New Mini and locally-built BMW X3 plug-in hybrid are part of a BMW onslaught in 2024
24 January 2024 - 14:47
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The new Five Series will have an electric i5 model.
Picture: SUPPLIED
BMW enthusiasts have a raft of new models to look forward to in SA this year, including the launch of the all-new BMW 5 Series and locally built X3 plug-in hybrid.
At a media event in Midrand on Tuesday, BMW SA laid out its plans to introduce new cars and motorcycles from its BMW, Mini and BMW Motorrad stables.
BMW 5 Series
The midsized luxury sedan begins BMW’s local model onslaught when it arrives in showrooms at the end of February. The eighth-generation 5 Series, dubbed the G60, features a wealth of digital innovations and is available for the first time in an all-electric i5 model. The new 5 Series is more dynamic and comfortable than ever, with what BMW calls “a reduced design language” that emphasises sporty elegance and presence. Inside, the mostly digitised cockpit has fewer buttons and controls.
The new 5 Series will arrive in SA initially with the diesel-powered 520d and electric i5 M60 xDrive — the latter boasting outputs of 442kW and 820Nm and the ability to silently accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds. Its top speed is electrically limited to 230km/h, and the maximum range is a claimed 516km.
The current X3 (pictured) will soon be replaced by an all-new model.
Picture: SUPPLIED
BMW X3
BMW SA announced last year it would spend R4.2bn over the next five years to build the next-generation X3 plug-in hybrid at its Rosslyn factory near Pretoria from 2024. The petrol-electric SUV will be built for sale locally and exported to other countries, while SA buyers will be able to buy X3 petrol and diesel models as imports.
The current third-generation X3 midsize premium SUV has been built in Rosslyn since 2018, with more than 300,000 units delivered. The new deal secures the future of the Rosslyn factory, which turned 50 last year, and the livelihood of more than 20,000 workers directly and indirectly employed at BMW SA and its supply chain.
Not much is known about the new fourth-gen X3 (internally known as the G45) but spy pictures suggest it will borrow heavily from the look of its little brother, the all-new X1 which went on local sale last year. Like the X1, it should have a larger grille and more aggressive, “planted” styling.
The new X3 is also likely to grow in size and gain enhanced safety features and driver-assistance technologies.
The new Mini has grown in size and boasts a cleaner design.
Picture: SUPPLIED
MINI
The fourth new Mini under BMW custodianship, the car will be introduced locally this year in five-door Countryman and three- and five-door Cooper hatch variants. They are larger than their predecessors and boast a cleaner design, a hi-tech interior with an OLED infotainment screen and an optional digital dog personal assistant.
Mini is to become an all-electric brand by 2030 but in the meantime the new line-up will include both battery-powered and petrol models.
The new Cooper SE electric has a much longer battery range of 402km and sprints from 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds.
On the petrol side, the high-performance Countryman John Cooper Works (JCW) flagship wields a powerful 2.0l petrol turbo engine and all-wheel drive and blitzes the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.4 seconds.
The new X2 has a sportier fastback design.
Picture: SUPPLIED
BMW X2
BMW in October revealed its second-generation X2 Sports Activity Coupé (SAC).
Compared with the outgoing model unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, this comprehensively restyled newcomer is considerably roomier.
The first X2 blurred the lines between hatchback and estate but the second-generation model has a fastback design with an aggressively raked silhouette and coupé-like proportions.
The range-topping X2 M35i xDrive will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0l four-cylinder petrol engine making 233kW and 400Nm.
The M3 Touring hauls luggage at a fast pace.
Picture: SUPPLIED
BMW M3 Touring
Blending muscular performance with practicality, the first-ever M3 in station wagon body style will be made available in limited quantities as a direct rival to Audi’s RS4 Avant.
The M3 Competition Touring has the same powertrain as the regular M3 sedan and M4 Coupe, namely an M xDrive all-wheel drive system paired with a twin-turbo 3.0l straight-6 petrol engine with outputs of 375kW and 650Nm. It can haul large loads and sprint from 0-100km/h in a claimed 3.6 seconds.
The R 1300 GS continues the adventure-bike legacy with more power and less weight.
Motorcycles
The iconic twin-cylinder boxer-engined GS dual-purpose bike has been reborn with more power, less weight and a complete restyle. The new R 1300 GS is the latest model in a dynasty that began in 1980 with the GS 800 and gave birth to the adventure-bike genre.
The big GS is also more hi-tech with a new-generation electronic dynamic suspension adjustment (DSA) that adapts to various road and off-road conditions.
