BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe to make North American debut at New York International Auto Show.

BMW celebrates 40th anniversary of BMW of North America as well as the company’s first major motorsports victory in the US at the 12 Hours of Sebring with the1975 BMW 3.0 CSL. The 50th anniversary of ALPINA will be celebrated by showcasing a 1970 BMW 2002ti ALPINA race car, in addition to the new BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe.

BMW will celebrate the 40th anniversary of BMW North America as well as the company’s first major US motorsports victory at the 1975 12 Hours of Sebring at the 2015 New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, April 1 and Thursday, April 2, at the BMW Stand inside the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, 655 West 34th Street (at 11th Avenue), Manhattan. The company will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of ALPINA with the North American debut of the  2016 BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe. Additional vehicles that will be displayed at the BMW Stand include the Sebring-winning 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL, a current BMW Z4 GTLM race car, and a 1970 BMW 2002ti ALPINA race car. Other highlights will include the BMW i8 and  i3, as well as the BMW X5M, and X6M.

2015 marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of BMW of North America as a wholly-owned subsidiary. To celebrate, BMW will display some of the cornerstone vehicles that helped shape BMW’s presence in North America over the past four decades, including:

• The 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL won the 12 Hours of Sebring that year with “Bavarian Motor Works” prominently displayed on its windshield, firmly establishing BMW’s legacy in American motorsports which continues to this day. The BMW 3.0 CSL victory at Sebring helped give credence to the now legendary tagline “The Ultimate Driving Machine,” a phrase BMW has used uninterrupted for the past 40 years. Nicknamed the “Batmobile” by fans and one of the most successful production race cars of its day, the BMW 3.0 CSL is powered by a 3.5 liter, 430-horsepower inline-6 racing engine.
  
  
• Displayed with the BMW 3.0 CSL will be the 2015 BMW Z4 GTLM, the current race car of BMW Team RLL in the Tudor United Sports Car Championship series. The BMW Z4 GTLM is powered by a 4.4 liter, 480-horsepower BMW V8 engine.

2015 also marks the 50th anniversary of ALPINA Automobiles. To recognize the anniversary, the BMW ALPINA B6 Gran Coupe will make its North American debut at the NYIAS, displayed alongside the 1970 BMW 2002ti ALPINA.

• BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe is the fastest BMW car sold on the showroom floor, both in terms of acceleration from 0 to 60 mph (3.6 seconds) and in its maximum speed of 200 mph (electronically limited). The four-door Gran Coupe is equipped with a 4.4 liter V8, twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing 600 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, 60 horsepower more than the previous model year. The BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe uses the ALPINA-tuned 8-Speed Sport Automatic transmission and xDrive, BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive system. The BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe features a full stainless steel exhaust system with ALPINA trademark elliptical twin tailpipes. Additional updated design features include a newly -shaped front spoiler and apron to ensure the effective flow of air to the cooling system, new ALPINA hood, and BMW Full LED Adaptive Headlights with High Beam Assistant. The BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe will have limited production and arrives in U.S. dealerships in June 2015. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date. BMW is the exclusive North American importer of ALPINA Automobiles. BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe Press Kit.

• Displayed with the BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe will be a 1970 BMW 2002ti ALPINA race car. The BMW 2002ti ALPINA (“Touring Internationale”) was an iconic sport car racer in Europe in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Built by ALPINA GmbH, the BMW 2002ti ALPINA features ALPINA’s signature Weber side draft carburetors, engine upgrades, “pig cheek” flared fenders, and three-piece ALPINA light alloy wheels. The BMW 2002ti ALPINA is powered by a 2.0-liter, 220 horsepower, single overhead camshaft engine. The car is part of the BMW USA Classic Collection. 1970 BMW 2002ti ALPINA Press Kit.

The BMW i8 is the first plug-in hybrid 2+2 sports-car from BMW. It sits at the pinnacle of the BMW i lineup of visionary vehicles which are purpose built from the ground up as electric and hybrid electric, constructed primarily from lightweight carbon fiber. Currently in showrooms and priced at $137,450 including $950 Destination & Handling, the BMW i8 features an athletic design and a sleek, low slung exterior and operates with extremely high fuel efficiency. The BMW i8 has a U.S. EPA rating of 76 MPGe combined. It is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds on the way to an electronically governed top speed of 155 mph. BMW i8 Press Kit.

