August News in Brief

The new BMW 118i

BMW Great Britain has announced a fifth engine addition to the new 1 Series
model line-up. With a 118i badge on the tailgate, the newest addition to the
range is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine featuring the same high technical
specification as the 120i already announced.

Courtesy of Bi-VANOS and VALVETRONIC technology, the 118i offers 129bhp and
180Nm of torque. Performance figures are impressive with a zero to 62mph time
of 9.4 seconds and a top speed of 130mph. Fuel consumption is parsimonious with
a recorded 38.7mpg on the combined cycle. By comparison, figures for the 120i
are 150bhp, 200Nm of torque, 8.7 seconds, 135mph and 38.2mpg.

Full specification has yet to be revealed, but the 118i will be available in
Standard, SE and Sport models and standard specification will include 16-inch
Run-flat tyres, Dynamic Stability Control, Corner Brake Control, Traction
Control, six airbags and CD player. Prices have yet to be finalised, but the
entry-level car is likely to have an on-the-road price of £17,300.

BMW 1 Series Aerodynamic Package

Enhancing the already distinctive look of the new BMW 1 Series, an aerodynamic
package is now also available for the range. Featuring a new front spoiler
design, rear valance and additional spoiler extending from the top of the
tailgate, the 1 Series can now be ordered with an even more commanding presence
on the road. Costing £895 (excluding fitting) the package is offered in
conjunction with four different 18-inch alloy wheel styles complete with
Run-flat tyres, priced from £1,895. Previously, the largest wheel available for
the 1 Series was a 17-inch rim.

BMW Virtual Reality Room

The opening of a new £22.3 million BMW Training Academy near Munich, Germany,
sees the use of the world's first Virtual Reality theatre used to train BMW
technicians. The facility at Unterschleissheim dramatically increases the
number of technicians who can learn how to tend to the needs of every BMW.
Instead of employees working one at a time, teams of technicians can now slip
on hi-tech goggles and gloves to work on a virtual image of a car or car part
that's projected onto the inside of the goggles. This technology means workshop
employees can regularly be kept abreast of the latest technology on BMW cars
enabling them to deliver the best service standards to BMW owners.

BMW Travel Companions

Electric coolbags, the latest in DVD entertainment and a range of roof boxes
are just some of a raft of new accessories now being offered by BMW. For £105
all BMW owners can now specify a 12-litre coolbag, the temperature of which is
electronically controlled by up to 20C below the temperature inside the
passenger compartment.

The BMW X3 is now offered with a bespoke in-car entertainment system for £1,795
(excluding fitting). This package features a fold-down 7-inch flatscreen
display integrated into the roof lining and a DVD player with video game and
camcorder compatibility fitted to the centre console. The introduction of this
accessory comes at the same time as 320 and 450-litre roof boxes, costing £275
and £450 respectively, are now on offer. For the ultimate in load-lugging
capability, a colour-coded ski and luggage combination roof box costing £1,085
is also available.

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