121 new cars: B
Part two of our round-up includes a Bentley SUV, the first BMW M diesels and a 1,184bhp Bugatti Veyron
Bentley EXP 9 F
On sale: 2015
Price: From £140,000
A Bentley SUV has been rumoured for years – and we finally got our first look at the Geneva Motor Show. The result was controversial to say the least. The imposing looks divided opinion like nothing else, but there’s no denying this is a Bentley in every sense. There’s a Mulsanne-style grille, 23-inch wheels and haunches inspired by the Continental, while the interior is swathed in leather and wood, and features a clever split tailgate that doubles as a seat. Engines are yet to be confirmed, but the W12 and twin-turbo V8 from the Continental GT are being considered, as is a plug-in hybrid. One thing’s for sure: it’s a car that is likely to attract plenty of buyers for Bentley.
Watch our video of the Bentley EXP 9 F at Geneva >>
On sale: Now
Price: From £123,850
Powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, the new Continental GT is slower than the 6.0-litre W12 model. But it’s 40 per cent more efficient, with deactivation tech switching off four of the car’s cylinders under light throttle loads. It’s also £12,000 cheaper than the W12.
Bentley Continental GTC V8
On sale: Now
Price: £136,250
It's amazing what a difference the addition of a V8 engine has made to the Conti’s character. With around 25kg less weight in the nose, it’s more agile and in real-world situations, every bit as quick as the W12. Clever technology shuts down four cylinders on light throttle loads, so it’s 40 per cent more fuel efficient than the GTC W12. Twin exhaust pipes in the shape of a figure of eight and red flying B badges mark out the V8 from the W12.
Read our first drive of the Continental GTC V8 >>
Bentley Mulsanne Mulliner
On sale: April
Price: From £230,000 (est)
New Mulliner Driving Specification gives the least sporty Bentley a new Sport setting, which provides “enhanced grip, body control and steering accuracy without affecting ride comfort”. Visual tweaks include larger alloy wheels and vents that resemble the famous Bentley Flying B.
BMW Alpina D5 Touring
On sale: Now
Price: £58,950
Fancy an M5 without the huge fuel bill? The Alpina D5 Touring might be the answer. This diesel estate uses a 345bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel with 700Nm of torque (a tuned version of the 535d’s engine). It’s capable of 0-62mph in just over five seconds and a top speed of 170mph, yet still returns nearly 50mpg. For sheer pace, it’s some way behind the new BMW M550d Touring, but the D5 will be a much rarer sight on the roads.
BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe
On sale: June
Price: From £61,830
BMW's first four-door coupe is designed to take on the Mercedes CLS and Audi A7. The 6 Series Gran Coupe is based on the standard 6 Series, but an extra 113mm has been added to the wheelbase to accommodate the extra set of doors. There’s loads of legroom in the back for up to three passengers, and it even has a 460-litre boot capacity, which can be expanded to 1,265 litres when the rear seats are folded down. The engine line-up is familiar, too: a 316bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol in the 640i model and a 309bhp 3.0-litre diesel in the 640d. The range-topping car at launch is the 650i, which has a 444bhp 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 and will accelerate from 0-62mph in only 4.6 seconds – that’s three-tenths faster than the 650i coupe.
BMW M135i
On sale: September
Price: £35,000 (est)
If you can’t stretch to BMW’s 1 Series M Coupe, the new M Performance brand has just the answer. The M135i joins the M550d, X5 M50d and X6 M50d in the line-up, and is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six with around 337bhp. Official figures have yet to be released, but performance is set to be on par with the 1M Coupe, although the M135i won’t be fitted with a limited-slip differential. It should blast from 0-62mph in less than five seconds and top speed will be restricted to 155mph. Completing the M Performance modifications is lowered suspension, an M sports braking system, lightweight 18-inch alloys and a subtle bodykit.
BMW M550d xDrive
On sale: 2016
Price: From £62,000 (est)
The M550d xDrive is the first diesel car to wear BMW’s M badge. It’s part of a new M Performance brand, which sits below full-blown M cars. It has a highly tuned six-cylinder tri-turbocharged 3.0-litre engine that delivers 376bhp and 740Nm of torque. The M550d is initially only available with four-wheel drive, and covers 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds – only three-tenths behind the M5. We’ll see the engine in the UK in the next-generation 5 Series.
Read our first drive of the M550d xDrive >>
BMW M6 Convertible
On sale: September
Price: From £98,995
The new Convertible is pretty much identical to the M6 Coupe – although it does without the carbon fibre roof. The adaptive dampers, limited-slip differential and 552bhp engine are all carried over, but performance trails slightly, with 0-62mph taking 4.3 seconds.
BMW M6 Coupe
On sale: September
Price: From £93,795
The all-new M6 Coupe is the fastest car in BMW’s range. It gets a lightning-fast seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and a 552bhp 4.4-litre twin-turbo engine lifted straight from the new M5. Lightweight materials help the M6 go from 0-62mph two-tenths faster than the M5, in 4.2 seconds, while top speed is limited to an identical 155mph. Despite the huge performance, BMW claims the M6 will return 28.5mpg – a 30 per cent improvement over the outgoing V10-powered M6 Coupe. Weight-saving measures include a ‘double-bubble’ carbon fibre roof, aluminium doors and a fibreglass bootlid. Optional 20-inch alloys are also available.
BMW X5 M550d
On sale: TBC for UK
Price: From £55,000 (est)
One of the first diesel models to wear BMW’s M badge is the X5 M550d. It uses a six-cylinder tri-turbocharged 3.0-litre engine that not only produces 376bhp, but also a mighty 740Nm of torque. This 4x4 is just three-tenths slower from 0-62mph than the mighty BMW M5.
BMW X6 facelift
On sale: Now
Price: £47,520
BMW has tweaked the X6 and added a range of new engines – including the tri-turbo M50d diesel. The SUV also gets relocated foglamps, a redesigned grille and LED lights at the front and rear. Revisions to the cabin are limited to some better-quality materials.
BMW X6 M550d
On sale: Now
Price: £62,260
Completing BMW’s line-up of hot diesels is the X6 M550d. It’s well over a second quicker than the next fastest diesel in the X6 line-up and comes complete with a few visual upgrades, too. It gets a subtle bodykit, new alloy wheels and a ‘power bulge’ on the bonnet.
Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse
On sale: Now
Price: £2.1million (est)
The new Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse is essentially a Super Sports without a roof – and it’s the world’s most powerful roadster. Its 16.4-litre quad-turbo engine delivers 197bhp more than the Grand Sport’s, at a huge 1,184bhp. Modified bumpers and a tweaked chassis help to improve the car’s aerodynamics, and although no official performance stats have been released yet, the newcomer is tipped to get close to the Veyron Super Sport’s 269mph top speed.
Watch official footage of the Grand Sport Vitesse >>
