New Coupé expands BMW 3 Series lineup. 3 Series Coupé to debut with twin-turbo power.

Whitby. BMW Canada announced today that an elegant new 3 Series Coupé will join
the BMW family this Fall. Introducing sleek new two-door Coupé styling, the new
3 Series Coupé will also feature the world debut of a truly exceptional power
unit : the first straight-six with twin turbochargers, high-precision fuel
injection and an all-aluminum crankcase.

Significantly raising the already remarkable level of driving dynamics inherent
in the BMW 3 Series family, the new BMW 3 Series Coupé will enter the Canadian
market in two variants:

The BMW 335i Coupé will come equipped with an all-new 3.0 litre twin turbo
straight-six engine with a maximum output of 300 horsepower and peak torque of
300 ft-lb, the torque figure extending over a wide speed range from 1,400-5,000
rpm. Featuring two small low-inertia turbos - each feeding 3 cylinders,
high-precision direct fuel injection and dual-VANOS variable valve timing, the
turbocharged straight-six power unit provides outstanding acceleration,
propelling the 335i Coupe from 0-100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds. The
high-precision direct fuel injection also optimizes fuel economy, contributing
to an average fuel consumption under the EU standard of just 9.5 litres
premium/100 kilometres.

The BMW 328i Coupé will be powered by a 3.0 litre version of BMW's latest
lightweight inline six-cylinder mangnesium/aluminum composite block engine,
featuring Valvetronic variable valve-lift technology, with an output of 230
horspower and 200 ft-lb of torque. The BMW 328i Coupe will be capable of
sprints from 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds.

Both versions of the new BMW 3 Series Coupé come with a six-speed manual
gearbox as standard equipment. A significantly upgraded six-speed automatic
transmission with new torque convertor, upgraded management software and
significantly improved shift response times, is available as an option on both
models. The 335i Coupé with optional six-speed STEPTRONIC automatic
transmission and Sport Package will also include steering-wheel shift paddles.

BMW's Intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the most sophisticated and
highly developed all-wheel-drive system currently in the market, will also be
available, for the first time, on the new BMW 3 Series Coupé.

Chassis and suspension: where power becomes performance.

Rear-wheel drive and a 50 : 50 front-to-rear weight distribution give the new
BMW 3 Series Coupé ideal qualities for optimum driving dynamics at all times. A
double-joint tiebar front axle with spring struts made almost entirely of
aluminum in combination with a five-arm axle at the rear gives the new BMW 3
Series Coupé the most advanced and sophisticated wheel suspension in its class.

BMW's high-precision rack-and-pinion steering is standard on both versions of
the new BMW 3 Series Coupé while BMW's innovative Active Steering specially
tailored to the new 3 Series Coupé is available as an optional extra. Adjusting
the steering transmission ratio, steering angle and power assistance to the
speed of the car, Active Steering enables the driver to manoeuvre his BMW 3
Series Coupé with minimum effort when parking and keep the car precisely on
track at high and very high speeds.

The high-performance brake system requiring 17-inch wheels to match the larger
diameter of the brake discs ensures outstanding stopping power and deceleration
with virtually no fading. Brake performance is further enhanced by the
innovative functions of BMW's DSC Dynamic Stability Control, the latest
generation on the new 3 Series Coupé serving not only to mastermind ABS brake
functions and ensure superior stability on surfaces with inadequate wheel grip
by applying the brakes individually on the respective wheels, but also to
perform new, additional functions.

As an example, DSC now sets off even the slightest brake fading effect even at
extremely high brake temperatures by increasing brake pressure according to
current requirements. This ensures maximum brake power even under the toughest
conditions, without requiring the driver to exert any higher pressure on the
brake pedal or press down the pedal any further.

Pre-loading of the brake pads enhances brake standby in situations potentially
requiring spontaneous, all-out deceleration. Regular Dry Braking, in turn,
optimises brake performance in the wet, while DBC Dynamic Brake Control
automatically maximises brake pressure whenever required.

The Soft Stop function brings the car smoothly to a halt when slowing down
without the usual, final "jolt" when coming to a standstill, and the Hill-Start
Assistant prevents the car from rolling back when setting off on an uphill
gradient.

