<b>Intelligent Lightweight Construction for a New Dimension of
Dynamic Motoring</b><br>
To be really dynamic, a
modern car requires not only a powerful engine and an excellent chassis, but
also lightweight components reducing weight to a minimum. The name of the game,
therefore, is intelligent lightweight technology also on the body of the car,
“intelligent” meaning that lightweight components serve not only to reduce
weight, but also to enhance the various functions of the vehicle. <br>
<b>An intelligent mix of
materials saving weight and enhancing crash safety.</b><br>
The key concept on the body of the car is to use the right mix or combination
of materials. Precisely this is why the bodyshell is a combination of steel,
aluminium and plastic components offering huge advantages in terms of weight
reduction. And at the same time the body of the car is stiffer and firmer than
ever before, serving to enhance crash safety and providing even more precise
dynamic driving characteristics. <br>
The Weight-Reduced
Aluminium Front (WRAF) is a good example of intelligent lightweight
construction. Weighing approximately 45 kilos or 99 lb, this entire module is
about 20 per cent lighter than a conventional steel structure of the same kind.
<br>
Building the new 6
Series, BMW is also entering new terrain in the use of aluminium: The spring
supports housing the front axle springs and dampers are made of a pressure-cast
aluminium alloy composed mainly of aluminium and small amounts of magnesium,
silicon and manganese. This alloy combines superior strength and stiffness with
strong resistance to any change in shape. The two doors are also made of
aluminium, saving approximately 10 kilos on the car but nevertheless
outperforming all of BMW’s internal stiffness and safety requirements. <br>
<b>Front lid in new bonding
technology. </b><br>
The front lid is also made of aluminium and at the same time incorporates a
world-first achievement currently only available from BMW: The inner and outer
panels forming the lid are joined not by a single-component glue, but rather by
a two-component glue bond allowing the use of thinner aluminium panels reducing
the overall weight of the front lid by 9 per cent. A further advantage is that
this two-component bond makes the front lid extremely stiff, which minimises
wind noise in the process. <br>
The two front side
panels made of thermoplastic save approximately 4 kilos in contributing to the
excellent driving dynamics of the new 6 Series. And an equally important point
is that the use of such a sophisticated synthetic material enables the
designers to consistently continue the line of BMW’s large coupé throughout the
side panel area, since it would not have been possible with a conventional
steel structure to integrate the side trim into the side panels in the same
way. A further advantage is that thermoplastic, being a regenerating synthetic
material, is less sensitive than steel to minor bumps. And last but not least,
this special material provides a better potential in meeting pedestrian safety requirements
to be expected in future, yet a further point being that it is absolutely
rustproof in the interest of a long service life. <br>
<b>SMC plastics saving
weight and providing new design options. </b><br>
SMC, a special synthetic material used on the rear lid of the BMW 6 Series
Coupé, also offers a wide range of benefits. This duroplastic material referred
to in technical terms as a sheet moulding compound is approximately 25 per cent
lighter than steel and offers far greater freedom in design, allowing the outer
skin of the rear lid to be made of one single piece even integrating the rear
spoiler and aerials. <br>
<b>Tailored rolled blanks
to keep body panels as slim as possible. </b><br>
Last but certainly not least, a new process used on the rolled components also
saves a lot of weight on the 6 Series: Tailored rolled blanks, that is panels
rolled in a dynamic process, come in exactly the right thickness at all crucial
points. This means that they do not require any additional reinforcements at
highly exposed points, but are rather tailored to specific requirements and are
made thicker only where really necessary. <br>
This process is now
being used in a BMW model series for the first time on the transverse and
longitudinal seat supports and on the heel crossbars, not only saving weight,
but also enhancing the car’s safety above all on the crossbar elements. <br>
<b>Innovative production
methods allowing an intelligent mix of metals. </b><br>
Innovative production methods are required to provide the right combination of
materials on the body of the car. A special insulating glue, for example, had
to be developed for bonding steel and aluminium and is applied over a distance
of approximately 60 metres or almost 200 feet on the 6 Series. Then there are
approximately 4,000 welding points and almost 70 bolted connections. Depending
on load conditions and the material involved, other joining technologies
applied on the new 6 Series Coupé are MAG welding (MAG = a reactabale
protective gas), MIG soldering (MIG = an inert protective gas), laser-soldering
and welding, beading, riveting, sublining, sealing, clinching, and clipping.
Overall, the body of the 6 Series is made up of almost 500 steel and aluminium
components and weighs less than 350 kg or 770 lb together with all attachments
and add-on parts. <br>
<b>Part II: The New BMW 645Ci – In Depth</b><br>
<b>Equipment:</b><br>
<b>Assistance Systems for Driving Dynamics, Motoring Comfort, and
Superior Safety</b><br>
“Only the best is – just
– good enough.” This demanding claim applies in particular to the equipment and
features of the BMW 645Ci. And this means not only features concealed within
the body of the car such as suspension assistance systems, but also the visible
and invisible “helpers” within the interior. <br>
<b>Adaptive Headlights
turning night into day. </b><br>
Good light inside and outside the car is crucial to the occupants’ well-being
and safety on the road – which is precisely why the Adaptive Headlights
developed by BMW are available as an option also in the 6 Series, bi-xenon
fixed-position headlights coming as standard. <br>
Adaptive Headlights
improve illumination of the road ahead by up to 90 per cent, thus making a
significant contribution to extra safety on the road. The headlight units are
swivelled in their position as a function of the steering wheel angle, the yaw
rate and road speed. They are activated as soon as the car starts moving. <br>
With the car at a
standstill and with the wheels turned to the left (or, on right-hand drive
cars, to the right) the Adaptive Headlights are required by law to face
straight ahead in order not to dazzle oncoming traffic. A standard feature of
Adaptive Headlights is dynamic headlight range control compensating any
differences in load conditions and vehicle weight. A headlight cleaning system
comes as standard. <br>
<b>Dynamic brake lights
helping to avoid bumper-to-bumper collisions. </b><br>
Tail and brake lights in LED technology also serve to improve safety on the
road. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are not just brighter than conventional
bulbs, but also react more quickly and live much longer. <br>
A further feature of the
new BMW 6 Series is BMW’s innovative adaptive brake lights (Brake Force
Display) enlarging the area covered by the brake lights as a function of brake
force application. This clearly shows other motorists following from behind how
hard the driver of the 6 Series is applying the brakes, reducing the risk of
rear-end accidents accordingly. <br>
<b>Interior illumination: a
superior lights concept providing a wonderful experience in space. </b><br>
Featuring a special interior illumination concept, the new BMW 6 Series offers
occupants pleasant and harmonious illumination and helps to enhance the feeling
of safety and space inside the car when driving at night. <br>
The primary objective of
this concept is to provide homogeneous interior illumination of the highest
standard, meaning that all light units should allow ergonomic control without
any dazzling effect in the interior. Free-area reflectors like on the new 7
Series ensure very homogeneous illumination of all working areas inside the
car. <br>
Even in standard trim,
the new 6 Series comprises a wide range of different lights, including a
reading lamp with two LEDs above the centre console. With dazzle-free light
being provided by the free-area reflectors, the illumination effect provided is
very homogeneous in creating a genuine ambience. This light is supplemented by
two footwell lights adding an extra touch of style and sophistication. <br>
The additional lights
package available as an option comprises, interalia, light-emitting diodes in
the door closing handles and on the door panels. In combination with the
interior reading light and footwell illumination, these lights significantly
enhance the feeling of space and, accordingly, the occupants’ well-being.
