2012 BMW 1 Series Front Three Quarters

  2012 BMW 1 Series Front Three Quarters

   2012 BMW 1 Series Front Three Quarters

   2012 BMW 1 Series Front Three Quarters

   2012 BMW 1 Series Front Three Quarters

   2012 BMW 1 Series Front Three Quarters

   2012 BMW 1 Series Front Three Quarters

   2012 BMW 1 Series Front Three Quarters

   2012 BMW 1 Series Front Three Quarters

   2012 BMW 1 Series Front Three Quarters

   2012 BMW 1 Series Front Three Quarters

   2012 BMW 1 Series Front Three Quarters

Though it's not immediately apparent, the BMW 1 Series has been refreshed for the 2012 model year. Starting with the obvious, the 128i Coupe and Convertible’s front fascia have lost the more conservative look of their predecessor. As the red Convertible pictured shows, the lower fascia is resculpted and the foglight housings have been redone. Tucked toward the outer edge of the foglight housings and barely visible in the photo are air ducts that are part of BMW’s Air Curtain feature, which was first introduced on the 1 Series M Coupe. Air Curtain is standard on all 2012 128i models and directs high-pressure air from the front end to the sides of the front wheels to help combat the natural turbulence generated by the wheels’ rapid rotation, all in the name of improved aerodynamic performance. Special Aero wheels will be up for order as well.

The 135i Coupe and Convertible appears to be mostly untouched on the exterior. The top-of-the-line 1 Series already comes with the M Aerodynamic Kit standard and doesn’t add Air Curtain. Additionally, fresh design accents have been implemented into the 128i and 135i headlights and taillights.

Inside, a Gloss White interior trim is the latest option for the 2012 model year and certain switches and controls have been refined for a better look and feel.

The 128i remains powered by the 3.0-liter inline-six with 230 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque; the 135i puts the turbocharged, 3.0-liter inline-six with 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque to good use. A six-speed manual transmission is the norm, but a six-speed automatic (128i) and seven-speed Double Clutch Transmission (135i) are available too.

The 2012 1 Series Coupe and Convertible will go on sale Spring 2011.

First Look: 2012 Audi A6

 Audi A6

  Audi A6

  Audi A6

  Audi A6

  Audi A6

  Audi A6

  Audi A6

  Audi A6

  Audi A6

  Audi A6

The new Audi A6, going on sale in Germany in early 2011, has no need to adopt the fashionable coupe-like look, because that job is done by the A7. Instead it emphasizes its role as a traditional executive sedan, and its silhouette is little changed from the outgoing car -- or indeed, the one before that. But the detailing is far richer.

2012 Audi A6 Rear Three Quarter

The A6's beautiful -- and beautifully made -- interior shares much with the A7. The dashboard uses wood reminiscent of a 1960s luxury speedboat, with a wrapping element around the driver and passenger, running away from the dash and into the doors. The MMI unit has an optional handwriting-recognition pad, like the A8 and A7. A head-up display also appears on the A6 options list for the first time. The center dash screen, 6.5 or 8 inches depending on the level of MMI, deploys electrically from a recess in the dash.

Although a high proportion of the understructure is shared with the A7, none of the major external panels are the same. The A6 has deeper feature lines and fuller surfacing. At 194 inches long, it is slightly shorter than the A7, but both have the same 115-inch wheelbase. The A6 actually is a fraction shorter than the outgoing car, but lower and longer in the wheelbase.

2012 Audi A6 Side

Some 20 percent of the bodywork is aluminum, including the strut towers in the engine bay, the crossmember behind the front and rear bumpers, and the engine bulkhead and rear crossmember. Aluminum also is used for the front fenders, engine hood, trunklid, and all the doors. Audi says this cuts 15 percent from the body mass, compared with conventional steel.

2012 Audi A6 Front

The new car shares its drivetrains with the A7 above it and the A4/A5/Q5 below it. At launch the base version will be a naturally aspirated 2.8 V-6, with Multitronic CVT, delivering 204 horsepower and a claimed 0-62-mph time of 7.7 seconds. Above it is the 3.0 TFSI V-6 with supercharger, which develops 300 horsepower and comes with quattro drive and seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission. It does the 0-62 sprint in 5.5 seconds.