The BMW Group is making a powerful statement with the new BMW 7 Series Sedan. Embodying Sheer Driving Pleasure at its most exclusive, the 7 Series reinforces its leading position in the luxury segment to compelling effect.

The new BMW 7 Series – the first luxury sedan with technologies from the Neue Klasse.
Developed with passion and designed to perfection, the BMW 7 Series Sedan has established itself as an innovation leader and technological pioneer around the world since it first took to the stage in 1977. Each generation has brought fresh impetus to its era – from groundbreaking safety functions and revolutionary operating concepts to digital worlds that set new standards. This forward-looking approach has been a hallmark characteristic of the BMW 7 Series Sedan for 49 years now.

The new BMW 7 Series represents the most extensive model update ever carried out by the BMW Group. The new BMW 7 Series – now entering its seventh generation – marks a big leap forward once again. As the flagship model series of the BMW product range and a brand figurehead, the new BMW 7 Series Sedan takes the lead when it comes to the introduction of technologies from the Neue Klasse into existing models. This step also marks the beginning of a technology rollout – spanning drive system variants and market segments – from which all future BMW cars will benefit.

Premiere for the new BMW luxury-class design.
The new BMW 7 Series embodies the specific interpretation of the new BMW design language for the luxury segment. A monolithic exterior, the new BMW kidney Iconic Glow and minimalist crystal headlights give the car a visually impactful presence and make it easily recognisable. The side view impresses with reduced surfaces, a character line and classy details, while the rear end is shaped by newly designed lights and clear forms. One BMW M Performance model provides sporting differentiation to striking effect, with the M Sport package and M Sport package Pro bringing further emphasis. BMW Individual offers a broad spread of personalisation options, including BMW Individual Dual-Finish paintwork – a world first marked by technological sophistication and expert craftsmanship. Completing the picture are a carefully curated selection of ex-factory wheels, from 21-inch rims (including run-flat technology on the standard offer in South Africa) to the new addition of 22-inch items.

Exclusive interior experience: feel-good ambience with luxurious materials, modern design and innovative technologies.
The interior of the new BMW 7 Series Sedan captures the imagination with a successful combination of luxurious materials, modern design and advanced technology. The clean design language, high-quality surfaces in materials such as leather, cloth, wood, crystal glass and metal, and innovative details create an exclusive yet also cosy atmosphere. The highlights, which are standard issue for vehicles built for the South African market, are the new BMW Panoramic iDrive with BMW Passenger Screen (making its debut), the upgraded BMW Theatre Screen enabling cinematic experiences or working-on-the-move for rear-seat passengers, an immersive light concept with ambient light strip and new light elements, plus a Bowers & Wilkins sound system and Dolby Atmos support for an exceptional audio experience. Ergonomically designed seats (including comfort seats and the Executive Lounge), new steering wheels, updated automatic doors, a digital interior mirror  [1], and features such as a panoramic glass roof with Sky Lounge, four-zone automatic climate control and the Travel & Comfort System round off the luxurious, individual overall experience.

BMW Panoramic iDrive and new BMW Passenger Screen open up new dimensions in entertainment and information.
The new BMW 7 Series combines the virtues of a luxury-class sedan with innovative BMW Neue Klasse technology and offers a far-reaching, digital user experience that focuses on both the driver and passengers. Among the highlights are BMW Panoramic iDrive with BMW Operating System X and optimum driver orientation, intelligent voice control with extended BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, and a powerful software and electronics architecture delivering future-proof functionality.

New features such as improved navigation with BMW Maps, user-friendly smartphone integration, digital M content from BMW Digital Premium, the BMW Digital Key Plus, plus numerous optional BMW ConnectedDrive Upgrades and regular over‑the‑air software updates endow the BMW 7 Series Sedan with exceptional flexibility and keep it up to date.

The standard-specification BMW Passenger Screen and BMW Theatre Screen for 8K streaming, gaming and video calls provide top‑class entertainment for passengers and are augmented by popular third-party apps. The extensive entertainment offering is also available on the Central Display when the vehicle is stationary.

Proven commitment to technology openness: efficient combustion engines, plug-in hybrids and fully electric variants now offering over 600 kilometres of electric range (WLTP) thanks to technology including cylindrical cells from sixth-generation BMW eDrive. 
The new BMW 7 Series Sedan impresses once again with the wide variety of drive systems available to customers. As well as efficient combustion engines with 48V mild hybrid technology and a powerful plug-in hybrid, this line-up also includes an advanced fully electric variant. The use of innovative cylindrical cells – part of sixth-generation BMW eDrive – gives the fully electric model a battery range that now extends to over 600 kilometres (WLTP). In addition, drivers benefit from user-friendly and intelligent charging solutions, route planning optimised for charging, adaptive recuperation and integration into the energy market for cost-optimised charging. Completing the line-up are the BMW 740, BMW 740d xDrive, BMW M760e xDrive plug-in hybrid variant and the BMW i7 50 xDrive, demonstrating the strong commitment of the new BMW 7 Series to Sheer Driving Pleasure.

Advanced assistance systems with BMW Symbiotic Drive and use of AI to maximise comfort and safety in partially automated driving and parking manoeuvres.
The new BMW 7 Series Sedan employs advanced technologies and increases the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to set new standards of comfort and safety in partially automated driving and parking manoeuvres. Innovative driver assistance systems and active safety functions provide noticeable added value, while BMW Symbiotic Drive optimises the interplay between the driver and their car. The new driver assistance visualisation function in BMW Maps gives the driver a better overview of the situation when using the navigation system. The range of active safety functions specified as standard has been broadened compared to that of the predecessor model, while the standard-fit Park Assist Professional, and AI-supported parking space detection and manoeuvre planning make parking extremely intuitive and comfortable.

Driving pleasure meets the pleasure of being driven: unique combination of driving dynamics and comfort.
As before, the new BMW 7 Series Sedan blends compelling driving dynamics with the comfort levels of a luxury chauffeur-driven sedan and so meets the diverse needs of different customer groups around the world – from drivers looking for sporting responses from their car to passengers prioritising comfort. Innovative chassis technology, including standard adaptive 2‑axle air suspension featuring four electronically controlled shock absorbers, allows the BMW 7 Series to offer standout driving characteristics and safety. Twenty two-inch wheels are now available from the factory for the first time as an alternative to the 21-inch items fitted as standard. The Adaptive Chassis Control with Integral Active Steering (standard on the BMW M760e xDrive) and the optional Adaptive Chassis Control Professional with Integral Active Steering and roll stabilisation raise the bar once again in terms of comfort and agility. Specific chassis upgrades brought by the M Sport package turn the dynamic dial up another notch, while cutting-edge functions such as digital tyre conditioning monitoring with AI, the integrated braking system and near-actuator wheel slip limitation ensure top-drawer handling and safety.

Focus on sustainability: resource-efficient development and production, innovative CO₂ reduction measures and TÜV-certified transparency throughout the car’s life cycle.
With the new BMW 7 Series, the BMW Group is extending its sustainability strategy across all drive-system variants. The focus here is on resource-efficient product development, innovative technologies and measures applied throughout the car’s life cycle – from the supply chain to production and the use phase. In the case of the BMW i7, in particular, CO₂e emissions have been significantly reduced with the help of secondary materials, renewable energies and optimised manufacturing processes, e.g. through the use of Gen6 battery cells and aluminium wheel rims with a high recycled material content. The company’s ambitious climate goals, including reducing CO₂e emissions by 60 million tons by 2035, are part of a 360° sustainability approach. Transparency is guaranteed by TÜV-certified carbon footprint verification. Production uses electricity and heat generated from renewable sources, supported by photovoltaic systems and a biomass heating plant.

Production at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing.
All model and drive-system variants of the new BMW 7 Series Sedan will be built on a single production line at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. The tradition-rich location in Lower Bavaria combines the customary BMW passion for flawless engineering with skilled craftsmanship like no other. By beginning the rollout of Neue Klasse technologies, BMW Group Plant Dingolfing is once again assuming the role of lead plant for the new BMW luxury-class models.

The new BMW 7 Series Sedan celebrates its world premiere on 22 April 2026. The start of production and worldwide market launch will follow just a few months later, from July 2026. The expected market launch in South Africa is the fourth quarter of 2026. 

The BMW 3 Series is the essence of the BMW brand. For five decades, this icon has stood for sporty driving pleasure, unmistakably attractive design and consistent progress. A legacy to which every generation of the BMW 3 Series is committed. The new, fully electric BMW i3 enhances the familiar character of the BMW 3 Series with additional, unique features. 

The BMW 3 Series will be available in South Africa from the first quarter of 2027. 

As the second model in the Neue Klasse, it represents a technological quantum leap into a new era. The first all-electric BMW 3 Series launches as the BMW i3 50 xDrive, which has an electric motor on both the front and rear axles. The combined system power output is 345 kW¹, the maximum torque is 645 Nm.¹ The highly efficient sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology, together with the new BMW Panoramic iDrive and Heart of Joy, delivers driving pleasure on a level never experienced before. With BMW Symbiotic Drive, the assisted driving experience is also entering a new era. The BMW i3 also stands for a modern interpretation of the hallmark design features of a BMW Sedan.

As a representative of the new design language, the new BMW i3 is immediately recognisable as a BMW 3 Series – assured, dynamic and intelligent. The hallmark BMW sporty silhouette proportions are reflected in the new 2.5-box design. Notable features are the long wheelbase, the greenhouse that slopes towards the rear and the short overhangs. The four-eyed face is familiar, yet still new. The BMW radiator grille and twin headlights merge into an innovative light signature, creating a powerful and expressive unit. The rear end, featuring prominently horizontal rear lights, further highlights precision and technological progress. The prominently flared wheel arches emphasise the sporty, wide stance of the new BMW i3. The interior offers a high level of spaciousness and makes full use of all the possibilities of the vehicle concept, which is consistently geared towards electromobility. At the same time, the interior represents driver-oriented sportiness. The new BMW Panoramic iDrive not only defines the modern and inviting interior, but also ushers in a new level of hallmark BMW driver orientation.

Sportiness and driving pleasure are invariably embedded in the DNA of the BMW 3 Series. The new BMW i3 sets new standards. Maximising the unmatched capabilities of electromobility, it offers impressively precise, effortless, and assured handling. The Heart of Joy high-performance computer shapes the BMW i3 driving experience. Its responses are ten times faster than in previous systems. Together with three other superbrain high-performance computers, the Heart of Joy forms the centrepiece of the new software and electronics architecture.

The new BMW i3 stands out for its excellent suitability for long journeys. Its range is up to 900 kilometres¹ (in accordance with the WLTP test cycle). DC charging capacities of up to 400 kW also drastically reduce charging times. The DC fast charger can recharge energy for up to 400 km¹ in 10 minutes (in accordance with ISO 12906 in the WLTP cycle). Sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology provides the prerequisites for this rapid progress. It comprises highly efficient electric motors, 800-volt technology and new high-voltage batteries with new round cells. The cell-to-pack design used enables high energy densities at pack level and a flatter high-voltage battery. The BMW i3 also features the bidirectional charging functions Vehicle-to-Load (optional AC charging Professional required), Vehicle-to-Home and Vehicle-to-Grid charging functions.

