Our Spies Caught The BMW 2 Series Out Testing With A New(ish) Design

New lights, a revised interior...and not much else.

The BMW 2 Series has been undergoing a ton of changes over the last year. It all started with the model’s first M car, the M2, hitting the automotive world like an asteroid from a Michael Bay film. The regular models were then renamed and given more powerful engines. The 228i became the 230i and the M235i the M240i. The changes don’t seem to be stopping there, at least not according to our spy photogs. They snagged shots of a bunch of 2 Series loaded onto a transport truck, with the destination reportedly a BMW testing facility.

The cars are almost entirely uncovered, save for some camouflage around the headlights, grille, taillights and a small strip at the rear right above the tailpipe. The camo on the headlights indicates that LED daytime running lights are on the way, and since the grille is hidden just a bit we expect it to receive a subtle redesign as well. The taillights should receive a slight makeover too. Despite these photos not showing the interior our spies say that it was covered up, so expect the cabin to be reworked as well, likely with more tech on offer. All in all this looks to be more like a haircut than a full-on makeover, which makes sense as the 2 Series has only be on the market for two years.

Our spies expect some engine updates when the barely retouched coupe makes its debut at some point next year, but we think the Bavarians will leave well enough alone. The 230i is quite sporty with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged inline-six in the M240i is almost as powerful as the unit in the M2 (335 hp and 369 lb-ft vs. 365 hp and 343 lb-ft), although its high price makes us a bit wary of declaring it a true budget alternative. If these minor exterior revisions don’t drive the price of the 2 Series up too high BMW’s smallest coupe will continue to be one of its strongest offerings.

Bentley Continental GTC And New Flying Spur Caught Testing Together

Along with a Mercedes S-Class and Mercedes-Maybach.

Last September, the completely redesigned Bentley Continental GT debuted at Frankfurt. Next month at Geneva, the topless variant, the Continental GTC, will have its turn in the spotlight. Our spy photographers have just snapped pictures of the new Continental GTC out doing some final winter testing with hardly any camouflage. This makes sense considering we already know what its coupe counterpart looks like, so imaging it topless really isn’t all that hard.

At the same time, the next-generation Flying Spur was also along for the ride. Unlike the GTC, however, it had a couple of competitor benchmarks trekking along, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the Mercedes-Maybach. The Flying Spur is, more or less, the sedan version of the Continental, so it does make some sense for the GTC to be present as well. Having both the S-Class and the uber luxury Maybach also there are crystal clear indicators regarding Bentley’s intentions with its upcoming new sedan. We believe we can accurately predict that it’ll share the Continental’s 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine and eight-speed ZF transmission combo.

In the big coupe, this engine produces a mighty 626 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque, with power being sent to all four wheels. When will the new Flying Spur arrive? We’re not expecting that to happen next month, but Paris the following September is a very real possibility. Remember, Bentley is part of the Volkswagen Group, so setting its sights on two of Daimler's finest and most luxurious big sedans is a must.

It Was Only A Matter Of Time Until Our Spies Caught The BMW X2 Testing

Despite the camo, it looks a lot like the slick X2 Concept.

It was only a month or so ago that we first laid our eyes on the BMW X2 Concept at the Paris Motor Show. Now our spy photographers have caught BMW testing an X2 development mule on the streets of Munich, Germany. Despite the heavy camouflage it is, essentially, an X1 with an even sportier body. For example, the lower roof makes the X2 look wider and more masculine. Unlike the larger X4 and X6, the upcoming X2 won’t have a more coupe-like appearance and we think that’s a good thing.

After all, the X4 literally looks like a smaller version of the X6, and it would have been a shame if BMW continued that policy with the X2. Great to see something different is being done here. Like the X1 on which it’s based, the X2 will ride on a front-wheel-drive platform. All-wheel drive will be optional on xDrive models as well as a possible X2 M. As far as powertrains go, expect to see the same engines offered in the X1, such as the turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Euro-spec X1 has a diesel option but we’re still unsure whether that’ll arrive stateside. However, don’t be surprised to see a plug-in hybrid variant in the near future for both the X1 and X2.

We don’t know when exactly BMW will reveal the production ready X2, but the 2017 Geneva Motor Show in March or the Frankfurt Motor Show next September are two good guesses.

New BMW X5 And X3 M Caught Testing At The Nurburgring

Enjoying the last days of summer.

Before the rainy weather begins, BMW is working overtime to enjoy the benefits of a dry track to test the next generation X5 and upcoming X3 M at the Nurburgring. Caught on video by Automotive Mike, we can see the yet-to-be-revealed X5 doing some hot laps, while the prototype X3 M (beginning at the 0:25 mark) is looking even hotter. Under its hood is a turbocharged straight-six with around 425-430 hp. It’s related but not identical to the M3 and M4’s engine. Compared to the standard X3, the X3 M’s front end has a beefier appearance, like with all M cars.

