BMW X Models 2014 News

The X4 is spun from the mid-sized X3 and continues BMW's drive into new market sectors with a coupe-style five-door body.The X4 is expected to go public in the final quarter of the year and Carparazzi says the showroom model will be displayed at the Detroit motor show in January, 2014. It will arrive here late in 2014 and be priced slightly more than the X3.

The BMW X4 is being previewed as a concept car at the Shanghai motor show this month but is already a certainty for production as the German brand stretches its SUV stable.

We know a BMW X4 is coming. Now we have a pretty good idea as to what it will look like, thanks to this leak of a concept version previewing the new crossover. The images show the BMW X4 concept, which the German automaker will most likely present at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show later this month. As the concept confirms, the new X4 will be a compact crossover with coupe-like styling. It will share its underpinnings with the BMW X3, just as the larger X6 shares its underpinnings with the X5. The body will feature four doors, and inside there will likely be four individual bucket seats.Targeting style and performance rather than utility, the X4 will go up against similar models in the compact crossover segment such as the Range Rover Evoque and upcoming Porsche Macan and Lincoln MKC.This focus on style-conscious buyers should help differentiate the X4 from its X3 cousin, which remains popular with young families. It will also mean that the X4 can be sold at a premium to the X3, which starts at just under $60,000AUD.Engine offerings should mirror those of the latest X3, which means a base X4 xDrive28i with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four, rated at 177 kilowatts, and a more powerful X4 xDrive35i packing a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six good for 221 kilowatts.A dedicated X4 M model sharing its powertrain with the next-generation M3 is rumoured, as is a BMW M Performance model featuring a number of go-fast parts from the automaker’s new accessories line. At least one diesel model will be launched as well, though it’s unlikely to make its way to the U.S.With the BMW X4 concept’s unveiling at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show, which opens on April 19, we could be seeing the production version revealed before 2013 is out. Stay tuned for the official reveal of the concept very soon.www.motorauthority.com 

Once again, not much to see but it will be an excuse for a value boost......and probably some extra technology and economy improvement. 

The new M Perfance line is headlined by the new BMW X6 M50d, priced from $157,000 it features the most powerful, volume-produced six-cylinder diesel engine in the world. The top of the range M50d produces 280kW of power and a staggering 740Nm of torque propelling it from 0 to 100km/h in just 5.3 seconds. Yet, it uses 7.7 litres of fuel per 100km. The X6 M50d is the creation of BMW's iconic high-perfomance division, BMW M GmbH. The 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line engine in the X6 M50d is without parallel worldwide, having the highest output ever achieved by a BMW diesel engine together with outstanding levels of efficiency. Its unique triple turbocharging sees two comparatively small high-pressure chargers working with a larger low-pressure unit. The integration of an additional high-pressure turbo increases the engines capability when it comes to generating charge pressure, a key ingredient in taking the engines power output to the next level. One of the factors contributing to its exceptional efficiency, especially in relation to its output  is the new version of the common rail direct injection, with piezo injectors that operate at a pressure of 2200 bar.  The heaving hitting diesel is hooked up to an 8-speed auto and the drivetrain, suspension technology and aerodynamic properties have been harmonised with the precision characteristic of BMW M GmbH.  

Just in case you thought BMW had something against even numbers, the German carmaker has slipped another SUV into its line-up, the X4. The announcement was made in the midst of a declaration to spend AU$ 875,000 upgrading the US plant that makes many of the X models.The Spartanburg plant - which has just cranked out its two-millionth Beemer since it opened in 1994 - will also employ an extra 300 people as part of the expansion in production to include the new X4. BMW Australia's Piers Scott says there's not a lot of detail on the X4 but it would certainly come to Australia given the company's SUV success here. "It's coming, it's a vehicle that we have very little information on other than it's a car that we would certainly introduce to Australia, particularly in light of what is rapidly growing demand for our X-range of cars," he says. Mr Scott says the brand's passenger car sales were down last year but SUV sales were up as a proportion of the brand's total. The smallest BMW crossover wagon, the X1, finished the year up 8.5 per cent with just over 2200 sales, while the slightly larger X3 was well ahead of its predecessor. The X5 remains the top-selling SUV (and second only to the 3 Series for the brand overall) but was down 10 per cent, while the X6 sales were down 8.3 per cent and remain small. It is expected the X4 offer a similar alternative to the X3 as the X6 does for the X5 - the X4 is likely to run similar petrol and diesel all-wheel drivetrains to the X3, with overseas reports suggesting an M version is also likely. Mr Scott says the X4 timing for Australia was yet to be determined and overseas reports suggest an appearance in its home market is unlikely before 2013. BMW has already invested AU$729 million in the expansion of the plant for production of the new BMW X3 between 2008 and 2010. The BMW plant produced 276,065 vehicles last year, more than 70 per cent for export to more than 130 markets, a 73 percent increase over 2010, led largely by the new X3, which was up 156 per cent last year to 117,944 vehicles. Since opening in 1994, the plant has produced six different BMW models - including Z3 and Z4 models, as well as the X3 and X5.

