BMW product changes from March production

New engines are on the way for BMW's 3 Series and 4 Series models, the company has revealed in a press release today.

Additionally, BMW will roll out new variants of the 2 Series Gran Tourer – not sold in Australia – and xDrive (all-wheel drive) 7 Series, plus a new 'Open Air' option for the rear-wheel drive convertibles in the range (2 and 4 Series, including M4).

The 7 Series gains new standard and optional features – including remote control parking for all variants – and 6 Series will be equipped as standard with ConnectedDrive navigation.

There are further changes in the pipeline for the X3 and X4, and X5 M and X6 M will be fitted with a standard reversing camera, while the lower-grade X5 and X6 models will gain full Park Distance Control – including front sensors.

All the changes are scheduled for March 2016 production, as part of a new model year update. Not all the changes will trickle through to Australian-delivered cars, as BMW Australia has stressed.

The Open Air package for the 2 Series Convertible comprises dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, HiFi loudspeaker system and compact wind deflector. A new through-loading system (skiport) as part of the option pack is 150mm wider and 28mm higher to accommodate snowboards and golf bags poking through from the boot.

BMW is also set to offer the Open Air package for the 4 Series Convertible, including the M4. In the larger model it will consist of: a heated steering wheel, neck warmer (adjustable through three stages), wind deflector, HiFi loudspeaker system and through-loading system.

Although it's not sold in Australia, the 2 Series Gran Tourer range will be expanded with the arrival of a new 220d xDrive variant.

A new four-cylinder turbo-diesel makes its debut in the 325d and 325d Touring. Displacing 2.0 litres, like the engine it replaces, the new unit produces 165kW for a 0-100km/h time of 6.1 seconds for the sedan, specified with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Fuel consumption, according to the NEDC combined cycle, ranges between 4.4 and 4.7L/100km. A six-speed manual will also be available, but performance is slower and fuel consumption is worse in both the sedan and Touring (wagon) variants.

The same engine finds its way into the 4 Series range, producing 450Nm. It's one of a host of new drivetrain options for the 4 Series, and developing 165kW like the 3 Series counterparts, the 425d requires just 6.1 seconds to hit 100km/h in automatic form. Fuel consumption sits between 4.4 and 4.7L/100km for the auto coupe, varying according to specification.

A highlight of the new petrol engine options in the 4 Series range, the new 3.0-litre TwinPower six powers the 440i variants (including the Gran Coupe). While the coupe offers a six-speed manual box, the convertible and Gran Coupe come with the eight-speed automatic as standard. Peak power is 240kW and torque maxes out at 450Nm.

The 440i Coupe accelerates to 100km/h in 5.0 seconds with the automatic transmission – the manual is 0.2 seconds slower – and the same run takes 5.4 seconds for the convertible and 5.1 for the Gran Coupe. Fuel consumption ranges from 6.6 to 6.8L/100km for the auto coupe, or 7.4 to 7.7L/100km for the manual.

Boasting 5kW more power – for a peak figure of 185kW – and 350Nm, the four-cylinder in the 430i knocks over the 0-100km/h dash in 5.8 seconds (automatic coupe) and sips fuel at the rate of between 5.5 and 5.8L/100km, depending on specification.

Also upgraded, the 420i variants (coupe, convertible and Gran Coupe), produce 135kW for a 7.5-second time to 100km/h with the automatic transmission in the coupe, and fuel consumption rated at 5.5 to 5.8L/100km.

The top-shelf M4 GTS will officially enter production from March and the 368kW flagship will reach the market with the option of M Carbon Compound wheels measuring 9.5Jx19 front and 10.5Jx20 rear. BMW claims the wheels pare back the kerb weight of the GTS by 7kg, helping to keep fuel consumption down to 8.5L/100km.

In addition to the adoption of ConnectedDrive navigation as a standard feature, the 6 Series range will introduce wireless recharging and WiFi hotspot as standard, along with a new menu for the iDrive system. This menu is lifted from the 7 Series and features graphic 'tiles' in lieu of the lists used previously.

BMW will release an xDrive variant of the 740Li from March production. All 7 Series variants will offer Remote Control Parking from the start of the new model year, which hasn't been available to Australian owners before now. BMW Australia is yet to advise whether they'll elect to offer the feature at this point.

New colours and trims for the 7 Series will include BMW Individual special paint finishes Brilliant White metallic, Frozen Dark Brown metallic, Pure metal Silver and Frozen Arctic Grey metallic, and BMW Individual paint finishes Ruby Black metallic, Moonstone metallic, Azurite Black metallic and Almandine Brown metallic. Fine-grain Merino will be offered in six combinations, along with Piano Finish Black and fine wood trim in two variations.

For X3 and X4 models, BMW will introduce a multi-function steering wheel as standard, with rain-sensing wipers and a braking function for the cruise control. A new Advantage variant will complement the xLine and M Sport models in the range. Standard equipment for the new trim level will include front/rear Park Distance Control, dual-zone climate control, a storage package and power tailgate for the X3. The last is already standard for the X4.

Both X3 and X4 will be offered with a new colour choice, Chestnut Bronze metallic, in addition to new alloy wheel designs. Other options to be introduced will include wireless recharging and WiFi hotspot. The same 'tile' graphics will supersede the existing iDrive menu.