BMW i8 breaks out of Mission: Impossible and into the real world!

See the full gallery on Posterous

If you went to the movies over the holiday, chances are pretty good you saw the latest box-office-topping Tom Cruise vehicle. We're not talking about the globetrotting explosion-fest it came wrapped up in, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol; we're speaking of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car that featured heavily in the movie (along with seemingly every other model in Munich's arsenal).

But the Vision EfficientDynamics coupe isn't just a flight of fancy for the world's auto show circuit or for Cruise's Ethan Hunt character – it's set for production sooner than you think, albeit carrying the i8 moniker. Snapped undergoing testing through a fence, the extended-range plug-in supercar looks ready for the street, if only we could peel away the Van Gogh camouflage. This BMW 2+2 is widely expected to deliver a 0-62 mph time of 4.8 seconds, and we're expecting the lightweight flyer to lose the unique lower glass door panels of the 2009 show car (a design change hinted at by this prototype's swirly coverup).

Speaking of the doors, they also look to be more conventional in size and possibly operation – the concept car featured elongated butterfly doors that afforded accesses to both the front and rear seats. The prototype seen here would appear to have more conventionally sized apertures. We're guessing that mundane real-world considerations like crash-worthiness and ease of operation had something to do with the transition. Another likely concession to the realities of production auto-making appear to be a pair of rather ungainly bumper-level nacelles in the rear fascia that weren't present on the show car. We're not sure if these are merely reflectors, actual taillights or if they're simply clever camouflage, but we're hoping for the latter.

While the concept was powered by both an electric drivetrain and a small diesel generator, our spies suggest that the production car may switch over to a more conventional turbocharged four-cylinder range-extender. Whether it burns gas or oil, however, the i8 is sure to be one of the most radical cars on the road... and it's likely to carry an exotic price tag to match.

Source: autoblog.com

Come by today and add some extra horsepower under your hood with our BMW Performance Power Kit!

Come by today and add some extra horsepower under your hood.  More horsepower; more torque and unlimited exhilaration. With sporty performance, outstanding driving dynamics and innovative technology, the Version 1 Power Kit maintains all of BMW's key attributes but allows you to put a personal touch on your BMW.  Hurry in, this amazing offer is only good till December 31st! 

Learn more.

TUESDAY TECH TIP: BMW Assist response center is ready to help if your BMW is ever stolen!

In the unfortunate event that your vehicle is stolen and once you have filed your police report; the BMW Assist response center is ready to help determine its location, even if your BMW is turned off. The BMW Assist response center will alert the police to its GPS coordinates in order to aid in its recovery.

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe - Sneak Preview

Just the Facts:

• BMW's head of exterior design, Karim Habib, says the 6 Series Gran Coupe is the "most extreme statement of BMW design."
• It is 4.4 inches longer than the two-door coupe.
• There is genuine space for four but the fifth seat is compromised.
• U.K. prices are in line with the 7 Series, with U.S. prices to be announced nearer the summer 2012 on-sale date.

LONDON — According to BMW's head of exterior design, Karim Habib, the new 6 Series Gran Coupe is the "most extreme statement of BMW's sporty, elegant design." Habib revealed BMW's first ever four-door coupe at a press dinner in London, attended by Inside Line.

The car was being shown for the first time ahead of its debut at next month's 2012 Detroit Auto Show. So secretive was the presentation that we were only able to view the car on the proviso that we didn't take photographs. What we can reveal, though, is that the car looks even better in the metal than it does in photographs. Some 4.4 inches longer than the two-door, the four-door's proportions actually look more harmonious. Fears that the Gran Coupe would look uncomfortably "stretched" can be allayed.

It is also much more practical than the standard coupe. While the rear of the two-door is a tight squeeze for anyone post-adolescence, the Gran Coupe can seat a quartet of 6-footers with comparative ease. The fifth occupant will suffer, though. The extension of the center console to meet the rear seat means that the central passenger must pose as if riding a horse. It'll be fine for short trips, but no more.

BMW is keen to present the car as the boutique option, no doubt to counter the similarly priced 7 Series' greater practicality. Among the niceties on display in London were LED front headlights and a Bang & Olufsen surround-sound audio system, which makes an art form of the speakers. This car is not short of desirability.

The Gran Coupe goes on sale next summer and the price list for the U.S. has yet to be announced. European prices have been revealed, though, and make interesting reading. In the U.K., the 640i will cost £61,380 ($96,270), which is just £1,815 ($2,847) more than the equivalent Coupe and, intriguingly, £155 ($243) more than a 740i. It also places the Gran Coupe at a significant premium compared with the both the Mercedes CLS (from £50,500 ($79K)) and the Audi A7 (from £45,240 ($71K)). Habib will be hoping that the "extreme elegance" of the Gran Coupe will be enough to encourage luxury car buyers to dig a little deeper into their pockets.

Source: insideline.com

Amazing finance rates are available through the end of the year on our certified pre-owned inventory!

Plus, if you take delivery by December 31st, BMW will make your first two payments! Happy Holidays!

Click here to learn more.

TECH TIP: Being able to stop quickly is even more important than being able to drive fast

We believe being able to stop quickly is even more important than being able to drive fast. That's why our enhanced braking system does more than just brake. If it's raining, it'll dry off the rotors. If you're stopped on a hill, it'll keep you from rolling. If you quickly pull your foot off the accelerator, it prepares to brake just as quickly. And, if you're braking repeatedly, it knows you need more force.

Happy Holidays from all of us here at BMW of Minnetonka!