October news in brief

• Apple CarPlay via wireless connection is now available with #bmw Professional Media System.
• Prices announced for the new 2017 #bmw 5 Series range.
• Marco Wittmann wins his second DTM Drivers’ Championship.
• Alessandro Zanardi races to victory in Mugello.
• BMW UK strengthens its leasing team.
• The #bmw X5 is awarded best tow car.

Apple CarPlay now offered with #bmw Professional Media System.
Available on almost all models within the #bmw range, customers with the #bmw Professional Media System now have the option to purchase Apply CarPlay preparation enabling the wireless use of their iPhone including selected third party apps in their #bmw.

Unlike the integration seen on other vehicles within the industry, the connection in the #bmw is wireless ensuring maximum convenience for the user. Smartphone content such as iMessages, SMS, Telephony, Entertainment, Apple Maps and selected third party apps can be displayed and operated on the iDrive either using the iDrive controller, touch or voice input. The available smartphone content can be viewed on the iDrive while still having access to information from your #bmw in the split screen such as the #bmw entertainment details, navigation guidance, vehicle information etc.

Alongside the optional Apple CarPlay preparation, all BMW's feature Apps Interface allowing the use of #bmw Connected as well as selected third party apps including Audible, Deezer, Glympse, Spotify, Stitcher and more.

Apple CarPlay is priced at £235 and available on 1 Series, 2 Series Coupé and Convertible, 3 Series, 4 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, X3, X4, X5, X6, M2, M3, M4, X5M, X6M and M6.

Prices announced for the new 2017 #bmw 5 Series range.
With a broad range of engines and the introduction of BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system available, the new 2017 #bmw 5 Series remains as competitive as ever. This seventh generation model uses the very latest technology from within #bmw to create a saloon that’s more refined than ever before, significantly lighter, safer, and more fuel efficient. Prices shown below:

Figures in brackets apply to xDrive variant. *Top speed electronically limited.

Marco Wittmann of #bmw Team RMG is the new DTM champion.
Finishing fourth place in the final race of the year at the Hockenheimring (DE) was enough for the 26-year-old at the wheel of the Red Bull #bmw M4 DTM to gain the DTM title. Starting from fifth on the grid, Wittmann produced another flawless race to wrap up the title.

Wittmann is the first #bmw driver ever to win the DTM Drivers’ Championship twice, having previously been crowned champion in 2014. At the age of 26 years and 327 days, he is the youngest double DTM champion of all time. In the team standings, #bmw Team RMG ended the season in second place with 290 points and a deficit of 29 points. #bmw is also in second place in the manufacturers' standings, with a total of 647 points.

Marco Wittmann, #bmw Team RMG, said:“What a feeling! Being crowned DTM Champion for the second time in four years is incredible. It was a difficult season, but now the emotions are indescribable. We fought right down to the wire and had no idea that we would finish at the top before the season started. We've done it now. Crazy. Massive thanks go to my team, #bmw Motorsport and everyone involved. And I have huge respect for Edoardo Mortara. He had a great season. In the end we did enough. Now it's time to celebrate.”

To commemorate the historic win, #bmw M unveiled a special edition model based on the current #bmw M4 Coupé. The #bmw M4 DTM Championship Edition is on sale now boasting 500hp and a six-cylinder turbocharged engine that can hit 62mph from standstill in 3.8 seconds before going on to a top speed of 190mph.

Alessandro Zanardi races to victory in Mugello.
After a break of over a year and after winning two gold and one silver medal in the para-cycling competitions on Rio de Janeiro (BR), Mugello marked the comeback in the #racing cockpit for Alessandro Zanardi where he raced onto the top step of the podium in the #bmw M6 GT3.

Zanardi had qualified third on the grid for Sunday’s race, but was promoted to second place after a competitor’s car was damaged in an accident on Saturday and could not take part in the second race. The Italian was third after the opening lap, but when the pit stop window opened he took the lead. And when he returned to the track after his mandatory pit stop he was still leading the field. Zanardi opened up a gap of several seconds and raced to his first ever win in the #bmw M6 GT3.

Alessandro Zanardi, expressed his victory: “There are no words to describe what I feel. Today I saw the sun setting and it never looked that beautiful. What a year, not only what a day. Once more I enjoyed beautiful moments in Rio de Janeiro, and now just jumping into this beautiful car was amazing,” Zanardi enthused. “But to win the race is something else. I did not have the start I wanted, but I had a great car underneath me. So I knew it was just a question of putting in some good laps as soon as the guys in front of me pitted, and that is what I did. So when I came back on the circuit I found myself with a very comfortable lead, and I had the speed to stay away from the guys behind me and finish with the victory.”

Three new Leasing Key Account Managers join #corporate Sales department.
BMW Group has recently strengthened its leasing company relationship management team with the appointment of three new Leasing Key Account Managers.  Ian Munro joins from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles where he held a number of positions focussing on leasing company relationships and residual value management. Hollie Crumlish joins from the Manufacturer Engagement Team at LeasePlan UK and Jack Munford transfers from Alphabet and builds on experience gained in the leasing sector and #bmw Retailer network.  Finally, Lee Pennells takes on the newly created role of Tactical Leasing Manager, focussing on tactical sales and #bmw Group’s approach to the Broker Sector.

Adam Harley, National Leasing Manager, commented: “This new structures allows us to build on our core strengths of collaboration and partnership.  Clearly defined Key Account Management roles will deliver even higher standards of customer service to our leasing company partners. With a more complex market place, technological advances such as Connected Car and Teleservices and any potential changes to the tax landscape, it remains vital to recruit the very best candidates and I am delighted to have recruited such high quality individuals to represent our brands.  Separating the tactical sales activity and having a specific focus on the SME and Broker Sectors will allow us to better understand how to engage with this growing market.”

The #bmw X5 is class winner at The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2017 Competition.
For vehicles priced over £45,000, the #bmw X5 xDrive40d M Sport stole the show with its power, poise and practicality. Also voted winner of the category “All-Wheel Drive over 1800kg” the #bmw X5 beat off stiff competition and impressed the judges with its towing abilities.

The Caravan Club Towcar judges, explained: “The #bmw deploys a raft of technological tricks to make the towing experience as comfortable as possible- offering a range of suspension and drive settings plus and economy setting which returns fuel economy in the high 40s.”