گروه-بی-ام-و-2

Munich. Starting in the 2025 season, the name Van der Linde will appear twice at BMW M Motorsport. Kelvin van der Linde (RSA) will become a BMW M works driver, following in the footsteps of his brother Sheldon, who has been part of the racing family since 2019. Twenty-eight-year-old Kelvin van der Linde will undertake an extensive racing programme with the new BMW M4 GT3 EVO. Further details will be announced at the beginning of next year .

Kelvin van der Linde looks back on an impressive career in GT racing. He has won the 24 Hours of Nürburgring (GER) twice (2017 & 2022) and was the champion of the ADAC GT Masters twice as well (2014 & 2019). He also stood on the podium multiple times at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL), including with Team WRT. Between 2021 and 2024, he competed in the DTM, narrowly missing the championship title in the final race of both 2021 and 2024. Over 64 DTM races, he achieved eight wins and 14 podium finishes. Last season, he also competed in the entire season of the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) in the LMGT3 class and made his debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA).

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “I am very pleased to welcome Kelvin van der Linde to the BMW M Motorsport family. He has proved over many years that he is one of the top GT drivers worldwide and has shown impressive performances in countless races. Kelvin is a great addition to our high-class driver line-up. With our new BMW M4 GT3 EVO, we aim to continue our extensive racing programme and compete for victories and titles at the major GT highlights of the season. Kelvin van der Linde will be a great support in achieving our ambitious goals.”

Kelvin van der Linde: “I am really looking forward to the new challenge at BMW M Motorsport. For me and my family, this comes full circle. My father raced in BMW touring cars, and after my brother Sheldon had joined BMW M Motorsport a few years ago, it has always been my dream that we would eventually drive together there. This dream is now coming true. I will have an extensive racing programme next season, which will give me a lot of driving time in the BMW M4 GT3 EVO. This will help me quickly adapt to the new car.”

+++ The 2024 BMW Championship 2024 at Castle Pines Golf Club (Denver, Colorado) makes a record-setting contribution for education +++ Since 2007, the playoff event has contributed more than $60 million for college scholarships +++ BMW Championship becomes first PGA TOUR event to be named “Tournament of the Year” six times +++

Munich. The 2024 BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club near Denver thrilled more than 138,000 spectators in August this year, who were able to experience top-class sport and a spectacular golf course in a picturesque setting. Keegan Bradley's (USA) claimed his second title at the penultimate event of the FedExCup Playoffs. Moreover, the BMW Championship raised $10.2 million in support of the Evans Scholars Foundation. The record-setting contribution is the largest ever for the BMW Championship, reinforcing the tournament’s commitment to providing educational opportunities to youth caddies. The BMW Championship has contributed $60.2 million to the Foundation since 2007, helping award full tuition and housing college scholarships to more than 3,600 caddies during that time.

During tournament week, Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, People and Places, visited the University of Colorado Evans Scholarship House in Boulder and participated in a fireside chat with Evans Scholars. This year, a record 1,190 caddies are enrolled as Evans Scholars at 24 leading universities nationwide.

“The BMW Group is proud of our longstanding partnership with the Western Golf Association, and of the great impact the BMW Championship makes in the lives of so many scholars,” said Horstmeier. “As a forward-thinking corporation, opportunities for young people are matters particularly close to our heart. Education is the key to a self-determined life and an important pillar for the cohesion of our society. We are proud to support the Evans Scholars Foundation and their fantastic efforts in driving change.”

Evans Scholars Foundation was named the National Scholarship Providers Association’s Scholarship Provider of the Year in October.

“So many moments from this year will stay with us, but what really stands out is how the golf fans of Colorado joined with our partners at BMW, Castle Pines Golf Club and the PGA TOUR to make such a tremendous difference for youth caddies,” said Vince Pellegrino, WGA Senior Vice President of Tournaments. “This contribution means hundreds of deserving young men and women will have an opportunity to change their lives for the better.”

