BMW reveals new model line-up plans & confirms X4 production

The BMW 1 Series range has been a shadow on the otherwise bright and shiny BMW range. The only silver lining within the range was the limited edition 1M Coupe. BMW realises this and the second generation 1 Series range is going to receive a dose of BMWness to make the car live up to the badge. 

While the base model 1 Series with their 1.6 litre petrol engine and 2.0 litre diesel engines will still be available in 5-door hatchback form. The 1 Series range will feature more exciting and dare we say ‘joyous’ models. 

Two new engines including a 2.0 litre diesel and 2.0 litre petrol will be on offer. The 125d diesel engine will feature a twin stage turbocharger, the engine will develop 221PS of power with 450Nm of torque. The 125i petrol engine will feature a twin scroll turbocharger and will develop 221PS of power with 310Nm of torque. The engine options will be available in 1 Series hatchbacks, coupes and convertibles. 

The BMW 1 Series hatchback, coupe and convertible will now be available in M Sport guise aswell. The BMW 1M cars will feature  M aerodynamic body styling, 18-inch M Star-spoke light alloy wheels, High-gloss Shadowline exterior trim and kidney grille with extra-wide high-gloss black vertical slats,  M Sport multifunction steering wheel and an M Sport short-shift gear lever.  M Sport suspension, lowering the car by 10mm, completes the package.

BMW have also revised the folding metal roof mechanism in their slick Z4 roadster. The folding roof of the Z4 now gets a reinforced hydraulic system to retract or raise itself on the move at speeds of up to 40 km/h. 

BMW have also decided to expand the entry level engine range for their bestselling 3 Series sedan. The three engines in question are a 1.6 litre diesel engine, a 1.8 litre diesel engine and a 2.0 litre petrol engine. Both diesel engines feature common-rail direct injection engine with a variable geometry turbo charger. The 3 Series 316d develops 117PS of power while the 3 Series318d with the bigger diesel engine develops 145PS of power. The 320i 3 Series BMW with its 2.0 litre petrol engine featuring direct injection, VALVETRONIC technology and a twin scroll turbocharger develops 186PS of power. 

BMW will now offer their 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon, the BMW 120d Hatch, BMW 520d EfficientDynamics Saloon, BMW 520d Saloon and Touring and the BMW 530d Saloon and Touring with the option of a storage catalytic converter which reduces the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions of the vehicle. 

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BMW has recently confirmed production of their new X4 SAV at their Spartanburg Plant in South Carolina, USA. Frank-Peter Arndt, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for the new BMW X4 project, has revealed that a further $ 900 million will be invested in the facility between now and 2014. 

The X4 is backed by demand on the SAV market and will be a four door vehicle to cater to a larger market instead of being a two door vehicle. Another reason for making it a four door vehicle is that the lower inner and outer side panels as well as the lower door skins to reduce production costs. When it comes into production the BMW X4 will compete with the likes of the forthcoming Audi Q6, Mercedes-Benz GLK and the Porsche Cajun. 

Frank-Peter Arndt justified the decision to take the X4 project forward by saying, “This is in response to rising global demand for our BMW X models and the expansion of the BMW X family to include the BMW X4. This will create 300 new jobs by the end of this year. This will allow us to produce 350,000 units in Spartanburg in the mid-term,”

The BMW X4 in essence will be a smaller version of the X6 with revised styling and a lighter price tag. Expect the car to hit markets across the world about three years from now.