Illuminated entry strips in the door cut-outs are also available as an option,
providing a harmonious lighting effect to perfectly accentuate the exclusivity
of the new 6 Series. <br>
Yet another feature in
this special package is illumination of the outside area around the car’s doors
with six light-emitting diodes on the bottom of the exterior mirrors. As soon
as the driver unlocks the car by remote control, the LEDs illuminate the entry
area in front of the doors for about 20 seconds. And again by remote control,
the driver is also able to switch on the outside illumination when getting out
of the car. <br>
<b>iDrive: the ultimate in
ergonomics. </b><br>
Introducing iDrive, BMW has created a control philosophy leading to a new
dimension in automotive ergonomics. In a nutshell, iDrive allows the motorist
to intuitively operate a whole range of secondary functions while hardly taking
his eyes off the traffic around him. <br>
Most functions crucial
to motoring are arranged directly on or around the steering wheel, nearly all
basic comfort functions are housed in the centre console. The driver and front
passenger are thus able to operate all other services, settings and functions
intuitively by means of the Controller and Control Display without even
looking, the latter being a 6.5-inch colour display with 8-bit colour
resolution featured as standard. <br>
The Control Centre as a
whole thus integrates a complete range of functions, avoiding the confusion of
a large number of individual switches and control units on the dashboard. <br>
<b>The Control Display:
transflective technology providing a brilliant picture at all times. </b><br>
This new generation of display units is equipped with transflective technology
reflecting daylight – which makes other displays unclear or even illegible on
the surface – at the back of the display. This passive reflection including and
incorporating the daylight effect helps to make the display even clearer and
more brilliant. Under poor light conditions or in the dark, clarity is ensured
by the transmissive background illumination with brightness adjusted by a
sensor to current light conditions (or manually by the driver or front
passenger, as required). And last but not least, the display comes with a
heater in order to reach the optimum operating temperature as quickly as
possible even with extreme temperatures outside. <br>
The main menu presented on
the display is split up into four areas: Communications, Navigation or On-Board
Information, Entertainment, and Climate Control. Pressing the Controller in the
main menu, the driver or front passenger can access the fifth area, that is
Information comprising sound and display settings, vehicle settings and
maintenance messages. <br>
<b>Controller: a wide range
of functions in one hand. </b><br>
Within these areas, the driver or front passenger is able to select and operate
various functions on various levels by means of the Controller. Positioned
conveniently at the front end of the armrest, the Controller fits perfectly
into the driver’s hand, the driver operating the multi-function button with his
fingers while resting his arm on the armrest. Pushing the Controller in the
four directions of the compass (Low Controller with 24 rest points), the driver
is able to change from one area to the other or adjust the focus within one
menu. <br>
Turning the Controller,
the driver is able to navigate within the menu, pressing the Controller to
select and confirm the menu point currently marked by the cursor. Pressing a
button behind the Controller, finally, the user can access the main menu
directly for extra convenience. <br>
A Controller with
variable surface touch moving in 8 directions is available as an option. The
variable touch effect gives the user an even better feeling for the specific
operation being carried out. To provide the desired effect, the Controller
comes with an electric motor generating a certain turning force or resistance,
rotary motion of the Controller being detected by an optical sensor with the
software dynamically calculating the new torque value to be built up by the
motor in response to even the smallest change of the Controller’s angle. The
additional diagonal positions in setting the Controller allow the user to
navigate in the Professional navigation system map, a button on the Controller
serving to activate the voice entry function integrated in the system. This
High Controller comes with an 8.8-inch colour display featuring 256 colours,
16-bit colour resolution, and an image resolution of 640 x 240 pixels. <br>
<b>Making a clear
statement: new voice entry for even easier control. </b><br>
The voice entry function available as an option on the 6 Series opens up an
entirely new dimension in iDrive control – the voice dimension. Hence, this
technology now goes much further than former voice input systems. <br>
Voice entry features a
precise and reliable speaker-oriented user interface (UI), offers a much larger
range of speech dialogues, and comes with many other enhanced functions. The
new Text-to-Speech Engine function, for example, is able to read out texts such
as e-mails, short messages or the names of radio stations to the driver. <br>
Another new feature is
the interaction of graphics and speech: Previously separated from one another,
these two functions have now been combined, the display, via voice entry,
showing the operating mode and menu item currently chosen. <br>
<b>Even the navigation
system follows your voice. </b><br>
Voice entry is able, conversely, to activate everything presented on the
display. The name of this function, accordingly, is “You can speak out what you
see”, the function enabling the user through short-cut terms to go into even
greater detail either in the menu selected or in other menus. Previously the
user had to do this by hand through the Controller. <br>
Use of the telephone has
also been greatly facilitated, the driver now only being required, after
activating the telephone menu, to speak out the name of the person he wishes to
call and the appropriate number will be dialled automatically. <br>
This new voice entry and
output system is able to control and mastermind nearly all functions and
operations on the Control Display: the telephone, telephone directory, address
database, SMS, BMW Assist, BMW Online, navigation, notebook, radio, CD/DVD/MP3,
and the automatic air conditioning. <br>
In an nutshell,
therefore, this comprehensive but easy-to-use technology supports the driver
without distracting him from the road and traffic conditions. <br>
<b>Head-Up Display
enhancing the iDrive concept. </b><br>
The innovative Head-Up Display, another important enhancement of the iDrive
concept, also makes an important contribution to active safety and superior
motoring comfort by presenting important information directly in the driver’s
line of vision. The driver is therefore able to take up this information
without even taking his eyes off the road, information to be presented in this
way being selected via the Control Display and the Controller from a specific
list of items and thus serving to meet the driver’s individual requirements.
