A new three cylinder engine joins the BMW 1 Series line-up along with a host of other model updates.

A new three cylinder engine joins the BMW 1 Series line-up

July 2015 sees the introduction of the three-cylinder petrol engine for the 3-door and 5-door versions of the BMW 118i. Already featured on other models such as 2 Series Coupé, 2 Series Active Tourer and the much anticipated 2 Series Gran Tourer and new 3 Series Saloon, it is based on BMW Group’s latest engine generation for a further optimised balance between driving pleasure and fuel economy.

The 136hp engine in the BMW 118i achieves a zero to 62mph time of 8.5 seconds. Meanwhile, fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions have been reduced by 16g/km to 56.5mpg and 116g/km. In all, there is now a choice of four petrol and five diesel engines for the BMW 1 Series. Prices for the all-new 118i start at £20,245 OTR and the car is on sale from July onwards.

New four-cylinder diesel engines featuring the latest BMW TwinPower Turbo technology

Two of BMW’s most popular diesel engines are now available on a range of new models from July 2015 onwards.

For the 2 Series Coupé and Convertible, these additions of the latest generation engines will now add to the range of four petrol and three diesel engines both for the Coupé and the Convertible from July onwards.

The BMW 218d Coupé and the BMW 225d Coupé will offer a 7hp increase in power output and further optimised efficiency. Powered by a 150hp engine, the BMW 218d Coupé accelerates from zero to 62mph in 8.4 (8.2 seconds with automatic transmission), while also being capable of an average fuel consumption of 65.7mpg and emissions of 113g/km.

The new BMW 225d Coupé delivers a maximum power output of 224hp and acceleration from 0-62mph in just 6.2 seconds. With the eight-speed Steptronic transmission, the BMW 225d Coupé returns an average fuel consumption of 61.4mpg and a CO₂ output of 121g/km.

Similarly, the new BMW 218d Convertible now accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 8.9 seconds (8.7 seconds) and the new BMW 225d Convertible, which is equipped as standard with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission, in 6.4 seconds. The fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions average 57.6mpg and 128 g/km for the BMW 225d Convertible and from 61.4mpg and 122g/km for the BMW 218d Convertible.

Prices for the 218d Coupe start at £24,415 OTR while the 225d Coupe is prices at £32,120 OTR. Ownership of the 218d Convertible and 225d Convertible starts at £26,580 OTR and £35,500 OTR respectively.

Elsewhere and the BMW 3 Series 318d and 320d Gran Turismo will also feature the new economical four-cylinder diesel engine and will benefit from a 7hp power increase to 150hp for the 318d and a 6hp increase to 190hp for the 320d. It costs £31,275 OTR for the 318d and £32,375 OTR for the 320d. 

There will also be a new addition to the 3 Series Gran Turismo range, the 320d xDrive Gran Turismo. Available in SE, Sport, Luxury and M Sport trims, the 320d xDrive comes as standard with the eight-speed automatic transmission and has emissions of just 124g/km and priced from £33,875 OTR.

The 190hp diesel engine will also power the BMW 420d Convertible. The increase in power, torque and efficiency facilitates acceleration from 0 to 62 in 8.1 seconds (8.0 seconds) and results in an average fuel consumption from 58.9mpg (64mpg) and 127g/km (116g/km). Prices start at £37,250 OTR.

The BMW 418d Gran Coupé is another model to feature the 150hp engine variant and will serve as an entry level power unit but with excellent CO₂ emissions from just 112g/km putting it into the 20% BIK bracket for 2015/16. This £31,640 OTR model completes the acceleration from 0 to 62 in 9.0 seconds (8.9 seconds), achieving fuel consumption levels of 65.7mpg for the automatic and manual variants alike.

In addition to this, the most powerful representative of the new generation of four-cylinder diesel engines will make its debut in the BMW X5 in August 2015. 

The 231hp power unit featured in the four-cylinder versions of the BMW X5 is particularly effective not only as a result of its maximum power output, but also thanks to a 50Nm increase in maximum torque and an exceptionally high degree of efficiency. The BMW X5 xDrive25d costs from £46,565 OTR.

Model	Power Hp	0-62 mph seconds	Fuel consumption mpg	CO2 Emissions g/km
BMW 218d Coupé	150	8.4 (8.2)	65.7 (68.9)	113 (108)
BMW 225d Coupé	224	(6.2)	(61.4)	(121)
BMW 218d Convertible	150	8.9 (8.7)	61.4 (64.2)	122 (116)
BMW 225d Convertible	224	6.4	57.6	128
BMW M235i Coupé	326	5.0 (4.8)	34.9 (37.2)	189 (176)
BMW 318d Gran Turismo	150	9.3 (9.2)	61.4 (64.2)	123 (119)
BMW 320d Gran Turismo	190	7.8 (7.7)	60.1 (62.8)	127 (120)
BMW 320d xDrive Gran Turismo	190	(7.7)	(60.1)	(124)
BMW 420d Convertible	190	8.1 (8.0)	58.9 (64.2)	127 (116)
BMW 418d Gran Coupé	150	9.0 (8.9)	65.7 (65.7)	114 (112)
BMW X5 sDrive25d SE	231	7.7	53.3	139
BMW X5 sDrive25d M Sport	231	7.7	52.3	141
BMW X5 xDrive25d SE	231	7.7	50.4	146
BMW X5 xDrive25d M Sport	231	7.7	50.4	148

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage – star of the 2015 Concorso d’Eleganza

Based on the timeless classic and iconic BMW Coupé from the 1970s this tribute stole the show at the recent Concorso d’Eleganza with it firm nod to the engineering achievement exemplified by the BMW 3.0 CSL in its lightweight design and performance.

The Hommage draws on the character of the earlier model and endows it with cutting-edge materials to transport it into the present in a new and exciting guise. 

From the powerful wheel arches and the prominent roof and spoiler to the extensive use of carbon fibre for the lower section of the Hommage, each feature serves a purpose in order to create not only a sense of elegance and exclusivity but a lightweight design concept.

On the interior the special character of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage is again reflected in the high-quality, finely sculpted surfaces, embodying as it does a combination of lightweight design, sportiness and elegance.

The BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage is a striking design study to stimulate the emotions and hark back to a successful period of BMW Motorsport. There is, sadly, no intention to build the car though.

BMW‘s most powerful production M6 yet

July 2015 will see the introduction of the most powerful production M6 ever offered for sale. 

The replacement for the existing Competition Package on the BMW M6 Coupe, BMW M6 Gran Coupe and BMW M6 Convertible has been developed with a keen eye on enhancing driving dynamic and includes a power boost for the 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology. 

Now peak torque rises, from 680Nm in standard tune to 700Nm, and is available across an extremely wide rev band – between 1,500 and 6,000rpm. This has a marked effect on performance figures.

The three M6 models impress with outstanding performance.

For example, the sprint from zero to 62mph is all over in 3.9 seconds in the BMW M6 Coupe and BMW M6 Gran Coupe or 4.0 seconds in the BMW M6 Convertible. What’s more, the BMW M6 Coupe requires just 11.8 seconds to power from zero to 124 mph, making it 0.6 seconds faster to the mark than with the previous version of the Competition Package (575 hp). 

The top speed of all Competition models is electronically limited to 155mph, but can be stoked to 189mph) by specifying the optional M Driver’s Package.

Despite the lightening performance fuel consumption averages to 28mpg across the range and CO₂emissions approximately 236g/km.

Prices for the Competition Package on the M6 Coupé and M6 Convertible are £7,300 OTR and for the M6 Gran Coupé it is £6,300 OTR. The total OTR prices for the three cars inclusive of this package are £99,675, £104,675 and £99,675 respectively.

BMW and Motor Sport Vision (MSV) extend partnership for a further three years

BMW UK has extended its partnership with MotorSport Vision (MSV) making BMW’s high-performance ‘M’ cars available to thousands of driving enthusiasts at some of the UK’s best motor racing circuits for another three years. In the five years since MSV and BMW first entered into a partnership, more than 90,000 guests have driven BMWs at speed, with expert instruction, at MSV venues.

As part of the new agreement, the BMW M3 Coupé previously featured in MSV driving experiences will be replaced this by its successor, the lighter and faster BMW M4 Coupé. 

The M4 Coupé will now be available to drive with the RaceMaster and M4 Master Experiences onwards at Brands Hatch in Kent and Oulton Park in Cheshire, and the M4 Coupé GTP will be part of the highly reputed PalmerSport corporate driving event at Bedford Autodrome from March.

Peter Walker, General Manager, Sports Marketing, of BMW UK, said: “Engaging with and exciting current and prospective BMW customers is a cornerstone of what we do.

Our partnership with MSV has proved an excellent way to achieve this while at the same time creating an increasing legion of BMW fans. So I am delighted to continue with this strong partnership. 2015 and beyond will see more class-leading BMW products arrive and these will feature at MSV experiences in good time.”

New standard safety features for BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer

Passenger protection in both the 2 Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer models has now been optimised through the addition of the Multi-Collision Braking function as a standard feature. In the event of a collision, braking pressure is maintained until the vehicle finally comes to a standstill.

Furthermore, Alertness Assistant is now also included in the standard equipment range for both models. This system analyses driving behaviour, it shows a graphic symbol on the control display if there is an indication of reduced alertness.

The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer has proved a sales success since it launched in September 2014 with more than 4,000 cars being sold. The launch of the 2 Series Gran Tourer on 6 June, 2015 is expected to boost sales by an approximate further 5,000 a year.

BMW Individual exterior colour palette extended

One of the most popular colours on sportier BMWs will now be available on the BMW Z4. Estoril Blue, a mainstay of M vehicles over the years now comes to the two-seat roadster. At the same time as this colour’s July 2015 introduction other hues will be offered.

The new BMW Individual colours Champagne Quartz metallic and Smokey Topaz metallic will be available for all models of the BMW 4 Series as well as for both body variants of the BMW M4. In future, both the BMW 5 Series Saloon and the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo are also to be had in the BMW Individual exterior colour Tanzanite Blue metallic.