Munich/Bolzano. Longing for summer makes us look south. More than ever, the new BMW 4 Series Convertible and the new BMW Z4 invite you to discover the ideal place in the sun. Just like the new BMW 4 Series Coupé, the open-top four-seater comes with fresh design accents and numerous refined details. The Roadster, with its new drive concept, encourages drivers to tackle winding mountain passes on their way to southern climes. A tour of three countries - from the foothills of the Bavarian Alps through the Austrian state of Tyrol to the edge of the Dolomites in northern Italy - gives a perfect impression of how driving pleasure can be experienced in BMW M automobiles with in-line six-cylinder engines with different characters.

At the start of the journey to Lake Tegernsee, a grey veil lies over the landscape. Gusty winds, low-hanging clouds, windscreen wipers in constant use - this is the route along the southern shore of the lake. Shortly afterwards, we pass the traditional spa town of Kreuth before reaching the border crossing to Austria, which, almost 30 years after joining the Schengen Agreement, is hardly recognisable as a former border post.

8-speed Steptronic and BMW xDrive meet manual transmission and rear-wheel drive.

The first highlight of the route is the almost ten-kilometre-long "coastal road" along Lake Achensee. By now, the in-line six-cylinder engines of the M Performance models have reached operating temperature. The engines in the new BMW M440i xDrive Convertible generate 275 kW/374 hp (consumption combined: 8.7 litres/100 km (62 miles); combined CO₂ emissions: 197 g/km according to WLTP, CO₂ class: G) and in the BMW M440i xDrive Coupé (consumption combined: 8.5 litres/100 km (62 miles); combined CO₂ emissions: 192 g/km according to WLTP, CO₂ class: G). The 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission and BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive ensure that all this power is transferred to the road with maximum confidence.

The BMW Z4 M40i in the Pure Impulse Edition (consumption combined: 8.7 litres/100 km (62 miles); combined CO₂ emissions: 197 g/km according to WLTP, CO₂ class: G): The 250 kW/340 hp engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission for the first time. The manual transmission features M-specific components in the gear wheel set and shaft area, as well as an external gear shift mechanism that been specially designed exclusively for the Roadster and its six-cylinder in-line engine. The torque is transmitted to the rear wheels in the classic manner.

If you 'change gear' at Maurach in time to take the right-hand turnoff, you will soon reach the village of Jenbach with direct access to the Inn Valley motorway. But as the first rays of sunshine break through the clouds, we spontaneously decide to take the parallel country road to Innsbruck. Shortly after the Jenbacher Museum, we take an extra lap around the roundabout. At the push of a button, the soft tops open.

New: Laserlight rear lights for Coupé and Convertible, Roadster with axle-specific wheel dimensions.

A brief stopover in the Tyrolean capital provides an opportunity to take a look at the latest design innovations for the Convertible, Coupé and Roadster. The two four-seaters now feature particularly striking headlights and Laserlight rear lights in the style of the special edition BMW M4 CSL, as well as new paintwork. In addition to the exclusive Frozen Deep Green metallic paint finish, the BMW Z4 Pure Impulse Edition is available in a choice of seven other paint finishes. In addition to the high-gloss black exterior mirror caps, the dark-coloured M light alloy wheels also invite you to take a closer look when viewed from the side. They measure 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear. The axle-specific wheel dimensions, used for the first time on the Roadster, are the most visible part of a comprehensive chassis modification. The positive effects on cornering behaviour will become apparent later.

Driving through Innsbruck, the Bergisel ski jump on the southern outskirts of the city repeatedly catches your eye. It is traditionally the third stop on the annual Four Hills Tournament. Its jump tower was completely rebuilt in 2002 and 2003. The plans were drawn up by architect Zeha Hadid, who also designed the BMW Group's central building in Leipzig, which was completed a year later.

But winter sports are naturally out of the question today. Instead, the old Brenner Pass road is ideal for relaxed cruising, with the occasional short burst of speed and plenty of twists and turns. It is about 35 kilometres to the Austrian-Italian border and the almost 1,400 metre high Brenner Pass. The road was the main north-south link between Austria and Italy until the Brenner motorway was built and opened to traffic along its entire length in 1971. If you take the historic route today, you can admire the Europe Bridge along the way. At up to 190 metres above the ground, Austria's highest bridge carries the motorway over the Wipp Valley between Patsch and Schönberg.

Driving over the Brenner Pass is the ideal foretaste of the most challenging and eventful stage of the Three Countries Tour. From Sterzing, the shortest route to Merano leads over the Jaufenpass at an altitude of just under 2 100 metres. The 50-kilometre route, with its numerous serpentine bends, makes it particularly interesting to compare the two driving concepts.

On the winding mountain passes, the Coupé, Convertible and Roadster show their individual strengths.

Comfortable driving pleasure quickly turns into an ambitious search for the ideal line on the winding tarmac in the BMW M440i xDrive Convertible and BMW M440i xDrive Coupé. The 8-speed sports transmission Steptronic always finds the right gear for dynamic acceleration out of the bend, even after abrupt braking manoeuvres before a particularly tight bend.

The design of the BMW xDrive system, with its emphasis on the rear wheels, and the M Sport differential in the final drive also help to ensure that the power is always directed to where it is most effective for maximum driving dynamics. The sporty driving experience and expressive sound of the in-line six-cylinder engine are complemented by magnificent panoramic views. After every bend there is a new view of Alpine peaks and green valleys.

The BMW Z4 M40i Pure Impulse Edition leaves it to the driver to select the right gear for the ideal engine speed. The pedals and gearshift lever can also be used to compose a fascinating soundtrack, which flows directly from the exhaust system's trapezoidal tailpipes into the interior of the two-seater.

Like the drive concept, the model-specific suspension technology is designed to emphasise the Roadster's purist character more than ever before. In addition to the exclusive wheel combination, a stiffer anti-roll bar clamp on the front axle, specific additional springs and modified characteristic maps for the electronically controlled shock absorbers of the Adaptive M Chassis are used. In the hairpin bends before and after the summit, the new software settings for the variable sport steering, traction control and M Sport differential are particularly effective. In the BMW Z4 M40i Pure Impulse Edition, the direct steering into the bend and the increased directional stability during the next acceleration phase ultimately ensure an unadulterated performance experience characterised by purist driving pleasure.

Beyond St. Leonhard, the sports programme comes to an end. On its south-western section, the Jaufen road winds its way down into the Passeier Valley in wide bends. The spa town of Merano is soon reached. At this point, at the latest, you will begin to feel the hoped-for Mediterranean flair. The surrounding area is full of opportunities for cycling, hiking and climbing. The BMW 4 Series Convertible, the BMW 4 Series Coupé and the BMW Z4 continue on the MeBo, the main road that links Merano with Bolzano. Passing Lana, Terlan and Eppan, it leads through the Etschtal valley directly to the South Tyrolean capital. Once there, the traveller is faced with a choice: back to the cold north, or further south towards the sun? As long as the soft top is open, the choice is not all that difficult.

**PLEASE NOTE: European model shown. Hood and trunk graphics not available in Canadian market.**

Richmond Hill, ON.  More power, sharpened design features, new customization options, and further digital innovations: with consistent advancements designed to enhance the performance driving experience, BMW M GmbH is poised to continue the decades-long success story of the iconic high performance coupe and cabriolet. The 2025 BMW M4 Competition Coupe and Cabriolet with M xDrive each gain an additional 20 hp. The entire M4 lineup receives new headlights, laser-enhanced taillights, optional M forged light-alloy wheels featuring a new bright silver finish, and new digital-forward interiors featuring the BMW Curved Display with iDrive 8.5, new steering wheels, and new interior trims.

The BMW M4 Coupe and the BMW M4 Cabriolet are produced at the BMW Group Dingolfing plant. The worldwide market launch of the new models will begin with the start of production in March 2024.

Pricing (CAD).

• 2025 BMW M4 Coupe:                                                          $94,300
• 2025 BMW M4 Competition Coupe with M xDrive:               $101,200
• 2025 BMW M4 Competition Cabriolet with M xDrive:           $110,200

Straight 6-cylinder engine with motorsport technology and more power for Competition models with M xDrive.

The inline 6-cylinder power units used in the new BMW M4 Coupe and the new BMW M4 Cabriolet combine the typical high-revving characteristics offered by engines from BMW M GmbH with the current version of M TwinPower Turbo Technology. All variants of the 3-litre engine impress with responsive power delivery and high-torque characteristics up into the highest load ranges.

The engine’s design features directly derive from motorsports and include the extremely stiff crankcase, which is manufactured in a sleeveless closed-deck design, the weight-reduced forged crankshaft and the iron coating, which is applied to the cylinder liners in an arc wire spraying process (AWSP). Manufactured in a 3-D printing process, the cylinder head core features an optimized routing of the coolant ducts, something that cannot be realized using conventional metal casting technology. In this way, both weight and temperature management are optimized.

The S58B30T0 6-cylinder engine is now available in Canada in two levels of output, tailored to each drivetrain configuration. The new BMW M4 Coupe continues to offer the driver complete control of 473 hp via a precise 6-speed manual gearbox. At the top of the lineup, the M4 Competition Coupe and Cabriolet with M xDrive now produce 523 hp, and transfer the power to the road via BMW’s intelligent all-wheel-drive system, for truly exhilarating driving dynamics. 

The substantial power paired with the carefully apportioned traction of M xDrive means the new BMW M4 Competition Coupe with M xDrive can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds, while the new BMW M4 Competition Cabriolet with xDrive makes the same trip in 3.7 seconds. No matter the drivetrain chosen, the new BMW M4 Coupe and the BMW M4 Cabriolet achieve an electronically limited maximum speed of 250 km/h; however, when equipped with the optional M Driver’s Package, the top speed increases to 280 km/h for the Cabriolet and 290 km/h for the Coupe.

M forged light-alloy wheels boasting a new optional finish.

Staggeredwheel sizes ensure a predictable and progressive transfer of lateral forces during dynamic cornering. All BMW M4 models come as standard with 19-inch M forged light-alloy wheels at the front and 20-inch at the rear.

New to the range of optional equipment for all model variants are M forged light-alloy wheels style 825M in a bright silver finish, providing a sporty, sophisticated, and elegant look.

Modern design accents: New headlight design, taillights featuring laser technology.

The redesigned headlights give the front end of both the new BMW M4 Coupe and the new BMW M4 Cabriolet a modern look. The inside of the LED headlights is more distinctively structured and boasts developments in functionality. Both the low and high beam are now produced by the same LED module. Two vertical LED units, each aligned in a new arrowhead shape, function as daytime running lights as well as turn signals. The technology-oriented design of these new light sources provides for a sophisticated and progressive look.

The LED headlights are paired with the visually and technologically impressive design of the LED taillights, which are standard on all versions of the BMW M4 and feature laser technology and an attractive light design. Inside, laser diodes illuminate glass fiber bundles, producing 3-dimensional light graphics which complement the taillight clusters. This technology was first presented on the limited edition, ultra-high performance BMW M4 CSL.

A new design of the surrounding surface of the both the BMW roundel and the M badge at the rear of the Competition models add subtle accents of sophisticated elegance. The surround of the BMW roundel is now finished in high gloss black, while the BMW M badge situated on the trunk lid is now bordered in silver. 

In addition, a steel roof option is available at no extra cost, which includes an electrically operated glass sliding roof.

Driver-focused and tech-forward interior with new steering wheel designs and interior trims.

The new design of the standard, heated M leather multi-function steering wheel features a flat-bottomed rim, modified spokes, and a red stripe marking the 12 o’clock position. 

Characteristic of M is the combination of sporty flair and premium ambience inside the vehicle. This is the result of high-quality design and finishing of the materials used for the interior. The interior trims around the dashboard, the control panel, and the cupholder cover now come as standard in a Matte Dark Graphite finish. Brushed Aluminium trim has been added to the list of trim options for the new BMW M4 Coupe and the new BMW M4 Cabriolet. The standard Sensatec upholstery for the dashboard now boasts a finer grain for a more luxurious feel.

BMW Curved Display and new BMW Operating System 8.5.

Now more than ever, the new BMW M4 Coupe and the new BMW M4 Cabriolet combine motorsports flair with advanced digitalization. M-specific information on the high-resolution BMW Curved Display, which is angled towards the driver, helps the driver to focus fully on the task at hand. The fully digital display combination comprises a 12.3-inch display behind the steering wheel and a central control monitor with a 14.9-inch screen.

The display and operating system, now based on BMW Operating System 8.5, includes the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and is optimized for touch and voice control. The M-specific graphics and contents on the information screen and on the control monitor are complemented by a new interface for the standard 3-zone automatic climate control. Temperature setting, seat and steering wheel heating, and seat ventilation (when equipped) can now be controlled either by touch control via a dedicated menu at the bottom of the control display or by voice control.

These advancements in digital operation enables a reduction in the number of buttons and controls in the cockpit and a redesigned instrument panel. New toggles for the fresh air vents on the dashboard control the direction of airflow by rotating and tilting. The standard Ambient Lighting now features contour lighting integrated into the surrounds of the central air vents. The range of interior lighting also includes an atmospheric Welcome and Goodbye scenario as well as light signals that indicate an open door and incoming telephone calls.

The standard Digital Cockpit Professional includes the cloud-based navigation system BMW Maps as well as the BMW Head-up Display, which projects critical driving-related information onto the windscreen using M-specific graphics, including multi-coloured rev range representation, shift lights, and M View.

Specifications.

**PLEASE NOTE: European model shown. Hood and trunk graphics not available in Canadian market.**

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BMW Group in Canada

BMW Group Canada, based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, is a wholly owned subsidiary of BMW AG and is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI.  BMW Group Financial Services Canada is a division of BMW Group Canada and offers retail financing and leasing programs and protection products on new and pre-owned BMW and MINI automobiles, as well as retail financing for new and pre-owned BMW Motorcycles. A total network of 50 BMW automobile retail centres, 24 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 31 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.

For more information, please contact:

Marc Belcourt

Director, Corporate Communications

BMW Group Canada

905-428-5078 / marc.belcourt@bmwgroup.ca                                             

Jean-Francois Taylor

Product and Technology Manager, Corporate Communications

BMW Group Canada

905-428-5366 / jean-francois.taylor@bmwgroup.ca

Richmond Hill, ON.  Driving pleasure and elegantly sporty design. These have been hallmark brand values of BMW since its earliest days, and the new BMW 4 Series Coupe and BMW 4 Series Cabriolet embody them more than ever. The 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3-litre 6-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engines benefit from 48V mild hybrid tech to improve efficency and responsiveness. The precisely modified exterior design of the two models underscores their dynamic character and exclusive style. The cutting-edge cockpit design provides the ideal stage for the latest evolution of BMW iDrive with QuickSelect, which is based on the new BMW Operating System 8.5.

New exterior paint finishes and light-alloy wheel designs, revised grilles, headlights with a striking design, and the new rear lights with laser-lit accents mark the latest advances in the exterior of the two models. Step inside the sporting two-door models and key new features of the cabin are immediately apparent with new steering wheel designs, and new interior trim elements.

Production of the new BMW 4 Series Coupe and Cabriolet will remain at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. The worldwide market launch will begin in March 2024.

Base MSRPs (CAD).

2025 BMW 430i xDrive Coupe                                  $58,700

2025 BMW 430i xDrive Cabriolet                              $69,500

2025 BMW M440i xDrive Coupe                               $72,300

2025 BMW M440i xDrive Cabriolet                           $83,000

Newly designed headlights, innovative rear lights with Laserlight accents.

Design cues specific to the BMW 4 Series include the visually powerful front end shaped by slim LED headlights and a vertically arranged BMW kidney grille. The air intakes of the striking forward-angled grille have a mesh structure on 430i models, both in standard form and if the M Sport package is specified. The surround is now finished in matte chrome.

The new BMW 4 Series Coupe and Cabriolet also feature visually and functionally upgraded headlights. The LED units in their inner workings, which provide all the light functions, have been redesigned and have a new structure. Low and high beam lighting is generated from a single LED module. And a pair of vertical arrow-shaped LED units house the side marker light, daytime driving light, and turn signal indicator functions. The technically focused look of the new light sources gives the headlights a sophisticated, progressive appearance.

The LED headlights are paired with the visually and technologically impressive design of the Laserlight taillights, which are part of the optional M Sport Pro Package on all 4 Series models. These units feature laser diodes illuminating glass fiber bundles, producing attractive 3-dimensional light graphics which complement the taillight clusters.

New exterior paint shades and alloy wheels.

Customers can give the outside of their new BMW 4 Series Coupe or Cabriolet a personal touch with a choice of two solid and eight metallic paint finishes. Cape York Green metallic and Vegas Red metallic are new additions to the range. A wide variety of BMW Individual paint finishes are also available.

Two attractive new 19-inch wheel designs are offered with either mixed performance tires or all-season tires. The new style 995M alloy wheels in a Y-spoke design can be ordered in either Jet Black or Jet Black with a burnished finish. And the new style 1038I BMW Individual alloy wheels in Midnight Grey also have a Y-spoke design with a burnished finished. Both wheel designs are optional on all 4 Series models.

Interior and equipment. Progressive style and an aura of carefully honed refinement.

Standard sport seats and newly designed steering wheels add to the pleasure of the driving experience in the new BMW 4 Series Coupe and Cabriolet. High-quality, well-crafted materials and a new operating concept for ventilation and climate control systems add to the cockpit’s premium allure. The changes carried out to the interior of the new BMW 4 Series Coupe and Cabriolet ensure those on board can enjoy driving pleasure with progressive style and long-distance comfort in an ambience of carefully honed refinement.

New steering wheels with standard gearshift paddles.

New steering wheels designs for the new BMW 4 Series Coupe and Cabriolet stand out with their modern appearance and sporty feel. As standard on 430i models, the driver will find in front of them a newly designed sports leather steering wheel with a polygonal rim and two spokes. The M Sport package (optional on 430i xDrive models, standard on M440i xDrive models) brings an M leather steering wheel in three-spoke design with a flat-bottomed rim. M440i xDrive models also add tri-colour M stitching a red stripe at the wheel’s 12 o’clock position.

The redesigned steering wheels have illuminated multifunction buttons and gearshift paddles, which enable swift manual control of gear selections and underscore the sharp sporting profile of the new BMW 4 Series models.

Detail revisions for the instrument panel, digital climate control.

The introduction of BMW Operating System 8.5 with QuickSelect brings improved operation of the ventilation and climate control functions in the new BMW 4 Series Coupe and Cabriolet. Temperature, fan speed, seat heating and ventilation (when equipped) and steering wheel heating (when equipped) can now be adjusted by touch via the BMW Curved Display or by voice command with the help of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. New adjustment controls for the air vent grilles in the centre of the instrument panel and on the driver’s and front passenger’s side of the cockpit allow the direction of airflow to be adjusted using rotating and tilting movements.

The standard ambient lighting in the new BMW 4 Series Coupe and Cabriolet now also includes contour lighting integrated into the trim around the central vents. Like the lighting for the footwells, the storage compartment in the front section of the centre console, and the door handles, this can be adjusted for colour and brightness according to personal preference. The functionality of the interior lighting also includes an atmospheric Welcome and Goodbye Animation and light signals indicating an open door or incoming phone call.

The new BMW M440i xDrive models. New-look BMW kidney grille, black tailpipe finishers as standard.

An array of select design details proclaim the dynamic character of the M Performance models more vividly. The new M440i xDrive Coupe and Cabriolet feature a new BMW kidney grille with a surround in high-gloss black and horizontally arranged bars adorned by an M logo. All the front apron design elements that were previously finished in Cerium Grey now come in high-gloss black. At the rear end of the M440i xDrive models, trapezoidal tailpipe trim signals the presence of the powerful engine under the hood. They are now finished in high-gloss black as standard.

Exclusive touches: M Carbon Exterior Package.

Optional on M440i xDrive models, the M Carbon Exterior Package adds mirror caps for the new twin-stalk M exterior mirrors and inserts for the outer air intakes constructed from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic. This package also equips a carbon fiber rear lip spoiler.

Heightened sports car ambience in the cabin.

Interior trim elements in Aluminium Rhombicle Anthracite, M door sill trim, an M driver’s footrest, and M-specific graphics for the BMW Curved Display characterize the distinctive aura inside the M440i xDrive models. The standard sport seats are equipped with Perforated Sensatec as standard, while Vernasca leather, including the new Black Vernasca leather with Coral Red highlight, and BMW Individual Merino leather can be optioned. The M440i xDrive Cabriolet includes Vernasca leather as standard equipment.

Display and control/operation system, connectivity. The new BMW Operating System 8.5 and innovative digital services.

The advances made in terms of digitalization in the latest edition of the BMW 4 Series are also clear to see. This is mainly thanks to the upgraded control/operation system using BMW Operating System 8.5 with QuickSelect. In order to provide intuitive, easy control of numerous functions along with access to innovative digital services, the new BMW 4 Series Coupe and the new BMW 4 Series Cabriolet features a new-look home screen and QuickSelect rapid access tech, bringing an improved menu structure that takes its cue from consumer electronics devices.

The enhanced BMW Operating System 8.5 featuring QuickSelect is packaged together with the BMW Curved Display and BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, meaning it has been carefully geared to operation using the touchscreen and natural language. The control/operation system in the new BMW 4 Series Coupe and new BMW 4 Series Cabriolet additionally comprises multifunction buttons on the steering wheel and, as an option, the BMW Head-Up Display. The new BMW Operating System helps to deliver a focused, assured driving experience by showing the right information in the right place.

BMW iDrive with QuickSelect: functions shown on a single level and selectable with rapid-access tech.

The new BMW Operating System 8.5 home screen continuously displays the navigation system’s map view or other individually configurable graphics on the control display. On the same level, widgets appear in a vertical arrangement on the driver’s side of the display. Drivers can switch between them with a vertical swipe of the finger. The QuickSelect feature allows the function selected in this way to be activated directly without having to enter a submenu. And once the relevant settings have been chosen, a quick tap on the home icon at the lower edge of the control display is all it takes to return to the home screen. Icons for direct access to the climate control menu, All Apps menu and, if activated, Apple CarPlay^® and Android Auto™ can also now be found next to the home icon.

The new flat menu structure makes it much easier to activate the desired functions and settings. The digital content – just like the hardware in the form of the BMW Curved Display – is designed to enhance the driver focus for which BMW is renowned.

Powertrains with 48V mild hybrid technology. Powerful and efficient.

The new B58B30M2 3-litre inline 6-cylinder engines in the 2025 M440i xDrive models feature 48V mild hybrid technology for sharper power deliver and greater efficiency. The auxilliary electric drive of the 48V starter generator provides 11 hp of instantaneous boost to the 375 hp TwinPower Turbo engine, resulting in a maximum system output of 386 hp @ 5,200-6,250 rpm and 398 lb-ft of torque @ 1,900-4,800 rpm.

The B48B20O2 2-litre inline 4-cylinder engine in the 2025 430i xDrive also benefits from 48V mild hybrid technology, as well as incorporation of the Miller cycle combustion process, a redesign of the intake ports and combustion chambers, and innovations in the areas of camshaft control, injection, ignition system, and exhaust gas routing. The TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder engine produces 255 hp @ 4,700-6,500 rpm, and 295 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,500 rpm.

BMW Maps navigation system now with Augmented View.

The cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system forms part of the standard BMW Live Cockpit Plus. Following the introduction of BMW Operating System 8.5 in the new BMW 4 Series Coupe and new BMW 4 Series Cabriolet, the system now makes it even easier to input destinations and can offer additional information while driving.

Another new feature is the Augmented View function. This supplements the navigation system’s map display by showing a live video stream of the driver’s view on the control display or instrument cluster and augmenting it with tips and information to match the context. At confusing junctions, for instance, an animated directional arrow is integrated into the video image to help the driver take the best turn-off for the planned route. The Augmented View function can also come to the driver’s aid when searching for a parking spot by showing supplementary information. Augmented View is optionally available as part of Digital Cockpit Professional.

Personalisation using the BMW ID and My BMW App.

Drivers of the new BMW 4 Series Coupe and Cabriolet will also find it easier to use their BMW ID to personalize the user experience. Signing in to the vehicle by scanning a QR codewith a smartphone is all it takes to import the customer’s personal profile, load synchronizable settings and automatically link the key detected in the vehicle with the BMW ID.

Available free of charge from the app stores for both iOS and Android, the My BMW App acts as a universal digital interface that provides information at any time on the vehicle’s status, for example, its remaining range and any servicing and maintenance requirements. Depending on the car’s specification, it also enables remote operation of functions such as locating the vehicle, locking and unlocking the doors or monitoring the car’s immediate vicinity and interior with Remote View. The My BMW app can additionally be used to send destination addresses from a smartphone to the vehicle’s navigation system. The My Trips feature including Efficiency Trainer and monthly review provides the user with data and evaluations for distances travelled, fuel consumption and average speed.

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BMW Group in Canada

BMW Group Canada, based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, is a wholly owned subsidiary of BMW AG and is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI.  BMW Group Financial Services Canada is a division of BMW Group Canada and offers retail financing and leasing programs and protection products on new and pre-owned BMW and MINI automobiles, as well as retail financing for new and pre-owned BMW Motorcycles. A total network of 50 BMW automobile retail centres, 24 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 31 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.

For more information, please contact:

Marc Belcourt

Director, Corporate Communications

BMW Group Canada

905-428-5078 / marc.belcourt@bmwgroup.ca                                             

Jean-Francois Taylor

Product and Technology Manager, Corporate Communications

BMW Group Canada

905-428-5366 / jean-francois.taylor@bmwgroup.ca

Munich. The most beautiful, exclusive and fastest vehicles of their respective eras are traditionally assembled at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. This year, the renowned classic car show in the north-east of the US state of Florida provided the perfect setting for the world premiere of particularly fascinating sports cars from the BMW model range. The new edition of the BMW 8 Series and the new BMW M8 models were presented to the public there for the first time. Visitors to the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 2022 also witnessed the launch of BMW M GmbH’s activities to mark its 50th anniversary.

For the new BMW 8 Series, the tradition-steeped event on the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the neighbouring Golf Club of Amelia Island provided the perfect setting in which to showcase its precisely enhanced design and advanced features. The M sports package is now standard in all model variants of the BMW 8 Series Coupé, the BMW 8 Series Convertible and the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé. At the centre of the redesigned vehicle front section is the illuminated “Iconic Glow” BMW kidney grille. The 8-cylinder models also feature aerodynamically optimised exterior mirrors in the style of the BMW M8 as standard.

In the interior of all models in the new BMW 8 Series, their equally dynamic and exclusive character is underscored with an extended range of standard equipment including multifunction seats, an M leather steering wheel and other M-specific design features. Optimised ease of use is ensured by the standard BMW Live Cockpit Professional with a Control Display that has now increased in size to 12.3 inches. “The luxury sports cars of the new BMW 8 Series occupy a prominent position in BMW’s model range. We are delighted to be able to debut these exceptional models at one of the most prestigious automotive events in America,” said Sebastian Mackensen, Head of BMW Group Region Americas and President & CEO BMW North America.

History and the future came together in the BMW M brand’s appearance at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 2022. BMW M GmbH showed pioneering models from its past along with the versions of its high-performance sports cars for the luxury segment that will be available from spring 2022. The models BMW M8 Competition Coupé (combined fuel consumption: 11.4 – 11.0 l/100 km according to WLTP, combined CO2 emissions: 260 – 251 g/km), the BMW M8 Competition Cabriolet (combined fuel consumption: 11.6 – 11.2 l/100 km according to WLTP, combined CO2 emissions: 264 – 255 g/km according to WLTP,) and the BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupé (combined fuel consumption: 11.6 – 11.2 l/100 km according to WLTP, combined CO2 emissions: 264 - 256 g/km) are now even more impressive with new exterior paint finishes and M light-alloy wheels, the M Shadow Line lights available for the first time and an additional interior trim variant. The operating system of the new BMW M8 models now also includes a 12.3-inch Control Display with touch function.

And the top models of the BMW M GmbH range not only offer fascinatingly vigorous power delivery with their 460 kW/625 hp V8 engine featuring M TwinPower Turbo technology and high-revving characteristics, they also come with an exceptionally extensive range of standard equipment. This includes a flap-controlled M sports exhaust system, BMW laser light headlights, the BMW Head-Up Display with M-specific display elements and a full Merino/Alcantara leather interior.

With the debut of its latest high-performance models for the luxury segment, BMW M GmbH makes a particularly impressive start to its anniversary year. The BMW Group subsidiary, founded in 1972 as BMW Motorsport GmbH, also contributed to the programme of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 2022 with a fascinating look back into its history. A special exhibition showcased 50 milestones from BMW M GmbH’s 50-year model and racing history. This also included an early precursor of the current BMW M8. The prototype of a high-performance sports car with a V12 engine developed by BMW M GmbH in the early 1990s based on the then BMW 8 Series Coupé remained a one-off – and this was only the second time it has been put on show in the USA.

The selection of vehicles that were particularly influential in the development of BMW M GmbH also included a freshly restored example of the BMW M1 dating from 1980, which was the company’s first independently developed model, the BMW V12 LMR that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1999, and the all-electric BMW iX M60 that is about to be launched on the market (combined power consumption: 24.5 – 21.9 kWh/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km).

This unique exhibition of outstanding BMW M models from five decades also included numerous vehicles owned by members of the BMW Car Club of America and from BMW North America’s classic car collection. “The United States is the world’s largest market for BMW M vehicles and we are always amazed and delighted by the passion and dedication that many enthusiasts here invest in their cars, both old and new,” said Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH. “We feel privileged to be able to celebrate our anniversary in this wonderful place, surrounded by special people and exceptional cars.”

Richmond Hill, ON. Outstanding performance, fascinating luxury and a confident appearance characterize the BMW M8 Competition Coupé, the BMW M8 Competition Cabriolet and the BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupé. Design modifications and optimized operation.

The new edition of the BMW M8, which is available in three body versions, is particularly popular with additions to the range of exterior colours and the M alloy wheels. Additional possibilities for individualising the appearance are provided by the Shadowline Headlights, which are available for the first time for the luxurious high-performance sports cars. Full leather Merino/Alcantara in the new Black/Sakhir Orange colour variant provides fresh impulses in the interior. In addition, the operating comfort is increased by the 12.3-inch touch display of the BMW iDrive operating system.

Fresh impetus for the presence of BMW M GmbH in the luxury segment.

The BMW M8 Competition Coupé, the BMW M8 Competition Cabriolet and the BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupé together mark the top position in the model range of BMW M GmbH, which has a strong presence in the luxury segment with this model series. With their independent body concepts, the three top models each embody an individual expression of M of typical performance in the prestigious competitive environment of luxury sports cars.

Their central common feature is the drive and chassis technology designed for an extremely emotional driving experience. Power for outstanding performance is provided by a V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology, which mobilizes a maximum output of 617 hp and a maximum torque of 553 lb-ft. Due to its typical M high-speed character, the engine develops high drive torque over wide load ranges, which is optimally placed on the road via an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic and the M xDrive all-wheel drive system. Their precise coordination enables exciting sporty driving manoeuvres, such as accelerating from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds (BMW M8 Competition Coupé and BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupé) or 3.3 seconds (BMW M8 Competition Cabriolet).

