BMW Overview for 2007 NAIAS

Press Release

New BMW 3 Series Convertible World premiere

The 2007 automobile year begins with an open attraction: for the start of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2007, BMW presents the new BMW 3 Series Convertible. The world premiere of the two-door model - fitted with a retractable hard top for the first time - will be one of the highlights of this internationally renowned trade show, which is to be held from January 7th - 21st 2007 at the heart of America's automobile industry. Another of BMW's highlights is the new BMW X5.
This completely newly developed Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) offers superior driving dynamics in a highly luxurious ambience and is also the first BMW ever to offer space for up to seven passengers. What is more, BMW will be presenting attractive visions for individual mobility of the future to the Detroit public. In this context the company will be showing the BMW Hydrogen 7 at the NAIAS 2007 - the world's first hydrogen-powered luxury sedan designed for everyday use.

The new BMW 3 Series Convertible provides an appealing foretaste of summer at this first important automobile show of the year. The fourth edition of the convertible based on the BMW 3 Series combines unique open-air feeling with outstanding driving dynamics. Thanks to its flat and horizontally oriented sill line, the new model also provides the characteristic open-top driving experience of a BMW 3 Series Convertible. At the top of the model range is the new BMW 335i Convertible, powered by a 225 kW/306 bhp in-line 6-cylinder engine with Twin Turbo charging and High Precision Injection.

In Europe, the market launch of the new BMW 3 Series Convertible will be on March 24th 2007 - at the same time as the new BMW X5, which will also be on show at the NAIAS 2007. The new edition of the world's most successful Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) is produced at the American BMW plant in Spartanburg and is already awaited with great excitement by the US market - a market which is so important for vehicles in this segment. With superior driving dynamics, a supreme visual appearance and outstanding exclusivity, the new BMW X5 continues the success story of its predecessor. Its engine power is distributed permanently and variably between the front and rear axle by means of the intelligent all-wheel drive system BMW xDrive. The outstanding qualities of the new BMW X5 also include its luxurious ambience and increased interior space, allowing the integration of a third row of seats for the first time.

As particularly spectacular evidence of innovative power, outstanding expertise in the drive sector and future-oriented development work, BMW will be presenting in Detroit the world's first hydrogen-powered luxury sedan which is suitable for everyday use. The BMW Hydrogen 7 shows clearly that the inevitable need to eventually dispense with fossil fuels does not have to mean doing without sheer driving pleasure. The BMW 7 Series model is produced in small series and is powered by 6.0 litre 12-cylinder engine which can run on both hydrogen and conventional petrol. Regardless of which fuel is used, the V12 engine of the BMW Hydrogen 7 delivers 191 kW/260 bhp. The luxury sedan accelerates in 9.5 seconds to 100 km/h. Its top speed is electronically cut off at 230 km/h.

With the presentation of the BMW 3 Series Convertible, the BMW X5 and the BMW Hydrogen 7, the German premium manufacturer gives the starting signal in Detroit for an eventful year with numerous attractive model presentations. The organisers of the NAIAS 2007 are also taking a look into the past: the show now boasts a 100-year tradition. The Detroit Auto Dealers Association first held a vehicle fair for regional visitors in the year 1907. In the anniversary year the organisers are anticipating almost 100 exhibitors and some 800,000 visitors from all over the world.