Media Alert: First-Ever BMW X7 Sports Activity Vehicle, BMW 8 Series Convertible, BMW M340i Sedan and BMW Vision iNEXT Concept to Debut at LA Auto Show’s AutoMobility LA 2018.

• BMW Press Conference Scheduled for Wednesday, November 28 at 8:40 a.m.  

• Additional New Featured 2019 Vehicles Include BMW Z4 M40i Roadster, BMW 8 Series Coupe and BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle

• BMW Vision iNEXT Concept to be Previewed at an Off-Site Event on Tuesday, November 27

After showcasing the BMW X7 and BMW 8 Series concepts at last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, BMW returns to the 2018 show with both production ready vehicles. The two all-new vehicles will make their world premieres alongside the all-new BMW M340i sedan and the future-focused BMW Vision iNEXT Concept at the BMW press conference on Wednesday, November 28 at 8:40 a.m. PST on the BMW stand in the Los Angeles Convention Center.  The BMW press conference will also be livestreamed on www.BMWUSANews.com.  English, German and Spanish-speaking BMW representatives will be available for interviews throughout both press days on Wednesday, November 28 and Thursday, November 29.

In addition to events at the Convention Center, BMW will host a special off-site preview of the BMW Vision iNEXT Concept on Tuesday, November 27.  For more information, please contact Phil DiIanni at phil.diianni@bmwna.com.

The first-ever BMW X7 Sports Activity Vehicle makes its world premiere in Los Angeles. The newest and largest model in the BMW X line-up uses outstanding powertrain options and chassis technology, plus generous levels of space in each of its three rows of seats, and advanced equipment features, to deliver an unparalleled experience for the driver and passengers. The design of the new chassis provides the best balance of exceptional traction on rough terrain and excellent dynamic response and ride comfort on pavement. The BMW X7 comes standard with two-axle air suspension and electronically controlled dampers to sharpen the vehicle’s handling, while at the same time increasing ride comfort. The BMW X7 will begin production at BMW’s Spartanburg, SC plant later this year in preparation for its March 2019 market launch.  

The BMW 8 Series Convertible makes its world premiere alongside the new BMW 8 Series Coupe in Los Angeles, marking the return of the famed BMW nameplate for the first time in 20 years.  The new BMW M850i xDrive features a 530hp V8 twin-turbocharged engine – the latest generation of BMW’s award-winning 4.4-liter 8-cylinder engine – combined with BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive and BMW Efficient Lightweight design. Body, powertrain and suspension were all honed to achieve the agility, precision and poise expected of a top-class premium sports coupe.

The BMW 3 Series has epitomized the concept of a sports sedan for more than 40 years, exuding dynamic design, agile handling, exceptional efficiency and innovative equipment features.  Following the debut of the all-new BMW 3 Series in Paris this October, the M Performance variant of the seventh generation BMW 3 Series makes its world premiere in Los Angeles.  The all-new BMW M340i Sedan showcases the full dynamic potential of the all-new BMW 3 Series.  An updated 382 hp 3.0-liter, 6-cylinder in-line engine, M Performance chassis tuning, xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive and the standard M Sport rear differential will deliver performance attributes that will impress any driver.  The new BMW 3 Series Sedan also features a full suite of advanced driver assistance systems designed to ease the driver’s workload in monotonous driving conditions – such as traffic jams – and assist with difficult maneuvering situations. The new model generation offers a far wider choice of standard and optionally available systems to enhance specific aspects of comfort and safety. These advanced driver assistance systems position the new BMW 3 Series Sedan ahead of its rivals in automated driving.

The new, third-generation BMW Z4 M40i Roadster is a premium open-top sports car boasting a classic fabric soft-top, an emotion-packed body design and a pure, driver-focused interior. Agility, performance and precise handling have always been top priorities for the Z4 family but the new two-seater’s body, powertrain and chassis have all been developed to ensure the new Z4 Roadster arrives with a genuine sports car performance pedigree. A perfect 50:50 weight distribution, the newly designed front double-joint spring strut suspension and the new five-link rear suspension are complemented by the standard rear M Sport differential, while M Sport brakes ensure the chassis is fully capable of using all of the power and torque available from the BMW 3.0-liter 6-cylinder inline motor. 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque help the Z4 M40i Roadster sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.

Launched earlier this year, the all-new, fourth-generation BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle retains the hallmark proportions of an SAV, while offering an all-new streamlined design language including clean surfacing and precise lines that accentuate elegant poise and authority.  A sculpted hood, a short front overhang, lightly hexagonal wheel arches and the dynamic sweep of the roofline exemplify the sporty, yet rugged, character of the all-new 2019 BMW X5.  The BMW X5 offers an array of significantly expanded driver assistance systems, such as Extended Traffic Jam Assist for limited access highways that uses an interior camera to monitor the driver’s attention to the road ahead, reducing the requirement of putting one’s hands on the steering wheel every 30-50 seconds. Off-road capabilities have been greatly enhanced with the available Off-Road Package that includes two-axle air suspension, M Sport rear locking differential and four drive modes tailored to maximize traction on sand, gravel, rocks and snow. Remote starting and a factory installed trailer tow hitch, rated for 7,200 pounds, also make their debut. Since its introduction almost 20 years ago, the BMW X5 has helped define the premium Sports Activity Vehicle segment, selling more than 2.2 million units worldwide. 

