Never Installed Or Used

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Never Installed Or Used

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Never Installed Or Used

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You've Never Heard A BMW 535i Like This Before

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Crazy, High-Performance SUV Concepts That Never Made It

These awesome SUVs remained concepts forever. But we will never forget them.

Stuffing powerful engines under the hood of a vehicle designed specifically for off-roading isn’t a new phenomenon. Automakers have been doing this for years for one reason, and one reason only: it’s awesome. SUVs, specifically those with a body-on-frame chassis, are the go-anywhere, up-for-anything vehicle people want in their lives, but having more power is never a bad thing.

High-performance SUVs are typically special editions, providing carmakers with some always needed street cred and a relatively easy way to make a few extra bucks. A regular SUV with an upgraded engine is a win-win for everybody – automakers, customers, and gas station owners. Sadly, some of the craziest, most powerful SUVs never made it to production, forever remaining concepts.

Volvo XC90 Supercharged

Today, it’s not uncommon to see a performance vehicle from Volvo, including SUV crossovers. But back in 2005 it was almost unheard of. Meet the Volvo XC90 Supercharged. It’s yellow. Very yellow. It also has a Yamaha-developed V8 that, under normal circumstances, makes 311 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. Volvo wanted more than normal, so added a massive supercharger that dialed up the output to an estimated 600 hp. Power was sent to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox. That system was also “pre-charged,” meaning power could be instantly routed to the wheel with the most traction.

Compared to the production XC90 at the time, its Supercharged evil twin rode two inches lower to the ground and wore nine-inch wide ultra-high-performance alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero rubber. Volvo also made changes to the front fascia and added custom fabricated wheel arches. Quad exhaust pipes can be found at the rear. Although production never happened, the XC90 Supercharged was a demonstration of what Volvo could do and what it wanted to become.

Chevrolet Tahoe SS

Back when gasoline was stupid cheap Chevrolet figured ‘Hey, why the hell not… let’s build a Tahoe SS for fun.’ And so it was. The ‘SS’ moniker, famous for its muscle car heydays of the 1960s and early 70s, was called upon once again. The Tahoe SUV, at the time in its second generation (at least with that nameplate), was given a few cosmetic changes from the standard version, such as a clean front grille and wide-mouth air intakes under each headlight. Its stance was also lowered by two inches up front and four at the rear. Under the hood was a 6.0-liter Vortec V8 with 345 hp. That power was directed to the rear wheels only.

Chevrolet wanted to go with a stealthy look similar to the Tahoe cop SUV, and it managed to pull this off nicely. Unfortunately, despite being production ready, or close to it, Chevy opted not to build it in the end. Instead, it was merely a display of the brand’s performance capabilities. Bummer, because this could have been an instant classic.

Cadillac Escalade Twin Turbo

The Cadillac Escalade was always a bit nuts. Big, bold and bling tastic, this luxury SUV never has and never will apologize for being what it is. During the same time Chevrolet was toying with the idea of a Tahoe SS, Cadillac had a lunatic idea of its own: a twin-turbo Escalade.

Under its hood is a 6.0-liter V8 that borrowed the cam from the C6 Corvette LS6 engine and ported aluminum Vortec heads. Cadillac even added a custom carbon fiber intake. A pair of Aerodyne turbochargers were then added. Combined output: 580 hp and 580 lb-ft of torque. Total weight came to around 5,700 pounds. Engineers also lowered the SUV’s ground clearance at the front and rear axles by 25 and 35 millimeters, respectively. The interior received an entertainment system consisting of a DVD player and voice control. The exterior featured silver metallic paint and chrome-plated 20-inch wheels. Production? You wish.

Ford SVT Tremor

The world was a different place in 1998 and so was Ford Motor Company. Remember, this was before the era of the crossover, a vehicle body style Ford has committed itself to for the foreseeable future. But it was during the 1990s when Ford also cherished the SUV, specifically the Explorer (before its crossover days). Anyone remember the SVT Tremor Concept? It’s okay if you don’t. Maybe you weren’t even born yet. “The Tremor is a further evolution of America’s best-selling sport utility vehicle, the Ford Explorer,” said Tom Scott, director of the Advanced Design Studio at the time. “While it maintains the Explorer’s well-known attributes of performance, ruggedness and a well-packaged interior, this concept vehicle creates a new niche of fun-to-drive vehicle.”

So, why was the SVT Tremor particularly cool? Built together with Yamaha, under the hood was an all-aluminum 4.6-liter V8 with an estimated 380 hp and 340 lb-ft of torque. To compare, the 1998 Mustang Cobra had 305 hp. Top speed was said to be about 140 mph and a less than 7-second 0-60 mph was predicted. But once again, we never got the chance to see everything this performance SUV was capable of.

Jeep Trailcat

When you have an engine as incredible as the supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V8, you might as well use it. Not only is the Hellcat found in the Dodge Challenger, Charger, and Jeep Grand Cherokee, but also in a Wrangler. Yes, really. The Jeep Trailcat was a concept first shown in 2016. With a total of 707 hp, you’d think the engine could somehow rip the Wrangler in half but Jeep engineers made sure this wouldn’t happen.

And yes, this concept was really put to the test when it made its debut appearance at Jeep’s 50th annual Easter Safari gathering in Moab, Utah. Along with a six-speed manual, the Trailcat received a set of massive tires, a big roll cage, and – this is where engineering is really needed – a 12-inch wheelbase extension in order for the engine to fit. Although the Trailcat never reached production, you could argue that it paved the way for the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

BMW X5 Le Mans

This isn’t the first time we’ve come across the BMW X5 Le Mans and no doubt it won't be the last. Why? Because back in 2000, BMW had the wonderfully nuts idea to stuff a V12 engine under the hood of a first-generation X5. Production was never intended, but a trip to the Nurburgring was. BMW managed to get this one-off X5 up to 192 mph at the Green Hell. Oh, and that 6.0-liter V12 came directly from the BMW V12 LMR Le Mans endurance racer. Total output: 700 hp and 520 lb-ft of torque. The race car had about 100 hp less.

And just when you thought this couldn’t get any crazier, engineers opted for an M-division six-speed manual transmission. As for its Nurburgring aspirations? The X5 Le Mans managed a lap time of 7:50. To compare, the 2018 Honda Civic Type R set its own ‘Ring lap time of 7:43.8.

You'll Never See Another BMW Alpina B6 Gran Coupe Like This

A 600-hp one-of-a-kind luxury performance machine.

BMW is no stranger to doing special editions. But when it comes to Alpina, the also German-based company that develops high-performance versions of BMWs, special editions are a little less common. One-offs even more so. So we were pleasantly surprised to see this: the BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe CCA Edition. And yes, it’s a one-of-a-kind. Developed in collaboration between BMW, BMW Car Club of America and Alpina, this bespoke B6 Gran Coupe has received a number of upgrades, both aesthetically and mechanically.

Power comes from the familiar 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 600 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Zero to 60 mph happens in just 3.6 seconds and it has a top speed of 198 mph. To give things an extra growl, the car received an Akrapovic titanium exhaust system, engineered as a one-piece system stretching over a length of about 12 feet from the downpipes to the rear tailpipes. It’s made entirely of titanium, which helps reduce weight more than 15 pounds. The two twin tailpipes are finished with a carbon fiber trim. The exterior is finished in Alpina Blue Metallic. But it’s the interior where the real craftsmanship was done.

Step inside and you’ll find Merino Opal White Full Merino leather, piano black trim featuring a BMW CCA Edition silver inscription on the center console. There’s also a hand-finished Alpina Lavalina steering wheel with bespoke stitching that, along with the floor and trunk mats, matches the Merino Opal leather upholstery. The headrests, of course, also have an embossed Alpina logo. Lastly, there’s a BMW CCA Edition 01/01 inscription plaque on the engine bay, boasting the signatures of the father-son duo behind the Alpina family business. No pricing was given because it appears this one-off Alpina B6 Gran Coupe will be rewarded to one lucky raffle winner.

Awesome Concepts That Never Made It To Production

The world would be a better place if these had made it onto the road.

For motor manufacturers, concept cars can mean a great deal, or they can mean nothing at all. Often, they’re a way of gauging public interest before committing to production. But all too often, they’re ‘celebratory’ models, or indications of future design intent. In some cases, some manufacturers seemingly build concepts merely to disappoint us by never actually producing anything vaguely reminiscent. So with that said, here are ten concept cars we thought should’ve reached production, but never did, and likely never will.

