The new third generation BMW 6 Series has made its debut in the Middle East, over thirty years after the world’s most successful premium automotive manufacturer launched the first BMW 6 Series model.

Arriving in the region this month, the new BMW 6 Series Convertible has a new interior and exterior design and comes with a wealth of new technology highlights that distinguish the new car from the predecessor model. Offering stylish design, outstanding performance, luxury and sheer driving pleasure, the latest generation model is expected to set trends in the premium car segment.

Design
Although the new BMW 6 Series retains its strong characteristic lines, it has been restyled with a refined modern design. Some new characteristics include a “shark nose” in its front end design giving the car a sense of surging forward, while a broad air intake, strikingly contoured bonnet and muscular wheel arches hint at its powerful engine technology and impressive road holding promise. Meanwhile the luxurious atmosphere of the interior is highlighted by the driver-oriented set up and offers individually tailored seats for the driver, front and rear passengers.

The roof of the new BMW 6 Series Convertible takes just 19 seconds to open and closes within 24 seconds. Both operations can be activated while on the move at speeds of up to 40 km/h.

High-class functionality is underlined prominently in the updated and redesigned Control Display with the iDrive control system. High-quality materials, carefully coordinated colours and, once again, meticulously formed surfaces combine to produce an ambience defined by luxury in the new BMW 6 Series Convertible.

BMW ConnectedDrive
The progressive character of the new BMW 6 Series Convertible is emphasised with numerous BMW ConnectedDrive optional driver assistance technology features for enhanced comfort and safety, some of these include: rear-view camera; Surround View; BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition; and BMW Park Assistant. In addition, the new BMW 6 Series Convertible is the only car in its segment available with a full colour Head-Up Display which projects driving-related information onto the windscreen within the driver’s direct field of view.

Owners of select BlackBerry smart phones can also access the phone's office function via the operating system iDrive. A new Bluetooth interface that integrates the BlackBerry device into the vehicle enables e-mails, contact lists, messages and calendar entries to be received and displayed on the Control Display and even read out by means of an optional voice output function. In addition, Bluetooth Audio Streaming enables the driver to listen to music from an audio player or mobile phone without the need for a cable. The title information for the song appears in the vehicle display and can be selected and accessed via the iDrive Controller.

Performance
The new BMW 6 Series Convertible is available in the Middle East with two engine variants: 650i and 640i, which offer more power and more fuel efficiency than their predecessors. The eight-cylinder power unit in the BMW 650i Convertible produces 407 hp and the BMW 640i Convertible generates 320 hp. Both engines come with BMW TwinPower Turbo power, direct fuel injection and VALVETRONIC technologies team up as standard with an eight-speed Sports automatic gearbox.

Drive Dynamic Control which allows the driver to choose from a range of pre-programmed suspension settings comes as standard, while the Adaptive Drive which helps stabilize the vehicle around corners ensures the premium comfort, safety and driving pleasure for the driver.

Commenting on the launch, Reiner Braun, Director of Sales and Marketing, BMW Group Middle East said: “Our Convertible models are important for the company as they reiterate the athletic appeal and sportiness of the brand. The new generation 6 Series will add a new chapter to a tradition of impressive open-top cars that stretches back decades - and we have no doubt that it will be a popular addition to our Middle East portfolio.”

The new BMW 6 Series Convertible is available at BMW importers across the Middle East and will be joined by the new BMW 6 Series Coupé in the second half of 2011.

01.03.2011

• Redefining aesthetics, stylish presence and driving pleasure in an open-top premium car
• Fashion and automotive design fuse with the launch of the new BMW 6 Series at top designer fashion show

Damascus – In the company of a select line up of guests and a host of Syria’s fashion elite, Bahi Motors celebrated the Syrian premiere of the new third generation BMW 6 Series Convertible against the backdrop of an exclusive fashion show by top international designer Robert Abi Nader.

Held on Wednesday night at the Four Seasons hotel in Damascus, fashion and motoring fused to showcase masterpieces in both design and engineering. Considered by some the Haute Couture of the automotive industry, BMW highlighted its ongoing commitment to style, innovation and design with the launch of the new BMW 6 Series Convertible, over thirty years after the world’s most successful premium automotive manufacturer launched its original 6 Series model.

“Luxury and style are experiences you aspire to, both of which can be achieved through the car you drive and the clothes you wear. Robert Abi Nader’s fashion show was therefore the perfect collaboration for Bahi Motors and an ideal platform to launch the new and very stylish BMW 6 Series Convertible,” commented Bassel Chehabi, Managing Director at Bahi Motors.

Arriving at Bahi Motors showroom this month, the new BMW 6 Series Convertible has a new interior and exterior design and comes with a wealth of new technology highlights that distinguish the new car from its predecessor. Offering stylish design, outstanding performance, luxury and sheer driving pleasure, the latest generation model is expected to set trends in the premium car segment.


