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November news in brief

BMW to offer five PHEV vehicles in the range
BMW 7 Series line-up strengthened by six additional models
M Sport arrives on the new BMW X1
The BMW i3 offered with a sportier edge
BMW scoops more awards
BMW to offer five PHEV vehicles in the range

Launched earlier this year, the new BMW X5 xDrive40e Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) was the first such production car from the BMW core brand. Within the next 12 months BMW will offer an additional four PHEVs to broaden the opportunity to drive ultra low emission vehicles with all electric drive capability.

The four new PHEV models indebted to the BMW i brand for technology come in the shape of the BMW 225xe Active Tourer, BMW 330e Saloon, and the BMW 740e and 740Le xDrive from the marque's flagship model. This means BMW will soon offer innovative PHEV technology in everything from compact models through to luxury-class cars.

Combining the versatility and luxury of the X5, along with the superb traction provided by the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system, with BMW EfficientDynamics eDrive technology allows for outstanding efficiency too. With a total system output of 313hp generated by a four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and a synchronous electric motor, the BMW X5 xDrive40e achieves a combined fuel consumption 85.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 78g/km.

With a standard equipment list that includes 18-inch alloy wheels, two-zone air conditioning, front and rear PDC, Dakota leather upholstery, Xenon headlights, heated front seats, BMW Professional Navigation, 40:20:40 split folding seats, Real Time Traffic information, pre-conditioning, BMW Emergency Call and eDrive services.

The BMW X5 XDrive40e went on sale this month with prices starting from £51,845 OTR for the X5 XDrive40e and £56,545 OTR for the X5 xDrive40e M Sport.

Joining this BMW X5 derivative from March 2016 will be the new 225xe Active Tourer PHEV. Offered in two trim levels, the Sport model will cost £35,005 OTR and the 225xe Luxury will be sold for £35,755 OTR. However, a government grant is currently available which will reduce the price for customers by £5,000 respectively.

The BMW 225xe - a BMW 2 Series Active Tourer variant with eDrive offers a combination of sporting ability, economy and everyday practicality unique in its segment. The PHEV model fuses BMW eDrive technology with a front mounted transverse three-cylinder petrol engine and a front-wheel-drive configuration for the first time; the electric motor powering the rear wheels makes for an electrified all-wheel-drive system that is unique in this segment.

Producing a total output of 224hp (a combination of the three-cylinder combustion engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, 136hp and an electric motor developing 88hp) and a peak torque of 385Nm. Its combined fuel consumption of 141.2mpg makes the 225xe PHEV one of the best in its class.

The BMW 3 Series Saloon is BMW's biggest selling vehicle and has always been at the forefront of the EfficientDynamics programme of improving fuel consumption and lower emissions. So it is only right that the new PHEV BMW 330e Saloon is offered.

The 330e Saloon will offer a startling combined fuel consumption of 148.7mpg and CO2 emissions from 44g/km when it joins the range in 2016. It can be specified in SE, Sport, Luxury or M Sport and all wheel sizes to still stay under the vital 49g/km CO2 threshold.

The car's state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid technology marries a 184hp 2.0-litre petrol engine with an 80kW electric motor. The combined output of 252hp and maximum torque of 420Nm gives the BMW 330e a zero to 62mph acceleration time of just 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 140mph. Yet the model is also capable of travelling up to approximately 25 miles in all-electric mode, and therefore emits zero local emissions when used in this manner.

The BMW 330e Saloon is eligible for congestion charge exemption and is expected to also be eligible for the Government's Plug in Car Grant (PiCG) representing a significant saving on the purchase price. It is on sale now priced from £33,935 OTR with the first customers getting their cars in April 2016.

The final PHEVs to join the fold within the next year will be for the luxury saloon segment: the BMW 740e and the BMW 740Le xDrive. The intelligently controlled interaction between a 2.0-litre petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and an electric drive unit integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic transmission endows the BMW 740e with dynamic acceleration yet very low consumption and emissions figures in everyday driving. While producing a total system output of 326hp, both cars return a combined fuel consumption of 134.5mpg and CO2 emissions of just 49g/km.*

The BMW 740e and the BMW 740Le xDrive will go on sale Summer 2016. Prices to be announced at a later date.

BMW 7 Series line-up strengthened by six additional models

November 2015 sees the introduction of six new models to the BMW 7 Series range to underscore the sporting and luxurious nature of this multi-faceted vehicle.

The new BMW 750i is powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 443bhp. The 740d xDrive and 740Ld xDrive both use a 3.0-litre straight six, producing 315hp. With acceleration from zero to 62mph in 5.2 and 5.3 seconds respectively, the 650Nm torque ensures a smooth delivery of power. Emitting just 134g/m and 137g/m CO2and returning 55.4mpg for the 740d xDrive and 55.3mpg for the 740Ld xDrive. These impressive economy figures stem from BMW EfficientDynamics technology and the BMW EfficientLightweight concept. The BMW EfficientLightweight concept means that the models in the new BMW 7 Series line-up are up to 130kg lighter than their predecessors, despite boasting a significantly greater number of comfort and safety features.

