BMW X Models News

The new BMW X5 hit the showrooms late last year, and a new X6 is coming up behind it. Spy photographers have caught the X6 testing in the freezing temperatures close to the Arctic Circle, and even with parts of the vehicle wrapped in camouflage, it's clear that the design echoes that of the X5 on which it's based.The headlights and LED daytime runnng lights are more visually integrated with the kidney grille, giving a stronger horizontal presence to the nose. However the X6 roofline continues with signature steeper rakes front and rear -- looking to be even more pronounced in the coming model.It will likely carry the same engine line-up as the X5, which means for us at least the three engines offered for the X5 roll-out: a 330kW V8 petrol, a 190kW six-cylinder turbodiesel and a 280kW triple-turbo six-cylinder, with other  engines set to arrive later (including possibly the plug-in hybrid that has been presented as the eDrive concept). Australian models are expected to continue with the eight-speed automatic driving all four corners with constant all-wheel drive.We'll see the new generation X6 here either in the final quarter of 2014 or early in 2015, with prices likely not to move a great distance from the current $111,045 entry level and topping out at $191,045.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $20,000-$40,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSMini Cooper: Mini will bring the all-new third-generation ‘new Mini’ Cooper to our shores from May, with the entry models using a new 1.5-litre three cylinder turbo petrol or diesel engine, and the hot Cooper S to step up to a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol from the same family. The three-door hatch will be the only bodystyle to lob in 2014, with convertible and a new five-door hatch (at least) to follow later. (Approximately $31,000-$46,000)SMALL CARSAudi A3 sedan: Audi will add a sedan version of its A3 small car to the existing Sportback hatch lineup from January, with the hot S3 version to follow in April, and the drop-top A3 Cabriolet (from about $57k) to complete the lineup in about September. (Approximately $65,000)BMW 2 Series: The discontinued 1 Series coupe will be replaced by the new 2 Series coupe in around May, and will likely mirror the petrol and diesel drivetrains of the existing 1 Series hatch. A soft-top convertible is also in the works, but its launch date is still up in the air. (Approximately $45,000-$85,000)Lexus CT 200h: Lexus will complete the spindle grill-ification of its Australian lineup when it launches the mid-cycle refresh of the CT 200h hybrid hatch before July. Along with the stylistic alignment with the rest of the range, the new CT will feature revised suspension tuning and interior trim, with the possibility of sharpened pricing in the pursuit of sales volume. (Approximately $40,000-$58,000)Renault Megane: Also due around June is a mid-cycle refresh for the Megane coupe, cabriolet, and wagon models. (Approximately $20,000-$50,000)Subaru Impreza WRX: Underwhelming or otherwise, Subaru’s new WRX performance sedan is due in late March, ahead of a hotter-again STI version by mid-year. (Approximately $40,000)Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance: The upgraded Golf GTI Performance pack will complete the GTI lineup during 2014, with an extra 7kW, bigger brakes, tricky diff, plus xenon headlights, LED taillights, 19 inch wheels, and alcantara added to the tartan cloth interior trim. (Approximately $47,990)Volkswagen Golf R: The all-wheel drive Golf R performance flagship is also expected in 2014, with 206kW and 380Nm promising performance to trump all before it. (Approximately $50,000)FAMILY CARSFord Falcon: The once-mighty Falcon range is set to undergo its final facelift in the fourth quarter of 2014, ahead of it’s now certain doom in 2016. Minor styling revisions are expected, but the addition of Ford’s SYNC multimedia system and the return of the XR8 V8 model (as FPV is wound up) are likely to be the biggest changes. Approximately 37,000-56,000Infiniti Q50: Infiniti models are set to become a more common sight on Australian roads before June, with the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series-rivalling Q50’s arrival, boasting fresh styling, rear-wheel drive, and a choice of diesel or hybrid drivetrains. (Approximately $51,900-$73,900)Skoda Octavia RS: The Czech brand will launch the hot Octavia RS in the second quarter, with the petrol version matching the new Volkswagen Golf GTI mechanically, and the diesel version is expected to continue with the same spec as the Golf GTD available overseas. (Approximately from $40,000)Volvo S60 and V60: Volvo will introduce the first of its new Drive-E engines to the S60 sedan and V60 wagon range in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $49,000-$78,000)PEOPLE MOVERSHonda Odyssey: An all-new Odyssey