Design

Although the new BMW 6 Series Convertible retains its strong characteristic lines, it has been restyled with a refined modern design. Some new characteristics include a “shark nose” in its front end design giving the car a sense of surging forward, while a broad air intake, strikingly contoured bonnet and muscular wheel arches hint at its powerful engine technology and impressive road holding promise. Meanwhile the luxurious atmosphere of the interior is highlighted by the driver-oriented set up and offers individually tailored seats for the driver, front and rear passengers.

The roof of the new BMW 6 Series Convertible takes just 19 seconds to open and closes within 24 seconds. Both operations can be activated while on the move at speeds of up to 40 km/h.

High-class functionality is underlined prominently in the updated and redesigned Control Display with the iDrive control system. High-quality materials, carefully coordinated colours and, once again, meticulously formed surfaces combine to produce an ambience defined by luxury in the new BMW 6 Series Convertible.

BMW ConnectedDrive

The progressive character of the new BMW 6 Series Convertible is emphasised with numerous BMW ConnectedDrive optional driver assistance technology features for enhanced comfort and safety, some of these include: rear-view camera; Surround View; BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition; and BMW Park Assistant. In addition, the new BMW 6 Series Convertible is the only car in its segment available with a full colour Head-Up Display which projects driving-related information onto the windscreen within the driver’s direct field of view.


Performance

The new BMW 6 Series Convertible is available in Syria with two engine variants: 650i and 640i, which offer more power and more fuel efficiency than their predecessors. The eight-cylinder power unit in the BMW 650i Convertible produces 407 hp and the BMW 640i Convertible generates 320 hp. Both engines come with BMW TwinPower Turbo power, direct fuel injection and VALVETRONIC technologies team up as standard with an eight-speed Sports automatic gearbox.

Drive Dynamic Control which allows the driver to choose from a range of pre-programmed suspension settings comes as standard, while the Adaptive Drive which helps stabilize the vehicle around corners ensures the premium comfort, safety and driving pleasure for the driver.

“Convertible models are important for us as they reiterate the athletic appeal and sportiness of the BMW brand. The new generation 6 Series will add a new chapter to a tradition of impressive BMW open-top cars that stretches back decades - and we have no doubt that it will be a popular addition to our portfolio,” added Chehabi.

The new BMW 6 Series Convertible is now available at the Bahi Motors showroom and will be joined by the new BMW 6 Series Coupé in the second half of 2011.

16.03.2011

Damascus – Bahi Motors, the BMW and MINI importer in Syria, has expanded its service operations with the refurbishment of its existing service centre in the Harasta area of Damascus.

Latest figures from the importer reveal year-on-year growth in sales for 2010, clearly demonstrating an increase in customer demand and the strength of the BMW Group brands in Syria. The expansion of its existing facilities is a committed effort to provide high quality after-sales services for all its customers.

Operational as of today, Bahi Motors has made a substantial investment in their newly equipped 2,100 square metre service centre to support BMW owners. Located on Harasta highway in Damascus, the facility has been updated with the latest computerised service and diagnostic equipment capable of servicing up to 77 vehicles per day. The service centre includes 34 workshop working bays, a new body and paint workshop; and Fast Lane Service, a concept designed to cater for quick servicing requirements of all BMW models within a two hour period.

“We are committed to offering our customers a service that reflects the premium nature of the BMW brand, which is why we have invested in the development of our facilities,” said Bassel Chehabi, Managing Director of Bahi Motors. “Our newly equipped service centre will support the company’s future growth whilst maintaining the highest quality of service that our customers are accustomed to. We are also happy to announce the availability of BMW’s Fast Lane Service, providing our customers with reliable and quick servicing without the need to pre-book your car,” he added.

To keep customer inconvenience to a minimum, the newly equipped service centre will handle all quick service operations including oil changes and replacement of spark plugs and brakes. Bahi Motors also offers a host of services to provide added value to its customers and keep the cost of car ownership to a minimum. This includes the BMW Service Inclusive Ultimate package (BSI Ultimate) which covers all major servicing for BMW for the first 5 years, or 100,000kms, including wear and tear parts that are beyond the standard warranty, costs for labour, original BMW replacement parts and top-up oil.

“Since inception in 1995, Bahi Motors’ mission has been to lead the way in quality servicing and customer relations and has done so successfully. In the coming months, we will further build on this commitment with the launch of our new service centre in Aleppo later this year,” added Chehabi.

Bahi Motors Service Centre on the Harasta highway is open from Saturday to Thursday at 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information Phone + 963 11 5351216

27.03.2011

Munich. Thanks to its segment-leading dynamic handling and versatility, the new BMW X3 has emerged as a highly successful model in the international car markets within a matter of months. The fact that it also assumes an exemplary role on the safety front has now been confirmed by Europe’s leading crash test programme. In the latest Euro NCAP crash test, the BMW X3 achieved the highest rating of 5 stars. The second-generation Sports Activity Vehicle earned its top marks in this challenging test for new vehicles thanks to its comprehensive range of standard safety equipment and effective occupant protection in various types of collision.

