The annual Paris Motorshow, or Mondial de l’Automobile, takes place from the 4th of October until the 14th of October and it is simply one of the most important dates in the motor show calendar alongside Geneva. It is the most popular motor show on the globe and in 2016 alone there were over 1,000,000 visitors. In 2017, 245 car brands showed up from 19 different countries and this year, as usual, every mainstream manufacturer will be showing off their latest model or models but it is BMW who are likely to steal the show. Here’s a quick look at what they’ve got in store…
BMW 3 Series
First and foremost, Paris will see the global premiere of the new BMW 3-Series, which is arguably the most important car BMW has ever built. It is certainly the most successful model BMW has ever created in terms of sales and even to this day it is their most iconic model in the lineup. Details surrounding the new 3 Series are very much thin on the ground at the moment. We’ve been promised the debut of new design highlights which will exist throughout the BMW range, as well as new technological features and marked improvements in the ‘field of connectivity.’
The current BMW 3 Series saloon is now available with 0% APR on immediate delivery vehicles.
BMW Z4
BMW’s long and successful history of roadster making is set to continue in 2019 with the launch of the new Z4 roadster. The model has been teased and teased for years now but Paris will officially be the show debut of the new Z-model. The two-seater convertible simply oozes sporting pedigree and its sharp looks are synonymous with sports cars of the past although the new BMW design language reassures you that this is a car for the future. The cabin looks like it is traditionally distraction-free although there is now a large 10.25-inch combined digital instrument cluster and central monitor. There are no low-powered models available just yet, the Z4 is launching exclusively in the range-topping m40i spec, with a massive 340 horsepower 6-cylinder engine up front which will take the car from 0-62 mph in just 4.6 seconds.
BMW X5
Paris will also host the world premiere of the next generation of the BMW X5 - the firm’s best selling Sports Activity Vehicle. This is the fourth model of the ‘founding father of the X family’ and BMW are championing the practicality improvements and ‘numerous innovative equipment features.’ Of course, this new X5 will sport the new exterior design language of the BMW family while also making a statement about the car's robustness and durability. The X5 will host a whole range of upgraded and improved engines, the most economical of which will return up to 47 mpg on a combined cycle, although we can see an electrified hybrid model potentially joining the lineup in a few years. The interior will offer particularly generous levels of space and beneath the dashboard will lie BMW’s new ‘7.0’ operating software which will control the music, SatNav, heating and so on.
Prices and details are still few and far between at this point, hopefully, more will be announced during the motor show in Paris.
BMW 8 Series
The return of an old classic. The BMW 8 Series, back after almost 20 years and ready to take on the biggest and best luxury grand touring coupés from premium manufacturers. We already know what the 8 Series looks like and what it’s all about, but Paris will be the debut motor show for the 8 Series, and the first opportunity for the public to get to grips with the new Beamer. The M-Performance model, named the M850i XDrive, will be on display with a brand new V8 petrol engine under the bonnet which packs a monstrous 530 horsepower. Powerful? Yes. Economical? Absolutely not. The V8 petrol will only be good for about 28 mpg which is poor by modern standards, but there is also a diesel 6-cylinder available with less power (320 horsepower - so still quite a bit) but it is capable of a far more pleasing 46 mpg.
The order books are already open and the 8 Series starts from just under £75,000
BMW M5 Competition
And the final world premiere from BMW at this years Paris Motor Show comes in the form of the new BMW M5 Competition. The fastest, most potent version of the M5 ever and best high-performance car on the BMW stand this year. The power has been upgraded by an extra 25 horsepower over the regular M5, taking the Competition version to a staggering 625 horsepower overall - good enough for a 0-62mph time of just 3.3 seconds and a 0-100mph time of just a momentary 10.8 seconds. Silly fast for a large, comfortable 5-door saloon car, really. The Competition M5 will still be all-wheel-drive but it will work off an intelligent system which can be switched to real-wheel-only at the driver’s request.
Customer orders are due to begin imminently, but the starting price of the M5 Competition is a healthy £96,205