The BMW i3 is manufactured at the BMW Group plant in Munich, which is the home plant of the BMW Group. For more than a hundred years, the plant in Milbertshofen, in the north of Munich, has been producing premium vehicles. Over the last four years, the plant has seen significant modernisation: Alongside a new body shop, a cutting-edge vehicle assembly area incorporating logistics space has been constructed. The new buildings are in their final stages of expansion. Production of the new BMW i3 will start in these halls from August 2026. The first vehicles will be delivered from spring this year. One year later, the production portfolio will be switched to exclusively fully electric vehicles of the Neue Klasse. The plant conversion includes a large number of modernisation measures.

 _{¹ All data provisional. Please note: Since no binding WLTP values are currently available, these are provisional values. In addition, the actual values depend on various factors, such as load, driving style, route, weather, auxiliary consumers (including air conditioning), tyres, and the age of the battery.}

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.

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. 

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).

Relentless progress at the core of the BMW brand.

Update for the global best-seller in the premium midsize class. 

For almost 50 years now, the BMW 3 Series has represented the core of the BMW brand. It epitomises sporty driving pleasure in the premium midsize class and has made significant contributions to design, driving dynamics and technological innovations in this segment time and again across its seven model generations. The character of the current-generation BMW 3 Series has likewise provided a case study in unwavering progress at work. The extensive revisions already introduced for model year 2022 in the areas of design, powertrain, digitalisation and equipment will now be followed up with a fresh package of updates that take the cars’ visual appeal and cutting-edge modernity to new levels. New chassis tuning further enhances the balance between sporting potency and comfort. And when it comes to digitalisation in the new BMW 3 Series Sedan, BMW Operating System 8.5 provides the basis for extremely intuitive and comfortable operation – via the upgraded BMW iDrive with QuickSelect – and for extended navigation functions including Augmented View.

These new technological advances are accompanied by precise design modifications for the exterior and interior. New exterior paint finishes and light-alloy wheels accentuate the aura of sporting elegance radiated by the Sedan and Touring. In the interior, the newly designed steering wheels and instrument panel, plus sophisticated equipment features such as the CraftedClarity glass applications, deliver driving pleasure in an ambience of premium modernity.

The new BMW 3 Series Sedan will be launched worldwide with a production phase-in in July 2024, with local (South African) availability from the fourth quarter of the year. 

BMW 3 Series is the market leader in the premium segment of its class.

The most important sales markets for the new BMW 3 Series are China, Germany, Great Britain and the other European countries, as well as the USA. 

The BMW 3 Series has embodied driving pleasure, elegantly sporty design and sustained technological progress ever since its debut in 1975. It therefore encapsulates the brand’s hallmark features in particularly concentrated form. More than 20 million examples of the BMW 3 Series have been sold around the world to date, with the current, seventh model generation now accounting for almost three million of these alone. Indeed, recent figures showed the BMW 3 Series to be the market leader in the premium segment of the midsize class in China, Europe and the USA. As things stand, one in every eight vehicles delivered by the brand worldwide is a 3 Series. And in some markets, the share of the total BMW sales accounted for by the 3 Series is as high as 25 – 35 per cent. 

One of the standout features of the BMW 3 Series range is the wide variety of power units available to customers. The Sedan can be specified in South Africa with the existing range of one diesel and three petrol engines including the range-topping M Performance models with a six-cylinder in-line engine. The 3 Series sales chart is headed by the BMW 320i Sedan. Around three quarters of the globally available Sedan variant are delivered with a petrol engine. 

A host of awards confirm the appeal of the BMW 3 Series.

Alongside its enduring popularity in car markets around the world, the BMW 3 Series has also amassed a steadily increasing number of prestigious awards decided on by juries and readers’ polls. In 2023 the BMW 3 Series earned both a class win in the “Auto Trophy” awarded by readers of German motoring magazine “Auto Zeitung” and victory in the “Best Cars“ competition conducted by fellow German title “auto, motor und sport”. And the Sedan and Touring (not offered in South Africa) also collected a series of distinctions in markets beyond Germany in recognition of their dynamic qualities, reliability and advanced equipment features.

An unwavering commitment to carbon footprint reduction.

Highly efficient drive systems, intelligent lightweight design and optimised aerodynamic attributes are key contributors to the fine balance between driving pleasure and low fuel consumption and emissions struck by the new BMW 3 Series. The 48V mild hybrid technology used in certain models both sharpens power delivery and enhances efficiency. The bonnet, front side panels, engine subframe, front spring struts and numerous chassis components are all made from aluminium. The proportion of secondary raw materials used in cast aluminium parts for the BMW 3 Series is around 50 per cent. And the aluminium wheel rims offered are made up of as much as around 70 per cent recycled aluminium.

Exterior design, interior and equimpent. 

Progressive aura, refined ambience. 

More than ever, sporting elegance and modernity define the design of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan and new BMW 3 Series Touring. In the current model generation, their driving pleasure-focused character is expressed in clear lines and generously sculpted surfaces. The sophisticated design of the BMW kidney grille and twin circular headlights – both signature brand features – gives the front end an unmistakable appearance. Eye-catching front and rear aprons underscore the cars’ dynamic profile, which can be further accentuated by specifying the optional M Sport package or M Sport package Pro.

The BMW 3 Series can now also be ordered with new exterior paint finishes and light-alloy wheels to add an extra touch of individualisation. In the interior, the progressive aura of the cockpit with BMW Curved Display is further enhanced by new steering wheels, visual modifications for the instrument panel and modernised decorative elements. Seat surfaces in the new M Performtex variant come as part of the M Sport package.

Fresh design updates enhance the sporting elegance of the exterior.

The spectrum of exterior colours available for the new BMW 3 Series Sedan comprises two solid and seven metallic paint finishes. New additions to the range include Arctic Race Blue metallic and Fire Red metallic.

The selection of optional light-alloy wheels also welcomes attractive new arrivals. Cars specified with the M Sport package will be available with new 19-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design, giving their side view an even more dynamic appearance. Customers can order these wheels in either a Jet Black finish or a bi-colour variant. Meanwhile, the BMW Individual range also includes new 19-inch light-alloy wheels in Y-spoke design and a bi-colour finish. All the new light-alloy wheels are fitted with mixed-size tyres.

Progressive cockpit with new sports leather steering wheels.

Advanced new features have also been introduced in the interior, which help to give the cockpit a clean and pared-back look. Newly designed steering wheels add further intensity to the driving experience. The progressive premium character of the cars is also showcased by high-quality materials and new interior trim elements. The optional instrument panel Luxury in Sensatec has a further refined surface structure and decorative stitching in a contrasting colour.

The new BMW 3 Series Sedan come as standard with the latest-generation steering wheels featuring a fundamentally redesigned sports leather steering wheel with a polygonal rim in two-spoke design. The M Sport package brings a new M leather steering wheel with three spokes, a flat-bottomed rim and a discreet centre marking in the 12 o’clock position. Both of the newly designed steering wheels have illuminated multifunction buttons and gearshift paddles. Fitted as standard, the paddles enable particularly swift manual interventions in the gear selection process and underscore the sporting profile of the new BMW 3 Series.

Digital climate control, selectable light moods.

The introduction of the latest-generation BMW iDrive with QuickSelect based on BMW Operating System 8.5 also brings optimised operation of the ventilation and climate control functions. An operating concept focussed squarely on touch control and natural language enables a further reduction in the number of physical buttons and controls in the cockpit. Temperature selection, intensity of ventilation, seat heating and – if specified – steering wheel heating can now be adjusted on the BMW Curved Display or by voice command with the help of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. New adjustment controls for the air vent grilles in the centre of the instrument panel and on the driver’s and front passenger side of the cockpit allow the intensity and direction of airflow to be adjusted using rotating and tilting movements.

The interior lighting now includes cascade lighting integrated into the trim around the central seam vents as standard. It can be adjusted for colour and brightness according to personal preference, with users able to select from nine colour worlds. Their choice of colour and brightness settings are stored as part of their profile. If the ambient lighting is specified, the individually adjustable light mood also extends to the front footwells, the storage compartment in the front section of the centre console and the contour lines of the door panel trims. The functionality of the interior lighting also includes an atmospheric Welcome and Goodbye Animation and light signals indicating an incoming phone call and optionally also an open door.

New seat surfaces in M Performtex.

As an alternative to the black cloth seat surfaces fitted as standard, the new BMW 3 Series Sedan can also be ordered with sport seats in Sensatec perforated. These are available in Black, Tacora Red or Cognac. The optional Vernasca leather trim is now offered in four colour variants.

The black surfaces of the sport seats in new M Performtex trim embody progressive sporting appeal. They are included in the M Sport package or as part of standard equipment for the M Performance models. This innovative velours covering combines high material quality and a sporty design with low weight and a sustainability-optimised production method. Cars with the M Sport package and the M Performance model can also be ordered with sport seats and M sport seats in Vernasca leather with black surfaces and blue contrast quilting.

New interior trim elements, exclusive accents with CraftedClarity.

Extensive revisions have also been made to the range of interior trim elements. Dark Graphite matt comes as standard in the new edition of the BMW 3 Series.

The use of extremely high-quality materials also allows distinctive touches to be included in other areas of the interior to enhance its modern premium character. For example, customers can now specify CraftedClarity glass applications – another new addition to the options list. These give the gear selector lever, BMW iDrive Controller and Start/Stop button a particular air of exclusivity, both visually and in how they feel to the touch.

Extensive standard equipment, high-quality options.

Standard specification for the new BMW 3 Series Sedan includes M High-gloss Shadow Line, a rear-view mirror with automatic anti-dazzle function and the Parking Assistant including Park Distance Control (PDC) with sensors at the front and rear. Also fitted as standard are three-zone automatic climate control and BMW Live Cockpit Plus with the fully digital BMW Curved Display including the BMW Maps navigation system.

Among the highlights on the list of individual options allowing customers to adapt the interior to their requirements and tastes are – alongside sport seats and ambient lighting – the Harman Kardon surround sound system, pre-heating, an electrically operated glass roof for the Sedan and a panoramic glass sunroof for the Touring model.

Powertrain and driving experience.

Greater electric range for plug-in-hybrid models and improved ride comfort. 

With a choice of three petrol and one diesel engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology – including an exceptionally powerful six-cylinder in-line unit for the M Performance models – the new BMW 3 Series Sedans come equipped with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission as standard, complete with shift paddles on the steering wheel for quick manual interventions in the gear selection process.

The various engines available for the BMW 3 Series produce outputs ranging from 135 kW up to 285 kW for the six-cylinder in-line petrol engine found under the bonnet of the M Performance models. The six-cylinder in-line petrol unit and all diesel engines come with mild hybrid technology for more dynamic power delivery and greater efficiency. To this end, their 48V starter generator puts an extra 8 kW on tap.

Chassis offers an even better blend of sportiness and comfort.

The chassis technology of the new BMW 3 Series also benefits from rigorous development work. Both the Sedan and Touring variants have always set the standard for driving dynamics in their respective segments. The blend of sporting flair and ride comfort for which the BMW 3 Series is renowned has now been further refined across all model variants with a series of targeted updates. The stiffer mounting connecting the rear dampers to the body is just one of the measures used to achieve this.

