Munich. The BMW M Concept Neue Klasse celebrates its world premiere at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It showcases the new BMW M design language and sets a clear signal for the brand’s all-electric future. The future BMW M product portfolio combines expressive design, high performance and innovative materials.

The vehicle builds a bridge between its history and motorsport.
It is instantly recognisable as a high-performance automobile. BMW M thus remains true to its guiding principle: “Born on the racetrack. Made for the streets.”

“The new BMW M design language forms the expressive spearhead of the Neue Klasse – determined and purposeful,” says Oliver Heilmer, Head of Design BMW Compact Class, Neue Klasse and BMW M. “At BMW M, form consistently follows function. Every detail serves performance. This project is truly special to me because it carries the BMW M character into a new era.”

Form, function and motorsport references in the exterior design.
Powerful proportions, precise lines and a muscular shoulder section with wide wheel arches define the unmistakable BMW M character.

Numerous M-specific design measures optimise aerodynamics – including the reinterpreted M aero exterior mirrors in the colours of BMW M.

A distinctive air outlet shapes the V-shaped front bonnet. It supports the cooling of the electric drivetrain.

A forward-facing shark nose and a light signature with depth effect characterise the front end. Headlights and kidney grille form a single unit. The new M Yellow Lights create a focused view of the road. The yellow light icons are set to become a new signature feature of future BMW M automobiles and reference GT racing cars as well as the BMW M Hybrid V8.

The front apron of the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse adopts a trimaran-style bumper, inspired by the form of high-speed sailing boats. The three-part design underlines the vehicle’s technical appearance. It also provides structural support for the front splitter – an aerodynamic element at the lower edge of the front end.

Another new lighting accent for future BMW M automobiles are the three-dimensional Track Lights located in the outer sections of the front apron.

Track Lights and trimaran design also shape the rear apron of the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse. The Track Lights frame the trimaran element above the floating diffuser. A striking ducktail spoiler improves aerodynamics, increases downforce at the rear axle and at the same time sets a striking accent within the clean surface design of the rear end.

Natural fibre elements are used in both the exterior and interior of the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse – for example in the front splitter, the bonnet air outlet and the diffuser. For the first time, natural fibre is not only used in its pure form, but also in a refined finish with M branding in the roof graphic.

The newly developed Monza Red metallic paint finish and the red-and-blue coded centre-lock wheels strengthen the visual link to BMW M and motorsport.

Driver-focused cockpit for an intense BMW M experience.
The interior of the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse is reduced and consistently geared towards the driving experience in a next-generation all-electric BMW M.

Four newly developed bucket seats provide secure support even in highly dynamic driving situations and integrate structural elements made from natural fibre materials. The seat upholstery in Bathurst Blue and Berry Red picks up the BMW M colours in a two-tone Merino leather finish. Red five-point belts emphasise the sporty character.

For the first time in a BMW M vehicle, high-quality black nubuck leather is used. It can be found on the steering wheel, the door panels and the roll bar.

The floating dashboard is finished in black knit material and features M-specific hexagonal backlighting.

Red accents on the M gear selector, the shift paddles on the M steering wheel and in the digital displays add targeted sporty highlights in the cockpit and put performance centre stage.

High performance and BMW M driving experience in a new dimension.
The BMW M Concept Neue Klasse represents the next chapter in the M-typical blend of dynamics, agility and precision. The innovative BMW M eDrive drive concept with four electric motors and BMW M Dynamic Performance Control elevates driving experience and racetrack capability to a new level.

“Even in the new all-electric era, we continue the M-typical tradition of transferring both technological innovations and defining design features directly from motorsport into series production,” says Franciscus van Meel, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW M GmbH.

BMW M eDrive is based on the Neue Klasse’s Gen6 technology and was developed specifically for all-electric BMW M automobiles. The drivetrain concept combines four electric motors with the central control software BMW M Dynamic Performance Control in the high-performance computer Heart of Joy. Thanks to the integrated, wheel-specific control of the drivetrain and braking systems, BMW M eDrive opens up new potential for driving dynamics and driving safety. It enables high recuperation performance, optimal traction right up to the limit and particularly direct response.

The 800-volt technology and the high-voltage battery with an energy content of more than 100 kWh create the conditions for long-range capability. A BMW M-specific optimised version of sixth-generation cylindrical cells provides particularly high output when delivering energy to the electric motors and during charging. The housing of the high-voltage battery is structurally integrated with both the front and rear axle, thereby additionally contributing to driving dynamics.

Munich. With its combination of extremely agile handling, M-typical performance and compact dimensions, the BMW M2 embodies unadulterated driving pleasure in its ultimate expression. The new BMW M2 with M xDrive (fuel consumption, combined: 10.4 – 10.3 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions, combined: 235 – 233 g/km according to WLTP)* sees BMW M GmbH expanding the breadth of the M2 model line-up. Here, the all-wheel-drive system M xDrive will be available for the compact high-performance sports car for the first time. M xDrive splits the power developed by the 353 kW six-cylinder in-line engine with BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology between the front and rear axles according to the situation at hand. Also in play is the Active M Differential, which distributes drive fully variably between the rear wheels as required, maximising traction and delivering the driving dynamics normally associated with a rear-wheel drive model.

These enhanced traction levels increase the car’s agility, dynamism and directional stability once again – and further improve its acceleration figures. The new BMW M2 with M xDrive therefore offers drivers the inimitable M feeling through all four seasons of the year, in almost any road conditions and in all weathers – without any trade-off in performance. The car showcases its optimised traction (which is also the product of specially developed chassis tuning) with sublime assurance in fluctuating grip conditions, as well as on the track. The South African market launch of the BMW M2 with M xDrive will start in the fourth quarter of 2026. The final specification for South Africa-bound vehicles will be determined closer to the market introduction date.  

Superior traction and further enhanced dynamics thanks to M xDrive and Active M Differential.

The M xDrive all-wheel-drive system employs an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the transfer case to ensure fully variable and super-smooth division of the engine’s power between the front and rear wheels of the new BMW M2 with M xDrive. The system’s rear-wheel bias fits the familiar M blueprint. In normal driving, power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels. Only when they cannot feed any more power to the road does the all-wheel-drive system bring the front wheels into play.

M xDrive links up with the Active M Differential including M-specific traction control and DSC (Dynamic Stability Control). Together, they adapt the car’s responses precisely to the situation in order to deliver a driving experience of unsurpassed dynamism with a noticeable increase in directional stability and traction.

The transfer case features a model-specific control unit and integrated wheel slip limitation. This allows it to compensate for any differences in rotational speed between the front and rear wheels. It can do this without having to involve the central DSC management, which makes the process extremely quick and further intensifies the M-typical sense of unshakable poise in highly dynamic driving situations.  

The M xDrive system’s responses can be configured via the M Setup menu. This means the driver can adapt the characteristics and performance attributes of the all-wheel drive system to both the driving situation at hand and their personal preferences. One of the options the driver can select is 2WD mode with DSC deactivated, whereby torque is sent to the rear wheels only. This unlocks a driving experience of remarkable purity.

A development with roots in racing car design: pre-chamber combustion.

The 3.0-litre straight-six engine powering the new BMW M2 with M xDrive uses BMW M Ignite technology – a new pre-chamber combustion process patented by BMW. This innovation is an example of the successful transfer of technology from racing cars to production models and will be introduced into all straight-six engines from BMW M as of mid-2026 production. The pre-chamber combustion process significantly reduces fuel consumption under high loads. At the same time, this new engine technology helps to meet the requirements of the EU7 standard. As before, the engine in the BMW M2 with M xDrive offers the performance characteristics for which M models are renowned, such as instantaneous response and linear power development into the higher reaches of the rev range. And this spirited power delivery is accompanied by an emotionally stirring soundtrack. The lower fuel consumption under high loads brought about by BMW M Ignite technology will be particularly appreciated by customers who like to use their car on track days, allowing them to keep lapping for longer with the same amount of fuel.

The BMW M2 with M xDrive is fitted as standard with an M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, which ensures the engine’s power is harnessed to maximum dynamic effect. Standard-fit M light-alloy wheels (19-inch at the front axle, 20-inch at the rear) transfer the power onto the road surface. 

Optimum stopping power on road and track is provided by M Compound brakes with six-piston fixed callipers at the front and single-piston callipers at the rear.

The combination of the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system and Active M Differential gives the new BMW M2 with M xDrive further improved sprinting power. Indeed, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds, 0.3 seconds faster than its sister model with pure rear-wheel drive. The figure recorded using the “one-foot rollout” method¹ is 3.4 seconds. The BMW M2 with M xDrive reaches the 200 km/h mark from rest in 12.8 seconds – or 12.5 seconds with the “one-foot rollout” method. The sprint from 80 to 120 km/h is covered in 3.7 seconds. The M2 with M xDrive has a limited top speed of 250 km/h, rising to 285 km/h if the optional M Driver’s Package is specified.

BMW Individual Borusan Turkish Blue is available for a BMW M2 model for the first time.

The selection of exterior colours customers can choose from includes five metallic and three solid variants, plus six options from the BMW Individual range. For example, the BMW Individual Borusan Turkish Blue special paint finish will be available for a M2 for the first time, accentuating the visually expressive exterior design of the BMW M2 with M xDrive to particularly striking effect. 

The BMW M2: a successful model, built in Mexico.

The BMW M2 Coupé (fuel consumption, combined: 10.2 – 9.7 l/100 km, CO₂ emissions, combined: 230 – 221 g/km according to WLTP)* was the biggest-selling high-performance model from BMW M GmbH in 2025. The new BMW M2 with M xDrive – like the other M2 models – will be built at BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí in Mexico. Production will begin in August 2026. 

Alexander Karajlovic, Vice President for Development at BMW M GmbH, says: “The new BMW M2 with M xDrive opens the next chapter in the story of an icon. It breaks new ground in blending the strong, uncompromising character of the BMW M2 compact high-performance sports car with the superior traction and precision of M xDrive for the first time. This fundamentally upgraded car lays down the performance generated by its straight-six engine with even greater poise and assurance, and adds maximum control, stability and acceleration in any conditions to its dynamic repertoire. Like its stablemates, the BMW M2 with M xDrive is therefore very much a driver’s car, but it also elevates its high-performance abilities to a new level and redefines sporting prowess in the compact M segment.”

Midrand. BMW Group South Africa has concluded its participation in the Simola Hillclimb in Knysna for 2026, one of South Africa’s leading motorsport events and a globally recognised platform for performance and engineering excellence.

Since its inception in 2009, the Simola Hillclimb has established itself as a benchmark motorsport event. The 1.9-kilometre course continues to test the limits of driver skill and vehicle capability, attracting leading manufacturers, professional drivers and international attention.

BMW Group South Africa fielded a four-driver line-up comprising BMW Motorsport Works driver Jens Klingmann (BMW M5 Sedan), Cristiano Verolini (BMW M4 Coupé), Leyton Fourie (BMW M2 Coupé) and Ronaldo Verolini (MINI JCW). Fourie and Verolini claimed class honours in the A3 and A4 categories of the King of the Hill competition, respectively, with times of 45.931 seconds and 44.505 seconds.

The selection of high-performance BMW M models and a MINI JCW delivered strong performances across the weekend, demonstrating the precision, control and engineering excellence synonymous with the brands.

BMW Group South Africa CEO, Peter van Binsbergen says: “The Simola Hillclimb continues to be an important platform for BMW Group South Africa. It allows us to demonstrate what our vehicles are capable of in a highly competitive environment, while connecting with a passionate motorsport community.

“To secure two class wins this year is another strong result for the team. It reflects the capability of our performance vehicles, as well as the focus, discipline and collaboration behind the scenes to deliver performance at this level.”

The nature of Hillclimbing demands precision, control and trust between driver and machine. These attributes remain central to BMW’s engineering philosophy, where performance and innovation are continuously developed to deliver a premium driving experience.

Alongside BMW, MINI continues to contribute to this performance-driven ethos through its own unique expression of driving excitement and brand character.

Beyond competition, the Simola Hillclimb continues to play a role in positioning South Africa as a competitive destination for international motorsport, showcasing local capability and industry expertise.

BMW Group South Africa remains committed to supporting platforms that showcase performance, innovation and the continued development of the automotive sector.

Midrand. BMW Group South Africa is participating in the Simola Hillclimb in Knysna, one of South Africa’s leading motorsport events and a globally recognised platform for performance and engineering excellence.

Since its inception in 2009, the event has developed into a benchmark motorsport platform. A 1.9-kilometre public road is transformed into a competitive course that attracts leading manufacturers, professional drivers and international attention.

Events such as the Simola Hillclimb provide BMW Group South Africa with an opportunity to demonstrate its focus on performance, innovation and premium driving dynamics, while engaging with customers and enthusiasts in a high-performance environment.

BMW Group South Africa will field a four-driver line-up comprising Jens Klingmann, Cristiano Verolini, Leyton Fourie and Ronaldo Verolini.

The team will compete in a selection of high-performance BMW M models – the BMW M5 Sedan, BMW M4 Coupé and the BMW M2 Coupé RR Edition, which will enjoy its public debut at the event. Along with MINI’s JCW, each is engineered to deliver exceptional power, control and driving precision.

The vehicles will feature bespoke race liveries developed specifically for the 2026 Simola Hillclimb, reflecting BMW and MINI’s performance heritage and contemporary design language. Shell’s global partnership with BMW M is reflected in the branding on the BMW M5 Sedan, while DHL logos will be visible on the BMW M4 Coupé. For the second time running, bp and Castrol will sponsor the MINI JCW.

Peter van Binsbergen, BMW Group South Africa CEO, says:

"Events like the Simola Hillclimb are important to us because they reflect the same principles that guide us as a business, a commitment to performance, precision and continuous progress. Last year we came within reach of an overall win, and that experience has only sharpened our focus. This year, we're here to finish the job. Beyond the competition, this event creates a unique space to connect with customers and enthusiasts who share our passion for driving, and that energy is something we genuinely value."

The nature of Hillclimb racing demands precision, control and trust between driver and machine. These attributes align closely with BMW’s approach to engineering, where performance and innovation are continuously developed to deliver a premium driving experience.

The Simola Hillclimb also contributes to positioning South Africa as a competitive destination for international motorsport, highlighting local capability and industry expertise.

BMW Group South Africa remains committed to supporting platforms that showcase performance, innovation and the continued development of the automotive sector.

BMW M holds a special place in South Africa – not only as a performance icon, but as a market leader across both two and four wheels. For the first time, BMW South Africa and BMW Motorrad South Africa have teamed up to develop twin editions that show off their family connections. The collaboration sees both brands introduce special editions of their high-performance models, enhanced with additional M character, strong personalisation and offered only in South Africa.

The BMW M2 Coupé RR Edition and BMW M 1000 RR M2 Edition (along with the BMW S 1000 RR M2 Edition) are available to order exclusively in South Africa. The 10 BMW M2 Coupe RR Editions and BMW M 1000 RR / S 1000 RR M2 Editions are distinguished by black paintwork with striking red accents, alongside distinct BMW M branding (where applicable). 

The BMW S 1000 RR M2 Edition and BMW M 1000 RR M2 Edition

South Africa’s best-selling sports motorcycle, the BMW S 1000 RR gains distinct red accents to set it apart from standard S 1000 RRs. All units of the BMW S 1000 RR M2 Edition are finished in Black Storm Metallic with red accents on the front fairing and the passenger seat cover. It gains a tinted windscreen, M-embossed seat and red-accented Design Option Wheels.

Based on the pinnacle of BMW sports motorcycles, the M 1000 RR M2 Edition finished in Black Storm Metallic features red accents on its distinctive M carbon wheel rims, on the fuel tank, front fairings. The distinctive front M winglets bear the RR insignia in a striking red finish.

Both BMW S 1000 RR M2 Edition and BMW M 1000 RR M2 Editions see the distinctive RR logos on their front side fairings finished in bright red. Similarly, they are both offered with Akrapovič exhaust systems. Both are technically identical to the BMW S 1000 RR and BMW M 1000 RR models on which they are based.

Available immediately, the BMW S 1000 RR M2 Edition is R406,950.00, while the BMW M 1000 RR M2 Edition costs R882,100.00. For more information, please visit bmw-motorrad.co.za. 

BMW M2 Coupé RR Edition

Mechanically, the BMW M2 Coupé RR Edition is identical to the current BMW M2 Coupé with its signature 353-kW high-revving six-cylinder in-line petrol engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology.

It is, however, distinguished by its Black Sapphire Metallic paintwork, M Performance suspension (with red springs) lower by 20mm, and M Performance wheels with a Jet Black finish. Dimensions are 20-inch at the front axle, and 21-inch at the rear. Aerodynamic ability is bolstered by front and rear splitters painted black with red inserts. At the rear, two spoilers adorn the BMW M2 Coupé RR Edition: a roof spoiler finished in black, and a flowthrough boot spoiler finished in black with a red stripe as accent. A specially customised Akrapovič exhaust has been developed for this Edition.

In the cabin, the seats are black with red bolsters and red contrast stitching, inspired by the steering wheel’s red centre marker in the 12 o’clock position and two M buttons for selecting individually configured vehicle setups. Another distinguishing feature on all RR Editions is the standard sunroof, which is only available for this Edition.

Five six-speed manual, and five eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic units will be offered once the models become available in the fourth quarter of 2026. Final pricing will be determined at launch.  

For more information, and to register your interest, please visit bmw.co.za/RRedition.

Munich. BMW M Performance Parts have always made a clear statement about future-forward technology, sporty, dynamic looks and uncompromising quality. The entry-level vehicle to the world of high-performance BMW M automobiles, the BMW M2, will as of July 2026 benefit from the availability of an M Performance Track Kit that is specifically geared towards use on track days. The BMW M2 CS is the exclusive special model from BMW M in this class, marked by even sharper handling and unique design characteristics. Using the M Performance exhaust system, the looks and sound of this specific model can now be taken to a new level. 

M Performance Track Kit: road-legal top performance.
Track days are becoming an increasingly popular pastime for drivers with sporting ambitions. They relish the chance to enhance their performance on a closed track and to explore the dynamic capabilities of their BMW M. Track days are all about the thrill of driving, about vehicle control and the experience of performance. In addition, track days promote a sense of community by bringing like-minded people together to share their passion for motorsport and BMW M automobiles. To push the boundaries even further towards pro racing at these sporting events, an M Performance Track Kit will become available for the BMW M2. It enables the base vehicle to deliver even sharper handling and performance on the race track.

The M Performance Track Kit includes a manually adjustable front splitter that can be deployed for use on the track. It forms a single unit with the front diffuser. This feature is complemented by wheel arch diffusers, which are not adjustable, and a scoop under the upstream engine oil cooler. The front splitter/diffuser significantly increases downforce, with aero flicks adding even more grip. Added to this is a manually adjustable swan neck rear wing, as used on the BMW M4 GT4 and BMW M4 GT3 customer sport models. It features a unique “Race Mode” in which the rear wing is moved by 50 millimetres toward the rear, significantly increasing the wing’s aerodynamic effectiveness. The rear wing’s angle of attack can also be varied, with two settings available to maximise downforce on the rear axle depending on the characteristics of the track. Another eye-catching, unique feature is the brake light integrated into the rear wing.

Other elements include a threaded chassis with four-way adjustable rebound and compression damping, adjustable support bearings and the first special motorsport damper system to also be road-legal. In addition, the chassis can be lowered by up to 20 millimetres at the front and rear. The height adjustment is infinitely variable.

The Track Kit’s components were developed in collaboration with BMW M specialists, who can draw on expertise built up in the course of countless races and victories. All components were aerodynamically optimised in the BMW wind tunnel. Jörg Weidinger – who is both a record driver and BMW M test engineer responsible for chassis development – was in charge of overall fine-tuning. The components all interact in a unique way, especially when combined with the optional ultra-track tyres. It’s a truly special achievement that requires the exceptional know-how of a carmaker like BMW.

The M Performance Track Kit will be available to order from July 2026 and cost 23,500 euros (ex VAT) for South African enthusiasts. The kit will be available to order from BMW retailers and indicative prices exclude installation.

Acoustics and visuals: from the race track to the road.

The M Performance exhaust system for the new BMW M2 CS is now available as an additional, particularly appealing customisation option. Its optimised exhaust gas routing enhances the distinctive sound of the 390 kW six-cylinder in‑line engine with BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology. Setup provides access to several modes that fine-tune the exhaust system’s performance. All of them generate an exhilarating, exceptionally sporty engine sound. Visually, too, the new exhaust system reflects the expertise BMW M has gathered over five decades of motorsport involvement. The optional M Performance tailpipe trims are made of carbon and titanium, two materials that have proven themselves in motor racing. They lend the rear of the BMW M2 CS a distinctive, unmistakeable look. Motorsport affinity is also demonstrated by the consistent application of lightweight construction principles. The M Performance exhaust system is around 8 kilograms lighter than the standard component. 

Availability in South Africa of the M Performance exhaust system for the BMW M2 CS is subject to local homologation. 

Munich. BMW M’s high-performance vehicles will soon deliver the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ experience in electric form. From 2027, the BMW M Neue Klasse will usher in a new era in the high-performance vehicle segment and, for the first time, bring BMW M’s motto, “Born on the racetrack. Made for the streets. Core of a passionate community”, to life with a fully electric drivetrain. “The next generation of models are set to establish a new benchmark in the high-performance vehicle segment,” says Franciscus van Meel, Managing Director of BMW M GmbH. “With the latest generation of Neue Klasse technology, we are taking the BMW M driving experience to a new level and will inspire our customers with outstanding, racetrack-ready driving dynamics for everyday use.”

The future model generation embodies the DNA of the high-performance brand with authenticity and advances the distinct BMW M driving experience. The fully electric drivetrain redefines the brand’s dynamics, combining driving pleasure with racetrack capability in an unprecedented way. Long range, high charging performance thanks to 800-volt technology, and highly efficient energy recuperation make the BMW M Neue Klasse a versatile everyday companion. The newly developed architecture with centrally controlled individual wheel drive opens up a new dimension of driving dynamics and further increases the driving safety of all BMW M next-generation vehicles.

The significant gains in driving dynamics are also the result of the forward-looking central control and electronics architecture of the Neue Klasse. Four high-performance computers, known as “Superbrains,” unite computing power for driving dynamics (“Heart of Joy”), automated driving, infotainment, as well as basic and comfort functions. In addition to enhanced overall performance through accelerated data exchange, the next-generation BMW M models also benefit from faster updates and upgrades.

Innovative BMW M eDrive concept with fully integrated M Dynamic Performance Control.
The BMW M Neue Klasse has been developed from the ground up. At the core of the new architecture is BMW M eDrive, which is based on the BMW Gen6 technology of the Neue Klasse. Each wheel is driven by an electric motor. In combination with the M-specific control software of the ‘Heart of Joy’, the ‘BMW M Dynamic Performance Control’ unlocks completely new potentials in driving dynamics and safety for high-performance vehicles. Additionally, the system enables maximum recuperation and optimum traction right up to the limit, as well as a more direct response.

In all electric models of the BMW M Neue Klasse, two electric drive units on the front and rear axles, each with one electric motor per wheel, ensure driving performance expected from BMW M. Each of the four electric motors drives one wheel. This concept combines all the advantages of rear-wheel and all-wheel drive while enhancing driving dynamics on the road and racetrack. Additionally, the front axle can be completely decoupled. The result is BMW M’s renowned rear-wheel drive with its dynamic driving characteristics, enhanced efficiency, and increased range, for example, on longer motorway journeys. For the unmistakable BMW M driving experience and enhanced drivability, various predefined driving modes, simulated gear shifts, and a newly developed soundscape come into play. These are just a few examples of how BMW M channels pure emotion into the fully electric BMW M models, making it felt in every single drive.

The electric drive units of BMW M eDrive are characterised by high power density and are the most powerful drives BMW M has ever used. In both drive units, the electric motors are arranged in parallel, each delivering power to one gearbox per wheel. The drive units also integrate the inverter for controlling the electric motors and the oil supply. The system enables precise control of torque and power at each individual wheel, allowing for optimal traction, continuous torque distribution between the braking system and electric motors, as well as brake energy recuperation right up to the limit. The result is a driving experience in BMW M production vehicles that has never been achieved before.

Powerful high-voltage battery for high peak performance and faster charging.
The high-voltage battery, boasting over 100 kWh of usable energy as the powerhouse for the BMW M eDrive system, has also been specifically adapted to meet the demands of high-performance vehicles. The focus remains on compatibility with both road and racetrack use. This is achieved through a "Design to Power" approach, featuring a performance-optimised variant of the Gen6 cylindrical cell. Supporting this, the cooling system and the Energy Master — the highly intelligent control centre of the battery located outside the battery pack — have been optimised for higher power outputs. With BMW M specific solutions, the Gen6 high-voltage battery in the fully electric high-performance models delivers even greater peak and charging performance. Additionally, within the Gen6 technology, the Neue Klasse models offer the highest recuperation values. The high-voltage battery housing also serves as a structural component of the vehicle and is connected to the front and rear axles. The higher resulting stiffness in the overall vehicle also leads to improved driving dynamics.

Innovative lightweight design with first-time use of natural fibre elements.
Apart from innovations related to driving performance, high-tech will be also reflected by new and innovative materials. Lightweight construction has always played an important role in high-performance models. Therefore, BMW M will introduce for the very first-time natural fibre elements within the fully electric BMW M high-performance model line-up.

The brand gained significant experience in durability, production, and integration using natural fibre in motorsport since 2019. This material offers similar properties to carbon fibre but can be produced with around 40 per cent less CO₂e.

The highly anticipated BMW M5 Touring has arrived in South Africa! Pairing everyday useability with added adrenaline, the high-performance BMW M5 Touring impresses with its monolithic design and muscular body styling. Similarly, the interior features a driver focussed cabin with M specific displays echoing a race car atmosphere.   

Renier Beneke, General Manager for Sales and Distribution, BMW South Africa, said: “The BMW M5 Touring follows the successful market introduction of the BMW M5 Sedan in South Africa last year. First revealed at the popular BMW M Fest in October 2024, the Sedan was bestowed Performance Car of the Year honours (and placed third overall) in the 2025 Old Mutual Insure South African Car of the Year. The addition of the Touring derivative to our arsenal speaks to the overwhelming popularity of this model.”

The BMW M5 Touring shares its BMW M HYBRID V8 powertrain with the proven BMW M5 sedan. The third generation of the BMW M5 Touring combines a powerful V8 engine mated to a BMW eDrive motor to generate a system output of 535 kW and 1,000 Nm of torque. The electric system provides an all-electric range up to 70 km (WLTP) for the added benefit of local emission-free mobility.

Other performance highlights include M Drive Professional, which features Boost Control, M Laptimer and Track View, the M Drivers Package for a top speed of 305 km/h, and the M sport exhaust system. The Touring derivative rolls on M5-specific mixed 20- and 21-inch wheels and tyres.

In South Africa, BMW M5 Touring owners can look forward to the sensation of a newly designed M leather steering wheel and M multifunction seats as part of a comprehensive standard specification offer.  M carbon mirror caps, Panorama Glass Roof and rear sunblinds are standard additions compared with the Sedan. The only options on offer are the deletion of the model designation, a trailer tow hitch, M Carbon brakes and brake callipers finished in high gloss black.

Ten exterior colours, including the M5 range’s exclusive Isle of Man Green and Marina Bay Blue, and Storm Bay and Frozen Deep Grey from the BMW Individual palette, are offered. The cabin receives six upholstery possibilities and the option of either M Carbon Fibre or BMW Individual Fineline Dark Oak interior trims.

The recommended retail price for the BMW M5 Touring, including VAT and Motorplan, is R2,795,000.00.

The success story at the Nürburgring continues. With a time of 7:29.490 minutes, the BMW M3 CS Touring is the fastest Touring of all time on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. Following the impressive record set by the BMW M2 CS, which now holds the top spot in the compact category, the BMW M3 CS Touring is now another representative of the fastest production vehicles from BMW M GmbH in the mid-size category.

Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH, commented on this achievement: "From the very beginning, it was clear that the BMW M3 CS Touring would set new standards in dynamics. With a time under 7:30 minutes, this model impressively demonstrates that this vehicle concept perfectly combines racing DNA with everyday usability."

The ultimate "One Car Solution."
The time of 7:29.490 minutes marks a new benchmark for the Touring in the mid-size category and is also the fastest ever recorded lap time for a Touring body style on the 20.823-kilometer-long track in the "Green Hell". In April of this year, Jörg Weidinger, BMW M development engineer and seasoned record driver, first broke the 7:30-minute barrier with a Touring Car. The previous fastest time for a Touring, set by the BMW M3 Touring in 2022, was 7:35.060 minutes. 

The mid-size category is currently dominated by the latest models from the BMW M3 and M4 family. The BMW M4 CSL holds the fastest time at 7:18.137 minutes, followed by the BMW M4 CS at 7:21.989 minutes and the BMW M3 CS at 7:28.760 minutes. The new time of the BMW M3 CS Touring, just over a second behind, showcases the vehicle's extraordinary performance, reinforcing its reputation as the perfect "One Car Solution."

BMW M is at home on the Nürburgring.
The origin and heart of BMW M's success story at the Nürburgring is the BMW M Test Centre. With its professional infrastructure and perfect location, it serves as the starting point for the successful development of new vehicle projects and testing under demanding conditions. The partnership between BMW M and the Nürburgring, which has thrived for over 25 years, is a great success and is visible from afar through landmarks such as the BMW M Power Grandstand and the BMW M Bridge. Through the offerings of the local BMW M Driving Experience, enthusiasts can drive BMW M vehicles themselves under professional guidance through the "Green Hell." The redesigned BMW M Power Showroom in 2021 emphasises the significance of the Nürburgring as the home of BMW M.

The Nürburgring Nordschleife, known worldwide as one of the most challenging racetracks, serves as a proving ground for drivers and vehicles. Spanning 20.832 kilometres and featuring over 70 corners, it demands the highest performance and driving dynamics. Lap times are a benchmark for a vehicle's sporting capabilities, with record runs monitored by a neutral testing organisation to ensure compliance with production standards.

The Nürburgring plays a crucial role for BMW M not only in development and testing but also in motorsport. BMW M vehicles have achieved numerous successes, including 21 overall victories at the 24-hour race. This year, ROWE Racing secured the latest victory. After a challenging start to the weekend, the team raced from 17th position. Kelvin van der Linde (RSA), Augusto Farfus (BRA), Jesse Krohn (FIN), and Raffaele Marciello (SUI) delivered an outstanding comeback to clinch victory for BMW M Motorsport.

The first-ever BMW M3 CS Touring: Maximum performance, typical M feeling, and absolute everyday usability.
The BMW M3 CS Touring combines unprecedented performance with maximum everyday usability, expanding the BMW M GmbH lineup with another special edition model in the high-performance sports car segment, now available for the first time as a Touring Car. The 405 kW six-cylinder in-line engine propels the vehicle from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds, reaching a top speed of 300 km/h. The vehicle features specially designed engine mounting and an M-specific exhaust system that delivers an emotionally charged driving sound. Power is transmitted through an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission including Drivelogic and the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system, ensuring ultra-dynamic driving characteristics and supreme traction. The chassis technology is precisely tuned, with settings for the DSC stability control and M Dynamic Mode optimised for high-performance track use. The standard M Compound braking system guarantees powerful deceleration, while an optional M Carbon-ceramic brake system is available. The interior merges a performance-oriented sports car cockpit with digital technology, exclusive design features, and a versatile interior that expands storage capacity below the high-opening tailgate from 500 to 1,510 litres.

The first-ever BMW M3 CS Touring will be available in South Africa from 2026. 

Munich. Two becomes one: the BMW XM portfolio is sharpening its focus, now offering just one model in South Africa.The BMW XM Label range-topper (WLTP combined (EnVKV): energy consumption 33.7 kWh/100 km and 2.3 l/100 km; fuel consumption with discharged battery: 12.8 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions: 53 g/km; CO₂ class with discharged battery/combined: G/B; maximum electric range 76 km)* is now the only model to come with an electrified V8 engine. 

The BMW XM Label combines immense power and an advanced drive concept. Its M HYBRID system consists of a V8 with a peak output of 430 kW and an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission delivering up to 145 kW. With a system output of 550 kW and combined torque of 1,000 Nm, the BMW XM Label is the most powerful BMW M production model ever. It takes just 3.8 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h and has an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. The M Driver’s Package increases this limit to 290 km/h, and is standard on all units sold in South Africa. With its exhilarating performance and uncompromisingly extravagant design, the BMW XM Label enjoys maximum exclusivity in the luxury segment. The most powerful BMW of all time sets new standards with its extrovert design while demonstrating why BMW M stands for “The Ultimate Driving Machine”. 

New equipment options, increased charging rate.

The BMW XM Label now offers additional options for customising the exterior and interior. Newly available, for example, is the optional BMW Individual Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic exterior colour, which highlights the model’s unique character. The BMW M kidney grille complete with accent line can be ordered in high-gloss Black. A new Welcome Light Animation makes the BMW XM Label look particularly impressive after dark. A new wheel option comes in the shape of the 23-inch M light alloy wheels style 1096 M in Black. 

