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BMW models voted South Africa’s best buys.
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BMW 1 Series M Coupe voted Best Performance Car.
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BMW X3 voted Best Compact SUV / Crossover.
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BMW 5 Series voted Best Executive Saloon.
Midrand. Three of BMW’s models have won the vote as South Africa’s top 12 best buys. This was revealed in the March 2012 edition of CAR Magazine, South Africa’s leading multi-media automotive consumer brand.
The BMW 1 Series M Coupe, which has only been on the market for less than a year, was voted as the best performance car while the BMW X3 was voted the best compact SUV/Crossover and the BMW 5 Series was chosen as the best executive saloon.
According to CAR Magazine, there are more than 1 500 models of new cars on sale in South Africa. However, only 12 models of cars were selected in the publication’s annual SA’s Top 12 Best Buys feature. This feature is based on votes by CAR magazine’s 12 journalists who select the country’s best buys based on the criteria of personality, price, performance and package.
“In 2011, the BMW brand managed to be the best-selling brand in the premium segment. Now this accolade for three of our products testifies that BMW is indeed the leading supplier of premium products in the automotive sector offering the best combination of aesthetics, dynamics and efficiency,” says Mr Bodo Donauer, Managing Director of BMW South Africa.
Best Performance Car.
The BMW 1 Series M Coupe was launched locally in July 2011 as an extension of the BMW M GmbH model range. Only 71 units were made available for the local market and all were sold out.
The BMW 1 Series M Coupe embodies the unmistakable M feeling in a highly concentrated form. Its in-line 6-cylinder engine with M TwinPower Turbo and petrol direct injection develops a maximum output of 250 kW with an engine-speed-oriented characteristic curve typical of BMW M cars. The car accelerates in 4.9 seconds from zero to 100 km/h and reaches the 200 km/h mark after 17.3 seconds. In the area of efficiency, too, it achieves top figures within its performance category. Its average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 9.6 litres per 100 kilometres, while CO2 emissions are at 224 grams per kilometre.
Best Compact SUV
Launched in December 2010, the BMW X3 is the successor to a top seller and is already adding a new dimension to the pleasure of driving a Sports Activity Vehicle of this class. More significantly than ever, it establishes benchmarks in driving dynamics, agility and efficiency, whilst at the same time convincing through noticeably increased driving comfort. The BMW X3 is currently available locally in two petrol engines (xDrive20i and xDrive35i) and two diesel engines (xDrive20d and xDrive 30d). A third petrol derivative, the BMW X3 xDrive28i will join the model line-up later this year.
Best Executive Saloon
For forty years now, the BMW 5 Series sedan has delivered a unique combination of engine performance, handling and everyday drivability and practicality. Through five previous generations – each of which was named as arguably “The Best Car in the World” at some stage in its lifespan – the BMW 5 Series has been the epitome of the executive express. This accolade comes hot on the heels of the BMW 530d being named the joint 2011 South African Guild of Motoring Journalists Wesbank Car of the Year as well as the BMW 520d, which was named the winner of Class L in the 2011 Total Economy Run.
The BMW 5 Series sedan range is now available locally in four petrol engines (520i, 528i, 535i and 550i) and three diesel engines (520d, 530d and 535d).
More to come from the BMW Group in 2012
New vehicle launches will stand the BMW Group in good stead this year. The company has recently launched the new BMW M5 and later on this year, further derivatives of the new BMW 1 Series hatch, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, the MINI Roadster and the company’s first locally sold hybrid model, the BMW 5 Series ActiveHybrid, will be launched.