Personal settings such as the brightness of the instruments are memorised by
the Key Memory, the Head-Up Display being able to present navigation messages
and information on the car’s active cruise control, warnings from the
Check/Control, and your current road speed (this latter item being the only
information permanently presented by the Head-Up Display when activated). <br>
<b>Important information
always where you need it. </b><br>
The virtual picture presented by the Head-Up Display is generated by a
projector integrated in the instrument panel and transmitting the image on to a
special windscreen, where from the perspective of the driver it appears roughly
at the end of the engine compartment lid. Benefitting from this very ergonomic
position of the image, the driver is able to concentrate on road traffic, not
looking down at the cockpit unless absolutely necessary, and not suffering any
problems in adjusting his eyes when changing his perspective from the road
ahead to the instruments and vice versa. <br>
To provide a clear,
easy-to-read image even under changing light conditions, the rain/light sensor
controls the brightness of the image presented. Even a wet road or complete
darkness will not reduce the quality of the image, since it adjusts to
surrounding conditions at all times. You switch on the Head-Up Display by means
of the lights switch centre. <br>
Part II: The New BMW 645Ci – In Depth
Equipment (cont.)
<b>Leather sports steering
wheel with multifunction buttons. </b><br>
Reflecting the sporting orientation of BMW’s large coupé, the leather sports
steering wheel comes as a standard feature not only offering the driver good
handling at all times, but also, through its integrated function keys, ensuring
maximum safety on the road, since the driver is able to operate a wide range of
functions without even taking his hands off the steering wheel. And since the
paddles for the optional Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) are also integrated in
the steering wheel, the driver can even shift gears quickly and efficiently at
the touch of a finger. <br>
The BMW driver will get
used to adjusting the radio or CD, making a telephone call, etc straight from
the steering wheel very quickly indeed, just as he will quickly learn to enjoy
the advantages of entering iDrive functions through voice commands. And the
driver is even able to select additional functions on the steering wheel
controlled by two “open” buttons, opting, say, for permanent activation of
ambient air recirculation. <br>
<b>ACC Active Cruise
Control. </b><br>
Available as an option, ACC Active Cruise Control helps the driver maintain a
specific distance and road speed geared to current requirements. The system
thus not only maintains the speed selected in advance, but also adjusts your
distance from the vehicle ahead to the current situation. <br>
Assuming you are following
a vehicle travelling at a lower speed, ACC, incorporating a radar distance
sensor, will detect the vehicle ahead, depending on weather conditions, at a distance
of 120 metres, then automatically adjusting your own speed accordingly. To
provide this adjustment, ACC applies the brakes slightly for extra motoring
comfort, then maintaining one of four specific distances chosen by the driver
in advance. The driver himself is able to intervene in this control function at
any time either by giving gas or applying the brakes, since according to BMW’s
philosophy he remains exclusively responsible for ongoing driving conditions. <br>
Precisely this is why ACC
immediately warns the driver through both a visual and an acoustic signal
whenever he is required to apply the brakes harder in a specific situation. <br>
ACC works between 30 and
180 km/h (20 and 112 mph) and can be set by the driver individually to
convenient 10 km/h increments. The speed set in this way is presented by a mark
in the speedometer and consistently maintained as long as there is no vehicle
ahead requiring the driver to slow down. <br>
Offering these benefits,
ACC relieves the driver of the routine chore of constantly adjusting his speed
and the distance from the vehicle ahead in a rather monotonous process. This,
clearly, is particularly practical and convenient in dense traffic on the
motorway and expressways with a constant change in road speed often demanding
too much of conventional cruise control. So that now, benefitting from ACC, the
driver can “float” along with the traffic in superior, relaxed style. <br>
<b>Parking with ultrasound.
</b><br>
Available as an option, PDC Park Distance Control uses ultrasound distance measurement
to greatly facilitate the process of parking in the BMW 6 Series. Initially
presenting a graphic, subsequently also an acoustic signal, PDC warns the
driver of obstacles in front of and behind the car, starting to present a
signal when an obstacle is 1.5 metres away at the front and 2.0 metres away at
the rear. The graphic display presents the car from above, obstacles recognised
being shown by colour dots at the appropriate point within the area covered,
thus allowing the driver to locate the obstacle precisely and with maximum
convenience. <br>
<b>Automatic air
conditioning featured as standard and setting a new benchmark. </b><br>
How pleasant you feel in your car depends largely on the climate within the
interior. And this is precisely why the BMW 6 Series gives particular attention
to the occupants’ climate wishes and preferences, the automatic air
conditioning developed for the 6 Series setting a new standard in the coupé
segment in terms of performance and individual control. In particular, the
automatic air conditioning, compared with conventional systems, heats up and
cools down the passenger compartment much faster, offering individual
adjustment of air distribution, evaporation temperature varied according to
specific demands to prevent both excessive cooling and the risk of your mucous
membranes drying out, as well as simple control reduced to just a few important
functions and buttons. <br>
Again applying BMW’s iDrive
control philosophy, the basic functions of the automatic air conditioning –
ventilation, heating and cooling, temperature left/right – are controlled
directly by keys and switches in the instrument panel, with detailed
adjustments then being made via the Control Display. <br>
Automatic air conditioning
controls the car’s temperature, air volume and distribution automatically for
the left- and right-hand side. Temperature stratification important for the
individual adjustment of upper body temperature, as well as the temperature and
air volume coming out of the central vent in the instrument panel, may be
varied infinitely via the Controller and the Control Display. A bi-directional
solar sensor measures sun radiation for this purpose from inside and controls
the flow of cooling air accordingly. <br>
To make sure that the
windows do not mist over, an anti-misting sensor monitors the temperature of
the windows and the air. If necessary, this sensor acts in several levels and
at several points without in the first stages impairing the climate inside the
passenger compartment. As an example, it will switch from air recirculation to
exterior air, then increasing the air flow as the next step before cooling the
air to a lower temperature in order to achieve the dehumidifying effect
desired. <br>
<b>Fully controlled air
humidity providing a better climate inside. </b><br>
A feature particularly pleasant for the car’s occupants is the efficient
control of the evaporator temperature avoiding the risk of your mucous
membranes cooling down and drying out: So far the air to be cooled was always
cooled down to approximately 1–3 °C, a lot of humidity being withdrawn from the
air in the process. Then this extremely dry air was warmed up again to the
temperature desired. <br>
Now the new BMW 6 Series
Coupé features a sensor monitoring air temperature and providing only the
cooling effect required. Enlarging the cooling range to 1–10 °C, air humidity
remains at a higher level and thus provides far more pleasant conditions for
your mucous membranes. A further advantage of this improvement in motoring
comfort is a reduction of fuel consumption certainly worth mentioning. <br>
A residual heat function
pumping coolant through the heat exchanger even when the engine is not running
feeds warm air into the interior. Auxiliary ventilation, finally, feeds outside
air into the passenger compartment via the automatic air condition even when
the engine is not running. In this process, the air is cleaned by an activated
carbon filter largely holding back all dust and pollutants. And as soon as the
gas sensors determine an excessive concentration of pollutants in the outside
air, AAR Automatic Air Recirculation will switch to the recirculating mode. <br>
<b>Climate comfort glass
cooling down the interior without consuming any energy. </b><br>
Available as an option, climate comfort glass supplements the automatic air
conditioning most appropriately. This infra-red-reflecting (IR) glass keeps the
air inside the passenger compartment of a parked car approximately 5 °C cooler
than in a car with conventional windows, the surfaces within the interior even
remaining approximately 10 °C cooler. The heat you feel on your skin as a
result of thermal radiation is likewise reduced to a lower temperature. <br>
In practice, this allows
the automatic air conditioning to operate on less power right from the start,
the blower running on a lower level with a reduced flow of air and noise level
also serving to save fuel. And since infra-red-reflecting glass comes in a
laminated security structure, it has a – limited – theft-inhibiting effect and
will not break that easily in the event of an accident. <br>
<b>Front seats featuring a
memory function as standard. </b><br>
The driver and front passenger seats both come with a memory function for three
different seat settings adjusting the seats electrically fore-and-aft, for
height, seat and backrest angle. The headrests, in turn, can be adjusted
anually for both height and angle, again in the interest of maximum comfort. <br>
Even the “basic” seats come
in high-quality Dakota leather which, through its natural grain, provides a
perfect match for the sophisticated style and class of the 6 Series. The
colours available are Black, Cream Beige, and Chateau. <br>
The sports seats available
as an option and also adjustable electrically feature sporting, extra-firm
upholstery and provide even better body support particularly for fast, dynamic
motoring. The electrical lumbar support available as an option on the basic
seats is included from the start in the sports seats, the infinitely adjustable
system of air chambers helping the passenger to find an orthopaedically perfect
seating position supporting his back muscles and relieving his backbone of any
particular load. Over and above the basic seats, finally, the sport seats come
with a mechanically adjustable thigh support. <br>
Three-stage seat heating is
incorporated in both the basic and sports seats, warming up the entire body
area on the seat and backrest as well as the side supports very quickly and
efficiently. <br>
<b>A fully-fledged
2+2-coupé. </b><br>
For a coupé the passengers on the rear seats also travel first class: Although
coupés typically have a lower and flatter roof line than saloons, even adults
sitting on the rear seats of the new 6 Series will enjoy ample space and
roominess for short and medium distances. The two body-contoured leather seats
at the rear separated from one another by a cushion in the middle and
interacting with backrests also contoured to your body position provide good
side support. The convenient entry aid on the driver’s and front passenger’s
seat, in turn, provide easy access to both rear seats, without requiring the passengers
to bend or crouch down. Here again, therefore, the new BMW 6 Series is a
fully-fledged 2+2-coupé for all requirements. <br>
Yet another practical forte
of the 645Ci is the large luggage compartment with a capacity of 450 litres.
This easily takes up a complete set of one large, one medium-sized and one
small hard shell case or a large case and two 46-inch golf bags. The ski-bag in
the middle of the rear seat backrest, in turn, accommodates two pairs of skis
or one snowboard for wintersports. <br>
The glove compartment has a
capacity of 4.8 litres, additional compartments in the doors, nets on the seats
and further compartments offering ample storage space and making the 6 Series a
very versatile and practical car. A particular feature to be mentioned in this context
is the two-section, lockable storage compartment beneath the centre armrest
conveniently accommodating the telephone at exactly the right point. <br>
<b>Car & Key Memory:
serving several drivers all in one. </b><br>
The Car&Key Memory (CKM) shows to what extent BMW’s new large coupé is able
to make life pleasant and convenient. Featured as standard, this superior
function allows the individual user to adjust electronically controlled vehicle
functions to his or her personal wishes, preferences and requirements, the
system automatically detecting each new driver and setting the pre-programmed
functions accordingly. CKM is therefore able to adjust the seats and mirrors,
the alarm system and central locking, the voice entry function, as well as
certain features within the lights system. <br>
The overall CKM concept is
split up into car-specific (Car Memory) and driver-specific (Key Memory)
settings. The former car-specific settings are basic settings required quite
generally on the car as such, regardless of who is driving, since these
settings are the same for all users. <br>
<b>Personal settings: the
large BMW coupé does the thinking. </b><br>
Key Memory, on the other hand, focuses on personal settings and adjustments,
allowing up to four different users to configure their own individual functions
according to specific requirements. As soon as the system recognises a specific
user through his or her remote control key to the car, it automatically
activates the individual pre-programmed settings and makes the necessary
adjustments. <br>
This gives the driver of
the BMW 6 Series an intelligent function with the vehicle recognising the
driver and “remembering” his or her personal preferences. A big advantage, of
course, is that the users are able to configure many of their personal settings
themselves. <br>
Part II: The New BMW 645Ci – In Depth
Passive Safety of the Highest Standard
The BMW 6 Series Coupé
comes right at the top of the premium class also in terms of active and passive
safety. A high level of active safety, for example, is ensured by the safe
aluminium chassis with its various suspension assistance systems such as DSC
and Dynamic Drive. Further important safety features are Active Steering and
the Adaptive Headlights (both available as an option), runflat tyres and the
innovative lightweight brakes, as well as many other features allowing the
driver of the BMW 645Ci to get the power and performance of his car on to the
road dynamically but without any unnecessary risks. <br>
At the same time the new 6
Series offers the highest standard of passive safety, ensuring all occupants
excellent protection in a collision. So here again, BMW’s new large coupé comes
right at the top of its market segment. <br>
<b>Maximum survival space –
minimum loads acting on the occupants. </b><br>
The basic purpose of passive safety is to give the occupants maximum survival
space in the event of a crash, reducing the loads acting on the passengers to
an absolute minimum. To meet BMW’s uncompromising standard of passive safety,
the new 6 Series comes with high-load-bearing support structures, the
deformation zones front and rear being used to the greatest possible extent in
order to absorb forces and dampen the effects of a collision. <br>
The front-end structure is
compatible in design in order to offer other road users optimum protection in
collisions, the extremely stiff passenger cell providing the space required
inside the car to protect the occupants even in a severe collision. This also
includes a package allowing the occupants to move forward as far as possible
within the interior, absorbing impact forces in the process. The crash element
in the steering column deforming according to a predefined crumple curve offers
telescopic travel of approximately 80 millimetres or 3.15´´, both of these
features serving to additionally reduce the loads acting on the occupants. <br>
<b>Efficient belt systems
to keep all occupants in position should the worst ever come to the worst. </b><br>
Combined with highly efficient restraint systems, the new BMW 6 Series offers
its passengers optimum protection in the event of an accident. As an example,
the seat belts are equipped with belt force limiters and belt latch tensioners
on the front seats. Both the driver and front passenger are protected by their
own two-stage frontal airbags acting as “intelligent” units in adjusting their
inflation process to the severity of an accident in order to minimise any
possible risk of injury. The front passenger airbag is furthermore concealed
beneath an opening line in the instrument panel invisible from outside and
therefore not disturbing the dynamic harmony of the interior by any kind of
visible seam. <br>
<b>Head airbags acting like
a sail. </b><br>
One airbag each in the doors and AHPS head airbags on the side windows round
off the complete range of safety and protection systems offered to the driver
and front passenger. In its effects, the AHPS (Advanced Head Protection System)
airbag goes far beyond a conventional ITS airbag, combining the structural
benefits of the latter with the advantages of full coverage provided by a kind
of sail or curtain at the side extending over the entire side window. And
should the worst ever come to the worst, this sail will protect the occupants
better from glass splinters and similar objects. A further advantage is that
the occupant is held back more effectively on his or her seat. <br>
<b>ASE control system:
optimum protection at the right time. </b><br>
This wide range of interacting safety components is masterminded by the
innovative ASE Advanced Safety Electronics information system. ASE is a
trendsetting, networked airbag control system with lightwave conductors which,
incorporating decentralised satellites, is able to detect exactly where a
collision takes place, thus activating the restraint systems extremely quickly
and exactly as required. A further advantage is that ASE rules out false
activation of the airbags almost entirely. <br>
<b>Part II: The New BMW 645Ci – In Depth</b><br>
<b>Telecommunications:</b><br>
<b>Innovations in Information, Communication and Entertainment</b><br>
On the road, but
nevertheless still at home or in the office. Precisely this is the significant
requirement we face today – a requirement the new BMW 6 Series Coupé is able to
fulfil in perfection. Benefitting from modern telecommunication features, the
driver and passengers are virtually always in touch and they are able themselves
to access all kinds of services online whenever they wish. <br>
At the same time the
Professional audio system provides entertainment pleasure at all times
absolutely equal in every respect to the most sophisticated home systems. <br>
<b>The customer-specific wiring
harness: the central nervous system within the car. </b><br>
The customer-specific wiring harness acts as the “central nervous system”
inside the car connecting the various communication units with one another.
