BMW Celebrates 30 Years of the M3

This year BMW is celebrating 30 years of one of its most iconic cars in its range. The M3, originally released back in 1986, is now in its fifth major reincarnation. It has grown from a 2.3-litre inline-4 to, in its most potent form, a 4.0-litre V8. The current generation uses a 3.0-litre straight-six to produce 431 horsepower and 550 Nm, however Competition Package will grant you access to a further 19 horsepower, bringing to total to a round figure of 450.

It's the Competition Package model that BMW decided to base its special edition on. The M3 30 Jahre Limited Edition features adaptive M suspension, an adaptive M rear differential and seriously striking 20-inch M alloy wheels in an M star spoke design.

Frozen Silver is the colour BMW decided to give the Limited Edition's bodywork and it works a treat. Elegant yet somehow still very aggressive. Black and carbon fibre details can be spotted throughout as well as the words "M3 30 Jahre".

The UK will get just 30 of these cars, and the model's number printed inside on the instrument cluster will remind you of its exclusivity.

A 16-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system will come as standard as well as adaptive LED headlights, a BMW M carbon ceramic braking system, a head-up display, keyless entry, and a speed limit display which you will definitely need in a car that races to 62 mph in just 4.0 seconds.

As well as a 4.0 second sprint time, the BMW M3 30 Jahre Limited Edition will reach a top speed of 155 mph, electronically limited as usual. A 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is used as standard, and not that it matters, but you can expect in the region of BMW's claimed 34.0 mpg as well as a hefty tax bill of £270 thanks to CO2 emissions of 194 g/km.

If you're quick enough, the limited edition M3 can be yours for £82,675 this summer - a premium of £26,070 over the standard M3 and more than 3 times the price of a standard 3 Series Saloon!

BMW Prepares for the Summer with a some Hot Updates to its Range

The Germans have been channelling a lot of their resources at powertrains recently, with cars such as the 3 Series gaining a higher powered top-of-the-range 3.0-litre straight-six engine in the form of the 340i. Elsewhere in the range, we've seen the introduction of plug-in hybrids, namely the 225xe Active Tourer, 330e Saloon and X5 xDrive40e.

BMW 7 Series

The latest to join the plug-in hybrid lineup will be the 740e and 740Le xDrive. A 2.0-litre turbo-petrol will be used in conjunction with an electric motor to produce 322 bhp.

The claimed range is 29 miles for both models, however the lighter 740e retains the best running costs of 49 g/km of CO2 and 134.5 mpg, with the heavier 740Le xDrive coming in slightly behind with 56 g/km and 113 mpg.

Pricing will be £68,330 and £74,880 respectively for entry-level Exclusive trim which is by no means 'entry-level'. M Sport trim will come at a premium.

BMW M140i and M240i

For many years, the M135i has been the ultimate BMW hot hatch. Later followed the M235i for those who prefer Coupé and Convertible body styles. Now, it's time for a boost.

The 40i suggests an engine power output similar to that of a normal 4.0-litre engine as opposed to the 3.5-litre output of the previous generation. Nevertheless, all models use a 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine. Visit the article on BMW's naming system here.

A total of 335 bhp and 500 Nm is made possible thanks to the latest BMW technologies. This means a 0-62 mph sprint time of 4.8 seconds for the M140i and M240i Coupé. You can expect to add another 0.1 s to the time of the M240i Convertible. Opt for the sports automatic transmission and all models will shave off 0.2 s. As usual, the three M performance cars are limited to 155 mph.

MPG figures are in the region of 35-40 for all models, with CO2 figures starting at 163 g/km and peaking just shy of 190. Systems such as Brake Energy Regeneration and stop/start ensure that you get the best possible running costs for a car with so much power.

Pricing for the M140i starts at £31,875, climbing to £35,090 for the M240i Coupé and finally £38,535 for the M240i Convertible.