In the wake of a record-setting return to Colorado, the PGA TOUR named the 2024 BMW Championship the “Tournament of the Year”. In winning the coveted award for the second consecutive year, the BMW Championship became the first event to be named Tournament of the Year six times (2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2023, 2024).

“It’s an honor to be recognized in this way because each year we truly give the BMW Championship everything we’ve got,” said Marcus Casey, Chief Marketing Officer, BMW of North America. “Tournament week is an invaluable opportunity to showcase our brand on an international stage while engaging with fans in a meaningful way. Thank you to the PGA TOUR for this honor, and to the BMW team, our partners, the volunteers, and fans who bring the BMW Championship to life each year. This extraordinary event would not be possible without your commitment, dedication, and passion.”

The BMW Championship delivered the “Ultimate Fan Experience” in 2024, focusing on spectator entry, access, and transportation across the unique terrain of Castle Pines to provide a seamless fan experience and the best vantage points to watch the TOUR’s top players up close.

“We set high expectations for our return to Colorado, and I think we delivered the best possible experience for the players, caddies, corporate partners and – most importantly – our incredible fans,” Pellegrino said. “This is a tremendous honor and a testament to everyone who worked so hard to make this tournament happen, especially our title sponsor BMW.”

Next year, the 2025 BMW Championship will take place from 12^th to 17^th August at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland.

Munich. BMW M Motorsport looks back on an intense 2024 season that, in addition to victories, titles, and podium finishes, has produced some other impressive figures. The three current race cars, the BMW M Hybrid V8, the BMW M4 GT3, and the BMW M4 GT4, together celebrated 215 wins, completed more than 1,000 races, and covered over one million kilometres. There was also cause for celebration in automotive gaming .

With the BMW M Hybrid V8 prototype, BMW M Motorsport faced the toughest competition in global motorsport. Its debut year in the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) and its second year in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA series) posed significant challenges for engineers, teams, and drivers. After initial disappointments, a strong upward trend emerged, culminating in the first 1-2 finish for BMW M Team RLL in the IMSA series and the first podium for BMW M Team WRT in the FIA WEC. The hard work is reflected in the numbers, with a total of 82,400 racing and testing kilometres, equivalent to 460 hours.

The BMW M4 GT3, in its third season, secured 50 victories and ten global titles. Key achievements include team titles for Schubert Motorsport in the DTM and Team WRT in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, as well as the driver's title for Charles Weerts (BEL) in the Intercontinental GT Challenge. The BMW M4 GT3 secured podium positions at the major 24-hour races at Daytona (USA), Nürburgring (GER), Le Mans (FRA), and Spa-Francorchamps (BEL), although failing to score a big win this time. At the FIA GT World Cup in Macau (CHN), the car achieved a 1-2 in the qualification race and second and third places in the main race. Over the season, the GT3 flagship accumulated more than 380,000 racing kilometres.

The BMW M4 GT4, in its second season, won the first-ever SRO global GT4 Manufacturer's title. The title was determined over 50 events with 95 races across Europe, Asia, Australia, and America. In 2024, BMW M Motorsport customer teams raced the BMW M4 GT4 in 770 races, winning 164 of them. Successes with the three current BMW M Motorsport race cars were complemented by numerous triumphs for private teams with the BMW M2 CS Racing, BMW M240i Racing, and many other self-built BMW models from various generations.

The 2024 season was also a complete success for BMW M Motorsport in automotive gaming. BMW M Team Redline triumphed at the prestigious Esports World Cup, the grand finale of the ESL R1 racing series, both in the team standings and with Kevin Siggy (SLO) in the driver's standings. His teammate Sebastian Job (GBR) was named “Sim Racer of the Year” at the 2024 Esports Awards.

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “The figures for the 2024 season of BMW M Motorsport are impressive and underline our strong commitment to various areas of motorsport. From the top class in prototype racing to professional GT3 sport, pure customer racing with the BMW M4 GT4 and many other cars, as well as automotive gaming, BMW M Motorsport is one of the biggest competitors worldwide. I am very pleased with this strong performance and congratulate all the teams and drivers who were able to celebrate successes in BMW M Motorsport cars in 2024. Next season, we are determined to go even further with the BMW M Hybrid V8 and the further developed EVO models of our GT cars, aiming for the top step of the podium at the major season highlights.”

