BMW at the 2009 NAIAS

MUNICH, Germany – December 16, 2008: Fascination and innovation - precisely these features clearly describe the stance and look of the BMW Group at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

Highlighting the world debut of the new BMW Z4 and the presentation of future-oriented drive concepts, the world's most successful manufacturer of premium cars offers the public a truly attractive outlook at the new year and beyond from 17-25 January 2009. More than ever before, customers in the North American automobile market may also benefit in 2009 from the results of BMW's EfficientDynamics development strategy. For all BMW models presented at the 2009 NAIAS come with power units combining the dynamic performance typical of the brand with truly exemplary fuel economy and emission control.

The new BMW Z4 represents the future in roadster motoring and the joy of driving in the open air with its retractable hardtop, dynamic straight-six power units, and Dynamic Drive Control all featured as standard. The first BMW diesels available in the US automobile market, in turn, set out a new path to fuel-efficient and low-emission mobility combined with that sheer driving pleasure so typical of BMW. The BMW 335d Sedan and the BMW X5 xDrive35d are powered by BMW Advanced Diesel with Blue Performance Technology featuring Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and the injection of urea to reduce nitric oxides (NOX) to an absolute minimum, both vehicles thus meeting the standards for nationwide introduction in all 50 states of the USA.

A further highlight BMW is presenting in Detroit is ActiveHybrid technology using an intelligent combination of the combustion engine and electric drive to substantially reduce fuel consumption. This trendsetting technology will be ready for standard production in the course of 2009.

Further attractions at the 2009 NAIAS are the new BMW 7 Series and the new BMW 3 Series. And as yet another highlight, Detroit this year marks the anniversary of a truly fascinating vehicle concept, with the first BMW X5 presented at the NAIAS exactly ten years ago. This marked the birth of the world's first Sports Activity Vehicle and at the same time was the starting point for a truly exceptional story of success.

World debut of the new BMW Z4: even more sporting, more comfortable and for the first time with a retractable hardtop.

The new BMW Z4 offers a particularly modern interpretation of the traditional open two-seater - it is the first BMW roadster to feature a retractable hardtop. The two-piece roof made of lightweight aluminum panels opens and closes in each case fully automatically within just 20 seconds. The ambience within the interior of this unique roadster is characterized by the cockpit oriented to the driver, high-quality materials and optimized all-round visibility even with the roof closed thanks to the extra-large windows.

Right from the start the new BMW Z4 comes with a choice of no less than three straight-six power units. Engine output ranges from 150 kW/204 hp in the BMW Z4 sDrive23i through 190 kW/258 hp in the BMW Z4 sDrive30i all the way to 225 kW/306 hp in the BMW Z4 sDrive35i. Depending on the model involved, the engines come either with fully variable VALVETRONIC valve management or Twin Turbo Technology and High Precision Injection. The top model is available not just with a six-speed manual gearbox, but also with BMW's Sport Automatic featuring seven gears and double-clutch operation. Dynamic Drive Control comes as standard in the new BMW Z4, enabling the driver at the touch of a button to adjust the set-up of the car in three stages to his personal preferences. And as an option the truly discerning driver has the choice of BMW's Adaptive M Suspension complete with electronic damper adjustment.

Innovative technology, stylish design: the new BMW 7 Series.

