BMW News

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The all new M3 and M4 is here!

Here are the latest generation (G80) M3 Competition and (G82) M4 Competition models, which promise to blend searing performance with everyday usability. Unfortunately there’s no getting away from the debate over those new (and huge) front kidney grilles. We do think they’ll become accepted over time, it’s a bit like Chris Bangle’s flame surfacing. When the furore died down the various ‘Bangleised’ models became accepted and sold well, which is all that matters to BMW, and most of the once-controversial designs have stood the test of time well, the E60 5 Series and the Z4 being two we could mention. So given time, the grilles will, we predict, be accepted by most in the BMW community.

But back to the cars – both are powered by a 3.0-litre M TwinPower Turbo six cylinder in-line engine, mated to a (standard) specially tuned eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. Thus equipped, the engine produces 510bhp and 650Nm of torque, allowing both the M3C and M4C to sprint to 60mph in (a conservative) 3.7 seconds, although when equipped with all-wheel-drive (M xDrive all-wheel-drive versions to be available from summer 2021) we expect the sprint to be covered in 3.0 seconds, or probably less. Top speed as always is limited to 155mph, rising to 180mph if the optional M Pro Package is specified.

The new M3C Saloon and M4C Coupé occupy very different territory - one a saloon with space for five occupants, the other a four-seater coupé - but they both achieve their common goal

After an absence of more than 20 years, BMW’s legendary

‘ti’ model designation returns in the 1 Series line-up with the 128ti. Designed to deliver exceptional driving enjoyment, with

M Sport specification as standard, the exclusively front-wheeldrive model fulfils its sporting promise. The 128ti is equipped with a Torsen limited-slip differential, specially tuned M Sport suspension, optimised eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission and a 2.0-litre, 265bhp/400Nm engine with

BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. Performance is brisk. The 0-60mph dash takes 5.8 seconds while top speed is limited to 155mph. Despite the lively performance, the 128ti returns combined fuel consumption of 44.1 – 46.3mpg and emits 148139g/km of CO2. of delivering pure driving pleasure. Class-leading levels of standard equipment plus options that take individualisation to new heights, especially for racetrack outings, ensure both models will continue the success of their formidable predecessors.

Optional equipment is offered in six main packages – Comfort, Technology Plus, Visibility, M Carbon, M Pro and Ultimate. Beyond these packages, there will be a select number of optional items including M Brakes in red, blue or black, M Carbon exterior, M Carbon seats and Park Assistant Plus with Drive Recorder.

The new M3 Competition will be built at the Munich Plant, while the new M4 Competition will be produced at the Dingolfing Plant in East Bavaria, with the market launch for both models in March 2021. There are also non-competition versions of both cars with 48b0hp and a six-speed manual gearbox, but as we went to press it looks likely that BMW UK will only offer the Competition models here in the UK. The M3C is priced at £74,755 OTR in the UK and the M4C £76,055 OTR and both are available to order now.

There is a multitude of information on both cars at

BMW introduces new 128ti model

www.BMW.co.uk

The drivetrain includes the anti-roll bars and brakes from around 80kg lighter than the BMW M135i xDrive. the flagship BMW M135i xDrive, it also features a sporty The new 128ti is being launched this month and will be exterior and driver-focused interior that boasts exclusive details priced from £32,995 OTR – full details inc the spec etc is to distinguish it from other BMW 1 Series variants. It is also available at www.bmw.co.uk

New 4 Series Convertible breaks cover

NEWS 10 – BMWs new 128ti is available to order now

Totally overshadowed by the M3/M4 launch, BMW also unveiled the new 4 Series Convertible, also equipped with the controversial ‘toothy’ grill. BMW says the car has “bold, sporty and elegant styling with striking proportions” and we can’t disagree with most of those sentiments! The car features an all-new retractable fabric roof, meaning their dalliance with folding metal roofs is over for now. The new roof is electrically operated and comes in black fabric as standard with anthracite fabric as an option.

M Sport specification will be standard on UK cars, with an M-Sport Pro Edition also available, which brings larger wheels (19inch instead of 18-inch), three ‘exclusive’ paint colours, and a few extra accessories. All model variants in the 4 Series Convertible range will be equipped with the eight-speed Steptronic transmission as standard.

The new 4 Series Convertible will eventually be available with ten engine choices, but launches in 374bhp M440i xDrive format. The new 4 Series Convertible can be ordered now, with first deliveries starting in March 2021. Prices start at £45,785 OTR, although the launch M440i xDrive is priced at £59,645 OTR.

BMW sales boost in third quarter

BMW Group sales increased by 8.6% in the third quarter, with a total of 675,680 vehicles delivered to customers. As expected, the sales performance from January to September reflected the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. During this period, the company sold 1,638,316 (-12.5%) premium BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce vehicles worldwide, a 12.5% reduction on 2019 figures but still nowhere near as bad as some had predicted.

The BMW Group delivered a total of 116,381 (+20.0%) BMW and MINI electrified vehicles to customers in the first nine months of the year. With 54,719 units delivered in the third quarter, the company sold 46.6% more electrified vehicles than in the same period of 2019.

News from the Redux M3

As manufacturing of the body panel moulds moves into full swing, preparations are being made at the Redux workshop for the return of the bodyshell. The initial priority is to remove the original Diamondschwarz paint, achieved by a combination of pyrolysis (heat treatment) and blasting with crushed glass. The end result will be a clean metal surface on which the body fabrication can begin. During this stage, any imperfections in the steel shell will be addressed - e.g. the No 002 M3 has a small amount of corrosion in the passenger foot well, which will be rectified. Modifications are also made for the installation of all the new and bespoke parts. Some of these new parts have started to arrive at Redux’ workshop - see photos. Details of the bespoke parts being made for 002 will be shared soon - if you like beautifully engineered billet aluminium components, you’re in for a treat...

The body fabrication process requires considerable patience and skill; the aim is to incorporate a multitude of changes throughout the bodyshell whilst retaining

Parts are arriving all the time at Redux HQ for the 002 M3 build, including a set of AP Racing 6-pot callipers and a MoTeC M130 ECU. The most anticipated arrival has been the ultra-lightweight LITE↯BLOX LB20XX battery – the weight savings are unbelievable!

factory fit and finish. As Redux 002 is an evolution of the Sport Evo model, the goal is for the fit and finish to be of a higher standard than the iconic final edition E30 M3. By setting a new benchmark, Redux is paying homage to the elder statesman of the M3 / M4 lineage.

One of the most eagerly anticipated parts that arrived at Redux HQ was the LITE↯BLOX LB20XX battery (see photo); lite is the key word. To put it into context, most standard car batteries weigh in the region of 12-20kg (26.5-44lbs); this battery weighs in at an incredibly light 2kg (4.4lbs)! In addition, each model can be actively controlled via their LITE↯BLOX app with two innovative features:

I.K.O.S. – Intelligent Kill-OperationSwitch – complete disconnection from the vehicle in case of overload or via smartphone (alternative to the FIA kill switch for longer service life.

A.V.A.T. – Active Vehicle Anti-Theft – All vehicle peripherals / consumers are still supplied with power when stationary, but as soon as they are started without authorization, the LITE↯BLOX permanently disconnects.