Björn Lellmann (Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport): “Congratulations and thank you to all BMW M Motorsport customer teams that contributed to our impressive season figures in the GT sector. Customer racing has been one of the central pillars of our racing programme for decades, and the successes on the track and the loyalty of our teams confirm our commitment to continue this tradition with full force. In 2025, the BMW M4 GT3 EVO and the BMW M4 GT4 EVO will play the leading roles, but we also have our newcomer in the pipeline, the entry-level BMW M2 Racing, which we are preparing for its debut season in 2026 with intensive testing. I can't wait for it to start again in January with the first endurance highlights in Dubai and at Daytona.”

Munich, Germany – Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the BMW Group have embarked on a pioneering research partnership in the field of automotive health. This collaboration is designed to leverage cutting-edge technologies to improve the health and well-being of drivers. At the heart of this partnership is the development of methods to predict cardiovascular risks, such as heart attacks and strokes. Advances in artificial intelligence, connected vehicles, and the digitalization of healthcare open new possibilities for collaboration between the automotive and medical industries.

"Through the sensors integrated into vehicles, we can continuously and routinely collect and analyze data, such as information about the health of vehicle occupants," commented Professor Dr. Heyo K. Kroemer, CEO of Charité Berlin. "In the medium term, this will enable us to achieve significant advances in knowledge that we can utilize to promote health and enhance emergency prevention."

"BMW and Charité share a commitment to conducting research at the highest level," added Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development. "In the field of Automotive Health, we are combining our expertise to jointly advance predictive medicine. Our goal is to identify potential health risks for vehicle occupants as early as possible, enabling quicker responses in emergencies. A BMW provides the ideal environment for this with its cutting-edge sensors, actuators, and onboard high-performance computing systems."

The foundation for the collaboration between Charité Berlin and the BMW Group was established through a Letter of Intent (LoI) signed by Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development, and Professor Dr. Heyo K. Kroemer, CEO of Charité Berlin.

As part of the partnership, experts from Charité and engineers from BMW will collaborate on a variety of projects. These include developing intelligent driver assistance systems, creating data protection-compliant architectures, studying the impact of vehicle parameters on health, and implementing preventative measures to enhance driver well-being. The partners will also explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in conjunction with existing and newly developed vehicle sensors.

Munich. In 2025, BMW M Motorsport will enter its second season in the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) and its third in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA series) with the BMW M Hybrid V8. To achieve its ambitious goals in both race series, BMW M Motorsport joins its forces in terms of driver line-up. Eight BMW M works drivers will share the driving duties for BMW M Team WRT in the FIA WEC and BMW M Team RLL in the IMSA series. New to the team is Formula 1 driver Kevin Magnussen (DEN). He will be joined by Philipp Eng (AUT), Robin Frijns (NED), Raffaele Marciello (SUI), René Rast (GER), Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Dries Vanthoor (BEL), and Marco Wittmann (GER) .

In the BMW M Team WRT line-up for the FIA WEC, there is one change compared to the debut season. In the #15 BMW M Hybrid V8, Magnussen will start alongside Marciello and Vanthoor. The crew of car #20 remains unchanged with Frijns, Rast, and van der Linde. Wittmann continues as a regular driver in the LMDh programme but switches from the FIA WEC to the IMSA series with BMW M Team RLL. Eng stays in North America and will enter his third season with the BMW M Hybrid V8 there. Van der Linde and Vanthoor will take on a dual role, competing as regular drivers in both the FIA WEC and the full IMSA season. Vanthoor and Eng will share the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8, while van der Linde and Wittmann will drive the #25 sister car.

Due to scheduling conflicts between the two racing series, only two drivers per car will participate in the FIA WEC event at Spa-Francorchamps (BEL) in May. Vanthoor and van der Linde will simultaneously race in the IMSA event at Laguna Seca (USA).

