanged while still offering a significant range increase. Even in everyday conditions 2, the new Battery Electric BMW i3, in varying weather conditions and with the air conditioning or heating turned on, a range of up to 114 miles combined1 (hwy/city) is possible as shown by independent BMW testing cycles3. The driving performance figures of the 170 hp AC synchronous electric motor remain virtually unchanged. The motor propels the BMW i3 from 0 to 60 mph in just over 7 seconds. This makes the BMW i3 both the sportiest and most efficient electric vehicle in its segment with an expected EPA electricity consumption of 27 kWh/100mi. In addition to the Battery Electric BMW i3, the Range Extender model will also feature the 94 Ah battery.