BMW is working on the next-generation 1-series – and our spies have caught the first test mules as they took to the streets around Munich. One of the main changes on the new 1-series will be better packaging, to overcome the claustrophobia rear-seat passengers suffer on today’s model. That’s why this test vehicle appears to have a wider track and changes around the doors. 

There’s still some time to wait for the new One; we won’t see it until 2009-2010 at the earliest. That’s when we’ll see the full list of changes for the first time, but the Munich grapevine suggests that we’ll see numerous technical changes on the new 1-series too.

[ Source: Car Magazine]

BMW is working on the next-generation 1-series – and our spies have caught the first test mules as they took to the streets around Munich. One of the main changes on the new 1-series will be better packaging, to overcome the claustrophobia rear-seat passengers suffer on today’s model. That’s why this test vehicle appears to have a wider track and changes around the doors. 

There’s still some time to wait for the new One; we won’t see it until 2009-2010 at the earliest. That’s when we’ll see the full list of changes for the first time, but the Munich grapevine suggests that we’ll see numerous technical changes on the new 1-series too.

A new report on the German automaker appears to be pointing in that direction, indicating that the United States may be receiving an all-electric Bimmer by 2012. It’s unclear exactly what sort of size (or price) this new BMW will be, so we can’t say for certain whether it’ll be a sporty number like the Tesla Roadster, a generic-looking sedan, or hopped-up crossover.

BMW also has not said whether this all-electric vehicle will even be manufactured on their own. They are considering the possibility of having the work outsourced to a major US automaker. This isn’t the first time that BMW has partnered with a domestic automaker.

Norbert Reithofer, BMW CEO,k says that they will likely “make a battery-powered ecologically compatible car for the U.S. market” with a target launch date of 2012. Nissan also has an all-electric in development for the same time period.

The CS concept made its debut in The New York Auto Show. Here is video of this amazing machine.

The latest prototypes of the 2011 BMW 5 Series have been caught on the streets of Germany, and like most of the test mules we’ve seen before, they indicate only minor design changes for BMW’s next midrange sedan.

Unlike the current BMW 5 Series that ushered in a whole new design philosophy, the next-generation (known internally as F10) will most likely soften the current model’s line instead of reinventing them once again. The overall size of this prototype doesn’t appear substantially different, so we don’t expect any major changes in terms of passenger room either.

There’s a good chance that the top-of-the-line versions of this 5 Series will use the same twin-turbo V8 introduced in the 2009 BMW X6. Some rumors also suggest that an eight-speed automatic transmission will be used.

Via Edmunds.com

Based on the luxurious 7 Series, it should go on sale in 2010 and closely resembles the Concept CS shown at Shanghai last year.

Dubbed the Gran Turismo (the final name has yet to be decided), the car should boast many of the 7 Series’ features and engines, and will challenge the forthcoming Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide.

The Gran Turismo is likely to be even longer than the 7 Series, and will also lose a seat, giving occupants even more room.

BMW is hoping to attract buyers of both luxury saloons and sports cars, thanks to the car’s four-door design and coupe styling.

Based on the 5 series, this is the first video of BMW’s 2010V5. BMW’ calls it its Progressive Activity Vehicle, but many speculate that is BMW’s response to Mercedes R Class. The V5 will be one of those cars that will be really hard to classify under a specific class.

BMW may be offering a redesign of its iconic postwar microcar, the Isetta, to compete with contemporary micros such as the Smart and the Fiat 500. The original Isetta was powered by a rear-mounted motorcycle engine that delivered about 12 horsepower, and on the base model the only door was its swing-away nose panel. Modern safety regs would prohibit this front-entry design, but the new Isetta would retain the egg-shaped silhouette of the original. The redesign is only in the earliest conceptual stages at the moment, and BMW may not make a decision on it until 2010.

MUNICH — The 2010 BMW V Series is still years away from its official launch, but spy photos continue to reveal more details about the future BMW model.

Based on the latest spy shots, the V Series is expected to ride on the BMW 7 Series platform. Its high roof line will provide an SUV-like interior, although it’s expected to seat only four or five passengers.

As close as this prototype appears to production, the finished design isn’t expected until roughly 2009, with an on-sale date as far off as early 2010.