James Bond to Drive BMW Z8 in The World Is Not Enough

[Phil Marx <bmw@xxxxxxx>]

Press Release:
           James Bond to Drive BMW Z8 in 'The World Is Not Enough'

    WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990323/NYTU010
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990323/NYTU010-b )
    Inspired by the legendary BMW 507, the Z8, also a two-seat open sports
car, is truly the ultimate driving machine.  The long, sleek engine
compartment and streamlined body design lead to a powerful, muscular rear end.
The Z8 will go on sale in early 2000.
    "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 its 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 75OiL 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 Un ited States and Canada.
BMW (US) Holding Corp., the brand's North American headquarters, is located in
Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

SOURCE  BMW North America

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