TRAVEL Sweden’s storybook islandsTECHNOLOGY Looking into Adaptive HeadlightsARCHITECTURE Rem Koolhaas retrospective

BMWMagazine

1| 2007

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agazine1| 2007

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THE NEW 3 SERIES CONVERTIBLEINNOVATIONS THAT DELIGHT 365 DAYS A YEAR

BMWMagazine

Letter from the Chairman

MESSAGE FROM BMW OFNORTH AMERICA, LLC

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Dear Reader,I welcome you to the first issue of BMW Magazine for 2007.Reviewing this issue’s various articles on our newest offerings and what it takes to bring them to market,

reminds me of the phrase, “With power comes responsibility.” Take the “power” half of this saying – especially as it applies to the new 3 Series Convertible, the subject

of our cover story. Propelled by BMW’s potent twin-turbo engine with direct fuel injectors, the 300-hp 335ican accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 5.5 seconds – that’s 1.4 seconds faster than its predecessor. Yet evenmore amazing is that it accomplishes this without sacrificing fuel efficiency. That’s the “responsibility” part.

In our story on the development of the 6 Series Coupe and Convertible, we show how prototypes weresubjected to grueling tests in extreme ice and heat, at high speeds and in stop-and-go traffic. For over100,000 miles, they were tested not just for their power, but for their grace and grit under pressure. After all,it is our responsibility to create vehicles that are not only thoroughly enjoyable to drive, but reliable to own. Responsibility often means taking a leadership position. BMW is a key benefactor in Clemson University’snew International Center for Automotive Research, or ICAR. Offering Masters and Ph.D. programs, this innovative school will advance the future of automotive engineering, ultimately benefitting not just BMW, butthe entire automotive industry. Meanwhile, current BMW engineers are also learning new concepts – not juston land, but at sea. By developing more dynamic sailboats for BMW ORACLE Racing, they are also learninghow to create more aerodynamic cars. You can read about both these programs in this issue.

Of course, all this effort spent learning and innovating is useless if it doesn’t result in a vehicle that isimmensely gratifying to drive. That’s why you’ll find an article on our amazing Adaptive Headlights technology,as well as “Favorite Roads” – a new feature in which BMW drivers tell us about local fun-to-drive routes thatreveal the beauty of our country.

Sincerely,

Tom Purves, ChairmanBMW (US) Holding Corp.

Tom Purves, Chairman, BMW (US) Holding Corp.

REGULARS

2 LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

4 NEWS Renovating BMW’s famous “Four Cylinders” tower in Munich /Interview with Peter P. Schweger / Market Leader in Sales / Ski Training / iPod your BMW / BMW at the 100-year-oldDetroit Auto Show / BMW ORACLE Racing Trip / Art Basel Art Cars Retrospective / Awards / Figures / BMW Clubs /Groundbreaking at Woodcliff Lake / Five New BMW Motorcycles / BMW Donates Robots for Training

30 DRIVING SKILLSWinter challenges: some tips for driving on slippery slopes.

35 I LOVE MY BMWBrenden Bartol has a long (500,000 miles) and meaningful relationship with his 740i.

35 LETTERS

38 PRESS

44 WHO BUT BMW COULD…Build its 20,000th award-winning V-10 engine?

50 CALENDAR

BMWMagazineBMWMagazine

COVER STORY

8 3 SERIES CONVERTIBLEThe new 3 Series Convertible visits the BMW ORACLE yacht in Valencia, Spain. With an innovative hardtop and twin-turboengine, it is just as high-tech as the America’s Cup contender.

FEATURES

14 HOW DO ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS REALLY WORK?A look at this fascinating technology that projects light along the contours of the road.

16 DREAM JOBS: A DAY WITH… Carlos Prátola, driver of the M6 safety car at the motorcycle world championships.

17 KEEP YOUR NERVES IN THE CURVES Advanced BMW Driver Training on the infamous Nordschleife of Germany’s legendary Nürburgring racetrack.

21 THE FIVE SERIES: SUBTLY SUPERBThe 2008 BMW 5 Series is a subtle yet stunning example of automotive innovation and balance.

24 DELIRIUM BY DESIGN A retrospective on the famous Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.

28 BMW ALPINA B7 – A BLUE STREAK FROM BAVARIAALPINA, the performance-tuning experts, create an even more high-powered and luxurious 7 Series Sedan.

31 TRIED, TESTED AND TORTURED Deep chill at the Arctic circle, blistering heat in the desert, stop-and-go traffic in gridlocked Tokyo: how BMW put its 6 Series prototypes through the most extreme tests.

36 CALL OF THE ROAD: FAVORITE DRIVESJust north of San Francisco lies a beautiful stretch of sceniccoastal land. A look at Karen A. Jones’ favorite drive.

39 BMW’S SPORTY SIDE There’s good reason why BMW sponsors sporting events frommotorsports to golf and even sailing for the America’s Cup.

40 FIELD OF DREAMS Clemson University’s International Center for AutomotiveResearch (ICAR) is building the technology campus of thefuture in Greenville, SC.

42 BMW AT YOUR SERVICE More than a dealership, your local authorized BMW center is literally the center for all things BMW.

43 THE PEAK OF PERFORMANCE The BMW Mountain Driving Experience puts you behind thewheel of a BMW with xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

45 ISLAND-HOPPING FOR YOUNG AND OLD Touring Sweden with kids in tow – from the fashion center of Stockholm to the magical offshore islands. BMW Magazine is printed on recycled paper

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Cover photo: BMW 335i Convertible.Photographed byEmir Haveric.

CONTENTS1| 2007

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INTERVIEW

Enhanced Safety and Well-beingProfessor Peter P. Schweger on the remodeling ofthe “four-cylinders”

The BMW Tower by Karl Schwanzer is a

landmark structure and only 33 years old.

Why the renovation now?

Many things were no longer in compliance with

today’s health and safety regulations. The fire

prevention measures, for example, were quite

outdated. An important failing was the lack of

a separate fire-service elevator. Our technical

installations were also completely altered over

the last three decades. Today, they occupy only a

third of their original space and, of course, that

affected the fire prevention arrangements.

What were the parameters of the renovation?

The main limitation was to leave the façade

unchanged, and we complied with that. Now

we can open the windows, but that isn’t visible

from the outside.

So there wasn’t much scope for creativity?

On the contrary. The whole interior was

redesigned from the bottom up. There is an

innovative double floor for all the cables, and

we have replaced the air conditioning system

with heating and cooling elements housed in

the ceilings. A daylight-guidance system also

brings the offices more light.

But the circular offices have remained?

Yes, that arrangement has proved to be a very

efficient layout for team communications over

the decades. Previously, though, we worked

mainly in artificial light, and air came filtered

through an air conditioning system. The increase

in natural daylight and fresh air makes for a far

more pleasant and healthy office environment.

NewsQ1/07

The tower was gutted. The air conditioning, elec-

trical network, ceiling liners and floor coverings

were completely removed. Some 14,000 tons of

material were hauled away for “green” disposal,

and all 2,302 windows were replaced.

Under the direction of Hamburg architectural

firm ASP Schweger, the entire inside of BMW’s

“four cylinders” tower were ripped out and

replaced. Only the façade was left unchanged. Its

aluminum skin was manually scrubbed with soap

and brushes. Now the building – a registered

trademark – gleams as brightly as when it first

opened 33 years ago.

The creation of Austrian architect Karl

Schwanzer, the “four cylinders” still ranks among

the most innovative buildings in the world. Its 18

floors of offices do not rest on a conventional

foundation; they are instead suspended from a

vast load-bearing cross at the top. The tower is

now state-of-the-art: one in three windows opens

electrically, and shimmering silver aluminum

blinds direct the outside light across the ceilings

and into the office spaces. A heating/cooling

system that is integrated with the ceilings

provides a comfortable work environment. As a

result of this major renovation, energy costs will

also be significantly reduced.

Recently, 130 companies spent 28 months remodeling the world-famous “four cylinders” tower of theBMW Group’s headquarters in Munich. Fire prevention has been updated; the office environment hasbeen improved; and measures have been taken to reduce future energy costs.

Relaunching an IconMAKEOVER

The huge bearer cross, from which the 18 officefloors are suspended, resembles a spacecraft. Ithas been clad in aluminum for weather protection.

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2006 SALES

Market Leader

The BMW Group increased its sales in 2006 by 3.5 percent.

Throughout the world, almost 1,374,000 vehicles were

delivered to customers. This includes BMW, MINI and

Rolls-Royce.

Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of

Management of BMW AG, said at the BMW Group’s press

conference at the North American International Auto Show,

“The outstanding sales results mean that each of our three

brands is the market leader in its own segment.” The top-

selling BMW Group model series, by far, is still the BMW

3 Series in its four variants: Sedan, Sports Wagon, Coupe

and Convertible. The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and

MINI brands combined) reported its best-ever annual sales

of 313,603 vehicles, an increase of 2.1 percent. BMW brand

sales jumped 17 percent in December alone, for a total of

30,945 vehicles.

SKI TRAINING

Posturing in the Tunnel

The less air resistance, the greater the speed. Skiers from the

Austrian Skiing Association used BMW’s aero-acoustic

wind tunnel in Munich to prepare for the new season.

Among other things, they practiced the best stance for

downhill runs at wind speeds of up to 75 mph. The photo

shows skiing ace Fritz Strobl working to get it just right.

Most important: avoid air turbulence, which cuts speed.

LIFESTYLE

iPod your BMW

CD changers are so last millennium! Almost all the new

BMW models have optional connections for Apple iPods

in the glove compartment. The MP3 player is controlled

by buttons on the steering wheel, or via the radio, or

the iDrive Controller. Tracks can be selected according to

artist, album, playlist or music genre. Now you can plug

in and play your favorite music through your BMW’s

excellent sound system.

bmwusa.com/search/accessories

AUTO SHOW

BMW at the 2007 Detroit NAIAS

Happy birthday, NAIAS! From January 7-21, the Detroit Auto Show

celebrated its 100th anniversary, and some 800,000 visitors came to

be part of the centenary. BMW began 2007 with a treat for lovers of

outstanding cars: the all-new 3 Series Convertible (see story on page

14). The all-new BMW X5 was also presented. Like its predecessor,

the X5 Sports Activity Vehicle® is built for the world market in

Spartanburg, South Carolina. The BMW Hydrogen 7 – the world’s

first hydrogen-powered luxury sedan for everyday use – joined these

two siblings, providing show-goers with a glimpse of what individ-

ual mobility will be like in years to come.

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Wellendorff, Tel. (+49) 7231-28.40.10 – www.wellendorff.com

CULTURE

BMW and Art Basel Miami Beach

Many art lovers attending the Art Basel Miami Beach last

December also enjoyed the convenience and comfort of a fleet

of BMW 7 Series Sedans. For the fifth year, BMW provided the

luxury cars to shuttle VIPs between the show’s locations. In the

Art Collectors Lounge, BMW showed a small-scale model,

photographs and films of the new BMW Museum in Munich

that will open at the end of this year. In the BMW Lounge, the

company also presented a retrospective on the 15 vehicles that

comprise its Art Car Collection.

BMWMagazine

It takes 0.00025seconds after tee-off for a golf ball to acceler-ate from 0 - 62 mph. The K1200R motorcyclehits that speed in 2.8 seconds; the BMW M5in 4.7. These numbers are the result of anunusual contest between a golf ball, a car anda bike. Golfing pro Ian Poulter hit the littlewhite ball a distance of 841.5 feet. While itwas in flight, race driver Hans-Joachim Stuckcovered 422 feet in the M5, and world cham-pion stunt rider Chris Pfeiffer managed animpressive 818.4 feet on the K1200R.

FIGURES

AWARDS

Still among the Best

For the 16th consecutive year, Car and Driver included

the BMW 3 Series in its “10Best” list. Plant Engineering

magazine named BMW Manufacturing in South

Carolina a 2006 “Top Plant,” and made it the cover of

their December 2006 issue. The award is presented to

U.S. plants for excellence in productivity, safety and

innovation. The BMW 5 Series headed the Luxury

Vehicle category in Kelley Blue Book’s 2006 “Best

Resale Value Awards,” and was also an “Overall Top 10”

leader in projected resale value.

EVENTS

BMW ORACLE Racing Trip

Fly to Spain and experience the thrills of the 2007 America’s Cup! BMW’s

exclusive “Experience” packages include two nights in a hotel, an exciting

day of sailing competition, two gourmet dinners, complimentary gifts and

VIP shuttle service. The following Experience packages are available:

• Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals (May 14-24, 2007)

• Louis Vuitton Cup Finals (June 1-11, 2007)

• America’s Cup Finals (June 23-July 4, 2007)

Other BMW activity packages worth looking into: “Special Experience,”

which provides access to spectator boats, from which you can follow the

competition close-up; various “Driving Experiences,” including an exciting

drive in a Formula BMW racecar; “Sport Experiences,” which feature sailing,

golf, pelota and more; and “Cultural Experiences,” which take you on archi-

tectural, musical and culinary adventures. Spaces are limited. For more

information, or to reserve a space, call toll-free: 1-800-605-9BMW (9269).

NewsQ1/07

BMWMagazine

NewsQ1/07

TRAINING

Spartanburg

BMW Manufacturing has donated 20 robots to South Carolina’s Center

for Accelerated Technology Training (CATT). The robots, valued at

about $2 million, were previously used in BMW’s Spartanburg Body

Shop to weld parts for the X5 Sports Activity Vehicle.® The Center will

distribute the robots to 10 technical colleges in the state to help train

South Carolina’s future workforce. This is not the first time that BMW

Manufacturing has donated robots to South Carolina: some 42 robots

and robot controllers were presented to the Department of Education in

2002, and they are still in use in vocational schools throughout the state.

bmwusfactory.com

NEW BMW MOTORCYCLES

Gimme Five

BMW Motorrad is sending five new models onto the roads in 2007. For

the G650X series, available in three variants, it will be world debut. The

Hardenduro G650Xchallenge comes with masses of off-road potential;

the Streetmoto G650Xmoto is designed for maximum riding pleasure;

and the Scrambler G650Xcountry promises riding fun on and off

the beaten track. All bikes are driven by a single-cylinder engine with

53 horsepower. The K Series welcomes the K1200 Sport with half-

fairing, and the high-powered HP2 Enduro will be joined by the even

more powerful HP2 Megamoto (pictured) with a flat-twin Boxer engine.

This is a no-compromises riding machine for the road. bmw-motorrad.com

BMW NA CampusAfter more than two years of planning and prep-aration, groundwork is underway for the con-struction of two new buildings that will addalmost 200,000 square feet of space for offices,training facilities and Automotive Engineering toBMW’s headquarters campus in Woodcliff Lake,NJ. The two new buildings will allow BMW tobring together all the departments and functionscurrently housed in rented office space. Whencomplete, BMW’s U.S. headquarters will haveabout 550,000 square feet of office space, occu-pying 80 acres. The architectural design willreinforce BMW’s corporate identity, while har-monizing with the natural beauty of the site,whose wetlands and existing fruit orchard will be preserved.

GROUND BREAKING

ANNIVERSARY

25 Years of the InternationalCouncil of BMW Clubs

The first BMW Club was founded in 1928 by a

group of BMW motorcycle enthusiasts in

Düsseldorf, Germany. There are now 600 clubs

worldwide, with more than 200,000 members

who regard themselves as stewards of the BMW

heritage and ambassadors of the brand. In 1981,

the International Council of BMW Clubs was

founded as an umbrella organization for the

activities of the clubs. Last October, at its annual

general meeting in Pretoria, South Africa, the

International Council of BMW Clubs celebrated

its 25th anniversary. The BMW Car Club of

America was established in Boston in 1969 and

is one of the largest. Asia, South- and Central

America currently have the fastest membership

growth rates. bmw-clubs-international.com

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P h o t o s : E m i r H a v e r i c

A HARDTOPYOU CAN STOWAND GOThe new twin-turbo 3 Series Convertible calls on the BMW ORACLE Racing yacht in Valencia, Spain – and demonstratesBMW’s first-ever retractable hardtop.

Cover Story 3 Series Convertible

BMWMagazineBMWMagazine

Beauty by the sea: the 3 Series Convertible in Valencia. Integrating aerodynamic lines and eye-catching contours, it demonstrates elegant BMW style; a short overhang in front, stretched hood and long wheelbase signal its focus on ready power and agile handling.

Valencia Port America’s Cup BMW ORACLE Homebase

“BOAT AGAINST BOAT – IT’S LIKE PLAYING CHESS ON THE WATER!”