eight-seat people mover will follow in February, with fresh styling, improved features and safety and a more efficient drivetrain. (Approximately $35,000-$43,000)Kia Grand Carnival: Later in the year, Kia will replace the segment-champion but ageing Grand Carnival model. Improvements to safety, features, and efficiency are expected, and should be a winner if the smaller new Rondo is anything to go by. (Approximately $39,000-56,000)SUV/4WDBMW X1: The baby bimmer SUV is also in line for a refreshing in March, with styling and interior tweaks expected. (Approximately 46,000-63,000)Ford Territory: The Territory SUV will also score similar SYNC-inclusive revisions at around the same time, ahead of the same 2016 fate. (Approximately $40,000-$63,000)Honda CR-V diesel: Honda will kick off 2014 by adding the first-ever diesel variant to the local CR-V SUV lineup in January. The 2.2 litre unit produces 110kW/350Nm, and will be available in six-speed manual or five-speed auto with all-wheel drive only. Official fuel consumption is as low as 5.8L/100km. (Approximately $35,000-$45,000)Isuzu MU-X: Isuzu will introduce the seven-seat MU-X in January, with the company’s first SUV sharing much of its design with the D-Max ute and Holden Colorado and Colorado 7 models. The MU-X will be equipped with the same 3.0-litre diesel engine as the D-Max, and offer family 4WD toughness for a lot less than Toyota’s Prado. (Approximately $40,500-$53,500)Kia Sorento: The final Kia model for 2014 is likely to be a significantly revamped Sorento seven-seat SUV, with a comprehensive design update inside and out to bring it in line with the fresher styling of its Hyundai Santa Fe mechanical twin. (Approximately $38,000-$51,000)Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: The stylish Range Rover Evoque is due for an update before June, with a new nine-speed auto delivering fuel economy gains of about 10 per cent, plus styling tweaks to bring it in line with the new full-size Range Rover and Sport models. (Approximately $50,000-$91,000)Mercedes-Benz GLA: Mercedes will bring the new A-Class-based GLA SUV to our shores in May, with the all-new model taking the fight to the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 in the premium compact SUV segment. Priced from about $45,000, the GLA will be available in front or 4MATIC all-wheel drive and engines from launch will include the 115kW/250Nm 1.6-litre GLA200 and 155kW/350Nm 2.0-litre GLA250 petrols, and 100kW/300Nm 2.2-litre GLA200 CDI and 125kW/350Nm 2.2-litre GLA220 CDI turbodiesel options. (Approximately from $45,000)Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: Mitsubishi will introduce its first hybrid model in April, in the form of the plug-in hybrid Outlander SUV. Priced from about $50,000, the Outlander PHEV promises Holden Volt-rivalling efficiency for about $10,000 less, and wrapped within a more practical SUV body. (Approximately from $50,000)Nissan Pathfinder hybrid: Nissan will complete its new Pathfinder SUV lineup in the second quarter, with the addition of a new petrol-electric hybrid variant to help silence the naysayers lamenting the lack of a diesel option in the new model. The 187kW/329Nm hybrid drivetrain uses a 15kW electric motor paired with a supercharged 2.5 litre four cylinder petrol engine, resulting in a claimed 25 per cent fuel efficiency gain. (Approximately $55,000-$60,000)Nissan X-Trail: Nissan will replace its hugely successful X-Trail medium SUV in about July, with the bigger design offering seating for seven for the first time, and improved refinement to go with its softened exterior design. (Approximately $30,000-$47,000)Skoda Octavia Scout: The Octavia RS will be followed by the jacked-up Scout AWD variant in about mid-year. (Approximately $40,000-$45,000)Toyota Kluger: Toyota will introduce the third-generation of its Kluger large SUV in the first quarter, with the all-new larger model promising improved seating for seven and fresh styling, but its continued reliance on a petrol V6 might threaten its sales success next to the diesel and hybrid options offered by most rivals. (Approximately $40,000-$60,000)Volvo XC60: Volvo’s new Drive-E engines will also appear in the XC60 SUV in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $57,000-79,000)COMMERCIAL VEHICLESFord Transit: Ford’s commercial lineup will receive a boost in January with the arrival of an all-new Transit van model, with the light-duty Transit Custom touching down ahead of the heavy-duty Transit Cargo range in April. (Approximately $36,000-$52,000) 

