BMW 3 Series Wins 20th Car and Driver 10Best Award

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – December 8, 2010…  The BMW 3 Series has been named to the Car and Driver 10Best Cars list for 2011, marking the 20th consecutive 10Best win for the 3 Series, “a feat unmatched by any other vehicle on the market,” according to the magazine’s editors.

“Continuing this streak means a great deal to all of us at BMW,” said Joe Wierda, Product Manager – 3 Series & X3, for BMW of North America. “Even in the sixth model year of its fifth generation, the BMW 3 Series remains the sport sedan benchmark as well as the segment leader.  We never take that for granted.  In 2009 we introduced the BMW Advanced Diesel 335d Sedan.  This year we introduced an award-winning new engine for the 335i models, improving fuel efficiency by ten percent, as well as the new 335is Coupe and Convertible. Of course, the BMW M3 remains the ultimate expression of the BMW 3 Series.”

The BMW 3 Series, originally introduced to the United States market in 1977, is now in its fifth generation. For the 2011 model year, the 3 Series name actually covers a wide array of models all sharing the common theme of traditional BMW values: compact dimensions, near-perfect 50-50 weight distribution, excellent outward visibility, precise ergonomics, smooth, responsive engines, and superb control feel. Available as a Coupe, Sedan, Convertible, and Sport Wagon, as well as two- and all-wheel drive variants, the 3 Series can be configured for a range of active lifestyles. At the top of the 3 Series are the fire-breathing M3 Coupe, Sedan, and Convertible. The M3 is powered by a 4.0-liter, 414-horsepower V8 engine and represents decades of race-bred development by BMW M GmbH. As a pure expression of The Ultimate Driving Machine®, every 3 Series model, regardless of engine configuration or body style, is available with a six-speed manual gearbox (335d Sedan with 425 lb-ft of torque excluded). Also standard is BMW Ultimate Service, including no-cost maintenance for four years or 50,000 miles.

 BMW Group In America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975.  Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003.  The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country.  BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 and X3 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes.  The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 336 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 143 BMW motorcycle retailers, 100 MINI passenger car dealers, and 31 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers.  BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at:

www.bmwgroupna.com.

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Journalist note: Information about BMW and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwusanews.com. 

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