BMW will celebrate the 40th anniversary of BMW North America as well as the company’s first major US motorsports victory at the 1975 12 Hours of Sebring at the 2015 New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, April 1 and Thursday, April 2, at the BMW Stand inside the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, 655 West 34th Street (at 11th Avenue), Manhattan. The company will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of ALPINA with the North American debut of the 2016 BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe. Additional vehicles that will be displayed at the BMW Stand include the Sebring-winning 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL, a current BMW Z4 GTLM race car, and a 1970 BMW 2002ti ALPINA race car. Other highlights will include the BMW i8 and i3, as well as the BMW X5M, and X6M.
2015 marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of BMW of North America as a wholly-owned subsidiary. To celebrate, BMW will display some of the cornerstone vehicles that helped shape BMW’s presence in North America over the past four decades, including:
2015 also marks the 50th anniversary of ALPINA Automobiles. To recognize the anniversary, the BMW ALPINA B6 Gran Coupe will make its North American debut at the NYIAS, displayed alongside the 1970 BMW 2002ti ALPINA.
The BMW i8 is the first plug-in hybrid 2+2 sports-car from BMW. It sits at the pinnacle of the BMW i lineup of visionary vehicles which are purpose built from the ground up as electric and hybrid electric, constructed primarily from lightweight carbon fiber. Currently in showrooms and priced at $137,450 including $950 Destination & Handling, the BMW i8 features an athletic design and a sleek, low slung exterior and operates with extremely high fuel efficiency. The BMW i8 has a U.S. EPA rating of 76 MPGe combined. It is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds on the way to an electronically governed top speed of 155 mph. BMW i8 Press Kit.
The BMW i3 is the first fully electric vehicle from BMW Group under BMW i’s growing lineup of visionary vehicles constructed from the ground up primarily from lightweight carbon fiber. With 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque hybrid-synchronous electric motor, the BMW i3 is electrified by a 22-kWh lithium-ion battery, good for approximately 80 miles of emission-free driving. The BMW i3 offers interior space comparable to the legendary BMW 3 Series on a shorter overall body. Its 32.3-foot turning circle and a relatively long wheelbase make it agile and engaging to drive, yet ideally suited to driving in dense urban areas. With a combined rating of 124 MPGe, the BMW i3 is the most electric vehicle as rated by the U.S. EPA. The BMW i3 is the only electric vehicle that offers the option of a range extender – a small gasoline engine that can act as a generator when the battery runs low. Currently in showrooms, the BMW i3 has a base MSRP of $43,350 and the range-extender model will have a starting MSRP of $47,200, including Destination & Handling. BMW i3 Press Kit.
The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (not offered in the US) has been named a finalist for the 2015 World Car Awards’ “World Car of the Year” and “World Car Design of the Year” distinctions. In addition, the BMW i8 and BMW X6 have been named as finalists for the 2015 “World Luxury Car,” the BMW M4 Coupe/ BMW M3 Sedan for the 2015 “World Performance Car” award, and the BMW i8 for “World Green Car.” All category winners will be declared at NYIAS on Thursday, April 2.
In addition, from the New York Auto Show, BMW will announce an app integration involving a leading streaming music and digital radio network that will enhance the driving experience for BMW drivers.