2003 BMW M Models Reviews

The eDrive20 is the entry into BMW's electric iX2 range and, for $82,900, before on-road costs, uses one of BMW's fifth-gen electric motors on the front axle developing 150kW/247Nm.

It could have been predicted, given the BMW M3 CS exists, but there’s now a two-door CS-badged Bimmer with a little more power and a little less mass than the M4 Competition - and it’s already available to order in Australia.

Headlining BMW's new X2 range is the athletic M35i xDrive variant that promises more focus than its predecessor.

When asked what might be the thing holding back more customers from going electric, BMW Australia head of Product and Market Planning Brendan Michel said he’d heard “no barriers” to electric car adoption from dealer feedback. 

This is the entry into BMW's new X2 range that corrects the relationship this coupe SUV had with its more sensible X1 sibling.

More electric cars at sharp prices will help drive BMW sales in Australia.

BMW's new small coupe conforms to the X line-up and that's about it. This divisively styled small SUV offers both electric and petrol power with a flagship M performance variant but its the base xDrive20i that is the sweetest to drive. The electric models are pretty slick, too, and overall the 2024 X2 marks a big generational improvement.

BMW has used China’s Beijing motor show as the launch pad for updated versions of its i4 medium EV sedan and combustion-powered 4 Series Gran Coupe four-door ‘coupe’ models.Scheduled to enter production in July this year at the BMW Group’s main plant in Munich, headline news is the new all-wheel drive i4 xDrive40 model producing 295kW/600Nm while delivering a range of up to 548 km (WLTP). All i4 and 4 Series variants feature a revised version of the brand’s iconic ‘kidney’ grille (“half enclosed” on the i4 EV) and new design LED headlights with adaptive function, matrix high beam, ‘urban lights’ (wider light distribution at speeds below 50 km/h) with ‘Laserlight’ tail-lights optionally available.On M Performance combustion models, and as part of the ‘M Sport’ option package, a black high-gloss diffuser and larger (100mm) tailpipes are added, with a carbon-rich ‘M Sport Package Pro’ also offered.Two new metallic colours, ‘Cape York’ (green) and ‘Fire Red’, have been added to the model range palette, while inside, a new flat-bottom steering wheel with illuminated multifunction buttons (plus gearshift paddles on combustion models) is now standard.Synthetic leather sports seats are standard, with ‘Vernasca’ leather trim available, new ‘Dark Graphite’ interior trim elements have been added and several ventilation and climate functions have been shifted to touch-sensitive controls on the central screen (also accessible via voice-command).Ambient lighting (with additional contour lighting around the central vents) is now standard on all models.For global markets the i4 range consists of four grades - eDrive35, eDrive40, the new xDrive40 and the M50 xDrive, while the 4 Series Gran Coupe line-up spans five models - 420i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive, 420d and 430d xDrive.In response to a request for details on local specification, pricing and likely arrival timing BMW Australia told CarsGuide, “Any updates regarding model line-ups of the BMW i4 and 4 Series Gran Coupé for Australia will be announced in due course.” For reference, Australian pricing for the BMW i4 currently ranges between $85,900 (eDrive35) and $133,900 (M50 xDrive), before on-road costs, while the 4 Series Gran Coupe covers a spread from $83,500 (420i M Sport) to $129,000 (M440i xDrive).

There are any number of ways to define a luxury car - or indeed the term 'luxury' itself, which means different things to different people, possibly based on how much of it they’ve personally enjoyed.

The next-gen BMW X3 will keep combustion-engined based powertrains as BMW retains a split strategy to keep market share on both electric and ICE fronts. The fourth-gen ‘G45’ X3 will replace the existing G01 later this year with a likely Australian launch in 2025. Like the third-gen BMW X5, the fourth-gen X3 will share most of its underpinnings with the existing car.That’s because BMW is pouring much of its development time into the Neue Klasse (or New Class, in english) electric platform which will underpin an all-new iX3 replacement in 2026.Pictured here in heavy camouflage, it’s obvious how the shape of BMW’s new X3 has changed – there’s a more imposing and wider grille, higher bonnet line and X1-like sloping roof for the Audi Q5, Lexus NX and Mercedes GLC rival.The car itself is 42mm longer (4755mm) and 23mm wider (1920mm) in body and track than the previous model. The new X3’s roof line is also a little lower, at 1660mm compared to 1676mm, though it rides on the same 2865mm wheelbase as before.That’s because the new X3's underpinnings are fundamentally the same, with double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link configuration at the rear. More rigid front roll-bar and rear suspension mounting points have been engineered for the new model. There’s a new electric architecture, too, presumably improving the functionality of the mild-hybrid petrol and diesel four-cylinder xDrive20i and xDrive20d versions that will be offered in the UK – expect the petrol to arrive in Australia. A brace of plug-in hybrids, the four-cylinder based xDrive30e and six-pot M50 xDrive (likely to be the only option with the ‘B58’ engine), will be offered in the UK as well. The plug-in hybrids feature BMW’s newer 18.9kWh lithium-ion battery pack and tweaked gearbox-mounted motor. Expect improvements to the X3 PHEV’s 215kW power output and 60km electric-only driving range figure. Inside, the X3 will feature BMW’s latest Android-based multimedia system with 14.9-inch touchscreen and iDrive rotary controller retained. The steering wheel fitted to these prototypes is the same found in the latest 5 Series sedan and wagon. There’s no word yet on a full-fat M version of the new X3, but expect one soon.As for the new ‘iX3’, it’s likely BMW will adopt new naming conventions for the product versions of its Neue Klasse concepts to reduce future confusion. The fourth-gen X3 will launch globally in late 2024 with an Australian release likely to follow in 2025.