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Matt Brogan5 Mar 2015
NEWS

Big year ahead for BMW

More than a dozen new models are expected from BMW over the coming 12 months

BMW says it is looking forward to a busy 12 month period with no fewer than a dozen new or refreshed models expected.

In addition to the 2 Series Convertible (pictured), which lands in dealerships this month (March), the Bavarian marque will also introduce several hatch, sedan and SUV variants, under its BMW, BMWi and MINI nameplates.

Immediately following the 2 Series Convertible BMW will begin deliveries of its i8 electric-hybrid super car to Australian buyers. BMW Australia's head of product and marketing, Shawn Ticehurst says the model has already begun appearing in customer driveways, each priced at almost $300,000 apiece.

"We had the first car delivered in December last year, with another eight to 10 through to the end February," said Ticehurst. "There's a good order bank and a decent supply, and the same is true of the i3. It's surprising that most of the customers are existing BMW owners, and with the i3 there's a lot of M3 and M5 owners who are buying one as a second car, real enthusiasts."

The i8's arrival will be followed by the M-enhanced version of Australia's best-selling prestige SUV, the X5, and equally impressive coupe-bodied X6 M in May. The X5 M and X6 M will share a platform and mechanicals, the heart of which is a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 capable of pushing the X5 M to 100km/h in an estimated (and staggering!) 4.2sec.

BMW says the X5 M will retail from $185,900 (plus on-road costs), an increase of $2200 over its predecessor. The X6 M on the other hand will sell from $194,700 (plus ORCs), a $4125 premium against the outgoing model.

In spite of their bulk, the 2300kg-plus SUVs will arrive 20 per cent more fuel efficient than before, sipping 11.1L/100km on the ADR Combined cycle. Both models include as standard an M-specific eight-speed automatic transmission with launch control and paddle shifts, and permanent xDrive all-wheel drive. Lowered M suspension with adaptive dampers and huge 21-inch wheels are also on the kit list.

At the 'greener' end of the X5 range, the eHybrid plug-in hybrid variant will also arrive (overseas) in May. Expected to be one of the most frugal SUVs in its class, the X5 eHybrid will draw motivation from the combination of a twin-turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor.

"The eHyrbid will probably be next year (2016) for us, we're just looking at what the best time is for us to launch it," explained Ticehurst. "We're looking at other plug-in hybrid models throughout the range, and that decision is being finalised right now."

Ticehurst said the model will be competitively priced, indicating that it will arrive within the range of current petrol and diesel-powered variants.

"We're looking at the moment at where it will sit in the range, but it certainly won't be at the upper-end," he intimated. "It's an interesting topic this one. There simply aren't the incentives that there are in other markets — such as in parts of Europe and in California particularly — so the sort of customers that are going to buy them are more interested in the technology at this point. That said we'll try to make it as attractive as we can."

It's expected the model could consume as little as 3.8L/100km on the ADR Combined cycle – bettering the economy of the eminent Toyota Prius (3.9). And if the concept version of the X5 eHybrid is any guide, the model could also travel up to 30km before using petrol power, and at speeds of more than 100km/h.

A busy mid-year period will see the facelift of the 6 Series arrive in Australia from June with the refreshed 1 Series debuting in July. Dubbed LCI (or Life Cycle Impulse), the face-lifted models will include minor cosmetic and equipment upgrades that will serve to carry the models to their respective replacement in "two to three year's time".

The 1 Series LCI will continue to be powered by its current range of engines locally, and will not receive the new family of engines from the MINI — including three-cylinder engines in both petrol and diesel formats, or the Cooper S's turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder mill.

"It's a good facelift," said Ticehurst. "But one of the models we're really going to focus on is the 125i. When we look at the range it performs well and is well priced — it's really not that far away from something like a Volkswagen Golf GTI — so we want to do a bit more with that car."

Ticehurst suggested that the car may be more highly equipped in order to make it more appealing, but said the pricing was unlikely to move from its current position (from $48,000 plus ORCs).

"We probably won't bring the price down," explained Ticehurst. "But we'll reposition it a bit and make it more attractive in terms of what it offers the customer.

From July, BMW will enjoy a small break ahead of the (global) arrival of its i8 Spyder in October. The convertible version of its fuel-sipping supercar is expected to fetch a premium over the $299,000 list price of the hard-top version, but will still hit 100km/h in 5.0sec or less.

Like the Coupe, the i8 Spyder will be powered by the combination of an electric motor up front and a 1.5-litre direct-injected and turbocharged three-cylinder (164kW/300Nm) at the rear. As to when it will arrive in Australia, Ticehurst said simply: "we haven't confirmed it just yet".

Around the same time, the all-new X1 small SUV is expected to make its debut at the Frankfurt motor show.

The model will replace the current X1, which has been on sale since 2009. The new X1 will be the first to feature diesel and petrol three-cylinder engines, a trend developing through a range of BMW and MINI vehicles, such as the i3, the i8 and Cooper range.