– MATCH SPECIALIST STAN MOHR

BMWMagazineBMWMagazine

USA 87 BMW ORACLE Racing Team Wind direction SW 18 Knots

WIND… OR WINDOWS?Compared to its predecessor, the all-new 3 Series Convertible’s large rear side windows provide 30 percent more visibility. So raising the roof no longer means losing the view.

THE BMW ORACLE BOAT TOOK THREEYEARS OF HARD WORK TO PERFECT.

BMWMagazine

THE UNVEILING: A SECOND, ENTIRELYNEW BOATWILL BE LAUNCHED.

Even in the hot sun, the Dakota Leatherseats stay cool – thanks to BMW’s newSun-Reflective Technology, which canhold seating surface temperatures to as low as 68 degrees.

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With BMW’s new retractable three-part hardtop, the new 3 Series Convert-ible delivers a joyful driving experience all year round. And the immenseappeal of a convertible, combined with your choice of two potent new engines –including a twin-turbo with direct injection – makes this car totally irresistible.

The three-part retractable hardtop was developed especially for this newmodel. Lowering it takes just about 22 seconds; raising it, about 23. Driving withthe hardtop up, there is no annoying outside noise, even at highway speeds. Inareas where winters are harsh, this practical innovation eliminates the need toinstall an optional hardtop. The new roof design also allows BMW to add largerwindows. The rear side panes are 30 percent larger than before – which, togetherwith the slim roof pillars, makes for better peripheral vision. Not only does thishelp during parking and turning maneuvers, but the larger windows also let moresunlight into the cabin.

The Convertible’s low, light design emphasizes the car’s distinctive shoulderline. With the top down, this low shoulder line – as well as a low windshield and aseating position moved further to the rear – enhance the feeling of openness. Andlowering the hardtop is as easy as pressing a button. Want it lowered? Hold the button down, and the three roof parts stack, then stow in the trunk. Goingshopping but want to leave the top down? With the optional Comfort Access,

which includes a convenient opening and closing loadingfeature, the hardtop stack can be raised up and out of thetrunk, far enough for you to stow your gear – then low-ered back down.

With the 3 Series Convertible, BMW is the first car-maker in the world to use Sun-Reflective Technology – a special process developed for the leather upholsteryand interior lining. Modified, “cool” color pigmentsembedded in the leather help reflect the infrared radia-tion in sunlight, effectively preventing the buildup ofexcessive temperatures. And when the mercury climbs,Sun-Reflective Technology can hold seating surface tem-peratures to as low as 68°F!

The new BMW 3 Series Convertible combines itsunmistakable appearance with an equally unique drivingexperience. Fitted with the standard 6-speed manual,the 300-horsepower 335i with 3.0-liter, fuel-injectedtwin-turbo inline six can whisk you from stop to 60 injust 5.5 seconds.1 The 328i Convertible delivers 230 hp at6500 rpm and 200 lb-ft of torque at just 2750 rpm, forsatisfyingly muscular acceleration.

With either engine, the new BMW 3 Series Convert-ible delivers smooth, fast-revving response andrefined power – and fun – at all times.

15.7 seconds with STEPTRONIC automatic transmission. BMW AG testresults. Obey local speed laws and always wear safety belts.

The low windshield enhances the open-air feeling.

Above: with its lightweight aluminum suspension and innovative technology that delivers agile yet stable handling, the 3 Series Convertible is a joy – even when the weather isn’t.

Below: in just 22 seconds, the three-part hardtop retracts, stacks and disappears into the trunk, revealing a sleek,sun-loving convertible.

FAST CHANGE: FROM HARDTOP TO CONVERTIBLE IN SECONDS

8 sec.22 sec.

BMWMagazine

BMW 335i Convertible Specs

Engine liter/type 3.0/inline 6

Displacement cc 2979

Nom. output@rpm hp 300@5800

Max. torque@rpm lb-ft 300@1400-5000

Top speed1 mph 130

Acceleration2

0-60 mph sec 5.5

1Top speed limited electronically; 150 mph with optional Sport Package.

2BMW AG test results, manual transmission; 5.7 seconds with automatic transmission.

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HOW DO

ACTUALLY WORK?

ADAPTI VE HEADLIGHTS

Adaptive Headlights are designed to followthe contours of a road and light up curves.They make nighttime driving more illuminating– and more enjoyable.

Many people avoid driving in the dark. At night, visibility isdiminished, and drivers are dazzled by oncoming headlights.This calls for extra concentration, and so fatigue sets in more quickly.Small wonder that accidents occur more frequently at night!

BMW has always given high priority to improving safety throughbetter lighting. For this reason, BMW introduced bright Xenon headlights in 1991 and, 10 years later, Xenon lights for both high and low beams. The year 2003 marked the arrival of Adaptive Head-light technology; with the introduction of the all-new 3 Series Coupe and X5 models and the redesigned X3 came a light for tight curvesand corkscrew roads.

Each of these developments helped improve visibility. The safetybenefits have been so clear that the number of vehicles equipped with Xenon lights has grown steadily. Today, almost half of all BMWvehicles are delivered with Xenon headlights. Many customers alsochoose the Adaptive Headlights option, since this technology furtherimproves visibility, particularly when taking curves quickly.

Thanks to precise and responsive swivel technology, dynamiccurve-lighting systems are able to follow the twists and turns ofthe road ahead at all times. Whereas conventional headlights direct the beams straight ahead, and thus leave a significant part of the road dark in the curves, BMW’s Adaptive Headlight technologyimproves visibility up to 90 percent. These mobile headlights have a

T e x t : M i c h a e l S e i t z

Technology Adaptive Headlights

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swiveling range of approximately 15 degrees, and are synchronizedwith the vehicle’s speed. Supplementing this feature is CorneringLights, which come on gradually when taking tight curves at lowerspeeds. Additional projectors, integrated with the foglights or thedouble headlights, are directed at the inside of the curve. This featureis offered in the all-new X5, 3 Series Coupe and redesigned X3.

The BMW headlights move by means of precision step motors.In just a fraction of a second, these motors smoothly rotate thebearing-mounted reflectors to a precisely calculated position.

Although the mechanical aspects are hardly new, the sophisti-cated intelligent control unit represents a considerable investment oftime by BMW engineers. Frank Bilz, the specialist responsible for in-house software development, knows more than anyone about the

system’s finer points. “Unlike other manufacturers, we use not juststeering wheel movements to control the swiveling reflectors. We alsolink these to data measuring the actual driving speed and yaw rate.”

“Yaw rate” refers to the car’s rotary movement about the verticalaxis. It precisely describes the actual vehicle dynamics, making itpossible to calculate, in advance, the radius of a curve for speeds over18 mph. Steering angle, yaw rate and vehicle speed are transmitted byBMW’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) systems to a speciallydeveloped control unit that operates the step motors in the head-lights. With this, BMW has created even, reliable lighting that is alsopleasing to the human eye.

Frank Bilz describes a couple of driving situations in which theBMW system is in a class of its own. “Our system is designed torecognize minor steering corrections when driving at highwayspeeds, so the headlights don’t swivel from side to side unnecessarily.The same applies if the driver makes continuous minor adjustments

to the steering angle when taking a curve. Occasionally, in moreextreme driving situations, the actual position of the steering wheeldoes not indicate the desired direction of travel. But our high-qualitydata make it possible to avoid system malfunctions that woulddistract the driver.” Thanks to the control unit, the software devel-oped in-house, and the quality of processed data, BMW engineershave also been able to adjust the Adaptive Headlight system to suitindividual vehicle models. After all, there’s a significant difference indriving styles between a Z4 Roadster and a 7 Series Sedan.

In years to come, BMW engineers hope to create a system thatnot only recognizes the driving situation, but will also be able to lookone or two curves ahead. This is an area of research in which FrankBilz and his colleague, Johannes Aulbach, are already involved.“It should be possible to integrate data from the navigation systemand image-processing camera sensors in order to develop the systemeven more,” says Aulbach.

In any case, local information supplied by the Navigation systemwill soon support headlight control systems. Dynamic headlightswill then provide illumination on urban and country roads andhighways. Depending on the traffic situation, the reach of the beamswould be wider and shorter in urban areas (like low beams on the country roads), and on highways they would also illuminate theneighboring lane.

But that’s not all. BMW engineers and their development part-ners have set their long-term sights even higher. With “pixel light,”they expect to be able to either illuminate – or eliminate – all indi-vidual objects within range of the headlights. For example, usinginformation from cameras and other data sources, the technologywill be able to cancel out light from oncoming traffic that comes into a driver’s line of vision, as well as cast a bright, focused beam onthe immediate surroundings, especially on pedestrians androad signs.

ELIMINATING THE UNPLEASANTASPECTS OF NIGHTTIME DRIVING

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The headlights illuminate the road ahead and through the curve (Illustration left) by means of the swiveling motion shown above.

SEA HAWK PRO 1000m – Golden Gate Yacht ClubExclusive model dedicated to BMW ORACLE Racing Team’s home Club.

Water resistant to 1,000 metres. Equipped with a screw-down back and a helium relief valve, Girard-Perregaux GP033R0 mechanical movement, with automatic winding,

vulcanized rubber strap with folding buckle.Limited and numbered edition to 1,000 pieces.

Girard-Perregaux for BMW ORACLE Racing

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Dream job Safety car driver

Helmet on, gloves on, eyes forward.It’s shortly before two o’clock onSunday afternoon. In about a minutethe MotoGP race at the AutomotodromBrno, Czech Republic, will begin. CarlosPrátola focuses on the group of motor-cycles 100 yards in front of his BMWM6. Two, one, go: the 19 bikes, each withthe strength of 240 horses, jump to lifeand propel their riders into the firstcurve. Prátola hits the accelerator andthe M6 shoots off behind the pack. He isthe official BMW safety car driver forthe 17 races of the motorcycle worldchampionship. The Argentinean alwaysfollows the competitors on the openinglap of each race. “The first lap is themost dangerous,” he says.“The riders arestill tightly bunched and just a smallmistake can result in a mass pileup.”

In the event of an accident, the for-mer rally driver has to decide withinseconds whether to radio the stewardsand recommend they stop the race, orallow it to continue. In an emergency, herequests immediate medical assistanceand, with the help of co-driver AlbertVilaró, secures the area of the accident.

Driving almost at top speed, Prátolatakes the white M6 through the 14curves of the 1.33-mile track. TheBMW’s 500 hp makes it twice as power-ful as the bikes, but the two-wheelersstill have the edge in the curves. It’s amatter of weight: at 4,000 lbs., the safetycar is 12 times heavier than the MotoGPmachines. After about two and a halfminutes, Prátola rolls back into the pitlane. Everything has gone smoothly sofar, but the car and its driver remain onstandby for the rest of the race.

The race day starts early for Prátola.At 8:00 a.m., in the BMW, he is the firstman out on the track checking that it is safe for the race to proceed. No dirt,no leaves, no patches of oil. Before eachpractice session and race, he checks theprecision of the timing systems in theM6 one last time; the car is fitted withthe same transponders as the bikesthemselves.

Shortly after 3:00 p.m., the presenta-tion ceremony marks the end of CarlosPrátola’s day. Now he can step out of hisoveralls. The next races for the MotoGPwill be in Malaysia, Australia and Japan.The teams and equipment hit the roadagain. “I like driving fast. I have a greatcar to work with, get to see the world,and I’m paid to do it. That’s prettyspecial,” Prátola says, but neglects tomention the responsibility and stressinvolved. While Prátola relaxes with hisfamily in Barcelona before the next race,the M6 is given a thorough inspectionby BMW engineers, and madeready for its next performance.

Ready for action: driver CarlosPrátola and co-driver AlbertVilaró with the BMW M6 safetycar at the MotoGP race in theCzech Republic (above and far left). Their job is to ensuremaximum safety in all 17 racesof the motorcycle worldchampionship.

A DAY WITHCARLOSPRÁTOLA,MOTOGP SAFETYCAR DRIVER

THE FIRST LAP OF A MOTORCYCLE RACE IS THE MOST DANGEROUS. THE SAFETY CAR FOLLOWSTHE BIKES SO THAT IT CAN BE ON THE SCENE IMMEDIATELY IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS.

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The Nordschleife of the Nürburgring is one of the best known race stretches in the world.BMW Driver Training teaches motorsport fans how to enjoy its thrills safely.

The BMW Z4 M Coupe at the Galgenkopf segment of the Nürburgring Nordschleife.Safety Driver Training

KEEP YOURNERVES

IN THECURVES

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“ THE SAFETY TRAINING SAVED ME .”

count over 30 different asphalt surfaces along the way. The track isnarrower than most country roads, and you go into most of thecurves blind. The Nordschleife was carved out of the mountains 79 years ago and was quickly recognized as one of the most unpre-dictable, twisting and treacherous tracks anywhere. Over the decades,hundreds of thousand of fans have flocked to this part of the track,which drivers know as the “Green Hell.” Lauda’s crash in the 1976Grand Prix, in which the world champion almost burned to death,brought about the end of the Formula 1 era at the Nordschleife.Today, the course is used only for testing and driver training pro-grams. But the mystique remains. BMW Driver Training courses for various levels of ability take place here several times a year. Thetwo-day Nordschleife seminar is sold out quickest of all.

A total of 86 enthusiasts from all over the world turned up at the track early last September to get behind the wheel of the new Z4 M Coupe, which was making its debut at a BMW Driver Trainingcourse. A road-going car with a 6-speed manual transmission andracetrack technology, the Z4 M Coupe does 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds.The watchful eye of the DSC driver-assist system helps recognizeunstable situations right at the outset and makes the necessary cor-rections.

With the warm-up safely concluded, Müller draws to a haltbefore the Galgenkopf segment, which the group will practice on for

As the cars tear over the asphalt, the trees in the fields dissolve into a green blur.

This is just the warm-up.“OK – now into the crest from the right;step on the gas. Approaching from the left gives you a tighter angle.It would send you flying,” Müller warns. He has just enough time to give the warning. It is a bad idea to open your mouth in the Fuchs-röhre gully – the compression won’t let you close it again. Here’s theBergwerk, where Niki Lauda had that terrible crash. They take it witha tug on the steering wheel. Next, the Mutkurve – definitely not theplace to lose your nerves.

Thrills are part of the package in BMW Driver Training on theNordschleife. This 13-mile rollercoaster ride is the oldest part of theNürburgring – and a legend in itself. A total of 73 curves mark thishistoric winding stretch through the Eifel mountains. The experts

He has been projecting images onto the screen for two hours:steering angles, curve radii, brake points. Yet the most importantconcept cannot be explained by pictures or words, Karl-Heinz Müllersays. Humility is something you have to feel. Now, strapped inbehind the wheel, the instructor is in radio contact with the four carsin his seminar group. “The Nordschleife is a beast, just waiting for the slightest loss of concentration,” he tells the students. He adjustshis dark aviator glasses, turns the ignition key and the 343-hp engineunder the hood of the dark-blue Z4 M Coupe springs to life. Theconvoy slowly winds its way to the starting point of the first lap.Müller leads in the pace car, the students follow in line behind him. A few seconds later, the speedometer needles quiver at the 80-mph mark. Through the Tiergarten Passage, the twists and turnsof the Hatzenbach, then up the long, left curve to Schwedenkreuz.

Facing page: Hatzenbach. Courseparticipants drive back leisurely and then race through the segment again. Right: back to Galgenkopf. To test their own limits, the drivers run through the last right curve before the Döttinger Höhe several times.

T e x t : H e n r i L e s e w i t z P h o t o s : S t e f f e n J a g e n b u r g

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the next hour – at first on foot. “What can you tell from the tiremarks here?” asks Müller, pointing to the rubber streaks leading intothe grass at the end of the left-hand curve. A collective shouldershrug. Thomas Just, a tax consultant who has completed all theNordschleife seminars so far this year, raises his hand: “A lot ofdrivers shoot off to the left here because they turn in too late.”“A good deduction,” says Müller, who is actually a police inspector indaily life. The BMW driving courses fill in his free time. Now andthen he takes motorsport tourists on a tour of the track in thefamous BMW M5 Ringtaxi. Müller has 20 years of experience on theNordschleife and knows every foot of the Green Hell, including thekey Galgenkopf segment. “Take a look at the barriers,” he tells hisstudents, pointing to the rusty metal fence with fading graffiti on the right. “Obviously no one ever crashes here. Now look over to theleft.” Gleaming silver for about 100 yards. “They’re always replacingthe barrier here, even though it’s a left-hander. You have to make sure you’re going straight again when you come out of the curve.”Precision pays.

Now into the cars. The students pass through the Galgenkopfone by one. The brutal acceleration force punches them back intotheir seats; hit the brakes briefly, pull the wheel, brace the neck mus-cles against the pressure, countersteer, rev the engine up to 7000 rpm,shift into high – and back to the starting position. Again and again,until the perfect driving line is programmed in their minds.