A chassis technology developed with racing know-how and tailored to each model guarantees the characteristic harmony of dynamics, agility and precision in driving behaviour of BMW M Automobile in every situation. The experience gained during the development of the BMW M8 GTE racing car was also used.

Eight new exterior colours, premiere for M luminaires Shadow Line.

Powerful shapes, generous, elegant surfaces, aerodynamically optimised lines and M-specific design features that are geared to the functional requirements of a high-performance sports car characterise the unmistakable appearance of the BMW M8 Competition Coupé, the BMW M8 Competition Cabriolet and the BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupé. The clear surface design of the exterior is now particularly intensively underlined by new exterior colours. The update in the body painting program includes eight variants available for the first time for the three models.

The new range includes the exterior colours Skyscraper Grey Metallic, Brooklyn Grey Metallic and Isle of Man Green Metallic as well as the BMW Individual lacquer Tanzanite Blue Metallic. In addition, four new variants of the particularly high-quality Frozen finishes are available, which impressively highlight the modern design language of the BMW M8 models with their silk-matte finishes. The BMW Individual special finishes Frozen Pure Grey Metallic, Frozen Deep Grey Metallic, Frozen Deep Green Metallic and Frozen Tanzanite Blue Metallic are also available.

The BMW Laserlight Headlights with adaptive cornering light and glare-free main beam assistant BMW Selective Beam provides optimized visibility in different weather conditions and driving situations as standard. As an option, they are now also available with Shadowline Headlights for the new edition of high-performance sports cars. The dark design of the inserts and chrome elements inside the headlamps, in combination with the high-gloss black frame of the BMW kidney as standard, contributes to a particularly striking and sporty look on the front of the vehicle.

New 20-inch M light alloy wheels in star-spoke design.

The chassis technology of the new BMW M8 models includes electronically controlled shock absorbers and an electromechanical M Servotronic steering system, as well as an integrated brake system that enables the display of two pedal characteristics. This allows the rider to choose between a comfort-oriented and a sporty-direct pedal feeling. As an alternative to the standard M Compound brake system, an optional M Carbon ceramic brake is available.

The DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) driving stability system allows the driver to activate the M Dynamic Mode, which allows greater wheel slip. In combination with the rear-wheel-driven design of the M xDrive, particularly sporty driving maneuvers including controlled drifts can be experienced. The standard equipment also includes 20-inch M light alloy wheels equipped with high-performance tyres in the sizes 275/35 R 20 front and 285/35 R 20 rear. Other M light alloy wheels in the same format are available as optional equipment, including a new variant in star-spoke design and in bicolor black/grey version.

M sports seats and M Carbon bucket seats in new leather/Alcantara variant.

The interior of the new BMW M8 models combines a typical M cockpit design with modern luxury. The standard BMW Head-Up Display offers M-specific displays. The Setup button on the center console allows direct access to the settings for the engine, damper, steering, M xDrive and brake system. Two variants of the individually created M Setup can be permanently stored together with the preferred settings for the drive sound, the gearshift characteristic, the driving stability control and the Auto Start Stop function. They can then be accessed by pressing one of the two M buttons on the steering wheel. In addition, the M Mode button on the centre console can be used to control the driver assistance systems as well as the displays in the instrument cluster and the head-up display. You can select the settings ROAD, SPORT and TRACK.

The standard M sports seats also support the intensive driving experience in the high-performance sports car. The optionally available M Carbon bucket seats create an unadulterated racing feeling for the driver and passenger. With their structure-based design, visible carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) surfaces, integrated headrests, openings in the backrests and side cheeks and guides for multi-point seat belts, they combine racing functionality with long-distance comfort and luxurious workmanship. They are heated and also offer electrical adjustment options, an illuminated “M8” lettering on the headrests and a memory function on the driver’s side.

In combination with the M Sports seats and the M Carbon bucket seats, a full-leather Merino/Alcantara trim is standard on board the new BMW M8 models. It is now also available for the first time in the colour combination Black/Sakhir Orange. In addition, the black Alcantara dimensions in all versions of this equipment are now being extended to the instrument panel and the upper areas of the door sills.

Optimized operating comfort thanks to 12.3-inch control display.

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional is also part of standard equipment in the BMW M8 Competition Coupé, BMW M8 Competition Cabriolet and BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupé. It includes a control display whose screen size has now grown from 10.25 to 12.3 inches. The touch function of the large on-board monitor allows a particularly fast, comfortable and intuitive operation of numerous vehicle functions.

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional includes the online navigation system BMW Maps and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. In addition, the standard equipment with the Driving Assistant, the Parking Assistant including reversing assistant, the telephony with wireless charging and the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System underlines the exclusive character of the new BMW M8 models.

Richmond Hill, ON. BMW is proud to announce the third model in the M3 / M4 family – and the first all-wheel drive M4 Cabriolet to come from M GmbH. Open top motoring, thanks to the new soft-top, adds a new dimension of enjoyment to the already exhilarating performance of the new M4.

The new M4 Competition Cabriolet with xDrive channels the 503 hp and 479lb.-ft of torque developed by its S58 inline six-cylinder M TwinPower Turbo engine via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic and the M xDrive all-wheel drive system. The open-top, four-seater M4 promises and delivers an alluring design, luxurious appointments and everyday usability combined with track prowess.

Production begins in July 2021 with the first cars arriving on Canadian shores in August.

Panel bow soft-top roof

One of the special features which shape both the exterior design of the new BMW M4 Competition Cabriolet with xDrive and its driving experience is the new panel bow soft-top.  This design combines the practical benefits of a retractable hardtop with the puristic aesthetic of a fabric roof – the best of both worlds. The panel bow soft-top is some 40 per cent lighter than the predecessor car’s retractable hardtop, effectively lowering the centre of gravity of the new M4 Cabriolet, thus improving its agility. Its smooth surface and insulation provide the new roof with levels of acoustic and thermal comfort far superior to those of a conventional soft-top.

The design of the new soft-top combines large panel bow elements with a flush-fitting glass rear window, several layers of insulation and a fabric cover available in black or in Moonlight black, which gives the fabric a classy metallic shimmer, especially in direct sunlight. When closed, the innovative new roof creates a coupe-like roofline with the classical elegance of a soft-top. The fabric material lies flat on the joint-free arrangement of panel bow elements, meaning that neither their contours nor the soft-top frame is visible when viewing the roof from the outside. The soft-top pulls taut over the passenger cell when closed, which reduces wind noise in the cabin while optimizing the aerodynamic properties of the new BMW M4 Competition Cabriolet with xDrive.

Opening and closing the roof takes 18 seconds and can be performed at up to 49 km/h. The three bow panels fold neatly into a compact Z configuration which can also be performed via the remote key thanks to the standard Comfort Access.

The compact dimensions of the folded soft-top increase cargo area to 9.0 cubic feet, an increase of 1.2 cubic feet over the previous M4 Cabriolet. The top features a safety mechanism which prevents it from being lowered if the trunk area is filled. A pass-through door in the rear seat allows for longer items to be carried inside the car.

Exterior Design

The new M4 Competition Cabriolet with xDrive is 4.6 inches longer than the model it replaces. The wheelbase has grown by 1.8 inches and its width by 0.7 inches. The new M4 Competition Cabriolet with xDrive is also 1.4 inches wider than the new 4 Series Cabriolet.

Powerfully contoured surfaces and M-specific design features – crafted to optimize the supply of cooling air and sharpen aerodynamics – are a hallmark of M car design and the new BMW M4 Competition Cabriolet with xDrive is no exception. The differentiation between the new M model and the new BMW 4 Series Cabriolet on which it is based is more striking than in any prior generation. Aside from the doors, soft-top, trunk lid, window surfaces, headlights and rear lights, every part of the exterior is unique to the M model, an exercise in meeting the exacting demands to which a high-performance sports car must rise. “The design is strictly function-led, puristic and uncompromising in its reduction to the essential aspects,” explains Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “But at the same time, it provides an emotionally powerful expression of the car’s character.”

At the centre of the front-end design is the large, black, vertical frameless BMW kidney grille with the traditional M horizontal slats. A honeycomb mesh covers the large, two-section apertures on either side of the BMW kidney grille. These supply cooling air to the brakes and remote coolant radiators.

The lines of the front bumper and hood converge on the BMW kidney grille, as do the contours of the slim full-LED headlights with U-shaped fiber-optic light guides for the daytime driving lights. BMW Individual Shadowline lights, with darkened inlays adorning their upper edges, are also available as an option.

The most striking design feature alongside the prominently flared fenders of the new M4 Competition Cabriolet with xDrive are the extended side sills. Together with the aerodynamic components of the front and rear bumpers, which also jut out significantly, they form a high-gloss black band around the whole of the car. This functional, racing car-inspired design element, helps to further optimize the aerodynamic balance.

The M gills familiar from past and present cars are integrated neatly into the distinctive surfacing of the front side fenders. The M-specific exterior mirrors have been aerodynamically optimized and are painted in high-gloss black. The diffuser frames the exhaust system’s two pairs of 100 mm tailpipes.

Powertrain

Through constant development work, BMW M GmbH has boosted power in the new M4 Competition Cabriolet with xDrive by 59 hp and 73 lb-ft of torque over previous Competition package-equipped cars.

The Competition model’s S58 engine produces 503 hp at 6,250 rpm and 479 lb-ft of torque between 2,750 and 5,500 rpm and delivers 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 249 km/h, or 280 km/h, with the optional M Driver’s Package. The engine can rev to a redline of 7,200 rpm.

The rigid closed-deck engine block features wire-arc sprayed cylinder liners to reduce both friction and weight. A forged, lightweight crankshaft reduces rotating mass to improve high rpm characteristics. The cylinder head features a 3D-printed core which allows for optimized coolant passage routing and weight reduction.

Forced induction is provided by two, mono-scroll turbochargers with electronically controlled wastegates and efficient air-to-water intercooling. The quick response of the wastegates allows for quicker turbocharger response and for more efficient function of the catalytic converters which are positioned close to the engine.

The High-Precision Injection system operates at over 5,000 psi, ensuring precise and very fine fuel atomization for not only more efficient power production but also improved emissions. BMW VALVETRONIC variable-valve timing and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing do their part in the high-revving engines’ smooth and efficient power delivery.

M eight-speed Steptronic transmission and M xDrive 

The greatly increased torque of the M4 Competition Cabriolet with xDrive means that it is equipped with a standard M Steptronic automatic transmission with Drivelogic. Both automatic and manual modes are offered and can be controlled by the Drivelogic switch on the gear shift lever. Three automatic and three manual modes are available – comfort oriented, sporty and track focused. Each mode features quicker and more intense shifting to match the focus of the driver. Downshifts in automatic mode also feature engine rev-matching. A helpful feature for maximum acceleration in manual mode is the ability to downshift to the lowest gear possible by pulling the left steering wheel mounted-shift lever while simultaneously pressing down on the throttle.

The M xDrive all-wheel-drive system in the new BMW M4 Competition Cabriolet with xDrive uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the transfer case to ensure fully variable and super-smooth distribution of the engine torque between the front and rear wheels. The rear-biased system distributes torque between the front and rear axles via an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch. An Active M differential takes care of torque distribution at the rear axle. Torque is directed to the rear wheels during normal driving, providing the classic rear-wheel drive experience. Only when additional traction is required is torque sent to the front axle.

Both the M xDrive and Active M differential are connected directly to the Dynamic Stability Control System ensuring quicker responses in improving agility and controlling both understeer and oversteer.

The M xDrive system offers the drive a choice of three modes: 4WD – the default setting with rear-wheel biased torque distribution focused on traction and precisely controlled handling. 4WD Sport – directs greater percentage of torque to the rear during dynamic driving and is designed to work particularly well on track environments. 2WD – requires DCS to be turned off and affords experienced drivers a pure rear-wheel drive experience without any system intervention.

Chassis

With its long wheelbase, wide front and rear tracks and balanced weight distribution, the BMW M4 Competition Cabriolet with xDrive boasts the perfect mix of ingredients for performance and comfort. Interlinked bracing increases the body’s longitudinal and torsional stiffness. Installed on all M4 models, this bracing package includes bespoke links connecting the individual spring strut towers with one another and with the front of the car and bulkhead. The aluminum front axle subframe is given extra rigidity by a single piece aluminum shear panel in the integrated sill brace and is connected to the reinforcing elements of the engine compartment by vertical braces. The centre and rear sections of the vehicle incorporate model-specific underfloor bracing complete with a crossbar and a special rear axle subframe rigidly connected to the body. The new BMW M4 Competition Cabriolet with xDrive is additionally equipped with a custom-designed package of torsion struts at the rear of the body.

The M xDrive-specific double-joint spring strut front axle also factors in the specific demands of all-wheel drive and feature specially adapted axle geometry and an individually tuned steering ratio. The axle kinematics, the camber, castor and kingpin angles and the lowered roll centre are all designed to maximize lateral dynamic ability while still ensuring ride comfort in everyday driving. Aluminum wishbones with ball joints, an aluminum torque arm with a newly developed mount, a forged swivel bearing with bespoke spring strut clamp and wheel bearings with higher camber stability create an ideal blend of rigidity and lightweight design at the front axle. The five-link rear axle boasts newly developed hubs and wishbones plus retuned bushings.

M Servotronic steering and Adaptive M suspension.

The handling qualities of the BMW M4 Competition Cabriolet with M xDrive are headlined by precise steering behaviour that remains neutral even at the limit and a linear build-up of lateral forces throughout the full range of lateral acceleration. The modified front-axle kinematics bring about a significant reduction in torque steer. The M Servotronic steering facilitates accurate turn-in when powering through bends on the one hand and effortless parking and maneuvering on the other. It does so by combining the benefits of speed-sensitive power assistance and a variable steering ratio.

The standard Adaptive M suspension with its electronically controlled dampers always deliver optimum road contact for the wheels and tires, with maximum traction while delivering high comfort levels over long distances. The system’s control unit sensors keep a constant eye on body movements, the condition of the road and steering adjustments. Electromagnetically controlled valves respond within milliseconds to generate the required damping force – infinitely variably and for each individual wheel.

Adjustable integrated braking system and ten stages of traction control.

Thanks to the cutting-edge integrated brake system, the brake actuation, braking force assistance and braking control functions are brought together within a compact module. The brake pressure required is produced by an electric actuator. As a result, brake pressure is generated more dynamically and ensures significantly quicker and more precise inputs from the driving stability control system. The integrated braking system allows vehicle deceleration to be adjusted more precisely to the driver’s requirements. And feedback from the brake pedal is unimpaired by wet road surfaces, significant lateral acceleration or high brake temperatures, giving the driver superb brake feel in all situations.

The M-specific version of the integrated braking system presents the driver with two pedal feel settings, COMFORT and SPORT. Both modes alter the amount of pressure on the brake pedal required to slow the car. The driver can therefore choose between more comfort-oriented and particularly direct, instantaneous response when braking. Their preferred mode is selected via the M Setup menu. 

The integrated braking system enables the DSC system to act with greater speed and precision. Its range of functions includes M Dynamic Mode, which allows extra wheel slip at the push of a button to induce an exceptionally sporty driving experience. If the optional M Drive Professional is added, drivers also benefit from the new M Traction Control function. This innovative form of traction control allows the driver to set individual intervention thresholds for wheel slip limitation; they can choose from ten stages of precisely defined slip permitted at the driven wheels.

M forged wheels, performance tires and brakes

The new M4 Competition Cabriolet with xDrive is equipped forged M light-alloy 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels 275/35ZR19 and 285/30ZR20 non-runflat performance tires. 

