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TRAVEL

Sweden’s storybook islands

TECHNOLOGY

Looking into Adaptive Headlights

ARCHITECTURE

Rem Koolhaas retrospective

BMW

Magazine

2007

$ 5.00bmwusa.com

THE NEW3 SERIES CONVERTIBLE

INNOVATIONS THATDELIGHT365 DAYS A YEAR

BMW

Magazine

Letter from the Chairman

MESSAGE FROMBMWOFNORTH AMERICA, LLC

P H O T O : J I M S U L L E Y – N E W S C A S T U . S .

DearReader,

I welcome you to the first issue of

BMW Magazine

for 2007.Reviewing this issue’s various articles on our newest offerings and what it takes to bring them to market,reminds me of the phrase, “With power comes responsibility.” Take the “power” half of this saying – especially as it applies to the new 3 Series Convertible, the subjectof our cover story. Propelled by BMW’s potent twin-turbo engine with direct fuel injectors, the 300-hp 335ican accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 5.5 seconds – that’s 1.4 seconds faster than its predecessor. Yet evenmore amazing is that it accomplishes this without sacrificing fuel efficiency. That’s the “responsibility” part.In our story on the development of the 6 Series Coupe and Convertible, we show how prototypes weresubjected to grueling tests in extreme ice and heat, at high speeds and in stop-and-go traffic. For over100,000 miles, they were tested not just for their power, but for their grace and grit under pressure. After all,it is our responsibility to create vehicles that are not only thoroughly enjoyable to drive, but reliable to own.Responsibility often means taking a leadership position. BMW is a key benefactor in Clemson University’snew International Center for Automotive Research, or ICAR. Offering Masters and Ph.D. programs, thisinnovative school will advance the future of automotive engineering, ultimately benefitting not just BMW, butthe entire automotive industry. Meanwhile, current BMW engineers are also learning new concepts – not juston land, but at sea. By developing more dynamic sailboats for BMW ORACLE Racing, they are also learninghow to create more aerodynamic cars. You can read about both these programs in this issue.Of course, all this effort spent learning and innovating is useless if it doesn’t result in a vehicle that isimmenselygratifyingtodrive.That’swhyyou’llfindanarticleonouramazingAdaptiveHeadlightstechnology,as well as “Favorite Roads” – a new feature in which BMW drivers tell us about local fun-to-drive routes thatreveal the beauty of our country.Sincerely, TomPurves,ChairmanBMW(US)HoldingCorp.

Tom Purves, Chairman,BMW (US) Holding Corp.

        

 

                                  



REGULARS

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

NEWS

Renovating BMW’s famous “Four Cylinders” tower in Munich / Interview with Peter P. Schweger / Market Leader in Sales / Ski Training / iPod your BMW / BMW at the 100-year-oldDetroit Auto Show / BMW ORACLE Racing Trip / Art Basel Art Cars Retrospective / Awards / Figures / BMW Clubs / Groundbreaking at Woodcliff Lake / Five New BMWMotorcycles / BMW Donates Robots for Training30

DRIVING SKILLS

Winter challenges: some tips for driving on slippery slopes.35

I LOVE MYBMW

Brenden Bartol has a long (500,000 miles) and meaningfulrelationship with his 740i.35

LETTERS

PRESS

WHO BUTBMWCOULD…

Build its 20,000th award-winning V-10 engine?50

CALENDAR

BMW

Magazine

BMW

Magazine

COVER STORY

3 SERIES CONVERTIBLE

The new 3 Series Convertible visits the BMW ORACLE yachtin Valencia, Spain. With an innovative hardtop and twin-turboengine, it is just as high-tech as the America’s Cup contender.

FEATURES

HOWDO ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS REALLYWORK?

A look at this fascinating technology that projects lightalong the contours of the road.16

DREAM JOBS: A DAYWITH…

Carlos Prátola, driver of the M6 safety car at themotorcycle world championships.17

KEEP YOUR NERVES IN THE CURVES

Advanced BMW Driver Training on the infamous Nordschleifeof Germany’s legendary Nürburgring racetrack.21

THE FIVE SERIES: SUBTLYSUPERB

The 2008 BMW 5 Series is a subtle yet stunning exampleof automotive innovation and balance.24

DELIRIUM BYDESIGN

A retrospective on the famous Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.28

BMWALPINA B7 – A BLUE STREAKFROM BAVARIA

ALPINA, the performance-tuning experts, create an evenmore high-powered and luxurious 7 Series Sedan.31

TRIED, TESTED AND TORTURED

Deep chill at the Arctic circle, blistering heat in the desert,stop-and-go traffic in gridlocked Tokyo: how BMW put its6 Series prototypes through the most extreme tests.36

CALL OF THE ROAD: FAVORITE DRIVES

Just north of San Francisco lies a beautiful stretch of sceniccoastal land. A look at Karen A. Jones’ favorite drive.39

BMW’S SPORTYSIDE

There’s good reason why BMW sponsors sporting events frommotorsports to golf and even sailing for the America’s Cup.40

FIELD OF DREAMS

Clemson University’s International Center for AutomotiveResearch (ICAR) is building the technology campus of thefuture in Greenville, SC.42

BMWATYOUR SERVICE

More than a dealership, your local authorized BMW centeris literally the center for all things BMW.43

THE PEAKOF PERFORMANCE

The BMW Mountain Driving Experience puts you behind thewheel of a BMW with xDrive all-wheel-drive system.45

ISLAND-HOPPING FOR YOUNG AND OLD

Touring Sweden with kids in tow – from the fashion centerof Stockholm to the magical offshore islands.