1. 2006 Lamborghini Miura Concept

The Lamborghini Miura is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful supercars ever. In 2006, Lamborghini celebrated the 40th anniversary of the original Miura concept with the gorgeous green concept you see here, penned by then chief of design, Walter de Silva. Technical details were kept a secret, but there was never even a hope of it reaching production. Then CEO of Lamborghini, Stephan Winkelmann said, “The Miura was a celebration of our history, but Lamborghini is about the future. Retro design is not what we are here for. So we won’t do the Miura.”

2. 2010 Audi Quattro Concept

What better way for Audi to capitalize on its rich heritage in motorsport, and particularly in the World Rally Championship, than to build a modern version of the infamous Quattro rally car? Well in 2010 Audi teased us with just that. To celebrate 30 years of quattro all-wheel drive, Audi unveiled the sleek two-door Quattro Concept in Paris. It was based on a shortened RS5 platform, weighed in at a measly 2,866 pounds, and kept to the Ur Quattro’s ethos by packing the same 2.5-liter unit from the RS3, but dialed up to 403 horsepower. It would’ve been an exceptional celebration of Audi’s AWD-prowess, but it never reached production.

3. 2009 Bugatti 16C Galibier

After the Bugatti nameplate was revived by Volkswagen, resulting in the rulebook-rewriting Veyron, everybody wondered “what next?” for Bugatti. The 16C Galibier was a hint at what could’ve been. It was characterized by a central rib that ran the length of the body – a throwback to the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic – and was met with great interest when it debuted in Frankfurt in 2009. Powered by an 8.0-liter twin-supercharged W16 engine – derived from but not the same as the unit in the Veyron – it produced in excess of 1000 hp, and could manage a top speed of more than 235 mph.

4. 2014 Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge

When the now Cadillac president, Johan de Nysschen, was at the helm of Infiniti, he envisioned a rival to the BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. In 2014, Infiniti revealed the Q50 Eau Rouge concept. The super-sedan was named after the sweeping left-hander at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium and was much more than just a static design concept. No, the Q50 Eau Rouge packed the Nissan GT-R’s 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 under the hood, developing 560 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. It was mated to an all-wheel drive system – though not the same one as the GT-R – and looked to be the M3’s worst nightmare.

5. 2008 BMW M1 Homage Concept

BMW has a rich history, filled with great racers and segment-defining street cars. But amongst generations of series models, the original BMW M1 supercar is still a holy machine amongst enthusiasts. In 2008, BMW honored the original with a truly fitting concept – commemorating 30 years since the release of the original. It too was a rear-mid engined supercar, penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro who designed the original, and it wore a similarly striking orange color and the dual BMW logos on the rear. But BMW never intended on taking it to production – it was merely to honor a hero of the past.

6. 2014 Hyundai PassoCorto

We’re still getting to grips with the idea of Hyundai as a performance brand – its new Veloster N giving us a first look at its ability to produce a proper hot-hatch. But back in 2014, Hyundai showed strong intent when it released the PassoCorto concept. The striking sports car was a compact 2-seater – its name translating literally as ‘short wheelbase' – that was the product of a design competition hosted in partnership with Hyundai and the Istituto Europeo di Design of Turin. The PassoCorto proposed using a mid-mounted 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 to drive the rear wheels of what could’ve been an Alfa Romeo 4C-fighter.

7. 2014 Mini Superleggera Vision Concept

In 2014 at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, the open top collaboration between Mini and Touring Superleggera – called the Mini Superleggera – was revealed. It melded contemporary design elements with traditional Mini ‘Britishness’ in a striking package that would’ve been incredible in production guise. The Mini Superleggera had an eye on the future though, as it was powered by an electric motor. It never made it to production – but just imagine what Mini could’ve become if it had made it.

8. 2010 Jaguar C-X75

Remember the Jaguar XJ220 hypercar of the 1990s? Few do, but when it was around it actually set the record for the world’s fastest car – a record only beaten by the McLaren F1. In 2010 Jaguar sought to reinvent the XJ220, but suitable for the future. An archaic combustion engine would be out of the question, so the all-electric C-X75 was born. Its four electric motors produced 778 hp, and the batteries were to be charged on the go by two diesel-fed micro-gas turbines. There were plans to produce the C-X75, albeit as a hybrid with a turbo-gasoline motor, but they never materialized due to the ongoing global economic crisis getting in the way.

