BMW South Africa has had a pretty decent year so far. It kicked things off with the local introduction of its all-new 3 Series, followed by a number of vehicles that undoubtedly moved the poles a bit. In this article we’ll be looking at the vehicles BMW launched in 2019.
Note: BMW’s year is not yet over, as the Bavarian automaker still has a busy second half of the year awaiting it.
BMW 3 Series
In March, BMW launched its new 3 Series. At first glance, it may seem like an evolution from the old model, but the design is merely the tip of the iceberg for what the new 3 has to offer.
From a technological point of few, it gave the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4 notice that there’s a new chief in town. BMW spared no punches when constructing the car and is it one of the most advanced vehicles it’s ever produced.
From the off BMW only had the 320d and 330i available to local customers, but towards year-end the range will be expanded with a 340i petrol model. The 320d’s turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engine delivers 140kW and 400Nm and the eight-speed automatic gearbox is said to help keep fuel consumption down to around 4.6 L/100km. The 330i is also powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre, but this petrol mill produces 190kW and 400Nm. As the more sports-orientated car in the range (at least until the 340i arrives), the 330i sprints from 0 – 100km/h in 5.8 seconds and onto a top speed of 250km/h.
Priced from: R649 253
BMW Z4
The BMW Z4 has been absent from the market for a good couple of years, but in 2019 it made its return. And the excitement around it is (still) rife! Available with a 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine, this car has all the makings of a proper BMW. The elongated hood stretching out in front of the driver, the seating for two, two folding soft-top for blissful driving experiences… it is all elements associated with the Z4.
The 2.0-litre petrol engine churns out 145kW and 320Nm and like the 3.0-litre, power is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The 3.0-litre, on the other hand, does duty in the Z4 M40i and produces a stellar 250kW and 500Nm of torque. BMW says that this model will jump to 100km/h from standstill in 4.5 seconds!
Fuel consumption on either model is not important, but if you are one of those who tread lightly, BMW claims that the M40i will return 7.4 L/100km. Good luck achieving that with a car that’s made for sheer driving pleasure!
Priced from: R759 442
BMW 8 Series
Replacing the BMW 6 Series, the 8 Series is automaker’s new sexy coupé. Featuring an impressive design and a very stylish outlook, the 8 Series is BMW’s new definition of a beautiful car. Only one engine is available, but the car can be specified in either coupé or convertible formats.
The M850i xDrive is powered by a turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine that produces *gulp 390kW and 750Nm! That’s a crapload of power that sees the 8 Series perform the 0 – 100km/h dash in 3.9 seconds! 3.9! That’s blisteringly quick.
Part of what helps the 8 Series perform so ferociously is BMW’s xDrive system. The system allows for all four wheels to offer stupendous grip off the line, but its rear-wheel biased nature allows for drivers to still feel that typical BMW drive. Also added to the rear differential is an electric motor. This piece of technology allows for the car the shoot out of corners much quicker, thanks to the extra burst of power.
The M850i xDrive coupé retails for R1.8-million and the M850i xDrive convertible from R2.0-million.
BMW X7
Sitting at the top of BMW’s SUV offering is its new X7. Stretching over 5m in length and standing 1.8m off the ground, the X7 is quite literally the biggest vehicle BMW will launch this year. Thanks to its size, seven passengers can squeeze into the cabin across three rows of seats. Optionally, buyers can specify to have the middle row of seats as two individual units. The spaciousness of the cabin stretches to the rear too, where the X7’s boot can be expanded from 326L to 2 120L when the second and third rows folded down.
Four models comprise the X7 range, consisting of three xDrive30d models and one M50d. All the models are driven by BMW’s turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel engine, but for application in the M50d four turbos have been bolted onto the engine. That translates into a power output of 294kW and 760Nm. In the xDrive30d power is rated at 195kW and 620Nm. Both models implement an eight-speed automatic gearbox that sends power to the rear wheels.
As is expected, the X7 is filled to the brim with technologies and are there only a few optional extras buyers can tick off.
Priced from: R1.5-million
BMW 7 Series facelift
The BMW 7 Series is no stranger to premium car owners and did BMW launch the facelift version of the car this year. The 7 Series is no doubt an important vehicle in BMW’s line-up, as it often gives an indication of what technologies we can expect on all current and future BMWs.
Locally, BMW will only sell the Long Wheelbase models, comprising six-, eight-, and 12-cylinder engines. The M760Li xDrive V12 (from R2.8-million) sends 430kW and 850Nm to all four wheels, followed by the 750Li V8 (390kW/750Nm), 740Li (250kW/450Nm) and 730Ld (195kW/620Nm). The latter is the only diesel model in the range and, like the 740Li, implements a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine.
A hybrid model also forms part of the range in the form of the 745Le xDrive and produces 290kW and 600Nm from the internal combustion engine with hybrid technology. In electric mode, this derivative will cover 46km.
Pricing starts at R1.6-million.
