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POWER: The BMW M2 and M4 promise to pack a powerful punch on the road
BMW expand and revise their range of cars
BMW is as busy as ever expanding and revising its range.
Their new M2 comes with a 370bhp six-cylinder engine and the choice of manual or automatic gearboxes. This pocket rocket offers 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds and may tempt buyers away from the more expensive M4 when it arrives in April.
Those seeking more speed will be keen on the limited edition M4 GTS that is on sale in March. It has a 493bhp version of the M4’s turbocharged engine and uses carbon fibre to reduce weight. Only 30 are slated to come to the UK.
POWER: The BMW M2 and M4 promise to pack a powerful punch on the road
The X4 M40i is set to take on the Porsche Macan with a 355bhp engine for 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds. Although not a full-blown M car, this crossover promises a great drive when it lands in late 2016.
A different take on performance from BMW is the 330e that is due around the same time as the M2. This plug-in hybrid 3 Series has an electric motor and 2.0-litre petrol engine to deliver 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds coupled to combined economy of 148.7mpg and 44g/km Co2 emissions.
Other big news for BMW is an all-new 5 Series range that will arrive in the summer. Expect to see a lighter, more frugal 5 Series with more interior space and hybrid models with small petrol engines and plug-in charging.
BMW’s 2 Series Active Tourer and Grand Tourer are rivals the Mercedes B Class with a range of petrol and diesel engines that offer up to 68.9mpg and 109g/km CO2 emissions. Other 2 Series models encompass the rear-drive Coupe and Convertible.
BMW has revised the 3 Series for the second half of 2015, providing lower emissions and better fuel economy to help it retain its huge following among company car drivers.
COMPETITION: Designed to take on the Porsche Macan, the BMW X4 M40i does 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds
The latest generation of 7 Series keeps with modern trends, so it’s lighter, cleaner and leaner while offering new safety and comfort technologies.
There is also the X1 compact SUV to tackle Audi’s Q3. It comes with the option of all-wheel drive to cope with winter conditions and is a pleasure to drive.
The 1 Series hatch received new lights and an updated touchscreen display in 2015. There are also improved engines for greater fuel economy across the board for this model.
The finessed 6 Series line-up that has revised styling and all models now come with a sports exhaust to provide a more sporting sound.
Performance fans have a couple of new options from BMW with the arrival of the X5M and X6M, which both share the same 575bhp 4.4-litre V8 engine. It delivers impressive pace and noise.
COMPETITION: Designed to take on the Porsche Macan, the BMW X4 M40i does 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds
The M3 and M4 use a turbocharged six-cylinder engine in place of the previous M3’s V8 motor. Rapid and exciting, they are quick BMWs in the form we know and love.
The i8 is a petrol-electric hybrid that has a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and four-wheel drive. Aside from its amazing looks, the i8 is noteworthy for its performance, knocking off 0-62mph in just 4.4 seconds to reside alongside the best supercars, yet it can return superb economy and low emissions. An additional i8 model with increased performance is set to launch in late 2016 and BMW has shown a convertible version that could end up as a production model in 2017.
The 4 Series Gran Coupe that offers sleeker looks but much the same practicality as the 3 Series saloon while the 4 Series Convertible adds a dash of allure with plenty of practicality. Fans of smaller coupes will delight in the arrival of the 2 Series, which replaces the previous 1 Series Coupe. It will spawn a small convertible model too.
On the larger side, the X4 SUV cum coupe joins the X5 in showrooms. The X4 is unusual but has a lot of appeal as a driver’s car, while the X5 continues to offer luxury SUV buyers a tempting package.
The Z4 range has the addition of an sDrive18i model that has a 156bhp version of the existing 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. It’s very good to drive, but not quite as swift as you might hope given the car’s looks.
