BMW bringing special Horse Edition 7 Series to Beijing

Thu, 10 Apr 2014

The Beijing Motor Show is just a couple of weeks away, and BMW wouldn't miss out on the opportunity to show off its latest wares to one of its most vital markets. So when the doors open in Beijing, BMW will showcase the new 2 Series Active Tourer, 2 Series Coupe, M3 and M4, 4 Series Gran Coupe and X4. It will also introduce the i3 and i8 to China for the first time. But those are all models we've seen already. What's new is... wait for it... the 7 Series Horse Edition.

Not celebrating horses so much as the Year of the Horse, this special edition 7 Series is based on the long-wheelbase model and comes with all manner of M equipment packages, a special paint job from BMW Individual and unique touches inside and out. BMW isn't saying which engine it features, but it sells the series in China in 730Li, 740Li, 750Li, 760Li and ActiveHybrid forms, with rear- or all-wheel drive. Given that the one pictured is wearing an xDrive badge, it would have to be either the 740Li or 750Li, but buyers will presumably be able to order it in whichever spec they desire.

While it may not be as exciting as the 9 Series concept BMW is rumored to have lined up for the Beijing show as well, you can bet that the Bavarian automaker will find plenty of buyers for this extra-special, extra-Chinese, extra-equestrian luxury sedan, and command a healthy premium from each and every one of them.

BMW at the 13th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition 2014.

With several Asian and Chinese premieres, BMW is using this year's Beijing International Automotive Exhibition from 20 to 29 April 2014 to present an array of compelling production models which are geared to meeting present-day customer requirements and in some cases usher in all-new market segments.

BMW X4: a powerful presence.
The BMW X4 marks the introduction of a new vehicle segment in the premium mid-range that combines hallmark features of the BMW X models with the sporting elegance of a classical coupe and room for five people. The new BMW X4 accentuates its dynamic character with large air intakes in the front apron, a coupe-like sloping roofline, muscular rear wheel arches and a rear end featuring diffuser-look styling. And it has a range of engines to match: the BMW X4 xDrive28i (fuel consumption urban/extra-urban/combined: 9.3–8.7*/6.3–5.9*/7.4–7.0* l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 172–162* g/km) and the BMW X4 xDrive35i (fuel consumption urban/extra-urban/combined: 10.7/6.9/8.3 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 193 g/km) boast BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, which endows them with output of 180 kW/245 hp and 225 kW/306 hp respectively along with compelling levels of efficiency. Displaying an equally magisterial power curve and CO2 efficiency is the BMW X4 xDrive35d (fuel consumption urban/extra-urban/combined: 6.7/5.5/6.0 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 157 g/km). Its 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line engine generates 230 kW/313 hp and peak torque of 630 Nm (465 lb-ft), taking it from standstill to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. The BMW X4 xDrive 30d (fuel consumption urban/extra-urban/combined: 6.6–6.2*/5.7–5.4*/6.1–5.7* l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 159–149* g/km) is likewise powered by a 3.0-litre straight-six unit with 190 kW/258 hp and peak torque of 560 Nm (413 lb-ft). The entry-level engines comprise the BMW xDrive20i (fuel consumption urban/extra-urban/combined: 9.2–8.7*/6.3–5.9*/7.3–6.9* l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 171–161* g/km), a 184 hp four-cylinder petrol unit, and the BMW X4 xDrive20d (fuel consumption urban/extra-urban/combined: 5.8–5.4*/5.1–4.8*/5.4–5.0* l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 141–131* g/km), a newly developed four-cylinder turbo diesel with 190 hp. Standard equipment includes xDrive all-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic transmission, variable sport steering, Performance Control and a sports leather steering wheel with shift paddles.

*Figures with optional reduced-rolling-resistance tyres on 17-inch Streamline style 306 light-alloy wheels.

BMW 2 Series Active Tourer: dynamics and functionality of space.

The new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer ushers in a whole new class of car, combining comfort and functionality of space with the hallmark BMW strengths of dynamism, style and elegance in the premium compact class. The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer follows in the tyre tracks of the Coupe as the second member of the new BMW 2 Series line-up and impresses from every angle with its sporty presence and harmonious proportions. New turbocharged engines with three and four cylinders, an extensive package of BMW EfficientDynamics technology and wide-reaching connectivity courtesy of BMW ConnectedDrive illustrate a driving experience defined by sports performance and exemplary efficiency. In order to meet the particular requirements of the compact class in terms of variability and functionality, BMW has given the 2 Series Active Tourer a cutting-edge front-wheel-drive set-up. And it has honed its responses to fully satisfy the dynamic expectations of a model wearing the BMW badge.