The twin-turbo V8 in the muscular new mid-sizer is stretching the friendship with the back tyres in the fifth-generation M5 and there are concerns about customer reaction in snow-belt countries around the world. An all-wheel drive upgrade is the logical solution and BMW M chiefs from Munich admit they are considering the move. "We are thinking about it," says Max Ahme, M5 project leader. "If you are increasing the power more and more, maybe you need it." The basic powerplant in the M5 is the same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 already used in the M versions of BMW's full-sized SUVs, the X5 and X6, but is tweaked to unleash 412 kiloWatts of power and 680 Newton-metres of torque. "The block is the same, but the cylinder heads are new. The inlet track is new, it has double Vanos (variable valve timing) and more revs. So, more power," says Ahme. He refuses to go into much detail but it's clear that BMW M is making a serious assessment of its first all-wheel drive passenger car. "It's a good idea, but it would add 120 kilograms to the car and it's all over the front axle," says Ahme. Other companies have made all-wheel drive conversions successful, including Ferrari with the lightweight system fitted to its new FF supercar. Ahme admits BMW has had an FF in its workshop, although he believes the system would not be suitable for an M5. "We have looked at this car. We do some swaps with Ferrari." But Ahme is totally black-on-white on one potential stretch of the M5, into a new Touring wagon. "This will not happen," he says. There have been three M5 Touring models in the past but the sales record of the car is not good, and numbers dropped dramatically in the previous-generation car. "It does not make any sense. Just look at the numbers," says Ahme.

The upcoming 520i, priced from $77,900 instead of the previous $82,000 for a 520d, comes after an earlier move on the 3 Series down under. BMW Australia says its objective is to provide better value, as well as a 'stepped' approach to equipment levels that mirrors bottom-end brands from Hyundai and Kia to Holden and Ford. It began the change with the 3 Series and is now moving on the Five with a claim of up to $7000 worth of extra value - most of it in standard equipment - on the 520i. There is also said to be more punch from the engine, which is a new 2.0-litre four with TwinPower turbo good for 135 kiloWatts and 270 Newton-metres of torque. "We've got power up, value up and fuel consumption down. Everyone is happy," says BMW spokesman, Piers Scott. A new four-cylinder 528i - replacing the previous six-pack - is also part of the 5 Series change, with more equipment in the 535i and 535d that means up to $7000 of extra value. Scott says the value boost comes thanks to the engine change but does not deny BMW's stronger emphasis on value at a time when it is taking a battering from Mercedes-Benz and Audi on both sides. "It's really just the fact that this is a brand-new engine that's available to us. That accounts for the 520 and the 528i," he says. "The other changes are to get a logical ladder into the price structure. "The jump from the 520i - which snuggles under the Luxury Car Tax threshold thanks to economy of 6.4 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of  149 grams/kilometre - to the 528i manes 180 kiloWatts and 350 Newton- metres, even though the four-cylinder basics are the same. The 528i is priced from $98,200, helped by also qualifying as a low-emission model under the LCT rules. Prices of the 535i and 535d now start at $115,600 and $120,900 respectively, with the diesel engine now boasting 230 kiloWatts and an eight per cent economy boost, with the 535i also getting a 0.7 litres/100km economy improvement. BMW Australia now also includes stop-start technology on all Fives except the 550i, with its new Active Safety package - closing the windows and sunroof, electro-mechanical belt tensioning and a crash- optimised position for the passenger-seat backrest - also part of the deal.

