BMW readies EV, hydrogen updates for 2015 Detroit Auto Show

BMW at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2015 in Detroit.

On 12 January 2015, BMW will welcome in the new car year by unveiling a raft of new products at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

A fixture on the calendar since 1907, the event originally known as the Detroit Auto Show has a long tradition in the USA. This year will be the 27th time it has been held on an international stage, and more than 200 exhibitors will gather at the COBO Center on the Detroit River to present their latest offerings to a large audience. More than 18 million people have visited the show since 1989. The public days take place from 17 – 25 January.

Celebrating their world premieres in Detroit are the new BMW 6 Series Convertible, Coupe and Gran Coupe, as well as the new BMW M6 Coupe, BMW M6 Convertible and BMW M6 Gran Coupe high-performance models. They will be joined at the NAIAS by the cutting-edge BMW i models and innovative services encompassing the world of electric mobility. And BMW ConnectedDrive will be showcasing its over-the-air regular automatic map updating technology.

The new BMW 6 Series Convertible, the new BMW 6 Series Coupe and the new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe: three genuine athletes grace the luxury class.

One highlight of the BMW stand at this year’s Detroit Motor Show is the world premiere of the new BMW 6 Series model range. The combination of intoxicating sports performance, majestic ride comfort, a luxurious interior ambience and innovative equipment features marks out the members of the BMW 6 Series line-up. The new BMW 6 Series Convertible, the new BMW 6 Series Coupe and the new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe meet the highest expectations of a sporting luxury car in terms of driving dynamics, comfort, advanced technology and imposing elegance. Supreme power development, impressive refinement and exemplary efficiency are attributes shared by all of the engines available for the new 6 Series Convertible, new BMW 6 Series Coupe and new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. The range consists of a petrol V8 producing 330 kW/450 hp (fuel consumption combined*: 9.1 – 8.6 l/100 km / 31.0 – 32.9 mpg imp [with xDrive 9.5 – 9.1 l/100 km / 29.7 – 31.0 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined*: 213 – 199 g/km [with xDrive 221 – 213 g/km]), a 235 kW/320 hp six-cylinder in-line petrol engine (fuel consumption combined*: 7.9 – 7.4 l/100 km / 35.8 – 38.2 mpg imp [with xDrive 8.4 – 7.9 l/100 km / 33.6 – 35.8 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined*: 184 – 172 g/km [with xDrive 195 – 183 g/km]) and a straight-six diesel with 230 kW/313 hp (fuel consumption combined*: 5.8 – 5.2 l/100 km / 48.7 – 54.3 mpg imp [with xDrive 6.0 – 5.5 l/100 km / 47.1 –51.4 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined*: 153 – 139 g/km [with xDrive 158 – 146 g/km]). All enjoy the benefits of the BMW TwinPower Turbo technology developed under the banner of BMW EfficientDynamics, all meet the EU6 exhaust emissions standard and all link up as standard with an eight-speed Steptronic sport transmission. As an alternative to sending their engine power to the rear wheels, all new BMW 6 Series model variants can also be specified with the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system.

The new BMW M6 Coupe, the new BMW M6 Convertible and the new BMW M6 Gran Coupe: driving dynamics, exclusivity and efficiency from the top drawer.

Another Detroit highlight will be the world premiere of the new BMW M6 models. The BMW M6 Coupe, BMW M6 Convertible and BMW M6 Gran Coupe allow BMW M GmbH to restate its leadership in the high-performance luxury segment. The outgoing models had already set new benchmarks with the flawless balance of power, efficiency, agility, comfort and luxury that is typical of M models. And now the new BMW M6 line-up is poised to write a fresh chapter in this success story, fuelled by an even more finely honed, well-resolved overall concept. Part of the credit here goes to an extended range of standard equipment (including LED headlights and Park Distance Control), the cutting-edge tech-style interior with iPhone-look Central Information Display and centre console in black panel design, and the even greater scope for individualisation brought about by new exterior colours, new leather shades, a full-leather trim variant with contrast stitching and attractive accents in black chrome. The unparalleled 4.4-litre V8 turbocharged engine, meanwhile, delivers a two-pronged promise of extraordinary performance and outstanding efficiency. This high-tech unit boasts impressive, innovative M TwinPower Turbo technology and develops 412 kW/560 hp. At the same time, however, the new BMW M6 Coupe and the new BMW M6 Gran Coupe require a combined fuel consumption of just 9.9 litres/100 km (28.5 mpg imp)* in the ECE test cycle, which equates to combined CO2 emissions of 231 g/km* (BMW M6 Convertible: fuel consumption combined: 10.3 l/100 km [27.4 mpg imp]*; CO2 emissions combined: 239 g/km*).

The mobility of the future: BMW i rolls out additional services to complement the BMW i3 and BMW i8.

Following the successful launch of the electric-powered BMW i3 and the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, BMW i is now extending its range of services focusing on every aspect of electric mobility and rolling them out internationally. With the BMW i3 and BMW i8, BMW i offers customers not only a choice of electric vehicles, but also far-reaching complementary products to ensure the cars provide long-term service. ChargeNow, for example, is a charging and payment service which is enjoying continuous expansion – thanks to the addition of new fast-charging stations – and which supports international roaming. BMW i drivers who are reliant on a permanent parking space with a charging facility will find a suitable solution in ParkNow LongTerm, while the ParkNow web and app-based service helps drivers to find a space as and when they need one while out and about. ParkNow offers car park and roadside parking spaces in hundreds of cities across North America and can filter the results of searches according to price, distance and the availability of services such as charging stations and car washes. DriveNow offers car-sharing options for more than 350,000 registered customers in the USA and Europe at the latest count, and another international rollout is now in the pipeline. And finally, «Second Life» pilot projects in the USA, Germany and China allow lithium-ion batteries from BMW i vehicles to be used as stationary energy storage devices after their service life on the road.

Always up to date thanks to intelligent connectivity: navigation map updates via mobile phone networks.

With regular automatic map updating for the navigation system, BMW is widening its lead as the world’s top provider of on-line-based in-car services. Updating takes place over the air (via the mobile phone network) using the vehicle’s built-in SIM card. This innovative solution, which entails no licence fees or data transfer charges for customers, forms part of the new generation of the Navigation system Professional. The system updates itself regularly several times a year whenever a new map version becomes available. The update is installed conveniently and completely automatically. Regular updating means there is never any delay before users are able to use the latest map software, providing the basis for an impeccable navigation experience.

* Figures according to ECE test cycle, may vary depending on the tyre format specified. All performance, fuel consumption and emissions figures are provisional.

Further information on official fuel consumption figures, specific CO2 emission values and the electric power consumption of new passenger cars is included in the following guideline: «Leitfaden über fuel consumption, die CO2 emissions and den Stromverbrauch neuer Personenkraftwagen» (Guideline for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and electric power consumption of new passenger cars), which can be obtained from all dealerships, from Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at http://www.dat.de/en/offers/publications/guideline-for-fuel-consumption.html. LeitfadenCO2 (GuidelineCO2) (PDF ‒ 2.7 MB)

For the latest information about US specifications, including fuel efficiency, equipment, and pricing, please visit www.bmwusanews.com.