On August 30, BMW and MINI showcased 13 new models at the Chengdu Auto Show. This marked the largest debut of new cars for BMW at the event. BMW presented a strong product lineup. The brand’s core message remains “Innovation continues, driving pleasure endures.” It embraces market changes to enhance luxury travel experiences for Chinese customers. The new BMW M5 made its China debut, featuring the M high-performance hybrid system. This offers enthusiasts a unique experience of “easy power, hard-to-find driving joy.” The all-new BMW X3 long-wheelbase version also made its global debut. It offers greater size, higher value, and more driving pleasure, becoming a loyal companion for modern elites who love life and explore the unknown. 2024 will be a big year for M products. The new BMW M lineup is unprecedented. The new BMW M2 coupe and the new BMW M3 launched with upgraded power, pushing the limits of the legendary BMW M six-cylinder engine. The first domestically produced BMW M performance car, the new BMW X1 M35Li, launched alongside the refreshed BMW M240i coupe. This further meets consumer demands for BMW M driving pleasure and everyday driving. Meanwhile, BMW fans celebrate the return of the BMW M Carnival, announced to take place this November at the auto show.
Experience the BMW M brand. Feel the thrill of the track again. BMW delivers innovative products that maintain driving pleasure. It also hosts immersive brand events that promote car culture and create unique experiences. These actions reflect BMW’s strategic focus in a complex market. The brand emphasizes pure driving enjoyment. It embraces change through innovation and aims for new success. Mr. Gao Xiang, President and CEO of BMW Group Greater China, states, “Competition in the auto industry is like a marathon. We believe responsibility leads to stability. Long-term thinking achieves lasting success. BMW prioritizes long-term customer interests. We deliver satisfying products today and prepare for the future with clear product planning. We are confident in our direction.”
Design leads, function follows. The all-new BMW M5 perfectly blends performance aesthetics with aerodynamics. BMW M’s powerful lineup matches the local taste in Chengdu—bold and spicy! The all-new BMW M5 captures the spotlight at its debut in China. It integrates German industrial design with modern aesthetics, creating a streamlined design style. The body features fewer lines and curves, removes chrome accents, and uses body-color paint. This design creates a wide surface, resembling a sculpted stone. The all-new BMW M5 prioritizes the driver. Its design serves function. It combines racing aerodynamics, lightweight design, and a near-race dynamic balance with a 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution. This ensures the all-new BMW M5 delivers the unique driving pleasure of BMW M. The M-exclusive digital features unlock new driving enjoyment. The all-new BMW M5 offers an M-exclusive interface and M elite driving mode. These elements provide hardcore settings for users who love pure driving thrills. The innovative M interface focuses on performance. In M elite driving mode, drivers can activate “Dynamic” and “Dynamic PLUS” modes and utilize Boost Control for maximum acceleration during sprints and overtaking. The M lap timer meets drivers’ exacting standards by accurately recording lap times, helping them improve track performance.