BMW Individual Night Blue Merino Leather with exclusive elements is available as a new option for a particularly extravagant interior ambience. Other new colour combinations for the interior of the BMW XM Label include BMW Individual Black Merino leather with exclusive elements and Vintage Coffee Brown interior surfaces as well as BMW Individual Silverstone Merino leather with Black interior surfaces. The high-quality comfort cushions matching the colour of the seat surfaces now come as standard for all BMW Individual leather merino upholstery. The charging rate of the BMW XM Label increases as well: the M HYBRID system’s Combined Charging Unit now enables AC charging at up to 11 kW.

The upgraded BMW XM Label will be unveiled on 14 June 2025 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. BMW M Motorsport will be competing on the legendary French circuit with the BMW M Hybrid V8 in the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC).

The new BMW M2 CS further raises the bar for sheer driving pleasure at the premium end of the compact high-performance sports car segment. Outstanding agility, a significant increase in power output, supreme dynamics and particularly sporty design characteristics make driving the latest exclusive special-edition model from BMW M GmbH an enthralling experience. The new BMW M2 CS is the next chapter in an emphatic success story, which began with the iconic BMW 2002 turbo and continued with the BMW 1 Series M Coupé and the first BMW M2 – including the first CS variant, which was unveiled in 2019. BMW M GmbH offered a first glimpse of the exterior design of the BMW M2 CS on 23 May, as part of the unique Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este event on the shores of Lake Como.

The new version of this special edition offers the ultimate in driving pleasure – both as a track tool and in day-to-day use. Like the BMW M2 Racing, which is based on the chassis from the latest-generation M2, the BMW M2 CS will be manufactured at BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí in Mexico. As has become familiar with other special-edition models from BMW M GmbH, the BMW M2 CS will be produced in limited numbers. 

The new BMW M2 CS is based on the second generation of the BMW M2 and significantly improves what is already an extraordinary level of performance. For example, the high-revving six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology develops an impressive 390 kW in the BMW M2 CS. That is 37 kW more than in the current BMW M2. As such, the BMW M2 CS matches the performance of the BMW M3 Competition Sedan with M xDrive and the BMW M4 Competition Coupé with M xDrive. The BMW M2 CS sends its power to the rear wheels via the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, which comes as standard.

Noticeable weight reduction thanks to intelligent lightweight design

BMW M GmbH has reduced the weight of the special edition by roughly 30 kilogram compared to the standard M2. This has been achieved through modifications including judicious use of lightweight design techniques. For example, the BMW M2 CS features a multitude of exterior and interior components made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP). And it will be fitted as standard with forged M light-alloy wheels. As a result, the CS will be the lightest BMW M2 so far in the current generation.

Upgraded six-cylinder in-line engine with significant increase in power output and torque

For the BMW M2 CS, BMW M GmbH has opted for an upgraded version of the 3.0-litre, six-cylinder in-line engine found in the standard M2. This intensifies the performance experience in the special edition, particularly in highly dynamic driving situations. It further sharpens the engine’s unmistakable power characteristics and perfectly accentuates the linear power delivery – sustained into the higher reaches of the rev range – familiar from M models. Compared to the BMW M2 with standard eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, maximum torque has been raised by 50 Nm to 650 Nm and is available across a broad rev range – between 2,650 and 5,730 rpm. The engine produces its maximum power output of 390 kW at 6,250 rpm, with the engine speed topping out at 7,200 rpm. In order to allow extremely rapid reactions to the driver’s requests for acceleration and to make the improved performance characteristics of the engine a particularly intense experience, the accelerator mapping and response have been optimised in all the drive modes, which are selectable via the M Setup menu.

Racing expertise delivers inspiring performance

With its improved peak performance, the new BMW M2 CS is consolidating its claim to top spot in the compact high-performance segment. This performance specification is achieved by modifying the engine management and provides further proof of the outstanding potential of the six-cylinder in-line engine developed by BMW M GmbH, which also serves as the basis for the power unit used in the BMW M4 GT3 EVO racing car. The engine’s M TwinPower Turbo technology comprises a pair of mono-scroll turbochargers, which each supply three cylinders with compressed air, an indirect intercooler supplied by a low-temperature circuit, and an electronically controlled wastegate. The technology package also includes High Precision Injection, which operates with maximum pressure of 350 bar, VALVETRONIC variable valve timing and Double-VANOS fully variable camshaft timing. The engine also has an array of details borrowed directly from racing car design, including its lightning-fast response, appetite for revs and high-performance capability in track use. These details include an extremely rigid crankcase with a sleeve-free, closed-deck construction, a forged crankshaft with lightweight design, cylinder bores with a wire-arc sprayed iron coating and a 3D-printed core for the cylinder head.

The M-specific cooling system ensures the powertrain components maintain an optimal operating temperature even under heavy loads and the oil circuit is designed to handle extreme dynamic driving situations. A map-controlled oil pump ensures reliable oil supply even under extreme acceleration.

The engine sends its drive power through an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic as standard. The Drivelogic button integrated into the selector lever makes it possible to alter the transmission’s shift characteristics, with a choice of three clearly distinguishable settings. Both the selector lever in the latest M design and the gearshift paddles on the steering wheel enable sequential interventions in the gear selection process at any time.

BMW M2 CS breaks the four-second barrier

A model-specific engine mounting with a higher spring rate makes for a particularly rigid connection of the drive unit to the structure of the BMW M2 CS. The extremely direct transmission of power to the drivetrain optimises response. Thanks to the lightning-fast power delivery, in combination with the increased engine power and the car’s lighter weight, the BMW M2 CS is able to break the four-second barrier for the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h. It’s time of 3.8 seconds is 0.2 seconds faster than for the standard M2. The figure calculated using the “1-foot rollout” method** is 3.5 seconds. The increase in power also enhances acceleration from rest to 200 km/h. The time required here is reduced by 1.2 seconds to 11.7 seconds – or 11.4 seconds according to the “1‑foot rollout” method**. The mid-range sprint from 80 to 120 km/h takes 3.4 seconds. The top speed of the special-edition model, which comes with the M Driver’s Package as standard, is electronically limited to 302 km/h. The dynamic power delivery is backed by an emotionally rich engine note conjured by the M-specific exhaust system with electrically controlled flaps and the four exhaust pipes typical of M, which come in matte black on the BMW M2 CS. For those wishing to retrofit their car, the M Performance silencer system with carbon and titanium tailpipe trims developed specifically for CS models is available for the first time in the range of M Performance Parts for the BMW M2 CS. The lightweight valve exhaust system with titanium mufflers generates a racing-car sound guaranteed to stir the emotions. The Active Sound Design helps to convey the engine’s soundtrack authentically inside the cabin, with the intensity raised another notch when SPORT or SPORT PLUS mode is selected using the Driving Experience Control switch.

Chassis and brakes optimised for increased performance

The chassis technology and braking system in the BMW M2 CS are precisely tailored to the improved performance characteristics of the engine and the specific weight balance of the special edition. The chassis has been lowered by eight millimetres and adapted specially for the car with bespoke tuning for its springs, dampers and chassis control systems. These modifications improve driving dynamics significantly in all scenarios – including under extremely hard driving. Indeed, the settings for the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and M Dynamic Mode have been optimised precisely to meet the demands of driving on the race track. The standard adaptive M chassis has been given a carefully adapted model-specific setup, as have the M Servotronic steering, M Sport differential and the integrated braking system. An M Compound braking system with red brake callipers, which comes as standard, provides powerful retardation. An M Carbon ceramic brake system with red brake callipers is available as an option. Standard equipment also includes CS-exclusive forged M light-alloy wheels with a double-spoke design and matte Gold Bronze finish. They measure 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear axle and are fitted as standard with track tyres, the dimensions of which are 275/35 ZR19 at the front and 285/30 ZR20 at the rear. An ultra-track tyre and a standard sport tyre (a no-cost option) in the same dimensions are available on request.

Exterior features many carbon components and exclusive details

The punchy exterior of the BMW M2 CS is shaped by many components made of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and other exclusive details. As well as the M exterior mirror caps familiar from the BMW M2, the M Carbon roof – which comes as standard on the special-edition model – and CS-specific rear diffuser are also made from eye-catching exposed carbon fibre. A front splitter in matte black and an exclusive black BMW M kidney grille with optimised air inlets complete the sporty and dynamic look. The lightweight CFRP boot lid with integrated ducktail is a real head-turner. The “M2 CS” logo on the rear has a red outline. Four colours are available for the exterior finish of the new BMW M2 CS: Sapphire Black metallic, BMW Individual Velvet Blue metallic, M Brooklyn Grey metallic and M Portimao Blue metallic. Adaptive LED Headlights with BMW Selective Beam non-dazzling High Beam Assistant and M lights Shadowline with dark inlays are also standard.

Carbon and racing flair continue inside

The interior of the new BMW M2 CS combines an exclusive look with the sporty feel of exquisite Alcantara and innovative lightweight design. For example, the centre console is made of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP). The driver and passenger take their places in weight-optimised, heated M Carbon bucket seats with a wide range of electrically controlled settings and an illuminated “CS” logo. The integrated head restraints are removable and, thanks to the option of integrating multi-point harnesses, improve the car’s track readiness. The surfaces of the seats are finished in Merino leather.

With a flat-bottomed rim, gearshift paddles, a red centre marker at 12 o’clock and two M buttons for selecting individually configured vehicle setups, the standard M Alcantara steering wheel – which is available in a heated version as an option and features a three-spoke design – brings authentic racing flair to the cockpit. The trim elements in the instrument panel and centre console come in M Carbon Fibre. Additional specific details include the red “CS” logo on the centre console, the M seatbelts and the entry door sill plates, which are black with an “M2 CS” logo and red outline for the first time. Now illuminated with the “CS” logo, the door trim panels certainly grab the attention. The colour used here can be set individually, likewise the standard ambient lighting. When switched off, a carbon structure is visible. Rounding off the sporty interior is the M Anthracite headlining.

BMW Operating System 8.5, digital control for the climate functions

Standard equipment in the new BMW M2 CS also includes two-zone automatic climate control, comfort access, the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System and BMW Live Cockpit Professional, including the BMW Maps navigation system. As well as the BMW Head-Up Display, it also includes Augmented View on the control display. The standard smartphone integration allows the use of Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. The M-specific displays on the BMW Curved Display and BMW Head-Up Display add to the progressive sports car flair in the cockpit. The fully-digital display grouping consists of a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display. These serve as a platform for the BMW iDrive control and operation system, based on BMW Operating System 8.5, which can also be used to digitally operate the climate control functions. In the BMW M2 CS, temperature and ventilation settings, heated seats and the heated steering wheel (if specified) can be controlled either by touch using a special menu option in the lower area of the control display or by voice command with the help of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.

M-specific operating concept enables direct access for an extensive range of functions

The special-edition model carries over the cutting-edge operating concept for setup customisation from the BMW M2. At the heart is the Setup button on the centre console. This provides direct access to the settings options for the engine, standard adaptive M suspension, M Servotronic steering, integrated braking system working in conjunction with the M Compound brakes, and the M Traction Control function, which allows drivers to set individual intervention thresholds for wheel slip limitation. M Drive Professional makes an ideal companion for journeys fuelled by extra adrenaline. The M mode TRACK and the ten-stage M Traction Control allow customised handling characteristics. The M Drift Analyser shows the angle and duration of drifts executed by the driver, while the M Laptimer is ideal for those striving for the perfect lap.

Semi-automated driving and parking systems fitted as standard include front collision warning, Cruise Control with brake function, Speed Limit Info function with no-overtaking indicator, Lane Departure Warning, and the Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant. Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function and the Driving Assistant can be added as optional equipment.

The new BMW M2 CS will be available in South Africa from the second quarter of 2026.

Midrand. BMW Group South Africa is proud to announce the BMW X3 has been named the 2025 South African Car of the Year (COTY). This recognition highlights the strength of the locally produced BMW X3 and the ongoing momentum of the BMW Group’s premium product portfolio.

Now in its 39th year, the South African Car of the Year Awards are hosted by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) and sponsored by Old Mutual Insure. The awards recognise vehicles that set new benchmarks across key segments, with additional honours including the Jurors’ Choice Award and the Motor Enthusiast’s Choice.

Local hero

Produced at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn since October 2024, the BMW X3 continues to play a strategic role in both local and global markets. With both plug-in hybrid and internal combustion variants manufactured at the plant, the BMW X3 reflects BMW Group’s commitment to powertrain flexibility, production excellence and sustainable innovation. It also represents BMW Group Plant Rosslyn’s continued evolution, supported by the reintroduction of a third production shift to meet growing global demand.

In addition to the BMW X3, the BMW 5 Series Sedan and BMW M5 were also recognised at this year’s Car of the Year Awards. The BMW 5 Series was named the Executive category winner, while the BMW M5 was awarded the Performance category win, Juror’s Choice
Award, as well as third place overall.

“We are honoured to see the BMW X3 recognised as this year’s Car of the Year,” said Danny Bester, Director of BMW Group Plant Rosslyn. “This award recognises the legacy of excellence built into our operations in Plant Rosslyn, as well as the dedication of our associates to world-class production.”

Peter van Binsbergen, CEO of BMW Group South Africa: “Our amazing achievements in the 2025 Car of the Year competition reflect the commitment of our teams at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn and across BMW Group South Africa, as well as the trust our customers place in our brand. The overall Car of the Year win for the locally-produced BMW X3, as well as strong performances by the BMW M5 and 5 Series reinforce our efforts to remain focussed on delivering quality products that resonate with South Africans and to continue striving for engineering excellence.”

BMW holds the record with the most South African Car of the Year winners, dating back to 1988.

The latest accolades join a growing list of honours for BMW Group South Africa in 2025, including:

2025 CAR Magazine Top 12 Best Buys Awards

• Luxury Car: BMW 7 Series
• Premium Midsize SUV: BMW X3

2025 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards

• Premium Crossover: MINI Countryman S ALL4
• Executive SUV: BMW X3 30e xDrive M Sport
• Premium SUV: BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport
• Performance Car: BMW M2 Auto
• Electric Vehicle: MINI Countryman SE ALL4

The #46 is now 46 – and BMW M has the perfect present to mark the birthday of nine-time motorcycle world champion and current BMW M works driver Valentino Rossi (ITA): the BMW M4 CS Edition VR46. This exclusive edition, produced at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, is available in two distinctive design variants: Sport and Style. “The Doctor” himself was personally involved in the design process for the two versions, both of which will be built in a limited run of 46 cars. The world-famous number, which is Rossi’s trademark, features prominently in several places on and inside the BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 – for example, on the doors and the roof, which is made of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP).

Purchasing a BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 also comes with a once-in-a-lifetime experience comprising an exclusive, personal meeting with Valentino Rossi at his home – the VR46 Motor Ranch in Tavullia (ITA) – and a BMW M Driving Experience at the Misano race circuit (ITA).

"There is no other brand that has motorsport so deeply rooted in its DNA as BMW M. I am proud to be a BMW M works driver, and to share this passion. The fact that there is now a special VR46 edition, in which I was involved from the very beginning of the design process, makes me proud. When I see the BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 out on the road or on the race track later, it will be very cool,” says Valentino Rossi about the edition and the collaboration with BMW M.

Exclusive BMW Individual paint finishes and special exterior and interior details
One way in which the BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 differs from the BMW M4 CS is its two exclusive BMW Individual paint finishes, which blend perfectly with the many exposed carbon surfaces, such as the indents in the bonnet. Other distinctive features include a host of exclusive exterior and interior details. The overall colour concept of the two design versions is inspired by Valentino Rossi’s preferred tones and expressive visual style. For example, the “Sport” has a finish in Marina Bay Blue metallic, while both sides of the car display an outsized “46” in the darker Tanzanite Blue metallic. In the “Style” design variant, the bodywork comes in matt Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic, with the “46” this time in Frozen Marina Bay Blue metallic on both sides. In a nod to Rossi's favoured colour scheme, the BMW M kidney grille outline and one of the V spokes in the forged M light-alloy wheels – which, as on racing cars, indicates the position of the tyre valve – are painted in bright yellow, as are the brake callipers with M logo and an accent strip over the door frames of the “Sport” variant. The carbon-fibre roof – like the sides of the car, painted by hand – is adorned with a large VR46 logo (also in yellow, of course) and Rossi’s signature. The tailgate features VR46 lettering.

The yellow accents continue in the interior of the BMW M4 CS Edition VR46, which is predominantly Night Blue. The M Carbon bucket seats come with Merino leather upholstery in the Black/Night Blue colour combination. The Sao Paulo Yellow of the Alcantara shoulder area creates an exclusive contrast. The head restraints, like the door sill trims, feature a prominent yellow VR46 logo. Furthermore, the M Alcantara steering wheel with three-spoke design and flat-bottomed rim comes with yellow contrast stitching and a yellow centre marker. On the carbon-fibre centre console of all examples of the Edition VR46 is a badge stating “1/46”, identifying each Sport or Style car as one of the limited run.

Ten BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 units will make their way to South African customers. They will be available locally from the third quarter of 2025. 

Six-cylinder in-line engine with 405 kW
The beating heart of the BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 is a high-revving 3.0-litre, six‑cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology. This power unit has had track performance as its raison d’être from day one of its development. The increase in the maximum charge pressure of the two mono-scroll turbochargers to 2.1 bar and model-specific tweaks to the engine management mean the edition model’s engine now generates 405 kW, which is relayed to the road via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, the M xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system and the Active M Differential. Lightning-fast power development and optimised traction enable the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, and from 0 to 200 km/h in 11.1 seconds. When applying the “1-foot rollout” method*, the figures read 3.1 seconds for the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h and 10.8 seconds for 0 to 200 km/h. Acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h takes 2.6 seconds in fourth gear and 3.3 seconds in fifth. The top speed of the edition model, which comes with the M Driver’s Package as standard, is electronically limited to 302 km/h.

Contributing to the excellent engine response is a model-specific engine mounting with increased spring rates. The rigid connection between the power unit and the vehicle’s structure enables particularly direct transmission of its power to the drivetrain every time the driver presses the accelerator. The oil supply system – like the cooling system – is designed to handle the specific challenges of track use, including consistently high revs and extreme lateral acceleration. The engine’s power delivery is accompanied by the emotionally stirring soundtrack generated by the dual-branch exhaust system, which features electrically controlled flaps, a titanium rear silencer with weight-minimising design and – in customary M fashion – two pairs of tailpipes painted in matt black.

Model-specific tuning for chassis technology and control systems
The chassis technology for the new BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 has been tuned precisely to the performance characteristics of the engine, the overall vehicle concept and its weight distribution. The individually tuned axle kinematics and bespoke wheel camber settings, dampers, auxiliary springs and anti-roll bars serve to optimise steering precision, transmission of lateral control forces when cornering, spring and damping response, and wheel location. The electronically controlled dampers of the adaptive M suspension likewise come in a model-specific set-up, as do the electromechanical M Servotronic steering with variable ratio, and the integrated braking system.

46 – the trademark of an exceptional racer
The number 46 has accompanied Valentino Rossi throughout his extraordinary career as a motorcycle racer and racing driver, and has become even more of a trademark than his nickname “The Doctor” or “Il Dottore”. Having seen his father Graziano Rossi race motorcycles with number 46, Valentino also opted for 46 from the start of his career – and never even swapped it for number 1 when he became world champion, as would have been his right.

Valentino Rossi claimed his first world title in the 125cc class in 1997. Two years later, he added the title in the 250cc class. In 2000, he took the step up to what was the top Grand Prix category, the 500cc class, in which he was crowned world champion in 2001. The following year, this category was replaced by the MotoGP class, and Rossi remained the dominant force. By 2005 he had added a further four world titles, and numbers eight and nine were to follow in 2008 and 2009. With these nine world championships and no fewer than 115 Grand Prix victories to his name, he is one of the three most successful motorcycle racers in history and a global motor sport and style icon. VR46 has become a worldwide trademark – and Rossi’s home town of Tavullia has even reduced its speed limit from the usual 50 km/h to 46 km/h in his honour.

BMW M works driver since the start of 2023
When the curtain fell on his motorcycle career at the finale to the 2021 season, Valentino Rossi turned his attention solely to car racing, having already attended multiple tests in Formula 1 race cars and made guest appearances in rallies and endurance races. Since the start of the 2023 season, he has been a BMW M works driver, plying his trade at the wheel of a BMW M4 GT3 for BMW M Team WRT in series including the GT World Challenge Europe and the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) – which includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA). At the start of February 2025, he finished runner-up in a BMW M4 GT3 at the Bathurst 12 Hour (AUS), the opening round of this season’s Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC).

Exclusive meeting with Valentino Rossi in Italy
An exclusive bonus that comes with purchasing a BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 is the opportunity to enjoy a very special two-day experience in Italy. Day one features a visit to the VR46 Motor Ranch in Tavullia, including a barbecue and a chance to talk shop with Valentino Rossi himself. On day two, you will head to the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli for a special BMW M Driving Experience with the latest BMW M models. Rossi, at the wheel of a BMW M4 GT3, won GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup races at his home circuit in both 2023 and 2024.

* Value with “rollout” subtracted. With this alternative measuring method, time measurement only begins after leaving a light barrier. The distance not taken into account in the measurement (the “rollout”) is 1 foot = 30.48 cm.

The latest new addition to the manufacturer’s most popular range builds on the success of the BMW M3 Competition Touring with M xDrive and blends that car’s very distinctive character profile with even greater potential for emotionally exhilarating performance. A 405 kW six-cylinder in-line engine, bespoke chassis tuning, exclusive design features and weight savings resulting from the use of numerous carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) components provide the ingredients for an unadulterated race car feeling. The on-board space of the first-ever BMW M3 CS Touring can be used in a wide variety of ways, which ensures that its ultra-dynamic driving characteristics can be experienced both on the race track and in myriad everyday situations, during leisure activities and on trips away.

The model-specific performance characteristics of the engine and power transfer via the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and M xDrive all-wheel-drive system serve up dynamic thrills and supreme traction. The BMW M3 CS Touring races from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds.

The world premiere of the first-ever BMW M3 CS Touring will be hosted by the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, in the Australian state of New South Wales. The BMW M3 CS Touring will be revealed to the public for the first time on 30 January 2025 as part of the Bathurst 12 Hour race programme. The South African market introduction is planned for the first quarter of 2026. The special edition will be produced alongside all other variants of the BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M3 Touring at BMW Group Plant Munich.

Six-cylinder in-line engine adapts racing-car technology.

The 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line engine in the BMW M3 CS Touring was designed from the outset to deliver high performance on the race track – and it features a multitude of technological details from race car design. These include an extremely rigid crankcase with a sleeve-free, closed-deck construction, a forged lightweight crankshaft and a cylinder head with a 3D-printed core. Likewise, weight-saving cylinder bores have a wire-arc sprayed iron coating to reduce frictional losses. The cooling system and oil supply are also designed to handle the sustained heavy loads generated during hard driving on a track.

The drive unit combines the high-revving characteristics for which M is renowned and linear power delivery into the upper reaches of the engine’s range with upgraded M TwinTurbo technology. Raising the maximum charge pressure of the two mono-scroll turbochargers to 2.1 bar and making model-specific tweaks to the engine management enable the maximum output of the BMW M3 Competition Touring with M xDrive to be increased by another 15 kW to 405 kW. The engine develops its peak torque of 650 Nm between just 2,750 and 5,950 rpm, produces its maximum output at 6,250 rpm, and tops out at 7,200 rpm.

In addition, a specially designed engine mounting with increased spring rates creates an extremely rigid connection between the power unit and the vehicle’s structure. This leads to even sharper engine response and extremely direct transmission of its power to the drivetrain. Its instantaneous power delivery means the BMW M3 CS Touring can power from rest to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, and 0 to 200 km/h is achieved in 11.7 seconds. The figures recorded using the “one-foot rollout” method* are 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and 0 to 200 km/h in 11.4 seconds. The mid-range sprint from 80 to 120 km/h takes 2.7 seconds in 4th gear and 3.5 seconds in 5th gear. The top speed of the special-edition model – which comes as standard with the M Driver’s Package – is electronically limited to 300 km/h.

The car’s emotionally stirring engine note is the work of the M-specific exhaust system featuring electrically controlled flaps, a titanium rear silencer with weight-minimising design and – in customary M fashion – two pairs of tailpipes painted in matt Black. The engine’s acoustic presence varies according to the engine profile the driver selects from the M Setup menu. SPORT or SPORT+ mode produces a drive sound that injects real aural drama into proceedings, particularly through gear changes and the accompanying adjustments in rev speed.

Eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, M xDrive and Active M Differential enable irresistibly dynamic power transfer.

The engine under the bonnet of the BMW M3 CS Touring teams up with an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission including Drivelogic. The Drivelogic button integrated into the gear selector lever makes it possible to alter the transmission’s shift characteristics, with a choice of three clearly distinguishable settings available. As well as comfort-focused and sporty options, drivers can also engage a setting optimised specially for track driving. Both the selector lever and the carbon-fibre shift paddles on the steering wheel enable sequential interventions in the gear selection process.

The BMW M3 CS Touring channels its power to the road through the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system. This employs an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the transfer case to ensure fully variable and super-smooth distribution of the engine’s power between the front and rear wheels, and serves up tireless all-wheel-drive performance, even during hard track sessions. In tandem with the Active M Differential at the rear axle – whose operation is also fully variable – the intelligent all-wheel-drive system’s rear-wheel bias enhances the M-typical handling dynamics. Added to which, 4WD Sport mode can be selected via the M Setup menu. This sends an even greater proportion of the engine’s power to the rear wheels. 2WD mode, meanwhile, delivers a driving experience for the ultimate purist, laying on classical rear-wheel drive with the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system deactivated. 

Model-specific tuning for the chassis technology and performance-focussed stopping power.

The chassis technology in the BMW M3 CS Touring has been tuned precisely to the engine’s performance characteristics, the overall vehicle concept and the specific weight distribution of this latest special-edition model. The settings for the DSC system and M Dynamic Mode have also been purposefully optimised for the specific demands of dynamically committed circuit driving. The electronically controlled dampers of the adaptive M suspension on the BMW M3 CS Touring likewise come in a model-specific setup, as do its M Servotronic steering and integrated braking system.

Providing outstanding stopping power are M Compound brakes with callipers painted in a choice of Red or Black. There is also the option of M Carbon ceramic brakes whose brake callipers are available in Red or matt Gold. Also on the standard equipment list are forged M light-alloy wheels in an exclusive double-spoke design with a matt Gold Bronze or matt Black finish. Measuring 19 inches in diameter at the front axle and 20 inches at the rear, the wheels are fitted as standard with track tyres (275/35 ZR19 at the front, 285/30 ZR20 at the rear). As an alternative to these tyres, customers also have the no-cost option of sport tyres with the same dimensions. And ultra-track tyres are also included on the options list.

Exclusive carbon-fibre components and optimised body rigidity help to produce outstanding performance attributes.

Together with the extremely powerful engine and model-specific chassis technology, intelligent lightweight design measures also play a major part in moulding the exclusive performance attributes of the BMW M3 CS Touring. Extensive use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) is particularly important when it comes to weight minimisation. The car’s bonnet, front splitter, front air intakes, exterior mirror caps and rear diffuser are all made from CFRP.

Inside the cabin, the M Carbon bucket seats and likewise CFRP steering wheel shift paddles, interior trim strips and centre console also do their bit to keep weight down. The various lightweight design measures bring about a total weight saving of some 15 kilograms over the BMW M3 Competition Touring with M xDrive. Body rigidity is further increased by specifying the optional M front end strut brace for the engine compartment that has also been engineered for lightness.

Exquisite balance of performance and everyday usability; exclusive design features.

Hallmark M performance and the versatility-focussed body concept of a Touring model certainly make an unusual combination, and the latest special edition adds a special allure to the mix. In the BMW M3  CS Touring, a concentrated dose of M feeling meets a variable-usage interior whose storage capacity below the high-opening tailgate can be expanded from 500 litres to a maximum 1,510 litres. In addition, the dynamically stretched lines of the Touring model and the M-specific exterior details – crafted precisely to meet the technical demands of cooling air supply and aerodynamic balance – are complemented by exclusive design features whose striking appearance reflects the track-leaning instincts of the BMW M3 CS Touring.

For example, the standard exposed carbon fibre of the special edition’s bonnet, front splitter, front air intakes and M exterior mirror caps creates an eye-catching contrast against the visually striking exterior colours available for the rest of the car. The BMW M3 CS Touring can be ordered with a paint finish in British Racing Green, Laguna Seca Blue, Frozen Solid White or Sapphire Black metallic. The roof and model-specific roof spoiler are in Black high-gloss and bring an impression of elegance to the bold exterior. Another exclusive design feature of the special-edition model is the red surround for the roof spoiler.

The front end of the car is defined by the weight-minimised, ultra-stripped-back and frameless BMW M kidney grille. The black model lettering on the upper of the two horizontal grille slats is bordered by a red contour line, likewise the model badging at the front and rear. In a clear reference to motorsport, the LED headlights of the BMW M3 CS Touring glow with the same distinctive yellow light as GT racing cars. 

Driver-focussed cockpit with exclusive race car aura.

The interior of the BMW M3 CS Touring blends a sports car cockpit designed to exude maximum performance with digital technology and exclusive design features. Electrically adjustable and heated M Carbon bucket seats are fitted as standard for the driver and front passenger. They have integral head restraints, an illuminated “CS” model badge and surfaces in Merino leather. Their exclusive Black/Red design is also adopted by the rear seats, while all the door panel trim is covered with black leather.

The standard M Alcantara steering wheel in three-spoke design – with its flat-bottomed rim and red centre marker in the 12-o’clock position – brings authentic race car flair into the cockpit,. Further M-specific details are the red “CS” badge on the centre console, M seat belts and door sill plates with model lettering.

The M-specific Setup button on the centre console enables direct access to the settings for the engine, chassis, steering, brakes and M xDrive. Two individually configurable setup variants can be stored together with personal settings for the engine sound, DSC, Automatic Start/Stop function and the shift characteristics of the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission – and these setups are then selected using the M buttons on the steering wheel. The BMW M3 CS Touring also comes as standard with the M Drive Professional system with track-optimised functions such as the M Drift Analyser and M Laptimer. Added to which, the 10-stage M Traction Control delivers personalised driving fun on the track. Another feature of M Drive Professional is the M Mode button on the centre console, which can be used to configure the driver assistance systems and the content shown on the information display and Head-Up Display. Drivers can choose between ROAD, SPORT and TRACK settings here.

In the new BMW M3 CS Touring, the latest version of the display and control/operation system BMW iDrive based on BMW Operating System 8.5 provides intuitive control of numerous vehicle functions and digital services. With the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and BMW Curved Display both on board, the car is based squarely on operation using touch control and natural language. The M-specific view on the 12.3-inch information display shows the familiar M Shift Lights at its upper edge, while the status of the driving stability systems, M xDrive and traction control can be found at the lower edge of the screen. The home screen of the 14.9-inch control display includes widgets for the vehicle setup, tyre pressure and temperature.

Sophisticated options for enhancing driving pleasure and comfort in everyday use.

Standard specification for the BMW M3 CS Touring also includes BMW Live Cockpit Professional which, alongside the BMW Head-Up Display with M-specific content, brings the cloud-based navigation system BMW Maps, smartphone integration, telephony with wireless charging and a WiFi interface. The BMW Drive Recorder can be added as an option.

The BMW M3 CS Touring additionally offers customers a selection of comfort-enhancing features and driver assistance systems composed with the focus firmly on the enjoyment of unadulterated driving pleasure. Comfort Access, the alarm system, two-zone automatic climate control and the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System are all fitted as standard. Park Distance Control and the Parking Assistant, Front Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Driving Assist, and the Speed Limit Info system are standard, too.

* Value with “rollout” subtracted. With this alternative measuring method, time measurement only begins after leaving a light barrier. The distance not taken into account in the measurement (the “rollout”) is 1 foot = 30.48 cm.

Munich/Miami Beach. BMW and Kith are launching a new edition of their successful collaboration. The BMW XM* and its links to the legendary BMW M1 are the focus of the third collaboration between the premium car manufacturer and Ronnie Fieg's world-renowned lifestyle brand, Kith. The high-performance plug-in hybrid will be available next year as the 2025 BMW XM by Kith, with exclusive exterior and interior designs.
The 2025 BMW XM Kith Concept offers a first look at the car, which will be manufactured as a one-of-one vehicle and presented at Art Basel Miami 2024, taking place from December 6-8 at the Miami Beach Convention Center,  alongside another unique piece, Ronnie Fieg's 1981 BMW M1 E26. A new Kith for BMW collection of apparel and lifestyle products will also be launched.

