BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe spied testing

From here on out, anything with two doors in the BMW lineup will have an even-numbered designation, meaning that the 3 Series Coupe will now become the 4 Series. The big exception to this rule, of course, is BMW's new-found passion for the four-door coupe. The 6 Series Gran Coupe made its debut this year, but next year a smaller version of this design is on its way to the U.S. courtesy of the all-new 4 Series Gran Coupe.

Although this prototype looks very similar to the upcoming 3 Series GT hatchback, the sleeker roofline and lower and longer decklid are clues to the fact that this is the 4GC, but it still keeps the long hood that has become a key element of the 2012 3 Series sedan (F30). Our spy photographers also said that this 4 Series Gran Coupe appeared to be a little bit longer than a standard F30 sedan.

No official word on powertrains for the 4 Series Gran Coupe, but it should carry over the same engines as the current 3 Series sedan. That means we can expect 428i Gran Coupe and 435i Gran Coupe names with BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system likely folding into the mix, as well.

In addition to this model, we've already spotted the BMW 4 Series a few times this year in coupe form as well as convertible both with the retractable hard top up and down.

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BMW Alpina B3 snapped while testing in Germany

No, this is not the next BMW M3. But it's still something pretty special. What you're looking at here is the Alpina B3, a hotter version of the new F30 3 Series that will be done in a similar fashion to the B5, B6 and B7 models that we've long drooled over.

Signature Alpina changes like the revised lower front fascia, rear lip spoiler and modified exhaust are clearly evident on this prototype, as are newly designed wheels. No, they aren't the lovely 20-spoke Alpina wheels found on all the other models, but who knows, things could change before the car goes into production. What's more, who knows if the 3 Series body can even handle 21-inch rollers.

Details? None right now. We can probably assume that the Alpina B3 will use a boosted version of the turbocharged 3.0-liter six found in the 335i, but until the car officially debuts later this year (set to launch in early 2013), your guess is as good as ours.

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Face of next BMW M3 caught while testing

Behold our first clear glimpse at the 2014 BMW M3. Photographers spotted the high performance sedan undergoing hot-weather testing in Death Valley. Engineers peeled back a slab of heavy nose cladding for the first time, revealing the machine's menacing lower valance and headlamps. The design features sizable air intakes down low, and it looks as if a new hood is part of the recipe as well. If these photos are any indication, the M3 will continue to boast a prominent power bulge for the next model year.

Massive drilled rotors and similarly potent-looking calipers are part of the song and dance, which is a good thing. BMW has made it clear the 2014 M3 will bow with a forced induction inline six in place of the current model's fire-breathing high-rev V8. Even so, we don't expect to see a reduction in power or performance.

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