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As the BMW Group South Africa continues to maintain a top five ranking in the world in terms of BMW M market share, it has concluded plans to host the first-ever BMW M Festival from October 21 to 22, 2017 at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Johannesburg.
The company said in a statement issued in Midrand, Tuesday, that at the festival, BMW customers, fans and car enthusiasts will get a sneak preview of current as well as upcoming BMW M models, experience hot laps and book test drives across the BMW M and M Performance model range.
It also revealed that the first M Performance model in the X3 range – the BMW X3 M40i – will also make its first local debut at the festival ahead of its market launch in November. The BMW X3 M40i sets new standards with its sharper dynamics, high level of exclusivity and standout emotional appeal. Developed with an insatiable appetite for revs and superb pulling power, the 3.0-litre M Performance six-cylinder in-line engine ensures the X3 M40i sits at the top end of the model range. Output of 265 kW (fuel consumption combined: 8.4 – 8.2 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 193 – 188 g/km)* propels the flagship X3 from 0 to 100 km/h in an impressive 4.8 seconds.
The new BMW M5 will also make a special appearance ahead of the local launch on 2018. Scheduled to be launched in South Africa in the first quarter of 2018, the new BMW M5 will make a special appearance at the BMW M Festival in Kyalami after its world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA Cars 2017) in September. Also, the exclusive limited-run special-edition BMW M4 CS will be launched at the BMW M Festival while the BMW M4 DTM car will make a special first appearance in South Africa at the event in which Shell South Africa is partnering BMW South Africa as the title sponsor.
The M4 CS sees BMW M GmbH introducing a new nomenclature for its models. Positioned above the standard M models will be the performance-boosted Competition versions. Then come the CS special-edition models, a notch higher still. Positioned on top are the performance-maximising “brand shapers” which display a clear motor sport or club sport character but are also fully road legal.
The Gauteng BMW Car Club Concours Event – the most prestigious event on the BMW Car Club calendar – will also take place at the BMW M Festival. This event has been ongoing for over 32 years and is the greatest annual South African celebration of BMW heritage. Entrant’s vehicles are prepared meticulously for up to four months prior to the event and then expertly judged on their condition, authenticity, preparation and presentation.
“South Africa has been one of the top performers in the world in terms of BMW M market share and sales. For example, since 2015 BMW South Africa has been ranked fifth in the world in terms of overall BMW M market share and managed to rise up to third place this year. It is therefore very clear that South Africans are big fans of our BMW M vehicles and – as seen at the international BMW M Festival held annually at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring – we would like to use the BMW M Festival as an opportunity to inspire our customers and fans with innovative experiential platforms,” the statement quoted Alexander Baraka, General Manager, Brand Management BMW, Marketing Services at BMW Group South Africa, as saying.
The statement added that visitors at the Festival will also get the opportunity to participate in drag races, drifting, walk through one of the largest BMW showrooms with attractive finance offers to choose from, book test drives, enjoy live music, gourmet food and drinks, a children’s play area and more.
Shell South Africa, which has also partnered with BMW South Africa as the title sponsor of the BMW M Festival, is excited at the event.
“We’re proud to call BMW M our global partner and to team-up with them to host the exciting and first-ever BMW M Festival powered by Shell V-Power in South Africa. The BMW M Festival is a further testimony as well as an opportunity for our customers to experience and celebrate our shared passion for innovation and performance, which are the driving force behind our partnership. It is for this reason that BMW M recommends Shell V-Power, our performance fuels,” Frans Maluleke, Cluster Fuels and Brand Manager for Shell South Africa, said in the statement.
