2-series
The recipient of a subtle upgrade along with the 1-series two years ago, the latest round of revisions for both the coupe and cabriolet includes darkened taillight clusters, bi-colour 17-inch or optional 18-inch alloys for models equipped with the Sport Line package, and a black finish for the kidney grille that extends to M Sport variants as well. The aforementioned black clusters are now also fitted to the M2 Competition.
A new option for the M240i is 18-inch matt Cerium Grey alloys, while a Dakota leather interior with exclusive stitching and heated front chairs are also offered as standard, in addition to a new instrument cluster, the standard fitment of the sports-focused eight-speed Steptronic gearbox on all models, and a leathertec upholstery option for the coupe only. Rounding the updates off are carbon fibre interior inserts and a new Long Beach Blue Metallic paint finish.
4-series
Also updated in 2017 but set to be replaced next year, the 4-series receives the bulk of BMW South Africa’s updates, with exterior changes consisting of optional 18-inch light-alloy, twin-spoke wheels in an Orbit Grey bi-colour finish or twin-spoke 19-inch M light-alloys in bi-colour Jet Black and, as part of the M Sport and Sport Line packs, black taillight clusters and a high-gloss black finish around the grille.
Reserved for the four-door GranCoupe are two new colours options from the BMW Individual catalogue; Frozen Dark Grey Metallic and Aventurine Red Metallic, while Mediterranean Blue Metallic can now be had on the coupe and cabriolet. Inside, a Mocha colour finish together with the optional Dakota leather has been added to the Luxury Line, Sport Line and M Sport packs, while carbon fibre strips feature on the latter.
Debuting on all three bodystyles, the M Sport Individual pack adds an assortment of M-inspired touches both inside and out, with the former being made up of the M aerodynamics pack, V-spoke high-gloss Shadow Line 19-inch alloy wheels, the Tanzanite Blue Metallic paint option and standard fitment of the M Sport suspension and variable M sport steering.
For the interior, the M Sport Individual comes with sport seats that are heated and finished in Merino Opal White leather, piano key black inserts, an Anthracite headliner reserved for the coupe and GranCoupe, a leather wrapped M steering wheel and the otherwise optional lighting pack.
On the equipment side, both the coupe and GranCoupe receive the eight-speed sports Steptronic ‘box, a Harman Kardon sound system, front and rear parking sensors and a new instrument cluster as standard, while the cabriolet benefits from the same features minus the upgraded sound system.
Completing the changes, the M4 mainly receives the option of the Frozen Dark Blue Metallic hue, while the Competition Pack sports two new interior finishes; fine-grain Merino leather in combination with Sliverstone/Black and Sakhir Orange/ Black detailing.
8-series
With pricing having been revealed in October, the external changes to the revived 8-series involves an expansion of the current colour palette with new hues consisting of Tanzanite Blue Metallic and Aventurine Red Metallic as part of the BMW Individual selection and Brilliant White Metallic, Frozen Arctic Grey Metallic, Frozen Dark Brown Metallic, Frozen Dark Silver Metallic, Frozen Brilliant White Metallic, Frozen Cashmere Silver Metallic and Pure Metal Silver Metallic as per the Individual Special line-up of paint choices.
New for the interior is the fain-grain Merino leather in Ivory White, Cognac and Black in combination with four finishes; Midnight Blue/Black, Fiona Red/Black, Ivory White/Tartufo and Tartufo/Black. A high-gloss Black Ash Silver effect wood trim rounds the changes off.
X5
Having landed on local shores last month, the X5 joins the 8-series in benefitting mostly from new exterior and interior colours, the former now including Terra Brown Metallic and Sophisto Grey Brilliant Effect Metallic and from the BMW Individual line-up, Pyrite Brown Metallic, Ametrine Metallic, Ruby Black Metallic and Tanzanite Blue Metallic.
In the case of the latter, buyers are now privy to the Merino leather in Ivory White/Midnight Blue and the fine-grain variety in either in Ivory White, Black, Tartufo, Ivory White/Midnight Blue and Coffee. From April, aluminium inlays as well as Fineline Black wood inserts will become available.
X2 M35i
Unveiled days before the Paris Motor Show last year, the M35i touches down to become the flagship X2 model with motivation coming from a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that will likely power the forthcoming M130i X Performance, which produces 225kW/450Nm. Mated to the eight-speed sports Steptronic ‘box and with xDrive all-wheel drive, the M35i will complete the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 250km/h. Pricing kicks-off at R809 100.
