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• First M3 Convertible to feature a Retractable Hard-Top roof.
• Powered by International Engine of the Year category winner.
• New V8 engine is lighter than the outgoing six-cylinder unit.
• First BMW to offer new M double-clutch transmission.
• M3 Convertible the fastest yet with 0-100 km/h in 5.1 s.

The New BMW M3 Convertible blasts its way into Australia optionally equipped with the very first double clutch transmission designed for a high revving V8 engine.

Compared with the two previous generations of the M3 Convertibles offered in Australia the new E93 generation boasts a Retractable Hard-Top, 4.0-litre V8 engine and manual six-speed gearbox as standard.

Mechanically identical to the hugely popular M3 Coupé, which was introduced last October, and voted Car of the Year by drive.com.au in December 2007, the new BMW M3 Convertible also introduces the new seven-speed M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic. This advanced, electronically controlled transmission is available in the M3 Coupé from next month.

The new generation BMW M V8 engine was awarded Best Engine in the 3.0 - 4.0-litre class by the global judging panel of the International Engine of the Year Awards 2008.

The New BMW M3 Convertible has been designed from the ground up as an open-top four-seater equipped with supercar performance and everyday driveability.

The 309 kW V8 engine produces 400 Nm of torque and sprints from 0-100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds in the six-speed manual transmission guise, while the double-clutch gearbox with its seven speeds and seamless gear shifting allows this sprint time to be reduced to an amazing 5.1 seconds.

The Formula One inspired V8 engine comfortably exceeds the BMW M division’s internal 100 bhp per litre target, and has a 10 percent better power to weight ratio than its E46 generation predecessor, the previous benchmark open-top sports convertible.

The new M3 Convertible produces more than twice the power of the original 1988 E30 model (not sold in Australia), yet the spirit and design philosophy remains the same.

While the original E30 M3 Convertible was the epitome of exclusivity, greater numbers of successive generations have been sold as the word spread about how much fun the M3 Convertible was to drive. Thus around 13,000 examples of the E36 generation M3 Convertible were built, increasing to 30,000 copies in the E46 generation.

EfficientDynamics at the performance end of the market.
The new M3 Convertible is both more fuel efficient and produces less C02 than its predecessor, despite this breathtaking V8 performance. In typical BMW style, running costs and emissions are kept to a minimum. The New BMW M3 Convertible returns 12.9 litres per 100 km on the combined cycle (12.3 litres per 100 km for the double-clutch gearbox).

Transmission champ.
A new option for all M3 buyers is BMW’s new seven-speed double-clutch transmission (M-DCT). Offering drivers the chance to enjoy seamless gearshifts with no interruption in power delivery, this state-of-the-art transmission is so efficient that it outperforms the manual gearbox car in terms of acceleration, fuel economy and emissions.

Lifting the lid.
The new BMW M3 Convertible is the first M car to feature a Retractable Hard-Top as standard. The electro-hydraulic roof is fully automatic and can be lowered in just 22 seconds. The M3 Convertible is also fitted with SunReflective leather, allowing owners to leave the top down for extended periods without the risk of the seat leather overheating. SunReflective leather was initially developed by BMW Motorrad to keep motorbike riders cool in hot climes. The surface temperature of the upholstery can remain up to 20 degrees Celsius cooler than conventional leather.

Chassis.
Underneath the M3 Convertible’s muscular torso lies a chassis and suspension system tailor-made for the demanding requirements of an open-top car. Torsional rigidity has been significantly improved over the previous model, while the suspension has been fine-tuned to take into account the specific weight distribution of a convertible.

Safety.
The combination of a strong structure and advanced occupant restraint systems means the BMW M3 Convertible offers the highest possible standards of passive and active safety for occupants. Like the 3-Series Convertible, the M3 version is equipped with a rollover sensor system that constantly monitors the vertical and horizontal movement of the car. If the sensors (which are located in the centre of the car, on the B pillars and in the doors) detect that a rollover is imminent, roll bars located behind the rear headrests pop up. At the same time, the front seatbelt pre-tensioners are activated and the head/thorax airbags are deployed.

Marketing.
“At BMW we understand the strong lure of the M badge for our most passionate customers,” said Tom Noble, General Manager, Marketing, BMW Group Australia.

“This latest car underscores our competitive advantage in the marketplace. It is the only performance car of its type to feature innovations such as a high-revving engine, a Retractable Hard-Top and the benefits of SunReflective leather.

“The M3 Convertible is a sublime product and one of the best from BMW M. It will be hugely satisfying for both our existing M3 Convertible owners as well as newcomers to the BMW M brand.

“Undoubtedly, one of the biggest thrills will be hearing that V8 M engine on full song. Given Australians’ love affair with V8 engines, we know the new BMW M3 Convertible has been eagerly awaited. Now the fun starts,” he said.

“The M3 Convertible will appeal to buyers who want to combine the performance and peerless engineering of a traditional M car with the unique driving experience of an open-top car. With its vast array of new technology and Formula One-inspired engineering – including the option of the new seven-speed double-clutch transmission – the M3 Convertible’s appeal is wider than ever. It’s as close as a BMW owner can get to a Formula One experience.

“We are sure the introduction of the Retractable Hard-Top will broaden the
M3 Convertible’s potential customer base. With its coupé-matching refinement, excellent visibility and improved practicality, the Convertible will be on the shopping lists of many who may have eschewed a canvas-roof car previously,” Tom said.

The M3 Convertible arrives in BMW dealers next month for demonstration purposes, with the first customer deliveries in the final quarter of the year, perfectly timed for summer.

The last places in the 2008 BMW TourenSport Safari are filling up fast as the organisers count down to the start in August in Queensland.

