2011 BMW 3 SERIES AWARDS

OUR 20TH TIME ON CAR & DRIVER'S 10 BEST LIST IS JUST AS EXCITING AS OUR FIRST.

This year, the BMW 3 Series has made Car and Driver's acclaimed 10 Best List for an unprecedented 20th year in a row. Known around the world for its sporty looks, superior handling and powerful engines, the 3 Series has been a perennial favorite amongst driving enthusiasts and Car and Driver writers alike. And it's no surprise, especially when,the chassis balance is exquisite, with handling that encourages risky behavior but a ride that you wouldn't feel bad subjecting your grandmother to. Not only has the 3 Series been on every 10Best List since 1992, but it's a feat unmatched by any other vehicle on the market. And that's an incredible accomplishment for our most popular BMW.

BMW EARNS 2012 BEST BUY AWARD

ONE OF CONSUMER GUIDE'S PREMIUM COMPACT CAR BEST BUY WINNERS

The 2012 BMW 3-Series Sedan is redesigned with freshened styling, new features, and a new base engine. Coupe, convertible, and wagon versions (see separate reports) of BMW's best-selling car return for 2012 with minor trim but otherwise no significant changes. Gas/electric hybrid, xDrive all-wheel-drive, and performance-themed M Sport variants of the redesigned 3-Series Sedan are all slated to arrive in fall 2012.

BMW EARNS 2 SPOTS IN WARD'S 2012 TOP 10 ENGINE AWARDS

Ward's Automotive Magazine awards an annual prize to the top 10 engines in the world. BMW has earned prizes over the years for their N54B30 and M57 (diesel) engines but this year two of their gasoline engines have been awarded these coveted prizes.

These winners are the new BMW TwinPower Turbos - the TwinPower Turbo 2.0 Liter 4-cylinder (N20) and repeat winner TwinPower Turbo 3.0 Liter Inline-6 (N55).

Twin Scroll is a technology that uses a pair of smaller turbo chargers to help minimize something called turbo lag - the tendency of some designs to delay the delivery of power. Combined with direct fuel injection (a design that sends a cool, higher density charge of gasoline directly into the combustion chamber), the BMW designs were singled out for their higher horsepower, lower emissions and better horsepower.

2011 Red Dot Award for product design

The new BMW 6 Series Convertible represents an elegant form of open driving and embodies an affinity for aesthetics and dynamics. Long, drawn-out lines flow along subtly rendered surfaces, giving this top-of-the-range four-seater a powerful and athletic appearance. The aluminium alloy wheels underline these characteristics and establish a strong bond to the street. When closed, the soft top with elegant fins, as typical for the BMW 6 series, provides for a flowing silhouette similar to the coupé. The driver-oriented interior convinces with state-of-the-art technology, such as the central display. Fitted into a noble electroplated frame, the high-resolution control display stands freely on the instrument panel and conveys pertinent information, which is easily readable even in unfavourable lighting conditions. At night, an optional light immerses the inside of the vehicle in warm orange, creating an ambient atmosphere.