BMW is a few months away from turning almost a century of life since it was founded in 1916 and has achieved a lot since then. The initials B M W stand for Bayerische Motoren Werke or Bavarian Motor Works in English and it began as an aircraft manufacturer with the circular red, blue and white logo becoming recognisable as the years went by. In 1923 BMW built the first motorcycle the R 32 and five years later in 1928 BMW became a car manufacturer offering the ultimate driving machines to this day. So closing a whole century of life we can only expect pleasant surprises from the Bavarian brand. By saying pleasant surprises we favour BMW M division the brilliant idea of BMW founded in 1970. Today the M division is in its prime as almost all its models have an M version offering joy to passionate drivers.
Bmw's anniversary will be combined with a range of sports models starting with the M4 GTS a racer close to the brand's racing roots. We should also expect a faster version of the BMW i8, the i8s with at least 100 horses more since it will wear the two-litre engine with 300 horses and acceleration to 100 from standstill under 4 dl probably without a roof...
According to rumours, BMW will build a two-seater roadster exclusively to celebrate the big anniversary and pay tribute to the company's founders and... and its fanatical fans!
BMW is preparing a dynamic entry in 2016, which is also its anniversary year. Soon to celebrate 100 years since its foundation, the company is using the stage of the International Motor Show B. America (NAIAS), in Detroit (January 11 - 24), for the world premieres of the BMW M2 and BMW X4 M40i sports models. The two new pavilion arrivals will be accompanied by groundbreaking BMW i models and innovative services covering all areas of electric mobility. The latest range of BMW ConnectedDrive applications and systems (such as Remote Control Parking) will also be present.
The BMW Group's successful presence in North America began 40+ years ago. The Bavarian automaker has been represented in the U.S. by its North American subsidiary BMW since 1975, and the company went on to build its own production plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1992. Model versions specifically for the American market and BMW's commitment to the North American racing championships. America, such as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (in which the new BMW M6 GTLM will race in 2016), underscore the importance of the BMW Group's second largest sales market, which also serves as an important reservoir of ideas for new developments. America has therefore become a second 'home' for the BMW Group, providing employment for over 70,000 people on this continent (within BMW itself and its joint ventures).
It is a success story that continues. An investment of one billion dollars is earmarked to increase productivity at the BMW Group's Spartanburg, South Carolina plant. The plant is expected to play an even more important role in the BMW Group's production network in the future. The Spartanburg plant builds BMW X models for customers around the world and has made BMW the largest U.S. automotive exporter by value. Along with the expansion of its production facilities, the company has placed a strong emphasis on the creation of two driving safety centers. One is the Performance Center at the Spartanburg Plant, and the other is located in California, in southern Palm Springs. Here, BMW drivers, future customers and friends of the brand experience the performance capabilities of the Ultimate Driving Tool through driving education seminars.
New BMW M 2 Coupe : a sports car with high, exciting performance.
In the early 1970s, the BMW 2002 turbo was already making a splash, thrilling the crowds with every appearance. The compact sports car perfectly embodied BMW's decision to offer extremely dynamic handling, agility and driving control. Now, after more than 40 years, BMW M GmbH presents the new BMW M2 confirming the continuation of this commitment. With a powerful, in-line six-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive (RWD) versatility, lightweight M Sport aluminium suspension and exciting styling, the new BMW M2 Coupe has all the ingredients to deliver the latest in driving pleasure.
The new BMW M2's new three-litre, in-line six-cylinder engine uses advanced M TwinPower Turbo technology that delivers 272 kW/370 hp at 6,500 rpm and is a benchmark in its class. The maximum torque of 465 Nm can be increased to 500 Nm instantaneously with the overboost function. The new BMW M2 with optional, seven-speed M - M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT) and Launch Control accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h, or 270 km/h with the M Driver Package. Nevertheless, with the M DCT transmission, fuel consumption of just 7.9 litres per 100 km and CO2 emissions of 185 g/km, the car impresses with its outstanding performance.
Driving pleasure is enhanced by activating the M Dynamic Mode (MDM) of the Dynamic Stability Control system. MDM allows wheel slip and therefore moderate, controlled drift (power oversteer) on the track.
New BMW X 4 M 40 i: class-leading dynamic behaviour.
The successful BMW X4 range gets a new flagship with the arrival of the BMW X4 M40i. Featuring even more dynamic handling, distinctive looks and exclusive equipment, BMW once again becomes the dominant player in the Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) segment.
A new, in-line six-cylinder M Performance TwinPower Turbo engine celebrates its world premiere in the BMW X4 M40i. With 3,000 cc, it delivers 265 kW/360 hp between 5,800 and 6,000 rpm and 465 Nm of torque. With this high-performance engine and cutting-edge M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology, the BMW X4 M40i accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds to a top speed of 250 km/h (electronic cut-off).
BMW i : a pioneer in electric driving pleasure and everyday usability.
Following the successful global launch of the genuine electric BMW i3 (combined cycle energy consumption: 12.9 kWh, combined cycle CO2 emissions: 0 g/km)* and the plug-in hybrid sports car BMW i8 (combined cycle fuel consumption: 2.1 l/100 km, combined cycle CO2 emissions: 49 g/km)*, BMW i is establishing itself as a pioneer in the field of sustainable mobility with a growing range of models and related services.
Since its first appearance on the car market in late 2013, the BMW i brand has become a successful chapter in BMW's history. With the BMW i3 - the world's first compact premium, all-electric vehicle - and the revolutionary, hybrid sports car BMW i8, BMW i has two models that enjoy immense popularity and high demand around the world. As a result, BMW has strengthened its position in the electric car market. In particular, one in 10 electric passenger vehicles delivered to customers around the world since the BMW i was launched is the i3 model. In America, this ratio is one in eight electric cars, and in Germany one in five (all figures calculated up to October 2015). In addition, the BMW i3 is the world's third best-selling electric car - and the only one that can increase its operating range with the optional Range Extender system. Another crucial fact for BMW stemming from the strong demand for BMW i models is that four out of five BMW i3 customers in Europe were owners of vehicles from other manufacturers - so they are new to the BMW brand.
BMW i also plays another important role by transferring its technology to other BMW models. All BMW plug-in hybrid models, for example, adopt the BMW eDrive technology developed for BMW i cars in the form of electric motors, power electronics, high-voltage batteries and intelligent energy management. In the same way, the experience gained over the use of industrially produced CFRP in the development phase of BMW i models has helped to reduce the weight of the new BMW 7 Series luxury sedans.
The latest innovations in BMW ConnectedDrive :
intelligent applications and systems increase safety and comfort.
BMW underlines the latest achievements in intelligent connectivity with an even greater variety of driver support systems and applications that take comfort and safety to new levels. The latest developments in BMW ConnectedDrive include Remote Control Parking, extended functionality for Driving Assistant, BMW Night Vision with highlighting light and Surround View with 3D View.