It’ll also feature unique LED headlights, a sculpted bumper, larger air curtains, flared wheel arches and a lowered stance. Out back is a set of quad tailpipes. If all goes to plan, the X3 M will launch sometime in 2018. An LA Auto Show reveal in November could also happen. As for the next generation X5, it rides on the same overall platform as the 7 Series sedan.

What’s good about this platform is the fact that it supports aluminum, carbon fiber, steel and magnesium construction – all of which are very beneficial when it comes to cutting back on weight. The lightest X5 currently on sale, the sDrive35i, already tips the scales at 4,475 pounds, so a diet plan was prescribed. Eventually, a plug-in hybrid X5 will come a few months after the standard X5 debuts, which will likely be in the middle of next year as an early 2019 model. Further down the line we’ll see a new X5 M, which will boast more than 600 hp. In the meantime, the debut of the all-new, first ever BMW X7 is exactly one week away, and we’ll be on the showroom floor at Frankfurt to bring you all of the details and live images.

The BMW M8 Convertible Is Already Testing At The Nurburgring

Springtime has arrived in Germany.

Although BMW has already confirmed the existence of not only the new 8 Series, but also the M8 coupe, it’s still fun to see ongoing development continue. Today, our spy photographers have caught the also upcoming M8 convertible testing at the Nurburgring. It’s actually been a few months since testing at the Green Hell has taken place because during winter months the famed track is nearly unusable. It’s even more dangerous covered in snow and ice.

But it appears springtime has come to Germany so that means automakers are heading back for serious track testing. Notice that the M8 convertible test mule shown here has fairly light camouflage, with its sleek headlights and wider kidney grille in relatively clear view. Compared to the standard 8 Series, the M8 will be a bit wider, thanks in part to the fenders and side sills, for a more aggressive (and appropriate) appearance. Powering this open top beast is the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 tuned to deliver around 600-630 hp. Other M8 additions will include bigger brakes and wheels and quad exhaust pipes, among other things.

Remember, BMW also showed the M8 Gran Coupe Concept earlier this month at Geneva, which will go head-to-head against the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid as well as the also just revealed Mercedes-AMG GT GT63 S 4-Door. Expect for BMW to reveal the 8 Series as well as the M8 coupe and convertible sometime by the end of this year.

Bentley Continental GTC And New Flying Spur Caught Testing Together

Along with a Mercedes S-Class and Mercedes-Maybach.

Last September, the completely redesigned Bentley Continental GT debuted at Frankfurt. Next month at Geneva, the topless variant, the Continental GTC, will have its turn in the spotlight. Our spy photographers have just snapped pictures of the new Continental GTC out doing some final winter testing with hardly any camouflage. This makes sense considering we already know what its coupe counterpart looks like, so imaging it topless really isn’t all that hard.

At the same time, the next-generation Flying Spur was also along for the ride. Unlike the GTC, however, it had a couple of competitor benchmarks trekking along, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the Mercedes-Maybach. The Flying Spur is, more or less, the sedan version of the Continental, so it does make some sense for the GTC to be present as well. Having both the S-Class and the uber luxury Maybach also there are crystal clear indicators regarding Bentley’s intentions with its upcoming new sedan. We believe we can accurately predict that it’ll share the Continental’s 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine and eight-speed ZF transmission combo.

In the big coupe, this engine produces a mighty 626 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque, with power being sent to all four wheels. When will the new Flying Spur arrive? We’re not expecting that to happen next month, but Paris the following September is a very real possibility. Remember, Bentley is part of the Volkswagen Group, so setting its sights on two of Daimler's finest and most luxurious big sedans is a must.

BMW X7 Pre-Production Models Caught Testing In The Wild

Here are the spy shots before our spy photographers snap them.

Revealed a few months ago as a concept at Frankfurt, BMW has already begun pre-production of its all-new X7 SUV at its production facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina. While the X7 won’t officially debut until the end of 2018, this batch of images gives us the best clue to what it’ll look like. Not surprisingly, it doesn’t appear all that different from the concept, specifically the front-end styling which is still visible enough despite the camouflage. There’s even an engine bay image that appears to show a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8.

So why is BMW showing these images despite the X7 being nearly a year away from its unveiling? Because pre-production testing is about to get underway and BMW wants to build hype for its upcoming three-row SUV. These pre-production vehicles will soon be handed over to development specialists who’ll find themselves testing in various extreme conditions ranging from the desert regions of Death Valley to the ice and snow of Scandinavia. BMW says the vehicles’ camouflage wrap is applied at the factory, but we have no doubt our spy photographers will be catching these vehicles in action very soon.

The Spartanburg facility, which is also BMW's largest plat worldwide, also builds the X3, X4, X5 and X6 with a total of 1,400 vehicles built daily and exported to 140 countries. Once X7 production gets underway, that figure will certainly increase.