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Automakers want to stop the EPA's fuel economy rules change, and why that's a shortsighted move

With a Trump Administration looming, the EPA moved quickly after the election to propose finalizing future fuel economy rules last week. The auto industry doesn't like that (surprise), and has started making moves to stop the EPA. Ford CEO Mark Fields said he wanted to lobby Trump to lower the standards, and now the Auto Alliance, a manufacturer group, is saying it will join the fight against cleaner cars. The Alliance represents 12 automakers: BMW, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, GM, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Toyota, VW, and Volvo. Gloria Bergquist, a spokesperson for the Alliance, told Automotive News that the "EPA's sudden and controversial move to propose auto regulations eight months early - even after Congress warned agencies about taking such steps while political appointees were packing their bags - calls out for congressional action to pause this rulemaking until a thoughtful policy review can occur." The EPA was going to consider public comments through April 2017, but then said it would move the deadline to the end of December. That means that it can finalize the rules before President Obama leaves office. The director of public affairs for the Consumer Federation of America, Jack Gillis, said on a conference call with reporters last week when the EPA originally announced its decision that it is unlikely that President Trump will be able to roll back these changes. Gillis also said on the same call that any attempt by the automakers to prevent these changes would be history repeating itself. "These are the same companies that fought airbags, and now promoting the fact that every car has multiple airbags," he said. "These are the same companies that fought the crash-test program, and now are promoting the crash-test ratings published by the government. So, it's clear that they're misperceiving the needs of the American consumer." There are more reasons the Allliance's pushback is flawed. Carol Lee Rawn, the transportation program director for Ceres, said on that call that the automotive industry is a global one, and many automakers are moving to global platforms to help them meet strict fuel economy rules around the world.

BMW 2 Series Active Tourer corners surprisingly flat on 'Ring

With seven seats and front-wheel drive, you might not expect the upcoming long-wheelbase version of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer to live up to the Ultimate Driving Machine reputation that BMW has fostered over the years. But the latest spy clip from the Nürburgring suggests otherwise.
The Bavarian automaker has apparently been testing its new people mover on the Nordschleife, getting it ready to join the growing 2 Series family. And though it's wearing heavy camouflage, we can clearly see from the video below that it's cornering impressively flat - which bodes well for those who'll need to transport their expanding family but aren't prepared to give up on handling.

Two-box BMW X2 breaks from X4 and X6

Our first batch of BMW X2 spy photos has revealed something interesting about the German brand's newest compact CUV. Unlike the even-numbered X cars – the X4 and X6 – these shots show a traditional two-box CUV, rather than the plunging roofline of those lifted, four-door coupes. With a two-box design then, what is there to differentiate the X2 from the X1? For a start, while this is a similar to the X1 shots we've seen, the D-pillar and rear window are significantly more aggressive without compromising the traditional CUV design. That design backs up our spies, who claim the X2 will be a sportier version of the upcoming X1. But while the look will be similar, expect the two cars to share powerplants and drivetrains. That means the four-cylinder B48, used in both the Mini Cooper S and other BMW products, will be on offer at launch. That engine will be joined by turbocharged triples within the first 12 months on the market. An M Performance model will also be offered, boosting the B48's output from around 230 horsepower to an even 300 ponies. That'd put the X2 on a collision course with the Audi RS Q3, although it won't be quite as angry as the Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG. While the X2 could debut as early as the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, our spies claim the X2 won't hit dealerships until the second half of 2017. Check out our array of spy images up top, and pay particular attention to the D-pillar and rear window, to see the major differences between the X2 and X1.