Yet another highlight of DSC Dynamic Stability Control is BMW's CBC Cornering
Brake Control preventing the car from oversteering when applying the brakes
slightly in a bend. Interacting with Active Steering, finally, DSC keeps the
car stable and well under control also when applying the brakes on surfaces
varying in their frictional coefficient.

Fully integrated ASC Automatic Stability Control optimises the car's traction
by controlling dry slip on rough, loose surfaces through application of the
brakes on the drive wheels whenever necessary. Activation of DTC Dynamic
Traction Control, in turn, raises the thresholds for intervention by the
brakes, enabling the driver of a BMW 3 Series Coupé to set off smoothly on,
say, loose snow with the drive wheels intentionally slightly spinning.

A further benefit of DTC is that it promotes a sporting and active style of
motoring by allowing slight, easily controllable slip on the drive wheels also
on a dry surface, once activated. This enables the sporting and ambitious
driver to enjoy all the benefits of a controlled drift in fast and sporting
bends. The final but equally important point is that the driver also has the
option to completely deactive DSC in the new BMW 3 Series Coupé whenever he
wishes.

The new BMW 3 Series Coupé comes as standard on light-alloy rims combined with
225/45 R 17 runflat tires. These tyres allow the driver to continue for up to
250 kilometres under complete loss of pressure and are monitored permanently by
the TPW Tire Pressure Warning system,warning the driver as soon as pressure
drops more than 30 per cent below the ideal level.

Powerful design - full of character

Despite its close technical ties to the Sedan and Touring, the new BMW 3 Series
Coupé is more unique and outstanding in its looks than ever before: This
exclusive two-door model clearly stands out as a genuine BMW from every angle,
but is nevertheless an individualist through and through.

The character of a coupé is borne out in particular by the car's side contours.
On the new BMW 3 Series Coupé, the flowing silhouette particularly distinctive
from the side clearly conveys a passion for dynamic motoring. The long
wheelbase, the passenger cell moved far to the rear, as well as the low and
sleek roof line merging gently into the rear end all characterise the stretched
and dynamic look of the entire vehicle, while the voluminous and extra-large
wheel arches emanate a touch of power and solidity.

Apart from the car's proportions, particularly the shoulder, character and sill
lines highlight the optical effect of the car's side view: Both the shoulder
line and character line flush with the door handles stretch all the way back to
the flat rear end of the car, none of the lines being shortened or interrupted
and thus allowing the eye of the beholder to move quickly and smoothly from
front to rear along the entire length of the vehicle.

The sill line on the lower edge of the door also flows into the front and rear
air dams, helping to give the new Coupé a particularly sleek and sporting look.
The combination of lines flowing into one another ensures a particularly
dynamic impression: While the shoulder line moves up slightly but consistently
from front to rear, thus conveying a touch of true elegance together with the
flat roof line, the character line follows a long and stretched arch all the
way from the front wing to the rear lights. With the sill line, by contrast,
moving up slightly to the rear in a slow and gentle curve, the distance between
the character and sill lines becomes smaller around the rear wheel arches.

Here, the powerful design of the wing wrapped around the wheel also serves to
give the character line extra tension in both an upward and outward direction.
This interplay of lines and surfaces ensures a truly striking,
three-dimensional effect, guiding not only a lot of light, but also the eyes of
the beholder to the area around the rear axle. This effect is indeed
intentional, with the optical impression of the car - its clear and
straightforward looks - reflecting the actual driving experience: As in the
other models, the rear axle of the BMW 3 Series Coupé sets the foundation for
truly outstanding driving dynamics.

The front view again shows a significant distinction from the Saloon and
Touring, the contours of the engine compartment lid as well as the design of
the front air dam and headlights giving the new BMW 3 Series Coupé a
particularly low and sporting look. The powerdome bulging above the drive unit
is particularly dynamic in its contours, its lines following a powerful
silhouette extending all the way from the A-pillars to the outside edges of the
BMW kidney grille.

The kidney grille itself, the typical feature of every BMW, stands up steeper
than the surfaces around it, interaction with the three-dimensional kidney
frame creating a beautiful look of power, unique style, and refined value. The
headlight units on the new BMW 3 Series Coupé also come in a new, individual
look. With the engine compartment lid extending beyond the headlights as such,
the double round headlights would appear to have been cut off at the top,
creating the impression of a pow¬erful, self-confident and concentrated focus.

