Kealan Murray, Shaun Smith and Katrina Vickery have successfully competed their way to represent BMW UK and Ireland at the BMW Golf Cup World Final in March 2026.

Competing alongside 33 other amateur golfers at the BMW UK & Ireland National Final held at Gleneagles on 29 - 30 September, the winning trio won their way to the final playing the legendary PGA Centenary Course.

The BMW Golf Cup is the largest international tournament series for amateur golfers, with over 100,000 participants who tee off globally. National competitions are held in nearly 40 countries worldwide, before the national winners’ head to the World Final – a once-in-a-lifetime experience which will be held at Fancourt, South Africa. A true golfers paradise, Fancourt boasts three championship courses and is nestled in the heart of South Africa’s Garden Route.

224 amateur golfers from across the UK were invited to take part in four regional rounds, taking place across June to September, with the tournament divided into three categories: Men’s A (handicaps up to 12.4), Men’s B (handicaps 12.5 – 28.4) and Women’s (handicaps up to 28.4). The regional rounds took place at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, The Duke’s at St Andrews in Fife, Carton House in Maynooth, Co. Kildare and Hankley Common in Farnham.

The 36 winners from these regional tournaments went through to the National Final, held this week at Gleneagles, where Kealan Murray, Shaun Smith and Katrina Vickery triumphed in their categories and will now compete together as Team UK at the World Final in March 2026.

Starting in 1982 the BMW Golf Cup first took place in the UK, with the final hosted at the famous Belfry golf course. 30 years later, the final has been hosted at a selection of the best courses in the world, including Cabo del Sol, Mexico, the Sentosa Gold Club, Singapore and the Jockey Club, Argentina.

To learn more about the BMW Golf Cup, please click here or visit BMW-Golfsport.com.

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

For further information please contact:

Helen Wilson
Corporate and Brand Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372 480
Email: Helen.Wilson@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall
Head of Corporate, Brand and Internal Communications
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Please find attached on location pictures from the 2025 BMW PGA Championship, including the UK premiere of the new BMW iX3. 

The new BMW iX3 press kit can be found here. For more information on the BMW PGA Championship, click here. 

Follow the latest from the BMW PGA Championship on BMW UK social channels (Instagram / Facebook).

+++ World-Class field tees off from September 10 to 14 at Wentworth Club +++ ‘Dress Rehearsal’ for Ryder Cup Team Europe +++ UK debut of the new all-electric BMW iX3, the first model of the Neue Klasse +++ Festival of Golf: Pro-Am with numerous stars, live concerts, and an immersive BMW Experience +++ New BMW iX3 is the Hole-in-One Prize +++

London. This week, more than 100,000 spectators are once again expected at Wentworth Club to celebrate one of Europe’s most prestigious tournaments and the Festival of Golf at the BMW PGA Championship. Fans can look forward to an outstanding field at the Flagship Event of the DP World Tour. Eleven players from the European Ryder Cup team, led by captain Luke Donald (ENG), Masters champion Rory McIlroy (NIR), and FedExCup champion Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), will tee off alongside defending champion Billy Horschel (USA). Making his debut at Wentworth is Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters winner.

Other Green Jacket holders in the field include Jon Rahm (ESP), Patrick Reed (USA), Adam Scott (AUS), and Danny Willett (ENG). Additionally, Major champions Wyndham Clark (USA), Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG), Pádraig Harrington, Shane Lowry (both IRL), and Justin Rose (ENG) will compete.

Following the tournament, Team Europe, the defending champions, will head to the USA where the 45th Ryder Cup (Bethpage Black, Long Island, New York) will take place in two weeks with Worldwide Partner BMW. The knowledgeable and enthusiastic crowd at the BMW PGA Championship will undoubtedly provide the team with a boost of momentum for the challenging task of defending the Ryder Cup on foreign soil.

The excitement traditionally reaches an early peak on Wednesday with the Celebrity Pro-Am, featuring numerous stars from sports and entertainment. This year’s lineup includes three-time tennis Grand Slam champion Andy Murray (SCO), Formula 1 driver Lando Norris (ENG), football legends Gareth Bale (WAL) and Stephanie Houghton, rugby royalty Owen Farrell and Henry Pollock, as well as pop star Tom Grennan (ENG).

