BMW

In the model year 2009 and analogous to the BMW 3 Series Saloon, the four-door BMW M3 will also feature divided rear lights with the brand-typical L-shaped contour. The two LED light clusters for the taillights and the indicator lights, which also feature LED technology, have a distinctive and high-quality appearance. The new rear end design is rounded off by modifications to the bumper and rear lid. The list of interior refinements includes a newly conceived fresh air grille located in the centre of the cockpit, a newly designed storage area under the armrest on the centre console and a pearlescent chrome light switch cluster.

The new start/stop button, also in pearlescent chrome, and the rotary controls for the air conditioning sporting the same design are not only featured in the BMW M3, but also in the Coupe and the Convertible. Likewise, from the autumn, all variants of the BMW M3 will be equipped with crash-active headrests that reduce the risk of cervical injury in the event of a rear end collision. The choice of exterior colours available for the BMW M3 will also be widened as from the autumn. The colour space grey metallic is now also available for the BMW M3 Saloon. Le Mans blue metallic is new in the range of colours offered for all body variants.

In the model year 2009, the BMW M6 Coupe is improved as well. With the new competition package, the two-door coupe has managed to strengthen its consistently high performance-oriented profile even further. The competition package comprises a newly tuned suspension, including lowering by 12 millimetres at the front and 10 millimetres at the rear, adapted suspension control systems and forged alloy wheels in double spoke design. The modifications are supposed to be prominently noticeable through improved handling and the competition package also contains distinctive visual differentiations. A re-contoured bonnet featuring two raised precision lines also emphasises the enhanced dynamic characteristics.

With new equipment features and optimisation in safety and efficiency, product quality offered by the models BMW M5 and BMW M5 Touring, the BMW M6 Coupe and the BMW M6 Convertible has increased further in the model year 2009. In future, the high-performance sports cars powered by the 373 kW/507 bhp V10 engine will also feature brake energy regeneration and an air conditioning compressor which can be uncoupled – both features having been developed within the framework of BMW EfficientDynamics. Moreover, the new smooth-running bearing for the rear axle transmission is characterised by an optimised friction coefficient and its efficiency-enhancing construction.

The new exterior mirrors with widened field of view are an additional safety highlight on all four models. Carbon black metallic has been added to the range of available colours.

From the autumn of 2008, BMW M models will also feature the new generation of the iDrive control system which will facilitate easier activation and control of the most important entertainment, communication and navigation features as well as a number of other functions. The models BMW M5 and BMW M5 Touring, the BMW M6 Coupe and the BMW M6 Convertible are all equipped with the new iDrive control system as standard. It also comes with the BMW M3 in conjunction with an optionally available navigation system. It encompasses a newly devised controller which includes preference keys on the centre console and – in conjunction with the optional navigation system Professional – an 8.8-inch control display with a four times higher screen resolution (1280 x 480 pixel) for displaying high resolution graphics and a new menu structure.

The advanced iDrive controller also forms the basis for in-car use of the Internet. From the autumn of 2008, BMW will be the first car manufacturer to offer unrestricted access to the internet as an option. The function of the controller is similar to a conventional computer mouse. Internet pages can be displayed on the screen in high resolution. An additional function renders possible an enlargement of visible screen areas for highlighting details.

Internet access is optionally available for the BMW M3, the BMW M5 and the BMW M6 on attractive flat rate terms. For safety reasons, the displaying of internet pages on the screen – analogous to the TV function available for BMW M models – is only possible when the vehicle is stationary.