BMW will have a significant presence at the upcoming New York International Auto Show, April 18–27. Headliners include the all-new BMW X4 Sports Activity Coupe and M4 convertible that will be making their world debuts. The updated BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle will also be introduced to North America, including the first BMW Advanced Diesel X3 model for the U.S.
But wait, there’s more! Also making their North American debuts will be the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé and the BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupé.
BMW will be bringing more than just these production cars. Anticipating a big splash will be the BMW Concept X5 eDrive plug-in hybrid, which is intended to showcase a new dimension of BMW EfficientDynamics technology in a full-size SAV.
The new BMW X4
According to BMW, the all-new X4 Sports Activity Coupe “combines the performance and capability of a premium Sports Activity Vehicle with the style and elegance of traditional coupe.” American buyers can choose either the X4 xDrive28i, with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $45,625 (including destination and handling), or the X4 xDrive35i, with an MSRP of $48,925 (including destination and handling). The X4 xDrive28i will be propelled by BMW’s 240 horsepower, two-liter, four-cylinder engine that takes the X4 from zero to 60 in six seconds, while the X4 xDrive35i gets the 300 horsepower, three-liter, inline six that makes the zero to 60 sprint in just 5.2 seconds. Both models have an eight-speed Steptronic sport automatic transmission with shift paddles and, as their names imply, will have xDrive, BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive system.
The new BMW M4 Convertible
The new 2015 BMW M4 Convertible joins its siblings—the BMW M4 Coupe and M3 Sedan—with similar power and performance but with two distinctive appearances. With the top down, it’s a classic convertible; but with the retractable hardtop up, it has an aggressive and stunning coupelike look. The M4 convertible gets the BMW TwinPower Turbo inline-six engine as the M3 and M4, with 425 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, and the same transmission choices: either the standard manual six-speed or a seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission with paddle shifters. Zero to 60 mph happens in 4.2 seconds with the DCT and 4.4 seconds with the standard six-speed manual
The BMW M4 Convertible is due to arrive at U.S. dealers in late summer 2014.
The new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
The new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe adds a line to one of BMW’s newest model ranges, and looks good doing it. Basically, it takes the two-door 4 Series Coupe and adds two doors and a spacious, hatch-accessed cargo compartment for greater flexibility. Two models will be available in the U.S. starting in early summer. The 428i Gran Coupe gets the 240-horsepower TwinPower Turbo two-liter, four-cylinder while the 435i Gran Coupe will be powered by BMW’s 300-horsepower TwinPower Turbo three-liter inline six. The 428i xDrive Gran Coupe can also be had with xDrive. The standard transmission for both models will be an eight-speed sport automatic transmission. MSRP for the 428i Gran Coupe will be $41,225. The 428i with xDrive will start at $43,225. The top-of-the-line 435i Gran Coupe will have an MSRP of $46,725. All prices include $925 destination & handling.
The 2015 BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe
The 2015 BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe brings ALPINA’s blend of super-high performance and individuality in a gorgeous 6 Series Gran Coupe body that also features xDrive. The 540-horsepower Alpina Bi-Turbo V8 and eight-speed Sport Automatic Transmission with Alpina’s Switch-Tronic system takes the car from zero to 60 mph in only 3.7 seconds. The 2015 BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe will be available at authorized U.S. BMW centers with a MSRP of $118,225 including $925 destination and handling.
The 2015 BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle
The 2015 BMW X3 is an update to the second generation model. In addition to a styling makeover, the vehicle will be available for the first time in the U.S. with BMW Advanced Diesel power. A rear-wheel drive model—the X3 sDrive28i—will also be available for the U.S. market for the first time.
The 2015 BMW X3 will go on sale in spring 2014 as a 2015 model with prices starting at an MSRP of $39,325 for the X3 sDrive28i (rear-wheel drive). The X3 xDrive28i (with BMW xDrive) will have an MSRP of $40,725, while the X3 xDrive35i will have an MSRP of $46,025. The all-new X3 xDrive28d with BMW Advanced Diesel technology will start at $42,825. All prices include $925 Destination & Handling fee.
The new X3 xDrive28d will feature BMW’s two-liter TwinPower Turbo diesel four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, channeled through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The X3 xDrive28d will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just under eight seconds.
The rear-wheel drive X3 sDrive28i and the all-wheel drive X3 XDrive28i both feature a two-liter TwinPower Turbo gasoline engine, which produces 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The X3 sDrive28i goes from zero to 60 in 6.2 seconds.
The 2015 BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle will arrive in U.S. showrooms this spring.
The BMW Concept X5 eDrive
BMW’s aim with the Concept X5 eDrive plug-in hybrid is to demonstrate radical reductions in fuel consumption and emissions in the SAV segment. A conventional 245-horsepower, four-cylinder gasoline engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology is paired with a 95-horsepower electric motor. Operating on electric power alone, the X5 eDrive can travel up to 20 miles at speeds of up to 75 mph. On the highway with the gasoline engine augmented by the electric motor, fuel efficiency of up to 62 miles per gallon is achievable.
The electric motor’s lithium-ion battery is housed beneath the luggage compartment, so no cargo space is lost.
This is BMW’s first attempt at hooking up eDrive technology with the xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system. Regardless of the selected driving mode, the drive power generated by the electric motor, the gasoline engine, or the two units acting in unison is channeled effectively to where it is needed most.
The BMW Concept X5 eDrive is a plug-in hybrid that can be recharged from any domestic power socket, a special Wallbox that can handle higher currents, or at a public high-speed charging station. The Wallbox Pro is meant for installation in the customer’s garage, is easy to use, and offers a very short battery recharging times.
—Scott Blazey