“The 2,000 km odyssey through some of the world’s most spectacular and unspoilt countryside is only around eight weeks away, so riders who ache to leave the 9-5 behind and head for the hills should hop aboard the www.bmwsafari.com website and sign up sharpish,” says Miles Davis, BMW Motorrad Marketing Manager.

“This year we’re going to explore the exotic, lush and highly memorable northern reaches of Queensland. It’s going to be as invigorating as it’ll be relaxing,” he says.

The 2008 TS Safari will be held over seven days, riding through the FNQ hinterland as well as cruising the beachside byways.

“The scenery will be changing on an hourly basis,” Miles promises.

Kicking off on Sunday 17 August, 200 km north of Brisbane with a welcome dinner with a difference, the riding starts on the following day with a 550 km run through the roads less travelled.

Although the accent is on enjoying your BMW motorcycle, the programmes allows time-out time for scuba diving, chilling on the sand or just exploring the locale without needing to keep to a schedule.

“The TS Safari is a very social event. There’s always an interesting bunch of folk to hook up with, riders of all ages and professions the common link being BMW motorcycle ownership. The aim is to have an enjoyable ride. You can ride all day or head out early and spend half the day relaxing at the next stop” Miles says.

“The farewell dinner at the end of the ride is always a highlight of the event.

“This year’s off-road GS Safari in the NSW and Victoria High Country attracted a large contingent of first-time Safari riders, and we expect that the TS Safari will be the same. We have been attracting many young, sporty and enthusiastic riders in the last few years thanks to our new, dynamic models, and these riders will find the TS Safari very much to their liking,” Miles says.,

“It’s a great way to enjoy your BMW and make new friends and get away from the daily grind of work, work, work and more work.

“There’s no better way to unwind,” he says.

The world’s most powerful production sport Boxer has arrived in New Zealand.
BMW Motorrad’s new R1200 S combines incredible power delivery with cutting-edge
design offering an exceptionally smooth and sporting on road experience.

The R 1200 S’s superior performance and sporting power is evident from the minute
your fire up its 1170-cc engine which reaches a peak of 90 kW/122 hp at 8250 rpm.
The machine in road trim weighs just 195kg making it 13 kg lighter than its 1100-
cc predecessor the R 1100S which was the catalyst for BMW’s focus on
performance bikes.

BMW Motorrad general manager, Australasia, Mac McMath, predicts the
R1200S will be a preferred option for riders looking for exceptional sporting
performance and a wide array of options.
A key objective in developing the new R 1200 S was achieving a balance
between sportiness and everyday riding qualities enabling the rider to take
on a relaxed seating position for effortless riding enjoyment even on long
distances.

The Ohlins sports suspension package ensures extremely precise and
smooth handling at all times coupled with a high-performance ABS brake
system maximum safety and agility are in the forefront of the design.
BMW Motorrad ABS anti-lock brakes combine low weight and fast
response ideal for the sports rider in this case without the integral
function, but with on-demand operation allowing the rider to deactivate
ABS for the racetrack. A wide range of BMW options and accessories
ensures enthusiasts seeking to highlight the looks of their machine can do
so.

BMW’s new Boxer comes with all the features expected of the brand such
as a fully controlled catalytic converter, the single-wire system for the onboard
CAN-Bus network complete with an electronic immobiliser, a smooth
and easy-shifting six -speed gearbox, maintenance free shaft drive with a
single swinging arm, as well as Telelever front suspension.
The most sporting and dynamic Boxer of all times is ready to go!

R 1200 S features:
· Air-cooled flat-twin, 1,170-cc power unit with balance shaft
· Max output increased to 90 Kw/122 HP at 8,250 rpm
· Electronic BMS-K engine management with dual ignition, knock
control, two oxygen sensors, and a fully-controlled three-way
catalytic converter
· Light and stable, three-piece frame structure made of steel and
aluminium tubes
· Extra responsive Telelever with superior steering precision
· EVO Paralever with extra-light drive shaft
· Dry weight 195 kg weight in road trim with full tank 213 kg
· Front fairing support made of extra-light pressure -cast magnesium
· LED tail lights
· Silencer under the rear seat
· Aerodynamically optimised, extra-slender body
· Ohlins suspension
· High-performance brake system
· New extra light ABS
· Heated grips
· Wide range of accessories tailored to the sports rider

Special accessories
· Paddock stand with an appropriate adapter
· Passenger seat cover
· Tank bag
· Sports rear seat bag (small)
· Tinted windscreen
· Silencer cover made of carbon-fibre -reinforced plastic
· Heated grips
· Anti-theft warning system
· Supplementary on-board toolkit

May 26 (Bloomberg) — Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, the world’s largest maker of luxury cars, plans to raise prices in the U.S. by 1 percent because of the weak dollar.

The increase for cars such as the X5 sports-utility vehicle and 5-Series luxury sedan will take effect on June 1, Markus Sagemann, a spokesman for the Munich-based company, said today.

“It’s a moderate price increase that reflects the conditions in the market,” Sagemann said in a telephone interview, adding that the last U.S. increase was in March 2007.

The dollar’s drop hurts BMW because the company gets fewer euros for every car it sells in the U.S. The dollar has fallen about 8 percent against the euro this year. This means that for a car like the 5-Series, BMW gets more than 2,000 euros ($3,150) less now for each one it sells than it did at the beginning of the year.

The carmaker took a first-quarter charge of 236 million euros because of bad debts and lower values on cars it sells in the U.S. after leases expire. BMW, which sold 22 percent of its cars in the U.S. in 2007, raised lease rates by about 3 percent on May 1. Higher new car prices typically boost used car values.

The first-quarter charge led to a 17 percent drop in BMW’s net income for the first three months. Four-month U.S. sales fell 4 percent to about 100,000 cars as the financial crisis sours consumers’ desire to make purchases.