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BMW and MINI announce an exciting line-up of model updates launching in November, including new BMW 1 Series variants, additional powertrains for the 5 Series Touring, and faster AC charging for select plug-in hybrid models. Meanwhile, MINI will expand personalisation options across its portfolio. Alongside these model enhancements, BMW Group UK has recently received prestigious awards from Carbuyer, Marie Claire, Parkers, The Caravan and Motorhome Club, and What Car? recognising the company and its products across a range of categories.
Introducing a range of BMW model updates from November 2024.
Closely following the launch of the fourth-generation BMW 1 Series, an additional model variant, the 123 xDrive, will join the line-up to bridge the gap between the 120 and range-topping M135 xDrive. This additional all-wheel-drive option is powered by an electrified four-cylinder drive unit featuring 48V mild hybrid technology, resulting in a combined system output of 218 hp. In addition, the BMW M135 xDrive receives an exclusive new M Technology Package, bringing additional bracing elements and lightweight construction measures, plus specific chassis components to give the range-topper bespoke performance characteristics.
The line-up of drive systems for the new BMW 5 Series Touring will also be expanded from November, with the introduction of new 520i and 550e xDrive model variants. The introductory BMW 520i Touring mates the latest four-cylinder petrol engine with 48V mild hybrid technology to generate a maximum output of 190 hp and peak torque of 310 Nm. These figures can be raised up to 208 hp and 330 Nm courtesy of the mild hybrid system’s crankshaft-driven starter-generator.
Meanwhile the BMW 550e xDrive, a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, joins forces with the latest version of BMW eDrive technology for plug-in-hybrid systems. The 3.0-litre engine produces a nominal output of 313 hp at 5,000 – 6,500 rpm and a nominal torque of 450 Nm at 1,750 – 4,700 rpm. The electric motor developed for the hybrid drive system is integrated – together with its power electronics – directly into the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission and contributes up to 197 hp to the peak system output of 489 hp. The electric motor’s nominal torque of up to 280 Nm is boosted to as much as 450 Nm at the transmission input for the motor with the help of a pregearing stage patented by BMW. With assistance from the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system, the new BMW 550e xDrive Touring completes the 0-62 mph sprint in just 4.4 seconds.
Finally, all plug-in hybrid versions of the BMW 5 Series, BMW X5 xDrive50e and the new BMW M5 Saloon will benefit from increased AC charging rates. The increase from 7.4 kW to 11 kW enables users to replenish the high-voltage battery of their vehicle in a significantly shorter time. It will now be possible to charge the battery in the BMW X5 xDrive50e from 0 to 100 per cent within three hours, while the 0 to 100 per cent charging times for the BMW M5 and plug-in-hybrid variants of the BMW 5 Series will be reduced by an hour to just 2 hours 15 minutes.
MINI model updates from the tail end of 2024.
From November 2024, MINI will be expanding personalisation options within the Classic, Sport and Exclusive trim structures across the new MINI family. British Racing Green exterior body colour is now available for all vehicles within the MINI family, while Sunnyside Yellow is now additionally offered across all MINI Cooper models.
For customers choosing Sport trim, Blazing Blue exterior body colour is now available on the MINI Countryman, Icy Sunshine Blue on MINI Cooper models, and brand new 17” Sprint Spoke Alloy wheels become standard on all Sport trim, petrol MINI Cooper models.
Classic and Exclusive trims have also been bolstered with additional wheel options. The 17” U-Spoke Dark Grey wheel is now available optionally on all Exclusive trim MINI Cooper vehicles, while the 19” Runway Spoke Black Alloy wheel currently offered on Sport trim for the MINI Countryman is now available in Classic and Exclusive trim also.
BMW 2 Series Coupe crowned ‘Best Sports Car’ at the Carbuyer New Car Awards.
Remaining undefeated for a third consecutive year, the BMW 2 Series Coupe was crowned ‘Best Sports Car’ at the 2025 Carbuyer New Car Awards. “The BMW 2 Series Coupe is a sleek two-door that serves up BMW’s legendary driving precision in a relatively affordable package. Just as rewarding in entry-level 220i guise as it is in the hot M240i xDrive configuration, which brings searing acceleration and thrilling grip levels," said Carbuyer Editor, Paul Barker. "The 2 Series Coupe is also compact, making it easy to live with, while it boasts an upmarket interior.”
What Car? names the BMW 330e ‘Used Hybrid Car of the Year’.
The What Car? Used Car of the Year awards highlight the best buys on the used car market today, and this year the BMW 330e took the top spot as ‘Used Hybrid Car of the Year’. Commenting on the win, What Car? judges said, “The 330e is great to drive, has a plush interior, a smooth hybrid set-up, an intuitive infotainment system, a good reliability record and it's great value for money when bought at a few years old.”
Triple win at the Parkers New Car Awards.
BMW celebrates success at the recent Parkers New Car Awards, with the BMW i7/7 Series, BMW i4 and BMW 3 Series each topping their respective class.
