BMW S 1000 RR voted MCN Machine of the Year

The incredible BMW S 1000 RR has been crowned Motorcycle News’ 2012 ‘Machine of the Year’ – the second time that the RR has taken the highest accolade in the MCN Awards. The RR also won the ‘Best Sportsbike Unlimited’ award for supersports machines with engines of any capacity.

The 2012 ‘Machine of the Year’ honour is an unprecedented fifth MCN Award for the S 1000 RR. Previous accolades include the 2010 ‘Machine of the Year’ and ‘Sportsbike over 751cc’ awards in its first year, as well as the 2011 ‘Best Sportsbike over 601cc’ award and this year’s ‘Best Sportsbike Unlimited’ title.

Praising the S 1000 RR, Motorcycle News said: “The incredible and class-redefining BMW S 1000 RR has once again scooped the Machine of the Year crown. It’s the second time the staggeringly capable superbike has won the award. BMW entered the hardest class in the world and led it at the first attempt in 2010. It scarcely seemed possible to improve on the original, but do it they did. MCN hailed the 2012 model as being as great a leap over the outgoing bike as the first S 1000 RR was over the Japanese competition.”

In addition, the BMW K 1600 GT has won the coveted ‘Tourer of the Year’ award for the second consecutive year; which itself took the title from BMW’s lauded R 1200 RT in 2010. The K 1600 GT and GTL variant have been a big sales success, re-emphasising BMW Motorrad’s dominance of the touring sector.

Explaining the K 1600 GT’s second consecutive category honour, MCN said: “BMW’s six-cylinder tourer is the stuff of concept model fantasies and boyhood dreams. With the performance of a sports car and the comfort of a Range Rover it’s just as special in real life. 160bhp, 24 valves, those corona headlamps and every extra you can think of, many of them included as standard, the imposing K 1600 GT continues to set the standard for trans-continental cruising.”

Judged and presented by Motorcycle News, the UK’s best-selling motorcycle publication, the annual MCN Awards recognise technical innovations, outstanding motorcycles and sales success within the industry.

Adrian Roderick, BMW Motorrad General Manager, said: “It’s a real endorsement for the UK’s biggest motorcycle publication to confirm that the S 1000 RR and the K 1600 GT are still the undisputed kings of their respective classes.

“To be recognised as the leader in two vital sectors, one which BMW Motorrad has been at the forefront of for decades, and one which it has entered and dominated immediately, proves that the pioneering work of BMW continues to pay off.

“With motorcycles like the K 1600 GT and S 1000 RR we are pushing the boundaries of innovation and performance for riders; while models such as the high-tech HP4 with semi-active suspension, and the C evolution electric maxi-scooter, represent the future for BMW Motorrad and of motorcycling itself.”

For more information on BMW Motorrad products and services visit www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk or call 0800 777 155.

Ends

The BMW Group

The BMW Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI, Husqvarna Motorcycles  and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 29 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2011, the BMW Group sold about 1.67 million cars and more than 113,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2011 was euro 7.38 billion on revenues amounting to euro 68.82 billion. At 31 December 2011, the BMW Group had a workforce of approximately 100,000 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last eight years.

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For further information please contact:

Khal Harris                            BMW Motorrad UK Press & PR

Tel:  0208 607 3915           Email:  khal.harris@jardine-international.com

Tony Jakeman                     BMW Motorrad Marketing Manager

Tel: 01344 480 185            Email: tony.jakeman@bmw.co.uk

Press office fax:                    0208 607 3901