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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BMW 328i LUXURY CONVERTIBLE MAKES SHOW DEBUT
Woodcliff Lake, NJ, March 15, 1997...BMW's new 328i Luxury Convertible will be shown for the first time throughout the U.S. auto show circuit. The new Luxury Convertible combines all the advantages of a standard 328i Convertible with the sheer opulence of a finely-crafted interior and the sportiness that is a trademark of BMW's 3 Series models.
The interior, which is crafted by BMW M, the subsidiary also responsible for the design of BMW's M models, such as the potent M3 coupe and sedan, is tailored in champagne Nappa leather, including the seats, door panels, rear side panels, inside door handles, lower section of instrument panel, glovebox cover, gearshift boot and handbrake boot. Extended walnut wood trim enhances the appearance of the center console, the passenger side dashboard and the gearshift knob, while chrome interior trim is applied to the door handles, power window switch surrounds, speaker grille surrounds and pushbuttons for the handbrake and ashtray, making this limited 328i Convertible the most luxurious 3 Series ever built.
Although the level of luxury in the interior sets new standards in its class, the exterior of 328i Luxury Convertible has not been overlooked. The car is available in five colors, two of them new to 3 Series convertibles and one-Aegean Blue-exclusive to this model. M aerodynamic body panels give this model a decidedly sporty appearance, which is further enhanced by the forged and polished 16 x 7-inch sport wheels mounted with 225/5OZR-16 high-performance tires.
Standard eight-way power front sport seats are comfortable yet supportive for spirited driving and BMW's well known Rollover Protection System (RPS) is also a standard feature which complements the usual array of safety equipment. The 328i Luxury Convertible will be available as of April 1997 with an MSRP of $48,950.
97 BMW 3 SERIES: FRESHENED DESIGN, REVISED OPTIONS, STANDARD TRACTION CONTROL ON ALL MODELS AND A NEW M3 SEDAN
Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey... To put it mildly, BMW's 3 Series is a phenomenon. Now in its sixth model year, it is anything but dated: Still technologically state-of-the-art, still stylistically contemporary and unique, still an excellent value, still earning rave reviews from customers and critics.
Aside from the fact that these most compact BMWs were an advanced concept in the first place, a major reason for this remarkable state of affairs is the way BMW has kept the Series fresh, up-to-date, and ever more appealing. Last year, for example, saw larger-displacement, higher-torque engines, new automatic climate control, new audio systems, and first-ever availability of BMW's traction control system, All Season Traction, on the 4-cylinder models. For 1997, another round of refinements is headed by a subtle design freshening and the standardization of A(I Season Traction on all models - plus the introduction of a new 4-door Sedan edition of the ever-stunning M3 high performance model.
Also a new standard is BMW s Scheduled Maintenance Program, which includes all factory-recommended periodic maintenance as listed in the Service Booklet. This means that all scheduled maintenance for the first 3 years or 36 000 miles of service is included in the base price of every 1997 BMW 3 Series model. (As of October 1,1997, this becomes true of every 1997 BMW.)
1997 BMW 3 SERIES: FRESHENED DESIGN, REVISED OPTIONS, STANDARD TRACTION CONTROL ON ALL MODELS AND A NEW M3 SEDAN
Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey... To put it mildly, BMW's 3 Series is a phenomenon. Now in its sixth model year, it is anything but dated: Still technologically state-of-the-art, still stylistically contemporary and unique, still an excellent value, still earning rave reviews from customers and critics.
Aside from the fact that these most compact BMWs were an advanced concept in the first place, a major reason for this remarkable state of affairs is the way BMW has kept the Series fresh, up-to-date, and ever more appealing. Last year, for example, saw larger-displacement, higher-torque engines, new automatic climate control, new audio systems, and first-ever availability of BMW's traction control system, All Season Traction, on the 4-cylinder models. For 1997, another round of refinements is headed by a subtle design freshening and the standardization of All Season Traction on all models - plus the introduction of a new 4-door Sedan edition of the ever-stunning M3 high performance model.
Also newly standard is BMW's Scheduled, which includes all factory-recommended periodic maintenance as listed in the owner's BMW Service Booklet. This means that all scheduled maintenance for the first 3 years or 36,000 miles of service is included in the base price of every 1997 BMW 3 Series model.(As of October 1,1997, this becomes true of every 1997 BMW.)
A SUBTLE STYLISTIC FRESHENING
At BMW, "facelifts" are rare, tasteful
and subtle. The 3 Series gets a very subtle stylistic freshening for 1997, including -
· Reshaped grille "kidneys" (the dual center portions) that more closely
resemble those of the new 5 Series and Z3 roadster
· Redesigned side-marker/turn-signal lights
· A body-color trunk grip (previously black on all but Convertibles and 2-door Coupes).
