Winter News in Brief from BMW Group UK.

BMW Group UK is pleased to be celebrating another successful year end, after collecting a variety of awards over the winter months, including accolades from Auto Express, Carwow and Fleet News. Meanwhile, BMW M Motorsport pays homage to a racing-game legend.

The iconic BMW M3 GTR from Need for Speed™: Most Wanted is now a reality.
To commemorate 30 years of the Need for Speed™ racing game franchise, BMW M has brought a virtual icon to reality by recreating the E46 BMW M3 GTR which starred in 2005’s Need for Speed™: Most Wanted. Built by BMW M Motorsport in 2001 and now adorned with a striking silver-blue livery reminiscent of the game’s hero car, this very special M model will feature on display in the BMW Welt in Munich until 6 January 2025.

In addition, gamers can reprise their position behind the wheel of this nostalgia-infused legend as the M3 GTR makes its return in the latest title from EA Games: Need for Speed™ Unbound Vol. 9: Prepare for Lockdown. Players can also look forward to more BMW content in this edition, including the BMW S 1000 RR 2019 motorcycle - the first bike to appear in a Need for Speed™ game.

For further details, click here to read the full article in BMW M Magazine.

Triple success for BMW Group at the Auto Express Used Car Awards 2024.
BMW Group was victorious at the Auto Express Used Car Awards 2024, taking home three award wins across a variety of categories. The awards highlight the best used cars across 19 categories including value for money, reliability and driving experience.

MINI was successful in two categories, with the MINI Hatch winning ‘Best Used City Car’ and MINI Convertible taking home ‘Best Used Convertible’. The title praised the retro styling, slick interior, and engaging driving dynamics of the MINI Hatch, commenting “the level of refinement and stability on offer will have drivers convinced that they’re piloting a larger car”. Auto Express also complimented the interior and exterior design of the MINI Convertible, commenting on the generous high-quality materials and refinement of the soft top roof. 

‘Best Used Luxury Car’ went to the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé, with Auto Express highlighting its superb design, glorious driving experience, fabulous cabin, and brilliant engines as reasons for the win.

BMW does the double at the 2024 Fleet News FN50 Awards.
BMW proudly received both headline awards at the Fleet News FN50 Dinner 2024. Based on data from the UK’s 50 largest leasing companies, BMW was yet again recognised as the overall most reliable car brand, marking the ninth time it has received this distinction. Meanwhile, the BMW 3 Series retained its title as ‘Most Reliable Car Model’ for the fourth consecutive year.

Speaking on the win, Stephen Briers, Editor of Fleet News, said: “It’s a great achievement for BMW to regain its title as the UK’s most reliable car maker this year. FN50 leasing companies operate more than 1.3 million cars, making this one of the largest vehicle reliability surveys of its kind. Earning a spot anywhere on this list is a significant accomplishment, but being named the most reliable is a true testament to a manufacturer’s dedication and hard work in creating vehicles that can be depended on.”

BMW X5 named the ‘Adventurer’s Choice’ at The Carwow Car of the Year Awards.
The Carwow Car of the Year Awards name the best new cars currently available while providing expert car-buying advice to those wanting to reduce their shortlist. This year, the BMW X5 topped the ‘Adventurer’s Choice’ category, as it was commended by Carwow for its “powerful yet efficient engines”, “high-quality interior” and for being “genuinely enjoyable to drive.”

Carwow Chief Content Officer, Mat Watson said, “The BMW X5 is a great choice if you have an outdoorsy lifestyle, because it has space for you, your family and friends as well as all their things. The spacious boot is accessed via a split tailgate, which makes for a great place to sit and remove your wellies, or drink a coffee and soak in the views. Four-wheel drive means it’s useful if you head off the beaten track, too.”

BMW 3 Series voted Premium Used Car of the Year at the 2024 Motor Trader Industry Awards.
Adding a seventh accolade to its 2024 tally, the BMW 3 Series was recently named ‘Premium Used Car of the Year’ at the 34^th annual Motor Trader Industry Awards – a celebration of excellence across motor retailing.

David Beattie, Used Cars Sales Director, BMW Group UK, said, "We at BMW UK are so proud of the 3 Series. To many it represents the heart of the BMW model range. Now in its seventh generation, there is a huge range of 3 Series models on the road in the UK, offering something for every buyer, making it an excellent choice in the used car market. We’re extremely grateful to the Motor Trader judging panel for choosing the BMW 3 Series and to our retail partners across the country for ensuring its continued success.”

Double win for BMW Group at the Autovista Residual Value Awards.
Informed by data from 17 European markets, the annual Autovista Group Residual Value Awards identify vehicles which represent best-in-class value retention across a range of segments, body types and powertrains. The BMW Group received two awards in 2024, with the BMW i5 and MINI Aceman each outperforming their respective rivals.

The BMW i5 took the top spot in the ‘Compact and Large Battery-Electric Vehicle’ category, just ahead of the BMW i4, which this year placed second after winning the same accolade in 2023. On accepting the award, Nicole Mattig, Head of Corporate Sales for Europe, BMW AG, said, “We are delighted to accept this AutoVista24 Residual Value Award for the BMW i5. Available with an all-electric powertrain for the first time, the eighth-generation BMW 5 Series marries benchmark driving dynamics with an array of innovative technology, including advanced driver assistance systems, the BMW Curved display and My Modes for a customisable driving experience. This, combined with a high level of standard specification, ensures a compelling product offering for our most discerning customers across Europe.”

Meanwhile, the MINI Aceman demonstrated the strongest residual value predictions in the ‘Small Battery-Electric Vehicle’ category, with Autovista Group commending the crossover’s infusion of “typical MINI DNA in terms of style, practicality and premium ambitions.” “Its futuristic look makes it stick out in the segment, while it conserves and upgrades MINI design cues,” judges added.

BMW i5 Touring is GREENFLEET’s Vehicle of the Year.
Rounding off a successful year, the BMW i5 Touring received its fifth 2024 accolade after being named GREENFLEET’s Vehicle of the Year. Presented on 5 December at Coventry Building Society Arena, the GREENFLEET Awards recognise the businesses, fleets and individuals committed to transport decarbonisation.

Commenting on the win, Angela Pisanu, Editor of GREENFLEET said, "The BMW i5 Touring was crowned GREENFLEET's Vehicle of the Year for 2024 for its rewarding driving dynamic, build quality, technological innovation, and impressive range of up to 343 miles. Offering long-distance comfort with high levels of driver engagement, the i5 Touring was our worthy winner."

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

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For further information please contact:

Sam Buckingham
Press Officer, MINI
Tel: 07815 362 262
Samuel.Buckingham@mini.co.uk

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372 480
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
General Manager, Communications
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk