Award Winner: BMW 3 Series

• BMW Scoops Car of The Year Award
• BMW 3 Series crowned AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE “Automobile of the Year”
• BMW M5 named to list of All-Stars
• BMW’s magnesium alloy straight-six honoured with “Technology of the Year”

The BMW 3 Series Sedan has been crowned “Automobile of the Year” for 2006 by Automobile Magazine in the United States.

The magnesium alloy six-cylinder engine family found in the BMW 130i, 325i, 330i, 525i and 530i, was named “Technology of the Year.”

The new V10-powered BMW M5 was also named to the list of AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE All-Stars for 2006.

This represents the 15th consecutive time that BMW has appeared on the list of AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE All-Stars Awards.

BMW 3 Series Sedan – 2006 “Automobile of the Year”
Naming the all-new 3 Series Sedan “Automobile of the Year”, the editors wrote, “BMW has produced a car that is the gold standard for its class, something that all other automakers feel they have to measure up to.” Recognizing the significance of the BMW 3 Series Sedan not only to the marketplace, but also to BMW, the editors noted, “No one at BMW has lost sight of why the car is so important and why people love driving it.”

2006 Technology of the Year

BMW’s long-standing commitment to advancing the in-line six-cylinder engine was demonstrated again this year with the introduction of the newest rendition featuring magnesium alloy bedplate construction and BMW’s VALVETRONIC electronically controlled valve train.

This advancement was acknowledged by the editors who wrote, “Saving 10kg while increasing peak output by 20 kW with no mileage loss (fuel consumption penalty) earns BMW’s 12th-generation I-6 engine AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE’S 2006 Technology of the Year award.”

BMW M5 named a 2006 All-Star

A 507-horsepower (373 kW) V10 engine mated to a seven-speed sequential manual gearbox is a description worthy of a true exotic. That the new BMW M5 wraps this drive train with luxury-sedan appointments and practicality makes it unique.

In selecting the M5 as one of its 2006 All-Stars, the editors of AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE remarked: “Not only is the M5 insanely fast, but it’s incredibly composed as well.”

“We’re extremely grateful to the editors of AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE for this recognition of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan as well as its new engine. The editors clearly understand that it is often more difficult to replace an acknowledged segment leader than to introduce a new car,” said Tom Purves, Chairman and CEO of BMW of North America.

“Based on awards like this and the reaction by customers the new BMW 3 Series Sedan is a worthy successor.

“When a magazine founded under the ethos of ‘no boring cars’ acknowledges cars like the new M5 as an All-Star it is very gratifying indeed.”

© Copyright 2006 Driveguide.com.au

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