Yet a further highlight at the 2009 NAIAS is the new BMW 7 Series. This fifth generation of BMW's Luxury Performance Sedan truly confirms the outstanding, truly innovative power Germany's premium car maker has to offer. The new BMW 7 Series is a combination of stylish design and top-class engineering on the powertrain, chassis and suspension in terms of safety, on the driver assistance systems, and in motoring comfort. Boasting new engines, Dynamic Drive Control featured as standard, and the world's only Integral Active Steering, the new BMW 7 Series offers a dynamic but at the same time comfortable driving experience unparalleled in its segment. With the longest wheelbase in its class, top-quality materials and quality of finish characterized by perfect craftsmanship, this outstanding new sedan available right from the start also in an extended wheelbase version guarantees unique exclusivity and grand touring comfort of the highest caliber. The innovative character of BMW's new flagship is further enhanced by the new generation of BMW iDrive control, unlimited use of the internet in the car, as well as the availability of numerous, in some cases quite unique driver assistance system including BMW Night Vision even able to detect individual persons on or near the road ahead, BMW's newly developed Lane Change Warning, and camera-based recognition of road signs. The new flagship proudly presented by Germany's premium car manufacturer is being launched in the USA as the BMW 750i and the BMW 740i, as well as the long-wheelbase BMW 750Li and BMW 740Li. The power units are a V8 delivering 300 kW/407 hp and a straight-six with maximum output of 240 kW/326 hp. Both engines come with Twin Turbo Technology and High Precision Injection, combining their supreme power with a level of efficiency quite unique in their respective performance class.

The new BMW 3 Series - now available for the time as the BMW Advanced Diesel with Blue Performance.

Just a few weeks after its US debut, the new edition of the BMW 3 Series is already being presented at the 2009 NAIAS in Detroit. Leading the market as the world's best-selling premium car, the new BMW 3 Series now seeks to further increase its lead over the competition. Carefully modified body design, appropriate refinements within the interior, the new generation of BMW iDrive, as well as new BMW ConnectedDrive services including the option to use the internet all serve to enhance the outstanding status of this unique car, just like the wide range of engines now featuring the first BMW diesel in the market proudly presented in the new BMW 335d Sedan. The 265-hp power unit in the BMW 335d is based on the 3.0-liter straight-six with Variable Twin Turbo and common-rail direct fuel injection already highly successful in Europe. Indeed, this engine is acknowledged as the most sporting diesel in the world and has already won two prizes in the International Engine of the Year Award. As a BMW Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance, this unique power unit is now also available to customers in the USA and Canada, enabling them to enjoy and experience all the benefits of BMW diesel technology. The particular highlight of the new engine is its supreme combination of power and traction, on the one hand, and efficiency and smoothness, on the other. The BMW 335d Sedan accelerates to 60 mph in just 6.0 seconds and fuel consumption is just 23/36 mpg (City/Highway/anticipated EPA figures). The particulates filter is enhanced by an SCR system injecting urea into the fuel and enabling the new BMW 33d Sedan to fulfill the particularly strict emission standards in California and other states of the USA.

BMW ActiveHybrid: ready for production in 2009.

Introducing the BMW Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance powering the BMW X5 xDrive35d likewise launched as a 50-state model, BMW is once again setting the standard for future-oriented drivetrain technology in the North American automobile market. Worldwide, BMW's current models stand not only for fascinating design, premium quality and driving pleasure typical of the brand, but also for supreme efficiency. To maintain this leading position in future, BMW is working all-out in the context of BMW EfficientDynamics on the series development of hybrid drive systems offering power and performance typical of the brand in combination with fuel economy clearly measurable under all driving conditions. Precisely this is why BMW is developing a comprehensive hybrid system in order to offer the best solution (Best of Hybrid) tailored to each individual model. Two examples of this trendsetting philosophy are to be admired at the 2009 NAIAS in Detroit: the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid with its eight-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor integrated in the trans¬mission housing to provide additional drive power and the BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid combining an eight-cylinder power unit and electric drive by means of an innovative two-mode active transmission.

Both versions of BMW's hybrid technology are significant highlights in the BMW EfficientDynamics development strategy enabling the customer to enjoy driving pleasure in typical BMW style and at the same time benefit from greater fuel economy and lower emissions so important today.

The first models with BMW ActiveHybrid will be ready for production in the course of 2009. Through the new models and drive concepts presented at the 2009 North American International Auto Show, BMW once again proves its competence in the development of truly thrilling and future-oriented vehicles. Hence, the first leading auto show of the year of truly international significance is setting new trends once again in 2009.

Auto shows have been held in Detroit for more than 100 years, the 2009 NAIAS marking the 21st international car show in the US motor city. The organizers and almost 100 exhibitors from all over the world once again expect more than 700,000 visitors this year at the Cobo Center in Detroit.