February news in brief.

BMW i3 crowned UK Car of the Year 2014.

The BMW i3 has been honoured with the title of UK Car of the Year 2014, at the inaugural awards. It has also triumphed in the 'Supermini' category, while the BMW 5 Series came out on top in the 'Executive' car class. 

The UKCOTY Awards bring together judges from all corners of the UK, as well as from a wide variety of backgrounds, to make this the most complete judging panel of any motoring awards. The awards aim to provide an independent set of awards for the car industry, highlighting the best vehicles in the market in a range of categories for UK buyers. 27 journalists judged cars across 12 categories for the first UK Car of the Year awards.

Guy Bird, UKCOTY judge, said of the BMW i3: “‘Game-changing’ is such a cliché but that is what i3 is. From the eco-focused technology that underpins it, to the modern and functional design and material choices – including the most original production car interior this century – the i3 is far more than just a new car. Indeed, with its connected drive approach seeking to make links with other forms of transport and the surrounding infrastructure, rather than simply impose itself upon its environment, the i3 represents the start of a whole new way of thinking about getting from A to B.”

Uwe Dreher, BMW UK Marketing Director, commented on the win: “For the BMW i3 to be voted as the first ever UK Car of the Year is real testament to the years of research and development that have gone into making BMW’s first electric production car.  The BMW i3 has pushed the boundaries in every way from sustainable production, to its unique construction and revolutionary ownership proposition. The judging panel clearly recognise this and we are delighted to be given such an independent accolade.”

The new BMW i3 is the first model to launch within the BMW i range.  Two BMW i cars are confirmed for production, the fully-electric BMW i3 megacity vehicle and the plug-in hybrid BMW i8 sports car. The BMW i3 is BMW’s first fully-electric production car and is priced from £369 a month* or £25,680** OTR. First deliveries of the BMW i3 were made to customers in the UK in February 2014, meanwhile the BMW i8 will go on sale in the UK in 2014 priced at £99,845 OTR.

*Finance based on a 36 month Personal Lease agreements for models stated. Initial payment £2,995.00 inc VAT and contract mileage of 24,000 miles. Figures shown incorporate Government plug-in car grant.  Excess mileage and vehicle condition charges apply. Subject to status and available to over 18’s in the UK only (not the Channel Islands or Isle of Man). Retail customers only. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Prices are correct at the time of going to print (July 2013) and are subject to change without notice. Lease is provided by BMW Financial Services, Europa House, Bartley Way, Hook, Hampshire RG27 9UF. Participating dealers only.

**With £5,000 OLEV Government grant.

BMW UK named ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ at Business Car Awards 2014.

BMW UK has scooped five awards from one of the country’s leading fleet publications.  BusinessCar magazine has honoured BMW with the headline accolade of ‘Manufacturer of the Year’, for the fourth year in a row, in recognition of BMW’s continuous improvements to its product portfolio, including the introduction of the first premium electric car, the BMW i3, and its commitment to improving performance without sacrificing emissions.

Following its successful launch in November 2013, the BMW i3 now adds the covetable title of ‘Green Model of the Year’ to its portfolio, while the BMW 1 Series collects the accolade of ‘Lower Medium car of the year’ and BMW 3 Series that of ‘Upper Medium car of the year’ for the fifth year in a row

The BMW X3 has blown away stiff competition to take home the award for ‘Small 4x4 of the Year’, thanks to its class leading emissions and car-like handling.  The entry model, BMW X3 sDrive18d, is priced from just £28,580 OTR, while it consumes just 55.4mpg and emits 135g/km it is clear to see the appeal for Business Car drivers.

The BusinessCar Awards have particular gravitas as they are the only awards voted for solely by the title’s readers, reflecting the opinions of the people who really matter in the fleet industry.

BMW 4 Series Coupé line up bolstered by two additional diesel engines.

The BMW 4 Series Coupé has been bolstered by the addition of two new engines to the line-up; the 425d and 430d xDrive.

The BMW 425d Coupé utilises the BMW TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder diesel engine, featuring common-rail technology and a single turbocharger with variable vane geometry.  This new engine produces 218hp and 450Nm of torque yet emits just 124g/km CO2 and returns 60.1mpg thanks to the combination of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies and the optional eight-speed automatic transmission.

Utilising the BMW TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder in-line diesel engine, the BMW 430d xDrive Coupé comes with Sport automatic transmission as standard and is available in Luxury or M Sport trim. The 258hp and 560Nm of torque from the 430d combine with xDrive, BMW’s unique four-wheel-drive system, to give unrivalled traction and driving dynamics, while as little as 137g/km CO2 is emitted.

The BMW 425d and 430d xDrive will both be available from March 2014, priced from £34,725 OTR for a 425d SE Coupé and £41,240 OTR for a 430d xDrive Luxury.

New engine line-up for the 3 Series Gran Turismo.

The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo from March 2014 comes with the choice of three additional engines in the range; 330d, 330d xDrive and 335d xDrive.

The 330d engine utilises the BMW TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder in-line diesel engine and comes with Sport automatic transmission as standard.  This new engine derivative is available in SE, Luxury or M Sport trim levels. With a choice of rear-wheel-drive or xDrive models to choose from, the 330d offers 258hp and 560Nm of torque, while emitting just 135g/km CO2 while still returning 55.4mpg in rear-wheel-drive.

The BMW 335d xDrive also uses the BMW TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder in-line diesel engine, featuring common-rail direct injection and variable twin turbo technology, to deliver 313hp and 600Nm of torque. This performance combines with a suite of EfficientDynamics technologies to deliver CO2 emissions of just 148g/km and a combined mpg figure of 50.4mpg.

The BMW 330d is available from £37,000 OTR for a 330d SE Gran Turismo, the 330d xDrive Gran Turismo starts at £38,515 OTR for an SE and the 335d xDrive Gran Turismo is available from £43,415 OTR for a Luxury model.

 Ends

The BMW Group

The BMW Group is the leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 28 production and assembly facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2013, the BMW Group sold around 1.963 million cars and 115,215 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2012 was €7.82 billion on revenues amounting to €76.85 billion. As of the 31st  December 2012, the BMW Group had a workforce of 105,876 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.

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For further information please contact:

Krystyna Kozlowska            BMW Media Relations Executive

Tel: 01344 480707             Email: Krystyna.Kozlowska@bmw.co.uk

Gavin Ward                           BMW Media Relations Manager

Tel: 01344 480829             Email: Gavin.Ward@bmw.co.uk

Piers Scott                            General Manager, Product and Internal Communications

Tel: 01344 480113             Email: Piers.Scott@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs                       Corporate Communications Director

Tel: 01344 480109             Email: Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk

Press office fax: 01344 480306

Media website: www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk

Customer website: www.bmw.co.uk