The new BMW 3 Series Coupé comes as standard with bi-xenon headlights, a
further feature of the round headlight units being corona rings, which now for
the first time also function as daytime driving lights. These striking light
rings make the Coupé easy to recognise also at dusk and can be immediately
identified as a genuine BMW with all its distinctive features.

Through their design alone, the rear lights ensure safe perception and a truly
individual look. Integrated flush into the rear end of the car, the lights are
split into two sections and extend all the way up into the rear lid, the
character lines at the side continuing all the way to the rear light clusters
as such.

Horizontal light rods with bright LED illumination give the car an unmistakable
look also at night, ensuring a particularly attractive night design like the
corona rings around the headlights. The entire rear view is thus characterised
by horizontally flowing lines accentuating the wide track of the car and its
flat, sporting look also from this angle.

The designers' objective was to give the new 3 Series Coupé a perfectly
balanced look full of harmony to the last detail. Precisely this is why the
legendary "Hofmeister kick" at the bottom of the C-pillar now comes in new
design extending in an even more distinctive angle into the shoulder line of
the car at the front. To further accentuate this flow of lines highlighting the
dynamic appearance of the new Coupé, the chrome surround on the side window
frame is now made in one single piece as yet another highlight of sophisticated
class and value.

Yet a further point is that the exterior mirrors have been specially designed
and matched to the 3 Series Coupé, their contours taking up the side lines of
the car and the mirrors themselves blending harmoniously with the car's overall
design.
This emphasis on individual style, dynamic performance and exclusivity is
continued also within the interior.

Horizontal lines dominating the surfaces on and around the instrument panel, as
well as flowing surfaces along the centre console and side panels, give the
interior a light but dynamic touch. At the top the instrument panel is angled
towards the driver, and at the same time the controls for air conditioning, the
audio and navigation systems are within easy reach also from the front
passenger's seat.

The surfaces on the side panels are characterised by a smooth swinging flow
extending all the way from the dashboard to the backrests on the two rear
seats. The form and function of the centre console, in turn, are reflected by
the storage compartment between the rear seats.

Special light effects, carefully matched colours, and the choice of materials
all interact in the new BMW 3 Series Coupé to ensure a truly unique atmosphere.
The standard light contour edge on the door inner and side panels, in turn,
adds a particularly elegant touch. The row of lights extending upwards flows
above the armrests from the door pillar all the way to the rear, offering a
particularly warm, indirect light effect. Controls and switches used frequently
often by the driver and passengers such as the door openers and gearshift lever
are finished in exceptionally high-class metallic trim ensuring not only very
attractive looks but also an exclusive touch.

Given the low-slung roof and the high-rising shoulder line, the new BMW 3
Series Coupé has smaller windows than its Saloon counterpart. This reduces the
level of direct sunlight within the interior, presenting the designers with new
challenges in designing the interior and its principal features. The choice of
colours for the interior and upholstery in the BMW 3 Series Coupé, for example,
not only has a significant influence on the atmosphere on board the car, but
also offers numerous options for personalisation and individualisation.

New colour schemes are therefore available for the upholstery, roof lining and
other interior trim features, specially designed and tailored exclusively to
the BMW 3 Series Coupé. Light colours within the interior emphasise in
particular the elegant style of this two-door model, while a darker ambience
enables the driver to highlight the sporting and dynamic character of his
Coupé.

Ultra-modern body structure: lower weight, greater safety.

The new BMW 3 Series Coupé is light, strong and stable all in one, combining
supreme agility with equally outstanding solidity. Benefiting from its modern
and sophisticated body structure, the new BMW 3 Series Coupé is able to combine
features and qualities also in this area formerly regarded as incompatible.

This superiority is attributable to the innovative skills of BMW's safety
engineers now using the most advanced materials and production methods, an
example of which is the reduction of weight through the use of plastic side
panels at the front of the car.

Like low weight, a high standard of torsional body stiffness is also crucial to
the car's fascinating agility. And in the event of a collision, the use of
high-strength steel on the extra-large carrier structures, together with the
exactly defined deformation zones, ensures effective absorption and,
respectively, transfer of forces acting on the body of the car.