Praised for its pricing, range and performance, the BMW i7/7 Series was named ‘Best Luxury Car’ for the second consecutive year. On presenting the award, Parkers Editor, Keith Adams said, “If you’re in the market for a luxury car, the all-electric BMW i7 and hybrid 7 Series have all your needs covered beautifully. As you’d expect, both are great to drive, but for those riding in the rear, nothing can touch them at this price point. The i7, in particular, is silently restful, offers a brilliant driving range, quick charging and effortless performance. No wonder it’s two years in a row for this flagship motor.”
Continuing the awards, the BMW i4 reprised its position as ‘Best Company Car’. “The BMW i4 set a new benchmark in the premium car segment when it launched in 2021 and it remains unsurpassed today,” said Adams. Parkers also paid tribute to the model’s desirability, well-equipped specification and noted its “competitive leasing rates, making it an affordable company car choice.”
The third and final BMW to take home a gong was the previous generation BMW 3 Series, celebrated by Parkers as ‘Best Used Car’. After praising its “sharp-suited looks”, driving dynamics and “broad selection of powertrains”, Adams summarised, “Other compact executives are more luxurious, while others are even faster, but none of them is as special as a BMW 3 Series - reason enough to make this a used car we can wholeheartedly recommend.”
Marie Claire honours BMW Group at annual Sustainability Awards.
The Marie Claire Sustainability Awards reward those who demonstrate a commitment to maximum sustainability across a diverse range of industries. At this year’s ceremony, the BMW Group prevailed, securing two awards in the Motors category, which acknowledges companies who are leading the charge in eco-friendly driving.
The first win came from the MINI Countryman, as it was named in the ‘Electric Cars’ sub-class. The model’s sustainable interior materials contributed to the win, with Marie Claire highlighting its dashboard and door panels made from 90 per cent recycled polyester. The vehicle’s manufacturing process played an equal part in this win, with BMW Group Plant Leipzig featuring four on-site wind turbines for energy production and a battery storage farm to ensure surplus energy can be stored and used at a later stage.
BMW Group “is to be commended for adding so much detail to the scrutiny of its various sustainability claims, rather than just adding links to websites, particularly the level of detail around its water management at its global plants – I was taken by the monsoon water being collected in India to provide 100% of plant water requirements,” notes Marie Claire judge, Erin Baker. “I like the fact it is sourcing its critical minerals directly, and that it tracks and traces Scope 3 emissions.”
BMW Group’s second Marie Claire award win was attributed to the introduction of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet – which visited the UK last year. While a production vehicle won’t be available until 2028, this pilot is an important first step on the road to creating a sustainable alternative to not only traditional fossil fuels, but to battery electric cars too. Marie Claire was particularly impressed by the BMW Group’s “forward-thinking” research into hydrogen fuel cell technology, as well as the iX5 Hydrogen’s zero-local-emissions drive and 313-mile range.
BMW Group UK secures three wins at the What Car? Electric Car Awards.
The What Car? Electric Car Awards pay tribute to the best electrified vehicles currently on sale. At this year’s awards, BMW Group UK triumphed, securing three coveted category wins across its electrified model portfolio.
Combining excellent driving dynamics, sporty elegance and modern functionality, the BMW i5 Touring clinched the award for ‘Best Electric Estate Car’. What Car? judges endorsed the Touring as a “well rounded” estate, while commending the model’s impressive 570-litre boot capacity, “intuitive controls”, “rich mixture of high-quality materials” and the “healthy 335bhp” of the entry-level eDrive40 model variant.
Also praised at the awards was the BMW i7, which secured the accolade for ‘Best Luxury Car’ for the second year running. Commenting on the win, judges said, “As if the petrol-powered BMW 7 Series wasn’t already luxurious enough, the i7 adds the extra quietness that comes only with electric power, taking the sense of tranquillity and relaxation to a whole new level.”
MINI also received recognition from What Car?, with the MINI Cooper SE receiving the award for ‘Best Electric Small Car’. “The new electric Mini Cooper could convince you that the legendary (extremely) small car should have been electric from the beginning,” said What Car?. Judges continued by paying tribute to the hot hatch’s “precise, confidence-inspiring steering”, commendable 0-62mph sprint time (just 6.7 seconds) and its “huge leap” in single-charge range compared to its predecessor.
BMW i5 Touring triumphs at Towcar of the Year 2025.
The annual Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year awards are the leisure vehicle industry’s original and longest-standing towcar testing awards and exist to help caravan owners select the car best suited to their individual towing needs.
At the 2025 awards, the BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport Pro Touring conquered, taking home three awards: first winning the ‘1500kg–1600kg’ caravan weight class, before being named ‘Best Luxury Towcar’ and overall ‘Best Electric Towcar’. Commenting on the win, judges said, “The 5 Series Touring has traditionally been a great towcar and the brand-new electric version (the first-ever electric 5 Series) keeps up the tradition. It’s a luxurious estate car with a wonderful blend of desirable features that bowled over the judges. BMW’s latest interiors offer outstanding tech and fantastic build quality, while there’s loads of space in the back seats and boot. Engaging handling just sealed the deal. It also took the Electric Towcar and Luxury Towcar category wins for its fantastic drive, a claimed solo 324-mile range from its 81.2kWh battery, and plush feel.”
BMW Group PressClub UK
