The world-wide recognized term, BMW, abbreviated for Bayerische Motoren Werke or in English Bavarian Motor Works, is an independent German company and manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles. BMW is the parent company of the MINI and Rolls-Royce car brands, and was the owner of Rover.

The company slogan in English is "The Ultimate Driving Machine".

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History

Pre-WWII

BMW was founded by Karl Friedrich Rapp originally as an engine manufacturer, Rapp Motor. Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH was founded as a successor company to Rapp Motor on July 21, 1917. [1] The Milbertshofen district of Munich was chosen, apparently because it was close to the Gustav Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik site. The blue-and-white roundel BMW logo, which is still used (illustrated above right) alludes to the white and blue checkered flag of Bavaria. It is often said to symbolize a spinning white propeller on a blue-sky background, although this interpretation developed after the logo was already in use. [1]
//I would dispute this. There are extant pictures of an earlier BMW
Logo which is clearly the precursor of the current logo and equally
clearly shows the nose of an aircraft with a spinning propeller
(RF1952)// http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/features/2004/bmw-75/03-large/1916-logo.jpg

In 1916 the company secured a contract to build V12 engines for Austro-Daimler. Needing extra financing, Rapp gained the support of Camillo Castiglioni, Cornelius Jagdmann and Max Friz, the company was reconstituted as the Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH. Over-expansion caused difficulties; Rapp left and the company was taken over by the Austrian industrialist Franz Josef Popp in 1917, and named BMW AG in 1918. [2]

After World War I, the Treaty of Versailles (1919) prohibited the production of aircraft in Germany. Otto closed his factory and BMW switched to manufacturing railway brakes.[2]

In 1919 BMW designed its first motorcycle engine, used in a model called the Victoria, which was built by a company in Nuremberg. [3]

In 1924 BMW built its first model motorcycle, the R32.
This had a 500 cc air-cooled horizontally-opposed engine, a feature
that would resonate among their various models for decades to come,
albeit with displacement increases and newer technology. The major
innovation was the use of a driveshaft instead of a chain to drive the
rear wheel. For decades to follow, the shaft-drive boxer engine was the
mark of the BMW motorcycle. [3]

In 1927 the tiny Dixi, an Austin Seven produced under licence, began production in Eisenach. BMW bought the Dixi Company the following year, and this became the company's first car, the BMW 3/15. By 1933 BMW was producing cars that could be called truly theirs, offering steadily more advanced I6 sports and saloons (sedans). The pre-war cars culminated in the 327 coupé and convertible, the 328 roadster, fast 2.0 L cars, both very advanced for their time, as well as the upscale 335 luxury sedan.

World War II

BMW motorcycles, specifically the BMW R12 and the BMW R75 combination were used extensively by the Aufklärungsabteilung of German panzer and motorised divisions of the German Army, Waffen SS and Luftwaffe.

BMW was also a major supplier of engines; supplying the Luftwaffe with engines and vehicles, and the Wehrmacht with motorcycles. Planes using the aero-engines included the BMW 801, one of the most powerful available. Over 30,000 were manufactured up to 1945. BMW also researched jet engines, producing the BMW 003, and rocket-based weapons. BMW has admitted to using between 25,000 and 30,000 slave labourers during this period, consisting of both prisoners of war and inmates of infamous concentration camps such as Dachau [4].

The BMW works were heavily bombed towards the end of the war. Of its sites, those in eastern Germany (Eisenach-DĂĽrrerhof, Wandlitz-Basdorf and ZĂĽhlsdorf) were seized by the Soviets. The factory in Munich was largely destroyed [3].

Post-war history

After the war the Munich factory took some time to restart
production in any volume. BMW was banned from manufacturing for three
years by the Allies and did not produce a motorcycle, the R24, until 1948, and a car model until 1952 [4].

