Latest news with #Hofmeister
Top Gear
25-07-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
BMW 3 Series Touring Review 2025
The BMW 3 Series Touring is one of those cars. The cars that do everything, are instantly recommendable, mostly brilliant and have been for generations. See also Porsche 911, VW Golf and Range Rover. In the case of the 3 Touring, why have an SUV or crossover when this is cheaper, more efficient, better to drive and just as practical? So what's new? The front half is pretty much identical to the facelifted saloon, and that's no bad thing. Thankfully the 3 Series has avoided BMW's controversial new design direction so far, still has a modest grille and remains a handsome (if less ostentatious) thing. Advertisement - Page continues below We were first shown the updated version in May 2022, which brought slimmer lights, more aggressive bumpers and BMW's new Curved Display inside, which pairs a 12.3-inch dial display with a 14.9-inch central infotainment screen and merges them into one widescreen unit. Hang on, what about the back end? Ah yes – the important end. Towards the rear, the designers of this seventh-gen G21 took on the same mission as with the saloon – don't just clone 'n' shrink a 5 Series, use a different technique. Where previous 3 Series Tourings took the window line and simply extended it level, here the lower line of the glass angles upward behind the door. That makes, in effect, the biggest-ever Hofmeister kink. It also gives the design some forward-aiming dynamism. In the UK we get the choice of Sport and M Sport trims, with the former getting a clean, body-coloured rear end while the latter gets a fair bit of black plastic designed to look like a diffuser. The Touring is better, right? The estate remains the same length as the contemporary saloon. Although of course they both grew for this latest generation – but not by much. At 4.7m long they've grown less than the length of a credit card over the previous F30 and F31, but it's more about crash safety than interior space, which hasn't seen much benefit. Advertisement - Page continues below The handsome Touring shape encloses 500 litres of boot (or 410 litres if you want a plug-in hybrid where the battery consumes boot space by raising the floor height), which is about par among the style-led premium wagons, but visibly less than, say, the Volkswagen Passat. Still, the 3 Series has some neat mechanisms to ensure your small but perfectly formed cargo is easily loaded and well restrained. And yes, unlike the 5 Touring, it still has the super useful separate opening tailgate glass. What engines can I have? Diesel is dead. Gone. Buried. Such a shame – the 320d and 330d from previous generations have been the best of them. No more 700-mile range and 50mpg. Instead you can do 314mpg. Depending how much you plug the 330e hybrid in. But it is genuinely capable of delivering 70mpg if used with a modicum of sense. Good all-round powertrain, but the four cylinder turbo that underpins it is a charisma vacuum compared to the sixes of old. Speaking of which, only one of those is left. The M340i xDrive Touring is undoubtedly the pick of the range if you can stretch to its £63,880 base price. The single turbo straight six develops 374bhp, has creamy torque delivery and is just endlessly pleasing to use. At the other end of the scale is the 184bhp 320i powered by a 2.0-litre turbo. It's fine, does the job and does it better than the powerplants in most rivals. It's the same engine that underpins the plug-in hybrid, although peak power there stands at 288bhp. But that's it these days, just three engines, plus a fourth if you count the M3s twin turbo V6. Does the 3 Series still sell in the UK? It really does. You may think everyone wants an X3 these days, but the 3 Series still often tops BMW's sales charts. The problem is the model range has been drastically reduced, not just the engines but the options you can have. No manual gearbox, 320i is rear-drive only, 340i comes as 4WD. The need to invest in electrification means BMW needed to slim down its regular car range. You see the same across every marque. How much will it cost me? BMW 3 Series Touring prices start from £43,930 for a base-spec Sport trim 320i. The step up to M Sport trim is only £1,250, so that's what almost everyone does, while the car everyone wants, the M340i is considerably more expensive. Our choice from the range BMW 330e 22.3 kWh M Sport 5dr Step Auto £50,070 See prices and specs What's the verdict? ' Unless you habitually carry very tall rear-seat passengers, or really bulky cargo… it'll do you proud ' If you can't find a 3 Series Touring to suit you, you've got some pretty special automotive needs. For most of us, it's all the car we'd ever need. Unflappable to drive, composed, techy without being baffling to operate and spacious enough to cope with hauling duties. It's better packaged than the over-sized 5 Series Touring, way more efficient and economical than most of its nearest rivals and still has a tangible desirability that elevates it above them. Unless you habitually carry very tall rear-seat passengers, or really bulky cargo, or need to go off-road, it'll do you proud. For many buyers it's a shame diesel has gone and the six cylinder is reduced to a single model, but it's still the best compact estate there is. And the M340i xDrive Touring must put the fear of God into all other carmakers.
India Today
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé launched in India at Rs 46.90 lakh
BMW India has launched the second-generation BMW 2 Series Gran Coup in the country, further raising the bar in the premium compact sedan segment. Locally produced at BMW Group Plant Chennai, the new 2 Series Gran Coup is offered exclusively with a petrol engine and is available in two variants: 218i M Sport and 218i M Sport Pro, priced at Rs 46.90 lakh and Rs 48.90 lakh respectively (ex-showroom). advertisementBMW 2 Series Gran Coup designSporting the brand's bold new shark-nose design, the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coup now stands longer (4,546mm) and taller (1,445mm) than its predecessor. At the front, the iconic BMW kidney grille now comes with 'Iconic Glow' illumination, a first in the segment, flanked by Adaptive LED headlights with cornering function and blue accents. The standard M Sport package across both trims adds aggressive styling elements, such as large air intakes, high-gloss black trims, 18-inch Y-spoke M alloy wheels, and a sculpted rear bumper with diffuser. Frameless doors and the signature Hofmeister kink continue to emphasise the Gran Coup's coup-inspired 2 Series Gran Coup cabin and features Inside, the cabin features illuminated Aluminium Hexacube trims, newly designed sport seats with perforated Veganza leatherette in Mocha or Oyster, and a panoramic sunroof. The BMW Curved Widescreen Display integrates a 10.24-inch digital instrument cluster with a 10.7-inch control display powered by BMW Operating System 9, featuring QuickSelect and voice highlights include:Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android AutoBMW Digital Key Plus with Comfort AccessHarman Kardon 12-speaker audio systemHead-Up Display with Augmented View (M Sport Pro)Interior Camera and ambient lighting BMW 2 Series Gran Coup PerformancePowering both variants is a 1.5-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine producing 156bhp and 23 Nm of torque, mated to a 7-speed Steptronic Sport dual-clutch transmission. The car accelerates from 0-100kmph in 8.6 seconds, with a top speed of 230kmph. A 'Sport BOOST' function delivers an extra burst of acceleration, enhancing the car's dynamic second-gen 2 Series Gran Coup also features revised suspension tuning, improved ride height, and BMW Performance Control for enhanced agility and cornering neutrality.\BMW 2 Series Gran Coup safety and assistance Packed with advanced driver assistance features, the car comes standard with:Driving Assistant (Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert)Parking Assistant Plus with 360 Surround ViewReversing Assistant (stores last 50m path)Dynamic Stability Control, CBC, and Crash SensorColours and customisationAvailable in four exterior colours: Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Brooklyn Grey, and Portimao Blue, the car also offers two interior themes. Buyers can further personalise their ownership experience with optional service and insurance offers optional Service Inclusive packages starting at Rs 47,300 for 3 years/40,000 km, and an extended warranty option priced at Rs 39,100. Ownership is made easier via BMW Smart Finance, with EMI plans starting from Rs 35,000/month and an assured buyback to Auto Today Magazine- Ends
India Today
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Review: Sharper and smarter
The 2 Series Gran Coupe was always meant to be the cool younger sibling in BMW's sedan family. It borrowed the coupe tag, added four doors, and wrapped it all in a taut, youthful design that gave it instant appeal. And now, for 2025, the second-generation 2 Series Gran Coupe arrives with sharper lines, improved tech, and a more grown-up attitude, all while keeping the essence of what made it interesting in the first place. The new 2 Series Gran Coupe has sharper lines, improved tech, and a more grown-up attitude. advertisementI had a chance to drive it around Chennai recently, and the car's dynamic underpinnings were tested not on sweeping roads, but in traffic snarls, humid afternoons, and the kind of roads that suddenly disappear into patches of gravel without warning. What stood out, however, is how cohesive and well-resolved the new 2 GC feels. 