While in Europe, BMW is getting ready for some interesting model range at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, which opens is gates tomorrow, in South Africa, the carmaker`s local division has sent the G01 BMW X3 for some road tests, the model wearing full camouflage. This comes a week after the European sibling was tested out in the cold weather in Sweden.

If you are wondering why South Africa, it`s because the German based carmaker will be building some of the X3s at its Rosslyn plant.

As already previewed before, the new X3 will be bigger and wider, thanks to the new rear-wheel drive flexible modular system, coming with increase space inside and a wide range of engines under the hood. Overall, the new G01 X3 is also 100 kg lighter than the previous model.

Under the hood, the all-new 2018 G01 BMW X3 will be powered by a 3.0-liter straight-six diesel engine (B57) and a petrol B58, both pots being more powerful and torquier. As expected, a plug-in hybrid variant will also arrive, adding as well an all-electric X3 in 2020.

In South Africa, BMW has invested more than 3 billion Rands in the new plant in order to cope with the production of the all-new G01 BMW X3 and other models destined for the local market.

In Europe, the model will arrive on the market in August, while the US will have ready it at the local plant in Spartanburg, California, in early 2018. Stay tuned for further details!

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Marcus M.

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The BMW 7-Series has always set the benchmarks in the auto industry with its exquisite looks and appealing design, shaped at the same time by aggressive lines and standout interior. And to accomplish that, you surely need to be a genuine artist.

Back in 1991, Esther Mahlangu from South African artist, has managed to create art inside the interior of the 525i with her own colors and geometric shapes, the model being exhibited at the BMW Art Car.

Now, the South African artist is back and was responsible with the interior making of the latest BMW 740li Individual, the model being recently displayed at an auction in the UK. All the proceeds will go to Art Room, which deals with therapy to help children with behavioral issues.

As we can depict from the photos below, the interior of this 740Li Individual resembles that displayed back in 1991, the cabin being highlighted by bright colors and geometric shapes, like squares or triangles, mixed all together to create a unique design.

The interior is also wrapped in Smoke White with Merino leather, which perfectly compliments the exterior`s BMW Individual Pure Metal Silver. We expect to see the model in its plenitude at the Fireze Art Fair in Regent Park, London, between 5th and 8th of October. Meanwhile, feel free to admire the gorgeous interior with Mahlangu`s pure artistic talent.

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Marcus M.

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The post BMW 740Li Individual Comes with Bespoke Interior from South Africa appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Over the last 30 years, the BMW German carmaker has produced hundreds of high-performance sports cars, including this year`s high-end models from the M division.

This was a good opportunity for BMW to celebrate the event by releasing a number of exclusive models, like the one-off BMW M3 “30 Jahre”, recently displayed at the 2016 SA Festival of Motoring.

As we already know, this is a limited edition, with just 30 units being available for sale in South Africa. The entire model is high-end, starting at the exterior and finishing under the hood.

From a visual standpoint, the BMW M3 “30Jahre” is paying its respect to the first-gen BMW M3 by wearing the special Macao Blue Metallic exterior color, coming as well with the BMW Individual High Gloss Shadow Line and the plethora of features.

The most standout styling bits are the M sports exhaust system with black chrome tailpipe, front wings with the M gills and the “30 Jahre” badge and so on. The entire styling is complemented with the 20-inch high-forged M light-alloy wheels, wrapping the 666 M start spoke design with 265/30 R20 and 285/30 R20 front and rear tires.

Mechanically speaking, the M3 “30 Jahre” edition also features a plethora of high-performance parts, like Adaptive M suspension system, updated springs, dampers, stabilizers, along with the Dynamic Stability Control and Active M differential, which modifies the car`s driving capabilities, according to all three driving modes: Comfort, Sport and Sport +.

In the engine department, the model packs the same engine also found on the M3 Competition Package, but adds a slight power overboost.

We are looking here at a total of 450 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque. With the six-speed manual transmission, the car reaches 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds, while the DCT makes is run faster with around 0.2 seconds.

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Marcus M.

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Ever since its official unveiling at Laguna Seca, back in February, the 2016 BMW M2 Coupe has been the star of endless reviews, drive tests, drag races and many, with the model being exclusively built in a limited edition of around 5.000 cars for a period of five years.

Now, the 2016 M2 Coupe has reached the shores of South Africa, with a lot of journalists to perform additional drive tests in order to experience the car`s maneuverability and high-performance driving dynamics.

As we already know, the 2016 BMW M2 Coupe comes with an extremely hot and aggressive attitude, thanks to the M Performance Parts, highlighted by the wide air intakes, M gills, M tailpipes exhaust system or the 19-inch M double-spoke design wheels.

The M2 Coupe is also looking elegant with the BMW Twin circular headlights, air curtains in the outer air intakes or large front apron with the trapezoidal blades.

The interior is also highlighted by the M logo, like the M footrest and knee pad on the center console, M sports seats, M gearshift lever and door sills as well as the Alcantara blue stitching steering wheel with the shift paddles.

Under the hood, the 2016 BMW M2 Coupe in South Africa will use the same 3.0-liter M TwinPower Turbo inline flat-six engine, developing 272 kW and 500 Nm of torque, enough for a 4.3 second-sprint from 0 to 100 km/h, via a seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission. The topping also stands at an electronically limited 250 km/h. Besides the powerful engine and output, the model also comes with a lightweight aluminum M Sport suspension system which ensures all the necessary ingredients for the perfect ride.

Enjoy the magnificent 2016 BMW M2 Coupe photo gallery released in South Africa and don’t forget to share your opinions with us!

