The new BMW 1 Series goes on sale in Spring 2007 and it features a model line up that includes the most fuel efficient production vehicle the marque has ever produced. The introduction of a three-door model and a revised five-door come as a raft of new fuel saving innovations are rolled out across the range.

Highlights include:

New three-door arrives.
Revised five-door revealed.
New technology cuts emissions by up to 21 per cent and improves fuel consumption by up to 24 per cent.
Tax busting 60.1 mpg 118d is BMW’s most economical production car.

BMW has announced the start of production of the new BMW Hydrogen 7, the world’s first hydrogen-powered luxury saloon car. Destined to make its first public appearance on 28 November at the Los Angeles Motor Show, the Hydrogen 7 will be built in limited numbers and offered to selected users in 2007.

The BMW Hydrogen 7 is based on the existing 7 Series and comes equipped with an internal combustion engine capable of running on liquid hydrogen or petrol. In hydrogen mode the car emits nothing more than water vapour. Powered by a 260hp 12-cylinder engine, the Hydrogen 7 accelerates from zero to 62mph in 9.5 seconds before going on to an electronically limited 143mph top speed.

BMW’s all-new X5 will go on sale in the UK in the spring of 2007, a prestige SUV that is bigger, better equipped and powered by cleaner and more fuel-efficient engines. An increase in length and width has enabled BMW to offer an optional third row of seats in the new model, taking passenger capacity up to seven.

Replacing the original X5, launched in 1999, the American-built 4×4 is adopting more hi-tech features, including a head-up display, projecting key vehicle data on to the windscreen in front the driver; a rear parking camera with colour monitor; and run-flat tyres.

In the UK three engines will be available: six-cylinder 3.0-litre petrol and diesel units with 272 and 231hp respectively; and the established 355hp 4.8-litre V8 petrol. These will be matched to a new s

BMW will start building its new Z4 Coupe at its South Carolina factory in April, with first customer deliveries following in August. The hard-top version of its two-seat Z4 roadster has a contoured roof that helps provide adequate headroom. The sloping rear has a hatchback, opening to reveal a generous 300-litre load area.

Standard and high performance M versions will be offered. The regular 3.0si is equipped with an ultra-lightweight 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine, developing 265hp for 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds. A six-speed manual gearbox will be standard, with an option six-speed automatic with paddle shifts on the steering wheel. The Z4 M Coupe uses the 3.2-litre straight-six power unit and a short-shift six-speed manual ‘box. Top speed is limited to 155mph, with 0-62mph despatched in 5.0 seconds. Prices will start at £31,375 on-the-road.

BMW’s fourth generation 3 Series Convertible will be the first to feature a folding hard top. BMW says it finds no fault with the quality of the fabric roofs, as used on the 6 Series and Z4, but says the new design will provide its best-selling drop-top with much better visibility, thanks to the larger rear and side windows it can accommodate. The new model will be presented at the Detroit Motor Show in January, before going on sale in spring 2007, initially in 325i and 335i forms. These are powered, respectively, by 218hp six-cylinder and 306hp twin-turbo petrol engines. Smaller capacity units will be launched soon afterwards, namely the 170hp four-cylinder 320i (entry point to the range), 272hp 330i, and 231hp 330d. The roof takes 22 seconds to open or close. When lowered, 140 litres of boot space are lost, but the rear seat backs can be folded down to extend the load area and the boot can be raised temporarily to allow longer items such as golf bags, to be stored beneath it.

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