bmw

Canadian racer Ken Wilden joins Bimmerworld team in Grand-Am series

Jan 6, 2011

Gary Grant ⋅ Motorsport News ⋅ bimmerworld, bizrate, bmw, grand am, ken wilden, m3 ⋅ No comments

Expanding a racing team from two cars to four requires immense planning and labor, but to make all of that extra effort worthwhile, the best drivers are required. With today’s announcement of Ken Wilden, 2009 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Grand Sport champion, and 2010 GS race winner Bob Michaelian as the drivers of the No. 78 BimmerWorld Racing BMW M3 V8 GS entry, the team has everything it needs to succeed.Wilden, who draws from a massive amount of racing experience in open-wheel and touring cars, and Michaelian, who has worked his way up the tin-top ladder with impressive performances at every level, arrive at BimmerWorld after driving together for six races during the 2010 GRAND-AM GS season.Wilden and Michaelian compliment BimmerWorld’s new-for-2011 GS program that will see team owner/driver James Clay and Seth Thomas partner in the No. 79 BMW M3. BimmerWorld’s two-car GS effort, coupled with their two-car Street Tuner program, gives the Dublin, VA-based outfit the strongest possible program to earn a championship.Having two proven stars in the No. 78 BimmerWorld entry is a major boost to the team, according to Clay.”As we were working on our driver lineup for 2011, I had a very short list of GS drivers I wanted as we expanded our program. Having Seth with me in a car was important and filling the other car with a driver pairing equally capable of winning the championship was critical to our program goal. Bob and Kenny are battle-proven and complete our lineup of four championship contenders perfectly.”For Michaelian, getting a taste of success in GS last year spurred him and Wilden to find the most competitive team to pursue a title.”I have followed the success of the BimmerWorld team over the last few years and have been super impressed by the competitiveness and professionalism of their operation. Kenny and I both are excited about the opportunity to partner with BimmerWorld. Given the competitiveness of the team as well as the strength of the BMW M3 platform, we are looking forward to putting together a strong effort for the championship in 2011.”

As Wilden shares, the decision to move to BimmerWorld and the renowned M3 V8 package was done only after careful consideration.”It was a long vetting process for sure, and I feel it was very thorough. We looked at multiple teams and manufacturers. The history and past performance of each team and car was reviewed, and we had multiple conversations over the last few months before coming to a conclusion. Bob and I really felt that BimmerWorld ranked higher in our assessment.”With so much promise shown in 2010, Wilden believes he and Michaelian have the right tools and team beneath them to succeed.”We are going into this year with the expectation of being able to compete for wins with the BimmerWorld package, and to have a very high average overall finishing record. We expect the reliability of the BimmerWorld BMW will get us to the finish of every race consistently, which is crucial in this series. That might seem like high expectations, but that is what you need to win a championship. That’s the formula that helped me to win the 2009 GS championship, and that’s the same focus we’ll have in 2011.”Commercial support is a vital element of fielding a competitive effort, and as Michaelian explains, his sponsorship roster is the driving force behind his championship aspirations.”Bizrate.com is coming on board to support our 2011 GS efforts. I have had the great fortune of working at Shopzilla, Inc. for almost 11 years. Shopzilla, Inc. owns and operates multiple web properties including Bizrate.com, Shopzilla.com, Beso.com, and TaDa.com. The company is a special group of people and I feel privileged to showcase our product on the BWR car in 2011. I have helped run both the Shopzilla and Bizrate websites for the last 5 years and am excited about the opportunity to showcase the Bizrate brand in the GRAND-AM series. The GRAND-AM brand is synonymous with putting out a quality product so we feel like it’s a great place to highlight the quality service that Bizrate provides its consumers.”Follow BimmerWorld’s progress at www.BimmerWorldRacing.com as they prepare for the 2011 GS season opener during this weekend’s test at Daytona International Speedway.Bizrate is the trusted shopping resource, linking shoppers with over a million products, brands, and stores with one click. Bizrate enables shoppers to search for virtually every product, store, brand, and deal on the web. Shop the biggest names you know to the small but trustworthy stores just waiting to be found. Compare across products, prices, and store information. Quickly access all the ratings and reviews you need to make a confident buying decision. With Bizrate, shoppers can find the right product, at the right price, every time.