The middleweight F 750 GS and F 850 GS parallel-twin cylinder models evolve into the more powerful F 800 GS and F 900 GS respectively, with upgraded electronics, new suspension and improved off-road features.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
NEW MODELS
BMW M3 Touring and 5 Series soon to arrive in SA
New Mini and locally-built BMW X3 plug-in hybrid are part of a BMW onslaught in 2024
BMW enthusiasts have a raft of new models to look forward to in SA this year, including the launch of the all-new BMW 5 Series and locally built X3 plug-in hybrid.
At a media event in Midrand on Tuesday, BMW SA laid out its plans to introduce new cars and motorcycles from its BMW, Mini and BMW Motorrad stables.
BMW 5 Series
The midsized luxury sedan begins BMW’s local model onslaught when it arrives in showrooms at the end of February. The eighth-generation 5 Series, dubbed the G60, features a wealth of digital innovations and is available for the first time in an all-electric i5 model. The new 5 Series is more dynamic and comfortable than ever, with what BMW calls “a reduced design language” that emphasises sporty elegance and presence. Inside, the mostly digitised cockpit has fewer buttons and controls.
The new 5 Series will arrive in SA initially with the diesel-powered 520d and electric i5 M60 xDrive — the latter boasting outputs of 442kW and 820Nm and the ability to silently accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds. Its top speed is electrically limited to 230km/h, and the maximum range is a claimed 516km.
BMW X3
BMW SA announced last year it would spend R4.2bn over the next five years to build the next-generation X3 plug-in hybrid at its Rosslyn factory near Pretoria from 2024. The petrol-electric SUV will be built for sale locally and exported to other countries, while SA buyers will be able to buy X3 petrol and diesel models as imports.
The current third-generation X3 midsize premium SUV has been built in Rosslyn since 2018, with more than 300,000 units delivered. The new deal secures the future of the Rosslyn factory, which turned 50 last year, and the livelihood of more than 20,000 workers directly and indirectly employed at BMW SA and its supply chain.
Not much is known about the new fourth-gen X3 (internally known as the G45) but spy pictures suggest it will borrow heavily from the look of its little brother, the all-new X1 which went on local sale last year. Like the X1, it should have a larger grille and more aggressive, “planted” styling.
The new X3 is also likely to grow in size and gain enhanced safety features and driver-assistance technologies.
MINI
The fourth new Mini under BMW custodianship, the car will be introduced locally this year in five-door Countryman and three- and five-door Cooper hatch variants. They are larger than their predecessors and boast a cleaner design, a hi-tech interior with an OLED infotainment screen and an optional digital dog personal assistant.
Mini is to become an all-electric brand by 2030 but in the meantime the new line-up will include both battery-powered and petrol models.
The new Cooper SE electric has a much longer battery range of 402km and sprints from 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds.
On the petrol side, the high-performance Countryman John Cooper Works (JCW) flagship wields a powerful 2.0l petrol turbo engine and all-wheel drive and blitzes the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.4 seconds.
BMW X2
BMW in October revealed its second-generation X2 Sports Activity Coupé (SAC).
Compared with the outgoing model unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, this comprehensively restyled newcomer is considerably roomier.
The first X2 blurred the lines between hatchback and estate but the second-generation model has a fastback design with an aggressively raked silhouette and coupé-like proportions.
The range-topping X2 M35i xDrive will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0l four-cylinder petrol engine making 233kW and 400Nm.
BMW M3 Touring
Blending muscular performance with practicality, the first-ever M3 in station wagon body style will be made available in limited quantities as a direct rival to Audi’s RS4 Avant.
The M3 Competition Touring has the same powertrain as the regular M3 sedan and M4 Coupe, namely an M xDrive all-wheel drive system paired with a twin-turbo 3.0l straight-6 petrol engine with outputs of 375kW and 650Nm. It can haul large loads and sprint from 0-100km/h in a claimed 3.6 seconds.
Motorcycles
The iconic twin-cylinder boxer-engined GS dual-purpose bike has been reborn with more power, less weight and a complete restyle. The new R 1300 GS is the latest model in a dynasty that began in 1980 with the GS 800 and gave birth to the adventure-bike genre.
The big GS is also more hi-tech with a new-generation electronic dynamic suspension adjustment (DSA) that adapts to various road and off-road conditions.
The middleweight F 750 GS and F 850 GS parallel-twin cylinder models evolve into the more powerful F 800 GS and F 900 GS respectively, with upgraded electronics, new suspension and improved off-road features.
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