We’re used to seeing some absolutely wild stuff. Car companies really can’t think of an idea so outlandish they won’t at least try it out on a concept before packing it in, whether it’s jet engines or bodies made out of bamboo.

So, when we say BMW is creating a transmission that uses GPS signals, topography, current speed, and other data to choose the precise and correct gear in an eight-speed transmission, you probably think it’s just another wacky idea.

Nope. BMW wants it in cars within the decade.

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Yeah, yeah, we know, we know, April Fool’s Day was last week. It looks like somebody Photoshopped this for a gag article about how BMW is going to bring back the DeSoto or something.

But this? Not a joke. It’s lightning fast and can haul a This really does exist, it’s as incredible as it seems…and you will never, ever, ever be able to buy one.

No, really. Not happening. Why?

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BMW’s Vision EfficientDynamics from the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show was a big hit, and the company is in the process of developing a production model out of it. Before that happens, though, the VED will get a technologically advanced, bald, younger brother. This one is said to be purely concept, though.

Introduced today and on its way to a Geneva debut, the Vision ConnectedDrive is designed to show some new design elements as well as technological components. In my opinion, the concept is just as visually striking as the VED, what with its prominent grille; low, unframed windshield; sliding doors and lighted accents.

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We know the VisionEfficient Dynamics is coming. We know BMW may change its name. But, so far, BMW isn’t doing much to change its stunning looks.

A silver version of the VED was recently spotted in Abu Dhabi, photoed and posted to the Web, and it’s looking as hot and conceptual as ever, with its big, clear doors and menacing front end. And the silver paint is a rather attractive update to boot.

Now, we’re still fully expecting BMW to tone this one down significantly before its production debut in 2013, but it’s nice to see a new barely modified look at the hot concept we came to know in Frankfurt 2009. Hit the source link for more pics. [via Teamspeed]

Back in November, BMW confirmed that it will be building a production plug-in hybrid based on the Vision EfficientDynamics concept introduced at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. And though we loved the concept so, we really couldn’t fathom months upon months of writing the entirely unwieldy “Vision EfficientDynamics.”

Well, it looks like BMW may have a little Christmas gift for us auto media folks. The company is reportedly considering naming the production version of the VED the “i8″. That’s much easier on our keys.

The i would be for Project i and the 8 would indicate the model’s upmarket place in BMW’s line. Sounds reasonable enough, so here’s to hoping…[via Motor Authority]

BMW confirmed its Vision EfficientDynamics hybrid supercar for production last month, and a new report this week puts a general price tag on it. According to Inside Line, BMW Sales & Marketing Director Ian Robertson recently told them that the VED will cost less than 150,000 pounds. And since “less than” so often means “a tiny percentage less than” in the sales world, we’ll take that to mean it will be pretty damn close to 150,000 pounds. By today’s rates that would be around $234,000, which is lower than the rumored price tags of the Mercedes SLS E-Cell ($250,000) and the Porsche 918 ($600,000).

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Thanks to G-Power, BMW’s are gaining all kinds of titles. Back in August, we saw the world’s fastest sedan, and now G-Power is back with what it calls the world’s fastest four-seat coupe. The tuner used the same supercharged 800-hp version of BMW’s 5.0-liter V10 that it used in the M5 Hurricane RR to create the M6 Hurricane RR. It also added a new carbon fiber front skirt and rear spoiler to increase aerodynamics. Other modifications are similar to the M5 version and include a coilover suspension system with adjustable height, high performance braking and 20-inch alloy wheels.

The claimed world fastest time leaps just over 229 mph–pretty damn fast for a BMW four-seater. As is always the case, you’ll be paying heartily for all that performance: price is expected around $345K. [via AutoMotto]

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The Vision EfficientDynamics seen at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show is officially go, BMW announced at an event in Leipzig today. The announcement comes about two months after BMW began teasing the world with what was largely believed to be a camoflouged, Vision EfficientDynamics-based car on its whimsical website “dontblogaboutthis.com.” Today, the company updated that site with pictures of the road-ready prototype.

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Last week, we got our first glimpse at BMW’s purposefully-cryptic teaser site “dontblogaboutthis.com.” The site had a few teaser pictures and short video clips of a 6-Series hybrid prototype. It looks like BMW will be gradually updating the site with new pictures and clips. This week, we get a better look at the front-end of the car in a new video clip. Indeed, it looks like the Vision EfficientDynamics concept that stole the Frankfurt Motor Show last year.

New reports indicate that the car will be called the BMW i100 Coupe ActiveHybrid and will be riding into the market sometime in 2013. Check out the new video after the break to get a little more familiar. [via Motor Authority]

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