Aussie Motoring

The elegant, sporty and high-technology 3 Series Coupés will arrive in dealerships around Australia in October in both 325i and 335i six-cylinder guise.

The 335i now leads the 3 Series family thanks to its innovative 3.0-litre Twin Turbo petrol engine that delivers a smooth 225 kW of power at 5,800 rpm and a massive 400 Nm of torque between 1,300 rpm and 5,000 rpm.

Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is a rapid fire 5.5 seconds, almost as fast as the E46 generation M3 Coupé.

Using high-precision direct petrol injection, an all aluminium engine and a pair of turbo-chargers, each assigned to force-feed three cylinders, the new Twin Turbo engine sets new standards for driving performance and pleasure.

The low inertia turbos spool up much faster than conventional units, eliminating turbo-lag completely.

A stringent BMW weight-reduction programme coupled with efficient engine management also ensures low fuel consumption. The Twin Turbo engine is 70 kg lighter than a comparably powerful 4.0-litre eight-cylinder engine.

The lightweight engine ensures the BMW 3 Series Coupé will retain BMW’s famed 50/50 weight distribution for perfectly balanced and entertaining handling.

From October, the alluring BMW 3 Series Coupé line-up starts with the 325i priced at $81,500 for the six-speed manual.

Standard equipment for the 325i Coupé includes Bi-Xenon headlamps, LED tail lights, 17-inch light alloy wheels, premium Dakota leather upholstery, BMW Business navigation system with colour monitor, six-stacker CD player, rear Park Distance Control, sport seats with electric adjustment and two memory settings for the driver, automatic climate control, and extended lights package for interior illumination, cruise control with brake function and Bluetooth mobile phone preparation.

From a safety perspective the 325i Coupé covers all the bases with DTC Dynamic Traction Control, DSC+ Dynamic Stability Control, CBC Cornering Brake Control, DBC Dynamic Brake Control and dual front airbags, dual side airbags and head airbags front and rear.

The 2.5-litre magnesium aluminium straight-six engine produces 160 kW of power at 6,500 rpm and 250 Nm of torque between 2,750 rpm and 4,000 rpm. The 325i Coupé accelerates to 100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds.

The 325i Coupé, optionally equipped with a six-speed Steptronic Automatic transmission, specially adapted for the Coupé models and upgraded to deliver shift times around 40 percent faster than before, is priced at $84,100.

Further 325i Coupé options include Active Steering, Sport Suspension, 18 or 19-inch light alloy wheels, Comfort Access, Adaptive Headlights, Active Cruise Control, High Beam Assist and LOGIC7 sound system.

The 335i Coupé will be available in both six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmission guise. The most powerful regular production 3 Series ever (not including the specialist M3 models) will be priced from $108,500 as a manual and $111,100 as an automatic.

The 335i out-points its closest rival by having notably more power and torque, far faster acceleration, lower fuel consumption and a lighter kerb weight.

Uniquely available to automatic transmission models of the BMW 335i Coupé is the option for steering wheel mounted shift paddles. These alloy-finished shifters are priced at $200.

The 335i Coupé standard specification adds the following features over those of the 325i Coupé: larger front and rear brakes, Sport Suspension, 18-inch light alloy wheels, Park Distance Control PDC front and rear, front seat lumbar adjustment, BMW Professional Navigation with 8.8-inch colour monitor and TV and Voice Recognition functions, HiFi loudspeaker system, High Beam Assist and Adaptive Headlights.

Very late in 2006, a further version of the 3 Series Coupé range will become available in Australia. The 323i will be priced from $69,900 in manual and $72,500 in automatic transmission guise.

It will be equipped with the same free-revving magnesium aluminium 2.5-litre engine as fitted to the 323i Sedan and Touring models launched in Australia in June, albeit in a slightly sportier state of tune.

Compared with its closest rival, the 323i Coupé offers a manual option, more power for faster acceleration, lower fuel consumption and significantly less weight which enhances the driving experience considerably.

The new BMW 3 Series Coupé shares no exterior body panels with the very successful BMW 3 Series Sedan, voted World Car of the Year 2006.

This year BMW has sold more than 250,000 3 Series Sedans underlining its success as the world’s best compact sports luxury sedan.

BMW expects the new 3 Series Coupé will follow in the wheel tracks of its exceptionally successful E46 model, which sold more than 460,000 examples over its seven-year model life.

“The BMW 3 Series Coupé is one of the most sought-after cars in the luxury market and the new model is already creating a torrent of inquiry,” says Tom Noble, General Manager, Marketing at BMW Group Australia.

“Its combination of smooth and powerful BMW six-cylinder engines, a sleek, elegant body and a host of advanced technologies, perfectly meets the needs of our Coupé customers.

“The 3 Series Coupé is one of those stand-out cars the market understands as the ultimate expression of sporting style.

“The BMW Coupé is the ultimate expression of pure design, pure performance, pure driving, and pure heritage.

“The BMW Coupé, especially in Twin Turbo 335i guise, will rewrite the rules for compact, athletic sporting cars,” Tom says.

2006 BMW 3 Series Coupé.

Expect to see the various versions and transmissions inthe showrooms during the following months.

323i M $69,900 December

323i A $72,500 December

325i M $81,500 October

325i A $84,100 October

335i M $108,500 October

335i A $111,100 October

Mini – through the establishment of FMEF - has today begun to take action against a car identity fraud ring allegedly passing off counterfeit cars as Minis. FMEF – Fake Mini Eradication Force – will co-operate with Mini and international law enforcement agencies to bring the countefeiters to justice.

Counterfeiting schemes are nothing new, although up until now they have been confined to exclusive fashion and jewellery brands.

In recent weeks, however, a number of vehicles crudely disguised to look like Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S models have been appearing in on-line and classified advertising publications. Even worse, several Mini faker-ers have been spotted pedalling their fake Mini wares to innocent victims in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

Several of these have been brought to the attention of Mini.

In the defence of its brand identity, Mini will today begin taking civil action against the perpetrators.

As a first step, Mini is alerting the Australian car buying public to the existence of the counterfeiting ring, and urges buyers to exhibit extreme caution when offered a vehicle for sale purporting to be a genuine Mini.

Justin Hocevar, National Manager Mini said: “We have a duty both to our owners to protect their valuable investment and to prospective pre-loved Mini buyers to warn them of the pitfalls of buying non-genuine used Minis.

“We have had to act to protect the integrity of our MINI NEXT Approved pre-loved Miniprogramme.

“That’s why we’ve constituted FMEF to work with us in this endeavour.

“And today we have written to all our owners and supplied them with a FMEF pack in the hope that they can assist us in our quest to stamp out the Mini faker-ers before it’s too late.”

According to Mr Hocevar, the Mini faker-ers have attempted to emulate many of the iconic Mini styling cues in order to fool unsuspecting buyers, applying items such as customised roof flags, mirror caps and bonnet stripes

“Just because a vehicle has bonnet stripes or a Union Jack roof decal, does not make it a Mini” he said.

“Mini is known for its chic styling, exuberant performance, go-kart handling and seemingly endless customisation options.

“The first fakes we detected were quite convincing.

“However, as the faker-ers have grown more and more greedy, their attention to detail has slipped and the ones we are seeing now are a pretty poor pastiche of parts purporting to pass themselves off as MINIs,” he said.

“While they might be able to get away with a pair of cobbled up twin exhaust pipes or dodgy bonnet stripes, trying to re-create the exhilarating ‘wheel at each corner’ driving dynamic is another thing altogether.

“Mini simply will not allow customers to be conned in this way.”

Buyers of pre-loved cars discovering counterfeit Minis are asked not to approach or try to make contact with the faker-ers involved. These are desperate people who have demonstrated they’ll stop at nothing in their quest to infest the market with these ghastly fakes.

Instead, anyone with information concerning these vehicles is urgently asked to visit FMEF online at www.FMEF.com.au

The popularity in Australia of diesel engines has hit a new high with analysis by ACNielsen showing that 95 per cent of diesel owners would purchase a diesel-powered vehicle again.

Commissioned by BMW in order to evaluate customer experiences with diesel fuel, fuel stations and driving patterns, the survey of diesel customers found that high-performance engine characteristics along with exceptional fuel economy are the prime considerations for diesel buyers, followed closely by resale value.

“People are drawn to BMW diesel engines for their power and performance and of course, their excellent fuel economy,” said Tom Noble, General Manager Marketing at BMW Group Australia.

“This survey, which examined customer views on contemporary diesel driving experiences, highlights some very positive ownership experiences among the growing band of BMW diesel drivers,” he said.

The availability of diesel fuel, along with the presentation and cleanliness of fuel sites, were also evaluated in the online survey distributed to over 3,900 owners of the BMW X5 3.0d, the first diesel model introduced by the company in Australia.

Off-road with the BMW X5

Less than half of customers surveyed (43 per cent) described the presentation and cleanliness of fuel stations as good or excellent when filling their vehicle with diesel fuel.

Contrary to general opinion, men are more likely than women to be dissatisfied with the presentation and cleanliness at a fuel station.

However 75 per cent of owners report diesel fuel being generally or always available and more than half (66 per cent) tend to purchase diesel fuel at their preferred fuel station.

The survey also found that owners are most likely to do the majority of their driving in the city or an even mix between city and rural driving. At 73 per cent combined, this compares to just 27 percent of owners who classify their driving as mainly rural.

City drivers also drive fewer kilometres than rural drivers and are more likely to buy diesel from their preferred fuel station.

Whilst high-performance engine characteristics, fuel economy, and resale values were the most important factors in the purchase phase for the average diesel X5 buyer, the split between city drivers and rural drivers reveals some differences at the margins.

Rural drivers are more likely than city drivers to cite towing ability and vehicle power as a factor to purchase and city drivers in turn are more likely to cite environmental issues and the higher cost of fuel as a factor to purchase.

Confirming the popularity of the BMW X5 3.0d experience, 95 per cent of owners surveyed declared their intention to buy a diesel-powered vehicle when they next re-purchase. This figure rises to 97 per cent for owners who drive more than 20,000km per year.

BMW Group Australia introduced the diesel-powered X5 3.0d in 2003 and has delivered more than 4,700 examples since, putting the phenomenally successful, sporting and luxurious X5 in a clear leadership position.

The proportion of diesel-powered X5 sales continues to grow with the 3.0d model this year accounting for more than 65 per cent of total sales.

Today, BMW offers diesel engines in the 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series as well as the X5 and X3 Sport Activity Vehicles.

BMW Group Australia’s expansion of its diesel line-up has been the result of the availability of low-sulphur diesel that blends perfectly with the high-technology BMW diesel engines and the growth in demand for diesel power plants.

“BMW diesel technology boasts more advantages than just fuel efficiency,” said Tom.

“With their immense pulling power and a well-balanced delivery, modern BMW diesel engines play an important role in ensuring typical BMW driving dynamics and comfort,” he said.

The diesel survey was initiated by BMW Group Australia with an online questionnaire completed by purchasers of new BMW X5 3.0d vehicles. A response rate of almost 30 per cent was achieved and analysis of the data was conducted by ACNielsen.

A BMW X5 undgoes final checks before despatch from the BMW plant.

Mini Springs into Summer with a hot new model. The ever-popular high-specification Chilli model, so beloved by Mini hardtop buyers, is now available in the Always Open Mini Cabrio.

Due to arrive in showrooms in December just in time for the summer holidays, the Mini Cabrio Chilli models gather together an outstanding array of additional features.

Both the 85 kW Mini Cooper Cabrio and 125 kW Mini Cooper S Cabrio variants will be available in Chilli guise alongside the exiting models.

And as with the Mini Cooper S hardtop, Cabrio lovers will be able to further specify their Chilli-spec cars with the optional John Cooper Works Tuning Kit, which boosts engine output of the 1.6-litre supercharged engine to a feisty 154 kW.

The Mini Cabrio Chilli models add a similar level of specification to that of the hardtop model.

For Mini Cooper Cabrio buyers, the Chilli package adds a choice of two cloth and leather seat facings for the sports seats, a multi-function leather-wrapped sports steering wheel, Cockpit Chrono Pack, 16-inch light alloy ‘Fin’ design wheels, chic Chromeline exterior highlight package, front fog lights and velour floor mats.