The standard M Compound brakes feature front six-piston fixed-caliper brakes with 380 mm discs and rear single-piston floating-calipers with 370 mm disks. The calipers are painted in blue metallic but may be ordered in black or red; all with the M logo.

The optional M Carbon ceramic brakes deliver even stronger braking power with greater fade resistance, enhanced thermal stability and extremely high resistance to wear. Their gold painted calipers are complemented by front 400 mm discs and rear 380 mm disks.

Setup button

The Setup button on the centre console provides direct access to the settings options for the seven powertrain and chassis settings. Pressing the button calls up the Setup menu in the Control Display, which lists the currently selected vehicle settings. The driver can now use touch control or the iDrive Controller to activate the desired mode for the engine response, damper settings, steering characteristics and brakes.

EFFICIENT, SPORT and SPORT PLUS settings can be engaged to modify the engine’s characteristics, while selecting the COMFORT, SPORT or SPORT PLUS chassis mode provides access to the three settings for the electronically controlled dampers. The driver can choose between COMFORT and SPORT modes for the M-specific Electric Power Steering and the new braking system. The Gear Shift Assistant can be deactivated via the Setup menu and M Traction Control, part of the optional M Drive Professional, offers ten-stage adjustment of wheel slip control. In the all-wheel-drive Competition models, the driver can also choose from the 4WD, 4WD SPORT and 2WD settings for the M xDrive system, the latter delivering pure rear-wheel drive.

M Mode Button

The M mode button, found on the centre console, can be used to adjust the responses and characteristics of the driver assistance systems and the displays in the instrument cluster and optional Head-Up Display to deliver a driving experience suited to the situation at hand. The driver can choose from ROAD and SPORT settings, with TRACK mode additionally available when M Drive Professional is specified. 

In the ROAD setting, all the standard and optional driver assistance systems are fully activated. Pressing the M Mode button engages the SPORT setting, in which the driver assistance systems activated through the driver’s chosen configuration limit themselves to warnings of speed limits and overtaking restrictions, for example. All interventions in the braking and steering systems are suspended in this mode, except for inputs from the Frontal Collision Warning with braking function and the Evasion Assistant. 

In SPORT mode the instrument cluster and optional Head-Up Display switch to M View, which only presents information relevant to sporty driving. The information shown includes an M-specific tachometer and Shift Lights, plus a digital speed read-out and gear indicator.  A range of data including coolant temperature, charge pressure, tire temperature and pressure and lateral and longitudinal acceleration can be displayed in the right- and left-hand areas of the instrument cluster.

In cars with M Drive Professional, drivers can select TRACK mode. Developed exclusively for race circuits, this mode is activated with an extended press of the M Mode button. The driver must then confirm their choice using the iDrive Controller. This setting fully deactivates all the comfort and safety functions of the driver assistance systems. The Control Display is switched off to focus the driver’s attention completely on the track. The instrument cluster and optional Head-Up Display switch to M View mode, with road sign detection and distance information also remaining hidden in the TRACK setting.

M Drive Professional

The optional M Drive Professional, which has been developed specifically for track driving, helps the driver to make consistent progress in pursuit of the ideal line and the perfect lap. Features include the M Drift Analyzer which records the duration, distance covered, line and angle of a drift with a rating shown on the Control Display.

Other functions include the M Laptimer, which provides a comprehensive amount of performance information, shown on both the optional Head-Up display and in the instrument cluster, beyond just recording lap times.  As well as checking their current lap time, the driver can also keep a constant eye on how much quicker or slower they are than their fastest lap of the current session. The Control Display shows the number of laps completed so far, the distance covered and the duration of the driver’s current stint. The driver can also analyze the data recorded during their track outing in detail using the BMW M Laptimer app on their Apple iPhone – and share selected information with the online community. Among the resources available are a bird’s-eye map view of the track, a lap time comparison, data from the car’s sensors such as speed, engine revs and accelerator position, and graphics showing the lateral and longitudinal acceleration values attained. 

Interior design

Signature M details in the M4 Competition Cabriolet with xDrive include red accents for the M buttons on the M leather steering wheel and the start/stop button on the centre console. The gear selector lever with Drivelogic switch is leather covered with an embedded M logo and stitching in M GmbH colours. It also features an eye-catching cut-out, which is accentuated by integrated “waterfall” lighting. 

Cars with the optional Carbon Fiber interior trim also feature carbon trim for the inlays in the M leather steering wheels and for the shift paddles, which feature a unique design.

Newly developed heated M sport seats and fine-grain Merino leather trim with extended features can be found inside. The M sport seats have pronounced side bolsters, integrated head restraints and an illuminated model badge. M-specific perforation, which enhances the effect of the optional seat ventilation is available for the first time on the M4 Cabriolet.

A new optional interior highlight are the electric front M Carbon bucket seats. Combining racing functionality with lightweight design and comfort over long distances, the newly developed seats have integrated head restraints and an illuminated model badge. The use of CFRP in the structural of the seat surface and backrest, and cut-outs in the side bolsters and below the head restraints save 21 pounds over the standard M sport seats.

Displays and connectivity

The new M4 Competition Cabriolet with xDrive features standard BMW Live Cockpit Professional with a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument display and a 10.25-inch digital, high-resolution touch screen centre display. The latest iDrive 7.0 operating system includes Navigation with new cloud-based BMW Maps, wireless connectivity for your mobile devices including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto compatibility and BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and M-specific displays for the instrument cluster and optional Head-Up display.

iDrive 7 allows the driver and passengers to interact with their BMW through voice control, touch screen or via the touch iDrive controller. Control buttons for M Mode, Setup and M Sound are placed within easy reach to the left of the rotary controller.

With the cloud-based navigation system, BMW Maps calculates routes and arrival times with greater speed and accuracy, updates real-time traffic data at short intervals and lets drivers enter any word when searching for a destination

Driver Assistance systems  

The new M4 Competition Cabriolet with xDrive is equipped with extensive and cutting-edge standard driver assistance systems designed to enhance comfort and safety in both day to day driving and during long journeys. Park Distance Control and Automatic High beam assistant are standard as is Active Protection and the Active Driving Assistant.

The optional Driving Assistance Professional Package includes Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Extended Traffic Jam Assistant for limited access highways, Active Lane Keeping Assistant, Active Blind Spot Detection, Evasion Aid and Emergency Stop Assistant.

The latest generation of the optional BMW Head-Up Display system offers a 70 percent larger projection surface on which M-specific displays such as the multi-colour tachometer, the Shift Lights and M View are shown.

The optional Parking Assistance package can identify parking spots to the left or right and steer the car into the parking spot. The Surround View with 3D view gives a top down view of the car and its surroundings which can also be accessed remotely by the BMW ConnectedDrive app. The included BMW Drive Recorder uses the front and rear cameras to record video sequences up to 40 seconds in length with a tap of the iDrive controller or automatically in an event of a crash. The video clips can be exported to a storage device using the USB port.

Exterior colours

The 2022 M4 Competition Cabriolet with xDrive features two non-metallic colours, seven metallic colours and five frozen matt colours to choose from.

• Alpine White
• Sao Paolo Yellow (new)

• Black Sapphire Metallic
• Brooklyn Grey Metallic (new)
• Isle of Man Green Metallic (new)
• Portimao Blue Metallic
• Toronto Red Metallic
• Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
• Individual Dravit Grey Metallic
• Individual Frozen Brilliant White Metallic (new)
• Individual Frozen Portimao Blue Metallic (new)

Interior upholstery and trim

A choice of four standard Merino Leather and four optional Full Merino Leather interiors is available.

• Yas Marina Blue / Black Merino Leather
• Silverstone / Black Merino Leather
• Kyalami Orange / Black Merino Leather
• Black Merino Leather
• Yas Marina Blue / Black Full Merino Leather
• Silverstone / Black Full Merino Leather
• Kyalami Orange / Black Full Merino Leather
• Black Full Merino Leather

High-Gloss Black interior trim is standard.

Carbon Fibre trim, Aluminum Tetragon trim, Individual Aluminum Fabric trim, Individual Open-Pored Black Wood trim with Silver Effect, and Individual Piano Black Finish trim are optional.

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BMW Group in Canada

BMW Group Canada, based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG and is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI.  BMW Group Financial Services Canada is a division of BMW Group Canada and offers retail financing and leasing programs and protection products on new and pre-owned BMW and MINI automobiles, as well as retail financing for new and pre-owned BMW Motorcycles. A total network of 51 BMW automobile retail centres, 21 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 31 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.

For more information, please contact:

Marc Belcourt, Director, Corporate Communications

BMW Group Canada

905-428-5078 / marc.belcourt@bmwgroup.ca   

Jean-Francois Taylor, Product and Technology Manager, Corporate Communications

BMW Group Canada

905-428-5366 / jean-francois.taylor@bmwgroup.ca

2020 technical specifications, wheels and tires and pricing. Please note that this information is specific to Canada and all specifications are subject to change without prior notice.

Munich/Miami Beach They are almost everywhere and yet not always easy to find. Large-format graffiti, also known as murals in their most artistic form, are an integral part of the street scene in Miami. The city in the south of the Sunshine State is regarded as the centre of Street Art. On the occasion of Art Basel Miami Beach (5 - 8 December 2019), BMW is accompanying artists Alexandre Arrechea and Spencer "MAR" Guilburt on a discovery tour to the most remarkable examples of modern mural painting in the metropolis on the Atlantic. The visual artist Arrechea and the street art specialist Guilburt will complete their Mural Tour in a vehicle that is also suitable for adding a visual touch to the streets of any urban conurbation. The elegant BMW M850i xDrive Convertible (fuel consumption combined: 10.2 - 10.0 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 231 - 228 g/km) is a prime example of advanced automotive engineering and offers a perfect unobstructed view of the bright blue sky, the spectacular architecture of Miami and the many facades of the city embellished by street artists.

As a long-standing global partner of the renowned Art Basel art fair, BMW is once again involved in Miami, for example with a VIP shuttle service and as part of the joint initiative BMW Art Journey and the BMW 8 Series Mural Tour. Alexandre Arrechea and Spencer "MAR" Guilburt cruise the city in the BMW M850i xDrive Convertible in search of the most fascinating murals. In their conversations they exchange artistic similarities and mutual inspiration for their work. In addition to the facades on which Guilburt has immortalised himself with his murals, one of the stops on their tour will be an excursion to an exhibition of Arrecha's works shown at Art Basel Miami Beach by the Nara Roesler gallery. Street art fans can follow their discovery tour on the artists’ social media channels (@this_means, @alexandrearrechea) and the BMW Group cultural engagement (@bmwgroupculture).

On the Mural Tour through Miami, the BMW M850i xDrive Convertible also shows off its impressive qualities. With its dynamic and elegant appearance, the open four-seater offers the most exclusive way to enjoy driving pleasure in a BMW 8 Series luxury sports car. 15 seconds are all it takes to open or close the classic textile soft top electrically. The luxurious ambience in the interior, the impressive sportiness of the drive and the advanced operating and networking technology form a unique combination, the charm of which is also immediately apparent to the two artists on their journey through the streets of Miami.

However, the performance characteristics of the open four-seater and its racing-inspired V8 engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology and 390 kW/530 hp, are only hinted at, for example by the sonorous sound of the standard sports exhaust system and a few short intermediate spurts. The extroverted Sonic Speed Blue metallic paintwork highlights the generous surface design and precise lines of the open-air sports car without any restrictions. Thus the BMW M850i xDrive Convertible turns into an attraction when relaxedly cruising from the Wynwood Art District via South Beach to the Midtown Design District, which, like Miami’s murals, attracts attention on almost every street corner.

Please find attached on location pictures and footage of the International Media Launch of the new BMW M8 Competition Coupe and the new BMW M8 Competition Convertible in Faro, Portugal.

Richmond Hill, ON. BMW M GmbH is pleased to introduce the new 2020 M8 Coupé and Cabriolet, the new top performance models in the M brand’s lineup.  Available in standard and Competition variants, the new M cars take the proven M5 and M5 Competition supercar capabilities to an even higher level while offering all of the luxury and styling that the 8 Series has to offer.

The launch of the new M8 is unique in that the race car made its appearance almost two years before the production street vehicles will be available in showrooms.  In those past two years of testing and racing in the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship, the BMW M8 GTE collected three victories, including the prestigious 24 Hours of Daytona, four additional podium finishes and three pole positions. The data collected from the on-going racing program helped develop settings for the new BMW M8 road going car.     

S63 V8 Power and Performance

The high-revving (7,200 rpm redline) 4.4 liter S63 M TwinPower Turbo V8 produces 600 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 553 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800 – 5,600 rpm in the M8 Coupé and Cabriolet while the M8 Competition models feature an uprated power unit producing 617 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 553 lb-ft @ 1,800 – 5,800 rpm.

The engine features two-turbochargers, cross-bank exhaust manifolds, direct injection and upgraded cooling and oil supply. The turbochargers are positioned within the V of the engine to help improve thermal efficiency and response. The cross-bank exhaust manifolds improve turbocharger and throttle response by reducing the distance the exhaust gases need to flow to reach the turbochargers. The direct fuel injection now operates at 350 bar (5,076 psi) ensuring ultra-fine fuel atomization for improved power and efficiency. Water-to-air intercooling helps reduce the temperature of the incoming air charge for improved power.

The advanced cooling system features to separate water circuits, one for the intercoolers and one for the engine and turbochargers. An electric cooling pump ensures that the turbochargers receive sufficient coolant flow, even after the engine has been turned off. An additional engine oil cooler and transmission oil cooler ensure the new M8 is capable of standing up to the higher thermal requirements of track driving. The oil supply system has been upgraded with a secondary front chamber in the oil pan which is accessed by a map-controlled oil suction pump to insure effective oil supply during extreme lateral and longitudinal forces such as cornering and acceleration.

The Competition models feature unique tuning which not only produces more horsepower but also allows increases the band at which maximum torque is produced by 200 rpm. The engine mounts on these models are more rigid for improved power transmission throughout the driveline and for more immediate turn-in during cornering. The Competition models are also equipped with the M Sport exhaust which enhances the sound emanating from the two twin 100 mm exhaust tips even further beyond the selectable sound of the M8. An M Sound Control button in the center console allows the driver to select the exhaust note which suits their desires.

The power and torque of the most powerful production engines ever produced by BMW M GmbH allow the M8 Coupé to accelerate from 0 to 100 km in just 3.3 seconds and the M8 Competition Coupé to accomplish the spring in 3.2 seconds. The M8 Cabriolet reaches 100 km/h from a standstill in 3.4 seconds and the M8 Competition Cabriolet equals the Coupé’s time of 3.3 seconds.

All four models have an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h which can be increased to 300 km/h with the optional M Driver’s Package.  Besides the increased top speed, the M Driver’s Package also includes a voucher for M School driver training at one of the two BMW Performance Center driving schools, either in Spartanburg, South Caroline or Thermal, California in the U.S.A

Eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic

The eight-speed M Steptronic transmission transfers the M8’s power to the M xDrive all-wheel drive system. The transmission is operated via the new gear selector lever or with the M gearshift paddles on the steering wheel. Both automatic and manual modes are available. The Drivelogic button allows the driver to select the comfort and speed of gear shifts from comfort-oriented to sport and track focused shifting.

The eight-speed M Steptronic transmission’s controller is able to adapt the shift parameters to the current driving situation by means of intelligent networking with the standard Navigation system, enabling it to take the planned route into account. Navigation data is used to downshift early, for example, when approaching an intersection in order to use engine braking to slow the car down. Likewise, the intelligent controller is able to avoid unnecessary gear shifts between two corners that follow in quick succession, making it possible to drive through at a quicker pace.