The popular live concerts over the weekend remain a cornerstone of the Festival of Golf. On Saturday, the British band Razorlight will rock the Show Stage in the Championship Village after play concludes, while Ella Henderson will bring the BMW PGA Championship to an atmospheric close with her performance on Sunday.

Brand new this year – in more ways than one – is the Hole-in-One Prize at the 14^th hole, the new all-electric BMW iX3 50 xDrive which makes its UK debut at Wentworth. The Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) made its world premiere just days ago in Munich as the first Neue Klasse model. The fully electric vehicle marks the dawn of a new era of ‘Sheer Driving Pleasure’. Compared to its predecessor of the same name, the new BMW iX3 creates the impression that a complete model generation has been skipped in design and technology. Among its impressive features are a range of up to 805 kilometres (500 miles) and the ability to charge up to 372 kilometres (231 miles) of range in just ten minutes.

The new BMW iX3 will also be on display at the heart of the Championship Village, alongside other themed areas such as BMW M, 50 Years of the BMW 3 Series, MINI, a Ryder Cup photo opportunity, and the all-new BMW Golfsport Collection by Puma. Customers arriving in a BMW Group vehicle will enjoy numerous perks, including free parking in the BMW Owners’ Car Park, shuttle service to the main entrance, and access to a fast lane. Additionally, they will have exclusive access to the BMW Owners’ Terrace at the 11^th hole, and reserved seating on the grandstand on the 14^th green.

Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW headquarters in Germany. No adaptations have been made to cater for the UK market. 

Munich. The BMW Group is expanding its revolutionary driving experience with BMW M Mixed Reality, which breaks down the boundaries between the physical and virtual worlds through state-of-the-art VR/MR technologies. The vehicle itself becomes the controller - a unique 3D interaction between driver, vehicle and environment.

"Mixed reality" refers to the fusion of of physical and digital worlds into a seamless experience. BMW M first presented mixed reality technology at the Web Summit in Lisbon in November 2022 and has been continuously developing it ever since.

With BMW M Mixed Reality, fans and first movers can immerse themselves in a digital world while physically sitting at the wheel of a BMW M vehicle and controlling it.

First-ever multisensory multiplayer

The possibilities of virtual reality are boundless: On a secret mission, you enter the BMW M Garage and from there, you ascend to the top of the BMW M Rooftop Circuit. Surrounded by skyscrapers, two BMW M Mixed Reality customers now race against each other virtually in a multiplayer mode A new feature is that spectators with personified avatars can virtually watch the race live from the BMW M Mixed Reality Bridge. They do not have to be physically present in the area where the multiplayers are driving. They can be virtually connected using devices like the Meta Quest or Apple Vision Pro.

BMW M Mixed Reality will be presented again in Lisbon this year. For BMW M fans, BMW M Mixed Reality has been available in the singleplayer mode since autumn 2023 as part of the BMW M Driving Experience in Maisach, the world's first driving experience for customers.  

For BMW M fans, BMW M Mixed Reality has been available in the singleplayer mode since fall 2023 as part of the BMW M Driving Experience in Maisach, the world's first driving experience for customers.  The pilot project began this year at the BMW M Performance Driving School in California, USA.

Merging reality and the virtual world

The new BMW M Mixed Reality Rooftop Circuit was also a highlight at the presentation of BMW M Mixed Reality. Drivers had to evade virtual obstacles and collect BMW M coins in a shimmering metropolis. The BMW M135 vehicles were used, which thanks to technical refinements can be used as M Mixed Reality vehicles.

This includes very precise GPS positioning on the road surface in order to transfer position and movement to the virtual world. Every acceleration, every turn and every braking manoeuvre is transmitted to the virtual world without latency thanks to precise sensor technology and signal processing. Not only the movements of the vehicle are transmitted, but also those of the driver.