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe: a new yardstick for elegance and extravagance.
With its premium mid-size four-door Coupe, BMW demonstrates its commitment to expanding its model range. Following the BMW 4 Series Coupe (fuel consumption combined: 8.4–4.6 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 197–121 g/km) and Convertible (fuel consumption combined: 8.4–4.8 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 195–127 g/km), the Gran Coupe is the third member of the new BMW 4 Series family and – with its well-balanced proportions – is longer, wider and more dynamic than any mid-size model series before it. The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe merges the stylistic qualities of the two-door Coupe with the functionality of four doors and generous levels of space behind the high-opening tailgate. Five punchy, refined and economical engines will be available from launch, developing outputs ranging from 105 kW/143 hp in the BMW 418d Gran Coupe (fuel consumption urban/extra-urban/combined: 5.4/4.0/4.5 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 119 g/km) to 225 kW/306 hp in the BMW 435i Gran Coupe (fuel consumption urban/extra-urban/combined: 11.4/6.2/8.1 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 189 g/km).

BMW 2 Series Coupe: a new dimension in dynamics.
The BMW 2 Series Coupe can be distinguished from the BMW 1 Series line-up (fuel consumption combined: 8.0–3.8 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 188–99 g/km) by its standalone design, significantly larger dimensions, an engine range and suspension set-up geared squarely to sports performance, and more extensive standard equipment. The four-seater BMW 2 Series Coupe, with its two-door body, brings hallmark elements of BMW Coupes to the compact segment. Sophisticated suspension technology, virtually 50:50 weight distribution and rear-wheel drive ensure the presence of signature BMW handling properties.

BMW M3 Sedan, BMW M4 Coupe: innovative engine technology and a commitment to lightweight design.
With the new BMW M3 Sedan and the new BMW M4 Coupe, BMW M GmbH showcases its new take on the high-performance sports car. The all-new, high-revving, six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology delivers maximum output of 317 kW (431 hp) and peak torque of 550 Newton metres (406 lb-ft), the latter figure exceeding that of the previous BMW M3 by almost 40 per cent. Fuel consumption and emissions have been cut by around 25 per cent. Both the BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe (with optional seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission) cover the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds.

BMW 7 Series Horse Edition: exclusive, luxurious, distinctive.
The luxurious and dynamic BMW 7 Series Horse Edition makes its appearance on the Chinese market in the newly welcomed Year of the Horse. The long-wheelbase version of this luxury Sedan comes with exclusive BMW Individual paint finishes and sporty M equipment packages augmented by high-class interior details.

BMW i market launch in China: electric motoring courtesy of the BMW i3 and BMW i8.
With the joint presentation of its first volume-produced vehicle powered purely by an electric drive system and a sports car currently holding the status of the world's most progressive, the BMW i brand is highlighting the broad spread of its future-oriented vehicle concepts. The two models represent a new, strongly sustainability-focused interpretation of the premium experience. The electric motors and lithium-ion high-voltage batteries of the two models were developed by the BMW Group – in model-specific versions. Another special ingredient conceived exclusively for BMW i is the LifeDrive architecture with passenger cell made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), which plays a major role in minimising the weight of the cars. And a world first in a series-produced car comes in the form of the optional laser headlights available for the BMW i8. Developed by BMW, they offer three times the intensity and twice the high-beam range of conventional systems, as well as extremely low energy consumption.

Further information on official fuel consumption figures, specific CO2 emission values and the electric power consumption of new passenger cars is included in the following guideline: "Leitfaden über Kraftstoffverbrauch, die CO2-Emissionen und den Stromverbrauch neuer Personenkraftwagen" (Guideline for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and electric power consumption of new passenger cars), which can be obtained from all dealerships, from the Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at http://www.dat.de/en/offers/publications/guideline-for-fuel-consumption.html. LeitfadenCO2 (GuidelineCO2) (PDF - 2.7 MB)

By Noah Joseph