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BMW considering North American engine plant?

BMW may be set to expand its US operations with a new engine plant, Bloomberg reports. The Bavarian automaker already has its Spartanburg, SC factory which builds the company's X3, X5 and X6 crossovers. According to the story, Mexico is also under consideration for the BMW engine factory, with the report claiming a final decision will be made in 2014.
"Establishing local motor manufacturing abroad is more complex than assembling cars, but it's a logical step for them to eventually start making engines in markets where they're expanding vehicle production," Juergen Pieper, an analyst for Bankhaus Metzler tells Bloomberg. Building engines in the US or Mexico would save BMW from having to ship engines for some of its most popular models across the Atlantic.
BMW, for its part, hasn't said anything concrete. Spokesman Mathias Schmidt is quoted in the story saying, "As part of our long-term growth strategy, we're frequently looking at different countries for possible locations of future production facilities. No decisions have been made yet, though, for an additional plant."

The 2019 BMW 3 Series looks pretty much like a 3 Series

Spy photographers captured the 2019 BMW 3 Series during testing in Munich, Germany. While the sedan is wearing heavy camouflage, it's apparent that BMW is going for a more sophisticated look. Up front, the new 3 Series takes styling cues from the latest BMW 7 Series with rounded headlights that flow into the car's oval kidney grilles. The rear of the prototype still has protruding round taillights that were spotted on a previous prototype. They likely won't be used in the final design. Our photographers also snagged some interior images, and the cabin appears similar to the current 3 Series. The center console retains the current model's layout, though the HVAC controls appear to have grown in size and have fewer buttons. As previously reported, the next-gen 3 Series is expected to have a longer wheelbase and be wider than the current model. Despite growing in size, lightweight materials will help the upcoming sedan cut weight. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2019 BMW 3 Series Spy Shots View 9 Photos Image Credit: CarPix Spy Photos BMW Luxury Sedan interior design

Mini JCW Paceman vs. BMW M135i in family faceoff

Over the last year, we've had the chance to drive two of the most exciting hatchbacks in the BMW family - the BMW M135i and the Mini Paceman John Cooper Works - but Autocar has managed to get the two corporate cousins together for a head-to-head comparison. Just like our initial impressions of the Paceman JCW, Autocar has little to complain about this new 215-horsepower hatchback... until it begins to factor in the faster, better-mannered and similarly priced M135i.
Despite laying down an extra 100 hp and delivering a 0-60 time that is almost two seconds quicker, the M135i carries the same price tag of 29,535 pounds in the UK; US pricing for the Paceman starts at $36,200, while it still isn't even clear if the US will be getting the M135i. Even more surprising is the fact that the Paceman falls short of the M135i in regards to rear seat and cargo volume, and just barely squeaks out a win in the fuel economy department. Scroll down to watch the BMW versus Mini hot hatch battle.