The technology for this is already integrated into the standardised in-vehicle systems of all BMW and BMW M automobiles. These systems are so precise that no additional sensors are required.

Another key element is the VR headset that the driver wears to experience the digital world. This headset must be connected to the vehicle's internal systems in order to synchronise movements and data in real time. Thanks to this equipment, various BMW M models can be used for BMW M Mixed Reality, regardless of the drive system. This includes vehicles with a conventional combustion engine such as the BMW M2 or BMW M4 as well as models with a fully electric powertrain such as the BMW i5 M60. In the future, BMW M can also imagine offering the new BMW M5 with M Mixed Reality. The technology is flexible and can be adapted to different vehicle platforms to provide a consistent and immersive mixed reality experience.

Digital innovations for the driving experience

BMW Group Mixed Reality is an answer to what future virtual experiences in the automotive sector could look like. At the current stage of development, it enables perfect controllability in every driving situation. Drifting will also be possible in the future, although no date has yet been set for when customers will be able to have this experience.

MINI also benefits from the BMW Group Mixed Reality umbrella: There are also plans to offer customers a multi-sensory mixed reality driving experience.

In addition, further applications in the field of vehicle development and professional training are already being investigated. For example, there is potential as a valuable addition to existing simulator driving in the dynamic driving area, without compromising driving safety, or in the development of driver assistance systems. On existing racetracks, a Professional Track Trainer could in the future display content such as the ideal line and braking points to drivers in order to train them to drive even more precisely. Current AR headset technology is not yet accurate enough for this ambitious use case.

In the event of enquiries please contact:

Corporate Communications

Christophe König, Head of BMW M GmbH and BMW M Motorsport Communications

Telephone: +49-176-601-56097

E-mail: Christophe.Koenig@bmw.de

Alexandra Landers, Head of Product and Brand Communication BMW

Telephone: +49-89-382-30871

E-mail: Alexandra.Landers@bmw.de

Internet: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

E-mail: presse@bmw.de

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

The 2024 BMW PGA Championship (19 – 22 September, Wentworth Club, Surrey, England) marks a significant milestone, as BMW celebrates its 20^th year as title partner of the DP World Tour’s flagship event. To commemorate this highly successful partnership, we explore some of the highlight moments that have helped to define the last two decades.

The championship dates back to 1955, when it was originally known as the British PGA Championship, before coming under BMW’s stewardship in 2005. Since then, the tournament has gone from strength to strength, evolving into a ‘Festival of Golf’ with its star-studded Pro-Am line ups, Championship Village and live concerts from world-renowned artists. The 20^th BMW PGA Championship closely follows the 35^th BMW International Open, and further cements the brand’s commitment to international golf.

Aside from a formidable list of champions, the tournament’s most prominent legacy is arguably its deeply rooted connection to charity, supporting many deserving causes over its 20-year history. Its most recent beneficiary is the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), who strive to change the conversation around mental health and suicide. Since 2022, more than £150,000 has been raised for CALM, who will remain as official charity partner for a third consecutive year.

Ahead of the 20th BMW PGA Championship – which is expected to be the most widely attended tournament to date, with Saturday and Sunday tickets already sold out – we explore tournament and automotive highlights from two decades of play.

2006: Two champions are crowned.
Teeing off in 2006, the second BMW PGA Championship sees David Howell cruise to victory by five shots, becoming the first homegrown winner since Nick Faldo in 1989. Meanwhile, BMW 3 Series is crowned ‘Car of the Year’ at the prestigious 2006 What Car? Car of the Year Awards. Arriving as the fifth incarnation, the 3 Series was praised by What Car? for its blend of typically ‘sharp’ driving dynamics, outstanding refinement and everyday practicality.

2008: Standing out from the crowd.
Golf icon Miguel Ángel Jiménez showcases a stand-out performance, acing the fifth, before beating Oliver Wilson on the second extra hole to take the title. Born to stand out too, the BMW X6 launches as the world’s first ever Sports Activity Coupé, combining the attributes of an SUV with the stance of a coupé for the first time.

