Consider it Munich West. Although Spartanburg, S.C., is thousands of miles from BMW’s German hometown, it’s carved out a unique place in the automaker’s international operations. The area is the site of BMW’s only U.S. manufacturing plant as well as the only international source for the BMW X5 and X6, two of the most original vehicles on the road today.
The X5 is a Sport Activity Vehicle that lives up to its name, holstering an optional 4.8-liter V8 making 350 hp for plenty of on-road sport and BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive to handle a wide variety of off-road activity. Taking this versatility to the next level is the X6, with a coupe-like profile, coupe-like high performance and a distinctly uncoupe-like ability to handle rugged terrain.
Now, in addition to building these innovative vehicles, Spartanburg has a new claim to fame: It’s the only place outside of Germany where enthusiasts can enjoy “The Ultimate BMW Experience,” a unique first-hand immersion into the world of BMW tradition, performance and engineering.
The Experience will include guided visits to nearby resources such as the BMW Zentrum museum—the company’s sole museum in North America—and BMW’s Spartanburg plant, to see where the X5 and X6 are assembled. Perhaps the highlight of the event, though, will be the chance to engage in some custom-designed learning opportunities at the BMW high-performance driving school.
“From extraordinary driving programs to guided tours into previously restricted areas of the plant all planned by a personal concierge, The Ultimate BMW Experience transcends a traditional interaction by engaging visitors and revealing the sheer driving pleasure of a BMW,” said Bobby Hitt, department manager of Corporate Affairs at BMW Manufacturing.
All this is just the beginning of what BMW hopes will soon become a must-see destination for auto lovers from around the globe, offering Experience guests “custom driving excursions, rare vehicle demonstrations and unique culinary events.”
To get all the details on what BMW is cooking up down in Spartanburg, call 1-877-9BMW-EXP (1-877-926-9397) or visit www.bmwusfactory.com.
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