BMW 1 Series and 2 Series

Along with an improved performance version, BMW has remembered about its regular customers. You can have your 1 Series with the 18i, 20i and 25i engine choices. The 2 Series Coupé and Convertible can be had with 18i, 20i or 28i. The 18i uses a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol unit, however it's the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder unit that we're interested in which forms the basis for the other petrol engines in the lineup.

They all see a minuscule push in power, only 6-7 bhp. That doesn't mean they're slow, with outputs of 182 (20i), 221 (25i) and 249 bhp (30i) respectively.  Fuel consumption also improves, with claimed figures north of 44 mpg.  It's worth noting the change from 28i to 30i for the higher powered engines available in the 2 Series.

Previously the 125i was available with a 6-speed manual transmission, a regular automatic or a sports automatic, but following the roll-out of the new updates an 8-speed sports automatic transmission will come as standard.

Just for good measure, pricing for the above three models starts at £23,980 (1 Series), £26,865 (2 Series Coupé) and £29,830 (2 Series Convertible).

Latest-Generation iDrive Infotainment System

Originally debuted on the 7 Series luxury saloon, the latest generation of BMW's industry-leading iDrive will filter its way down through the range to the entry point to the premium German brand, the 1 Series.

Some features of the latest version are an advanced Bluetooth setup, wireless phone charging and a performance upgrade thanks to an increased RAM.

Upgrades to the Trim Levels

All 3 Series and 4 Series equipped with the M Sport trim will now be available with Black Dakota leather upholstery featuring contrast blue stitching. Venetian Beige Dakota leather with a contrasting black carpet colour also makes its way into the 3 Series and 4 Series range.

X5 and X6 SUVs equipped with the rear-seat entertainment package will feature 10.2-inch displays (as opposed to 9.2 inches) with a higher image quality. BlueRay functionality and HDMI connectivity are also thrown in for good measure.

Are you looking for a hybrid that can carry the family around and still look good? A new M Sport trim will be added to the 225xe Active Tourer for £34,405, and that's before the Government's grant.

Lastly, an M Sport Plus package will be optional on the higher end cars, those being the 5 Series Gran Turismo, X5 and X6. A Harman/Kardon surround sound setup features, as well as sun protection glass, a head-up display and a speed limit display. All models will come with 20-inch M double-spoke light alloy wheels with varying styles.

Rivals

It's important that we don't forget to weigh up the pros and cons of a car when we are considering buying one. That's why I've compiled a list of rivals for the above mentioned cars:

• BMW 740e and 740Le xDrive
• Mercedes S 300 h L (diesel-eletric hybrid) - £74,250
• Mercedes S 400 h L (petrol-electric hybrid) - £72,900
• Mercedes S 500 e L (petrol-electric plug-in hybrid) - £90,165
• BMW M140i
• Audi S3 - £32,330
• Mercedes-AMG A 45 4MATIC - £40,695
• Volkswagen Golf R - £31,185
• Ford Focus - £31,000
• BMW M240i Coupé
• Audi TTS £39,685
• Volkswagen Scirocco R - £32,865
• BMW M240i Convertible
• Audi S3 Cabriolet - £TBC
• Audi TTS Roadster - £41,435
• Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 - £46,360
• BMW 1 Series
• Audi A3
• Mercedes A-Class
• Volkswagen Golf
• BMW 2 Series Coupé
• Audi TT
• Volkswagen Scirocco
• BMW 2 Series Convertible
• Audi A3 Cabriolet
• Audi TT Roadster
• Mercedes SLC
• BMW 3 Series
• Audi A4
• Mercedes C-Class
• Jaguar XE
• Lexus IS
• BMW 4 Series
• Audi A5
• Mercedes C-Class Coupé
• Lexus RC
• BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo
• No close rivals
• BMW X5
• Mercedes GLE
• Audi Q7
• Range Rover Sport
• Volvo XC90
• BMW X6
• Mercedes GLE Coupé

BMW i3 Gains 50% More Range for 2016

The BMW i3 hasn't been around for long, but already it's time for an upgrade. With cars such as the Nissan LEAF already receiving range boosts, it's time for BMW to keep up with the crowd.