For the supercharged Mini Cooper S Cabrio, the Chilli package delivers the cloth and leather seat cover choices, sports leather steering wheel, 17-inch ‘Bullet’ light alloy wheels, Xenon headlamps, Automatic Climate Control, Cockpit Chrono Pack and Harman Kardon HiFi as well as velour floor mats.

The Mini Cooper Cabrio Chilli is priced from $41,100 and the Mini Cooper S Cabrio Chilli is priced from $50,100.

Since launch in January 2005, more than 1,000 Mini Cabrio models have been delivered in Australia. In 2005 alone, 675 Cabrio models boosted MiniI sales to an all time high of 2,097 cars in Australia.

The success story has continued in 2006, despite supply constraints as the Oxford factory juggles ever-increasing demand from burgeoning world markets.

Aside from the blindingly obvious chic appeal of the instantly-recognisable exterior, the go-kart handling and zesty powertrain, the Mini Cabrio has been a rip-roaring success thanks to the high level of personalisation options offered to customers.

There’s no other cabrio in its premium price bracket that offers customer the ability to add safety vision cameras front and rear, colour coded dashboards, Xenon headlamps, satellite navigation or Bluetooth phone preparation to their cars.

The Mini Cabrio Chilli models add additional specification over a very high standard of equipment fitted to all Cabrio models, including:

four airbags, Anti-lock brakes,

Cornering Brake Control,

air-conditioning,

power operated one-touch folding roof with unique sunroof function and heated glass rear window and

Easy-Load luggage system, and Park Distance Control.

“The Mini Cabrio has quickly driven itself into the hearts of topless car buyers in Australia,” said Justin Hocevar, National Manager, Mini.

“The arrival of the Chilli will add even more spice to the Mini brand.

“The Mini Cabrio Chilli will fire up customers who want to personalise their purchase even more. It’s the ideal car for fun-loving, always open drivers who want to make the most of Australia’s fabulous summer.

“Mini is enjoying unprecedented success in Australia. The reason is simple. The Mini is a stand out car. You only have to look at how many wannabe rivals are said to be scrambling to follow in Mini’s wide wheeltracks.

“They will have a long way to travel though, because the Mini is authentic, the genuine article. It delivers on all of its promises. That’s why it is a success in Australia and world wide,” Justin said.

With the Bureau of Meteorology predicting a hotter than average Spring this year, convertible owners will welcome a revolutionary new technology that reduces heat build-up in leather upholstery by around 25 degrees.

“The open-air motoring fan has to endure the same experience time and again,” says Tom Noble, General Manager Marketing at BMW Group Australia.

“You park your car in the sun with the roof open and the leather on the seats as well as the steering wheel becomes unpleasantly hot and hard to touch.

“This problem is now solved by SunReflective technology, used for the first time ever in the automobile industry.

“And it is perfect for a hot country like Australia,” says Tom.

Special treatment of the leather, naturally maintaining its superior features and qualities, reflects direct sunlight in the invisible waveband. As a result, the surfaces do not become as hot as usual and maintain a pleasantly low temperature.

Particularly large differences in temperature (25 °C and more) versus conventional leather are ensured especially with dark leather colours, depending on the intensity of sunshine. Even with light colours, the differences in temperature achieved are quite noticeable.

“Thanks to the revolutionary SunReflective technology from BMW Individual, convertible owners can now better enjoy the pleasures of open top motoring in Australia,” says Tom.

SunReflective technology is currently available on the exclusive BMW Individual Merino leather seats featured in the BMW Individual 6 Series Convertible.

The additional cost for SunReflective Technology is $500 and is currently available exclusively to BMW Individual customers.

Driving at night can be one of the most hazardous of all times to drive. It is so easy to be dazzled by the headlights of an oncoming car and so be blinded to things that are in front of you.

While such things as thermal imaging have been available to people such as military pilots, police and even hunters the concept has never been available for ordinary drivers like you and me.

However, that has all changed change with the announcement from BMW that thermal imaging is now available in the top of the range 7 series as a $4000 option. The option will also soon be available throughout the entire BMW range.

For all the details on this break-through in night driving follow the link to BMW Night Vision