The confetti blast around the 2024 BMW M Fest has settled. And by most accounts, the event was a roaring success.
Even when a rival German brand tried (and seemingly failed) to upstage the show by gate-crashing in a convoy with its latest multi-purpose vehicle.
Sowetan Motoring attended the media opening of M Fest, now in its fourth year, ahead of the weekend's festivities. As many as 33,000 fans of the blue and white propellor brand's performance division were said to have attended.
They were treated to quite a spectacle, from dramatic stunt driving demonstrations, to track experiences and opportunities to get close to the newest releases – which include the G90 M5 and Touring variant of the vaunted M3.
But it was not just an opportunity for the German marque to punt new metal and stoke already strong affections for the M sub-division among Mzansi fans.
The company also trumpeted the exciting launch of a new racing academy, aimed at addressing transformation in motorsport, also developing young, talented racers.
Commencing now, through 2025, the manufacturer will run its driver development programme to scout and nurture drivers from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, who aspire to a career in professional circuit racing.
The car that will be used in the racing series is an E46 generation 3 Series. NGK Pablo Clark Racing has partnered with BMW SA to provide engineering and vehicle development expertise.
Talent will be scouted through a simulation-racing programme approved by Motor Sports Association (MSA) and Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).
BMW SA CEO Peter van Binsbergen said that the initiative would bring dreams to life.
Commenting on the general performance of the brand, Van Binsbergen said that despite economic pressures, the brand remained optimistic in its outlook.
He reiterated the brand's commitment to the local market, shown by efforts such as a R4.2bn investment at the Tshwane, Rosslyn plant, to produce the latest generation BMW X3. The X3 took the baton from the F30 3 Series in 2018 at the facility, as its mainstay. BMW SA manufactures the X3 for domestic and export markets.
Van Binsbergen cited sales figures indicating that as of September, BMW maintained a lead in SA sales, touting a 42.9% market share compared to 20.8% by Audi and 16.6% by Mercedes-Benz.
The M Fest opening also saw the launch of a book commissioned by BMW SA, commemorating 50 years in the local market entitled BMW – The Unique South African Story.
It is a comprehensive narration of the company's activities in Mzansi, which kicked off with the establishment of the Rosslyn plant – the first BMW production facility to be opened outside of Germany. The compilation also details SA-only BMW specials such as the BMW 2000 SA, plus hallowed 333i and 325iS versions of the E30 generation 3 Series.
The collector’s coffee table book is available in two editions: 2,000 standard edition copies and 333 limited edition, leather-bound and boxed copies.
After the speeches, we poked our noses around the M3 Touring and G90 M5 show units.
The M3 Touring is sold locally exclusively in Competition guise, which means more power than the regular version.
You get 390kW/650Nm from the boosted in-line, six-cylinder unit, enabling a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.6 seconds. But its biggest trump card is greater versatility than the sedan or coupé, offering a capacious 500l boot, that extends to 1,510l with the seats folded.
It used to be that Audi was the go-to for buyers wanting a potent wagon – but BMW seems to have scuppered the Ingolstadt firm's ace with their move here. SA customers can expect to pay R2.2m.
There was one M3 Touring unit that was on high rotation at the track driving session, so we opted to focus on the M5 instead, of which there were three to sample.
This is the most potent expression of the breed to date. R2.69m gets you into the model – and example was even sold on the spot at the show.
The new M5 marks certain firsts for the lineage. Not only is it the most powerful M5 ever built, with outputs of 535kW/1,000Nm; it is also the first plug-in hybrid example of the breed.
Supporting the 4.4-litre, twin-turbocharged petrol V8 is an electric motor powered by an 18.6kWh battery. With both the engine and electric motor in tandem, launched correctly, BMW says you can achieve a 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.5 seconds.
For some perspective, when we tested an example of the previous M5 in Competition trim at Gerotek's facilities in 2021, it registered a 3.31-second 0-100km/h time on the VBOX equipment. We should perhaps bear in mind that the new M5 is a much heavier, more complicated animal. With the added electrification and technology comes an obvious compromise where mass is concerned.
The inevitable Competition version of the new M5 should dial the wick up further. Our single lap around Kyalami left us with the impression that the weight is fairly well disguised though. Driven in Sport mode, at a decent rate of knots, the M5 handled with an unruffled sense of decorum. The adaptive suspension system, bolstered by rear-axle steering, culminates in a nimble character. While the electrically assisted steering could be criticised for lacking texture, it dispatches reflexes quite sharply.
There is a more intense Sport Plus setting, as well as the option to drive the car in rear-wheel drive mode. But we will explore those configurations when we receive the car for a proper evaluation as time did not allow. You can drive the M5 in silent, full-electric mode for speeds of up to 140km/h for as much as 69km. In ideal conditions, BMW claims an average consumption figure of as low as 1.7l/100km; which makes it the most economical M5 to date. From within the cabin, courtesy of piped-in acoustic trickery, the V8 rumble is amplified under hard acceleration. From the exterior, the sound is meeker.
Stylistically, the new M5 stays true to the flamboyant executions of forebears, with a model-specific body kit, and lightweight mixed wheels (20-inches at the front; 21-inches at the rear). Buyers can also specify further componentry from the M performance parts catalogue, in addition to bespoke colour options.
So which are Mzansi's favourite M-brand offerings? Unsurprisingly, the compact M2 is the top-seller. This is followed by the X5 M60i, X3 M40i, M3 sedan and M340i.
Sylvia Neubauer, vice president of customer; brand and sales for BMW M globally also made a special appearance at the event. “In 2023 BMW M sold 202,530 units worldwide,” she said, adding that the most popular product was the i4 M50.
She added that the next M3 would be offered in full-electric and internal combustion flavours.
Neubauer assured that despite the electric powertrain, it will deliver on those typical M hallmarks, promising “a completely new level of high-performance”.
We look forward to getting a taste of that at the next M Fest.
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