Following the edition vehicles designed by Ronnie Fieg based on the BMW M4 Competition Coupé* from 2020 and the BMW i4 M50 xDrive* from 2022, BMW and Kith are once again dedicating the latest chapter of their partnership to an exceptional BMW M automobile. The BMW XM, which is also the first original BMW M automobile since the BMW M1 produced from 1978 to 1981, features the newly developed M HYBRID drive system for the first time. The BMW XM features striking details inspired by the design of the legendary mid-engined sports car, such as the side accent strips, the two BMW emblems at the rear and the louvre structure of the rear lights.

2025 BMW XM by Kith: 47 units, historic colour, exclusive details.

The 2025 BMW XM by Kith will be produced in a limited edition of 47 units, reflecting the number of years that have passed since the debut of the BMW M1. It will be delivered in the second half of 2025 to enthusiasts and collectors of particularly exclusive BMW M automobiles. The edition vehicles will be offered with BMW Individual Frozen Techno Violet metallic paint finish, which is also based on historical models. This paint finish, specially developed by Kith for the 2025 BMW XM by Kith, will only ever be used for this limited edition model and will never be used by BMW again, making this edition truly special. Alternatively, BMW Individual Frozen Black metallic paint finish (paint code U91) is also available for the 2025 BMW XM by Kith.

The paintwork and numerous special design features emphasise the particularly dynamic proportions of a modern Sports Activity Vehicle and the expressive lines that characterise the BMW XM. The 2025 BMW XM by Kith features black side window graphics and accent strips. The outline of the model inscriptions on the front, rear and side, as well as the outline of the Kith logo, combined with the characteristic M stripes on the rear of the edition vehicles, are finished in Techno Violet metallic. The 2025 BMW XM by Kith comes as standard with 23-inch M light-alloy wheels in star-spoke design with Jet Black finish.

In the interior, the modern sports car cockpit of the BMW XM by Kith is complemented by exclusive details in the striking aesthetics of the Kith label. The illuminated door sills feature the special “1/47” insignia, denoting how rare each car is. The velour floor mats and the control centre on the centre console all feature the Kith logo with the M stripes.
An illuminated version can also be seen under the headrests of the M multifunction driver and passenger seats. The seat surfaces in the BMW Individual Merino leather finish feature an embossed Kith monogram pattern, as does the armrest of the centre console. Another detail can be found in the control display of the edition vehicles. A special widget includes the official BMW XM by Kith vehicle name, the “1/47” insignia and the Kith logo with the M stripes.

The M Lounge in the rear of the 2025 BMW XM by Kith also creates a personal atmosphere in the vehicle. Embossed Kith monogram on the seat surfaces and two cushions with the label's logo add to the personal touch. Together with the pre-set purple interior lighting, a special atmosphere is created that is appropriate for the edition vehicle.

A Kith duffle bag, designed and manufactured exclusively by Kith for the edition vehicles, is included as standard to stylishly accommodate the included charging cables.

The 2025 BMW XM by Kith will be launched on December 6^th at 5 PM CET on http://www.bmw-m.com/XM-by-KITH. Interested customers can use this link to express their purchase intent.

World premiere in Miami Beach: The 2025 BMW XM Kith Concept.

BMW and Kith will present a concept car, also designed by Ronnie Fieg. The exterior and interior of the 2025 BMW XM Kith Concept have been created by Fieg in collaboration with BMW to express both the distinctive character and exclusive sportiness of the high-performance model in a particularly intense way. Free from all the conventions of production car homologation, he designed a sophisticated lighting concept, in which the colour purple plays a central role, matching the BMW Individual Frozen Techno Violet metallic paint finish. The 2025 BMW XM Kith Concept's side accent strips consist of black backlit strips, each of which contains 363 full-color LED units distributed along its entire length. When activated, these create a dynamically animated purple glow around the Kith lettering. The decor elements on the side panels also feature a backlit Kith logo.

LED units are also used in the headlights to create a purple colour scheme. The Kith logo can also be displayed on the glass covers of the main headlights using LED matrix displays for the low beam headlights. The 2025 BMW XM Kith Concept also features an M radiator grille Iconic Glow with purple contour lighting and a paint finish enriched with purple colour pigments for the 23-inch light-alloy wheels.

As a nod to its motorsport lineage, and to pay homage to the M1’s design, the 2025 BMW XM Kith Concept has been lowered by 30 millimetres at the front and 35 millimetres at the rear, while the track on both axles has been widened by 40 millimetres. This was accomplished thanks to the use of special springs and wheel spacers.

Inside the concept car, M Carbon bucket seats replace the M multifunction seats of the 2025 BMW XM by Kith. They also feature surfaces with embossed Kith monogram and illuminated Kith emblems combined with the M stripes in the area of the headrests.

Reconstructing a legend: 1981 BMW M1 E26 by Ronnie Fieg.

To place both the concept car and the limited edition of 47 2025 BMW XM by Kith in a historical context, another unique model will be presented to the public for the first time in Miami Beach. The 1981 BMW M1 E26 by Ronnie Fieg is an extensively reconstructed one-of-one example of the sports car with specific details from the design repertoire of the Kith label.

The car, which bears the model designation, year of manufacture and internal model series code as well as the name of the Kith founder was according to Ronnie Fieg's ideas. A Techno Violet paint finish (paint code 299), the combined M and Kith emblem on the tailgate and an interior with embossed Kith lettering create new design parallels between Ronnie Fieg's 1981 BMW M1 E26 and the 2025 BMW XM Kith Concept, in addition to the similarities in the design of the production vehicles. Their joint appearance in Miami Beach thus forms a bridge between the first and the last model to be developed and produced exclusively as a BMW M in the more than 50 years of the company's history.

Kith for BMW: Classic BMW design motifs reinterpreted in a new fashion and lifestyle collection.

The presentation of the vehicles designed by Ronnie Fieg in Miami Beach will be accompanied by the launch of a new Kith for BMW apparel and lifestyle collection. The collection includes a wide range of products that take classic BMW design motifs and reinterpret them in Kith's signature style. In addition to the brand emblems and model inscriptions, the colours Techno Violet, Cinnabar Red and Vitality Green, which are used in the current cooperation and in previous joint projects, give the products in the collection an unmistakable look.

The apparel range includes premium jackets in Italian leather, double-sided wool and silky suede, as well as co-branded jumpers, hoodies, rugby shirts, trousers and a range of vintage-inspired T-shirts. The collection also includes a range of premium lifestyle accessories including caps and hats, key fobs and licence plates, leather driving gloves, microfibre towels and cushions, floor mats and carpets, as well as BMW and Kith branded card cases, mugs, trays, umbrellas and snowboards.

A 1:18 scale model of the 2025 BMW XM by Kith is a particular highlight of the collection. In addition to the BMW Individual Frozen Techno Violet metallic body colour, the miniature features numerous other details based on the edition vehicle, including model lettering on the M radiator grille with purple trim and Kith logos on the rear doors, door sills and seats.

The scale model of the new edition vehicle will also be produced in a limited edition and can be ordered exclusively from the BMW Lifestyle Shop. The complete Kith for BMW collection will be available on December 6^th at all Kith shops worldwide, including the Kith for BMW Showcase pop-up in Miami Beach, as well as online at 5 PM CET on www.kith.com.

BMW M5 powers into a new era.

With 40 years of history under its belt, the legendary high-performance sedan enters its seventh model generation. The executive model from BMW M GmbH now has an electrified drive system for the first time. A model-specific version of the M HYBRID system gives the new BMW M5 (energy consumption, weighted, combined: 1,7 – 1,6 l/100 km and 25,5 – 25,0 kWh/100 km according to WLTP; CO2 emissions, weighted, combined: 39 – 37 g/km according to WLTP; fuel consumption with discharged battery: 10,3 – 10,2 l/100 km according to WLTP) maximum output of 535 kW and peak system torque of 1,000 Nm. The combination of a high-revving V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology and an electric motor, plus power transfer courtesy of an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and M xDrive all-wheel drive, enables acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds.

Click here to read more about the new BMW M5 Sedan.

The recommended retail price of the BMW M5, including VAT and Motorplan, is: R2,690,000.00.

BMW M3 Touring bolsters BMW’s midsize portfolio in South Africa.

And now the multi-faceted premium midsize portfolio for BMW has been bolstered with the addition of the BMW M3 Touring to the company’s local portfolio. The BMW M3 Touring Competition with M xDrive uses the most powerful version of the six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology to produce 390 kW/650Nm. New design and equipment features, and further advances in the area of digitalisation pave the way for another new chapter in the M3/M4 models’ ongoing success story. This latest stage on their development curve takes the race-car character and long-distance poise and composure of the high-performance premium midsize models to a new level of space and versatility in the BMW M3 Touring.

Click here to read more about the BMW M3 Touring.

The recommended retail price of the BMW M3 Touring, including VAT, Motorplan and CO₂ tax, is: R2,218,841.80.

Midrand. BMW M enthusiasts are revving up for the return of the ultimate BMW M Festival at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit from 25 – 27 October 2024.

"South Africa’s M FEST has become a fixture in the local BMW M enthusiast’s calendar, young or old, as an unmissable experience. This year, we are raising the bar even higher, curating an experience that will leave fans in awe of the more powerful and more advanced BMW M models that define the BMW M brand,” said Taz Ramphisa, General Manager: Customer and Brand, BMW.

Exhilarating entertainment and family-friendly fun.

M FEST 2024 will bring together the biggest names in entertainment, exhilarating hot laps, and drift rides, creating an electrifying atmosphere.

The whole family can enjoy M FEST.  Kids under the age of 12 have free access (up to two kids per an adult ticket), and there is a dedicated M-Kids Area to keep the little ones entertained.

Experience the thrill of the latest M models.

Fans can look forward to seeing the most celebrated and anticipated BMW M models on display including the BMW M3 Touring and the new BMW M5 Sedan. The new BMW M4 CS and BMW XM Label will also make an appearance, along with models such as the locally built BMW X3 and the latest generation BMW 1 Series. For those on two wheels, be among the first to see the rugged BMW R 1300 GS Adventure and stealthily electric BMW CE 02 in the metal.  

Expanded retail offerings and exclusive experiences.

BMW vehicles will be available for retail and – for the first time in BMW M FEST history – customers will also be able to purchase BMW motorcycles on-site, too.

In another first, M FEST 2024 will be open to the public for a preview on Friday before the festival weekend. For those seeking an exclusive experience, there are M-Lounge tickets available for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Visitors can choose between three lounge options: M-Sarel van der Merwe, offering a rooftop terrace view of the track; M-Drift located near the Drift Area; and M-Main Stage, the perfect vantage point to enjoy live performances from celebrated local artists including DJ Zinhle, Kabza de Small, Uncle Waffles, Rubber Duc, Mi Casa and other outstanding acts.

Streamlined hot laps and drift rides.

To reduce long queues and waiting times, all M-Hot Laps and M-Drift Rides can be booked and paid for via the Howler website prior to the event. M-Hot Laps are R400 and M-Drift Rides are R350.

Ticket sales and event schedule.

Tickets are selling fast; Saturday's general access tickets are already sold out! Visit Howler.co.za to avoid disappointment. For the latest updates, follow BMW South Africa and BMW Motorrad South Africa on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Gates open at 14:00 and close at 21:00 on Friday, and 09:00 to 21:00 on Saturday and Sunday. Be sure to mark your calendars and do not miss your chance to experience BMW M Festival 2024.

Munich. From the launch of the new BMW M5, the range of Original BMW Accessories will offer a wide variety of options designed to shine an even brighter spotlight on the dynamic character of the high-performance sedan. Model-specific BMW M Performance Parts allow owners to hone both the athletic looks of the latest BMW M model and, above all, its aerodynamic balance with genuine precision.

With its M HYBRID drive system, which produces maximum output of 535 kW and peak system torque of 1,000 Nm, its bespoke chassis technology and the M xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system, the new BMW M5 offers a performance experience beyond anything else in its class. Its standout dynamic capability is complemented by a powerful, puristic exterior design. Like the M Carbon exterior package available ex-factory, a host of BMW M Performance Parts – also made from weight-saving, high-tech carbon fibre and available from the launch of the new BMW M5 – generate a rare and distinctive sporting allure.

Exterior components in carbon fibre accentuate the car’s dynamic lines and optimise its aerodynamic balance.

The expressive appearance of the new BMW M5 is shaped by its sculptural front apron and eye-catching BMW M kidney grille, as well as by prominently flared wheel arches and side skirts. The BMW M Performance Parts for the exterior fit neatly into the car’s geometry and design, and bring added emphasis to both the sedan’s dynamic lines and its powerful stature.

A highlight of the BMW M Performance Parts range for the new BMW M5 is the head-turning, two-section M Performance rear diffuser carbon fibre. It teams up with the M Performance tailpipe trims carbon fibre to bring a modern and extremely sporty look to the rear end of the high-performance sedan. The M Performance tailpipe trims are made from a titanium/carbon fibre mix. With their milled titanium end rings and embossed M5 logo, they create a suitably powerful and imposing proposition.

The M Performance rear diffuser carbon fibre is offered either as an addition to the rear spoiler included in the M Carbon exterior package or in conjunction with the M Performance rear spoiler pro carbon fibre also available as a retrofit option. This ensures precisely optimised air routing in extremely dynamic driving situations.

The M Performance front splitter carbon fibre further enhances the aerodynamic balance and visual impact of the new BMW M5. It too is available in tandem with either of the two rear spoiler variants. The two-section M Performance front splitter carbon fibre showcases the central lower air intake – which, for the first time, is split into two by a central partition – even more prominently.

Extremely wide tracks and a bespoke design for the side frame of the body give the new BMW M5 muscular proportions. The M Performance sill extensions carbon fibre lend additional emphasis to the athletic form of the car’s side view. They can be combined with the M exterior mirror caps carbon fibre to create a particularly cohesive overall impression. All of the carbon fibre attachment parts are meticulously hand-crafted from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) with a high-quality clear coat finish.

M-typical racing feeling and detail customisation.

The dynamic profile of the new BMW M5 can be further accentuated by the M Performance side decals in Frozen Black. These high-quality decals can withstand commercial car washes and again integrate seamlessly with the geometry of the M5. The M Performance aerial cover aramid – likewise constructed from an exclusive fibre composite material – brings a stylistic highlight to the car’s roof. Added to which, M Performance light-alloy wheels will be offered for the new BMW M5 from summer 2025.

The M Performance fuel tank cap carbon fibre extends the new high-performance sedan’s aura of exclusivity to a detail level and can be identified by its M Performance badging in brushed aluminium. The quartet of M Performance floor mats – each of which features decorative stitching in contrasting colours and M Performance badging – add further sporting touches to the interior. The M Performance tyre bags bring motorsport feeling to the customer’s garage, too. They are printed with a logo in BMW M GmbH colours and a graphic indicating the wheel position, and have a reinforced handle for easy transportation. The M Performance key case also makes a distinctive statement. The elegant, precisely fitting cover in black fine-grain nappa leather protects the owner’s car key against scratches and rounds off the BMW M Performance Parts line-up in stylish fashion.

The BMW M Performance Parts available for the new BMW M5 have been developed on the back of BMW M GmbH’s established motor-racing expertise and the experience it has garnered over more than five decades – and are designed precisely to fit the particular characteristics of the high-performance sports car. Plus, the retrofit products have been tested according to the BMW Group’s stringent quality guidelines and have already undergone homologation alongside the overall vehicle, which means separate registration with the vehicle licensing authorities is not required.

BMW M Performance Parts for the all-new BMW M5 will be available in South Africa from 2024. 

Midrand. The original BMW M fan favourite – the BMW M FEST – returns to the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit from 25 – 27 October 2024.

The world’s biggest BMW M FEST again promises a weekend of high-octane performances showcasing the latest BMW M models, live entertainment, food and drinks.

For the first time, BMW South Africa introduces a special Friday preview programme at BMW M FEST that offers eager fans an exclusive first look at the latest high-powered BMW M models before the main festivities commence.

The weekend's highlights include BMW and BMW Motorrad showrooms for on-the-spot car and motorcycle purchases, M-Hot laps, M-Drift Rides, test drive experiences, and the latest round of the BMW Car Club racing series.  

Festivalgoers can also explore the BMW and BMW Motorrad lifestyle boutique with the latest apparel, a kids’ play area, e-gaming centre, and a beer garden.

This year, BMW South Africa is thrilled to launch the latest models from the BMW M lineup, including the new BMW M5, BMW M4 CS, BMW M3 Touring and the BMW M2.

All ticket classes are now available to purchase on Howler.co.za. Prices start from R350. Be sure to follow BMW South Africa and BMW Motorrad South Africa on X, Instagram and Facebook for the latest M FEST information.

The imposing power delivery and emotionally engaging performance experience served up by the new BMW M5 are accompanied by a new interpretation of the high-performance car design for which M is renowned. Prominent wheel arch and side skirt extensions, the sculptural front apron and model-specific surfacing around the C-pillar – including an embossed “M5” logo for the Hofmeister kink – give the car an athletic appearance that helps to differentiate it more clearly than ever from the BMW 5 Series Sedan. At the same time, an unusually high proportion of surfaces painted in body colour create a puristic appearance with stylish references to its superior dynamic talents.

As such, the exterior design – like the ambience of the luxurious interior, which is enhanced with M-specific features – accentuates the multi-layered character of the new BMW M5. Its sense of poise and assurance is fuelled by vast reserves of power that can be summoned at any time. Kept discreetly in reserve during relaxed, electric-only cruises, this performance comes vividly to the fore as the BMW M5 reveals the “sporty sedan” side to its personality over longer distances – and is unleashed in full during sessions on the track.

The M HYBRID system, plus power transmission and chassis technology tuned to its specific performance characteristics, give the new BMW M5 transverse and longitudinal dynamics unparalleled in this market segment. Together with its similarly outstanding elasticity, the new BMW M5 takes M performance into a new dimension.

The world premiere of the new BMW M5 will take place at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England in July 2024, with production at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing beginning the same month. The worldwide market launch of the new BMW M5 -- including in South Africa -- will start in the fourth quarter of 2024 .

M HYBRID drive system in the new BMW M5: intoxicating performance, impressive electric range.

The M HYBRID drive system in the new BMW M5 brings a 4.4-litre
V8 engine with classical high-revving character together with an electric motor, whose performance characteristics are tuned specifically for the BMW M5 and which is integrated into the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission. The combustion engine benefits from cutting-edge M TwinPower Turbo technology, a cross-bank exhaust manifold and optimised oil separation. It develops maximum output of 430 kW and peak torque of 750 Nm. The maximum output of the electric motor is 145 kW. It has nominal torque of 280 Nm, but a pre-gearing stage allows effective torque at the transmission input to be increased to 450 Nm.

The combination of combustion engine and electric motor adheres to the same principle as the drive system in the BMW M Hybrid V8 endurance racing machine. The ability of the electric motor to generate its power instantly and the intelligently controlled interplay of the combustion engine and motor ensure the M HYBRID system responds without delay to every movement of the accelerator. The linear power delivery typical of BMW M models is found here in particularly compelling form. The eight-cylinder engine can spin to a maximum 7,200 rpm as the new BMW M5 treats its driver to the sensation of relentless power development into the upper reaches of the load and speed ranges. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h as standard. The limiter is raised to 305 km/h on the M Driver’s Package, which is standard for the South African market. 

The sports exhaust system of the new BMW M5 underscores the performance experience with a multi-faceted and emotionally enthralling engine note. It features electrically controlled, continuously adjustable flaps and the two pairs of dual tailpipes familiar from other M models, each with 100-millimetre trims in Black Chrome.

Providing an acoustic accompaniment to the power delivery of the electric motor is BMW IconicSounds Electric. This M-specific electric drive sound provides authentic responses to movements of the accelerator when the car is operating in all-electric mode. With the relevant drive system configuration, it also generates an engaging track to highlight the arrival of extra electric power on top of the output from the V8 engine.

In all-electric operating mode, the new BMW M5 can hit speeds of up to 140 km/h. The high-voltage battery located low in the car’s underbody has 18.6 kWh of usable energy, enabling an electric range of 67 – 69 kilometres in the WLTP cycle, which is unmatched by any rival. The Combined Charging Unit of the new BMW M5 allows AC charging at up to 7.4 kW.

The power generated by the combustion engine and electric motor is channelled to the road via the all-wheel-drive system M xDrive, whose rear-biased setup is particularly pronounced in 4WD Sport mode. However, the driver can also select 2WD mode. This sends drive exclusively to the rear wheels with the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system switched off, which will appeal to experienced drivers who prefer a performance experience of the pure-bred variety. This further developed iteration of M xDrive – like the electronically controlled Active M Differential at the rear axle – is tailored specially to the performance characteristics of the M HYBRID drive system.

Sophisticated chassis technology with M-specific tuning.

The chassis design of the new BMW M5 comprises a double-wishbone front axle and a five-link rear axle with bespoke kinematics and elastokinematics, plus a host of other specially tuned components. The electrically assisted rack-and-pinion steering with M Servotronic and variable steering ratio has a rigid connection to the front axle subframe to ensure optimal feedback from the road and a high degree of directional accuracy. In conjunction with the wide tracks and the excellent torsional rigidity of the body and chassis mountings, this combination produces the handling attributes for which BMW M models are renowned, shaped by agility, precision and the linear build-up of lateral forces when the driver is pushing on.

Also fitted as standard are adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers and Integral Active Steering, which steers the rear wheels by up to 1.5 degrees. M-specific tuning, the individually selectable settings and the ability to adjust the dampers at each wheel individually optimise the body’s connection to the road and maximise the car’s spread of talents – from everyday driving comfort to race-ready dynamic prowess. Turning the rear wheels as required improves directional stability at high speed, as well as agility and comfort when manoeuvring.

Traction, agility and directional stability all benefit from near-actuator wheel slip limitation and the networking of all control systems within the integrated transverse dynamics management setup. Both the standard M Compound brakes and optional M Carbon ceramic brakes combine with an integrated braking system that presents the driver with two pedal feel settings. M light-alloy wheels (20-inch at the front axle, 21-inch at the rear) come as standard and are fitted with high-performance tyres.

Assistance systems for assured and comfortable driving.

While the South African specification is yet to be confirmed, a much wider selection of standard and optional systems for automated driving and parking than was offered for the predecessor model takes assurance and comfort in day-to-day driving to another new level. Standard specification for the new BMW M5 brings features such as front collision warning, Lane Departure Warning including lane return with steering assistance, the Evasion Assistant, the Attentiveness Assistant and the Speed Limit Info system. The optional Driving Assistant Professional adds Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function together with tech including the Steering and Lane Control Assistant, traffic light detection, automatic Speed Limit Assist and Active Navigation.

The new BMW M5 is equipped as standard with the Parking Assistant including Reversing Assistant. Meanwhile, the optional Parking Assistant Professional allows automated parking and manoeuvring over a distance of up to 200 metres to be controlled from inside the car or by smartphone from outside the car.

Fresh scope for adjusting the driving experience to personal taste.

The control panel on the centre console of the new BMW M5 houses a model-specific composition of buttons which can be used to tailor the driving experience to individual preferences in a variety of ways. The Setup button provides direct access to the configuration of the drive system, Drivelogic, chassis, steering, braking system and M xDrive, as well as the intensity of brake energy recuperation. Two overall vehicle setups can be stored and selected using the M buttons on the steering wheel. The Launch Control function is available in all the M Setup menu settings with the exception of the M xDrive system’s 2WD mode.

Pushing the DSC button activates M Dynamic Mode, which raises the DSC intervention thresholds when it comes to applying brake inputs and reducing engine output. It is also possible to switch DSC off completely. Another button allows the driver to select M Mode. When they switch from the default ROAD setting to SPORT, interventions from the driver assistance systems are restricted to just the essential functions required for sporty driving, as is the content shown in the information display. If the customer specifies the optional M Drive Professional, they can also make use of TRACK mode. Other features of M Drive Professional include the M Laptimer and the Boost Control function, which maximises longitudinal dynamics when executing mid-range sprints and overtaking manoeuvres.

The operating mode of the M HYBRID system can also be adjusted as desired. The new M Hybrid button allows the driver to choose between HYBRID mode – for intelligently controlled interplay between the combustion engine and electric motor to maximise either efficiency or performance, depending on the driving situation – and the ELECTRIC setting, in which the combustion engine is only brought into play by accelerator kickdown or using the gearshift paddles. eCONTROL mode is used for effective brake energy recuperation and maintaining battery charge at a constant level. And M Drive Professional adds DYNAMIC and DYNAMIC PLUS modes to the mix, which prime the drive system and cooling system to keep output at a constantly high level or generate short bursts of maximum output during committed track driving.

Progressive sports car cockpit, M-specific displays on the BMW Curved Display, exclusive ambience.

As well as the M-specific control panel on the centre console, the progressive sports car cockpit of the new BMW M5 also contains a newly designed, flat-bottomed M leather steering wheel with illuminated M buttons, M multifunction seats with a wide range of electric adjustment and the BMW Curved Display which, like the standard BMW Head-Up Display, includes M-specific content. The standard BMW Live Cockpit Professional also brings the BMW Maps navigation system and the Augmented View function on the control display.

An upgraded version of BMW iDrive features as standard in the new BMW M5. It is based on BMW Operating System 8.5 and designed squarely for use via touch control and natural speech. The digital tech now also covers the controls for the climate control functions. Temperature selection, airflow intensity, seat heating and – if specified – the steering wheel heating can now be controlled by touch via a menu item in the lower section of the control display or by voice command.

Also playing their part in the exclusive interior ambience are the standard Merino leather trim, the BMW Interaction Bar, four-zone air conditioning, heated front seats, ambient lighting with M-specific interior lighting including Welcome Animation, and the panoramic glass sunroof. And standard specification for the new BMW M5 also provides customers with the Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System, a wireless charging tray, Comfort Access, an alarm system, automatic tailgate operation and the charging cable Professional.

Among the items on the options list are the M Carbon exterior package, an Alcantara headliner, steering wheel heating, active seat ventilation and a trailer tow hitch. Model-specific BMW M Performance Parts will also be offered for the new BMW M5 from launch. The selection includes M Performance forged light-alloy wheels and exterior components made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP).

A textbook purveyor of driving pleasure for the purist, the new BMW M2 raises the bar for compact high-performance sports cars in the premium segment. Indeed, it elevates the performance experience in this vehicle class to a whole new level. The new BMW M2 lines up with even more power, greater visual impact than ever and innovative equipment features. Front and centre of this fresh round of updates to the car is the 15 kW added to its output: the high-revving six-cylinder in-line petrol engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology now tops out at 353 kW. And then there are the new design accents for the exterior, an updated interior and the introduction of BMW Operating System 8.5 to underpin the latest generation of BMW iDrive.

The package of updates for the elite compact sports car makes the first step into the world of high-performance models at BMW M GmbH even more attractive. The new BMW M2 takes its drive concept of a straight-six engine, six-speed manual gearbox (optional) and classical rear-wheel drive – a unique proposition among its rivals – to a new stage of evolution. In combination with its compact dimensions, chassis technology tuned perfectly for both everyday road driving and track use, and a state-of-the-art operating concept allowing individualisation of the car setup, this makes the new M2 ideally equipped to write the next chapter in the BMW M brand’s history of success in this segment.

The new BMW M2 will be built alongside the new BMW 2 Series Coupé at BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí in Mexico. It will be available in South Africa from the fourth quarter of 2024. 

Six-cylinder in-line engine with extra output and torque.

As well as the raw power itself, the inimitable way in which the six-cylinder in-line engine delivers that power also plays a key role in the performance experience offered by the new BMW M2. The upgraded version of the engine for the new edition of the high-performance sports car shines an even more vivid spotlight on the linear delivery of power, sustained into the higher reaches of the rev range, that is such a hallmark feature of M models. Its maximum torque is on tap across a wide rev band between 2,650 and 6,130 rpm. In examples of the new BMW M2 with the optional six-speed manual gearbox, peak torque remains 550 Nm. And when power is channelled via the standard eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, the figure rises to 600 Nm. The engine produces its increased maximum output of 353 kW at 6,250 rpm, with revs topping out at 7,200 rpm.

So that drivers can explore the engine’s upgraded performance characteristics with an even greater degree of intensity, further advances have been made with the accelerator mapping and response in all the drive modes selectable via the M Setup menu. As a result, the new BMW M2 offers noticeably more rapid reactions to the driver’s requests for acceleration – both when specified with the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and with the optional six-speed manual gearbox.

The ability of the new BMW M2 to offer further improved power delivery is rooted in an exceptionally strong technological base. Its 3.0-litre engine differs from the unit in the BMW M3/BMW M4 range in a few details only. The increased peak output figure of the new BMW M2 lends further weight to its leadership claims in the compact high-performance car segment. 

Racing expertise delivers smile-inducing performance.

As well as its pair of mono-scroll turbochargers, an indirect intercooler and an electronically controlled wastegate, the M TwinPower Turbo technology of the straight-six engine also includes High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC variable valve timing and Double-VANOS fully variable camshaft timing. The engine also has an array of details borrowed directly from racing car design and whose impact is most clearly evident in its lightning-fast response, appetite for revs and high performance capability in track use. These details include an extremely rigid crankcase with a sleeve-free, closed-deck construction, a forged crankshaft with lightweight design, cylinder bores with a wire-arc sprayed iron coating and a 3D-printed core for the cylinder head.

The M-specific cooling system ensures the powertrain components maintain an optimal operating temperature even under heavy loads. The oil circuit is also designed to handle extremely dynamic driving situations. A map-controlled oil pump ensures reliable oil supply even under extreme longitudinal and lateral acceleration.

The engine sends its drive power through an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic as standard. The Drivelogic button integrated into the selector lever makes it possible to alter the transmission’s shift characteristics, with a choice of three clearly distinguishable settings. Both the selector lever in the latest M design and the gearshift paddles on the steering wheel enable sequential interventions in the gear selection process at any time.

Drivers keen to blend an intensely engaging performance experience with even more direct interaction with the powertrain can specify the six-speed manual gearbox as an option. This links up with the Gear Shift Assistant, which uses engagement speed control to ensure slip-free operation when downshifting under braking into corners.

Whichever form of power transfer the customer chooses for their BMW M2, the increased engine output shaves 0.1 seconds off its 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time: the new BMW M2 records a figure of 4.0 seconds with the standard transmission or 4.2 seconds if specified with the optional six-speed manual gearbox. The increase in power also makes its presence felt over the 0 to 200 km/h sprint, delivering an improvement of 0.6 seconds in the case of the BMW M2 with eight-speed M Steptronic transmission (now 12.9 seconds) and also lowering the time posted by cars with the optional manual gearbox by 0.6 seconds (to 13.7 seconds). Top speed is 250 km/h, but can be increased to 285 km/h with the optional M Driver’s Package. The dynamic power delivery is backed by an emotionally rich engine note conjured by the M-specific exhaust system with electrically controlled flaps.

Visually impactful exterior design with fresh accents.

Powerfully chiselled surfaces and athletic proportions mark out the pure-bred performance character of the new BMW M2, whose compact dimensions and wide tracks showcase it to visually dramatic effect. M-specific design features geared to the functional requirements of cooling air routing and aerodynamic balance accentuate the eye-catching appearance of the two-door car. A large, horizontal BMW kidney grille and the three-section split lower air intake optimise cooling of the powertrain components and brakes.

The model-specific LED headlights are positioned towards the outer edges of the front end. In a tribute to the iconic BMW 02 models, they each have a single circular headlight that generates both low beam and high beam. U-shaped light guides at the lower edge of the headlights serve as both the daytime driving lights and turn indicators. Available as options are Adaptive LED Headlights with BMW Selective Beam non-dazzling High Beam Assistant and M lights Shadowline with dark inlays.

The high-performance model’s profile is shaped by the elegant lines which have become a signature feature of the brand’s coupés. In combination with prominent side sill extensions and muscular wheel arches, this creates a compact two-door form with a richly sporting character. The new BMW M2 can also be ordered as an option with an M Carbon roof that not only reduces the car’s weight by around six kilograms, but also increases agility by lowering its centre of gravity.

The rear apron of the new BMW M2 features a powerfully sculpted race-car-style diffuser. The exhaust system feeds into two pairs of exhaust tailpipes, which are positioned a significant distance from the edges of the rear end and also channel the racing genes of the M2 visually. The trims for the twin tailpipes are now finished in black as standard. The likewise black model lettering on the boot lid and radiator grille creates a particularly classy impression with its silver-coloured bordering.

Significantly expanded range of exterior paint finishes; light-alloy wheels with a new design.

Customers can order their new BMW M2 in a choice of three solid colours, five metallic shades and six BMW Individual paint finishes. The significantly expanded range includes the new Sao Paulo Yellow solid, Fire Red metallic, Portimao Blue metallic and Skyscraper Grey metallic variants. Plus, the selection of BMW Individual paint finishes for the new BMW M2 now also features Java Green, Voodoo Blue, Grigio Telesto and Twilight Purple.

The new BMW M2 is fitted as standard with M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design and with a Jet Black finish. Dimensions are 19 inches at the front axle and 20 inches at the rear axle. A new addition to the options list are M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design and with the same dimensions, but finished in the colour Silver. They can be combined with track tyres if the optional M Race Track package is specified.

