BMW South Africa to host the second BMW M Festival from 26 to 27 October 2019.

• Six new BMW M and M Performance models to celebrate their local premiere at the 2019 BMW M Festival:

  The new BMW X3 M Competition, BMW X4 M Competition, BMW M340i xDrive, BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, BMW X6 and BMW 1 Series.

• The biggest BMW showroom to be set up once again and customer test drives to be offered.
• South African born BMW works driver, Sheldon van der Linde to make special appearance in his Shell BMW M4 DTM car.
• The restored BMW 530 MLE to be officially unveiled to the public.

Midrand. BMW South Africa is set to host the second BMW M Festival at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Johannesburg from 26 to 27 October 2019. In 2017, just under 20,000 BMW customers, fans and car enthusiasts participated in the first-ever BMW M Festival. The 2019 BMW M Festival promises to be more thrilling with six BMW M and M Performance models scheduled to celebrate their local premiere.

“We are excited to host another BMW M Festival. This is proving to be an effective experiential platform for our customers and fans. Even with the current headwinds in the economic markets and automotive industry, South Africa continues to be one of the top performers in the world in terms of BMW M market share and sales. This year has been the year of rolling out our product offensive. The BMW M Festival is the perfect platform to unleash our thrilling and luxurious products. I can assure our customers and fans that we will deliver another memorable BMW M Festival this year,” says Tim Abbott, CEO of BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

At the 2019 BMW M Festival, visitors will get the opportunity to book test drives, hot laps with professional drivers, walk through one of the largest BMW pop-up showrooms with attractive finance offers to choose from, enjoy gourmet food trucks, stalls and drinks, live music by some of South Africa's renowned DJs and artists, a children’s play area (M-kids area), shopping at the BMW Lifestyle merchandise shop and more.  

In addition, South African born BMW works driver, Sheldon van der Linde, will also make a special appearance at the event and offer visitors hot laps in his Shell BMW M4 DTM car around the circuit.  

To reminisce on the legacy and early beginnings of BMW Motorsport in South Africa, the restored BMW 530 MLE will be unveiled to the public for the first time at the 2019 BMW M Festival after months of being restored to its former glory. To have a look at the restoration journey, follow this link: https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/south-africa/article/topic/5256/bmw-heritage

Furthermore, the Gauteng BMW Car Club Concours Event – the most prestigious event on the BMW Car Club calendar – will also take place at the 2019 BMW M Festival. This event has been ongoing for over 33 years and is the greatest annual South African celebration of BMW heritage. Entrant’s vehicles are prepared meticulously for up to four months prior to the event and then expertly judged on their condition, authenticity, preparation and presentation.

Dynamic excellence, agility and precision at the 2019 BMW M Festival: The new BMW X3 M Competition and BMW X4 M Competition.

The BMW X3 M Competition (fuel consumption combined: 10.5 l/100 km; CO₂emissions combined: 239 g/km*) and BMW X4 M Competition (fuel consumption combined: 10.5 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 239 g/km*) will capture festival goer’s imagination with their extra power and exclusive appointments.

The two cars feature the most powerful straight-six petrol engine ever to see action in a BMW M car and that provides the muscle for stunning performance attributes. The newly developed high-revving unit with M TwinPower Turbo technology generates maximum output of 375kW (22kW more than the regular BMW X3 M and X4 M) from its 3.0-litre displacement, together with peak torque of 600 Nm. More information available here: https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/south-africa/article/detail/T0291912EN/the-all-new-bmw-x3-m-and-the-all-new-bmw-x4-m

Dynamic model variant of the new sports sedan at the 2019 BMW M Festival: The new BMW M340i xDrive Sedan.

In 2018, BMW M GmbH presented an extremely dynamic model variant of its new sports sedan. The long awaited BMW M340i xDrive Sedan (combined fuel consumption: 7.5 l/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 172 g/km*) will have the 2019 BMW M Festival as the setting for its local premiere. It is powered by a newly developed straight six-cylinder petrol engine with 275 kW. Together, high engine performance, M-specific suspension technology and intelligent four-wheel drive provide for outstanding driving dynamics that are unparalleled in the midsize segment. The exceptional sporty character is underscored by model-specific design and equipment features.

Acceleration, cornering dynamics, agility, precision, braking – the BMW M340i xDrive Sedan is setting new benchmarks in all areas relevant to driving dynamics. It makes consistent use in particular of the vehicle concept of the BMW 3 Series Sedan, which is oriented towards sporting driving pleasure and comprises a low centre of gravity, optimised weight, well-balanced axle load distribution as well as increased body rigidity and uprated suspension mountings. Moreover, the suspension technology and aerodynamics are precisely tuned to the new power unit’s high performance characteristics. In addition, the M Sport suspension, variable sports steering, an M Sport differential, the M Sport brake system and 18-inch M light alloy wheels with mixed tyres are all standard equipment features for the BMW M340i xDrive Sedan. More information on https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0286773EN/the-new-bmw-m340i-xdrive-sedan:-world-premiere-at-the-los-angeles-auto-show-2018

A new model for the premium compact segment at the 2019 BMW M Festival: The new BMW 1 Series.