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Marcus M.

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The post Photos: 2016 BMW M2 Coupe Arrives in South Africa appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

BMW has recently rolled out the 1-millionth unit of the 3-Series Coupe, a reason for the German based carmaker to celebrate the event at the BMW`s Rosslyn Plant, Pretoria, in South Africa. Harald Kruger, a Management Board manager of BMW AG, was also there to celebrate this important piece of BMW history.

Kruger wanted to make the best out of it and declared that the BMW`s plant in South Africa represents a symbol for the carmaker, as it is the first foreign country to lead the way to a BMW globalization, starting with 1973. Worldwide, BMW has now reached a total of 30 plants in 14 countries, which confirms the carmaker`s plans of global domination.

“To this day, the South African production site remains a vivid example of a successful market entry through local production,” Kruger also concluded.

But the Rosslyn plant is more than just a simple auto location for BMW, as it has already produced millions of cars, with worldwide exports. Take for instance the BMW 3-Series Sedan which was built in 68,771 units and exported in 2014 from this plant, which means a 17 percentage increase, leading BMW to the top, and straightening its leader position in South Africa.

Apart from that, BMW has created a lot of jobs, employing more than 43,000 people, with 3,700 associates and 3,700 dealerships staff.

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Marcus M.

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The post BMW 3-Series Sedan Celebrates 1 Million Cars to Be Manufactured at Rosslyn Plant, South Africa appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

The almighty BMW M4 Coupe is popping-up in our news again, this time the model getting completely crushed in South Africa.

We are talking here about a terrible road accident, taking place in Klerksorp, South Africa, where the BMW M4 Coupe`s driver apparently lost control of the car and ended up on the side road. Luckily, the driver wasn`t hurt, but he was immediately rushed to the hospital.

I fell it is my job to warn all drivers that own such a model, as the BMW M4 Coupe is a nasty mean machine and obsessive care must be carried out when handling it on the roads.

Speaking about power, we have to remind you that the BMW M4 Coupe is fitted with a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder unit, which outputs an impressive 431 horsepower and a good 550 Nm of torque.

Handled correctly, the M4 Coupe can reach the 100 km/h straight line in just 4.1 seconds, and that at a top speed, electronically limited, of 250 km/h. Not to mention the raised 288 km/h top speed, when fitted with the M Driver`s Package.

So don`t forget to respect the extraordinary BMW M4 Coupe and it will respect you back.

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Marcus M.

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The current socio-political climate in South Africa continues to hurt outside investment, with protests going well beyond the two month mark.

Among the companies that are feeling the brunt of these protests we state Toyota, Volkswagen and the Bavarian car maker, BMW.

BMW has already kept the production offline for three weeks in August and September, and with the labor syndicates not backing up, it seems that October will see more of the same. “Any plans to expand our plant or our capacity further have been put indefinitely on hold” said Guy Kilfoil, BMW’s spokesman, in a recent interview.

“From our perspective we think the country is at a fairly major socio-political crossroads. South Africa is becoming less globally competitive in terms of wages, energy costs, water costs. All of those things are making South Africa a less attractive destination for foreign investment”.

So far, South Africa has seen a 75 percent drop in exports, and the economical damage will most likely pile on. So far it is uncertain if BMW will turn its attention back to South Africa once this turmoil is over, or if the manufacturer will move on to another location.

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Marcus M.

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The post BMW stopped investing in South Africa appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

South Africa, that’s right, the place with the recent FIFA world cup commotion and the land of the vuvuzela, was the place that spawned one very interesting BMW.

It’s a racing version of the new F30 BMW 3 Series. There’s a lot more to say about it but just sync that in before we go any further.

As much as we love the BMW part of the affair (and there’s quite a lot of it) the South Africa part matters since there’s a lot of work and fabrication that takes place there.

At the core of the new creation lies a partnership between BMW South Africa and ADF Motorsport who’ll participate in a local championship.

The F30 BMW 3 Series gets as much of the new BMW Performance parts as it can get and then a re-tuned engine.

Starting with the 3.0 liter straight six in the 335i it gets a MoTeC engine tune, runs its turbos at 0.7 bar and gets a restrictor of a 40 mm.

Add in the Akrapovic exhaust system and this engine develops 408 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. That should be plenty.

That new performance level is teamed up with a new weight of just 2.998 lbs, 370 mm front disk brakes and a typical BBS alloy and tire racing setup for the maximum effect.

The first time the F30 racer will be seen live is at the Wesbank Super Series race meeting, at Killarney in Cape Town and the second occasion is going to be at the Nurburgring 24.

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Marcus M.

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The post F30 BMW 3 Series racer unveiled in South Africa appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

BMW will do a great thing and will invest 2.2 bl. $ in the South Africa’s Rosslyn Plant. Once they have increased production, they will build faster the cars and secondly, they can now offer more jobs for poor people in South Africa while expanding the plant. In the South Africa’s Rosslyn Plant is building 3 Series for the people around Rosslyn Plant and they also export 3 Series cars to U.S.A., Canada and other markets.

Once with investment, they have also a bigger term: from 60,000 units per year to 87,000 units per year. Overall, they increased the production with 45%. The sales are growing each year around 19.5 percent so the investment was more than necessary otherwise they wouldn’t made at time each command.

Anyway, this is the website of South Africa’s Rosslyn Plant. Probably the citizens from South Africa doesn’t have so much money so they export 75 percent from the BMW 3 Series production at Rosslyn Plant.

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Marcus M.

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