For the endurance races of the IMSA series at Daytona, Sebring, and Road Atlanta (all USA), the other four LMDh drivers will supplement the line-ups. Magnussen will compete in all three races in the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8, with Marciello joining as the fourth driver at Daytona. In car #25, Frijns will drive all three races, with Rast completing the Daytona quartet.

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “We have high goals for the upcoming season with our BMW M Hybrid V8 prototypes. To achieve these, we are striving for optimisations in all areas. For our driver line-up, this means focusing and specialising. The more time our drivers spend behind the wheel of the BMW M Hybrid V8, the better they will get to know its handling and the more feedback they can provide to our engineers. The goal is to intensify the development of the BMW M Hybrid V8 in collaboration with the specialists at the teams and at BMW M Motorsport. It also helps us in this regard, that some drivers compete in both championships, thereby further improving the exchange of information. We are convinced that this way joining our forces will bring us advantages. Of course, the schedule overlap in May is not ideal, but we have the regulatory option to compete in a 6-hour FIA WEC race with two drivers per car, which we will utilise. The fact that the season starts in January with the 24-hour race at Daytona is very beneficial for us. This allows us to have all eight drivers together for an extended period early in the season, helping us to optimally synchronise with each other.”

Munich. After the 2024 season, an era comes to an end at BMW M Motorsport with Bruno Spengler (CAN) leaving after 13 years as a BMW M works driver, at his own request, to face new professional challenges. By winning the DTM title in the comeback year in 2012, he secured his place in BMW M Motorsport history books. With Spengler's departure, a true fan favourite and a great ambassador for the BMW brand is leaving .

At the end of 2011, Bruno Spengler joined BMW M Motorsport to play a key role in the brand's return to the DTM for the 2012 season. He celebrated his first victory in just the second race at the Lausitzring (GER) in his matte black BMW M3 DTM. Spengler won a total of four races in 2012 and was crowned champion in a thrilling season finale at Hockenheim (GER). At the same time, BMW M Team Schnitzer and BMW M Motorsport celebrated winning the team and manufacturer championships. The “Black Beast” became his trademark in the following years. Between 2012 and 2019, Spengler competed in 122 DTM races for BMW M Motorsport, achieving seven victories and 24 podium finishes.

Spengler was also successful in GT racing. He achieved podium finishes at both the 24 Hours of Daytona (USA) and the 12 Hours of Sebring (USA). In 2015, he formed a trio with Alessandro Zanardi (ITA) and Timo Glock (GER) at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL), driving the now legendary BMW Z4 GT3 in Michel Vaillant design. In 2023, alongside Jens Klingmann (GER), Spengler won the title in the Italian GT Sprint Championship driving the BMW M4 GT3. Outside the cockpit, Spengler served, inter alia, as an ambassador for BMW M Motorsport Automotive Gaming.

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “In Bruno Spengler, a legend in the history of BMW M Motorsport is leaving us. I remember well competing against him in the DTM when I was with my previous employer, Audi. Since I've been at BMW M Motorsport, I've come to know him as an extremely pleasant and valuable member of the BMW M Motorsport family, far beyond just racing. His sporting achievements speak for themselves, but his positive nature has also made him a big fan favourite to this day. I wish Bruno all the best for his professional and private future and hope to still see him at the racetrack from time to time.”

Bruno Spengler: “I would like to sincerely thank the entire BMW M Motorsport family, all the engineers, and all the mechanics for the past 13 years. I had the privilege of driving incredibly fantastic racing cars all over the world – it was a great time. My special thanks go to the former BMW Board Member, Dr. Klaus Draeger, who particularly supported me in my early years at BMW M Motorsport, as well as to Charly Lamm and the entire Schnitzer family, with whom I won the DTM title in 2012 and experienced many fantastic years together. It was not an easy decision for me to leave the BMW M Motorsport family, but I am at a point in my career where a new challenge with a long-term perspective was important to me. That's why I decided to take this step.“

Munich. The new Aeroacoustics and Electric Drive Center (AEC) starts operations at the BMW Group's Research and Innovation Center (FIZ). After almost forty years, the old aeroacoustic wind tunnel is being replaced by BMW. The building consists of two halves: In addition to a multifunctional part with workshop, testing and measurement equipment and a prototype for high-voltage batteries and inverters, the AEC has a technically and structurally unique wind tunnel. With a length of just under 100 m, a height of 45 m and a width of 25 m, it is the world's largest vertical acoustic wind tunnel and at the same time the quietest.

“Quiet is premium,” says Daniel Böttger, Head of Complete Vehicle Development at BMW AG. “Our focus is on meeting the premium standards of our vehicles. An important part of this is acoustics — particularly for quiet electric models.” The new wind tunnel enables groundbreaking advances in aeroacoustics research.”

“The new AEC is another structural milestone for the BMW Group's development of future mobility solutions,” says Dr. Nicole Haft-Zboril, Head of BMW Group Real Estate Management. “About such a complex project

To be implemented in the shortest possible time, cost-effectively and with very high quality, there is a need for close integration between construction, development and production, as well as with all our partners and the City of Munich. The consistent use of lean construction is an important success factor here. ”

Quiet wind for precise measurements and perfect aerodynamics

With a background noise level (54.3 dB (A) at 140 km/h), which is as low as a quiet conversation or a quiet air conditioning system, the noises caused by headwind on the vehicle can be precisely measured in the new wind tunnel. With a nozzle cross section of 25 m² and a maximum wind speed of 250 km/h, even the largest and most powerful vehicles such as the Rolls-Royce Phantom or the BMW X7 can be examined realistically. This is achieved through a blower capacity of 4.5 MW and up to 100,000 m³ of air per minute at 250 km/h. The wind tunnel is designed as an acoustic semi-free-field space. This means that apart from the sound-resistant floor, there are no sound reflections. This enables a realistic simulation of the situation on the road. The frequency range for semi-free-field conditions from 30 Hz is unique for a vehicle wind tunnel and covers the entire audible spectrum.

Innovative measurement technology, high flexibility and short changeover times

The acoustic wind tunnel is equipped with the latest measurement technology to drive vehicle development forward. A 216-microphone acoustic camera enables precise localization of background noises with an accuracy of less than one centimeter. In addition, the wind tunnel has a laser vibrometry system, which can be used to measure the mechanical vibrations of the entire vehicle surface synchronously and without contact.

The wind tunnel is also ideally equipped to study wind and rolling noises. A full-fledged acoustic all-wheel drive roller dynamometer can be used regardless of wind and weather to analyze the various phenomena. The wind tunnel is designed in such a way that it offers a high degree of flexibility when carrying out measurements.

The wind rolling sound makes it possible to separate the phenomena of rolling and wind from each other (wind on/off, roll on/off). In addition, various modules, such as a vehicle-accessible glass floor or a vehicle scale for motorcycles, can be replaced in a short time without moving the vehicle. This allows developers to test different configurations quickly and efficiently. With this unique combination of performance, precision and flexibility, the new acoustic wind tunnel in Munich sets new standards in vehicle development and opens up new opportunities for optimizing vehicle acoustics and aerodynamics.

In this way, the quietest wind tunnel and the most modern measurement technology can be used to ensure the best aeroacoustics for the Neue Klasse.

Flexibility is also of central importance in construction

The AEC basically consists of two buildings that were built in an excavation pit. Structurally, the special acoustic requirements were met with a special decoupling of the wind tunnel from the second “semi-detached house” and the surrounding area. The entire building, from the 3 m thick floor slab to the façade, is sound-insulated against noises from the surrounding area. The entire construction work was carried out in the outbuildings while development was ongoing. The wind tunnel was designed to be upright so that the building ground is used as efficiently as possible. This was the only way to completely meet all requirements for both buildings and to be implemented on the existing space.

Prototypes for the future of electric mobility: high-voltage batteries and inverters

The second “semi-detached house” of AEC is home to workshops, testing and measurement stands, and prototype lines. Here, the focus is also on electric mobility. The experts from the BMW Group are building and testing prototypes of future high-voltage batteries for electric vehicles here. 15,000 m² are available for this purpose on several floors. On a further area of 800 m², inverters for future electric motors will be manufactured on a pilot line — under clean room conditions. The inverter is a crucial component in an electric motor. His task is, among other things, to convert the direct current from the high-voltage battery into alternating current for use in the electric motor. In order to be flexible in the long term, the spaces in AEC are designed to be “multifunctional”. This means that the company will also be able to respond to various requirements in the future and rebuild the spaces within a short period of time.

Munich. Titles, victories, and podium finishes around the globe as BMW Motorrad Motorsport looks back on an extraordinarily successful 2024 in both factory and customer racing. The highlight of the season was undoubtedly the riders’ title win by factory rider Toprak Razgatlioglu (TUR) in the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK). Private teams and riders also contributed significantly, securing twelve additional titles in the most prestigious international and national championships worldwide. In international road racing, the BMW M 1000 RR once again proved to be the bike to beat.

From Europe to North and South America, Asia, and Australia, BMW customer racing teams competed with the BMW M 1000 RR and BMW S 1000 RR in numerous championships, including WorldSBK and the FIM Endurance World Championship (FIM EWC). The overall results were remarkable with BMW racers climbing onto the podium 371 times last season, achieving 142 wins and 229 additional podium finishes.

“A truly exciting year comes to an end,” said Sven Blusch, Head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport. “In factory racing, we celebrated the WorldSBK championship title with Toprak, and the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team secured third place overall in the FIM EWC. Additionally, our customer racing teams claimed titles in numerous other championships and consistently appeared on the podiums of their respective series week after week. In road racing, BMW racers left their mark on major international events. We are extremely proud of these achievements, as they demonstrate that the BMW M 1000 RR is a true winner’s motorcycle – and highlight the strength of the global BMW Motorrad Motorsport family.”

The 2024 BMW Champions at a glance.

• FIM Superbike World Championship – Toprak Razgatlioglu (TUR / ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
• International German Motorcycle Championship – Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR / Champion-alpha-Van-Zon-BMW)
• British National Superstock 1000 Championship – Davey Todd (GBR / Cheshire Mouldings BMW)
• French Superbike Championship – Kenny Foray (FRA / Tecmas Racing Team)
• French Superbike Championship Open Class – Loïc Arbel (FRA / Tecmas Racing Team)
• IDM Superstock 1000 Cup – Soma Görbe (HUN / H-Moto Uni Györ Team)
• International Road Racing Championship – David Datzer (GER / MTP Racing)
• Canadian Superbike Championship – Ben Young (CAN / Van Dolder’s Home Team)
• Canadian Amateur Superbike Championship – Goran Radisic (CAN)
• SuperBike Brasil Superbike Light – Edson Bueno (BRA / BMW Motorrad SuperbikeBrasil Racing Team)
• SuperBike Brasil Evo – Felipe Comerlatto (BRA / Sport Plus Racing)
• SuperBike Brasil Master – Felipe Comerlatto (BRA / Sport Plus Racing)
• SuperBike Brasil Rookie – Alex Soares (BRA / XMOTOX Racing)

Isle of Man, Macau und Co: Success for BMW racers at major road races.

The 2024 international road racing season kicked off with the North West 200, where Davey Todd (GBR) secured two victories and three second-place finishes on the podium. Peter Hickman (GBR) also earned podium finishes. The season’s highlight was the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, where BMW celebrated 1-2 finishes in all three 1000cc races. Todd won the Superstock TT and Senior TT and finished second in the Superbike TT, which Hickman claimed. Hickman also placed second in the Superstock race, behind Todd. Josh Brookes (AUS) took second in the Senior TT. The season concluded with the Macau Grand Prix, which was cancelled due to heavy rain. Instead, the qualifying results were used to determine the standings, with four BMW racers occupying the top four positions: Todd, Erno Kostamo (FIN), Hickman, and Michael Rutter (GBR).

