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BMW gearing up for Sochi Olympics with bobsled documentary [w/video]

BMW might be a German brand, but that isn't keeping its US branch from helping out Team USA as the 22nd Winter Olympics gets set to kick off in Sochi, Russia next month. We last reported on BMW's partnership with Team USA's bobsled team in November of 2012, but with barely a month until the opening ceremony, it's about time we hear something new about the team's progress. And that's exactly what's going to happen when Driving on Ice airs this Sunday afternoon. The documentary charts the progress of the Team USA/BMW partnership to redesign the team's two-man bobsled for an event in which the USA hasn't captured gold in since 1936. And if you're concerned that this will be nothing more than a long advertisement for BMW, then you'll enjoy knowing that the program has more to do with the Team USA bobsledders than with the automaker. Even the trailer stars a number of team members and coaches, along with BMW DesignWorks USA's Michael Scully, lead designer on the program. There's a short preview embedded below, so if you just can't wait for next month's Olympics to kick off, you'll want to tune into NBC at 12:30 pm (Eastern time). Scroll down to watch the video preview and check out the full press release from BMW. BMW Slides into 2014 Winter Olympic Year with Announcement of U.S. Olympic Marketing Campaign, Bobsled Documentary. "Driving on Ice," a Film About BMW's Redesign of the Team USA Two-man Bobsled, to Air This Sunday on NBC. Woodcliff Lake, NJ – January 3, 2013... BMW of North America, the Official Mobility Partner of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), today announced its U.S. Olympic marketing campaign for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games which includes a series of Olympic-themed advertisments, consumer and retail activations, social and digital media executions, and a national drive campaign to benefit Team USA. In addition, a documentary on BMW's complete redesign of the U.S. two-man bobsled entitled "Driving on Ice" will air this Sunday, Jan. 5 at 12:30 p.m. EST/11:30 a.m. CST on NBC. "Driving on Ice" chronicles BMW's collaboration with the USA Bobsled & Skeleton Federation (USBSF) to deliver a fleet of six new two-man bobsleds, applying the automaker's world-class design and engineering expertise to help Team USA chase its first Olympic gold medal in the event since 1936.

Preserving automotive history costs big bucks

$1.8 million is spent each year to maintain GM's fleet of 600 production and concept cars.
When at least two of the Detroit Three were on the verge of death a few years back, one of the tough questions that was asked of Ford, General Motors and Chrysler execs - outside of why execs were still taking private planes to meetings - was why each company maintained huge archives of old production and concept vehicles. GM, for example, had an 1,100-vehicle collection when talk of a federal bailout began.

BMW celebrates its awesome '80s M535i

BMW recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of the M5 with a very limited, special edition of the super sedan. And even before the original version was transporting German executives at ludicrous speeds down the Autobahn, the folks in the M department tried their hand at improving the 5 Series with the M535i. Only offered in 1980 and 1981, the company made just 1,650 of these top-spec models, but they sowed the seeds for the future. In this video looking back at the M535i, you really see the automaker from a completely different era. As an outgrowth of the company's touring car racing efforts, the special model packs a 3.5-liter inline-six rated at 218 horsepower, a powertrain capable of accelerating the M535i to 62 miles per hour in 7.5 seconds via a dogleg five-speed gearbox. This take on the 5 Series is also a visual treat because it mixes the standard version's skinny A-pillar and thick C-pillar styling with some era-specific upgrades. The corduroy-covered Recaro seats and groovy multicolor stripes down the side, on the air dam and at the rear are especially fun touches. While the video's announcer is a bit dull, there's nothing boring about this rare, vintage BMW. Take a trip back in time with this clip, it's a nice bookend to the Petrolicious E28 5 Series family video we showed you yesterday. News Source: BMW via YouTube BMW Automotive History Performance Classics Videos Sedan