In the east, the company's factory at Eisenach was taken over by the
Soviet Awtowelo group which formed finally the Eisenacher Motor-Werke.
That company offered "BMWs" for sale until 1951, when the Bavarian
company prevented use of the trademarks: the name, the logo and the
"double-kidney" radiator grille.

The cars and motorcycles were then branded EMW (Eisenacher Motoren-Werke), production continuing until 1955.

In the west, the BAC, Bristol Aeroplane Company,
inspected the factory, and returned to Britain with plans for the 326,
327 and 328 models. These plans, which became official war reparations,
along with BMW engineer Fritz Fiedler allowed the newly formed Bristol
Cars to produce a new, high-quality sports saloon (sedan), the 400 by
1947, a car so similar to the BMW 327 that it even kept the famous BMW
grille.

In 1948 BMW produced its first postwar motorcycle and in 1952 it
produced its first passenger car since the war. However, its car models
were not commercially successful; models such as the acclaimed BMW 507 and 503 were too expensive to build profitably and were low volume.

By the late 1950s, it was also making bubble-cars such as the Isetta.

In 1959 BMW's management suggested selling the whole concern to Daimler-Benz. Major shareholder, Herbert Quandt
was close to agreeing such a deal, but changed his mind at the last
minute because of opposition from the workforce and trade unions and
advice from the board chairman, Kurt Golda.
Instead Quandt increased his share in BMW to 50% against the advice of
his bankers, and he was instrumental in turning the company around.

That same year, BMW launched the 700, a small car with an air-cooled, rear-mounted 697 cc boxer engine from the R67 motorcycle. Its bodywork was designed by Giovanni Michelotti
and the 2+2 model had a sporty look. There was also a more powerful RS
model for racing. Competition successes in the 700 began to secure
BMW's reputation for sports sedans.

At the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1961, BMW launched the 1500, a powerful compact sedan,
with front disc brakes and four-wheel independent suspension. This
modern specification further cemented BMW's reputation for sporting
cars. It was the first BMW to officially feature the "Hofmeister kink", the rear window line that has been the hallmark of all BMWs since then.

The "New Class" 1500 was developed into 1600 and 1800
models. In 1966, the two-door version of the 1600 was launched, along
with a convertible in 1967. These models were called the '02'
series—the 2002 being the most famous—and began the bloodline that later developed into the BMW 3 Series.

By 1963, with the company back on its feet, BMW offered dividends to
its shareholders for the first time since before World War II.

By 1966, the Munich plant had reached the limits of its production
capacity. Although BMW had initially planned to build an entirely new
factory, the company bought the crisis-ridden Hans Glas GmbH with its
factories in Dingolfing and Landshut. Both plants were restructured,
and in the following decades BMW's largest plant took shape in
Dingolfing.

In 1968, BMW launched its large "New Six" sedans, the 2500, 2800, and American Bavaria, and coupés, the 2.5 CS and 2800 CS.

Of major importance to BMW was the arrival of Eberhard von Kuenheim
from Daimler-Benz AG. Just 40 years old, he presided over the company's
transformation from a national firm with a European-focused reputation
into a global brand with international prestige.

Already commercially successful by the mid 60s, in December 1971,
BMW moved to the new HQ present in Munich, architecturally modeled
after four cylinders.

In 1972, the 5 Series was launched to replace the New Class sedans, with a body styled by Bertone. The new class coupes were replaced by the 3 Series in 1975, and the New Six became the 7 Series
in 1977. Thus the three-tier sports sedan range was formed, and BMW
essentially followed this formula into the 1990s. Other cars, like the 6 Series coupes that replaced the CS and the M1, were also added to the mix as the market demanded.

From 1970 to 1993, under von Kuenheim, turnover increased 18-fold, car production quadrupled and motorcycle production tripled.

"The English Patient" - Rover

Between 1994 and 2000, under the leadership of Bernd Pischetsrieder, BMW owned the Rover Group in an attempt to get into mass market production, buying it from British Aerospace. This brought the active Rover, Mini and Land Rover brands as well as rights to many dormant marques such as Austin, Morris, Riley, Triumph and Wolseley under BMW ownership.

The venture was not successful. For years, Rover tried to rival BMW,
if not in product, then in market positioning and "snob appeal". BMW
found it difficult to reposition the English automaker alongside its
own products and the Rover division was faced with endless changes in
its marketing strategy. In the six years under BMW, Rover was
positioned as a premium automaker, a mass-market automaker, a division
of BMW and an independent unit.

BMW was more successful with the Mini, MG and Land Rover brands, which did not have parallels in its own range at the time.

In 2000, BMW disposed of Rover after years of losses, with Rover cars going to the Phoenix Venture Holdings for a nominal ÂŁ10 and Land Rover going to the Ford Motor Company. The German press ridiculed the English firm as "The English Patient",
after the film. BMW itself, protected by its product range's image, was
largely spared the blame. Even the British press was not particularly
sympathetic towards Rover.

BMW retained the rights to Mini, Triumph and other marques. MINI
has been a highly successful business, though the other names have not
been used yet. The Rover name has recently been sold to Ford after BMW
gave it a first refusal offer in 2000.

Redesign controversy

In the early 2000s, BMW undertook another of its periodic cycles of redoing the design language of its various series of vehicles, under the auspices of newly promoted design chief Christopher Bangle.
These designs often featured unconventional proportions with complex
concave and convex curved surfaces combined with (sometimes
arbitrary-appearing) sharp panel creases and slashes, a design cue
called "flame surfacing" by Bangle. Much of the new language did not
rest well with BMW enthusiasts or the automotive press which referred
to the new designs as "Bangled" or "Bangle-ized". Bangle is commonly
mistakenly believed to have penned all of the designs himself; however,
he only chose which design was to be used. As Bangle has now been
promoted within the company to the BMW Group Head of Design, leaving
him in charge of not only BMW but also Rolls-Royce and Mini,
some question what long term effect the disaffection of BMW
traditionalists for these designs will have on sales, and on the
company's future. Despite this, or maybe because of it, sales at BMW
have increased every year since some of his most debated designs have
gone into production.

Though many BMW enthusiasts zealously insist that BMW is the world's
top selling luxury brand, new research indicates that their sales
performance has not been as a result of their ever-growing skills in
creating a luxury car. BMW's own in-house research [5]
showed that 75% of luxury car buyers do not even consider a BMW,
considering it as a yuppie's car. Instead, BMW's research indicates,
that BMW owners generally purchase BMW's for the crisp, sporty
characteristics for which BMW is famous. As a result of this worrying
research, BMW has redoubled marketing efforts to chase the top selling
luxury car, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. [6]

Many aspects of the "controversial" designs are now beginning to
surface in other auto manufacturer's designs, most notably Toyota,
Audi, and Honda. Though the Bangle-butt
design debuted and was popularlised by BMW's 7-Series, Hyundai
incorporated this design cue in 1999, three years before the 7-Series
was released, and Maybach incorporated it since its first showing in 1997.

What is not as well known, however, is that Bangle was also
responsible for many 'conservative' BMW designs and has worked at BMW
for almost a decade. The first X5 sketches (which closely resembled the production car), were designed by him, and under his tenure the E46
3 Series came to be. Despite much of the scorn heaped on Chris Bangle,
his design selections were approved by the entire executive board of
BMW AG, including the majority owners, the Quandt family.

Production outside Germany

BMW started producing automobiles at its Spartanburg, South Carolina, plant in 1994. Today, the plant manufactures the BMW X5, the BMW Z4
Roadster and Coupe, and the BMW Z4 M Roadster and Coupe. The
oft-rumored crossover vehicle, the X6, and the formerly Euro-produced
X3 were recently confirmed by the Chairman of BMW's board as being
under development for production at Plant Spartanburg.

Outside Germany,
the largest output of the BMW Group comes from British factories. The
Hams Hall plant manufactures four cylinder BMW engines for use around
the world in 3-Series, 1-Series and Z4 vehicles. This is in addition to MINIs and Rolls-Royces made in Oxford and Goodwood.

The Spartanburg, SC plant is open six days a week, producing
automobiles approximately 110 hours a week. It employs about 4,700
people and manufactures over 500 vehicles daily. Recently, the plant
has undergone a major renovation switching from 2 production lines down
to one. Now both the X5 and the Z4 are produced in the same line, one
right after the other.

After a period of local assembly, BMW's Rosslyn, South Africa, plant
now manufactures cars, with over 70% of its output destined for export.
In the mid-1990s, BMW invested R1bn
to make Rosslyn a world-class facility. The plant now exports over
50,000 3 Series cars a year, mostly to the USA, Japan, Australia,
Africa and the Middle East.

BMW signed agreement in 1999 with Avtotor to produce cars in Kalingrad, Russia. Factory has been assembling 3 and 5 -series cars.[5]

Starting from October 2004, BMWs intended for the Chinese market are produced in Shenyang, China [7].
BMW has established a joint venture with Chinese manufacturer
Brilliance to build BMW 3 Series and 5 Series that have been modified
for the needs of local markets.

The BMWX3 was manufactured in Graz, Austria
between 2004 and 2007 by Magna Steyr with mainly German components. The
X3 production has been moved to the Spartanburg plant due in part to
high production and transportation costs of what was meant to be the
"more affordable" SUV. North American pricing, after said costs, were
nearly on par with the larger, American-built X5. [6]

In 2005, BMW Group built a new manufacturing facility in Egypt. This plant builds 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, and X3 vehicles for the African and Middle East markets.

BMW opened a production plant in Chennai, India in 2007. This plant produces 3-series and 5-series vehicles. Showrooms are already present in all Indian metropolitan areas.[7]

The BMW Group is considering the establishment of a new plant which will be located either in Volos, Greece or Limasol, Cyprus.These plants will be manufacturing motorcycles as well as the BMW 1 Series and the BMW 3 Series and will be serving the markets of Eastern Europe and Middle East.The construction will start in 2009 even if it is finally built in Greece or in Cyprus.

Rolls-Royce

In the early 1990s, BMW and Rolls-Royce Motors began a joint venture that would see the new Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph and Bentley Arnage adopt BMW engines.

In 1998, both BMW and Volkswagen tried to purchase Rolls-Royce Motors. Volkswagen
outbid BMW and bought the company for ÂŁ430 million, but BMW outflanked
its German rival. Although Volkswagen had bought rights to the "Spirit of Ecstasy" mascot and the shape of the radiator grille, it lacked rights to the Rolls-Royce name. Rolls-Royce plc (the aero-engine business) retained the rights over the Rolls-Royce trademark and wished to strengthen its existing business partnership with BMW which extended to the BMW Rolls-Royce
joint venture. Consequently, BMW was allowed to acquire the rights to
the grille and mascot, and licensed the name and "RR" logo after 2003
for ÂŁ40 million. Volkswagen was permitted to build Rolls-Royces at its Crewe factory only until 2003, but quickly shifted its emphasis to the Bentley brand.

In the meantime, BMW was faced with the need to build a new factory and develop a new model. The new factory at Goodwood produced the new Rolls-Royce Phantom, unveiled on January 2, 2003, and officially launched at the Detroit Auto Show on January 5, 2003. The model, priced around US$330,000, has experienced record sales worldwide of 796 Phantoms sold in 2005.

Models

Current

The current BMW model lineup is split into what they call "Series
2", traditionally identified by a single digit - e.g. the 3 Series.

In 2004 BMW announced plans to make odd-numbered series saloon/sedan and estate/wagon models (BMW calls its estates/wagons Touring models), while even-numbered series will be two-door coupés and cabriolets. This convention started informally in 1976 with the introduction of the 6 Series and later continued in 1989 with the 8 Series, but died off when the latter was discontinued in 1999. This practice was revived as the Z4 replaced the aging Z3 roadster in 2003 and continues as the new 6 Series augments the existing BMW 5 Series.

There is possibly a chance BMW will release a V3 or V5. The V3 will
probably be similar to the 3-Series, X3, and will compete against
Mercedes-Benz B-Class. The V5 will probably be similar to the 5-Series
& X5, and will compete against Mercedes-Benz R-Class.

Coupé versions of the 3 Series
sedans have always been named 3 Series vehicles, as well. The company
had considered renaming future 2-door derivatives of the 3 Series as 4
Series cars, but this plan has officially been shelved.

The M letter was used prior to the shift to Series-named cars to designate special "Motorsport" models, beginning with the M1
supercar. Later the M letter was used as a prefix to top-of-the-range
models which had received special treatment by the BMW Motorsport
division. The first such car was the M535i of 1979. As these models
started gaining popularity the Motorsport division was split into a
separate company. BMW M
GmbH now makes sporty models based on the production cars with very
extensive chassis and engine upgrades. The M3, M5, and M6 are based
respectively on the 3, 5, and 6 Series and are recognised by
enthusiasts all over the world as truly excellent sports cars while
retaining the practicality of the models they extend.

With the advent of the SUV,
BMW also added the X5 - and in 2004 the X3 - to their model range to
capitalize on this growing market. BMW calls its SUV models Sports Activity Vehicles. A possible future V Series multi-purpose vehicle will offer practicality for large families, similar to the Mercedes-Benz R-Class.

1 Series

The 1 Series is a small family car launched in Autumn 2004 in Europe. It is the only rear wheel drive
vehicle in its class. A coupé has been announced for late 2007, and
there are concepts for a hatchback and a minivan. It shares the same
engines with the 318i, 318d, 320i, 320d and 330i. U.S. introduction for
the 1 series is expected in MY2009 as a coupe' and convertible, in the
128i and the 135i, the latter powered by the fabulous N54 engine in the
335 lineup. The 1 series pricing fits neatly between MINI and the
current E90 felipe cruz 3-series.

3 Series

The 3 Series is BMW's entry-level luxury sedan,
now in its fifth generation (E90). The car is also frequently
attributed to BMW's sales success and is a major volume production for
the company. The E90 line has been available in the United States and
Canada since the 2006 model year. The E90 is currently available in the
318i (detuned 2.0 L I4 engine producing 129 hp), 318d (detuned 2.0 L I4
diesel producing 122 hp), 320i (with 2.0 L I4 producing 150 hp), 320d
(with I4 diesel producing 163 hp), 323i (with I6 producing 174 hp),
325i (with a detuned 3.0 L I6 engine producing 215 hp or a 2.5 L I6
producing 218 hp), 325d (detuned 3.0 L I6 producing 197 hp), 330d (3.0l
I6 producing 231 hp) and the 330i (with a 3.0 L I6 engine producing
255 hp), as well as the AWD-versions of these two models: 325xi and
330xi. In 2007 model year, a new engine was introduced: 335i. Notably,
335i used a twin-turbo charged in-line 6 cylinder engine, generating
300hp and 300 lb.ft. of torque.

A retractable hard-top cabriolet (E93) was released in 2007, a first
for BMW. The E93 is a showcase for BMW's innovative, state-of-the-art
technology.

In 2006, the E90 3 Series won the title of "World Car of the Year" and is a candidate for World Car of the Year 2007.

• M3:
  the motorsport division's race-inspired version of the 3 Series. It is
  currently only available in the fourth generation E46 body style and
  with a 3.2 L engine producing 343 hp. A new revision is expected in
  2007 with a 400+ hp V8. The 2007 version is expected to come in the
  coupé, cabriolet, sedan and a touring body style. The E90 M3 concept
  debuted at the Geneva Auto Show in March of 2007.