9. 2013 Nissan IDx

Nismo Small cars are fun – add in rear wheel drive and retro styling, and you’ve got a winning formula. In 2013, Nissan unveiled twin IDx concept cars to the world – styled to be reminiscent of the old Datsun SSS. The IDx Nismo was the one that caught everybody’s attention though – with a racy livery, boxy flared styling, and the promise of a compact, lightweight rival to the Toyota 86, with a boosted 1.6-liter engine at its heart. The attention garnered by the IDx Nismo concept was massive – and Nissan constantly flirted with the idea of production, refusing to rule it out. But we’re now 5 years down the line and it still hasn’t materialized.

10. 2015 BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R

Another BMW Hommage concept, but one deserving of a place on this list; built to commemorate the original 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile,’ the 3.0 CSL Hommage R debuted at the 2015 edition of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. It was built with a lightweight racing inspired interior, and was powered by an inline six-cylinder engine complete with an eBoost hybrid system. It utilized liberal amounts of aluminum and carbon fiber, but like the M1 Homage and the 2002 Hommage, it was a celebration of the past, not an indication of the future.

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Why The Best Model In The Range Is Never The Range-Topper

Range-toppers may be a tempting option but even one step down the trim hierarchy can yield big savings.

Range-topping models tend to get all the attention in car magazines. After all, big numbers and big price tags are what gets people interested. But when it comes to sales figures, they represent just a fraction of the other models in the range. Sure, a halo model can get shoppers interested in the rest of the manufacturers’ offerings, but are they really that much better in the real world? We take a look at some top-end models and their closest stablemates to find out.

The BMW M760i xDrive is currently one of the fastest accelerating BMWs you can buy. In fact, only the brand new all-wheel-drive M5 can best its 3.6-seconds to 60 mph. This ferocious speed is thanks to the 601-hp 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged V12 that resides under that long hood. The interior is a symphony of technology and expensive materials. The base price is perhaps unsurprisingly a steep $156,700, and that is before you add the $5,750 Executive rear seating package or the $1,700 driving assist plus package. Tick the very exclusive BMW Individual Composition package, and you can choose from the very finest paints, interior trims and leather upholstery. Yours for $5,600. A fully loaded M760i can get close to $180,000.

Now a BMW 750i xDrive retails for two-thirds less than the M760i’s base price. At $99,400 it is still not exactly cheap but other than slightly slower acceleration (4.3-seconds to 60 mph is still super quick) you still get a lot of standard kit and can spec it up to very nearly M760i levels too. The 445-hp 4.4-liter V8 sounds great and you will rarely want for more power. Adding the Executive and Interior design package enhances the luxury levels while the M Sport and Autobahn packages add some sporty visual touches as well as a sports exhaust and active steering. The whole lot adds $16,000 to the price which is still well short of the V12 models base figure.

The S-Class is another huge German luxury barge that pushes the boundaries of what is technologically possible with a huge four-door sedan. The Mercedes-AMG S65 presides over the rest of the range with its 621-bhp 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12. Its rear-wheel-drive only layout means that it struggles for grip a bit when all those horses are called upon and takes 4.2-seconds to get to 60 mph. Grip is not an issue at higher velocities where the massive torque launches the S65 down the road with undiminished force. Twin digital instrument clusters, Nappa leather, active safety assists and even heated armrests are all standard, as they should be. The base price is $229,500.

Of course, an Executive rear seat package and self-tinting sunroof are among the options list but you do get just about everything else included in the price. The S65 AMG has precious little competition save from its very own stablemate, the AMG S63. It may give up four-cylinders to the range-topper but the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 is a more modern design and is almost as powerful with 603-hp on offer. The standard all-wheel-drive system allows it to launch to 60 mph 0.8-seconds quicker too. The 9-speed automatic transmission is newer too and you get practically all of the equipment that comes with the S65. At $147,500, the choice seems like a no-brainer.

Closer to home we have the Corvette Z06, a 650-hp supercharged exotic car beater that has been honed to provide the very best lap times. The 0-60 mph time of 2.95-seconds sure is quick enough to see off some much pricier European machinery and when you are not in the mood to blast lesser cars into the weeds, the big 6.2-liter V8 is perfectly happy idling along in the traffic. The convertible 3LZ starts at $94,530 though, and that is before you add the Z07 performance package for $7,995 which includes adaptive dampers and carbon ceramic brakes. The Carbon 65 Edition package is an even steeper $15,000. That could mean a $117,525 final price tag.

