MUSCAT: BMW has concluded the year 2014, in every respect a successful one, with more than 50 national and international awards.
The prize winners were chosen by juries comprising readers of trade magazines or by specialized journalists who selected the winners in various different topic areas and categories. The spectrum of distinctions ranges from awards for design, sustainability, sportiness and innovation to intelligent vehicle networking.
The most important international prizes include the renowned ‘International Engine of the Year Award’, with the winner being determined by a specialized jury consisting of 82 car journalists from 34 countries. The 3-litre straight six-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology was declared winner of the coveted prize in its respective category for the fourth time now.
The same jury twice awarded the BMW i3 the title ‘World Green Car of the Year’, also acknowledging its trendsetting design with the title ‘World Car Design of the Year’. The amalgamation of the Chicago Athenaeum, Museum for Architecture and Design and the European Centre for Architecture, Art Design and Urban Studies also honoured the BMW 3 Series GT and the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Concept with the ‘Good Design Award’.
The technological leadership of BMW ConnectedDrive in the area of assistance systems was verified by top rankings, both nationally and internationally. BMW received the ‘Euro NCAP Advanced Award’ for the Pedestrian Warning feature with City Braking function, a driver assistant system that reduces the danger of collision with pedestrians in urban traffic.
Moreover, the new BMW Laserlight technology was presented with the ‘Editorial Award for Technology 2014’, bestowed by the AutoScout24 magazine within the framework of the Internet Auto Award, Europe’s biggest public Internet award for the automotive trade.
Last but not least, the BMW i8 was voted ‘Top Gear Magazine’s Car of the Year’ by the British cult journal Top Gear. In its appraisal, the magazine states that “the BMW i8 is a milestone in the annals of automotive history and a glorious statement for an exciting and positive future”. In Germany, readers of the trade magazine ‘auto, motor und sport’ were among those who voted the BMW i3, the BMW 4 Series Coupe and the BMW 5 Series ‘Best Cars’.
Year 2014 witnessed the awarding of the ‘Red Dot’ to several BMW models. The ‘Red Dot Design Award’ is bestowed by an international jury of experts within the framework of a design competition held by the North Rhine-Westphalia Design Centre for products with outstanding design quality.
The prize went to the BMW 2 Series Coupe, the BMW 3 Series GT, the BMW 4 Series Coupe and Convertible as well as the BMW i3 in the category ‘’Best of Best’. The BMW i8 also received a ‘Red Dot Award’. Moreover, the car was also honoured by the Industrie Forum Design e.V with the “iF product design award 2014” in recognition of its innovative styling.
BMW’s success in the ‘Green Mobility Trophy’ competition held by the Auto Zeitung most impressively underscores the brand’s strong commitment to environmental and sustainability issues.
In 2014, BMW won six out of a total of seven awards. Almost 14,000 readers of the trade magazine cast their vote in favour of sustainable and efficient automobiles and technologies. The BMW i3, the first purely electric premium vehicle, seized two first places as the best electric car made from lightweight materials. The BMW i8 was voted ‘Best Hybrid Car’.
