BMW X3 Prototype Creates Bomb Scare At New York Museum

When Head of BMWNA Product Planning and Strategy/BMW Motorsport Manager Martin Birkman parked the partly camouflaged X3 Prototype in front of the New York American Museum of Natural History last Sunday, he never thought that it would lead to a bomb scare. Birkman parked the car there to have a picnic with his girlfriend nearby. The engine was left running when he accidentally pressed the button on his key fob to turn off the engine. He did not realize that he left the engine running until the police responded because the  hybrid-electric drivetrain for the upcoming X3 makes the vehicle so quiet even if the engine is still turned on. Sources say that a woman walking her dog happened to pass by and saw the X3 Prototype. Being clueless of what the camouflage means, she immediately called the police. An officer with a bomb protection suit immediately responded to the call. Though they did not find any bomb in the SUV, it was enough to frighten the tourists who were at the museum that day. The X3 Prototype will not be released to the public until 2011, and is supposedly top secret. Such an awkward way for a BMW to create headlines though.