Once you’ve wrestled with the laws of physics on the Nord-schleife, you’ll never be free of motorsport fever. Müller’s group isknown as “Ten plus.” These are the drivers who have attended at least10 seminars. Rüdiger Gier has completed 13. He gives himself one asa birthday present each year. Tomorrow he will be 63. “I’m impressedby what a car like this is capable of. You shoot into the curve with thethrottle wide open and, by rights, you should wind up like scrambledeggs – but the car sticks to the road like glue,” he beams. In order not to have to alternate behind the wheel with one of the other

Above: the BMW paddock at the Nürburgring.Tire walls separate the old Grand Prix track

from the Nordschleife. Top right: racing fansleave their words of encouragement on theasphalt. Right: conference at Metzgesfeld.

“WE’RE GOING TO BLAST UP TO THE SCHWEDENKREUZ AT 135 TO 140 MPH AND

STEER SMOOTHLY AROUND THE CURVE.”

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participants, Gier actually booked two slots in the seminar. Twice thecost, double the fun. And double the mental strain. But that barelyregisters with Gier, a building contractor who shuttles 120,000 mileseach year between construction sites.

Software developer Helmut Bründl has lost track of how manydriver training courses he’s been on. For him, it’s a sport. “During thetwo days of the seminar, I’ll only eat light meals and go to bed early.You have to be 100 percent physically and mentally fit for the Nord-schleife,” he says, and then describes how the safety skills he haspicked up helped him to avoid an accident. One day, a deer suddenlyappeared on the road in front of him. He braked briefly and hard – ashe had learned during BMW safety training – and darted around theanimal. It was a close call. “The training saved me – and the deer,” herecalls.

The Nordschleife’s fame extends throughout the world. Apartfrom Germans, American and Japanese visitors are the largestnational groups participating in the BMW Driver Training courses atthe Nürburgring. On this occasion, there is even a group of Russianswith their own interpreter, although they show no particular need tomake small talk. Bradleigh Boshoff has had the longest journey,though. The BMW tire developer from South Africa has come to theNordschleife to work on his driving technique prior to testing ses-sions back home.

Boshoff says he’s driven the Nordschleife hundreds of times invirtual form in the video game GT4. “It’s very realistic, but the mostimportant thing doesn’t really come across in your living room – theimmense centrifugal force and the compression,” he remarks. This isalso where an attempt by Japanese engineers to build a replica of the

Nordschleife came up short. The topography of the Eifel mountainsjust cannot be replicated.

Müller’s students have worked through four of the Nürburgring’ssegments in the last few hours. They’ve checked the barriers, testedroad-grip with their shoe soles and pushed themselves further andfurther towards their own limits. Now the moment they’ve beenwaiting for has come: the Ring itself. Müller steps on the gas andpushes the rev counter needle into the 6000-rpm zone. The centrifu-gal force has the tires squealing. Clutch, accelerate, brake. Traveling in a line, no one in the group has trouble keeping up. Quite theopposite, in fact. “OK,” says the instructor. His students hear thecalmly spoken words over the radio. “Now we’re going to blast up tothe Schwedenkreuz at 135, 140 mph, fly right over the crest and steersmoothly through the curve. Easy on the steering wheel – I don’twant to see any white knuckles. And Rüdiger, leave a bit more ofa gap.” Segment by segment, he guides the group around the Nord-schleife. Ten minutes later the cars shoot into the finishing straightat 150 mph.

The groups mix easily with each other at beer time that eveningas the drivers swap stories of their flirts with the laws of physics anddiscuss how best to find the ideal driving line. Tomorrow is thesecond day of the seminar, with four timed runs followed by lapsbehind the pace car. The day’s activities could keep them talking into the night, but Müller knows the value of sleep. His watch says 10 o’clock – late enough. Tomorrow, the beast will be lurking aroundone of the 73 curves and humility is the best form of defense. “That’ssomething you have to keep telling yourself,” says Müller. It’s amantra that has allowed him to challenge the Green Hell for 20 years now without a single accident. bmw.com/drivertraining

“EASY ON THE STEERING WHEEL– NO WHITE KNUCKLES!”

Left: the BMW Z4 M Coupe at theNürburgring – 343 hp, and 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Below: Instructor Karl-HeinzMüller explains how to take the curve. His protégés pay close attention.

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BMWMagazine

BMW facelift BMW 5 Series

With the new 2008 5 Series, BMW did what it does best: refine, enhance and improve – until they produced a stunningexample of innovation and balance.

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THE 5 SERIES

SUBTLYSUPER

AERODYNAMIC KIT complements the 550i Sport Package’s 19-inch wheels and M Sport suspension – helping it sprint from 0-60 in 5.4 seconds.

HEADLIGHT CLUSTER gets a cleaner look by moving the orange reflectors off to the side – and abrighter outlook, thanks to new optical headlight lenses.

FRONT AIR DAM now hasupturned edges, like a smile –does it know it’s going toaccelerate a lot faster?

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At first glance, differentiating the 2007 5 Series from the2008 5 Series is a bit of a challenge. Sure, you’ll find theredesigned air dam here, a newly striated taillight clusterthere – nice touches, but not exactly the stuff to inspire double-takes from other drivers. But don’t be fooled: theBMW gods of precision engineering have imbued the new 5 Series with innovations galore, from potent new enginesto innovative technologies.

The interior also benefits from luxurious cues and apalette of personalizing options. From the dashboard back,along the doors and center console, its curvaceous lines aredelineated in gleaming wood trim and artfully stitchedDakota Leather. Silver Titanium trim adds a jeweler’s touchto the redesigned steering wheel, as well as numerous con-trols and knobs. Even the doors have large storage areas thathold maps, tissues, sunglasses, travel books, magazines andmore with ease. Everything is plusher, richer, more inviting.

Which brings us to the driver’s seat. Slide your key fobinto the slot, and (while pressing down on the brake pedal,of course) hit the Start button. You’ll notice something dearto BMW fans: the sound of the exhaust – that familiarmetallic growl that lets you know something thrilling isabout to happen. Then get in gear (hey, the automatic trans-mission gearshifter is different) and take off. It feels likethese new 5s have been to the gym. The power comes onearly, flinging you past the 60 mark very quickly.

You’re not just dreaming. The 535i/535xi is the luckyrecipient of BMW’s vaunted, new twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine. This 300-horsepower dynamo, which madeits debut last year in the 3 Series Coupe, marks BMW’swelcome return to turbocharged technology. Its stellar per-formance and fuel efficiency make it a natural fit for 5 Seriesowners seeking both speed and savings at the pump.

Compliments are also in order for the new 528i/528xiengine: a Valvetronic six-cylinder that calls up 230 gallopinghorses and 200 lb-ft of rubber-burning torque. And while

EVERYTHING ABOUT THE 5 SERIES,INSIDE AND OUT, REFLECTS AN INTEGRATEDAPPROACH TO FORM AND FUNCTION.

T e x t : E l i M u s s e r

VISUAL ACCELERATION – gleaming wood trim and elegant Dakota Leather stream back from the dash in a stylized flow.

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legroom to keep long-limbed passengers happy. A spacioustrunk easily hauls luggage and other cargo. Now this issmooth traveling.

In addition to myriad functional and aesthetic changes,the 5 Series is available with brilliant new features andoptions that cater to the driver’s senses – and sense of secur-ity. Standard in the 528xi and 535xi, BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system knows where and when to distributepower optimally for each individual wheel, resulting in outstanding traction regardless of the road or weather conditions. Then there’s optional Active Steering, whichintelligently adjusts steering ratio. At low speeds, it’s easier tomaneuver; at high speeds, handling is more stable.

Optional Active Cruise Control uses radar measurementsto help maintain a pre-set distance between your car and theone ahead while the cruise control feature is in use. If yourvehicle begins to drift across lanes without first signaling,BMW’s optional new Lane Departure feature discreetly alertsyou by gently vibrating the steering wheel. The optionalHead-up Display projects vital driving information in a smallyet easy-to-read area above the driver’s-side dash. The 5 Serieseven offers optional NightVision, which uses long-distanceinfrared technology to give you a better look at the roadahead, in the dark – up to 300 yards away.

Even without dramatic exterior changes, the new 5 Seriesis more desirable than ever, inside and out… which is exactlyas the engineers at BMW intended.

bmwusa.com

the 550i retains the same award-winning 4.8-liter, 360-horsepower V-8 as its predecessor, it’s always exhilarating toexperience its 0-60 time: a mere 5.4 seconds.1

Another 5 Series highlight: the transmission. Smoothand accurate, it’s six forward speeds of pure drivingpleasure – and BMW offers some excellent choices when it comes to goosing the gears. For those driving purists,a slick-shifting manual transmission is standard in all 5 Series models. BMW’s STEPTRONIC automatic transmis-sion gives you the freedom to alternate between automatic,sport and clutch-free manual modes – and it’s now a no-costoption, to boot. But for the truly shifting-obsessed, addinga Sport Package to either the 535i or the 550i lets youchoose an optional über-inspiring Sport Automatic trans-mission, complete with a set of paddle shifters2 on thesteering wheel, for faster upshifting, downshifting andthrottle blipping.

Once the performance perma-grin has worn off, you’llnotice the 5 Series’ interior changes are thorough and well-conceived. Not just a “reskinning,” BMW designers tookcareful stock of every element within the cabin – and theresult is superb, even in the smallest detail. From leather-wrapped door-pull handles to the refined center consolewith a new iDrive Controller, the 5 Series exudes a morepremium personality than ever before. Fitting, since thatsame spirit is mirrored in the available comfort and con-venience features. Optional HD Radio™ gives you freeaccess to more digital AM and FM stations, all with clear,static-free sound, as well as multicasting with innovativedata services. The optional Cold Weather Package adds aheated steering wheel,2 as well as heated front and rearseats. And speaking of rear seats, you’ll find separate read-ing lights and climate controls for both sides, with enough

AN EXAMPLEOF DYNAMIC BMW THINKING

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1Manual transmission; 5.5 seconds, STEPTRONIC transmission.2Available as of June 2007 production.

THE 550i SPORT PACKAGE with Active Roll Stabilization reveals the high-performance soul of the 5 Series.The suspension is tighter; the performance tires on 19-inch alloy wheels, larger. An Aerodynamic body kit, Shadowline trim and exclusive Carbon Black Metallic paint complete the athletic, purposeful look.

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DELIRIOUS DESIGNS

Rem Koolhaas is a prophet of modernism. The award-winning architect has given his profession new dimensions.

Architecture Rem Koolhaas

Casa da Musica, Porto, 2005: wave glass with a kaleidoscopic effect.

T e x t : N i k l a s M a a k

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If you happen to bump into Rem Koolhaas, perhapsat an art biennial in Venice, or a gallery opening inLondon or in front of his Amsterdam office, it’s asure bet that he’ll have a mobile phone glued to hisear. A moment later he’ll be rushing off. Koolhaasseldom stays in the same place more than one day.

At one time he was circling the globe on a regularbasis, from his Office for Metropolitan Architecture(OMA) in Rotterdam to Seattle, for which he designeda spectacular library, from there to China, where he’sbuilding new headquarters for the CCTV televisionnetwork, back to Europe, then to New York City to

hold a lecture, after that to visit a client in St. Peters-burg, or attend a convention in Berlin. Born in Rot-terdam in 1944, the restless Koolhaas participates in so many different panel discussions, research trips andprofessional events that it’s hard to shake the impres-sion that there are at least two of him. There are fewother architects as mobile as Koolhaas – and not onlyin the geographic sense. Even when relaxing, Koolhaashas to be in motion: he goes swimming every day(they say his office maintains a list of addresses andthe opening hours of hundreds of swimming pools all over the world), and he loves driving. Koolhaasused to drive an old Maserati, but ever since its enginedied with a loud bang on a Dutch autobahn, he’s beendriving a BMW 840i.

Koolhaas is currently considered the world’s mostimportant and influential living architect. Few others,over the past decade, have so profoundly influencedthe field with their buildings and theories on the foun-dations of architecture. Other fields have also felt hisimpact. It’s no surprise that fashion mogul MiuccaPrada, for whom he designed several stores, countsherself among his friends. Koolhaas’ career path hasbeen far from predictable. He grew up in Indonesia,worked for a time as a journalist and even wrote

movie scripts. In 1978, when he was 34, he published aliterary manifesto that today has cult status for manyarchitects. Delirious New York is a mix of surrealistimagery, cultural analysis, architectural and urban his-tory, and wild utopian fantasies portraying Koolhaas’view of the the Big Apple.

Demonstrating the road that an alternative mod-ernism might take has been a goal for Koolhaas andthe OMA architecture firm he founded with friends in1975. The group’s first creations went up in the 1980s,and included the Nederlands Dans Theater in TheHague. Rotterdam’s art museum followed the VillaDall’Ava in St. Cloud, near Paris, a building thatcavorts playfully on stilts and has a pool on the roof.The spectacular rooftop landscaped gardens of theNexus House Project in Tukwoka, Japan came next.In 1998, the villa that cemented Koolhaas’ fameappeared. Commissioned to build a house in Bor-deaux, France by the proprietor of the newspaper SudOuest, Koolhaas designed the entire structure arounda platform capable of moving up and down to meetthe paralyzed owner’s needs. While confined to hiswheelchair, the owner can access different levels of thehouse from the platform. Two years later, Koolhaaswas awarded the Pritzker Prize, architecture’s equiva-lent of the Nobel Prize.

Koolhaas asks basic questions: how else could ahouse look? How might the city of the future beorganized? What do concepts like private sphere, com-munication, individual and collective identity reallymean, and how are they expressed in buildings? Toexplore such issues, Koolhaas has created his ownthink tank in Rotterdam. Named AMO, the reverse of OMA, his office’s name, this group researches thebasic assumptions underlying architecture and soci-ety, the overarching social, aesthetic and politicalframework in which the building industry functions.How does this affect his own designs? The interestingthing about building a new Prada store in Manhattan,for example, says Koolhaas, is the chance to “create anew definition of what a store is, what it can be. It isalso a public space. A stage. In SoHo we created a space which can be used culturally as well as commer-cially: the store’s merchandise hangs on rails droppedfrom the ceiling, but they can be pushed aside to makeway for a collapsible stage, and the wide staircasesdouble as amphitheater seating. The whole store thenbecomes a stage.”

Koolhaas is attempting to invent a new kind ofpublic space and his work is probably impossible to

truly understand without a visit to Seattle, where hisrevolutionary library building has given the city a new center.

“Washington – The Evergreen State.” The mainreason why it is “evergreen” here is because it neverstops raining. When the sun shines, it isn’t for long.Especially in autumn, the fog can hang for days on endover the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the passage connectingSeattle with the open ocean. As the rain clouds moveinto Puget Sound from the nearby Pacific Ocean, theCape Flattery and Lower Elwaha Indian reservation all the way up to Seattle, it’s impossible to set footoutdoors without getting soaked to the bone. Oneneeds to be aware of this in order to fully appreciatethe new library. It lights up the block between 4th and5th Avenues like a great multifaceted gemstone. Dur-ing the day, when the gray skies are reflected from itsglassy surface, it appears like a brooding monolithicsculpture over which someone has pulled a brightlycolored fishnet stocking. But after dark the libraryturns transparent and lights up from within, revealingits inner framework and becoming a sparkling centerof vitality in this quiet section of a city jam-packedwith skyscrapers. Like San Francisco, the streetsplunge straight down to the harbor and Elliot Bay. Nosidewalk cafés, no crowds were found in this part of

PUBLIC LIFE CENTERS ON THE ROOF, WHICH RETRACTSIN SUMMER SO EMPLOYEES CAN EAT OUTSIDE.

Public Library, Seattle, 2004: like no other building, it blurs inside-out boundaries.

Netherlands Embassy, Berlin, 2003: like a worm winding through a magic cube.

Public Library, Seattle, 2004: a lemon-yellow escalator leads to the information desk and internet terminals.

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Seattle before Koolhaas erected his new interpretationof public space there.

The new $165 million library leaps back from therigid street line, creating space for a public plaza – asdoes Mies van der Rohe’s Seagram Building in NewYork City. But in Seattle, the plaza is a patch of wildvegetation. The untamed garden, designed by PetraBlaisse, serves as a surrealistic reminder of the daywhen the first settlers laid eyes on forest-encircledElliot Bay. The first surprising aspect of Koolhaas’creation is how it blurs the boundary between thebuilding’s interior and the outside surroundings. Avisitor entering from 5th Avenue immediately arrivesat a public square complete with coffee stand, theambiance of a train station, and a view of the streetand the passing traffic. The whole square is shelteredby the façade, which arches overhead like a gianttransparent umbrella, very necessary in rainy Seattle.The space is a combination waiting room, abstractgarden and oversized living room. It’s a loggia thatbrings in city life, erasing the distinction betweenpublic and private space. Adding to the interplay is the light blue- and turquoise-glazed steel frame of thefaçade itself. Twisting and folding from inside to out,it manages to morph into a wall, a floor and then aceiling.

