BMW Group off to a winning start in 2019

Double BMW victory at What Car? Car of the Year 2019.

What Car? magazine has awarded BMW two sought-after honours at the publication’s annual New Car Awards. The new BMW 3 Series Saloon was crowned ‘Executive Car of the Year’ and the BMW 5 Series Saloon took home the trophy of the publication’s ‘Luxury Car of the Year’ title for a third consecutive year.

What Car? judges were impressed with the new 2019 BMW 3 Series, commenting on its scintillating drive, improved ride and notable fuel economy, reaffirming its class-leading quality and performance.  Judges also mentioned the improved, spacious interior and a brilliant infotainment system, stating, “The BMW 3 Series equals a car that encapsulates all of the attributes required in the executive car market – and then some.”

The BMW 520d SE Saloon was the particular model chosen by What Car? as their ‘Luxury Car of the Year’.  In its appraisal, What Car? declared: “Our 2017 Car of the Year remains the best luxury saloon on sale, being every bit as classy and relaxing as rivals that cost twice as much. In fact, we can’t find any areas in which it drops the ball – it’s the supreme luxury package without the exclusive price tag.”

Along with these wins, six other models were highlighted with 'Best Buy' commendations for both the BMW and MINI brands:

• BMW X3 M40i- Best sports SUV for £40,000-£60,000
• BMW 5 Series 530e SE-Best plug-in hybrid for £30,000-£50,000
• BMW 2 Series 218i Sport- Best coupé for less than £30,000
• BMW 5 Series Touring 520d SE- Best estate car for Best luxury car for £40,000
• BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo 630d SE- Best luxury car for £40,000-£60,000
• MINI Convertible Cooper Classic Comfort/Nav pack- Best convertible for less than £25,000

Company Car Today CCT100 awards BMW and MINI multiple honours.

BMW and MINI scooped three accolades in the 2019 Company Car Today CCT100 Awards, with the BMW 5 Series taking the prize for ‘Executive Car of the Year’, the all-new BMW X5 beating the competition to the top honour in the ‘Large SUV of the Year’ category and the MINI Hatch winning the sought after ‘Premium Supermini of the Year’ title.

It’s a second time win in the CCT100 Awards for the BMW 5 Series which took the ‘Executive Car of the Year’ award in the inaugural CCT100 Awards soon after its launch in 2018.

The BMW 5 Series continues the finest tradition of its forebears by offering an unsurpassed blend of driving dynamics, comfort and functionality. This seventh generation model uses the very latest technology from within BMW to create a saloon that’s more refined than ever before, significantly lighter, safer, and more fuel efficient.

Paul Barker, Editor for Company Car Today, said: “The BMW 5 Series has again proved itself to be comfortably top of the pile it terms of all the attributes that make for an excellent company car. Our overall 2018 champion retained its Executive Car of the Year title thanks to its combination of controlled running costs, low emissions and top-notch driver appeal.”

The all-new BMW X5 brings demonstrates the latest BMW advances in technology, design and safety, with the highest level of autonomous capability yet seen on a BMW X model. A choice of TwinPower and M Performance petrol and diesel engines are matched to a new eight-speed Steptronic gearbox and the latest version of xDrive for maximum comfort, capability and performance.

Commenting on the win, Paul Barker, Editor for Company Car Today, said:  “The new X5 takes BMW straight back to the top of the class,” said Company Car Today Editor Paul Barker. “It defies its size to prove a fine-handling SUV that also offers seven-seat practicality, great residual values and, for the sector, good emissions figures.”

Completing the trio of Company Car Today awards for BMW Group, MINI Hatch was named ‘Premium Supermini of the Year’ against a backdrop of strong competition. The award comes just months after MINI UK announced an all-new trim structure across the range, with three new styles enhancing value and simplifying the ordering process for corporate and retail customers alike.

“The MINI Hatch’s allure continues to shine brightly, and it ticks every box,” said Company Car Today Editor Paul Barker. “Not only does it offer that legendary driving experience, but it’s well-priced, efficient and has great residual values, making it a great choice for business users.”

The CCT100 is Company Car Today’s definitive list of the 100 cars that can fulfil any business car requirement. A shortlist containing the top five cars in each category is assessed across 12 key factors that make an excellent company car, including emissions, price, running costs, company car tax, practicality, desirability and the driving experience.

Ends

* Fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and power consumption are provisional, and were measured using the methods required according to Regulation (EC) 2007/715 as amended. The information is based on a vehicle with basic equipment in Germany; ranges take into account differences in wheel and tyre size selected as well as optional equipment and can change during configuration.

The information has already been calculated based on the new WLTP test cycle and adapted to NEDC for comparison purposes. In these vehicles, different figures than those published here may apply for the assessment of taxes and other vehicle-related duties which are (also) based on CO2 emissions.

For further details of the official fuel consumption figures and the official specific CO2 emissions of new cars, please refer to the "Manual on the fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and power consumption of new cars" available free of charge at all sales outlets, from Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT),Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at https://www.dat.de/co2/.

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 30 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2018, the BMW Group sold over 2,490,000 passenger vehicles and more than 165,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2017 was € 10.655 billion on revenues amounting to € 98.678 billion. As of 31 December 2017, the BMW Group had a workforce of 129,932 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based 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:

Lauren Prema
BMW Media Relations Executive
Tel: 07815 370746
Email: Lauren.Prema@bmw.co.uk 

Piers Scott
General Manager, Product and Internal Communications
Tel: 01252 921265
Email: Piers.Scott@bmw.co.uk 

Graham Biggs
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 01252 921256
Email: Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk