History of BMW Series MODELS
BMW 1 Series
The 1 Series was launched globally in Autumn 2004 and shares many
structural, chassis, powertrain, hardware and electronic elements with
the larger 3 Series. The model was started to provide a lower point of
entry into the BMW range as the 3 Series moved gradually up-market.
Initially launched as a 5-door hatchback, a 3-door version was also
launched in July 2007. The 1 Series is priced between the MINI and the
current E90 3 Series. Because the coupe is the only rear wheel drive
vehicle in its class, it is somewhat considered the successor to the BMW
2002.
The 1 Series coupe (E82) and convertible (E88) went on sale in the
United States in model year 2008 as the 128i and the 135i. Other
countries received the 120i and 125i in both platforms. The convertible,
unlike the 3 Series convertible, uses a soft-top instead of a folding
hardtop. This is lighter, cheaper to manufacture and
preserves more trunk space than the folding hardtop would allow.
The 1 Series is the only car in its class to offer rear wheel drive,
perfect (50:50) weight distribution and highly advanced independent
aluminum suspension.
The BMW 3 Series is a compact executive car manufactured since model
year 1975. The 3 Series is currently in its fifth generation, the E90
Current models include the sport sedan (E90), station wagon (E91), coupe
(E92), and
convertible (E93).
Since its first generation, the 3-Series is
considered to be the benchmark, and the 3-Series' competitors are often
judged on how close they come to this car. In some countries, it has
even outsold significantly
cheaper models, most notably Ford Mondeo in the UK.
The 3 series is one of BMW's most important models, as it accounts for a
majority of its worldwide sales. For model year 2008, BMW has revised
the 5 Series with a slightly redesigned interior, subtle exterior
details, and new motor options.
The M5 is the Motorsport division's version of the 5 Series. The new M5
(built on the E60 5 series chassis) is powered by a F1-inspired V10
engine, producing 507 hp (378 kW) and is mated with a 7-speed SMG
transmission, which is capable of a top speed of about 330 km/h
(production variants are restricted to 250 km/h, or 155 mph). BMW has
also recently added a 6-speed manual transmission for 2007 and newer
models.
The 6 Series is BMW's grand touring luxury sport coupe, based on the 5
Series' platform. Currently available as the 650i in coupe (E63) and
convertible (E64) models in the United States, elsewhere available in a
diesel and petrol
straight-6 option - 630i & 635d. The BMW 6 Series returned in 2004 after
a 15-year absence from BMW's model lineup.
BMW's 7 Series full-size flagship executive sedan. Typically, BMW
introduces many of their innovations first in the 7 Series. For example,
the somewhat controversial iDrive system debuted in the 7 Series. The 7
Series Hydrogen, featuring one of the world's first hydrogen fueled
electric engines, is fueled by liquid hydrogen and emits only water
vapor. Since the infrastructure for refueling a hydrogen fueled engine
is not widely available, the V12 engine also runs on gasoline. Numerous
engines power the 7 Series worldwide. BMW offers diesel, straight 6, V8
and V12 motors, as well as the Alpina tuned supercharged V8. It is also
available
in a bulletproof version.
M6: A high performance version of the 6 Series. Developed by BMW's M
Division, it is powered by the same 5.0 L V10 507 hp (378 kW) engine
seen in the BMW M5. It is currently available in Russia, Europe, North
America,
South America, Australia and South Africa.
BMW's X3 second crossover SUV debuted in November 2003 as a Model Year 2004
(called SAV or Sports Activity Vehicle by BMW) and is based on the
E46/16 3 Series platform. For 2007, the X3 is powered by the N52 inline
6 cylinder engine that debuted on the 2006 E90 3 Series. In 2007 a face
lift was given to the X3, including an X-drive update, suspension
adjustments, an engine upgrade, and aesthetics inside and out.
As well in 2007 the BMW X3 range extended with smaller engines including
the 4-cylinder petrol and diesel option. These options now becoming
available to countries across Europe, America, Asia and Australia.
History of the BMW
After World War I, BMW was forced to cease aircraft (engine) production
by the terms of the Versailles Armistice Treaty. The company
consequently shifted to motorcycle production in
1923 once the restrictions of the treaty started to be lifted, followed
by automobiles in 1928-29.
The circular blue and white BMW logo or roundel is often alleged to
portray the movement of an airplane propeller, to signify the white
blades cutting through the blue sky - an interpretation that BMW adopted
for convenience in 1929, which was actually twelve years after the
roundel was created. In fact, the emblem evolved from the circular Rapp
Motorenwerke company logo, from which the BMW company grew. The Rapp
logo was combined with the blue and white colors of the flag of Bavaria
to produce the BMW roundel so familiar today.
BMW's first significant aircraft engine was the BMW IIIa inline-six
liquid-cooled engine of 1918, much preferred for its high-altitude
performance.[citation needed] With German rearmament in the 1930s, the
company again began producing aircraft engines for the Luftwaffe. Among
its successful WWII engine designs were the BMW 132 and BMW 801
air-cooled radial engines, and the pioneering BMW 003 axial-flow
turbojet, which powered the tiny, 1944-45-era jet-powered "emergency
fighter", the Heinkel He 162 Salamander. The BMW 003 jet engine was
tested in the A-1b version of the world's first jet fighter, the
Messerschmitt Me 262, but BMW engines failed on takeoff, a major setback
for
the jet fighter program until successful testing with Junkers engines.
By 1959 the automotive division of BMW was in financial difficulties and
a shareholders meeting was held to decide whether to go into liquidation
or find a way of carrying on. It was decided to carry on and to try to
cash in on the current economy car boom enjoyed so successfully by some
of Germany's ex-aircraft manufacturers such as Messerschmitt and Heinkel.
Therefore the rights to manufacture the tiny Italian Iso Isetta were
bought using a modified form of BMW's own motorcycle engine. This was
moderately successful and helped the company get back on its feet. The
dominating shareholder of the BMW Aktiengesellschaft since 1959 is the
Quandt family, which owns about 46% of the stock. The rest
is in public float.
In 1992, BMW acquired a large stake in Californian-based industrial
design studio DesignworksUSA, which they fully acquired in 1995. In
1994, BMW bought the British Rover Group (which at the time consisted of
the Rover, Land Rover and MG brands as well as the rights to defunct
brands including Austin and Morris), and owned it for six years. By
2000, Rover was making huge losses and BMW decided to sell the combine.
The MG and Rover brands were sold to the Phoenix Consortium to form MG
Rover, while Land Rover was taken over by Ford. BMW, meanwhile, retained
the rights to build the new MINI, which was launched in 2001.
Chief designer Chris Bangle announced his departure from BMW after
serving on the design team for nearly seventeen years. He will be
replaced by Adrian van Hooydonk, Bangle's former right hand man.Bangle
was famously (or infamously) known for his radical designs such as the
2002 7-Series and the 2002 Z4
