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Whoops! Maybe not the best idea to leave a camouflaged prototype parked with the engine running next to Central Park in Manhattan. The untimely event occured just a week after a failed car bomb attempt in Times Square, so understanably, Manhattan is still on high alert. The faux pas by Martin Birkmann, head of product planning for BMW North America, reportedly triggered a bomb scare along Central Park West near the American Museum of Natural History.  Several blocks in the area were evacuated as a precaution.

Birkmann was out evaluating a prototype 2011 BMW X3 covered in camouflage when he stopped for a quick walk through the park. He accidentaly 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. So next time you are out driving a prototype model, be careful where you park it!