BMW model update measures for spring 2024

Additions to the line-up of drive systems and the range of optional extras are set to further increase the appeal and diversity of the BMW product range from spring 2024. The BMW i5 Sedan and BMW iX2 fully electric models will each be available from March 2024 with an additional drive system variant. The drive system offerings for the BMW X2 and BMW XM have also been expanded. The innovative Highway Assistant will bring increased comfort levels over longer journeys to more of the brand’s model series. And additional exterior paint finishes will be offered for the BMW 5 Series Sedan, BMW X2 and BMW iX2. Customers will also be able to order the business sedan with new variants of the BMW Individual Merino leather trim.

Attractive new features will also be introduced in spring 2024 in the area of digital services. These include easier use of the voice assistant Siri (as part of the integration of the Apple iPhone into cars specified with BMW Operating System 9), and the optimised display of ratings for charging stations for fully electric and plug-in hybrid BMW models. The steady expansion of the range of functions for the My BMW App also continues.

BMW i5 xDrive40: third fully electric variant of the business sedan.

A third fully electric variant will be added to the new BMW 5 Series Sedan line-up in March 2024. The new BMW i5 xDrive40 Sedan (electric power consumption, combined: 20.0 – 17.2 kWh/100 km in the WLTP cycle) has two highly integrated electric drive units at the front and rear axle which together develop a system output of up to 290 kW/394 hp and peak torque of 590 Nm (435 lb-ft). Underpinned by the resultant electric all-wheel drive, the BMW i5 xDrive40 Sedan accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.4 seconds. Its top speed is limited to 215 km/h (134 mph).

The third fully electric model variant of the new business sedan stores its energy in a high-voltage battery positioned deep in the vehicle floor. The battery delivers 81.2 kWh of usable energy. The car’s Combined Charging Unit enables AC charging at a rate of 11 kW as standard and 22 kW as an option. And it also allows DC charging at fast-charging stations at up to 205 kW. This means the range of the BMW i5 xDrive40 Sedan can be increased by 156 kilometres (97 miles) in the space of ten minutes. The likewise standard Plug & Charge Multi Contract function enables automatic authentication of the car at public charging points. The range of the new BMW i5 xDrive40 Sedan as calculated in the WLTP cycle is 463 – 538 kilometres (288 – 334 miles).

Additional exterior paint finishes can be specified for all model variants of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan from March 2024. The spectrum of colours will now also include the BMW Individual Frozen Portimao Blue metallic and BMW Individual Malachite Green metallic variants. At the same time, the business sedan will also be offered with extremely exclusive BMW Individual special paint finishes. BMW Individual has come up with around 150 eye-catching shades (solid, metallic and matt) for this product area. All BMW Individual special paint finishes stand out with their impressive depth of colour and exceptional lustre. Customers can unlock an overview of the variants for the new BMW 5 Series Sedan using the BMW Individual Visualizer, which can be accessed via a link in the vehicle configurator.

Added to which, extra variants of the seat and interior surfaces for the new BMW 5 Series Sedan are also available. If the optional comfort seats have been specified, the BMW Individual Merino leather trim can also be specified in the bi-colour variants Dark Violet/Atlas Grey and Taupe Grey/Atlas Grey from March 2024.

New entry-level variant for the BMW iX2; launch of the BMW X2 xDrive20d.

BMW’s current model offensive in the area of electric mobility also brings additional variety to the premium compact segment. A new entry-level variant of the fully electric BMW iX2 will go on sale in March 2024. The new BMW iX2 eDrive20 (electric power consumption, combined: 16.9 – 15.3 kWh/100 km in the WLTP cycle) takes a particularly economical route to delivering locally emission-free driving pleasure in a compact Sports Activity Coupé (SAC). Powered by a 150 kW/204 hp electric motor at the front axle, it sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.6 seconds and posts a range of 439 – 478 kilometres (273 – 297 miles) in the WLTP cycle. Its top speed is limited to 170 km/h (106 mph).

The high-voltage battery in the new BMW iX2 eDrive20 serves up 64.78 kWh of usable energy and can be charged from AC sources at 11 kW as standard and up to 22 kW as an option. DC charging is possible at up to 130 kW. Thanks to extremely efficient charging software and predictive heat management capability, brief stops are enough to significantly increase the battery charge. In ten minutes hooked up to a fast-charging station, the BMW iX2 eDrive20 can take on sufficient energy to boost its range by 120 kilometres (75 miles). The BMW iX2 eDrive20 is also equipped for using the Plug & Charge Multi Contract function as standard.

Lining up alongside the new entry-level variant of the BMW iX2 is the new BMW X2 xDrive20d. The second diesel variant of the compact SAC is distinguished by even more rapid power delivery and even greater efficiency courtesy of 48V mild hybrid technology. Its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine links up with an electric motor integrated into the seven-speed Steptronic transmission with double clutch. The motor serves as a crankshaft-driven starter generator and can both ease the load on the diesel engine and act in unison with it. The drive system develops maximum output of 120 kW/163 hp and peak torque of 400 Nm / 295 lb-ft, all of which is channelled to the road via the intelligent all-wheel-drive system BMW xDrive. This allows the BMW X2 xDrive20d to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.6 seconds. Top speed is 207 km/h (129 mph).