2010: Redesigned and reimagined.
Nicknamed ‘The Big Easy’, South African golfing legend, Ernie Els oversees the redesign of the West Course, including a major revamp of the 18th hole. Concurrently, a BMW legend is reimagined, as the BMW 5 Series Touring enters its fourth generation, bringing an eight-speed automatic transmission, Auto Start-Stop technology and up to an exceptional 1,670 litres of luggage capacity.

2011 & 2012: Doing the double.
With an astonishing performance, England’s Luke Donald beats fellow countryman Lee Westwood at the 2011 championship and takes the top spot as world number one for the first time in his career. Donald went on to defend his title in 2012, becoming only the third player to do so since Colin Montgomerie and Sir Nick Faldo. Also doing the double with more power and less fuel consumption, the fifth generation BMW M5 is launched, boasting 560 hp – up 10 per cent on its predecessor model – while cutting fuel consumption by more than 30 per cent.

2013: Fresh talent.
Italy’s Matteo Manassero becomes the tournament’s youngest-ever winner, taking home the trophy at just 20 years of age. Simultaneously, the BMW i3 makes its debut as the first series-produced model by BMW i, offering a fresh all-electric powertrain and groundbreaking new technology. Like Manassero, the trailblazer went on to create a legacy of its own, with over 250,000 units delivered to customers worldwide.

2014: Global stars.
Rory McIlroy secures the win after a dramatic final round, overturning a seven-shot overnight deficit to score a 66 on the final day and clinch a thrilling victory. Heralded as his first win on British soil, it kick started a memorable year for the world number one, in which he also won The Open and US PGA Championship. Also launched in 2014, BMW’s first plug-in hybrid sports car, the BMW i8 becomes a star of its own. Honoured as Top Gear Magazine’s ‘Global Car of the Year’ the innovative powerhouse went on to secure almost as many titles as the Northern Irish legend.  

2015: Records are made to be broken.
Finishing with a record-breaking 21-under-par, South Korean, Byeong-Hun An – a European Tour rookie – claims victory. A remarkable five aces are recorded throughout this tournament, making it a memorable event for such a rare achievement. Offering both record-breaking lap times and remarkable performance, the special edition BMW M4 GTS is unveiled as the fastest series-production BMW road car ever offered to customers. With a boosted output of 500hp, the GTS shaved 30 seconds off the standard BMW M4’s Nürburging Nordschleife lap time.

2019: Big moves.
Marking one of the tournament’s most memorable moments, Ross Fisher makes a sensational albatross on the 18th hole by sinking a 218-yard second shot with a 4-iron and wins a BMW i8 for the first albatross of the tournament that week. BMW made some big moves too in 2019, launching its largest production car to date, the BMW X7. Combining a spacious, opulent interior, powerful engine derivatives and advanced technology, the luxury SUV strikes the perfect balance between comfort and performance.

2021: Going full circle.
Bringing it back for the USA, Billy Horschel becomes the first American victor since the great Arnold Palmer in 1975. Bringing back and repurposing an array of materials, the BMW i Vision Circular is unveiled to the world at the IAA Motor Show in Munich. Envisioned for the year 2040, the Vision Circular is BMW’s take on circular economy, fusing sustainability with luxury in a design that uses 100 per cent recyclable materials.

2023: Powered with sustainability in mind.
In a world first for a sporting event, the television production for the 2023 BMW PGA Championship is powered 100 per cent by green hydrogen. TV wasn’t the only thing powered by hydrogen last year, with the arrival of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet. The 100-strong fleet was deployed internationally for demonstration and trial purposes. BMW plans to launch its first-ever series production fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) in 2028, thereby offering customers an additional all-electric powertrain option with zero local emissions in a BMW.

2024: The 20th BMW PGA Championship and the third BMW M5 Touring.
The 20th BMW PGA Championship is just around the corner and there’s a lot to look forward to. Expect fierce competition, another star-studded Pro-Am and a Championship Village filled with BMW’s latest and greatest models, including the all-new third generation BMW M5 Touring, which makes its UK premiere at Wentworth.