Expected to offer improved value via a lower list price or through the addition of more equipment, the shorter new X1 will vie closely against Mercedes-Benz's newly launched GLA-Class and Audi's refreshed Q3. BMW's local spokesperson says the model "could arrive later this year, but it's far more likely we'll see it in early 2016."

As to when the coupe-bodied X2 — essentially a scaled-down version of the X4 and X6 — might arrive to join the X1 (with shared UKL2 chassis underpinnings) was too far ahead for Ticehurst to speculate, which echoes the sentiment expressed by BMW Australia managing director, Marc-Heinrich Werner, at the launch of the new X6 earlier this year.

Werner told motoring.com.au in February that should the competitor to Mercedes-Benz's GLE and GLC-Class actually exist, it would most certainly be on the wish-list.

"If there's demand for whatever you want to call it, an additional variant in the X range, we'll be more than happy to look into it. At this point in time I cannot comment on whether such a product is coming," Werner said previously.

Running the smaller version of BMW's modular UKL1 architecture, the 2 Series Gran Tourer is also expected before year's end. The seven-seat version of the 2 Series Active Tourer will likewise be front-wheel drive, featuring an engine range familiar to the updated 1 Series LCI, MINI Cooper / Cooper S range and, you guessed it, the 2 Series Active Tourer.

In Europe the model will compete with the likes of the Ford S-Max (not sold locally), and will measure 4600mm long, some 214mm more than the 2 Series Active Tourer. With a longer 2780mm wheelbase the 2 Series Gran Tourer will offer greater luggage space (+85 litres to 645 litres) than its smaller sibling. It's also expected to be reasonably brisk, with the mid-spec 220i version quoting a 0-100km/h time of 7.7sec.

The 2 Series Gran Tourer is also expected to trial new infotainment technology for BMW, including a child-friendly app dubbed myKIDO, accessed and changed by the front-seat passengers and the console-mounted iDrive controller.

BMW Australia's general manager of corporate communications, Lenore Fletcher, told motoring.com.au previously that the 2 Series Gran Turismo's chances in Australia were contingent on "customer feedback"; though with pricing and the availability of seven seats in the new X5 equally enticing, it's arguable that the model is surplus to requirement locally.

From October BMW Australia is also expected to introduce its second update of the 3 Series, and may even introduce the 3 Series eHyrbid (plug-in). The launch is likely to coincide with the arrival of the third-generation MINI Cabrio and Clubman, which will feature new three- and four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, like the Cooper and Cooper S.

The new 7 Series will also arrive later this year or early in 2016, Ticehurst saying the model has a "real presence about it" with technology and a buyer-focus that is "ready to challenge the S-Class, especially for buyers who spend their time in the back of the car".

Beyond the models listed above the likelihood is that BMW will introduce its X7 large SUV sometime in 2017, around the same time as its Z5 sports.

Likely to compete against Audi's upcoming Q7 and the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class the X7 is expected to become Australia's sixth BMW SUV, joining the established X1, X3, X4, X5 and X6.

It's expected the X7 will measure 200mm longer than the current X5, with a longer wheelbase and rear overhang. It will be built alongside the X5 and X6 at BMW's Spartanburg plant in South Carolina and (understandably) will feature similar driveline options to its 'smaller' siblings – including the option of an eHybrid variant, as mentioned for the X5 and 3 Series LCI earlier.

As for the Z4 successor, the Z5, the jury is still out. There's very little information circulating on the upcoming roadster, with sources inside BMW remaining tight-lipped. The German brand told Bloomberg previously that the model has successfully passed its feasibility study, leaving us to speculate that a 2017 arrival is the strongest prospect.

Likely to form part of a joint-venture with the next Toyota Supra, the Z5 is tipped to arrive initially with six-cylinder petrol power in the form of an all-new 3.0-litre unit codenamed B58. Expected to produce 250kW and 440Nm the turbocharged mill would prove exciting in a car set to weigh just 1400kg, though four-cylinder and possibly even an all-wheel drive hybrid variant of the model are also rumoured.

Toyota and BMW are also set to join forces on the MINI Minor / Toyota Starlet sub-light hatch, while a smaller SUV, likely dubbed Sport Cross, XCite or X0 (zero) will arrive around the same time (2017-18).

BMW and MINI new model calendar:
i8 customer deliveries (March 2015)
X5 M and X6 M (May 2015)
X5 eHybrid (May 2015)
6 Series LCI (June 2015)
MINI John Cooper Works (June 2015)
1 Series LCI (July 2015)
i8 Spyder (October 2015)
New X1 (October 2015)
MINI Cabrio and Clubman LCI (October 2015)
M2 (late 2015)
M4 GTS (late 2015)
3 Series LCI (early 2016)
3 Series eHybrid (early 2016)
New 7 Series (early 2016)
X7 (2016-17)
Z5 (2016-17)
MINI Minor (2017-18)
1 Series Sport Cross (2017-18)

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Written byMatt Brogan
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