“Customer-specific” means that the wiring harness is tailored precisely to each
individual car and the components fitted, thus following a concept currently
only available from BMW. The wiring harness itself is made up of conventional
copper wires and lightwave conductors virtually immune to interference,
connecting all the sensors and actuators as well as the electronic control
systems with one another. <br>
The core element of this
overall system is the MOST Media-Oriented Systems Transport ring made up of
plastic wave conductors for digital transmission of the driver’s commands as
well as audio, video, and graphic signals going from one control unit to the
other. This ring system makes any elaborate individual wiring of components a
thing of the past, but may nevertheless still be enhanced by adding specific
components where required. <br>
<b>MOST – the automotive
multi-media standard of the future. </b><br>
Apart from providing the necessary network, MOST also sets a system of rules
for practical applications on the road: Applying rules and regulations like in
road traffic, the system monitors the interaction of control units and
functions. To allow hands-free operation of the telephone, the Control Display,
radio, amplifiers, and the telephone itself have to be coordinated with one
another. This is where MOST ensures standardised and clearly structured
management of an all-round infotainment system made up of several units. <br>
This MOST network
comprises both a Command Level or System Master –M-ASC (MMI Audio System
Controller) and the even more sophisticated CCC Car Communication Computer –
the subordinate Control Level and, finally, the Slaves doing the actual job. <br>
A big advantage of the
MOST system is that leading manufacturers in the automotive and communication
industries are currently upgrading MOST to become a common standard for
multi-media networks in the car. And BMW is one of the forerunners in this
process. <br>
<b>M-ASC and CCC – the
“bosses” in control. </b><br>
The various information, entertainment and communication features available in
the new 6 Series either as standard or as an option require an overriding
platform combining and integrating the individual functions and units with one
another at one central location. This platform referred to as the Head Unit or
System Master “invisible” to the customer is the M-ASC (MMI Audio System
Controller) or, offering a wider range of functions, the CCC Car Communication
Computer. <br>
M-ASC controls the audio
systems including the CD changer or the MP3 player, the telephone, basic
navigation system, and the Head-Up Display, as well as many other technical
features in the 6 Series such as automatic air conditioning or power
management. A practical example of how M-ASC works is hands-free operation of
the telephone coordinating the Control Display, radio, amplifier and the
telephone itself. With M-ASC combining control units so far separated from one
another in one single housing, the customer now has more space for other
purposes, for example for additional storage compartments inside the car. An
innovation created by BMW, M-ASC is currently quite unique in the market. <br>
Taking the place of
M-ASC and offering a much wider range of functions, the CCC Car Communication
Computer serves to mastermind additional features and equipment such as the
Professional navigation unit, enhanced voice entry, BMW Online or BMW Assist.
The most important advantage of this platform comprising six microprocessors is
the option to update software or add new components very conveniently and in a
very simple process at a later point in time. And once again, like with M-ASC,
the customer benefits from the additional space provided in this way, with the
Car Communication Computer coming in one single “box”. <br>
<b>HiFi and TOP HiFi for a
perfect experience in sound. </b><br>
The BMW 645Ci pampers its passengers as standard with the excellent acoustic
experience provided by a high-quality 2 x 40 W plus 4 x 25 W HiFi system. To
ensure particularly good reproduction of bass sounds throughout the car, the
system incorporates two central woofers beneath the front seats. Connected to the
side-sills, the central woofers have the volume required for optimum sound
quality and are supplemented by six sub-woofers and tweeters. <br>
The optional TOP HiFi
system turns the BMW 6 Series into a genuine concert hall on wheels, offering
an even wider range of features and equipment: The amplifier system with 7 x 25
W and 2 x 70 W, as well as a total of 13 loudspeakers equipped in part with
aluminium diaphragms, ensure truly outstanding quality of sound in conjunction
with the LOGIC7 equalising concept for a supreme surround sound effect. The
loudspeaker system, in turn, comprises not only two 210-millimetre central
woofers beneath the front seats, but also four tweeters in the mirror triangles
and side panels, two 100-millimetre sub-woofers in the door and side panels and
in the parcel shelf, as well as a 100-millimetre central loudspeaker in the
middle of the instrument panel. <br>
<b>Digitalisation providing
top sound quality. </b><br>
The LOGIC7 concept integrated into the TOP HiFi system and otherwise only to be
found in stationary, top-end professional systems, provides an experience in
sound deceptively close to the original. To ensure this sound quality, a matrix
circuit subdivides each signal in an analogue or digital stereo recording into
7 individual signals then processed specifically for the interior of the car. <br>
To keep the spatial
sound effect as close to the original as possible, LOGIC7 uses the spatial
information contained in each stereo signal, breaking this information up into
the two sound dimensions crucial to audio quality: The place where the sound
was originally generated and the acoustic environment or space where it is able
to subsequently spread. <br>
This gives the listener
an even more refined surround effect and more precise sound resolution allowing
him to exactly pinpoint the individual sources of sound. Particularly moving
sources such as a car passing by are far more “plastic” and impressive in their
perception, any interference or disturbance caused by driving noise being
compensated efficiently and in fine stages by the speed-related equalising
function. <br>
<b>Use of the latest
technologies for information and entertainment. </b><br>
The new BMW 6 Series comes as standard with the BMW Business radio featuring a
CD player. The optional Professional radio, in turn, features a drive system
able to operate not only standard CD functions, but also CD-ROMs, thus even
playing datafiles such as MP3 CDs. This radio system is included in the two
navigation systems available in the 6 Series. <br>
<b>Optional: CD changer in
the glove compartment. </b><br>
The audio systems may be supplemented as an option by a particularly smooth and
quietly operating CD changer for six CDs housed behind the glove compartment
and within easy reach for both the driver and front passenger. This six CD player
is controlled via the Controller and Control Display. <br>
<b>Navigation system with
DVD. </b><br>
The new BMW 6 Series is available as an option with a DVD-based navigation
system combined with the Professional radio and based on the M-ASC (MMI Audio
System Controller) System Master. Guidance through the system is provided by
voice messages and arrows – and, where available, these guidance arrows are
also presented in the Head-Up Display. In route planning, the system makes
allowance for the latest traffic information received on the radio via digital
dataflow (RDS-TMC). Both reports related to the route the driver plans to take
as well as current traffic conditions are presented and taken into account in
planning the route, at the request of the driver. <br>
The driver may also opt
for dynamic route planning with the system automatically calculating the best
route in each case – which means it will also take traffic congestion, where
applicable, into account, providing for a possible alternative where available.
