Does This Leaked Image Prove The BMW M2 CSL Already Exists?

But has BMW even signed off on production?

For those who think the M2 and the M2 Competition can’t get any better, well, just wait. Over the past few months, we’ve heard rumors the guys in Munich are planning yet another M2 variant, the CSL. Or could it be called the CS? Of course the automaker is remaining mum on the subject, but that silence may no longer be relevant. Thanks to BMW Blog, this here leaked all but confirms not only this more hardcore coupe’s existence but also its name. An unnamed source provided this dashboard image to BMW Blog, and it very clearly shows the car’s name: M2 CSL.

Now, it’s important we also point out, again according to BMW Blog’s sources, that the green light has yet to officially be given for the M2 CSL, meaning the car is probably, more or less, ready to go, but a business case has yet to be made. BMW is known for testing different drivetrains and configurations, some of which never reach production. Fortunately, the M2 CSL’s chances are good.

Not only has the reception to the M2 Competition been outstanding, but base M2 sales remain solid. After all, it’s M models like the M2 that are keeping the manual transmission alive in the US. But given the M2 Competition’s stellar reviews, there is always room for improvement. For example, there’s room for additional weight loss and more aggressive suspension tuning.

Even the S55 engine could stand to gain a bit more horsepower and torque, exceeding the M2 Competition’s 410 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. After all, this is the same engine found in the current M3/M4 where it produces a maximum of 453 hp and 443 lb-ft. Another thing working in favor of the M2 CSL is time. BMW has plans in place to continue building the M2 until sometime in 2021. Therefore, the M2 CSL could serve as a limited production car to mark the pinnacle of M2 performance capabilities. It’d be one hell of a way for the M2 lineup to end its production life cycle.

Does This Leaked Image Prove The BMW M2 CSL Already Exists?

But has BMW even signed off on production?

For those who think the M2 and the M2 Competition can’t get any better, well, just wait. Over the past few months, we’ve heard rumors the guys in Munich are planning yet another M2 variant, the CSL. Or could it be called the CS? Of course the automaker is remaining mum on the subject, but that silence may no longer be relevant. Thanks to BMW Blog, this here leaked all but confirms not only this more hardcore coupe’s existence but also its name. An unnamed source provided this dashboard image to BMW Blog, and it very clearly shows the car’s name: M2 CSL.

Now, it’s important we also point out, again according to BMW Blog’s sources, that the green light has yet to officially be given for the M2 CSL, meaning the car is probably, more or less, ready to go, but a business case has yet to be made. BMW is known for testing different drivetrains and configurations, some of which never reach production. Fortunately, the M2 CSL’s chances are good.

Not only has the reception to the M2 Competition been outstanding, but base M2 sales remain solid. After all, it’s M models like the M2 that are keeping the manual transmission alive in the US. But given the M2 Competition’s stellar reviews, there is always room for improvement. For example, there’s room for additional weight loss and more aggressive suspension tuning.

Even the S55 engine could stand to gain a bit more horsepower and torque, exceeding the M2 Competition’s 410 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. After all, this is the same engine found in the current M3/M4 where it produces a maximum of 453 hp and 443 lb-ft. Another thing working in favor of the M2 CSL is time. BMW has plans in place to continue building the M2 until sometime in 2021. Therefore, the M2 CSL could serve as a limited production car to mark the pinnacle of M2 performance capabilities. It’d be one hell of a way for the M2 lineup to end its production life cycle.

Leaked Patent Images Reveal BMW 8 Series Convertible And Gran Coupe

BMW has confirmed the 8 Series Convertible and Gran Coupe will go on sale next year.

One of our most eagerly anticipated new models of the year was the reborn BMW 8 Series, and it didn’t disappoint. BMW’s new grand tourer looks gorgeous from every angle. So far, only the Coupe variant has broken cover, but we know the BMW 8 Series will eventually be sold in several different body styles including a Convertible and Gran Coupe.

BMW hasn’t officially revealed them yet but leaked patent images of both body styles have leaked online via Dutch site Auto Visie. A few patent images of both models emerged a few months ago, but these new images are much better quality and show the designs from every angle.

Unsurprisingly, the 8 Series looks stunning as a convertible, retaining the Coupe’s athletic shape. As we saw in recent spy photos, the 8 Series Convertible will have a soft top instead of a folding hard top. Not only does this make the car more luxurious, it also saves weight. Being a convertible, it will still be heavier than its coupe counterpart and is expected to weigh in at least 4,400 lbs.

As for the four-door Gran Coupe, the patent images give us a clearer look at the design than previous spy shots, as we can now see the car’s side air vents and rear ducktail spoiler. The 8 Series Gran Coupe was previewed earlier this year with the M8 Gran Coupe concept and it looks like the production model’s design will be faithful to the concept, though the front and rear bumpers look less aggressive.

With room for four, the luxurious 8 Series Gran Coupe should be a formidable rival to the Porsche Panamera. Under the hood, expect both cars to use the same twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 as the Coupe, which produces 523 hp. BMW has confirmed the 8 Series Convertible and Gran Coupe will go on sale next year. More potent M8 versions are also coming, which could borrow the new M5’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 producing over 600 hp.

New BMW X7 Packs 455-HP According To Leaked Documents

The full specification sheet for the BMW's most luxurious SUV has been leaked after someone obtained a VIN number.

