Mercedes A45 AMG Easily Beats BMW M135i and VW Golf GTI in Comparison Test

The following comparison test from Autocar couldn’t bring together more different types of hot-hatches. For starters, there’s the all-wheel-drive Mercedes A45 AMG powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit developing 355 horsepower (360PS). Then there’s the rear-wheel-drive BMW M135i powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six engine that churns out 316 hp (320PS). Finally, the most curious choice of the test is the VW Golf GTI Performance, a front-wheel-drive 227hp (230PS) car powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. Read more »

BMW to Debut New Active Tourer Outdoor Concept Next Month

New production and concept models are coming in thick and fast for BMW, which has now announced plans for the world premiere of a fresh iteration of its Active Tourer Concept at the OutDoor Business Show in Friedrichshafen, Germany on July 12.

The second conceptual version of the compact minivan study that we first laid eyes on at the 2012 Paris Motor Show is named the Concept Active Tourer Outdoor and according to the Bavarian carmaker, "it is aimed at meeting the special needs of an outdoor and leisure time oriented target group".

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Scoop: New 7-Seater BMW 1-Series GT Eyes Compact MPV Segment

Here's a better look at the second iteration of BMW's brand new 1-Series GT with a longer body than the upcoming five-passenger version that makes room for a third row of seats and increased interior space, thus offering the Bavarian automaker it's first true minivan proposal.

The 7-seat version of the 1-Series GT sports an extended rear overhang and possibly, a longer wheelbase than the more compact 5-seat model that was previewed through last year's Concept Active Hybrid.

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Spied: BMW's FWD 1-Series Gran Turismo Spotted in Longer 7-Seat Version

The front-wheel drive platform won't be the only significant new feature of the upcoming BMW 1-Series Gran Turismo (GT), as our spies have just captured a longer version of the car sporting a third row of seats increasing its capacity to seven passengers.

BMW had given us our first taste of the five-seat variant of the 1 GT with the Concept Active Hybrid at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, but it hadn't prepared us for a longer model.

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BMW’s 2014 Upgrades Include New xDrive Models and 8-Speed Auto Across the Board

BMW has announced a number of model upgrade measures that will be effective starting this summer in Europe. With the EU6 exhaust emission standard coming into effect in September 2014, BMW will increase the number of models that already fulfill the EU6 emission regulations. Read more »

BMW Reportedly Considering 1-Series and/or…MINI Sedans

The Chinese love sedans with lots of knee room in the back, and the BMW 1-Series is/has neither of those things. It is currently sold in the country, but a sedan model based on it would boost sales considerably, as it could be sold at a lower price than the 3-Series, and the all-important badge would reel in the customers.

Now, it has been revealed that this is more than just pure speculation, as Autoexpress has learnt that such a model is actually being considered.

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Need for Speed: This is How EA Game's VP Rolls at Work

How would you imagine a high-ranking executive of a large gaming company like Electronic Arts (EA) arriving at work? Sure, the developer has produced some popular racing games like Need for Speed and the Burnout series, but what about its management; do they have any real love/interest for cars?

We cannot speak for all the top brass, but we can tell you that Patrick Söderlund, the executive vice president of the EA Games Label, definitely seems like our kind of guy; from the car the Swedish native rolls in, to the fact that he makes a point to note in his 'About' page on EA that he spends his spare time driving race cars.

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BMW Tries to Woo Japanese Buyers with Limited Edition 116i Fashionista

Japanese consumers are often treated with special edition versions of European premium cars, some of which are collectibles, like the 1996-1999 BMW 840CiA Individual, and others not so much.

BMW's latest Japan market-only special is the 116i "Fashionista" that will be offered exclusively in a five-door body style priced at ¥3,460,000 (US$37,500 or €28,500), with production capped at 370 units.

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BMW Recalls More Than Half a Million Vehicles in the States Over Two Separate Issues

The brand recognized by its blue and white roundel has informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about two separate recall actions.

The biggest recall affects 504,545 vehicles sold in the United States, including the following models: 2008-2012MY 1-Series coupe and convertible, 2007-20011MY 3-Series coupe, convertible, sedan and wagon, and 2009-2011MY Z4 roadster, over a battery cable fault.

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Prior Design Takes BMW 1-Series Coupe to the Gym

If you need your regular BMW 1-Series to stand out from the crowd, German aftermarket specialist Prior-Design has cooked up a new dish for the non-M models of the compact coupe as well as its convertible variants.

The new widebody styling kit apes the looks of the 1-Series M Coupe with bloated front and wheel arches, combined with matching M-style front and rear bumpers, a vented hood, and side skirts at a price of €2,999 (about US$4,000 at today's exchange rates), not including fitting.

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BMW Releases New Engines for 3-Series Touring and 10 New xDrive Variants

The new 4-Series concept may be one of the stars of the 2013 Detroit Motor Show but that doesn’t mean that BMW is leaving the rest of its line-up alone. Quite the opposite: the Bavaria-based luxury carmaker announced a host of additions to its range, all of which will become available in spring. Read more »

BMW 1-Series Nürburgring Racer Crashes, Goes up in the Air

In recent years, the widespread availability of affordable, on-board cameras, have offered us a first person view of many accidents that take place at the Nürburgring racetrack each year during public sessions.

