BMW gearing up for big show in Paris

The upcoming Paris Motor Show will feature quite a few debuts at the BMW pavilion, notably all-new models for the 6 Series and the X3 in addition to new variants for the 5 Series.

Concept 6 Series Coupe

BMW calls this a ‘Concept’, but we all know this is a very production-ready successor for the E63 6 Series Coupe. Details revealed thus far have avoided the juicy bits and instead focused on how it features all the classic BMW coupe design hallmarks – long bonnet, short front overhang, low silhoutte, the lot.

Front illumination is all-LED, and features Adaptive Headlight to help illuminate the bends. Daytime running lights, now a requirement for European models, come in the shape of four LED-illuminated rings. Inside, trademark BMW driver-centric dash features a 10.2″ iDrive display in addition to an all-new HUD system. Audio is supplied by Bang & Olufsen.

No mention has been made on the engine choices, but our bets are on BMW picking the higher end engines from the F10 5 Series – the 3.0-litre N57 D30 diesel, the 3.0-litre N55 B30 twin-scroll turbo petrol, and the 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 N63 B44 – to kick start matters. What we are anxious to see now is the four-door version, which BMW showed the world earlier as the BMW Gran Coupe Concept.

F25 X3

The all-new X3 was in fact, unveiled two months ago by BMW, but Paris will be its first public appearance. Available only in xDrive AWD format, the X3 will launch with two powerplants, both of which we are intimately familiar with from the F10 5 Series.

Diesel power, offered in the xDrive20d, will be delivered by the highly-impressive 2.0-litre N47 D20. Already a favourite with us in its 177hp/350Nm state of tune, this engine powers the X3 with 184hp and 380Nm at its disposal. Paired to the engine is the choice of a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Plucked from the 535i, the 2,979cc twin-scroll turbo N55 B30 inline-6 motor will supply the option of petrol power for the X3 in the xDrive35i. Featuring direct injection and Valvetronic, the flagship xDrive35i variant makes 306hp @ 5,800rpm and 400Nm @ 1,300rpm – 5,000rpm. The standard transmission on offer for this model is the 8-speed auto.

No BMW launch these days will be complete without a mention of its EfficientDynamics trickery, and the X3 gets Auto Start-Stop to both manual and auto variants. Brake Energy Regeneration, Electric Power Steering, on-demand ancillaries, lightweight construtction and low-rolling resistance tyres are amongst other measures adopted.

At Paris, BMW will also showcase units of the X3 installed with M Sports package kit. Modifications that comes with the kit include chassis and aerodynamic trickery in addition to various visual add-ons. Light alloys wheels and sports suspension are par for the course, and the X3 xDrive35i will get paddle shifters for its auto gearbox and a variable sports steering with Servotronic.

New variants for 5 Series Sedan, Touring and GT. xDrive and M Sport options available.

The 5 Series, which made its global debut nearly a year ago, will now be bolstered by new variants for all three of its bodystyles. All three will be offered with the option of xDrive AWD and M Sports package for selected variants, and the Touring model will start to have new powerplant options as well.

BMW 5 SERIES Sedan with M Sports Package

For the 5 Series Touring, the 528i, 525d, and 535d joins the existing variants, which consisted of the 520d, 523i, 530d and 535i during launch. With the exception of the 535d, all other engines in the range were already introduced to us when the F10 5 Series Sedan made its debut last year.

BMW 5 Series Touring

The 535d draws propulsion from a 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel inline-6 motor producing some 300hp @ 4,400rpm and 600Nm @ 1,750rpm. Standard transmission on offer for this variant is the 8-speed automatic gearbox starting to permeate across the BMW range. The 535d is available in Sedan, Touring and Gran Turismo bodystyle.

From spring of 2011, the 5 Series Touring will be offered with the option of xDrive AWD for the 535i xDrive and the 530d xDrive. xDrive will also premier on the 5 Series Sedan and GT, with the 530d, 535i and 550i all set to be the recipients of this technology. Also set to get xDrive will be the 535d GT.

BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo