BMW BRINGS THX CERTIFIED SOUND TO BMW Z4

Z4 Roadster and Coupe are First European Cars to Offer a THX Certified Car
Audio System.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - March 29, 2006... Great music and a great car are, for
many, critical ingredients for the ultimate driving experience. BMW is no
exception. Now, the exceptional sound quality of BMW audio systems has been
acknowledged by THX Ltd., the world's leading developer of technologies and
certification programs for the entertainment industry. By achieving THX
certification on the BMW Z4's premium sound system, BMW drivers and passengers
are provided a car audio experience that rivals high-end home entertainment
systems. This makes BMW the first European car manufacturer to offer a THX
Certified Car Audio System. The THX Certified Car Audio System is available in
the BMW Z4 Roadster and Z4 M Roadster, the BMW Z4 Coupe and Z4 M Coupe.

THX Certification for the top sound system in the BMW Z4.
THX Ltd. was established in 1983 by filmmaker George Lucas to improve the way
cinema audiences experience feature films. THX today continues this spirit of
innovation at the box office and beyond. The company has taken its mix of
technology and certification programs to emerging entertainment media,
including home theatre systems, DVDs, video games and high performance car
audio systems.

The THX Certified Car Audio system in the BMW Z4 is designed to deliver a music
experience as the artist intended. So whether the focus is on classical music
or pop, both the driver and passengers in a BMW Z4 will enjoy their favourite
music programme - with a standard of intensity and brilliance traditionally
offered by the most sophisticated home entertainment systems.

BMW develops sound systems for the top connoisseur of audio quality.
BMW's sound systems are configured and coordinated individually for each model
within the BMW range. This ensures that each system meets all the demands made
of each vehicle's varying size and body contours. "One of the particular
challenges is to develop optimum sound systems for a convertible required to
offer the same listening experience with the roof both open and closed" says
Edgar Kirk, Head of Development of Audio Systems of the BMW Group. BMW's
engineers offer a premium sound system, developed specifically for the BMW
Z4 M Roadster and BMW Z4 Roadster to become BMW's first THX Certified Audio
System. The premium sound system will be tailored for the BMW Z4 Coupe.

THX engineers worked closely with BMW to analyze in detail the Z4's cabin
acoustics, speakers and other audio components in order to check whether they
performed to THX specifications. THX rigorously tested the audio system under a
variety of road and driving conditions. THX analyzed the system for dynamic
range, frequency response, power output and distortion. The result is a THX
Certified System that delivers a smooth, clean sound.

BMW Carver technology, a digital ten-channel audio amplifier, and a digital
sound processor all interact to ensure a supreme THX Certified sound experience.
The Z4 premium sound system offers the option to choose the experience of
enjoying music either in an open-air stage or a concert hall setting. In order
to offer the aficionado of roadster and coupé motoring not only a unique
driving experience, but also an incomparable experience of sound, BMW has
introduced Carver technology into this THX Certified system. "Thanks to Carver
technology, a high sound pressure can be produced with a small speaker
diameter" says Edgar Kirk. The limited package space available for large bass
speakers in a two-seater can be used in the best possible way. Requiring a
volume of only 10 liters per loudspeaker, the system is able to generate
enormous sound pressure (output level) of more than 120 db. A digital
10-channel audio amplifier and sound processor, in turn, gives the sub-woofers
an output of 100 Watts. Two woofers each developing 40 Watts are positioned at
the front of the car, six midrange loudspeakers and tweeters are fitted in the
doors and behind the seats, each driven by a 25 Watts terminal. The premium
sound system develops a total power output of 430 Watts.

THX certification combined with BMW's Carver technology, top-end amplifiers and
the perfect configuration of sound sources within the car ensures a premium
sound experience for both driver and passengers. "We are very happy that our
work is honoured in this way," declares Edgar Kirk.

The THX philosophy: Deliver entertainment experiences that are true to the
artist's vision.
THX is one of the few entertainment companies in the world that works to
optimize how music, films and other content is created in the studio, while
also focusing on the consumers entertainment experience in the cinema, home and
automobile. In order to achieve THX certification, car audio systems must be
designed to meet THX's rigorous standards for quality and performance. THX
works with automakers to make sure speaker layout and positioning, and acoustic
performance are optimal for distributing sound throughout the vehicle. "THX
Certified Car Audio systems are best in class because they are designed to
present music exactly like it was produced in the recording studio or concert
hall" says Laurie Fincham, Chief Science Officer at THX Ltd.

Today, THX certification is applied to consumer environments including home
entertainment systems, HiFi components, DVD productions, multi-media speakers
and components, as well as PC and video games. Leading companies from around
the globe look to THX to help them create products and build venues that
deliver the highest quality entertainment experience. "By teaming with BMW to
offer a THX Certified System in the BMW Z4, we are combining the strengths of
two world's premium brands to deliver an exceptional car audio experience,"
adds Fincham.