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BMW is 'watching the pickup space closely'

Automotive April Fools' Day jokes rarely become real product, but then again, they're generally flights of fancy. The E92 M3-based BMW pickup truck from 2011 is a notable exception – M built it for hauling parts. Now, BMW might seriously be looking into a vehicle with a bed. Speaking to Australia's Motoring, Australian Marketing Manager Marc Werner dropped a few hints that the German brand is at least studying the feasibility of a truck or ute. "Never say never," Werner told Motoring. "We're watching the space closely." According to Motoring, Werner's statements are a big deal because they're in stark contrast to what BMW Asia, Pacific, and South Africa boss Hendrik von Kuenheim said a year ago – that BMW is "definitely not" building a truck. The Aussies seem to think this means, along with arch-nemesis Mercedes-Benz's new midsize pickup, BMW's position on its first-ever truck might be softening. Since the Australians (probably) started bouncing with glee over the idea of a roundel-adorned pickup, Werner was quick to temper expectations. He told Motoring that a pickup is far easier for Munich's rivals. "It's easier for Mercedes because they have commercial vehicles and trucks and vans. We do not. And perhaps it's easier for Audi. Just take the Amarok, why not?" Werner said. "Yes it's harder for us but we'll be watching how Benz goes." While we wouldn't count on Munich building a truck/ute in the near future, Motoring does make a good point – in 2016, a BMW pickup sounds as crazy as a front-drive Bimmer did in 2006. In other news, the new China-only 1 Series debuted yesterday. It's BMW's second front-driver after the 2 Series Active Tourer.

Beverly Hills road rage incident ends with BMW driver ramming bicyclist

An instance of road rage turned mortally dangerous in Beverly Hills, CA, recently, when an incident between a cyclist and a BMW driver took a scary turn in front of a rolling security camera.
LA Weekly reports that the person on the bicycle and the driver of the 2008 BMW 328i in the video had some kind of altercation, resulting in the cyclist punching the driver. The driver then followed the biker to an alley on the 9000 block of Wilshire Blvd and, according to the Beverly Hills Police Department, "Intentionally rammed the bicyclist with his vehicle pinning him to a metal rolling trash bin."
That the act was intentional is clearly evident in the video footage below, captured on a security camera. Police have published the video in the hopes of tracking down the driver, who is said to be in his mid-30s with dark hair, dark eyes and a thin build. BMW owners across the country can thank him - for reinforcing certain stereotypes - by helping to turn him in. Do your part, Bimmer Nation.

BMW X2 in the works?

BMW could bring yet another niche-busting product to the market in 2017 if a report form a forum is to be believed. According to the BMW X1 Forum of Bimmerpost, 2017 could see the debut of the BMW X2. Yes, X2.
Allegedly, this car will ride on the UKL platform, which is slated to underpin both the next-generation Mini Countryman and BMW X1. The X2, though, will play the role occupied by the X6 relative to the X5 - that means it'll be the same basic vehicle with a more sporting (i.e. less practical) roofline. The denizens of the forum claim the X2 will only be offered with xDrive all-wheel drive, and unlike the X6 and soon-to-arrive X4, it will be available in both three and five-door variants.
We reached out to BMW for comment, and got the typical "There's no plans as of right now" statement, although spokesman Dave Buchko did add that, "It's fun to speculate."