Although the car has some links with the first-generation car, the newcomer borrows visual cues from the latest X models, gains more useable interior space and enhanced performance with a new range of engines. BMW Australia spokesman, Piers Scott, says the newcomer is expected to arrive into local showrooms early next year.  Initially two engines will be available at launch in Europe, a 135kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel and 225kW 3.0-litre petrol six, both adopting BMW's "efficient dynamics'' principles. However, Scott believes that once the car arrives here, more engine variants will be available.  "But are really not in a position to confirm which variants they will be,'' he says.  However, the company does plan other turbo-diesel and petrol engines and a hybrid version, which could also make it to Australia if right-hand drive hybrids are available. Apart from new engines, some higher performance models will get a new eight-speed automatic.  Like BMW's sedan range, the new off-roader will get auto stop/start for the first time in conjunction with the six-cylinder engine as well as the eight-speed auto. BMW's xDrive four-wheel drive technology is standard across the range with a "performance control'' function available.  The car gets newly conceived suspension technology, electric power steering and for the first time in an X model, variable sports steering, which will be optional in some markets. It will also be the first X model with optional damper control and dynamic drive control.  The all-wheel drive splits torque 40:60 front-to-rear thanks to an electronically controlled multi-disc diff and a host of other techno features. The MacPherson front struts have been redeveloped along with the multi-link rear suspension, while an optional electronic damping control adapts to the road and driver inputs. Normal, Sport and Sport-Plus modes are mounted next to the gear selector. The Sport controls sharpen throttle response, transmission shifts, steering assist, DSC settings and suspension firmness. The "performance control'' feature shuffles 80 per cent of the torque to the rear under steady acceleration.  Inside the cabin gets new materials and added versatility with a 40/20/40-split rear seat. With the seats folded, the maximum luggage capacity is 1600 litres.  A range of BMW ConnectedDrive options will be available, including head-up display, internet access, reversing camera with top view. Follow the Carsguide blog on Twitter  

