BMW - 2009 New Car and SUV Line-Up
BMW, the luxury brand that always satisfies its loyal customers, has been busy for its 2009 models. The manufacturer has introduced some interesting new products in its line up, including the X6 which BMW considers a new segment in the crossover market. BMW has also improved its reliability and safety ratings with the introduction of its 2009 vehicles.
Let us start with the new vehicles. For 2009, BMW is offering a diesel version of the 3 Series called the 335D. The 335D has a 265 horsepower 3.0 liter inline six cylinder engine. BMW claims the vehicles will go 0 to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds. In addition, the inline six cylinder engine uses a urea injection system, called AdBlue, to allow the vehicle to be 50-state emissions compliant.
The 2009 X5 SUV will also get the same 3.0 liter turbodiesel that is available in the 335D. For the SUV, the 0 to 62 mph time is worse than the 335D at 7.2 seconds.
Finally, and most interesting, for 2009, BMW introduced the all new X6. BMW calls the X6 a "Sports Activity Coupe." It is a four-door sedan like a car but has higher ground clearance and all-wheel-drive which is typical of SUVs. In some ways, it may remind customers of former Subaru Outback models. The X6 is based off of the X5 platform, but is slightly longer and wider than the X5 cousin. The X6 is available in two models. One model comes with a 3.0 liter twin-turbo inline six cylinder engine, and one comes with a 4.4 liter V8. The V8 is rated at 400 horsepower.
In terms of reliability, BMW has shown progress in recent years. For example, in a recent study on reliability completed by Consumer Reports, most BMW 3 Series models and some 5 Series models were rated as average or better. The BMW 6 Series improved to above average in the same study.
In terms of safety, BMW, like all the other automotive manufacturers, has made improvements for 2009. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has recently announced its 2009 Top Safety Picks. The BMW 3 Series, X3, and X5 all made the list. All were considered to have good performance in front, side, and rear impact tests. In addition, all of the models offer electronic stability control as standard.
BMW offers a very unique safety feature to customers. The 3 Series, for example comes standard with four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, standard stability control, frontal airbags, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, and run-flat tires. In addition, the 3 Series has a system that wipes the brake rotors dry when the windshield wipers are operating. Also the brake pads are automatically pulled closer to the brake disc when the driver releases the accelerator pedal.
In summary, BMW continues to be successful in the luxury market in 2009. The new turbodiesel offerings in the 3 Series and X5 will give customers an option to seriously consider switching to a diesel engine. The X6 defines new boundaries in the crossover market. Additional, customers can expect improved reliability and safety ratings in 2009 versus the 2008 BMW models.
Get 2009 BMW price quotes.
|