2 Series Gran Coupe's front now has slimmer headlamps and a proportionate grille. BMW 2 Series Grand Coupe: DesignThe design is clearly evolutionary rather than revolutionary. The face is now more distinct, with slimmer, better-proportioned headlights that feature full digital LED technology — a premium touch that immediately elevates the front fascia. The grille, which on many recent BMWs has become a sore point, is handled with surprising restraint here. It's slim, sharp, and in proportion to the rest of the car. And yes, it now gets the illuminated surround — a party trick that sounds gimmicky on paper but actually looks quite cool in person, especially during twilight or in low-light city conditions. The 2 Series Gran Coupe retains ley design elements like the Hofmeister kink. There's a clear sense that BMW's designers didn't want to alienate those who loved the original. The coupe-like roofline remains intact, and the overall stance is as sporty as ever, if not more profile, the 2 Series GC still looks compact and purposeful. It doesn't shout for attention, but there's a quiet sophistication in its lines. The door apertures are different in size — the rear ones being notably smaller — but the asymmetry doesn't take away from the car's balanced proportions. In fact, it gives the roofline more flow and enhances its coupe credentials. BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe has new18-inch alloy wheels that are a part of the M Sport trim. Key design elements like the Hofmeister kink are retained, lending that unmistakable BMW DNA. The rear quarter glass adds some visual lightness to the C-pillar, making the tail feel less abrupt. The new 18-inch alloy wheels, part of the M Sport trim, look particularly handsome, filling the arches well and lending the car a broader stance. The small M badge on the front fender is the only nod to its sportier pretensions, and it feels just right. Tail lamps of the 2 Series Gran Coupe are more angular while the bumper integrates the exhaust elements better. At the rear, BMW has kept things minimal. The taillights are now more angular, and the bumper has been re-sculpted to better integrate the exhaust elements. But the biggest win is how the design ties the rear to the rest of the body without unnecessary drama. It minimises itself without disappearing entirely, giving the car presence without pretension. The tapering roofline, integrated boot lip, and short overhangs ensure that it still exudes a sense of purpose. The interior of the 2 Series Gran Coupe follows the modern BMW design philosophy. advertisementBMW 2 Series Grand Coupe: Interior: Familiar, But Sharper and SmarterStep inside, and the new 2 GC feels instantly familiar to anyone who's been in a modern BMW. The curved display takes centre stage, housing both the digital instrument cluster and the infotainment screen in one sweeping unit. It now runs BMW's iDrive OS9 — snappier, better laid out, and finally starting to make peace with the fact that most drivers will just default to wireless Android Auto or CarPlay anyway. The curved display houses both the digital instrument cluster and the infotainment display. More importantly, the 2025 model brings in a full ADAS suite — adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, traffic jam assist, and more. While it's unlikely you'll be letting the car do all the driving in Indian conditions anytime soon, it's a sign of how much BMW is investing in making even its entry-level cars feel like tech-forward products. Materials are plush and touch points are well finished. advertisementQuality-wise, it's largely excellent. The materials feel plush, the touchpoints are all well-finished, and the seats, especially up front, are supportive and cosseting. Rear space, however, remains tight — more on that in a bit. The 2 Series Gran Coupe is powered by a1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. BMW 2 Series Grand Coupe: Engine and performanceFor now BMW's 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine powers this generation of the 2 Series Grand Coupe. It makes 156hp and 230Nm of torque. By today's standards, those numbers feel a little light, especially when you consider that mass-market sedans with smaller badges offer similar outputs. But here's the thing: the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox does a stellar job of masking that shorter gearing means the car always feels alert, especially in the city. Quick lane changes, merging into gaps, and pulling away from lights all happen with a sense of urgency. The engine has a gruff, almost rorty note when pushed — not the most refined sound, but one that adds some theatre. It won't win any drag races, but it doesn't feel slow either. Instead, it feels honest — and that's a rare quality today. The 2 Series Gran Coupe now leans more towards comfort,soaking up most road imperfections well advertisementBMW 2 Series Grand Coupe: Ride and HandlingBMW claims an increase of 17mm in ground clearance for the 2025 model, along with improved approach and departure angles. That translates into fewer cringes when tackling speed breakers and ramps in Indian cities. And yes, the car does feel more India-ready than suspension setup leans more towards comfort now. It soaks up