The latest BMW M3 made its Middle East debut in Doha at the opening of Qatar Motor Show 2017 on Tuesday.

“This year, we have the BMW M3 making a regional premier for the first time in Qatar. As the biggest market for the M models in the Middle East, this is a suitable location to make its first appearance,” said Ihab Allam, general manager, Alfardan Automobiles.

BMW Group Middle East managing director Johannes Seibert said the M3, introduced 31 years ago, has become a legend.

“At that time, no other manufacturer had ever developed genuine motor sports technology in a way that was also suitable for everyday road use,” he pointed out. “Since over 30 years then, the M3 has maintained its dominance with supreme handling vicious power and business like looks.”

“The new M3 continues this legacy with a 3-litre and twin power turbo engine that makes 425hp, and it speeds up from 0 to 100 in just 3.9 seconds,” he said.

The car’s minor cosmetic changes have been influenced from the BMW M4. Adaptive full-LED headlights will be fitted on the Life Cycle Impulse M3 along with updated M emblems on the front seats, chrome trimmings, electroplated detailing, and updated taillights.
Alfardan Automobiles, the official BMW Group importer in Qatar, also showcased a brand-new model from the 7 Series, the M760Li at the prestigious event. It underlines the ability of the brand to combine the highest levels of both luxury and performance.

The BMW 7 Series is also a head turner at the QMS 2017. Headlined by its exceptional enhancement and supreme power delivery at all times, the 12-cylinder petrol engine with M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology under the bonnet reinforces the new car’s range-topping status.

The boldly dynamic driving characteristics of M760Li xDrive also offers a high level of superior ride comfort, resulting in a compelling statement and a completely new benchmark in the luxury sedan segment.

Meanwhile, Seibert said the new M5 Series, which came out in February this year, had an impressive start in the international market, receiving a very strong customer demand.

“It perfectly embodies our Middle Eastern customers’ expectations from a luxury sedan. It also points to the way into the future of BMW with more autonomous driving features than any BMW before it,” he noted.

Launched in Doha earlier this year, the all-new BMW 5 Series Sedan garnered the attention of attendees at QMS. The 7th generation 5 Series offers industry-first assistance systems with a sporty, elegant and stylish figure.

According to Seibert, in spite of the general decline of the Middle Eastern automotive markets in the first quarter (Q1), BMW’s regional sales performance closed Q1 with 6,837 customer deliveries – slightly above the figures in Q1 2016.

“We outperformed the market, thanks to the support of our customers who looked in uncertain times for a strong brand for future proof product and for excellent retail services as offered in Qatar by Alfardan (Automobiles),” he stressed.

Also, other BMW models made a preview at the motor show including the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, the X5 M and the X6 M, the i8, and M2.

Source: gulf-times.com