BMW have something of a tradition in alternating between the controversial and conservative as each model moves through the generations, so expect this F30 3 Series to have slightly broader appeal than its E90 predecessor.

As with the soon-to-be-launched 1 Series, we hear BMW will adopt a similar distinction between standard specifications including Urban, Sport and SE.

We’re expecting the usual range of four-cylinder and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, with an emphasis on smaller-capacity turbocharged powerplants boosted by the usual EfficientDynamics technologies including the new ECO PRO fuel saving mode, Auto Start-Stop function and BMW’s latest intelligent energy management systems.

The new eight-speed auto introduced in the 1 Series will be available as an option to the standard six-speed manual transmission. In the spy pictures we see 4-pot front brakes available for the first time on a 3 Series, which may indicate the car to be a ‘Sport’ line version.

The F30 3 Series is due to make its debut either at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show next month, or shortly afterwards at a special unveiling in Munich.

Pictures: Palbay Spyshots (Copyright reserved)

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Inspired by the Lexus LF-Gh Concept, the new 2012 GS heralds a more engaging and dynamic driving focus for Toyota’s luxury brand.

Ultimate Driving Machine..?

The use of aluminium reduces unsprung weight improving agility, ride comfort, body control and steering precision, whilst ventilated disc brakes featuring four-piston aluminum front calipers are equipped with the latest electronic enhancements to provide improved braking balance and control.

A New Signature Look

Starting with the bold spindle grille – set to be a signature feature of future Lexus models – the new GS conveys an air of confidence which is further enhanced by an aggressive front bumper. Combined with the deep-set, high-tech headlamps and L-shaped LED daytime running lamps, the new GS looks more confident and less derivative than its predecessor.

The road-hugging stance from the side is enhanced by extended wheel arches which further underline the new GS’ dynamic capabilities. L-shaped LED tail lamps

L-shaped LED tail lamps, a Lexus design cue, integrate with the rear bumper which features a diffuser and centred aero fins to help control under body airflow.

Premium quality comes as standard

As you would expect from a Lexus the new GS is packed with the very latest premium features as standard equipment – A new energy-saving auto climate control system called S-Flow uses the occupant-detection system to focus airflow only to the front area where passengers are actually seated, a remote touch control for the smooth activation of climate, audio, phone controls and navigation system is standard on all models, as is a reversing camera.

In addition to enhanced braking systems and an impact-absorbing body structure, the new GS offers significant advances over the current model in both passive and active safety systems. No less than 10 airbags, Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) front seats and an optional radar cruise control pre-collision system show the new GS means business on safety.

Further options include a Night Vision System that enhances driver visibility in the dark; Head-Up Display (HUD); a Blind Spot Monitor and Lane Keep Assist (LKA) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW).

Lexus have confirmed that the new Lexus GS range will include hybrid and F-Sport versions and for the UK there will be the GS 450h full hybrid and GS 250 petrol engined derivatives. Further details are so far unavailable, but will be released later in the year before the new GS reaches the UK market in early 2012.

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Let me tell you how.

This season BMW are offering three winter driving courses, the first of which is located in the beautiful Ötztal Alps near Sölden in Austria, where drivers can learn to master safe with skilful braking and steering manoeuvres in current BMW models such as the new BMW X3, BMW 5 Series and the BMW M3. The BMW Snow Intensive training course uses specially groomed snow surfaces on the glacier of Sölden enabling participants to practice emergency braking without fear of hitting anything hard.

The second course, we like a lot. BMW calls it ‘BMW Snow Drift’ training – it’s a half-day course with the 414 bhp BMW M3 where participants learn to drift. What more do we need to say? It sounds like a great way to spend a few hours.

If that half-day taster sounds a little tame for you, then how about a full-day drifting on the ice lake at Arjeplog in Sweden, at the wheel of a BMW M3 with spikes? Located 60 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle, this where BMW engineers take prototypes and test them in extreme winter conditions. This is the ‘BMW Ice Fascination’ training course where participants learn the key to drifting at high speed and pulling extreme lateral angles, all under the guidance of experienced ice driving instructors. The day includes a fast passenger lap with an experienced ice driver in the M3 and in a Polaris Quad..

After a hard day’s fun, participants will then get an exclusive look behind the scenes at the BMW test centre. Engineers will explain some of the cars and systems they’ve driven and tested, plus what to expect in BMW cars of the future.

We’re off to Sölden next month for the launch of BMW’s new X3, so we’ll let you know what the facility is like and how well the new X3 drifts. We’re not expecting it to be dangerous, scary or boring..

To make a booking and check prices in your local currency, visit www.bmw-fahrertraining.de

This is the first BMW to feature all-LED twin round headlights with adaptive functionality, LEDs are used for all functions, from the dipped and main beam to the sidelights and daytime running lights, and the direction indicators. The LED effect extends to the L-shaped rear light clusters, featuring two LED light strips to create the typical BMW night-time look – the direction indicators, tail lights and brake lights are also LED-powered.

The Concept 6 Series Coupé has a full glass roof which lets a great deal of light into the interior of the 2+2-seater – BMW claims there to be “lavish headroom and legroom” at the rear of the 6 Series, but you can interpret that as meaning ‘for kids’ rather than full-sized adults. The new 6 Series will be a similar length to the outgoing E63 version, but is said to be wider and lower sitting on a longer wheelbase.

Gone is the dumpy, contentous styling of the outgoing E63 6-series to be replaced with a far sleeker profile which takes the 6 Series further upmarket.

The Concept 6 Series Coupé uses a freestanding 10.2-inch iDrive Control Display and the Head-Up Display system. The fully active hi-fi system was designed especially for the Concept by Danish car hi-fi specialists Bang & Olufsen and specially matched to the interior acoustics of this 2+2-seater.

The driver-centric interior design, which is said to be elegant and exclusive, is typical of BMW with the Concept using two-tone leather upholstery with wood trim and black detailing to provide a high-end luxury feel.

Powerplants are expected to come from the current 5 Series, starting with the 302 bhp turbocharged six-cylinder all the way up to the M6 which will use the same twin-turbo V8 engine due to be released in the forthcoming M5. We’ll have to wait until 2012 at the earliest for this new M-model, however the mainstream 6 Series will be with us from Spring 2011.

The system will not only alert the driver of the need to stop for food but will also navigate the car to the nearest restaurant that suit’s the driver’s taste and pocket. To be called Gastronomi, it could become an option on the all new Infiniti M performance luxury saloon which goes on sale across Europe from September.

Gastronomi employs three of Infiniti’s current technologies: Connectiviti, Active Noise Control and Forest Air climate control. Active Noise Control donates one of its sensors mounted in the interior headlining and otherwise employed in monitoring road noise to detect the sounds of borborygmi –tummy rumbles. If a pre-determined volume of rumbling is heard, a knife and fork symbol flashes up on the Connectiviti information screen and the driver is asked whether they wish to divert for a pit-stop.

A selection of nearby restaurants can then be accessed from the Michelin Red Guide, already an integral part of Infiniti’s Connectiviti infotainment system. Once a choice is selected, the HDD navigation system selects the quickest route and if a reservation is required, a telephone number is also given for the driver to connect to via Infiniti’s standard Bluetooth telephone integration.

At this point, the Forest Air climate control system changes mode. The tropical borneol scent that is usually gently wafted throughout the cabin is replaced with the fragrance of truffle oil to ready the palette as the driver is navigated to their meal.

Gastronomi can be tailored further. There is a Fitness option which if selected first calculates the driver’s ideal weight based on the memorised driving position. The driver is then asked to input their real weight and if it is higher than the theoretical weight, Gastronomi allows for louder tummy rumbles before suggesting a pit-stop. It also works in reverse if it considers the driver needs feeding up.

