JAMES BOND TO DRIVE BMW Z8 IN THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH

         

WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ, ... The film world's most successful secret agent, Bond, James Bond, will be driving the stunning new BMW Z8 in The World Is Not Enough, scheduled for release in November 1999. This thoroughbred BMW super sports car is as elegant and smooth as Agent 007 and with a six-speed transmission, and 400-horsepower V-8 engine, it outraces the bad guys with thrilling speed.

"We are thrilled to be supplying Bond's next car," commented Jim McDowell, vice president of marketing for BMW of North America, Inc. "The intrigue, charisma and enduring popularity of James Bond is an ideal complement to the BMW marque. Both possess an international pedigree, enjoy global recognition and perform well when challenged."

The World is Not Enough is BMW's third collaboration with the popular Bond film franchise. BMW launched the Z3 roadster in the 1995 Bond film Goldeneye creating enormous demand for that vehicle, which completely sold out in it's first production year, and today, is the best selling roadster in the world. As of last year BMW has built more than 150,000 BMW roadsters, manufactured in Spartanburg, SC, that have been exported to 120 countries around the world. Bond drove the ultra-luxurious 750iL in Tomorrow Never Dies and straddled a BMW R 1200 C motorcycle with Bond girl Michelle Yeoh in some of the film's most memorable scenes.

In The World Is Not Enough, Pierce Brosnan reprises his role as James Bond and drives the BMW Z8. Along with Brosnan, the international cast includes the beloved Desmond Llewelyn as Q, John Cleese as Q's assistant R, Sophie Marceau (Braveheart) as oil heiress Elektra King, Denise Richards as Dr. Christmas Jones, villain Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty, TrainspottIng), and reprising their roles, Dame Judi Dench as M, and Samantha Bond as Miss Moneypenny.

Directed by Michael Apted, The World is Not Enough will shoot on location around the world, including London, Turkey, Spain and the French Alps. The film is produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Greed, revenge, world dominance through the power of oil and high-tech terrorism titillate in this thoroughly modern tale.

BMW entered the North American market in 1975. Since then, the company has grown to include marketing, sales and financial service organizations in the United States and Canada; a South Carolina manufacturing operation; a design firm in California; and various other operations throughout the U.S. and Canada.

BMW is represented in North America through a network of more than 375 automobile and 190 motorcycle retailers in the United States and Canada. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the brand's North American headquarters, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.