• Home
• News
• Features
• Classifieds
• Forums
• Members
• Calendar
• Shop
• Sell your car

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.

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.

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.

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...