Equipped with an LT1 6.2-liter V8 that makes an impressive 460-hp, the Grand Sport can’t quite match the Z06 in a straight line but it will still take something very special to match its 3.6-second 0-60 mph time. It does feature some of the Z06’s aerodynamic components though and can also be had with the Z07 performance package. At a base price of $66,590 for the coupe, you will be getting a car that offers more performance than you can realistically deploy outside of a racetrack while boasting looks and specification levels that are very similar to the far more expensive Z06.

Let’s take a look at a car that is far more attainable and see whether the same rules apply. The Camry regularly tops the sedan sales charts in the US and its combination of refinement and solid build quality are tough to match. The top XSE V6 is $34,950 before options. You do get a panoramic sunroof, 10-inch color head up display and 19-inch wheels as standard though. The 301-hp 3.5-litre V6 is a peach too and provides effortless performance. A driver assist package includes navigation and a $1,990 price tag and you can even have illuminated door sills for $299. That is a lot of money to outlay for a mid-sized sedan.

The benefits of owning a car such as a Camry tend to focus on their efficiency, spaciousness and value proposition. All of these traits can be found further down the trim range, the gap between the most expensive Camry and the base L trim is a big one but you don’t have to step into the cheapest one to realize significant financial savings. The Camry SE is fitted with a 203-hp 2.5-liter motor that may not offer the straight-line punch of the V6 model but it is far more fuel efficient and provides smooth progress in most situations. The base price of $25,200 provides a big saving over the XLE V6 and while you forego some luxuries, many can be added back.

Even with the available sunroof, additional safety features and keyless entry you will only add $2,125 to the base price. So, the range-toppers may be a tempting option with their powerful engines and comprehensive standard specifications but in many cases, even one step down the trim hierarchy can yield big savings. Many features can be added on too (some tend to be gimmicks anyway) and in real-world driving conditions the lower power outputs are not as noticeable as you might think. What you will notice is the improved fuel economy and lower running costs, a win-win scenario then for those willing to find the sweet spot in a model range.

Hatchbacks That Should Never Have Been Turned Into Sedans

A few body style transformations turned out great. Others not so much.

Automakers always look at ways to modify platforms or even certain body styles in order to save costs and expand sales. Business is business, plain and simple. Sometimes this works out brilliantly. One example that immediately comes to mind is the original BMW X6.

BMW simply started with the X5’s platform, redesigned the body, went to its massive parts bin for various components and there you go… a best-seller that changed the crossover segment forever and forced competitors to respond.

But it doesn’t always work as well as that. Take these following hatchbacks that were also sold in various global markets sedans to satisfy the appetites of American and Chinese buyers.

Ironically, those same sedans are losing ground to crossovers, which are really just raised hatchbacks. We picked out six sedans/hatchbacks that, in our opinion, are probably best off as hatchbacks, one of which is yet to debut as a sedan but is widely rumored to do so soon. Do you prefer these as hatchbacks or sedans? Let us know in the comments.

Audi A3

The Audi A3 may be the one main exception on this list where the sedan version of the popular hatchback looks really good. Problem is, it loses the convenience of being, well, a hatchback. Currently in its third generation, the A3 became a sedan for the first time in 2013. This was done mainly to lure younger American buyers into showrooms who wanted a step up from their Volkswagen Golf hatchback.

As a sedan is viewed as something more “grown up,” especially by someone just beginning to climb the corporate ladder, Audi created the A3 sedan. To give you an idea just how well the A3 sedan has done in the US, you can only buy the A3 hatchback as the Sportback e-tron. Heck, the S3 and RS 3 are also sedan-only.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

While the first and second generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class were way too dorky to be sold in the US (do a Google search and you’ll understand), it wasn’t until the third generation model debuted for 2013 that it could consider a US market attempt. In short, it looks great, but that still wasn’t good enough for Mercedes. Instead, the German automaker created the CLA-Class. Built on the same platform as the A-Class, the two share pretty much the same components and interiors.