The Le Mans racing hybrid technology enhances driving pleasure. It excels on the track and in comfortable commutes. The BMW M5 has always represented BMW M’s innovative spirit. Since 1985, it has defined the high-performance luxury sedan market. Over nearly 40 years, each generation has featured the most powerful and advanced BMW M engines. Now, the new seventh-generation BMW M5 introduces high-performance hybrid technology derived from the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race. It becomes BMW M’s first high-performance hybrid sedan. The M hybrid drive system combines a 4.4-liter M-specific V8 twin-turbo engine with a high-performance electric motor. This setup boosts internal combustion engine efficiency and delivers more torque at low RPMs. Drivers feel a stronger push, satisfying their craving for ultimate driving pleasure. The M5 offers multiple modes: ELECTRIC, eCONTROL, HYBRID, Dynamic, and Dynamic PLUS. This “road racer” provides a rich driving experience with options for gasoline, electric, or hybrid power. The system generates a maximum power of 535 kW and peak torque of 1000 Nm. Thanks to this, the new BMW M5 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds. It even outperforms the previous generation’s strongest M5 CS by 0.1 seconds in mid-range acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h. This defines true “performance king” status in its class. Horsepower is easy to find, but driving pleasure is rare. The spirit of BMW M and the M5 lies not just in numbers but in comprehensive driving enjoyment. The adaptive M suspension features electric dampers and an integrated active steering system. With M-specific tuning, it is perfect for daily commutes and ready to tackle the track for exceptional handling. The performance-focused M xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system perfectly integrates with the hybrid system. It distributes power to all four wheels within 0.1 seconds. The M sports differential at the rear axle adapts to the characteristics of the M hybrid drive system. It ensures optimal locking between the rear wheels, enhancing lateral dynamics. The M exclusive braking system delivers track-level braking response. The advanced M carbon-ceramic brakes feature larger, perforated front brake discs. They provide stronger braking force, better heat dissipation, and high thermal stability and wear resistance. The exceptional driving experience relies on BMW M’s strong research and testing capabilities. Over a quarter of BMW M’s personnel focus on development. Each vehicle has about 20 to 25 engineers dedicated to testing and chassis tuning. These engineers are also racers. They continuously improve driving dynamics through testing. BMW was the first car manufacturer to establish a testing center at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, known as the “Green Hell.” Every BMW M undergoes thousands of laps on this track to refine handling. The new BMW M5 is no exception. It spent two and a half years and millions of kilometers in testing. From the 72 turns of the Nürburgring to the ice and extreme cold of Åre, Sweden, the new BMW M5 faced rigorous tests in various environments and temperatures. It also underwent performance testing on tracks worldwide, achieving the ultimate connection between car and driver. Four BMW M models launch in Chengdu, gathering for the M Carnival. Alongside the debut of the new BMW M5, the new BMW M2 coupe and new BMW M3 appear. The first domestically produced BMW M performance car, the new BMW X1 M35Li, and the upgraded BMW M240i coupe also showcase at the auto show. By the end of this year, BMW will offer 23 M high-performance and performance models in China. This range will cover nearly all BMW segments.
The new BMW M2 coupe and BMW M3 feature the BMW M high-performance 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder twin-turbo engine. They pair with the 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, delivering powerful performance. The new BMW X1 M35Li combines BMW X and M genes, meeting Chinese consumers’ needs for driving pleasure, space, and practicality. The BMW M240i coupe adds five new colors: matte Portimao Blue, matte Pure Grey, Flame Red, Sky Grey, and Zandvoort Blue, inspired by the racetrack. It also upgrades the M-exclusive personalized interior. BMW promotes automotive culture and builds M fan culture through innovative customer experiences. The BMW M Owners Club in China has over 50,000 members, with 40% having track driving experience. BMW has created various marketing methods based on this strong fan base. The BMW Elite Driving Training, known for track driving, has run for ten years, with over 36,000 participants. Other events include the “M Track Experience Day” and the BMW M Festival, introduced in China in 2017. At this auto show, BMW Group announced exciting news for M fans: the BMW M Festival will launch in Chengdu this November. BMW M models will gather at the Tianfu Circuit for a performance celebration of “speed and passion” with BMW M owners and fans. Shao Bin, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Brilliance BMW Automotive Ltd., stated, “BMW is never just a simple car brand. Behind us is automotive culture and countless fans. Customers and fans are our most treasured assets and the greatest motivation for us to provide better products and services. BMW M has evolved over more than half a century, constantly pushing the limits of engines and vehicle speed, enhancing driving enjoyment.”
At the Chengdu Auto Show, the new BMW X3 long-wheelbase version made its global debut. The BMW X5 Black Flame Special Edition, the new BMW 3 Series family, the new BMW 4 Series four-door coupe, the new BMW 530i, and the new MINI family also showcased. These innovative products meet the diverse driving pleasure needs of Chinese consumers.