Santa Clara, CA (US). The BMW Group and Airbus have pushed quantum computing forward another step to leverage its significant potential for future mobility solutions. At the Q2B Conference in Silicon Valley, the companies have unveiled the winners of the Quantum Computing Challenge, an international initiative to identify and mature quantum solutions for the most promising mobility applications.

Quantum computing has the potential to impact various industries by speeding up our responses to an array of computational challenges, from optimising supply chains and manufacturing processes to improving vehicle and aircraft engineering. Quantum-inspired algorithms, already able to run today on classical high-performance computers, can be used to impact the design of the next generation of mobility solutions and give us a glimpse of the significant impact real quantum algorithms will have on future mobility solutions.

"Quantum technology has the power to redefine innovation across industries. This year’s Airbus and BMW Group Quantum Computing Challenge underscores the importance of cross-industry partnerships in accelerating the journey from groundbreaking research to practical applications," said Robert Bruckmeier,General Manager Computing & Network Artificial Intelligence at BMW Group. "While we are still in the early stages, the progress made in this challenge reaffirms our belief in quantum technology’s potential to drive extraordinary advancements for the automotive industry.”

“The teams have achieved outstanding progress, and the results of this challenge confirm that quantum technologies have the potential to shape the next generation of aircraft,” said Isabell Gradert, Vice President Central Research and Technology at Airbus. “Quantum technology is no longer confined to only fundamental research. Even if it might still be a long way off, it’s clearly advancing towards industrial applications, and we must collaborate with the best experts in the world so that we can fully leverage its potential as soon as it becomes viable,” she added.

The results of the challenge will enable both companies to identify the most promising quantum computing applications to improve the way aircraft and cars are designed, manufactured and operated. A winning team was selected for each of five competition categories:

1. Quantum simulation: The team from the University of Southern California in the U.S. demonstrated that material behaviour such as energy absorption and binding properties can be better understood by using quantum technologies.
2. Quantum solvers: The team from the University of Hamburg in Germany credibly showed how quantum computing could be combined with classical computing solutions to solve complex equations to minimise aircraft noise and maximise aerodynamic efficiency.
3. Quantum-powered logistics: The team from 4colors Research, a start-up from the UK, used quantum computing to minimise CO₂ emissions and other costs required in the supply chain logistics process, a particularly complex challenge for the mobility sector.
4. Quantum machine learning: The team from Quandela, a start-up from France, explored to what extent quantum computing can enhance critical scenario generation, such as transforming limited daytime data into precise and realistic nighttime conditions. The potential application for mobility would be to improve the reliability of autonomous systems in diverse environments.
5. Open category: The team from TU Delft in the Netherlands provided a novel solution in q​uantum composite design. Their work stood out for its real-world applicability, specifically addressing optimisation techniques in the layering of carbon fibre materials. The weight-saving properties of carbon fibre are particularly important to reducing fuel consumption in the aviation and automotive industries.

All finalists in this competition were given access to quantum resources through Amazon Web Services (AWS) to run their algorithms, as well as an opportunity to work with aerospace, automotive and quantum experts from the BMW Group and Airbus.

Launched in December 2023 and hosted by The Quantum Insider, the Quantum Computing Challenge aims to inspire the global quantum computing community to take solutions out of the lab and put them into practice in the field of transportation. A jury composed of world-leading quantum computing experts – from academia to industry – teamed up with the BMW Group and Airbus to select five winners from more than 100 submissions. Each of the five winners was awarded a prize of €30,000.

+++ Young people gain special insight into the world of BMW Group +++ Joy over two dunks by FC Bayern Basketball against Rasta Vechta +++ Fully electric BMW iX shuttle fleet transports youth through Munich +++

Munich. "It was beautiful," summarised Thanh, youth ambassador from DEIN MÜNCHEN. In early December, BMW provided him and nearly 30 other young people from the partner organisation with a special day as part of the “Dunks for Tomorrow” initiative. First, they received an exclusive tour of the diverse world of the BMW Group at the BMW Museum, then they cheered on FC Bayern Munich Basketball at a home game in BMW Park.

