Spy Video: New BMW 4-Series Convertible Filmed at the Green Hell

We have just filmed the replacement of the BMW 3-Series Convertible while the brand's engineers were driving a camouflaged prototype on the Nürburgring track.

BMW is rumored to replace the 3-Series badge with the 4-series moniker for the two-door coupe and convertible variants of its newly revealed 3-series sedan, in much the same way that it does with the larger 5-Series (sedan, Touring and GT) and 6-Series (Coupe and Convertible) models.

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New BMW 3-Series, Hyundai i30, Mazda CX-5 and Peugeot 208 Shine in Euro NCAP Crash Tests

The new BMW 3-Series sedan, Hyundai i30 compact hatchback, Mazda CX-5 crossover and Peugeot 208 supermini are the latest cars to be evaluated by Euro NCAP, the organization charged with crash-testing Europe's vehicles.

All four models achieved a maximum five-star rating with Euro NCAP officials pointing out that carmakers have made significant improvements in the area of pedestrian protection.

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BMW Announces New 316i, 320i EfficientDynamics and 3-Series xDrive Models

After the introduction of the new 320i, 316d and 318d models earlier this year, BMW is once again expanding the range of the 3-Series in Europe and other parts of the world with new engines and all-wheel drive variants.

Starting from this summer, BMW will offer its xDrive four-wheel drive system on the 320i, 328i and 335i petrol models, with the 320d xDrive to follow later in the year.

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BMW Presents New 3-Series Touring, will Again be Available in the U.S.

On the same day that BMW unveiled the three-door hatchback version of the 1-Series the Bavarian carmaker also introduced the new estate body style of the latest 3-Series that will be called Touring in Europe and other regions, and Sports Wagon in North America.

In Europe, the new 3-Series Touring will arrive in showrooms later this year as the 328i with a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol producing 241-horses (245PS), the 320d propelled by a 181hp (184PS) 2.0-liter turbo diesel and the 330d equipped with a 255-horsepower (258PS) 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel.

A six-speed manual gearbox sends power to the rear wheels in the four-cylinder models with the 330d sporting a standard 8-speed automatic, which is optional on the other models. Both transmission variants are linked to a fuel consumption-reducing Auto Start-Stop system.

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Spy Shots: New BMW 4-Series Convertible Lets its Metallic Top Down

For the second time in a month, our crafty scoop photographers were able to capture BMW testing the open-top replacement for the 3-Series Convertible, which as you probably have already heard, may be named the 4-Series if –and that's a big if- the rumors turn out to be true.

What makes these latest pictures of particular interest is that we see the 4/3 Series Convertible with its electrically operated, three-piece metallic top neatly tucked away in the trunk.

Furthermore, our scoopsters were able to get close enough to the camouflaged prototype to snap a few photos of the interior that will be shared with the coupe model. Not surprisingly, even if BMW does change the name of the two-door models, the dashboard will be identical to that of the latest F30 3-Series sedan.

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8-Year Old Boy Plays in Mom's New BMW, Ends Up Crashing a House

Parents should always be aware of the fact that boys will be boys, meaning one should avoid leaving an 8-year old kid alone in a car with the keys on the ignition because he just might want to try out the view from the driver's seat, which is what happened today in a neighborhood in Boston.

The unnamed 8-year old boy from Dorchester was left unsupervised in his mom's new BMW 328i sedan, which was parked on a driveway on Mascot Street.

The youngster was waiting for his mother to drive him to school but apparently, he felt the need to hop into the front seat, turn on the engine, place the car in gear and stomp on the gas pedal.

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BMW and Chrysler Issue Separate Recalls on 2012 3-Series, Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan

In today's recall roundup, BMW and the Chrysler Group have announced two new safety recall campaigns concerning the 2012 3-Series and the Town and Country and Dodge Caravan people carriers on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

We will begin with the Bavarian automaker that issued a recall of approximately 7,600 3-Series models built from October 19, 2011, through March 18, 2012, over an issue with the front seat head restraints.

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