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

www.bmwgroup.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
X: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

For further information please contact:

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
General Manager, Communications
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 376 867
Email: Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk 

• Course car in the next MotoGP season will be based on the new BMW M5.
• Optimised driving dynamics: first Safety Car with innovative M xDrive technology.
• Debut at the 2017 MotoGP season finale in Valencia.

Munich. Innovative high-performance cars for safety at the highest level of motorcycle racing: the BMW M GmbH has remained true to this principle throughout nearly 20 years of partnership with the MotoGP organizer Dorna Sports, and as the “Official Car of MotoGP”. That is especially true of the new BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Car, which the company from Munich is presenting as the next highlight in the Safety Car fleet. The new course car is based on the high-performance sedan BMW M5 (combined consumption: 10.5 l/100 km*; combined CO2 emissions: 241 g/km*), which was showcased to the global public for the first time in August. The new BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Car will debut at the MotoGP season finale in Valencia, Spain (10^th to 12^th November) and will speerhead the Safety Car fleet in the 2018 season.

“A MotoGP Safety Car faces enormous challenges. It is vital to lead a field of unique, high-performance race prototypes safely through all sorts of conditions,” said Frank van Meel, President of BMW M GmbH. “Innovative motorsport technology is an essential part of this. The new BMW M5 forms the perfect basis for a safety car, as its technical features ensure perfect handling, even at the limits of driving dynamics - on the road and on the racetrack. Development never stands still in MotoGP, which is always pushing its limits further and further. The same is true for the BMW M GmbH - and the new M5 MotoGP Safety Car is an outstanding example of our pursuit of innovation and maximum levels of performance.”

The features in question include the newly-developed M-specific all-wheel drive M xDrive, which is being used in the BMW M5 for the first time. With precise handling and perfect traction, this guarantees optimised driving dynamics in all manner of situations. The heart of the BMW M5, the 4.4-litre V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology, has been completely overhauled by the M engineers. It represents another significant increase in performance compared to previous models, with 441 kW/600 HP and maximum torque of 750 Nm in the production M5. The new BMW M5 only needs 3.4 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h. Transmission is provided by the new eight-speed M Steptronic gearbox with Drivelogic. The chassis contains M-specific kinematics and elastokinematics elements that contribute to optimised driving dynamics. The weight also plays an important role in performance. This has been reduced further through features such as the lightweight carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof.

Painstaking manual work at the BMW M Manufaktur in Garching converted the high-performance base car into the BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Car, preparing it to appear as the course car in the world’s fastest motorcycle racing series. This process included the addition of numerous BMW M Performance Parts, many of which are available as retrofit parts for the BMW M5 production model. These emphasise the sporty appearance of the Safety Car and meet all the functional requirements for aerodynamics, cooling and lightweight construction. These include various carbon components such as side sills, rear diffusor, rear spoiler, front kidney grille, door mirror caps and air breather slats. The BMW M Performance sport exhaust system is made of titanium, with carbon exhaust tips, and has been designed specially for use on the racetrack.

The transformation of the BMW M5 to a MotoGP Safety Car was completed by the inclusion of special racing features and the necessary safety equipment. The front splitter is a prototype developed specifically for the BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Car. The bonnet latches are taken directly from racing. The bucket seats from the BMW M4 GTS guarantee a combination of comfort and maximum security for their occupants when being in action on the racetrack. The flat light bar on the roof uses modern LED technology. It is controlled via a specially-developed cockpit panel. Another important signalling system is provided by the flashing front lights, consisting of blue LED lamps in the front grills and flashing corona rings for the headlamps.

The design of the new BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Cars also makes a clear racing statement: it is inspired by the design of the new BMW M8 GTE race car, which will compete for BMW at the 24 Hours of Le Mans next year. Series developers from BMW M and the BMW Motorsport department worked hand in hand on development of the BMW M8 GTE. The design reflects this close cooperation.

