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.September 10, 2003
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This Week:

• World premieres at the Frankfurt Motor Show: Exciting Mercedes study Vision CLS and SLR McLaren high-performance sports car

• Saab Hatches New 9-3 Concept

• With The Success Of Mégane, Renault Consolidates Its Position As European Market Leader

• BMW World Debuts A The 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show

• Action, Adventure And Innovation: Land Rover Presents The New 2004 Freelander in Frankfurt 

• World premiere at the IAA 2003 for the Golf GTI concept

• The 100,000th Porsche Boxster Produced In Uusikaupunki

• GM Releases Names Of New Crossover Sport Vans

• Tenneco Automotive Launches Manufacturing Operations in Russia

• Dana Corporation Announces Expansion of Heavy Vehicle Technology Center

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BMW World Debuts A The 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show

 

BMW X3 Munich/Frankfurt - BMW is setting new highlights at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show with two new models being introduced at the same time: As a dream car of the highest standard, the new 6 Series Coupe is continuing the tradition of BMW's luxury coupes. Both elegant and dynamic in one, the BMW 645 Ci may rightly claim, through its engine, its sporting driving characteristics, and generous space inside, to set a new benchmark in the luxury sports coupe segment.

Dream car of the year 2003: the new 6 Series coupe.

The 6 Series Coupe is low, long and wide, a luxury coupe with a powerful aura of self-confidence: 189.8´´ in length, 73.0´´ in width, and just 54.1´´ in height, these are remarkable dimensions for a sports coupe offering ample space inside. And like on the 5 and 7 Series, all functions essential for motoring are accommodated either directly on the steering wheel or in its immediate vicinity. Highlights in the long list of sophisticated features are the audio system with a supreme standard of sound quality comparable to a home entertainment system as well as automatic air conditioning, both standard.

The first compact Sports Activity in the world: the new BMW X3.

Photos: Automotive Intelligence

BMW is enlarging the Sports Activity market segment by adding a new range, the X3 combining the agility of a compact BMW with the supreme driving experience of the X5. This brand-new and absolutely unique model series stands out from the start through its data alone: Measuring 179.7´´ in length, the X3 is 3.4´´ longer than the 3 Series sport wagon, but almost 11.8´´ shorter than the new 5 Series Sedan. And measuring 183.7´´ from bumper to bumper, the X5 is quite clearly the X3's bigger brother.

Making its world debut in the X3 and X5: the intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

A particular highlight of the X3 also being introduced at the same time in the X5 is the all-new intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system setting new standards in the agility of all-wheel-drive vehicles. The "heart" of this new system is the electronically controlled multiple-plate clutch enabling xDrive to spread out drive forces infinitely and fully variably between the front and rear axle. The system immediately recognizes the need for a change in power distribution and responds extremely quickly, on the road usually before the wheel involved has even lost its grip. As a result, both the X3 and the X5 run like on rails even under adverse conditions, DSC stability control not being required to cut in until a far later point in time than with other drive concepts.

New additions to the 5 Series: the 545i and 525i Sedans.

Shortly after the debut of the new BMW 5 Series in the guise of the 520i, 530i and 530d, BMW is enlarging the range through the introduction of the 545i featuring a V8 VALVETRONIC power unit and the BMW 525i with a 2.5-liter straight-six. Displacing 4.4 liters, the 325-hp aluminium 8-cylinder makes the BMW 545i the new benchmark in this class borne out by superior performance figures (0 to 62 mph in 5.8 seconds, top speed 155 mph, limited electronically) and sophisticated equipment of the highest standard, the occupants being pampered by leather upholstery with power seat adjustment for the driver and front passenger, as well as automatic air conditioning.

Newcomer to the Z Roadster range: the Z4 2.2i.

As of the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show, the "basic" model in the BMW Z4 Series is the Z4 2.2i. And this model designation alone tells the connoisseur the whole story: The power unit inside the beautifully designed front lid of BMW's open two-seater is the 2.2-liter straight-six so typical of the brand with its maximum output of 170 hp.

Famous the world over for its dynamic and refined qualities, especially in this muscular roadster, this superior power unit accelerates the Z4 from 0 to 62 mph in just 7.7 seconds, giving the car a top speed of 140 mph. And everything that lies between the process of setting off and reaching this maximum speed is experienced best and most enjoyably on winding country roads, where the next bend is indeed the best place to go.

A newcomer in the 3 Series Coupe range: the 320Cd.

Dynamic elegance on the road, common sense at the filling station-what might appear incompatible is reality in the 320Cd 3 Series Coupe: Developing maximum output of 150 hp, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder ensures dynamic performance of the highest standard, but at the same time makes do with an extremely modest 5.7 liters of diesel on 100 kilometers equal to 49.6 mpg Imp. But this does not stop the new coupe from sprinting to 100 km/h in just 8.8 seconds, with the car's setting-off qualities being particularly dynamic.

For particular demands: X5 Security and BMW Individual.

Introducing the X5 Security, BMW is offering the first Sports Activity Vehicle reliably protecting its occupants from hand-held weapons up to a .44-caliber Magnum. The BMW X5 Security is therefore conceived specifically for markets where people may feel threatened and where the roads are relatively bad, an SAV thus offering significant benefits in terms of mobility.

New options: from the front-end camera all the way to solar-powered ventilation.

As a unique option on vehicles with an on-board monitor BMW now offers a front-end camera providing an even broader view of the road and traffic ahead, as well as a rear-end camera for backing up safely and smoothly. And together with the introduction of Adaptive Headlights featuring swivelling bi-Xenon headlights now also available on the 7 Series, BMW is also introducing new turning lights with additional reflectors in the headlight units for enhanced illumination ahead of and next to the car.

Innovative technologies for enhanced customer benefits.

Augmented Reality and Connected Drive are two particular applications of advanced electronics BMW is introducing to the benefit of the customer. Incorporating "data glasses", Augmented Reality superimposes virtual objects and presentations on to the actual surroundings. A user wearing such data glasses, therefore, is able to see, say, the engine as such when carrying out repairs, while at the same time following virtually animated marks or instructions presented right in front of his eyes.

(Sept. 9, 2003)