The group was transported to the BMW Museum in fully electric BMW iX M60 and BMW iX xDrive50 vehicles, where the youths received an exclusive guided tour. They were particularly excited when Sabine Götte, Head of Qualification, Apprentice and Future Talent Programs, provided a special overview of the numerous training opportunities at the company. She answered many questions from the youths and encouraged them to confidently tackle challenges. "For many, it's a dream to work at BMW," said Dr. Rebecca Gutwald, project manager at DEIN MÜNCHEN: "Lowering the barriers and encouraging them to apply if they have this dream is something truly wonderful."

After gaining insights into the history of the BMW Group and discussing training opportunities at the company, the youths headed to the basketball Bundesliga game between FCBB and Rasta Vechta at BMW Park. "It's great that we can offer the youths something so positive - both with 'Dunks for Tomorrow' and the insight into training opportunities at the BMW Group, and the crowning conclusion that they can cheer on the FC Bayern Basketball team at BMW Park," said Bernd Döpke, Head of BMW Munich. A slight disappointment was that Andrea’s Obst’s team lost to Vechta by a last-second shot 77:78. However, the bitter defeat for the German champions barely dampened the spirits of the youths. "Experiencing the game at BMW Park was really great," said youth ambassador Thanh.

The youths were at least able to enjoy two dunks by FC Bayern Munich Basketball. Thus, the donation amount, with which BMW supports DEIN MÜNCHEN at the end of the season, grew to over 40,000 euros by early December. For each home game dunk by the Reds, mobility partner BMW donates 1,000 euros to DEIN MÜNCHEN with the initiative "Dunks for Tomorrow." The organisation helps children and youths in Munich who are growing up in social and financial risk situations and provides free access to a program offering from the areas of education, culture, and sports.

Despite the defeat of FC Bayern Munich Basketball, the youths left BMW Park cheerfully heading towards their fully electric BMW iX vehicles. "I really want to thank BMW for giving us the opportunity to have been here at BMW Park and also at the BMW Museum," said youth ambassador Leilani after the game. "A great pre-Christmas gift," concluded Döpke, Head of BMW Munich, on the special day: "And who knows: Maybe we'll see one or another of them again for an internship or a professional training at BMW."

Munich. The largest model in the brand's range impresses with its increased space, high level of comfort, attractive design and innovative technologies. The European Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) has now confirmed the all-rounder's particularly high level of safety. Manufactured in Leipzig, the MINI Countryman stood out in the demanding test procedure thanks to its excellent occupant protection in various types of collision, effective protection for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as effective accident avoidance systems.

The extensive range of safety-related driver assistance systems fitted as standard also contributed to the top rating. Above all, the latest generation of front collision warning with braking function provides an additional plus in safety in urban traffic. It can now also detect pedestrians and cyclists approaching parallel to the lane from behind or in front when turning, effectively helping to avoid a collision with weaker road users. The system also warns of oncoming traffic when turning.

The MINI Countryman also scores highly in terms of passive safety with innovative systems. The standard centre airbag between the driver and front passenger seats was rated as highly effective.

The compact crossover model scored maximum points in the frontal offset test and the side barrier impact test for the protection of children. 

The integrated safety concept provides a high level of protection against injury at all times. According to Euro NCAP, the seats and head restraints in the front and rear seats offer good protection against cervical injuries that can occur in a rear impact. The testers also emphasised the emergency braking system to prevent secondary collisions and the intelligent emergency call.

Active engine compartment lids help to reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians and cyclists. The system proved to be reliable and effective at different speeds in the Euro NCAP safety test.

The ratings of the Euro NCAP testing institute are a benchmark for accident safety recognised Europe-wide and the safety level is being raised constantly. Only new vehicles that offer excellent impact protection and are also well equipped with comprehensive and practical technology for accident avoidance receive the highest rating of 5 stars.

In case of queries, please contact:

Corporate Communications
Franziska Liebert, Press Spokesperson MINI 
Phone: +49-151-601-28030 
E-mail: franziska.liebert@mini.com            

Micaela Sandstede, Head of Communication MINI
Phone: +49-176-601-61611
E-mail: micaela.sandstede@bmw.de