The partnership between the BMW M GmbH and Dorna Sports dates back to 1999. The provision of the BMW M fleet is the core of the involvement as “Official Car of MotoGP”. There are also a host of other activities. The BMW M Award for the best MotoGP qualifier has been presented at the end of every season since 2003. The BMW M MotoGP Experience gives visitors the chance to experience the MotoGP at first hand. The BMW M MotoGP experts give them exclusive insights. On selected Grand Prix weekends, the BMW M GmbH presents its newest models and products in on-site actions.

Further information on BMW M GmbH is available online at:

www.bmw-m.com

Today, BMW Group UK has launched a new digital shop for customers to purchase BMW and MINI Parts, Accessories and Lifestyle products online. The process means it is now more convenient than ever for BMW and MINI customers. By selecting their vehicle or entering their VIN number, customers can search on their desktop and mobile device for Parts and Accessories specifically tailored to their car.

BMW and MINI customers with a myBMW account can sign in with ease, using the same login details used for other BMW services such as ConnectedDrive. Once the product has been selected, customers have the option to “click and collect”, where the item can be collected from their chosen retailer or “click and deliver” allowing the item to be delivered straight to their door using a tracked delivery service. The secure online payment can be made using PayPal, 3D Secure credit and debit cards.

With over 50,000 BMW and MINI products on offer, the range is more varied than ever before. BMW Lifestyle has just launched the latest edition of the ever-popular BMW Motorsport Collection and expanding its portfolio with a new collection line: the BMW Motorsport Heritage Collection. Inspired by the company’s many years in motor sport competition, the two collections translate the passion of motor racing then and now into stylish articles for everyday use.

Unveiled for the first time in November 2016, the new MINI lifestyle collection will also be available to buy from the online MINI shop. Featuring over 50 new products, the new collection ranges from articles of clothing to bags, cases and ingenious items. With its clean and timeless stylistic idiom, distinctive design and high-quality materials, the collection conveys MINI’s design expertise and image of itself as a brand in ways that go beyond its cars.

Customers can shop online for BMW and MINI parts, accessories and lifestyle products via the brands’ websites:

• BMW shop: http://shop.bmw.co.uk/
• MINI shop: http://shop.mini.co.uk/

                                                              ENDS

The BMW Group

With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 31 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2015, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.247 million cars and nearly 137,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2015 was approximately € 9.22 billion on revenues amounting to € 92.18 billion. As of 31 December 2015, the BMW Group had a workforce of 122,244 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

Facebook: BMW UK
Twitter: @BMW_UK
Instagram: BMWUK
LinkedIn: BMW Group UK Limited
YouTube: BMW UK

For further information please contact:

Gavin Ward BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 01252 921261
Email: Gavin.Ward@bmw.co.uk

Lauren Prema BMW Media Relations Executive
Tel: 07815 370746
Email: Lauren.Prema@bmw.co.uk

Piers Scott General Manager, Product and Internal Communications
Tel: 01252 921265
Email: Piers.Scott@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 01252 921256
Email: Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk

Koons Reveals Preliminary Designs for the BMW M3 GT2  

New York In the spirit of Calder, Stella, Lichtenstein, Warhol, and Holzer, BMW announced today that the 17th Art Car created by Jeff Koons will race where the first rolling pieces of art by legendary artists raced – at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France, June 12-13, 2010. Koons’ canvas is a BMW M3 GT2, which was homologated to compete at this year’s running of the world’s most famous endurance race. In another nod to tradition, Koons will present the world premiere and sign his car at Paris’ Centre Pompidou on June 1, 2010, just as Roy Lichtenstein did in 1977.

Adding to the occasion, Koons released for the first time his preliminary design concept for the car today at a press conference in New York City.  As part of his creative process, the artist collected images of race cars and graphics, vibrant colors and speed. He layered them into a digital collage depicting his sources of inspiration.  The resulting graphic conceived by Koons – evocative of power, motion and light and rendered in the artist’s signature saturated hues on a black ground set against the car’s silver interior – will impart a dynamic appearance to the race car even when it’s standing still.

