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Two BMW Engines Are Winners in Ward's Auto World '10 Best Engines'

9 January 1998

Two BMW Engines Are Winners in Ward's Auto World '10 Best Engines'

    DETROIT, Jan. 9 -- Only three months after its debut in the
U.S. market, the BMW 2.5-liter inline six-cylinder engine was selected as one
of the "10 Best Engines" by the highly respected jury of Ward's Auto World.
    In addition to its impressive torque over a broad range of rpm, the jury
lauded its unparalleled smoothness and refinement.  The 2.5-liter engine
powers the BMW 323is coupe and 323i convertible, which were introduced as 1998
models in October 1997.  The 168-horsepower, 2.5-liter engine belongs to BMW's
world famous family of inline six-cylinder engines, covering displacements
from 2.5- to 3.2-liters.
    The unique standing of this award-winning engine family continues in 1998.
For the 4th time in 4 years Ward's rated BMW's M Power inline six-cylinder
engine, with 3.2-liters displacement, as one of the "10 Best Engines."  No
other engine has achieved this status since the inception of this coveted
award, demonstrating BMW's unbeatable leadership as the standard-bearer in the
high performance engine segment.  The M Power inline six made its debut in the
1995 M3 coupe as a 3.0-liter, growing to 3.2-liters in 1996.  In 1997, it
powered both the M3 coupe and M3 sedan.  This high-output powerplant will make
its way into three new M models this year -- the M3 convertible and M roadster
in the spring and M coupe next fall.
    Other BMW engines which have been selected previously to receive a
"10 Best Engine Award" include the 4.0- and 4.4-liter V-8 in 1995, 1996 and
1997.  The 5.4-liter V-12 was honored in the unlimited category in 1997.

                             BMW IN NORTH AMERICA

    BMW of North America, Inc. was established in 1975, at which point the
company assumed marketing and distribution responsibilities of BMW vehicles in
the U.S. from the previous private distributor.  Motorcycle marketing and
distribution was added in 1980.  Since then the company's North American
operations have grown to include marketing, sales and financial services
organizations in the United States and Canada; a South Carolina manufacturing
operation; a design firm in California; and various other operations
throughout the U.S. and Canada.  BMW is represented in North America through a
network of more than 375 automobile and 190 motorcycle retailers in the United
States and Canada.  BMW (US) Holding Corp., the brand's North American
headquarters, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
    Information about BMW products is available to consumers via the
World Wide Web on the BMW homepage.  The address is: http://www.bmwusa.com.

SOURCE  BMW of North America, Inc.