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.October 22, 2003
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This Week:

• BMW Asian Debuts at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show: Three New Model Series, Numerous Innovations

• Jeep® Treo Designers Look into the Future to Create Earth-Friendly 'Urban Mobility Vehicle'

• GM, Isuzu, Suzuki and Fuji Heavy Industries Join Together In Tokyo

• The new Lancia Ypsilon: Elegant and luxury design with great driving pleasure

• New Saab 9-2X To Debut In Los Angeles In December

• New research vehicle F 500 points the way for the automotive technology of the future

• Ford, Changan Group Agree To Expand Production And Build New Car And Engine Plants In China

• Mini's Built To Order Drive Strong Demand, Strong Sales

• Honda Announces Automobiles and Motorcycles to be Displayed at the 37th Tokyo Motor Show

• Toyota Breaks Ground In San Antonio

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BMW Asian Debuts at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show: Three New Model Series, Numerous Innovations

 
 

BMW 645Ci Coupe Tokyo - BMW is setting new highlights at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show with no less than three new models being introduced at the same time: As a dream car of the highest standard, the new 6 Series Coupé is continuing the tradition of BMW's legendary luxury coupés. Both elegant and dynamic in one, the BMW 645 Ci may rightly claim, through its engine, its sporting driving characteristics, and generous space inside, to set a new benchmark in the luxury sports coupé segment. The new BMW X3, in turn, represents the same kind of exceptional breakthrough: Very dynamic and versatile all in one, this new model extends the successful BMW X-family, combining the outstanding agility of a typical BMW with the broad scope of benefits offered by a Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). And at the same time the X3 is the first premium SAV below the X5 to enter the market.

Dream car of the year 2003: the new 6 Series Coupé

The 6 Series Coupé is low, long and wide, a luxury coupé with a powerful aura of self-confidence: 4,820 millimetres or 189.8´´ in length, 1,855 millimetres or 73.0´´ in width, and just 1,373 millimetres or 54.1´´ in height ? these are remarkable dimensions for a sports coupé offering ample space inside. And like on the 5 and 7 Series, all functions essential for motoring are accommodated either directly on the steering wheel or in its immediate vicinity. Highlights in the long list of sophisticated features are the audio system with a supreme standard of sound quality comparable to a home entertainment system as well as automatic air conditioning, both fitted as standard.

V8 power unit for dynamic motoring pleasure

The 4.4-litre V8 power unit with fully variable VALVETRONIC valve management already featured in the 745i guarantees dynamic power and performance with maximum output of 245 kW or 333 bhp. This gives the new 6 Series Coupé a top speed electronically limited to 250 km/h or 155 mph. And naturally the car reaches this speed with absolute ease, just as it accelerates smoothly and dynamically to 100 km/h from a standstill in 5.6 seconds with its manual six-speed gearbox.

Body and suspension in intelligent lightweight technology

To really experience and enjoy the 6 Series Coupé, however, you have to drive the car and savour its qualities on the road: Supreme driving comfort combined with equally supreme performance is the convincing result of intelligent lightweight technology borne out in particular by the innovative luminium/steel/plastic construction of the body. The side panels at the front, for example, as well as the rear lid are made of plastic, the entire front section, the front lid and the doors are aluminium. And it almost goes without saying that the excellent chassis and suspension of the new 6 Series Coupé are made of light alloy supplemented by all relevant electronic control systems such as DSC Dynamic Stability Control including DTC Dynamic Traction Control.

The 'intelligent' Dynamic Drive suspension control system almost completely compensating body sway in bends as well as BMW's unique Active Steering (more direct transmission ratio at lower speeds, more indirect ratio at higher speeds) are also available as options.

The first compact Sports Activity in the world: the new BMW X3

BMW is enlarging the Sports Activity market segment by adding a new range the X3 is combining the agility of a compact BMW with the supreme driving experience of the X5. This brand-new and absolutely unique model series stands out from the start through its data alone: Measuring 4,565 millimetres or 179.7´´ in length, the X3 is 87 millimetres or 3.4´´ longer than the 3 Series Touring, but almost 300 millimetres or 11.8´´ shorter than the new 5 Series Saloon. And measuring 4,667 millimetres or 183.7´´ from bumper to bumper, the X5 is quite clearly the X3's bigger brother. Six-cylinder power units, six-speed transmission, and the new, electronically controlled xDrive all-wheel-drive system interact to ensure superior dynamism on the road. A special driving feeling is also conveyed by the high seating position, the generous feeling of space, and the designer features in BMW's compact SAV. This new BMW model series is entering the market in three model variants following one another ? the X3 3.0i powered by a 170 kW (231 bhp) gasoline engine, the X3 3.0d with a 150 kW (204 bhp) diesel, and the X3 2.5i with a 141 kW (192 bhp) gasoline power unit.

Making its world debut in the X3 and X5: the intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system

A particular highlight of the X3 also being introduced at the same time in the X5 is the all-new intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system setting new standards in the agility of all-wheel-drive vehicles. The 'heart' of this new system is the electronically controlled multiple-plate clutch enabling xDrive to spread out drive forces infinitely and fully variably between the front and rear axle. The system immediately recognises the need for a change in power distribution and responds extremely quickly, on the road usually before the wheel involved has even lost its grip. As a result, both the X3 and the X5 run like on rails even under adverse conditions, DSC stability control not being required to cut in until a far later point in time than with other drive concepts. In practice, of course, this adds more active safety to more driving pleasure. And a further feature is that xDrive is combined with BMW's HDC Hill Descent Control, an intelligent downhill control system for steep gradients, as well as BMW's unique trailer stability control.

Asia-wide Debut of the New 5 Series with Six- and Eight-Cylinder Power Units: 520i, 530i, and 545i

Photos: Automotive Intelligence

Entering the Market in South-East Asia in Autumn 2003.The new BMW 5 Series launched in the European markets in July 2003 in the guise of the 520i, 530i and 530d, is initially entering the South-Asian market with two straight-six power units and with an eight-cylinder: The 520i developing maximum output of 125 kW/170 bhp and maximum torque of 210 Nm/155 lb-ft, the 530i with 170 kW/231 bhp and 300 Nm/221 lb-ft, both featuring absolutely unique, silken-smooth bi-VANOS gasoline engines, and the 545i developing maximum output of 245 kW/333 bhp and with torque peaking at 450 Nm/332 lb-ft, featuring the V8 VALVETRONIC power unit carried over from the BMW 745i. All models come as standard with BMW's new six-speed manual gearbox, with six-speed automatic transmission available as an option.

(October 22, 2003)