M xDrive all-wheel drive and Active M differential

The M xDrive intelligent rear-biased all-wheel drive system makes the most use of the new BMW M8’s power and torque to increase performance to supercar levels.

The engine’s torque is distributed between the front and rear wheels via the transfer case’s electronically-controlled multi-plate clutch before the Active M differential splits the power between the two rear wheels as needed.

The rear biased system only sends torque to the front wheels when the rear wheels reach the limit of their traction. This provides the BMW M8 driver with both a traditional rear-wheel drive driving experience and with the added traction of all four wheels when the engine’s full power output is required. The M xDrive system’s added traction also reduces the need for the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system to intrude reducing power losses.

The M xDrive system allows the driver to tailor their driving experience via several available modes. The default 4WD mode focuses on providing maximum traction and

controlled handling. 4WD Sport sharpens the M8’s response and agility further while sending more power to the rear wheels during more dynamic driving. Deactivating DSC allows for 2WD mode which allows for a unique rear-wheel drive only mode for experienced drivers.

Chassis, suspension and steering

The chassis and suspension of the new 2020 BMW M8 models have been carefully designed and rigorously tested to blend the demands of track driving with the comfortable and luxurious street capabilities that customers have come to expect.

The perfect coordination between engine, transmission, all-wheel drive system and aerodynamics were developed and tested at locations such as the BMW Group test track in Miramas in southern France, at the winter testing center in Arjeplog, Sweden and at the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit. The experience and data collected from almost two years of BMW M8 GTE racing and testing in the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship also provided important vehicle setup information.

The BMW M8 is equipped with double-wishbone front and five-link rear suspensions with unique bushings, swivel bearings and strut tie bars to ensure accurate wheel location and reduced torque steer. Acting forces are directed through the control arms and wishbones into the suspension sub-frames and from there into the rigid body of the vehicle providing handling and agility without compromising comfort.

The standard Adaptive M Suspension uses data from body movement, road surface conditions and steering input to adjust each damper individually within milliseconds using electromagnetic valves. This ensures that the new BMW M8 is both track capable and comfortable on the road.

Three settings allow the suspension responses of the BMW M8 to be fine-tuned to the driver’s needs. Comfort mode smooths out road imperfections while still providing very high levels of handling. Sport mode sharpens the vehicle’s responses and is suitable for fast road conditions such as those found on the Nordschleife. Sport Plus is designed for maximum capabilities on race track circuits.

The Competition models feature firmer suspension settings to further improve steering and lateral responses, stiffer engine mounts, increased front negative camber for increased cornering ability and rear toe-link ball-joints instead of rubber bushings for more precise rear wheel tracking.

The electromechanical M Servotronic steering provides speed-sensitive power assistance with a variable steering ratio to provide more straight line stability, sharp turn-in response and excellent accuracy in corners. When the wheels are sharply turned, the variable steering rack teeth are positioned more closely together, so smaller steering inputs are required allowing the BMW M8 to feel nimble on winding roads and also to be easily maneuverable in tight parking spaces. Steering response can be varied between Comfort and Sport modes which allow for varying degrees of steering feedback and effort.

New Setup button and M mode.

The BMW M8 features a new single setup button, found in the center console, which enables control over the engine, suspension, steering and xDrive settings, all of which featured individual control buttons in past M cars. The new setup button now also includes control over the integrated braking system with its Comfort and Sport modes.

Pressing the setup button brings up the setup screen on the center display and allows various settings to be chosen and saved to the steering wheel-mounted M1 and M2 buttons.

Available Settings include:

·         Engine characteristics – Efficient, Sport and Sport Plus.

·         Suspension characteristics – Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus

·         Steering characteristics – Comfort and Sport

·         Braking characteristics – Comfort and Sport

·         4WD settings – 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD

A new M Mode button on the center console allows for individual configuration of driver assists settings, instrument cluster and Heap-Up display settings. The BMW M8 offers Road and Sport settings while the Competition models add a Track setting.  Changing the mode allows for different information to be presented to the driver on the digital display screen and in the Head-Up display. The intervention levels of the driver assist systems can also be reduced or turned off completely.

Default Road mode – all standard and optional driver assist systems are fully operational. Full information displays in the digital instrument display and Head-Up display.

Sport mode – activated by pressing M mode button. Allows the driver to adjust or turn off various assist systems. The M View is activated for both the instrument cluster and Head-Up display. A tachometer, digital speed, selected gear and shift lights are displayed in the center with coolant temperature, tire pressure and longitudinal and lateral forces available to the left and right. The Head-Up display is focused on a tachometer, shift lights, selected gear, vehicle speed and navigation instructions.

Track mode – available on Competition models and accessed by pressing and holding down the M mode button and is designed for use on closed tracks. Confirmation of this mode is required via the iDrive controller. Driver assist system intervention is turned off. Additionally the audio system and center control display are turned off so the driver may concntrate on the road ahead.

Exterior design and features   

The functional details of the new BMW M8 Coupé and Cabriolet support the performance capabilities of the new cars as much as they lend themselves to design. Large openings in the front bumper support increased engine, transmission and brake cooling requirements while also imparting an aggressive visual to the newest M vehicles.

The kidney grill and side gills are finished in Black Chrome while the mirror caps, rear spoiler and rear diffuser are finished in High-Gloss black.  Flanking the BMW kidney grill are standard Icon Adaptive LED headlights with Laserlight.

The M8 Coupés and Competition Coupés are equipped with a standard Carbon Fiber roof to further reduce weight from the highest point of the car and lower the M8’s center of gravity. The M8 Cabriolets and M8 Competition Cabriolets are equipped with a multi-layer insulated fabric soft top which is able to retract in 15 seconds at up to 50 km/h while also reducing weight and lowering the center of gravity f the open top M models for improved handling.

Exterior paint finishes for all M8 models include non-metallic Alpine White and a choice of seven metallic and four Individual colors. Metallic paints include: Black Sapphire metallic, Brands Hatch Grey metallic, Sonic Blue metallic, Marina Bay Blue metallic, Donnington Grey metallic, Barcelona Blue metallic and Motegi Red metallic. Individual colors include Dravit Grey metallic, Almandin Brown II metallic, Aventurin Red metallic and Frozen Bluestone metallic.

An optional M Carbon package replaces kidney grill surrounds, mirror caps, side gills, rear spoiler and rear diffuser sections with carbon fiber components for a more motorsports oriented appearance.

Interior

The new M8 features exclusive interior appointments to set the cars apart as vehicles that occupy the very top of BMW’s model lineup. The M leather steering wheel includes M shift paddles and red M1 and M2 buttons which can be programmed with various engine, suspension, steering, xDrive and braking system modes. A new design gear shift lever with red accent sits next to the red start/stop button in the center console. Exclusive M Sport seats with Illuminated M badging below the headrest area are standard. The M8 Competition models additionally feature M seatbelts with highlight stitching in BMW Motorsport colors.

Interior leather appointments include standard Extended Merino Lather in either Silverstone or Black, optional Full Merino Leather in Silverstone, Sakhir Orange/Black, Midrand Beige, Taruma Brown and Black. Optional Individual Full Merino Leather interiors in Ivory White/Night Blue or Ivory White/Tartufo can also be ordered.

Carbon Fiber interior trim is standard while Ash Grain Grey-Metallic Wood trim and Individual Ash Black Silver Wood trim and Individual Piano Black Finish trim are available as options.

The BMW M8 Coupé and M8 Competition Coupé can be ordered with an Individual Alcantara headliner in matching upholstery color as an option.

Brakes, wheels and tires

The BMW M8 models are equipped with standard M compound brakes featuring drilled, vented brake disks measuring 395 mm in front and 380 mm in the rear and front, fixed, six-piston calipers and rear, floating, single-piston calipers. This system provides exceptional braking stability under the heaviest loads.

The optional M carbon ceramic brakes increase front brake disk diameter to 400 mm and with the rear 380 mm disks offer even greater stopping power combined with exceptional resistance to both heat and wear.

The M8 features the latest version of BMW M’s integrated brake-by-wire system. This system combines braking activation, brake booster and brake control functions into one compact module which saves almost 2.0 kg over a conventional braking system while eliminating the vacuum-based components. The electric actuator means a faster and more precise brake response and pedal feel in all road and temperature conditions. The M integrated braking system also offers two settings; Comfort and Sport which can vary brake pedal feedback and response based on the wishes of the driver.

The new BMW M8 models are equipped with standard M light-allow wheels; 9.5 x 20 inches in front and 10.5 x 20 inches in rear. Non-run-flat, high-performance tires in 275/35R20 front and 285/35R20 rear provide the grip needed to cope with the very high levels of torque produced by the BMW M8’s engine.

Driver Assist systems

The 2020 BMW M8 is available with a wide variety of standard and optional driver assistance systems. The systems really come into their own when driving longer distances by relieving the strain on the driver in monotonous situations, such as traffic jams or slow-moving traffic. They enhance comfort and safety both in urban traffic and on longer trips by providing targeted assistance in complex traffic situations. The driver assistance systems process camera images as well as the data gathered by ultrasonic and radar sensors to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings, to warn of potential hazards and to minimise the risk of an accident with corrective braking or steering inputs.

Standard equipment includes Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking function, the latest version of which alerts the driver when a cyclist is detected. Depending on the situation, the system can bring the vehicle to a halt to either avoid a collision or minimize its consequences.

The optional Driving Assistant Professional offers comprehensive assistance for comfortable and safe driving. This package includes Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function. It can be used at speeds up to 210 km/h and maintains the desired speed while taking not only the traffic situation into account, but also the selected distance to vehicles in front. If required, the system is able to brake the car to a stop then pull away again automatically after being stationary for up to 30 seconds, meaning greater comfort in stop-start traffic. Camera images and data from a front radar system are used for distance control.

Another component of the Driving Assistant Professional is the Lane Keeping Assistant with Active Side Collision Protection. This is made up of the Lane Departure Warning and Active Blind Spot Detection systems, which are active from 70 – 210   km/h and 20 km/h up to top speed respectively and help the driver guide the vehicle back onto the correct path with an active turn of the steering. Besides emitting visual warning signals and causing the steering wheel to vibrate, active side collision protection also uses active steering intervention to help avoid a collision. The Driving Assistant Professional also includes the evasion aid, which now also reacts to pedestrians. The Crossing Traffic Warning – which reduces the danger of a collision when maneuvering forwards towards roads that are obstructed from the driver’s view – now also includes brake intervention.

The latest-generation Head-Up Display.

The latest generation of the BMW Head-Up display system features a larger projection area, optimized graphics and additional content. The BMW Head-Up Display projects information directly into the driver’s field of vision where it can be assimilated without any need for them to divert their eyes from the road. This includes details of vehicle speed, speed limits and overtaking restrictions, Check Control messages, status indicators and warnings from the assistance systems, detailed route guidance and turn instructions, as well as telephone and entertainment lists. The displayed information can be adjusted via the new M mode button on the center console.

Live Cockpit Professional with iDrive 7

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional in the 2020 BMW M8 combines the latest-generation of the iDrive, featuring a high-resolution digital 31.2 cm (12.3”) instrument cluster display behind the steering wheel and a 26 cm (10.25”) center display diagonally across.

The system offers many hardware upgrades including new haptic controls on the iDrive controller, an advanced tablet-like touch interface, and stunning visualizations. The multi-modal approach of the iDrive touch controller, large touchscreen center display, cloud based voice control, and gesture control allow users to interact in the way of their choosing. 

Elements of the BMW Live Cockpit Professional are the Navigation Professional system, a hard-drive-based multimedia system with 30 GB of memory and two USB ports, plus Bluetooth interfaces. The driver can be automatically detected and personal settings activated either using the traditional vehicle key or by downloading the driver’s personal settings the BMW Cloud.

BMW Connected: digital services for individual mobility.

BMW Connected is the companion app for BMW drivers. Intelligent connectivity helps users to reach their destination easily and with minimal stress – and not only from within their car; BMW Connected is an all-embracing concept designed to seamlessly connect the driver and their smartphone with their vehicle.

At the heart of it all is the Open Mobility Cloud, which allows the app to connect the car with the customer’s iPhone and Apple Watch. For instance, the BMW Connected app can import appointments and addresses from the customer’s calendar entries straight into the navigation system to begin route guidance. The system calculates the optimum departure time based on real-time traffic information and notifies the driver with a message on their smartphone when it is time to leave. As the vehicle is linked up via the Open Mobility Cloud, it is able to access the calculated route directly when the navigation system starts up.

Standard Equipment

The M8 Coupé and Cabriolet come with an extensive list of standard equipment including:

·         Active Guard and Active Protection – Automatic seat belt tensioning, automatic closing of windows, fatigue and focus alert, post-crash braking, Lane Departure Warning, Pedestrian Warning with braking, Front Collision Warning, Speed Limit Information, Blind Spot Detection, Automatic High Beams, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Preparation.

·         Active M Differential

·         M Steptronic Sport Automatic Transmission

·         M Carbon Roof (M8 Coupés only)

·         M Sport seats with heating.

·         Live Cockpit Professional with iDrive 7 with Apple CarPlay compatability

·         Remote Engine Start

·         20 inch M Double-Spoke bi-color Style 810M wheels

·         Comfort Access Keyless entry and Soft-close automatic doors

·         Icon Adaptive LED headlights with Laserlight

·         Harman-Kardon surround sound audio system

·         SiriusXM satellite radio with 6 month All Access subscription

·         Wireless Charging and WiFi Hotspot

·         Drive Recorder

·         Parking Assistant Plus with 360° Surround View Camera

M8 Competition Coupé and Cabriolet add:

·         20 inch M Star-spoke bi-color Style 813M wheels

·         M Competition Package -

·         M Sport exhaust system

·         M Seat belts

·         Track setting for M mode

Munich. The feeling of an M car is unmistakable – and now it can be tailored even more closely to the individual. BMW M GmbH is unveiling a new display and control system for the configuration of the powertrain, chassis and driver assistance systems on its high-performance sports cars. As well as additional scope for adapting the vehicle settings both to the situation at hand and to personal preferences using the Setup button, drivers will also enjoy the services of the new M Mode (activated at the touch of a button). The Setup button can be used to adjust the vehicle settings, while M Mode allows the displays and driver assistance systems to be tuned to the driver’s requirements. This extra individualisation and even more intuitive operation will be included for the first time in the new BMW M8 Coupe and BMW M8 Competition Coupe (fuel consumption combined: 10.6 – 10.5 l/100 km [26.7 – 26.9 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 242 – 238 g/km; provisional figures), and the new BMW M8 Convertible and BMW M8 Competition Convertible (fuel consumption combined: 10.8 – 10.6 l/100 km [26.2 – 26.7 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 246 – 241 g/km; provisional figures). With the help of these new features, drivers of BMW’s high-performance models for the luxury segment can enjoy their exceptional range of abilities – from supreme long-distance comfort to alluring track dynamics – in even greater depth.

The control system developed for BMW M models traditionally enables their powertrain and chassis technology to be configured in a wide variety of ways according to personal tastes and needs. Indeed, the driver can activate various settings for the engine, suspension and steering independently of one another. In models specified with the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the distribution of power between the front and rear wheels can also be tweaked. And now the new BMW M8 Coupe and new BMW M8 Convertible offer the ability to configure the braking system as required, too.

New Setup button enables intuitive operation with direct access to all powertrain and chassis systems.

The new Setup button on the centre console of the new BMW M8 Coupe and new BMW M8 Convertible enables direct access to all available setup options for five vehicle parameters. Pressing the button brings up a Setup menu in the Control Display, which offers an overview of the vehicle settings currently engaged. The driver can then activate their desired mode for the engine, suspension, steering, brakes and M xDrive – in a single step in each case – via the touchscreen or the iDrive Controller.

