2015 was a highly successful year for the BMW Group and this is confirmed by overwhelming worldwide acknowledgement. This year BMW vehicles won numerous national and international distinctions in categories as varied as innovation, design, sporty flair, quality, sustainability and intelligent vehicle connectivity. The prize-winners in the various categories were chosen by juries made up of automobile journalists, readers of car magazines, international automobile experts and market researchers.
Four top ratings in the renowned “International Engine of the Year Award” underscore the BMW Group’s engine expertise. A specialist jury of 65 automobile journalists from 31 countries voted the BMW TwinPower Turbo 3-cylinder in the BMW i8 as the class winner. A second class victory went to the integrated drive system of the BMW i8, and this hybrid drive also won the overall prize. The M TwinPower Turbo in-line 6-cylinder petrol engine in the BMW M3 Sedan and the BMW M4 Coupé also received the award in the 2.5 to 3.0-litre category for the fifth time.
What is more, the BMW i8 was voted “World Green Car of the Year” as well as receiving the “Paul Pietsch Prize” awarded by the automobile magazine “auto, motor und sport” for the most innovative technology concept. The BMW i8 was also named “UK Car of the Year” and was voted “most environment-friendly luxury car” by “The Washington Auto Show”.
The BMW i3 likewise gained international recognition. In China, the successful electric car was pronounced best compact car as part of the “Best Cars 2015” awards, as well as being voted “Car of the Year” in Australia. In addition, the BMW i3 won the “Company Car of the Year” award presented jointly by the magazine “Firmenauto” and DEKRA.
Sheer driving pleasure is the top priority for readers of sports car magazines – and it is the sporty BMW models that best embody this. This was certainly the opinion expressed by readers of “Auto Bild Sportscars”. In the “Serial Production Coupés” category, the BMW M4 GTS was voted “Sports Car of the Year 2015”. Its 500 hp 3-litre 6-cylinder petrol engine with M TwinPower Turbo Technology is the first serial-production car to be fitted with innovative water injection (combined fuel consumption: 8.5 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 199 g/km)*.
42,520 readers of the automobile magazine “auto motor und sport” and the computer magazine “CHIP” cast their votes for the “Car Connectivity Award 2015”: in doing so they confirmed the BMW Group’s pioneering role in the networking of driver, vehicle and environment. The BMW i8 was the outright winner of the “Connected Car 2025” award, attracting 30.3 per cent of the votes. The magazine’s knowledgeable readers were impressed with the car’s extensive range of driver assistance systems, services and apps. What is more, 56, per cent of participants regard BMW as the brand with the best car connectivity.
Readers of the automobile magazines “Auto Bild” and “Computer Bild” voted on which manufactures offer the best innovations relating to automobile connectivity, for which the winners receive the “Connected Car Awards”. The new BMW 7 Series was voted “Connected Car of the Year”. In addition to its optimum connectivity, the gesture control function and “remote-control parking” were two particularly impressive features which the new BMW 7 Series is the only car in the world to offer. For the “remote-control parking” function, BMW also received the “Connected Car Award” in the category “Assistance Systems – Comfort”. BMW also impressed readers most in the category “Assistance Systems – Safety”, being honoured with the “Connected Car Award” for the “Driving Assistant Plus” system available in the BMW 7 Series, BMW 5 Series and BMW i3.
The “GreenTec Award” – one of the biggest and most important European distinctions for environment-friendly technology – went to the intermodal route planner developed for the BMW i models. The system incorporates other means of transport in navigation guidance where this means that the destination can be reached more quickly and efficiently. The BMW Group also received the United Nations “Momentum for Change Award” for its innovative fast-charging network to cater for electrically powered vehicles.
