On May 9, BMW launched the 3 Series Gran Limousine M Sport Pro Edition for INR 6.62 million. It comes with a two-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine of the 330Li M Sport Pro Edition which is mated with an eight-speed Steptronic sport automatic transmission and produces an output of 258 hp and maximum torque of 400 Nm at 1,550-4,400 rpm. It can accelerate from 0 -100 km/hr in 6.2 seconds. It is locally produced at its Chennai plant.
It comes with a curved display and connected drive technologies, a live cockpit plus 3D Navigation, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display behind the steering wheel, and a 14.9-inch control display. Its safety features include six airbags, attentiveness assistance, dynamic stability control (DSC) including cornering brake control (CBC), electric parking brake with auto hold, side-impact protection, electronic vehicle immobilizer and crash sensor, etc.
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On May 8, BMW Group announced that in Q1 2024, group revenues decreased 0.6% y/y to EUR 36.6 billion, EBIT was down 24.6% to EUR 4.05 billion and net profit decreased 19.4% to EUR 2.95 billion.
The automotive EBIT totaled EUR 2.7 billion for the Q1, down 28.2% y/y with a 8.8% margin. EBIT was impacted by higher manufacturing costs.
The group delivered 594,533 vehicles, marking a growth of 1.1% YoY. BMW brand sales reached 530,933 units, up 2.5% YoY, while MINI delivered 62,075 vehicles and saw a decline of 9.4% YoY due to undergoing model changes. It delivered around 83,000 all-electric vehicles, increased by around 28%.
BMW Group is increasing investments in R&D and capital expenditure, aiming for record levels this year. The focus remains on innovation, efficient and low-emission tech, and advancing electrification and digitalization. The Neue Klasse will debut with a Sports Activity Vehicle and sedan in the 3 Series segment, aiming for slight YoY sales growth with increased all-electric vehicle percentage.
BMW Group confirms its guidance for the year. Group earnings before tax are forecast to decrease slightly, due to higher manufacturing and fixed costs. It expects an EBIT margin in the automotive segment of between 8-10% for the full year.
On May 8, BMW unveiled the new M4 CS, positioned between the M4 Competition Coupé and the limited-run M4 CSL. The production will start in July 2024 at the BMW Dingolfing plant, with orders opening in late May 2024.
It comes with a high-revving six-cylinder engine which generates output of 550 hp and 650 Nm of torque, with a peak output between 6,250-7,200 rpm. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and to 200 km/h in 11.1 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 302 km/h.
The engine is equipped with an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and M xDrive with Drivelogic to distribute torque to all four wheels. The transmission can be operated via the gear selector lever or carbon-fibre shift paddles on the steering wheel.
Key components are made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) which includes the roof, bonnet, front splitter, mirror caps, rear diffuser, and spoiler. CFRP materials are used in the interior i.e., centre console, and trim elements.
Inside, it comes with BMW iDrive system is based on BMW Operating System 8.5 with Intelligent Personal Assistant, and features an M-specific Curved Display of 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display.