Thanks to these relentless development endeavours, drivers will enjoy a notable increase in comfort across all driving situations – regardless of the road surface conditions and the selected driving mode – without any loss of the customary 3 Series dynamic prowess. This also has a positive impact on acoustics when the car is handling peak forces triggered by the road surface. As a result, its handling exudes even greater overall precision, composure and controllability. The force needed to turn the steering wheel has also been reduced in Comfort mode to achieve superior steering comfort in everyday driving.

Available as an alternative to the standard variant is the M Sport suspension included as part of the M Sport package. Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers and variable sport steering is also available on models with the M Sport package.

Advanced assistance systems for driving and parking.

A wide selection of assistance systems enhance comfort and safety when driving and parking in the new BMW 3 Series Sedan and new BMW 3 Series Touring. The front collision warning system with brake intervention, Cruise Control with brake function and the new Intelligent Speed Assistance function are some of the features that come as standard. The standout optional extra is the Driving Assistant Professional package comprising the Steering and Lane Control Assistant and Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function, plus automatic Speed Limit Assist, route speed control, traffic light recognition, the Evasion Assistant, Crossroads Warning with city braking function, Wrong-way Warning and Front Crossing Traffic Warning.

Besides Park Distance Control, the standard Parking Assistant also enables automated manoeuvring into and out of parking spaces, as well as featuring a Reversing Assist Camera and the Reversing Assistant. There is also the option of the Parking Assistant Plus with Surround View and Remote 3D View functions.

The M Performance models in the new BMW 3 Series range. 

Elite sporting models with a distinctive character. 

The sporting character of the new BMW 3 Series can be experienced in a highly concentrated format with the range-topping Performance model from BMW M GmbH. Featuring a powerful six-cylinder in-line engines, a bespoke chassis set-up and signature M design cues both inside and out, the distinctive personality of these elite sporting models clearly shines through in both the driving experience and their looks. And there is now a new steering wheel and new seat upholstery to freshen up the cockpit.

The M Performance model from the new 3 Series is available with a petrol with a displacement of 3.0 litres and endowed with M‑typical performance attributes. Its healthy appetite for revs and instantaneous power delivery are the result of the latest M TwinPower Turbo technology – which is tailored individually to each engine – and 48V mild hybrid technology, whose output of 8 kW produces an electric boost effect. The straight-six power unit is partnered by an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission with an ultra-sharp shift action. The BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system is also on hand as standard to enhance agility and traction.

The six-cylinder in-line petrol engine in the BMW M340i xDrive Sedan generates maximum output of 285 kW and peak torque of 500 Nm. M Sport suspension with variable sport steering, the M Sport differential and M Sport brakes are also included as standard to deliver the blend of dynamic longitudinal and lateral performance, precision and exhilaration at the wheel for which M models are renowned.

Individual look with M-specific design features.

The performance capabilities of this elite athlete is clearly flagged by M‑specific design features crafted to meet technical requirements in terms of aerodynamics and cooling air supply. These include the large air intakes in the front apron, along with the M exterior mirror caps in Black high-gloss and the rear apron with its prominently styled diffuser. The BMW M340i xDrive Sedan also sports a body-coloured M rear spoiler.

A mesh-design BMW kidney grille, exclusive 19-inch M light-alloy wheels and trapezoidal exhaust tailpipe trim further add to the individual appearance of the range-topping sporting quartet.

Modern sports car ambience in the cabin.

Inside the M Performance models, M-specific equipment details help to deliver a focussed driving experience in a modern sports car ambience. M Sport seats covered in Vernasca leather come standard.

A new version of the M leather steering wheel dials up the intensity of the performance experience with its flat-bottomed rim, red centre marker and contrast stitching in BMW M GmbH colours. Interior trim strips in the new Aluminium fine-brushed finish, M door sill trim, M pedals, an M driver’s footrest and M-specific graphics for the BMW Curved Display are further standard features that help to imbue the flagship sporting models with their distinctive personality.

Display and control/operation system, connectivity. 

The new BMW Operating System 8.5 and innovative digital services. 

The latest version of the BMW iDrive display and control/operation system with QuickSelect is fitted in the new edition of the BMW 3 Series Sedan and BMW 3 Series Touring, enabling vehicle functions to be controlled intuitively and providing access to digital services. It is now based on BMW Operating System 8.5 and features a new-look home screen and QuickSelect rapid-access tech, bringing an improved menu structure that takes its cue from consumer electronics devices.

Working in tandem with the BMW Curved Display and BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, the new BMW iDrive is geared even more rigorously to operation using touch control and natural language. The climate control functions, including the seat heating and – if fitted – the steering wheel heating, are also now controlled digitally.

BMW iDrive with QuickSelect allows functions to be selected directly from the home screen with rapid-access tech.

The BMW iDrive home screen now continuously displays the navigation system’s map view in a large format or another individually selectable view. The system’s QuickSelect functionality also paves the way for a flatter menu structure, enabling the driver to select the desired function directly from the home screen without any need to enter submenus.

On the driver’s side of the control display, there is a bar of widgets for accessing e.g. media or phone functions that can be navigated by swiping vertically. Swiping a widget horizontally then displays additional related information and settings options. The widget bar can be customised by installing new widgets, removing existing ones or changing their arrangement.

And the home icon at the lower edge of the control display makes it possible to return to the home screen from any application with a simple tap of the finger. Icons for direct access to the climate control menu, All Apps menu and, if activated, Apple CarPlay^® and Android Auto^TM can also now be found next to the home icon.

Enhanced navigation with BMW Maps and Augmented View.

The BMW Maps navigation system forming part of the standard BMW Live Cockpit Plus in the new 3 Series range makes it easier to input destinations and can offer additional information while driving. Further new features include better usability of filters, a flatter menu structure with touch buttons shown directly on the map view and proactive route recommendations.

The optional BMW Live Cockpit Professional adds not only the BMW Head-Up Display, but also the Augmented View function. This supplements the navigation system’s map display by showing a live video stream of the driver’s view on the information display or control display and augmenting it with contextual real-time information. At confusing junctions, for instance, an animated directional arrow is integrated into the video image to help the driver take the best turn-off for the planned route.

Individual user experience with the BMW ID and My BMW App.

The arrival of BMW Operating System 8.5 makes it even easier to personalise the user experience in the BMW 3 Series by simplifying the process for linking the vehicle with the BMW ID and My BMW App. Customers initially sign in to the vehicle with their BMW ID by scanning a QR code with their smartphone. The personal user profile is then imported automatically. Synchronisable settings are loaded and the key detected in the vehicle is associated with the BMW ID.

At the same time, the vehicle is added to the My BMW App – the universal interface that serves as a gateway to BMW’s digital ecosystem. It provides information on the vehicle’s status, its remaining range and any servicing and maintenance requirements. Depending on the car’s specification, it also enables access to various remote functions, such as locating the vehicle or locking and unlocking the doors. The optional Remote 3D View function gives drivers the ability to call up a three-dimensional live image of their vehicle’s immediate vicinity on their smartphone.

Besides this, the My BMW App also lets users send destination addresses from their smartphone to the vehicle’s navigation system for route planning, or access the online BMW ConnectedDrive Store where upgrades and additional functions for the new BMW 3 Series can be initiated, purchased or extended over the air. The “My Trips” feature including Efficiency Trainer and monthly review provides the user with valuable data and evaluations for distance travelled, consumption and average speed, as well as offering helpful tips for driving efficiently.

BMW M Performance Parts. 

Distinctive additions express the passion for motor sport. 

The BMW 3 Series epitomises driving pleasure in the premium segment of the midsize class. In addition to the M Sport package and M Sport package Pro available from the factory, the products included in the BMW M Performance Parts range offer further scope for bringing even greater dynamic appeal to the appearance and driving properties of all the model variants.

These model-specific retrofit options from the Original BMW Accessories list were developed using the proven expertise of BMW M GmbH in motor sport. The specific aerodynamics and exterior components for the new BMW 3 Series Sedan underscore the dynamic aura of the two models, as do the light-alloy wheels in the BMW M Performance Parts line-up.

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.

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/Los Angeles. The BMW Group presents a fusion of art and innovation at the Frieze Los Angeles art fair in the form of the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA. The one-of-a-kind vehicle combines colour-change technology developed by BMW with the artistic language of South African artist Esther Mahlangu. The designer piece, with sections of attached film that can be electronically animated, embodies the latest development in colour-change technology for vehicle surfaces in cooperation with E Ink. The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA celebrates its world premiere at the fair opening on 29 February. The contemporary tribute recalls the BMW Art Car designed by Mahlangu in 1991. “The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA honours the history of the BMW brand and continues the story of our global cultural engagement in a unique way. It combines art and design through progressive technology. Here, technology itself becomes art,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design.

In 1991, Mahlangu designed the 12th BMW Art Car, based on a BMW 525i – becoming the first woman and first African artist to do so. “Her art inspired me years ago, back when the concept of colour change on a car was just an idea in my head,” says Stella Clarke, Research Engineer Open Innovations at the BMW Group. „Now, being able to realise this idea, and work with Esther Mahlangu, is absolutely surreal.” The 88-year-old artist’s signature colours and geometric patterns are perfect for bringing the innovative Flow technology to life in the BMW i5. The versatility of the electrophoretic colour changes makes the fully-electric sedan a dynamic work of art. “It is fascinating to me to see how modern technology can expand my art and make it accessible to a completely new audience,” says Mahlangu.

Mahlangu’s art meets cutting-edge technology.
In the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA, which is named after Mahlangu’s first son, sections of film that can be electronically animated are applied, with two strips each across the roof, bonnet and rear section, as well as the vehicle’s sides. Like an e-book reader, there are several million microcapsules in each E Ink film. The structure and arrangement of the colour particles they contain can be changed by applying an electric voltage. This allows the typical colours and patterns of Mahlangu’s art to be generated in constantly changing compositions.

The animations are also accompanied by an equally extraordinary sound, specially composed by Renzo Vitale, the BMW Group's Creative Director, Sound, for the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA. To combine the soundscape of the BMW brand with that of the South African Ndebele culture, Vitale used sequences from Mahlangu’s voice, as well as the sound of the feather brushes she used for painting. These were combined with sounds produced by the colour pencils employed in the BMW design studio and the acoustic signal heard as feedback when operating the BMW i5’s touch display. This created a sound mix that starts off softly at the beginning of each colour change and increases in intensity as the animation progresses.

To accurately recreate every detail of the complex ornamentation, the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA has been fitted with 1,349 sections of film, each of which can be individually controlled. The laser cutting process used to trim the film and the electronic control design were developed in partnership with E Ink. The adaptation of the technology for curved surfaces, as well as the programmed animations, are all BMW Group in-house developments.

Overall, colour-change technology is developing rapidly. The BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink presented in 2022 had the ability to switch from white to black at the push of a button. This was followed just one year later by the first multi-coloured implementation. The 240 sections of film applied to BMW i Vision Dee were able to display up to 32 colours. This latest phase of development now enables even more colours and patterns. At the same time, the sections of the film are more robust – which could make potential future series production easier. However, for the time being, the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA will remain one of a kind.

Tribute to a pioneering artist and her work.
As a globally respected artist, Esther Mahlangu is known for her Ndebele paintings, whose ornamentation originally symbolised major events or festive occasions. Mahlangu separated the designs from their original meaning and transferred them for the first time to canvas, carpets and everyday objects, thus preserving them for the future. The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA is now reinterpreting this artistic language.