most road imperfections well, especially at medium speeds. There's a newfound pliancy to the ride that will please daily drivers. But this also comes at a cost. Enthusiasts who remember the sharper dynamics of the previous 2 GC will notice a slight softening of edge. It's still competent, still composed, but the last few degrees of tautness have been traded in for ride said, for most buyers in this segment, that's a worthy trade-off. It's still far more engaging to drive than most sedans its size, and that counts for a 2 Series Grand Coupe: Rear SeatRear seat space is... tight. It always has been, and it still is. Headroom is limited due to the sloping roofline, and legroom is best described as adequate. This is not a car you buy to chauffeur people around in. The 2 GC remains a car for two, that seats four only when it must. And that's okay. Because once you accept that, you begin to enjoy what the front half of the cabin 2 Series Grand Coupe: PricingBMW India has yet to announce pricing for the 2025 2 Series Gran Coupe, and that might just be the most important bit of this entire package. Because while the car feels sharper, better equipped, and more resolved, it also now faces stiffer competition. Mercedes-Benz is bringing the new CLA to India soon, and that could shake up the entry-luxury sedan 2 GC continues to enjoy strong badge value, and with local assembly, BMW has room to price it smartly. If they do, the new 2 GC could cement its position as the stylish, tech-forward entry point into the brand. If they don't, they risk turning it into a niche within a niche. The new 2 Gran Coupe is the same idea in a better, more well-rounded package. Verdict: Still Cool, Just More Sensible NowThe 2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe hasn't lost its cool factor. If anything, it's added a layer of maturity to it. The design is sharper and more cohesive. The tech inside is future-ready. It's easier to live with in the real world. And while it may have sacrificed a bit of its dynamic edge, it's done so in the name of the new 2 GC is the same idea in a better, more well-rounded package. It's still a car for people who want to stand out without showing off. And in today's world, that's probably the coolest thing of all. Subscribe to Auto Today Magazine- Ends
Miami Herald
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Tomorrow's BMW 3 Series Will Make Today's M3 Sweat
An electric incarnation of the next BMW M3 was recently seen lapping Germany's Nürburgring, replete with the next-gen styling that was previewed by concepts like the i Vision Dee and Vision Neue Klasse. Now, it's the turn of the hottest non-M 3er to get a workout around the Green Hell, and it's going to bring with it more than just a fresh face as it chases after AMG C43s and Audi S5s. According to our spies - and common sense - BMW will be pushing the highly capable B58 turbocharged straight-six engine further with the next M340i, which, like other recent non-M updates, will include a new name: M350. Say goodbye to the 'i' suffix - it was confusing buyers who thought these cars might be electric, but that's inevitable when your naming strategy is confined to 10 digits and 26 letters, most of which are unused... The latest version of the M340i currently generates a peak of 386 horsepower - up from the previous limit of 382 hp, but as the JDM-spec Toyota GR Supra Final Edition proves, BMW's six-cylinder can handle much more. In that application, it delivers up to 429 hp, but our spies say to expect only around 400 in the M350. With a production commencement date expected to be around November next year, and any future M3 likely to deliver close to 600 hp, BMW could either choose to launch the M350 with as much as Toyota has extracted, or it could play the game the same way as it has with this G20 generation: start small and deliver more later. With emissions legislation varying on either side of the Atlantic and across the U.S., saving some performance could be prudent - even though hybridization is inevitable. For the 3 Series, the reconstructive surgery at the front will make the biggest impact, with the iconic kidney grille design being reinvented once more to shroud the headlights. It's bold, but elegant, and at the rear, we expect BMW to go with a classic rectangular light bar, which hasn't been so simple since the E30. And in the middle, a Hofmeister kink of sorts will continue at the C-pillar. Inside, BMW Panoramic Vision will take the tech up a notch and the physical switchgear down one or two, but the engineers won't let us close enough to see the cabin yet, so we'll have to wait a little while to see just how much changes, from the dashboard to the seats. Ever since the Chris Bangle 'flame surfacing' era, BMW has