Celebrating the world debut of the new BMW 7 Series, the first appearance of the new BMW 3 Series at a motor show, and the latest developments in the BMW EfficientDynamics automotive strategy, the world's most successful manufacturer of premium cars is setting outstanding highlights at the 2008 Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris from 4–19 October.

The new BMW 7 Series arouses new emotions in the luxury saloon segment, offering a truly unique driving experience, supreme grand touring comfort, and outstanding design with an ideal combination of sporting elegance, modern style and natural presence.

BMW 7 Series 750Li

The world's best-selling premium car, the BMW 3 Series, is likewise more attractive today than ever before. Appropriate modifi cations of the car's design, refi nements within the interior and additional drive variants enable both the Saloon and the Touring to further increase their – comfortable – lead over the competition.

BMW 3 Series Saloon

Both of these model series, the 3 and the 7 Series, are world leaders also in terms of effi ciency. Boasting the most advanced, consumptionoptimised engine technology and a wide range of other features in BMW EfficientDynamics, all engine variants in both the BMW 7 and the 3 Series offer the best balance of motoring performance and fuel economy in their respective class.

All this is made possible by BMW EfficientDynamics, no other car maker offering a similarly comprehensive and effective strategy to reduce both fuel consumption and emissions. In all, worldwide sales of cars fi tted as standard with the latest achievements in BMW Effi cientDynamics already exceed the fi gure of one million units.

BMW Concept X3 EfficientDynamics

Introducing the new BMW 7 Series, BMW now also highlights EfficientDynamics in the luxury saloon segment. Through the wide range of technologies offered in this way, such as Brake Energy Regeneration, on-demand management of ancillary units including the a/c compressor disconnected when not required, intelligent lightweight technology, active aerodynamics and tyres with reduced roll resistance, the new BMW 7 Series is far ahead of all its competitors also in terms of such modern, trendsetting technology.

Offering average fuel consumption of 7.2 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 39.2 mpg imp) in the EU combined cycle, the new BMW 730d powered by a newly developed 180 kW/245 hp straight-six is indeed the most effi cient car in its segment.

Contrary to the BMW 7 Series boasting six-speed automatic transmission as standard, the BMW 3 Series also comes with the BMW EfficientDynamics gearshift point indicator featured on all models with a six-speed manual gearbox and the Auto Start Stop function on all four-cylinder manual gearbox models. Reducing average fuel consumption to 4.7 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 60.1 mpg imp, and with a CO2 emission rating of 123 grams per kilometre, the 105 kW/143 hp BMW 318d is the absolute leader in its segment in terms of both fuel effi ciency and emission management.

Entering the 2009 model year, BMW already offers no less than 23 models complying in full with the future EU 5 emission standard. In addition, the new BMW 330d is the fi rst model available with optional BluePerformance technology, already today fulfi lling the EU 6 emission standard not scheduled to take effect until 2014.

As of autumn 2008, the same number of 23 current BMW models comes with CO2 emissions not exceeding 140 grams per kilometre at the very most. Indeed, the fact that sales of cars with BMW EfficientDynamics already exceed one million units clearly confi rms the unique, broad-scale impact of this strategy for reducing fuel consumption and emissions in road traffi c. With achievements of this kind, the BMW Group will fulfi l the commitment made by the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA) to reduce the fl eet consumption of all manufacturers throughout the entire model range by 25 per cent between 1995 and 2008, all BMW Group brands thus complying in full with this requirement.

Offering outstandingly efficient and, at the same time, extremely attractive models, BMW enables even the most discerning customer to combine sheer driving pleasure and superior economy in all segments. Apart from the BMW 7 Series and the BMW 3 Series, the latest examples of such unique qualities are the new diesel versions in the BMW 1 Series presented at the 2008 Mondial de l'Automobile, the BMW 118d Convertible and the BMW 123d Convertible.

BMW 118d and BMW 123d Convertibles

In the upper midrange segment, in turn, the BMW 520d offers average fuel consumption of just 5.1 litres/100 kilometres or 55.4 mpg imp and CO2 emissions of 136 grams per kilometre, making this by far the most effi cient car in its class.

Likewise, both the BMW X5 and BMW X3 SAVs as well as the BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe combine unique driving pleasure with a standard of effi ciency unparalleled in this segment: The BMW X3 xDrive20d with engine output of 130 kW/177 hp and average fuel consumption of 6.5 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 43.5 mpg imp, is just as unique in this respect as the BMW X6 xDrive35d combining maximum output of 210 kW/286 hp with fuel consumption of just 8.3 litres/100 km or 34.0 mpg imp.

BMW X Models

To maintain this outstanding leadership also in future, BMW is working all-out on the series development of hybrid drive units combining the power and performance so typical of the brand with a signifi cant reduction of fuel consumption clearly measurable under all driving conditions. To achieve this goal, BMW follows a comprehensive hybrid drive philosophy offering the best solution ("Best of Hybrid") for each individual model. Two examples of such new technologies are indeed being presented in Paris, the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid with its eight-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor integrated in the transmission to provide extra drive power and the BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid combining an eight-cylinder power unit and an electric motor by means of an innovative two-mode active transmission.

