It seems BMW is out there in the cold with all its latest bimmer model from the M3 and M5 to the latest catch, the 2012 BMW 3-Series F30. Spy photographers caught a glimpse of the 2012 model in the northern part of Scandinavia at a BMW facility close to a frozen lake.

BMW has been testing the compact commuter in the cold for more than a month and spy shots have poured in relentlessly. The latest set of images reveals the LEDs on the rear and a roofline which meets the backend at a steeper angle than the present generation model. The elongated wheelbase and a bigger body talks though remain a speculation and images do not confirm the changes apparently. The engine speculations for the 2012 BMW 3-Series F30 include a petrol-powered four-cylinder turbo and a hybrid unit. There may also be a smaller twin-turbo six-cylinder power unit I the works for the best selling bimmer. [via WCF]

The next-gen BMW 1 Series has been spied a number of times before, but today we caught it testing in cold weather conditions in Northern Europe. The previously spied model was a turbocharged model with twin tailpipes, but this prototype has a naturally aspirated engine as we only managed to see a single tailpipe in these spy shots — which by the way, also reveal that the 2012 model will come with LED taillights and a twin kidney grille. The compact variant will probably sport a 105bhp petrol engine and a 136bhp turbo option. Also offered, there could be a 3.0L twin-turbo M1 option mated to a dual-clutch gearbox, the combination helping the car achieve a 0 to 60mph time of 4.7 seconds. Not bad, eh? [via WCF]

The Audi A6 C7 mule was caught testing in Romania — a local home for Audi’s Continental Engineering Centre. Consequently we presume that the Audi A6 test was more about engine and performance than anything else. The new A6 is slated for a release in January 2011 and once the engine is confirmed in Romania, it will then head to other parts of the world for different kind of tests before they finally roll it off the production facility. Not much is known about the A6 at the moment but it is common knowledge that the sedan will come with the next generation Aluminum Steel Space Frame which will bring down the weight of the car whilst making it rigid. The fuel consumption will also experience a decrease courtesy of the weight reduction.