leaned further and further into grabbing attention by mixing traditional styling tropes with, shall we say, 'adventurous' modernism. Yet, no matter how far BMW pushes into the unknown, after a few years or less, the styling tends to grow on the average person - at least when it comes to sedans. For this new era, BMW will advance the design even more intentionally than the jump from the F- to G-Series; the company's presentations on styling have always made the point that the Neue Klasse vehicles being introduced from the second half of the decade will look like they "skipped a generation." But this time, we doubt there will be as much controversy. Not only do the concepts mentioned at the outset look well-proportioned, but despite what BMW says, the most recent M5 has already begun to take on the straight, sharp lines of those design studies, while taller vehicles like the X1 and X3 have similarly begun to look like the Vision Neue Klasse X SUV concept, helping all who see them mentally bridge the gap between current and future cars. That means the acclimatization period for future designs won't be long. And neither will the wait; with production supposedly commencing late 2026, prototypes will shed more camouflage through the year as production lighting and wheels are fitted, and we should start seeing teaser campaigns late this year or early next. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Best's Market Segment Report: Casualty Reinsurance Capacity Remains Plentiful, Concerns Over Future Availability Loom
OLDWICK, N.J., February 26, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rising litigation costs and higher jury awards continue to generate financial pressure within the casualty reinsurance segment, forcing reserve strengthening measures for some carriers and prompting narrower margins, according to a new AM Best report. The Best's Market Segment Report titled, "Casualty Reinsurance Capacity Remains Plentiful Amid Concerns," states that reinsurers continued to provide ample capacity through the recent January 2025 renewal season. However, there is potential for the casualty segment to encounter an availability crisis in the absence of interim actions to offset some pressure points. A panel discussion during a recent AM Best briefing on reinsurance renewals indicated that U.S. reinsurers with a casualty reserve portfolio that gain 8%-10% in rate increases are not keeping pace with loss cost trends. The markets that are pushing for 15%-20% rate increases may be the ones that overcome these challenges, according to that discussion. "Social inflation remains a key driver of casualty loss trends on past years and continues to create uncertainty across the casualty landscape amid negative social sentiment," said Dan Hofmeister, associate director, AM Best. Hofmeister was referring to the rising costs of insurance claims due to a combination of factors such as increased litigation, higher jury awards and a broader interpretation of policy coverage. These factors have placed substantial pressure on reinsurers, forcing them to reassess their pricing models and reserve adequacy. In 2024, many global reinsurers reported reserve strengthening efforts to combat adverse development. In 2022, a lack of investor willingness to absorb increased property market volatility led many reinsurers to reduce their dedicated capacity for the related lines of business. Much of that capacity was redirected into casualty lines, which the equity markets appear to favor. "We examined publicly traded reinsurers' stock prices over the past 20 years," said Guilherme Simoes, senior financial analyst, AM Best. "We found that reinsurers with higher allocations to property lines saw a lower average yearly increase in stock prices compared with those with higher allocations to casualty lines." The report notes that reinsurance market reported adverse reserve development on prior casualty years throughout 2024, and the problems are not anticipated to slow in the near term. The casualty segment differs from the property in that it is more complex and cannot be resolved through simple changes to attachment points or underlying terms. The underlying business will continue to deteriorate as social inflation drives up loss costs, according to the report. To access the full copy of this commentary, please visit AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit Copyright © 2025 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on Contacts Dan Hofmeister, CFA, FRM, CAIA, CPCU Associate Director +1 908 882 1893 Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 Guilherme Monteiro Simoes, CFA Senior Financial Analyst +1 908 882 2317 Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 Sign in to access your portfolio