The new model has a 94 Ah cell capacity as opposed to the previous 60 Ah model. Its 33 kWh lithium ion battery back will allow it to travel for what BMW claims is 195 miles of everyday driving, including air conditioning or heating usage. The 50% increase in range does not affect the i3's practicality as the batteries are exactly the same size.

Both the electric-only variant and the Range Extender with a built in petrol motor produce 168 bhp and 250 Nm. Thanks to instant and on-demand torque, the EV will sprint to 62 mph in 7.3 seconds, however it will take an extra 0.8 s for the Range Extender to catch up. Nevertheless, 0-12 g/km make them cheap cars to run, and a top speed of 93 mph should suffice.

The 650 cc 2-cylinder petrol engine produces a measly 37 bhp, however it powers the battery as opposed to the wheels. Its 9-litre fuel tank sits at the front of the car, keeping rear seat and boot practicality at their best. This means 260 litres of cargo space, or 1,110 litres with the rear seats folded down. An extra 81 miles can be delivered from a tank, and don't forget this can be filled up time and time again. The EV can be charged in as little as 3 hours, too.

Both models have claimed figures of around the 12 kWh/100km mark in terms of fuel efficiency, however this is difficult to understand. With current diesel and electricity rates, it equates to roughly 470 mpg.

Inside, BMW offers four 'Interior worlds'. Essentially, they're different designs for the trim and upholstery, including Loft, Lodge, Suite and the new Atelier which is standard on the new 94 Ah model. It includes grey cloth upholstery, blue detailing and a black leather steering wheel. No matter which trim you opt for, you can rest assured that BMW has used naturally treated leathers, woods and wools as well as other renewable raw materials.

Pricing for the new BMW i3 94 Ah starts at £27,830* and goes up to £30,980* for the Range Extender Model. As standard, BMW will include an 8-year or 100,000-mile battery warranty.

*including £4,500 OLEV Government grant.

BMW M3 and M4 Competition Package Adds 19 bhp

Under-the-skin improvements for the Competition Package-equipped M3 and M4 include new springs, dampers and anti-roll bars for the adaptive M suspension as well as reconfigured active M dampers and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). The Comfort, Sport and Sport+ drive modes have also been upgraded to cope with the power upgrades.

Inside, the M3 and M4 Coupé get lightweight M sport seats. Outside, black chrome tailpipes and high-gloss black detailing around the windows, mirrors and grilles from BMW's exclusive Individual paint list set the Competition Package cars aside from their standard counterparts.

The model-specific 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels are wrapped in 265/30 R20 tyres at the front and 285/30 R20 tyres at the rear.

While the standard M3 Saloon, M4 Coupé and M4 Convertible produce 425 bhp and 550 Nm, Competition Package models are upgraded to 444 bhp. All shave 0.1 second off their 0-62 mph times, with the hard-tops getting there in 4.0 seconds and the convertible taking 4.3 seconds. Torque figures remain unchanged.

Competition Package on the M3 and M4 Coupé come at a £3,000 premium with both models costing near £60,000. The premium for the M4 Convertible is £2,200 but the convertible model itself is naturally more expensive, coming in at a total of £63,350.

BMW X5 and X6 to Get Touchscreens in 2016

Unofficial sources suggest that BMW will use touchscreen infotainment systems in more than just its 7 Series.

With the latest iDrive 5.0 system, BMW is likely to keep the 10.2-inch widescreen in the X5 and X6 SUVs, with the addition of touchscreen. Mobile phone gestures such as pinching and swiping will be used in the SUVs, but gesture control remains a premium item, exclusive to the 7 Series. The console-mounted iDrive controller will not be made obsolete and will continue to offer an ingenious handwriting input.

It's expected that the update will take place late in the summer season, and other sources suggest that it will be available in every single model. Those being the sDrive25d, xDrive25d, xDrive30d, xDrive40d, xDrive40e, xDrive50i and M50d for the X5, and the xDrive30d, xDrive40d, xDrive50i and M50d for the X6 coupé SUV.