Photo by Gary Grant

2011 BMW 335i Cabriolet: A country cruising dream come true

Nov 18, 2010

Gary Grant ⋅ New car reviews ⋅ 2011, 335i, 335i cabriolet, bmw, convertible, retractable hardtop ⋅ No comments

2011 BMW 335i Cabriolet

It seems like Fall has come early in Ontario this year. During the 3rd week of August, the family here in The Garage spent some time in cottage country and noticed that the leaves had already begun to change. On Sunday this past week, when I finished up shooting the Drift Mania event at Mosport, I decided that it was warm enough to drive home with the top down. I was in for a real treat.

Sliding behind the wheel of the 2011 BMW 335i Cabriolet, I belted up and reached down to the center console and depressed the button that brings us to open sky mode. All 4 power windows lower themselves and then the folding hardtop begins its Transformer act, as it disappears beneath the rear deck. A quick stab of the ignition button and the 300 horsepower, twin turbo 6 rumbles to life with that distinct straight 6 growl. I shift the automatic shifter over into manual mode and roll away gently in first. Pulling out of the track, I lay firmly into the throttle and the back end steps out a little before the stability control reigns it in a bit.

As I head West, passing fields of drying corn and forests containing splashes of gold and orange, it occurs to me that this is what the 335i Cab was meant for. This is the essence of late summer cruising. Top down, enjoying the last warm days of summer with the Sirius satellite radio pumping out 1st Wave tunes. A speedy pace isn’t needed, because this experience is all about soaking in the countryside.

That isn’t to say that a speedy pace isn’t possible. With all those ponies on tap, the 335i has plenty of get up and go, it just doesn’t feel necessary. This is the same engine used in the rabid 135i, but thanks to its larger size and the automated roof the Cab weighs in at 560 pounds more than the little brother. That extra weight makes for an entirely different level of performance. One would suspect that the buyer looking for truly rapid transit would be looking at either the 135i or be drooling over an M car.

Our tester combined a rich Vermillion Red Metallic exterior with an exquisite interior wrapped in Oyster Dakota Leather. The combination looks spectacular, especially with the top down. The dash is set off by Bamboo Anthracite Trim which adds nicely to the elegant interior.

While the driving experience with the 335i Cab is wonderful, there are a few practicality issues that might affect the buying decisions of some consumers. Most European engineers still don’t understand North American coffee culture and the folks at BMW seem to be part of that crowd. The cup holders seem like an afterthought at best and aren’t large enough to hold a travel mug. The back seat would be fine if the driver and all three passengers were all under 5’6″, but with a 5’10″ driver, the left rear passenger had best have no legs. On the other hand, 95 pound Enzo found it quite comfortable and enjoyed the open air drive. With the space taken up by the roof and mechanism, the trunk is rather small. On one trip to the store, 3 bags of groceries filled the space.

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All that being said, it is doubtful that most buyers will be using the 335i Cabriolet as their primary vehicle. As equipped, our tester rang in at $73,800 CDN. The consumer who can afford that likely also have another vehicle or two in the driveway that they can use to transport their clubs to the golf course in, which is a good thing because they aren’t going to fit in the Cab.

Then again, perhaps the smart owner will choose to leave their gear at the club, so they can decompress while experiencing the drive out to the country. With this car, the experience is what matters most.

2011 BMW 135i Coupe takes over top spot on the wish list

Nov 15, 2010

Gary Grant ⋅ New car reviews ⋅ 135i, 2011, bmw, coupe ⋅ 1 comment

2011 BMW 135i Coupe

It goes without saying that most auto writers drive a lot of different cars on a week to week basis. As a result, many tend to get a bit jaded when it comes to driving something new. It also means that a car has to be pretty special in some way to elevate it to a position on the personal wish list. My own list to date has consisted of 2 very different sports coupes, one from Japan and one from North America.

When I say different, I’m not kidding around. The Nissan 370Z has killer looks and the driving experience is everything one might want of the street or the track while the Mustang GT offers killer V8 grunt and growl yet adds in a touch of practicality. For a Dad with a flock of kids, the Mustang’s usable rear seats and decent sized trunk are most welcome. Both are 2 door coupes with in excess of 300 horsepower reaching the road through the rear wheels. The 135i follows the same pattern. Like the Mustang, it offers the functionality of a real back seat.

While I’m sure BMW didn’t have Mustang owners in mind when they penned the 1 series, certainly the 370Z was one of the prime targets. The truth is that the 135i falls squarely in between these two great cars on the road.

Our tester was stacked up with all of the package groupings that are available, which adds pretty much any creature comfort and gizmo known, with the possible exception of a navigation system. Perhaps most significant of the bunch are the M Sport package and the dual clutch transmission. The casual observer might be somewhat confused by the M Sport package, which does not turn the 1 into an actual M car, rather it gives a bit more of a sporty look with electronically adjustable sports seats, M badged trim and unique 18″ alloy wheels.

All the techno and comfort goodies are great, but the real star of the show here is the driving experience. At the heart is a 3.0 liter, twin cam, twin turbo straight 6 that generates 300 horsepower and and equal 300 lb/ft of torque and emanates that wonderful straight 6 growl that BMW’s are known for. As the rpm’s climb, that growl turns to a wail that stirs the soul. Rather than the stock 6 speed manual, our tester was equipped with a dual clutch transmission similar to the unit in use in the M3. In the past, I complained that BMW used shifter paddles in the 135 that worked in the opposite manner of the M3. BMW has now standardized their paddle locations and functions to the more intuitive style used in the M3.

As more manufacturers begin using DCT technology, I’ve become aware that the only time I actually use it in any of our testers is when we actually get the cars on a track. Around town, it is actually more enjoyable to leave them in auto mode. Not so in the 135i, as the shifts are so quick and crisp that I couldn’t wait to finger shift the beast. A nice side effect is the healthy blat that erupts from the pipes on hard acceleration shifts. One complaint some consumers have about DCT technology is the fact that they don’t usually shift as smoothly as a traditional automatic. In auto mode, the programmers have done a great job ensuring that up and downshifts are as smoothly or smoother than what some consumers are expecting.

Like the other two competitors, the 135i is an absolute blast to drive. The monstrous torque easily breaks the rear wheels loose at the whim of an exuberant driver and the computer nannies are calibrated to allow a bit of slip before reining things in. With a stab of the right pedal in pretty much any of the 7 gears, the 135i takes off like a scared cat. On a twisty back road, the taut chassis gobbles up the countryside while the driver pretends he is actually Hans Stuck lapping the Green Hell in a DTM M3.

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The BMW starts at $43,000 which is in the same ballpark as the almost $42,000 370Z but is a healthy $12,000 more than the Mustang. The difference among all 3 cars is most easily noticed in the interior, where the fit and finish and quality of materials in the BMW truly is that far ahead of the pony car. The interior of the Zed is much closer, but still only seats 2 and doesn’t have much of a trunk.

There is that old cliche that variety is the spice of life. If that is true, then perhaps my short wish list is better with 3 cars rather than just 2. I wouldn’t want to take the other 2 off my list, but the 2011 135i has definitely taken over the top spot.

Number Plates: Looks very nice indeed. The price tag may put a people few off and I think the Mustang offers good…

BMW Group Canada announces Manfred Braunl as President and CEO.

Nov 10, 2010

Gary Grant ⋅ Car industry news ⋅ bmw, canada, manfred braunl ⋅ 1 comment

RICHMOND HILL, ON, Nov. 9 /CNW/ – BMW Group Canada today announced that Manfred Braunl will assume the role of president and CEO, effective January 1, 2011. Braunl replaces Franz Jung who becomes president of BMW Italia effective January 1, 2011.

Braunl worked previously with BMW Canada between 1996 and 2003. He began with the Canadian division as Sales and Marketing Manager at BMW Group Financial Services Canada. In 1999 he moved to BMW Group Canada, the sales arm of the company, as National Marketing Manager for BMW and MINI. Since his time in Canada, Braunl has held marketing positions at BMW in Munich, first as General Manager, Sales and Marketing for the European region and most recently as National Marketing Manager for BMW Germany. Prior to moving to Canada in the mid-nineties, he worked in the Central Marketing Department, Financial Services at BMW in Munich.

“Manfred has significant Canadian experience which will help us sustain our momentum in this market,” said Jim O’Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. “We’re delighted to welcome him back to North America to support BMW’s strong position within the Canadian automotive landscape.”

