A new report finds BMW is preparing to launch an entry-level version of the 7-Series powered by a gas-burning four-cylinder engine in select European markets.

BMW published information about a new model called 720i on its official German website but it quickly took the page down. Although pure speculation at this point, the 720i could be powered by a slightly modified version of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine currently found under rthe hood of the European-spec 320i. The mill makes 184 horsepower in standard tune or 170 ponies when detuned and fitted to the eco-friendly EfficientDynamics model.

An engine as small as the 320i’s would not have an easy time powering a car as big as a 7-Series but it could help BMW reduce its fleet’s CO2 emissions. Additionally, a 7-Series powered by a 2.0-liter four would likely appeal to buyers in markets such as France and Italy where cars with a large displacement engine are subject to exceptionally high taxes.

BMW has not commented on whether it is on the brink of introducing a four-cylinder-powered 720i or if the rumor stems from a mere typo. If true, look for the 720i to bow in select European countries later this year with a base price that could lie in the vicinity of €70,000 (roughly $95,700).

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McLaren has published a preliminary set of a details about its upcoming entry-level sports car. Called P13 internally, the car will slot beneath the MP4-12C and help McLaren increase sales and expand its presence outside of Europe.

The upcoming sports car will pack P1 design cues such as a low nose, fluid lines and large air vents behind both doors in a more compact package designed to take on upmarket variants of the iconic Porsche 911 and the yet-unnamed, AMG-designed sports car that will replace the SLS. The P13 will be built upon the lightweight carbon fiber MonoCell platform that also underpins the larger MP4-12C, a setup that will undoubtedly make it lighter than its main rivals.

McLaren says the mid-engined P13 will be powered by a detuned version of the 3.8-liter V8 engine that powers the MP4-12C that will generate anywhere between 450 and 500 horsepower, considerably less than the 12C’s 616-pony output. Power will be sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, enabling the P13 to reach 60 mph from a stop in less than four seconds and reach a top speed of 185 mph.

Company executives hope the addition of a smaller, more volume-oriented sports car will enable McLaren to sell roughly 4,000 cars a year. This year, the British firm is on track to sell about 1,400 cars.

The McLaren P13 will bow at next year’s Geneva Motor Show and go on sale shortly after as a 2015 model. A convertible model is expected to follow soon after.

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Honda has decided to pull a scene from its latest national television ad that uses footage from Detroit’s bankruptcy.

Titled “Today Is Pretty Great,” the commercial starts off with a blues rift and imagery of the world’s sad state of affairs, including people protesting a bankruptcy outside of a courthouse. Although intended to be generic B-roll, that footage was actually taken in front of Detroit’s Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse during a portion of the city’s bankruptcy hearings, striking a nerve with some residents of the Motor City.

“They’re using our pain for their pleasure to promote Japanese automobiles while we are suffering in part because of the decline of American automobiles from foreign automakers,” Rev. Charles Williams II, president of the National Action Network’s Michigan chapter, told The Detroit News.

He added: “It’s absolutely a slap in the face to use that in a commercial to promote a (company) that basically has hurt Detroit.”

Honda blurred the faces of the protestors and obscured the court’s name, but that apparently wasn’t enough. In the wake of the mini-controversy, Honda says it has decided to edit the images of Detroit from the spot.

“The slight change we made to the commercial simply reflects our desire to remove anything that would get in the way our uplifting message,” said Honda spokesman Steve Kinkade. “The original intent of the commercial obviously was not intended to represent Detroit or the challenges experienced by the city, its people or our industry.”

Kinkade added that Honda has “operations and personnel in Detroit, so we very much want to play a role in the continued revival of the area.”

The ad, which promotes Honda’s latest Civic coupe and Si coupe, has been running nationally since January 8.

Photo courtesy of Honda.

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Cadillac has announced plans to offer a free 240-volt home charging station and installation for ELR buyers. The promotion aims to attract buyers as the new plug-in arrives on the market this month, promising the fastest home-charging times without requiring buyers to pay for additional equipment and electrician installation.

“Professional installation of the fastest home-charging unit is a natural way to mark the introduction of ELR to the luxury market,” says Cadillac chief marketing officer Uwe Ellinghaus.

The ELR’s 16.5-kWh battery pack provides up to 35 miles of electric-only driving, though it takes approximately 12 hours to charge from a 120-volt travel charger. Stepping up to the 240-volt charging station drops the charge time down to 4.5 hours.

General Motors has yet to disclose early sales figures for the ELR, which is based on the Chevrolet Volt‘s powertrain but with more horsepower and interior/exterior enhancements appropriate for the Cadillac brand. With a $75,995 price tag (including destination), the luxury upgrades command a significant premium over the Volt’s $34,995 entry price.

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Ford has announced that it will subsidize some repair work on its all-new, aluminum-bodied F-150 in order to keep repair and insurance costs as low as possible

Ford’s decision to construct large portions of its 2015 F-150 out of weight-saving aluminum promises several benefits – chiefly improvements in fuel economy and payload capacity – but the move will also test the nation’s repair shops. Just 10 percent of collision centers are equipped to work with aluminum body panels, which threatens higher repair bills that could lead to steeper insurance costs.

In order to prevent that from happening, Ford announced on Monday that it will foot the bill for 20 percent of repair costs, up to $10,000, to fix its 2015 F-150. The deal cover’s Ford U.S. dealerships only.

Mike Levine, a Ford spokesman, told Edmunds that the program will ensure “insurance costs and repair costs to consumers will be competitive with the current trucks.”

Levine also noted that the 2015 F-150 features a modular design so some body parts can simply be swapped out for new ones in the event of a crash.

“What this means for car buyers is that in the event of an accident with the (2015) F-150, we’ve made it so it’s designed for easy repair,” he said. “It’s easier to repair due to the modular body panels on some parts of the truck. This could save hours of labor time versus the previous truck.”

Ford is also planning to reimburse dealers for technician training classes covering aluminum.

Unveiled at the 2014 North American International Auto Show, the 2015 Ford F-150 is scheduled to arrive in dealer showrooms by the end of this year.

Photo by Mark Elias.

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