BMW M760Li xDrive to Get 6.6-Litre V12 Powerplant

Up until today, the quickest BMW 7 Series has been the 750i, with 444 bhp and 650 Nm delivered by a 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine. Nought to sixty-two is covered in 4.7 seconds. M Performance hasn't tampered with the 7 Series to give us an 'M7'.

But what they have done is announced an M760Li. It gains 148 bhp and 150 Nm, an additional 4 cylinders and another 2.6 litres. The total power output of 592 bhp and 800 Nm as well as all-wheel-drive make it sprint to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds, and on to its limited top speed of 155 mph. Even though it uses stop/start technology and other fuel saving techniques, it only manages to return a claimed 22.4 mpg, emitting 294 g/km of CO2.

It needs two turbochargers, one for each half of the V12, to give it adequate power. But adequate power it does have. Launch Control and an 8-speed automatic transmission help release the full soundtrack of the V12.

Despite being a performance orientated land barge, it doesn't disappoint with equipment. Air suspension, LED lighting, keyless entry and Merino leather trim with Alcantara headlining remind us that the 7 Series is essentially destined to be a chauffeur-driven car. Don't be fooled, though. It's not embarrassed or ashamed to be a performance car, with countless V12 badges inside and out.

The 750i is available from £76,000-£80,000 before options which gives us some sort of indication of the yet-to-be-announced pricing. This will be announced before its late-2016 arrival.

To put the M760Li xDrive into perspective, Audi's S8 Plus quattro gets a tiny-by-comparison 4.0-litre V8. It still, however, succeeds in creating 597 bhp and 750 Nm, making it good for 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds (0.1 s quicker than the M760Li xDrive). It's competitively priced at a smidge under £100,000.

Jaguar's XJR is almost £6,000 cheaper. Its 5.0-litre V8 produces 542 bhp and 680 Nm. It's a fair bit slower to 62 mph, making it in 4.6 seconds.

Lastly, the bonkers Mercedes-AMG S65 uses another V12, this time just 6.0 litres. No less than 621 bhp and 1,000 Nm are produced, but it still takes 4.3 seconds to get to 62 mph. This can be put down to weight. And its price tag of more than £180,000.

BMW X5 xDrive40e PHEV

It's certainly a sign of the times when engaging rear-wheel-drive specialists BMW create a front-wheel-drive 7-seater MPV, but it's even more alarming when the company that creates class-leading straight-six and V8 engines brings out a range of hybrids. We've seen a very out-there i3, but now BMW is hybridifying its regular range. There's a 330e, a 225xe and even a giant SUV xDrive40e.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRDSl5t_8W0

The 2.3-tonne family SUV is powered by a 245 bhp 350 Nm 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. Add to this the electric side of things, and you get a total system output of 313 bhp and 450 Nm. Power is driven through all four wheels and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Nought to sixty-two is covered in 6.8s, and the X5 xDrive40e goes on to an electronically-limited top speed of 130 mph. This is a very rarely seen powertrain setup amongst its category, with the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid and Mercedes GLE 500e 4MATIC using 3.0-litre V6 engines. At least it's a plug-in hybrid, unlike the Lexus RX 450h (which uses a 3.5-litre V6).

I'm going to cut straight to the chase here and speak the truth. The xDrive40e will not work for the majority of customers. Although its combined fuel cycle manages to return up to 85.6 mpg, even BMW admits that you will receive a claimed 43.5 mpg on an average 37-mile commute. This figure drops to a dismal 25.7 mpg on long-distance trips. The xDrive40d is over 100 kg lighter, produces the same horsepower but an additional 180 Nm of torque, costs as near as makes no difference the same as the xDrive40e, and will achieve 47.1 mpg (real-world figures won't see this drop too much below 35 mpg in my experience).

