Bartek S.
Aerodynamic Ace
The following is a transcript from the BMW North America Press Conference held at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, November 14, 2007
TOM PLUCINSKY
Manager Product Communications - BMW of North America, LLC
Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over 40 years ago, BMW brought the 2002, the car you just saw in the film, to the U.S. market. At the time, David E. Davis JR., editor of CAR AND DRIVER MAGAZINE proclaimed it “one of modern civilization’s all-time best ways to get somewhere sitting down”.
The reality for BMW was that the 2002 changed the performance car landscape and defined the term sports sedan for the entire world. The 2002 did something else for BMW: It symbolized the true soul of a BMW - “The ultimate driving machine”.
And now, we want to do it all over again. That’s why for BMW the year 2008 is “YEAR ONE OF THE 1” – the beginning of a new icon.
To tell you about the new 1 Series, as well as some of the other fantastic products coming to market in the near future from BMW, allow me to introduce Tom Purves.
TOM PURVES
Chairman and CEO of BMW (US) Holding Corp.
If Hollywood stands for film making and Beverly Hills for the home of the stars
then BMW stands for powerful engines in compact packages - the sports sedan as it is now known.
That really started here in California with the 2002.
And the 1 Series is the modern interpretation of the 2002. The 1 Series is BMW distilled to its purest form. It epitomizes pure excitement, pure power and the purest driving experience.
With its small body, rear drive, 50/50 weight distribution, and its powerful 6 cylinder engines the 1 Series is the purest form of “the ultimate driving machine” yet to date.
The 1 Series Coupe will be available in two versions:
* As 128i – which has a 230 hp inline 6 cylinder engine.
* As 135i – which has our very well received twin-turbocharged 3.0 inline 6 cylinder engine that you know already from the 335i.
We have had tremendous feedback so far and expect a high demand from drivers for our 1 Series. It will be available as of spring 2008, with prices starting at $29,375 for the 128i and $35.675 for the 135i (memo: prices include destination and handling charges).
But the 1 Series Coupe is just one example of the many growth opportunities for BMW in the U.S.
* The 1 Series Convertible will have its U.S. premiere at the Detroit Auto Show in just two months from now.
* On the opposite end of the spectrum from the 1 Series, we have recently announced that we produce the Concept CS that was presented at the Shanghai International Auto Show this past spring. This Gran Turismo in the truest sense will be positioned above the 7 Series within the BMW range.
* If you were with us at the Frankfurt Motor Show, you also witnessed the Concept X6 and Concept X6 Active Hybrid. We are actively preparing production versions of these products. Our line of Sport Activity Vehicles will be further expanded with an X1.
* Finally, we recently announced another new vehicle concept: the “Progressive Activity Sedan”. These new vehicles underscore the constant flow of new products that we believe will help us attract new customers and strengthen our position as the leader in the premium performance sector.
The models expansion is not limited to only the BMW brand. Both MINI and ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS are preparing several models to help secure BMW Group’s position as the leading manufacturer of premium vehicles in the world.
Our commitment to new products has significantly contributed to another record year for BMW in the U.S. In fact, 2007 will be BMW’s 16th year of continuous growth here. We have received excellent feedback from both customers and the press for our latest products – the updated 5 Series and 3 Series Convertible.
I am proud to say that our growth has been achieved in a very sustainable way. As a matter of fact, BMW was singled out by ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE, a non-profit U.S.-based environmental group, for having achieved the most significant CO2 emission reduction of any auto maker. The organization, which examines issues of greenhouse gases and the role of motor vehicles in global warming, stated that BMW had reduced CO2 emissions by 12 percent in the last 15 years. During the same period of time our sales increased four fold and we brought a very successful line of sports activity vehicles to market. ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE also concluded that only one other manufacturer had managed to reduce its carbon burden during the same time frame, and only by 3 percent.
You may be asking yourself, how is it possible that we achieved these results? Well, without a doubt, the contribution of MINI had a significant effect. However the key to the result is incremental improvements across the entire model range - which we call EFFICIENT DYNAMICS. Take for example, our popular 3 Series Sedan. Today’s 328i is 5% larger overall than the 325i of 1990, accelerates to 60 mph 27% quicker, has 37% more horsepower and yet consumes 36% less fuel.
These types of results don’t come easily.
* We have worked tirelessly on enhancing the efficiency of our combustion engines, including for example, VANOS, VALVETRONIC, and the electrification of items like the water pump.
* In the second half of 2008, we will introduce our bi-turbo inline 6 cylinder performance Diesel to the U.S. – including California. This engine produces torque levels nearly as much as our 6 liter V12 and fuel economy levels roughly 30 percent better than a comparable gasoline engine.
* In the medium term – in 2009 to be precise –, will also see the introduction of BMW’s first two-mode Active Hybrid.
* And of course, we believe that the future of sustainable personal mobility will be clean hydrogen combustion engines. The BMW Hydrogen 7 – on display here today – stands for that future.
The whole picture of our approach towards sustainability can be found in our new “Sustainable Value Report”, that you can pick up at the counter right after this conference.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We still have two more products to unveil here in Los Angeles that are definitely at the dynamic end of the EFFICIENT DYNAMICS spectrum - two products that are eagerly awaited by aficionados of BMW M.
Allow me to present the fourth generation M3 coupe and the return of the M3 sedan…
(video and unveiling of M3s)
The statistics of these two cars are impressive:
* A new aluminum 4 liter V8 engine developing 414 hp with a red line of 8,400rpm. That is a horsepower increase of 24 percent. Even more impressive is the fact that this new engine is 7 percent lighter and consumes 8 percent less fuel – again, underlying our commitment to EFFICIENT DYNAMICS.
* 0 to 60mph in 4.7 and 4.8 seconds respectively.
* Driver adjustable vehicle dynamics.
* And - for the Coupe - a light weight carbon fiber roof panel that reduces the weight of the roof by 40lbs over the option steel version with moon roof.
I don’t think there is anything more I need to add. The new M3 is the pinnacle of BMW sports performance vehicles and a true “ultimate driving machine”.
In closing, I would like to thank you for taking the time today to preview the latest offerings from BMW.
Just one more thing – on a more personal note – on behalf of the entire BMW Group, our thoughts are with the people of Southern California as they continue to rebuild after the devastating fires. We are inspired by your resilience and unbreakable spirit.
Thank you again.
http://www.mwerks.com/artman/publish/bmw_news/article_1283.shtml
