2012 BMW M Models Reviews

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.

A luxury car can be defined in many ways. For some it’s a car that has a higher level of equipment, comfort and/or performance than an average car.

BMW is in the midst of massive change. Like all so-called legacy carmakers, the Bavarian giant is hurtling towards an electric future, and everything from production processes to R&D and design must change.

You are looking at the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X. Vision basically means concept in BMW speak so this is a preview of one of the most important models in the Bavarian brand's long history.

There are so many premium small SUVs available in Australia that the choice can be a little dizzying. BMW offers two of these - the X1 and X2. The second-generation X2 has changed significantly compared to its quirky predecessor and is now much more similar in concept to the coupe-style X4 and X6. But with all that competition - including the related X1 - can the X2 stand out?

Sure, we all know things are tough, but clearly they’re less tough for some of us, because luxury car sales - and we mean genuinely luxury ones - have been on the rise over the past decade.

BMW’s Head of Design, Domagoj Dukec, has released composite images of the i16 hybrid supercar, a replacement for the ground-breaking i8, that we now know missed the production green light courtesy of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

BMW Australia has confirmed its new i5 M60 Touring xDrive is set for local launch in the third quarter of this year, offering a rare combination of a traditional five-seat wagon format and pure-electric power.