New steering wheels and seat surfaces, M Carbon bucket seats now also available as an individual option.

The most important interface between the driver and car – the steering wheel – has been newly designed, bringing a fresh look to the interior of the compact high-performance model. The standard-fitted M leather steering wheel of the new BMW M2 now has a flat-bottomed rim and precisely modified spokes. A red centre marker in the 12 o’clock position, gearshift paddles and the two M buttons for selecting individually configured vehicle setups project an intense racing car feel. An M Alcantara steering wheel is now also available as an option in the same design. A heating function is offered as an option for both steering wheel variants.

The optional M Sport seats in Vernasca leather can now also be ordered in a red/black bi-colour variant. Added to which, the weight-minimized M Carbon bucket seats for the new BMW M2 are not only available in conjunction with the M Race Track package, but now also as an individual option. With surfaces in Merino leather, multi-way electric adjustment, removable head restraints and a facility for adding a multi-point harness, they optimise both the car’s comfort levels and its racing credentials.

BMW Operating System 8.5, digital control for the climate functions.

The M-specific content in the BMW Curved Display and optional BMW Head-Up Display enhances the cockpit’s progressive sports car aura. The fully digital screen grouping, made up of a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display, now provides the stage for the latest evolution of the BMW iDrive control/operation system based on BMW Operating System 8.5. The functions of the climate control system are now also operated digitally. The temperature and ventilation settings as well as the seat heating and – if specified – steering wheel heating in the new BMW M2 can be controlled either by touch using a special menu option in the lower area of the control display or by voice command with the help of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.

This broad adoption of digitalisation leads to a further reduction in the number of buttons and controls in the cockpit and is accompanied by a redesign of the instrument panel. New adjustment controls for the air vent grilles in the centre of the instrument panel and on the driver’s and front passenger side of the cockpit allow the airflow direction to be adjusted using rotating and tilting movements.

The interior trim elements in the instrument panel and centre console of the new BMW M2 come as standard in Dark Graphite matt. Interior trim elements in Aluminium Rhombicle Anthracite, M Carbon Fibre or new Fine Brushed Aluminium are available as an option.

M-specific operating concept, extensive standard equipment.

At the heart of the M-specific operating concept is the Setup button on the centre console. This provides direct access to the settings options for the engine, the standard adaptive M suspension, the M Servotronic steering, the integrated braking system working in conjunction with the M Compound brakes, and the M Traction Control function, which allows drivers to set individual intervention thresholds for wheel slip limitation. The Gear Shift Assistant of the optional manual gearbox is also activated and deactivated via the M Setup menu.

Standard equipment for the new BMW M2 also includes two-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting, a HiFi speaker system, and the BMW Live Cockpit Plus with BMW Maps navigation system. The likewise standard smartphone integration enables use of Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Semi-automated driving and parking systems that come as standard include front collision warning, Cruise Control with brake function, Speed Limit Info function with no-overtaking indicator, and Park Distance Control with sensors at the front and rear of the car. Among the optional items available are the Driving Assistant, Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function and the Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant.

Also on the options list are Comfort Access, an electrically operated slide/tilt sunroof and the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System. As well as the BMW Head-Up Display, the optional BMW Live Cockpit Professional in the new BMW M2 now also includes Augmented View on the control display.

For this new edition of the storied model series, the most powerful version of the six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology produces output of 390 kW. In the new BMW M3 Competition Sedan with M xDrive and new BMW M3 Competition Touring with M xDrive the increased engine power is channelled via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic to all four wheels.

All model variants of the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M3 Touring will be built at BMW Group Plant Munich. They will be launched worldwide with a production phase-in in July 2024. The most important sales regions for the BMW M3 Sedan are the USA, China, Great Britain, Australia and Germany. The BMW M3 Touring is extremely popular above all in Germany, but also in Great Britain, other European countries and Australia. First units of the new BMW M3 Competition Sedan with M xDrive and the new-to-SA BMW M3 Competition Touring with M xDrive will arrive in South Africa from the fourth quarter of 2024.  

Traditional race-car feeling, distinctive characters.

Now in its sixth model generation, the BMW M3 is more powerful, more poised and assured, more advanced and more versatile than ever. The sedan is continuing a high-performance sports car bloodline that stretches back almost 40 years. The first generation of the BMW M3, unveiled in 1986, went on to become the most successful model in touring car racing worldwide. Then, as now, a car’s success in motor sport was accompanied by steadily increasing popularity for the production model and rare levels of excitement for its owner out on the road.

The race-car feeling associated with the BMW M3 – present at the driver’s fingertips over every mile of a journey – can be experienced in totally different ways with this latest generation. The BMW M3 Sedan now lines up alongside a Touring model, the BMW M3 Touring fusing the performance attributes for which this model series is renowned with additional practicality and expanded load-carrying ability. It is available exclusively with the most powerful version of the six-cylinder in-line engine for the BMW M3/M4 and the M xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system. Folding down the rear seat backrests increases load compartment capacity from 500 to a maximum 1,510 litres.

With its new vehicle concept for the premium midsize class, BMW M GmbH caused an instant sensation not only among fans of the brand but also in the ranks of professional experts. In its first full year of production, the BMW M3 Touring won the “Golden Steering Wheel” award presented by motoring magazine “Auto Bild” and the “Bild am Sonntag” newspaper in Germany. In Great Britain, it was crowned “Dream Car” of the year by “Autocar” magazine, while “Top Gear” magazine gave it the title “All The Car You’ll Ever Need” in its “Car of the Year Awards”.

With their distinct body concepts and specific qualities, the Sedan and Touring models occupy very different character spaces within the M3 range. One of their most important shared elements is their visually striking design with hallmark M features crafted precisely to meet the technical demands of cooling air supply and aerodynamic balance. The large, vertical BMW kidney grille with signature M double bars arranged horizontally, the powerfully sculpted wheel arches, the extended side skirts in contrasting Black high-gloss and the attachment parts for the front and rear aprons all provide clear pointers to the dynamic potential of the two models. The BMW M3 Sedan has a carbon-fibre roof as standard. The roof of the BMW M3 Touring, like its standard-fit roof rails, comes in black. It has a Gurney flap on the roof spoiler as an additional air-directing element.

Engine technology borrows from motor racing.

The 3.0-litre unit stands out with its healthy appetite for revs into the highest reaches of the engine speed range and so produces the linear power delivery typical of high-performance models from BMW M GmbH.

Numerous elements adapted from race-car engine construction allow the power unit in the M3 to deliver an unmistakable performance experience on both road and track. The crankcase, with its sleeve-free, closed-deck construction, is extremely rigid and teams up with a forged crankshaft with lightweight design to unlock extremely high torque potential. The cylinder bores have a wire-arc sprayed iron coating. And the 3D-printed core for the cylinder head – another special M-specific feature – enables optimised routing of the coolant ducts that would be impossible to achieve using conventional metal casting methods.

Like the cooling system, the oil circuit is also designed to handle the particular challenges of track driving. A map-controlled oil pump ensures reliable oil supply even under extreme longitudinal and lateral acceleration.

The M TwinPower Turbo technology here comprises two mono-scroll turbochargers, each of which supplies compressed air to three cylinders. An indirect intercooler supplied by a low-temperature circuit plus specially designed compressors further enhance the turbocharger’s power output. The package of technology also includes High Precision Injection – which works at maximum pressure of 350 bar to ensure fine atomisation of fuel and therefore faster engine response – as well as VALVETRONIC variable valve timing and Double-VANOS fully variable camshaft timing.

The engine variant in the new BMW M3 Competition Sedan with M xDrive and new BMW M3 Competition Touring with M xDrive develops an extra 15 kW/20 hp thanks to optimised configuration of the digital engine control unit (DME). The six-cylinder in-line engine now generates maximum output of 390 kW (up from the previous 375 kW) at 6,250 rpm. The upgraded engine, which also serves as the basis for the unit powering the BMW M4 GT3, summons its peak torque of 650 Nm between 2,750 and a now-even-higher 5,730 rpm. The result is even more ferocious, sustained power delivery that adds another layer of intensity to the performance experience – in particular when the driver is exploring the car’s dynamic limits – and enables impressive acceleration figures.

The new BMW M3 Competition Sedan with M xDrive accelerates
from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, and the new BMW M3 Competition Touring with M xDrive completes the same sprint in 3.6 seconds – only a touch longer, despite its higher kerb weight. .

M Driver’s Package is specified for all vehicles destined for South Africa, which ensures top end for the Sedan and Touring are 290 km/h and 280 km/h, respectively.

Model-specific composition of engine, transmission and chassis.

The eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic of the Competition models is tuned to optimum effect to the performance characteristics of the engine at hand. Drivers favouring a sporty driving style will enjoy the benefits of the standard-fit gearshift paddles on the steering wheel, which allow the driver to make spontaneous interventions in the automatic transmission’s gear selection process as and when they decide. The driving experience can be tailored even more precisely to individual tastes by adapting the shift characteristics of the transmission according to requirements and the situation at hand using the Drivelogic button.

The rear-biased setup of the M xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system further enhances the agility of the new BMW M3 Competition Sedan with M xDrive and new BMW M3 Competition Touring with M xDrive. The system teams up with the Active M Differential at the rear axle – whose operation is also fully variable – to add to the signature M feeling when powering through corners. In addition to the default 4WD setting, the driver can also select 4WD Sport mode via the M Setup menu. Here, a higher proportion of drive power is sent to the rear wheels for even more agile handling. Switching off DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) also brings 2WD mode into play, which means power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels. This mode offers skilled drivers a pure-bred driving experience without interventions from the control systems.

The high torsional stiffness of the body structure and chassis mountings creates the ideal platform for impressive driving dynamics and instantaneous response to steering commands. As well as the bracing elements in the BMW M3 Sedan, the BMW M3 Touring has additional torsion struts in the rear. This extra strengthening measure gives the Touring body variant the tools it needs to display the combination of dynamism, agility and handling precision typically found in BMW M models.

The M-specific kinematics and elastokinematics of the double-joint spring strut front axle and five-link rear axle ensure the harmonious blend of extremely dynamic handling and finely judged comfort-focussed qualities in everyday use and over longer journeys characteristic of all the models in the M3 range. The standard adaptive M suspension gives drivers the ability to adapt the responses of the electronically controlled dampers as they wish. Via the M Setup menu, drivers can select from three different settings to optimise the car’s handling in line with need and personal preference.

The package of chassis technology also includes M Servotronic steering and the integrated braking system, which works in conjunction with both the standard M Compound brakes and the optional M Carbon ceramic brakes. Both variants have six-piston fixed-calliper brakes at the front axle and single-piston floating-calliper brakes at the rear. As well as larger and more heat-resistant brake discs – which, thanks to their considerable ability to withstand fade, ensure uncompromising deceleration even under extreme conditions – the M Carbon ceramic brakes also stand out with their intelligent lightweight construction; they are around 14 kilograms lighter than the standard M Compound brakes. The reduction in unsprung mass plays a particularly significant role in delivering increased agility, enhanced handling, faster response and lower fuel consumption.

The standard blue brake callipers of the M Compound system can also be specified in red or black as an option. The callipers of the M Carbon ceramic brakes have a Gold metallic painted finish. All of the variations feature a striking BMW M logo on the brake callipers at the front axle as an additional identifier of M-typical performance at work.

The DSC system, meanwhile, ensures a form of driving pleasure unmatched by any rival. Indeed, with M Dynamic Mode it offers an ultra-sporty configuration that raises the system’s intervention thresholds when it comes to controlling braking inputs and delays the point at which it steps in to restrict engine output. This maximises the car’s performance dynamics with DSC switched on. The system can also be fully deactivated (DSC off).

The M Traction Control function is a standard feature on all Competition models. This slip control tech can be adjusted through ten stages according to the driver’s preferences or the road conditions at hand. It allows the control system inputs to be reduced in stages so that the driver can approach the physical limits in race action on the track, for example. The M Laptimer and M Drift Analyser help experienced drivers improve their lap times and hone their drifting skills. The integrated application of all drivetrain and chassis systems was fine-tuned at locations including the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit, but it also ensures highly dynamic and at the same time precisely controllable handling in everyday driving.

Axle-specific wheel sizes, M forged light-alloy wheels with a new design.

All new BMW M3 model variants are fitted as standard with M forged light-alloy wheels in axle-specific rim sizes to the benefit of agility and handling. Standard specification for the new BMW M3 Competition Sedan with M xDrive and new BMW M3 Competition Touring with M xDrive includes Jetblack forged light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design (19-inch at the front axle and 20-inch at the rear axle).

Plus, new forged M light-alloy wheels in 19-inch and 20-inch formats have been added to the extensive optional equipment roster for all model variants. These are now finished in the colour Silver for the first time, their bright, shiny surfaces ensuring a sporty yet also elegantly sophisticated appearance.

Extensive selection of assistance systems; M Mode button to call up personalised selection of functions.

The new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M3 Touring set new standards in their segment with their extensive range of standard and optional automated driving and parking systems. In order to provide a dynamic experience that is both appropriate for the situation at hand and fits the high-performance sports car brief, the interventions of the driver assistance systems can be adjusted using the M Mode button on the centre console. For example, in the optional TRACK setting conceived for use on race circuits, all comfort and safety systems are temporarily deactivated.

Standard specification for all model variants includes Park Distance Control with sensors at the front and rear, Cruise Control with brake function, front collision warning system with brake intervention, Lane Departure Warning including lane return with steering assistance, and for South Africa, Park Assist Plus and the Driving Assistant Professional, which adds functions such as the Steering and Lane Control Assistant with automatic Speed Limit Assist, Lane Keeping Assistant, traffic light detection and Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function.

Newly designed headlights and eye-catching details sharpen the cars’ visual character.

Newly designed LED headlights, which bring together low and high beam in a single module, bring fresh accents to the front end of the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M3 Touring. Two elegantly sculpted, subtly arrow-shaped and vertically arranged LED units in each module serve as both side lights/daytime driving lights and turn signal indicators. The technically focused impression created by the light sources, whose inner workings are now structured in a particularly striking way, ensures a progressive appearance which is also adopted by the slim LED rear lights with L-shaped taillights.

Adaptive LED Headlights with non-dazzling matrix high beam include the cornering light function and urban lights and are standard on vehicles sold in South Africa. Blue inlays inside the headlights indicate the presence of this extremely sophisticated light technology. M Shadowline lights with dark inner accents are also available for cars specified with the Adaptive LED Headlights. The model badge on the boot lid of the Competition models is now accented by an elegant silver-coloured surround.

New steering wheels and interior trim elements for the M-specific sports car cockpit.

Open the door to the new edition of the high-performance models and the stripped-back design of the interior will provide an instant hit of motor sport DNA. New steering wheels and controls, plus highly sophisticated materials for the instrument panel and interior trim elements heighten the aura of exclusivity inside the M-specific sports car cockpit.

Also playing its part in the dynamic driving experience is a newly designed three-spoke M leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons and red centre marker in the 12 o’clock position. It now has a flat-bottomed rim and precisely modified spokes. Two M buttons for selecting individually configured vehicle setups and the gearshift paddles – fitted as standard in the Competition models to enable rapid interventions in the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission’s gear selection process – exude an intense race-car feeling. An M Alcantara steering wheel in the same design and with the same functionality is available as an option for the first time. A heating function is available as an option for both steering wheel variants.

The M-specific cockpit design also includes a control panel on the centre console. Located here along with the gearshift lever / selector lever, the red Start/Stop button and the BMW iDrive Controller are controls including the Setup button and M Mode button. These can be used by the driver to configure their desired vehicle setup and activate cockpit display and driver assistance system functions tailored to the driving situation at hand.

High-quality, carefully crafted materials and M-specific design features in the interior create a modern premium ambience with sporting flair. The interior trim elements in the instrument panel, control panel and cup holder cover now come as standard in M Carbon Fibre, which now additionally includes elements for the steering wheel and the gearshift paddles of the Competition models. 

The standard M sport seats offer an array of electrically operated adjustment options to make it easier to find the perfect position behind the steering wheel. A memory function for the driver’s seat allows the driver to store their desired adjustment settings. Also shining the spotlight on the cabin’s commitment to progressive sporting appeal are the integral head restraints with illuminated model badging. Standard specification likewise includes seat heating for the driver and front passenger, while seat ventilation is available as an option. Available as alternatives to the standard Merino leather trim are Merino full-leather trim, BMW Individual Merino leather trim with extended features and BMW Individual Merino full-leather trim – each in a choice of four colours.

The optional, also fully electrically adjustable and heated M Carbon bucket seats provide an optimum, racing-car-like connection between driver and car. They fuse racing functionality with luxurious craftsmanship and excellent comfort over long distances. The use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the seat surface and backrest elements, plus cut-outs in the side bolsters and below the head restraints enable a weight saving of 9.6 kilograms over the standard M sport seats.

BMW Curved Display and new BMW Operating System 8.5.

The new editions of the BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M3 Touring also welcome the latest generation of the display and control/operation system BMW iDrive based on BMW Operating System 8.5 into cockpits shaped by progressive sporting appeal. With the high-resolution BMW Curved Display angled towards the driver and upgraded BMW Personal Assistant, the interaction between driver and car is based squarely on operation using touch control and natural language. The fully digital screen grouping made up of a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display shows M-specific content. This includes additional information on the vehicle’s status and sharpens the driver’s focus on the road ahead. Also on the options list is the BMW Head-Up Display, which projects information relevant to driving – including a multi-coloured rpm dial, Shift Lights and M View – onto the windscreen, again in an M-specific style.

The M-specific graphics and content on the information display and control display are now joined by a new way of operating the standard-fitted automatic climate control system. The temperature and ventilation settings as well as the seat heating and – if specified – steering wheel heating can now be controlled either by touch using a special menu option in the lower area of the control display or by voice command. This latest advance in the field of digital operation brings a further reduction in the number of buttons and controls in the cockpit and a new design for the instrument panel. New adjustment controls for the air vent grilles in the centre of the instrument panel and on the driver’s and front passenger side of the cockpit allow the airflow direction to be adjusted using rotating and tilting movements.

In addition to the footwells, the storage compartment in the front section of the centre console and the door openers, the standard ambient lighting now also encompasses contour lighting integrated into the trim around the central seam vents. Nine colours in multiples grades of brightness allow customers to adjust the effect to their personal preferences. 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.

As well as the cloud-based navigation system BMW Maps, the standard-fit BMW Live Cockpit Plus includes two USB ports for data transfer, a Wi-Fi interface and smartphone integration enabling the use of e.g. Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Standard equipment also features Harmon Kardon audio and wireless charging for compatible smartphones.

Distinctive looks and higher-intensity performance with M Carbon exterior package, M Race Track package and BMW M Performance Parts.

An M Carbon exterior package specific to each of the new high-performance cars brings bespoke precision to their outward appeal. With inlays for the wide front air intakes and a rear diffuser with unique geometry for each model, plus exterior mirror caps and a rear spoiler made from CFRP for the BMW M3 Sedan, the M Carbon exterior package also brings fresh visual sharpness to the race-car character of the two models. The M Race Track package, which brings M Carbon ceramic brakes, M Carbon bucket seats for the driver and front passenger and Carbon Fibre interior trim elements, reduces vehicle weight by as much as 25 kilograms.

BMW M Performance Parts offer customers additional scope for tailoring the high-intensity driving experience and dynamic aura of the new high-performance sports cars to their personal tastes. The selection of model-specific retrofit options ranges from exterior components made from CFRP and M Performance forged wheels with centre lock to M Performance floor mats and M Performance steering wheel trim for customising the interior.

Munich/Cannes. Glittering movie premieres, stars gracing the red carpet and a high-performance vehicle that looks like nothing else: this is the Cannes Film Festival and yesterday it hosted the world premiere of the BMW XM Mystique Allure. This one-off creation is based on the first high-performance sports car from BMW M GmbH powered by the M HYBRID drive system. Blending progressive luxury with extravagant looks, it is inspired by British supermodel Naomi Campbell, was designed using exclusive materials from the world of haute couture and has a unique soundtrack devised in cooperation with film score composer Hans Zimmer.

The BMW XM Mystique Allure is the latest product of the collaboration between BMW and Naomi Campbell. The partnership took its first steps last year with the “Dare to be You” launch campaign for the BMW XM, which puts the confidence to be yourself and go your own way at centre stage.

The BMW XM Mystique Allure and Naomi Campbell: making a grand entrance at Cannes.

The 77th Cannes Film Festival was the ideal choice of setting for the world premiere of the BMW XM Mystique Allure. Against the stunning backdrop of the French portside resort, Naomi Campbell presented the one-of-a-kind creation inspired by her to an audience of selected guests, before making her way in the car to the red carpet outside the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. “Witnessing BMW's vision for the BMW XM Mystique Allure come to life has been truly incredible,” says Naomi. “I feel deeply honoured to have sparked the inspiration for their first-ever high-fashion show car, which stands as a unique masterpiece in every aspect.”

This is the third year in succession that BMW has stepped up as Official Automotive Partner of the Cannes Film Festival. And it will lay on an exclusive shuttle service of more than 200 vehicles – among them the all-electric BMW i7, BMW iX and BMW i5, and the plug-in-hybrid BMW XM – to give participants and guests at the event the experience of locally emission-free premium mobility.

First BMW designed with high-fashion materials.

The BMW XM Mystique Allure is the first vehicle in the brand’s history to be designed using materials from the high fashion industry. This unusual tie-up showcases the BMW XM in a whole new light: expressive, avant-garde – and stylish and luxurious in equal measure.

Inspired by Naomi’s favourite colour, the vehicle’s exterior boasts a deeply saturated ultramarine shade, accentuated by a lustrous matte finish. A contemporary translation of high-fashion materials from luxury textile manufacturers, the design seamlessly brings the inside to the outside, featuring rich velvet and shimmering Frozen metallic sequins casting hues ranging from intense violet to deep ultramarine.

The iridescent surfaces were created with precise handcraftsmanship and a fine eye for detail. They take their cues from the eye-catching geometric forms of the BMW XM and bring a special visual richness to the car’s extrovert aesthetic. The design of the BMW XM Mystique Allure provides a meeting point for high performance and haute couture, and paints a unique picture of progressive luxury that continues into the interior. All of the surfaces inside the car, including the M Lounge in the rear, are covered in purple velvet.

BMW IconicSounds Electric: exclusive driving sound from the collaboration with Hans Zimmer.

The bold appearance of the BMW XM Mystique Allure is complemented by an acoustic character also very much its own. At its heart is a bespoke adaptation of the BMW IconicSounds Electric developed as part of the collaboration between BMW Group Sound Design and film score composer Hans Zimmer.

The driving track created for the Naomi Campbell-inspired one-off projects the supreme confidence of the car’s exterior design onto the soundscape of locally emission-free driving. In the M HYBRID drive system’s all-electric operating mode, every movement of the accelerator is accompanied by an emotionally engaging sound that authentically represents the car’s outstanding performance and magnetic visual allure.

The BMW XM: the most powerful series-produced model from BMW M GmbH.

The BMW XM is the first model since the legendary BMW M1 to be conceived solely as a standalone high-performance car from BMW M GmbH. It blends dynamic potency with innovative luxury and an enticingly extravagant design composed of muscular proportions and powerful contours. Two-piece split headlight units, Iconic Glow contour lighting for the BMW kidney grille, accent bands along the sides of the car, light-alloy wheels up to 23 inches in size and the vertically stacked and hexagonally formed pairs of exhaust tailpipes integrated into the rear apron ensure the exterior of the XM has an inimitable visual presence.

The BMW XM is also breaking new ground with its M HYBRID system, which has made the XM the first high-performance car from BMW M GmbH to feature an electrified drive system. In BMW XM Label Red form (electric power and petrol consumption – weighted, combined: 33.5 kWh/100 km and 2.0 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions – weighted, combined: 45 g/km (WLTP); fuel consumption with discharged battery: 12.9 l/100 km as per WLTP), the plug-in hybrid model – with its maximum output of 550 kW – is also the most powerful series-produced, road-legal car yet produced by BMW M GmbH.

Midrand. The 14^th instalment of the Simola Hillclimb took place in Knysna from 2–5 May and was a certified adrenaline-fuelled event both for the motorsports enthusiasts in attendance and those watching the livestream online.

BMW Group South Africa’s participation in the King of the Hill event on Sunday 5 May proved to be a revolutionary showcase as the brand made history while celebrating the future of mobility with the debut of its BMW iX5 Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle – the first hydrogen-powered entrant to compete in the Simola Hillclimb.  

A battle on the hill.

The final leg of the 2024 Simola Hillclimb – the King of the Hill challenge – did not disappoint. It showcased many of South Africa’s fastest machines, including electrifying entrants from the BMW brand’s innovative portfolio, including the BMW i5 M60 xDrive, the inline six-cylinder BMW M4 Competition Coupé and BMW iX5 Hydrogen cars, and BMW’s M 1000 R and M 1000 XR motorcycles.

It was clear skies for the contenders – a welcome relief following the previous day’s downpour – and the BMW drivers gave a commendable performance. The BMW M4 Competition Coupé , driven by Cristiano Verolini and BMW i5 M60 xDrive driven by Deon Joubert placed in the top 10 of the Road and Supercar Shootout category in the A4 and A8 classes, respectively.

In addition to the BMW Group South Africa entries at the 2024 Simola Hillclimb, an impressive array of privateers entered BMWs in various classes. The headliner was Speedy Car Sales owner and renowned Group N and Touring Car driver Farouk Dangor’s immaculately restored BMW E30 BTCC M3 from the famous Speedy Car Sales motorsport Museum.

Dangor is one of the driving forces behind the introduction of a new B10 class for street-legal tuned or modified vehicles from 2025. It will be open to a range of production-based two- and four-wheel drive cars that – regardless of engine size – will level the playing field between full race cars and road-registered modified vehicles.

Future drive.

The much-anticipated debut performance of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen car, driven by Bradleigh Boshoff, met expectations by encompassing the brand’s dynamics and agility in ground-breaking hydrogen drive on the hill. Beyond the Simola Hillclimb, the BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet will be used by different target groups globally for further trial and demonstration purposes that will give the company’s development team valuable practical knowledge about the vehicle. The BMW Group is considering potential series production of vehicles with hydrogen drive systems in the second half of this decade.

The commitment of the BMW Group to this technology provides great opportunities for the environment and its resources, and for the future. The BMW iX5 Hydrogen vehicle embodies one of many innovations to boost the hydrogen economy and advance the generation of green hydrogen.

At the end of the thrilling race weekend, BMW Group South Africa CEO Peter van Binsbergen said: “We had a great weekend of local motorsport that was well attended by a strong field of fans and competitors. Last year, BMW Group South Africa was present at the Hillclimb celebrating ‘50 Years in South Africa’ and, this year, we are back under the theme of ‘technological openness’.

“BMW Group South Africa was pleased to be present with a broad spectrum of drivetrains on offer, showcasing our technological openness, including a classic BMW M4 Competition, new fully electric BMW i5 M60, and ground-breaking BMW iX5 Hydrogen fuel cell electric car. We are happy with our results and would like to thank the organisers for another spectacular show of motorsport.”

Into the broad space between race track experience and soul-stirring road performance comes another BMW M GmbH special edition from the BMW M3 and BMW M4 range. The all-new BMW M4 CS takes the blend of attributes typically found in high-performance cars in the premium midsize segment and turns the emotional engagement dial up a few notches. 

The new BMW M4 CS invites owners to experience the inimitable M feeling in all its depth and breadth. Its distinctive character profile places it exactly midway between the new BMW M4 Competition Coupé with M xDrive and the 1,000-unit limited-run BMW M4 CSL special edition. The pure-bred performance talents of the new BMW M4 CS are the product of M-typical racing genes, which offer constant reminders of their presence in everyday driving on the road and enjoy full expression out on the track.

The model-specific performance characteristics of the six-cylinder in-line engine in the BMW M4 CS, an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and M xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive imbue the new special edition with dynamic poise and assurance in any situation. Instantaneous power delivery and optimised traction enable acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. In testing at the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit – the ultimate barometer for all BMW M cars when it comes to the signature M recipe of dynamic potency, agility and handling precision – the new BMW M4 CS recorded an official and notarised time of 7 min. 21.989 sec. for the full 20.832-kilometre lap.

Six-cylinder in-line engine developed for motorsport .

The race-focused character of the new BMW M4 CS is immediately recognisable and a noticeable companion over every journey. The special edition is powered by a particularly muscular version of the high-revving six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology developed for the BMW M3/BMW M4 range. The 3.0-litre unit has had track performance as its raison d’être from day one of its development. Indeed, it also provides the basis for the engine in the BMW M4 GT3, which won the DTM touring car title in 2022 at the first time of asking and followed that up in 2023 with overall victories at the 24-hour races in Spa-Francorchamps and Dubai.

The engine in the new BMW M4 CS therefore also benefits from the development expertise of BMW M GmbH and the many years of racing experience that underpin it. The engine has an extremely rigid crankcase, which features a sleeve-free, closed-deck construction and is designed to handle very high combustion pressure. The forged lightweight crankshaft also displays exceptional torsional resistance, which plays a role in giving the engine its rapid power delivery and appetite for revs. The wire-arc sprayed iron coating of the likewise weight-saving cylinder bores reduces frictional losses. The cylinder head, meanwhile, has a 3D-printed core. This additive manufacturing process allows the coolant ducts to be routed in an optimum arrangement for temperature management that would be impossible to achieve using conventional metal casting methods. And the system of oil supply – like the cooling system – is designed to handle the specific challenges of track use, including consistently high revs and extreme lateral acceleration.

Bespoke performance characteristics, distinctive sound.

Racing technology provides the foundations for the extraordinary potential of the six-cylinder in-line engine, which produces maximum output of 405 kW hp from under the bonnet of the new BMW M4 CS. The power boost over the BMW M4 Competition Coupé with M xDrive was achieved through targeted revisions to the engine’s M TwinPower Turbo technology and required no concessions in terms of stability or durability. The adjustments primarily involved raising the maximum charge pressure of the two mono-scroll turbochargers to 2.1 bar and making some model-specific tweaks to the engine management.

The upgrades also produce a very specific take on familiar M performance characteristics, with instantaneous power delivery that continues unabated through to the upper echelons of the rev range a particularly dominant theme. The engine in the new BMW M4 CS puts its peak torque of 650 Nm on tap from just 2,750 rpm up to 5,950 rpm. It develops maximum output at 6,250 rpm and has a 7,200 rpm red line. Contributing to the excellent engine response is a model-specific engine mounting with increased spring rates. The rigid connection between the power unit and the vehicle’s structure enables particularly direct transmission of its power to the drivetrain every time the driver presses the accelerator.

The instantly available power and high-revving character of the engine pave the way for imposing acceleration figures. The new BMW M4 CS dashes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds, while 0 to 200 km/h takes 11.1 seconds. The mid-range sprint from 80 to 120 km/h is dealt with in 2.6 seconds in 4th gear and in 3.3 seconds in 5th gear. The top speed of the special edition – which comes as standard with the M Driver’s Package – is electronically limited to 302 km/h.

The engine’s power delivery is accompanied by the emotionally stirring soundtrack generated by the dual-branch exhaust system, which features electrically controlled flaps, a titanium rear silencer with weight-minimising design and – in customary M fashion – two pairs of tailpipes painted in matt Black. The engine’s acoustic presence adjusts to the powertrain setting selected via the M Setup menu. In SPORT and SPORT+ modes, the engine note gains unmissable racing car undertones. This injects genuine aural drama into proceedings, particularly during gear changes and the accompanying adjustments in rev speed.

Eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, M xDrive and active M differential convert outstanding power into imposing performance.

The engine’s drive torque is relayed to all four wheels of the new BMW M4 CS via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. This is operated using either the M-specific gear selector lever on the centre console or the carbon-fibre shift paddles on the steering wheel. The Drivelogic button integrated into the selector lever allows the driver to alter the transmission’s shift characteristics as desired, with a choice of settings available: one comfort-oriented, one for sports performance and one optimised specifically for track use.

The engine’s power is channelled onto the road by the M xDrive system. This intelligent all-wheel-drive technology uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the transfer case to distribute the engine’s power smoothly between the front and rear wheels – and so maximise traction, agility and directional stability in any situation. The multi-plate clutch’s oil supply has been optimised to ensure the all-wheel-drive system continues to perform effectively even during ultra-intense track sessions.

The M xDrive system’s rear-wheel bias and the way it teams up with the Active M Differential at the rear axle – whose operation is also fully variable – add to the signature M feeling when accelerating or powering through corners. Furthermore, the M Setup menu allows 4WD Sport mode to be selected, which directs an even greater proportion of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels. Drivers can also switch off the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system altogether and engage pure rear-wheel drive via 2WD mode. This engages skilled drivers in the driving experience to an even more intense degree.

Model-specific tuning for the chassis technology and control systems.

The chassis technology for the new BMW M4 CS has been tuned precisely to the performance characteristics of the engine, the overall vehicle concept and its weight distribution. The individually tuned axle kinematics and bespoke wheel camber settings, dampers, auxiliary springs and anti-roll bars serve to optimise steering precision, transmission of lateral control forces when cornering, spring and damping response and wheel location.