At the back of the 425-seat auditorium is an esca-lator whose gleaming lemon-yellow color sets youblinking uncontrollably. It leads to the so-called “Mix-ing Chamber,” and across a brushed metal floor to the information desk. Since a library without internetaccess would be unthinkable in the hometown of

50 BMWMagazine

Rem Koolhaas, 62, is one of the most gifted architects of ourday and a leading theoretician in the field. Originally a filmscriptwriter and journalist, he went on to study architecturewith friends, and established the Office of Metropolitan Archi-tecture (OMA) in 1975. In the early 1980s, Koolhaas beganturning his ideas into buildings; the Nederlands Dans Theater inThe Hague brought him world acclaim. He is currently workingon the headquarters for Chinese Television, which is scheduledfor completion in 2008, in time for the Beijing Olympics.

REM KOOLHAAS

Maison à Bordeaux, Bordeaux, 1998: three floors linked by a lift platform that transforms into a bathroom, office and dining room.

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Microsoft and Amazon, this level has a free internetcafé with 132 terminals.

Beyond this electronic window to the world beck-ons a panorama of Elliot Bay, from which small boatsleave for Victoria and Vancouver. Beneath the MixingChamber, within a bright red and astoundingly – forKoolhaas – biomorphic labyrinth, are conferencerooms and underneath them, the Children’s Center,with a collection of over 80,000 children’s books.Another shocking-yellow escalator leads to the heartof the library, a spiral that winds upwards throughrows of bookshelves containing 750,000 volumes rightup to the glass roof, and 400 chairs and reading areaswith a view of the city and the bay.

The spiral can be expanded to hold 1.4 millionvolumes. There has never been a library like this.When the rain outside drums endlessly on the glass,the library serves as an innovative fusion of the privateand the public – a gigantic, collective living room. Vis-itors spend hours on couches reading newspapers,magazines and books, many of them waiting forfriends who work in neighboring office towers.

Koolhaas has put up buildings in three cities overthe past two years. Each maximizes the spiral design,which has generated unexpected spaces. Besides Seat-tle, there is the Casa da Musica in Porto, Portugal.Located on the Plaza Rotunda da Boavista, the build-

ing resembles a futuristic crustacean deposited on the Avenida da Boavista by the waves of the AtlanticOcean. Visitors enter it as if boarding a spaceship: byway of a glowing neon staircase jutting from its belly,which leads to a deep slit in the façade. A last look atthe city’s quietly proud middle-class houses with theirbright red roofs – and then it’s on into this combina-tion concrete cathedral, giant futuristic snail shell, andship’s hull. A staircase, wide as a room, leads up to the huge concert hall in the upper levels. If we take the architect at his word, the Casa da Musica is only anenlarged version of a private residence.

Koolhaas is not only trying to direct our angle ofvision to the vertical, he actually conceives of a ver-tically organized city. Berlin presents an example. Itsnew Netherlands Embassy there is a freestandingmagic cube, which appears to twist and pulsate as ifsomeone were trying to pull it apart. Glass rampspushing through the metal walls make it seem like anorgan inside the silver block which is about to explode.

When Porto, Spain, was designated the CulturalCapital of 2001, Koolhaas wanted to build a concerthall with a glass façade on both sides. Flat surfaces,however, have poor acoustic properties. Together withengineers Cecil Balmond and Renz von Luxemburg,Koolhaas developed a huge sheet of waved glass to sep-arate the concert hall from the city. The glass wall’sundulations are adapted from a sine wave, which makesthe wall so sturdy that it doesn’t need steel or concretereinforcement. At the same time, the wall provides bet-ter acoustics than any other type of glass pane.

“I’m interested in the idea of congestion,” saysKoolhaas. “When you can’t build infinitely upwardsanymore, things have to be organized in new andmore precise ways, compacted, radicalized.” The inte-rior of the embassy is radically new: there are no stairsor even floors anymore. A shiny aluminum-clad corri-dor, stair-like in places, ramp-like in others, winds likea crazy worm through no less than 20 levels. Here andthere, the corridor opens into sitting areas or pushespast the walls onto a green glass floor through whichthe street below is visible. The “worm” bores throughthe building right up to the roof. Meeting rooms andoffices branch off from the corridors. Koolhaas’embassy replaces the traditional office building with awork landscape: the 200-yard-long walk seems morelike a stroll through a mountain village than a normaloffice. The public side of this miniature city centers onthe roof, where a gym and cafeteria are located. In thesummer the roof is opened so that the employees canenjoy eating in the open air. To a small extent, this is arealization of Koolhaas’ “culture of congestion,” andthe dream of the vertical city with which the 34-year-old began his career in Delirious New York.

www.oma.nl

Nederlands Dans Theater, The Hague, 1967: one of the first projects by the OMA architecture group.

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Prada Store, New York, 2001: redefined public space.

KOOLHAAS HAS THEM ALL: THE PRITZKER PRIZE,THE MIES VAN DER ROHE AWARD, AND MANY MORE.

BMWMagazine

BMW ALPINA B7: A BLUE STREAKFROM BAVARIA

T e x t : V i c t o r i a L i s t

Automotive specialty firm ALPINA takes the BMW 7 Series Sedan and

creates horsepower of a different color.

New: BMW ALPINA B7

Forget taking the plane. The BMW ALPINA B7 is so fastand so luxurious, you’ll want to drive there instead.

(And you’ll probably arrive sooner.)

BMWMagazine 5756 BMWMagazine

you press the accelerator pedal, to the point where it nearlyreaches the plushly carpeted floor, it unleashes a smooth andconstant torrent of torque while busily spooling the supercharger.And should you find yourself on a racetrack where it’s legal tobreak the sound barrier, with your safety belt fastened and yourlunch completely digested – floor it. With a lusty howl, theBMW ALPINA B7 lunges for the horizon at what seems to bewarp speed. Yet the most amazing numbers of all can be foundat – of all places – the gas pump: 15 mpg city, 23 highway.

The BMW ALPINA B7’s handling is as eye-opening as itsraw acceleration. Endowed with BMW’s near-perfect 50/50weight distribution, Active Roll Stabilization feature, and uniqueALPINA sport-suspension setting, and shod with 245/35ZR-21front, 285/30ZR-21 rear performance tires, this full-size sedaneagerly attacks curves with a degree of grace, composure andferocity that is truly exhilarating to behold.

A vehicle capable of such near-effortless high perform-ance requires instrumentation to match. So the leather-wrapped, three-spoke ALPINA sport steering wheel offersSWITCH-TRONIC shift buttons on the back for those who liketheir driving style on the Formula 1 side. For those times whenyou prefer a more laid-back experience, there’s the smooth-as-silk 6-speed automatic.

And while the BMW ALPINA B7’s blistering performancemay heat your blood, the cockpit remains a soothing environ-ment, with dash gauges bathed in a cool ALPINA blue.

Of course, all this show-stopping performance in a vehiclethat is the epitome of sporty style and elegance does not comecheap. But if you are in the financial neighborhood, you’d haveto look far and wide to find a vehicle that could make you feel soblessed to be in possession of a driver’s license.

alpina-automobiles.com

Above: the BMW ALPINA B7 shows off its wind-cheatingform. Special ground effects and a rakish rear spoiler not only give it a more athletic look, but help keep thissprinter glued to the ground – even at its top speed of 186 mph.

Left: high-gloss, reddish-brown Burl-Maple Wood trimenhances the BMW ALPINA B7’s beautiful interior.

If Germany were the face of a clock, Buchloe would markthe “6.” Located at the bottom of Bavaria, with the Alps as a backdrop, this small town of just over 12,000 is impor-tant to driving enthusiasts the world over for one reason: it’shome to the automotive tuning company, ALPINA.

Less than 50 miles away lies Munich, the Bavarian capitaland home of BMW – which has been ALPINA’s sole client sinceit was established in 1964. Since then, ALPINA has made itsname by taking production BMWs, retooling their engines foradded power, and refitting their interiors with exclusive, luxematerials. ALPINA creations can be always identified by theirspecial badging and 20-spoke alloy wheels. The latest BMW toreceive the ALPINA touch is the 7 Series Sedan. Dubbed theBMW ALPINA B7, this unique 500-horsepower luxury sedan isavailable exclusively through BMW of North America.

The transformation begins with the engine, BMW’s 4.4-liter V-8. All the main parts destined for a BMW ALPINA B7are given extra heat treatments at the BMW engine plant inSteyr, Austria. These parts are then shipped to Buchloe, whereALPINA assembles them into V-8 engines, but with a difference:the addition of a Nautilus-style radial compressor and a fullyremapped engine management system (ECU). SuperchargingBMW’s V-8, together with Valvetronic engine “breathing” tech-nology results in fearsome power with excellent fuel efficiency.

The completed engines, along with special six-part coolingunits, are then forwarded to the 7 Series plant in Dingolfing,where BMW ALPINA B7 assembly continues by hand. In addi-

tion to a selection of paints, upholstery colors and wood trims,purchasers can also choose the signature ALPINA Blue exteriorpaint and Cream Beige Leather upholstery, warmed by hand-some Burl-Maple Wood trim. Each vehicle is carefully assem-bled on the 7 Series production line, but customized by ALPINAwith special ALPINA parts, ECU software uploading, airbagsand more. The finished vehicles are sent back to Buchloe forfinal inspection, and then shipped to the U.S.

Outside, numerous clues give away the BMW ALPINA B7’snot-so-secret identity as a serious performer – such as massive 21-inch alloy wheels (quickly slowed down by equallysizeable 14.7-inch front, 14.6-inch rear brakes), and a deep frontair dam with large air intakes. At the back sits a rear-deck spoilerwhose small size is a sharp contrast to its uncanny ability to helpkeep the rear of the vehicle stable and firmly grounded as thespeedometer needle swings toward faster speeds.

In lesser vehicles, the need for a spoiler may seem gratuitous;however, in the BMW ALPINA B7, it’s a necessity. Courtesy ofthat supercharged V-8, it’s disconcertingly easy to find yourselfon the far side of 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. From the moment

WHILE THE BMW ALPINA B7’SBLISTERING PERFORMANCEMAY HEAT YOUR BLOOD, THE COCKPIT REMAINS A SOOTHING ENVIRONMENT.

When driving downhill on slippery roads,it is essential that Dynamic Stability Con-trol (DSC) is once again engaged. It’s bestto take descents slowly and in a low gear.Depending on the speed, you should eitherbrake gently or accelerate cautiously. Withautomatic transmission, the stability controlsystem recognizes the specific situation andselects the appropriate gear setting.

Even if you are driving carefully with thehelp of DSC, things can get tricky on down-hill curves. The car may understeer, wherethe front wheels skid towards the outside ofthe curve. If that happens, try to keep thevehicle on the road by maintaining the nor-mal steering wheel position in the curve –and do not steer harder into the curve untilyou have regained directional control.

BMWMagazine

Winter holds challenges in store. You should be properlyequipped and know the right driving techniques. Here are some tips for slippery slopes.

SAFETY TIPS FOR THE SNOW

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Freezing temperatures, snow and icemake driving difficult in winter. It’s hardgoing uphill on snow-covered roads, unlessyou’re properly equipped and know a fewlittle tricks. First of all, BMW recommendswinter tires at all four wheels – not just forhigher altitudes, but even in lowland areasthat see little snow. It gets icy there, too, andif you still have summer “performance”tires, braking distances are longer and road-grip in curves is reduced.

When you are about to go up a hill insnowy conditions, BMW’s driving expertssuggest that you do it with a running start.On icy roads it is virtually impossible to takesteep slopes in low gear. Drivers with man-ual gearboxes should stay in a high gear aslong as possible. Also, a quick jab on theDynamic Stability Control (DSC) buttonbefore starting the climb activates DynamicTraction Control (DTC). This system allowsthe drive wheels to spin slightly, which actu-ally improves your uphill thrust.

Vehicles with BMW’s xDrive have an eas-ier time in winter. Thanks to this intelligentall-wheel-drive system, they have outstand-ing traction going uphill. On downhill runs,you can keep the vehicle to a slow, steadyspeed without riding the brake by pushingthe Hill Descent Control (HDC) button.Here too, DSC picks the best possible trac-tion for all four wheels to help take thevehicle to the bottom.

All xDrive vehicles are now equippedwith DTC for better running starts andascents with slightly spinning wheels. And to make maneuvering out of snowy or tightparking spaces easier, don’t forget to turnthe DSC off to activate the DTC system.

In extreme conditions, experts advisethe use of snow chains, even if your vehicleis equipped with xDrive all-wheel drive.BMW recommends that these should alwaysbe attached to the rear wheels.

bmw.com/drivertraining

The Power Of Time –The Valeo Reserve.

For a booklet on TUTIMA INSTRUMENT WATCHES, including authorized dealers in North America, please contact: Tutima USA, Inc., T: 888-462-7888, info@tutima.com

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or influence, to prevail. The Valeo Reserve

adds meaning to the word power. The

art of watch making, challenged from

concept to delivery. Each detail carefully

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BMWMagazine

IT STARTS WITH

DUSTAND DIRT

Vehicle testing 6 Series prototypes

DANCING ON ICE AT

-13°F

POLAR PI ROUETTESOn a frozen lake in northern Sweden, the BMW 6 Series prototypes drive in circles to test the anti-skid control system. At night with thetemperature at minus 40°F, testing was done for cold engine starts, the effectiveness of theheating system, and the winter performance of all individual components. Parts of the BMW test track were heated for uphill traction tests so that, for example, the car’s left wheels wereriding on asphalt while the right wheels were on snow (next page).

DUST TRAPDuring the first tests on BMW’s track inMiramas, the prototype learned to eat dust.The track was strewn with chalk dust, which left its marks all over the car. Water tanks on the rear seats simulated the weight ofpassengers (far right, top).

TRIED, TESTED,

AND KNOCKEDABOUT

In debugging the BMW 6 Series, the prototypes were treated horribly.

Relentless testing under extreme conditions

in all parts of the globe.

MARATHON THROUGH HELLCalifornia’s Death Valley, with temperaturesreaching 122ºF, is the hottest place in the U.S. Prior to testing, the prototypes stand for hours in the grueling sun. The temperature in the pas-senger compartment can go as high as 176ºF. That makes the mountain-valley tests a torture for both driver and car. All 30,000 components have to be able to survive the inferno.

118°FIN THE

FURNACEOF DEATH VALLEY

ROAD MAPTOPERFECTION

MID-TERM REPORT IN SOUTH AFRICADriving on selected roads, members of the BMWBoard of Management get a firsthand impressionof the new sports car’s performance. They are themost rigorous examiners – which is all the betterfor the customer. The aim is not to find out what is good, but what could be better. The new BMW 6 Series receives a glowing report.

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weaknesses of the new BMW 6 Series. Allthat counts is the driver’s impressions; therest is theoretical. You have to get behind thewheel to know what the car can really do.BMW’s board members are the most criticaljudges – in the interests of the customers aswell as the company and its employees. “It’sa bit like a mid-term report in school,” saysMichael Reger, project manager for vehicleintegration during the 6 Series testing per-iod. “You think you’ve done well, but youcan’t help feeling nervous.” But that’s short-lived: straight A’s for the 6.

Munich, Germany. Up, down, up, down,up, down. A gearshift robot tirelessly worksthe 6-speed transmission. Again and again itshifts through the gears. Around the clock,without a break, for two whole weeks. Atotal of 320,000 times. Meanwhile the hornhas to sound 50,000 times at temperaturesranging from 40°F below zero to over 221°F,while a mechanical finger pushes the buttonto release the safety belt 15,000 times in suc-cession. The list goes on. While the BMW 6 Series prototypes are doing their job out inthe big, wide world, their components andparts – from axles to softtop – are tested forprecision and durability at BMW’s Researchand Technology Center (FIZ). The loads to which they are subjected are generallyhigher than what they would endure overthe entire lifetime of the car.

Tokyo, Japan. Different country, differentroad conditions, different fuel. How doesthe engine in the BMW 6 Series cope withthe high-boiling-point fuel used in Japan?And what about Tokyo’s chaotic traffic con-ditions? Rush-hour traffic from morning to night. Great heat, high humidity. Highdemands on motor oil and engine cooling.For days on end, the test vehicles crawl inmore or less permanent stop-go traffic. Theaverage driving speed in downtown Tokyo isapproximately 6 mph.