And if the system determines that the route planned is faster despite this
traffic congestion, it will proceed accordingly, accepting such congestion as
the best solution. Another option is to plan and memorise the route with the
help of the navigation DVD, the driver then being able to take out the DVD and
replace it, say, by an audio CD. <br>
<b>TOP navigation with
destination entry by voice message and map. </b><br>
The TOP navigation system incorporates software applications for the CCC Car
Communication Computer system master, which also comprises the positioning
module. The main additional functions provided in this case over the basic
navigation system are destination entry via voice message or through the map
display, the availability of further criteria for route planning, and the
option to link points of interest with direct telephone dialling functions and
further information. Traffic information is also shown on the map and the
driver is able to retrieve exact information on his current location. <br>
<b>Integrating the telephone
by means of Bluetooth technology. </b><br>
Apart from conventional preparation for installation of a telephone including
the aerial and hands-free operation as the first level of technology, BMW
offers a second level and, as a result, a genuine alternative to the dual-band
telephone fitted in the car: This is a very convenient, future-proof solution
for integrating your mobile phone within the car itself. Benefitting from this
universal mobile phone preparation kit with a Bluetooth interface, you are able
– at least in theory – to network all Bluetooth-compatible mobile telephones
recommended by BMW with the car’s electronic system, without having to use any
kind of wire or cord connection. So as soon as your mobile phone reaches the
car’s reception area (with a range of approximately 10 metres), it
automatically logs into the system. <br>
Once your mobile phone
is connected to the car via Bluetooth, you can operate the phone smoothly and
conveniently from the multifunction steering wheel or via the Controller and the
Control Display – including hands-free operation for maximum flexibility. And
to ensure perfect reception, your mobile phone is connected to the outside
aerial by an easy-to-use snap-in adapter in the centre console perfectly
matching the various types of phone. <br>
Important data such as
the telephone directory, the Top 8 list, as well as the numbers called last are
synchronised with the on-board system able to interact with up to four
telephones. The telephone battery is charged in the process via the snap-in
adapter, and whenever you use or buy a new mobile phone all you have to do is
change the adapter, without any further requirements. <br>
The dual-band telephone
fitted directly into the car as the third alternative comes with a cordless
handset also communicating via Bluetooth technology with the base station. The
radius covered by the handset is once again up to 10 metres around the car, and
the range of convenient functions is the same as with the Bluetooth mobile
phone. <br>
<b>BMW Assist conveying
efficient services straight to your car. </b><br>
Through its telematic functions, optional BMW Assist offers the driver of the
BMW 6 Series coupé a wide range of functions enhancing both motoring comfort
and driving safety on the road. The software required for this purpose is
installed within the telephone, meaning that BMW Assist requires installation
of the telephone, the Professional navigation system and the Car Communication
Computer serving as the system master. BMW Assist is operated, finally, via the
Controller and/or the Control Display. <br>
<b>The emergency call
function – for many the most important feature. </b><br>
The most significant service offered by BMW Assist in the eyes of many
customers is the emergency call function activated either manually via the
emergency button in the roof liner connecting the user to the Service Centre or
automatically by an airbag sensor. In either case the Service Centre will
initiate rescue operations immediately, transmitting the car’s data and its
current position to the local rescue services able to locate the car and take
action without any loss of time. <br>
<b>BMW Breakdown Service
for competent assistance without delay. </b><br>
Activating the BMW Breakdown Service, data and the current position of the car
are transmitted to the Service Centre and go on from there to a BMW Service
Mobile. Then, via a direct voice link, the driver can clarify all the relevant
details together with the breakdown specialists. <br>
<b>V-Info plus to avoid
traffic congestion without the slightest problem. </b><br>
V-Info plus is another important function offered by BMW Assist: Via the
Controller and Control Display, the driver is able to call up information on
traffic congestion in the Traffic Info menu. Currently, this information
specifies the length of and the reason for a traffic jam as well as the last
exit before the driver runs up to the traffic jam itself. The sources used for
this purpose are official reports updated every 10 minutes. Information is
presented to the driver, depending on his requirements, as a text message,
graphically in map format, or by a voice message. And as soon as the driver
changes his route, the navigation system calculates the new route to be taken
and presents it on the screen. <br>
<b>Enquiry plus – personal
advice is always the best solution. </b><br>
Clicking on to the Enquiry Plus menu in the Control Display, the driver
establishes a voice link to one of the specialists at the Service Centre. This
mobility-based enquiry service comprises more than 35 million entries covering
all kinds of useful categories ranging from hotels, restaurants or filling
stations all the way to the current cinema and theatre programme in a certain
city or region. A further option is to transmit the appropriate destination
coordinates to the car by SMS, where this information is taken over for
destination guidance by the on-board navigation system. <br>
<b>BMW Info presenting
telephone numbers via SMS. </b><br>
The BMW Info internet application is also based on SMS technology. Using this
service, the driver is able to obtain navigation destinations and telephone
numbers transmitted directly to his car from the BMW Assist internet page
complete with geo-coding. <br>
<b>BMW Online for internet
services tailored to the user. </b><br>
BMW Online allows the customer to access a wide range of internet-based
services while travelling, at the same time using other functions in his
on-board infotainment system. As an example, he may listen to music and call up
the latest news from the stock exchange via BMW Online at the same time. As
with BMW Assist, the prerequisite needed for this purpose is prior installation
of the navigation system and telephone. <br>
BMW Online is operated,
like nearly all comfort features on board the 6 Series, intuitively via the
Controller or Control Display. One of the general features offered by BMW
Online is a wide range of mobility services such as the Parkinfo Service
currently covering some 2,500 car parks with almost 600,000 parking spaces in
84 German cities and at 20 airports, presenting their current capacity. Other
service functions present the BMW dealer network, telephone directories and the
yellow pages, emergency pharmacy services at specific locations, hotels,
restaurants, and lots, lots more. <br>
<b>Sophisticated aerial
concept ensuring good connections at all times. </b><br>
To receive the various multi-media services reliably and without disturbance at
all times, the new BMW 6 Series comes with an elaborate aerial concept. <br>
The system consists of
the aerial unit itself integrated in the rear window heating, with no less than
9 individual aerials for radio reception, meaning that the power provided for
the heater is also used for the aerial. The aerial amplifier required for this
purpose, in turn, is housed beneath the interior lining in the left-hand
C-pillar, that is very close by to optimise reception quality above all in the
medium wave band. The second aerial system is housed in the SMC plastic rear