In presenting this designer car at Frieze Los Angeles, BMW continues its long-standing cooperation with the renowned art fair. At the same time, the BMW Art Car that formed the basis for this tribute will also be on display in South Africa for the first time in over 30 years as part of the exhibition hosted by the Iziko Museums of South Africa and the BMW Group in Cape Town “Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting”: Esther Mahlangu. A Retrospective. The exhibition, which runs until 11 August 2024, honours the life’s work of one of South Africa’s most influential artists and cultural ambassadors.

In Los Angeles, BMW will once again be presenting Frieze Music in collaboration with Frieze. Since 2019, the joint initiative between the two partners has brought together a large group of musicians at the intersection of music and art. The event’s return to Los Angeles will be celebrated on 29 February with a live performance by Sudan Archives at the Hammer Museum.


If you have any questions, please contact:

BMW Group South Africa Corporate Communications

Angela Konert

Head of Business Communications

Phone: +27 71 666 2472

Email: Angela.Konert@bmw.co.za

https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

The BMW 5 Series in South Africa. 

Munich. Digital, dynamic and, for the first time, fully electric as a BMW i5. The new generation of the BMW 5 Series sets standards, including when it comes to vehicle safety. Independent institutes in Europe, the USA and Korea each gave the BMW 5 Series Sedan top marks. The testers were impressed by both the active assistance systems and passive safety.

5-star rating at Euro NCAP.

The independent safety experts from the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) awarded the eighth generation of the BMW 5 Series Sedan the highest rating of five stars.

The extensive standard equipment with safety-relevant driver assistance systems makes a significant contribution to the 5-star rating. All driver assistance systems used in the new BMW 5 Series are among the best on the market and impressed Euro NCAP safety experts with their range of functions and reliable responses.

The new BMW 5 Series also scored points in the area of passive safety with its innovative integrated safety concept, which was constantly being further developed by BMW. In addition to highly resilient support structures and precisely designed deformation paths, a model-specific combination of precisely coordinated restraint systems is used.

The Euro NCAP assessments are a Europe-wide recognised standard for accident safety and are constantly being further developed. An award with the highest rating of five stars goes exclusively to vehicles that have excellent impact protection and are also well equipped with comprehensive and practical technology to prevent accidents.

TOP SAFETY PICK+ Award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the USA.

The US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also gave the best rating with a rating as TOP SAFETY PICK+. The standard assistance system for preventing frontal accidents was particularly convincing here, which achieved excellent ratings in both day and night tests. In combination with the lighting system, the “plus” in the TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating was decisive. It is the highest award that this institute awards.

In various collision tests, the integrated safety concept of the new BMW 5 Series also proved to guarantee that comprehensive protection against injuries is always guaranteed regardless of the size and sitting position of the occupants.

The test procedure of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is the standard for the comprehensive safety assessment of new vehicles on the American market, which is important for the BMW 5 Series, and an essential basis for decisions by fleet customers in the USA. 

“Safest Car of the Year” at KNCAP in South Korea

In the Republic of Korea, the Ministry of Transport awarded the BMW i5 the “Safest Car of the Year” award. Only the vehicle that scores the highest number of KNCAP points in the respective year receives this award. At the official presentation of the award in Korea, Dominik Schuster, Head of Vehicle Safety at the BMW Group, emphasised the importance of this award: “Top KNCAP ratings underline our safety-focussed development process and prove the BMW Group's commitment to continuous improvement of vehicle safety.”

The independent testers were particularly impressed by the performance of passive safety. They saw 99.5% of these met. In Korea, full points were still scored for emergency braking systems to protect pedestrians and cyclists. Some driver assistance systems also received the maximum rating.

The title “Safest Car of the Year” impressively demonstrates the BMW Group's pioneering role in one of the world's most important individual markets for the BMW 5 Series.

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.

More dynamic than ever, featuring a wealth of digital innovations and, for the first time, all-electric drive – this is how the new BMW 5 Series Sedan steps up to the plate. As the BMW i5, the new edition of the world's most successful business sedan takes the lead on the road to sustainable premium mobility in the upper mid-range vehicle segment. Consistent electrification, advanced BMW iDrive display and control system with “QuickSelect“, new digital services, and increased sustainability throughout the entire product life cycle characterise the progress made in the fields of the future that are centrally important in the current transformation of the BMW Group.

The market launch of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan will begin in the fourth quarter of 2023. The new model generation will be offered worldwide with all-electric drive and highly efficient diesel engines including 48-volt mild hybrid technology in South Africa. Like all previous model generations, the new BMW 5 Series Sedan is produced at the BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, where the electric motors and high-voltage batteries for the BMW i5 are also manufactured.  

Sporty elegance and striking presence with a new design language.

A clear and reduced design language emphasises the new 5 Series Sedan’s sporty elegance and presence. Compared to the predecessor model, the new edition has grown in length by 97 millimetres to 5,060 millimetres, in width by 32 millimetres to 1,900 millimetres and in height by 36 millimetres to 1,515 millimetres. Its wheelbase was lengthened by 20 millimetres to 2,995 millimetres.

The front view of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan is characterised by a modern interpretation of the twin headlights and BMW kidney grille. LED elements arranged almost vertically serve as turn indicators and daytime driving lights. The BMW kidney grille, which projects far forward, features a wide surround and optional BMW Iconic Glow contour lighting.

In the side view, the high shoulder line, powerfully designed surfaces and two precisely traced character lines shape the vehicle’s athletic body. Black side skirts, flush-mounted door openers and an embossed number 5 at the base of the C-pillar are further eye-catchers. The dynamically stretched proportions flow into a powerful rear end. Flat rear lights divided by a chrome strip interpret the hallmark L-shape expressively.

The dynamic character of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan can be further enhanced with the optional M Sport Package and the M Sport Package Pro. The range of paintwork already includes three BMW Individual paint finishes at market launch.

Driving pleasure and travel comfort combined with innovative flair.

The new BMW 5 Series Sedan offers ideal conditions for enjoying hallmark BMW driving pleasure in everyday traffic and a high level of comfort on long-distance journeys. Generous space, modern functionality, a high level of acoustic comfort, as well as high-quality, precisely processed materials, fine workmanship and advanced digital services characterise the ambience in its interior.

The cockpit of the new BMW 5 Series has a significantly reduced number of buttons and controls compared to the predecessor model. This is achieved by consistently digitalising functions. The BMW Curved Display reinterprets the brand's hallmark idea of driver orientation. The fully digital display system consists of a 12.3-inch Information Display and a 14.9-inch Control Display. The steering wheel has also been redesigned with a flattened lower section and haptic feedback on the control panels, and the selector lever on the centre console. The optional BMW Interaction Bar is another highlight. The effectively backlit functional unit with crystalline surface structure extends across the entire width of the instrument panel far into the door panels and includes touch-sensitive control panels.

A first at BMW: Fully vegan interior.

Newly designed sports seats are standard equipment. The optional comfort seats offer a wide range of electrically operated adjustment options. The new BMW 5 Series Sedan is the brand's first model to feature a fully vegan interior as standard. This includes the surfaces of the seats, the dashboard and the door panels, as well as the steering wheel for the first time. The seat surfaces in the Veganza version with leather-like properties are also optionally available with a decorative perforation. Further optional equipment includes BMW Individual Merino leather upholstery in several bicolour variants.

All-electric BMW i5 M60 xDrive as the top model.

The all-electric BMW i5 eDrive is equipped with extensively enhanced fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology. The BMW i5 M60 xDrive (combined power consumption according to WLTP: 20.6 - 18.2 kWh/100 km) combines a 442 kW drive with hallmark M performance and specific design features. Two highly integrated drive units on the front and rear axles make up an electric all-wheel drive. The system torque generated is up to 820 Nm when M Sport Boost or the M Launch Control function is activated. This enables the BMW i5 M60 to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, its top speed is electrically limited to 230 km/h.

The space-saving high-voltage battery is located in the underbody and provides a usable energy content of 81.2 kWh. In addition to the efficient electric motors, the latest version of adaptive recuperation and an intelligent combination of heat pump technology for heating and cooling the interior, drive and high-voltage battery contribute to the long range. The WLTP value is 455 - 516 kilometresfor the BMW i5 M60 xDrive. With the new MAX RANGE function, the range can be increased by up to 25 percent if required by limiting power and speed and deactivating comfort functions.

Innovative eCharging solutions from BMW Charging.

The Combined Charging Unit (CCU) of the BMW i5 enables AC charging with an output of up to 11 kW as standard and up to 22 kW as an option. The high-voltage battery can be charged with direct current with a power of up to 205 kW. For example, the battery charge level in the BMW i5 can be raised from 10 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes.

New petrol and diesel engines with 48-volt mild hybrid technology.

Petrol and diesel engines from the new modular generation of BMW Group Efficient Dynamics engines will be offered in a market-specific selection. They now feature 48-volt mild hybrid technology throughout and are combined with a 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission as standard.

In South Africa, the market launch of the new BMW 5 Series will see the introduction of the BMW 520d Sedan (combined fuel consumption: 5.6 - 5.1 1/100 km; CO emissions: 147 - 133 g/km according to WLTP) and the BMW i5 M60 xDrive. Other four- and six- cylinder engines are available in other markets. The model range will be supplemented in early 2024 by two variants with plug-in hybrid drives of the latest generation. A new in-line six-cylinder diesel engine will be available for the BMW 5 Series Sedan from 2024.  

Unique balance between driving dynamics and travel comfort.

The BMW 5 Series Sedan's characteristic balance between maximum sportiness and high-level long-distance comfort is enhanced once again in the new edition. The longest wheelbase in the upper mid-range vehicle segment, increased track widths at the front and rear axles, an almost perfectly balanced 50:50 ratio axle load distribution, intelligent lightweight construction and increased body and chassis connection rigidity contribute to this.

The extensively advanced chassis technology, like the control systems, has been model-specifically adapted to the weight balance associated with the respective drive technology. It includes directly controlled wheel slip limitation, integrated braking system and sport steering with variable steering ratio as standard. An M sport suspension, an M sport brake system and the Adaptive Suspension Professional (standard in the BMW i5 M60 xDrive) with electronically controlled shock absorbers, Integral Active Steering and new vertical dynamics management are available as options. The optional Adaptive M Suspension Professional also includes Active Roll Stabilisation with Active Roll Comfort. Light alloy wheels in 19-inch sizes (BMW i5 and plug-in models) are standard equipment. Light-alloy wheels up to 21 inches and performance tyre options are not yet confirmed for South Africa.

The new BMW 5 Series Sedan offers a choice of up to six My Modes to deliver an all-immersive vehicle experience. The standard equipment also includes optimised smartphone integration via Apple CarPIay@ and Android Auto TM. With the Remote Software Upgrades function, the vehicle always stays up to date with the latest software. 

The market launch of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan marks the beginning of a new chapter in the field of customer service. With Proactive Care, BMW is creating a new platform for exchanges with customers when different types of car servicing is required. The focus is on recognising the vehicle's service needs also by using artificial intelligence and proactively offering solutions to the customer.

Munich. The first-ever BMW 5 Series with a fully electric drive system has yet to make its global debut, but it has already come through the ultimate endurance test. The new BMW i5 repeatedly demonstrated both the stability of its electric powertrain and its dynamic performance qualities over the course of arduous test drives in wintry conditions. The programme of testing on ice and snow lasted about a year in all, from the initial test runs to the final stages of fine-tuning. During the extensive testing on country roads, motorways and specially prepared test tracks, the development engineers mainly focused their attention on the car’s ability to drive at low temperatures and on surfaces offering little grip.