End of the road. All torments endured andsurvived. Series production can begin. Hav-ing done their duty and reached the end oftheir martyrdom, the test cars are uncere-moniously carted off to the scrapheap. Noleftover parts as souvenirs. The purpose ofprototypes is to satisfy the customer atthe wheel of the production model.

The most important thing about a proto-type is the tape – black, waterproof tape.It makes the features unrecognizable – atleast the crucial ones. Two years before the production launch, prototypes and pre-production models of the BMW 6 SeriesCoupe and Convertible embarked on aworld tour. Well camouflaged, these under-cover models traveled from northernSweden to South Africa, and from the U.S.to Japan. They crunched over rough graveltracks, endured blistering-hot deserts, anddrifted through icy Arctic landscapes. Noform of torture was omitted. The test manualprescribes well over 1,000 gruesome trials.The test engineers were merciless and themeasuring devices incorruptible. The mis-sion was to identify defects and eliminatethem. The cars were mishandled, tormentedand abused until there was no more roomfor improvement. A BMW must never showthe slightest sign of weakness.

Miramas, France. From the word “go,” thefirst 6 Series prototypes get a dirty deal. Nosooner are they up and running, when theprototypes are sent to BMW’s Miramas testtrack in southern France and chased down a section of road covered with chalk dust.The aim is to find out the extent to whichthe front, rear and sides pick up dirt. If itexceeds a certain limit, the car’s design canstill be slightly modified at this early stage.During the trial period, the prototypes fre-quently come to Miramas for test drives onMont Ventoux. They carry water canisters in the rear seats to simulate the weight ofpassengers, or rack up miles on the facility’shigh-speed section: 24,000 miles, travelingnon-stop with throttle wide open, equals120,000 miles of normal highway driving.

Arjeplog, Sweden. Hour after hour, the 6 Series Coupe and Convertible prototypesflit back and forth on frozen Kakel Lake.Extended power drifts on clear ice at minus13°F are common maneuvers at this facility,which lies just 30 miles south of the ArcticCircle. The cars act as rolling laboratories,bristling with sensors and packed to the roof with measuring devices. This is wherethe stability control systems are tested, ad-justed and fine-tuned. These systems have to function with absolute precision, yet notinfluence driving pleasure: not too soon, butnot a split-second too late, either. It’s a deli-cate balancing act. For 30 years now, BMWcars have been carrying out intensive wintertesting on artificial hills, sharp turns andpitched ramps in the deep freeze around theArctic Circle. Up to 200 BMW engineers areinvolved.

Death Valley, California. 118°F in the shade.Except that there is no shade. The BMW 6 Series Coupes and Convertibles are leftstanding in the merciless midday desert sunfor hours. Death Valley, the hottest place inthe U.S., is where the cars are tested for heat stability. None of the 30,000 or socomponents is allowed to wilt. The blacksheetmetal almost hits the 212°F mark, andinside it is a roasting 176°F. The test driversstep into a sauna on wheels and, althoughthe air conditioning begins pumping coldair in just 10 seconds, it takes a minutebefore the cooling effect becomes notice-able. That’s because the air ducts are the firstto absorb the cold. From Bad Water – at 284 feet below sea level, the lowest point on earth – the route leads to a 15 percentgradient, ending at Dante’s View, a lookoutpoint 5,000 feet above sea level. Road signscaution drivers to switch off the air condi-tioning while climbing the mountain. It mayseem paradoxical, but it makes good sense.Some car engines suffer heatstroke in suchextreme conditions. In the 6 Series Coupe and Convertible prototypes, the air condi-tioning is left running full blast – but theengines are undaunted. All the numbers fallwell within the acceptable limits. This is justone of myriad tests carried out in the Cali-fornia furnace. Bottom line: the 6 Series is fitfor desert duty.

Nürburgring, Germany. 13 miles, 73 turns,gradients of up to 17 percent – the Nürburg-ring’s Nordschleife ranks as the most chal-lenging racetrack in the world. Covering 620miles of the Nürburgring at racing speeds isthe equivalent of around 12,400 miles ofnormal driving. Here, the slightest weaknessin handling, ride comfort or dynamics isruthlessly exposed. Every new BMW modelis tested and tweaked here. Fine-tuning thesuspension is like seasoning a gourmet dish:you just have to keep trying it. Drive, feel,observe. Analyze data, modify components,adjust settings. Drive, feel, observe again.Always at the limit, but never beyond it,until everything is balanced, harmonious,just right. Thousands of miles on the road to perfection.

South Africa. Board members on board.On selected routes, BMW executives get afirsthand impression of the strengths and

MORESTOP THAN GOIN

TOKYO

INTO THE TRAFFIC TURMOIL OF A MEGACITY

The conurbation of Tokyo is the world’s largestmetropolitan area. Its narrow streets, millions

of cars and endless traffic jams, as well asintolerable heat and humidity in summer, pose

extreme challenges for the lubrication andcooling of the engine. After the racetrack, thedesert and the Arctic ice, the final major testfor the new BMW 6 Series is carried out at awalking pace. Part of the Tokyo trials was to

check whether the sports car would fit onto the local vehicle transporters.

T e x t : W o l f g a n g S c h n e i d e r

Development of the 6 Series on DVDA camera team from the Discovery Channel followed the development of the BMW 6 Seriesfor three years. The three-part documentary A Car is Born (3 DVDs) can be ordered online at

amazon.com | discovery.com

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BMW biker “head over heels” in more ways than oneDear BMW Magazine,Though my wife has had BMW automobilesfor some time, my first BMW was a beauti-ful 2005 R 1100 S Boxer Cup. I’m a 46-year-old Civil Engineer, and the desire for a BMW (I first looked at the R 1000 when it debuted in1986), combined with my love of the fully fairedrace-bike look, led me directly to the R 1100 S.Though I initially thought the graphics and suchwere a bit much for my age (my problem, notthe bike’s!), the salesman at California BMWkept me looking at it… and I fell for the wholepackage. I really enjoyed riding it, whether justto work, or along Route 35 and down thePacific Coast Highway. I appreciated the looksthe bike got from almost everyone… especiallyDucati owners. I never grew tired of hearing,“THAT’S a BMW?!!!”

Four days before Christmas in 2004, I waswaiting at a traffic light. I don’t lane-split, and so I sat, absent-mindedly watching the driver infront of me fidget with her hair. All of a sudden, I heard things breaking, felt my legs moving,and thought “D%#! – someone’s hit me!” Thenext thing I knew, I was looking up at the sky. A meat-delivery truck had rear-ended me. Thetop of the truck’s bumper had hit just below the exhaust pipes, broke and rotated the sub-frame up and to the right, and drove my frontwheel into the back of the vehicle in front of me.

I was thrown over her trunk, and landed on myback, next to her passenger door.

Fortunately, a compression fracture of alower vertebra was the extent of my injuries. My loving wife allowed me to replace the bike,stating that the accident could well have been a pedestrian accident, as my feet were on theground when I was hit.

I called my dealer to find out if another BoxerCup model was available. He laughed, andasked if I was collecting them. However, whenhe found out what had happened, his concernfor my well-being was overwhelming. He wasextremely helpful in replacing the bike quickly.

When I sent him a couple of photos of thewreck, I told him that he had neglected toadvise me of an important feature on the bike:the ejection seat!

Peter GrossmanMillbrae, CA

An X5 owner’s loyalty to BMWextends to an F 650 GSDear BMW Magazine,I’m a BMW CCA member, and although Isubscribe to and enjoy my monthly issuesof Bimmer and Roundel, I look forward toyour quarterly publication and its coverage of all the many aspects of BMW production.

In 2003 I bought an X5 3.0i, and when Iannounced earlier this year that I wanted amotorcycle, my partner was very supportive. Over the years when visiting friends in Europe,I’d been just a passenger. But riding and owning a bike of my own was a surprise tomost everyone who knew me.

Our friends made a point of teasing meabout my “brand loyalty.” But, I ask, what’s notto like about your well-engineered products?So, despite the hot weather and rain this pastsummer, I have been enjoying riding my 2006 F 650 GS.

Thanks again for such a great read. Andsomething tells me that a BMW F 800 S and/or an X3 will make it onto my holiday gift list –sooner rather than later.

Christopher BianchiMorris, NY

BMWMagazine 69

BMW Letters

Write to:BMWMagazine300 Chestnut Ridge RoadWoodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07677

… or contact us online! Visit us atbmwusa.com/magazine to renew yoursubscription, request information, readselected articles from this issue, and more.The Editor reserves the right to edit mail selectedfor publication.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE ROAD THAT YOU LOVE TO DRIVE?If you do, please tell us about it! Starting with this issue of BMW Magazine, we will befeaturing some of the ultimate roads across America that make driving a BMW so enjoyable.Whether you drive a two-wheel or four-wheel BMW, we would like to hear from you.

Perhaps it’s miles of stunning scenery. Maybe it’s a road that twists and turns, each hairpinturn eliciting a grin as it reveals your BMW’s agile performance. Or, if your BMW is equipped with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system, a stretch of terrain that might stymie any two-wheel drive vehicle – but not your BMW.

Every corner of the United States has great roads. We invite you to share yours with all thereaders of BMW Magazine!

Please mail or e-mail your submission to the address above. Include your name, address and phone number, the road name and location, why it’s your favorite road, photographs and (if possible) a photo of you and your BMW. All entries will become the property of BMW ofNorth America and will not be returned. We look forward to hearing from you!

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When he purchased anew 1995 BMW 740iSedan, Brenden Bartolknew he was entering a long and meaningfulrelationship.

“I decided I would need to drive it at least300,000 miles to justify my investment,” Mr.Bartol said. A long-time BMW owner, he neverdoubted that the car would be up to the task.After all, the 535i he traded in was a 225,000-mile veteran.

However, despite his confidence, he didn’texpect the relationship to last as long as it has.Eleven years later, he and his 7 are still togetherand celebrating a true automotive milestone.Recently the 740i’s odometer recorded 500,000miles – the equivalent of 20 equatorial lapsaround the planet.

An orthopedic sales representative for Zim-mer, Inc., Mr. Bartol said most of this remark-able journey has been business miles.

Legendary BMW reliability did not disap-point him. Thus far, the only repairs the BMWflagship sedan has required, aside from routinemaintenance, were replacing the fuel pump at300,000 miles, and changing the air condition-ing compressor 100,000 miles later.

Mr. Bartol purchased his first BMW, a

red 325is, in 1989. “Man, I loved that car,” heenthused. Next came the 535i and, two yearsago, a 2003 745Li Sedan. An affinity for BMWsruns in the family; his brother, Brian, owns a545i, and Brian’s wife drives an X5.

To celebrate the occasion, the 740i received a brand new windshield and a complete detail-ing treatment.

“At the risk of sounding like someone whohas won an Academy Award, I would like to rec-ognize a few of the BMW personnel at Tomkin-son BMW in Fort Wayne, Indiana, who haveparticipated in this milestone,” Mr. Bartol said.

“My thanks go to Service Manager ScottHigh, Service Advisor Doug Bontrager, andService Technician Dudley Hattaway. Dudleyhas serviced my 7 for nearly 12 years. He and hisco-workers are topnotch.”

So, how much further does Mr. Bartol planon driving his car? “Ask me again when we reach600,000 miles,” he laughed, adding, “I enjoyBMWs and will continue to be a proudBMW owner.”

BRENDEN BARTOL,USABMW 740iFROM 1995

I love my BMW

BMWMagazineBMWMagazine

Far left: blazing sunsets are not unusual along the coastal range. Left: Highway 1 runs directly along the San Andreas Fault. Above: Point Reyes Station is an interesting little town with much to enjoy.

Above: the SonomaCoast State Beachruns for 17 miles alongthe Pacific Ocean.Left: we stop our Z4 Coupe alongColeman Valley Roadto take in this majesticview of the Pacific.

Favorite U.S. Roads California’s northern coast

CALL OF THE ROADJust north of San Francisco lies more beautiful undeveloped coastal land than anywhere else in the state. It also features some of the most entertaining roads. This drive is one of my favorites.

The Potter Schoolhouse in Bodega was featured prominently in the 1963 Hitchcock film, The Birds. At one time a B&B, it is now a private residence.

Having lived locally for the last decade, I’ve grown toknow and love most of the San Francisco Bay Area’sback roads, frequenting them as often as possible. Of late,I’ve wrung the most out of my driving pleasure in a BMW Z4 Coupe, a car so deliciously full of soul and spirit that it’shard to resist the temptation to head out of the driveway asoften as possible – to answer the Call of the Road.

One of my favorite drives is one that takes about half a day– just 130 miles round trip. But there’s so much along thisroute to soak in that one can easily spend a day enjoyingnature’s bounty and the interesting little towns along the way.

Adventuresome tourists and driving enthusiasts who arevisiting San Francisco will find it worthwhile to try this routefor themselves. Just head north across the Golden Gate Bridgeon U.S. 101, passing the towns of Sausalito and Mill Valley,and take the Sir Francis Drake exit in Larkspur. Follow SirFrancis Drake west to the town of Fairfax and its centralshopping area. Look for Fairfax-Bolinas Road. It’s not wellmarked, so it might be advisable to ask one of the local mer-chants while enjoying a stroll through this interesting littlehamlet, known as the birthplace of the mountain bike.

Leaving Fairfax, the tiny suburban sprawl disappears inthe rear-view mirror and you’re headed into the hills. Soonenough you find yourself snaking through majestic red-woods, where even in the middle of the day headlights are agood idea, because the giant trees filter out much of the light.The curves come one after the other – there’s a left, anotherleft and then a splattering of rights – and all the while thenarrow road keeps climbing and climbing. We’re headed westover the Bolinas Ridge, which eventually breaks out into theopen a few miles after crossing the Alpine Dam. Finally, aftertraversing hundreds of turns, the Pacific Ocean pops intoview and, if the day is clear enough, the Farallon Islands canbe seen about 27 miles off the coast.

Fairfax-Bolinas Road ends at the world-famous Highway 1near Bolinas, and we turn north. This stretch of Highway 1runs inland rather than directly along the water, and tracksthrough western Marin County, the Golden Gate NationalRecreation Area, and Point Reyes National Seashore. Trail-heads are easy to spot if you love to hike. Don’t be surprised

to see Tule elk grazing along the oak-studded grasslands orlingering in the redwood and Bishop Pine forests. And it’sinteresting to note that here you’re driving straight up the rift zone of the San Andreas Fault – welcome to earthquakecountry.

The tiny town of Olema features a couple of restaurantsand a small hotel as well as a few scattered B&Bs. There’s alsoa turnoff for those who wish to visit some beautiful stretchesof mostly deserted beach along Drakes Bay. Just follow thesigns. Three miles north make sure to stop in Point ReyesStation – just like Prince Charles and his wife Camilla did in2005 to learn more about organic farming. The local produceis wonderful at the farmer’s market here.

Don’t miss having a breakfast bun at the Bovine Bakery orwatching the creation of award-winning cheese at the CowgirlCreamery. A stroll up and down the main drag will reveal anumber of interesting shops and local characters and somefriendly dogs. The relaxed pace is refreshing and I always feeluplifted after spending time here.

Highway 1 heads north from town, and after some won-derful sweeping curves, the road begins to parallel theshallow coastal estuary of Tomales Bay. This body of water isrenowned for its oyster and abalone farms, and great forcanoeing and kayaking. I often make a stop at the TomalesBay Oyster Company to bring home fresh oysters for barbe-quing. I also enjoy a meal at funky and rustic Tony’s SeafoodShack in Marshall. When the road again bends inland, it’llkeep you busy with its many curves until you reach Tomales(population 200), then straightens out until it intersects withValley Ford Road, just over the Sonoma County line. Turn leftand you’ll remain on Highway 1.

In a little more than four miles there’s a turn-off for thetiny town of Bodega, an interesting side-trip to see the old

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A word to the wise as you prepare for this drive: First, top off your fueltank. There are very few stations along the route. Also, please beaware that many of these roads are popular with motorcyclists andbicyclists and there are few roads with shoulders, so prepare to sharethe road. Around every blind corner there might be a bicycle rider inyour lane; therefore, proceed with that in mind at all times. Wildlife,too, is abundant in the area, and deer are an everyday hazard. Cellphone service is spotty or non-existent, and most of these roads showlittle mercy for driving mistakes. Summertime temperatures can vary in just a few miles from inland temperatures of 100°F to ocean-sidetemperatures of 50°F.

