BMW at the Mondial de l’ Automobile Paris 2014

German premium carmaker BMW is taking to the stage at the 2014 Paris Motor Show with the latest results of its ongoing model push, revealing even more ways to experience the brand’s hallmark driving pleasure. Europe’s most important car show of the year, which opens to the public from 4 – 19 October 2014, will host the world premieres of two new models: the BMW 2 Series Convertible and the new BMW X6. Also on display in the French capital are the new four-cylinder diesel engines for the BMW 5 Series, an exclusive special edition of the BMW 7 Series luxury Sedan, and innovations from BMW ConnectedDrive. Paris also provides the venue for the French premiere of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and groundbreaking BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car.

The new arrivals underline the expertise of BMW in the development of fresh new vehicle concepts and pioneering drive system technology, as well as its success in breaking into new segments. The BMW 2 Series Convertible and new BMW X6 are the successors to two trailblazing models: the world’s first open-top model in the premium compact segment and the inaugural Sports Activity Coupe. Elsewhere in the BMW range, a new generation of four-cylinder diesel engines will see the BMW 518d and BMW 520d further increasing their lead in terms of efficiency at the premium end of the executive class. Representatives from the BMW Group’s new engine family also help to bring superior sporting ability and exemplary fuel economy and emissions to the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. Combining BMW’s customary driving pleasure with impressive interior functionality, this new model sees BMW opening up additional target groups in the premium compact segment.

World premiere: the BMW 2 Series Convertible.
Sporty, elegant lines, an ultra-intense open-top driving experience and dynamic ability outstripping that of its premium compact rivals are the standout characteristics of the BMW 2 Series Convertible, which will celebrate its world premiere at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. The BMW 2 Series Convertible takes driving pleasure into a new dimension for a drop-top model in this class. The four-seater is the successor to the BMW 1 Series Convertible and builds wholeheartedly on the strengths of the most successful premium car in its class. Eye-catching, graceful design and a low waistline – which emphasises the car’s “boat deck” character with the roof down – serve up a distinctive appearance and a refreshing brand of open-air driving pleasure. The electrically operated soft-top optimises acoustic comfort and can be opened or closed in 20 seconds when travelling at up to 50 km/h (31 mph). The impressive torsional stiffness of the body structure and further developed chassis technology deliver a noticeable increase in agility, while the new engine line-up combines enhanced sporting ability with outstanding efficiency.

The BMW 2 Series Convertible also offers innovative equipment features as well as increased space, comfort and functionality and a more premium character for the interior. The range of BMW ConnectedDrive features also includes an exclusive new addition: the BMW 2 Series Convertible is the first model to offer the new-generation Navigation system Professional, which allows navigation data to be updated “over the air” via the embedded SIM card.

World premiere: the new BMW X6.
The new edition of the BMW X6 captures the imagination with its even more potent presence, the extroverted athleticism of its design, standout performance, luxurious interior design and innovative equipment features. Its standard equipment goes well beyond that of the previous model and includes bi-xenon headlights, 19-inch light-alloy wheels, automatic tailgate operation, the eight-speed Steptronic sport transmission, leather trim, two-zone climate control and the Driving Assistant package from BMW ConnectedDrive. The exclusive style of the Sports Activity Coupe can also be given even greater depth with the help of the M Sport package, Design Pure Extravagance option and model-specific features from BMW Individual.

Three powerful and efficient engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology will be available from the launch of the new BMW X6. All model variants come as standard with the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system. Customers looking to sharpen the dynamics or enhance the comfort of their X6 can also specify the optional Dynamic adaptive suspension package, Comfort adaptive suspension package or Professional adaptive suspension package with Dynamic Damper Control, air suspension for the rear axle, Dynamic Performance Control and Dynamic Drive active roll stabilisation.

French premiere: the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.
The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer brings a combination of spaciousness and comfort, hallmark BMW dynamics, style and elegance to the premium compact class. The new model – presented in France for the first time – has compact dimensions (length: 4,342 millimetres, width: 1,800 millimetres, height: 1,555 millimetres) yet offers a raised seating position, a variable rear seat bench and a generously sized boot (468–1,510 litres).

In order to meet the highest standards in terms of spaciousness, variability and functionality, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer has a cutting-edge front-wheel-drive system. Engines with three or four cylinders promise the driving pleasure and exemplary efficiency for which BMW is renowned.

