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BMW X3 spied with nip and tuck nearly complete

With the style-driven BMW X4 coming along in development, it looks like some of the forthcoming crossover's design could trickle over to its utilitarian sibling, the X3. Captured in these spy shots, it appears that the 2015 BMW X3 is preparing for a minor facelift, and from what we can tell, the biggest change will center on the CUV's headlights.
There is plenty of camouflage on the front and rear fascias to suggest updates will occur there, too, but we can definitely tell that the X3 will be getting LED-equipped headlights - at least as an option, anyway. The halos are slightly different from the current offering and there is also an LED strip above the headlights used as turn signal indicators. Another interesting thing we notice in these pictures is the nub at the bottom of the grille (also visible in recent X4 spy shots). While this could be some sort of test sensor for this prototype, it could also be a front-mounted camera for a possible parking assist system.
We don't expect any changes to the powertrain and we're not sure what updates could be in store for the interior, but we're guessing that that the 2015 X3 will debut shortly after the X4 goes on sale next year.

BMW to follow Honda back into F1?

The economic downturn wrought devastating effects on motor racing. Formula One alone lost half its engine suppliers when Honda left at the end of the 2008 season, and both BMW and Toyota followed at the end of 2009. But things are looking up again. Cosworth may have dropped out this season, reducing the engine suppliers to three: Ferrari, Renault and Mercedes, the latter of which admits that it may have left had the engine formula not changed. But Mercedes has stayed and is dominating the championship. Honda is coming back next season. And word around the paddock is it may not be the only one.
According to Giancarlo Minardi - founder of the team now known as Scuderia Toro Rosso - BMW engineers have been conspicuously spotted lately at F1 test sessions and grands prix, lending to speculation that the new engine regulations may entice the Bavarian automaker back into the series. According to Minardi, BMW's marketing division is pushing for the automaker's return to F1, with the board slated to make a decision in May. BMW would be more likely to consider an engine-supply deal rather than taking a team over like it had with Sauber, but with which team or teams it might collaborate remains a big question mark at this point.
As if that's not enough, Ford is said to be considering taking over Cosworth's aborted V6 turbo engine program to take both outfits back into the sport as well. Cosworth supplied F1 engines under the Ford banner for years, but returned under its own name for four seasons from 2010 through 2013 before shuttering its program to develop an engine to meet the new regulations adopted this season.

BMW adds new entry-level 320i model, priced from $33,445*

Fans of the new BMW 3 Series here in the US have likely been waiting for one of two models to arrive: the new M3 or the diesel-powered 335d. Well... keep waiting just a little bit longer. Here at the Detroit Auto Show, BMW is showing off the new entry-level 320i that will join the 3 Series lineup this spring, and rather than bringing added performance or efficiency, this car is boasting affordability above all. The 320i has been on sale in other markets since the current-generation 3 Series was introduced, but it goes on sale in the US with a starting price of $33,445 (*)including $895 for destination, which is $3,405 less than the current starting price of BMW's well-liked sedan.
In other countries, the 320i uses either a 1.5- or a 2.0-liter inline-four (both turbocharged), and the US version of the car will be getting the latter engine producing 180 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. For comparison, the current 328i, which uses this same engine, produces 240 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque. As expected, performance of the 320i will suffer with BMW estimating a 0-60 mile-per-hour time of 7.1 seconds, but it still has the same 130 mph top speed as the 328i. Oddly enough, despite the lower output, BMW's expected fuel economy for the 320i equipped with rear-wheel-drive and the eight-speed automatic transmission actually matches that of the current 328i with 23 miles per gallon city and 33 mpg highway, and those numbers are actually lower than the 328i with the manual gearbox.
It sounds like most of the usual 3 Series options will be available on the budget-minded 320i, including the choice of xDrive all-wheel drive, BMW Assist and numerous packages including a Sport pack and Premium pack. For a lot more information on the 320i, most of it general information on the F30 3 Series, scroll down for BMW's press release.