Far left: eclectic houses dot the countryside in western Marin County. Left: Coleman Valley Road’s warning signs portend a fun drive ahead while our Z4 Coupe zips through a redwood forest on the Fairfax-Bolinas Road.

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Potter Schoolhouse that was used in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963film, The Birds. Other parts of the movie were filmed inBodega Bay and at the movie studios. From here we reversedirection and drive back to northbound Highway 1.

Bodega Bay itself has a number of restaurants specializingin seafood, and offers many choices in lodging and spas.We’ve enjoyed meals at the Seaweed Café, Lucas Wharf andthe Tides Wharf. In season, Dungeness crabs are a specialty.You can watch fisherman bring in their daily catch or enjoythe sea lions as they frolic nearby. That wonderful seashorearoma wafts through the air wherever you are, and the area ispopular with surfers, birdwatchers and everyone who lovesthe sea.

We point north out of town as Highway 1 finally hugs theshoreline and the rocky coast is broken by long stretches ofsandy beach. Sometimes I stop just to take a walk on the hardpacked sand and other times I just keep enjoying my BMW –like today.

The next turn-off is a bit difficult to see and not wellmarked. We’re looking for Coleman Valley Road. Its abouttwo miles north of Bodega Bay, and marked by a long row oftall eucalyptus trees on the east side of Highway 1. You knowyou’re on the right road because a sign warns that it is notsuitable for campers or trucks. Just a single lane in places, theroad climbs sharply up the mountain and, from the top, theviews in all directions are spectacular. The road winds manymiles across open grazing land and through woodsy areasuntil it reaches the tiny village of Occidental, where the funpart of our drive draws to a close.

Check out the wonderful menu at the Union Hotel (circa1879), or dine on the sunny porch at Howard’s Café, or justtake a walking tour of Main Street with its mix of Victorianhouses and antique buildings.

From Occidental we follow the Bohemian Highway backto Highway 12, which leads to U.S. 101, ending our jour-ney – a perfect trip for the Ultimate Driving Machine.®

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Press

NOVEMBER 2006From the “Consumers’ Most Wanted

Vehicles for 2006”Sedan Under $35,000: BMW 3 Series“The redesigned BMW 3 Series snatched tophonors with 19 percent of the votes…”

Sedan Under $45,000: BMW 5 Series“BMW’s 5 Series Sedan still owns thiscategory with 25 percent [of the vote].”

Sedan Over $45,000: BMW 7 Series“This year the BMW 7 Series managed toedge out last year’s victor, the Audi A8.”

Sedan Under $35,000: BMW 3 Series“It took the all-new, all-wonderful BMW 3 Series to finally overthrow the Audi A4dynasty this year.”

Sedan Over $35,000: BMW 5 Series“For years there were only a handful ofentrants in this category, but the increas-ingly popular luxury wagon field nowincludes six models, all European.”

Convertible Under $35,000: BMW Z4“Proof that more and more people are warm-ing up to the Z4’s controversial styling anddiscovering the joy under the skin.”

From the “Editors’ Most Wanted Vehicles for 2007”

Sedan Under $35,000: BMW 3 Series“Last year’s redesign of this entry-luxuryvehicle makes it hard to budge it from thetop spot.”

Sedan Under $60,000: BMW 5 Series“2006’s winner comes back strong, with its perfect combination of luxury and per-formance.”

NOVEMBER 6, 2006From the “2006 Readers’ Choice Awards”Best Sedan – BMW 3 Series“If forced to settle for only one car, most ofus would pick a sedan – something to carryfriends and stuff. It must be fun, too.… If ithas been the target for every other carcompany for a decade or more, it doesn’thurt, either.”

Best Coupe/Convertible – BMW 6 Series“… You expressed a strong preference forcars with performance as exceptional astheir looks.”

“Turbo lag is not an issue, the motor pullscleanly with as little as 1200 rpm showing,and throttle response feels instantaneousthroughout the rev range.”

OCTOBER 25, 2006From the “’07 Buyers Guide”BMW X3 SAV® – “Its refreshing to find amanual in a small SUV.”

BMW 3 SERIES – “Improving on the 3 Series is a tall order, but BMW pulls it off.”

OCTOBER 20062007 335i CoupeFrom “First Drive” – BMW 335i Coupe “Instead of turbo lag followed by a high-end rush, the 335i feels like a large-displacement, normally aspirated engine…but there’s no denying it’s an extremely user-friendly piece, with plenty of sauce for attacking mountain roads and enoughreserve to complete ‘iffy’ passingmaneuvers.”

SEPTEMBER 20062007 Z4 M CoupeFrom “Classic Confrontation” article “Road & Track commented that it feels almost like ‘a German Viper.’ They added, ‘It’s smaller and more refined than that, but still with that aggressive, powerfulnature. We’re also reminded of the CobraDaytona Coupe.’ ”

BMW 5 SERIES – “The benchmark at whichall sports sedans should aim.”

BMW 6 SERIES – “Among the best; thegrowl from the M6’s V-10 is addicting.”

BMW 7 SERIES – “A comforting and worth-while technological cruise ship.”

BMW X5 SAV® – “One of the best-handlingSUVs on the market.”

JANUARY 2007BMW 3 SeriesFrom Car and Driver’s annual “10Best” awards “Each year, the 3-series has gotten a bit morepower, an upgraded suspension, a stifferstructure, or a new body style to keep itfresh and current. These constant upgradeshave kept the 3-series on our 10Best list fora record 16 consecutive years.”

“…the 3-series remains the definitive sportssedan, delivering the driving satisfaction of a sports car in the body of a practicalmachine.”

JANUARY 2007BMW 3 SeriesFrom “All-Stars 2007”

Selected as one of the 10 mostdesirable cars available in the 2007 model year

“Why are 3 Series BMWs so well loved?…they are better than all others at doingeverything extremely well, because they’vebeen honed over the years to provide theabsolute best combination of all pertinentcharacteristics, making them wonderfullyagreeable to drive and own.”

“The 3.0-liter six [twin-turbo] delivers thepower and torque of a 4.0-liter and the fueleconomy of a four-cylinder.”

“If you owned all ten of our All-Stars, wethink your BMW 3-Series would rack up themost mileage in four seasons. It really is agreat car.”

X5 SAV®

From “BMW X5 – The second generationcarries the flag”

“What makes the new X5 stand out in thecrossover community is the way it performs,handles, and holds the road.”

“Because of adaptive drive, body roll is never an issue, nor are squat and diveunder acceleration and braking.”

BMW ORACLERacing

bmwusa.com1-800-605-9BMW

The UltimateDriving Machine®

Package details are tentative and subject to change.©2007 BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW name and logo are registered trademarks.

Experience America’s Cup Racing as few others can.Come enjoy America’s Cup Racing excitement off the Spanish coast.

There’s no better way to appreciate the thrills of the 32nd America’s

Cup than with the BMW ORACLE Racing experience package.

This exclusive package includes two nights of hotel accommodations;

admission to one exciting race day of sailing; two gourmet dinners;

merchandise gifts; and V.I.P. shuttle service.

Experience packages are available for the following race dates:

• Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals (May 15, 2007)

• Louis Vuitton Cup Finals (June 3, 2007)

• America’s Cup Finals (June 29, 2007)

For even more thrills, you can also take advantage of special

experiences, offered in addition to the cost of your BMW ORACLE

Racing experience package.

Special experiences include: access to the Spectator boats, where

you can catch all the competitive sailing action up-close; various

Driving experiences, such as an exciting drive in a Formula BMW

racecar; Sport experiences, featuring sailing, golf, pelota, and

more; and Cultural experiences that take you on architectural,

musical and culinary adventures.

Reservations are limited. For more information, or to reserve your

place today, call toll-free, 1-800-605-9BMW (9269).

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handling characteristics. The fact that BMW is a leading developer ofengines establishes the basis for the mutual exchange of technologybetween F1 racers and BMW series production cars. When NelsonPiquet won the F1 World Championship in 1983 – only one yearafter BMW’s entry into the king of motorsport competitions – it wasa powerful statement about BMW’s expertise in building engines.In 2000, after an absence of 12 years, BMW returned to Formula 1racing in partnership with Williams F1. That very same year, thepartnership took third place in the Constructor Championship and,with that feat, pulled off the best world championship debut of anengine manufacturer in 33 years.

BMW’s auto racing successes are not very surprising, but onecould well ask, “What does BMW have to do with sailing?” Let’shear Ralf Hussmann again. “We bring our very considerable experi-ence in lightweight construction and the building of car bodies tothis sport. From a technical point of view, a car’s body is not muchdifferent from a boat’s hull – and, of course, the boat’s speed in thewater strongly depends on the hull.” As an example of BMW’s hands-on involvement in the new America’s Cup yacht, Hussmann points tothe 45-inch keel fin made of ultra-high-strength steel, which wasdeveloped and built in BMW’s factory in Eisenach, Germany.

Following its successful America’s Cup debut in2002, BMW is again taking aim at the Cup itself – the sports world’s oldest trophy. The America’s Cup(the Formula 1 of sailing) calls for the highest level ofperformance in teamwork and tactics, as well as flaw-less technology. Join these with the grace and beautyof sailing, and you have a truly exhilarating spectacle.Building on this concept, BMW has gone on to estab-lish sailing competitions for its customers in sixcountries, and plans to introduce the BMW SailingCup in other countries, as well. The vision for theBMW Sailing Cup is to develop in a way that it becomes an excitinginternational competition for customers.

And now we come to golf. “That’s on a different page,” Ralf Huss-mann says. “Golf is a sport that interests a high percentage of ourcustomers worldwide. Golf is especially popular in the UK and theU.S. By sponsoring select golf competitions, we associate ourselveswith the kind of prestigious events that are consistent with our brandimage. It’s true that you see a good many other brands represented atthese golf competitions. Nonetheless, we believe that our marketingexperience can still be a plus here. In the professional tournaments we’re associated with, we have either established ourselves, or theyare the ones that we organize exclusively. Spectators at these events are treated to an undiluted BMW experience. Market research tells usthat in the areas of sailing and golf, the BMW brand has a very differ-ent position from the other sponsors, who conceive of these eventsmainly as exposure for their logos. There’s a wise saying: ‘One whoonly walks in another’s tracks will never overtake him.’ BMW hasalways tried to blaze its own trail.”

Are the events that are held in different countries organized outof Munich, or by local BMW representatives? Hussmann replies,“What we call ‘pinnacle events’ – Formula 1 and America’s Cup –

are organized in Munich by BMW Sports Marketing. The PGA Golftournaments are jointly executed in teamwork with the respectiveBMW subsidiaries. And naturally, we encourage our country affili-ates to make use of these sports opportunities. We also have numer-ous country-specific events, sponsored by BMW affiliates. These are suitable for smaller budgets, for example, when BMW becomes an‘Official Car’ partner.”

BMW has also taken steps to bring sports into its retail network.An example that Ralf Hussmann likes to cite is BMW’s involvementin the biggest amateur golf competition of the last 20 years. “We nowhave about 100,000 BMW owners who annually compete in golftournaments sponsored by local dealerships. The tournament startslocally; the winners then meet in national play-offs, which are organ-ized by the BMW national headquarters. The winners of the nationaltournaments then compete in the World Championship match,organized by the Munich headquarters. We also arrange for thefinalists to compete in a tournament with professionals.”

This year, for the first time, the BMW Championship tour-nament will take place at the famous Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Chicago from September 6-9. This new BMW initiative is the third tournament of the new U.S. PGA Tour Championship

Series. The BMW International Open, one of golf ’s most prestigious competitions, is eagerly awaited every year. In September 2006, topprofessionals from 24 countries competed in the 18th occurrence ofthis event in Munich. For the past two years, BMW has also been themain partner of the most prestigious golf tournament in Wentworth,London. The BMW Championship – the former PGA Championship– is the players’ flagship of the European PGA Tour schedule.

And to complete this sketch of BMW’s involvement in sports,we return full circle to a particularly successful experiment in motor-sport. Last year, BMW introduced Pit Lane Park to Formula 1 events.A brilliant idea: close-up Formula 1. Hussmann explains, “Formula 1is very strict. Fans aren’t generally allowed in the pit lane. So wethought about what we could do to provide our customers and fanswith a more satisfying Formula 1 experience, such as the opportunityto see all the sophisticated technology close-up. Our answer was PitLane Park, a kind of replica of the pit lanes, with stalls in which fanscan get a real close look at an array of Formula 1 technology.The center is a small racetrack where a Formula 1 car accelerates just a few yards from the spectators. It turned out to be a very popularidea. We have already had some 141,000 visitors to our five Pit Lane Parks.”

Seventy-eight years ago, in March 1929, BMW presented its firstautomobile. Before then, the Munich-based company had beenturning out two-wheel vehicles for a decade. The high quality ofthese motorcycles won BMW the allegiance of the fastest, mostdetermined racer of the day – Ernst Jakob Henne, the “White Phan-tom.” He won a world record that year, and in the years to follow, heproceeded to break his own records several times, always on BMWbikes. Henne was not only the fastest man on a bike; in June 1936, heentered and won a race on the Nürburgring piloting BMW’s newsports car, the 328. Four years later, the now legendary 328 came infirst in Italy’s Mille Miglia race. Ever since those early days, BMWvehicles have continuously appeared in all major car racing events,including Le Mans, Monza and Goodwood in Europe, and GrandPrix races in China, Malaysia, Japan and Brazil.

With experience spanning over three-quarters of a century, it ishardly surprising that BMW feels very much at home in the world ofmotorsport. Yet this is only one of the three sports areas in whichBMW has a stake. Ralf Hussmann, General Manager of Sports Mar-keting for the BMW marque, is proud of the company’s broad sportsinvolvement. “We believe our sports strategy perfectly supports theemotional experiences for our target group,” he says.“The motorsportactivities dynamically burnish our image; the sailing side presents uswith a challenge in team spirit and high-tech competition; and thenthere’s golf, which we see as an opportunity for extending brand value.We believe that our involvement in sports makes sense only whenBMW’s considerable know-how and core competencies are able tomake a contribution to the sport itself.”

Regarded in this light, the value of BMW’s motorsport activitiesis almost self-evident. For decades, BMW has achieved outstandingresults in motorsports of all kinds: motorcycles, touring cars, race-cars and Formula 1. The latter puts the spotlight on BMW’s coreexpertise in technology and the development of vehicles with sporty

BMW activities BMW Sports Philosophy

For decades, BMW has patientlybeen building its reputation as a

creative sponsor and trustedpartner of sporting events.

BMW’S SPORTY SIDE

T e x t : L i n d a U e t z f e l d

“WE BELIEVE THAT OUR INVOLVEMENTIN SPORTS MAKES SENSE ONLY WHEN BMW’S CONSIDERABLE KNOW-HOWAND CORE COMPETENCIES ARE ABLE TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO THE SPORT ITSELF.”

GOLF

ORACLE RACING

FORMULA 1

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The International Center for Automotive Research, at Clemson University, is a visionary partnership between academia

and the automotive industry – and home to the BMW Information Technology Research Center.

The graduate school is named for former governor Carroll A. Campbell Jr., who recruited BMW to South Carolina.

Education Clemson University

FIELD OF DREAMS

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an Outlook calendar or iTunes, and you have an application in your BMW,which will likely be a navigation system, and then maybe you have an applica-tion that you use for your company – for example, a customer relationshipmanagement database. Some of those applications might require a Microsoftoperating system; others, UNIX-based operating systems, such as LINUX orMac OS. In the future, all these applications and operating systems could run onthe same chip by using virtualization techniques. It just gives you more freedom.You can use applications in the car that you are always using outside of the car.”

Security is high on the list of priorities, says Taiber. “If you connect the vehi-cle to a backend system or the BMW corporate network, there’s a risk that some-one from the car-as-mobile-client could intrude upon the BMW network, so weare working with Clemson on a project where we try to find the security holesand simulate server attacks and then actually come up with countermeasures.”

Vehicle diagnostics is another project area, and a “service center of thefuture” will be built in the ITRC. “The more data in the vehicle you have toprogram, the more you have to analyze,” says Taiber. “Traditionally, data miningcomes from marketing and sales, where you try to understand the customer’sbehavior, but we can also use it in service and engineering.” The partners on theproject are Oracle and IBM.

The innovators at the ITRC also want to get into new broadband wirelesscommunication standards and applications. BMW is working with Sprint ontesting WiMAX as a new mobile broadband platform for on-campus commu-nication, as well as for communication between the vehicle and its IT-backend.WiMAX could enable new broadband applications in the car, such as video-conferencing. It could also be used to stream data from a prototype car to aserver. “We need broadband because there is a lot of data to be sent out fromcars during test cycles,” says Bonn.