The innovative powertrain and chassis control systems on board the new BMW i5 do a great deal to optimise its traction, dynamism and driving stability, and nowhere is this more apparent than on a solid blanket of snow, icy mountain roads or frozen lakes. It was only right that the dynamic winter testing of the purely electrically powered sedan recently finished exactly where it began: in the biting cold of the BMW Group’s winter test centre at Arjeplog, northern Sweden.

Endurance test for BMW eDrive technology, operating continuously at extreme sub-zero temperatures.

As part of the production development process, the new BMW i5 first had to prove its mettle back in February 2022, when it completed a road trip from Munich to the BMW test centre at Arjeplog. A prototype model of the all-electric BMW 5 Series fully camouflaged with a special wrap, plastic attachments, grilles and provisional headlights and rear lights set off on a five-day test drive from the foothills of the Bavarian Alps up to Denmark, then on to the edge of the Arctic Circle in Swedish Lapland.

The journey of around 3,000 kilometres provided an early opportunity for the motors, power electronics, high-voltage battery and integrated heating and cooling system for the cabin and battery pack to demonstrate their advanced level of readiness on a long-distance journey. Featuring cutting-edge battery cell technology and intelligently controlled thermal management, the fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology – further upgraded for the new BMW i5 – forms the basis for long ranges and short charging times during breaks in the journey, even in extreme sub-zero ambient temperatures.

• See photo set 1

The final destination of Arjeplog provided the team of development and test engineers with the ideal venue for their test programme. The snow-covered roads and frozen lakes of northern Sweden, with their vast expanses of ice, create the perfect setting for exploring how the chassis components, steering and braking systems, and driving dynamic and driving stability systems all interact with one another in extreme outdoor conditions. As a result, the groundwork for the authoritative, assured and characteristically sporty handling of the new BMW i5 were already laid in the first test drives in Arjeplog.

• See photo set 2

Testing in everyday driving and on wintry roads in the foothills of the Alps.

This was followed by more testing over the course of 2022, both at other BMW Group test facilities, in everyday driving in and around Munich, as well as in the vicinity of BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. The task here was to continue refining the car’s chassis technology and acoustic properties under a wide variety of conditions, as well as honing the drive unit’s power delivery, in order to produce a well-resolved driving experience at all times.

Here, again, part of the development work was deliberately carried out during the colder months on icy and snowy roads in the Alpine foothills. This last winter, BMW i5 prototypes – now sporting less camouflage and near-production headlights – were regularly sent out for testing to verify the functionality and reliability of their powertrain and chassis control systems in extremely demanding road and weather conditions. The BMW engineers involved in the vehicle project were able to directly inspect the current state of development through testing in the BMW brand’s native Bavaria before it was time to return to endurance testing near the Arctic Circle in February 2023.

• See photo set 3

BMW i5 thrills with its unrivalled handling on ice and snow.

The purpose of this second round of testing in Sweden was to fine-tune all powertrain and chassis control systems. Thanks to their low-grip surfaces, the test areas sited on frozen lakes around Arjeplog were particularly well suited for delicately adjusting the drive torque control system in the BMW i5 under precisely reproducible conditions. In the new BMW i5, the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system, the near-actuator wheel slip limitation function and the drive torque control system are interlinked so that they can interact and complement each other flexibly in any driving situation. As a result, the all-electric sedan performs at least as proficiently as any conventionally-powered model on ice and snow.

The integrated application of all powertrain and chassis systems underpins the outstanding handling abilities displayed by the BMW i5 in winter testing. The more challenging the conditions, the more impressive were the speed and precision of the control systems in the fully electric version of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan. The BMW i5 serves up a harmonious blend of optimum traction when pulling away and supreme driving stability when cornering or braking, which is unique in the competitive environment.

• See photo set 4

Munich. The new BMW 3 Series Sedan is picking up more speed on its way to its market launch in the first half of 2019. The BMW M GmbH is now presenting an extremely dynamic model variant of the new sports sedan. The BMW M340i xDrive Sedan (combined fuel consumption: 7.5 l/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 172 g/km*) is powered by a newly developed straight six-cylinder petrol engine with 275 kW. Together, high engine performance, M-specific suspension technology and intelligent four-wheel drive provide for outstanding driving dynamics that are unparalleled in the midsize segment. The exceptional sporty character is underscored by model-specific design and equipment features. The Los Angeles Auto Show (30 November – 9 December 2018) will serve as the setting for the world premiere of the BMW M340i xDrive Sedan. The market launch will commence in the USA in July 2019, followed by Europe in July. South Africa will follow from September 2019.

Acceleration, cornering dynamics, agility, precision, braking – the BMW M340i xDrive Sedan is setting new benchmarks in all areas relevant to driving dynamics. It makes consistent use in particular of the vehicle concept of the BMW 3 Series Sedan, which is oriented towards sporting driving pleasure and comprises a low centre of gravity, optimised weight, well-balanced axle load distribution as well as increased body rigidity and uprated suspension mountings. Moreover, the suspension technology and aerodynamics are precisely tuned to the new power unit’s high performance characteristics. In addition, the M Sport suspension, variable sports steering, an M Sport differential, the M Sport brake system and 18-inch M light alloy wheels with mixed tyres are all standard equipment features for the BMW M340i xDrive Sedan.

Straight six-cylinder engine with superior power development and characteristic sound.
The power plant developed for the BMW M340i xDrive Sedan raises the vehicle’s characteristics in areas of performance, response, revving power, running smoothness and efficiency, so typical of BMW straight six-cylinder engines, to a new level. The 3-litre engine features an aluminium crankcase and an aluminium cylinder head. The turbocharging system, which was constructed according to the TwinScroll principle, has also been redeveloped. The integration of the compact steel exhaust manifold and turbocharger effectuates rapid boost pressure development. A mass moment of inertia reduced by around 25 percent enhances turbine response and a wide opening, electrically controlled waste gate contributes towards better emission values. Fuel supply is performed by means of High Precision Injection technology, the injectors of which now operate at an injection pressure increased to up to 350 bar. The current version of M TwinPower Turbo technology is complemented by fully variable valve control VALVETRONIC and variable camshaft control Double VANOS.

The drive technology, which has been extensively redeveloped and numerous details of which have been completely renewed, provides the six-cylinder with an increase in output by 35 kW to 275 kW vs. the most powerful engine previously used for the BMW 3 Series, as well as an increase in maximum torque by 50 Nm to 500 Nm. As a result, the car has also clearly gained in sporting prowess. The BMW M340i xDrive Sedan completes the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds – half a second faster than the top-of-the-range model of the previous generation of the BMW 3 Series Sedan.

Power development and speed increase are accompanied by the characteristic sound of the straight six-cylinder engine, which has gained additional presence thanks to the M Sport exhaust unit. Above all in the SPORT and SPORT+ modes, which can be activated via the Driving Experience Control switch, the valve-controlled exhaust system generates a particularly distinctive sound. The sound development that accompanies the engine’s dynamic power delivery is also intensively perceptible inside the BMW M340i xDrive Sedan. The dual-pipe M Sport exhaust system is fitted with two petrol particulate filters, enabling the BMW M340i xDrive Sedan to meet the requirements of the Euro 6d-TEMP emissions standard. Combined fuel consumption is 7.5 litres per 100 kilometre* and CO₂ emissions are172 grams per kilometre.*

After 35 years, the BMW 3 Series Sedan rolls off the production line at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn to make way for the new BMW X3.

• A total of 1,191,604 BMW 3 Series vehicles produced at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn since 1983.
• Current BMW 3 Series to be produced by other plants within the BMW Group production network.
• BMW Group Plant Rosslyn gets ready for the start of production of the new BMW X3.

Rosslyn, Pretoria – Yesterday marked yet another significant milestone for BMW Group South Africa when the last BMW 3 Series Sedan rolled off the production line at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn in Pretoria. The plant has produced a total of 1,191,604 five generations of the BMW 3 Series and will begin a new era of producing the new BMW X3 in the coming months. The BMW 3 Series will continue its current lifecycle and be produced by other plants within the BMW Group production network. In addition, it will now be imported into South Africa.

“We look back with great pride over an extraordinary career path of the production of the five generations of the BMW 3 Series at Plant Rosslyn. Over the years, the development of our production and export programme has been the catalyst for our sustainable growth and contribution to the South African economy. With the imminent production of the new BMW X3, we remain a committed and engaged corporate citizen dedicated to the upliftment of South Africa and its people,” says Tim Abbott, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. 

In November 2015, BMW Group South Africa reaffirmed its long term commitment to South Africa by announcing that it will invest a total of R6 billion at Plant Rosslyn. The investment – one of the biggest in the local automotive industry – has enabled Plant Rosslyn to get ready to produce the new BMW X3, which will be sold locally and exported to Europe. In October 2017, an additional R160 million was pumped into the Rosslyn manufacturing facility to enhance production line speed.

Stefan Hülsenberg, Director of BMW Plant Rosslyn, says that the enhancement has raised the maximum production capacity by almost 10%, from 71 000 units to 76 000 units, leaving the plant with excellent potential in the future to produce the highest volume ever in its 45-year history. “Plans to create a center of production excellence at our plant are well under way with the largest infrastructure upgrade in the history of the facility now completed and staff upskilled in state-of-the-art technologies. Supplier development and localisation strategies are in progress, and we are confident that the new BMW X3 will be more localised than the BMW 3 Series we’ve produced. We are continuing to build our future together,” Hülsenberg adds. 

The BMW 3 Series Sedan is currently produced at BMW Group Plants in Munich, Regensburg, Araquari (Brazil), Chennai (India), Rayong (Thailand) and Mexico (from 2019). It is also produced at the BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) Joint Venture in China as well as partner plants in Russia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Egypt.

BMW 3 Series – the legacy of BMW Plant Rosslyn.

One of the key milestones of the BMW 3 Series has been the success in founding the segment of the modern sports sedan, establishing itself as the embodiment of driving pleasure in its segment and becoming the world’s top-selling premium car. South Africans even nicknamed each generation of the BMW 3 Series that was produced at Plant Rosslyn. Limited edition models of the BMW 3 Series such as the BMW 333i and 325iS also emerged from the 45-year old plant.

In June 2015, BMW Plant Rosslyn was awarded the Platinum Plant Quality Award in the J.D. Power 2015 Initial Quality Study (IQS) for producing BMW 3 Series models with the fewest defects or malfunctions. This award made Plant Rosslyn the best plant in the world in the Initial Quality Study 2015 and the second time a BMW plant anywhere in the world won a platinum award in the IQS Study.

The “Gusheshe” – second generation BMW 3 Series.

The second generation of the BMW 3 Series, affectionately known as the “Gusheshe” or “Bhotsotso” in South Africa, was a worthy successor to the trendsetting, bestselling original. Produced at Plant Rosslyn from 1983 to 1992, the new model embodied progress and diversity. A new design, optimised aerodynamics, more space and comfort, extra power and additional body and engine variants were all part of the mix.

