First up is the car that is literally the brand's lifeblood, the all new BMW 3-Series. Engines are carryover, but have been fiddled to produce more power and torque. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four in the 330i now makes 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, and can propel the car from 0-60 mph in around 5.6 seconds. The M340i gets an additional 62 horsepower from last year from its 3.0-liter turbocharged straight six for a hearty total of 382. Combined with 369 lb-ft of torque, the M340i can sprint to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. Much criticism has been directed at the outgoing 3-Series for less than stellar dynamics. BMW appears to have taken this to heart and has removed a claimed 120 pounds of weight, lowered the center of gravity by 0.4 inches, and increased overall torsional stiffness by 25 percent. The suspension arrangement is the same, but not a single piece is carried over from the old car. Inside, digital displays bring the 3-Series in sync with the competition while still retaining a layout familiar to longtime BMW owners. Collision warning and automated emergency braking will be standard, and other driver assist systems should make the options list a lengthy read. The 330i will go on sale in March 2019 with the M340i appearing later in the spring.
The pressure was on BMW to improve the 3-Series, but all it really needs to do with the 2019 X5 is keep a good thing going. Following industry trends toward consolidating platforms, the new X5 rides on the same Cluster Architecture (CLAR) as the new 3-Series. The new platform brings standard adaptive dampers and available rear wheel steering for the first time. The interior has been modernized and both sections of the familiar two-piece tailgate are power operated. Buyers can choose between a 335 hp turbocharged 3.0 liter or a 456 hp twin-turbo V8. A diesel and plug in hybrid will join the lineup eventually. You can find the 2019 X5 in dealerships this November.
BMW's showrooms should also see added traffic when the new 8-Series and Z4 go on sale in the next calendar year or two. The 8-Series has already been featured on this blog, but now there is more information available on what we can expect for powertrains and performance statistics. Americans' initial exposure to the 8-Series will be limited to the M850i with a twin turbo V-8 and all wheel drive. The powerplant is the same one found in the M550i, but tuned upward by 67 horses to deliver 523 horsepower. A base price of $112,895 is a significant upcharge over the 650i this car effectively replaces, even though the new car is actually a little smaller than the old one. Expect a convertible, a Gran Coupe, and M8 versions of all three to debut sometime in the near future.
Much has also been said about the third generation Z4, production of which should begin sometime in November with sales in the US commencing next spring. We know that it will come in two strengths: a 255 hp four-cylinder 30i and a 382 hp six-cylinder M40i. Both engines will be boosted by a turbocharger. The retractable hard top of the old model has been replaced with a lighter fabric roof. What we still don't know is how similar the Z4 will be to its sister car, the Toyota Supra. While BMW is being very open with its new sports car, Toyota is keeping Supra specifics pretty close to the chest. What will the interior look like? Will the engines make the same power? How close in price will the two cars be? If the Supra is indeed a better driver's car, that could spell trouble for the Z4. Sales of the previous Z4 slowed to a trickle before it was discontinued in 2016. Another poor performance may make this Z4 the end of the line for BMW's family of roadsters.