Another, ahem, menu asks the driver to input their favoured cuisine and amount they want to pay for a meal and suggests restaurants accordingly from the Michelin Red Guide. Categories include Bistro, Gastropub, Flushed and On Expenses.

Infiniti’s engineers have developed the technology after several years of research, and periods of starvation, in conjunction with the Narita Office for Subsistence and Health (NOSH) in Japan. The research showed the dangers of driving while hungry included reduced concentration brought on by daydreams about noodles as well as the risk of neck-strain, not to mention a frontal impact, while the driver looks into passing restaurants.

The director of NOSH, I. Likecake-san, stopped between mouthfuls to say: “Gastronomi could be the most important development in [pauses to swallow] motoring since the cup holder [burps]. Is there any more rice?”

Infiniti’s programme director for Gastronomi, Yumi Teppenyaki, was unfortunately out to lunch when asked for a comment.

Initially available in four derivatives, the new BMW 5 Series Touring offers a choice of two petrol cars, the 523i and 535i, and two diesel models, the 520d and 530d. All four are packed with innovative technology that ensures class-leading performance, fuel economy and CO2 emissions, while providing an elegant, comfortable and driver-oriented estate car.

All models feature 40/20/40 flat-folding rear seat backrests, a luggage load cover that retracts and lowers automatically with the tailgate and a self opening rear window for ease of loading smaller items. Also included as standard across the range is self-levelling air suspension at the rear to ensure that the Touring is unaffected when carrying heavy loads.

The new Touring has the longest wheelbase in its class providing an extra 13mm of knee room for rear passengers compared to the previous 5 Series.

The boot capacity of the new Touring is 560 litres, 60 more than the outgoing E60 model, and a huge 1,670 litres with all rear seats folded. A further option is Extended Storage that includes “cargo” functionality for rear seats. This allows the rear seat backrests to be fixed in a more upright position thereby increasing luggage capacity by 30 litres and minimising wasted space behind rear seats.

Otherwise the new 5 Series Touring is as per the saloon, featuring an award winning range of four and six cylinder engines, the option of BMW’s new eight-speed automatic transmission and more EfficientDynamics technologies than you can shake a stick at. There’s also a host of options to lift the base price into stratospheric territory, although usually it’s only necessary to spend between £4,000 and £9,000 on such luxuries as 19-inch alloy wheels, sport seats, anthracite headlining, sport leather steering wheel and high-gloss exterior trim, adaptive headlights or four-wheel active steering.

Pricing ranges from £30,380 for the base model 520d Touring, through to £39,650 for the 535i Touring. The 523i Touring is available at £33,585 and 530d Touring retails at £39,400.

The new 5 Series Touring goes on sale in the UK on 18 September, 2010.

Watch the video of the new 5 Series Touring on SkiddPlayer

But for Infiniti, M doesn’t stand for Motorsport – although some might argue the same could be said for BMW these days.

Infiniti is a relatively new brand in Europe, although it has competed successfully against the likes of BMW, Mercedes and Lexus in the US for many years. 2009 was scheduled to be a big year for the brand, with new dedicated centres being opened in Paris, Rome, Zurich and…. Reading in Berkshire, but the economic downturn forced Infiniti management to curtail some of their plans as they prepare for an upturn in the market during 2010.

They’ve been busy though, with new variants of the G37 entry-level model released, plus their sports-oriented crossovers, the EX and FX.

Those of us who attended Infiniti’s stand at the Geneva show this year will have felt mixed emotions – elation at seeing the Essence Concept followed swiftly by disappointment as we heard that Infiniti had no plans to produce it. We were told that it represented the design language of future Infiniti models, which was little solace to those of us who saw the Essence as one of the most gorgeous looking Japanese cars yet to be conceived.

We’ll leave you to judge whether Infiniti are living up their promise of reflecting the Essence’s style in their mainstream models, but it’s a tough act to follow and therefore perhaps we should not judge them too harshly.

So the Infiniti M joins the range above the G37, competing against the likes of BMW’s new 5-series, Mercedes fresh new E-Class and Audi’s A6.

The M37 is powered by the same 3.7-litre VVEL V6 petrol engine found in other Infiniti models producing 316 bhp (320 PS) and 266 lb ft (360 Nm) of torque. A V6 diesel will be launched in 2010 with a petrol/electric V6 hybrid model sometime later.

On first acquaintance the M37 appears to offer nothing particularly new in this sector, however there are several technical innovations that Infiniti are hoping will tempt buyers away from their German competitors.

Blind Sport Intervention (BSI)
Infiniti describes this as a ‘world-first safety feature’, as well as giving the driver both visual and audible warnings of another vehicle in the blind-spot area which is detected using radar, BSI intervenes if the driver ignores the warnings and attempts to steer into the other vehicle’s path. The intervention is in the form of a directional adjustment, executed automatically. This is achieved by selective braking on one side of the car to create a “yaw” effect that eases the vehicle back into its original lane.

Active Noise Control (ANC)
By identifying undesirable sounds in the cabin and then playing back through the speakers sound waves of an opposite phase, the original noises are cancelled out, making the M’s interior a quieter, more restful place to be. The system is aimed at reducing undesirable low-frequency engine sounds only. M models with the 16-speaker Bose Studio Surround sound system are equipped with Bose Engine Harmonic Cancellation (EHC) which is claimed to be even more effective at controlling unwanted noises.

Infiniti Drive
The M’s throttle sensitivity and transmission mapping are fine tuned according to which of four driver-selectable modes is engaged via a switch positioned behind the gear lever: Standard, Eco, Sport and Snow. The Eco mode utilises green and yellow lights on the instrument panel to provide feedback on fuel efficiency. Eco mode also introduces a new Infiniti concept known as the Eco Pedal. If driving too aggressively, the driver will feel the accelerator pedal “push back” to indicate fuel is being wasted. Sport mode changes the automatic shift points and enhances throttle response for increased performance. It will also adjust the 4WAS for a nimbler feel and raise the ESP intervention level.

Forest Air
Infiniti believes the quality of the air within a car’s cabin has a direct bearing on the well-being of driver and passengers. Which is why it developed Forest Air – Infiniti’s most advanced climate control system that makes its debut in the M37. The system offers temperature, humidity and pollution control while re-creating the gentle breezes and subtle scents of an environment known to promote alertness and relieve stress: the forest.

The M uses a Front Mid-ship platform that positions the engine behind the front axle resulting in an optimised front-to-rear weight balance for naturally stable and rewarding handling. Suspension is double-wishbone in front and multi-link at the rear, along with front and rear anti-roll bars. The standard wheel size is 18-inches however for the sportiest models, 20-inch wheels, new double-piston shock absorbers, special suspension settings, 4-piston brakes and 4-Wheel Active Steering are all available.

Prices are still to be confirmed, but will be announced prior to the beginning of European sales in September 2010.

UPDATE: For those of you that missed the webcast (and you didn’t miss much!), there will be a recorded version available shortly. In the meantime, here are the first pictures of the new F10 based 5-series saloon.

Whilst we wait for UK-specific details, you can browse the US press release via the following link:

Also why not take a look through the video below, which offers a virtual tour of the new 5-series.

Early opinions seem to be favourable based on similarities shared with the recently released 5-series Gran Turismo and the 7-series. As with the 7-series, BMW seems to be towing a safer line with the design of the F10 5-series, compared to the more radical step taken by Chris Bangle with its E60 predecessor.

You can check back later this evening for further details and a gallery of images, then let us know what you think.

In the meantime we have this teaser video to pore over and analyse, although I’m not sure that we can read too much into what looks to be a car-shaped Christmas tree decoration.

Anyway, enjoy.

Click on the image below to open