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BMW M3, M4 let loose on the 'Ring

We just posted our first drive of the 2014 BMW 435i yesterday, but for those wanting even more power from this stylish coupe, help is on the way. From the sounds of it, BMW will be showing off a production-ready concept previewing the M4 next month at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, but until then, we have some new spy shots of the performance coupe being tested at the Nürburgring, along with its four-door counterpart, the M3.
Despite all the camouflage, it doesn't take much imagination to picture what both cars will look like, since we can clearly see the more aggressive front fascia and beefier brake setup. One interesting element we see on both cars is a double bubble roof that is almost certainly made from carbon fiber. Based on our report earlier, both the M4 Coupe and M3 Sedan are expected to debut at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.

2014 BMW X5 recalled over faulty child-safety locks

BMW is set to recall some 6,400 of its new-for-2014 X5 SUVs built between December 12, 2013 and March 10, 2014 due to concerns that the child safety locks, if set, might deactivate without warning. The problem affects only those vehicles with the automatic soft-closing option.
According to the bulletin issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the lock mechanism on the rear doors "may not have been manufactured to correct tolerances," meaning the safety locks could disengage with a simple pull of the door handle. Basically, with a pair of tugs, the rear doors could be opened from the inside, regardless of child safety locks.
BMW is in the process of notifying owners of affected vehicles. Any necessary repairs will be conducted free of charge. Take a look below for the official press release from NHTSA.

BMW i8 with 500+ horsepower in the cards?

While BMW makes plenty of machinery to keep enthusiasts interested, its most enticing models are often based on more ordinary ones. That's what made the arrival of the i8 so captivating, emerging as the first stand-alone BMW sports coupe since the M1. But if its dual purpose - trying its best to both embrace the earth and traverse it rapidly - somehow left you disappointed, the next development could prove to fix that.
According to Automobile, BMW is working on a more potent i8S model. The hardcore version of the hybrid sports car would offer more power and a stiffened chassis to make it that much more aggressive. The Bavarian automaker is reportedly still evaluating two potential powertrain options: The first would pair a 2.0-liter twin-turbo four-cylinder good for 320 horsepower to an electric motor with another 204 hp. The second would use a 3.0-liter straight six with 480 hp and an electric motor with 109 hp. Both would be mated to a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission and an integrated starter motor packing an extra 27 hp.
Either way, we'd be looking at a combined output well in excess of 500 horsepower - far more than the existing i8's 228-hp turbo three and 129-hp electric motor - dropping the 0-62 time down from 4.1 seconds to an estimated 3.5. Couple that to a more advanced carbon chassis, wider tires and other goodies, and the i8 would be transformed into a far more capable performance machine than it already is.