The new car’s lines were significantly tauter and smoother than those of its predecessor, and its drag coefficient had been reduced by almost 15 per cent. All model variants, regardless of engine size, were now fitted with twin circular headlights as standard. Although the second-generation 3 Series offered four centimetres of extra legroom inside, its body was actually three centimetres shorter than the previous model. The front indicator lights were relocated from the wing tip into the bumper. The characteristic side view was given a fresh interpretation, while a broader B-pillar painted matt black provided a stronger-looking centre. The 35-millimetre-wider track, meanwhile, gave the new car a muscular appearance. To top it all, the BMW development engineers had shaved around 30 kilograms off the car’s weight – despite its more generous equipment levels.

Two engine derivatives (BMW 333i and 325iS) were built exclusively for the local market. A total of 98,003 third generation BMW 3 Series models were produced at Plant Rosslyn while a total of 2,339,000 have been sold worldwide.

The “Dolphin” – third generation BMW 3 Series.

The third-generation BMW 3 Series – nicknamed “The Dolphin” by South Africans – took to the stage in 1990 with extremely elegant contours and a thoroughly overhauled spread of technology. Produced at Plant Rosslyn between 1992 and 1997, it was available from launch as a four-door for the first time. The body had grown significantly in terms of exterior dimensions to create an even more comfortable and safer passenger compartment, and it offered occupants noticeably more space. Those in the rear, for example, could look forward to 30 millimetres of extra knee room. Despite its increase in size, the car’s basic form also displayed an undeniably sporty edge. The long wheelbase, short overhangs, 1,418-millimetre front track and 1,431-millimetre rear track gave a strong hint of the new 3 Series’ outstanding driving attributes.

A total of 84,876 units were produced at Plant Rosslyn while 2,746,000 were sold worldwide. In 1993, the third generation BMW 316i won the Wesbank / SA Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ) Car of the Year (COTY) competition.

The “G-String” – fourth generation BMW 3 Series.

In 1998 the fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series set out on the road to the next century riding a wave of stylish continuity and unrelenting technical progress. Nicknamed “The G-String” by South African’s because of the design of its steering wheel, its proportions, lines and stylistic elements represented an expression of sporting elegance and left no doubt that the BMW 3 Series had established itself once and for all as the unmistakable original in its segment. The fourth generation BMW 3 Series, which was produced at Plant Rosslyn between 1997 and 2004, was once again launched in four-door sedan form, and had grown by four centimetres in both length as well as width compared to its predecessor. The BMW kidney grille was now integrated into the bonnet and teamed up with twin circular headlights behind clear covers to give the front end of the car a striking character. The dynamic ability of the new Sedan was accentuated by its stretched lines and more prominently arched roofline. Another signature BMW design feature were the L-shaped rear lights. The car’s interior had also grown to reflect its exterior dimensions. Both the front and rear seats offered more room to move. Knee room in the rear compartment had been increased by 20 millimetres, while 10 millimetres had been added to the available headroom.

The fourth-generation BMW 3 Series benefited more than ever from expertise accumulated during the development of models in higher segments. The interplay of the body and chassis, the car’s interior appointments and its safety concept all took their cues from the BMW 7 Series. The newly designed instrument panel looked modern, well sized and high in quality, and equipment features such as a multifunction steering wheel, side airbags in the rear, rain-sensing wipers and a navigation system set new benchmarks in the segment.

A total of 269,810 were produced at Plant Rosslyn while a total of 3,267,000 were sold worldwide. The fourth generation BMW 320d also won the 2001 Wesbank / SAGMJ COTY competition.

The “Tweezer” – the fifth generation BMW 3 Series.

The fifth generation of the BMW 3 Series – affectionately known as “The Tweezer” by South Africans – celebrated its world premiere at the 2005 Geneva International Motor Show. In what was now the regular running order for model range launches, the four-door Sedan was the first model variant to be introduced. Produced at Plant Rosslyn between 2004 and 2011, its striking appearance – with short body overhangs, dynamic lines and a progressive design language – imbued it with an unmistakable character from day one. The new symbiosis of powerful and efficient engines, dynamic yet refined driving characteristics, eye-catching design (with the familiar BMW use of forms), a spacious body with impressive torsional rigidity and innovative equipment features met with enthusiastic approval around the world. In its first year post-launch, the new BMW 3 Series was awarded the title “World Car of the Year” in New York.

The far more imposing and powerful aura of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan compared to its predecessor was the result of a more striking design and larger dimensions. Indeed, the new car added 49 millimetres in length, 78 millimetres in width and 10 millimetres in height. This all-round growth was used to the benefit of occupant comfort and safety. However, intelligent lightweight design meant that, despite the car’s extra size and equipment, it was no heavier on the scales.

A total of 356,257 units were produced at Plant Rosslyn while 3,102,000 were sold worldwide.

The sixth generation BMW 3 Series

The current, sixth generation of the BMW 3 Series appeared on the market in early 2012. Since then, the alluring array of individual body variants has been extended yet further and, for the first time, split into two model ranges. The BMW 3 Series Sedan was joined by the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo, while the mid-size model portfolio now also numbers the BMW 4 Series Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.

Produced at Plant Rosslyn from 2012 to date, the market launch of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan signalled yet another raft of innovations for the mid-size segment in terms of drivetrain, chassis and safety as well as driver assistance systems. The sixth-generation BMW 3 Series Sedan was, for example, the first vehicle in this segment to offer an 8-speed Steptronic transmission. Likewise new and unique among the competition was the BMW Head-Up Display, which projects driving-related information onto the windscreen directly in the driver’s field of view. Standard specifications for the BMW 3 Series now also included the Driving Experience Control switch, air conditioning, business navigation, TeleServices as well as Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) for added convenience. A hands-free tailgate operation was also part of the package, among other features. Enhanced safety came courtesy of the optional Active Protection and Intelligent Emergency Call with automatic vehicle location.

To date a total of 382,658 sixth generation BMW 3 Series models have been produced at Plant Rosslyn while over two million vehicles have been sold worldwide – one in every four BMW 3 Series Sedan sold globally was produced at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn. In 2013, the BMW 320i was a finalist in the Wesbank / SAGMJ Car of the Year Competition.

Plant Rosslyn , the heart of the BMW Group in South Africa.

Production at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn dates back to 1968, when Praetor Monteerders began assembling cars, utilising BMW engines and drive-trains fitted to Hans Glass sheet metal pressed and shipped from Dingolfing in Germany.

In 1973, BMW AG took over full shareholding and established BMW Group South Africa (Pty) Ltd with BMW Group Plant Rosslyn becoming the BMW Group’s first manufacturing facility outside of Germany.

Since then, the BMW Group has been a major investor in South Africa and its people, with BMW Group Plant Rosslyn moving from a limited vehicle-production plant that merely assembled vehicles with a few customisation possibilities for the local market, to a world-class plant, capable of producing highly customised cars for customers across the globe.

For example, the BMW Group was the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to adjust its production model to capitalise on exports, before the finalisation of the Motor Industry Development Plan (MIDP) in 1999. Similarly, the BMW Group was the first OEM to announce a new investment in South Africa before the finalisation of this plan’s replacement, the APDP in 2009.

During this period, Plant Rosslyn’s production of the BMW 3 Series and the BMW Group’s investment in South Africa has increased substantially with each new generation as well.

BMW Group South Africa directly and indirectly employs over 40,000 people (associates at the plant and at the national sales organisation, dealer staff and first-tier supplier employees). The company has in recent years been named the number one employer in the automotive industry in the Universum Most Attractive Employer Awards. In addition, the South African Graduate Employers Association (SAGEA) Graduate Recruitment Awards, bestowed the honour of Employer of Choice in the Automotive Industry to BMW Group South Africa in June 2015. The company’s Graduate Development Programme remains highly favoured among graduate trainees.

“Plant Rosslyn is an important part of the BMW Group’s international production network. The success story of BMW Group South Africa continues,” concludes Hülsenberg.

-Ends-

For any media queries regarding this press release, please contact BMW Group South Africa’s Group Communications Division as follows:

Diederik Reitsma

General Manager: Group Communications Division

BMW Group South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Email: diederik.reitsma@bmw.co.za

Tel: +27-71-666-2525

Mobile; +27-12-522-2525

Edward Makwana

Manager: Group Product Communications

Group Communications Division

BMW Group South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Email: edward.makwana@bmw.co.za

Tel: +27-12-522-2227

Mobile: +27-71-666-2227

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. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 31 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2017, the BMW Group sold over 2,463,500 passenger vehicles and more than 164,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2016 was approximately € 9.67 billion on revenues amounting to € 94.16 billion. As of 31 December 2016, the BMW Group had a workforce of 124,729 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

www.bmwgroup.com

www.bmw.co.za

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup (BMW South Africa)

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup (@BMW_SA)

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupview (BMW South Africa)

Google+: http://googleplus.bmwgroup.com

The BMW 330e iPerformance offers customers another innovative route to Sheer Driving Pleasure. With its plug-in hybrid drive system, the latest BMW 3 Series variant combines the dynamic flair for which the brand is renowned with the option of driving on electric power alone (locally emission-free) and the promise of unbeatable efficiency over longer distances. The BMW 330e iPerformance therefore brings together high-quality dynamics and extremely low fuel consumption. The fusion of BMW eDrive technology (developed under the BMW EfficientDynamics banner) with a BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine has resulted in an efficient and dynamic plug-in hybrid drive system which fits perfectly with the BMW brand: dynamically adept, locally emission-free (thanks to its electric driving system) and efficient.

The plug-in hybrid drive system delivers familiar BMW driving dynamics by pairing a cutting-edge electric motor producing 65 kW and a peak torque of 250 Nm with a four-cylinder combustion engine, which develops 135 kW and 290 Nm of torque. Combined average fuel consumption in the NEDC cycle is 2.1–1.9 litres* per 100 kilometres, with CO2 emissions coming in at 49–44 g/km*. With a system output of 185 kW and peak torque of 420 Nm, the BMW 330e iPerformance accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds on the way to a top speed of 225 km/h. The electric motor and combustion engine send their power to the sedan’s rear wheels via a standard-fitted eight-speed Steptronic transmission. The arrangement of the electric motor in front of the transmission allows the transmission ratios to be used in all-electric mode as well. This means a torque converter can be omitted, which partially cancels out the extra weight of the additional drive unit.

Power delivery akin to a large-capacity combustion engine.

The drive unit’s operating strategy features a permanent electric boost function. Here, the electric motor supplements the power from the combustion engine with 100 Nm of torque and can deliver a brief extra burst – depending on the position of the accelerator – of up to 250 Nm. On the move, this comes across as an extremely forceful and sustained wave of power, similar to the sensation a large-capacity combustion engine might produce. And because ample power is on hand at all times, a superior and relaxed driving feeling results. Overtaking manoeuvres are that much quicker and the BMW 330e iPerformance offers a rousing sense of driving pleasure on all types of road.

The high-voltage battery, made up of lithium-ion cells, is located underneath the boot and boasts efficient refrigerant cooling including a highly integrated low-temperature circuit. The battery has a total capacity of 7.6 kWh (gross) / 5.7 kWh (net), which enables an all-electric and therefore locally emission-free range of around 40 kilometres, all of which identifies the BMW 330e iPerformance as a perfect model for city dwellers and commuters. When the BMW 330e iPerformance is taking a break, the high-voltage battery can be charged from either a conventional domestic power socket or a BMW i Wallbox. A BMW i Wallbox (charging power: 3.7 kW) will fully charge an empty battery in just two hours and 12 minutes. If only a domestic power socket is available, the process takes three hours.

