Benefitting from a new fuel efficient engine line-up and EfficientDynamics technologies, the new 3 Series is designed to make a solid business proposition, by being affordable and tax efficiency. Yet the new model is larger and more spacious than the model it replaces, but is nonetheless agile and nimble.

There are also  steps forward in style, quality, comfort and specification for only a minimal price increase. A wider choice of trim levels and an extensive personalisation programme will allow 3 Series Saloon buyers to order virtually a bespoke car.  

Available with a choice of four engines from launch, more options will follow by March. Eight models will be available with emissions under 120g/km CO2. The familiar choice of trims including ES, SE and M Sport versions will be available, but there will also be Sport, Modern and Luxury models, each with a distinct character and increased opportunities for individualisation.

Towards the end of 2012, BMW will also offer a hybrid version of the 3 Series and an all-wheel xDrive model for the first time on this saloon.

Prices start from £24,100 OTR.

The German brand sold its first car in the UK back in 1980; it was a E12 5 Series saloon. Move forward 1,999,999 cars later and the proud owner of another BMW 5 Series model, this time a Gran Turismo one, has taken delivery of the extra special BMW car.

Ken Haynes, from Wolverhampton, said: “I’m delighted to find out I’m the two million man for BMW. The BMW 530d Gran Turismo is the perfect car for me as I like the space, versatility and high standard specification. I run an engineering business under my own name and being able to have a luxury car that allows for large items in the boot is the perfect combination.”

Steve Mills, Dealer Principal at Benham BMW, said: “Ken’s been a delight to deal with and is just the sort of person who buys a BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo; he’s someone who used to drive Mercedes and lately was in a Volkswagen Phaeton, but has now moved to BMW. Clearly BMW products are the way forward for the Haynes household, as a MINI Countryman also sits on the drive.”

The BMW 5 Series range has been one of the most popular cars in the history of BMW, selling 5,839,866 worldwide since its launch. The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo has also proved popular with the discerning buyer looking for something more unique. Since the model was introduced in the UK at the end of 2009, nearly 2,500 models have been sold with the 530d GT proving the most popular.

The news agency reports that the German car brand has found that almost two-thirds of 1 Series hatchback owners go on to buy another BMW; an astonishing loyalty rate. For 70 per cent of 1-Series buyers, it is their first BMW; making the car a pivotal model in attracting and retaining customers.

This is expected to continue, if not improve, with the new 1 Series, on sale from September 17, James Morrison, small car product manager at BMW UK told Headlineauto.com.

"We want to build on the success of the previous car so from the rear, for example, it looks similar but it has grown up, the car has matured into its second generation," said Morrison.

He points out that the 1 Series is still the only rear-wheel drive car in its class but the main brief in the development of the new model was to address criticism of the previous one.

"The rear space was too tight so we’ve changed that," said Mr Morrison. "Big news is that the boot gains 30 litres so it’s now bigger than the boot in a VW Golf."

BMW 1 Series car leasing deals

BMW 1 Series new and nearly new car deals

BMW 1 Series road test reports 

The ride of the first generation was also criticised for being too hard or too sporty and that has been addressed with the car signed off on UK roads. To prove the point, the media launch in Berlin included a short section on very un-German like road surfaces – more a typical UK B road – where journalists were encouraged to switch between the different suspension settings.

To create the extra interior space that first generation buyers felt was lacking, the new 1 Series is bigger than the outgoing model: it’s 83mm longer, 14mm wider and the wheelbase is 30mm longer. Prices start at £19,375 for the 116i rising to £23,480 for the 120d.

With EfficientDynamics technology fitted as standard, the 1 Series is also fuel efficient and low in CO2 emissions, meaning the range attracts low levels of business taxation.

The first generation model, BMW 1 Series has had enormous success selling more than 2.2 million units globally, as BMW’s first premium compact car. The new model grows a little from this, and is 83mm longer, 14mm wider and 30mm longer in the wheelbase than its predecessor. These dimensions create a car with increased cabin dimensions and, thus, greater interior comfort.

BMW car leasing deals 

BMW new and nearly new car deals 

BMW road test reports 

The new BMW 1 Series goes on sale in the UK on 17 September 2011, with a choice of three diesel and two petrol engines. Prices start at £19,375 OTR for a BMW 116i ES.

MINI cars have been built in the UK since 2001, the new fund now takes the total investment into its UK production network to £1.5 billion.

The BMW Group chairman Norbert Reithofer outlined his company’s plans for further investment at a meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron at Downing Street this morning. The investment, the majority of which will be will be used to create new production facilities and equipment at MINI Plant Oxford, will help to safeguard over 5,000 jobs in the MINI vehicle assembly plant in Oxford, the pressings plant in Swindon and the company’s engine plant at Hams Hall near Birmingham.  Apprentices from the plants were also in Downing Street for the announcement.