All these are research projects still, and will undergo huge changes as theyare adapted into series production vehicles, or are considered in real businessprocesses.

“We are part of the future of BMW,” says Bonn. “We’re not only operatingdata centers; with our projects we provide the facility and the skills to be part offuture developments in the car in our entire production network, and thismakes it very exciting here.”

Next door, the engineers at the BMW InformationTechnology Research Center are looking forward to theday in June 2007 when the graduate school opens. Like awinning team looking for first-round draft picks, they canhardly wait to sign a few rookies, grad students andinterns, and hit several high-tech home runs.

Whereas IT used to be primarily a support function,today it’s a hub of innovation. The engineers at the ITRCare researching new infrastructure solutions, softwareapplications, and technologies in wireless communicationand IT security. “The creative part is the fun side,” says Dr. Joachim Taiber, responsible for innovation and research.

The ITRC operates like a consultant – when a depart-ment within the BMW Group needs an innovative ITsolution, they become the “customer” and the ITRC usesits network to source the right partners. These currentlyinclude Microsoft, Intel, Cisco, CA, Sprint, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Oracle, Apple and SAP.

BMW gets early access to new information technolo-gies, and the partners see benefits, too. “Most of theseIT companies only have sales functions in Germany,” saysTaiber. “So it provides us with an opportunity to workcloser with their R&D and product development groupsin the U.S., and link them to our departments that want todo projects with their technology.”

The most dynamic area from an innovation perspec-tive is the communication between the IT backend andthe vehicle, also called B2V (business to vehicle). “Fromour perspective, a car becomes a laptop, a mobile client,”says Thomas Bonn, Vice President, BMW Group DataCenter Americas (GDC-A) and ITRC.

Taiber explains, “You have some favorite applicationsyou are using on your laptop or personal devices, such as

“If you build it, they will come.” This particular field of dreams sprawlsover 250 acres of meadows, woods and waterways near Greenville, SC. Bull-dozers are sensitively sculpting the red clay into a technology campus of thefuture – Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research(CU-ICAR). Over the next 15-20 years, five “technology villages” will be built onthe property’s natural hilltops – each about the size of four city blocks – andlinked by conservation areas.

CU-ICAR aims to be the premier automotive and motorsports research andeducational facility in the world. Its vision is bold and its structure unique: carcompanies and high-tech firms collaborating with faculty and graduatestudents on a university research campus. Partners already include BMW,Michelin, Timken, Sun Microsystems and the Society for Automotive Engineers– and more are being recruited. BMW’s Information Technology Research Cen-ter (ITRC) is located at the entry to the first technology village, and was the firststructure to be completed on the campus.

“From our perspective BMW is a great leading partner. They’re going to playan important role as we continue to develop, and as we bring other partners in it will become a richer and richer relationship,” says Bob Geolas, CU-ICARExecutive Director.

Still under construction next to the BMW ITRC, the Carroll A. Campbell Jr.Graduate Engineering Center will offer masters and doctoral programs.“There’sno other Ph.D. program in automotive engineering in this country,” says Dr. Chris Przirembel, Vice President for Research and Economic Developmentat Clemson. “The curriculum was developed with the faculty members sketch-ing out an initial template, and then we went to BMW, we went to Michelin andTimken and other automotive OEMs to help us craft this curriculum. Thefundamental question we asked them was, ‘help us understand what knowledgeand experience a Masters or Ph.D. graduate needs five to 10 years out, to providea competitive edge to that employer.’”

BMW made the initial investment – a $10 million gift to help fund twoendowed chairs. Dr. Tom Kurfess is the dynamic BMW Chair of Manufacturing,and recruitment is underway for the BMW Chair of Systems Integration.Ultimately, there will be 10 faculty and 50 graduate students at the CampbellGraduate Engineering Center.

“WE ARE PART OF THE FUTURE OF BMW,AND THIS MAKES ITVERY EXCITING HERE.”

From left to right:The BMW Information Technology ResearchCenter (ITRC) combines open spaces with secure research areas.

The structure itself is a “green” building,incorporating bare engineering andenvironmentally friendly materials.

The BMW ITRC is the first non-academic tenant on the Clemson University ICAR campus.Reflected in the streamlined façade is theconstruction of the Graduate Engineering Center.

Dr. Joachim Taiber (left) is ITRC project manager, andThomas Bonn heads BMW Group Data Center Americas.

T e x t : S a r a h Y a r n e l l

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More than a dealership, your local authorized BMW center is literally the center for all things BMW.

BMW, AT YOUR SERVICE

SERVICE WITH A SMILE

When it comes to creating The Ultimate Driving Machine,® BMW’srenowned engineers and revered designers collaborate to bring you adriving experience beyond compare. But there is even more to thatexperience than the brilliant performance housed inside beautifullines. And it’s all available at your BMW center.

The team at your local BMW center is well versed in maintainingyour BMW, inside and out. From oil changes to more intensive serviceprocedures, your BMW center knows what to look for, what to do…and what not to do. Plus, they will only use Original BMW Parts foryour repairs. The BMW SPA program for “specially pampered auto-mobiles” offers BMW-specific detailing services. Of course, in theunfortunate event of an accident, you wouldn’t trust your collisionrepair to anyone but the experts at a BMW Certified Collision RepairCenter. It’s the best way to protect your investment. BMW center tech-

nicians are carefully trained to fix your BMW right, the first time.These passionate BMW “doctors” can help restore your BMW to itspre-accident glory – with BMW-exclusive tools that include high-techsystems analysis, Original BMW Parts, BMW’s unique color systempaint matching and more.

BMW centers also offer a wealth of accessories for BMWs andtheir fans. Those looking to personalize their vehicle – inside or out –will find a vast selection of the highest quality items in the OriginalBMW Accessories catalogs. While those seeking to wear their hearts ontheir sleeve will find a fabulous selection of BMW-inspired apparel(and gift items) in the latest BMW Lifestyle collection.

From major collision repairs to oil changes and detailing – plusextras for your vehicle and your wardrobe – only your local BMWcenter offers a “one-stop shop” for all of your BMW needs.

Oil changes are just one of the services anyBMW needs to run its best. Your BMW cen-ter has technicians trained to handle all ofyour service needs, great and small, withoutvoiding your warranty. For BMWs no longerunder warranty, this expertise is even moreimportant to prevent unnecessary expenses.

You wouldn’t trust your BMW to just anyone – and rightfully so.BMW technicians undergo extensive training on a regular basis,to properly service the complex technologies that drive your vehicle’s legendary performance.

has its own catalog of exterior,interior, technological andprotective accessories – totruly personalize your BMW.For more information aboutthese products, just go –where else? – to your localBMW center.

BMW center One-Stop Shop

The BMW Lifestyle collectionfeatures apparel, accessoriesand gift items designed with theBMW enthusiast in mind. Poloshirts and fleeces; golf appareland accessories; key rings,watches and kids’ toys… thechoices are seemingly endless.The same is true for vehicleaccessories. Each BMW series

COLLECTIBLES TO TREASURE

EXPERTISE REQUIRES EXPERTSGIFTS AND ACCESSORIES

Scale model replicas of BMWs current and historic, in a variety of sizes, offer exquisitely accurate detail. That’s quiteimportant to avid collectors, who know the only way toensure they are getting an authentic BMW Miniature is to buy it from BMW. Naturally, your local authorized BMWcenter can procure any of the myriad BMW Miniatures currently available – including the popular Isetta, the sleek Z4 Roadster and the coveted BMW Art Cars.

T e x t : D e n i s e M c V e y

Snowy slopes navigated with ease. Icy patches that won’tslow you down. Sharp mountain turns taken with confidence.This season, skiers and snowboarders will be experiencing theheight of winter performance… in a BMW. Winter marks thereturn of BMW’s popular Mountain Driving Experience. Thishands-on showcase of BMW models with xDrive all-wheel drive,happening at select ski resorts across the country, is the perfectopportunity to experience xDrive’s legendary snowmobility inaction, courtesy of BMW.

BMW partners with American Skiing Company to hold thisevent at various hotels throughout the U.S. You’ll notice MountainDriving Experience desks in the hotel lobbies, and around eachparticipating resort you’ll find various BMW models with xDrive,our intelligent all-wheel-drive system. A speedy sign-up will haveyou behind the wheel in no time.

Some participants will want to see, firsthand, how well a BMWequipped with xDrive handles in snow and ice. Others will usetheir BMW to go on quick sightseeing excursions. Still others willwant to take their BMW to a local hot spot or restaurant.

No matter how you put it through its paces, you’ll be amazed athow well a BMW with xDrive all-wheel drive grabs hold of theroad. When the xDrive system detects slippage at any wheel, itautomatically and undetectably transfers more power to the wheelsthat stick, so you have optimum traction on any driving surface.And in ideal driving conditions, when xDrive is not busy helpingyou tame the elements, it maintains the sporty, rear-wheel-drivefeel and thrilling handling of The Ultimate Driving Machine.®

Best of all, should you decide to purchase or lease a BMWequipped with xDrive, you can choose from a wide selection ofSedans, Coupes, Sports Wagons and SAVs,® each offering an unpar-alleled blend of traction and performance.

The BMW Mountain Driving Experience runs through April2007. Participating American Skiing Company resort locationsinclude Steamboat in Colorado, The Canyons in Utah, and MountSnow and Killington in Vermont. You needn’t be a hotel guest toparticipate – this complimentary program is open to the public.Vacationers from all resorts in the area are welcome to take a test drive.

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THE PEAKOF PERFORMANCE

The BMW Mountain Driving Experience puts you behind the wheel of The Ultimate Driving Machine® – and in control, in any conditions,thanks to the intelligent power of BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

T e x t : E l i M u s s e r

The BMW X5 SAV® with BMW’sxDrive all-wheel-drive system.

Events BMW Mountain Driving Experience

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BMW Information Who but BMW could…

…BUILD ITS 20,000TH

AWARD-WINNING V-10 ENGINE?

WHOBUT BMWCOULD…

T e x t : E l i M u s s e r

BMW’s V-10 engine, voted “International Engine of the Year”for two consecutive years, produces 500 horsepower at 7750 rpm.

It is the only engine to be named “International Engine of theYear” two years in a row. It is responsible for the pulse-racingpropulsion in every BMW M5 and M6 built after 2005. And now,as of this past November, this marvel of automotive engineering hasreached yet another milestone: BMW has built its 20,000th 5.0-literV-10 engine.

BMW’s fastest high-performance production-line engine isassembled in Munich on the so-called Special Engine Line. “Special”hardly does the BMW V-10 justice: not many other powerplants,production or custom, are capable of delivering a staggering 500horsepower at 7750 rpm, and 383 lb-ft of grin-inducing torque at6100 rpm. So how fast is fast? The V-10 can catapult the M5 and M6Coupe from 0-60 mph in just 4.5 breathtaking seconds.1

While amazing performance can capture the respect of anydriver, it’s the technology behind the thrills that has consistentlyearned the BMW V-10 engine high praise worldwide from automo-tive critics and journalists. The V-10 design was based on BMW’s 10-cylinder Formula 1 engine, which was acclaimed as the most pow-erful engine on the grid. Formula 1 engines are serviced or replacedafter each race; by contrast, the BMW V-10 production engine isdesigned to last for the life of the vehicle. In fact, the innovative construction and long-term resilience of the BMW V-10 allow it toproduce piston speeds that were previously regarded as impossiblefor serial production engines, due to the enormous amounts of stressto the materials. In keeping with its Formula 1 lineage – a V-10 with a19,000 rpm redline – the crankshaft of the production V-10 rotates at 8000 rpm, resulting in piston speeds in each of the 10 cylinders of65 feet per second – virtually the same as the smaller-displacementF1 engine. To combat element fatigue, BMW engineers fortified theV-10 with features like aluminum single-section cylinder heads, across-flow cooling system to ensure an even temperature throughoutthe cylinder heads, and a torsionally stiff bedplate construction.Then there’s the V-10 engine’s management system. Talk about highperformance: its 32-bit processors are capable of overseeing morethan 200 million individual operations per second.

It’s only natural, then, that this V-10 has won so many fans – andso many awards – in just two years. In its debut production year,the International Engine of the Year Awards honored the BMW V-10with no less than four honors: “Best New Engine,” “Best EngineAbove 4-liter,”“Best Performance Engine,” and, of course, the coveted“International Engine of the Year” – a title it would retain in 2006.

The V-10 is also quickly winning another competition – a popu-larity contest. In fact, the 50 BMW Limited Edition M6 Convertiblesoffered in the 2006 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book sold out inrecord time: one minute, 32 seconds. Now that’s fast!1 BMW AG test results. Obey local speed laws and always wear a safety belt.

BMW and Castrol have combined to give you everything you want from your driving machine – maximum performance and fuel economy.This remarkable partnership that has brought about a major technological leap with Castrol lubricants engineered specifically for BMW engines.Together they enable you to release the full potential of your engine, maximising power without wasting a drop of fuel.

As a driver, how do you release this potential? Simple. Insist on Castrol and turn the key.

RELEASE THE POTENTIAL.

BMWMagazine

A family holiday in southern Sweden offers everything from the buzz and glamour of fashion-conscious Stockholm to the quiet seclusion of rocky islands.

ISLAND-HOPPING FOR YOUNG AND OLD

Travel Sweden

A small bridge spans the rocks in Smögen. Right: into the briny blue from the boardwalk. Here, old-time fishermen coexist with young sun-worshippers in designer swimwear.

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T e x t : O l i v e r S t o l l e P h o t o s : M a r e i k e F o e c k i n g

Sandhamn Island in Stockholm’s archipelago: the ferry leaves for the islands. Facing page: wooden houses on Sandhamn.The exclusive ambiance of the archipelago is a magnet for both the social elite and Stockholm’s young partying crowd.

One of the best things about Sweden’s west coast is surpris-ingly sweet and lives in holes that reach as much as 40 feet downinto the Skagerrak Strait. This cousin of the lobster tastes best whenit is boiled in fresh sea water and washed down with a few swallows oflight beer, as seagulls screech in the background. It is 10 o’clock in the evening and the late summer sun has already sunk below thehorizon. Some four nautical miles off Smögen, Tommi is crackingopen a Norway lobster for us.“Everybody needs a Tommi,” says MattiKarlsson, our cutter’s owner, and the two men laugh together as onlymen who have spent many years at sea with each other can.

Norway’s lobster season was formerly limited to just a few weeksin late summer, Matti explains. Still, today, they celebrate this time of

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year throughout the country with a “Kräftskivor” banquet. Devotedentirely to the preparation and consumption of Norway lobster, thetradition lives on, even though the harvest now goes on all yearround. Gourmets rate the delicate meat higher than what mostpeople know as lobster. In the Mediterranean, the species is knownas “cigala” and “scampo,” but nowhere is it as delicious as in theNorth Sea – the colder the water, the better the quality and taste.

We came to check out the Scandinavians’ reputation for being sochild-friendly, and started out in Stockholm. The Swedish capital hasdeveloped into one of the fashion centers of the new millennium.With everything that implies, the city presents a stark contrast to theimpressive natural beauty of the country’s northern region.

Take, for example, Södermalm. The streets of this formerlyworking-class district are lined with chic shops and designerboutiques. Cutlery sets, laptop cases and various other luxuries,arranged by color, wait to be discovered by buyers who hope to get a two-year start over the trendsetters elsewhere.

So many great-looking, wonderfully dressed young women flitfrom store to store in the Götgatans shopping street that you begin towonder if this is really the place for a family. In the local H&M store,one blonde after another slips into the changing room to squeezeinto the latest skinny jeans. Out on the floor, a man discusses with asalesclerk the merits of Stockholm’s club life in comparison to that of Barcelona. If you want to know how it feels to wander around theset of a glitzy fashion shoot while the models are taking a break, justhead for a café in Södermalm.

Everybody here is so friendly. The welcoming atmosphere is notrestricted only to the city’s shopping area. Stockholm as a whole iseasier to explore with children than any other European capital. Thecobbled alleys of the medieval Gamla Stan district extend over theislands of Staden, Riddarholmen and Helgeandsholmen, all within amile of each other. Also within easy walking distance is the VasaMuseum, which houses the beautifully preserved remains of thepride of Gustaf II Adolf ’s early 17th century fleet. The five-storybuilding is only a short walk away, and is itself shaped like a ship.However, if you just want to get acquainted with Scandinavia’s mostbeautiful city, renting a bicycle at the garage in front of the museummight be a good idea, and, of course, you can find bikes with attachedchild seats.

As the ferry leaves Vaxholm, we also leave the last area of Stock-holm that can be reached by car. The green shoreline slides past as we pick up speed. We cruise between the rocky islands of the archi-pelago through maze-like waters. The farther from the shore we go,the more our Schaerenkreuzer leans in the steady wind. These slimwooden boats are the vehicles of choice in these parts.