As a result of the battery pack stored below the boot floor, the boot measures 500 litres, although can be expanded to 1,720 litres upon folding down the 40:20:40 split folding rear seats. Therefore the 3rd row of seating that's optional across the range doesn't quite make it to the hybrid, although the story's the same on the soon-to-come Audi Q7 e-tron. Talking about the batteries, they will provide up to 19 miles or EV range and take just under 4 hours to charge (this reduces to 2:45 with the purchase of the BMW i Wallbox Pure).

There are 3 different driving modes - AUTO eDrive, MAX eDrive and SAVE Battery. The former is self-explanatory, the second provides power by means of electric only, and the third by petrol only. The Driving Experience Control alters the throttle and transmission response, steering and Dynamic Damper Control. The choices here are COMFORT, SPORT and ECO PRO. ECO PRO cuts off the engine when the vehicle is coasting, and the standard-fit sat nav gives the option to plan journeys in such a way that you can get the most miles from your gallon.

Inside, very little has changed from the regular X5. Some key changes are the hybrid-specific instrument cluster and the iDrive options, like the energy flow diagram that you can use to keep tabs on your driving.

But if the car works for you and your driving tendencies, then the xDrive40e is a particularly enticing choice, especially when you realise it's free to tax. Some standard kit includes self-levelling rear air suspension with an automatic tailgate, xenon headlights, LED fog lights and heated front seats.

If I were in the market for a premium hybrid SUV such as the X5 xDrive40e, here's how I would specify mine (without ticking every single box and doubling the price):

BMW X5 xDrive40e SE Configuration

BMW X1

As much as I love BMW cars, I never liked the first generation X1 which was introduced back in 2009. It was an awkward compromise between a rugged estate (think Audi's Allroad models or VW's Alltrack models) and a small SUV (its bigger brother, the X3). I'm sure the 730,000 worldwide customers would beg to differ, but I don't doubt that there are people of my opinion too.

However here we are 6 years down the line and BMW has announced its second attempt. The second-generation X1. And I can safely say it looks a lot better. It has ditched the estate look for a more mature SUV physique.

We'll be seeing 4 powertrains, all of which are 4-cylinder 2.0-litre units with almost perfect 50:50 weight distribution. All models manage 0-62 mph in less than 10 seconds and exceed 127 mph which is quick enough for most of us.

The first of which is the only petrol, the xDrive20i. That produces 192 bhp and 280 Nm. Emitting 146 g/km, it's the most harmful to the environment. That can be said for fuel economy too, at a dismal 44.8 mpg (remember that's the claimed figure, and you can often expect some 10 mpg less!).

The least powerful diesel is the 150 bhp 330 Nm sDrive18d. It's the most efficient, thanks to its two-wheel-drive layout, achieving claimed figures of 65.7 mpg and 114 g/km.

Next is the xDrive20d, producing 190 bhp and 400 Nm. BMW's claimed figures are 57.6 mpg and 128 g/km.

Finally is the xDrive25d. The 2.0-litre turbodiesel unit is tuned to produce 231 bhp and 450 Nm. It's the quickest to 62 mph (6.6 seconds) but for that you have to compromise running costs. Fifty-six-point-five mpg and 132 g/km make it the least efficient diesel in the lineup (it's still better than the xDrive20i).

All models apart from the lesser-powered 18d will come with an 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission as standard. The 18d comes with a 6-speed manual and the option to upgrade to the Steptronic.

If you're familiar with the BMW naming system, you'll know that xDrive represents all-wheel-drive and sDrive models are two-wheel-drive only. You'll probably also know that BMW is famous for its rear-wheel-drive cars (when not specified with xDrive, obviously). Well that's changing. To decrease weight (thus improving fuel efficiency) BMW is opting for a front-wheel-drive layout in many of its cars, as seen with the 2 Series Active Tourer.

The new xLine trim is where you should put your money. That brings you out of cloth upholstery territory and into Dakota leather land. Among other things are aesthetic upgrades, LED headlights and heated front seats.

There are 2 trims above xLine - Sport Line and M Sport. These bring front sports seats and contrast stitching, with the latter adding 18-inch M alloys and other M bodystyling.