News cruisers are parked-up and beaming pictures before 6am as the temperature hovers around minus 10 and snow flurries drift through the pre-dawn blackness.By 9am there are union workers carrying placards in support of the Big Three outside Cobo Hall in downtown motown, as the great and the good from the world's motor industry arrive for the first major event of 2009.The buzz is down from recent years, with less security and fewer journalists jetting in for the action, but still there are major unveilings, technology, important speeches and so much more over the first two days.The North American International Motor Show is more than just glitz and glamour for General Motors, Ford and Chrysler in 2009 - this is the day when they have to deliver for the first time on the promises in Washington which have earned a government-backed rescue package.That means GM opens the action with a rolling cavalcade of 17 models which promise exactly what the government wants - hybrids, electric cars and regular production models which do better than 10 litres/100km in fuel economy.The headliner once again is the Chevrolet Volt, except this time it is wrapped in Cadillac bodywork and called the Converj - with the added bonus of a plug-in connection to its onboard battery system.Lexus is next and does its number around the brand's first dedicated hybrid, the HS250h, which was originally only planned for America but will now go to more than 80 countries.Then Ford becomes the second of the Big Three to present its position for 2010 and beyond, with an all-new Taurus family car - perhaps a pointer to something on the Falcon front - and the promise of an all-new electric car with a 160-kilometre range by 2011.Company chairman Bill Ford takes the stand to deliver on the company's promises to Washington, even though it was the only local not to take a multi-billion dollar loan."Ford is heading in the direction America and our customers want us to go, which is a green, high-tech and global future. I think that is where society would like to see the entire industry go, and Ford is going to lead that charge," Ford says.Then Chrysler, which many American analysts believe cannot survive the global economic meltdown, gets its turn and does a top job with the great looking new 200C family car and a range of electrics which shows it has not given up hope.It's best looker is the Dodge Circuit, which is most like a battery-powered Lotus sports car."The Dodge Circuit EV offers an extremely fun-to-drive, expressive sports car without fuel consumption and with virtually no impact on the environment,” says the vice-president of design at Dodge, Ralph Gilles.By now, after just two hours of the first press preview day, the pattern for Detroit '09 is set.The home team is going big on the cars it needs to make - even if Americans are still buying BIG with the drop in pump petrol prices - but there is more sizzle than steak because they have started way behind the Japanese and Europeans.And Cobo Hall looks sparse. There are fewer brands, fewer cars and none of the bold-and-brassy unveilings - Chrysler has always led the world in motor show stunts - which have been a signature of the Detroit show.“All I know is we took about 50 per cent out of the cost of our stand,” says the car boss at General Motors, Bob Lutz.“We took away a lot of the structures, such as salad bowl-shaped Saturn stands, and towers with holographic displays.”But he still applies some positive spin as everyone talks up the chances for the Big Three, even in the face of a selloff of the Hummer and Saab divisions at GM.“The fact that we don’t have any of that stuff gives our stand a much more businesslike and cleaner appearance. I think they cluttered up the stand. I imagine it’s going to be much the same around the show," Lutz says.As usual, the 80-plus former fighter pilot is right.BMW joins the hybrid rush at Detroit with news of its petrol-electric X6, thankfully with the all-new Z4 sportster to provide some glamour, as Volkswagen provides the best looking car of the show with its Concept BlueSport.The gorgeous VW is most like a Mazda MX-5, but promises Prius-buster fuel economy in the 4.3 litres/100km range and, without any promise of production, it clearly could have a future.“The Concept BlueSport is evolving into a car that that is a lot of fun to drive and at the same time makes an unmistakeable statement in terms of sustainability," says Volkswagen.“The Concept BlueSport is evolving into a car that that is a lot of fun to drive and at the same time makes an unmistakeable statement in terms of sustainability.”The next big mover in Cobo Hall is Kia, which shows a funky pick-up built on its baby Soul. The Soul'ster is never going to be an Aussie workhorse but will hit the Gen-Y button for America, and California in particular.As the first day in Detroit winds into darkness and more frigid weather, Subaru kicks the action with a preview of its new Liberty - called the Legacy in the USA - Jaguar runs out its high-performance R version of the landmark XF and Volvo shows the most adventurous concept car in its history, pointing to the next S60."The sporty design gives visual promise of an enthusiastic drive and I can assure you here and now that the all-new S60 will live up to that promise," says Volvo boss, Stephen Odell.Ford goes again to start day two at Cobo, with its Lincoln-Mercury models, then its back to Maserati and then GM pushes the home game hard with an announcement that the batteries for its Volt will be built in the USA. It's a boost for local jobs, more hard news on the Volt, and just what Washington will want before the Big Three report back on their survival plans at the end of March.And then there is a shock - at least for the Americans - as Chinese cars make the mainstream in Detroit for the first time and little-known BYD confirms it will be selling the world's first production plug-in electric car by 2010.The last big event of Detroit '09 is the one everyone already knows about - the new Toyota Prius.The list of 'firsts' is impressive as the car is unveiled, from its drag co-efficient to more luxury and a more-efficient battery system. But Honda has already undercut the third-generation Prius on price with its Insight, which is headlining for the brand in Detroit, and there is no sign of a cutting-edge lithium-ion battery pack.But the Prius has solar-powered air-conditioning to cool the car when it is parked, is bigger and quieter inside, and is certain to become the world's best selling hybrid. The car comes with more than 1000 new patents on technology and a claim of 3.9 litres/100km economy."Prius is more than a hybrid, it’s a solution. No longer is it a second car or a passing fad. In many households, it has become the primary family car," says Bob Carter of Toyota USA.There is other stuff to see in Detroit, and some things are obviously missing _ the Mercedes E-Class was an invitation-only event and Rolls-Royce is holding its all-new RR4 for the Geneva Motor Show in March - but the overall verdict on 2009 is surprisingly positive.Cars are still big news, look good and make promises of a better and more enjoyable life on the road.But the big question remains. Did the Big Three do enough, and show enough in Detroit, to convince the American government that they deserve the support it will take to get them through the biggest crisis in the history of the automobile?