It's official. The new BMW G 650 Xcountry is a winner.

Just a few months into its production life and coinciding with its arrival in Australian BMW Motorrad dealer showrooms, the exciting BMW G 650 Xcountry has won a coveted German Design Award, backing up a 'red dot 2007' award for excellence in design conferred across the G 650 family last year.

The BMW G 650 Xcountry has secured a Gold "Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany", of which only five are awarded each year across the entire design spectrum.

A total of 744 designs of all types of manufactured articles were nominated for the awards, making the BMW success all the sweeter.

Michael Glos, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, presented the award during the opening ceremony of the "Ambiente" trade fair in Frankfurt, held last weekend (8-12 February 2008). Ambiente is the largest trade show for consumer goods in Europe.

BMW Group has won the award five times in succession. Among the winners of past years were the BMW 6 Series Coupé and Convertible. BMW Motorrad's success in 2008 shows yet again that the development of innovative concepts and their sophisticated visual functionality is a recipe for success.

The BMW G 650 Xcountry sets new standards in its segment. The 39 kW single-cylinder machine is just as much at home in urban traffic as it is cutting loose along dirt roads.

It is light, agile and easy and rewarding to ride, and with its unique styling, instantly identifiable as a modern BMW.

David Robb, Head of BMW Motorcycle Design Studio explains: "When we create motorcycles, we wish to create a composition with details that contribute to a harmonious whole, whether we are dealing with air inlets, rear mirrors or seat, air box and clutch covers.

"BMW Motorcycle design is not dominated by technological requirements but by the personality of the rider.

"Riding a motorbike is an extremely involving experience. The more emotional our design, the more our customers get from the ownership experience."

Chris Bangle, Head of BMW Group Design says: "The strength of BMW Motorcycle design is how it merges technology with aesthetics."

Note to Editors.
The award-winning 2008 BMW G 650 Xcountry is priced from $12,300 and is available now at BMW Motorrad dealers nationwide.
Issued by:
Alexander Corne
Communications and Specialist Media Manager
BMW Group Australia
Phone: 03 9264 4150
Fax: 03 9562 2799
Mobile: 0439 568 819
Email: alexander.corne@bmw.com.au