The CLA is a funky-looking three-box sedan that, well, looks better as a hatchback. It was also Mercedes’ first front-wheel-drive sedan, and it originally carried a starting price of just under $30k. Just like the Audi A3 sedan, Mercedes wanted to specifically target young up and comers and bring them into the Mercedes family early. The CLA has sold well enough to warrant a second generation, due to arrive sometime next year as a 2020 model. Oh yeah, the just unveiled next-generation A-Class will also be coming to the US soon - as a sedan.

Mazda2

Americans are most familiar with the previous generation Mazda2, although its origins date back to 1996, before its US arrival. The third generation Mazda2 hit the US market for 2008 but was discontinued after the 2014 model year. Sold only as a five-door hatchback, other markets received a traditional sedan version that, while didn’t look anywhere near as awkward as the Mercedes CLA, still didn’t make much sense.

Why? Because owners lost the hatchback’s additional cargo space and overall better versatility. Despite that, the Mazda2 sedan sold decently in China, but was dropped after only nine months in Australia. But what if you, as a proud American, wanted a subcompact sedan with sporty looks and a fun to drive attitude? Well, look no further than the Ford Fiesta (see below).

Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta dates back to 1976 and was originally sold in Europe. It quickly became a smashing success. The first-gen Fiesta three-door hatchback was sold for three years in the US beginning in 1976, but was later replaced by the Escort and Pinto. When it returned to America in early 2010, Ford billed it as an answer to thirsty SUVs and trucks. Times have certainly changed. The Fiesta will soon be dead in America and trucks like the always popular F-150, reborn Ranger, and a range of SUVs and crossovers now rule the day.

But America’s brief time again with the Fiesta also saw a sedan version. Considering the Fiesta and Mazda2 were close cousins, the Fiesta sedan was for those who wanted a tiny sedan because for whatever reason a hatchback was unacceptable. The sedan was also sold in China, parts of South America, and even Russia. While it didn’t look terrible, the Fiesta sedan made little sense compared to the hatchback for a variety of reasons, perhaps the best one being the Fiesta ST was hatchback only.

Volkswagen Polo

You can’t even buy the Volkswagen Polo in the US. Never could. It’s probably for the best because VW, at least up until fairly recently, couldn’t figure out how to make its Golf popular in America at the level it was in Europe. Again, Americans have never been hatchback lovers. It wasn’t until the Polo’s fourth generation when a dedicated four-door sedan body style arrived. Like the Mazda2 and Fiesta, it honestly made little sense, convenience wise. Cargo space was down and its general design proportions just didn’t look quite right compared to the hatch.

The Polo sedan survived to be part of the fifth generation lineup, specifically targeting buyers in India, where it was called the Vento, as well as Russia. It must not have sold particularly well because when the sixth-gen Polo debuted in 2017 it was, once again, a hatchback only.

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe (Coming Soon?)

The BMW 2 Series is one of our favorite BMW models currently sold in the US. Available here only as a coupe and convertible, other markets, specifically Europe, received an MPV version dubbed the 2 Series Active Tourer. But the 2 Series can trace its roots back to the first generation 1 Series, itself sold as a coupe, convertible, and hatchback. Today, the 1 Series, which isn’t available in the US, comes as a three- or five-door hatchback and a four-door sedan. Why the sedan? Because China.

However, because Audi and Mercedes have achieved success in the US with the A3 and CLA, respectively, it’s widely rumored BMW will launch the 2 Series Gran Coupe in the coming years.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe is expected to be built on the same platform that’ll underpin the next 2 Series MPVs, meaning it’ll be FWD-based. However, all-wheel drive is expected to be offered for the hot M Performance version. Expected arrival date: not before 2020.

We Bet You've Never Heard of This Bentley

Rare Turbo R-based coachbuild comes up for auction in Arizona.

If you want a Bentley but the current range of Continentals and Bentaygas is too mainstream for your taste, we may have just the car for you. Meet the 1991 Bentley Turbo RL Empress II Coupe, one of the rarest and strangest looking Bentleys of all time, and one that is guaranteed to set you apart from the crowd.

Based on the Bentley Turbo R, the Empress II was coach-built by a British firm called Hooper & Company, which had built transport for the royal family in the early 1900s before being revived in the 1980s after a 30-year hiatus. The new body was constructed from aluminum, and slashed two doors from the normal Turbo RL’s body to create an elongated coupe. Only five Empress II’s were built, and the red example you see here is the fourth out of the brief production run. It is also one of only two left-hand-drive versions.

Sitting on the bones of the Turbo R means it retains that Bentley’s colossal 6.75-liter turbocharged V8, which pumped out approximately 400 horsepower. Despite the Bentley’s heft, it could still reach 60 miles per hour in a solid six seconds. Along with the Turbo R’s powertrain and the unique exterior styling, the Empress features a number of interior amenities. There are electric front and rear seats, a sports steering wheel, a sunroof, 12-speaker Alpine stereo and even a cocktail cabinet stuffed between the rear seats.

This Empress originally was featured in Hooper’s advertising before migrating to the Calumet Collection, which has a strong focus on old-school coach-built Bentleys and Rolls-Royces. However, it won’t be there for much longer as this special Bentley is due to cross the auction block next January at RM Sotheby’s Phoenix, Arizona event. Besides the chrome wheels, the Empress II is completely originally, and there’s a scant 7,228 miles on the odometer. With a full history of documentation and no reserve, this rare Bentley could be a solid purchase for anyone looking to stray from the beaten path.

BMW Boss Says Self-Driving Cars May Never Be Allowed

Not so supprising from the company making "the Ultimate Driving Machine."

BMW has always stuck to its "Ultimate Driving Machine" mantra, even though many of its models feature semi-autonomous technology designed to take away responsibility from the driver. Despite the push for self-driving cars, BMW wants to keep people driving, and believes that modern consumers aren't ready for fully autonomous cars. In fact, Ian Robertson, BMW’s special representative in the UK, told Auto Express that fully autonomous cars may never happen due to regulatory hurdles.

Consumers are excited by the prospect of a self-driving car, but governments haven't had a chance to step in yet. “I think Governments will actually say ‘okay, autonomous can go this far.’ It won’t be too long before Government says, or regulators say, that in all circumstances it will not be allowed" Robertson said. The issue of how autonomous cars will be allowed to function has been brought up numerous times in the past. Robertson added that “Even though the car is more than capable of taking an algorithm to make the choice, I don’t think we’re ever going to be faced where a car will make the choice between that death and another death."

BMW has conducted extensive tests using several fleets of autonomous vehicles, but Robertson says “the technology is not mature right now. The measure of success is how many times the engineer has to get involved. And we’re currently sitting at around three times every 1,000 kilometers. Sounds pretty good - however, that’s three times too many. It has to be perfect.” As we've said in the past, fully autonomous cars will likely require changes to road laws, insurance practices, and even human behavior. Like Robertson, we are a bit skeptical that all of the regulatory changes will happen any time soon.

There Will Never Be A V6-Powered Audi R8

The Audi R8 will have a naturally aspirated V10 for as long as it lives.

For years, rumors have suggested the Audi R8 line-up will be expanded with an entry-level model incorporating the twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 engine from the Porsche Panamera to replace the old V8 model. It all started when a leaked production schedule suggested a V6-powered model will be revealed this year in time for the arrival of the facelifted 2019 Audi R8.

At one point, it looked like the R8 V6 had been cancelled, then another report emerged claiming the more affordable R8 will go on sale later this year. However, the 2019 Audi R8 facelift was revealed a few weeks ago without a V6 option. Will there be a V6-powered Audi R8 or not, then? We now know the answer.

Speaking to Car Throttle at a launch event for the refreshed R8, the car’s project manager Bjorn Friedrich has cleared up the confusion by confirming that a V6 variant won't be happening during the current generation of the R8.

That means Audi's naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 will be the only powertrain available until the end of the current model’s lifecycle. “It’s the best engine for the car…We’ll stick to the V10,” he said. Friedrich also didn’t rule out the possibility of a new rear-wheel drive RWS, but couldn't confirm it either.

It remains to be seen if there will be a third-generation R8, but the future isn’t looking bright for Audi's mid-engined supercar. Audi currently has no plans to renew the R8, but it could still be revived in the future as a fully electric supercar inspired by the PB18 concept. Still, it seems fitting that the current R8 will bow out with its highly revered V10 powerplant.

We Bet You've Never Heard of This Bentley

Rare Turbo R-based coachbuild comes up for auction in Arizona.

If you want a Bentley but the current range of Continentals and Bentaygas is too mainstream for your taste, we may have just the car for you. Meet the 1991 Bentley Turbo RL Empress II Coupe, one of the rarest and strangest looking Bentleys of all time, and one that is guaranteed to set you apart from the crowd.