"We have started preparing our UK plants for production of the next generation MINI and this investment underlines that the UK will remain the heart of MINI production," announced Norbert during his visit to London today. "The MINI brand has made a significant contribution to BMW Group’s success in markets around the world and we anticipate that this will grow further in the future."

Since 2001, the MINI Oxford plant has produced nearly two million vehicles and more than 1.5 million MINIs have been exported to customers in 90 different countries.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "I welcome this major investment by BMW Group in UK manufacturing. The production and export of iconic British cars like the MINI is making a real contribution to the rebalancing of the economy that this government is determined to achieve.

"It’s a tremendous vote of confidence in the skills and capabilities of the company’s British workforce and in the future of UK manufacturing.

"The MINI plant in Oxford has been one of our great manufacturing success stories, they should be hugely proud of their achievements. They have shown once again that the UK is a major player in the global automotive industry."

The UK is the BMW Group’s fourth-largest single market in the world for sales, behind only Germany, the US and China, with sales in 2010 across the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands totalling 154,750.

Producing 216,302 vehicles in 2010 and exporting to more than 90 countries across the globe, MINI was the third-largest vehicle manufacturer in the UK, accounting for 17 per cent of national automotive production. As part of the expansion of the MINI product line-up, the MINI Coupé will be launched in 2011, followed by the MINI Roadster in 2012  – both of which will be produced in Oxford.

MINI car leasing deals 

MINI new and nearly new car deals 

MINI used car deals 

BMW is also a Tier 1 sponsor of the 2012 Games in London and the Games’ Official Automotive Partner.  BMW will provide low emission diesel, hybrid and electric cars as well as motor cycles and bicycles to the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) in support of the Games.  These will principally be used as shuttles for athletes, officials, media, employees of the LOCOG, representatives of the national Olympic committees, the international sporting bodies of the IOC and sponsors.

LOCOG set ambitious CO2 emission targets for its operational vehicle fleet at London 2012.  BMW will provide vehicles that average less than the 120g CO2 per kilometre required by LOCOG.

The plug-in is based on the long wheelbase version of the 5 which BMW’s China company, BMW Brilliance Automotive, began building in Shenyang last year.

The car, called ‘New Energy Vehicle’, is based on the ‘mild’ hybrid drivetrain BMW showed last year in the ActiveHybrid 5 concept. That car is equipped with a twin-turbo six-cylinder engine, eight-speed transmission and 40kW electric motor.

The 5 Series hybrid plug-in will have an all-electric/emissions-free range of 75 km (47 miles) when moving at a constant speed of 60 km/h (37 mph). Maximum range, including the petrol engine, will be 400 km (250 miles). A similar 5 Series hybrid model is expected to launch in the UK and across Europe in 2012, although that will likely be confirmed at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

Source: Healineauto.com

Salon Privé guests will be given the chance to preview a final production model of the new 6 Series Coupé at BMW’s invitation, in a special Closed Room, located off the main supercar lawn.

This debut cements Salon Privé’s reputation for exclusive access to new cars, for its select audience.  Previous examples have included the Rolls-Royce Ghost, Aston Martin One-77 and new Jaguar XJ, all previewed to Salon Privé visitors.

Said Salon Privé Sales Director, David Bagley:  “The relaxed and rarefied atmosphere of Salon Privé is an excellent environment for premium car makers to reveal their latest models to target customers.  We’re delighted BMW has come on board, for the first time in 2011, to continue this custom.”

BMW will also show the epitome of ‘M’ performance, its 4.4-litre V8-powered M3 GTS, on the supercar lawn.

Three big changes occur for Salon Privé in 2011.  The three-day celebration of supercars, classic cars and luxury brands relocates to the spectacular 200-acre Syon Park, London home of The Duke of Northumberland, and takes place one month earlier than previously, on 22^nd – 24^th June, placing it at the heart of the British summer season calendar.

• BMW Leasing Deals
• New and nearly new BMW Deals
• Used BMW Deals

This year’s Salon Privé also incorporates a brand new “Quintessentially English Cars” sale by international collector car specialists, RM Auctions.

One thing that does not change is the all-inclusive approach to hospitality; each guest ticket offers full access to all areas of Salon Privé, lobster lunch, afternoon tea and unlimited complimentary Pommery champagne.

All-Inclusive daytime tickets start from £175.00pp + VAT and can be purchased via the official Salon Privé website www.salonprivelondon.com, or by calling +44 (0) 808 100 2205.

Two new turbocharged petrol engines and a newly developed chassis plus a host of class-leading driver assistance technology ensure that the new BMW 6 Series Coupé offers stellar driving dynamics while the interior space and comfort have been enhanced.

Despite its lower height, the new 2+2 BMW 6 Series Coupé offers greater headroom in both the front and the rear, and height adjustment of the driver and front passenger seats now cover a greater range too.  The individual rear sets also provide passengers with additional shoulder and elbow room, making for more comfortable cruising.

Available from launch, the two petrol engines: the 650i and 640i, both offer unique character from their respective V8 and inline six-cylinder engines. Using twin and single turbocharger technology, they produce even more responsiveness, efficiency and higher power levels.

The 4.4-litre eight-cylinder engine in the new BMW 650i Coupé is unique in that the brace of turbochargers are positioned in the V-shaped area between the cylinder banks.  This design results in more efficient packaging and greater engine efficiency.  A maximum 407hp is developed between 5,500 and 6,400rpm, with peak torque of 600Nm available between 1,750 and 4,500rpm.

The new BMW 650i Coupé sprints from zero to 62mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 155mph.  For a model of such blistering performance and refinement, it is also extraordinarily efficient, with average combined fuel consumption of 27.2mpg and CO₂ emissions of 243g/km.

The six-cylinder in-line engine in the new BMW 640i Coupé uses single turbocharger technology alongside petrol direct injection with VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control.  This enables the 3.0-litre unit to develop a maximum 320hp at 5,800rpm and maximum torque of 450Nm between 1,300 and 4,500rpm.  This engine propels the BMW 640i Coupé from zero to 62mph in 5.4 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

Perhaps even more remarkable are its efficiency figures.  The BMW 640i Coupé achieves 36.7mpg on the combined cycle, while CO₂ emissions are only 179g/km, proving that at BMW luxurious sporting performance does not come at the expense of economy.  Indeed, this model is fitted as standard with an automatic transmission that features Auto Start-Stop technology and an automatic active air flap control behind the car’s kidney grille for optimum engine performance.

The BMW 640i Coupé debuts the fuel saving technology that is the ECO PRO mode.  By a touch of the Drive Dynamic Control button ECO PRO mode tweaks the engine management system, accelerator mapping and gear-shift characteristics to favour a relaxed, low-revving driving style.  At the same time, power usage for electronically operated functions such as climate control is regulated to ensure maximum efficiency.  A display on the instrument cluster keep the driver informed of the levels of energy efficiency being achieved to encourage an economical driving style.

BMW 6 Series coupe car leasing deals

BMW 6 Series new and nearly new car deals

BMW 6 Series road test reports

As with all BMWs, both derivatives of the new 6 Series Coupé come with a raft of BMW EfficientDynamics measures to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.  In addition to the features highlighted on the 640i Coupé, both models have technology such as Brake Energy Regeneration, Electric Power Steering (EPS), the need-based operation of ancillary components and intelligent lightweight construction to ensure maximum efficiency as standard.

Highest ever standard specification
The new BMW 6 Series Coupé comes with the highest ever level of standard specification on a Six. Standard for the 640i Coupé are 18-inch light alloy wheels, while the 650i Coupé comes as standard with a 19-inch light alloy wheel.  Both derivatives feature Dakota leather upholstery, eight-speed Sport automatic transmission, electric seat adjustment with memory, BMW Professional Multimedia Navigation system, Xenon headlights, LED front fog lights and front and rear Park Distance Control to name but a few of the standard specification highlights.

The BMW 6 Series Coupé goes on sale in the UK on 15 October, 2011.  Prices will be announced at a later date.

The group which includes the BMW brand, Mini and Rolls Royce is looking to achieve sales of significantly more than 1.5 million according to the group’s chariman Norbert Reithofer, speaking at the company’s annual press conference.

He added: "We aim to reach new record sales with all three brands, BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce."

Sales of the BMW brand last year rose 14.6 per cent to 1.22m vehicles while Mini hit new heights, up just over 8 per cent to 234,175 cars and Rolls-Royce sold a record 2,711.

According to news agency, Headlineauto, Reithofer added: "Our product offering is young, emotional and, most of all in great demand the world over. Just last week, the BMW Group was again ranked as the World’s Most Admired Company in the motor vehicles segment by Fortune Magazine and we were among the top 20 global corporations."

He added that the Group had launched 14 products during 2010 and while its factories were under-utilised at the beginning of the year, things changed in the final quarter.

"We managed quite a leap posting an all-time high in production. Never before have we manufactured so many cars in only three months. At the end of the year we had about 100,000 units more on the books than originally planned."

Despite plans to grow sales further this year, Reithofer said he still expected a certain amount of volatility in world markets. "Dealing with that volatility has become a constant in our business.

"The world we live in faces sudden political events and uncertainty – like we are observing in several countries – or like the unfortunate natural disaster in Japan."

Following the development of the MINI E and BMW ActiveE electric concept cars and as a step towards the aim of producing the Mega City Vehicle, the German car maker has announced it will launch a special sub-brand to give these vehicles their own special place in the firm’s portfolio.

Set to be revealed on Monday, we bring you the full details then. For now all BMW is hinting is that this new sub-brand will bring together all its most efficient vehicles.