The electronically controlled dampers of the adaptive M suspension on the new BMW M4 CS likewise come in a model-specific setup, as do its electromechanical M Servotronic steering with variable ratio and its integrated braking system. The settings for the DSC system and M Dynamic Mode have also been purposefully geared to the specific demands of dynamic circuit driving. M Dynamic Mode gives drivers extra leeway to explore the car’s dynamic limits by pushing back the intervention points for the DSC system’s various stabilising measures. When the driver adopts an extremely sporty driving style, the resultant wheel slip ensures even better power transmission and helps to propel the car down the road with extra assurance.

Exclusive forged light-alloy wheels and track tyres fitted as standard.

M Carbon ceramic brakes are standard on South African units. They can be specified in a Red or matt Gold painted finish. The new BMW M4 CS also comes as standard with forged M light-alloy wheels in an exclusive V-spoke design – available in either in matt Gold Bronze or matt Black.

The lightweight wheels (19-inch at the front axle and 20-inch at the rear) are fitted as standard with track tyres (ultra track tyres as option) to maximise the performance experience on the race track. Offering outstanding lateral control and directional stability, precise steering feel and optimum traction, these track tyres – in the dimensions 275/35 ZR19 (front) and 285/30 ZR20 (rear) – represent a compelling proposition, even when the driver is living out their sporting ambitions on a circuit. Customers intending to use their BMW M4 CS mostly for day-to-day driving can select high-performance tyres in the same sizes as a no-cost option.

Intensive application of lightweight design with generous use of CFRP.

Extensive lightweight design measures play a major part in moulding the performance qualities and exclusive character of the new BMW M4 CS. The use of components made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) is of key importance here. The carbon-fibre roof is a prime example, its low weight bringing the car’s centre of gravity closer to the road and therefore enhancing agility and cornering dynamics. The bonnet, front splitter, front air intakes, exterior mirror caps, rear diffuser and Gurney-style rear spoiler are also made from this lightweight, high-tech material.

Adherence to the principle of intelligent lightweight design is also evident in the interior. Indeed, in the interests of reducing weight inside the cockpit, the centre console, shift paddles on the steering wheel and interior trim elements are all made from CFRP. The special-edition model also comes as standard with M Carbon bucket seats, whose weight-minimising construction is highlighted by the use of CFRP in the structural elements of the seat cushion and backrest as well as in the eye-catching cut-outs in the side bolsters and below the head restraints. Added to which, the exhaust system on the new BMW M4 CS is more than four kilograms lighter, thanks to the use of a titanium rear silencer. All in all, lightweight design measures bring the car’s weight down by around 20 kilograms compared to the BMW M4 Competition Coupé with M xDrive.

Standard M front end strut brace maximises torsional rigidity.

An M front end strut brace – also engineered for lightness – is standard on models sold in South Africa and allows the BMW M4 CS to increase torsional rigidity and improve handling through dynamic corners. The cast aluminium elements connecting the spring strut towers to the front end feature a weight-optimised geometry that has been precisely matched – with the help of numerical models – to the forces applied in various driving situations.

Exclusive design features promise thrilling performance.

The new BMW M4 CS instantly announces its sharper character with a series of individual design features. The new BMW Individual special paint finishes Riviera Blue and Frozen Isle of Man Green Metallic are available exclusively for the latest special-edition model from BMW M GmbH. Surfaces in exposed carbon fibre for the roof and the pair of indents chiselled into the bonnet showcase the material’s distinctive structure, as do the front splitter, front air intakes, M exterior mirror caps, rear spoiler and rear apron. Together with the Black side skirts and M gills, the CFRP elements provide a stunning contrast against the bold new paint finishes. The new BMW M4 CS can also be specified in the exterior shades M Brooklyn Grey metallic and Sapphire Black metallic.

The vehicle’s front end sports a weight-saving, frameless BMW kidney grille with a stripped-back feel reminiscent of racing machines. Designed especially for this model, its identifying features include red contour lines and the “M4 CS” badging on the upper of the two horizontal grille bars. Both the model badge at the front and its counterpart on the boot lid have black surfaces with a red border.

Eye-catching headlights add another flourish to the front end of the new BMW M4 CS. Their sculptural light icons illuminate yellow instead of white – both during the Welcome Light Animation and while low beam or high beam is switched on – and so reference successful GT racing cars. The rear lights of the BMW M4 CS make a visually powerful statement with their striking appearance during the hours of darkness. As well as generating a powerful radiance, their Laserlight technology is also marked out by intricate fibre optic bundles inside the light units, which have a “free-floating” appearance and are illuminated by a laser diode. The result is a prominent 3D effect. This technology was first seen in the BMW M4 CSL high-performance special edition produced in a limited run of 1,000 units, and now also brings an exclusive aesthetic to the BMW M4 CS.

Racing flair in the cockpit: M Carbon bucket seats with exclusive design cues.

Exuding a puristic visual appeal, the cockpit of the BMW M4 CS focuses squarely on delivering an exhilarating driving experience, while also successfully blending its distinct racing aura with comfort features for everyday driving – thanks to high-quality materials and exclusive design elements. The standard M Alcantara steering wheel in three-spoke design with a flat-bottomed rim offers a perfect combination of secure grip for dynamic driving manoeuvres and impressive comfort on longer journeys. Its red centre marker and CFRP shift paddles add an authentic racing flavour to the cockpit. The standard M Carbon bucket seats in a model-specific design also fuse racing-car feel and long-distance comfort to exceptional effect. Fully electric and heated, they feature integral head restraints and an illuminated model badge.

The M Carbon bucket seats in the BMW M4 CS are upholstered in Merino leather and come in an exclusive design with a Black/Red colour scheme and distinctive contrast stitching. This bi-colour finish is carried over into the rear compartment of the high-performance sports car. Both the door panels in the front and the rear side panelling are trimmed entirely in Black leather. Red “CS” lettering on the centre console, M seat belts with contrast stitching in the BMW M GmbH colours, an Anthracite-coloured headliner, interior trim strips in Carbon Fibre finish and door sill plates with the inscription “M4 CS” all add to the exclusive ambience inside the car.

BMW Curved Display with M-specific readouts, new BMW iDrive.

The latest version of the BMW iDrive display and control/operation system based on BMW Operating System 8.5 provides intuitive control of numerous vehicle functions and digital services. The BMW Curved Display features M-specific readouts and is angled towards the driver, helping them to focus on the road ahead. The fully digital screen grouping is formed by a 12.3-inch information display behind the steering wheel and a control display with a screen diagonal of 14.9 inches. The familiar M Shift Lights appear at the top of the information display, while the driving stability system, M xDrive and traction control modes are all indicated in the lower area. Special widgets containing information on the current vehicle setup, as well as tyre pressures and temperature can be added to the control display’s home screen.

The upgraded BMW iDrive also comprises the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and has been designed with particular emphasis on touch and voice control. Besides the M-specific graphics, the system also now features a new way of operating the automatic climate control: the temperature and ventilation settings as well as the seat heating can be controlled either by touch using a special menu option in the lower area of the control display or by voice command.

Setup button for customising vehicle configuration, M Drive Professional with M Drift Analyser and M Laptimer as standard.

The M-specific Setup button on the centre console enables direct access to the settings options for the engine, chassis, steering, braking system and M xDrive. Two individually configurable setup variants can be stored permanently, together with the preferred settings for the engine note, the DSC system, the Automatic Start/Stop function and the shift characteristics of the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, and then retrieved using one of the two M buttons on the steering wheel.

Also fitted as standard in the new BMW M4 CS is the M Drive Professional system. This includes track-optimised functions such as the M Drift Analyser, which evaluates and records purposefully executed cornering slides, and the M Laptimer, which provides detailed data on laps of the track and allows sporty-minded drivers to share their exploits with the community. It additionally comes with M Traction Control, whose ten stages also play their part in helping drivers enjoy the pleasure of driving the car enthusiastically on the track.

The M Mode button on the centre console is another tool in the M Drive Professional package and can be used to adjust both driver assistance system responses and the content shown in the information display and Head-Up Display. As well as the ROAD and SPORT settings, the BMW M4 CS also offers a TRACK mode designed exclusively for use on race circuits.

Top-class options for added pleasure and comfort in everyday driving.

The specification of the standard BMW Live Cockpit Professional includes the BMW Head-Up Display with M-specific graphics, the cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system, smartphone integration, telephony with wireless charging and a WiFi interface. 

The new BMW M4 CS additionally offers customers a select choice of comfort features and driver assistance systems, with the focus firmly on the enjoyment of unadulterated driving pleasure. Comfort Access, the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System, Park Distance Control, Park Assistant, Front Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and the Speed Limit Info system are all included as standard.

The new BMW M4 CS in South Africa.

The new BMW M4 CS will be produced alongside the other BMW M4 variants at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing from July this year and order books open at the end of May. Units destined for South Africa are limited to 25 with arrivals expected in the fourth quarter of 2024. The new BMW M4 CS will be priced at R3,050,000.00 (including VAT and Motorplan). 

Midrand. BMW Group South Africa is poised for another thrilling showcase at the 2024 Simola Hillclimb, taking place in Knysna from May 2 - 5.  The company will showcase its revolutionary BMW iX5 Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, making history as the first hydrogen-powered entrant to compete in this motorsport event.

 The three-day event attracts global competitors, enthusiasts, and professional racing drivers for its Classic Car Friday and King of the Hill events. This year, BMW Group South Africa will premiere the BMW iX5 Hydrogen vehicle in its portfolio of innovative entrants for the King of the Hill showdown.

Competitive innovation.

While competitors and the spectacular array of vehicles primed to conquer the 1.9km hill are the main attraction, the Simola Hillclimb has seen a growing number of full-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles being entered in recent years, with the BMW i4 M50, BMW iX3, and BMW XM as past entrants. BMW Group South Africa will demonstrate its commitment to its technology open approach, as the BMW iX5 becomes the first hydrogen vehicle to participate in the Simola Hillclimb event.

The 295kW BMW iX5 Hydrogen vehicle, an innovative hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric vehicle (EV), delivers the driving dynamics for which the BMW brand is renowned. Its highly efficient fuel cell system, two hydrogen tanks, electric motor, and power battery all work with the central vehicle control unit to exhibit exceptional performance.

‘Sheer Driving Pleasure’ is King. 

Additionally, BMW Group South Africa will showcase its newly launched 442kW i5 M60 xDrive vehicle with racing legend Deon Joubert behind the wheel, who aims to set a new Simola Hillclimb EV record. The BMW M4 Competition xDrive is another noteworthy entrant and will be driven by Cristiano Verolini of BMW’s Driving Experience. Motorcycles from BMW Motorrad – the M 1000 R, R 1300 GS, R 18 Roctane and the CE 04 – will participate in demonstration runs up the hill.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the Simola Hillclimb website: simolahillclimb.com

Munich. With a new season in motorsport just around the corner,the collaboration between BMW M Motorsport and toymaker LEGO^® has produced a new Speed Champions set that is destined to capture the imagination. The new arrival will fuel excitement among younger motorsport fans from nine years of age, as well as laying on an authentic build-and-play experience for more mature collectors. With 676 pieces in total, this detailed set enables builders to recreate not one but two current competition racing cars from BMW M Motorsport: the BMW M Hybrid V8 and the BMW M4 GT3. These two racers will front BMW M Motorsport’s bid for glory at events including the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 15/16 June 2024.

The new miniature members of the Speed Champions series stand out as carefully constructed replicas of the original cars. Authentic design features include the characteristic BMW M Motorsport paintwork, prominent diffuser elements, visually striking exhaust tailpipes and eye-catching spoilers, as well as an interior crafted with fine attention to detail. Plus, the roofs of the two miniatures can be taken off to allow the racing driver figures supplied as part of the set to be inserted into their respective cockpits. The stage is set for thrilling wheel-to-wheel racing in kids’ bedrooms far and wide.

Detailed replicas for racing fans young and old.

Driven by the vision of reproducing iconic racing cars with LEGO^® bricks, the LEGO^® Speed Champions series has been bringing smiles to the faces of car fans and collectors of all ages for almost ten years now. The new model set bringing together the BMW M Hybrid V8 and BMW M4 GT3 fits in with this tradition and enables additional target groups to experience the allure of motor sport and the engineering expertise of BMW M.

The latest addition to the LEGO^® Speed Champions series will stir the racing passion of its builders as they go about constructing the cars. Once finished, these two exceptionally beguiling models will enrich both collectors’ display cases and starting grids for exciting bedroom races.

BMW M Motorsport: back on the big stage.

BMW M Motorsport is celebrating a long-awaited comeback to international prototype racing with the BMW M Hybrid V8. The electrified V8 racer passed its first test of strength last season in the prestigious GTP category of the IMSA series, and this year it will also compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC). Exactly 25 years on from the BMW V12 LMR famously claiming overall victory at Le Mans, the launch of the BMW M Hybrid V8 at the legendary endurance classic opens a new chapter in the BMW brand’s prototype racing history.

BMW M Team WRT is also entering the BMW M4 GT3 in the FIA WEC races over the upcoming season. This means BMW M Motorsport will also be represented in another class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans: While the two BMW M Hybrid V8 cars will do battle in the hypercar category at Le Mans, a pair of BMW M4 GT3 racers will line up in the LMGT3 class.

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2022, the BMW Group sold nearly 2.4 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2022 was € 23.5 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.6 billion. As of 31 December 2022, the BMW Group had a workforce of 149,475 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products. 

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More power, sharpened design features, new customisation options and digital innovations: With consistent advancements in the areas related to an exclusive performance experience, BMW M GmbH continues the success story of their bestsellers in the premium midsize segment. The new BMW M4 Competition Coupé with M xDrive and BMW M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive now both highlight even more intensively the motorsport genes of these high-performance models. A increase in maximum power outputc, new headlights, laser taillights, M forged light-alloy wheels featuring a new design, steering wheels and interior trims, as well as the BMW Operating System 8.5 mark the highlights of further development in the model year 2024.

The straight six-cylinder engine featuring M TwinPower Turbo Technology will  in future be available in three performance levels -- although only the 390kW version will be offered in South Africa. The powerplant in the new BMW M4 Competition Coupé and Convertible delivers a maximum power output increased to 390kW, transferring power to the road via an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. In combination with M xDrive, this transmission guarantees extremely superior transformation of power output into exhilarating driving dynamics.

Thanks to the current modifications, the high-performance automobiles of the premium midsize segment all have the ideal prerequisites for the continuation of their popularity on international automobile markets, whilst strengthening their leading position within the segment. The USA has become the major sales market for the BMW M4 Coupé, followed by China, Germany and the UK. In the USA, the BMW M4 Convertible accounts by far for the highest sales figures. Moreover, the open-top four-seater enjoys great popularity in Germany and the UK. Both globally and in each of their relevant markets, models of the BMW M4 Series occupy by a clear margin the position as market leaders in each of their respective competitive environments.

The new editions of the BMW M4 Coupé and the BMW M4 Convertible are produced at the BMW Group Dingolfing plant. The worldwide market launch of the new models will begin with the commencement of production in March 2024.

Bespoke vehicles, M-typical performance.

Uncompromising dynamics both in everyday driving and on the racetrack are characteristic of BMW M4 Series models, this also being reflected in their design. Powerful proportions and M-specific design features for optimising the cooling air supply and the aerodynamic balance underpin their status as high-performance sports cars. The large, vertical BMW kidney grille sporting M-typical and horizontally arranged double slats, powerfully modelled wheel arches and prominently flared side sills with a contrasting high-gloss black finish as well as attachments for the front and rear aprons provide clear reference to the dynamic potential of both the Coupé and the Convertible.

Furthermore, the various model variants present themselves as bespoke vehicles, each of them enhancing the extreme sporty driving experience with their very own special facets. For example, a carbon reinforced plastic (CRP) roof is standard on all variants of the BMW M4 Coupé. The BMW M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive offers a particularly unique opportunity to enjoy M-typical performance along with an extraordinary open-air driving experience. The car’s sophisticated panel bow soft-top roof combines the benefits of a retractable hardtop with the look of a classic fabric roof. The electric drive mechanism allows it to be opened or closed while on the move.

Straight six-cylinder engine with motor racing technology and new performance specification.

The straight six-cylinder power units used in the new BMW M4 Coupé and the new BMW M4 Convertible combine the typical high-revving characteristics offered by engines from BMW M GmbH with the current version of M TwinPower Turbo Technology. The 3-litre engine impresses with responsive power delivery and high-torque characteristics up into the highest load ranges. These attributes are responsible for those unmistakable, linear performance characteristics that have always been the hallmark of BMW M automobiles.

The engine‘s design features directly derive from motor racing 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 optimised routing of the coolant ducts, something that cannot be realised using conventional metal casting technology. In this way, both weight and temperature management are optimised. Like the cooling system, the oil supply is also aligned to the special demands of racetrack use.

M TwinPower Turbo Technology comprises two mono scroll turbochargers, each of them supplying three cylinders with compressed air. Indirect intercooling facilitated by a low-temperature circuit and specific compressors optimise the power output of the charging unit. Moreover, the technology package includes the petrol injection system High Precision Injection operating at a maximum pressure of 350 bar, variable valve control VALVETRONIC and infinitely variable camshaft control Double VANOS.

Maximum power output of the straight six-cylinder power unit variant featured in both the new BMW M4 Competition Coupé with M xDrive and the new BMW M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive has been increased from the previous 375 kW to 390 kW; this being reached at an engine speed of 6,250 rpm. The further developed engine retrieves maximum torque of 650 Nm within an extended engine speed range of between 2,750 and 5,730 rpm. This results in even more superior and continuous power delivery, thus further enhancing the performance experience above all in highly dynamic driving situations. This exclusive performance specification is realised through a modification of the engine control system, providing further proof of the outstanding potential of the straight six-cylinder engine developed by BMW M GmbH and which serves as the basis for the power plant featured in the BMW M4 GT3 long-distance vehicle.

Whilst the new BMW M4 Competition Coupé with M xDrive is able to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 3.5 seconds, the new BMW M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive takes 3.7 seconds to reach the same speed from a standstill. The M Driver’s Package is standard on vehicles sold in South Africa, with top speeds of 290km/h and 280km/h for the Coupé and Convertible, respectively.

Honed on the Nürburgring: M-typical overall package comprising engine, power transmission and suspension technology. 

The 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic is perfectly matched to the performance characteristics of the engine. Shift paddles on the steering wheel for spontaneous manual intervention at each selected driving speed and the Drivelogic button for variable shift characteristics pave the way for a driving experience that is customisable in a variety of ways.

In addition, the most powerful version of the straight six-cylinder engine is combined with intelligent four-wheel drive M xDrive. This gives the new BMW M4 Competition Coupé with M xDrive and the new BMW M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive outstanding traction, an attribute that is expressed in their impressive acceleration values. Thanks to a rear-wheel biased system and in conjunction with a fully variable Active M differential in the rear wheel transmission, the M xDrive system also enhances that typical M feeling during dynamic cornering. Via the set-up menu the driver is able to select, in addition to the default setting 4WD, the 4WD Sport mode, in which greater percentage of torque is directed to the rear axle. Moreover, when DSC is deactivated, the 2WD mode becomes available for exclusive transmission of power to the rear wheels.

High torsional stiffness of the body structure and the suspension connections create the ideal prerequisites for inspiring agility and spontaneous response to steering commands. Model-specific body struts also help the high-performance model provide that BMW M typical combination of dynamic, agile and precise handling.

M-specific kinematics and elasto-kinematics of the double-joint spring strut front axle and the five-link rear axle guarantee the harmony between extreme driving dynamics and balanced comfort features on all models of the series, both in everyday use and on longer journeys. Three characteristic maps are available via the M Setup menu for individual adjustments of the Adaptive M suspension, which comes as standard. Further components of the suspension technology include M Servotronic steering and the integrated braking system, which is utilised in conjunction both with the standard M compound brakes and the optional M carbon-ceramic brakes.

The integrated application of all drive and suspension systems, which was tested, inter alia, on the northern loop of the Nürburgring, guarantees, also in everyday traffic, highly dynamic and precisely controllable handling. A form of driving pleasure that is unique within the competitive environment is provided by the stability control system DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), which in addition to the M Dynamic Mode comprises ten-stage adjustable wheel slip limitation. By means of the M Traction Control function, optionally available for the BMW M4 Coupé and standard on all Competition models, the driver is able to reduce system interventions in stages in order to cautiously approach the physical limits of driving when the car is used on the racetrack, for instance. The M Lap Timer and the M Drift Analyser provide functions that emphasise the character of these high-performance models as ultimate driving machines for use on closed-off roads.

Wheel sizes aligned to each axle, M forged light-alloy wheels boasting a new design.

Axle-specific wheel sizes ensure a particularly comprehensive transfer of lateral forces during dynamic cornering. The standard configuration of the BMW M4 Competition Coupé with M xDrive and the BMW M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive comprises M forged light alloys of the size 19” at the front and 20” at the rear.

New to the range of special equipment are M forged light-alloy wheels in the above sizes featuring a double-spoke design and, for the first time, with a silver finish. Their brightly shining surfaces provide for a sporty, sophisticated and elegant look.

Assistance systems with a configurable range of functions.

The ongoing further development of the range of systems for automated driving and parking also contribute towards an unmistakable driving experience. In terms of functional scope and availability they set benchmarks within the competitive environment of the new BMW M4 Coupé and the new BMW M4 Convertible. Moreover, the activities of the driver assistance systems can be controlled via the M Mode button located on the centre console in order to guarantee the typically exhilarating experience of driving a high-performance sportscar. For instance, in the optionally available TRACK mode, which is designed for racetrack use, all comfort and safety systems are temporarily deactivated. 

Standard equipment for the new BMW M4 Coupé and the new BMW M4 Convertible includes Park Distance Control with sensors at the front and rear, Cruise Control with braking function, Front Collision Warning with brake intervention, Lane Departure Warning including Lane Return function with steering assistance and Traffic Sign Recognition with Speed Limit Info and No Overtaking Indicator. Standard features, as an integral part of the Driving Assistant Professional package for Competition models sold in South Africa include, Steering and Lane Guidance Assistant with Automatic Speed Limit Assist, Lane Keeping Assistant, and Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function. The Parking Assistant facilitates automatic parking (entering/leaving spaces) and also includes the Reversing Assistant as standard.

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

The redesigned headlights give the front end of both the new BMW M4 Coupé and the new BMW M4 Convertible a modern look. The inside of the LED headlights, now a standard option, is even more distinctively structured. They also feature further developments in their functionality. Both the low and high beam are now produced by the same LED module. Two vertical LED units, each aligned in an arrowhead shape, assume the function of position and daytime running lights as well as direction indicators. The technology-oriented design of these new light sources provides for a sophisticated and progressive look.

Adaptive LED headlights with anti-glare matrix high beam are standard in South Africa, recognisable by blue inserts, and feature an urban light and cornering light function. Using the urban light function ensures optimised illumination of the roadside areas when travelling at low speeds on roads identified by the navigation data as built-up areas. The low beam function, however, is only activated when a speed of 35km/h has been reached. Furthermore, in conjunction with the adaptive LED headlights M Shadow Line lights featuring dark accents inside are also available. 

Moreover, the adaptive LED headlights are combined with a both visually and technologically impressive design of the LED taillights, and feature laser technology and a fascinating light design. Inside, laser diodes produce an even illumination of glass fibre bundles, the filigree, 3-dimensional light graphics of which complement the taillight clusters. The model-specific version of this innovative light scenario utilises a technology presented for the first time on the special high-performance BMW M4 CSL, a model limited to 1,000 units.

A new design of the surrounding surface of the both the BMW logo and the M logo at the rear of the Competition models add further subtle accents for sophisticated elegance. The base of the BMW logo is now finished in High Gloss Black. The BMW M GmbH brand logo situated on the rear lid has been complemented by a silver surround. 

A special feature designed exclusively for the model variants of the new BMW M4 Coupé for customisation of the external appearance are optional M design graphics for the bonnet and the rear lid. This contrasting colour emphasises the sporting characteristics of the two-door model and is available either in High Gloss Black or High Gloss Red. The optional steel roof available at no extra cost, which includes an electrically operated glass sliding roof, offers an additional design accent: the sheet metal part of the roof is finished in High Gloss Black instead of the body colour.

M-specific sportscar cockpit with new steering wheel designs and interior trims. 

The modern motor racing ambience inside the new versions of the high-performance models has also undergone further development. New steering wheel designs and control elements as well as high-class materials for the instrument panel and interior trims enhance the exclusive ambience inside the M-specific sportscar cockpits.

The standard M leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons, two M buttons and shift paddles for the Competition models now convey to the driver an even more intensive racetrack feel. The new design comprises a flattened lower section of the steering wheel rim and concisely modified spokes. A red centre marking in the 12 o’clock position underscores the sportive orientation of the steering wheel design. Moreover, for the first time, an M Alcantara steering wheel is available with the same design and range of functions. In addition, a heating function is optionally available for both steering wheel variants.

Furthermore, the M-specific cockpit arrangement also includes a control panel on the centre console, on which the shift lever or gear selector switch, the red Start/Stop button, the BMW iDrive Controller, the Setup and M Mode buttons are situated. These can be activated for individual vehicle configuration as well as for the range of functions of cockpit displays and driver assistance systems, which can be adapted to suit the driving situation at hand. 

Characteristic of M is also the combination of sporty flair and premium ambience inside the vehicle. This is, amongst other things, the result of high-quality design and finishing of the materials used for the interior. The interior trims in the area of the dashboard, the control panel and the cupholder cover now come as standard in South Africa with Carbon Fibre trim finishes. 

The M sports seats come as standard and offer many electrically operated adjustment options, integrated headrests and illuminated model logos. The ideal position behind the wheel can be stored using the memory function. Heated seats for both driver and front passenger are also standard, with seat ventilation as an option. The standard leather trim Merino, the all-leather trim Merino, the extended BMW Individual leather trim Merino and the BMW Individual all-leather trim Merino are all available in four different colours.

The optional and also fully electrically adjustable and heated M Carbon bucket seats provide for an optimised connection between driver and vehicle. They combine motor racing functionality with lightweight design, cutting-edge workmanship and a high level of long-distance comfort. The use of CRP for the structural elements of the seat and backrest, as well as cut-outs within the area of the side bolsters and beneath the headrests result in a weight reduction of 9.6 kilos compared with the standard sports seats.

In addition, an Air Collar system can be ordered as an exclusive option for the BMW M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive. It generates a three-stage adjustable airflow, providing pleasant warmth from behind to both driver and front passenger, also during open-top driving and regardless of the outside temperature.

BMW Curved Display and new BMW Operating System 8.5.

More than ever before, the new BMW M4 Coupé and the new BMW M4 Convertible combine exclusive sportscar flair with advanced digitalisation. M-specific information on the high-resolution BMW Curved Display, which is inclined 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 control monitor with a 14.9-inch screen diagonal.

The BMW Curved Display serves as a platform for the current BMW iDrive system used in the new BMW M4 Coupé and the new BMW M4 Convertible. The display and operating system, which also includes the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and is therefore actively designed for touch and voice control, is now based on the BMW Operating System 8.5. The M-specific graphics and contents on the information screen and on the control monitor have been complemented by a new form of operation for the standard automatic climate control. Temperature setting, ventilation intensity, heating of both seat and steering wheel can now, depending on how the vehicle is equipped, either be controlled per touch control via a special menu option in the lower part of the control display or by means of voice control.

Advancements in the area of digital operation come with a further reduction in the number of buttons and controls in the cockpit and a redesigned instrument panel. New control buttons for the fresh air vents in the centre of the dashboard and on the driver’s and front passenger’s side enable the setting of the desired direction of airflow by rotating and tilting. Moreover, the standard feature Ambient Lighting now also comprises contour lighting integrated into the cover of the central air vents. Like with the illumination of the footwells and the storage compartments in the area of the centre console and door openers, colour and brightness can be adapted according to individual preferences. There is a choice of nine different colours. 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 feature BMW Live Cockpit Professional also comprises the cloud-based navigation system BMW Maps. Another standard option is the BMW Head-up Display, which projects in an M-specific style driving-related information onto the windscreen, including multi-coloured rev range representation, shift lights and M View.

Furthermore, the standard feature BMW Live Cockpit Professional encompasses two USB ports for data transfer and a wireless network interface as well as Smartphone integration, which permits, inter alia, the use of Apple CarPlay^® and Android Auto™. In addition, telephony with wireless charging of compatible Smartphones and a 464W Harmon Kardon Surround Sound System are all included in the standard equipment range for the new  BMW M4 Competition Coupé and the new BMW M4 Competition Convertible in South Africa.

Targeted customisation with M Carbon exterior package, M Race Track package and BMW M Performance Parts.

A model-specific M Carbon exterior package is available for precise customisation of these high-performance automobiles, bringing to the fore the racing character of both models even more intensively. The M Carbon exterior package includes inserts for the wide-open front air intakes and a rear diffuser, each featuring its own geometry and exterior mirror caps. Vehicle weight has been reduced by up to 25 kg thanks to the likewise optionally available M Race Track package, which also includes, in addition to M Carbon ceramic brakes, M Carbon bucket seats for both driver and front passenger as well as interior trim strips in High Gloss Carbon Fibre. 

BMW Performance Parts provide additional options for adapting the intensive driving experience and the dynamic aura of the new high-performance sportscars to suit the driver’s very own preferences. The spectrum of model-specific retrofit options encompasses exterior CFP components, M Performance forged wheels with centre lock, M Performance floor mats and M Performance steering wheel trims for individualisation of the interior.

Munich. The retrofit products from the BMW M Performance Parts programme not only enhance numerous current BMW models but also provide an additional touch of motorsport feeling to the high-performance sports cars of the BMW M GmbH. Among the particularly notable examples of technology transferred directly from the racetrack to the road are the centrelock wheels, available for selected high-performance automobiles. Design and functionality make these lightweight forged wheels absolute highlights in the diverse range of BMW M Performance Parts.

With their optimised weight, emotionally charged design, and technology adapted from motorsport connecting to the wheel bearing, the centrelock wheels emphasise the high-performance-oriented character of the vehicles equipped with them. In the case of the special edition BMW 3.0 CSL, presented on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of BMW M GmbH and sold in a limited edition of 50 units, they are part of the specifically tuned racetrack performance chassis technology. Currently, BMW M Performance centrelock wheels are offered in the Original BMW Accessories programme for the BMW M2, the BMW M3 Competition Sedan, BMW M4 Competition Coupe, and BMW M4 Competition Convertible. In South Africa, the new centrelock wheels can be pre-ordered from BMW retailers for delivery from the first quarter of 2024. 

BMW M Performance centrelock wheel: Wheel change like the pros.

Centrelock wheels were developed for motorsport, where they enable particularly fast wheel changes and, consequently, short pit stops. Instead of the usual five screws, each wheel is attached to the wheel hub with only one central screw. An extremely solid connection is ensured during the installation of the central locks by applying a torque of 930 Nm. This technology not only makes pure racetrack DNA tangible during wheel changes but also reduces rotating masses and optimises the exclusive appearance through a distinctive design in the hub area.

The M Performance centrelock wheels for the models of the BMW M2, BMW M3, and BMW M4 are offered as a combined set in sizes 19 inches for the front axle and 20 inches for the rear axle. The lightweight forged wheels in Y-spoke design, in Jet Black matte color, feature a milled M Performance lettering and come equipped with tyres in dimensions 275/35 ZR19 for the front and 285/30 ZR20 for the rear.

Individual motorsport characteristics for exterior and interior.

Like the centrelock wheels, other products from the BMW M Performance Parts programme are based on the development know-how and more than five decades of motorsport experience of the BMW M GmbH. The diverse range includes retrofit options in the areas of suspension, drivetrain, aerodynamics, and cockpit, enabling performance-oriented customisation and providing a racetrack feeling in everyday traffic. For a targeted boost in dynamics and agility, options such as the M Performance suspension with height-adjustable spring perches and the M Performance sport brake system are available.

Additionally, the athletic appearance of a BMW M car can be enhanced with model-specific carbon components. The BMW M Performance Parts for the exterior are mostly made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), sealed with clear lacquer for a high-quality finish. Model-specific options such as the M Performance front attachment carbon, the M Performance rear diffuser, or the M Performance side sill insert carbon give the vehicle a characterful appearance in a racing-style.

The uncompromising quality and special aesthetics of the BMW M Performance Parts are also experienced in the interior. High-quality carbon and Alcantara elements convey the motorsport genes of BMW M into the cockpit. M Performance knee pads with Alcantara surface provide optimised grip during particularly dynamic cornering. And both the M Performance steering wheel Pro and the M Performance armrest Alcantara offer perfect conditions for an especially intense driving experience.

Images shot in the Western Cape

Images shot in the Western Cape

Munich. The prototypes are carefully disguised, but they cannot conceal their character as high-performance cars. The future generation of the BMW M5 has entered the practical phase of its series development process. The new high-performance sedan from BMW M GmbH is now completing its test drives on public roads, BMW Group proving grounds and racetracks around the world.

