We never know exactly what we’re going to get when BMW introduces a new product. Most agree that the new 7-series is a visual improvement over the vehicle it replaces, but then there are all-new vehicles like the X6 that we’re still trying to figure out, both from an aesthetic and functional point of view. We do, however, know exactly what a roadster is for and are often swayed by powerful turbocharged engines, so this new Z4—with its updated styling, optional turbos, and retractable hardtop—is likely to win us over.

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The Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe is a 3-series BMW really should make. To create it Alpina, the Buchloe-based tuner, tweaker and BMW bedfellow takes a regular 3-series coupe. It then drops in the twin-turbo diesel engine from a 123d, makes a few changes and the result is an engine with more bhp per litre than any other BMW road car.

But Alpina is well known as a maker of fast and understated M Division-rivalling BMWs. So what happens when the company turns its attentions to diesel? Will there be an agricultural rattle to spoil everything? Read on to find out about the Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe.

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The car that was supposed to offer BMW a worthy rival to the Mercedes-Benz CLS, Porsche Panamera and Maserati Quattroporte sports sedans, the production version of last year’s CS Concept has fallen victim to the economic downturn and will not be produced after all. The announcement was made during a conference call on the Bavarian automaker’s third quarter report. “The sharper focus on profitability will result, amongst other things, in product decisions being revisited. As a result, the BMW Group will no longer produce a series version of the Concept CS since this vehicle does not meet the internal requirements for rates of return,” said BMW in a statement.

Fortunately, other future products of the BMW Group will not be affected by the firm’s cost cutting strategy. This means that the launch of the production versions of the BMW Concept X1 SUV, BMW Concept 7 Series Active Hybrid, BMW X6 Active Hybrid and the MINI Crossover Concept will proceed ahead as planned.

Falcons are becoming increasingly common in town. Now a particularly imposing variant of the agile predator is conquering the road valleys with its broad wings: the Falcon based on the X6 by AC Schnitzer. It follows the styling features of the X5 version of the same name, already successfully launched. Other identifying marks are the striking wing extensions of PU-RIM, a high quality plastic which is far more flexible and robust than for example GRP laminate or deep-drawn materials such as ABS. The dimensions of the X6 in the attractive lengthways format are 70 mm wider at the front axle and 80 mm wider at the rear. In other respects too the Falcon is perfectly adapted to its habitat. Instead of sweeping through the sky, it swept around the North Loop of the Nürburgring in numerous laps until the chassis developers and Engineering Director Manfred Wollgarten were totally satisfied with the setup of the new AC Schnitzer springs. Now the X6 remains firmly on the ground even at speeds which a normal falcon only achieves in a nosedive. And of course, on every corner. Downforce instead of lift, was the motto in the design of the impressive plumage, styled by Chief Designer Michele Viandante. The aerodynamics package includes a front skirt with diagonal air inlets, and repositioned fog lamps. The submarining protection has been removed in favour of a dynamically contoured spoiler edge. The Falcon rear now wears a solid skirt with edge frame. In contrast to the original, all components are painted in body colour throughout, so that the body appears drawn further down and hence more dominant. Instead of the submarining protection also originally fitted here, AC Schnitzer has opted for a rear diffuser and completed the effect with a new rear spoiler.

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We weren’t expecting to see the BMW Z4 until the 2009 North American International Auto Show in January, but our crafty spy photographers have spoiled the surprise.

Though still not officially confirmed, it’s clear that the next-gen Z4 will use a retractable hardtop, a feature which eliminates the need for a fixed-roof Z coupe in BMW’s future lineup. BMW has already packed up production of the current Z4—which was built in South Carolina—and will build the next model in Germany.

Overall, it seems that the proportions of the previous-generation Z4 have been carried over to this prototype, but without too many of the fussy styling details—hallelujah. Still recognizable as a Z4, the new car sports a revised upper crease now extending higher onto the hood itself. Up front, the nose goes more upright, much like the one found on the new 7-series. The lower valance gets a wider, more-aggressive lower intake compared with that of the outgoing model. Out back, the rounder and smoother rear is capped by a decklid with an inset center high-mounted stop light. New taillights look more conventionally shaped.

Powerplants are still unconfirmed, but we expect to see the same turbocharged and naturally aspirated 3.0-liter six-cylinder engines found in the 1- and 3-series to make their way under the Z4’s long hood. Stay tuned, as you can be sure we’ll have our eyes peeled for official information and photos.

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