BMW is planning updates for its model lineup starting in a few months. Some of the updates will be quite significant and involve engines, while others will make selected options and features more available or affordable.
New engine options are coming for the BMW 3 Series and 4 Series. The BMW 325d Sedan and BMW 325d Touring will both receive a new four-cylinder diesel engine in March.
Meanwhile, the top-of-the line 4 Series will be the BMW 440i Coupe. It will be powered by a brand new three-liter inline six-cylinder BMW TwinPower turbocharged engine that develops 326 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. The 440i comes with either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic. The manual is standard equipment on the 440i Coupe, while the automatic is optional on the Coupe but standard on the 440 Convertible and 440i Gran Coupe.
The 440i lineup will also be available with the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system.
BMW xDrive also will be available on more 7 Series and 2 Series Gran Tourer models.
The BMW 430i Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe also get a new motor; this one a two-liter four-cylinder job that cranks 252 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. BMW xDrive can be had on all three 430i models, but opting for xDrive will also get you an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment.
Another four-cylinder, two-liter engine powers the BMW 420i Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe. This four-banger turns out a respectable 184 horsepower. xDrive versions of these three models will also be available, as will choices of manual and automatic transmissions.
The BMW 425d gets the new four-cylinder, turbocharged diesel motor. The 425d comes in Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe versions to take advantage of the new motor's 224 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque.
If you have seen videos of someone remotely telling a BMW 7 Series to park itself in a tight spot, this capability will be available on all 7 Series models starting this spring. The 7 Series will also get some additional exterior paint finishes, upholstery colors, and interior trim strips.
The BMW ConnectedDrive navigation package will be standard equipment on the BMW 6 Series in March, including a new menu display for the iDrive operating system. The 6 Series will also have the capability for wireless phone charging and wi-fi hotspots. The X3 and X4 will also get these ConnectedDrive features, but they will be optional.
The BMW 2 Series Convertible, 4 Series Convertible, and M4 Convertible will be available with an Open Air package. If you think it sounds like something useful for top-down driving, you’d be right. Features include an adjustable neck warmer, heated steering wheel, wind deflector, special loudspeaker system, and through-loading system between the trunk and rear passenger area.
Starting in April, the BMW X6, BMW X5M, and BMW X6M will have a rear-view camera as standard equipment. BMW is getting ahead of the curve here, because all vehicles in the U.S. under 10,000 pounds must come with rear-view cameras by model year 2018, as mandated by the Department of Transportation.
Park distance control—a very useful feature—has been optional on the BMW X5 and X6, but this spring, it will be a standard feature on both models.
Not every version of every model range will be available to U.S. buyers. Likewise, the options, features, and standard equipment list on Euro models may not be exactly the same as the U.S.-spec Bimmers.—Scott Blazey.
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]
