Buying a Beemer? There's a ton of new stuff lurking in the spec sheets across the model range...
They've clearly been burning the midnight oil over in Munich: on the back of this weekend's reveal of the new 1 Series three-door, M135i and 3 Series Touring come a whole plethora of updates and new model introductions across the range.
Hands free boot opening soon to be standard
Some are more dismissible than others. A new 520d variant for the 5 Series GT doesn't make it any less sinfully ugly. A 102hp 114i doesn't stand a chance of rousing interest compared to the three times more powerful M135i. Euro 6-compliant X3? Worthy but dull.
However, hidden in this lot are some intriguing new options coming soon. Does diesel terrify you, for example? Well, BMW will launch a 320i EfficientDynamics model in November, with a 170hp 2.0-litre turbo that combines 54.3mpg with 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds. In your face, derv lovers!
The M Sport variant comes to the 3 Series in July: sounds like a mere trim line but, when you see it, you'll know you want it. Even November's 316i isn't the turgid sloth-fest it sounds: packing a 136hp 1.6-litre from the 1 Series, it hits 62mph in 8.9 seconds and, thanks to the light weight of the engine, could well prove even purer and more agile than today's acclaimed 3 Series variants.
M Sport package coming on 3 Series
The big news is the launch of xDrive in the 3 Series range - the first 'regular' BMW to offer four-wheel drive in the UK for a long while. xDrive is intelligent four-wheel drive, bringing a permanently-variable front-to-rear torque split, and its appearance in the 3 Series adds an interesting new dimension. BMW's dipping its toe in with a cooking 320i xDrive model, but a 320d xDrive is under development and, if we take to it, 328i xDrive and 335i xDrive could follow.
What else? BMW now offers a contrast hard top for the Z4, in black or silver metallic. Kicking the 5 Series in the bum now opens the boot lid (and all cars get an electric lid from July). There's a 1,200-Watt Bang & Olufsen stereo option for the 5er too (complete with the Floating Design speakers that so wowed us last week in the 6 Series Gran Coupe). Love the digital multi-configurable dials of the current Range Rover and Jaguar XJ? They're coming to the BMW 5 Series now too. The setup menu will keep you occupied for weeks.
Contrasting roof option now on Z4
One car we'd love to see remains absent, though. Come on. BMW, when are you bringing us a new 335d, packing the 313hp unit from the 640d? With the new addition of xDrive, that could make the ultimate modern Q-car. Fingers crossed they're busy making such a thing right now...
Some interesting and fun options to be had but, as always, the cost is going to be HUGE for some of those: It always makes me wince when you can easily add 30%+ to the cost of the car by ticking those option boxes...
Really cant wait for the next 335d, my realistic dream car, cant wait to get my hands on one! BMW really are delivering the best engines out there, the most efficient & Powerful, 320i efficient dynamics is brilliant, hot hatch pace with RWD and 54mpg, whats not to like?
Forgive me if I'm sceptical about the claimed 54.3 mpg from the 320i EfficientDynamics. I have the diesel version, and even the optimistic computer has never claimed that sort of economy over a tankful. Best I've had is an indicated 53.7 mpg over 625 miles, and calculations based on actual fuel that's gone into the tank against distance covered suggest a whisker under 50 mpg is more like the truth of it.
Oh sure, you can eke an indicated 70 mpg out of it on a long, gentle motorway run in perfect traffic conditions, with a gentle tailwind, sticking to 60 mph etc etc. The problem is, that is completely unrepresentative of typical real world use. Throw in normal traffic conditions, mixed road types, and you're down to somewhere around the 50 mark.
BMWs figures, like most other manufacturers, may as well be made up out of thin air for all the relevance they have to realistic usage conditions. Of course, a correspondingly low CO2 figure makes BMWs very attractive to company car drivers. Mine was a no-brainer based on the choice I had at the time. But it's all nonsense.
Really cant wait for the next 335d, my realistic dream car, cant wait to get my hands on one! BMW really are delivering the best engines out there, the most efficient & Powerful, 320i efficient dynamics is brilliant, hot hatch pace with RWD and 54mpg, whats not to like?
Really cant wait for the next 335d, my realistic dream car, cant wait to get my hands on one! BMW really are delivering the best engines out there, the most efficient & Powerful, 320i efficient dynamics is brilliant, hot hatch pace with RWD and 54mpg, whats not to like?
Absolutely agree.
its a great package but most hot hatches are in the 5s now, OHs polo runs 6s
Quick moan - Are BMW sponsoring Piston heads as they seem to be the only manufacturer poppin up 2 or 3 times a week with news?
Looks like this car with the spec list will be an expensive car new but in a couple of years depreciation this will be a great purchase with all the toys.
Also I have heard rumours that BMW are having issues on their keyless system on the X5 (cars being stolen) not being covered under warranty - any one else heard this or is it chinese whispers??
Forgive me if I'm sceptical about the claimed 54.3 mpg from the 320i EfficientDynamics. I have the diesel version, and even the optimistic computer has never claimed that sort of economy over a tankful. Best I've had is an indicated 53.7 mpg over 625 miles, and calculations based on actual fuel that's gone into the tank against distance covered suggest a whisker under 50 mpg is more like the truth of it.
Oh sure, you can eke an indicated 70 mpg out of it on a long, gentle motorway run in perfect traffic conditions, with a gentle tailwind, sticking to 60 mph etc etc. The problem is, that is completely unrepresentative of typical real world use. Throw in normal traffic conditions, mixed road types, and you're down to somewhere around the 50 mark.
BMWs figures, like most other manufacturers, may as well be made up out of thin air for all the relevance they have to realistic usage conditions. Of course, a correspondingly low CO2 figure makes BMWs very attractive to company car drivers. Mine was a no-brainer based on the choice I had at the time. But it's all nonsense.
I think 50mpg from a reasonable sized estate with a fair bit of go is not to be sniffed at! My Alfa 159 Sportwagon struggled to reach 40mpg in ideal conditions and was usually nearer 35mpg.
Have to say I'm a big fan since getting my 320d and will very likely go on to one of these when I change next.