Inside, there are equally subtle design changes, including· A newly designed console valet (all models except 318ti)
· Leather shift grip for automatic transmission, same design as in 8 Series. · Individual operable rear reading lights in the 328i Sedan and M3 Sedan. Several functional refinements have been incorporated as well:
· The power outside mirrors are now heated as well; formerly, mirror heating was optional on most models
· All cars with manual transmission are now equipped with a starter interlock, which requires that the clutch pedal be depressed before the starter will operate
· All models now have side storage boxes in the trunk or cargo area for small objects; these had been included in the 318ti from its 1995 introduction.
ALL SEASON TRACTION NOW STANDARD ACROSS THE BOARD
BMW has been a leader in offering sophisticated traction control systems. Last year, the All Season Traction system was made standard on the top-of-line M3 model and became optional for the first time on the 4-cylinder (318) models. For 1997, BMW is taking the next step forward by making AST standard on all 3 Series models.
This full-capability traction control system is a valuable feature for buyers who must cope with slippery roads, especially snow and ice. To achieve optimum utilization of available traction, AST modulates engine power and selectively applies the brakes on the driving (rear) wheels. In recent independent tests conducted by the United States Auto Club (USAC), a BMW 328i equipped with AST decisively outperformed key competitive models, including -
· One with front-wheel drive but no traction control
· One with front-wheel drive and traction control
· A popular sport-utility vehicle with all-wheel drive
The tests included:
· A street start on ice, with straight-ahead acceleration and no steering correction
· A 90-degree turn while starting from rest
· Evasive action on a slippery surface.
With the standardization of AST on the 3 Series and, as of November, the Z3 roadster (it was already standard on the 5, 7 and 8 Series), BMW becomes the first predominantly imported marquee to have standard traction control on all models.
MODEL LINEUP AND REFINEMENTS FOR 1997
The 1997 3 Series consists of nine models, one of them new:
· 318ti 3-Door Coupe -
Still BMW's most affordable
model, with expanded standard equipment and new options
· 318i Sedan - entry-level 4-cylinder/4-door model, with detail mechanical and equipment modifications, revised standard equipment and options
· 318is Coupe - sporty 4-cylinder/2-door model, also with detail mechanical and equipment refinements, revised standard equipment and options
· 318i Convertible - the 4-cylinder Convertible, with detail mechanical updates
· 328i Sedan - 6-cylinder/4-door model, with new standard wheels and revised options
· 328is Coupe - sporty 6-cylinder/2-door model, with revised standard equipment and options
· 328is Convertible - the 6-cylinder Convertible, with a new fully automatic power top, revised standard equipment and options
· M3 Coupe - the highest-performance model in 2-door form, with new standard wheels and a new 3-spoke steering wheel
· M3 Sedan - new model, the first 4-door M3; available with 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission.
THE 318 MODELS: BMWs AT THEIR MOST AFFORDABLE
The most affordable BMW of all is the 318ti 3-Door Coupe, whose configuration makes it 8.8 inches shorter than other 3 Series Other enhancements to the 318ti for 1997 include newly styled full wheel covers, full body-color bumpers and side sills, a locking glove compartment door, upgraded standard cloth upholstery, and an expanded range of stand-alone options.
At the top of the 4-cylinder line is the 318i Convertible, which
includes the Series-wide refinements for 1997 (styling update, heated mirrors, standard
All Season Traction, scheduled maintenance and detail improvements). The Convertible's
manually operated top is available in four colors.
1- Rated at 10% total harmonic distortion (THD)
328 MODELS: THE BRILLIANCE OF BMW 6-CYLINDER POWER
The three 328 models - 328i Sedan, 328is Coupe, 328i Convertible are 6-cylinder counterparts of the 318i Sedan, 318is Coupe and 318i Convertible. Each is powered by a likewise larger, higher-torque 2.8-liter inline 6-cylinder engine introduced in 1996, and they are even more fully standard equipped than the 4-cylinder models. For 1997 they share the Series-wide updates and add some touches of their own.
As the most popular model in the line, the 328i Sedan appears with newly designed 10-spoke alloy wheels. Its optional Sport Package continues, combining taut sport suspension, 16-in. wheels, Z-rated performance tires, power sports seats and leather upholstery. Effectively replacing the former Premium Package option, the stand-alone leather option now includes wood interior trim; the mufti-function Onboard Computer that was formerly included in both Packages is now a stand-alone option as well.