“These race cars are like life, they are powerful and there is a lot of energy,” said Koons. “You can participate with it, add to it and let yourself transcend with its energy. There is a lot of power under that hood and I want to let my ideas transcend with the car – it’s really to connect with that power.”

Koons was joined at the press conference by President of the Centre Pompidou Alain Seban, BMW of North America President Jim O’Donnell, BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen, and BMW Le Mans driver Andy Priaulx of Great Britain.

“This is a momentum building year for us that speaks to the essence of the brand and the latest chapter of the BMW Art Car program is certainly part of this,” said O’Donnell.  “It’s an absolute delight for all of us to be working with Jeff on this program that is part of the fabric of BMW.”

World Premiere at the Centre Pompidou, Paris

Paris’ Centre Pompidou is one of the world’s most prestigious cultural institutions for modern and contemporary art and is where Roy Lichtenstein first unveiled and signed his car in 1977 as Jeff Koons will on June 1. Also, the Koons car number, “79,” pays tribute to the 1979 Andy Warhol car.  The Warhol car was assigned the number “76,” an homage to the 1976 Frank Stella car, both of which raced at Le Mans.  

“Ever since it was created back in 1977, the Centre Pompidou has acted as an interface, a platform of exchange between creative art and society, striving to expose the larger public to the art of our time in the firm belief that art can foster a more innovative and flexible society,” said Alain Seban, President of the Centre Pompidou.  “For this reason the Centre Pompidou is glad to join BMW’s project which, I trust, can go a long way in bringing together creation and society by inviting the great artists of our time – from Roy Lichtenstein in 1977 to Jeff Koons today – to challenge the most mythical object of our era, the car, through a unique creation.”

The Design Process

“It is a fascinating and inspiring exercise to witness an artist present his or her point of view through one of our cars. To see Jeff Koons take his unique sensibility and bring it to a BMW race car as he works with our team to translate his vision into a race-ready car is to truly watch the connection be made between technical and artistic intelligence,” said Frank-Peter Arndt, member of the Board of Management for the BMW AG with responsibility for BMW Group’s international cultural formats.

Koons has been in an intense collaboration with BMW’s team in Munich for months – melding his skill with sophisticated BMW engineering – to ensure that the 17th BMW Art Car will be race-ready for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

Traveling back and forth to Germany several times since the February 2 announcement that Koons would create the 17th BMW Art Car, the artist has worked with the BMW engineering and design teams to conduct in-depth explorations of materials and application options that will prove crucial to optimizing both the aesthetic and aerodynamic attributes of the race car.  Working with actual 3-D computer-aided design (CAD) models of the BMW M3 GT2, Koons can simulate the application of the graphic to the car’s surfaces and evaluate it from all angles. 

Koons even donned a helmet and joined BMW’s American Le Mans Series race team for testing in Sebring, Florida, on February 23.   Koons was able to experience the M3 GT2 at race speed to further inspire his design.  As Koons describes it, he witnessed “the raw unfiltered performance” of the M3 GT2 from the seat of a historic BMW M1 race car. Koons also drove a BMW M3 Coupe on the circuit to further the dynamic exercise.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans race

Today, BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen announced the driver line-up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  Andy Priaulx (GB), Dirk Müller (DE) and Dirk Werner (DE) will race the BMW Art Car #79.  Jörg Müller (DE), Augusto Farfus (BR), Uwe Alzen (DE) will drive the BMW Le Mans car #78.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world’s oldest endurance race in all of sports car racing, held annually since 1923 near the town of Le Mans, Sarthe, France.  Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance, it is organized by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and runs on a circuit containing closed public roads. The race is designed not only to test a car and driver’s ability to be quick, but also to last over a 24-hour period.

French auctioneer and racing driver Hervé Poulain first had the idea of asking an artist to paint the car he himself would compete with.  Taking up this initiative in 1975, American artist Alexander Calder painted a BMW racing car, thus laying the foundation.  The Art Car experiment was soon continued:  a year later, Calder Art Car co-driver Sam Posey introduced Frank Stella to the idea of BMW Art Cars when the New York-based artist covered a BMW with his typical grid-like pattern.  Stella’s work was followed by a series of celebrated pop artists:  Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and Robert Rauschenberg.  Apart from Rauschenberg’s Art Car, all these took part in the Le Mans 24-hour race, some of them enjoying remarkable success.