Moreover, fans of the BMW M brand can look forward to a further result of the product offensive that will continue into the year 2024. BMW M GmbH has now officially confirmed that with the new edition of the BMW M5, it will be adding a Touring variant to its model range. The perfect symbiosis of M-typical performance, uncompromising long-distance comfort and impressive spaciousness will experience a renaissance in 2024 with the new BMW M5 Touring.

Just like the future BMW M5 Sedan, the Touring variant will also feature a completely newly-developed, partially-electrified drive system. Its M-typical performance characteristics as well as the precisely tuned chassis technology refined with innovative systems facilitate driving dynamics and agility at a level unique in this vehicle class. Thus, BMW M GmbH is steadily progressing on its path to electrification. "We are now also installing a hybrid drive system with typical M performance in other high-performance cars," says Dirk Häcker, Head of Development at BMW M GmbH.

For almost 40 years now, the BMW M5 has been the benchmark for driving dynamics, agility and precision in the high-performance sedan segment. Evolutionary progress, development know-how from racing and pioneering innovations in the areas of drive, suspension, aerodynamics and lightweight construction have shaped the history of the BMW M5. Engines with six, eight and ten cylinders, M TwinPower Turbo technology and high-revving characteristics, the compound brake system with M Carbon ceramic brakes and M xDrive four-wheel drive are just some of the technological milestones with which this model has repeatedly redefined top performance in a sedan that is unconditionally suitable for everyday use. The seventh generation of the BMW M5 takes up on this – with fascinating innovations for an even more intense performance experience.

The first BMW M5 Touring was launched back in 1992 based on the second-generation BMW M5 Sedan and has since stood for a combination of high performance and everyday practicality on four wheels. In 2007, BMW M GmbH also added a Touring variant to the fourth-generation BMW M5. And currently, the successful launch of the first BMW M3 Competition Touring with M xDrive* also underscores the high appeal of this special vehicle concept in the premium midrange segment of high-performance cars.

Testing of the first prototypes of the new BMW M5 Touring is to commence in the next few days in urban traffic, as well as on country roads and motorways around Munich, and at the BMW M GmbH headquarters in Garching. The integrated application of all drive and suspension systems will then also be carried out for the new BMW M5 Touring on the Nürburgring's Nordschleife, among other places, with the aim of ensuring the ideal balance of sporting performance on the racetrack and superior ride comfort in everyday driving and over long distances.

Munich. BMW is returning to Coachella for the fifth time in 2023, this year celebrating the launch of the new BMW XM Label Red in big-impact style. The company is building on the success of its recently launched “Dare to be you” campaign, in which it asks cultural leaders like supermodel Naomi Campbell, British grime artist Skepta, German rapper Apache 207, New York-based fashion designer Bloody Osiris and professional skateboarder Ishod Wair to express who they really are – with the new BMW XM standing alongside.

Following the kick-off event at Art Basel Miami Beach, BMW is taking the campaign to the next stage with a Coachella spin. An international mix of emerging talents and household names provide the BMW XM with a new creative context. Coachella performers like Charli XCX, Earthgang and Uncle Waffles, plus German rapper du jour Badmomzjay, Grammy Award winner Nija Charles and South Korean choreographer Leejung Lee, will record their initial encounters with the first electrified high-performance model from BMW M GmbH in their own individual style: Dare to be you.

BMW in the spotlight as it helps to shape the zeitgeist.

BMW has a clear mission: to create a platform where cultural pioneers can truly show us what they’re all about. As Stefan Ponikva, Vice President Brand Communication, Brand Experience, says: “Our goal at BMW is to be at the heart of where creative magic happens. We want to enable artists – musicians, designers, actors, storytellers – to express themselves and to interact with our brand and our latest, already widely desired launch: the first-ever BMW XM. Coachella is an excellent platform through which to develop fresh conversations with talented emerging artists as well as established stars.

Spectacular backdrops for incredible pictures.

Photo and video sessions are both on the agenda again in California. And it’s not just the Coachella Festival setting that provides an inspirational location for unique shots. Other locations offering the co-creators a spectacular backdrop include the Invisible House in the Joshua Tree National Park. The building was designed to integrate into the natural landscape so that it almost seems to disappear into the surrounding Mojave Desert. With its extraordinary location, minimalist architecture and mirrored glass completely covering the exterior, the Invisible House is a fascinating sight that sparks creativity and is ideal for staging an emotionally engaging presentation of the new BMW XM.

The expressive design of the BMW XM – with its bold lines, powerful Sports Activity Vehicle proportions and distinctive front-end styling, completed with illuminated BMW Iconic Glow kidney grille – conveys the car’s authoritative character and guarantees the undivided attention of all around, even when stationary. The performance qualities of the latest BMW M model are equally as impressive, if not more so. 

The new BMW XM will be built at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the US along with all other high-performance models from the BMW X segment. The new range-topping BMW XM Label Red will also roll off the production line there from August 2023. Featuring a bespoke version of the new plug-in-hybrid drive system, the BMW XM Label Red will be the most powerful series-produced car in the history of BMW M GmbH.

Munich. More powerful, more exclusive, more extravagant: Just a few months after production of the new BMW XM got underway  (petrol consumption combined: 1.7 – 1.6 l/100 km; electric power consumption combined: 34.5 – 33.0 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 39 – 35 g/km in the WLTP cycle; figures for the NEDC  cycle: – ), BMW M GmbH presents the flagship version of its first-ever high-performance car with an electrified drive system. The BMW XM Label Red (petrol consumption combined: 1.7 – 1.6 l/100 km; electric power consumption combined: 34.5 – 33.0 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 39 – 35 g/km in the WLTP cycle; provisional values; figures for the NEDC cycle: – ) brings together an M HYBRID system with extra power and bespoke design accents that showcase its standout performance attributes to unmistakable effect. With a system output of 550 kW (generated by the combination of a V8 combustion engine with up to 430 kW and an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission producing up to 145 kW), the BMW XM Label Red is the most powerful BMW M model ever made. It also tops the power rankings in the Sports Activity Vehicle and Sports Activity Coupé segments.

The BMW XM Label Red responds to the needs and desires of a global target group of individualists – customers with a taste for an extroverted lifestyle and a passion for ultimate performance in a car reaching beyond traditional conventions. Production will begin in August 2023 at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the USA. Scheduled for the same timeframe is an exclusive edition of the range-topping model limited to 500 examples and featuring an exterior paint finish in BMW Individual Frozen Carbon Black metallic.

The BMW XM Label Red will celebrate its world premiere at the Auto Shanghai international motor show in April 2023. China is one of the most important sales regions for the BMW XM Label Red, alongside the USA and the Middle East.

M HYBRID system with top-level and precisely judged performance.

The M HYBRID system in the BMW XM Label Red demonstrates the intoxicating effect of drive system electrification in high-performance models from BMW M GmbH in impressive style. The precisely honed interplay of the electric motor and V8 engine ensures an instantaneous delivery of power that then builds emphatically and continues unabated into the highest reaches of the rev range. This combination of combustion engine and electric motor matches the drive concept of the new BMW M Hybrid V8 endurance racing car, which made a successful debut in the 24 Hours of Daytona race in the North American IMSA series this year and is set to line up in events including the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024.

With a system output increased to 550 kW, the new top-of-the-line model outperforms the standard BMW XM produced since December 2022 by 70 kW. System torque is up by 200 Nm and now peaks at 1,000 Nm. Power is channelled to the road by the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system. In conjunction with a model-specific composition of chassis technology and fast-acting, high-precision powertrain and chassis control, this creates a unique performance experience with dynamism and agility at a whole new level.

V8 engine with cutting-edge M TwinPower Turbo technology and classical high-revving character.

The M HYBRID system of the BMW XM Label Red blends the future-focussed virtues of electrification with the traditional qualities of a high-revving eight-cylinder combustion engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology. The latest generation of the V8 stands out with its extremely rapid power delivery, increased efficiency and minimised emissions. As well as a cross-bank exhaust manifold, it also features a reinforced crankshaft drive, turbocharging with an electrically controlled blow-off valve, upgraded oil supply and optimised oil separation.

In the BMW XM Label Red, the V8 makes an even greater contribution to the system output generated in tandem with the electric motor. It produces its maximum output of 430 kW at 5,600 rpm. Peak torque is 750 Nm – an increase of 100 Nm over the version of the engine in the standard BMW XM – and is on tap across an extremely wide rev band from 1,800 to 5,400 rpm.

With two electronically controlled and continuously adjustable flaps, the sports exhaust system of the BMW XM Label Red provides an emotionally rich accompaniment to the engine’s power delivery with a vibrancy and energy not normally associated with an eight-cylinder unit. The engine sound therefore has a very distinctive quality, as do the two pairs of dual tailpipes, with the individual pipes arranged one above the other.

Instantaneous power delivery: electric motor with innovative pre-gearing stage.

Like the V8 engine, the electric motor of the M HYBRID system also employs innovative technology to deliver a noticeable increase in pulling power. The permanently excited synchronous motor is integrated into the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission together with its power electronics and, in the now-familiar style of electric motors, responds to just slight movements of the accelerator with instantaneous power delivery.

The electric motor contributes up to 145 kW to the maximum system output of the BMW XM Label Red and develops nominal torque of 280 Nm . A pre-gearing stage patented by BMW is used to increase the torque produced by the motor to an effective maximum of 450 Nm at the transmission input for the motor. In this way, the compact motor is able to provide the sort of torque boost that could normally only be achieved using a far larger and heavier unit.

The improved build-up of power resulting from the pre-gearing stage between the electric motor’s rotor and the transmission’s input shaft can be clearly felt, both when accelerating off the line and when putting in a quick burst of speed. Combined with the optimised power delivery of the V8 engine and its high-revving character, this produces performance of rare authority and composure. The BMW XM Label Red needs just 3.8 seconds to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h. Its top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h, but rises to 290 km/h on cars with the M Driver’s Package, which will be standard issue on models sold in South Africa.

As well as providing an electric boost effect under acceleration, the electric motor also performs a supporting role under steady loads, helping to increase the efficiency of the combustion engine. This gives the BMW XM Label Red average petrol consumption of 1.7 – 1.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the WLTP test cycle, combined electric power consumption of 34.5 – 33.0 kWh per 100 kilometres and CO₂ emissions of 39 – 35 grams per kilometre.

Powerful high-voltage battery, BMW IconicSounds Electric, Combined Charging Unit and predictive heat management.

The motor draws its energy from a high-voltage lithium-ion battery integrated into the underbody area, which is a product of fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology. The lithium-ion battery stands out with its high energy density at a cell and battery pack level. It provides a constant flow of power across a wide temperature range and even under the heavy loads brought by a particularly sporty driving style. It has a usable energy content of 25.7 kWh. Together with the electric motor’s excellent efficiency and the system of intelligent energy management, this enables an electric range of 75 – 83 kilometres in the WLTP cycle.

The BMW XM Label Red can therefore complete not only journeys around town but also cross-country routes locally emission-free and almost silently. The top speed achievable in pure electric mode is 140 km/h. The power delivery of the electric motor also gains a soundtrack of its own, in the form of the BMW IconicSounds Electric developed as part of a collaboration between the BMW Group and film score composer Hans Zimmer.

The Combined Charging Unit of the M HYBRID system enables AC charging at up to 7.4 kW. This means the high-voltage battery can be replenished from zero to 100 per cent charge in 4.25 hours. Predictive heat management reduces charging times by judiciously warming or cooling the battery. Supplied as standard are both the Flexible Fast Charger for use with domestic or industrial sockets and the charging cable Professional. This mode 3 cable for topping up at public charging stations can be kept in a suitably stylish and exclusive weekend-type bag and secured in the boot area using a crash-protective carabiner-belt combination.

Supreme traction, captivating performance: M xDrive and M Sport differential.

The M xDrive all-wheel-drive system channels the power generated by the combustion engine and electric motor between all four wheels precisely, quickly and as required at all times. The system has a rear-biased setup, which enhances the agility of the BMW XM Label Red and is particularly pronounced in 4WD Sport mode. When the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system has been fully disengaged, the traction-optimised 4WD Sand mode – conceived specifically for driving over dunes and similar surfaces – can be activated via the M Setup menu.

Building on the work of the M xDrive system is an electronically controlled differential lock in the rear axle, which further enhances traction, agility and directional stability. The M Sport differential brings a need-based and fully variable distribution of drive torque between the left and right rear wheels.

Model-specific chassis tuning, integrated transverse dynamics management.

The most powerful road-legal BMW M car ever made impresses not only with the unique power delivery of its M HYBRID system, but also with the breadth of its driving attributes, which enthral and delight time after time. The BMW XM Label Red rises to every challenge with unshakable poise and assurance, whether demonstrating its manifestly sporty performance credentials, cruising along in leisurely fashion (with zero local emissions if desired), inviting its occupants to relax in comfort on long trips or venturing off road. The car’s sophisticated chassis technology gives it an extraordinary spread of attributes, from dynamism to long-distance comfort, and is adapted to the bespoke performance characteristics of the drive system with the precision for which BMW M models are renowned.

Standard equipment for the BMW XM Label Red includes adaptive M suspension Professional – featuring electronically controlled dampers and active roll stabilisation with Active Roll Comfort to eliminate body roll on one side of the vehicle – and Integral Active Steering. The M Sport braking system comprises six-piston, fixed-calliper brakes at the front and single-piston, floating-calliper units at the rear. It teams with the latest-generation integrated braking system, which ensures the stopping power generated by recuperation and the friction brake is combined with great precision, and which also presents the driver with two pedal feel settings.

Like the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the M Sport differential, active roll stabilisation and the steering’s control systems, the near-actuator wheel slip limitation tech integrated into the engine management and the Performance Control function are networked with the central transverse dynamics management. The integrated application of all powertrain and chassis systems together with the fine-tuning carried out on varying types of road – from urban driving to country roads and freeways – with the help of BMW M GmbH’s racing expertise has resulted in a well-resolved driving experience in every situation and with every configuration.

Extroverted design with exclusive details.

Stylistically as well as technically, the BMW XM Label Red takes the first model since the legendary BMW M1 to be conceived solely as a high-performance car from BMW M GmbH into even more exclusive territory. The muscular proportions of a dynamic Sports Activity Vehicle converge with an extrovert exterior design featuring large surfaces, clear lines and a front-end look reserved for luxury-class BMW models. And added to the mix here are design accents underscoring the singular character of the BMW XM Label Red as a car focussed on achieving the highest peaks of performance.

The distinguishing features of the performance-maximising XM variant include an accent band in Toronto Red metallic, although a black accent band also can be specified. The use of red also extends to the model badges and the wheel inserts. The BMW XM Label Red is fitted as standard with 22-inch light-alloy wheels for South Africa. The surrounds for the BMW M kidney grille and diffuser elements come in Black high-gloss.

The spectrum of exterior paint shades available for the new model comprises one solid and eight metallic variants. Customers can also choose from more than 50 BMW Individual special paint finishes, including the new BMW Individual Urban Green, BMW Individual Petrol Mica metallic, BMW Individual Anglesey Green metallic and BMW Individual Sepia metallic. The new BMW Individual Visualizer (at https://individual.bmw-m.com/) is available for the first time from the start of orders for the BMW XM Label Red to help customers with the paint selection process. The car is depicted extremely realistically in the paint finish selected by the customer against the backdrop of BMW M Town. Here, it can be viewed from various angles and with the aid of 360-degree video.

The limited-edition variant of the BMW XM Label Red – only 500 examples of which will be released globally – maximises the exclusivity factor with even more expressive styling. Toronto Red metallic for the BMW M kidney grille surround and rear diffuser insert create additional design cues that combine with a body paint finish in BMW Individual Frozen Carbon Black metallic. The contrast of the gloss colour accents against shimmering matt surfaces ensures the exterior of the BMW XM Label Red has a particularly enthralling effect.

A black/red colour scheme also brings a visually appealing and sporting flavour to the interior of the BMW XM Label Red. The distinctive three-dimensional headliner and the trim for the body pillars have black surfaces. Red is used to bring an extra sense of exclusivity to the diamond-shaped upper sections of the backrests and the integrated head restraints of the seats for the driver and front passenger and the outer rear seats. This is complemented by red contrast stitching for the black surfaces of the seats, instrument panel, door trim and centre console, and the likewise red accents for the air vents. Among the other exclusive features of the BMW XM Label Red interior are a red “XM” badge below the control display and an interior trim strip in Carbon Fibre satin effect with red and blue accent threads highlighting this as an M car. Inside the limited-edition variant of the Label Red, customers will find a plaque below the control display reading “1 of 500”.

Sports car cockpit with BMW Curved Display; M Lounge in the rear.

M multifunction seats, knee pads, M-specific content on the BMW Curved Display and the standard BMW head-up display, the signature M gear selector lever and an M-specific control panel on the centre console are the headline features of a sports car-style cockpit optimised to deliver a richly engaging performance experience on board. The M Hybrid button is used to select the desired operating mode for the drive system, while the Setup button provides direct access to the configuration of the powertrain, chassis, steering, braking system and M xDrive, as well as allowing the level of brake energy recuperation to be adjusted. The M leather steering wheel has trim elements in Black Chrome, plus M buttons and gearshift paddles with carbon inlays whose plus and minus symbols are in red. An exclusive special feature of the BMW XM Label Red is the symbol identifying Boost Mode on the left-hand shift paddle.

A generous feeling of space, high-quality materials and extravagant design transform the rear of the BMW XM Label Red into an exclusive M Lounge. Optionally heated backrests that extend well into the sides of the cabin and cushions in Merino leather with red contrast stitching and an “XM” badge offer passengers luxurious levels of comfort. The sculptural headliner is quite unique with its three-dimensional prism structure, photo mount-style border and 100 LED units for illumination. Ambient lighting, four-zone automatic climate control, the Travel & Comfort System, and the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System with 1,475-watt amplifier and four additional speakers in the roof area are all standard features, too.

Advanced driver assistance systems; BMW Live Cockpit Professional as standard.

The BMW XM Label Red offers customers a wide selection of advanced systems for automated driving and parking. Among the technologies fitted as standard is the Driving Assistant, which comprises Front Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning including lane return with steering assistance, the Evasion Assistant, Alertness Assistant and the Speed Limit Info system. The standard Driving Assistant Professional brings Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function together with features such as the Steering and Lane Control Assistant, traffic light recognition, automatic Speed Limit Assist and Active Navigation.

Parking Assistant Plus is also part of standard specification. Alongside, the Reversing Assistant, this system adds Parking View, front and rear Panorama View and 3D View to the repertoire of functions.

The BMW XM Label Red comes as standard with the BMW Live Cockpit Professional, which brings with it the latest generation of the BMW iDrive multi-sensory vehicle experience, here based on an M-specific version of BMW Operating System 8. With the fully digital screen grouping and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, the new BMW iDrive has been deliberately geared towards touch control and gesture control as well as dialogue using natural language.

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional also includes the cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system. The optional BMW Digital Key Plus enables customers to lock and unlock the BMW XM Label Red using their Apple iPhone by means of security-enhanced ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology. Smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, the personalised BMW ID functionality and an eSIM designed for 5G mobile technology are also available for use.

The BMW XM Label Red has been confirmed in South Africa. Further information will be made avaiable closer to market introduction. 

On location photos and footage International Media Launch Scottsdale, USA.

Munich. The launch communication for the new BMW XM, the first high-performance automobile with M HYBRID drive will be launched by BMW together with strong, independent and self-confident creative partners. First and foremost: Naomi Campbell, model, actress, cultural innovator and one of the most influential figures on the international fashion scene over the past four decades. With her as co-creator, the worldwide communication for the market launch of the BMW XM under the motto "Dare to be You" focuses on a new dimension of self-confident presence, expressive lifestyle and assured individuality. The first BMW XM not only makes an extravagant design statement, but is the pioneer of maximum performance with electrified drive at the same time.

"The BMW M slogan 'Dare to be You' immediately appealed to me because it describes exactly the confident attitude that is necessary for progress and positive change," says Naomi Campbell. With her strong sense of aesthetics and design, she will be instrumental in the upcoming projects. As a further highlight of this cooperation, a one-off model of the BMW XM designed by her will be presented in the course of 2023.

A timeless icon and committed champion of social change, Naomi Campbell belongs to that select circle of catwalk stars for whom the term supermodel was invented. To this day, the British-born daughter of Jamaican parents uses her presence at international fashion shows to advocate for more diversity in the fashion business. That is why she is still considered to be a pioneer for the next generation of emerging talents in the creative and fashion scene.

Parallel to her career on the catwalks of haute couture, Naomi Campbell has long been successful as an actress, designer and entrepreneur. In addition, she supports a variety of charities, including the new EMERGE initiative to promote the creative talents of tomorrow, which in 2022 focused in particular on the next generation of cultural talent on the African continent, as well as UNESCO. "Naomi Campbell is a woman who goes her own way unswervingly and has become not only a unique supermodel but also a fascinating personality," says Jens Thiemer, Senior Vice President Customer and Brand BMW. "There are few people who can identify with the motto 'Dare to be You' as strongly as she can."

The BMW XM will imminently debut on global automotive markets to create a sensation with its expressive design and powerfully characterful interior with M Lounge in the rear as well as its stunning performance. BMW M GmbH combines a spectacular vehicle concept with pioneering drive technology with the independently developed Sports Activity Vehicle, available exclusively as a BMW M automobile.

Adapted from endurance racing and used for the first time in a production model, the BMW XM's M HYBRID drive generates a system output of 480 kW. As a special BMW XM Label Red model and with a maximum output of 550 kW, it will even become the most powerful series-production vehicle ever approved for road use in the 50-year history of BMW M GmbH from spring 2023.

On location photos and B-Roll footage International Media Launch Scottsdale, USA.

Munich. The Grande Prémio de Portugal from 24 to 26 March at Portimão marks the start of an anniversary season for BMW M, the 25th season as Official Car of MotoGP™. The close partnership with MotoGP™ rights holder Dorna Sports dates back to 1999. The start of the anniversary season in Portugal will see the new BMW M safety car make its debut. The new BMW M2 MotoGP™ safety car is based on the new BMW M2, which made its world premiere in October.

“We are delighted to be joining BMW M in celebrating the 25th anniversary season of our partnership in 2023,” said Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports. “In BMW M we have had a strong partner at our side for a quarter of a century; a partner with whom we have enjoyed superb collaboration in many different areas. We are very proud of this long-standing partnership that is never at a standstill, it gives plenty of fresh momentum each year. With the most innovative technologies, BMW M is taking care of safety in our sport for the 25th year now, and is a firm fixture in the MotoGP paddock with a wide range of activities. Here’s to a fantastic anniversary season in 2023!”

“2023 is our 25th season as Official Car of MotoGP – a long-standing, close partnership like this is special in international racing,” added Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH. “We would like to thank Dorna Sports for the great trust they have placed in us for a quarter of a century now. Since 1999 we have been striving to incorporate our values such as innovation, technology, emotion, and passion into our partnership with Dorna Sports as well. Our new BMW M2 MotoGP safety car is just one example of this. With it we are continuing our tradition of putting the latest BMW M high-performance automobiles at the service of MotoGP safety. Be it the safety car fleet, the BMW M Award, or our many other activities in the top level of motorcycle racing – we are proud that Fascination M has become an important part of the MotoGP.”

The new BMW M2 impresses with the traditional characteristics of a high-performance sports car – in a concentrated form and with state-of-the-art technology. With its compact dimensions and the 338kW TwinPower turbo in-line 6-cylinder engine, the new BMW M2 is the perfect basis for a BMW M safety car. The BMW M2 was kitted out with various safety car elements for its deployment on MotoGP™ racetracks. These elements include a roll bar, Recaro seats, six-point racing harness, a fire extinguisher, the safety car roof bar, and the matching front light. Several M Performance parts, such as exhaust system, chassis, carbon wing mirror covers, diffusor, and rear wing have also been installed. The BMW M2 MotoGP™ safety car will have the standard BMW M safety car livery. In addition to the new BMW M2 MotoGP™ safety car, the safety car fleet of 2023 also includes many other BMW M safety, medical and official cars, as well as BMW M 1000 RR safety bikes.

For more information about BMW M GmbH and the involvement as the ‘Official Car of MotoGP™’, see: www.bmw-m.com

BMW M GmbH has set about honing the profile of its high-performance cars in the luxury Sports Activity Vehicle and Sports Activity Coupé segments with extensive modifications in terms of  performance, presence and digitalisation. The new BMW X5 M  Competition (fuel consumption combined: 13.1 – 12.9 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 295 – 291 g/km in the WLTP cycle; figures for
the NEDC cycle: – ) and new BMW X6 M Competition (fuel  consumption combined: 12.9 – 12.7 l/100 km; CO2 emissions
combined: 292 – 287 g/km in the WLTP cycle; figures for the NEDC
cycle: – ) boast a new V8 engine with 48V technology and maximum
output of 460 kW, exterior design updates and the latestgeneration
iDrive control/operation system, complete with the BMW Curved Display and BMW Operating System 8.

The drive system upgrades and electrification result in even more responsive power delivery. Fresh design accents emphasise the  dynamic and extravagant aura of both models. Digital technology not only optimises control and operation, it also delivers advances in the field of automated driving and parking systems.

The first high-performance models from BMW M GmbH to feature 48V technology.

The latest generation of drive technology fitted in the new BMW X5 M Competition and new BMW X6 M Competition marks the debut of 48V technology in the brand’s high-performance models. An electric motor integrated in the compact housing of the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission delivers up to 9 kW of additional drive power and 200 Nm of torque, while also functioning as a crankshaft-mounted starter generator. The energy required for this is supplied by a 48V battery housed in the engine compartment. The battery is charged through highly efficient adaptive recuperation under braking and on the overrun.

The 48V technology joins forces with a new M TwinPower Turbo V8 engine. As well as its cross-bank exhaust manifold, the 4.4‑litre unit now also features a reinforced crankshaft drive, further developed turbocharging, a new air intake duct and an optimised oil supply system and oil separation process. It delivers peak torque of 750 Nm between 1,800 and 5,800 rpm and generates maximum output of 460 kW at 6,000 rpm.

The sharper response and high-revving character of the V8 engine, together with the boost provided by the electric motor, take the performance attributes for which M cars are renowned to an even more enthralling level. The new BMW X5 M Competition and BMW X6 M Competition each accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. The drive system’s more effervescent nature can also be clearly felt when putting in a quick burst of speed. The standard M Sport exhaust system with electrically controlled flaps adds another layer to the performance experience with its exhilarating drive sound. New catalytic converters, meanwhile, do their bit to improve the petrol engine’s emissions performance.

Precise transfer of power: new eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, new application of M xDrive, Active M Differential.

The engine’s power is relayed to a new version of the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic that offers a choice of three shift settings in both automated and manual mode. New features include, among other things, a retuned setup and a sharper shift action.

Further adding to the distinctive performance experience offered by the new BMW X5 M Competition and BMW X6 M Competition is a newly adapted version of the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system, which teams up with the Active M Differential at the rear axle. The M Setup menu lets the driver switch from the default 4WD setting to 4WD Sport mode, which makes it possible to execute controlled drifts by splitting power with a distinct rear-wheel bias.

Precise chassis setup offering supremely assured performance.

The body structure and chassis mountings have an exceptionally stiff design, ensuring both models handle with M’s signature blend of dynamism, agility and precision. The suspension and damping systems also enable them to offer an exceptional breadth of ability from out-and-out sportiness to long-distance comfort. The toe-in values at the rear axle have been modified for even greater poise at high speeds.

Standard specification includes adaptive M suspension Professional featuring reworked electronically controlled dampers and active roll stabilisation. A modified application of the steering gear result in an M Servotronic steering ratio that is even more conducive to sharp handling dynamics. The M Compound brakes work in tandem with the latest-generation integrated braking system in an M-specific configuration that presents the driver with two pedal feel settings.

Instead of just being interconnected with the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) as before, the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system and the Active M Differential also work in unison with near-actuator wheel slip limitation for the first time in the new BMW X5 M Competition and BMW X6 M Competition. This ensures even swifter and more precise reactions to changes in the driving situation, along with greater traction.

Both models come as standard with 21-inch M light-alloy wheels at the front paired with 22-inch M light-alloy items at the rear. Forged M light-alloy wheels with the same dimensions are available as optional extras. They include a new variant in a Jet Black solid finish.

Exuding exclusivity and a marked increase in presence.

Sporting dominance and an extrovert visual attitude headline the exterior design of the new BMW X5 M Competition and new BMW X6 M Competition. The increased presence is mainly down to the new front-end design. Both models now have new matrix LED headlights with adaptive control and BMW Selective Beam non-dazzling high beam. The outline of the new headlight units is 35 millimetres narrower than on the outgoing models. They can also be specified as an option as M Shadowline lights. The BMW kidney grille is now all-black in colour. Horizontal kidney grille bars and enlarged model badging add some eye-catching touches. In addition to this, the BMW kidney grille and central lower air intake now form a single black, x-shaped area.

The side view shines a spotlight on the clear design language of the two models and their distinctive proportions. Their exterior mirror caps and the rear spoiler of the BMW X6 M Competition are also available in carbon as an option. On both models, a prominent diffuser insert extends downwards at the lower edge of the rear apron. It also provides a sophisticated border for the two pairs of twin exhaust tailpipes familiar from other M models. The BMW X5 M Competition now uses x-shaped fibre-optic light guide elements for its rear lights and brake lights, providing another head-turning attraction at the rear end.

Modern, digital, exclusive: M cockpit with BMW Curved Display.

At the heart of the design updates for the interior of the new BMW X5 M Competition and BMW X6 M Competition is the BMW Curved Display, which gives the M-typical cockpit a modern and exclusive feel. It is formed by a 12.3-inch information display behind the steering wheel and a control display with a screen diagonal of 14.9 inches, with a single glass surface incorporating both. The control display’s touchscreen enables digital control of numerous functions, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of buttons and controls.

Other new features include the broad interior trim strip in Fineline Black fine wood with high-gloss metal effect, the ambient light bar with effective backlighting and the addition of an M logo to its graphic, plus the M leather steering wheel with its new carbon gearshift paddles. Also to be found on the standard equipment list are M multifunction seats, knee pads, fine-grain Merino full leather trim and the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System. The Sky Lounge panoramic glass sunroof, the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System and a new Travel & Comfort System are just some of the optional extras available. A wide choice of model-specific BMW M Performance Parts from the Original BMW Accessories range are also available for the exterior and interior.

Significantly expanded selection of driver assistance systems.

Comfort and safety in the new BMW X5 M Competition and BMW X6 M Competition are further enhanced by a much wider selection of automated driving and parking systems. The standard front collision warning’s range of functions has been extended so that it also now reduces the risk of a collision with cyclists, pedestrians and oncoming traffic when turning off a road. The Lane Departure Warning function has been upgraded with the addition of lane return with steering assistance. The list of available options now also includes features such as automatic Speed Limit Assist, the exit warning function, Active Navigation, route speed control, traffic light recognition (not available in all markets), the Emergency Stop Assistant and the Lane Change and Merging Assistant.

The new optional Parking Assistant Professional makes it possible to control automated parking manoeuvres into and out of spaces – as well as other full manoeuvres covering a distance of up to 200 metres – from outside the vehicle using the My BMW App on an Apple iPhone. The driver is able to control each manoeuvre either from inside the vehicle or remotely while they monitor the vehicle’s surroundings.

Familiar M control/operation concept, new digital services.

The M-specific control/operation concept includes the Setup button for direct access to the settings options for the engine, chassis, steering, braking system and M xDrive. The amount of content shown in the displays can also be individually adjusted, as can the level of driver assistance system functionality. After pressing the M Mode button on the centre console, drivers are able to choose between ROAD, SPORT and TRACK settings.

Besides the BMW Curved Display with M-specific readouts, the latest-generation BMW iDrive based on BMW Operating System 8 also brings new digital services to the BMW X5 M Competition and BMW X6 M Competition. The standard BMW Live Cockpit Professional also features the BMW head-up display and the cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system complete with Augmented View function. 

Optimised smartphone integration, the personalised BMW ID functionality and a Personal eSIM designed for new 5G mobile technology are also all available to use.

The powertrain concept for the new BMW M3 CS teams a 405 kW six-cylinder in-line engine with an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and the M xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system. These combine to produce a 0 to 100 km/h time of 3.4 seconds and supreme driving talents that can be enjoyed from each of its four seats. The new BMW M3 CS will be built in a limited run at BMW Group Plant Munich from March 2023, with its phased launch getting underway the same month. The USA, Germany, the UK and Japan are the most important sales regions for the new special-edition model.

More power, less weight, compelling performance.

A more power/less weight formula instils the new BMW M3 CS with compelling performance qualities and an exclusive aura. It draws its power from a specially upgraded version of the high-revving six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology developed for the BMW M3 and BMW M4 models. This 3.0-litre unit also forms the basis for the engine that powered the BMW M4 GT3 to the DTM touring car title at the first time of asking in 2022.

