Next-Gen Jeep Grand Cherokee Won't Look Like The BMW X6

Forget that coupe-like styling.

For better or worse, it was the BMW X6 that introduced coupe-like styling to the SUV and crossover segments. It may not appeal to true off-road, SUV enthusiasts, but many automakers have copied this theme in order to broaden sales. Needless to say, it’s worked. With that in mind, will definitive SUV brands like Jeep adapt coupe styling for hot-selling models like the Grand Cherokee? Not likely. In a new interview with Motoring, Jeep’s head of international product planning, Adrian Van Campenhout, confirmed that an X6-styled Grand Cherokee is not in the cards.

A redesigned Grand Cherokee is due to arrive sometime in 2017 and is expected to retain its definitive Jeep looks. However, this doesn’t mean that Jeep hasn’t ruled out three-door versions with sportier styling of existing smaller models. Take the Renegade, for example. There are rumors that Jeep is planning an even smaller three-door model slotted below the Renegade. Both could be given coupe-like styling in order to broaden the brand’s appeal, especially in Europe. But we can expect for the next-gen Grand Cherokee to still look very much like a true Jeep.

SPIED: Next-Gen BMW 8 Series Coupe And Convertible Caught In Germany

BMW's latest big car, the 8 Series Coupe and Convertible, has been caught by spies in Germany wearing a little less camouflage than we've seen previously. As interesting as the 8 Series' exterior design may be, our spy was adventurous enough to run up to the side of the Coupe and nab a few shots of its instrument panel, which now features completely digital gauges thanks to a wide format TFT screen. The new BMW 8 Series will debut this June at Le Mans, reports Motor1.

Next-Gen BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe To Answer Mercedes-AMG GT Concept

BMW is prepping a Nurburgring lap time-hungry 6 Series.

It wasn’t so long ago that BMW held a reign of terror on the performance car world, outstripping Mercedes and Audi with its angry V10 and V8 M cars that seemed to strike the perfect balance between luxury and delivery of outrageous driving thrill. The M division is still a heavy name in the industry, but AMG has been on the offensive and the world-beating two-door GT is symbolic of how far the brand has come as well as a signal of where it intends to go in the future.

The new trend, it seems, is to gun after Porsche. With the Panamera now being the luxury rocket of choice for elites who take pride in bouncing off of apexes cleanly before handing the keys to a valet at a white tie event, Mercedes had to jump on the bandwagon and deliver the four-door AMG GT Concept. Where does that leave BMW M? With a few luxury sedans and coupes, stupidly fast SUVs, and an M6 Gran Coupe that turns heads but falls just a bit short of the Panamera’s inexplicably sexy ire. Speaking with Kate Alini, Product Manager of BMW North America for the BMW 6 Series and BMW 7 Series at the 2017 New York Auto Show, we learned that BMW is headed down the same route.

The 6 Series has been the subject of much talk lately. Speculation says it will morph into more of a Porsche 911 competitor and build an 8 Series to scoop up the grand touring crowd, although previous bad news indicated that BMW would axe the 6 Series Gran Coupe in favor of the uglier Gran Turismo body style. While Alini didn’t specify which statements would become truth (although she did give a firm no for to a 6 Series wagon), she alluded to a revolutionary 6 Series sedan that would shed its comfort focus and turn into much more of a driver’s car. “The next iteration of the 6 will surprise a lot of people. It will be a showstopper for sure.” Not that luxury will be absent, just that performance will be much higher of a priority.

“In terms of luxury, it will deliver a perfect balance of high end fit and finish on the interior and be striking from the exterior. The next 6 Series is going to be much more of a driving-oriented vehicle though, less for cruising and better at handling.” In our experience, BMW tends to know what it’s doing when setting up sports car suspension that also offers comfort on the autobahn, so it’s not far-fetched to expect the German automaker to build the next 6 Series as more of a Porsche Panamera and four-door AMG GT competitor. So far it’s not too far off the mark. A 2014 comparison between the M6 Gran Coupe, Mercedes CLS63 AMG, and Audi RS6 saw the Bimmer take the second place podium above the Merc.

The Porsche Panamera, however, has raised the bar, bringing Nurburgring lap times and drop-dead gorgeous styling into the mix (on the second generation). The 6 Series is a looker though it could use improvement in this writer’s humble opinion, but performance will be the differentiating factor. Alini alluded to something we all expected, the migration of the Cluster Architecture frame that the 7 Series and G30 5 Series has, to the rest of the lineup. With a stiffer, lighter skeleton and the possibility of an upcoming M5 with an all-wheel drive drivetrain being added to the parts bin, the 6 Series could well come equipped to do battle directly with the Panamera.

Porsche may be a little ahead of the curve in terms of combining raw power with efficiency, especially so with the 680 horsepower Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, but Alini claims that the rest of the BMW lineup is ready for the addition of electricity. With any luck, we’ll be seeing an agile, comfortable 6 Series Gran Coupe in the near future that uses the latest technology the BMW 7 Series has while being boosted by gas-saving and EV-mode capable electric motors. Now remind us, who said the future had to be boring again?

Next-Gen BMW M3 Spied Sliding Round The Ring

BMW’s test driver shows off his sideways driving skills in these latest next-gen M3 spy shots.

The Competition versions of the M2 and M5 may be stealing the spotlight right now, but don't forget there will be a new BMW M car on the block in a few years. We’re talking of course about the brand-new BMW M3, which is expected to debut either in 2019 or early 2020. Truth be told, not much is known about BMW’s upcoming sports sedan, codenamed the G80, but we’ve been treated to new images of it in action after our spies caught a test driver powersliding an M3 prototype around the Nurburgring. For “work” purposes, of course.

Welcome to the life of a test driver everyone. There’s a good chance the next-gen M3 could adopt the M5’s xDrive system giving the ability to switch between all- and rear-wheel drive, though nothing is official yet. Alternatively, it could be reserved for a higher-end model. Clearly though, it’s the rear wheels that are getting a workout in this test session. This is still a very early production prototype, as evidenced by the two different sets of wheels and brake calipers that don’t match. Thick layers of camouflage prevent us from analyzing the styling details, though the larger wheel arches suggest it will be wider than the current model.

In terms of powertrains, rumors suggest the sixth-generation M3 will be powered by an upgraded version of BMW M’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder unit mated to either a standard six-speed manual or an optional eight-speed automatic. Other rumors have suggested it will be a mild hybrid with a 48-volt electric system. Power output could also increase to 500 horsepower, which would be a welcome increase over the current 453-hp M3 CS. While the all-new M3 won’t break cover until next year at the earliest, the standard next-generation 3 Series is expected to debut before the end of this year.

Next-Gen BMW M3 Will Keep The Manual

And it will be rear-wheel-drive. Well, sort of.

Following the reveal of the all-new G20 generation BMW 3 Series, all eyes are turned to BMW, waiting for more details about the next-generation G80 M3. There are still many details we don't know about the upcoming M3 such as what it will look like, whether it have a more powerful competition version, and whether or not it will come with a manual transmission.

BMW already disappointed enthusiasts when it announced that the regular 3 Series wouldn't be offered with a manual in the US. Now, BMW Blog has an interesting scoop on the upcoming M3, including its potential transmission options.

For starters, BMW Blog reiterates that no official announcement has been made by BMW regarding these details, though they trust their "source’s information to be 100-percent accurate." The source says the new M3 will be available with rear-wheel-drive and M xDrive all-wheel drive. We still don't know whether these will be two separate models, or more like an AWD system that can disable the front wheels like in the current M5. Although some enthusiasts may not like the idea of a heavier AWD system, it does add grip and cut the car's 0-60 mph time.

As for the transmission options, the source also said the M3 will keep its manual transmission option. It is still unknown whether the manual will be available on both RWD and AWD versions if, in fact, the two are separate models. This would mark the first time BMW has offered a manual transmission with its M xDrive AWD system.

No matter what transmission is available, power is expected to come from a new S58 engine, which will be a heavily modified version of the B58 engine in the 340i. It is expected to produce anywhere from 450 to 500 horsepower, which should pair nicely with an AWD layout. We hope this rumor turns out to be true, though we'll have to wait for official word from BMW.

Take An Early Look At The Next-Gen BMW 3 Series

The next iteration of the benchmark sports sedan promises to be better in every way.

BMW has been hard at work preparing to bring the next-generation 3 Series to market. And these latest photos of the thinly camouflaged prototype and initial details released today paint the clearest picture yet of the improvements that the Bavarian automaker has been developing for its benchmark sports sedan.

Ever focused on chassis dynamics, BMW tests all its vehicles in the punishingly varying conditions of the Nordschleife. And that applies to the next 3 Series at least as much as any other vehicle it makes, boasting perfect 50:50 weight distribution front to rear.

The new 3 also weighs as much as 55 kilograms (121 pounds) less than the model it will soon replace. The track is wider, too, and BMW has for the first time fitted a new type of rebound dampers to keep everything under control.

"We're using the lift-related dampers as an active set-up element so as to create supreme driving properties in all conditions," explained BMW's driving dynamics guru Peter Langen. "With short spring travel, a sensitive damping response ensures comfortable vibration compensation. When the car passes over large bumps, the body movements are controlled by increased damping forces."

Under the hood, we're told that we'll find (among other options) a throughly revised four-cylinder engine that's both BMW's most potent yet and five percent more fuel-efficient – thanks in no small part to the eight-speed automatic transmission to which it's mated.

There'll be many M-specific components as well, including an optimized sports suspension that will come exclusively with a speed-adaptive steering system. The electronically controlled rear differential is being thoroughly reworked as well, all of which adds up to a new sedan that promises to be better than the existing one in every way.

Next-Gen BMW 2 Series Convertible Could Be Cancelled

But the 2 Series Coupe will reportedly remain rear-wheel drive.

If you’re looking for a drop-top BMW, right now the 2 Series convertible is your most affordable option with pricing starting at $40,750. However, the model could be removed from BMW’s lineup in the near-future. According to Bimmerpost, the 2 Series Convertible has reportedly been cancelled for the next-generation model. The publication suggests the 4-Series Convertible and the upcoming Z4 will fill its role, but nothing is official yet. If true, this means the starting price for a BMW convertible will be a lot more expensive.

An entry-level 430i Convertible starts at $52,950, while the previous Z4 started at $49,700. While the fate of the convertible looks uncertain, the 2 Series Coupe will apparently live on and continue to be rear-wheel drive, which seems odd because the 2 Series Gran Coupe will be front-wheel drive according to the report. Since the coupe will retain its rear-wheel drive layout, this means the M240i and M2 will return with the next-generation 2 Series. Convertibles and coupes are becoming a harder sell with buyers more likely to opt for a more practical option like a crossover, so the report that the 2 Series Convertible could be facing the axe isn’t too surprising.

Not much is known about the next-gen 2 Series Coupe right now, but we know it will adopt BMW's CLAR platform so it should have a lot in common with the next-gen 3 Series. It will probably be a while before it’s unveiled considering BMW launched a minor facelift for the 2 Series Coupe last summer. The range-topping M2 Competition was also revealed only a couple of months. Reports suggest the next-gen 2 Series will launch in 2020, though others claim it won’t arrive until 2022.