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True to its unique and fun personality, the MINI brand will stage a spirited show, presenting three new models with a unique design and their own unique personalities - the MINI Park Lane, MINI Checkmate and MINI Seven.
In addition, the Middle East International Motor Show will feature a very special MINI - MINI wears Bisazza. The MINI Bisazza "Zebra" has been designed by Carlo dal Bianco and over thirty thousand coloured glass stones have turned this model into a not-for-sale designer one-off.
"This is an exciting motor show for us, packed with new cars, new engine variants, enhancements and cutting edge innovations. Entering the new model year BMW is continuing its all-round product initiative with the same power and momentum as before,"
said Guenther Seemann, Managing Director, BMW Group Middle East."
"The expansion of the BMW brand will continue with the new BMW 650i, that replaces the 645Ci, and BMW 540i that will boost and upgrade the 5 Series to an even higher level. In 2006 we will also be enlarging the 1 Series with the top of the range three-litre BMW 130i and introducing the new look for another X family favourite, the BMW X3 2.5i."
"In 2004 and 2005, BMW Group has experienced its strongest product offensive yet and due to this current product initiative, the BMW Group model portfolio is more diversified than ever before.
"Our process of expansion has made BMW Group even stronger. We remain 100% authentic with each product and we are consistently capitalising on all market potentials at our disposal. With all this in mind we are entering 2006 full of optimism," said Seemann
"It almost goes without saying that we will continue our successful product and market initiative in 2006. We will find new opportunities time and again to continue our selective expansion in the region, meaning that we will continue to introduce new products, just as we will continue to develop new markets, in particular Iran and Pakistan."
Stathis I Stathis, General Manager of AGMC, the exclusive importer of BMW and MINI cars in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, said the introduction of the new cars, new engine variants, along with the enhancements to existing models, would help to maintain BMW Group's leadership in the premium car sector in 2006.
"BMW Group brands come with a promise and AGMC is dedicated to bringing this promise alive in the ownership experience. We are in the premium business and, therefore, it is right that our customers experience must be premium. We look forward to continuing to deliver a further enhanced and personalised service next year," Stathis said.
650i: BMW 6 Series Convertible with a New V8 Power Unit.
BMW's new 4.8-litre eight-cylinder 367 hp power unit developing maximum torque of 490 Nm and carried over from the BMW 750i is now also featured in the BMW 6 Series Coupé and Convertible. These two cars bearing the model designation BMW 650i replace the former BMW 645Ci.
Offering an extra 34 hp, the new BMW 650i Coupé and Convertible now ensures even better performance, while consuming even less fuel than its predecessor. Acceleration to 100 km/h from a standstill comes in just 5.4 seconds, with the car's open-air counterpart completing the same exercise in 5.7 seconds. Top speed of both new cars is limited electronically to 250 km/h. Despite its remarkable performance, the new eight-cylinder Coupé consumes just 11.9 litres/100 kilometres, the 650i Convertible covering the same distance on 12.9 litres.
BMW 5 Series: the 540i Saloon.
The new 4.0-litre V8 power unit in the BMW 540i develops maximum output of 306 hp, plus peak torque of 390 Nm. Benefiting from this kind of power, the 540i Saloon accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h. Fuel consumption is a moderate 11.0 litres/100 kilometres.
The eight-cylinder model comes as standard with BMW's six-speed automatic transmission complete with Steptronic.
BMW 1 Series - new engine addition - first quarter 2006.
Entering the Middle East market in 2006, the 130i is enlarging the line-up within the BMW 1 Series. Indeed, with its new 3.0-litre straight-six power unit (265 hp, 315 Nm), this outstanding new model offers top performance in the compact class: This top-of-the-range 1 Series accelerates from 0 - 100 km/h in just 6.1 seconds, with its top speed limited electronically to 250 km/h.
Seventeen-inch wheels in V-spoke design, the BMW kidney grille with chrome-plated slats, and the dual exhaust with chrome-plated tailpipes all contribute to the powerful and muscular look of this very special BMW 1 Series.
The BMW 1 Series is now available with the BMW ConnectedDrive products; BMW Assist service as well as the BMW Online mobile Internet portal. A further highlight is BMW's Adaptive Headlights now also available in the compact class.
BMW Individual
The larger of BMW's two V8 power units featured in the 750Li displaces 4,799 cc and develops maximum output of 367 hp at 6,300 rpm. Given this kind of power, the dynamic 750Li accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds. Maximum torque is a substantial 490 Nm at 3,400 rpm, and it almost goes without saying that the car complies with the EU 4 emission standard.
The 740Li replaces the previous 735Li with a 4,000cc V8 engine developing 306bhp at 6,300rpm and 390Nm of torque at 3,500rpm, which represents an output increase of 13 and eight percent respectively over the 735Li.
X3 2.5i: Power Unit with Six Cylinders.
The 2.5-litre six-cylinder in the X3 2.5i develops maximum output of 192 hp at 6000 rpm and 175 lb-ft. of torque at 3500 rpm; it powers this model to a 0-100-km/h time of 9.8 sec. with the 5-speed automatic, and maximum speed is electronically limited to 208 km/h.
Over and above the xDrive all-wheel-drive system, other features such as DSC Dynamic Stability Control, Trailer Stability Control, HDC Hill Descent Control as well as the two-stage Brake Force Display ensure an even higher standard of active safety on the road.
The strong MINI characters: attractive trio entering the Middle East Market.
Entering the market in 2006, three new models in unique design - the MINI Park Lane (exclusive) the MINI Checkmate (sporting) and the MINI Seven (lifestyle orientation) - will be extending the MINI model range. Offering a high level of features and equipment, exclusive metallic paintwork, new wheels, upholstery, design features and interior surfaces, the three new models give the customer even more MINI choices within the wide range of MINI products.
Posted by Anne-Birte Stensgaard, Senior News Editor
