May 2002 (Newstream) -- BMW's Annual Ultimate Drive for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which celebrates the kick-off of its sixth year on May 2 simultaneously at Prestige BMW in Ramsey, New Jersey and Autobahn Motorcars in Fort Worth, Texas, has an added attraction -- a BMW M5 autographed by Madonna. The M5 that played a leading role in The Hire film "Star" -- directed by Guy Ritchie -- will join two fleets of specially marked BMWs in select cities as part of the Ultimate Drive program to raise funds for breast cancer research.

The Ultimate Drive is the product of a unique partnership between BMW of North America and the Komen Foundation. Two fleets of specially marked BMWs will drive across the country from April through October, making pit stops in approximately 200 cities. Each city will host a daylong fundraising event where participants can test-drive one of the vehicles. For every mile test-driven, BMW will donate $1 to the Komen Foundation. Individuals will also have the opportunity to enter a contest -- through a $10 donation -- which will give them a chance to win the Madonna-autographed vehicle when the Ultimate Drive ends in October.

The contest is an enhancement to the fundraising effort that has become one of the most successful grassroots fundraising efforts ever. The Ultimate Drive has raised over $5 million since its inception six years ago, and BMW of North America and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation hope to raise more than $1 million this year. Approximately 138,000 committed individuals have participated in the Ultimate Drive to date.

The Madonna-autographed M5 being raffled off in this year's Ultimate Drive was featured in "Star," the fourth film from the critically acclaimed series, The Hire, an unprecedented web-based entertainment project of five original films on bmwfilms.com that premiered in June 2001. In the film, Madonna plays "The Superstar" and British acting sensation Clive Owen plays "The Driver" of the silver M5. The Driver faces perhaps his most perplexing challenge -- dealing with the ego of a hugely talented and successful rock star that is used to always getting what she wants.

The winner of the M5 will also learn some of the moves Clive Owen used to put his "superstar" in her place when they receive the M5 Driving Experience at the BMW Performance Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina. For two days, the winner will put the car through its paces with professional guidance on unique road courses that include a wide array of road configurations (interconnecting straight sections, loops and corners), water walls and skidpads.

Each of the two specially marked Ultimate Drive fleets will be led by a Signature Vehicle, the new BMW 7 Series, which will be signed by thousands of Drive participants. The 745i sedan (one is silver with oriental blue markings, and one is white with hunter green markings) will become mobile embodiments of the individuals who are making a difference in the fight against breast cancer. Highlights of the new 745i include a 325-horsepower V-8 engine, cornering aided by Active Roll Stabilization (ARS) which combines special sensors with two active anti-roll bars to reduce body "roll" or "lean," and iDrive, a new BMW interior ergonomics and design philosophy -- where functions such as navigation, telephone, climate control and entertainment systems are all controlled through a centrally located control knob and control screen. The Signature cars, which are also embellished with a racing-inspired checkered flag and artistic, calligraphic brushstrokes, replicate the pressure and texture of a human "signature."

In addition, every event will honor a local hero to acknowledge that individual's outstanding efforts to raise awareness of and eradicate breast cancer. A photograph of each hero will be affixed to one of the two BMW Signature Vehicles.

"The Ultimate Drive is giving people a much-needed feeling of control by putting them in the driver's seat in terms of raising funds to combat this disease," said Tom Purves, chairman and CEO of BMW North America, LLC. "We hope that through this powerful grassroots fundraising effort, we can show the world that people from all walks of life are truly driven to give their all in the battle against breast cancer."

"We are so proud to be partnering with BMW for a sixth year in the fight against breast cancer," said LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr., M.D, and the chair-elect of the board of directors of The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. "BMW's efforts to raise awareness of the disease, as well as the funds necessary for much-needed research, make them exemplary corporate citizens, and role models for other companies who want to truly make a difference in this vital global health issue. We are also very appreciative of Madonna's efforts to bring attention to the Ultimate Drive. Her participation makes a tremendous impact in helping us to raise awareness of this disease."

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at the age of 36. The Foundation is an international organization with a network of volunteers working through Affiliates to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment.

The Komen Foundation runs one of the most innovative, responsive grant programs in breast cancer today, having awarded more than $68 million in research grants since its inception. In addition to funding research, the Foundation and its Affiliates fund non-duplicative, community-based breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment projects for the medically underserved.

For more information about breast health or breast cancer, call the Komen Foundation's National Toll-Free Breast Care Helpline at 1-800 I'M AWARE& #174; (1-800-462-9273), or visit the Foundation's website at www.breastcancerinfo.com.

BMW Group in America

BMW of North America has been present in the United States since 1975. Since then, the BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales and financial service organizations for the BMW and MINI brands; a South Carolina manufacturing operation; DESIGNWORKS/USA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. The BMW Group is represented in the U.S. through networks of 340 BMW car, 327 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle, 148 BMW Motorcycle retailers and 53 MINI car dealers. BMW US Holding Corp., the Group's headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at www.bmwusa.com, http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com and http://www.miniusa.com.

Journalist note: Information about the BMW Group and its products is available to journalists on-line at the BMW Group PressClub at the following address -- www.press.bmwgroup.com.

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Produced for BMW

Contact:

Jim Sulley, 212-414-9263