Stockholm’s archipelago consists of 24,000 islands, the nearest of which make up the city’s eastern suburbs. All self-respectingresidents of the Swedish capital know at least one fellow citizen whohas a hut on one of the rocky outposts. Here, standing alone, perhapsthe only structure on the island, far from the maddening crowd andunder the expansive sky, the red huts really are charming. Sometimesa blue and yellow flag flutters on its mast and a jetty pushes out from

The Öland coast: the town of Vimmerby of Pippi Longstocking fame.

The BMW 328i Sports Wagon on the heath.

THE ROYAL FAMILY

KNOWS WHERE

TO VACATION.

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Rocky islands are also a feature of the landscape aroundKalmar, but that’s not why people come here. Our path takes usover a bridge to the long island of Öland, which pokes out into theBaltic like a pointing finger. This is where the Swedish royal familycomes on vacation, and it doesn’t take long to realize why. All pathslead to the water, the beaches go on forever and, for sheer picturesqueappeal, there is the odd windmill. We are strongly tempted – not forthe first time – to drop the rest of the trip and settle in here for the summer.

“I don’t know anything about the style of this castle, but I doknow that if I build one, I’d build it like this one,” the Berlin writerKurt Tucholsky wrote in his novel, Gripsholm Castle. One of the mostbeautiful love stories in German literature is set not by the sea, but onthe banks of Lake Mälaren. When approaching Gripsholm Castlefrom Stockholm by boat, vacation homes peer out from the darkforests, their outlines reflected in the calm water. But it is this hotelright near the magical castle that gets our vote. This is the country’soldest and very welcoming guesthouse. In the historic dining hall,with its undisturbed panoramic view, we order prime cuts of rein-deer steak. Visitors from north Germany at the next table discuss thisgift of nature on their dinner plates with our Swedish hosts.

The romantic lakes and countryside of central Sweden are highlyseductive, but we like the dense forests on the west coast better. And if all the water leaves you yearning for a more urban environment,then Gothenburg, Sweden’s second-largest city, might be a goodplace to visit.

But for us, Gothenburg is only a brief stopover on the way to thefjords that stretch north to the Norwegian border. The Smögenpeninsula juts out over the rocks that were polished smooth byglaciers eons ago. Rising out of the sea, they look like the silvery backs of old whales. In the background, grass sways in the meadows.The winding steps, alleyways and wooden jetties of the small townare almost reminiscent of a port in Asia. Smögen, the jewel of Bohus-län province, is our last stop on the coast. Here, you’ll see old-timefishermen alongside young folk in designer swimwear.

Far from clashing, the past and the present coexist peacefully onSweden’s west coast. The spa in the wonderfully renovated SmögensHavsbad hotel is set into the light-colored rock. The sauna here isperfect for warming up after a canoeing expedition, a seal-watchingtrip, or flying kites on the flat rocks at the water’s edge. In the earlyevening, a stroll on what must be the country’s longest woodenboardwalk around the yacht basin is a pleasant way to fill time untildinner.

The Smögen fishmongers all look a little like the Swedish soccerstar Fredrik Ljungberg. Their iPods produce heavy metal music asthey scrape halibut oil off the ovens, and the women pour a richsauce over the fried appetizers. The older men have just returnedwith a catch of Norway lobsters, crabs, sole and shrimp that lookfresh enough to crawl away. We select an extra-generous portion ofmouthwatering Norway lobster. Tomorrow we’ll go out with the mento the lobster grounds, crack open crustaceans ourselves, andenjoy Scandinavia’s sweet-tasting secret.

The 328i takes the curves on the narrow, winding road.

that sticking to 50 mph is tiring. After our trip around Stockholm’sarchipelago, our next goal is to see more of the vivid coastal land-scape in southern Sweden. We drive down the east coast as far asVimmerby, Astrid Lindgren’s birthplace and known today as a living“Pippi Longstocking” village, one of the most popular destinationsfor Swedish families.

A few hours farther south is the town of Kalmar. There, in a castlewith old cannons and surrounded by water, a tour guide in medievalcostume was interesting enough to hold the attention of even aneight-year-old. A tangle of winding streets branches out from themain square of Kalmar’s Old Town, where people are dancing on anopen-air stage to decidedly un-medieval guitar music. As it starts todrizzle, they pause long enough to put up their umbrellas: nothing,not even rain, dampens the leisurely mood of a Swedish summer.We prefer to watch from the dry comfort of Helen & Jörgensgourmet restaurant. The glass ceiling lamps there were made in the nearby woods, using the traditional mouth-blown method – but with their psychedelic colors, they blend in seamlessly with the contemporary decor.

Hidden between the trees is the Slottshotellet: a hotel with darkcorridors, rooms filled with nooks and crannies, and a lounge withheavy leather furniture and a roaring fireplace. After a leisurely drivealong Sweden’s roads, there’s nothing better than lying for a few quietmoments in a freshly made bed, gazing out past the branches that areswaying in the breeze.

the smooth cliff into the water, while the water itself laps peacefullyover the remains of some naval battle in the distant past. Then wehave picture-postcard Scandinavia, the kind of scene that makes onewant to spend the whole summer in these northern climes.

If you expect to stay overnight on an island, you’ll want to reservea room in one of the few guesthouses or hotels well in advance. It’staken us a good hour and a half on the phone to find a room at the Gammelgarden hostel on Sandhamn, a sailor’s paradise at theouter edge of the islands. The exclusivity of the outer archipelago is amagnet for the capital’s upper crust, as well as the trendy young set.The southern islands are a special attraction for people looking foruntouched, rocky nature. For travelers with time on their hands, theyare simply wonderful. This is a place for lingering, like the youngcouple in Ingmar Bergman’s Summer with Monika, who flee theirpoorly paid jobs in the city for a few weeks on the islands.

The walk to our archipelago getaway takes us through Sand-hamn’s pine forest. Troville Beach is a sandy, crescent-shaped cove,ideal for bathing, and the Baltic water is not very salty, which makes iteasier on the skin. The beach is surrounded by warm rocks, on whichwe dry off like seals in the sun after a refreshing dip. We still have afew lazy hours before dinner in the Värdshus, a pale-yellow buildingon the marina, which offers visitors surprisingly handsome decorand good food.

They say that Sweden’s stringent speed limits take pressure off thedrivers. I’m not so sure. Those of us who like sporty driving will find

THERE IS A STRONGTEMPTATION TOSPEND THE WHOLE SUMMER IN THESENORTHERN CLIMES.

Left: pine forest on Öland. The island pokes out into the Baltic like a pointing finger. Right: Gripsholm Castle on Lake Mälaren.

BMW 328i Sports Wagon Specs

Engine type Inline 6

Displacement cc 2996

Nom. output/rpm hp 230/6500

Max. torque/rpm lb-ft 200/2750

Top speed1 mph 130

Acceleration2

0-60 mph sec 6.51Top speed limited electronically. (148 mphwhen equipped with Sport Package.)

2BMW AG test results, manual transmission.

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WHERE TO STAY

Stockholm Berns HotelNäckströmsgatan 8Phone: 011-46-8-566-32200www.berns.seA hotel dating back to the 19th century with a strikingclock tower. Centrally locatednext to Berzelli Park. Rooms are tastefully furnished in con-temporary style. Its several bars are fixed points in Stock-holm’s nightlife.

VaxholmWaxholms HotellHamngatan 2Phone: 011-46-8-541-30150www.waxholmshotell.seAttractive art nouveau hotel onthe water’s edge. In contrast to the lion’s share of accom-modations in the archipelago,this hotel can be reached bycar. Reservations are essential,especially if booking for theweekend.

KalmarSlottshotelletSlottsvägen 7Phone: 011-46-8-480-88260www.slottshotellet.seThis castle hotel on the avenue leading to Kalmar’sfortress overflows with old-world charm. The roomsand hallways are furnishedwith antique fixtures and

fittings. The lobby with leatherseating is a perfect place torelax in the early evening. Excellent value for the money.

SandhamnSeglarhotellet SandhamnPhone: 011-46-8-574-50400www.sandhamn.comThis modern building next toSandhamn marina also rentsout apartments. Guests canuse the gym and spa in themain building.

SmögenSmögens HavsbadHotellgatan 26Phone: 011-46-523-668450www.smogenshavsbad.seExtensive renovations werecompleted on this building,which overlooks the narrowwinding streets of Smögenfrom its hilltop position. TheHavsbad is located just a few yards from the peninsula’spremier bathing coves.

MariefredGripsholms Värdshus &HotellKyrkogatan 1Phone: 011-46-159-34750www.gripsholms-vardshus.seThe historic dining hall is thetrademark feature of Sweden’soldest guesthouse. Here youcan sit back and enjoy a traditional menu and admirethe view over Lake Mälaren

and Gripsholm Castle. A nighthere is like taking a journeyback in time to the 1600s. A stay of at least one night is a must.

WHERE TO EAT

StockholmNystekt StrömmingSödermalmstorgThe square facing the Slussen“T-bana” subway station is theplace for the best fried herringin Stockholm. Enjoy a typicalSwedish lunch at a picnic tableoverlooking the Old Town.

Pontus in the GreenhouseÖsterlånggatan 17Gamla StanPhone: 011-46-8-545-27300www.pontusfrithiof.comAn award-winning eatery in the historic Old Town, hiddenaway in a cozy, green-colorhouse. Familiar and lessfrequently encounteredseafood dishes are oftenjoined on the menu by treatssuch as lobster vol-au-ventwith enoki mushrooms.

SandhamnSandhamns VärdshusPhone: 011-46-8-571-53051www.sandhamns-vardshus.seThe restaurant looks like asailor’s home from the outside.Inside it’s an old officer’s mess.

The menu features seafood,fish in rich sauces, hearty lamband beef dishes.

KalmarHelen & JörgensOlof Palmes GataPhone: 011-46-480-28830www.helen-jorgens.nuOffers four- to six-coursemenus and à la carte dishes in extravagant surroundings in Kalmar’s Old Town. The lobster trio is recommended.

SmögenThe fish stalls on the harborside are brimming with thefreshest seafood, mixedselections and Norway lobsterpriced by the gram.

Skärets KrogHamnen 1Phone: 011-46-523-32317www.skaretskrog.comMeticulously prepared fishdishes are served in the first-floor restaurant above thecafé. A good wine list and viewover the marina – completewith Sweden’s longest jetty –round out the ambiance.

SOUTHERN SWEDENWITH KIDS

Its manageable size makesStockholm a good destinationfor a trip with children, and thehistoric Old Town has a trulymedieval ambiance.

The Vasa Museumwww.vasamuseet.seIt has five floors and one of theworld’s best preserved histori-

cal shipwrecks as its center-piece. Children will enjoy thefascinating exhibit of life onboard. Not far away is theFreiluft-museum Skansen(www.skansen.se), whichoffers children another oppor-tunity to learn about everydaylife in the past. Just around the corner from the Vasa is theJunibacken Museum, whichtakes visitors on a journeythrough the collected works of Astrid Lindgren’s children’sbooks. The stroll through aminiature village can befollowed by a gondola triparound very detailed miniaturesets showing key scenes fromKarlsson on the Roof, Emil inLönneberga, and other stories.

Lindgren’s birthplace, Vim-merby, is a good place to stop on a journey to the southof Sweden. The whole town is like a theme park in whichactors in costume recreate theworld of Pippi Longstocking,the strongest girl on the planet.The west coast of ÖlandIsland has the magnificentbeaches and tranquil lakes forwhich Sweden is renowned.

For a slight change of theme,take in live snow leopards,wolves and lynxes at theNordic “Nordens Ark” safaripark (www.nordensark.se)located in Smögen on the west coast. For a romanticScandinavian experience, consult the Mariefred touristoffice (www.mariefred.se) for information on rentingsmall, secluded vacationplaces.

TIPS AND ADDRESSES

Not only kids enjoy themselves in Vimmerby, the birthplace ofinternationally acclaimed children’s book author Astrid Lindgren.

Ladugärdslandsviken and Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town: welcome to the fashion capital of the new millennium.

SHOPPING FORPEOPLE WHOWANT TO OWN NOWWHATWILL BE TRENDYTWO YEARSFROM NOW.

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Join BMW at these Events

Quarter 1/2007Editor in Chief, U.S.: Dianne MartiniExecutive Editor, U.S.: Linda Uetzfeld

Production, U.S.:Ritta & Associates Englewood, NJ 07631Production Manager: Nicholas Gelens

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Authors and contributors in this issue:Henri Lesewitz, Victoria List, Niklas Maak, Denise McVey, Eli Musser, D. Randy Riggs, Bob Roemer, Wolfgang Schneider, Michael Seitz, Oliver Stolle, Linda Uetzfeld, Sarah Yarnell; translation and rewriting: Dr. Lawrence S. Leshnik

Photographers/Illustrators:Marelke Foecking, Emir Haveric, Uli Heckmann, Steffen Jagenburg, Michael Kammeter, Jürgen Korinth, Mierswa-Kluska, Gary Nieter, D. Randy Riggs, Fred Rollinson, Technical Art/Schaefer

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Telephone: 011-49-40-44188-205Fax: 011-49-40-44188-398Editor in Chief: Bernd ZerellesExecutive Editor: Lutz SpennebergManaging Editor: Kai-Uwe TheelkeCreative Director: Dirk Linke

Designer: Sonja Schneider Photo Editor: Gabriele Mayrhofer-MikPublishing Manager: Dr. Kai LaakmannProject Manager: Marco KrönfeldAdvertising Director: Roberto SprengelAdvertising: Doris Bielstein (Mgr.)

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International Editions:Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium,Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic,Denmark, Finland, France, Great Britain, Greece,Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Middle East,Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal,Romania, Russia, Serbia/Montenegro, Singapore,Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey.No part of this magazine may be reproduced ortransmitted in any form or by any means without express written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright 2007 by BMWMagazine. Published January 2007. Printed in U.S.A.

2007 Formula 1 Racing Calendar

Date Circuit Location

March 18 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix Melbourne, AustraliaApril 8 Malaysian Formula 1 Grand Prix Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaApril 15 Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix Sakhir, BahrainMay 13 Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix Barcelona, SpainMay 27 Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix MonacoJune 10 Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix Montreal, CanadaJune 17 United States Formula 1 Grand Prix Indianapolis, USAJuly 1 French Formula 1 Grand Prix Magny Cours, FranceJuly 8 British Formula 1 Grand Prix Silverstone, Great BritainJuly 22 German Formula 1 Grand Prix Nürburgring, GermanyAugust 5 Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix Budapest, HungaryAugust 26 Turkish Formula 1 Grand Prix Istanbul, TurkeySeptember 9 Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix Monza, ItalySeptember 16 Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps, BelgiumSeptember 30 Japanese Formula 1 Grand Prix Fuji, JapanOctober 7 Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix Shanghai, ChinaOctober 21 Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix Sao Paulo, Brazil

For more information go to bmwusa.com/bmwexperience/motorsport/

Team BMW ORACLE Racing 2007

2007 Challenger Selection and America’s Cup DatesApril 3 Keel Unveiling Day

April 3-7 Fleet Racing Regatta (currently referred to as Act 14)

April 18 Challenger Selection Series begins

June 2 Louis Vuitton Cup Final begins –Winner becomes the 32nd Challenger for the America’s Cup

32nd Defense of the America’s Cup begins – First Team to win 5 Races wins the Match

June 23, 24, 26, 27, 29 Race Dates

June 30, July 1, 3, 4 Race Dates (if necessary)

July 6, 7 Reserve Days (if necessary)

Go to bmworacleracing.com for the most up-to-date information.

BMW Performance Center

Performance Driving School Schedule January through April 2007

1-Day School January 8, 20; February 5, 14, 21; March 7, 12, 26; April 3, 12, 16, 212-Day School January 12-13, 17-18; February 14-15, 20-21; March 1-2, 7-8, 14-15, 20-21; April 3-4, 7-8, 18-19, 28-291-Day Teen SchoolJanuary 13; February 17; March 3, 10; April 7, 212-Day Teen SchoolJanuary 6-7, 20-21; March 3-4; April 28-291-Day M School March 5; April 20M School (2-Day)January 26-27; February 9-10, 23-24; March 16-17; April 13-14Advanced M at VIRApril 2-3, 5-6Women’s 1-Day Driving School March 10Savannah Event – Roebling RoadMarch 10

For more information call 888-345-4269or go to bmwusa.com/bmwexperience/PerformanceCenter/schoolNote: Program dates are subject to change.

Oris Williams TT3 Chronograph Limited Edition

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