Photo: BMW AG
The Bavarian automaker was quite busy wrapping up the first month of 2024 with a lot of premium novelties - but I'm sure they won't escape controversy. This time around, it's not because of styling but due to a new tech feature introduced as part of a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving bundle.
First things first. The main novelties for the first days of 2024 have to do with models that aren't necessarily daily drivers during the winter months. Instead, they will be perfect for the milder temperatures of spring. Fans of pure driving pleasure might enjoy the news that BMW offers from March the 2024 Z4 roadster with a six-speed manual transmission combined with the Z4 M40i version.
It boasts 382 horsepower, and the manual box package costs $3,500 and includes bespoke suspension tuning, new wheels, additional paint colors, and interior trims. With it, the BMW Z4 M40i will zip to 60 mph (96 kph) in 4.2 seconds. If you want something more significant, the fresh 2024 BMW 4 Series Coupe and Convertible have the 2.0-liter four-pot and 3.0-liter inline-six turbo engines embedded with 48V mild hybrid technology, a "precisely modified exterior design," plus a "cutting-edge cockpit" featuring the latest iDrive with QuickSelect and the new BMW Operating System 8.5.
More importantly, BMW has also updated the 2025 M4 Coupe and Convertible, which start from $79,100 and $95,300, respectively (plus +$995 destination and handling). While the BMW M4 Coupe remains at 473 hp and the RWD M4 Competition Coupe still has 503 hp, from now on, the xDrive M4 Competition Coupe and Convertible boast 523 hp – accelerating to 60 mph in 3.4s and 3.6 seconds, respectively. However, that is not all for America.
The US division also revealed additional BMW model update measures for the spring of 2024. For starters, a third all-electric i5 version will arrive in March – BMW's i5 xDrive40 adds all-wheel drive with two fifth-gen electric drive units packing a combined output of 389 hp. This version sprints to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and tops out at 130 mph (209 kph). The 84.3 kWh battery can be recharged at 11 kW (AC) or up to 205 kW (DC) for 10 to 80% SoC in 30 minutes. Prices kick off at $70,100 plus $995 destination and handling.
Secondly, the all-new 5 Series gets a new variant - 2025 BMW 550e xDrive, which mixes the 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six with a fifth-gen electric unit and the eight-speed Steptronic transmission for a combined PHEV output of 483 hp. With AWD, this version will sprint to 60 mph in four seconds and can reach 87 mph (140 kph) in EV mode. Additionally, there are also various new features coming to BMW models – like Apple's voice assistant Siri in vehicles with BMW Operating System 9, new functions for the My BMW App, and the introduction of Highway Assistant.
This feature, part of the Driving Assistance Professional Package that is offered at a cost on iX, 5 Series, 7 Series, X5 and X6 (except M Competition models), X7, and standard on XM, "enables attentive hands-free driving at speeds up to 85 mph." Now, the system also has Active Lane Change with eye activation – meaning you can change lanes just by looking in the corresponding direction. Of course, humorous questions arise – will it also activate the turn signal (a well-known Achille's heel for certain BMW drivers)?
It boasts 382 horsepower, and the manual box package costs $3,500 and includes bespoke suspension tuning, new wheels, additional paint colors, and interior trims. With it, the BMW Z4 M40i will zip to 60 mph (96 kph) in 4.2 seconds. If you want something more significant, the fresh 2024 BMW 4 Series Coupe and Convertible have the 2.0-liter four-pot and 3.0-liter inline-six turbo engines embedded with 48V mild hybrid technology, a "precisely modified exterior design," plus a "cutting-edge cockpit" featuring the latest iDrive with QuickSelect and the new BMW Operating System 8.5.
More importantly, BMW has also updated the 2025 M4 Coupe and Convertible, which start from $79,100 and $95,300, respectively (plus +$995 destination and handling). While the BMW M4 Coupe remains at 473 hp and the RWD M4 Competition Coupe still has 503 hp, from now on, the xDrive M4 Competition Coupe and Convertible boast 523 hp – accelerating to 60 mph in 3.4s and 3.6 seconds, respectively. However, that is not all for America.
The US division also revealed additional BMW model update measures for the spring of 2024. For starters, a third all-electric i5 version will arrive in March – BMW's i5 xDrive40 adds all-wheel drive with two fifth-gen electric drive units packing a combined output of 389 hp. This version sprints to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and tops out at 130 mph (209 kph). The 84.3 kWh battery can be recharged at 11 kW (AC) or up to 205 kW (DC) for 10 to 80% SoC in 30 minutes. Prices kick off at $70,100 plus $995 destination and handling.
Secondly, the all-new 5 Series gets a new variant - 2025 BMW 550e xDrive, which mixes the 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six with a fifth-gen electric unit and the eight-speed Steptronic transmission for a combined PHEV output of 483 hp. With AWD, this version will sprint to 60 mph in four seconds and can reach 87 mph (140 kph) in EV mode. Additionally, there are also various new features coming to BMW models – like Apple's voice assistant Siri in vehicles with BMW Operating System 9, new functions for the My BMW App, and the introduction of Highway Assistant.
This feature, part of the Driving Assistance Professional Package that is offered at a cost on iX, 5 Series, 7 Series, X5 and X6 (except M Competition models), X7, and standard on XM, "enables attentive hands-free driving at speeds up to 85 mph." Now, the system also has Active Lane Change with eye activation – meaning you can change lanes just by looking in the corresponding direction. Of course, humorous questions arise – will it also activate the turn signal (a well-known Achille's heel for certain BMW drivers)?
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