After taking a break in the 1980’s, the Art Car returned to its origins at Le Mans in 1999, when American concept artist Jenny Holzer “wrote” her truisms on a BMW V12 Le Mans race car.

The germination of Koons’ collaboration with BMW began in 2003, when he expressed his desire to create a BMW Art Car. His relationship with BMW started more than two decades ago when he drove a BMW while residing in Munich, home to the BMW Group headquarters.  Koons is known for his heartfelt appreciation of cars.  Earlier this year he was even recognized by music icon Bono of U2 as one of the ideal artists to design a car that would make the world fall in love with automobiles again.

Koons’ creative process for the BMW Art Car mirrors techniques, some borrowed from transportation design and development, which he regularly employs for his artistic production.  For example, in the creation of Koons’ monumental sculptures, his studio uses 3-D CAD models to evaluate the surfaces, assembles them via methods found in bike chop shops, and paints them in a manner based on sophisticated automotive painting techniques.

“It is fitting that Jeff Koons’ car will follow in the storied tradition of the renowned artists who created the early race-inspired BMW Art Cars,” said O’Donnell.  “We look forward to BMW’s return to Le Mans – and perhaps even sharing a toast with Jeff at the finish line.”

Derived from the BMW M3 high-performance sports car, the BMW M3 GT2 boasts a 4.0-liter V8 engine with a maximum output of 500 bhp, an upgraded chassis, racing-caliber brakes, and extensive use of lightweight materials.  Able to reach 100 mph in 3.4 seconds, the BMW M3 GT2 is rapidly emerging as a real first year contender at this year’s event.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen said, “The race in Le Mans is one of the most important events in international motorsport.  This makes it the perfect stage to revive the tradition of the BMW Art Car.  Jeff Koons’ work of art will leave a lasting impression with all those who see it, even after the BMW M3 GT2 has crossed the finish line.  BMW Art Cars have often also been able to impress with their sporting achievements.  I am optimistic that this will be the case again this year.”

Beginning in September, the Koons Art Car will be on view at the BMW Museum in Munich, as part of a special exhibition commemorating the program’s 35th anniversary.

BMW Art Cars

Since 1975, artists from throughout the world have turned BMW automobiles into art signifying a particular period through the Art Car program.  In 2007, the latest installment was revealed with Olafur Eliasson’s “Your mobile expectations: BMW H2R project.” Many of these have been exhibited in renowned museums throughout the world including the Louvre, the Guggenheim Museums, and the Shanghai Art Museum.  They have been displayed at the BMW Museum in Munich, between 2006 and 2010 and many went on a world tour throughout Asia, Russia, Africa, India, the United States and Mexico.

The home of all BMW Art Cars is the BMW Museum in Munich. Starting in September, Koons’ 17th BMW Art Car will be presented there together with some of its predecessors.

With over 100 major projects worldwide, BMW Group cultural programs have been an integral part of the company’s contributions to society for almost 40 years.  Besides contemporary art, architecture and design, classical music and jazz are key components of this engagement.

For a link to photos and more information, please visit: www.bmwusanews.com/artsandculture

www.independent-collectors.com/bmwartcars

 The BMW Group

The BMW Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 24 production facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

The BMW Group achieved a global sales volume of approximately 1.29 million automobiles and over 87,000 motorcycles for the 2009 financial year. The pre-tax profit for 2009 was euro 413 million, revenues totalled euro 50.68 billion. At 31 December 2009, the company employed a global workforce of approximately 96,000 associates.

The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last five years.

BMW Group Corporate Communications

Stacy Morris, Corporate Communications, BMW of North America

Telephone: +1 201 370 5134, stacy.morris@bmwna.com

Thomas Girst, Spokesperson Cultural Communications, BMW AG

Telephone: +49 89 382 24753, thomas.girst@bmw.de