The neat integration of the high-voltage battery in the compartment under the boot gives the BMW 330e iPerformance a level load compartment floor, while use of the optional through-loading system with 40:20:40 split rear seat backrests remains unrestricted. Together with its boot capacity of 370 litres, the new BMW 330e iPerformance thus offers all the everyday practicality of a conventionally powered BMW 3 Series Sedan. Added to which, the intelligent positioning of the electric drive system’s components allows finely balanced weight distribution – 50 per cent over the front axle, 50 per cent over the rear axle – and, in so doing, paves the way for the dynamic and dextrous handling shared by all BMW 3 Series models.

BMW eDrive adapts both to the situation at hand and those ahead.

As well as the Driving Experience Control switch with its SPORT, COMFORT and ECO PRO settings, the driver can also adapt the responses of BMW eDrive to the vehicle’s use at any one time by means of a toggle switch in the centre console. There is a choice of three driving modes: AUTO eDRIVE, MAX eDRIVE and SAVE BATTERY. AUTO eDRIVE ensures the combustion engine and electric motor work together to optimum effect in all driving situations and allows an all-electric top speed of 80 km/h. This mode is activated automatically as the default setting every time the car is started up.

In MAX eDRIVE mode the BMW 330e iPerformance uses the car’s electric power only, drawing on the electric drive system’s full output. A top speed of 120 km/h is possible. Its ability to cover up to 40 kilometres in this all-electric mode makes the BMW 330e iPerformance the ideal car for commuters or city dwellers, for example, as it allows them to complete their daily journeys extremely efficiently and with an eye on the environment. The combustion engine can, however, cut in at any time if the accelerator is pushed down beyond its kickdown position when additional power is required, e.g. for overtaking.

SAVE BATTERY mode allows the battery’s energy stores to be deliberately maintained – or increased again if the charge level has dropped below 50 per cent. This energy can then be used for pure-electric driving, on a part of the journey running through city streets, for example.

BMW ConnectedDrive assists the driver in a variety of ways. BMW ConnectedDrive works in tandem with the navigation system to allow even better use of the available electric energy. Here, the system assists the driver with proactive energy management and calculates an operating strategy which responds to the driving style and route profile at hand – and thus ensures the plug-in hybrid drive system is used as efficiently as possible. The system adapts the drive strategy to the overall route profile. For example, the car uses all-electric power along urban streets and electric energy is also deployed on uphill sections so that the system’s full recuperation potential can be used on a subsequent downhill stretch. This equips the BMW 330e iPerformance perfectly to offer locally emission-free driving, as well as covering longer stretches extremely efficiently and with less impact on the environment. Like all BMW 3 Series models, the BMW 330e iPerformance has a comfortable and classy interior featuring five seats, practical details and the ergonomic operating concept typical of BMW. Moreover, the BMW 330e iPerformance comes as standard with auxiliary heating and cooling (output: 5 kW). These functions can be activated by a button on the car key or pre-programmed using a two-week timer either on the iDrive operating system or via the BMW ConnectedDrive smartphone app. The details are shown on the Control Display.

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

For media queries, please contact:

Edward Makwana

Manager: Group Product Communications

Group Communications Division

BMW Group South Africa (Pty) Ltd 

Tel: +27-12-522-2227

Mobile: +27-71-666-2227

Email: edward.makwana@bmw.co.za

Thando Pato

Manager: Product Communications (BMW i)

Group Communications Division

BMW Group South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Tel: +27-12-522-2070 

Mobile: +27-71-666-2070

Email: thando.pato@bmw.co.za

• BMW 750Li Design Pure Excellence wins First Class of The Year Award.
• BMW M2 Coupe wins Performance Car of the Year Award.
• Certificate of Excellence awarded to BMW South Africa for excellence in after-sales service, resale value, sales processes and general ownership satisfaction.

Midrand. BMW South Africa was yesterday awarded with a number of accolades at the 2016/2017 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards powered by Wesbank, one of South Africa’s leading provider of vehicle and asset finance. The awards were held at Vodaworld in Midrand. The BMW 750Li with the Design Pure Excellence package was awarded the First Class of the Year Award while the BMW M2 Coupe was awarded the Performance Car of the Year. A certificate of excellence was also awarded to BMW South Africa for excellence in after-sales service, resale value, sales processes and general ownership satisfaction.

In order to have been eligible for the First Class of the Year category, contenders had to meet the following criteria: a list price of more than R1 million at the time of semi-finalist voting (September 1 2016). The most important judging factors were: powertrain technology, luxury features, brand prestige and exclusivity, design and quality appeal, driving dynamics, ride comfort and overall refinement.

In terms of eligibility for the Performance Car of the Year category, contenders had to meet the following criteria: a list price of between R600 000 and R1 000 000 at the time of semi-finalist voting (September 1 2016) to ensure that the category isn’t dominated by exorbitantly expensive exotic cars. The most important judging factors were: driving engagement, handling, sensory appeal and standard features.

The progression of luxury: The BMW 7 Series

Launched in South Africa in January 2016, the BMW 7 Series has redefined what an exclusive, luxurious driving experience looks like in contemporary, pioneering form. Ground-breaking technologies in the areas of lightweight design, powertrains, chassis, operating systems, intelligent connectivity and interior ambience underline its mission to bring together unbeatable driving pleasure and long-distance comfort in a luxury sedan.

Key factors in enhancing dynamics, efficiency, comfort and safety while on the move are the use of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the body structure, engines from the BMW Group’s new generation of power units, the plug-in hybrid system in the new BMW 740e, the Executive Drive Pro active chassis system, the Driving Experience Control switch with ADAPTIVE mode and BMW Laserlight. Maximising well-being in the rear compartment, meanwhile, are the Executive Lounge feature with massage function and Vitality Programme, the Sky Lounge Panorama glass roof, the Welcome Light Carpet, the Ambient highlight and a smartphone holder with inductive charging station. Standout innovations in operating system and driver assistance technology include the extension of the iDrive system to include a touch display and BMW gesture control, as well as Touch Command, the new BMW Head-Up Display, crossing traffic warning, the steering and lane control assistant, active side collision protection, Surround View with 3D View and the Remote Control Parking system.

The BMW 750Li features a V8 unit that has undergone extensive redevelopment, boasting a displacement of 4.4 litres and BMW TwinPower Turbo technology with the turbochargers located in the V-shaped space between the banks of cylinders in proven fashion. It is equipped with TwinScroll turbochargers featuring flow-separated, bank-specific exhaust manifolds made from thin-wall castings. Together with an increase in the compression ratio from 10.0 to 10.5 and the variability in the gas-exchange cycle brought about by the VALVETRONIC and Double-VANOS technology, this has resulted in a major improvement in engine efficiency. The optimised cooling concept with separate flows through the cylinder heads and cylinder barrels combines with a coolant pump whose map-controlled throughput can be restricted to as little as 10 per cent to warm up the engine faster and cut energy consumption. This is also the first time that the intake manifold has been partially integrated into the cylinder head in a production car, thereby allowing flow resistance to be decreased, flow volume to be increased and the exterior packaging dimensions to be reduced. As a result of all these modifications, the efficiency factor of the 330 kW eight-cylinder engine has been greatly improved, which in turn means a significant reduction in fuel consumption and emissions.

High-performance sports machine with intoxicating performance: The BMW M2 Coupe.

With its high-performance six-cylinder in-line engine, rear-wheel-drive agility, lightweight aluminium M Sport suspension and extrovert styling, the BMW M2 Coupe has all the ingredients to deliver the last word in driving pleasure.

Characteristic M design .

A single glance is all it takes to pick the new BMW M2 Coupe out as a member of the BMW M family, with its styling also keen to demonstrate its dynamic attributes. Inspired by models from the history of BMW in motor racing, the M2 Coupe makes no secret of its extraordinary performance potential. The low front apron with large air intakes, muscular flanks with characteristic M gills, 19-inch aluminium wheels in familiar M double-spoke design and low, wide rear with M-specific twin-tailpipe exhaust system all play impressive roles here. The Alcantara of the door cards and centre console together with porous carbon fibre creates an ambience of rare quality and heady sporting ambition further underlined by blue contrast stitching and M embossing on selected details. Sports seats, an M sports steering wheel and an M gearshift lever ensure BMW M2 drivers are in perfect command of their car it at all times.

Explosive performance . The newly developed, three-litre six-cylinder in-line engine in the BMW M2 deploys cutting-edge M TwinPower Turbo technology to develop 272 kW at 6,500 rpm (fuel consumption combined: 8.5 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 199 g/km) and, in so doing, lays down a marker in the high-performance compact sports car segment. The same applies to power delivery. Peak torque of 465 Nm can be increased to as much as 500 Nm in short bursts under overboost. All of which enables the BMW M2 Coupe with optional seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT) and Launch Control to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. Yet, with its M DCT transmission, fuel consumption of just 7.9 litres per 100 km and CO2 emissions of just 185 g/km, the car is also keen to emphasise its outstanding efficiency.

Motor sport expertise. With the lightweight aluminium front and rear axles from the BMW M3/M4 models, forged 19-inch aluminium wheels with mixed-size tyres, M Servotronic steering with two settings and suitably effective M compound brakes, the BMW M2 Coupe has raised the bar once again in the compact high-performance sports car segment when it comes to driving dynamics. The electronically controlled Active M Differential, which optimises traction and directional stability, also plays a significant role here. And even greater driving pleasure is on the cards when the Dynamic Stability Control system’s M Dynamic Mode (MDM) is activated. MDM allows wheel slip and therefore moderate, controlled drifts on the track.

About the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards

Established to be one of the most prestigious, credible and influential awards programme in the South African motor industry, the second iteration of Cars.co.za Consumer Awards was distinguished by two significant factors: it was backed by the biggest provider of vehicle finance in South Africa and, in conjunction with the 13 judges’ scores, the findings of the Cars.co.za’s Owner Satisfaction Survey (in association with Lightstone Consumer) had a substantial (50%) weighting on the final results, excluding the Brand of the Year award, which was based entirely on the Survey data.

Cars.co.za’s awards programme has a multi-faceted judging process, based on inputs from seven members of the experienced editorial team and six respected guest jurors drawn from specialist fields. The combined jury allocated scores to the three finalists in each category based on their assessments from two test days (on which available vehicles were compared back-to-back).

Once the judges’ scores were tallied and audited, the brand-specific data from the Cars.co.za Owner Satisfaction Survey, which incorporates feedback from thousands of South African new vehicle owners, based on their experiences of their vehicles (must be less than five years old and serviced through franchised outlets), was factored in for the purpose of calculating of the final results.

The prestigious Brand of the Year award, however, was determined solely by brands’ ratings in the Cars.co.za’s Owner Satisfaction Survey (in association with Lightstone Consumer), which was compiled from thousands of surveys completed between September 2015 and December 2016. Consumers rated the brands in terms of: after-sales service, overall ownership experience and sales processes of its dealerships. Changes in market share were also factored into the final standings.