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $20,000-$40,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSBMW i3: BMW will bring the high tech i3 city car down under from September, with the pure-electric i3 BEV expected to start at about $60,000, and a range-extended i3 REX version with a 647cc petrol generator further up the price scale. (Approximately $60,000)SMALL CARSAudi A3 sedan: Audi will add a sedan version of its A3 small car to the existing Sportback hatch lineup from January, with the hot S3 version to follow in April, and the drop-top A3 Cabriolet (from about $57k) to complete the lineup in about September. (Approximately $65,000)BMW 2 Series: The discontinued 1 Series coupe will be replaced by the new 2 Series coupe in around May, and will likely mirror the petrol and diesel drivetrains of the existing 1 Series hatch. A soft-top convertible is also in the works, but its launch date is still up in the air. (Approximately $45,000-$85,000)FAMILY CARSInfiniti Q50: Infiniti models are set to become a more common sight on Australian roads before June, with the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series-rivalling Q50’s arrival, boasting fresh styling, rear-wheel drive, and a choice of diesel or hybrid drivetrains. (Approximately $51,900-$73,900)Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Mercedes' new C-Class sedan and wagon are due around mid-year, with a range of new engines and an 80mm wheelbase stretch to help combat the also enlarged BMW 3 Series and Lexus IS rivals. Drivetrain availability from launch will include the 115kW/250Nm 1.6-litre C180 and 135kW/300Nm 2.0-litre C200 petrols, and the 125kW/400Nm 2.1-litre turbodiesel C220. A smaller diesel, diesel-electric hybrid and more powerful petrol engines will come later. (Approximately from $60,000)Tesla Model S: The long-awaited Tesla Model S pure-electric passenger car is due to arrive locally in the second quarter, with the five door hatch balancing style, performance, and all-electric tech in equal measures. (Approximately $80,000)Volvo S60 and V60: Volvo will introduce the first of its new Drive-E engines to the S60 sedan and V60 wagon range in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $49,000-$78,000)LUXURY CARSLexus RC: Lexus’ new RC coupe should arrive before the end of 2014 to take on the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5, with a choice of petrol V6 and hybrid drivetrains likely to expand to include a high-performance 5.0-litre V8 RC-F soon after. (Approximately $70,000-$130,000)SUV/4WDAudi RS Q3: The company’s first RS-badged SUV will arrive in February, with the RS Q3 borrowing its 228kW/420Nm five-cylinder heart from the TTRS, and promising 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds. (Approximately $81,900)BMW X1: The baby bimmer SUV is also in line for a refreshing in March, with styling and interior tweaks expected. (Approximately 46,000-63,000)BMW X5 sDrive 25d: BMW will add the first two-wheel drive X5 to the new 2014 lineup early in the year, with a price-leading $82,900 2.0-litre turbodiesel sDrive 25d undercutting the existing all-wheel drive xDrive 25d by $5000. (Approximately $82,900)Ford Territory: The Territory SUV will score SYNC-inclusive revisions by the end of the year, ahead of its 2016 fate. (Approximately $40,000-$63,000)Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: The stylish Range Rover Evoque is due for an update before June, with a new nine-speed auto delivering fuel economy gains of about 10 per cent, plus styling tweaks to bring it in line with the new full-size Range Rover and Sport models. (Approximately $50,000-$91,000)Porsche Macan: Porsche will add the new sub-Cayenne Macan SUV to its Australian lineup from June, with the cheapest diesel model forming a new entry point to Porsche ownership at $84,900. Twin-turbo 3.0 and 3.6-litre V6s will sit further up the price scale, with the 294kW top-spec capable of 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds. (Approximately $84,900-$122,900)Volvo XC60: Volvo’s new Drive-E engines will also appear in the XC60 SUV in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $57,000-79,000)SPORTS/PERFORMANCEAlfa Romeo 4C: Alfa will bring a limited number of its limited-build 4C sports car to Australia in around June, with the mid-engined, carbon-chassised performance hero expected to lob for as little as $75,000.Peugeot RCZ-R: Building on the brand’s reignited performance cred thanks to the excellent 208 GTi, the French brand will also add the hot RCZ-R to the lineup in the second quarter, with a highly tuned 199kW version of the existing petrol version’s 1.6-litre turbo. (Approximately $70,000)CONVERTIBLESBMW 4 Series convertible: The folding hardtop version of BMW’s 4-Series coupe is expected by March, and echo its hardtop sibling with 420d, 428i, and 435i drivetrains. (Approximately $85,000-$120,000)  