Other available 328i options include the power sunroof, heated front seats, split folding rear seats and Harman Kardon audio system.
Changes to the 328is Coupe reflect those of the Sedan. Here too, the Sports Package continues as an option, the leather option now includes wood, and the Onboard Computer is now a stand-alone option. This is truly an amazing automobile, combining the muscular yet silky performance of the 2.8 6-cylinder engine, the surefooted handling of the 3 Series chassis, and a level of interior space and practicality that belies the elegant Coupe proportions of its exterior - all at a base price of about $33,000 including All Season Traction and scheduled maintenance. The power sunroof, heated front seats and Harman Kardon audio system are available as options; split folding rear seats are standard.
For 1997 the 328i Convertible gets not only the Series-wide refinements and upgrades, but an attractive new feature all its own: a fully automatic power top.
Previously this model already had a power top, but two functions remained manual: unlocking the top from, and re-locking the top to, the windshield header via a single twist grip. Ever eager to refine even the smallest detail, BMW has now made even these functions automatic: All that's necessary to lower or raise the top is to press the console switch and wait about 20 seconds. Another new refinement: One can also raise the top - along with any windows that have been left open - by simply turning the key in either exterior door lock to the "lock" position and holding it there while the top goes up. There is also an all-window switch on the console, which allows the user to lower and raise all windows at once (1-touch lowering is included).
THE M3 COUPE - AND THE NEW M3 SEDAN
BMW M is a division of BMW devoted to special high-performance models, competition activities, BMW Exclusive Edition models and other colorful endeavors. Two years ago, BMW M launched a second generation of its M3 model, and it was a revolution on four wheels: Here was an automobile with all the practicality of the 3 Series Coupe, yet endowed with even greater measures of six-cylinder performance, road-gripping handling, powerful braking and sporty, yet restrained and tasteful styling. As the basis for BMW's U.S. motor sport program, the M3 earned BMW the manufacturer's championship in the 1996 IMSA GTS-2 road racing series.
In the time span since that introduction, the M3 Coupe has been upgraded with an available Luxury Package, an available 5-speed automatic transmission, a larger displacement 3.2-liter engine and (for 1996) an extensively further refined sports chassis as well as standard All Season Traction. On the M3, AST is accompanied by a limited-slip differential for an ultimate combination of traction control and sporting handling.
For 1997, there are still more new touches, such as the standard M Double-Spoke (alloy wheels, which continue the beefy 17 x 7.5-in. front/17 x 8.5-in. rear sizes introduced in 1996. As before, high performance, low-profile 225/45ZR-17 front tires and 245/4OZR-17 rear tires are standard.
For those attracted to the idea of an ultimate sports sedan (always a BMW specialty), the introduction of the first M3 Sedan will be of intense interest. Technologically, this is essentially the same automobile as the Coupe; it just offers the specific practicality of a four-door sedan. But because it is a sedan, it also carries the distinction of being the fastest accelerating (0- 60mph) four-door offered in the U.S. The Sedan also distinguishes itself by offering the 5-speed automatic transmission (which was available in 1995, but not on the 1996 or 1997 M3 Coupe), standard 8-way sports seats (instead of the sportier 12-way seats of the Coupe) and a fascinating new metallic copper color called Byzanz. Like the Coupe, the Sedan is available in a Sports (standard) version or with the optional Luxury Package, which includes:
· Distinctive front spoiler and side sills
· Distinctive M Contour II wheels (same size as standard wheels)
· 8-way power sports seats
· Premium Nappa leather upholstery, including door (and in the Coupe rear side-panel) inserts
· High-gloss walnut trim on dash, center console and doors
· Cruise control
· Onboard Computer
An extensive selection of stand-alone options is also available for both M3 models, including a wing-type rear spoiler, special forged-alloy wheels and a 320-watt Harman Kardon audio system.
1- Rated at 10% total harmonic distortion (THD)
KEEPING THE COSTS OF OWNERSHIP AT A MODERATE LEVEL
With the cost of scheduled maintenance during the first 3-years or 6,000 miles of the 4-year/50,000-mile warranty period now included in the base price of every BMW 3 Series model, BMW has taken a further step toward moderating total ownership costs. Earlier steps - steps that also moderate ownership costs after the warranty period - continue:
· Low-maintenance engines with hydraulic valve lifters (no periodic valve adjustment), chain-driven camshafts (no timing-belt replacement) and no periodic "tune-up" operations required
· The BMW Service Interval Indicator, which electronically tracks the vehicle's actual use and eliminates rigid maintenance schedules
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