The new model for the premium compact segment will also be presented for the first time locally at the 2019 BMW M Festival. Sporty, cool, safe and classy, sprinkled with fresh design and the latest in connectivity, the new BMW 1 Series is a proper BMW with a strong character all its own.

Cutting-edge chassis systems and innovative technologies, plus the integration of all key driving dynamics components and control systems, imbue the BMW 1 Series with an increase in agility that drivers of cars with both the new front-wheel-drive configuration and BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive will clearly recognise. To this end, a five-year process of development has seen BMW channel all the experience amassed by the BMW Group over recent years with front-wheel-drive technology in other models into the new 1 Series. The result is a dynamic sharpness unprecedented in front-wheel-drive cars, with which it sets new standards in the premium compact class.

Almost 2.5 million examples of the BMW 1 Series have been produced in its first two generations, the car proving especially popular in Europe. The third-generation model offers  significantly more space than its predecessor with little change to its exterior footprint, thanks to the cutting-edge BMW front-wheel-drive architecture. Passengers in the rear are the main beneficiaries, while a larger load compartment also results. Available as a five-door model only, the all-new BMW 1 Series is five millimetres shorter than its predecessor at 4,319 millimetres. In terms of width (now 1,799 millimetres), it has grown by 34 millimetres while its height (1,434 mm) has increased by 13 millimetres. At 2,670 millimetres, the wheelbase is 20 millimetres shorter than that of the second-generation model. More information on https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/south-africa/article/detail/T0296452EN/the-all-new-bmw-1-series-the-perfect-synthesis-of-agility-and-spacec

Sporting exclusivity and individual appeal at the 2019 BMW M Festival: The new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe.

With its standalone body concept, plus powertrain and chassis technology designed squarely to engender supreme dynamic ability, the new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe embodies a brand of sporting flair unique in the luxury segment. Joining the BMW 8 Series Coupe and BMW 8 Series Convertible as the third model in the 8 Series range, the Gran Coupe has a character all of its own, combining smile-inducing performance and design shaped by dynamism and elegance with significantly increased spaciousness for passengers in the rear seats. Meanwhile, exclusive equipment features and the latest innovations in the areas of control/operation, driver assistance and connectivity represent a case study in modern luxury.

The new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is the only model in its segment derived directly from a two-door sports car. Its resultant dynamic potential, plus a longer wheelbase and model-specific chassis tuning, create an unmistakable balance between sports performance and ride comfort. All of which means 8 Series Gran Coupe customers can look forward to high levels of everyday practicality and mile-covering ability. Four model variants are available from launch. The BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupe (fuel consumption combined: 10.0 – 9.9 l/100 km]; CO2 emissions combined: 229 – 226 g/km*) is powered by a V8 petrol engine which delivers its 390 kW in imposing style. The BMW 840d xDrive Gran Coupe (fuel consumption combined: 6.3 – 6.2 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 166 – 162 g/km*) underscores the four-door model’s qualities as a consummate long-distance machine with its 235 kW sixcylinder in-line diesel engine. And the BMW 840i Gran Coupe (fuel consumption combined: 7.5 – 7.4 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 170 – 168 g/km*) enjoys the services of a high-revving six-cylinder in-line petrol engine with maximum output of 250 kW. More information on

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/south-africa/article/detail/T0297279EN/the-new-bmw-8-series-gran-coupe

A leader with broad shoulders at the 2019 BMW M Festival: The new BMW X6.

At the 2019 BMW M Festival, a new edition of the model that lit the fuse for an innovative and highly distinctive breed of car: the Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) will be unveiled. The new BMW X6 blends the agile and versatile driving properties of a Sports Activity Vehicle with the head-turning looks of a coupe. The third-generation X6 employs a clean, exclusive design language to underscore its confident and commanding appearance. And advanced powertrain and chassis technology teams up with a wealth of innovations to deliver a uniquely sporting yet also luxurious driving experience. Like its predecessor, the new BMW X6 will be produced in the US at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg. The market launch will begin in November 2019. More information on https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/south-africa/article/detail/T0298184EN/the-new-bmw-x6-a-leader-with-broad-shoulders

Ticket prices and other general information about the BMW M Festival can be accessed via this link: https://www.bmw.co.za/en/topics/fascination-bmw/events/mfestival/mfestival.html or download the BMW M Festival app on https://mybmwevents.co.za/mfest/app/android or https://mybmwevents.co.za/mfest/app/ios

-Ends-

For media queries, please contact BMW Group South Africa’s Communications Division as follows:

Edward Makwana

Manager: Group Product Communications

BMW Group South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Mobile: +27-71-666-2227

Tel: +27-12-522-2227

Email: edward.makwana@bmw.co.za

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 30 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2018, the BMW Group sold over 2,490,000 passenger vehicles and more than 165,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2018 was € 9.815 billion on revenues amounting to € 97.480 billion. As of 31 December 2018, the BMW Group had a workforce of 134,682 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

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