Press Kit MY 2000: INTRODUCING THE NEW M5: THE MOST POWERFUL, MOST LUXURIOUS, MOST HIGH-TECH M CAR EVER

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey...For many years the goal of BMW M GmbH has been to
bring race car performance to the street. An M engineer makes no distinction
between a race car and a high performance road car.

While it began as BMW?s Motorsport division, today the "M" in BMW M connotes
the Bavarian automaker?s high-performance division. And although BMW M pursues
many creative enterprises, it has come to signify a very special breed of
high-performance automobiles.

Over the years, M3, M5 and M6 models have offered performance enthusiasts
special, uniquely "M" interpretations of what a performance automobile should
be. Most recently, M has been acclaimed for its high-performance 2-seaters,
the M roadster and M coupe (see separate release in this kit). Now M
introduces the third generation M5: the most powerful, most luxurious, most
high-tech M car ever. An automotive designer?s dream: combining the highest
possible level of performance and sumptuous luxury in a single car.

Not incidentally, the new M5 is also the first M car powered by a V8 engine.
And therein lies the heart of this incredibly exciting new sports sedan: a
5-liter, 400-hp V8 engine incorporating a host of new, performance-enhancing
technologies making their first-ever appearance in a production motorcar.

With the exception of the first M Car, the M1 of 1978 ? the exotic, unique
mid-engine sports car that launched BMW M into the creation of performance
automobiles the public could buy ? all M cars have been derived from regular
production BMW models. This core fact defines the intellect and heart of M
cars: While benefiting from the thorough engineering that makes every BMW a
practical, reliable, value-packed machine, M designers and engineers add
generous measures of higher performance, even greater road capabilities, and
subtle but unmistakable esthetic distinctions. The result, as expressed in
every M car is highly individualistic, dramatically high-performance driving
machines that embody all the rational benefits of BMW ownership, from
state-of-the-art safety engineering through extensive luxury features to a
4-year/50,000-mile warranty and (new for 2000) Full Maintenance for 3
years/36,000 included in the purchase price.

Be sure to download the "M5 Story" for complete details on the following topics:

- M5 powertrain: Elevating the world?s premier sports sedan to even greater
heights of achievement
- The chassis: BMW M works its magic on an award-winning concept
- Setting the M5 apart visually: subtle, but unmistakable accents on
performance
- M5 cabin: Sporting luxury, the BMW M way
- Upholstery and trim: a wide range of choices for individual tastes
- Options and accessories: Few, because virtually everything is standard
- Already acclaimed in early test drives
- The M5 Driving Experience
- Performance with a Conscience

For more information the following items are also available for download:

- M Model Highlights
- M5 Standard and Optional Features
- M5 Specifications
- M Model Pricing

Photo images are also available.