For more information on the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, visit www.carsawards.co.za

For media queries on this press release, please contact BMW Group South Africa’s Group Communications Division as follows:

Edward Makwana

Manager: Group Product Communications

BMW Group South Africa

Tel: +27-12-522-2227

Mobile: +27-71-666-2227

E-Mail: edward.makwana@bmw.co.za

The BMW Group

With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 31 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2016, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.367 million cars and 145,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2015 was approximately € 9.22 billion on revenues amounting to € 92.18 billion. As of 31 December 2015, the BMW Group had a workforce of 122,244 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

Website: www.bmwgroup.com / www.bmw.co.za

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup (BMW South Africa)

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup (@BMW_SA)

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupview (@BMWSouthAfrica)

Google+: http://googleplus.bmwgroup.com

Update: additional pictures.

Midrand. As part of the BMW Group’s centenary celebrations this year – under the motto “THE NEXT 100 YEARS” – BMW South Africa has refurbished two of its classic cars, the legendary BMW M1 and South African exclusive BMW 333i (also known as the Gusheshe).

As a world-leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles, as well as a provider of premium finance and mobility services, the company has always valued the preservation of its heritage. It is for this reason that BMW South Africa purchased the BMW M1 from a customer in the mid 1980s and used the vehicle as part of its classic collection as well as various activities. The car was later joined by the E23 BMW 745i, E28 BMW M5, E30 BMW 333i and 325iS. However, in the late 1990s, the BMW 745i (E23) and E28 BMW M5 vehicles were sold to customers due to a lack of resources to manage these classic cars. Only the BMW M1, BMW 333i and 325iS remained.

After acquiring the BMW M1, BMW South Africa restored the vehicle from its original blue colour to the red brand positioning colour. The seats, steering wheel, dashboard and carpets were completely redone at the then seat and upholstery supplier in Rosslyn, using original BMW materials. After some years, some mechanical complications occurred and the car was no longer driveable as parts became scarce. The car was then only used for static purposes until July this year when a decision was taken to refurbish the car and get it mobile again. The refurbishment was completed by the company’s press vehicle technicians as well as two apprentices from the BMW Training Centre at Plant Rosslyn.

The birth of a legend in 1978: the BMW M1.

When the 64th Paris Motor Show opened its gates in 1978, sports car fans and lovers had only one destination – the stand of BMW Motorsport GmbH. There they were able to admire a super-low, extremely dynamic new model making it quite clear at very first sight that this was Germany's fastest road-going sports car; the BMW M1 was 1,140 millimetres (44.9”) high, with a power of 204 kW (277 bhp) at 6,500rpm and top speed of 262 km/h. "Everybody was crowding around BMW's new mid-engined sports car", wrote the press at the time.

In addition to a successful racing history, the BMW M1 is significant as the first of the sports cars developed independently by BMW Motorsport GmbH. In July 2016, BMW Group Classic staged a revival with BMW M1 racing cars in the Procar Series just before the race for the “Austrian Grand Prix” at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. Races with these cars were enthusiastically received in the supporting programme on Formula 1 weekends in Europe. When the first Procar Race was held at Zolder, Belgium, in May 1979, contemporary Formula 1 racing drivers competed in identical racing versions of the BMW M1 against national sports-car professionals, private drivers and talented upcoming drivers. Some of these drivers are now taking the opportunity to get back into the cockpit of the BMW M1 at events such as the Legends Parade in Spielberg – including the three-time Formula 1 World Champion Niki Lauda, who won three Procar Races in 1979 and also succeeded in claiming the overall placing.

A South African exclusive: the BMW 333i.

Another special car that was refurbished is the locally exclusive BMW (E30) 333i, which was manufactured in 1985 at BMW Plant Rosslyn and characterised by a special motor as well as numerous other technological and design features. The BMW 333i, based on the second generation BMW 3 Series (E30), was specially developed for the South African market and created in collaboration with BMW, BMW Motorsport GmbH and Alpina. The highlights of the BMW 333i include a 3.2-litre straight six-cylinder engine with 197 hp (146 kW), a 5-speed sports transmission, sports suspension and specific cockpit design. By 1987, approximately 200 units were produced.

In 2017, BMW South Africa will embark on a second phase of restoring another popular model – the BMW (E30) 325iS. The 325iS was also introduced in 1985 and was a sporty upgrade of the 325i. Two versions were introduced in limited numbers: 145kW and 155kW (both 2.7 litre naturally aspirated engines). They had a uniquely identifiable ‘iS’ body kit, 15” wheels, full electric package, 25% limited slip differential and M Sport suspension with Bilstein struts. The car has a rich racing history winning local races such as the Stannic Group N Class and Castrol Nine Hour races amongst others.

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For media queries, please contact:

Edward Makwana

Manager: Group Product Communications

BMW Group South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Tel: +27-12-522-2227

Mobile: +27-71-666-2227

Email: edward.makwana@bmw.co.za

The BMW Group

With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 31 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2015, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.247 million cars and nearly 137,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2015 was approximately € 9.22 billion on revenues amounting to € 92.18 billion. As of 31 December 2015, the BMW Group had a workforce of 122,244 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

BMW Group South Africa Websites:

www.bmwgroup.com

www.bmw.co.za

www.mini.co.za

www.bmwmotorrad.co.za

www.bmwdrivertraining.co.za

Social Media Pages:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com / BMWGroup (BMW South Africa, BMW Motorrad SA, MINISouthAfrica).

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup (@BMW_SA, @BMWMotorradSA and @MINISouthAfrica).

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com / BMWGroupview (BMW South Africa and BMW Motorrad SA).

BMW 3 Series Sedan awarded the “Best Compact Executive Sedan” for the second time.

BMW i range awarded the “Green Award”.

Midrand. Three of BMW’s models have once again received top honours in the CAR Magazine 2014 Top 12 Best Buys Awards. This was revealed in the March 2014 issue of CAR Magazine, South Africa’s leading male-interest and motoring magazine.

The BMW 3 Series Sedan was awarded the “Best Compact Executive Sedan” for the second time in a row, while the BMW i3 and BMW i8 were honoured with the “Green Award”.

According to Steve Smith, Editor of CAR Magazine in South Africa, the CAR Awards recognise excellence by companies or individuals in the motoring world with a focus on the South African automotive industry and, in the Buy section of the maga­zine, CAR’s Top 12 Used Best Buys recognise the best second-hand vehicles (that are less than three years old) that are offered in the local market.

“We are very pleased to start the year with this accolade. It shows that indeed BMW is the leading premium brand in the automotive sector and encourages us to continue working hard to retain our title of being the best-selling brand in the luxury car segment, just like we did for the fourth consecutive year in 2013,” says Mr Edward Makwana, Group Automotive Communications Manager at BMW South Africa.

Best Compact Executive Sedan: BMW 3 Series Sedan.

The BMW 3 Series is the most important volume-model produced by the BMW Group as well as the biggest-selling model in the entire premium segment. At the same time, every generation of the 3 Series Sedan has been built in Rosslyn and since 1999 this plant has been responsible for production for important export markets such as the USA, Canada, China, Japan, Singapore and Australia to name but a few.

The BMW 3 Series Sedan has been on sale worldwide since February 2012 and offers not only impressive athletic flair and efficiency as is typical of BMW, but also a level of ride comfort and space which has been further optimised compared to its predecessor model. Sporty, elegant lines and a re-interpretation of the characteristic front view give the BMW 3 Series an unmistakable appearance. The current local model program includes three petrol and two diesel engine versions as well as the BMW ActiveHybrid 3.

Green Award: the BMW i range.

The BMW i3 is an uncompromisingly sustainable vehicle designed for urban areas –purpose-built for emission-free electric mobility and an intelligent form of urban transportation and commuting. The BMW i3 is currently on sale in key European markets and will go on sale in South Africa in March 2015 along with the BMW i8.

The BMW i8 is a highly contemporary sports car boasting a high degree of everyday utility. It combines the uncompromising performance of a BMW M3 with the fuel consumption of a subcompact. Thanks to its plug-in hybrid drive, most daily journeys can be taken in emission-free all-electric mode (electric range: 35 km). With the completion of the development work and final preparations for production at the BMW Group plant in Leipzig, the launch of the BMW i8 is approaching its peak. Delivery of the first customer cars will start in June 2014, beginning with the main European markets.

With BMW i, the company is opening up new target groups as well as further strengthening the positioning of the BMW parent brand as a sustainability-focused and forward-looking organization.

For more information visit www.bmw.co.za/bmwi

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Media queries:

Edward Makwana

Manager: Group Automotive Communications

BMW South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Tel: +27-12-522-2227

Email: edward.makwana@bmw.co.za 

The BMW Group

The BMW Group is the leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 28 production and assembly facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2013, the BMW Group sold approximately 1.963 million cars and 115,215 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2013 was €7.91 billion on revenues amounting to approximately €76.06 billion. As of 31 December 2013, the BMW Group had a workforce of 110,351 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

www.bmwgroup.com

www.bmw.co.za

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup (BMW South Africa)

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup (@BMW_SA)

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupview (BMW South Africa)

Google+: http://googleplus.bmwgroup.com

Following their strong performance last year, when the team finished second and third in the class A title race, ADF Motorsport will field their two BMW M Performance Parts 335i saloons in the opening round of the 2014 Bridgestone Super Production Car Championship at Zwartkops Raceway west of Pretoria on Saturday, 1 March 2014 as serious contenders for top honours.

“Last year we won 10 races and ended a successful season with a clean sweep of the final round at Kyalami. We intend to carry on where we left off,” said a confident Donovan van Heerden, team principal of ADF Motorsport. “We have two of the country’s top racing drivers at our disposal and a proven race-winning car.”

Cape Town’s former national production car champion Johan Fourie, third last year with five race wins to his credit, returns for a second season with the team and will be partnered by the experienced Johannesburg racing driver Gavin Cronje, who moves up from the ADF Motorsport-managed Castrol MINI John Cooper Works team in class T to contest the premier class. Cronje, a multiple national and international kart and circuit racing champion, was second in the class T title chase after being a contender throughout the season, winning six races and taking the final outcome down to the last round.

While the BMWs are relatively unchanged from last season, they are proven race winners and have been meticulously prepared and fine-tuned for Saturday’s races. They have been completely rebuilt during the off season and, thanks to the ongoing updates and improvements made throughout the 2013 campaign, the team will be able to take full advantage of the series‘ rules.  

Johan Fourie: “I really enjoyed my first season with the team last year and am looking forward to an even more successful 2014. It will be great having Gavin as a team-mate. He’s one of the country’s most versatile racing drivers and together we make a formidable team. If we can bring greater consistency to our results we will be strong contenders for the class A title.”

Gavin Cronje: “I’m very happy to be in the top class this season and with a team and car that has every chance of taking the title. I’ve always wanted to race a BMW and I’ll be taking full advantage of this opportunity.”

A feature of this season’s championship will be the new race day format of two races instead of three, a 10-lap sprint followed by a 17-lapper where there will be a greater emphasis on tactics.

In addition to the teams backing from BMW M Peformance Parts, the team also enjoys support from South Africa’s leading sponsorship and brand engagement agency, Octagon, Powerbrake, Castrol and Sony Playstation.

Ends

For more information on BMW Motorsport, please contact:

Mr. Edward Makwana

Manager: Group Automotive Communications

BMW Group South Africa

Email: edward.makwana@bmw.co.za

Tel: +27-12-522-2227

Internet: http://www.bmw.co.za

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Team-Afrox  

Twitter: http://twitter.com/TeamAfroxBMW