From March 2024, all model variants of the new BMW X2 and new BMW iX2 will also be available with an expanded range of exterior paint finishes. Frozen Black metallic is a new addition to the selection.

BMW XM 50e: high performance with maximum efficiency.

As the latest offshoot of the first ever electrified high-performance model from BMW M GmbH, the new BMW XM 50e blends signature M dynamism, extrovert design and progressive interior luxury with maximum efficiency. Its M HYBRID drive system is composed of a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine and an electric motor integrated, together with its power electronics, into the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission. This combination produces system output of 350 kW/476 hp (developed by the combination of the combustion engine with up to 230 kW/313 hp and the electric motor with up to 145 kW/197 hp) and maximum system torque of 700 Nm / 516 lb-ft (developed by the combination of the combustion engine with up to 450 Nm / 332 lb-ft and the electric motor with up to 280 Nm / 206 lb-ft).

The latest version of the 3.0-litre combustion engine fitted in the BMW XM 50e owes its enhanced performance characteristics among other things to the Miller combustion cycle, dual injection, an exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head and VANOS variable camshaft timing, which now works electrically. The electric motor has a pre-gearing stage patented by BMW, which allows the effective torque at the transmission input for the motor to be increased to 450 Nm (332 lb-ft). The top speed of the high-performance model – which is also equipped with the all-wheel-drive system M xDrive – is an electronically limited 250 km/h (155 mph). Thanks to an electric range of 77 – 83 kilometres (48 – 52 miles) in the WLTP cycle, the BMW XM 50e can cover much of its everyday mileage – e.g. in urban centres – with zero local emissions. And it can also be driven on electric power alone beyond the city limits at speeds of up to 140 km/h (87 mph).

The most efficient version of the new M HYBRID system comes together with the extraordinary presence of the unmistakable high-performance model in the Sports Activity Vehicle segment. The model-specific design features of the new variant include the black accent band along the sides of the car, plus a surround for the BMW kidney grille and trim detailing for the rear diffuser (both in Pearl-effect Chrome), exhaust tailpipe trim in Black high-gloss and silver-coloured bordering for the model badge. Customers wishing to bring an extra personal touch to the interior of their new BMW XM 50e – which also offers a unique combination of modern sports car flair and extravagant luxury with its M-specific cockpit, M multifunction seats, sculptural headliner and M Lounge in the rear compartment – can specify features including exclusive Vintage leather for the upper section of the instrument panel and door trim panels.

Highway Assistant: innovative Level 2 functionality for more models.

Relaxed travel over long distances and an impressive experience of semi-automated driving are the specialities of the Highway Assistant, which made its debut in the new BMW 5 Series Sedan and is now also available for other current BMW models.

As an additional function of the Steering and Lane Control Assistant included in the optional Driving Assistant Professional, the Highway Assistant takes over the vehicle’s speed control, distance control and steering on motorways with structurally separated carriageways when travelling at up to 135 km/h (84 mph). The driver can take their hands off the steering wheel and put them in a comfortable position, provided they continue to pay attention to what is happening on the road and are able to take over the steering again at any time. This Level 2 – as determined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) – semi-automated driving function will also be available for the BMW 7 Series luxury sedan, BMW iX, BMW XM, BMW X5, BMW X6 and BMW X7 from spring 2024.

The Active Lane Change Assistant with eye confirmation included as part of the new Highway Assistant adds another layer to the semi-automated driving experience. As soon as the traffic situation permits, it is capable of performing the necessary steering movements for an overtaking manoeuvre, for example, and adjusting the vehicle’s speed as required. Plus, for the first time, the driver is able to initiate a lane change suggested by this system by simply looking in the exterior mirror to confirm it.

New digital services, My BMW App with additional functions.

Among the digital services available for the first time from spring 2024 is the extended smartphone integration for vehicles equipped with BMW Operating System 9. This enables the Siri voice assistant for the Apple iPhone to be activated directly by voice command and without needing to also press the push-to-talk button. Elsewhere, the cloud-based navigation system BMW Maps now boasts improved display of information on charging stations. The available images and ratings are shown both in the list of search results and in the detailed display. The charging station ratings will now be shown clearly on a scale of zero to five stars. 

Added to which, in numerous European countries the BMW iDrive display and control/operation system in many current models also enables digital payment of parking fees and – in Germany – also fuel top-ups from inside the car. As with payment of parking fees, this uses the credit card information pre-stored in the vehicle apps.

As a universal digital interface for data exchange between the customer and their car, the My BMW App offers an ever-expanding number of functions. From spring 2024, Comfort Access with the BMW Digital Key Plus will be integrated into the My BMW App in vehicles equipped with BMW Operating System 8, 8.5 or 9. In addition, the map view for selecting navigation destinations imported into the vehicle has been newly designed. This also improves the search function and the visibility of the most relevant content. Map and routing functions will in future be proposed based on current vehicle or user contexts.

Finally, the new E-mobility Analysis function will also be added to the My Trips menu item in the My BMW App. Based on the customer’s driving behaviour, this function proposes the BMW model with all-electric drive system most suited to them. These recommendations are intended to help spark interest among users of combustion-engined vehicles in switching to an electric vehicle.