KANSAS CITY, Mo., Aug. 12, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - A new-from-the-factory 2015 BMW i8 will be auctioned at the Aug. 13-15 Mecum Auto Auction in Monterey, Calif. with net proceeds benefiting the Stowers Institute for Medical Research. Donated by audio and connected car technologies company HARMAN, the plug-in hybrid BMW i8 has an all-wheel drive powertrain that combines an electric motor to drive the front wheels with a powerful and efficient 1.5-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder gasoline engine driving the rear wheels.
Auction beneficiary the Stowers Institute for Medical Research is a non-profit, basic biomedical research organization focused on improving our understanding of fundamental biological processes and using this knowledge to guide the development of innovative approaches to treat, diagnose, and prevent diseases. It was established in 1994 by American Century Investments' late founder James Stowers, Jr. and his wife, Virginia.
"Through HARMAN's incredible donation of the BMW i8, net proceeds raised by the Mecum auction will help fund the basic research being conducted by the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, controlling owner of American Century Investments," said Jonathan Thomas, president and chief executive officer of American Century Investments. "We are extremely grateful to HARMAN for their generosity and support of the Institute's lifesaving mission."
The BMW i8 slated for auction has Sophisto Grey Metallic paint with contrasting accents in signature BMW i Frozen Blue. The car features HARMAN's in-dash navigation and infotainment system, along with the premium HARMAN Kardon Logic 7® surround sound system, which delivers all the power and performance, but uses half the energy and weight of a typical audio system. With a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $148,295, the BMW i8 is capable of 357-horsepower total output and can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds.
To register to bid and to learn more about the BMW i8, visit Mecum.com. Local listings for the broadcast schedule for the Mecum Monterey Auction are also available on NBC Sports Network.
About HARMAN
HARMAN (harman.com) designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and connected services. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. The Company's software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile.
HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 27,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $6.2 billion during the 12 months ended June 30, 2015.
About the Stowers Institute for Medical Research
The Stowers Institute for Medical Research is a non-profit, basic biomedical research organization dedicated to improving human health by studying the fundamental processes of life. Jim Stowers, founder of American Century Investments, and his wife, Virginia, opened the Institute in 2000. Since then, the Institute has spent over one billion dollars in pursuit of its mission. Currently, the Institute is home to nearly 550 researchers and support personnel; 20 independent research programs; and more than a dozen technology-development and core facilities.
About American Century Investments
American Century Investments is a leading privately-held investment management firm, committed to delivering superior investment performance and building long-term client relationships since its founding in 1958. Serving investment professionals, institutions, corporations and individual investors, American Century Investments offers a variety of actively managed investment disciplines through an array of products including mutual funds, institutional separate accounts, commingled trusts and sub-advisory accounts. Each year, more than 40 percent of American Century Investments' profits are distributed to an endowment that supports the Stowers Institute for Medical Research. Since the year 2000, total dividend payments exceed $1 billion. For more information, visit http://www.americancentury.com.
©2015 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc.
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