Woodcliff Lake, NJ – December 9, 2011… The BMW 3 Series has been named to the Car and Driver 10Best Cars list for 2012, marking the 21st consecutive 10Best win for the BMW 3 Series. It is the only car to achieve such an unbroken string of wins.
“To receive this recognition for 21 years straight shows how consistently the BMW 3 Series has delivered on the promise of the Ultimate Driving Machine®,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO of BMW of North America, LLC.
“The 3 Series has been named to Car and Driver 10Best Cars through three complete generations. With an all-new 3 Series ready to debut early next year, we look forward to having the streak continue into the next generation.”
“After 21 consecutive years on the 10Best list, BMW continues to evolve the 3 Series toward some platonic ideal of sportiness, noted the editors of Car and Driver. “You don’t notice the seats, the steering, the suspension, or the brakes because everything feels natural. Everything feels right.”
The BMW 3 Series, originally introduced to the United States market in 1977, is now entering its sixth generation. For the 2012 model year, the 3 Series name covers a wide array of models all sharing the common theme of traditional BMW values: compact dimensions, near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution, excellent outward visibility, precise ergonomics, smooth yet responsive engines, and a direct connection to the road.
Available as a Coupe, Convertible, and Sport Wagon, as well as two- and all-wheel drive variants, the 3 Series can be configured for a range of active lifestyles. At the top of the 3 Series are the fire-breathing M3 Coupe and Convertible. The M3 is powered by a 4.0-liter, 414 horsepower V8 engine and represents decades of race-bred development by BMW M GmbH.
In February 2012, the sixth generation of BMW 3 Series Sedan will begin with the launch of the all-new BMW 328i and 335i Sedans. The 328i features BMW’s new TwinPower Turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. Both Sedans feature an 8-speed automatic transmission and Auto Start/Stop technology designed to optimize efficiency.
As a pure expression of The Ultimate Driving Machine, every 3 Series model, regardless of engine configuration or body style, is available with a six-speed manual gearbox. Also standard is BMW Ultimate Service, including no-cost maintenance for four years or 50,000 miles.