The engine characteristics can be adjusted by means of the EFFICIENT, SPORT and SPORT PLUS settings, while the COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT PLUS chassis options give access to the three profiles for the electronically controlled dampers. The driver can also choose between COMFORT and SPORT for both the M-specific electromechanical steering and the new braking system. When DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) is deactivated, the 4WD, 4WD SPORT and 2WD (for pure rear-wheel drive) settings for the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system also come into play. Two individually composed variants of this setup can be stored permanently with the driver’s preferred settings for the engine sound, gearshift characteristics, driving stability control and Auto Start Stop function. The overall vehicle configuration can then be called up instantly at any time by pressing one of the two M buttons on the steering wheel.

Premiere in the BMW M8: integrated braking system with precise pedal feel and M-specific configurability.

The M-specific version of a new braking technology paves the way for the configuration of braking characteristics, a feature available for the first time in the new BMW M8. The new system brings together the brake activation, brake booster and braking control functions within a compact module. The integrated braking system reduces weight by around two kilograms and employs a vacuum-free brake booster to enhance the car’s overall efficiency. The brake pressure required is triggered by an electric actuator, which allows it to be generated more dynamically and also ensures significantly faster and more precise interventions from the driving stability control system.

The integrated braking system also does an excellent job of allowing vehicle deceleration to be geared precisely to the driver’s requirements and of generating sublime pedal feel in any situation. Braking feedback to the driver is unimpaired by wet road surfaces, significant lateral acceleration or high brake temperatures, and this ensures precise metering of braking power at all times. The version of the new braking system developed for BMW M models also presents the driver with two pedal feel settings.

COMFORT and SPORT modes alter the amount of pressure on the brake pedal required to slow the car. This allows the driver to choose between a comfort-oriented perception of the braking process and a particularly direct, instantaneous response to applications of the pedal. The new BMW M8 teams this innovative system with both the standard M compound brakes and optional M carbon-ceramic brakes.

Pure driving pleasure through innovation: the M Mode button.

In addition to the new configuration options opened up by the Setup button, the new BMW M8 also allows the gearshift characteristics of the eight-speed Steptronic transmission to be adjusted using the Drivelogic button on the selector lever and the engine sound to be varied via a separate button on the centre console. M Dynamic Mode – which raises the intervention thresholds for the driving stability control and allows controlled drifts – and DSC Off mode can also be initiated at the touch of a button.

A fresh addition to the new flagship models from BMW M GmbH is the M Mode button on the centre console. This can be used to alter the responses of the driver assistance systems and the screens in the all-digital instrument cluster and Head-Up Display. M Mode allows the driver to activate ROAD and SPORT modes, while the new BMW M8 Competition Coupe and BMW M8 Competition Convertible also come with a TRACK setting. These options enhance the hallmark M driving experience according to the situation at hand. Changing the settings alters the information presented to the driver on the screens, while the safety-enhancing interventions by the driver assistance systems – such as active braking or steering inputs – are reduced to a bare minimum or deactivated altogether.

In the default ROAD setting, all the standard and optional driver assistance systems are fully activated. A simple press of the M Mode button engages the SPORT setting, in which the active driver assistance systems (in the configuration set by the driver) now only transmit alerts on speed limits and overtaking restrictions. This mode disables all interventions in the braking and steering systems, aside from those made by the Collision Warning with braking function and the Evasion Assistant.

In SPORT mode, the driver benefits from M View in both the instrument cluster and the Head-Up Display. Here, only relevant information for sporty driving – i.e. an M-specific engine speed dial and the shift lights (which indicate the ideal time to change gear), a digital speed display and the gear currently engaged – is displayed in the cockpit. Information on coolant temperature, charge pressure, tyre condition, and longitudinal and lateral acceleration can be viewed in the right- and left-hand areas of the instrument cluster. The Head-Up Display read-out is concentrated around the engine revs and shift lights, navigation instructions and distance warnings, the gear selected and the vehicle speed, plus the speed limits and overtaking restrictions detected by the Speed Limit Info system. Pressing the M Mode button again returns the driver to the default ROAD mode.

An extended press of the M Mode button engages TRACK mode, which is available in the Competition models and designed exclusively for use on race circuits. The decision to activate this mode must be confirmed using the iDrive Controller. In this setting, all the comfort and safety functions of the driver assistance systems are deactivated. In addition, the audio system and Control Display are both switched off in order to focus the driver’s attention even more intently on the road ahead. TRACK mode allows drivers of the new BMW M8 Competition Coupe and new BMW M8 Competition Convertible to experience an ultra-pure, racing-car-inspired distillation of M feeling. Added to which, the instrument cluster and Head-Up Display also include M View, although TRACK mode blanks out the road sign detection and distance information. Pressing the M Mode button again takes the car out of the TRACK setting and back into ROAD mode.

2020 technical specifications, wheels and tires and pricing. Please note that this information is specific to Canada and all specifications are subject to change without prior notice.

Richmond Hill, ON. The British premium automobile manufacturer strengthens the progressive character and appeal of its models in the small car segment with a stylishly refined visual appearance and extensive technological advancements. The update for the MINI 3 Door, the MINI 5 Door and the MINI Convertible includes fresh design accentuations, innovations in the field of drive technology, additional customization options and an expansion of the digital services available as part of MINI Connected.

The upgrading of the original product substance in the premium segment of small cars highlights the mature yet distinctive charisma of MINI, which in its current model generation is now available for the first time simultaneously with three body types for hallmark driving fun in urban environments. This is due to such elements as an extended range of standard features, newly designed headlights and rear lights, additional body finishes and cutting-edge connectivity technology for convenience and infotainment.

The new 2019 MINI 3 door, MINI 5 door and MINI Convertible will be on sale in Canada in April, 2018. MSRP and options pricing will be announced closer to the Canadian market launch.

2019 MINI 3 door, MINI 5 door and MINI Convertible:  overview of new features.

• LED rear lights in Union Jack design.
• New MINI logo, new body finishes, Piano Black exterior.
• New light alloy wheels.
• Extended range of leather trim, interior surfaces and Color Lines.
• Unique individualization with MINI Yours Customised (availability date in Canada TBA).
• Multifunction steering wheel and radio with 6.5-inch colour screen, USB and
• Bluetooth interface as standard.
• Optional radio and navigation systems with touchscreen monitor.
• Telephony with wireless charging.
• MINI Connected and MINI Connected XL with new functions.
• MINI logo projection from the exterior mirror on the driver's side.

Bright and dazzle-free: LED headlights.

A modified design for the characteristic circular headlights make the hallmark front view of the new MINI 3 door, the new MINI 5 door and the new MINI Convertible even more powerfully expressive. In the standard halogen headlights, a striking accentuation is added by means of a black panel. In the LED headlights available as optional equipment items, the high-quality technology is underscored by means of an entirely newly design of the light sources. The latest generation of the LED modules for low and high beam offers increased brightness. The LED daytime driving light and the turn indicator light are generated by a ring which surrounds the entire contour of the headlight,

Very British: rear lights in Union Jack design.

The rear lights also feature a new design in conjunction with the optional LED headlights. As a clear reference to the brand's British DNA, the upright light units at the rear of the new MINI 3 door, the new MINI 5 door and the new MINI Convertible now appear in a Union Jack design.

The striking flag motif is recreated in the structure of the light functions. The turn indicators are horizontally arranged and the brake lights are vertically aligned, with the tail light additionally representing the diagonal lines of the British flag. In order to ensure a particularly harmonious lighting effect, all light sources forming the Union Jack graphic use LED technology.

New MINI logo: reduced to the essentials.

The new MINI logo is clear and authentic in style, appearing on the bonnet, tailgate, steering wheel, central instrument display, remote control, and optional driver’s side puddle lighting all models. It is a re-interpretation of the existing logo and now features a two-dimensional "flat design". As such, the MINI logo reflects the new brand identity with its focus on the essentials – namely key values such as driving fun, distinctive design, premium quality and emotional appeal.

Three new exterior paint colors, premiere for Piano Black Exterior.

The extensive range of exterior paint colors available for the new MINI 3 door, the new MINI 5 door and the new MINI Convertible now adds three variants: Emerald Grey metallic, Starlight Blue metallic, and Solaris Orange metallic.

What is more, the list of optional equipment items features an additional means of customizing the exterior design. With the option Piano Black Exterior, the surrounds of the headlights, rear lights and radiator grille are finished in high-gloss black instead of chrome.

The selection of optionally available light alloy wheels has also been expanded. The 17-inch light alloy wheels in the design styles Roulette Spoke 2-tone and Propeller Spoke 2-tone are now available for all body variants of the new MINI. The likewise 17-inch light alloy wheels in Rail Spoke 2-tone design have also been newly added to the program.

New leather trims, interior surfaces and Color Lines.

A broad selection of seat surfaces, interior surfaces and Color Lines add a touch of individual style to the interior of the new MINI 3 door, the new MINI 5 door and the new MINI Convertible. New features for the MINI 3 door and the MINI 5 door include supple Malt Brown Chesterfield Leather upholstery.

In addition, the new option MINI Yours Interior Style Piano Black with illumination includes a backlit decorative panel on the passenger side of the dashboard, likewise finished in Piano Black as well as bearing a stylised Union Jack motif.  The color of the backlighting matches the ambient lighting selected by the driver. This option also adds high-gloss Piano Black surfaces in the area of the doors and center console., 

Maximum individualization: MINI Yours Customized.

The MINI Yours Customized program now raises hallmark brand individualization to a whole new level. It includes retrofit products that can be designed by customers themselves, which are then produced precisely according to these individual specifications. The MINI Yours Customised range will include side scuttles, decorative strips for the interior on the passenger side, LED door sill finishers and LED door projectors.

MINI Yours Customized products can be designed and previewed through a specially created Online Customiser. Here customers can choose between various colors, patterns, surface structures and icons, as well as contributing their own texts and adding a touch of personal style to the design. This offering enables MINI fans to turn their vehicle into a unique specimen that bears the stamp of their own personality. The individualized products are manufactured using innovative production techniques such as various 3D printing methods and laser engraving (Note: availability of the MINI Yours Customized program in Canada to be announced later in 2018).

New infotainment systems and features

A new 6.5” display is included as standard, and features an updated and optimized user interface, Bluetooth mobile phone integration, and support for Bluetooth audio streaming. In addition, customers can specify a new 8.8” touchscreen navigation system with new user interface and greatly expanded features.  

New options: telephony with wireless charging, MINI logo projection.

The innovative optional equipment for the new MINI 3 door, the new MINI 5 door and the new MINI Convertible includes a wireless charging option. A storage compartment integrated in the centre armrest enables wireless charging of mobile phones which offer this capability. This option also adds a second USB port in the front section of the center console.

For the first time, the MINI 3 door and MINI 5 door are available with a MINI logo projection feature. When the vehicle is opened and closed, the new MINI logo is projected onto the ground in front of the driver’s side door from a light source in the exterior mirror and can be seen there for 20 seconds, or permanently if the door is left open.

MINI Connected: a range of digital services that is unique within the segment.

With the new MINI Connected functions, MINI offers a diverse range of digital services at premium level that is unique in the small car segment. New features include Advanced Real Time Traffic Information with 4G LTE connectivity, support for Apple CarPlay, Connected Services, and intelligent emergency call.

The personal mobility assistant feature of the MINI Connected smartphone app now enables drivers of the new MINI 3 door, the new MINI 5 door and the new MINI Convertible to integrate their vehicle and mobility planning seamlessly into their day-to-day digital routine. For example, MINI Connected can draw on calendar entries and contact data entered in a smartphone to plan a route and determine the ideal time to set off based on real time traffic data. The Send-to-Car function enables planned routes to be sent to the MINI navigation system, while Remote Services allow the driver not just to display vehicle location, fuel level and other vehicle status details on their digital end device, but also activate the headlight flasher, horn, ventilation and door lock/unlock function.

Intelligent networking of the MINI is via a SIM card integrated in the vehicle: this now complies with the mobile communications standard 4G. It also enables the use of MINI Teleservices and the Intelligent Emergency Call with automatic detection of vehicle location and accident severity.

Services now available in the new MINI 3 door, the new MINI 5 door and the new MINI Convertible for the first time also include MINI Find Mate (activation date in Canada TBA) . This consists of so-called tags with a wireless tracking function that can be attached to frequently used objects and travel items such as bags, cases, key rings and rucksacks. Their position can not only be displayed on the on-board computer but also in the MINI Connected App on a smartphone. In this way, MINI Find Mate helps prevent personal items getting lost or left behind.

2018 BMW M4 technical specifications, wheels and tires and pricing. Please note that this information is specific to Canada and all specifications are subject to change without prior notice.

2018 BMW 5 Series, 6 Series, Alpina B6, M6, 7 Series and Alpina B7 technical specifications, wheels and tires and pricing. Please note that this information is specific to Canada and all specifications are subject to change without prior notice.

2017 technical specifications, wheels and tires and pricing. Please note that this information is specific to Canada and all specifications are subject to change without prior notice.

2017 technical specifications, wheels and tires and pricing. Please note that this information is specific to Canada and all specifications are subject to change without prior notice.

This year’s winner’s car is a high-performance car typical of BMW M. The BMW M6 Convertible is powered by a 560-hp M TwinPower Turbo V8 petrol engine (combined fuel consumption: 10.3 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 239 g/km). The BMW M6 Convertible accelerates from 0 to 100 in an impressive 4.3 seconds and boasts a top speed of (regulated) 250 km/h. Technology characteristics of BMW M, such as the double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic, the M Carbon Ceramic Brakes, Dynamic Damper Control, and Active M Differential, guarantee sporty and perfect handling in any situation. The new BMW M6 Convertible for this year’s BMW M Award winner is also visually stunning. Highlights include the exclusive BMW Individual paint finish “Frozen Blue Metallic”, 20’’ M light alloy wheels double-spoke 343 M with mixed tyres, BMW Individual full fine-grain Merino leather in “Opal White”, as well as BMW Individual Piano finish Black interior trims. In addition, this year’s winner’s car features numerous BMW M Performance Parts.

Winning the BMW M Award for the third time, Marquez drew level with record holders Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner. The Spaniard is also the first rider to receive the BMW M Award three times in a row. In 2013, Marquez was the first rookie to win this special classification. He was crowned fastest qualifier in his debut season in the elite class. He repeated this success in 2014, and 2015 saw him pick up the most BMW M Award points in the qualifying sessions once again. Marquez started from pole position a total of eight times this season, and with 365 points he claimed the BMW M Award with a clear lead once again. The official presentation ceremony took place on Saturday at the final round of the MotoGP in Valencia, Spain. The BMW M6 Convertible was handed over to Marquez by Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, and Frank van Meel, President BMW M Division.

“I am really happy to have won the BMW M Award for third time in a row,” said Marquez at the prize-giving ceremony in Valencia. “For us riders, this award is always something special. The BMW M6 is a great car and I like the acceleration and the handling. The fact that it is the BMW M6 Convertible makes this prize even more special. It is the first time that I won a convertible car and for me living in Spain, this is just perfect. I can’t wait to get in the car and drive it!”

“The BMW M Award is an important part of our long-standing and successful partnership with BMW M Division,” explained Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports. “It is fantastic that BMW M Division honours the achievements of our MotoGP riders in the qualifying sessions in this special way. The BMW M Award has been one of the highlights of every MotoGP season for 13 years now, and yet BMW M Division still manages to surpass itself every year. With the BMW M6 Convertible, we have yet another absolutely fascinating high-performance automobile to present to Marc Marquez. Congratulations to Marc - I have no doubt that he will also enjoy his award this year.”

