BMW X Models 2014 News

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has published its latest round of safety recalls, with models from Ford, Mazda, BMW, Kia, Audi, Jeep, Alfa Romeo and Lamborghini affected.

Manufacturers including BMW, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Peugeot and Citroen have issued recalls via the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

European manufacturers Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar Land Rover and Peugeot have all issued recent recall notices.

John Carey previews BMW's battle plan for its next 100 years.

While Australian VW owners continue to wait to find out if their cars are affected, should BMW buyers be worried too?

December and January are already good times to drive a bargain as dealers clear 2014 stock and make way for cars built in 2015.But it could be an even better time to buy if the Australian dollar continues to weaken against the US dollar.Senior car company executives have told CarsGuide that if the Australian dollar drops below 80 US cents for any length of time then we may start to see price rises on certain models by about March or April next year.Not all car companies buy in US currency, and the Australian new-car market is still more closely tied to the exchange rate with the Japanese Yen (which has been accused of being artificially devalued by the Japanese government to boost exports) given that about half the new cars sold in Australia wear a Japanese badge.But brands such as Jeep and Chrysler, which have enjoyed massive sales growth in recent years on the back of sharp pricing, may be forced to raise prices.Likewise the US-sourced Toyota Kluger, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz ML which, despite their Japanese or German badges, are in fact made in the USA.So if you’re in the mood to treat yourself to a new car, buyers continue to have the upper hand with record low interest rates, overstocked dealers (the market is down 2 per cent yet the forecast was for another boom year) and, now, the prospect of price rises around the corner.

The next direction for a score of small, punchy BMWs: power down via the front wheels. When the Bavarians switch ends, they do so with vigour - up to 10 Minis and 12 BMWs over the next few years will be front-wheel drive.BMW last week launched the 2 Series Active Tourer (pictured), its first front-drive car, based on its modular UKL architecture. The platform promises neat interior packaging, fuel efficiency and economies of scale.Front-drive BMW and Mini vehicles will account for 800,000 of the 2 million annual sales the BMW Group hopes to achieve by 2020. To date the group has confirmed three- and five-door Minis and five- and seven-seat Active Tourers.The company's spokesman for 1 and 2 Series models, Kai Lichte, says any vehicle smaller than a 3 Series will use the front-drive platform, which also accommodates all-wheel-drive.In line with this, the existing rear-drive 1 Series and X1 SUV are tipped to move to front-drive at the end of their current product cycles.A further FWD candidate is expected to be the X2, with the same coupe-styled roofline as the existing X4 and X6.Lichte says there has been no decision on the X2. "That's one of the cars we are flexible to decide," he notes.The only junior model not yet confirmed for FWD is the 2 Series coupe, launched late last year, which has earned widespread approval among driving enthusiasts for its dynamics. Spy shots reveal BMW will soon launch a convertible 2 Series and a performance-oriented M2."Reaction to the 2 Series was overwhelmingly positive and we just introduced those cars so we have time to make a decision," Lichte says.Ultimately BMW plans to only have two platforms for all models: UKL for vehicles less than 4.5m long and a common rear-wheel-drive architecture for the rest - ranging in size from the 3 Series compacts to the 7 Series limos.

New Honda Jazz sets new benchmark for rear view cameras: $14,990.

BMW has announced Australian spec and pricing for the new X4 SUV, just two months after its Geneva motor show global reveal.Due in local showrooms in July, the X4 follows the same “Sports Activity Coupe” formula as the larger X5-based X6, and brings the total array of BMW ‘X’ SUVS to five .Riding on the same underpinnings as the recently refreshed X3 mid-size SUV, the X4 will go head to head with the Range Rover Evoque, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q3 and the upcoming Lexus NX.The X4 shares its 2810mm wheelbase with the X3, but is 14mm longer overall at 4671mm, 36mm lower at 1624mm and the same 1881mm  overall width.Helping passengers fit within the 36mm lower roofline is a 20mm lower front seating position and 28mm in the rear, and unlike the bigger X6 there’s standard seating for three in the rear. The rear bench splits 40/20/40 and cargo capacity is just 50-litres shy of the X3 at 500-litres.Like the X3, the X4 will be available with a choice of two petrol and two diesel options, with the 135kW/270Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol X4 xDrive20i kicking off the range at $69,900, $9000 more than the lesser-equipped equivalent X3.The diesels start at $73,400 for the 140kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel xDrive20d, and are topped by the $83,900 190kW/560Nm 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel xDrive30d.The $87,900225kW/400Nm3.0-litre turbo petrol X4 xDrive35i tops off the range, as a performance flagship not available in X3 guise.Like the X3, the X4 is all-wheel drive and eight-speed auto-only, and official combined fuel figures range from 5.2L/100km for the 20d, 5.9L/100km for the 30d, 7.2L/100km for the 20i, and 8.3L/100km for the 35i. Claimed 0-100km/h acceleration is 8.1s for the 20i, 8.0s for the 20d, 5.8s for the 30d, and an impressive 5.5s for the 35i.Helping to justify the premium over X3 models is a healthier list of standard features, with the 20i and 20d including leather sports seats with front electric adjustment and driver’s seat memory, dual zone climate control, 8.8 inch multimedia screen with satnav and 20GB of storage, front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera, automatic tailgate, Bi-Xenon headlights, paddle shifters, the lights package and 19 inch wheels.The 30d adds adds Surround View cameras with 360 degree visibility, 9-speaker audio and adaptive suspension dampers.The 35i range-topper adds the M Sport styling package as standard, with tweaked suspension, 20 inch wheels, several ‘M’ logos and aluminium interior trim. Proximity keys and 16-speaker Harmon Kardon audio are also unique to the 35i.

BMW has announced pricing and details for its updated X3 mid-size SUV, just one month after its first appearance at the Geneva motor show.With a significantly revised front end, the new X3 has been brought in line with the headlight and grille treatments of the 3 and 4 Series lineups.New front and rear bumper, sideskirt and alloy wheel designs also feature, and the side indicators have moved to the wing mirrors.The interior scores new gloss black detailing to the centre stack, plus new centre console cupholders and new leather and woodgrain trim options.“These additional styling upgrades complement the vehicle’s dynamic on- and off-road capability, and the increased value – up to $6,000 of extra standard equipment in some models – makes the X3 a more attractive proposition than ever before,” BMW Group Australia general manager of marketing Toni Andreevski says.The 20i and 20d now come standard with Bi-Xenon headlights, gearshift paddles, improved connectivity and the lights package.The higher spec 28i and 30d models now come standard with the sports transmission, 360 degree surround view monitor, 12-speaker audio and X-embossed headrests.The two petrol, two diesel 20i, 20d, 28i and 30d lineup contines as before, but the 20d has scored an extra 5kW and 20Nm to bring its totals to 140kW/400Nm.Acceleration to 100km/h for the 20d drops by 0.4s to 8.1s, and combined fuel consumption is also improved by 0.4L to 5.2L/100km. The X3 continues with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed auto as standard across all variants.BMW’s ConnectedDrive system is now standard on all X3s, with a variety of services, apps and the ability to contact emergency services in the event of an accident.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn