BMW previews five new models for an exhibition re-scheduled due to bad weather
After hosting an intimate lunch with a small media group, SMC Asia Car Distributors Corporation unveiled five new models that will be shown to the public at BMW’s Joyfest event.
The new models are a mix of performance, exclusivity, luxury and of course, value-for-money, a strength BMW seems to be excelling at lately with well-spec’d cars that are significantly more affordable than their other European rivals.
Of these new models, the BMW M3 CS and the BMW XM, stand out.
The M3 CS cranks up a regular M3 to 11, offering more power and performance, plus price with less weight. The CS sheds 34kg thanks to extensive use of carbon-fiber on the hood, roof, trunk and fenders plus the brake discs. Titanium is also used for the exhaust. Power is wound up to 550hp from the regular M3’s 510hp while torque remains the same at 650 Newton-Meters from the TwinPower Turbo S58 inline-6 gasoline engine. Inside, carbon fiber-backed bucket seats hold you in place as you grasp the suede-covered steering wheel.
According to BMW PH president Spencer Yu, the M3 CS is a limited model of about 2,000 units worldwide, and this is the sole unit imported into our country for now. Xdrive all-wheel drive is included to let you deploy all the power all the time. The M3 CS rides on double-staggered 19/20-inch front and rear wheels with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 track-day tires. BMW’s laser lights illuminate the night, ensuring you enjoy the drive even when the sun goes down. All this power, performance and exclusivity comes at a price: P16.89 million for BMW’s super sedan.
The next vehicle is the XM, BMW’s second purpose-built, developed from the ground-up M vehicle after the M1 supercar from the late 70’s to early 80’s. This massive sport activity vehicle (SAV, BMW-speak for their sport utility vehicle) is also the brand’s first plug-in hybrid M model, delivering a total of 653hp and a monumental 800 Newton-Meters of torque from its combined V8 turbocharged gasoline engine and electric motor. And the exhaust note sounds menacing, with start-up emitting a loud feral bark more at home in a sports car than a SUV. Inside, soft leather, the latest iDrive multi-media system and a powerful Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system keep you entertained. The XM has an all EV range of up to as much as 88km and an EV only top speed of 140kmh. It rides on massive 22-inch wheels. The XM comes with a considerable price to back up all that technology, with a P15.89 million price tag.
The third car is BMW’s all new 4-Series Gran Coupe, a 4-door coupe with all the practicality and versatility of a sedan albeit with a shapelier, coupe-like silhouette. 470-liter trunk space expands to 1,290 liters when you drop the 40/20/40 rear seats. Power is provided by BMW’s B48 inline 4-cylinder twinpower turbocharged gasoline engine, delivering 184hp and a very healthy 300 Newton-Meters of torque. You also get nice Tacora Red Sensatec leather interior and iDrive 7.0 inside. Rolling stock consists of 19-inch BMW M style 859 wheels. The 420i has an asking price of P4.89 million.
Aside from these three special models, BMW also revealed LCI (Life Cycle Impulse, BMW’s way of calling it a facelift and upgrade) versions of the popular X5 and X6 sport activity vehicles. Tweaks to the exterior and interior plus added equipment freshen up these models that are in the middle of their product life cycles as they make viable alternatives to their luxury rivals. The X5 starts at P5.99 million for the Business variant, while the more luxuriously appointed X6 xDrive30d M Sport is at P8.99 million. There is also a X5 xDrive30d M Sport variant priced similarly as the X6.
Of course, as with all BMW’s, these come with a 5-year / 200,000 kilometer warranty. Check them out at your nearest BMW dealership or wait for BMW’s announcement of their re-scheduled Joyfest event and see the cars with the entire family on a weekend!
