"The sportiest cars of 2013" - three BMW models lead the field

Munich. With the award of three first places in three different classes, the readers of the specialist German magazine "Sport Auto" have returned their verdict and named three current BMW models as "The sportiest cars of 2013", expressing once again their preference for pure driving pleasure. In the diesel category, the BMW M550d xDrive was voted into first place again, continuing the trend it set the previous year. Two more first-in-class awards were won by the BMW 335i Sedan and the BMW 335i Coupe. This hat trick, the triple triumph in the current readers’ vote, builds on the excellent results regularly achieved by BMW over a number of years in this definitive, long-established ballot. The "Sport Auto" Awards 2013 will be presented on 12th June 2013 at the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart.

With the world's most powerful six-cylinder diesel engine under the bonnet, the BMW M550d xDrive confidently lined up at this year's "Sport Auto" Awards to defend its title. With its three-stage turbo-charging and common-rail direct injection, the 3.0 litre engine develops a maximum output of 280 kW/381 hp and delivers a maximum torque of 740 newton meters. The specific chassis technology and aerodynamic balance, matched with typical M precision to the performance characteristics of the engine, crown the first-class sportiness of the most powerful diesel member of the BMW 5 Series. These attributes are shared by the BMW M550d xDrive Sedan and the BMW M550d xDrive Touring. These two models provide a sporty, exhilarating ride while never losing sight of their commitment to contemporary standards, achieving an average fuel consumption of 6.2 and 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres respectively, as determined by the EU test cycle.  

BMW is pleased to have achieved a further first place in the category of "Sedans costing under 50,000 Euros". For the first time, the new BMW 335i Sedan was voted number one. However, this year's success is really just the continuation of an established tradition, as the predecessor model had already been voted the sportiest car in its class three times in a row in previous years. Similarly, the class entitled "Coupes costing under 50,000  Euros" was also clearly dominated by BMW. With this year's vote, the BMW 335i Coupe has now been named top of its class by "Sport Auto" readers for the third time in a row. The major similarity between these two habitual winners and their decisive success factor is the inline six-cylinder engine equipped with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The 225 kW, 306 hp power unit has all of the characteristic virtues of the other six-cylinder BMW engines - a crisp, spontaneous response, superior high-revving characteristics and awesome running refinement - all of which are exhibited in a particularly efficient manner. An unparalleled balance between driving pleasure and fuel economy is achieved by combining a turbocharger working on the twin-scroll principle, with the High Precision Fuel Injection System and fully variable VALVETRONIC valve control.

The annual poll to determine the "sportiest cars" was carried out for the first time in 1980. This year, around 15,300 readers participated in the ballot. They were asked to name their favourite cars in 15 categories of production vehicles and in a further 10 classes for tuned vehicles, from a total of 230 current models.