“Marc Marquez already wrote history two years ago when he became the first rookie to win the BMW M Award. Now he is the first rider to be entered in the list of winners three times in a row. Many congratulations on this impressive achievement,” said Frank van Meel, President BMW M Division. “The BMW M Award is an important pillar of our comprehensive involvement in MotoGP and when selecting the prize it is important to us to pick a real highlight each season. I feel that we have managed this once again with the BMW M6 Convertible. The fact that the BMW M Award is so coveted by the MotoGP riders, whose lives are characterised by technological innovation, high performance and continuously driving at the limit makes us proud. It proves that our products have exactly these attributes, which is what makes them so popular with the fastest motorcycle racers in the world. We hope Marc Marquez enjoys his BMW M6 Convertible and look forward to next season and the 2016 BMW M Award.”

The BMW M Award was presented for the 13th time in 2015. Just like the points system for the races, riders at each Grand Prix weekend are awarded points relative to their positions in qualifying. Pole position is rewarded with 25 points, second place on the grid earns 20 points and third place scores 16 points – right down to one point for 15th. The rider with the most points at the end of the season wins the BMW M Award. Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner are the current record holders, each with three BMW M Awards to their name – with Marquez being the only rider who has won three times in a row. His Spanish compatriot Jorge Lorenzo has earned the coveted title of top qualifier twice so far. Sete Gibernau and Nicky Hayden have both won the BMW M Award once.

BMW has always been synonymous with driving pleasure in all vehicle classes. The fact that customers and fans also agree with this summation is once again confirmed by the readers’ poll conducted by German motoring magazine “sport auto”. Cars from the BMW Group received the top scores in four classes. The BMW 335i was voted the best sedan car up to € 50,000 for the third time in three years. The BMW M3 Sedan was the favorite among readers for the second year in a row in the sedans/estates up to € 100,000 class.

Also for the second time in a row, the BMW M235i took pole position in the category for coupés up to € 50,000. In the compact cars class, the BMW M135i easily succeeded in fighting off the competition. As in the previous year, the BMW M550d xDrive took second place in the diesel class, once again underlining the leading role of the BMW Group as a supplier of vehicles that combine sporty performance with maximum efficiency.

Double victory for M Performance automobiles.
In the compact class and in the coupés up to € 50,000, the BMW M135i (26.7 percent of the votes cast) and the BMW M235i Coupé (38.3 percent of the votes cast) once again beat off the competition. Both vehicles have a six-cylinder engine with M TwinPower turbo technology, ensuring spontaneous responsiveness, an exceptional thirst for revs and outstanding refinement (fuel consumption combined BMW M235i: 8.1 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 189 g/km; BMW M135i: 8.0 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 188 g/km*).

Triple win for the BMW 335i Sedan.
For the third time in a row, the readers of “sport auto” put the BMW 335i in top place in the sedans up to € 50,000 category. The key factor for the continuing success of the sports sedan is its in-line six-cylinder engine with BMW TwinPower turbo technology. The 225 kW/306 hp in-line six-cylinder engine makes particularly impressive play with the typical BMW virtues of instantaneous responses, an exceptional thirst for revs and outstanding refinement. The combination of a turbocharger that operates according to the twin scroll principle with direct high precision injection and VALVETRONIC guarantees an unbeatably efficient balance between driving pleasure and fuel consumption (fuel consumption combined BMW 335i: 7.9 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 186 g/km*).

The defending title-holder BMW M3.

Garnering 39.4% of reader votes, the BMW M3 had no difficulty defending its title as best sedan up to € 100,000, actually managing to increase its share of the vote in its second year on the market. The fifth generation of the BMW M3 (fuel consumption combined: 8.8 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 204 g/km*) is powered by a newly developed six-cylinder in-line engine. The high-revving unit with M TwinPower Turbo technology offers maximum output of 317 kW/431 hp. Peak torque of 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) is available across a broad rev band and exceeds the maximum offered by the previous BMW M3 by almost 40 percent. A rigorously applied lightweight design concept has brought about a weight reduction of around 80 kilograms. Fuel consumption and emissions are down by 25 percent. The BMW M3 Sedan takes just 4.1 seconds to sprint from 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) – when fitted with the optional seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission – and also catches the eye as a strong performer out on the track as well as in everyday use.

The “sport auto Award” has been presented by German motoring magazine “sport auto” since 1980. It is one of the leading German awards for sporting cars and is highly coveted by manufacturers. In 2015 a total of 230 models were nominated in 30 series-production categories and a further 10 tuning classes. In this, the 23rd year of the awards, 13,601 readers took part in the poll via survey postcard, online survey or one of the “sport auto” digital channels.

Placings at a glance:

Winner – Compact Cars: BMW M135i.

Winner – Coupés up to € 50,000: BMW M235i Coupé.

Winner – Sedans/Estates up to € 50,000: BMW 335i.

Winner – Sedans/Estates up to € 100,000: BMW M3.

Second place – Diesel Cars: BMW M550d xDrive.

Second place – Convertibles up to € 50,000: BMW M235i Convertible

Second place – Convertibles up to € 100,000: BMW M4 Convertible

Second place – Coupés up to € 100,000: BMW M3 Coupé

Third place – Sedans up to € 100,000: BMW M5 30 Years

Further information on official fuel consumption figures, specific CO2 emission values and the electric power consumption of new passenger cars is included in the following guideline: “Leitfaden über Kraftstoffverbrauch, die CO2 emissions und den Stromverbrauch neuer Personenkraftwagen” (Guideline for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and electric power consumption of new passenger cars), which can be obtained from all dealerships, from Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at http://www.dat.de/en/offers/publications/guideline-for-fuel-consumption.html. LeitfadenCO2 (GuidelineCO2) (PDF ‒ 2.7 MB).

* Fuel consumption figures were calculated based on the ECE test cycle, dependent on tire format.

2016 BMW 2 Series, 3 Series , 4 Series and Z4 technical specifications, wheels and tires and pricing. Please note that this information is specific to Canada.

Jerez de la Frontera, 2nd May 2015. BMW M Division, partner of MotoGP organiser Dorna Sports, presented the next highlight in its MotoGP involvement at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez de la Frontera (ES) today: the car to be presented to the winner of the coveted BMW M Award. Since 2003, the rider with the best qualifying results come the end of the season has been rewarded with an exclusive, individually customised BMW M car. This year too, a very special prize awaits the top MotoGP qualifier: the new BMW M6 Convertible, with individual extras. The exclusive high-performance car was unveiled today in the MotoGP paddock at the Circuito de Jerez.

“The BMW M Award is one of the highlights of every MotoGP season – every rider wants to be the one to receive this outstanding prize at the end of the year,” emphasised Pau Serracanta, Managing Director of the Commercial department at Dorna Sports, at the presentation. “The unveiling of the winner’s car here in Jerez has become an important tradition for us. The entire MotoGP family is very excited about it, and BMW M Division has surprised us again this year with a truly breath-taking car. I am certain that this stunning BMW M6 Convertible will be a coveted prize among the riders.”

“We are very proud that the BMW M Award is held in such high esteem within MotoGP,” said Axel Mittler, Head of Cooperation MotoGP at BMW M Division. “This award is also an important part of our long and successful partnership with MotoGP. For this reason, it is very important for us to provide a genuine highlight as the prize each year. For the 2015 season we opted for our new BMW M6 Convertible, which enjoyed its world premiere at the Detroit Auto Show in January. We now have our fingers crossed for all MotoGP riders in the race for this year’s BMW M Award.”

The new BMW M6 line-up allows BMW M Division to restate its leadership in the high-performance luxury segment. The outgoing models had already set new benchmarks with the flawless balance of power, efficiency, agility, comfort and luxury that is typical of M models. And now the latest BMW M6 models, including the new BMW M6 Convertible, are is poised to write a fresh chapter in this success story, fuelled by an even more finely honed, well-resolved overall concept. Aboard the new BMW M6 Convertible, the driver experiences the perfect symbiosis of stunning performance and a refined convertible. The power comes courtesy of the 560-hp M TwinPower Turbo V8 petrol engine (combined fuel consumption: 10.3 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 239 g/km). The BMW M6 Convertible accelerates from 0 to 100 km/ in an impressive 4.3 seconds and boasts a top speed of (regulated) 250 km/h. Technology characteristic of BMW M, such as the double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic, Dynamic Damper Control, and Active M Differential, guarantee sporty and perfect handling in any situation.

The new BMW M6 Convertible for this year’s BMW M Award winner is also visually stunning. In its exclusive BMW Individual paint finish “Frozen Blue Metallic”, the convertible looks both ultra-dynamic and extremely elegant. This imposing appearance is reinforced by the Double-spoke style 20-inch BMW M light alloy wheels. The interior features BMW Individual full fine-grain Merino leather in “Opal White”, as well as BMW Individual interior trims in “Ash Grain White” real wood.

In 2015, the BMW M Award will be presented for the 13th time. Just like the points system for the races, riders at each Grand Prix weekend are awarded points relative to their positions in qualifying. Pole position is rewarded with 25 points, second place on the grid earns 20 points and third place scores 16 points – right down to one point for 15th. The rider with the most points at the end of the season wins the BMW M Award.

Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner are the current record holders, each with three BMW M Awards to their name. In 2013, Marc Marquez was crowned the youngest ever winner of the BMW M Award, and the first rider to receive this award in his first season at the pinnacle of motorcycle racing. In 2014, Márquez won the BMW M Award for a second time. His compatriot Jorge Lorenzo has also earned the coveted title of top qualifier twice so far. Sete Gibernau and Nicky Hayden have both won the BMW M Award once.

The BMW M Award is one of the many pillars of BMW M’s long-term commitment to the pinnacle of motorcycle racing. At the centre of the partnership with Dorna Sports is the provision of the BMW M fleet. 2015 is BMW M’s 17th season as “Official Car of MotoGP”. This year’s fleet of official MotoGP vehicles consists of six BMW M and M Performance models. It is spearheaded by the BMW M4 Coupé Safety Car with innovative water injection technology. The BMW M4 Coupé, the BMW M3 and BMW M6 Gran Coupé are also employed as Safety Cars as well. A BMW M5 is available for the Safety Officer, while the new BMW X5 M and the BMW M550d xDrive Touring are used as Medical Cars. BMW Motorrad also provides two BMW S 1000 RRs as Safety Bikes.

More information on the 2015 safety car fleet and the numerous MotoGP activities of BMW M Division as well as the current BMW M Award ranking can be found online at:

www.bmw-m-safetycar.com

Richmond Hill, ON. At BMW the letter M signals the presence of high performance and a very special brand of sporting allure. And now Original BMW Accessories from the M Performance range can be specified for the new BMW 2 Series Cabriolet, stylistic and technical modifications combining to elevate the joy of sporty driving to even higher levels.

Extra dynamism for the exterior.
Side skirts and skirt decals with M Performance lettering lend the BMW 2 Series Cabriolet extra sporting appeal, as does the rear diffuser. They also match up nicely with the exclusive front grille with black trim surround and the carbon exterior mirror caps. BMW M Performance accent strips which run along the flanks of the car below the crease line inject fresh visual momentum, while attractive BMW M Performance 19-inch light-alloy wheels in 405 M and 624 M styling advance the cause of exclusive sportiness. The 624 M can be ordered in either a bi-colour (matt black / milled) or a polished variant. A stainless steel silencer with chromed tailpipe embellishers and inscribed M logo ensures the car signs off in dynamic fashion. Customers can also specify the tailpipe embellishers in carbon.

High-quality carbon for a more sporting interior.
The BMW M Performance Accessories range offers a host of finely matched products made from high-quality carbon (some combined with Alcantara) for the interior of the BMW 2 Series Cabriolet. These include the selector lever trim or – in manual cars – the gearshift lever with Alcantara gaiter, as well as a handbrake grip likewise with Alcantara gaiter. The centre console trim, centre armrest and interior trim strips can also be retrofitted in carbon as accessories. Alcantara steering wheels with carbon trim, which can be specified with or without an integrated Race Display, are impressively grippy and provide a sporty feel.

Like the easy-care BMW M Performance floor mats with eye-catching M Performance lettering, the attractive BMW M Performance pedal covers and footrest in stainless steel also emphasise the sporting character of the BMW 2 Series Cabriolet. Another highlight feature is the BMW M Performance key case, with its sophisticated Alcantara/carbon material combination and blue hex bolt. LED door sill plates in stainless steel with illuminated M Performance lettering even bring a sporty sense of occasion to climbing aboard.

BMW Performance for the track.
Another highlight for connoisseurs of sporty driving is the BMW M Performance limited-slip differential, which reduces slip through the driven wheels when one loses grip. This allows it to optimise traction and thus give the car’s on-limit handling even greater precision. The BMW M Performance lightweight sports brake discs optimise deceleration (even in the wet) thanks to their special perforation and grooving, and reduce unsprung mass thanks to their lower weight. They also accentuate the car’s sporting profile, especially if light-alloy wheels with an open design are fitted.

Original BMW Accessories increase the value of the car.
In contrast to many third-party products, Original BMW Accessories – which include the range of BMW M Performance Parts – are always matched perfectly to the model in question and are permitted for use with that vehicle. The car’s warranty, moreover, remains unaffected. All of which means the high-quality selection of Original BMW Accessories enhances not only the car’s driving pleaure, but its value as well.

                                                                  -30-

  BMW Group in Canada

 BMW Group Canada, based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG and is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI. BMW Group Financial Services Canada is a division of BMW Group Canada and offers retail financing and leasing programs and protection products on new and pre-owned BMW and MINI automobiles, as well as retail financing for new and pre-owned BMW Motorcycles. A total network of 45 BMW automobile retail centres, 20 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 30 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.

For more information, please contact:

Barb Pitblado, Director, Corporate Communications

BMW Group Canada

416-305-1709 / barb.pitblado@bmwgroup.ca                      

Rob Dexter, Product and Technology Specialist

BMW Group Canada  

905-428-5447 / robert.dexter@bmwgroup.ca          

2015 BMW M6 Coupé, Cabriolet and Gran Coupé technical specifications, features and amenities, wheels and tires, paint, upholstery and trim, colour linked parts and pricing. Please note that this information is specific to Canada.

Richmond Hill, ON.  The all-new BMW M4 Cabriolet arrives in Canada this fall, closely following the earlier introduction of its M4 Coupe and M3 Sedan siblings. The 2015 BMW M4 Cabriolet is powered by the same BMW TwinPower Turbo 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine  producing 425 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque and can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed M DCT transmission. The new BMW M4 Cabriolet arrives in Canadian BMW showrooms in September with an MSRP of $84,500.

The new inline-6 M engine: High-revving, turbocharged unit combines the best of both worlds.

Like the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupe, the new M4 Cabriolet sees a return to an inline-six engine, as used on the second and third generations of this iconic open sports car. The new turbocharged engine combines the best of both worlds – reaching a maximum 7,600 rpm, it is unusually high-revving for a turbocharged engine, resulting in linear power delivery over a wide engine speed range and a soulful engine note, while M TwinPower Turbo technology ensures that peak torque is on tap over a broad rpm range. A further hallmark of this engine is its outstanding efficiency.

The new engine sees a power upgrade over the previous generation V-8 to 425 hp, which is delivered between 5,500 and 7,300 rpm. Peak torque has been increased by roughly 40 percent to 406 lb-ft, and is maintained over a very wide rev band (1,850–5,500 rpm). The sprint from zero to 100 km/h takes the new BMW M4 Cabriolet just 4.6 seconds when equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission. Equipped with the 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission, this number falls to 4.4 seconds. The BMW M TwinPower Turbo engine hits maximum revs of 7,600 rpm, in keeping with the typically high-revving character of M engines.

