BREAKING: BMW X3 prototype reportedly causes bomb scare outside NY museum

Note To Self: Don't leave camouflaged prototypes parked with the engine running next to Central Park in Manhattan. Just a week after a failed car bomb attempt in Times Square, Manhattan is understandably still a bit jittery. An apparent error in judgement by Martin Birkmann, head of product planning for BMW North America, reportedly triggered a bomb scare and the resulting evacuation of several blocks along Central Park West near the American Museum of Natural History this afternoon.

Birkmann was out evaluating a prototype 2011 BMW X3 covered in camouflage when he stopped to enjoy a bit of fresh air in the park. He inadvertently left the engine running and a woman walking her dog rightly thought the vehicle looked suspicious – particularly understandable given that New Yorkers are not as used to seeing such prototypes out and about as much as, say, your average Detroiter.

Police responded to investigate, and after clearing the area of bystanders, found no reason for alarm. Everyone was safe, although the back window of the X3 prototype was apparently shattered in the process. No doubt Birkmann will think twice about where he parks such vehicles in the future.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/09/b...scare-outside/

Well the X3 is still ugly that's for sure

Lol, it should be blown up

Lol I agree with those 2 comments. Still ugly and needs to be blown up. It's so ugly it's making people call the authorities

Kill it with fire!

It was so ugly it broke mirrors for several blocks in the surrounding area.

Take the dumb-a** camoflauge off, like it should be in the first place, and that will solve at least part of the problem....it won't draw as much attention.

IMO, there's no reason for prototypes to be running around with all that junk on them.....if people can see the sheet metal and trim, so what?

In another city in another day police pulled over a man in a suspicious car in fear of a bomb threat.

Looks like the dude in the X3 is giving the camera-man the finger?

NYC has all of the excitement Leave it to tourists to be shaking like a leaf & scared out of there boots over everything & anything..


What lies beneath? A turbo charged 300hp+ machine that will not drive like a hovercraft

This new models without camo actually looks worst than the model it's replacing... which is already horrible looking.

Here is vid of the new X3 parked in the streets ala NYC?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv2aUvkgqKo

I heard about this yesterday LOL boy oh boy someone at BMW going to be fired lol no pun intended lol