The Mondial de l'Automobile, the Paris Motor Show, is being held at the Porte de Versailles Fairgrounds in the capital of France from 4–19 October 2008. More than 500 international exhibitors are presenting their latest products and technical achievements at the Show which, as the most signifi cant car exhibition of the year, is expected to attract some 1.5 million visitors from all over the world.

World debut: the new BMW 7 Series.

Celebrating the world debut of the new BMW 7 Series, Germany's leading manufacturer of premium cars is setting the most spectacular highlight at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The fi fth generation of BMW's Luxury Performance Saloon combines sporting elegance, outstanding presence, and exclusive generosity in most innovative style. Superior suspension technology featuring Dynamic Damper Control and optional Integral Active Steering as well as innovative driver assistance systems and the modern design of the cockpit including Dynamic Driving Control and the latest generation of BMW iDrive guarantee absolute supremacy on the road.

The new BMW 7 Series is available right from the start with no less than three engines: a V8 in the BMW 750i (300 kW/407 hp) and a straight-six in the BMW 740i (240 kW/326 hp), both featuring Twin Turbo Technology and High Precision Injection, as well as the fi rst representative of a new generation of straight-six diesel engines in the BMW 730d (180 kW/245 hp).

Motor show debut: the new BMW 3 Series.

With its athletic design, sophisticated and stylish interior, innovative model features and the most effi cient engines in this segment, the new BMW 3 Series is further increasing its lead over the competition. Appropriate modifi cations in design highlight the sporting character of the Saloon and Touring even more clearly and convincingly than before, the new generation of iDrive control enabling the driver to mastermind the car's most important functions even more smoothly and conveniently. The engine range is being rounded off by a new 3.0-litre straight-six diesel developing maximum output of 180 kW/245 hp, fulfi lling the EU 5 emission standard, and even achieving the EU 6 norm with the help of optional BMW BluePerformance technology.

Motor show debut: BMW 118d Convertible and BMW 123d Convertible.

A direct, incomparable feeling of the sun and wind rushing by, uncompromising premium quality and the thrilling agility of the BMW 1 Series – now the discerning connoisseur is able to combine the superior features

Highlights at a Glance.

so typical of the BMW 1 Series Convertible with equally unique effi ciency. The new BMW 118d Convertible is powered by a 105 kW/143 hp fourcylinder diesel, the engine already featured in the 2008 World Green Car of the Year, the BMW 118d, now accelerating BMW's open-air four-seater to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds and offering average fuel consumption of 4.9 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 57.6 mpg imp, together with a CO2 rating of just 129 grams per kilometre to set new standards for effi ciency in this class.

The BMW 123d Convertible likewise offers an outstandingly positive balance of driving pleasure and fuel economy, the car's four-cylinder diesel with Variable Twin Turbo unique the world over developing maximum output of 150 kW/204 hp. The BMW 123d Convertible accelerates to 100 km/h in just 7.5 seconds. Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 5.4 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 52.3 mpg imp, and the CO2 rating is 144 grams per kilometre.

BMW Efficient Dynamics: superior innovations for even greater fuel effi ciency, lower emissions, and even greater driving pleasure. More comprehensively and effectively than any other concept, BMW Effi cientDynamics serves to consistently reduce fuel consumption and emissions in road traffi c. Sales of cars with BMW Effi cientDynamics already exceed more than one million units. And now, at the 2008 Mondial de l'Automobile, BMW is proudly presenting the latest results of this unique development strategy, including BluePerformance technology featured for the fi rst time in the new BMW 330d and already reducing emissions today to the level of the EU 6 emission standard not scheduled to come into force until 2014.

Highly attractive: new Edition Models of the BMW X3.

Two new Edition Models make the highly successful BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle already accounting for sales of more than 500,000 units worldwide even more attractive in autumn 2008: The BMW X3 Edition Lifestyle is particularly modern and sporting, while the Edition Exclusive highlights in particular the premium character of this special all-wheel-drive model. Both versions combine features such as high-quality light-alloy rims, sophisticated refi nements within the interior and additional comfort features in a perfect balance of style and harmony.

Sporting style for the genuine individualist: BMW Performance – Original BMW Accessories for even greater sheer driving pleasure. The BMW Performance Product Line enhances the range of Original BMW Accessories for all models in the BMW 3 Series and the

BMW 1 Series through the introduction of attractive options focusing even more on the sporting character of the car. All components in the BMW Performance Line are tailored to the respective model, enhancing the car's sporting performance in terms of both drive power and suspension qualities, optimising the car's aerodynamics and upgrading the cockpit again in the interest of enhanced driving dynamics.

The focus at the 2008 Paris Motor Show is on BMW Performance components created and designed specifically for the BMW 1 Series.