[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6oHA7ZdDUw]

For the five people who listen to Autoblog’s Podcast (as opposed to the popular site), you may recall staff members on the show fiercely insisting that BMW’s coming ’11 3 series was to be a next-gen vehicle.  Now, most of us recall the present 3 coming out not too long ago (mid-decade), so a total redo of a flagship this early would appear illogical.

Turns out the Autoblog gang was wrong.  As was expected, BMW will be placing a mild refresh on the current E90 generation.  According to Leftlane, the E90 update will use some modest re-sculpting front and back, new LED lamps, a spec boost, and an “iS” trim.  The new trim level will lie between the lovable $41,000 335i and superb $56,000 M3.

The Z4 has undergone a facelift, reducing the ungainly styling it first dawned early in the decade.  The new roadster, BMW’s only two-seater, now features a retractable hardtop and a 3.0 L inline-six.  A lightweight aluminum chassis and high-precision direct-injection add efficiency in addition to high-performance, reducing carbon emissions and maximizing fuel economy.

The CS was a senseless idea when you really think about it.  It was a large saloon, bigger than the high-end 7 series, with no real purpose…other than to showcase the post-Bangle design.

The CS is a beauty, being fresh while carrying a traditional BMW aesthetic.  The front-end is sharper than the flame-styled Bimmers we’ve grown used to, while the short rear-deck comes off as intentional–unlike the choppy 3 we have today.  The headlamps have a fierce glare, and the “kidney” grill is large and distinct.  Let’s not ignore the heavenly two-tone interior.

Again, it made no sense because the market for anything above the 7 would be minuscule.  BMW quickly dropped the idea, deciding the use CS cues with existing series.  The closest you’ll get to owning a CS will likely be the next-gen Alpina B7.  So maybe the CS’s demise won’t be entirely tragic.

No, we’re talking about the 1970s exotic.

BMW’s entry-level compact coupe will be set to enjoy an “M” variant in the next year.  The M1 will widen the BMW menu and help tackle Audi’s insurgent S3.  Leftlane is reporting that the M1 won’t borrow the M3′s 4.0 L V-8, but will come with a higher-output turbo’d inline-six putting out around 330 hp.

The figure sounds docile to us–we’d imagine 350 being a minimum.

It was bound to happen.

The Top Gear gang has put BMW’s M5, perhaps the class-leader, up against the UK’s newcomer, the Jaguar XFR.  Both are medium-sized luxury-sport saloons vying for the same upscale audience.

Before checking out the clip, let’s look over the specs of the two contenders.

The rear-drive 4,010 lb. M5 is equipped with a 5.0 L V-10 engine, which puts out 383 ft.-lbs. of torque at 6,100 rpm–and 500 hp at 7,800.  The engine is attached to an automated-manual gearbox, helping to reach sixty in 4.8 sec.  The M5 is priced at a steep $86,000; with that, you get a finely built and surprisingly agile sedan matched only by a few.

The XFR is more conventional in its armament.  The Jag has a supercharged 4.2 L V-8 and a 6-spd. automatic transmission.  Not only is the 4.2 more powerful than the M5′s V-10, generating 510 hp, but it reaches its peak at just 6,100 rpm.  The torque figure is more dramatic: 461 ft.-lbs. at 5,500 rpm.  The Jag does have its drawbacks: yes, it is more powerful (and cheaper at $79,000), but it’s also larger (4 in. longer) and heavier by 300 lbs.  You do have the extra plus that it delivers a combined rating of 17 mpg over the M5′s 13.

So how did this comparo turn out?  See for yourself.