New generation of engines for the BMW 5 Series, new efficiency benchmark at the premium end of the executive class.
With the introduction of a new generation of four-cylinder diesel engines, the BMW 5 Series Sedan and BMW 5 Series Touring are set to further extend their lead in terms of efficiency at the premium end of the executive class. The new 2.0-litre units with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology boost the output of both the new BMW 518d and the new BMW 520d by an extra 5 kW. At the same time, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in the EU test cycle fell by up to 0.4 litres per 100 kilometres / 10 grams per kilometre. For example, the new BMW 520d Sedan with optional eight-speed Steptronic transmission burns just 4.5–4.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres [62.8–68.9 mpg imp] (CO2 emissions: 119–109 g/km; depending on the tyre format fitted).

BMW Concept X5 eDrive: innovative hybrid technology meets intelligent all-wheel drive.
The BMW Concept X5 eDrive presents an innovative recipe for further reducing the fuel consumption and emissions of a Sports Activity Vehicle. The study car combines familiar driving pleasure – courtesy of the xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system – and a luxurious ambience with a plug-in hybrid drive concept. The latter offers drivers the sporting flair for which BMW is renowned, all-electric driving at up to 120 km/h (75 mph) and average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle of under 3.8 litres per 100 kilometres (upwards of 74 mpg imp). As such, the Concept X5 eDrive represents an impressive example of the effectiveness of the BMW EfficientDynamics development strategy. The drive system under the skin of the BMW Concept X5 eDrive comprises a four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and an electric motor. The concept car’s lithium-ion battery can be charged quickly and safely from any conventional domestic power socket or a BMW i Wallbox.

Bringing alluring exclusivity to the French market: the BMW 7 Series Individual Final Edition.
With its unique combination of high-quality options from BMW Individual, the BMW 7 Series Individual Final Edition – designed specially for the French market – sets another new exclusivity benchmark in the luxury sedan segment. The extra features offered by the special-edition model include BMW Individual paintwork and a harmoniously composed blend of interior fixtures and fittings. The BMW Individual fine-grain Merino full-leather trim with piping in a contrasting colour, BMW Individual roof liner in Alcantara and high-gloss BMW Individual Piano Finish Black interior trim elements lend the interior an exceptionally stylish ambience and luxurious sense of well-being.

French premiere: the BMW i8 – a sports car of the future and the first series-produced car with laser headlights.
An array of pioneering technological features come together in the BMW i8 to imbue it with “sports car of the future” character. The groundbreaking design of the i8 is based on the LifeDrive vehicle architecture developed for BMW i, which combines a passenger cell made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and an aluminium chassis accommodating the drive system, high-voltage battery, suspension components, and crash and structural functions. The drive system powering the BMW Group’s first plug-in hybrid model combines BMW TwinPower Turbo technology with BMW eDrive technology to deliver the performance characteristics of a powerful sports car with fuel economy and emissions more familiar from a small car.

The i8 package also includes mobility services from BMW ConnectedDrive developed specifically for BMW i and innovative 360° ELECTRIC services. Added to which, the BMW i8 is the world’s first series-produced car that can be ordered with laser headlights as an option.

New from BMW ConnectedDrive: over-the-air navigation data update, LTE technology and the BMW i Remote app for data exchange between the BMW i8 and a smart watch.
The BMW ConnectedDrive line-up has been expanded to include new functions and technologies that make intelligent connectivity even more convenient. For example, the latest generation of the Navigation system Professional now allows an over-the-air map data update. The maps are updated via a mobile phone connection – at no cost to the user – thanks to the SIM card fitted in the car. In order to ensure an extremely fast and reliable data transfer for these and other BMW ConnectedDrive functions, the SIM card built into BMW models will in future meet the LTE (Long Term Evolution) high-speed mobile standard.

The BMW i Remote app has been developed specifically to allow convenient data sharing between drivers and their electrically powered cars. The app can be used on either a smartphone or a smart watch via specific interfaces. The 2014 Paris Motor Show will see the presentation of the BMW i Remote app link designed to handle data transfer between the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car and a Samsung GALAXY Gear smart watch. This will allow BMW i8 drivers to access all of the important information on the status of their car on their wrist, transfer information including navigation data and addresses, and remotely activate preconditioning of the car’s interior temperature.