As the largest and most luxurious vehicle BMW has ever produced, the production version of the upcoming three-row X7 has a lot to live up to following the reveal of the outlandish X7 iPerformance Concept. Not long after BMW announced that pre-production of the X7 has commenced at its Spartanburg plant for testing, technical specifications for the super-sized SUV have leaked after someone obtained the VIN number of an X7 built last month. Running it through Bimmer.Work's VIN decoder revealed the full specification list for the xDrive50i.

Powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, the xDrive50i will likely be the most popular X7 variant according to BMWBlog. Thanks to the leaked specification sheet, we now know that the X7's V8 unit will produce 455 hp. That’s a surprising amount of power for a non-M powered BMW SUV. The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic and power is sent to all four wheels via BMW’s xDrive system. Looking through the extensive list of standard and optional equipment, the X7 was fitted with 22-inch alloy wheels, finished in Alpine White and featured an off-road package. There’s also an option for an M Sport Differential.

It’s worth noting that no other BMW with X-Drive has featured a limited slip differential apart from the new M5, so it’s possible that the X7 will either have an all-wheel drive system similar to the M5 or be offered in rear-wheel drive. Other extras on the options list include a panoramic sunroof, a five-zone automatic climate control system, rear-seat entertainment, night vision, a head-up display, and a Harman-Kardon sound system. Being BMW’s most opulent SUV to date, it’s not surprising to see that the X7 will be generously equipped. We still have a long time to wait for the X7, though, as it won’t be launched until the end of next year where it will be competing against the equally lavish Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV.

Does This Leaked Image Prove The BMW M2 CSL Already Exists?

But has BMW even signed off on production?

For those who think the M2 and the M2 Competition can’t get any better, well, just wait. Over the past few months, we’ve heard rumors the guys in Munich are planning yet another M2 variant, the CSL. Or could it be called the CS? Of course the automaker is remaining mum on the subject, but that silence may no longer be relevant. Thanks to BMW Blog, this here leaked all but confirms not only this more hardcore coupe’s existence but also its name. An unnamed source provided this dashboard image to BMW Blog, and it very clearly shows the car’s name: M2 CSL.

Now, it’s important we also point out, again according to BMW Blog’s sources, that the green light has yet to officially be given for the M2 CSL, meaning the car is probably, more or less, ready to go, but a business case has yet to be made. BMW is known for testing different drivetrains and configurations, some of which never reach production. Fortunately, the M2 CSL’s chances are good.

Not only has the reception to the M2 Competition been outstanding, but base M2 sales remain solid. After all, it’s M models like the M2 that are keeping the manual transmission alive in the US. But given the M2 Competition’s stellar reviews, there is always room for improvement. For example, there’s room for additional weight loss and more aggressive suspension tuning.

Even the S55 engine could stand to gain a bit more horsepower and torque, exceeding the M2 Competition’s 410 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. After all, this is the same engine found in the current M3/M4 where it produces a maximum of 453 hp and 443 lb-ft. Another thing working in favor of the M2 CSL is time. BMW has plans in place to continue building the M2 until sometime in 2021. Therefore, the M2 CSL could serve as a limited production car to mark the pinnacle of M2 performance capabilities. It’d be one hell of a way for the M2 lineup to end its production life cycle.

LEAKED: BMW 8 Series Photos Give Us First Look At Sexy Coupe

But we do. Check them out.

BMW has made no secret of plans to launch a reborn 8 Series and, not long afterwards, an M8. The stunning 8 Series concept was first shown last summer and it’s since made the auto show rounds. What will the production version look like? Well, a lot like the concept, which appears as if it’s around 90 percent ready to go, at least its exterior. And now our friends over at Bimmerpost have sent us these leaked photos of what appears to be the production-spec 8 Series.

The two exterior shots reveal the front and rear ends while there’s a single image of the interior. Let’s start with the latter. Aside from the slick-looking steering wheel the concept was sporting, the production car’s center console looks very similar to what’s in the concept. There’s a large screen resting at the top of the dash with the familiar HVAC controls below. And yes, there’s a pair of cupholders. As for the final exterior design, it’s a damn near carbon copy of the concept, especially up front. The headlights, obviously are wider now and the must-have dual-kidney grille also appears to be a bit narrower. The side mirrors are clearly production-spec.

Another noticeable difference are the front air intakes directly in front of the wheels. They’re less dramatic and smaller with a more typical BMW-style opening. Based on how far along the production version appears to be, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the BMW 8 Series debut this March at Geneva. In the meantime, let us know what you think of these leaked images.

Someone Leaked These BMW X2 Patent Drawings

How different is it from the concept? Not much.

We’ve known for some time that the BMW X2 was on its way, and these leaked patent images, courtesy of The Motor Report, clearly show us what the production version will look like. The X2 Concept, revealed in Paris last September, looked about 90 percent production ready, and even then we knew BMW had given it the green light. Like the concept, these patent images show the production X2 will retain that low-profile roof and more aggressive front end, thus giving it more of a ‘Sport’ over ‘Utility’ look.

Compared to the concept, the patent images reveal larger headlights and taillights, door handles and, of course, exterior side mirrors. Those large front air intakes have also been slightly toned down, as has the rear end styling. Perhaps it’s best to think of the upcoming X2 as a sportier, coupe-like alternative to the X1, its platform mate. Mechanically speaking, the X1 and X2 are very similar, sharing gasoline and diesel engines and an eight-speed automatic transmission. These renderings, however, show the X2 in its base trim and BMW will also launch an M Sport version with enhanced styling. An X2 M also hasn’t been entirely ruled out. In any case, we’ll see the first-ever BMW X2 this September at its Frankfurt Motor Show debut.