The 2016 Beijing Auto Show has opened its gates today, with carmakers worldwide launching their stretched models, specifically aimed for the Chinese market.

We are expecting to see the latest China-based editions from Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and of course BMW. The latter one BMW, has also brought the X1 Long Wheelbase SUV for an official display.

The BMW X1 Long Wheelbase will be available in China in two versions, the Long Wheelbase xLine and Sport Line, each one coming with a wide choice of features.

As we can depict from the pictures, the X1 Long Wheelbase comes with LED headlights display, automatic tailgate operation and other styling cues shared with its European sibling.

Inside, the cabin is equipped with the latest high-tech gizmos, like head-up display, updated infotainment system, Harman Kardon surround sound system, adding the plethora of safety features.

The BMW X1 LWB looks the same as the standard version, except for the elongated rear doors. This makes it 8 cm longer, 2 cm wider and 4 cm taller than the previous long-wheelbase X1. A stretched platform also indicates more space inside, around 5-18 cm more room for rear passenger knees. The cargo capacity has been also expanded to 675 liters with the rear seats in the normal position, reaching an overall of 1,650 liters with a 40:20:40-split folded rear bench.

Under the hood, the BMW X1 LWB packs three engines, like the three-cylinder 136 HP in the sDrive18Li, four-cylinder 192 HP in the sDrive20Li/xDrive20Li as well as the four-cylinder 231 HP in the xDrive25Li. All engines are hooked to a six-speed Steptronic or eight-speed Steptronic, the latter one available for the larger displacements.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

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We’ve known for a while how the demands of the Chinese car market tend to make just about every major car maker bend to its will and BMW is now announcing the latest product to come from this.

It is the LWB (long wheelbase) version of the new F30 BMW 3 Series. The model will be introduced at this month’s Beijing Motor Show.

Orders should commence at the same time as the motor show debut but no word has been uttered on when deliveries will start.

We’d imagine it won’t take too long since the F30 LWB will be built at a Chinese plant recently built in Shenyang which also makes the LWB version of the F10 BMW 5 Series.

Apart from offering more legroom, the only difference between this Chinese F30 and ours is that there’s no diesel engine in the lineup.

The leg room gain should be noticeable though since the length gain is 4.3 inches. That should make quite the difference for the businessmen of Beijing.

Under the bonnet, the F30 LWB gets familiar powerplants and will be available in 320Li, 328Li and 335Li trims. The first two engines are turbocharged 2 liter four pots developing 184 and 245 horsepower.

The latter is the glorious 3.0 liter straight six, also in turbocharged form which develops 305 horsepower.

If you find a stretched 3 Series appealing, forget it, BMW will only be offering it in China. Unless you find about 2 billion friends interested in buying one, you’re likely not to get your wish.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post F30 BMW 3 Series LWB officially announced appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

It’s no secret the sort of market China has grown to be or is expected to grow further in the nearby future so it’s no surprise to see manufacturers cater to the People’s Republic.

The latest “tailored for this market” car in the lineup comes from our favorite car maker and it’s a stretched version of the F30 BMW 3 Series.

A considerable amount of details are missing but the big picture is pretty clear, the F30 BMW 3 Series LWB is not going to change the world any time soon.

When it hits the market it will likely be based on the 335i F30 and it is also very likely that it will only be available with that engine in it.

As far as branding is concerned, I don’t think there’s any point to stretching beyond the BMW 335Li no matter how much more rear legroom customers want.

If it seems pointless to you, or most people in Europe or the US for that matter, Chinese businessmen are very used to having a personal driver.

Regardless of the car they buy, it’s not uncommon to be chauffeured around in it and there’s two reasons for this.

Driving can take up time and hiring somebody to drive you everywhere is remarkably cheap.

It’s also worth noting that BMW isn’t on point duty when it comes to the business of creating LWB versions of smaller cars than usual.

Audi has been selling an A6L and A4L in China for some time now. Mercedes isn’t very clear on the situation but their C and E Class tend to be roomier in the back anyway.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

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