BMW has issued a safety recall for a total of 2894 cars sold between November 1 2012 and July 31 2013 for a defect that could see a lack of lubrication cause the vacuum pump to fail and reduce the effectiveness of the brake assist function that adds extra force for panic stops.The carmaker says however that the vehicles will still be able to brake under normal circumstances. "They don't lose braking ability, but still lose brake assistance," BMW Australia spokesperson Lenore Fletcher says. The affected vehicles are: the F20 1 Series; F30, F31 and F34 3 Series; F10 and F11 5 Series; E84 X1 compact crossover;  F25 X3 Series and E89 Z4 sports car.Fletcher says there have been no accidents or injuries, but a small number of vehicles have experienced the problem. "There have been about six or seven reports," she says. "We believe that only about 0.5 per cent of the vehicles in the recall will need fixing."An inspection taking less than an hour will determine if a vehicle needs the fix -- which will require up to another five hours. "We'll replace the component, and while parts can sometimes be an issue, ours are being airfreighted from Germany right now," Fletcher says. BMW says concerned owners should contact their nearest BMW service centre, or call 1800 813 299.

Need to do the school run, but worried about having to dodge bullets -- and possibly machine-gun or mortar fire? It's a war zone out there, and you need a rolling fortress like BMW's armoured X5.Based on the third-generation X5 arriving here in November, the X5 Security Plus offers what BMW says is the world's first armoured 'Sports Activity Vehicle' to have a VR6 rating, meaning it's able to withstand attack from weapons like the AK-47 and simultaneous detonation of two DM51 hand grenades under the body.You'd never know, at a casual glance. The BMW X5 Security Plus  -- and its VR4-rated sibling, the X5 Security -- discreetly look like normal vehicles, and it would take a trained eye to spot the armoured enhancements.For the VR6 rating this means an armoured passenger cell built from high-performance steel, including sealed joints in critical areas to stop bullets or shrapnel. The glass is a security laminate about 3cm thick with an inner polycarbonate coating to prevent cracking, and the engine electronics are protected by ballistic-warding aramid mats.But there's no point in warding off an attack if you can't get away, so under the bonnet is a 330kW twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine with drive going to all four wheels. They're shod with run-flat tyres,  foiling any plans to puncture tem and stop your escape, and giving you a range of 150km -- easily enough to get well away from even the toughest supermarket carpark altercation.The extra wardrobe brings extra weight and a higher centre of gravity, but BMW has adapted the chassis, electronic management and brake systems to cope --  and claims the Security models perform and handle similarly to normal X5s.There are also optional LED flashing front lights and rear LED messaging board, and while we can all think of some uses for these, they're available only to official authorities.The armoured X5s are already being used here and overseas by government departments, but are also being bought by private owners, BMW Australia says -- although they stop short of revealing how many are sold."It's quite low numbers -- it's quite a specialised area," BMW spokesperson Lenore Fletcher says. "They are used by governmental organisations around the world, but some of them do go into the private sector."Obviously the majority of people who buy those cars don't necessarily want us to talk about it -- they have high-security, high-profile clients and they need their privacy to be respected," she says.Fletcher says that the handover process for the Security models goes well beyond the full-tank-and-carwash you'll get from a normal new car dealer."We have our own special vehicles division here in Australia who have the knowledge of the vehicles and are able to do a fairly comprehensive handover to the client," she says. "But on an international basis there are also specialised areas, like a  security driving school with different levels of expertise -- because if you are going to buy one of the cars, you'll need to know how to operate them correctly."Fletcher would not be drawn on the full specifics of the training, but said it covered a range of terrains and conditions -- including night-driving, rain, snow and ice  -- all with a focus on a safe exit."The training is specifically designed to ensure the ongoing security of your passengers if you are in a situation that may compromise their security," she says. "It focuses on avoidance of accidents and intervention by other vehicles."However she is unable to give an idea of what this level of vehicular confidence will cost you, saying that the price depends on individual specification. And while the adage is that if you have to ask, you can't afford it, we think that if you have good reason to be asking the price of an armoured BMW, you probably can afford it.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

This time it's the upcoming X4 being pounded around the Nurburgring ahead of sales in the second half of 2014.  

Mercedes-Benz will build a new low-roofed coupe-SUV crossover to face off against the BMW X6. A Mercedes executive told Car and Driver magazine that while an X6 rival would be something of a bizarre vehicle, it would make a lot of financial sense for the German carmaker. The executive said the business case had a strong foundation in that development costs would be relatively modest, while profit margins would be high. The crossover segments are growing around the world: not only in Australia, Europe and the US, but also -- and possibly more importantly -- in the developing markets of Asia, So Mercedes logically believes adding more to their lineup makes good business sense. Mercedes first hinted at a low-roofed coupe/SUV chimera a couple of years ago, when it announced that it would begin producing a second model alongside the M-Class at its Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant in the US. A Mercedes publicity image showed a cloaked vehicle with the profile of an X6 rival, with the tagline "Start of Production: 2015." The new model -- which is likely to be based on the M-Class -- would slot into the line-up as a big brother to the recently-unveiled GLA-Class. But they're not the only German brand to be eying the success of BMW's X6. Audi has also discussed the possibility of developing a sporty, low-roofed crossover. As far back as 2011, Volkswagen Group head of design Walter de'Silva said Audi was planning to launch a sporty crossover that would slot between the Q5 and Q7. Unofficially known as Q6, this crossover could end up being a bit smaller than the midsize X6 and ML-based vehicles; in which case it would more comfortably be positioned against the future BMW X4. www.motorauthority.com  

Fans of BMW’s M performance line will need to look elsewhere than the X4 for a high-performance SUV. The German carmaker says it’s unlikely to build an X4M to add to the line-up, with concern it would cannibalise sales from the X6M.“It’s not yet decided, but …  it would always come back to the business case,” BMW product communications manager Bernhard Ederer told Carsguide.“It’s really something of a chess game: what customer are we talking to? Are we talking to someone who's willing and able to afford the X6 -- who would switch to the X4M but to who we could easily sell the X6M? So … I would not bet on there being an M performance version of the X4.”However Ederer suggested there was a strong chance we will see a plug-in hybrid X4, following in the path of the Concept X5 eDrive that was revealed at the recent Frankfurt motor show. “We've communicated in the past that we are planning to offer a plug-in hybrid in each and every model series,” Ederer said.“This is really the next step in terms of our ‘efficient dynamics’ strategy. At the other end we have our i3 and i8 and the i8 … which really show you both ends of the bookshelf and have been made (that way) for a good reason -- to really show what is possible (with hybrid technology).”However Ederer says any plan for the hybrid X4 would depend on customer response and demand. “Obviously for each and every car, BMW has to have a business case. And at the end of the day, the answer to this question will come from the customer -- whether they are willing to accept this car, whether they are asking for that kind of a car.”And there may even be potential for the i3 and i8 to be joined by an SUV under that sub-brand. “Never say never,” Ederer says.  “If it makes (business) sense we will do it.”This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Armoured vehicles are a necessary form of transportation in certain parts of the world. The occupants need to be protected, so they turn to vehicles that offer up a sense of comfort as well as a sense of security and safety.These vehicles don't have to be large, military-based monstrosities either. In fact, the modern armoured vehicle looks very normal from the outside. It's only when you start taking a closer look that you realise something different is going on under the skin.BMW has some customers in various regions of the world that need more protection than seat belts and airbags can provide. They now have a vehicle that's up to the task in the form of the X5 Security Plus concept.The BMW X5 Security Plus, based on the latest 2014 X5, features a body that's been built around an armoured passenger cell. It's constructed of high-strength steel and is capable of protecting four occupants from an assault by AK-47 machine guns.The panel gaps are backed by sealed joints which prevent bullet fragments from sneaking past, and the windows are made from a polycarbonate material which can also handle attacks from blunt weapons. The glass will not shatter into the cabin.Of course, it's still a BMW, which means it can also use its performance to get the driver and passengers out of harm's way. Under the hood is a turbocharged V8 engine that produces 335kW.BMW has worked to refine the chassis and engine management so that it handles the extra weight from the security features. The automaker has stated this allows the X5 Security Plus to handle just as a standard X5 would. That's important, because escaping the second round of attacks is just as important as surviving the first round.www.motorauthority.com

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.