The BMW i3 is the first fully electric vehicle from BMW Group under BMW i’s growing lineup of visionary vehicles constructed from the ground up primarily from lightweight carbon fiber. With 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque hybrid-synchronous electric motor, the BMW i3 is electrified by a 22-kWh lithium-ion battery, good for approximately 80 miles of emission-free driving. The BMW i3 offers interior space comparable to the legendary BMW 3 Series on a shorter overall body. Its 32.3-foot turning circle and a relatively long wheelbase make it agile and engaging to drive, yet ideally suited to driving in dense urban areas. With a combined rating of 124 MPGe, the BMW i3 is the most electric vehicle as rated by the U.S. EPA. The BMW i3 is the only electric vehicle that offers the option of a range extender – a small gasoline engine that can act as a generator when the battery runs low. Currently in showrooms, the BMW i3 has a base MSRP of $43,350 and the range-extender model will have a starting MSRP of $47,200, including Destination & Handling. BMW i3 Press Kit.

The BMW i8 has been named a finalist for the 2015 World Car Awards’ “World Luxury Car” and “World Green Car” distinctions. In addition, the BMW M4 Coupe/ BMW M3 Sedan has been named as a finalist for the 2015 “World Performance Car” award. All category winners will be declared at NYIAS on Thursday, April 2.

In addition, from the New York Auto Show, BMW will announce an app integration involving a leading streaming music and digital radio network that will enhance the driving experience for BMW drivers.

DATES:         Wednesday, April 1 and Thursday, April 2

TIME:             Interviews all day

PLACE:         Jacob K. Javits Convention Center

                        655 West 34th Street (at 11th Avenue)

                        Manhattan

BMW executives and experts available for interviews include:

• Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America

Ludwig Willisch is available to discuss overall company business and strategy and the 40th anniversary of BMW of North America.

• Hildegard Wortmann, Head of Product Management Automobiles and Aftersales, BMW AG

Hildegard Wortmann is available to discuss current and forthcoming featured vehicles and global BMW sales.

• Trudy Hardy, Vice President of Marketing, BMW of North America

Trudy Hardy is available to discuss BMW’s marketing efforts in North America.

• Paul Ferraiolo, Head of Product Planning & Strategy, BMW of North America

Paul Ferraiolo is available to discuss current and forthcoming product portfolios as well as the BMW i products in the U.S.

• Kate Alini, Product Manager, BMW 6 Series and BMW 7 Series, BMW of North America

Kate Alini is available to discuss the technical specifics and details of the BMW 6 Series and BMW 7 Series.

• Jose Guerrero, Product Manager for BMW i, BMW M, and BMW Individual, BMW of North America

Jose Guerrero is available to discuss the BMW ALPINA B6 Gran Coupe, BMW i, and BMW M products and strategy in the U.S. market.

• Jason Chan, Product Manager, BMW 6 Series and BMW 7 Series, BMW of North America

Jason Chan is available to discuss the technical specifics and details of the BMW 6 Series and BMW 7 Series.

• Alanna Tracey-Bahri, Product Manager, BMW Z4, BMW X3, BMW X4, BMW X5, BMW X6, BMW 3 Series, BMW 4 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW of North America

Alanna Tracey-Bahri is available to discuss overarching product strategy and technical specifics for the BMW Z4, BMW X3, BMW X4, BMW X5, BMW X6, BMW 3 Series, BMW 4 Series, and BMW 5 Series.

• Andreas Bovensiepen, CEO, ALPINA Automobiles

Andreas Bovensiepen is available to discuss the overall business and strategy of ALPINA and the 50th anniversary of ALPINA.  

• Peter Burgner, Head of the BMW App Development Center USA, BMW of North America

Peter Burgner is available to discuss the launch of a new app that will be announced at the NYIAS.

• Brian Redman, Race Car driver of 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL
  Having won over 100 professional sports car races, racing legend Brian Redman is available to discuss his experience racing the BMW 3.0 CSL at famous venues such as Daytona, Sebring, and beyond..
  
  
• Bill Auberlen, Current Race Car driver of BMW Z4 GTLM
  In his 20th year of affiliation with the BMW brand, championship-winning driver Bill Auberlen is available to discuss his experience racing the BMW Z4 GTLM and previous BMW models.