BMW Z4: PRICING AND SPECIFICATIONS

BMW has released details of the all new BMW Z4 Roadster that will go on sale Downunder on a date yet to be announced in April. Prices range from $84,900 for the Z4 sDrive20i to $124,900 for the BMW Z4 M40i. On-road charges have to be added. (See the full price list in our separate table.) Fascinatingly the Z4 has been styled by Australian Calvin Luk. We chatted to this personable young guy when he made a recent visit Downunder and he’s a real genius with the pen, not to… Read more

ALL-NEW BMW 3 SERIES: PRICING AND SPECIFICATIONS

BMW Australia has announced pricing and specifications for the much anticipated all-new 3 Series that goes on-sale Downunder in March. It is longer and wider than ever before to provide a more spacious cabin particularly in the rear seats. Luggage capacity is pretty good at 480 litres and a 40:20:40 split-fold back seat lets you juggle people and cargo. A 12.3-inch high-resolution instrument cluster provides customisable key information. It is designed to seamlessly integrate with the 10.25-inch central touchscreen that operates the key vehicle functions. BMW’s new Intelligent Personal Assistant… Read more

BMW REVEALS HOTTEST X2 YET

BMW’s first ever M Performance model for the X2, tagged as the M35i, has been confirmed for the Australian market in 2019 and will be priced from $68,900 plus on-road costs. The M35i is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine a generation up to 225kW and 450Nm driving through an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission featuring gearshift paddles. BMW claims the M35i will accelerate from zero to 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds. BMW’s Intelligent xDrive system and front axle M Sport differential maximise front end grip and prevent torque… Read more

BMW UPGRADES ITS ACTIVITY MODELS

BMW X1

BMW Group Australia has announced specification and pricing updates for its X1 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) range, as well as its X2 Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) models. BMW’s ‘Navigation System Plus’ interface, and head-up display, is now fitted as standard to the entire X1 range. Previously, these advanced technologies were standard only on the top-line BMW X1 xDrive25i. The navigation and infotainment system has an 8.8-inch colour touchscreen display and app-style interface. It can also be controlled via the iDrive Touch controller or Natural Voice Recognition. The BMW Head Up… Read more

BMW 8 SERIES CONVERTIBLE: FIRST DETAILS

The BMW 8 Series Convertible won’t be in Australia till the middle of 2019 but already it appeals to us because it has a classic soft-top roof. Folding hardtops makes sense but the trouble is that with the roof closed – which let’s face it is most of the time – they look like a hardtop coupe not a convertible. Styling is stunning, with large wide-spread kidney grilles interlocking, though not touching, the headlights and a rear end with wide very-Bimmer lights and large exhaust outlets. Top down or top… Read more

BMW X7 SAV: FIRST DETAILS

BMW Australia has provided advanced information on the upcoming X7 SAV which will arrive Downunder in the second quarter of 2019. Big, bold and imposing it sits a full size up on the hugely successful X5. Note that BMW refers to its range as Sport Activity Vehicles (SAVs), not SUVs, saying its vehicles are designed for Activity, not Utility. Makes sense to us. The word subtle will never be used to describe the BMW X7, it’s big and bold from its huge kidney grilles to the very angular Hofmeister kink… Read more

NEW BMW Z4: FIRST DETAILS

An all-new BMW Z4 will be unveiled at the Paris motor show in October. It continues the tradition of open-top two-seat sportscars from the prestige German marque. Longer, wider and lower than the about to be superseded Z4 it has striking long-bonnet styling featuring a new mesh-type interpretation of the large kidney grille. For the first time it will have a vertical headlight arrangement. There is a choice of nine exterior paint shades. The fabric soft-top comes in Black as standard or Anthracite with silver effect as an option. It… Read more

BMW Z4 M40i FIRST EDITION

BMW chose the famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance for the world premiere of the new BMW Z4 M40i First Edition. Powered by a powerful 250 kW/340 hp, straight-six engine driving the rear wheels via an electronically controlled M Sport differential. Its zero to 100 km/h time has been measured at 4.6 seconds. The large BMW kidney grille has a striking mesh design and sits in front of a beautifully long bonnet. The two occupants sit well back and the high-performance Bimmer has 50:50 weight distribution. The new BMW Z4 M40i… Read more

BMW M5 COMPETITION

The new BMW M5 Competition high-performance sedan is coming to Australia in October. Featuring a more powerful engine, upgraded suspension, wheels and tyres and even engine mounts and is aimed at giving a driving experience for those very serious about their high-performance motoring. The 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine has a 25 horsepower increase in engine output over the standard BMW M5 – lifting it from 600 to 625 hp at 6000 rpm. (In Australian numbers that’s a 441 kilowatts.) Peak torque is 750 Newton metres and is on tap over… Read more

BMW 620d GRAN TURISMO

We’re not sure is low-cost is the correct term to use to describe this latest BMW, but you can now buy a 6 Series Gran Turismo for under $100,000. The local importer has added the 620d Gran Turismo, at $99,900 to its lineup. That’s significantly down on the $123,500 of the BMW 630i which is the current lowest cost model. BMW 620d Gran Turismo is powered by a turbo-diesel 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that generates 140kW and 400Nm. New 620d Gran Turismo comes in BMW’s Elegant Luxury Line, which includes a… Read more