One such mishap on the 'Ring involving a BMW 1-Series hatch (we can't make out the model from the clip) was recorded on film by the camera of a car that was following from behind.

In the footage, we see the 1-Series first chasing and then overtaking a BMW 6-Series Coupe before the driver loses control of the hatch, which spins and smashes into the protective barrier, sending it into the air.

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Auto Express Pits BMW M135i Against Subaru WRX STi 320R

Once upon a time, not too long ago, buyers rarely cross shopped between Subarus and BMWs, but now, with the way that the Bavarian brand has expanded its range into most segments of the market, many of its cars directly challenge the Japanese brand's models in terms of specs and surprisingly, pricing as well.

A prime example is the newly launched in Europe BMW M135i hatchback, which with 316bhp (320PS) and 450Nm (332 lb-ft) from its turbocharged 3.0-liter straight, the option of either RWD or AWD configurations, and a UK starting price of £30,555 for the six-speed manual 3d and £31,970 for the 8-speed auto 3d model, matches the Subaru WRX STi.

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CarScoop Wishes You a Very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Some say that editors and contributors on this site have petrol instead of blood flowing in their veins and that they’d rather show you the new Ferrari F150 or the Corvette C7 than spend a night with a bunch of Victoria’s Secret angels.

All we know is that everyone here at CarScoop wishes you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and that we will be taking some time off today (don't worry, we've planned some stories) before resuming normal operations.

Before we bid thee farewell and warn you to drive safely and, in case you intend to have a drink or two, designate a driver or just leave your car keys at home, there’s some breaking news we’d like to share with you.

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Schwabenfolia Squeezes Some Color on the BMW 1-Series M Coupe

Leave it to a German tuner with a tongue twister name like Schwabenfolia to go all lime green with a limited edition sports car like the BMW 1-Series M Coupe, of which a little over 6,300 units were produced during a ~1-year run.

But fear not, as Schwabenfolia didn't actually paint the Bavarian coupe, instead, it applied a lime green foil wrap, which is priced at €2,150 (US$2,850).

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New BMW 1 Series Coupe and Convertible Limited Edition Lifestyle Heading to Detroit Auto Show

The star attractions at BMW's Detroit motor show stand in January will no doubt be the new 4-Series concept and the production M6 Gran Coupe, but the Bavarian carmaker has a few more world debuts up its sleeve, including the 2014 Z4 roadster we told you about earlier today, and two new limited edition versions of the 1-Series. Read more »

Scoop: BMW 2-Series Convertible Caught for the Very First Time

We were wondering when we would see what BMW is preparing for its 1-Series Coupe and Convertible replacements, and now, thanks to these fresh spy shots, we can show you the first pictures of what we're likely to come to know as the 2-Series Convertible as part of a rumored broader change of names for the Bavarian carmaker.

In the exactly the same way that the 4-Series Coupe and Convertible variants will be based on the F30 3-Series, the 2-Series models will share their platform, interior and mechanical hardware with the latest 1-Series hatchbacks.

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BMW Counts on Upcoming Front-Wheel Drive Models to Keep No1 Spot in Premium Segment

Along with his three brothers, Harris Morris Warner was among the key founders of the Warner Bros. studio. In the early 20th century, movies had no sound; after acquiring the KWBC radio station, H.M.’s (as he was known) younger brother Sam decided to use synchronized sound in the company's movies. The elder brother’s response upon hearing this idea was not very positive.

“Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?” he said, a quote that would remain in history despite the fact that he, obviously, soon changed his mind.

In much the same way, BMW purists are scoffing at the company’s plans to introduce front-wheel drive cars. The first will be the 1-Series GT, which was previewed by the Active Tourer concept that was displayed at this year’s Paris Auto Show, and starting from 2013, will rival the Mercedes B-Class.

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Scoop: BMW's Concept Active Hybrid Takes Production Shape as the New 1-Series GT

The first modern day BMW to be offered with front-wheel drive is almost upon us as the Bavarian car manufacturer is moving ahead with the development of the 1-Series Gran Turismo (GT) that was previewed through the Concept Active Hybrid at the 2012 Paris Motor Show this past September.

The 1-Series GT is a roomier and more practical addition to the 1-Series range that currently comprises the new generation three- and five-door hatchbacks available in both RWD and AWD configurations, and the exclusively RWD older Coupe and Convertible body styles.

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BMW 116d EfficientDynamics Records 103MPG UK – 2.7lt/100km in RAC Challenge

A latest generation BMW 116d EfficientDynamics hatch driven by the team at Green-Car-Guide at the RAC Future Car Challenge 2012 achieved an average fuel economy of 103 mpg UK (equal to 85.8 mpg US and 2.7lt/100km) over the 64-mile Brighton to London route, recording a 39 per cent improvement over the manufacturer's official 74.3mpg UK combined economy figure. Read more »