Achieving the best rating in the Euro NCAP crash test is proof of the very high level of the safety concept developed for the BMW X models. The new BMW X3 boasts an extremely stable body structure, and the forces exerted on the vehicle in a collision are deflected along precisely defined load paths and absorbed by generous deformation zones. Consequently, the passenger cell fulfils its function as a survival space even in serious collisions. Standard safety equipment inside the new BMW X3 includes front, side and curtain head airbags that protect both the driver and the passengers from injury. Also standard are belt latch tensioners and belt force limiters for the front seats and ISOFIX systems in the rear for attaching child seats, as well as the option of deactivating the front passenger airbag. The restraint systems are controlled by the central safety electronics, which take into account the type and severity of an accident to trigger the most effective protective features in each case.

In their evaluation of the crash test results, the assessors concluded that the new BMW X3 provides a high degree of occupant safety in all seats. Its stable passenger cell provides comprehensive injury protection in a front-end collision for both the driver and the passengers, regardless of a person’s size and the position of their seat. Here the Sports Activity Vehicle was awarded outstanding ratings for the protection of children aged around three years or 18 months in the relevant-sized child seats. For its side impact protection, the BMW X3 likewise achieved the maximum available points.

The new BMW X3 earned an outstanding rating for its active safety features as well. The Sports Activity Vehicle comes as standard with the Dynamic Stability Control system (DSC), which is linked to BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive. Thanks to its wide-ranging functions, including Braking Assistant, Cornering Brake Control and the traction mode DTC (Dynamic Traction Control), Dynamic Stability Control ensures easily controllable and secure handling even in challenging driving situations. Further standard features on the BMW X3 include a Tyre Defect Indicator that warns the driver in good time of a loss of pressure in any individual wheel.

The test procedure of the NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) ranks as one of the most rigorous tests worldwide to which new vehicles are subjected. The Euro NCAP test is a benchmark for crash safety recognised throughout Europe by governments, automobile clubs and consumer associations. The test profile includes, among other aspects, a frontal collision, a side-on crash and a side impact against a steel post. Since 2009, electronic safety features have also been taken into account, along with additional injury risks in a wide range of collisions.

Last year the Munich premium automobile manufacturer was distinguished by the safety testing institute Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) with a special award for the BMW Assist Advanced eCall, the advanced emergency call system with automatic localisation and accident severity detection which is also available for the BMW X3.

12.09.2011

BMW Group Middle East has confirmed that the sixth generation of the new BMW 3 Series sedan – the world's best-selling premium car – will go on sale in the Middle East at the end of February 2012.

Having sold 12.5 million cars since its launch in 1975, the BMW 3 Series continues to be BMW Group's best-selling model series consistently accounting for more than a quarter of the company's global sales. In 2010, every third BMW sold was a 3 Series. The success story of the 3 Series over the past 37 years has made it the world's best-selling premium car.

The new powerful design elements include a new BMW face, with flat headlights reaching along as far as the BMW kidney grille. This emphasises the elegantly dynamic design of the new BMW 3 Series, which has increased in length (+93mm), width (front +37mm, rear +47mm) and wheelbase (+50mm) compared to the predecessor model, giving the car an elegant and athletic silhouette.

Inside the new BMW 3 Series, the noticeable increase in space means significant benefit for the rear passengers. The classic BMW interior surfaces and lines flow over the instrument panel towards the front passenger side of the cabin, where they form a smooth and protective border. The cockpit wraps around the driver and ensures that all important functions are within easy reach.

Drive and chassis technology have always been key areas of expertise for the brand, and agility and driving dynamics remain outstanding attributes of the new BMW 3 Series. A choice of two powerful four-cylinder engines: 335i and 328i with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and TwinPower Turbo technology will be available for the new 3 Series offering more EfficientDynamics technology that make the new 3 Series more economical and lower in pollutant emissions compared to the predecessor model.

BMW EfficientDynamics technology includes the new Driving Experience Control switch which comes with four driving programmes allowing the driver to choose between sporty, ultra sporty, comfortable and extremely economical driving. ECO PRO mode, a new feature on the 3 Series, helps drivers maximise fuel economy through their driving style, thereby enabling them to increase the distance they can travel on each tank of fuel.

Under the umbrella of BMW ConnectedDrive, features that give the driver and passengers information and services to help make their driving experience safer and more comfortable, the new BMW 3 Series offers the latest-generation full-colour Head-Up Display, which projects key information in 3D onto the windscreen so it appears directly in the driver’s field of view. Also available is Surround View with Side View and Top View, which gives a bird’s-eye perspective of the vehicle and the area around it.

Commenting on the soon to be launched new BMW 3 Series, Joerg Breuer, Managing Director, BMW Group Middle East said: "With the global success story of the BMW 3 Series, it's a model that is not only important, but one which makes us feel very proud so launching the latest generation is always a milestone for the company. The new car is bigger, sportier and more dynamic so we are very much looking forward to launching it across the Middle East together with our importers in February 2012."

13.12.2011