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BMW working on X2 crossover

Like the rest of the auto industry, BMW is going wild for crossovers, and the company's North American boss is wishing for supply to sell even more vehicles in the segment. It looks like the Bavarian brand is ready to feed all of this demand because the X2 reportedly has the green light for production, according to unnamed insiders speaking to Autocar. As its name suggests in BMW parlance, the X2 would be a five-door, high-style, coupe-like CUV that would be a smaller take on the X4 and X6. While these models aren't necessarily paragons of aesthetic beauty in the brand's lineup, their development is partially subsidized by other vehicles. The X2 reportedly shares drivetrains, electrical systems, and a platform with the next-gen, front-wheel drive X1 (pictured above). Sales in the UK at least could begin as soon as the second half of 2017, according to Autocar, and an M Performance version boasting up to 300 horsepower might even join the lineup in 2018. "We're finalizing the first prototypes now," a source said to Autocar, and a concept should preview the design before release, possibly at next year's Geneva Motor Show. BMW trademarked the X2 name in 2012, and rumors have continued to arise about it since then, including a possible design sketch. Related Video:

2018 Range Rover Sport Coupe spied in Scotland

Sport utility vehicles are the rage. SUVs with coupe styling are pretty popular, too, as BMW and Mercedes have demonstrated. Now it's Land Rover's turn. Believed to be the upcoming Range Rover Sport Coupe, this ute was spied this week during top secret testing at a remote location in Scotland. The vehicle would slot between the Range Rover Sport and Evoque, giving Land Rover an answer to the Mercedes GLE and BMW X6. These shots show what appears to be a chopped roofline, giving the new model a sportier profile than the traditional upright silhouette of Rovers. We expect it will use a version of the aluminum Jaguar F-Pace platform and offer V6 and V8 engines. It could also offer a hybrid or full electric version. The new crossover might also be lower set in a bid to differentiate it from traditional Rovers and give it a performance vibe. The Range Rover Sport Coupe – or whatever it is ultimately called – would enter a strong segment that's found favor in the United States. Once derided for potentially offering less function than traditional utes, these lifestyle vehicles have developed a strong following for their style and capability. The X6 was so successful, BMW added the smaller X4, and this forced Mercedes to follow suit with the GLE and GLC coupe variants. In this context, it's about time for Land Rover to join the fray. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Coupe View 12 Photos Image Credit: KGP Photography Design/Style Spy Photos BMW Land Rover Mercedes-Benz

Is BMW ready to increase i8 production?

The BMW i8 plug-in hybrid is really fast. But the car is getting to customers really slowly. The German automaker might be doing something about that. Bimmer executive Ian Robertson, speaking with reports at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week, commented on the high demand for the super-PHEV and said the company may step up production in Germany, Automotive News Europe says. That's because the wait list for the i8 is approaching 18 months in some global markets. And Robertson would like to get that timeframe down to about six months. No details were disclosed about how fast the i8 is being produced or how much faster that production rate may get. The i8, which retails for about $135,000, started sales in Europe in June and in the US two months later. As for the smaller, slower i3 electric vehicle, BMW is making about 2,000 units a month, and wait lists are down to about four months. Part of the reason for that is because BMW shifted distribution rates for that model towards the US to meet higher-than-expected demand from stateside consumers and slow German sales. Through the end of October in the US, BMW had sold almost 4,300 i3 vehicles and 271 i8 models, including 204 i8 units last month alone.