BMW at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2019.

The joy of driving, the excitement of sports performance and the passion for racing will greet visitors to the BMW stand at the Los Angeles Auto Show, taking place on 22 November – 1 December 2019. Taking centre stage for the German premium carmaker are the world or show premieres of the latest new arrivals from BMW M GmbH. New high-performance models for the luxury class, Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) and premium compact segments add further variety to the line-up of models combining standout dynamics, agility and precision with unrestricted everyday usability.

The Los Angeles Auto Show 2019 is the venue for the world premiere of the BMW M8 Gran Coupe and BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupe  four-door high-performance sports cars. It will also host the first public unveiling of the new BMW M2 CS, the exclusive special edition leading the way in the elite compact sports car class. Celebrating their show premieres, meanwhile, are the latest high-performance models from the BMW X family: the new BMW X5 M, new BMW X5 M Competition, new BMW X6 M and new BMW X6 M Competition.

The world premiere of the first ever BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe sees BMW transporting its highly successful four-door coupe concept from higher up its model range into the premium compact segment. This more flamboyant alternative to classical sedans makes a bold statement in terms of individuality, aesthetics and emotionality, and adds innovative control/operation and connectivity, a high level of everyday practicality and the dynamic élan expected of a BMW. Another visitor attraction at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2019 will be the BMW Motorrad Concept R 18. This perfectly formed concept bike brings together the past and future of the BMW Motorrad brand in impressive style.  

The new models sharing the spotlight on America’s west coast underscore the status of BMW as a maker of premium vehicles whose modern design language, sublime dynamics and ultra-advanced technology in the areas of driver assistance, control/operation and connectivity exude a powerful allure. The innovative talents of the BMW Group in the development fields D+ACES (Design, Automated Driving, Connectivity, Electrification and Services) – identified as central future-focused fields by the company in its NUMBER ONE > NEXT strategy – are reflected more than ever in the BMW model line-up. Added to which, the brand’s stronger presence in the luxury segment and the continued success of the BMW X models are among the key pillars underpinning its enduring growth in the world’s car markets.

World premiere: the new BMW M8 Gran Coupe and new BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupe bring together high performance with show-stopping presence and progressive luxury.

BMW M GmbH is adding a pair of four-door high-performance sports cars to its luxury-segment model range. The BMW M8 Gran Coupe and new BMW M8 Gran Coupe Competition fuse stunning power and superbly controllable dynamics with bold lines and progressive luxury. Defining elements of its striking appearance are a dynamically stretched silhouette, powerful shoulders, a distinctively sculpted rear end and M-specific features designed to deliver exceptional sporting prowess. A 200-millimetre-longer wheelbase than the two-door BMW M8 models creates a significantly greater feeling of space in the two full-size rear seats. And a third seat is also on hand in the rear compartment for shorter journeys.

The power behind the standout performance required of the new cars is provided by a high-revving 4.4-litre V8 engine with the latest M TwinPower Turbo technology, which develops 441 kW/600 hp in the new BMW M8 Gran Coupe and as much as 460 kW/625 hp in the new BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupe. The all-wheel-drive system M xDrive channels the engine’s power onto the road with poise and authority via a centrally controlled interaction with the Active M Differential at the rear axle. Deactivating the stability control system brings 2WD mode into play, with drive fed exclusively through the rear wheels. The model-specific suite of chassis technology includes electronically controlled dampers and an integrated braking system enabling two different brake pedal settings. The new BMW M8 Gran Coupe sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.3 seconds, while the new BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupe needs just 3.2 seconds.

A characteristic M cockpit design and luxurious standard specification bring an exclusive sports-car ambience to the interior. The Setup button governing configuration of the engine, dampers, steering, M xDrive and brakes, the M Mode button – which allows the functional reach of the driver assistance systems and the display screens to be configured as required – and the standard BMW Live Cockpit Professional (complete with navigation system and BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant) represent the latest advances in the areas of control/operation and connectivity.

Show premiere for the new BMW X5 M and new BMW X5 M Competition, new BMW X6 M and new BMW X6 M Competition: SAVs and SACs of unshakable dominance.

Also offering exclusive ways to experience the signature performance attributes of BMW M cars are the newcomers to the luxury SAV and SAC segments. The BMW X5 M, BMW X5 M Competition, BMW X6 M and BMW X6 M Competition celebrate their joint show premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2019. An underlying concept laced with M-specific expertise imbues them with driving characteristics defined by supreme agility, dynamism and precision. And these talents are complemented by the versatility for which BMW X models are renowned, a bold design and modern interior luxury.

The third generation of the largest SAV and SAC models in the BMW M GmbH stable bring an even greater degree of dominance, fuelled both by their performance levels and their visual appearance. The high-revving V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology generates 441 kW/600 hp in the BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M or 460 kW/625 hp in the Competition models. Engine power is transferred to the road by means of an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system with bespoke tuning and an Active M Differential at the rear axle. The exceptionally precise power transfer, M-specific suspension – tailored to both the engine’s performance profile and the SAV / SAC vehicle concept – and design features taken from the M playbook ensure imposing power and supremely controllable handling, even at the dynamic limits. The BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds, while the Competition models complete the same sprint in 3.8 seconds.

