PressClub United Kingdom · Article.
Autumn News in Brief from BMW Group UK.
Tue Oct 29 19:30:00 CET 2024 Press Release
• Introducing BMW model updates from November 2024 • MINI model updates from tail end of 2024 • BMW 2 Series Coupe crowned ‘Best Sports Car’ at the Carbuyer New Car Awards • What Car? names the BMW 330e ‘Used Hybrid Car of the Year’ • Triple win at the Parkers New Car Awards • Marie Claire honours BMW Group at Sustainability Awards • BMW Group UK secures three wins at What Car? Electric Car Awards • BMW i5 Touring triumphs at Towcar of the Year 2025
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Chris Overall
BMW Group
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Chris Overall
BMW Group
BMW and MINI announce an exciting line-up of model updates launching
in November, including new BMW 1 Series variants, additional
powertrains for the 5 Series Touring, and faster AC charging for
select plug-in hybrid models. Meanwhile, MINI will expand
personalisation options across its portfolio. Alongside these model
enhancements, BMW Group UK has recently received prestigious awards
from Carbuyer, Marie Claire, Parkers, The Caravan and Motorhome Club,
and What Car? recognising the company and its products across a range
of categories.
Introducing a range of BMW model updates from November 2024.
Closely following the launch of the fourth-generation BMW 1
Series, an additional model variant, the 123 xDrive, will join the
line-up to bridge the gap between the 120 and range-topping M135
xDrive. This additional all-wheel-drive option is powered by an
electrified four-cylinder drive unit featuring 48V mild hybrid
technology, resulting in a combined system output of 218 hp. In
addition, the BMW M135 xDrive receives an exclusive new M Dynamic
Package, bringing additional bracing elements and lightweight
construction measures, plus specific chassis components to give the
range-topper bespoke performance characteristics.
The line-up of drive systems for the new BMW 5 Series Touring
will also be expanded from November, with the introduction of new 520i
and 550e xDrive model variants. The introductory BMW 520i Touring
mates the latest four-cylinder petrol engine with 48V mild hybrid
technology to generate a maximum output of 190 hp and peak torque of
310 Nm. These figures can be raised up to 208 hp and 330 Nm courtesy
of the mild hybrid system’s crankshaft-driven starter-generator.
Meanwhile the BMW 550e xDrive, a six-cylinder in-line petrol
engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, joins forces with the
latest version of BMW eDrive technology for plug-in-hybrid systems.
The 3.0-litre engine produces a nominal output of 313 hp at 5,000 –
6,500 rpm and a nominal torque of 450 Nm at 1,750 – 4,700 rpm. The
electric motor developed for the hybrid drive system is integrated –
together with its power electronics – directly into the eight-speed
Steptronic Sport transmission and contributes up to 197 hp to the peak
system output of 489 hp. The electric motor’s nominal torque of up to
280 Nm is boosted to as much as 450 Nm at the transmission input for
the motor with the help of a pregearing stage patented by BMW. With
assistance from the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system, the
new BMW 550e xDrive Touring completes the 0-62 mph sprint in just 4.4 seconds.
Finally, all plug-in hybrid versions of the BMW 5 Series, BMW X5
xDrive50e and the new BMW M5 Saloon will benefit from increased AC
charging rates. The increase from 7.4 kW to 11 kW enables users to
replenish the high-voltage battery of their vehicle in a significantly
shorter time. It will now be possible to charge the battery in the BMW
X5 xDrive50e from 0 to 100 per cent within three hours, while the 0 to
100 per cent charging times for the BMW M5 and plug-in-hybrid variants
of the BMW 5 Series will be reduced by an hour to just 2 hours 15 minutes.
MINI model updates from the tail end of
2024.
From November 2024, MINI will be expanding
personalisation options within the Classic, Sport and Exclusive trim
structures across the new MINI family. British Racing Green exterior
body colour is now available for all vehicles within the MINI family,
while Sunnyside Yellow is now additionally offered across all MINI
Cooper models.