It's nice to know that all models come with front fog lights, keyless engine ignition and automatic headlights and windscreen wipers. Oh, and of course, every new BMW will have a sat nav as standard. The infotainment system comprises of BMW's easy-to-use iDrive system on a 6.5-inch screen with 6 speakers, USB and aux connectivity.

Behind the standard automatic tailgate is a 505-litre boot which marks an 85-litre increase over the outgoing X1. Fold down the 40:20:40 split folding rear seats to uncover a loading bay measuring a total of 1,550 litres. You can specify 60:40 split folding rear seats instead, and even a passenger's seat back which folds down to allow you to carry very long items.

Some options include a 'Panorama' sunroof, a CD player, DAB radio and a Harman Kardon audio system upgrade with 12 speakers.

You can also specify the new X1 with M Sport suspension which is lowered by 10mm for a firmer ride. The standard Driving Experience Control allows you to choose from Comfort, Sport or Eco Pro. You get the idea by now.

The Optimum Shift Indicator and Start/Stop technology are put in place in order to try and get the very best out of every litre of fuel.

Along with all the normal safety acronyms are Forward Vehicle Collision Warning, City Collision Mitigation and Brake Preconditioning which are meant to help prevent an accident, or at least lessen the severity.

The 2nd generation X1 will be going on sale on the 24th of October this year. Hopefully this will dilute the population of hideous 1st gen X1s!

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé

For 2015 BMW have updated its 6 Series range - the Coupé, Gran Coupé and Convertible. Outside, new LED headlights and a revised 'kidney' grille give each model more road dominance. Inside, a leather dashboard is standard and a range of upper-market inlays reminds you that you're sitting in BMW's biggest and most luxurious Coupé.

SE models come with 18-inch alloys, BMW's iDrive infotainment system, DAB, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, Voice Control, a 20GB HDD to store music, automatic dual-zone climate control, cruise control, front LED fog lights and LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers and front heated seats.

Step up to Sport for 19-inch alloys, Comfort seats and some luxurious trim upgrades inside and out.

M Sport comes with M Sport 19-inch alloy wheels, black brake calipers, dark chrome exterior detailing (tailpipes), Anthracite headlining, M aerodynamic bodystyling and front Sports seats. The M Sport Package Plus adds 20-inch M Sport alloys and a Harman/Kardon audio system.

If you go for the top-of-the-range 650i M Sport, you get Comfort seats in Exclusive Nappa leather and different exterior detailing.

The 3.0-litre straight-six 320 bhp 640i gets from 0-62 mph in 5.4 seconds. It's said to achieve 37.2 mpg and emit 178 g/km of CO2.

The more powerful 4.4-litre V8 450 bhp 650i manages 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds and gets a claimed 32.1 mpg and 206 g/km.

Only one diesel engine is offered, that's the 3.0-litre straight-six 640d which gets to 62 mph in 5.4 thanks to its 313 bhp. It's the most economical too, at a claimed 51.4 mpg and 147 g/km.

There's also a new BMW M6 Gran Coupé starting at £94,750. The 560 bhp is good for a 0-62 mph time of 4.2 seconds, but fuel economy is less impressive at a claimed 28.5 mpg and 231 g/km. When you remember that, in reality, it's virtually impossible to achieve anywhere near the manufacturer's claimed figures, the prospect of owning and running an M6 Gran Coupé becomes a little more scary. If you want 15 bhp more, you can get to 62 mph in 0.1 of a second quicker with the Competition Package. Efficiency remains the same. That'll add £5,500 to the purchase price.

Some of the options include a head-up display, Park Assist, a Bang & Olufsen audio system, soft-close doors, four-zone climate control and a reversing camera.

With a base price of £60k, you need to be sure that you want this car and not a Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class or Audi A7 Sportback. For similar money, you can even get a far more head-turning Porsche Panamera!

If I were lucky enough to be able to afford a BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé, I would buy it just like this:

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé Configuration

Oops, I've almost entered BMW M6 Gran Coupé money!