The engine under the bonnet of the new BMW M3 CS therefore also boasts a wealth of technological details derived directly from the race-car unit. Its crankcase has a sleeve-free, closed-deck construction and is extremely rigid, making it suitable for very high combustion pressures. Weight-saving cylinder bores with a wire-arc sprayed iron coating reduce frictional losses. The forged lightweight crankshaft aids power build-up with its exceptionally high torsional resistance while also feeding the engine’s high-revving instincts. Its cylinder head has a 3D-printed core, allowing the coolant ducts to be routed in an optimum arrangement for temperature management that would be impossible to achieve using conventional metal casting methods. The system of oil supply is designed to handle the specific challenges of track use, as is the cooling system.

Straight-six engine produces 405 kW.

These carefully tailored modifications reflect the unwavering focus on achieving high rev speeds and maximum power delivery with the engine in the new BMW M3 CS. The unit’s considerable upgrade potential paved the way for a 30 kW hike in peak output compared with the BMW M3 Competition Sedan with M xDrive, resulting in 405 kW. This increase in power was achieved courtesy of targeted revisions to the engine’s M TwinPower Turbo technology and required no concessions in terms of stability or durability. The adjustments primarily involved raising the maximum charge pressure of the two mono-scroll turbochargers from 1.7 to 2.1 bar and making some model-specific tweaks to the engine management.

In addition, a specially designed engine mounting with increased spring rates creates an extremely rigid connection between the power unit and the vehicle’s structure. A press of the accelerator is therefore greeted by even sharper engine response and direct transmission of its power to the drivetrain. The engine in the new BMW M3 CS puts peak torque of 650 Nm on tap from just 2,750 rpm and sustains it all the way to 5,950 rpm. It generates maximum output at 6,250 rpm and tops out at 7,200 rpm.

The unit’s specific performance characteristics are dominated by its unabated power delivery through to the upper echelons of the rev range. This is accompanied by the emotionally stirring soundtrack produced by the dual-branch exhaust system featuring electrically controlled flaps, a titanium rear silencer with weight-minimising design and – in customary M fashion – two pairs of tailpipes painted in matt Black. Selecting the SPORT or SPORT+ modes for the engine setting in the M Setup menu dials up the drive sound to produce a note with unmissable racing car undertones. This injects real aural drama into proceedings, particularly with gear changes and the accompanying adjustments in rev speed.

Feeding standout power onto the road to optimum effect: eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, M xDrive, Active M Differential.

The drive torque unleashed by the engine in the new BMW M3 CS is relayed via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. This is operated using either the M-specific selector lever on the centre console or the carbon-fibre shift paddles on the steering wheel. The driver can use the Drivelogic button integrated into the selector lever to alter the transmission’s shift characteristics, with the choice of comfort-oriented, sporty and track-optimised settings.

The traction and agility of the new BMW M3 CS are both enhanced by the presence of M xDrive all-wheel drive, which uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the transfer case to ensure fully variable and super-smooth distribution of the engine’s power between the front and rear wheels. The multi-plate clutch’s oil supply has been optimised to keep the all-wheel-drive system performing effectively even under hard driving on the track. The system’s rear-wheel bias and the way it teams up with the Active M Differential at the rear axle – whose operation is also fully variable – add to the signature M feeling when accelerating or powering through corners.

The M Setup menu lets the driver switch from the default 4WD setting to 4WD Sport mode, which directs an even greater proportion of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels. Drivers can also switch off the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system altogether and engage 2WD mode. By sending drive power solely to the rear wheels and suppressing any intervention from the control systems to stabilise the vehicle, this setting engages skilled drivers in the driving experience to an even more intense degree.

The engine, transmission and M xDrive join forces to produce stunning acceleration times. The new BMW M3 CS takes just 3.4 seconds to power from 0 to 100 km/h and 11.1 seconds to reach 200 km/h from rest. The midrange surge from 80 to 120 km/h is over in 2.6 seconds (in 4th gear) or 3.3 seconds (in 5th gear). The BMW M3 CS comes with the M Driver’s Package as standard and has an electronically limited top speed of 302 km/h.

Bespoke tuning for chassis technology and the DSC system; track tyres as standard.

The chassis technology in the new BMW M3 CS has been tuned precisely to the engine’s performance characteristics, the overall vehicle concept and its weight distribution. The model-specific settings for the DSC system and M Dynamic Mode have also been purposefully geared to the specific demands of high-speed circuit driving.

The individually tuned axle kinematics and bespoke wheel camber settings, dampers, auxiliary springs and anti-roll bars serve to optimise steering precision, transmission of lateral control forces when cornering, spring and damping response and wheel location. The electronically controlled dampers of the adaptive M suspension on the new BMW M3 CS likewise come in a model-specific setup, as do its electromechanical M Servotronic steering with variable ratio and its integrated braking system.

Standard specification for the special-edition model includes M Carbon ceramic brakes whose callipers are available in matt Gold or Red. Also on the standard equipment list for the new BMW M3 CS are forged M light-alloy wheels in an exclusive V-spoke design with a Gold Bronze finish. These particular M light-alloy wheels, measuring 19 inches in diameter at the front axle and 20 inches at the rear, the wheels are fitted as standard with track tyres that have been purpose-developed for the special-edition model and measure 275/35 ZR19 at the front and 285/30 ZR20 at the rear. 

Lightweight construction with extensive use of carbon fibre; improved body rigidity.

Extensive, model-specific lightweight design measures play a major part in moulding the performance qualities and exclusive character of the new BMW M3 CS. The use of components made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) both inside and out is of key importance here. Besides its carbon fibre roof, the special-edition model also uses this lightweight, high-tech material for its bonnet, front splitter, front air intakes, exterior mirror caps, rear diffuser and rear spoiler. Its centre console, the shift paddles on the steering wheel and its interior trim strips are likewise all manufactured from CFRP. The standard M Carbon bucket seats also do their bit to keep weight down in the cabin. The titanium rear silencer, meanwhile, shaves more than 4 kilograms off the weight of the exhaust system fitted on the new BMW M3 CS. The various lightweight design measures bring about a total weight saving of some 20 kilograms compared to the BMW M3 Competition Sedan with M xDrive.

Body rigidity can be further increased by specifying a package of high-precision strut braces for the engine compartment that have also been engineered for lightness. The cast aluminium elements connecting the spring strut towers to the front end feature a weight-optimised geometry that has been precisely matched – with the help of numerical models – to the forces applied in various driving situations.

Exclusive design features promise thrilling performance.

The new BMW M3 CS instantly announces its sharper character with a series of individual design features. The Frozen Solid White metallic paint finish available for the exterior is exclusive to the latest special-edition model from BMW M GmbH. Exposed carbon-fibre surfaces for the roof, the two indents chiselled into the bonnet, the front splitter, front air intakes, M exterior mirror caps, rear spoiler and rear apron combine with the Black side skirts and M gills to provide a stunning contrast to the new paint finish. Brooklyn Grey metallic and Sapphire Black metallic are available as alternative exterior colours.

The vehicle’s front end sports a weight-saving, frameless BMW kidney grille with a stripped-back air reminiscent of racing machines. Designed especially for this model, identifying features include red contour lines and the “M3 CS” badging on the upper of the two horizontal grille bars. Both the model badge at the front and its counterpart on the boot lid have black surfaces with a red border.

The BMW Laserlight headlights included in standard specification add another particularly striking flourish to the front end of the new BMW M3 CS. By illuminating yellow instead of white – both during the Welcome sequence when the vehicle is unlocked and while low beam or high beam is switched on – they reference successful GT racing cars.

M Carbon bucket seats with exclusive surfaces and seam patterns.

Inside the new BMW M3 CS, a sports car cockpit designed with concentrated driving pleasure and maximum performance in mind is brought together with advanced digital technology and exclusive design elements. The driver and front passenger are welcomed as standard by M Carbon bucket seats in a model-specific design. Fully electric and heated, they feature integral head restraints along with an illuminated model badge, resulting in a unique blend of racing flair and long-distance comfort. The use of CFRP in the structural elements of the seat cushion and backrest as well as the eye-catching cut-outs in the side bolsters and below the head restraints are testimony to the seats’ weight-minimising construction.

The M Carbon bucket seats in the new BMW M3 CS are upholstered in Merino leather and feature an exclusive design in a Black/Red colour scheme with distinctive contrast stitching. This bi-colour finish is repeated for the two seats in the rear compartment of the sedan. The door panels are trimmed entirely in Black leather in both the front and the rear, while red “CS” lettering adorns the lightweight-design centre console. The standard equipment roster for the new BMW M3 CS also includes M seat belts with a woven stripe pattern in BMW M GmbH colours, door sill plates bearing the inscription “M3 CS”, an Anthracite-coloured headliner, interior trim strips in Carbon Fibre finish and an M Alcantara steering wheel with CFRP shift paddles and a red centre marker.

Setup button for customising the car’s configuration.

The M-specific control/operation system includes the Setup button on the centre console, which enables direct access to the settings options for the engine, chassis, steering, braking system and M xDrive. Two individually configured setup variants can be stored permanently, together with the preferred settings for the engine note, the DSC system, the Automatic Start/Stop function and the shift characteristics of the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, and then retrieved using the M buttons on the steering wheel.

Also fitted as standard in the new BMW M3 CS is the M Drive Professional system. Consequently, not only does the special-edition model benefit from the M Drift Analyser and M Laptimer functions for evaluating and recording driving skills and performance at the track, it additionally comes with M Traction Control, whose ten stages provide the ideal tools for pushing the car hard on closed circuits.

The M Mode button on the centre console – also part of the M Drive Professional package – can be used to adjust both the level of driver assistance system activity and the content shown in the information display and optional Head-Up Display, with a choice of ROAD, SPORT and TRACK settings.

BMW Curved Display with M-specific read-outs.

The new BMW M3 CS boasts the latest-generation BMW iDrive vehicle experience based on BMW Operating System 8, which includes the BMW Curved Display for the cockpit. This is formed by a 12.3-inch information display and a control display with a screen diagonal of 14.9 inches, which are housed together behind a curved glass surface. With its ergonomic driver-centric positioning, the BMW Curved Display makes the already intuitive touch control even more user-friendly.

The information display’s graphical layout and the M‑style content shown there lend themselves to a focused, performance-led driving experience. All driving-related data as well as vehicle status and settings information are neatly arranged within it. The familiar M Shift Lights appear at the top of the information display, while the driving stability system, M xDrive and traction control modes are all indicated at the lower edge. Special widgets containing information on the current vehicle setup, as well as tyre pressure and temperature can be added to the control display’s home screen.

Top-class options for added pleasure and comfort during everyday driving.

The standard BMW Live Cockpit Professional comes with functions including the BMW Maps navigation system, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, smartphone integration, telephony with wireless charging, BMW Head-Up Display with M-specific readouts and a WiFi interface.  

The new BMW M3 CS additionally offers customers a select choice of comfort features and driver assistance systems, with the focus placed firmly on the enjoyment of unadulterated driving pleasure. It is equipped as standard with the latest version of Comfort Access, two-zone automatic climate control, the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System, Park Distance Control, Front Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and the Speed Limit Info system. An alarm system, automatic boot lid operation and the Driving Assistant and Parking Assistant systems are standard.

As BMW M GmbH’s 50th anniversary year and fervent celebrations draw to a close, BMW South Africa plans to keep the party going well into the new year. A tantalising duo of M cars is destined for South Africa in the second quarter of 2023 – and the prices are out!

Following the world premiere of the BMW Concept XM at the end of October 2021 at Art Basel’s Miami Beach show, the arrival of the first-ever high-performance vehicle from BMW with an electrified drive system could not have gone unnoticed.

The BMW XM represents a complete reimagining of the high-performance car segment. It underlines the ability of BMW M GmbH to break with established conventions and push boundaries to offer fans of the brand the ultimate driving experience.

The newly developed M HYBRID drive system comprising a V8 petrol engine and a powerful electric motor, an extravagant design, and the progressive luxuriousness inside the BMW XM come together to create a fresh interpretation of the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) concept for the high-performance segment. It promises to open up that incomparable M feeling to new target groups and markets.

A highlight of the brand’s model offensive in its anniversary year, the BMW XM is also the first standalone BMW M model since the legendary, mid-engined BMW M1.

Similarly, the BMW M2, which enjoyed its world premiere at the 2022 BMW M Fest in South Africa in October, will make its way to this country in 2023, too.

The second generation of the BMW M2 continues the brand’s tradition of sporty models with compact dimensions, first showcased in 1973 with the introduction of the BMW 2002 turbo. The new BMW M2 encapsulates the pure joy of driving with its compact dimensions, six-cylinder in-line engine, manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive.

The global introductions of the new BMW XM and the new BMW M2 will commence in the second quarter of 2023. Indicative pricing for these new vehicles in South Africa (including VAT, and excluding CO2 tax) is:

Compact dimensions together with powertrain and chassis technology adapted from the BMW M3/BMW M4 are at the heart of a vehicle concept that endows the new edition of the two-door model with beguiling agility and handling that remain easily controllable even as the driver explores the car’s limits. This distinct character profile also manifests itself in the expressive exterior design with its athletic coupé proportions. The sophisticated control/operating concept for customising the vehicle setup also helps to produce a performance experience of remarkable intensity. Thanks to these many attributes, the new BMW M2 continues the brand’s tradition of ultra-sporty models with compact dimensions that began in 1973 with the arrival of the BMW 2002 turbo. It is also building on the success of its predecessor, which notched up nearly 60,000 sales worldwide.

The global launch of the new BMW M2 will get underway in April 2023. It will be built alongside the new BMW 2 Series Coupé at the BMW Group’s San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico.

Compact dimensions, extremely powerful proportions.

The athletic appearance of the new BMW M2 stems from its compact dimensions, extremely powerful proportions and hallmark M design features. It measures 214 millimetres less in exterior length than the BMW M4 Coupé models and has a 110-millimetre shorter wheelbase. At the same time, the vehicle and track widths exceed the figures for the new BMW 2 Series Coupé by a considerable margin.

The large, frameless BMW kidney grille with its horizontal bars combines with a three-section lower air intake with almost rectangular contours to give the front end of the car a familiar M look. The design has been crafted around technical requirements in terms of cooling air supply and aerodynamic balance. Clearly designed surfaces, prominently flared side skirts and muscular wheel arches set the tone for the side view. The rear end of the new BMW M2 also has a compact, powerful feel and adds a number of individual touches in the form of the eye-catching spoiler lip on the boot lid, the vertically arranged reflectors, the rear apron’s diffuser insert – with its puristic design – and the two pairs of exhaust tailpipes positioned a long way in from the outer edges.

The choice of five exterior paint finishes available for the new BMW M2 includes the Zandvoort Blue solid and Toronto Red metallic shades exclusive to this model. An M Carbon roof that reduces vehicle weight by around six kilograms is offered as an option.

Six-cylinder in-line engine with instantaneous power delivery and a thrilling appetite for revs.

The version of the straight-six engine developed for the compact high-performance model with M TwinPower Turbo technology and high-revving design stands out with its M-typical performance characteristics. Differing only in a small number of details from the engine employed in the BMW M3 and BMW M4 models, the 3.0-litre unit thrills with its urgent response, healthy appetite for revs and linear power delivery into the highest reaches of the engine speed range.

Developing a maximum output of 338 kW, the engine under the bonnet of the new BMW M2 outguns the base unit used by its predecessor by 66 kW. Peak torque of 550 Nm is produced between 2,650 and 5,870 rpm with maximum output arriving at 6,250 rpm. The new engine revs to a maximum 7,200 rpm. The pulsating build-up of power is accompanied by an emotionally rich soundtrack generated by the M-specific exhaust system with electrically controlled flaps. The system of oil supply is designed to handle extremely dynamic driving situations when out on the track, as is the cooling system.

A choice of performance experience: eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic as standard, six-speed manual gearbox as an option.

The engine’s power is relayed to the rear wheels via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic as standard. Its extremely sporty gear shifts, direct connection to the engine and ability to execute multiple downshifts to the lowest available gear form the ideal basis for beguiling, instantaneous acceleration. It is operated by means of a selector lever sporting the latest M design as well as shift paddles on the steering wheel. The Drivelogic function offers a choice of three shift settings.

A six-speed manual gearbox is available as an option for anyone seeking a performance experience in the classical mould, rooted in the intense interaction between driver and car. It lends itself to a sporty style of driving thanks not only to its precisely defined shift action, but also the Gear Shift Assistant, which uses engagement speed control to ensure slip-free operation when downshifting under braking into corners. If required, the Gear Shift Assistant can be deactivated in the M Setup menu.

The new BMW M2 completes the sprint to 100 km/h from rest in 4.1 seconds with the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and in 4.3 seconds when fitted with the six-speed manual gearbox. It is capable of powering from 0 to 200 km/h in 13.5 seconds (automatic) or 14.3 seconds (manual). The limited top speed of the new BMW M2 can be raised from 250 km/h to 285 km/h by specifying the optional M Driver’s Package.

Rear-wheel drive, M Traction Control and Active M Differential provide agility, precision and driving pleasure as the occasion demands.

Regardless of the choice of transmission, the new BMW M2’s traditional form of dynamic performance is also embodied by its rear-wheel drive. The linear build-up of lateral acceleration forces characteristic of M models helps the driver to guide the car through corners with controlled drifts, for example. The standard M Traction Control function is also designed to allow the driver to carefully probe the vehicle’s performance limits by setting individual intervention thresholds for wheel slip limitation, with a choice of ten stages.

Another contributor to the sublime dynamics of the BMW M2 is the Active M Differential at the rear axle. Also included as standard, it is able to seamlessly generate a locking effect of up to 100 per cent whenever required. This optimises traction on road surfaces offering different levels of adhesion for the left- and right-hand rear wheel, for example, as well as improving power transfer when accelerating hard out of corners.

Sophisticated chassis technology, precisely controllable handling.

The new BMW M2’s compact dimensions, short wheelbase, almost perfectly balanced 50:50 weight distribution and sophisticated chassis technology combine to deliver precisely controllable, fingertip handling. The car’s agility, dynamism and precision also gain from the excellent torsional stiffness of the body structure and chassis mountings helped by bespoke bracing.

Both the double-joint spring strut front axle and the five-link rear axle come with M-specific kinematics. The standard equipment roster for the new BMW M2 includes adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers, M Servotronic steering with variable ratio, DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) including M Dynamic Mode, and powerful M Compound brakes with six-piston, fixed-calliper brakes at the front and single-piston, floating-calliper brakes at the rear. The integrated braking system presents the driver with two pedal feel settings. The new BMW M2 comes with 19-inch light-alloy wheels at the front and 20-inch items at the rear, each representing an increase of one inch on the diameter of the wheels fitted as standard on the BMW M3 and BMW M4 models. There is also the option of fitting them with track tyres.

Advanced sports car cockpit with BMW Curved Display as standard and the option of M Carbon bucket seats.

The new BMW M2 boasts a cockpit with a driver-centric design featuring M-specific readouts, controls and setup options, as well as the advanced BMW Curved Display. Driving-related information including Shift Lights appears in a new graphical layout on the 12.3-inch information display. M-specific widgets for vehicle setup and tyre condition are just two of the items that can be called up in the 14.9-inch control display. The optional BMW Head-Up Display also features M-specific readouts.

Both the BMW Curved Display and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant form part of the latest-generation BMW iDrive. Based on BMW Operating System 8, it has been purpose designed for intuitive interaction between driver and vehicle using touch control and natural language. The new BMW iDrive system enables personalisation with the BMW ID and My BMW App as well as allowing a Personal eSIM to be used in the vehicle. Smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ is likewise included as standard on the new BMW M2, and there is also a 5G antenna system for optimised connectivity.

The driver and front passenger are welcomed as standard by sport seats in a model-specific design with Sensatec/Alcantara surfaces. M Sport seats with integral head restraints and perforated surfaces in Vernasca leather/Sensatec are available as an alternative. The M Carbon bucket seats that can also be found on the options list use carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the structural elements of the seat cushion and backrest and also feature cut-outs in the side bolsters and below the head restraints, thereby shaving around 10.8 kilograms off the vehicle’s weight.

Three-zone automatic climate control, BMW Maps navigation system, Setup button and M Drive Professional as standard.

The comfort features fitted as standard in the new BMW M2 include three-zone automatic climate control, BMW Live Cockpit Plus complete with BMW Maps navigation system, ambient lighting and the Hi-Fi speaker system. When it comes to automated driving and parking systems, the Front Collision Warning, Speed Limit Display with no-overtaking indicator, Lane Departure Warning and Park Distance Control functions all come as standard. The Driving Assistant, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function and the Parking Assistant including Reversing Assistant are just some of the options available.

The Setup button on the centre console provides direct access to the settings options for the engine, chassis, steering, braking system and M Traction Control, as well as the Gear Shift Assistant if fitted. Two overall vehicle setups can be stored and then retrieved using the M buttons on the steering wheel.

Besides M Traction Control, the standard-fit M Drive Professional also includes the M Drift Analyser and M Laptimer. Plus, the M Mode button on the centre console can be used to adjust both the level of driver assistance system activity and the content shown in the information display and Head-Up Display, with a choice of ROAD, SPORT and TRACK settings.

Also on the options list is the M Race Track Package, comprising the M Driver’s Package together with the M Carbon roof, M Carbon bucket seats, interior trim strips in Carbon Fibre finish and track tyres.

As its 50th anniversary celebrations continue, BMW M GmbH brings us its first ever high-performance car with electrified drive system. A plug-in hybrid system comprising a V8 petrol engine and an exceptionally powerful electric motor endows the BMW XM (fuel consumption combined: 1.6 – 1.5 l/100 km in the WLTP cycle; electric power consumption combined: 30.1 – 28.9 kWh/100 km in the WLTP cycle; CO2 emissions combined: 36 – 33 g/km in the WLTP cycle) with captivating dynamic prowess. 

The newly developed M HYBRID drive system, an extravagant design and the progressive luxury ambience inside the BMW XM come together to create a fresh interpretation of the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) concept for the high-performance segment that will open up that inimitable M feeling to new target groups and markets.

The highlight of the brand’s model offensive in its anniversary year, the BMW XM is also the first BMW M original since the BMW M1. Precisely crafted flourishes in the exterior design of the high-performance SAV recall the legendary mid-engined sports car. Production of the BMW XM will get underway at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the USA in December 2022 before it arrives at dealers worldwide in spring 2023. The key sales markets will be the USA, China and the Middle East.

M HYBRID drive system for stunning performance and cruising with zero local emissions.

The M HYBRID drive system in the BMW XM delivers an overall output of 480 kW (generated by the combination of the combustion engine with up to 360 kW and the electric drive system with up to 145 kW). It is underpinned by a newly developed, classically high-revving V8 engine with cutting-edge M TwinPower Turbo technology. The 4.4-litre unit features a cross-bank exhaust manifold and an optimised oil separation process.

The eight-cylinder engine is assisted in its task by an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission. The motor’s propulsive power is instantly on tap when pulling away, delivering unhesitating response to every movement of the accelerator. The M HYBRID drive system produces maximum overall torque of 800 Nm (engine with up to 650 Nm combined with electric motor developing up to 280 Nm). A pre-gearing stage increases the electric motor’s effective maximum torque to 450 Nm at the transmission input.

One engine, one electric motor, three operating modes, four driven wheels.

The intelligently managed interplay between engine and motor delivers a well-resolved performance experience worthy of the M badge in all driving situations. It is defined by an immense build-up of power that begins instantaneously and is sustained throughout the rev range. The BMW XM sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds, accompanied by an energy-charged soundtrack of rare emotional appeal for an eight-cylinder unit. This originates from its sports exhaust system featuring electronically controlled, continuously adjustable flaps and hexagonal dual tailpipes arranged one above the other for the first time on a BMW M model.

The M Hybrid button on the centre console is used to select one of three operating modes, including an ELECTRIC setting for cruising with zero local emissions at speeds of up to 140 km/h and over a maximum distance of 82 – 88 km* in the WLTP cycle. This is thanks to the lithium-ion high-voltage battery mounted in the car’s underbody and the 25.7 kWh of usable energy it provides. The Combined Charging Unit in the BMW XM enables AC charging at up to 7.4 kW.

The BMW IconicSounds Electric developed in a collaboration between the BMW Group and film score composer Hans Zimmer also create
a suitable backing track for the electric motor’s power delivery. The
M-specific electric drive sound provides authentic feedback to every movement of the accelerator pedal when driving in the locally emission-free operating mode. And if the Sport or Sport Plus setting is selected while the drive system is operating in HYBRID mode, a boost sound will underline the electrical assistance being provided to the combustion engine.

The power generated by the drive duo is channelled to the road via the all-wheel-drive system M xDrive, whose rear-biased setup is particularly noticeable in 4WD Sport mode. Drivers can also select 4WD Sand mode, which has been conceived specifically for driving over dunes and similar surfaces. Operation of the M Sport differential in the rear axle is also fully variable.

BMW XM LABEL RED: the most powerful BMW M model ever made.

The BMW XM LABEL RED will be added to the model range in Spring 2023. The most powerful road-legal series-produced car in the history of BMW M GmbH will summon up system output of 550 kW (generated by the combination of the combustion engine with up to 430 kW and the electric drive system with up to 145 kW) and maximum system torque of 1,000 Nm (generated by the combination of the combustion engine with up to 750 Nm and the electric drive system with up to 280 Nm; provisional values based on the vehicle’s current stage of development).

Distinctive design as expression of presence and performance.

The exterior design of the BMW XM is a statement of exclusivity, presence and performance. The proportions of a modern SAV, powerful contours, a dynamically stretched silhouette, M-typical design cues, a reworked interpretation of the front-end look created for BMW’s luxury-segment models and a host of distinctive accents give the XM a singularly extrovert aura.

Headlights split into two separate units, a BMW kidney grille with gold-coloured surrounds and continuous contour lighting, as well as large air intakes are the defining features of the front end. Moving round to the side, an accent band in Gold is reminiscent of the black strip running along the body of the BMW M1. Further nods to the past come in the form of the BMW logos engraved into the flat rear window and the eye-catching louvred structure of the sculptural rear lights. Fitted in a 21-inch format as standard with the option of further variants up to 23 inches in size, the M light-alloy wheels also boast a highly distinctive design.

Interior: driver-focused cockpit, luxurious M Lounge in the rear.

The expressive style of the BMW XM’s exterior design continues inside the cabin. The cockpit and front seats are designed entirely around an active driving experience. Standard specification includes M multifunction seats, knee pads and a model-specific M leather steering wheel, along with M-specific graphics including shift lights for the BMW Curved Display and BMW Head-Up Display.

A generous feeling of space, high-quality materials and extravagant design transform the rear of the BMW XM into an exclusive M Lounge. Heated backrests extending well into the sides of the rear compartment and specially designed cushions offer passengers luxurious levels of comfort. The sculptural headliner is quite unique with its three-dimensional prism structure, photo mount-style border and 100 LED units for illumination. There is a choice of four different trims for customising the interior, as well as a new Vintage leather for the upper sections of the instrument panel and door panels. Ambient lighting, four-zone automatic climate control, the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System and the Travel & Comfort System are all standard features too, while the options list includes the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System with 1,500-watt amplifier and four additional speakers in the roof area.

Chassis: widest possible spectrum between dynamism and long-distance comfort.

The unique blend of driving pleasure and well-being served up by the BMW XM cabin is mirrored by the driving experience on offer. Sophisticated chassis systems with M-specific tuning enable the car to offer the widest possible spectrum between signature M dynamism and above-average ride comfort for its segment. Drivers can also customise the vehicle settings via the M Setup menu. The integrated application of all powertrain and chassis systems on varying types of road – from urban driving to country roads to motorways – has resulted in supremely assured, well-resolved handling at all times.

The chassis design comprises a double-wishbone front axle and a five-link rear axle with specially tuned kinematic and elastokinematic properties. The BMW XM comes as standard with adaptive M suspension Professional including electronically controlled dampers and active roll stabilisation with 48V electric motors and Active Roll Control. It is also the first BMW M model to feature Integral Active Steering, also part of standard specification.

Traction, agility and directional stability all benefit from both the near-actuator wheel slip limitation and the networking of all control systems within the integrated transverse dynamics management. The M Sport brakes work in tandem with an integrated braking system that presents the driver with two pedal feel settings. 21-inch M light-alloy wheels are fitted as standard, while there is also the option of 22-inch or 23-inch M light-alloy wheels.

Matchless variety of driver assistance systems.

The BMW XM boasts the largest selection of driver assistance systems offered – either as standard or as an option – for any high-performance vehicle from BMW M GmbH. Standard specification includes the Driving Assistant Professional, which comprises Front Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning including lane return with steering assistance, the Evasion Assistant, Alertness Assistant and Speed Limit Info system. Furthermore, it add Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function with a host of other features, including the Steering and Lane Control Assistant, traffic light recognition and automatic Speed Limit Assist.

Parking Assistant Plus is also included as standard. In addition to the Reversing Assistant this system comprises the functions Parking View, front and rear Panorama View and 3D View.

A bespoke driving experience at the touch of a button.

The control panel on the centre console of the BMW XM features a model-specific array of buttons for personalising the driving experience in a variety of ways. For the first time, this includes the M Hybrid button, which is used to select the desired operating mode for the drive system. Drivers can choose between HYBRID, ELECTRIC and eCONTROL modes. There is also the Setup button providing direct access to the configuration settings for the drive system, chassis, steering, braking system, M xDrive and level of braking energy recuperation.

Another button is used to select M Mode. When drivers switch from the default Road setting to Sport, interventions from the driver assistance systems are restricted to just the essential functions required for sporty driving, as is the content shown in the information display. Two individually configured vehicle setups can be stored together with the preferred settings for the M HYBRID system’s operating mode, the engine note, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and the transmission’s shift characteristics, and then called up using the M buttons on the steering wheel.

BMW Live Cockpit Professional and Head-Up Display as standard.

The BMW XM comes as standard with BMW Live Cockpit Professional, which brings with it an M-specific version of the latest-generation multi-sensory vehicle experience BMW iDrive. Based on BMW Operating System 8, it comprises a BMW Curved Display formed by a 12.3-inch information display and a control display with a screen diagonal of 14.9 inches. The new display grouping and the ever-expanding capabilities of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant mean the new BMW iDrive has been deliberately geared towards touch operation and gesture control as well as dialogue using natural language. The iDrive Controller and multifunction buttons on the steering wheel are additionally joined in the standard specification roster by the BMW Head-Up Display and BMW gesture control.

The cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system is another feature of BMW Live Cockpit Professional. The optional BMW Digital Key Plus enables customers to lock and unlock their new BMW XM with their Apple iPhone by means of security-enhanced ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology. And smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, the personalised BMW ID functionality and an eSIM designed for 5G mobile technology are also all available to use in the BMW XM.

BMW M GmbH is adding a new body variant to its line-up of high-performance models in the premium midsize class. The first-ever BMW M3 Touring combines authentic motor sport feeling with a very distinct character and a broader spread of practical qualities. Its powertrain technology is focused wholly on delivering beguiling performance and brings together the 375 kW/510 hp version of the six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology, the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic and the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The latest addition to the range is therefore available exclusively in BMW M3 Competition Touring with M xDrive form (fuel consumption combined: 10.4 – 10.1 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 235 – 229 g/km in the WLTP cycle; NEDC figures: – ). The variable-use interior of the first BMW M3 Touring gives it a distinctive character profile, providing fresh scope for experiencing  M-typical performance in everyday use. The new BMW iDrive including BMW Curved Display brings cutting-edge control/operation and connectivity tech to the cabin.

The BMW M GmbH model offensive continues in its 50th anniversary year with the addition of a fourth model type to the BMW M3/M4 range alongside the Sedan, Coupé and Convertible. The BMW M3 Touring will celebrate its world premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June 2022. Orders for the new BMW M3 Touring can be taken from September 2022, ahead of a market launch that will get underway with the start of production in November 2022. The BMW M3 Touring will be produced alongside the BMW M3 Sedan at BMW Group Plant Munich. The BMW M3 Touring has not been confirmed for South Africa. 

Standalone vehicle concept with extravagant design.

The first BMW M3 Touring goes to particularly impressive lengths to deliver on the traditional M promise of dynamic flair, agility and precision combined with unrestricted everyday practicality and mile-covering ability. Extravagant exterior design shines a particularly vivid spotlight on its unique vehicle concept, ensuring clear differentiation within the line-up and a dynamic aura unmatched by any rival.

Cleanly designed surfaces and athletic forms signal the standout performance potential of the BMW M3 Touring, as do the M-specific design cues firmly invested in the functional requirements of cooling air routing and aerodynamic balance. Chief among these are the vertically arranged, frameless BMW kidney grille, large side air intakes, powerfully sculpted wheel arches and prominently extended side skirts which, together with the attachment parts for the front and rear aprons, form a Black high-gloss band around the whole of the car. Other distinctive features are the M gills in the front side panels and the exhaust tailpipes integrated into the rear apron to the left and right of centre.