For customers choosing Sport trim, Blazing Blue exterior body
colour is now available on the MINI Countryman, Icy Sunshine Blue on
MINI Cooper models, and brand new 17” Sprint Spoke Alloy wheels become
standard on all Sport trim, petrol MINI Cooper models.
Classic and Exclusive trims have also been bolstered with
additional wheel options. The 17” U-Spoke Dark Grey wheel is now
available optionally on all Exclusive trim MINI Cooper vehicles, while
the 19” Runway Spoke Black Alloy wheel currently offered on Sport trim
for the MINI Countryman is now available in Classic and Exclusive trim also.
BMW 2 Series Coupe crowned ‘Best Sports Car’ at the Carbuyer
New Car Awards.
Remaining undefeated for a third
consecutive year, the BMW 2 Series Coupe was crowned ‘Best Sports Car’
at the 2025 Carbuyer New Car Awards. “The BMW 2 Series Coupe is a
sleek two-door that serves up BMW’s legendary driving precision in a
relatively affordable package. Just as rewarding in entry-level 220i
guise as it is in the hot M240i xDrive configuration, which brings
searing acceleration and thrilling grip levels," said Carbuyer
Editor, Paul Barker. "The 2 Series Coupe is also compact, making
it easy to live with, while it boasts an upmarket interior.”
What Car? names the BMW 330e ‘Used Hybrid Car of the
Year’.
The What Car? Used Car of the Year awards
highlight the best buys on the used car market today, and this year
the BMW 330e took the top spot as ‘Used Hybrid Car of the Year’.
Commenting on the win, What Car? judges said, “The 330e is great to
drive, has a plush interior, a smooth hybrid set-up, an intuitive
infotainment system, a good reliability record and it's great value
for money when bought at a few years old.”
Triple win at the Parkers New Car Awards.
BMW
celebrates success at the recent Parkers New Car Awards, with the BMW
i7/7 Series, BMW i4 and BMW 3 Series each topping their respective class.
Praised for its pricing, range and performance, the BMW i7/7
Series was named ‘Best Luxury Car’ for the second consecutive year. On
presenting the award, Parkers Editor, Keith Adams said, “If you’re in
the market for a luxury car, the all-electric BMW i7 and hybrid 7
Series have all your needs covered beautifully. As you’d expect, both
are great to drive, but for those riding in the rear, nothing can
touch them at this price point. The i7, in particular, is silently
restful, offers a brilliant driving range, quick charging and
effortless performance. No wonder it’s two years in a row for this
flagship motor.”
Continuing the awards, the BMW i4 reprised its position as ‘Best
Company Car’. “The BMW i4 set a new benchmark in the premium car
segment when it launched in 2021 and it remains unsurpassed today,”
said Adams. Parkers also paid tribute to the model’s desirability,
well-equipped specification and noted its “competitive leasing rates,
making it an affordable company car choice.”
The third and final BMW to take home a gong was the previous
generation BMW 3 Series, celebrated by Parkers as ‘Best Used Car’.
After praising its “sharp-suited looks”, driving dynamics and “broad
selection of powertrains”, Adams summarised, “Other compact executives
are more luxurious, while others are even faster, but none of them is
as special as a BMW 3 Series - reason enough to make this a used car
we can wholeheartedly recommend.”
Marie Claire honours BMW Group at annual Sustainability
Awards.
The Marie Claire Sustainability Awards reward
those who demonstrate a commitment to maximum sustainability across a
diverse range of industries. At this year’s ceremony, the BMW Group
prevailed, securing two awards in the Motors category, which
acknowledges companies who are leading the charge in eco-friendly driving.
The first win came from the MINI Countryman, as it was named in
the ‘Electric Cars’ sub-class. The model’s sustainable interior
materials contributed to the win, with Marie Claire highlighting its
dashboard and door panels made from 90 per cent recycled polyester.
The vehicle’s manufacturing process played an equal part in this win,
with BMW Group Plant Leipzig featuring four on-site wind turbines for
energy production and a battery storage farm to ensure surplus energy
can be stored and used at a later stage.
