BMW dominates What Car? Car of the Year 2004 and Fleet Excellence Awards

BMW has won four trophies in this year's What Car? awards and five
categories in the Fleet Excellence awards. What Car? Car of the Year
Awards 2004 Last night's ceremony saw BMW gain honours in more
categories than any other manufacturer with wins in the Executive,
Performance, Roadster and Small Executive categories. · BMW 5
Series reclaims its Executive Car crown · BMW M3 tops Performance
Car class for fourth year in a row · BMW Z4 wins Roadster
category on its debut · BMW 320dES is best Small Executive car
BMW 5 Series - Best Executive Car Launched in September 2003, the new
BMW 5 Series has once again taken BMW's executive saloon to the head of
its class. This latest award means that the 5 Series has won What
Car?'s Best Executive Car title in eight of the last nine years - the
old model having won in seven consecutive years between 1996 and 2002,
prompting What Car? to create a Lifetime Achievement award in 2002 for
the model. The new BMW 5 Series has immediately reclaimed its title. In
What Car?'s October 2003 edition, the 520i SE beat the Mercedes E200K
Classic, Jaguar S-type 2.5 V6 and Volvo S80 2.5T S with What Car?
testers noting: "The 5 Series has improved in two key areas that
really matter to executive buyers. Its creamy smooth ride and
outstandingly quiet cabin truly satisfy and are enough in themselves to
put the BMW back on top of the executive pile. Attractive contract hire
rates, excellent residual values and masses of interior space complete
the package." BMW M3 - Best Performance Car The M3 has retained
its Performance Car title in 2004. Describing the M3 as the consummate
supercar in every sense of the word, What Car? highlighted its
blistering performance and handling but also praised its 'stealth
appeal'. This refers to the subtle styling cues that What Car?
describes as far more measured than many steroid-fed rivals. It is
the fourth consecutive What Car? award for the M3 and caps a year in
which it was joined by the limited-production run lightweight M3 CSL
model. The BMW M3 CSL, which shed 110kg from the standard M3, has a
power to weight ratio of 3.85 kg/bhp, 0-62 mph figures of 4.9 seconds
and a limited top speed of 155 mph. However, this can be de-limited for
those holding a racing licence. Its pure sports car credentials have
been confirmed by the M3 CSL's ability to master the Nurburgring
'Nordschliefe' in under eight minutes. BMW Z4 - Best Roadster In the
six months since launch, BMW?s Z4 has established itself as a sales
success. By the end of 2003, a total of 4,454 customers had taken
delivery of the new model with waiting lists stretching into the summer
of 2004. In December 2003 BMW added to the Z4's appeal by launching an
entry-level 2.2-litre variant, complementing existing 2.5 and 3.0-litre
models. In awarding the Z4 its Best Roadster accolade, What Car?
pointed to the car's near-perfect weight distribution, tenacious grip
and superbly weighted steering. Judges commented: "This is a
modern roadster that's equally happy thrashing down a twisting country
lane as it is pootling around town. You'll end up with a smile on your
face after doing both." BMW 320dES - Small Executive Car Not long
after being named What Car?s diesel car of the year in November 2003,
the BMW 320dES has won another What Car? accolade, Small Executive car
of the year. Featuring Euro IV compliant engines, the BMW 320dES
emerged as the best all-rounder in its class thanks to a combination of
competitive pricing, high standard specification, strong performance
and superb economy. It is a package that includes: - Lowest 15 per
cent company car tax liability for 153 g/km C02 emissions - 49.6 mpg on
the combined fuel consumption cycle - 0-62 mph in 8.8 seconds and top
speed of 137 mph - Free five year / 60,000 mile service and maintenance
package - Standard sports suspension, CD player, alloy wheels, M
Leather steering wheel, anthracite headlining, colour coded door
handles and storage compartment package Research from Glass's Market
Intelligence Service confirmed the appeal of BMW's 320d Saloon,
particularly for the corporate market. In a comparison of whole-life
costs based on ownership for three years and 60,000 miles, the 320d
reported lower costs than all other models surveyed. This included the
Audi A4 1.9Tdi SE saloon, Mercedes-Benz C200 CDI, Ford Mondeo 2.0TDCi
130 Ghia hatchback and Vauxhall Vectra 2.0Dti hatchback. In 2003, a
total of 45 per cent of all new 3 Series Saloons were diesel models.
This rose from 11 per cent in 2000, a clear testament to the car's
abilities and benefits. Fleet Excellence recognised The four What Car?
awards come hot on the heels of five honours for the BMW Group at this
year's Fleet Excellence Awards 2004, held on 20 January 2004. These
awards are based on votes cast by readers of key fleet publications
Fleet Management and Fleet Week. The new BMW 5 Series picked up two
trophies, winning the best Executive car category and as top choice for
user choosers. Described by judges as a 'sublime combination of ride
and handling clothed in a forward looking body,' the new 5 Series won
twice as many votes in the User Chooser category as its nearest rival.
Mirroring What Car? success, the BMW Z4 took the prize for best Sporting
Car while the BMW Group secured further success for the MINI Cooper
with a win in the Supermini category. In the Large 4x4 category the X5
triumphed, with judges praising its handling: "In the medium
term, the X5?s status as the best-handling on-road large 4x4 in the
market looks to be unchallenged and should ensure votes continue to pour
in next year for this seemingly unassailable masterpiece." On
success at the Fleet Excellence Awards 2004 Bernard Bradley, BMW (GB)
Ltd General Manager Corporate Sales commented, "Five awards for
the BMW Group is a stunning result and we're delighted with this
glowing endorsement from those who work in the fleet sector. What is
really encouraging for BMW is the breadth of our success, particularly
with two brand new models instantly winning the praise of fleet
managers. "We are also delighted to be 'highly commended' as
Manufacturer of the Year. This is surely an indication that BMW's
strengths in new product are now reflected in a corporate sales
structure that is delivering real benefits to our customers."