BMW PH shows off XM, M3 CS, and 4-Series Gran Coupe

BMW Philippines ends July with three new heavy hitters to add to its lineup. PHOTO BY SAM SURLA

SMC Asia Car Distributors Corporation, the authorized importer of BMW vehicles in the country, has previewed three new models for our market: the XM, the M3 CS, and the 4-Series Gran Coupe.

BMW X5 xDrive30d Business. PHOTOS BY SAM SURLA

BMW X6 xDrive30d M Sport. PHOTOS BY SAM SURLA

Additionally, the X5 and X6 M Sport SAVs in face-lifted LCI (life cycle impulse) iterations were also quietly shown off. These models had reached our shores slightly ahead of the XM.

The X5 xDrive30d Business goes for P5,990,000, while the X6 xDrive30d M Sport is available for P8,990,000.

Love it or hate it, the XM's design truly will turn heads. PHOTOS BY SAM SURLA

The BMW XM is the brand’s only second M purpose-built vehicle after the M1 supercar from the late ’70s, and the first high-performance plug-in hybrid from the manufacturer. It is available for an eye-popping P15,890,000 with a free BMW Wallbox charger.

Yes, it's a PHEV, so it's exempt from coding. PHOTOS BY SAM SURLA

It boasts a gravity-pulling 800Nm of torque available over a wide power band, with a total of 653hp via a newly developed 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 gasoline engine called the S68. It’s combined with a single electric motor with a pre-gearing mode that allows it to increase its torque output to 450Nm.

It has three drive modes available—hybrid, electric, and eControl—in Normal, Sport, and Sport Plus settings for added aggression and driver involvement.

The sport-tuned suspension is underpinned with massive 22-inch wheels shod with Pirelli P Zero high-performance tires. This is the most complete luxury high-performance SAV with a conscience, delivering as much as 88km of fully electric range up to speeds of 140km/h from a 25.7kWh battery as per WLTP standards.

Trust us, you wouldn't want to leave this interior. It even comes with a bespoke luggage piece. PHOTOS BY SAM SURLA

Inside, drivers are greeted with a luxurious interior combined with Merino leather and carbon fiber. The stunning “Sculptural Headliner” will make you want to look up. It also has the BMW Live Cockpit Professional with a heads-up display.

Operating System 8 runs on the 12.3- and 14.9-inch screens with mobile phone connectivity, four-zone automatic climate control, and a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound hi-fi system.

The additional carbon-fiber accents, the yellow DRLs, and the subtle CS badging will let you know you're looking at something special. PHOTOS BY SAM SURLA

The next car is the M3 CS, a lightened, hardened, more focused version of BMW’s seminal sports sedan that has built a reputation in touring car racing, particularly in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) series. You can get this for a hefty P16,890,000.

It features lots of carbon fiber on both its interior and exterior, saving 34kg in weight, along with the 3.6kg savings from the titanium exhaust that gives it a more visceral exhaust bark. Should you prefer a night drive, BMW Laser Light with yellow DRLs will illuminate the road ahead of you.

Naturally, the fastest factory M3 to exist must be able to handle that power. PHOTOS BY SAM SURLA

Power rises from the standard M3’s 510hp to 550hp, thanks to turbo boost rising from 24.7psi to 30.5psi from the S58 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six engine. Torque remains the same at 650Nm. Firmer engine mounts give a more connected feel, too, at the expense of added NVH.

The sole unit comes with double staggered 19/20-inch BMW Style 827 M Wheels shod with track-focused Michelin Pilot Sport Cup dual-compound tires. Behind them are massive carbon-ceramic discs clamped down by six-piston front and two-piston rear Brembo calipers.

BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive, combined with a super fast-shifting eight-speed automatic, delivers seamless and smooth acceleration combined with massive stability and traction to ensure that the M3 CS dominates on both road and track.

Just warn your rear passengers not to damage the carbon fiber. PHOTOS BY SAM SURLA

Inside, deeply bolstered body-sculpting carbon bucket seats are wrapped in Merino leather with a suede-wrapped steering wheel.

The Curved Display with M-specific enhancements and Live Cockpit Plus greets the driver when he or she has time to appreciate the niceties of BMW craftsmanship before conquering the circuit or a twisty mountain path.

If you ever felt that the 3-Series was too tame for you, the 4-Series Gran Coupe is perfect. PHOTOS BY SAM SURLA

The last model is the suave 4-Series Gran Coupe, the brand’s stylish and compact four-door “coupe.” The 420i offers sedan-like practicality and the stylish silhouette of a coupe for P4,890,000.

It features frameless door windows, flush door handles, and a 470L trunk space underneath a power liftback (expandable to 1,290L with the 40:20:40 folding rear seats down).

It's powered by the familiar 2.0-liter in-line-four turbo gasoline engine. PHOTO BY SAM SURLA

The propulsion comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged in-line-four gasoline engine, the B48.

It delivers a sizable 184hp and, more importantly, 300Nm of torque driving the rear wheels via an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.

Wheels are 19-inch BMW M Y-spoke 859 bicolor units shod with high-performance run-flat tires.

The Gran Coupe gives rear passengers more space and a ton of cargo room. PHOTOS BY SAM SURLA

Inside, drivers and occupants alike are treated to Tacora Red Sensatec upholstery with aluminum trim finishers. Operating System 7 is displayed on the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch infotainment screen, also with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.

As with all BMW cars, all models come with a five-year/200,000km warranty—one of the best in the industry. Excited? Drop by your nearest BMW dealership, and check out these new models.