Highly automated, emission-free and fully connected, the BMW Vision iNEXT Concept brings all of the BMW Group’s strategic innovation fields together for the first time.  The fully electric iNEXT boasts the size and proportions of a modern BMW Sports Activity Vehicle and instantly conveys its trailblazing through clearly sculpted forms and surfaces.  The BMW Vision iNEXT brings the possibility of autonomous mobility into the near future and showcases the BMW Group’s approach in the strategic fields of autonomous driving, electric mobility, connectivity and intelligent design.  The series-produced version of the BMW iNEXT will arrive in 2021. 

DATE:     Wednesday, November 28, 2018

TIME:      Press Conference: 8:40 a.m. – 9:10 a.m. PST

                Interviews: All Day

PLACE:  Los Angeles Convention Center

               South Hall, BMW Stand  

               1201 South Figueroa St

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BMW executives and experts available for interviews include:

• Klaus Fröhlich, Member of the Board of Management, BMW AG, Development

Klaus Fröhlich is available to discuss global development of BMW Group vehicles.

• Pieter Nota, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Brand BMW, Aftersales BMW Group

Pieter Nota is available to discuss the BMW brand and BMW sales globally.

• Bernhard Kuhnt, President & CEO, BMW of North America

Bernhard Kuhnt is available to discuss overall company business and strategy in North America.

• Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President, BMW Group Design, BMW AG

Adrian van Hooydonk is available to discuss design for BMW Group’s complete product portfolio.

• Elmar Frickenstein, Senior Vice President, Autonomous Driving, BMW AG

Elmar Frickenstein is available to discuss BMW’s development of autonomous driving capabilities.

• Frank Weber, Senior Vice President BMW Luxury Class BMW AG

Frank Weber is available to discuss the technical topics of the BMW Luxury Class, especially the BMW 8 Series Coupe and Convertible.

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

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

• Robert Irlinger, Head of BMW i

Robert Irlinger is available to discuss the BMW i brand, brand strategy and BMW i product portfolio.

• Stefan Juraschek, Vice President Development, Electrified Drivetrains

Stefan Juraschek is available to discuss electric drivetrain development in current and future models. 

• Jozef Kaban, Vice President Design BMW

Jozef Kaban is available to discuss the design of all BMW brand vehicles.

• Domagoj Dukec, Vice President Design BMW M and BMW i

Domagoj Dukec is available to discuss the design of all BMW i and BMW M vehicles.

• Matthias Junghanns, Head of BMW i Interior Design

Matthias Junghanns is available to discuss the interior design of the BMW Vision iNEXT Concept.

• Holger Hampf, President of Designworks

Holger Hampf is available to discuss Designworks business.

• Stephan Peters, Project Manager Human Machine Interface Generation 2018

Stephan Peters is available to discuss BMW’s new iDrive 7.0 user interface system.

• Carsten Groeber, Head of Product Management BMW Luxury Class

Carsten Groeber is available to discuss the sales and marketing topics related to the BMW X7.

• Sarah Lessmann, Product Manager, BMW 8 Series, BMW AG

Sarah Lessmann is available to discuss the sales and marketing topics related to BMW 8 Series Coupe and Convertible.

• Joerg Wunder, Head of Project BMW X7

Joerg Wunder is available to discuss the technical topics related to the BMW X7. 

• Ralph Mahler, Head of BMW U.S. Product Planning & Strategy

Ralph Mahler is available to discuss the current and future product portfolios in the U.S.

• Christian Voigt, Product Strategy Manager, BMW of North America

Christian Voigt is available to discuss overarching BMW product strategy in the U.S.

• Kate Alini, Product Manager, BMW 7 and 8 Series, BMW of North America

Kate Alini is available to discuss the features of the BMW X7 and BMW 8 Series Coupe and Convertible.

• Alanna Tracey-BahriBMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW X3 and BMW X5 Product Manager, BMW of North America

Alanna Tracey-Bahri is available to discuss the features of the BMW M340i and BMW X5.

• Don Smith, Technology and Connected Services Manager, BMW of North America

Don Smith is available to discuss connectivity and technology topics including BMW Connected, Driver Assist Systems, iDrive 7 and Intelligent Personal Assistant.

• John Kelly, BMW M, BMW i, BMW X1 and BMW X2 Product Manager, BMW of North America

John Kelly is available to discuss the product features of the BMW Vision iNEXT Concept.

• John Shipley, BMW 7 Series, BMW 8 Series and BMW X7 Product Specialist, BMW of North America

John Shipley is available to discuss the product features of the BMW X7 and BMW 8 Series Coupe and Convertible.

• William Parker, Senior Accessories Specialist – M Performance & Electronics, BMW of North America  

William Parker is available to discuss BMW M Performance parts and accessories.

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