With its latest models and groundbreaking concept studies on show at Auto Shanghai 2013, BMW is offering a clear pointer to its continuing model push.
The Shanghai show is the stage for the world premiere of the BMW Concept X4, which carries the attributes of a Sports Activity Coupe into a further vehicle segment. The study reveals at first sight how smoothly the qualities of a BMW X model meld with the genes of a BMW Coupe.
Auto Shanghai 2013 also sees the Asian premiere of a further BMW concept: the BMW Concept Active Tourer affords a preview of how comfort and functionality of space can be combined with dynamics and style in the premium compact segment.
Just around the corner, meanwhile, is the market launch of the new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo and BMW M6 Gran Coupe models, which are also making their debut on the Asian continent. BMW i presents its two studies, the BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept, at Auto Shanghai 2013. The brand’s first series-produced model, the BMW i3, is set to be launched this year, starting in Europe and then rolled out into other regions of the world.
These new models will help to position the BMW brand in China’s dynamically expanding car market. In 2012, the BMW Group managed to boost car sales in mainland China by 40.4 per cent to a total of 326,444 units.
Moreover, China has taken on an increasingly significant role as a local production location. BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series models have been built at the Shenyang plant since 2003, and the Tiexi factory that opened in 2012 will now also be producing the BMW X1 for the Chinese market.
The BMW Group is similarly expanding its local R&D capacities, and its creative network in China now includes a DesignworksUSA Studio, a ConnectedDrive Lab and a Technology Office. All three innovation centres are based in the metropolis of Shanghai.
- World premiere: the BMW Concept X4.
BMW is once again breaking new ground with the creation of an all-new vehicle segment. The BMW Concept X4 opens a window into the future expansion of the BMW X family. Scheduled for its debut appearance at Auto Shanghai 2013, the concept car combines the rugged looks of a BMW X model with the emotional and sporting aura of one of the brand’s Coupes – and, in so doing, brings the Sports Activity Coupe concept so successfully coined by the BMW X6 to another new class. The BMW Concept X4 takes to the stage sporting a product character all its own. As such it follows in the tyre tracks of the BMW X5, BMW X3, BMW X1 and BMW X6, which likewise adopted the role of trailblazer in their respective segments and continue to set their class standard today.
- Asian premiere: the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo.
The BMW 3 Series, the world’s most successful premium car, is entering new territory with the introduction of a new body variant. The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo blends the sporting elegance of the BMW 3 Series range with an innovative spaciousness and practicality. Familiar BMW proportions, four doors with frameless windows, a coupe-style roofline sloping down smoothly to the rear, a large, automatically opening and closing tailgate, and a long wheelbase all define the individual character of the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo. The driver and passengers (front and rear) benefit from a seating position raised by 59 millimetres compared to the Sedan, while the rear passengers also enjoy generous legroom. The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo has a load capacity of 520 litres.
- Asian premiere: the BMW Concept Active Tourer.
BMW presents an innovative vehicle concept for the premium compact segment, fusing cutting-edge functionality with a fresh view of Sheer Driving Pleasure. The BMW Concept Active Tourer offers sporting proportions packaged within an exterior length of 4,350 millimetres and combined with a generously-sized, flexible-use interior. BMW eDrive technology in the form of a plug-in hybrid drive system ensures top-class BMW dynamics and efficiency.
- Asian premiere: the BMW M6 Gran Coupe.
To experience the time-honoured fascination of M cars at its most exclusive, look no further than the BMW M6 Gran Coupe. Here, the aesthetic appeal and luxurious character of a four-door coupe join forces with superior performance attributes underpinned by race-bred powertrain and chassis technology. With its M TwinPower Turbo technology and 412 kW/560 hp, the BMW M6 Gran Coupe’s high-revving V8 engine has the means to power the new BMW M GmbH flagship model from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds. Added to which, the rear compartment of the BMW M6 Gran Coupe offers two passengers generous long-distance comfort to complement the unmistakable M experience and includes a third seat suitable for use over shorter distances.
- Two glimpses of the future: the BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept.
Just a few months before the market launch of its first series-produced model, the new, sustainable mobility-oriented brand BMW i gives the Auto Shanghai 2013 audience a comprehensive preview of its future product range, design language and vehicle technology with two concept cars. The BMW i3 Concept with a pure electric drive system and the BMW i8 Concept plug-in hybrid sports car study offer their own unique versions of BMW eDrive powertrain technology to deliver undiluted driving pleasure. In addition, BMW i uses a selection of other innovations to show how intelligent energy management and extensive connectivity can optimise the cars’ electric driving range to suit customers’ individual mobility requirements.
The BMW Group
The BMW Group is the leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 28 production and assembly facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2012, the BMW Group sold about 1.85 million cars and more than 117,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2012 was euro 7.82 billion on revenues amounting to euro 76.85 billion. At 31 December 2012, the BMW Group had a workforce of 105,876 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last eight years.