BMW

Almost 70 years on from its first exhibition, the Frankfurt motor show has closed its doors for good after having its 2021 proposal rejected. The Frankfurt event began in 1951 and was later hosted on a biennial basis, alternating with the Paris motor show.

BMW has announced pricing for its first-ever 2 Series Gran Coupe, a style-focused four-door rival to the Mercedes-Benz CLA. The range will kick off with the 218i, priced from $47,990 before on-road costs. Power comes from a three-cylinder making 103kW and 220Nm, hooked up to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. That makes it a whopping $11,600 cheaper than the base Mercedes-Benz CLA, although the CLA 200 does offer 17kW and 30Nm more from its four-cylinder engine.

German carmaker BMW has joined the long list of car companies in Australia donating funds to bushfire recovery efforts. The pledge of $600,000 from BMW and its dealers brings the total donations from the Australian car industry to in excess of $6 million. Volkswagen has pledged $2.5 million, Holden $1 million and Toyota in excess of $473,000, while other brands such as Kia, Honda, Hyundai and Mitsubishi have declined to nominate a figure.

The rear of the BMW X2 xDrive25e has been unveiled ahead of the car's full global debut some time in 2020. The X2 xDrive25e will use the same 162kW/385Nm all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid drivetrain as the closely related X1 model. Under the bonnet there's a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine making 92kW and 220Nm. It drives the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

BMW has revealed the i3 Urban Suite ahead of its debut at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Although it shares its exterior and powertrain with the mould-breaking i3 electric vehicle, the Urban Suite subs its four-seat interior for a two-seat setup designed to evoke "the relaxed feel of a boutique hotel". The rear passenger sits in a large, business class seat with a footrest, a screen that flips down from the roof lining, and a 'personal sound zone'.