Other ingredients in their imposing appearance include unmistakable SAV / SAC proportions and hallmark M features designed to optimise the supply of cooling air and aerodynamic efficiency. Once inside, customers can enjoy the sumptuous ambience created by the high levels of space, the variable-usage flexibility of the interior, the raised seating position, exquisite materials and build quality defined by precision craftsmanship. Standard equipment also includes M-specific displays and controls (e.g. the Setup button, gearshift paddles and M buttons on the steering wheel and the M Mode button), plus features such as M multifunction seats and the BMW Live Cockpit Professional. 

World premiere: the new BMW M2 CS – a top-class compact sports car for the road and race track.

The new BMW M2 CS is set to cut an extremely powerful, highly exclusive figure and exude a fascinating sense of racing authenticity at its world premiere in Los Angeles. The special-edition M2 CS brings the successful recipe embodied by the track-focused BMW M3 CS and BMW M4 CS models into the premium compact segment for the first time. And the new BMW M2 CS follows the lead of its larger siblings in setting new standards in its class for dynamic ability, agility and precision. It therefore also provides the basis for the new entry-level model from BMW M Motorsport. Designed for amateur racing and the new Clubsport segment, the BMW M2 CS Racing will be available from 2020.

Model-specific design elements also showcase the car’s distinctive character on the road. Foremost here are the carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof, an array of other CFRP components and the newly designed bonnet, under which resides the twin-turbo six-cylinder in-line engine developing a maximum 331 kW/450 hp – up 29 kW/40 hp on the output of the BMW M2 Competition.

The overall package of bespoke performance-maximising features on the road and track also includes Adaptive M suspension and 19-inch forged light-alloy wheels with Cup tyres. The new BMW M2 CS accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds when equipped with the standard six-speed manual gearbox – or 4.0 seconds with the optional seven-speed M double-clutch transmission (M DCT). Likewise on the options list for the new BMW M2 CS are M Carbon ceramic brakes. Highlights of the pared-back cockpit design, meanwhile, include the centre console and door panel trim in CFRP, super-lightweight M Sport seats, Alcantara armrests and an interior trim strip with red “CS” badging.

World premiere: the first ever BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe raises the bar for aesthetic appeal and individuality in the premium compact segment.

BMW is transferring the already successful four-door coupe concept from the upper echelons of its model range into the premium compact class. The first ever BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe brings a fresh dose of aesthetic appeal and individuality into this segment. Its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2019 will therefore reveal a design-focused, emotionally engaging alternative to classical sedans, one that will soon also be turning heads and stealing hearts on the road. A dynamically stretched silhouette, eye-catching shoulders and frameless side windows create an elegantly sporting appearance. But the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe also offers generous levels of space for passengers in the rear and a load compartment capacity of 430 litres. Market launch will get underway in March 2020, and the new model will be produced at BMW Plant Leipzig. In the shape of the BMW 228i xDrive and BMW M235i xDrive, the compact four-door car will serve as the entry-level model for the brand’s range in the US market.

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe combines its bold appearance with the sporting prowess expected of BMW, a high degree of everyday practicality and innovative control/operation and connectivity technology. It is based on the advanced front-wheel-drive architecture used by the BMW 1 Series. The perfectly orchestrated interaction between cutting-edge chassis engineering, innovative technologies and all of the integrated components and control systems that impact the car’s driving dynamics gives the car outstanding dynamism. One crucial element here is the near-actuator wheel slip limitation (ARB) technology familiar from the BMW i models and new BMW 1 Series, which allows wheel slip to be controlled much more precisely and swiftly. On the 225 kW/306 hp BMW M235i xDrive range topper (fuel consumption combined: 7.1 – 6.7 l/100 km [39.8 – 42.2 mpg imp]; CO₂ emissions combined: 162 – 153 g/km), intelligent all-wheel drive and a mechanical limited-slip differential on the front axle further enhance the car’s sporting ability. Advanced driver assistance tech and the state-of-the-art operating system (available as an option with BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant) accentuate the high-class premium character of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.

The BMW Motorrad Concept R 18 – the past and future of BMW Motorrad come together in a perfectly formed concept bike.

The BMW Motorrad Concept R 18 brings the essence of big BMW Motorrad classics into the modern age, fusing historical motorcycle design with a contemporary, custom attitude in the process. It could be viewed as a return to the brand’s core, but given a modern twist. “With this dream bike, we are presenting our own vision of an emotional and authentic BMW Motorrad offering for the large cruiser segment,” says Dr Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad, to describe the design. “The related production bike with the Big Boxer will follow in the second half of 2020, and be named the BMW R 18.”

The BMW Group unveiled the BMW Motorrad Concept R 18 at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on the banks of Lake Como in Italy in early summer, treating the galleries to a pared-back, historically inspired take on the Big Boxer concept. Then at the world’s biggest motorcycle show – the EICMA in Milan – came the second sensational concept bike based on a big boxer engine: the BMW Motorrad Concept R 18 /2 (pronounced “slash two”). This was the stylistic opposite of the Concept R 18: a modern, dynamic custom cruiser with a performance appeal that is somewhat rougher round the edges. As such, the BMW Motorrad Concept R 18 /2 demonstrates yet another potential expression of the Heritage concept, providing an impressive example of the flexibility and wide-ranging customisation options offered by this basic architecture.

The BMW Motorrad Concept R 18 is immediately recognisable as a genuine BMW. The boxer engine, cradle frame, exposed universal shaft and teardrop-shaped fuel tank with its black paintwork and hand-applied contrast lines interpret typical design icons of BMW Motorrad classics confidently and with modern linearity. The balanced proportions are reminiscent of classics like the BMW R5, and convey – even from a distance – the timeless beauty that comes when things are consistently reduced to their bare essentials.