Car News

The next generation of BMW M vehicles could see the introduction of performance-focused hybrid or full-electric technology, a representative of the company has hinted this week. Speaking with Australian media at the local launch of the new 530e iPerformance plug-in hybrid (PHEV), Alexander Kotouc, head of product management for BMW GmbH, hinted that the worlds of both the performance-oriented 'M' and future-focused 'i' brands could one day merge.

Mitsubishi Motors is banking on SUVs as its future, but the company’s operations chief reckons that even some of those high-riding models are on their way out. Speaking with media in Sydney this week, Trevor Mann, global COO for Mitsubishi Motors, said the large SUV could be on its way out – meaning the Pajero Sport could remain as the biggest SUV you can get from the three-diamond brand when the Pajero (proper!) finally bites the dust.

The boss of BMW'slocal arm has pulled no punches in his estimation of the Australian government, declaring it has fallen far behind other developed countries when it comes to legislation and strategies regarding low-emissions vehicles. Marc Werner, CEO for BMW Australia, said at the launch of the plug-in hybrid 530e iPerformance that the government has "stuck their collective heads in the sand".

Jim Richards' legendary JPS BMW 635 CSi will be making an appearance at the Silverstone Classic in the UK, with its championship-winning driver behind the wheel. In 1985, Richards drove the black and gold Beemer, for Frank Gardner Racing, to seven wins and won its first title in the Group A specification. The Australian Touring Car BMW will have its inaugural trip outside of Australasia, and will also be Richards's first visit to the world's biggest historic racing event in the UK.

Local pricing and details for the 2017 BMW 530e iPerformance plug-in hybrid (PHEV) have been revealed this week, with the electrified luxury sedan to arrive in Australian showrooms from July. Starting from $108,900 before on-road costs, the hybrid 5 Series is the same price as the more conventional 530i, though the hybrid claims to be far more frugal. It's also the first time a BMW iPerformance model has been priced identically to a combustion-powered equivalent.