December
2004
 The
New M6!
 |
Just in time for Christmas, BMW
has announced the next generation M6, with a 500+ hp V-10 engine and a 7-speed
SMG III transmission. |
With its new six-speed automatic transmission, both the
MINI Cooper S Convertible and the MINI
Cooper S are making their world debut in Detroit. This light and compact
automatic transmission features Steptronic, adaptive management and an
extremely fast gearshift of only 1/4 second.
The juries of the 2004 - 2005 Japan Car Of The Year honored the new
1 Series with the "Most Fun" Award. In
Japan, the new BMW 1 Series went on sale from October 9 through authorized
BMW dealers nationwide.
November
2004
Just when you thought the new BMW M5 was getting all the attention,
surprise! For BMW has announced a
Competition Package for
the best M3 ever, the BMW E46 M3. This hot
package features 19'' wheels, a quicker steering ratio, the M Track and
brakes from the M3 CSL, and much more.
October
2004
3 Series
Confirmed!
As we first reported here, BMW's new 3
Series is ready! The 5th generation BMW E90 3 Series will debut at the
Geneva Motor Show, with the USA introduction in January at the New York
Auto Show. The E90 3 Series will be available in the USA by Summer 2005.
Orders, anyone?!
JP wins in his final outing:
In front of thousands of his devoted fans, Juan Pablo Montoya achieved his
only victory of the 2004 season for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team at the final
race of the season, the Brazil Grand Prix. It's also Juan Pablo's final
race for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team.
September
2004
A hydrogen-powered BMW has set 9
world records this week at the Miramas Proving Grounds in France. The BMW
H2R prototype is powered by a 6-liter V12 engine that is based on the
engine in the BMW 760i. The BMW H2R produces 285 bhp and has a top speed
of 185.52 mph.
In yet another reason to own a BMW, Kelly
Blue Book has once again recognized BMW as the brand most likely
to retain top value for the next 5 years. In addition, the report issued
last week notes that retained value of the BMW 5 Series tops all other
models in the Luxury category while the MINI Cooper takes home the honors
in the Hatchback category.
August 2004
3 Series Spied!
 |
Suddenly, it
all makes sense. Those who have criticized the design team at Munich
can now see where it all has been leading. For the new
BMW E90 3 Series sedan has been
revealed--inside and out--and BMW World will take you there. |
BMW is
advertising at the Summer Olympics. 3 new BMW ads will be shown during the
2004 Summer Olympic Games at
Athens, Greece. The 30-second spots will highlight characteristics that
underscore the value of owning a BMW. These are; the strong residual value
of a BMW, the Full Maintenance Program, and BMW's inherent safety. Jim
McDowell, VP of Marketing for BMW USA says, "Just as the Olympics
recognize and celebrate excellence among athletes from around the world,
many of the same values go into the making of our vehicles -- precision
engineering, grace under pressure and the ability to go the distance." How
about the desire to be number 1, Jim?
July 2004
M5: It is alive!
 |
This monster was not built in a
garage, but has sprouted from the Concept M5. The new
BMW M5 is powered by a V10 producing 507
horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. This new engine is mated to a
seven-speed SMG transmission. With this new powertrain the M5 offers the
best power-to-weight ratio in its class, and in the tradition of BMW M,
the chassis has been engineered to keep up with the power. Can you keep up
with it? |
The Tour de
France is the world's best bicycle race. And BMW builds the world's best
vehicles. Including bicycles. So in celebration of the 2004 Tour de
France, BMW World presents our
photo of the week feature on BMW and bikes with a tribute to the first
six-time winner of the event--Lance Armstrong--and some pictures of BMW
bikes.
Almost
unnoticed at the time, a Bavarian car manufacturer presented in July of
1929 in Berlin a small car described simply as 3/15 - the first BMW motor
car. The Munich-based Bavarian Motor Works (BMW) was already familiar to
some as a producer of aircraft engines and motorcycles. After constructing
several car prototypes BMW decided to choose a partner for a complete
vehicle production. They contacted Sir Herbert Austin and inked a deal to
produce the small car under license to BMW in Eisenach. The first BMW car
emerged from the factory in Berlin on March 22, 1929. The grand
presentation to the general public took place in rented buildings in
Berlin on July 9. We celebrate
BMW's 75th Anniversary
here.
June 2004
Apple has joined with BMW to develop an audio
adapter that would allow BMWs to connect iPods to the BMW's audio system.
The device will allow users to control their iPod or iPod mini through
controls mounted on the steering wheel (similar to cruise control) or with
an auxiliary headset. The adapter also allows playlist or song track
viewing, and lets users charge their iPod.
The Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety designated the new
BMW 5 Series sedan its "best-pick" billing. You may recall the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety praised
the E39 BMW 5 Series sedan for its head restraint system.
BMW of North
America has been selected as the 2004 Recipient of the Silver Cause
Marketing Halo Award for Best Event by the Cause Marketing Forum, Inc. for
its Ultimate Drive program. Now in its eighth year, the Ultimate Drive is
a national grass roots program that raises funds and awareness for the
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
At
the Goodwood Festival of Speed, auto enthusiasts got a
close-up look at racing vehicles from every decade of motor sport. 2004 marks the eleventh year of BMW Group Mobile
Tradition's involvement in the Festival of Speed.
May 2004
Fashion
website, eCityofStyle.com, selected the 2004 BMW
530i as one of the most stylish 2004 Model Year cars. Out of a field
of 100 luxury models, the 530i was chosen as one of five winners, which
are selected by the style editors based on several factors including
exterior and interior style, innovative details, fun-to-drive factor,
product exclusivity and the car's overall envy quotient.
Bringing home
titles number 19 and 20 in the Engine Oscars, BMW once again proves its
position as the leader in engine technology. This is, after all, a motor
company, and who would take more pride from winning engine awards than
BMW? And can you guess which engine stole the show? Why, the inline
6-cylinder M Power engine for the E46 M3, of course.
The
2004 Mille Miglia witnessed an exceptionally successful team fielded by BMW
Group Mobile Tradition: Giuliano Cané partnered by his wife Lucia
Galliani won the Mille Miglia Storico for the eighth time.
April 2004
BMW has
released the first official pictures of the 170 bhp
MINI Cooper S
Convertible, along with a MINI refresh for hatchback models, just in
time for the 2004 New York International Auto Show. Get your pictures
here!
California
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced on April 20, 2004 his vision for
the California Hydrogen Highway
Network and signed an Executive Order outlining that vision. The
BMW solution for the Hydrogen Highway is
a Clean Energy system where liquid hydrogen is produced from water using
solar power. The hydrogen is dispensed from automated filling stations and
it powers modified BMW production vehicles. And BMW has been doing it for
30 years!
BMW
is a proud sponsor of the world's oldest concours event, the
Concorso d`Eleganza Villa d´Este 2004.
Experience the beauty of the cars and the setting, the
gorgeous Villa d'Este. This longstanding beauty contest for
outstanding automotive design marked its 75th edition this year.
BMW has now
entered into a new partnership of BMW and
ORACLE Racing until 2007, thereby cementing its long-term commitment
to professional yacht racing.
March 2004
Yes, it is
true what they say; the Formula One inspired V-10 engine is coming to a 5
Series sedan near you, at least if the Concept
M5 is to be believed. Often concept cars don't make it, but we have
seen plenty of BMW concepts lately, and they all seem to have been given
wings, albeit in a slightly different guise. You can see it first at the
2004 International Geneva Motor Show.
 |
The One You've
Been Waiting For? Perhaps, but BMW has officially announced the
entry-level BMW car. Based on the CS1 concept car of 2002, the
BMW 1 Series is the only front-engine,
rear-wheel drive set-up in its class. Powered by a choice of four
engines from launch, the 1 Series will be available as three different
models - Base, SE and Sport. |
Buyers will also be able to choose from eight different body colors, three
of which are unique to the BMW 1 Series. The BMW 1 Series 5-door hatchback
model will not be offered in the USA. The availability and introduction
timing of future 1 Series variants in the USA has not been determined.
BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicles finished first and second in the 20th anniversary
2004 Alcan Winter Rally, the world's longest and coldest rally.
February 2004
 |
A very special
version of the MINI is making its
world debut at the 2004 International Geneva Motor Show, the new
MINI Convertible. With this versatile
four-seater, MINI is combining the distinctive pleasure of driving an open
car with the unique enjoyment you can only feel at the wheel of a genuine
MINI. |
The new
BMW 760i 7 Series is being introduced at the
Chicago Auto Show as the ultimate-performance version of the award-winning
745i. Starting where the 745i leaves off, the 760i adds the 6.0-liter V-12
direct injection 438-horsepower engine of the 760Li, massive 20-inch
double-spoke performance wheels, and a host of new features. This is the
first time a short-wheelbase 7 Series has been available in the USA with
12-cylinders.
The
MINI Cooper S MC40 is a
limited-production commemorative edition celebrating the 40th anniversary
of MINI's win of the famed
Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, a victory that forever changed the
reputation of MINI to that of a true motorsport legend.
January 2004
 |
The first ever
BMW 6 Series Convertible made its
world debut on January 5, 2004, at the 2004 NAIAS in Detroit, Michigan.
The Convertible joins the BMW 6 Series
Coupe, which is making its much-anticipated return after a 15-year
absence. |
After a
difficult start to the 2003 season, the
BMW WilliamsF1 Team led in the quest for the World Championship, but
conceded defeat to Michael Schumacher and Ferrari in the final race of the
year. Having come so close to success in 2003, the stakes will be high for
the BMW WilliamsF1 Team this year. The
official team launch is January 7, 2004, in Valencia, Spain.
Albrecht Graf von Goertz
designed one of the most beautiful roadsters ever built, the
BMW 507, as well as an overlooked
classic, the BMW 503. Goertz
celebrates his 90th birthday on January 12, 1914, and BMW World celebrates
his accomplishments.
|