BMW Group “is to be commended for adding so much detail to the
scrutiny of its various sustainability claims, rather than just adding
links to websites, particularly the level of detail around its water
management at its global plants – I was taken by the monsoon water
being collected in India to provide 100% of plant water requirements,”
notes Marie Claire judge, Erin Baker. “I like the fact it is sourcing
its critical minerals directly, and that it tracks and traces Scope 3 emissions.”
BMW Group’s second Marie Claire award win was attributed to the
introduction of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet – which visited the
UK last year. While a production vehicle won’t be available until
2028, this pilot is an important first step on the road to creating a
sustainable alternative to not only traditional fossil fuels, but to
battery electric cars too. Marie Claire was particularly impressed by
the BMW Group’s “forward-thinking” research into hydrogen fuel cell
technology, as well as the iX5 Hydrogen’s zero-local-emissions drive
and 313-mile range.
BMW Group UK secures three wins at the What Car? Electric Car
Awards.
The What Car? Electric Car Awards pay tribute to
the best electrified vehicles currently on sale. At this year’s
awards, BMW Group UK triumphed, securing three coveted category wins
across its electrified model portfolio.
Combining excellent driving dynamics, sporty elegance and modern
functionality, the BMW i5 Touring clinched the award for ‘Best
Electric Estate Car’. What Car? judges endorsed the Touring as a “well
rounded” estate, while commending the model’s impressive 570-litre
boot capacity, “intuitive controls”, “rich mixture of high-quality
materials” and the “healthy 335bhp” of the entry-level eDrive40 model variant.
Also praised at the awards was the BMW i7, which secured the
accolade for ‘Best Luxury Car’ for the second year running. Commenting
on the win, judges said, “As if the petrol-powered BMW 7 Series wasn’t
already luxurious enough, the i7 adds the extra quietness that comes
only with electric power, taking the sense of tranquillity and
relaxation to a whole new level.”
MINI also received recognition from What Car?, with the MINI
Cooper SE receiving the award for ‘Best Electric Small Car’. “The new
electric Mini Cooper could convince you that the legendary (extremely)
small car should have been electric from the beginning,” said What
Car?. Judges continued by paying tribute to the hot hatch’s “precise,
confidence-inspiring steering”, commendable 0-62mph sprint time (just
6.7 seconds) and its “huge leap” in single-charge range compared to
its predecessor.
BMW i5 Touring triumphs at Towcar of the Year
2025.
The annual Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of
the Year awards are the leisure vehicle industry’s original and
longest-standing towcar testing awards and exist to help caravan
owners select the car best suited to their individual towing needs.
At the 2025 awards, the BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport Pro Touring
conquered, taking home three awards: first winning the ‘1500kg–1600kg’
caravan weight class, before being named ‘Best Luxury Towcar’ and
overall ‘Best Electric Towcar’. Commenting on the win, judges said,
“The 5 Series Touring has traditionally been a great towcar and the
brand-new electric version (the first-ever electric 5 Series) keeps up
the tradition. It’s a luxurious estate car with a wonderful blend of
desirable features that bowled over the judges. BMW’s latest interiors
offer outstanding tech and fantastic build quality, while there’s
loads of space in the back seats and boot. Engaging handling just
sealed the deal. It also took the Electric Towcar and Luxury Towcar
category wins for its fantastic drive, a claimed solo 324-mile range
from its 81.2kWh battery, and plush feel.”
Ends
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 over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has
a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles
and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in
the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to €
155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce
of 154,950 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term
thinking and responsible action, from the supply chain through
production to the end of the use phase of all products.
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For further information please contact:
Sam Buckingham
Press Officer, MINI
Tel: 07815 362 262
Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk
Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371
705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk
Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815
372 480
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk
Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815
370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk
Christina Burnham-Hepe
General Manager,
Communications
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk
Graham Biggs
Corporate Communications Director
Tel:
07815 376 867
Email: Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk