BMW announces a summer of launches and refinements.

The new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer opens for customer ordering on Friday 16 May, with first deliveries expected on 27 September, 2014. Prices start at £22,125 OTR for the 218i SE Active Tourer.

The standard specification for this latest edition to the BMW range has now been confirmed and includes: Automatic tailgate, two-zone automatic air conditioning, rear Park Distance Control, BMW Emergency Call, 40:20:40 split folding rear seat with electronic folding functionality and 60:40 sliding rear bench. Additionally Bluetooth with USB interface and audio streaming functionality, BMW Professional radio with single CD player and 6.5-inch monitor, DAB digital radio, Performance Control, Comfort Go keyless engine start, Drive Performance Control with ECO PRO, Comfort and Sport modes, rain sensor with automatic headlight activation, Sport multi-function leather steering wheel  and additional 12V power socket are also included as standard. 

Sport models are enhanced by the addition of 17-inch Sport alloy wheels, Sport front seats, LED ambient lighting, Black High-gloss trim and Sport enhancements to the exterior styling. Sport models cost £1,250 over the SE specification.  

Luxury models build on this with 17-inch Luxury alloy wheels, Dakota leather upholstery, LED ambient lighting, Chromeline exterior, Fineline Stream wood trim and Luxury enhancements to exterior styling. Luxury models cost £2,000 over an SE.

From November the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer will be available in M Sport specification, priced at £3,000 premium over the SE. This includes 18-inch M Sport alloy wheels, Dakota leather upholstery, High-gloss Shadowline exterior trim, Aluminium hexagon interior trim, M Sport aerodynamic styling, M Sport suspension and M Sport interior styling enhancements as standard.

Model	Price OTR
BMW 218i SE Active Tourer	£22,150
BMW 218d SE Active Tourer	£24,205

New-generation 2.0-litre diesel engines for BMW 5 Series

A new generation of four-cylinder diesel engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology will debut this summer in the BMW 518d and the BMW 520d. The new engines will be available in both Saloon and Touring body styles and depending on specification can achieve emissions of just 109g/km.

The new engines are based on the BMW Group's new modular engine system. Particular attention has been paid to optimising the thermal dynamics of the basic engine and to achieving a very rapid response when using the Auto Start Stop function. The 2.0-litre power units feature an aluminium crankcase with thermally joined liners for optimisation of internal friction coefficients; integrated balance shafts; a map-controlled oil pump, and a highly efficient turbocharging system with variable intake geometry. The maximum pressure of the Common Rail direct injection, featuring solenoid injectors, has been increased to 2,000 bar.

In entry-level form the new engine delivers a maximum output of 150hp (an increase of 7hp over the old engine). This allows the BMW 518d Saloon to accelerate from zero to 62mph in 9.5 seconds (BMW 518d Touring: 9.1 seconds), and to achieve average fuel consumption of 65.7mpg (BMW 518d Touring: 61.4mpg) The CO₂ emissions are 114g/km (518d Touring 122g/km).

For the new BMW 520d, the maximum output has increased by 6hp to an impressive 190hp, while the maximum torque has been increased by 20Nm to 400Nm. These formidable outputs mean the new BMW 520d Saloon accelerates from zero to 62mph in just 7.9 seconds, while the BMW 520d Touring requires only 8.1 seconds. Economy is just as impressive: the 520d Saloon achieves 65.7mpg (CO₂ is 114g/km), with the 520d Touring posting 61.4mpg (CO₂ 122g/km).

Further efficiency gains can be realised when the eight-speed automatic gearbox is specified. This combination allows the 520d Saloon to achieve as much as 68.9mpg (Touring 62.8mpg) and the CO₂emissions drop as low as 109g/km (118g/km).

The BMW 518d Saloon starts at £30,265 OTR, while the Touring version costs £32,590 OTR. The BMW 520d Saloon and Touring are priced at £31,965 OTR and £34,290 OTR respectively.

Introduction of 228i variant to the BMW 2 Series Coupé 

A new addition to the 2 Series family is the BMW 228i Coupé, featuring a four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. It delivers a maximum output of 245hp with peak torque of 350Nm. This enables the driver to accelerate from standstill to 62mph in a mere 5.7 seconds, while the average fuel consumption is 42.8mpg with corresponding CO₂ emissions of 154g/km.

Only available in M Sport, the BMW 228i M Sport Coupé costs from £28,260 OTR. This brings the BMW 2 Series Coupé range up to three petrol and three diesel engines variants.

BMW 4 Series Convertible: an even wider selection of engines available. 

The number of engine variants available for the BMW 4 Series Convertible will increase from five to nine by the summer of 2014. The new BMW 420i Convertible will form the entry-level model, with a 2.0-litre petrol engine featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology that produces 184hp and a peak torque of 270Nm. This provides acceleration from zero to 62mph in an admirable 8.2 seconds, with an average fuel consumption of 42.8mpg and CO₂ emissions of 154g/km. It costs from £34,210 OTR.

Moreover, three additional diesel engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology are available. The BMW 425d Convertible's 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine features multi-stage turbocharging and common-rail direct injection, a technology that helps achieve a maximum output of 218hp and a maximum torque of 450Nm. This mix of sporting character and efficiency is borne out by zero to 62mph in 7.3 seconds and an average fuel consumption of 54.3mpg and CO₂ emissions of 138g/km.

From the summer of 2014, the 425d will be joined by two new straight six-cylinder diesel engines featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The BMW 430d Convertible features a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry and common-rail direct injection with solenoid valve injectors. A maximum output of 258hp and a maximum torque of 560Nm mean the car, which is equipped as standard with an eight-speed Sport automatic transmission, accelerates from a standstill to 62mph in just 5.9 seconds. The average fuel consumption is 53.3mpg with CO₂ emissions rated at 139g/km.

At the pinnacle of the 4 Series Convertible range, the new BMW 435d xDrive Convertible provides even higher performance and is only available with four-wheel-drive. Multi-stage turbocharging and common-rail direct injection with piezo injectors give it a maximum output of 313hp and a peak torque output of 630Nm. The eight-speed Sport automatic transmission is also a standard feature on the BMW 435d xDrive Convertible, which takes a mere 5.2 seconds to accelerate from zero to 62mph. Average fuel consumption is 49.6mpg with CO₂ emissions of 151g/km.

The new BMW 4 Series Convertible diesel models cost from £38,540 OTR for the 425d SE Convertible, £44,485 OTR for the 430d Luxury Convertible and from £48,400 for the 435d xDrive Luxury Convertible.

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé: new engines and additional models with BMW xDrive.

Following the official launch date of 21 June, four additional model variants bring greater choice to the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé range this summer. On three of these variants, the engine power is transferred to the road via all four wheels thanks to BMW’s intelligent xDrive system.

These models include the BMW 420i xDrive Gran Coupé, with its 184hp four-cylinder petrol engine. This new model sprints from standstill to 62mph in 7.6 seconds. Average fuel consumption is 40.9mpg for the BMW 420i xDrive Gran Coupé while the corresponding CO₂ emission level is 161g/km. The 420i xDrive Gran Coupé costs from £30,960 OTR.

The new BMW 430d Gran Coupé is available in both rear and four-wheel-drive form. The straight six-cylinder diesel engine develops 258hp and is mated to an eight-speed Sport automatic transmission on both models. This enables the rear-wheel-drive variant to accelerate from zero to 62mph in 5.6 seconds, while the BMW xDrive variant requires just 5.3 seconds to accomplish this task. The consumption and CO₂ values are equally impressive: the BMW 430d Gran Coupé returns a fuel consumption of 55.4mpg (53.3mpg with xDrive) with CO₂ emissions of 134g/km (140g/km with xDrive).

In the new BMW 435d xDrive Gran Coupé, the most powerful straight six-cylinder diesel engine generates a maximum output of 313hp, and is only available with xDrive and the eight-speed Sport automatic transmission. It takes just 4.8 seconds to sprint from zero to 62mph, with average fuel consumption of 50.4mpg and a CO₂ emission rating of 146g/km. It is priced at £44,545 OTR for a 435d xDrive Luxury Gran Coupé.

Overall, 4 Series Gran Coupé customers will now have a choice of three petrol and four diesel engines, with six variants combined optionally or as standard with BMW xDrive.

Proactive Drive for BMW eight-speed transmission 

From the summer of 2014, the new eight-speed automatic transmission featuring Proactive Drive is available for models in the BMW 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series and 5 Series ranges.

On vehicles equipped with satellite navigation, the Proactive Drive system ensures that the moment to shift gears is precisely adapted to the current driving situation. The system works even if the navigation system is not active at that given moment.

The Proactive Driving Assistant works in tandem with the navigation system and “sees” a bend or a roundabout ahead, taking into account turn-offs and motorway exits. If the vehicle is approaching a roundabout or a bend, the transmission automatically changes down to the most appropriate gear, making optimum use of the engine braking effect. Afterwards, the system again shifts to the optimal gear for accelerating out of the bend. Unnecessary gearshifts and hunting between bends are avoided through intelligent interaction with the navigation system.

New generation of Business navigation and Professional radio. 

With enhanced functions and optimised performance, the latest generation of the Professional radio and Business navigation will be introduced for models of the BMW 1 Series, 2 Series and 5 Series in the summer of 2014. The BMW 3 Series, 4 Series Coupé and the 4 Series Convertible already took these enhancements earlier in the year. Both systems have a new control unit with improved computing performance.

Improvements include:

• Bluetooth audio streaming from the integration of mobile devices as well as additional BMW ConnectedDrive Services.
• Graphic images now generate 10 times faster than before on the 16.5-inch control display.
• High-resolution maps, which now have 3D elements and animations, and an increased speed when calculating routes.
• In conjunction with the ConnectedDrive Services option, the Business navigation system can be used for the Information Plus concierge services, Real Time Traffic Information and Remote Services.

New BMW Individual options available.

Striking new exterior colours and interior trims are now available through BMW Individual. Four BMW Individual matt finishes will be offered for the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé: Frozen Grey metallic, Frozen Brilliant White metallic, Frozen Bronze metallic and Frozen Cashmere Silver metallic. For the BMW M3 and BMW M4, Azurite Black metallic, Pyrite Brown metallic, Tansanite Blue metallic and Moonstone metallic are now offered.

The BMW M3 Saloon can be specified with the BMW Individual leather trim Merino fine grain, or the BMW Individual leather trim with contrasting colour stitching in Shakir Orange, Blue, Yellow or Silverstone finishes, and a leather-covered BMW Individual instrument panel.

Finally, the new BMW X5 can be ordered with two new BMW Individual exterior colours: Pearl Silver metallic and Azurite Black metallic. This is in addition to the three additional upholstery colours for the BMW Individual fine-grain Merino leather trim and the BMW Individual Ash Volcano Brown fine-wood trim. The steering wheel can also be specified in leather with a fine-wood insert.