Reinforced B-pillars are a particularly impressive example of the high standard
of development and excellence in design the new BMW 3 Series Coupé has to
offer, with a tubular structure throughout the B-pillars featured for the first
time in the interest of extra strength. This tubular reinforcement is made of
ultra-strong steel in a warm-moulding process and is heat-treated for top
quality while still in the mould. A further feature is that the reinforcement
tube is variably contoured in its cross-section, exactly matching the space
available. Together with the crash box precisely tailored to the loads actually
acting on the body, this ensures maximum safety at all times.

The choice of materials and the arrangement of components at other points on
the body also serve to optimise crash safety to an unprecedented standard,
naturally taking the various properties of different types of steel and other
materials into account. The space available for deformation on the new BMW 3
Series Coupé is therefore used in perfection in order to avoid even the
slightest impairment of the passenger cell.

In a head-on collision, for example, dynamic deformation areas at the front
keep impact energy away from the bulkhead and, accordingly, from the car's
footwells. In the event of a side-on collision, in turn, the specially designed
floor assembly ensures controlled transfer of forces acting on the car to the
opposite side of the body.

The bulkhead support is made of innovative multi-phase steel offering truly
outstanding strength and stability even on thin-gauge panels. Efficient
interaction of the doors, the reinforced b-pillars, the seat structure and the
instrument panel between the A-pillars serves likewise to maximise the
stability of the side structure. The consequences of a collision from the rear,
in turn, are minimised by longitudinal carrier bars, a wide range of
reinforcement elements, as well as the extra-strong luggage compartment floor
panel, rear panel and side walls. Stable pillars and crossbars protect the
passenger area even in a rollover.

Efficient interaction of all deformation areas and carrier structures was
carefully analysed from the start in developing the new BMW 3 Series Coupé both
in virtual simulations and in real-life crash tests. And an additional point
considered in this context was the minimisation of repairs after a slight
collision.

Naturally, BMW's safety engineers also sought from the start to fully maintain
the passenger cell as a survival area even in the most severe crash impact.
Precisely this is why interacting, centrally masterminded restraint and support
systems within the passenger compartment ensure individual occupant safety
tailored to current requirements.

The frontal, hip, thorax and curtain head airbags, belt latch tensioners and
belt force limiters are activated by sensor-controlled electronic safety
systems as a function of the type and severity of a collision. So that with its
robust body enhanced by a wide range of active and passive safety elements, the
new BMW 3 Series Coupé meets all requirements for optimum results in all crash
tests relevant the world over.

With active motoring calling for optimum visibility at night for reasons of
safety alone, the new BMW 3 Series Coupé comes as standard with bi-xenon
headlights. These highly effective headlights are further enhanced by adaptive
headlight control for bends and winding roads, while light rods in the rear
light clusters stand out distinctly for a significant improvement of safety in
the dark.

Whether in the dark or during the day, two-stage brake lights make an important
contribution in enabling motorists following from behind to recognise a
dangerous situation well in advance: Whenever the driver applies the brakes
particularly hard, and when the ABS function is activated, light intensity in
the two-stage headlights is increased accordingly, prompting drivers following
from behind to brake harder, too.

Individual and exclusive equipment.

The list of comfort features boasted as standard in the new BMW 3 Series Coupé
is just as long and impressive as the list of safety elements. Particularly in
the interest of top-quality audio, navigation and telematic solutions, BMW
offers optional high-tech concepts originally developed for the most
outstanding luxury performance cars and now also available in this segment.
Indeed, this once again underlines the exclusive character of the BMW 3 Series
Coupé clearly proving its unique style and calibre through the design of the
interior alone.

Here again, the focus is on the actual driving experience. The seating position
at the rear far lower than in the Saloon, for example, gives the car's
occupants optimum headroom despite the low roof line of the Coupé. At the same
time not only the driver and front passenger, but also the passengers sitting
at the rear will immediately feel and enjoy excellent side support.

The door openers, handle trim, gearshift lever cover, vent grille adjusters and
starter button, as well as the decorative trim in the leather sports steering
wheel featured as standard, all come in Pearl Grey chrome surface finish
developed exclusively for the new BMW 3 Series Coupé.

Buckling up in the new BMW 3 Series Coupé, both the driver and front passenger
benefit from the newly developed Automatic Seatbelt Assistant: The seat belt
integrated in the B-pillar moved far to the rear in typical coupé arrangement
is automatically "delivered" to the driver and front passenger once they close
the door and once the smooth-sided transmitter key has been inserted in the
shaft next to the steering wheel.