Jung leaves BMW Group Canada in a strong position, having been responsible for restructuring the organization during the recession. As a result of his efforts, BMW retained its position as the number one premium brand in Canada in 2009, and is on track towards another record-breaking year in 2010. Jung joined BMW Group Canada on April 1, 2009 from BMW Nordic in Stockholm, Sweden where he was President and Chairman of the Board. Prior to that, he held various BMW and MINI senior management positions in Germany, Mexico, China and Central Eastern Europe.

“Franz has distinguished himself during his tenure at BMW Group Canada, helping the company retain its leadership of the premium segment in a very competitive marketplace,” continued O’Donnell. “We wish Franz the very best in his new role in Italy, and will always consider him a part of the North American team.”

BMW Group Canada

BMW Group Canada, based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG and is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI. BMW Group Financial Services Canada is a division of BMW Group Canada and offers retail financing and leasing programs and protection products on new and pre-owned BMW and MINI automobiles, as well as retail financing for new and pre-owned BMW Motorcycles. A total network of 41 BMW automobile retail centres, 19 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 26 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.

BMW Group

The BMW Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 24 production facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

The BMW Group achieved a global sales volume of approximately 1.29 million automobiles and over 87,000 motorcycles for the 2009 financial year. Revenues totalled euro 50.68 billion. At 31 December 2009, the company employed a global workforce of approximately 96,000 associates.

The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last six years.

President Of Bmw | BMW Photos Blog: [...] president of bmw blog.drivenwheels.com [...]

2011 BMW X5 xDrive50i

Nov 5, 2010

Gary Grant ⋅ New car reviews ⋅ 2011, bmw, suv, x5, x5 xdrive 50i ⋅ No comments

2011 BMW X5 xDrive50i

My ride a few weeks ago was a BMW X5 xDrive50i and given that I was shooting at Mosport all week, I didn’t expect to drive it much. For knocking around the dirty, dusty track, I usually prefer to drive my own crusty old 4×4.

To be honest, I’m usually drawn more towards SUV’s that excel in the U department more than the form department anyway but I decided to use it for the drive up to the track on Tuesday morning. That one drive changed my plan for the week. The X5 is an absolutely stunning back road cruiser and I couldn’t pull myself out of it for the rest of the week. It meant that I walked to many of the spots I would have gone in my own truck as I didn’t want to scratch the BMW, but I need the exercise anyway.

Our tester was equipped with the Executive, Technology and Audiophile packages, which means it had just about every option that has ever been devised for an automobile and likely a few that most drivers have never even thought about. From dark bamboo trim to heads up display, navi, voice controls, a killer stereo with satellite radio and much more, the 50i is a techno gadget junkie’s paradise.

While it may be redundant to say that the interior of a high end BMW is more than nice, there are a few things that must be mentioned. The 10 way adjustable power seats move in ways I’ve never experienced. The most useful is the seat back that adjusts for rake in 2 different ways and adjusts for width, ensuring the absolute best positioning for front seat passengers. In our tester, the seats are clad in black perforated Nevada leather. The fronts are heated and cooled, while the rear seats are heated as well. Perfect for keeping the spoiled chitlins from whining on a cold Ontario morning. The interior is concert hall quiet, perfect for enjoying the magnificent audio system. Overhead is a massive, 2 piece panorama sunroof that brings the outdoors in on a warm day. A nice touch is that both panels tilt, offering front and rear seat ventilation.

On the Utility side of things, the cargo area is as accommodating as one would expect in an SUV of this size. Here too, BMW has chosen a 2 part design for the tailgate. The upper section on our tester was power operated and allows for easy access to most items. The lower section is opened by an easy to operate latch and drops down to allow better loading ergonomics for larger objects.

I could go on for a couple of thousand words describing all of the cool features on the 50i, but the heart and soul of the thing is the drivetrain. Drive it like an old lady and it is a nice people mover. Add in a little more boot and the beast gently awakens and changes your perspective of SUV’s forever. Suddenly, all of the niceties aren’t so important anymore.

Working backwards from the norm for a moment, all four wheels are fed by BMW’s xDrive all wheel drive system. While all wheel drive may seem like a luxury to some, many of us consider it a necessity in snow country. In a vehicle as powerful as the X5 50i, the awd even comes into play on dry pavement if one is a little exuberant with the right pedal. A large, heavy SUV with lots of power needs a bit of help providing decent fuel economy, so BMW has fitted the 50i with an 8 speed automatic. Yes, I said 8! The unit shifts flawlessly in every driving situation. Shifts are barely perceptible during moderate driving, while more spirited driving produces crisp, smooth shifts both up and down.