lid, consisting of three aerials for telephone and GPS navigation reception as
well as digital radio reception. <br>
Looking back in time, we
see that BMW has built a number of large coupés over the years. These were
always the leading cars in their era, role models in elegance and design – and
particularly outstanding driving machines on the road. The new BMW 6 Series is
therefore a distinguished successor to a long series of predecessors, paving
the way in design and advanced technology. <br>
<b>The market. </b><br>
The new BMW 6 Series is entering the luxury performance segment, that is the
same part of the market as its four-door counterpart, the new BMW 7 Series. And
precisely this market segment is growing significantly the world over, with the
volume of luxury performance coupés and convertibles increasing by no less than
48 per cent from 1999 to 2001. Further growth is quite conceivable. <br>
This positive development
is to be observed above all in the US market very important to BMW, where
coupés and convertibles have always played a very important role. Now the new 6
Series will become an equally significant player in the US market, also taking
on a leading position, as we anticipate today, in other major coupé countries
such as Germany, Great Britain, Switzerland and Japan. <br>
The new 6 Series’ direct
competitors are the large luxury and sports coupés already to be found in the
world market, particularly renowned brands from Germany, Britain and Italy. And
in the USA the higher-priced competitors from Japan also play a certain role. <br>
<b>Marketing objective. </b><br>
It goes without saying that BMW wishes to take on an active role again in this
segment with the new 6 Series Coupé, securing a significant share in the
market. In terms of volume, the sales target is naturally far more ambitious
than with the first 6 Series built in a production run of approximately 86,000
units from 1976–1989 and with the 8 Series, accounting for approximately 31,000
units between 1990 and 1999. <br>
In terms of quality the new
BMW 6 Series is the epitome of exclusivity, aesthetic design and sporting
performance. Particularly the clear pledge to sportiness distinguishes this new
high-performance coupé significantly from its direct competitors, placing it
close to other competition models which focus exclusively on sports motoring.
Precisely this gives BMW a very significant potential for conquest sales to
owners of other makes, just as the new 6 Series occupies a very important
position as the ambassador of the BMW brand. <br>
<b>Target group. </b><br>
The “classic” purchasers of the new BMW 6 Series Coupé are mainly men in the
40–55-year age group. Most of these outstanding individuals are successful,
independent businesspeople who drive a lot and wish to “pamper” themselves with
a car of this class. Outstanding design and supreme performance as well as the
status of the brand, together with unrestricted reliability and everyday
driving qualities, are very important purchasing motives within this target
group. <br>
Part II: The New BMW 645Ci – In Depth
Production
The new BMW 6 Series is
built exclusively in Dingolfing, the largest production plant within the BMW
Group’s worldwide production network with no less than 24 locations. Highly
flexible in all its operations, the Dingolfing Plant has more than 23,000
employees, 80 per cent thereof skilled workers, and turns out more than 1,250
cars a day. <br>
A sophisticated multi-stage
system of quality management ensures in all steps of the production process
that each and every car goes through a defined number of tests before leaving
the Plant for the customer – so quality “Made by BMW” is guaranteed. <br>
<b>Quality always comes
first. </b><br>
Successful management of quality in production requires not only a lot of
experience and know-how, but also successful application of mature processes as
well as efficient use of high-tech instruments. Precisely this is why
complicated technologies so far used only in areas such as medical technology,
for example, are now being used increasingly to ensure quality in automobile
production. Even the use of ultrasound, infra-red or laser technology,
endoscopic equipment or computer tomography is quite common in automobile
production these days. And new material concepts involving “intelligent”
combinations of various materials, together with demanding design, call for all
the know-how of quality specialists time and again. <br>
<b>Example: inline
measuring technology for harmonious precision in body production. </b><br>
Smooth, even and harmonious joints and seams on the car are crucial to the
perfect optical impression you gain at first sight. Precisely this is why BMW’s
production specialists have made every effort to give the 6 Series such perfect
dimensions. <br>
All car bodies are measured
fully automatically in the Bodyshop, providing a wide range of data on the
cars’ dimensions. This data measured on the spot is then transmitted directly
to Assembly, providing the input for the subsequent attachment of other modules
and parts. The result is a perfectly coordinated body-in-white, together with
all the add-on components, for optimum body joints and seams. <br>
Using ultra-precise
CNC-controlled coordinate measuring machines, specialists in the Bodyshop
Measuring Lab inspect and evaluate no less than 4,051 measuring points on the
body-in-white of the BMW 6 Series in spot checks. This data serves not only as
the foundation for ongoing analyses checking out the tolerances allowed, but
also as the reference values for the robot testers integrated directly in the
production line: In the case of the BMW 6 Series 13 inline measuring robots
measure 360 points on the car body moving down the line, ensuring 100 per cent
precision directly in the flow of production. <br>
<b>Surface matching with an
intelligent mix of materials. </b><br>
To ensure the 6 Series’ outstanding driving dynamics in every respect, BMW’s
specialists choose the right material for each body component with exactly the
properties required. This mix of materials starts with steel varying in
thickness and continues through aluminium on the doors all the way to the use
of thermoplastics for the side panels and a glass-fibre-reinforced composite
material on the rear lid. Hence, the process of configuring the various
components ideally for their subsequent look and practical use starts right
from the beginning in the Bodyshop. <br>
What exactly does that mean
in practice? It means that joints, radii and edges, depending on the material
used, vary in their look and flair. And precisely this is the purpose of
surface matching: to guarantee supreme harmony of all components regardless of
the material used. This commitment then continues in the Paintshop due to
differences between the various materials in the way they take up paint and
colours. <br>
The final link in the chain
is Assembly, where this harmony must be achieved once again by matching the
various components added on to the car. Ultimately, therefore, this matching
process serves a fundamental purpose, giving the customer certainty that all
components on the car form one perfect and harmonious entity. <br>
<b>Business is people –
it’s the employees that count. </b><br>
Quality management can only be successful if the employees of a Company support
the high standard of quality and perfection required in all job processes. And
this quest for optimum quality has a long tradition within the BMW Group. It is
part of our corporate culture and it is pursued, refined and enhanced in both
initial and further training. Even while still introducing a new car,
therefore, we develop an appropriate training strategy, since demanding
technical systems such as Active Steering, Dynamic Drive or Adaptive Headlights
demand the utmost of employees in their qualifications. Information and
training at BMW therefore starts even in the early phase of prototype
production – which means that ultimately several thousand people all make their
particular contribution before a BMW 6 Series “Made by BMW” comes off the line.