The M TwinPower Turbo technology comprises two fast-responding mono-scroll turbochargers, High Precision Direct Injection, Valvetronic variable valve timing and Double-VANOS continuously variable camshaft timing. Valvetronic and Double-VANOS work in tandem to seamlessly control intake valve lift. The result is smooth and efficient power delivery, very sharp response and reduced fuel consumption and emissions.

The six-cylinder engine features a closed-deck crankcase design which is very rigid and allows cylinder pressures to be increased for improved power output. And instead of liners, the cylinder bores feature a twin-wire arc-sprayed coating, which results in a significant reduction in engine weight.

Engine weight is further reduced by the forged, torsionally rigid crankshaft which, as well as saving weight, also provides increased torque-carrying capacity. This significantly reduces rotating masses, resulting in improved throttle response and acceleration.

Innovative technologies delivering top-level performance.
Power transfer in the BMW M4 Cabriolet is via a standard six-speed manual gearbox. Available as an option is the seven-speed Double Clutch Transmission M DCT, which allows the driver to change gears not only using the selector lever in the center console but also via the shift paddles on the steering wheel. This transmission effectively combines two gearboxes, each with its own clutch. This means gear changes are executed with no interruption in the flow of power – and the shift processes are therefore shorter. Drivelogic allows the driver to select from different shift modes, which see the M4 Cabriolet adopting a particularly comfort-oriented, economy-focused or ultra-sporty approach to gear changes when in automatic mode. The Launch Control function also integrated into M DCT enables optimum acceleration off the line.

The standard Active M Differential optimizes traction at the rear axle. The electromechanical steering system, meanwhile, represents a new development from BMW M GmbH and is the critical component in the link between driver and car. It offers the gifts of direct steering feel and precise feedback. The integrated Servotronic function electronically adjusts the level of steering assistance according to the car’s speed, providing optimum steering characteristics at all speeds. Three steering settings (COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT+) can be selected at the touch of a button to adjust the level of steering assistance to the situation at hand and to the driver’s personal tastes.

The optional Adaptive M suspension likewise comes with COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT+ modes. The BMW M4 Cabriolet is equipped as standard with M compound brakes, but customers can also order their car with even lighter and more effective M carbon ceramic brakes, which boast the additional visual highlight of gold-painted calipers.

Lightweight design across the board: Shedding weight in all the right places.

As well as outstanding dynamic qualities, intelligent lightweight design also allows the BMW M4 Cabriolet to claim exemplary efficiency. Its extensive weight-saving measures produce a curb weight of just 1839 kg – some 41 kg lighter than its predecessor.

Among the key contributors here are the aluminium front fenders and hood, with lightweight aluminium construction also a feature of the chassis. Extensive use is also made of a material that is both lightweight and extremely stiff, and therefore durable: carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). The new BMW M4 Cabriolet also features a CFRP drive shaft. The high rigidity and low weight of the CFRP tube mean that the drive shaft can be produced as a single-piece component, without a center bearing. This achieves weight savings of 40 percent over the previous model and a reduction in rotating masses, which in turn results in more dynamic powertrain response.

 The CFRP strut brace in the engine compartment is a further example of how all weight-saving measures on these vehicles have also been tailored to the improvement of driving dynamics. Weighing only 1.5 kg, the strut brace offers superior rigidity to a comparable aluminum component and at the same time plays a key part in the excellent steering response and precision of both vehicles.

The use of carbon is a reminder that BMW is a global leader in high-strength, lightweight CFRP construction, and that it was BMW who brought out the first mass-production vehicle with a body consisting entirely of this material – the innovative BMW i3.

Design: the powerfully expressive face of BMW M.

Viewed from the front, the BMW M4 Cabriolet stands out most prominently with its powerful contours and a strongly defined three-dimensionality, which lends it a powerfully expressive face. Characteristic design elements leave no doubt that this car is the work of BMW M. There is the modern take on the twin headlight arrangement (with optional LED technology), for example, not to mention the distinctive twin-bar kidney grille with black painted grille bars – which reflect the design of the characteristic BMW M double-spoke wheels and bear the M logo – and the powerfully designed front apron with its trio of large intakes supplying cooling air to the high-performance engine and brakes. Among the other hallmark BMW M design features on display is the characteristic power dome on the hood, which hints at the potential of the brawny M TwinPower Turbo engine and creates space for the intercooler. And the striking exterior mirrors, with their suggested twin-stalk mounts, optimize the aerodynamics of the new BMW M4 Cabriolet.

The flanks: low-slung silhouette and dynamic lines.

The profile of the M4 Cabriolet extends the dynamic impression created by its front end. The hallmark BMW proportions of a long hood, long wheelbase, set-back glasshouse and short front overhang are lent further emphasis by familiar M design elements.

Those dynamics-accentuating details include likewise newly designed M gills, which perform both a stylistic and a functional role. Integrated into them are Air Breathers, which team up with the Air Curtains in the front apron to help optimize the airflow around the wheel arches and therefore improve aerodynamics.

The interior design: flawless ergonomics in a sporting ambience.

Climbing into the BMW M4 Cabriolet, drivers will be greeted by an interior architecture complete with unimpeachable ergonomics and clear driver focus. In keeping with its character, however, the interior fulfils an even more sharply defined sporting brief. To this end, the host of traditional BMW M equipment details includes M door sill finishers, an M driver’s footrest, M gearshift lever, M-design circular instruments with white graphics, M leather steering wheel with chrome trim, color contrast stitching and electroplated-look shift paddles (if the M-DCT gearbox is specified).

The front seats also represent an evocative expression of BMW M’s motor sport genes. Taking visual inspiration from the bucket seats fitted in racing cars, the seats feature a full-size single-piece back panel. This means the construction of the seats is very flat, while the high, width-adjustable side bolsters and low-set seat surface allow an ideal seating position and provide excellent support. Despite their undeniably sporty design, the BMW M sports seats are equipped with comfort-enhancing features including electric adjustment and heating. On the seat surface, the stitching, upholstery segmentation and perforation lend the seats a slim-fitting feel. Illuminated for the first time, the BMW M logo on the seat backrests adds a new and exclusive highlight.

Interior with exquisite materials and motor sport ambience.

The BMW M4 Cabriolet stands out with an interior that is exclusive and functional in equal measure. For example, the M Sport leather multifunction steering wheel is standard, as are bucket-style M sports seats. New to this generation of Cabriolet are the standard three-temperature neck warmers which allow for comfortable open-air driving at high speeds and low temperatures.

Drivers of the BMW M4 Cabriolet can look forward to piloting their car from behind a double-spoke M leather steering wheel. The M logo, chrome trim and color contrast stitching are central elements of the cabin’s racing ambience. Both models come standard with a 6-speed manual gearbox, while the 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission is available as an option. M-DCT allows the driver to change gears using either the selector lever on the center console or the shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel.

Three-piece retractable hardtop. Form and function.

The BMW M4 Cabriolet offers outstanding everyday driving qualities and a dynamic design, with the top up or down. These seemingly contradictory qualities were already combined in the BMW M3 Cabriolet, the predecessor that set standards for premium mid-size Cabriolets. The hardtop of the BMW M4 Cabriolet features a number of design improvements that reduce noise levels for a much quieter interior ambience. The sound-absorbing headliner also reduces wind noise by up to 2 dB in comparison to the predecessor model.

When the top is up, the luggage compartment has a volume of 370 liters – some 20 liters more spacious than its predecessor BMW M3 Cabriolet. Even bulky items can be transported with the BMW M4 Cabriolet. A flat and level storage area can be utilized when the backrest of the rear bench seat is folded down. The standard load-through feature makes even more space available: Either a wide opening between the rear passenger compartment and the trunk, or a smaller opening, for skis for example, when four people are seated in the vehicle. All it takes is the push of a button to transform a dynamic coupe into an elegant, athletic Cabriolet in a mere 20 seconds. The top can also be lowered when the vehicle is travelling at speeds of up to 18 km/h.

The redesigned wind deflector is standard equipment and is now smaller, lighter and easier to use, and more effective than previous variants. When it is not needed, the wind deflector can be stored behind the rear seat to save space, which is also a new feature. The BMW M4 Cabriolet also has plenty of space in the trunk, even when the retractable hardtop is lowered. The new Cabriolet offers wider access to the luggage compartment, and an electro-hydraulic loading assistance system raises and positions the folded hardtop in the trunk as needed to ensure maximum utilization of the 220 liters of storage space available.

The loading assistance feature makes sure that there is always ample access to the trunk whether the top is up or down. Two storage compartments on the right and left of the main luggage area are also available for stowing small items when the retractable top is up.

Optional equipment items provide comprehensive driver information.
Needless to say, the BMW M4 Cabriolet is also available with the wide range of driver assistance systems and mobility services introduced under the BMW ConnectedDrive banner, some of which are already familiar from the BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe. Along with the standard new-generation Navigation System offering extra capability, sharper graphics and 3D elements for the map display, are the optional Driving Assistant Plus, which warns the driver of a looming collision with a pedestrian or vehicle, the intelligent anti-dazzle LED High Beam Assistant, and Active Protection with Attention Assistant.

The optional Head-Up Display comes with additional, M-specific functions such as a gear display, rev counter and Optimum Shift Indicator.

Hall of Fame: Open-top performance for over a quarter century

The new BMW M4 Cabriolet builds on 26 years of tradition. A Cabriolet has lined up alongside its two-door Coupe sibling as a firm fixture of the BMW M3 in all four generations.

First generation: the racing car with the soft-top.
The launch of the first BMW M3 in 1986 served primarily to satisfy the homologation requirements for what was then the German Touring Car Championship (DTM). In order to take its place on the grid for this prestigious race series, BMW had to come up with a series-produced version of the competition car and build 5,000 examples of it for sale within a year. The road-spec BMW M3 was created with the demands of motor sport very much at center stage and there were no plans initially for an open-top version. However, after around two years of resistance, BMW eventually gave in to significant customer demand, and the BMW M3 Cabriolet was unveiled in 1988. It was based on the four-seater BMW 3 Series Cabriolet and powered by a four-cylinder engine initially producing 193 hp. In 1990, output was increased to 215 hp, enabling the open-top M3 to accelerate to a top speed of 238 km/h – making it the world’s fastest four-seater series-produced Cabriolet at the time. The first generation BMW M3 Cabriolet was not offered in the North America.

Second generation: new advances in safety technology.
The powers that be in BMW’s motor sport department – now rechristened M GmbH – had planned an additional Cabriolet version of the second-generation BMW M3 (launched in 1992 globally and in 1994 in North America) from the outset. Based on the second generation 3 Series Cabriolet, the BMW M3 Cabriolet was launched in 1994 with a raft of innovative safety technology on board. For example, the rollover bars of the standard rollover protection system – positioned behind the rear seat head restraints – would spring up in an instant if the car was in danger of turning over, teaming up with the ultra-rigid windscreen frame to protect the passenger compartment. In North America, the second-generation M3 Cabriolet was powered initially by a 240-hp 3.0-liter inline-six that was later enlarged to 3.2-liters.

Third generation: shining an even brighter spotlight on the car’s sporting character.
In spring 2001, almost exactly a year after the starting gun had been fired on the third generation of the BMW M3, M GmbH unveiled the Cabriolet variant to join its Coupe stablemate in the line-up. It was identical to the M3 Coupe up to the A-pillar, but a striking beltline gave the open-top model an even broader, more powerful appearance. The BMW M3 Cabriolet therefore cut a more muscular, broader, more hunkered-down figure than any BMW M3 before it. And it had the bite to back up the bark; hallmark M attributes such as a 333 hp high-revving naturally-aspirated engine, beautifully tuned M suspension, a variable M differential lock and M high-performance brakes enshrined the BMW M3 Cabriolet as an elite athlete.

Fourth generation: giving the sporting character an even sharper edge.
Less than a year on from the debut of the fourth-generation BMW M3 Coupe and the four-door Sedan that followed a little later, BMW stirred the fires of anticipation among open-air driving enthusiasts with the launch of the BMW M3 Cabriolet in spring 2008. A 4.0-liter eight-cylinder engine generating 414 hp – and sustaining around 85 percent of its 295 lb-ft peak torque across a rev range of 6,500 rpm – gave drivers of the drop-top four-seater an impressive armoury with which to sate their appetite for sporty, dynamic corner-chasing and relaxed cruising alike.

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BMW Group in Canada

BMW Group Canada, based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG and is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI.  BMW Group Financial Services Canada is a division of BMW Group Canada and offers retail financing and leasing programs and protection products on new and pre-owned BMW and MINI automobiles, as well as retail financing for new and pre-owned BMW Motorcycles. A total network of 45 BMW automobile retail centres, 20 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 30 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.

For more information, please contact:

Barb Pitblado, Director, Corporate Communications

BMW Group Canada

416-305-1709 / barb.pitblado@bmwgroup.ca                  

Rob Dexter, Product and Technology Specialist

BMW Group Canada  

905-428-5447 / robert.dexter@bmwgroup.ca

Munich. Sheer driving pleasure generates enthusiasm again and again. Two current models were able to win their respective vehicle categories in this year’s readers’ vote by the magazine “AutoZeitung”: the BMW X1 and the BMW 1 Series Convertible. What is more, the new brand campaign focusing on the characteristic feeling of joy conveyed by BMW was also awarded the “Auto Trophy 2009”. The award ceremony, held yesterday at the “Meilenwerk” in Berlin, was attended by Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management BMW AG, Dr. Klaus Draeger, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development and Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management, Sales and Marketing.

The “Auto Trophy” is one of the most important automobile awards in Germany and was awarded for the 22nd time this year. Over 104,000 readers of “AutoZeitung” participated in the vote. They chose their favourites out of 370 current models in 27 categories. The BMW X1 won the category “Off-road vehicles up to 30,000 Euros” only a few weeks after its world premiere at the International Automobile Show in Frankfurt (IAA). The BMW X1, produced at the BMW plant in Leipzig since September, brings the particular style of sheer driving pleasure peculiar to BMW X vehicles to a model in the compact segment for the first time. After a successful market launch, the vehicle’s achievement in the “Auto Trophy” 2009 comes as no surprise. “With the BMW X1 we have captured the essence of the times. Customer response to date has been outstanding,” confirmed Board Chairman Dr. Norbert Reithofer at the award ceremony.

The open-top BMW 1 Series was able to repeat its success from last year in the vehicle category “Convertibles up to 30,000 Euros”. The elegant, sporty four-seater once again impressed the public with its aesthetic appeal characteristic of BMW convertible models coupled with the agility typical of the BMW 1 Series. Not only is the engine range unique, with four petrol and three diesel power units covering an output range of 105 kW/143 bhp to 225 kW/306 bhp, the efficiency of the BMW 1 Series Convertible is also remarkable. The benchmark is primarily set in this area by the BMW 118d Convertible, which accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds and in the EU test cycle achieves an average fuel consumption of 4.9 litres over 100 kilometres and a CO2 output of 129 grams per kilometre.

The “Auto Trophy” for the BMW 1 Series Convertible was received by Head of Development Dr. Klaus Draeger from the hands of TV presenter Barbara Schöneberger and Editor-in-Chief of "AutoZeitung” Volker Koerdt. Ian Robertson, Head of Sales and Marketing, was pleased to receive the award for the “best advertising of the year”. This prize also went to BMW for the second time in succession. After the launch campaign for the BMW 1 Series Coupé in 2008, this year it was the new brand campaign which met with an especially positive response. It makes “joy” - the core value of the brand BMW - the central theme of communication. Joy is conveyed in emotional style in TV commercials, on the internet, on posters and in print advertisements. The new brand campaign is designed for consistent use worldwide: through the theme of “joy” it focuses on two main points -  the efficient dynamics and the aesthetic design of BMW brand vehicles.