Based on the Bentley Turbo R, the Empress II was coach-built by a British firm called Hooper & Company, which had built transport for the royal family in the early 1900s before being revived in the 1980s after a 30-year hiatus. The new body was constructed from aluminum, and slashed two doors from the normal Turbo RL’s body to create an elongated coupe. Only five Empress II’s were built, and the red example you see here is the fourth out of the brief production run. It is also one of only two left-hand-drive versions.

Sitting on the bones of the Turbo R means it retains that Bentley’s colossal 6.75-liter turbocharged V8, which pumped out approximately 400 horsepower. Despite the Bentley’s heft, it could still reach 60 miles per hour in a solid six seconds. Along with the Turbo R’s powertrain and the unique exterior styling, the Empress features a number of interior amenities. There are electric front and rear seats, a sports steering wheel, a sunroof, 12-speaker Alpine stereo and even a cocktail cabinet stuffed between the rear seats.

This Empress originally was featured in Hooper’s advertising before migrating to the Calumet Collection, which has a strong focus on old-school coach-built Bentleys and Rolls-Royces. However, it won’t be there for much longer as this special Bentley is due to cross the auction block next January at RM Sotheby’s Phoenix, Arizona event. Besides the chrome wheels, the Empress II is completely originally, and there’s a scant 7,228 miles on the odometer. With a full history of documentation and no reserve, this rare Bentley could be a solid purchase for anyone looking to stray from the beaten path.

It Will Never Happen, But Here's What A BMW X2 M Would Look Like

We love looking at sportier versions of cars that may never exist.

BMW has just revealed its latest crossover, the X2. Aimed at millennial buyers, at least according to BMW's press release, BMW wanted to give the X2 a youthful vibe with a bit of the company's signature sporty characteristics. We're usually pretty harsh when it comes to these small crossovers that may as well be hatchbacks, but even we have to admit that BMW kind of nailed it with the styling. The company roundel on the D pillar is one of the coolest styling elements we've seen recently on any BMW model.

The X2 will be a decent crossover, but it's clearly not meant to be the sportiest model in the BMW range. However, it does compete with the Mercedes GLA, which has an AMG version with 385 horsepower. So, what if BMW made an X2 M to rival the GLA 45? Rendering artist, X-Tomi Design, wondered the same thing, and this is what he came up with. The rendering does remind us a bit of the current M2. However, since the X2 shares very little with the 2 Series, we doubt that an X2 M could use the M2's 3.0-liter inline-six engine. We know that BMW wants to build an X3 M, but we doubt that an X2 M would ever be on the table.

BMW is rumored to be working on a new version of the B48, which is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine found in several smaller BMW models. This new version of the B48 could produce around 300 hp in an X2 M35i. If BMW were to build an X2 M, it would have to pack at least 350 hp to be competitive with Mercedes. It may be unlikely, but we can dream can't we?

Here Are The Possible New Audi A1 Variants America Will Never Get

That's because the new A1 itself isn't coming to the U.S.

Last week the world saw the debut of the new, second generation Audi A1 hatchback. Unfortunately, only part of the world will actually get the chance to buy one. North America is not included. Never had been for the A1, which is kind of a shame. And chances are, based on current sales trends, Audi has no immediate plans to bring its latest A1 to the U.S. As with the previous A1 generation, Audi will surely begin offering several variants in both the performance and convenience realms.

Noted automotive rendering artist X-Tomi Design once again applied some imagination with past precedent, and create the rendered A1 images shown here. Based on the second gen A1, we’re looking at what the potential RS 1, Clubsport Quattro, A1 Allroad Four, and Avant wagon. Honestly, they all look good and all are real possibilities. We’re especially taken with the Clubsport Quattro, considering how awesome (not to mention rare with just 333 examples made) the rendering turned out. We also wouldn’t be surprised to see Audi fully electrify its new A1 at some point in the near future.

At launch, the new A1 will be offered with a range of engines, including a three-cylinder with only 94 hp, to a 1.4-liter four pot with a far more impressive 200 hp. A six-speed manual will also be available for less powerful versions, but a dual-clutch will the sole transmission for the performance-focused models. We’re also quite taken with the new A1’s stylish and premium interior. Yeah, it’s a shame America is missing out on this one.