BMW is successful in the “auto motor und sport” readers’ vote.

BMW 7 Series, BMW 5 Series and BMW X1 receive “BEST CARS 2016” award.

Munich/Stuttgart. Three awards go to BMW in the “auto motor und sport” readers’ vote "BEST CARS 2016": the new BMW 7 Series and the also in 2015 launched second generation of the BMW X1 were the readers’ first choice in their respective categories (“Luxury Performance Segment” and “Compact SUV”) just a short time after their market debuts. And for the sixth time in succession readers chose the BMW 5 Series for the BEST CARS award in the “Upper Mid-Range” category. These achievements once again emphasise the role of BMW as the world’s leading premium manufacturer.

BMW 7 Series swiftly asserts its superiority within its category.
Having seen its public debut in autumn 2015 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the new BMW 7 Series attracted 22 per cent of readers’ votes in the category “Luxury Performance Segment”. BMW has set a new benchmark with the sixth generation of this luxury sedan. Its numerous innovations include a body structure with Carbon Core, making the new BMW 7 Series up to 130 kilograms lighter than the previous generation. Non-dazzle BMW laserlight, partially automated driver assistance systems and the suspension system Executive Drive Pro take driving pleasure, safety and travel comfort to the very highest level. In terms of operating comfort, the BMW 7 Series offers unique innovations such as gesture control, remote-controlled parking and Touch Command at the rear. All model variants of the BMW 7 Series are available with extended wheelbase and BMW xDrive. The power units currently on offer are two in-line 6-cylinder diesel engines, one V8 and an in-line 6-cylinder petrol engine. This range will be further extended in the course of 2016 to include three model variants with plug-in hybrid drive. BMW eDrive Technology provides luxurious and efficient driving pleasure in the BMW 740e, BMW 740Le and BMW 740Le xDrive. The combination of in-line 4-cylinder engine and electric motor offers a system output of 240 kW/326 hp and an electric range of up to 40 kilometres (combined fuel consumption: 2.1 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions: 49 g/km, provisional figures for the BMW 740e)*.

BMW 5 Series once again wins the “Upper Mid-Range” category.
The BMW 5 Series has been at the top of the best-seller lists for premium business models for half a decade. Last year more than 347,000 of the model were purchased worldwide – and this popularity is reflected in the “auto motor und sport” “BEST CARS 2016” awards: here the BMW 5 Series made it to the top of the winner’s rostrum for the sixth time in succession, this year attracting 23.7 per cent of the votes in the “Upper Mid-Range” category. Three body variants contribute to the car’s popularity, as do a wide range of efficient diesel and petrol engines with four, six and eight cylinders. The spectrum ranges from the very economical BMW 518d (combined fuel consumption: 4.3–4.7 l/100 km)* to the highly sporty BMW M5, which with the optional Competition Package has an output of up to 423 kW/575 hp (combined fuel consumption: 9.9 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions: 231 g/km)*. With its “combination of comfort, dynamic performance and modern infotainment, the 5 Series is just what customers are looking for”, according to “auto motor und sport” in its explanation of the model's success.

The new BMW X1 impresses readers.
The second model generation of the Sports Activity Vehicle BMW X1 went on the market in 2015 with a body design that is characteristic of the new generation of the BMW X model family. It combines robust proportions with dynamic lines, giving the BMW X1 a supreme presence. Transversely installed engines and five centimetres of additional roof height provide a definite bonus in terms of interior space and load capacity as well as increased versatility, though according to “auto motor und sport” the BMW X1 still remains “as agile as ever”. The engine portfolio comprises three petrol and three diesel engines. Two engine variants of the new BMW X1 are fitted with modern front-wheel drive, while all others have a new and highly efficient version of the all-wheel drive system BMW xDrive. Certain new features are now available for the BMW X1 for the first time, for example the BMW Head-Up Display which projects the most important driving-related information onto the windscreen into the driver’s field of vision, full LED headlamps and Dynamic Damper Control. Readers were suitably impressed with this overall package and gave the BMW X1 22.6 per cent of votes to put it first in the “Compact SUV” category.

115,239 participants chose their favourites from among 364 vehicles.
The BEST CARS awards presented by the German automobile magazine “auto motor und sport” are highly coveted - readers have been given the opportunity to choose their favourite for 40 years. This year there were a total of 364 vehicles to choose from in eleven categories, and 115,239 participants cast their vote by post or online. The BEST CAR awards were presented on January 28th at a gala event held at the International Congress Center Stuttgart in Messe Stuttgart. In addition to its three class victories, the excellent overall showing by BMW also included five more top three placements for the models BMW i3, BMW 2 Series Coupé, BMW 3 Series, BMW 6 Series Convertible and BMW 2 Series Active Tourer/Gran Tourer.

* The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on the ECE test cycle, dependent on tyre format.

For further details on official fuel consumption figures, official specific CO2emissions and power consumption of new cars, please refer to the "Manual on fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and power consumption of new cars", available at sales outlets, from Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at http://www.dat.de/angebote/verlagsprodukte/leitfaden-kraftstoffverbrauch.html. ManualCO2 (PDF ‒ 2.7 MB)