Now that my attempt at creating drama is out of the way, lets get down to what makes the X5 xDrive 50i so special; The engine. Under the hood is an all aluminum, 32 valve, twin turbo V-8. The 4.8 liter, direct injected monster produces 400 horsepower and a whopping 450 lb-ft of torque, ensuring instant, stump pulling power at any speed. The performance is more fitting of a high end sports sedan than a utilitarian people mover. More so than any other SUV I’ve driven, the 50i is fun to drive!

So BMW’s drivetrain teams have stuck an 8 speed transmission on the back of a 400 horsepower V-8 in an attempt to deliver acceptable fuel economy numbers. How did they do? Surprisingly well if my week it any indication. My own 10 year old 4×4 with a 3.0l V-6 and a paltry 170 hp usually gets about 450 km from a 65l fill. Even with my rather enthusiastic right foot, 65 liters took us 473 kilometers. That works out to 13.7 l/100km, which isn’t too far off the published ratings of 12.9 l/100. While that number may sound a bit high to some folks, remember that this is a 400 horsepower vehicle that weighs 2,440 kg (5368 lb). Thinking back to my old V-6 truck, this is incredible efficiency.

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Some critics flaw reviews that don’t include any negative points. Sadly, I only have one complaint about the new 2011 BMW X5 xDrive 50i and that is the fact that I won’t likely be able to afford one any time soon. A base (if you can call it that) 50i stickers for $74,300 cdn, while a loaded up version like our tester rings in at $88,500. We’ve reviewed other vehicles at this price point and quite frankly they’ve left me scratching my head wondering who would pay this much money for them. Perhaps their designers should have a look at the new X5 to see what an 80ish thousand dollar vehicle should be.

BMW Group Canada reports May sales results

Jun 2, 2010

Gary Grant ⋅ Car industry news ⋅ bmw, bmw canada, sales results ⋅ No comments

BMW Canada press release

RICHMOND HILL, ON, June 1 /CNW/ – BMW Group Canada (BMW and MINI brands combined) reported retail sales of 2,863 units in May, down 11 per cent versus the same period last year. Pre-owned sales for both the BMW and MINI brands were up, while the BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle and 5 Series sedan also enjoyed robust sales.

BMW Brand: X3 and 5 Series lead sales results.

The BMW brand recorded monthly sales of 2,361 units, down 12 per cent compared to May, 2009. The X3 and 5 Series were the sales leaders. With 410 units sold, BMW X3 sales were up 64 per cent compared to the previous May, and 5 Series sales secured an increase of 19 per cent compared to the previous May with 130 units sold.

BMW Pre-owned continues momentum in May.

BMW pre-owned reported 1,084 retails in May, an increase of nearly 13 per cent compared to May, 2009. Year-to-date BMW pre-owned retails have increased 10.7 per cent over the same period last year. BMW Certified Series accounted for 820 of the BMW pre-owned sales in May.

MINI Brand May sales.

MINI reported 502 units sold in the month of May, representing a decrease of three per cent.

MINI Pre-owned sets all time record.

MINI’s pre-owned monthly sales of 143 units sets a new all-time record, representing an increase of 120 per cent compared to May 2009. Of these 143 sales, 90 units were MINI NEXT pre-owned vehicles. Year-to-date MINI pre-owned sales increased nearly 66 per cent over 2009.

BMW Motorrad.

BMW Motorrad Canada reported 300 retails in May, reflecting a decrease of 10.5 per cent over the same period in 2009. BMW Motorrad year-to-date retails of 950 units represent an increase of 2.4% over last year.

The BMW Group

The BMW Group achieved a global sales volume of approximately 1.29 million automobiles and over 87,000 motorcycles for the 2009 financial year. The pre-tax profit for 2009 was euro 413 million, revenues totalled euro 50.68 billion. At 31 December 2009, the company employed a global workforce of approximately 96,000 associates.

BMW Group Canada, based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG and is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI. BMW Group Financial Services Canada is a division of BMW Group Canada and offers retail financing and leasing programs and protection products on new and pre-owned BMW and MINI automobiles, as well as retail financing for new and pre-owned BMW Motorcycles. A total network of 40 BMW automobile retail centres, 19 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 26 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.