Whatever exterior colour is specified for the BMW M3 Touring, its roof will be finished as standard in Black high-gloss. The standard roof rails and the model-specific Gurney air-directing flap on the roof spoiler are painted in the same shade. The roof can also be finished in body colour as an option, and an M Carbon exterior package can also be found on the options list.

High-revving six-cylinder in-line engine.

The version of the six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology developed for the Competition models in the BMW M3/M4 line-up produces maximum output of 375 kW/510 hp and peak torque of 650 Nm. Distinguished by the appetite for revs for which M engines are renowned, plus linear power delivery sustained into high load ranges, the 3.0-litre straight-six forms the basis for the unit in the new BMW M4 GT3 endurance racing car. Its cooling and oil supply systems are designed to handle extremely high longitudinal and lateral dynamic forces on the track. And the M-specific exhaust system with electrically controlled flaps generates an emotionally arresting soundtrack that brings an extra layer to the performance experience.

The engine joins forces with an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, which offers three gearshift programs and can be operated using shift paddles on the steering wheel. The engine’s power is channelled through to the road via the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system, which teams up with the Active M Differential at the rear axle. The need-based distribution of power across all four wheels optimises the traction of the BMW M3 Competition Touring with M xDrive, as well as its agility and directional stability. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 3.6 seconds and the sprint from 0 to 200 km/h requires just 12.9 seconds. Opting for the M Driver’s Package increases the electronically limited top speed from 250 km/h to 280 km/h.

As well as the basic 4WD setting, the driver can also select 4WD Sport mode via the Setup menu. This provides an even more intense experience of the M xDrive system’s rear-biased tuning. Switching off DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) brings 2WD mode – pure rear-wheel drive – into play.

Ideal balance of performance and long-distance comfort.

Chassis technology tuned both to the performance profile of the powertrain and to the specific vehicle concept of the BMW M3 Touring creates an ideal balance of sports performance and majestic ride comfort in everyday use and over longer-distance journeys. Detailed fine-tuning has been carried out as part of intensive testing on race circuits, country roads and urban routes. The high torsional stiffness of the body structure and chassis mountings imbues the car with even greater agility, dynamics and precision, and is further enhanced by model-specific bracing elements in the underfloor section and load compartment.

Both the double-joint spring strut front axle and the five-link rear axle have M-specific kinematics and combine lightweight design with particularly high rigidity. Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers and M Servotronic steering with a variable ratio come as standard on the BMW M3 Touring. The integrated braking system offers two settings for pedal feel. Optional M Carbon ceramic brakes can be ordered as an alternative to the standard M Compound braking system. Meanwhile, forged M light-alloy wheels in 19-inch (front) and 20-inch (rear) format are fitted as standard and can be specified with track tyres as an option.

The DSC system includes wheel slip limitation integrated into the engine control unit. As well as M Dynamic Mode, the BMW M3 Touring also has the M Traction Control function as standard. In the M xDrive system’s 2WD mode, the driver can adjust the intervention thresholds for wheel slip limitation through ten stages in order to carefully approach the physical limits under hard cornering on the track.

Racing feeling in the cockpit, highly versatile rear compartment.

The BMW Curved Display will be fitted as standard in the BMW M3 Touring from launch. It provides a fresh interpretation of the cockpit design focused on providing an intense performance experience. The fully digital screen grouping is made up of a 12.3-inch information display and a control display with a screen diagonal of 14.9 inches. It is positioned behind a single glass surface that is angled towards the driver. The information display behind the steering wheel presents all relevant driving information with new graphics and in an M-specific style. M-specific widgets with information on the car setup and tyre condition can be shown on the control display’s home screen. A BMW Head-Up Display with M-specific content is offered as an option.

Electrically adjustable M Sport seats with memory function and seat heating plus Merino leather trim come as standard in the BMW M3 Touring. The optional M Carbon bucket seats for the driver and front passenger offer a unique symbiosis of motor sport feeling, lightweight design, sumptuous workmanship and long-distance comfort. The use of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the structural elements of the seat cushion and backrest, together with cut-outs in the side bolsters and below the head restraints, saves 9.6 kilograms over the standard M Sport seats.

The rear compartment of the BMW M3 Touring has three full-size seats. The rear-seat backrest can be split 40 : 20 : 40. Folding down individual seat sections or all of them at the same time allows the car’s load capacity to be expanded from 500 litres to a maximum 1,510 litres, as required. Automatic tailgate operation and the separately opening rear window are both standard. A storage compartment underneath the boot floor provides space for the luggage compartment cover and boot partition net. Anti-slip rails that rise up automatically from the boot floor can be ordered as an option. These prevent items of luggage from sliding around in dynamic driving situations.

M Drive Professional and BMW Maps navigation system as standard.

Comfort-enhancing features fitted as standard in the BMW M3 Touring include three-zone automatic climate control, the BMW Live Cockpit Plus including BMW Maps navigation system, ambient lighting, the hi-fi speaker system, and the interior and exterior mirror package. Customers can also benefit from a broad selection of automated driving and parking systems. Front Collision Warning, Speed Limit Display with no-overtaking indicator, Lane Departure Warning and Park Distance Control come as standard. Among the available options are the Driving Assistant Professional with Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function, traffic light detection and Active Navigation, plus the Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant.

The M-specific control/operation system includes the Setup button, which provides direct access to the settings options for the engine, chassis, steering, braking system and M xDrive. Two overall vehicle setups can be stored and called up using the M buttons on the steering wheel. As well as M Traction Control, the likewise standard M Drive Professional also contains the M Drift Analyser and the M Laptimer. The M Mode button on the centre console can be used to adjust the responses of the driver assistance systems and the content shown in the information display and Head-Up Display. BMW M3 Touring drivers can also choose from the ROAD, SPORT and TRACK settings.

The latest-generation BMW iDrive vehicle experience system in the BMW M3 Touring represents the embodiment of progressive digitalisation. It is based on BMW Operating System 8 and, together with the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and BMW Curved Display, has been designed squarely to deliver intuitive interaction between the driver and car using natural speech and touch control. The new BMW iDrive enables personalisation via the BMW ID and My BMW App, plus in-car use of the Personal eSIM. Smartphone integration for using CarPlay® and Android Auto™ is also part of standard specification. A 5G-compatible antenna system provides optimised connectivity.

Munich. With just a few months remaining until the world premiere of the new BMW M2*, the final test phase in the development of the new high-performance car is in full swing. The new BMW M2 offers thoroughbred racing technology for the roads. In keeping with its affinity with the racetrack, the car’s driving dynamics were subjected to an intensive test at the Salzburgring in Austria.

The tests focussed on the driving dynamics and chassis, and the new BMW M2 impressed with outstanding characteristics. The new production car boasts a similar performance level to the BMW M2 CS**, the exclusive, special-edition sports car from BMW M GmbH. It allows the driver to experience that pure racetrack feeling in any conditions – even at the limit.

The power under the bonnet of the BMW M2 is provided by the tried-and-tested engines from the M3 and M4 models. The two optional transmission types, the manual 6-speed gearbox and 8-speed M Steptronic gearbox, guarantee that the power is applied extremely dynamically, redefining sheer driving pleasure. The sporty driving characteristics are intensified by the adaptive M chassis and the rear-wheel drive on the new BMW M2. The powerful brake system comes from the M3 and M4 and ensures the power is controlled effortlessly.

The sporty appearance of the new BMW M2 is rounded off by a selection of special equipment options. For example, a carbon roof to reduce weight, among other benefits. M carbon bucket seats for the driver and passenger, also available as an option, emphasise the racing look of the new BMW M2.

The world premiere of the new BMW M2 will be in October, followed by the market launch in April 2023.

Goodwood. All eyes will be on BMW M GmbH at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed, as BMW’s legendary Motorsport division celebrates five decades of success. Festivalgoers will witness the world premiere of the first-ever BMW M3 Touring and the UK premiere of the new BMW M4 CSL, as both take to the hill throughout the world-famous four-day event. All this against the backdrop of a striking central feature sculpture on the lawn of Goodwood House, designed as a homage to 50 years of motorsport excellence as it showcases some of the most iconic models from BMW M. Elsewhere, visitors will be able to see – and in some cases, drive – the latest models from BMW’s exciting range, including the new BMW iX1, i7, i4 and iX M60.

For the first time in its history, the BMW M range will be complemented by a BMW M3 Touring which is a distillation of the technological prowess and know-how from the BMW M3 and M4 family, combined with the practicality of a five-door touring model. This latest BMW M model will be unveiled at BMW M at Trackside at 10:00 am (BST) on Thursday 23 June, alongside a high-performance M3 Touring with Performance Parts, and can then be seen on the Hillclimb in the ‘First Glance’ category every day of the Festival.

Alongside the M3 Touring and BMW M3 Touring MotoGP Safety Car on the hill will be the new BMW M4 CSL, celebrating its UK premiere. This ultimate, track-honed, two-seater coupe is defined by a 40hp power hike over the current BMW M4 Competition Coupé to 550hp, while meticulous weight-saving measures – including the use of carbon-fibre for the roof, bonnet and boot lid – achieve a 100kg reduction in overall weight (in standard specification in the German market). As a result, the new BMW M4 CSL has recorded the best-ever lap-time for a BMW road car at the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit.

With BMW M GmbH as the honoured marque, the Central Feature in front of Goodwood House will present an eye-catching display of BMW M cars past, present and future. BMW UK will add its legendary BMW 3.0 CSL to the Central Feature, while BMW Group Classic is providing three further examples: the BMW M1 Procar from the late 1970s; a WTCC BMW 3 Series E90; the Le Mans winning 1999 BMW V12 LMR. The display is completed by the BMW M LMDh racecar, that will debut next year.

Besides providing historic BMW M cars for the Central Feature, BMW Group Classic will bring four additional famous race cars to Goodwood’s Hillclimb. Pedro Piquet (BRA), son of three-time F1 World Champion Nelson Piquet, will drive the world’s first turbo-charged F1 World Champion car, the 1983 Brabham BMW BT52.

Steve Soper (UK) will climb the hill in the BMW V12 LMR on Thursday. He is followed by Markus Flasch (CEO of BMW M GmbH, 2018-2021), who will be in the driver’s seat on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

HRH Leopold Prince of Bavaria (GER) will drive the sharknose BMW 635CSi and Bruno Spengler (CAN) will drive his famous BMW Z4 GTR which features the Michel Vaillant Design from the 2015 Spa-Francorchamps 24h race.

For many, BMW M at Trackside will form the focal point for the long weekend’s celebrations. Crowned by an original BMW M1, the stand will host iconic models from BMW M’s illustrious past, from the legendary BMW M3 E30 to the revered BMW M3 CSL E46. They will take their place alongside a thrilling line-up of modern-day BMW M greats, from the ultimate 635hp BMW M5 CS and track-honed BMW M4 GT3 to the exclusive new BMW M850i Convertible and innovative electric BMW i4 M50. Visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of the future for BMW M, with the innovative BMW Concept XM, a vision of uncompromising high performance and extravagant luxury.

The Stable Yard – once again dedicated to BMW’s latest range of all-electric and electrified models – will offer the chance to see the stunning BMW i Vision Circular, a concept that illustrates the company’s determination to become the most sustainable manufacturer. Optimised for the circular economy and with the goal of achieving 100% recycled and recyclable material use, the BMW i Vision Circular offers a view of a compact yet luxurious fully-electric vehicle with a focus on sustainability for the year 2040.

BMW’s sustainability focus is equally apparent in the new BMW i7, on display in The Stable Yard following its recent unveiling. The latest version of the brand’s flagship saloon is set to redefine the luxury segment with new levels of electrification and digitalisation. Its state-of-the-art all-electric drivetrain is complemented by a blend of luxurious interior design and an astonishing entertainment experience, with the multi-sensory BMW iDrive and unique 31.3-inch 8K BMW Theatre Screen. These attributes are further displayed in the powerful new BMW M760e, a plug-in hybrid with 571hp that delivers scintillating performance yet achieves remarkable efficiency.

The recently revealed BMW iX1 will make its UK debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed, representing another first at the Stable Yard. The third-generation BMW X1 features a sharper design, across-the-board sustainability and cutting-edge digital innovations. Available for the first time with an all-electric drive system, the BMW iX1 xDrive30 is set to offer an electric driving range between 257 – 272 miles (WLTP, provisional figures).

These models will also be joined by the company’s technology flagship, the new BMW iX M60, a fully-electric Sports Activity Vehicle that combines emissions-free driving pleasure and sporting agility with lounge-style luxury and comfort. Powered by two BMW M eDrive electric motors to provide intelligent BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive capability, the BMW iX M60 can accelerate from 0-62 mph in a seamless 3.8 seconds, yet still achieve up to 348 miles (WLTP) of driving range on a single charge.

Members of the public will be able to experience the BMW iX M60’s searing performance for themselves during Friday’s ‘Electric Only’ Motor Circuit Test Drives, where they’ll also be able to take to the circuit behind the wheel of the new BMW i4, the brand’s first-ever fully-electric Gran Coupé, and the practical BMW iX3.

Frank van Meel, CEO of BMW M, said: “There can be no better place to celebrate our 50th anniversary than among our fans at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, surrounded by the iconic cars that have cemented our position in motorsport history. But we’ll also spend our time at the world-famous event looking to the future, with a selection of exciting new models from our innovative electrified line-up, and the global premiere of the eagerly-anticipated first-ever BMW M3 Touring.”

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is being held over four days from 23-26 June 2022.

Munich. Within the framework of spectacular events featuring sensational new model innovations and together with its worldwide community, BMW M GmbH is celebrating the first five decades of its existence during these weeks and months. On 24 May 1972, the partnership agreement for BMW Motorsport GmbH was signed. Exactly 50 years later to the day, the company now known as BMW M GmbH is presenting an exclusive collection of edition models as a current anniversary highlight.

With the BMW M 50 Jahre edition of the BMW M4 Competition Coupe, M enthusiasts around the globe can express both their passion for racing and their awareness of tradition. Limited editions, exclusive design features and individually selectable equipment options ensure that each edition vehicle can become a unique car that reflects the personal style of its owner.

The BMW M 50 Jahre edition is based on the current generation of the most successful model series in the history of BMW M GmbH. Worldwide, the model designations BMW M3 and BMW M4 are synonymous with high performance in the premium mid-range segment. The BMW M4 edition model in South Africa is powered by a straight six-cylinder engine with 375 kW, M TwinPower Turbo technology and high-revving characteristics. Its power is fully variably distributed to all four wheels using M xDrive technology via an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic.

The exclusive character of the edition model is the result of a market-specific configuration with unique design features and a strictly limited number of units in each case. In this way, fascinating rarities are created for the most important automotive markets around the world. Five BMW M4 Competition Coupé M xDrive edition models are destined for South Africa.

For the exterior paintwork of the edition vehicles, style-defining colours from the history of BMW M GmbH are being reissued. These are complemented by M forged wheels in a similarly exclusive colour scheme and striking accents in the interior.

In Europe and other selected sales regions, including South Africa, BMW M GmbH is offering an exclusive edition of the BMW M4 Coupe to mark its anniversary. The two-door BMW M 50 Jahre edition comes in the exterior colours Carbon Black, Macao Blue, Brands Hatch Grey, Imola Red and San Marino Blue. Their expressive appearance is enhanced by 19-inch M forged wheels on the front axle and 20-inch wheels on the rear axle featuring a double-spoke design, which are being offered for the first time in the colours Orbit Grey Matt and Gold Bronze matt. All South African cars will be finished in San Marino Blue with Gold Bronze matt wheels.

In addition, a limited number of edition vehicles of the BMW M4 Coupe are being produced for the Chinese automotive market and available in the exterior paint finishes Fire Orange and Stratus Grey. This colour selection relates to the fact that the anniversary of BMW M GmbH is being celebrated in China in the Year of the Tiger. The M forged wheels on these vehicles are finished in matt Orbit Grey in conjunction with the Fire Orange body colour and in matt Gold Bronze in conjunction with the Stratus Grey exterior paint finish.

In the interior of all edition vehicles based on the BMW M4 Coupe, door sill panels bearing the lettering “Edition 50 Jahre BMW M”, a metal plaque on the centre console with the lettering “M4 Edition 50 Jahre BMW M” and a corresponding imprint on the headrests of the standard M carbon bucket seats for driver and front passenger hint at the anniversary.

The edition model on the basis of the BMW M3 Sedan was designed exclusively for the US and Canadian automotive markets. There is a choice of five exterior paint finishes for the 500 models of the four-door high-performance sports car available there, each of which is reminiscent of one of its five predecessors: from Vermilion Red to Techno Violet, Interlagos Blue and Fire Orange to Limerock Grey. All body colours are combined with M forged wheels in Orbit Grey matt and selected BMW M Performance Parts. The components, which are inspired by racing in terms of design and technology and likewise included in the range of equipment available for the anniversary edition, also comprise the BMW M Performance front splitter Carbon, the BMW M Performance rear spoiler Carbon and the BMW M Performance tailpipe trims Carbon/Titanium.

The “Edition 50 Jahre BMW M” lettering on the door sill trims and M stripes on the headrests of the front and outer rear seats characterise the interior. Moreover, an exclusive seam pattern adorns both the standard M sports seats and the optionally available M carbon bucket seats of the edition vehicles. A metal plaque on the cupholder cover of the centre console bears the inscription “M3 Edition 50 Jahre BMW M” and the reference “1/500”.

Munich. Its character is rooted in two core features: a power hike of 30kW over the BMW M4 Competition Coupé to 405kW and a 100-kg reduction in weight.

With its next-level power and intelligent lightweight design, two-seater configuration, model-specific chassis upgrades and equipment features selected specially for the job at hand, the new BMW M4 CSL has track driving as its raison d’être. The genes the M4 CSL shares with its competition-spec sibling, the BMW M4 GT3, are also reflected in its performance attributes. In test runs on the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit, the BMW M4 CSL posted the fastest lap times ever for a series-produced BMW car. On the version of the track traditionally used for comparison purposes – which is 20.600 kilometres in length and doesn’t include the straight at section T13 – it stopped the clock at 7 min. 15.677 sec. Its official and notarised lap time for the 20.832-kilometres circuit (the complete lap) was 7 min. 20.207 sec. Acceleration figures of 3.7 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and 10.7 seconds for the sprint from 0 to 200 km/h are similarly impressive.

“Competition, Sport, Lightweight”: a recipe with a rich tradition.

The stripped-back racing character of the BMW M4 CSL is underpinned by a time-honoured concept that harnesses cutting-edge development expertise and the latest technology to create an enthralling end result. “CSL” stands for “Competition, Sport, Lightweight”, referencing the critical role of weight-minimised design in achieving success in motor sport. The BMW 3.0 CSL developed by BMW Motorsport GmbH according to this same principle won the European Touring Car Championship at the first attempt in 1973. And the M4 CSL is also following in the tyre tracks of successful special-edition models from earlier generations of the BMW M3/M4, most notably the legendary BMW M3 CSL from 2003 and the BMW M4 GTS unveiled in 2016.

For BMW M GmbH, the world premiere of the new BMW M4 CSL at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este (20 – 22 May 2022) will be one of the highlights of its 50th anniversary year. Production of the special-edition model will begin – in a limited run of exactly 1,000 examples – at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing in July 2022. Only 15 units are earmarked for South African fans.

Present and correct in the fundamentals and the details: intelligent lightweight design in the BMW M4 CSL.

Its talent for innovation and racing-car know-how enabled BMW M GmbH to restrict the special edition’s DIN kerb weight to 1,625 kilograms. A standout power-to-weight ratio of 4.01 kg/kW provides the ideal platform for a dynamically sublime driving experience.

Fitting M Carbon full bucket seats reduced weight by around 24 kilograms on its own compared with the standard seats fitted in the BMW M4 Competition Coupé. Twenty one kilograms were saved by removing the rear seats and seat belts, integrating a partition and making the associated modifications to the luggage compartment. And chassis changes, including the addition of extra-lightweight M Carbon ceramic brakes and special light-alloy wheels, springs and struts, lowered the figure by around another 21 kilograms. Paring back the amount of soundproofing, plus switching to ultra-lightweight sound insulation, saved around 15 kilograms, while the use of components made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) deducted some eleven kilograms. For example, in addition to its CFRP roof, the bonnet and boot lid of the BMW M4 CSL are also hewn from this lightweight high-tech material, as is its centre console. And a titanium rear silencer cuts more than four kilograms from the weight of the exhaust system. Detail modifications to areas such as the BMW kidney grille, rear lights, floor mats and automatic climate control shave off another four kilograms.

Exclusive exterior paint finish, model-specific design features.

The body of the BMW M4 CSL is painted in either the exclusive Frozen Brooklyn Grey metallic, Alpine White solid or Sapphire Black metallic as standard. These exterior shades team up with exposed carbon-fibre surfaces and red accents to create a visually expressive appearance of sporting purity. 

The carbon-fibre structure of the body components is visible in various areas, including the two chiselled indents in the bonnet. The surfaces of the indents – which are not painted in body colour – are highlighted additionally by red outlines. Red accent lines also bring extra emphasis to the two fins on the CFRP roof of the new BMW M4 CSL, the contours of its side sills, the black model badges, and the model-specific CFRP splitters and air curtain inserts in the front apron.

BMW Laserlight: yellow headlights and innovative rear lights.

The standard BMW Laserlight headlights bring another head-turning accent to the front end of the new BMW M4 CSL. Both in the welcome effect triggered when unlocking the doors and when the low and high beam are switched on, these headlights illuminate in yellow rather than white, bringing to mind the look of successful GT racing cars.

The LED rear lights of the new BMW M4 CSL are equipped as standard with technology making its debut in a series-produced car. Their glass covers have intricate light threads woven into them which are illuminated using laser technology, bringing a vibrant structure to the surface of the lights. This creates a highly distinctive light signature that is recognisable from a long distance during the hours of darkness.

Six-cylinder in-line engine with race-focused character.

The model-specific power unit of the BMW M4 CSL is based on the same high-revving, six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology found in the BMW M4 GT3 racing car. Its substantial performance reserves enabled a major hike in power without having to make any concessions in terms of stability or durability. Key to this power boost was an increase in the maximum charge pressure of the two mono-scroll turbochargers from 1.7 bar to 2.1 bar and model-specific tweaks to the engine management. The BMW M4 CSL’s engine develops peak torque of 650 Nm between 2,750 and 5,950 rpm. Its maximum output of 405 kW is produced at 6,250 rpm.

The race-derived design of the 3.0-litre engine is focused squarely on high revs and maximum power development. The crankcase’s sleeve-free, closed-deck construction helps to make it extremely rigid, while the forged lightweight crankshaft allows it to handle extremely high levels of torque. Another special M-specific feature is the cylinder head core made using 3D printing techniques.

Both the cooling and oil supply systems are designed to handle the particular challenges presented by track driving. The twin-tailpipe exhaust system with electrically controlled flaps and weight-minimised titanium rear silencer additionally generates a racing-car-inspired, emotionally engaging engine note created especially for the new BMW M4 CSL.

The drive torque produced by the engine is relayed to the rear wheels of the new BMW M4 CSL via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. Model-specific mountings for the engine and transmission ensure the engine’s power is translated into dynamic performance in exceptionally rapid and direct fashion. The firmer connection of the engine and transmission to the car’s structure is clearly perceptible, especially under hard driving.

Optimised body rigidity, model-specific chassis technology.

Like the engine in the new BMW M4 CSL, its chassis technology benefits from a wealth of detail upgrades – which have been tailored to the power unit’s performance characteristics. These modifications also factor in the substantial reduction in vehicle weight at play here and the model-specific improvements to body rigidity, allowing the blend of handling agility, dynamism and precision for which BMW M cars are renowned to be taken to new heights.

In the engine compartment, a composition of front-end strut braces developed entirely from scratch raises the body rigidity of the new BMW M4 CSL up another level. Using numerical models, the geometry of the cast aluminium elements between the spring strut towers and the front end has been adapted precisely to the forces exerted in different driving situations.

The individually tuned axle kinematics and model-specific wheel camber settings, dampers, auxiliary springs and anti-roll bars optimise steering precision, transmission of lateral control forces when cornering, spring and damping response, and wheel location. The model-specific wheel suspension is accompanied by a drop in ride height of eight millimetres compared with the BMW M4 Competition Coupé. Also to be found on the standard equipment list for the special-edition model are adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers, electromechanical M Servotronic steering with variable ratio and M Carbon ceramic brakes. An M-specific version of the integrated braking system offers the driver excellent pedal feel even when pushing the dynamic limits and in adverse road conditions.

M Traction Control optimised for the track.

The standard-fitted M Traction Control function with model-specific track tuning lets the driver set individual intervention thresholds for wheel slip limitation. On dry surfaces, stages 1 to 5 of M Traction Control help the driver to execute controlled drifts. Stages 6 to 10 are based on the application developed for touring car racers and make allowance for both surface conditions and tyre temperature to maximise traction and directional stability.

Also specified as standard are forged M light-alloy wheels in an exclusive cross-spoke design (19 inches at the front axle and 20 inches at the rear). These are fitted with high-performance tyres specially developed for the special-edition model in size 275/35 ZR19 (front) and 285/30 ZR20 (rear).

Equipment designed to provide a race-car feeling and everyday usability.

Model-specific equipment features give the BMW M4 CSL a distinctive balance between sports car purism, unrestricted everyday usability and exclusive premium substance. The M Carbon full bucket seats for the driver and co-driver are marked out by their self-supporting CFRP structure and purposeful rejection of comfort-enhancing features. They have a fixed backrest angle, forward/back adjustments can be made manually, and the seat height can only be adjusted in a workshop using a three-stage screw linkage. The M Carbon full bucket seats also have detachable head restraints and allow the integration of a six-point belt system.

The M Alcantara steering wheel, anthracite-coloured headliner, Carbon Fibre interior trim strips, “CSL” badges on the seats, centre console and rear panel, plus M-specific displays also help to create the perfect on-board setting for concentrated driving pleasure. Merino leather trim with extended features and M seat belts are also standard. Two helmet storage units can be found in the rear compartment.

The M-specific control/operation system includes the M Setup button for direct access to numerous vehicle settings and two M buttons on the steering wheel for storing preferred configurations. Standard equipment also features the M Drive Professional system including M Drift Analyser and M Laptimer, plus the M Mode button for activating the ROAD, SPORT and TRACK settings.

The likewise standard BMW Live Cockpit Professional comprises a fully digital screen grouping made up of an instrument cluster with a 12.3-inch screen diagonal behind the steering wheel and a 10.25-inch control display. Among its functions are the navigation system BMW Maps, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, smartphone integration, telephony with wireless charging and a Wi-Fi interface. The BMW Head-Up Display with M-specific elements can be ordered from the options list.

The range of comfort-enhancing features and driver assistance systems fitted in the BMW M4 CSL are focused on the essentials, in keeping with its intelligent lightweight design approach and puristic vehicle concept. Standard specification includes automatic climate control, Park Distance Control, Front Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Speed Limit Info. Two-zone automatic climate control, an alarm, and the Driving Assistant and Parking Assistant systems are available as options.

Outstanding performance, fascinating luxury and a confident appearance characterise the BMW M8 Competition Coupé (combined fuel consumption: 11.0 l/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO2 emissions: 239 g/km), the BMW M8 Competition Cabriolet (combined fuel consumption: 11.2 l/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO2 emissions: 244 g/km) and the BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupé (combined fuel consumption: 10.7 l/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO2 emissions: 243 g/km). Design modifications and optimised operation.

The new edition of the BMW M8 Competition, 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 M lights Shadow Line, 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 mobilises a maximum output of 460 kW and a maximum torque of 750 Nm. 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 paint finish 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 Laser Light 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 as M lamps Shadow Line 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 special 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 Competition 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.

Optimised 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 Competition models.

Munich. For the third time in a row, BMW M GmbH ended the financial year as the global market leader in the performance and high-performance car segment. Indeed, the company posted record sales once again in 2021. A total of 163,542 BMW M cars were delivered to customers worldwide last year, a 13 percent increase on 2020.

This growth was spread equally between the High-Performance sports cars and Performance cars made by BMW M GmbH, with both product categories raising their sales figures to a new level. “This success is the perfect start to our anniversary year,” says Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH. “M is in a stronger position than ever as it celebrates its 50th birthday.”

New BMW M3 and new BMW M4 enjoy immediate success.

The biggest drivers of growth among the High-Performance sports cars were the new BMW M3 and BMW M4 models introduced in spring 2021. Fuelled by a vehicle concept focused squarely on emotionally charged dynamism and unprecedented diversity in the model range, the new BMW M3 Sedan (fuel consumption combined: 10.2 – 10.0 l/100 km [27.7 – 28.3 mpg imp]; CO₂ emissions combined: 231 – 227 g/km as per WLTP), new BMW M4 Coupé (fuel consumption combined: 10.1 – 9.9 l/100 km [28.0 – 28.5 mpg imp]; CO₂ emissions combined: 230 – 226 g/km as per WLTP) and new BMW M4 Convertible (fuel consumption combined: 10.2 l/100 km [27.7 mpg imp]; CO₂ emissions combined: 233 – 231 g/km as per WLTP) got off to an extremely successful start. The latest model generation is the first to offer customers two output levels topping out at 375 kW, the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system and a choice of either a six-speed manual gearbox or the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission.

“The response to the new generation of the BMW M3 and BMW M4 has been simply overwhelming,” reports Timo Resch, Vice President Customer, Brand and Sales at BMW M GmbH. “We can therefore expect demand for these iconic sports cars to continue on an upward curve in 2022.”

Also making a powerful contribution to the latest rise in High-Performance model sales at BMW M GmbH were the BMW X5 M Competition (fuel consumption combined: 13.6 – 13.3 l/100 km [20.8 – 21,2 mpg imp]; CO₂ emissions combined: 308 – 303 g/km as per WLTP) and BMW X6 M Competition (fuel consumption combined: 13.4 – 13.1 l/100 km [21.1 – 21.6 mpg imp]; CO₂ emissions combined: 305 – 299 g/km as per WLTP). Following the successful market launch of the latest model generation the previous year, the charismatic High-Performance sports cars in the Sports Activity Vehicle and Sports Activity Coupé segment – both powered by a 460 kW V8 engine – increased their sales figures once again in 2021.

Alluring and in demand: the BMW M models in the BMW 4 Series range.

The dynamic excellence, agility and precision for which M is renowned also enabled the brand’s Performance models to delight and excite a wide range of customers over the past year. Credit for the latest boost to sales goes above all to the M models based on the new BMW 4 Series. Particularly popular were the variants of the new BMW 4 Series Coupé, whose line-up includes the BMW M440i Coupé (fuel consumption combined: 8.1 – 7.4 l/100 km [34.8 – 38.2 mpg imp].

The latest BMW X models within the ranks of M’s Performance cars also proved extremely desirable. Indeed, the BMW X3 M40i powered by a six-cylinder in-line engine with 285 kW and the BMW X7 M50i (fuel consumption combined: 12.8 – 12.3 l/100 km [22.1 – 23.0 mpg imp]; CO₂ emissions combined: 292 – 280 g/km as per WLTP) with its 390 kW V8 unit both posted an increase in new registrations.

Looking ahead to an anniversary year brimming with highlights.

BMW M GmbH will continue its product offensive in this anniversary year with the addition of new High-Performance and Performance models. Highlights include the new BMW M240i xDrive Coupé (fuel consumption combined: 8.8 – 8.1 l/100 km [32.1 – 34.9 mpg imp]; CO₂ emissions combined: 200 – 185 g/km as per WLTP) and the arrival later in the year of the first BMW M3 Touring and an exclusive special-edition model based on the new BMW M4 Coupé.

In addition, the BMW Group subsidiary – which was founded as BMW Motorsport GmbH in May 1972 and enjoys the status of an independent manufacturer – will also drive the transformation to electric mobility. Following in the tyre tracks of the BMW i4 M50 (electric power consumption combined: 22.5 – 18.0 kWh/100 km as per WLTP; CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km) in the first half of 2022 will be the likewise fully electric BMW iX M60 (projected electric power consumption combined: 24.7 – 21.7 kWh/100 km as per WLTP; CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km).

The most powerful BMW M model ever made points the way to the future of the brand.

The anniversary year will be crowned by the start of production of the BMW XM. The most powerful BMW M car ever to go into series production is also the brand’s first High-Performance model to employ a plug-in hybrid drive system. Its newly developed M Hybrid technology brings together a V8 engine and a high-performance electric motor to develop maximum output of 550 kW and peak torque of 1,000 Nm. The design of the BMW XM majors on presence and extrovert appeal and in so doing sends out a clear statement in the luxury segment.

“Our first standalone model since the legendary BMW M1 represents a complete re-imagining of the high-performance car segment,” says van Meel. “The BMW XM blends expressive design and progressive interior luxury with an incomparable driving experience that serves up both sublime performance and the ability to glide along in near silence in all-electric mode. In so doing, it provides an inimitable expression of poise and assurance, and at the same time points the way to the future of our brand.”