BMW Debuts 2011 5 Series in Portugal

BMW Group has chosen Estoril, outside of Lisbon, to debut its 2011 line of 5 series sedans.  More than 750 journalists and 7 thousand BMW dealers will travel Lisbon to from now through March 24 to test drive the new products.  280 5 Series sedans will be evaluated on Lisbon streets, curved ocean-front roads and around the fames Estoril race track.    

Test Driving the 2011 BMW 535i along Portugal's Atlantic Coast

“The forecasts of good weather, even in January, the improved roads, the high-quality hotels, the proximity of the Estoril race track for the testing of sports, and the existence of an international airport with good connections to the world’s largest cities were only some of the reasons that led to the election of Portugal, in particular, the region of Lisbon, to make this event, “says BMW in a statement.

 BMW Group has chosen Portugal as a backdrop for its presentations many times in recent years.  The first happened in 2001 with the presentation of the new generation Mini.  Followed by the presentations of the BMW Z4M Coupe in 2006, the BMW 1 and 5 in 2007, and last year, the presentation of the new BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo and the new BMW G450X, in Figueira da Foz and BMW S1000RR in Portimão.

The famed Autodromo do Estoril circuit maintains a prominent history in motorsport, including a 12-year stint as the home of the F1 Portuguese Grand Prix from 1984-1996

And, if early reviews are any indication, the new BMW 5-series will be successful, indeed: 

Autoblog.com calls it a “… a smooth operator.”  http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/25/2011-bmw-5-series-first-drive/

Insideline.com reports “…we are ready to pronounce the 2011 BMW 535i sedan a class leader in several respects.”

 http://www.insideline.com/bmw/5-series/2011/2011-bmw-535i-first-drive.html

Sportscarmonitor.com writes “compared to the last generation of the car, it’s a welcome return to driver-focused behavior behind the wheel.”  http://www.sportscarmonitor.com/web-blog/1041863_driven-2011-bmw-5-series-hits-the-track-at-estoril

[Via http://atlanticestates.wordpress.com]

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