These six new models are on sale from December. Prices start from £72,060 OTR.

Model Power
Hp Torque
Nm 0 - 62mph Seconds Top Speed Mph Combined Mpg CO2 Emissions g/km OTR Price
750i 449 650 4.7 155* 34.9 186 £76,320
750i M Sport 449 650 4.7 155* 34.9 186 £79,970
740d xDrive 320 680 5.2 155* 55.4 134 £72,060
740d xDrive M Sport 320 680 5.2 155* 55.4 134 £75,525
740Ld xDrive 320 680 5.3 155* 54.3 137 £75,825
740Ld xDrive M Sport 320 680 5.3 155* 54.3 137 £79,675
*Electronically limited.

M Sport arrives on the new BMW X1

The smallest member of the BMW X family, the X1, is the latest model to be enhanced with the addition of the popular M Sport specification. In addition to SE models, the M Sport offers 18-inch light alloy wheels (M Double-spoke style), LED headlights, M Sport Aerodynamic bodystyling, M Sports suspension, M Sport steering wheel finished in Nappa leather, Sports seats in Cloth/Alcantara, heated front seats and LED ambient lighting in door trim amongst other features.

Also arriving in November is the X1 xDrive18d model, this will be available in SE, Sport, xLine and M Sport trims with both manual and automatic transmission. The addition of xDrive doesn't hamper the cars economy with it returning 60.1mpg and emitting 124g/m CO2 on the combined cycle.

Prices for the new BMW X1 xDrive18d start from £28,280 OTR for a BMW X1 xDrive 18d SE derivative. M Sport specification costs £3,000 more than a standard car.

The BMW i3 offered with a sportier edge

A new Sport package is now available for the BMW i3 enabling further customisation of the car. For those customers seeking a more unique look, a choice of 19-inch alloy wheels, sun protection glass, LED headlights and the Harman/Kardon Loudspeaker system can be specified- all for a total of £1,700. This represents a 26 per cent saving to the customer worth £610 compared to buying each option separately.

Customers also now have a choice of three new colours for the BMW i3; Fluid Black, Mineral Grey and Platinum Silver which all come with the BMW i Blue highlight. Fluid Black allows the i3 exterior to be specified in all black for the first timewith BMW i Blue highlight.

BMW scoops more awards

Research into more than 650,00 cars operated by the country's biggest 50 leasing companies has found that once again, the BMW 3 Series range is the most reliable model in the 2015 FN50 survey, whilst BMW has also retained the title of the most reliable manufacturer.

The FN50 reliability survey, undertaken by Fleet News, asks contract hire companies to assess reliability according to warranty claims and the number of breakdowns per model on their fleet. The majority of the vehicles surveyed are used for business and are subjected to higher than average mileage and are constantly used in all conditions. This testing environment means that winning the FN50 is a true testament to the reliability of the BMW range and specifically the BMW 3 Series.

Richard Hudson, Sales Director at BMW UK, said: "BMW is renowned for producing award-winning cars, but when the sample size is a car parc of 650,000 vehicles and we come out on top it is especially satisfying.

"To be honoured as the most reliable car among contract hire companies and the most reliable brand in the overall survey is a fantastic result and underscores the expertise
of our renowned engineers in developing class-leading products."

BMW Group has also been awarded the overall winner at the Engine of the Year Awards 2015 scooping up a total of four wins in the latest International Engine of the Year Awards. The drive unit in the BMW i8 earned two class wins as well as being declared overall winner, with a further class win being garnered by the engine of the BMW M3 and BMW M4. The International Engine of the Year Awards were launched in 1999 and consist of a panel of 65 motoring journalists from 31 countries.

The title of ‘Fleet Car Manufacturer of the Year' has been presented by Green Fleet magazine in recognition of the success of EfficientDynamics technologies in reducing emissions across the BMW range. The new 3 Series ED Plus Saloon was singled out for praise for its impressive fuel consumption of 74mpg. The category was said to be the most competitive category from the awards with manufactures such as Jaguar, Mercedes, Audi, Citroen and Ford also shortlisted.

Elsewhere, the all-electric BMW i3 scooped the award for Green Car of the Year, for the second consecutive year at the Auto Express New Car Awards 2015. Praised for its cutting edge technology, value for money and affordable running costs, the BMW i3 remains the car of choice in the small electric car market. The Auto Express judges said "The i3 is easily one of the most user-friendly electric cars on sale today".

Auto Express has also celebrated Britain's best used cars and have awarded the new BMW 3 Series for the Best Compact Executive Car for 2015. It has been commended for its high quality interior and for its reputation in creating driving enjoyment.