With this belt delivery function being directly connected to the seat occupancy
detector, the passenger side belt delivery unit is only activated when the
front passenger has actually taken his seat. And with the belt delivery unit
being housed conveniently within the side panels, this new feed system does not
in any way impair the harmonious look of the interior.

Access to the two seats at the rear is facilitated by the front seat Comfort
Access function: The lever for releasing the seat position is fitted in perfect
ergonomic arrangement at the top on the outside of the backrest.

With the new BMW 3 Series Coupé being conceived from the start as a
four-seater, comfort on the rear seats is further enhanced by the centre
console comprising a storage box with cover on top, an ashtray, additional air
outlet vents and footwell lights.

Offering ample capacity of 440 litres/15.5 cu ft (430 litres/15.2 cu ft on the
BMW 335i Coupé), the luggage compartment sets a new standard in the coupé
segment. Large capacity is also offered by the folding storage boxes in the
inner door linings, a further advantage of this feature to be seen for the
first time in the new BMW 3 Series Coupé being absolute privacy, with all items
carried inside the car remaining out of sight from outside the car.

The world of the BMW Coupés: combining tradition and new values.

The mission to develop a coupé has always been a particularly demanding but
interesting and tempting challenge for the engineer in the car industry. After
all, the driver opting for a coupé is a truly discerning individualist looking
for enhanced driving pleasure. And it is precisely with this in mind that BMW
has succeeded time and again over the years in meeting the great demands made
of a coupé and at the same time consistently pushing up the benchmark in this
segment.

The coupé has a long tradition at BMW: Even back in the 1930s, the BMW 327 was
lauded as a truly outstanding two-seater and remains a legend to this day. And
even back then, the coupé was widely appreciated as a particularly sporting
grand tourer with two doors and a fixed roof.

These fundamental features remain virtually unchanged to the present day: The
lines typical of a coupé combine a long and sleek front section with a dynamic
roof line tapering out gently to the rear. And unlike a thoroughbred sports
car, the typical coupé offers ample space for more than just two occupants, a
separate luggage compartment providing room for ample luggage.

While the word "coupé", in its original meaning, quite literally meant a car
body "cut off" at the rear, the actual significance of a coupé, especially in
this day and age, goes much further: The ideal coupé is a very personal car
tailored to the mobile individualist - and precisely this standard is reflected
and upheld in full by the new BMW 3 Series Coupé.

As a modern interpretation of a traditional car concept, the new BMW 3 Series
Coupé is one thing in particular: a very special car. Even more than its
predecessor, the new 3 Series Coupé stands out through its distinctive design
from its Saloon counterpart, enabling the driver even more than before to enter
the highest realms of driving dynamics. And in the process the new BMW 3 Series
Coupé ensures a particularly refined combination of active driving pleasure and
optical qualities, clearly ranking alone in its market segment.

The new BMW 3 Series Coupé is conceived and built for the genuine individualist
with particularly demanding standards. Qualities based not only on short-lived
and superficial pleasure, but rather on lasting values, thus contribute to the
outstanding experience of sheer driving pleasure offered by the new Coupé. And
the discerning motorist particularly appreciative of the good looks of the new
BMW 3 Series Coupé can be sure to feel this satisfaction and superiority even
after many years.

The interior of the car, designed for superior comfort and pleasant handling,
will likewise maintain this inviting character for many years thanks to its
high-quality finish alone. And at the same time this regular enjoyment of a
dynamic driving experience goes hand-in-hand with the very pleasant feeling of
ample safety reserves even in a difficult situation.

As a modern interpretation of a traditional car concept, the new BMW 3 Series
Coupé is unquestionably a very special car. Even more than its predecessor, the
new 3 Series Coupé stands out from its Sedan counterpart through its
distinctive design. In the process the new BMW 3 Series Coupé ensures a
particularly refined combination of active driving pleasure and visual appeal.

The new BMW 3 Series Coupé will be on sale in Canada in the Fall of 2006. Full
pricing and optional equipment information will be released closer to market
launch.

BMW Group Canada, based in Whitby, 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 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 39 BMW automobile retail centres,18 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 22
MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.