<br>
"><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>WWW.DEALERRATER.COM</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> SITE, BE SURE TO DO IT THIS WEEK!<BR><BR></FONT><A href="http://www.dealerrater.com" target=_blank><FONT face=Arial color=#ff0000 size=2>CLICK HERE TO RATE YOUR DEALER OR TO SEE THEIR RANKING <BR></FONT></A></SPAN><BR><FONT face=Arial>WHAT THE EXPERTS ARE SAYING ABOUT AUTOSPIES.COM:<BR></FONT></FONT><FONT face=Arial><IMG style="WIDTH: 59px; HEIGHT: 29px" height=37 alt="USA Today" src="http://a298.g.akamai.net/7/298/5382/101803131350/www.eletra.com/autospies/word_images/2149295_image001.gif" width=80><FONT size=2>"Whenever I want to find out what’s going on in the car world, I turn to Auto Spies first!"</FONT><BR></FONT></STRONG><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=1>Jim Louderback, USA Today</FONT><BR></FONT></FONT><FONT size=4><FONT face=Arial><STRONG><A href="http://cartalk.cars.com/"><FONT color=#000000><img style="WIDTH: 53px; HEIGHT: 36px" height=68 alt="Car Talk _at_ cars.com" src="http://a298.g.akamai.net/7/298/5382/101803131350/www.eletra.com/autospies/word_images/4201163_image002.gif" width=105 border=0></FONT></A><FONT size=2>"Actually useful info!"</FONT></STRONG><BR><FONT size=1>NPR Radio's, Click and Clack cartalk website<BR></FONT></FONT></FONT><BR><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><STRONG>WHAT OUR ADVERTISERS ARE SAYING ABOUT AUTOSPIES.COM:<BR></STRONG></FONT><BR></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><STRONG><FONT size=3><FONT size=2>“Autospies.com is driving 36% of the visitors to my website. The hits on my Featured Properties has been tremendous since I started advertising with Autospies.com. This is a far better response than my advertising in the Robb Report or Dream Homes.”<BR></FONT></STRONG><FONT size=2><FONT size=1>Marcia Asbeck-Coldwell-Banker International</FONT><BR><BR></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>I wanted to take a minute to say how happy we are with the response we </FONT></SPAN></STRONG><B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">have gotten from our advertising in your newsletter. It has drawn </SPAN></STRONG><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">national attention to our dealership and has proven to be a valuable asset. Thank you!</SPAN></STRONG><BR></FONT></SPAN></B><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=1>Ed Keady, New Car Manager, Hendrick Porsche</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><BR><A href="http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e_article000177169.cfm" target=_blank><FONT size=2><FONT color=#0000ff>Click here for more information on advertising on Autospies.com</FONT><BR></FONT></A></SPAN><STRONG><FONT color=#ff0000><FONT color=#ff0000><BR><A href="http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e_article000188708.cfm" target=_blank><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#ff0000>DON'T BUY ANY CAR BEFORE YOU READ THIS! IF YOU DON'T, WE'LL BOTH LOSE MONEY!<BR>CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE THREE MUST HAVE SERVICES.</FONT><BR></FONT></A></FONT></FONT></STRONG><FONT face=Arial><STRONG><BR></STRONG></FONT><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><STRONG><FONT size=3>SEE TABLE OF CONTENTS ON THE LEFT COLUMN FOR THIS WEEK'S ARTICLES</FONT></STRONG><BR><BR><STRONG><U><FONT color=#0000ff>CLICK HERE TO EMAIL OUR NEWSLETTER TO A FRIEND<BR><BR></FONT></U><FONT face=Arial size=2>REMEMBER TO EMAIL ANY RUMORS OR SCOOPS TO </FONT></STRONG><A href="mailto:RUMORS_at_AUTOSPIES.COM"><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>RUMORS_at_AUTOSPIES.COM</STRONG></FONT></A></SPAN> </P>
<P></P></SPAN></FONT><br>
Updated: Auto Spies Premium Showcase Car Classifieds
</b>
</b></font>
<br><font face="verdana,arial" size="3">
Don't miss these!
</b></font>
<br><br>
<font face="verdana,arial" size="2">
<FONT face=Arial>Tired of listing your vehicles in Auto Trader and others and having them get lost among thousands of other classifieds? Auto Spies has the answer! Our classifieds are the perfect way to showcase your vehicle, where the right people, will REALLY see it. Try our new "Premium Showcase Classiifeds". It's the best way to get your car noticed and sold. And, it's a great way to support Auto Spies!</FONT>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><FONT size=3><FONT size=4><STRONG><BR>Auto Spies Premium Showcase Classifieds</STRONG></FONT> <BR><STRONG><FONT size=1><FONT size=2>*Click the credit card icon below to submit your classified(s). (We will contact you for photos and descriptions upon completion of the transaction). Showcase classifieds are $100.00 for each vehicle, include up to eight photos (submitted by seller) and last for 30 days or 4 newsletters. Deadline for submission is Wednesday by 12PM PST, for inclusion in our Thursday newsletter. Auto Spies will only accept up to one hundred ads per newsletter. And yes, auto dealers are allowed to submit classifieds.</FONT><BR></FONT><BR>
<FORM action=https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr method=post><INPUT type=hidden value=_xclick name=cmd> <INPUT type=hidden value=autospies_at_sbcglobal.net name=business> <INPUT type=hidden value=1 name=undefined_quantity> <INPUT type=hidden value="Auto Spies Premium Showcase Classifieds" name=item_name> <INPUT type=hidden value=0005 name=item_number> <INPUT type=hidden value=100.00 name=amount> <INPUT type=hidden value=USD name=currency_code> <INPUT type=image alt="Make payments with PayPal - it's fast, free and secure!" src="https://www.paypal.com/images/x-click-butcc.gif" border=0 name=submit> </FORM></STRONG></FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV><br>