BMW Group Canada reports February sales records

Mar 3, 2010

Gary Grant ⋅ Car industry news ⋅ bmw, bmw canada, mini, sales results ⋅ 1 comment

BMW Canada press release

WHITBY, ON, March 2 /CNW/ – BMW Group Canada (BMW and MINI brands combined) reported retail sales of 1,613 units in February, up 21% over the same period last year. On the year, BMW Group Canada reported sales of 2,811 units, representing a 22% increase over January 2009 sales.

BMW Brand: February sales up 19%.

The BMW brand retailed 1,420 units during the month of February, an increase of 19% over February 2009 figures. Top selling models continue to be the 3 Series followed by the X5 and X3 Sport Activity Vehicles. Year-to-date, the BMW brand reported retails are 2,461 units, also an increase of 19% over last year.

BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system continues to be extremely popular with 69% of February’s a BMW retails equipped with xDrive.
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Be nice, clear your ice

Jan 15, 2010

Gary Grant ⋅ Driving safety, video ⋅ bmw, safety, snow brush, winter driving, x5, x5m ⋅ No comments

For most of us living in Canada, winter driving is a reality. It is also a pain in the neck, especially when we are lazy. I’ve said this many times before but I’ll say it again: Its called a snow brush people, for everyone’s sake use it! In this story, perhaps a push broom would be a better choice.

As he was headed out to a movie last night, Canadian auto writer Justin Pritchard was faced with a giant sheet of winter as it flew off the roof of a semi truck. The ice slammed in to the front of his BMW X5M test vehicle. As you can tell from the video after the break, that BMW very likely saved his life.
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BMW Celebrates 15 years of production in Spartanburg

Sep 8, 2009

Gary Grant ⋅ Car industry news ⋅ bmw, manufaturing, spartanburg ⋅ No comments

Spartanburg, S.C. – September 8, 2009…On September 8, 1994, the first US made BMW 318i rolled off the line in Spartanburg, SC. Today, 15 years to the day later, BMW Manufacturing’s 1.5 millionth vehicle rolled off the line to celebrate 15 years of manufacturing excellence.

The1.5 millionth vehicle, driven in the ceremony by Associate Eileen Huffman, is a 2009 Monaco Blue BMW X6 xDrive 35i with oyster interior. The vehicle is right-hand drive and has been ordered by a customer in Hong Kong.

In addition to remarks by South Carolina’s Secretary of Commerce, Joe Taylor; Sky Foster and Ryan Childers, the BMW associates that presented the Spartanburg factory’s first vehicle to the world in September 1994 also reflected on their 15 years with BMW Manufacturing.

“Today’s events represent a significant milestone for BMW, emphasizing both BMW’s commitment to the US market and its confidence in the future,” stated Josef Kerscher, President of BMW Manufacturing. “We are very proud of the positive impact this BMW plant has delivered for this area and the quality of the vehicles that our associates produce for world markets each day.”
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All-new BMW Z4 Wins Renowned International Design Excellence Award

Jul 20, 2009

Gary Grant ⋅ Car industry news ⋅ bmw, bmw z4, convertible, roadster ⋅ No comments

Munich. The new BMW Z4 draws attention to itself not just on the road but also among internationally renowned design experts. Just a few weeks after its market launch, the Roadster has now received the 2009 International Design Excellence Award (IDEA). The award is presented annually by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), based in Dulles, Virginia. The BMW Z4 received the bronze award, thus continuing the success story of BMW Group vehicles in this competition. Since 2000, nine vehicles from the BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad brands have been recognized for their outstanding design.

The new BMW Z4 impressed the jury with a design which unmistakably and authentically reflects the driving pleasure characteristic of the roadster. With its long bonnet, long wheelbase, large wheels and short overhangs, the two-seater possesses classic roadster proportions which are interpreted in a modern way with a styling which is characteristic of the brand. Its sophisticated surface design gives the BMW Z4 an elegance which can be seen from every perspective. Its appearance is that of a vehicle sculpture shaped as a single entity. An equally characteristic feature is the low seating position close to the rear axle. The resulting driving experience and the visual impression of the roadster thus provide a perfectly integrated and fascinating whole.
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