BMW X6 Crossover to Receive an Injection of Botox-like Styling Upgrades

It's nip-and-tuck time for BMW's X6 sporty crossover that has been caught once again roaming the roads of Germany in very light camouflage.

This prototype model of the X6 has received some subtle upgrades from the last time we saw it, namely the reshaped side air vents that incorporate repositioned fog lamps on the front bumper.

The headlamps remained partially covered as do the rear lights, something that tells us we should expect some barely noticeable styling changes on both fixtures. In other words, nothing to get excited about.

A new palette of colors along with new alloy wheel designs, minor enhancements in the interior, and possibly some mechanical tweaks here and there to further improve fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions, should round out the changes for the new model year.

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BMW Working on a 7-Series

It's no secret that BMW intends to market a whole line of advanced dedicated hybrid, range-extended and plug-in electric models under its new "i" sub-brand.

The question is, what's up next after the presentation of the i3 hatchback in 2013 and the i8 sports coupe in 2014? While BMW is keeping mum about its future plans, our spy photographers captured a strange looking 7-Series prototype, seemingly based on the standard ActiveHybrid 7.

We can't be entirely sure, but as our man with the long lens pointed out to us, it appears that the test car was equipped with electric wheel-hub motors up front, while riding on very thin tires without electric motors, at the rear.

Moreover, the car also featured modified front fenders, which could mean that there are more changes under the hood as well.

It's too early to know precisely what BMW is working on, as it could be anything from simply trying out electric wheel-hub motors to developing a new platform and the mechanics for a range-extended electric model, but we'll keep an eye open and deliver any news once it becomes available.

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Cadillac Puts the Video Spotlight on the 2013

The video teasing of the upcoming 2013 Cadillac ATS compact sedan continues with the fourth installment of the series that focuses on the engineers behind the development of the car with which GM hopes to compete head on with the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

The rejuvenated wreath and crest brand stresses that all engineers working on the upcoming ATS were "handpicked based on their roles in developing other top Cadillacs" and "how well they can drive and evaluate cars on grueling test tracks".

The primary testing phase of the ATS took place at the own backyard of BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, the famed Nürburgring racetrack and the Autobahn.

"It's been the persistent attention to detail in noise-vibration-harshness, the gram-by-gram mass reduction, and consistent focus on ‘fun to drive’ attributes that led this team to hone the suspension and steering in the demanding environments of the German Autobahn and Nurburgring Nordschleife,” said ATS lead development engineer Chris Berube.

The new entry-level Cadillac ATS will receive its world premiere next year and reach showrooms in the third quarter of 2012. It will be manufactured at GM's Lansing Grand River plant in Michigan.

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