BMW Individual Manufaktur has just begun production on BMW 1 and 2 Series Gran Coupes with their extended range of colour options for the premium-compact vehicles. The first batch of non-run-of-the-mill BMW’s will be finished in Speed Yellow, San Marino Blue (as per the F80/2 M3/M4 CS), Verde Ermes Green and Nardo Grey.
160 Individual colour options are now available through BMW Retail Partners for the BMW 1 Series and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, and BMW claims that customers are expressing interest, despite the premium over standard paintwork for matte and Individual finishes.
“Cars as colourful as us” is the motto of an initiative to draw attention to the diversity of the team at BMW Group Plant Leipzig where the cars are being produced, however new meaning is being given to the motto now that production of these vehicles has commenced. Order books have been filled up until the end of the year for these BMW Individual models, with the largest single order so far going to BMW Japan, the order being for 180 BMW 118d vehicles finished in Ruby Red, Hockenheim Silver and Sepia Violet.
With a lead time of around ten weeks for special finishes in a preferred Individual colour, customers needn’t wait too long should they wish to create their own colours, which will be specially mixed and used on their car only. The existing paint system has been upgraded to handle the special paints in order for Individual finishes to be applied to smaller models such as the 1 Series and 2 Series Gran Coupe, and the paint shop is now able to paint five vehicles a day in colours from the Individual range.
Each matte-finished car takes 30 minutes longer to prepare as the process is especially time-consuming and complex and defects cannot be treated conventionally as they would be with gloss finishes.
There’s no word yet from BMW South Africa on availability of Individual finishes in our market, however judging by the value of our market in the BMW ecosystem, there is a good chance that we will indeed be given access to this exciting addition to the 1 Series and 2 Series Gran Coupe Models.
The full range of paint options can be viewed via the BMW Individual Visualiser.