An amazing amount of units were sold. By the early 21st century, the
E46 3 Series, designed by American Chris Bangle, was the best-selling
car of its size in the world, as commonplace in Asia and America as in
Europe, while maintaining its prestigious image. In the United Kingdom,
the 3 Series has surpassed the cheaper Ford Mondeo in terms of sales
volume, indicating the car's desirability amongst executives and the
middle class.

5 Series

A mid-size luxury car / executive car.
This series is available with different engines: the 525i with the same
engine as the 325i, the 530i with the same engine as the 330i, and the
545i with a 4.4 L V8 producing 325 hp. For the 2006 model year, the
545i had been phased out in favour of the 550i, with a 4.8 L V8
producing 360 hp. The 520d with the same engine as the 320d, the 530d
with the same engine as the 330d and a high performance 535d with a
twin turbo 272 bhp version of the standard 3.0 L I6 diesel.

For 2007, BMW has revised the 5 series with a completely redesigned
interior, slightly different bumpers, lights and additional safety
features. The engines made available are the two inline 6-cylinder
(naturally aspirated and bi-turbo) found in the 528i/xi and 535i/xi, as
well as the standard 4.8 L for the 550i.

• M5: The motorsport division's version of the 5 Series. The new M5 (E60) is powered by a F1-inspired
  V10 engine, producing 507 hp and is mated with a 7-speed Sequential
  Manual Gearbox (SMG) transmission, which is capable of a delimited 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 newer 2007 models.

6 Series

The 6 Series is currently available in the 650i version with a 4.8 L
V8 producing 360 hp and the 630i version with a 3.0l R6 Straight Six
engine (it was the first model to use this engine).

• 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 engine seen in the
  BMW M5. It is currently available in Europe, America and Australia.

7 Series

A full-size luxury car competing with the world leader, the Lexus LS460, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8, and Jaguar XJ.
The 7 Series comes in the 730i/730Li, 730d/730Ld, 740i/740Li,
750i/750Li with the same engine as their respective 5 Series
equivalent, and in the 760i and 760Li, with a 6.0 L V12 producing 438
hp. The 760Li is also made in a bulletproof version for clients who
need extra protection. BMW plans to offer a car that runs on both petrol and hydrogen (hybrid).

BMW has announced a BMW Hydrogen 7 car for U.S. and Europe in 2007.

X3

BMW's second SUV (called SAV or Sports Activity Vehicle by BMW) competing against the Lexus RX350, Mercedes-Benz M-Class and Land Rover LR3. The Volkswagen Touareg
falls in the same category, but at a lower prestige. Although marketed
in Europe as an off-roader, it lacks the off-road capabilities of Land Rover models. Jeremy Clarkson famously referred to those who purchased the X3 as 'onions'.

The X3 is produced in Austria by Magna Steyr.

X5

The BMW X5 (E53) is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV sold by BMW
since 2000. It features all wheel drive and a line of straight-6 and V8
engines. For non-US models there is a 3.0 L diesel engine.

The BMW E70 automobile platform replaced the BMW E53 in November
2006. The E70-based X5 SUV features many new technological advancements
including BMW's iDrive system as standard equipment and, for the first
time in a BMW, an optional third row seat which has increased the
seating capacity in the new X5 to 7 passengers.

Z4

A 2-seater roadster and coupé which succeeded the Z3.
For 2006 the Z4 Roadster is available as a 3.0i (3.0 L I6 with 215 hp),
a 3.0si available with the new generation 3.0 L I6 with 255 hp, a 2.5si
with a 2.5 I6 with 218 bhp or a 2.0i with a 150 bhp 2.0 L I4. The Z4
Coupé is available only in the high-performance 3.0si trim powered by
the 3.0 L 255 HP I6.

• Z4 M
  The new Z4 M roadster has been released as a Z4 with an E46 M3 motor
  (3.2 L, 343 hp) and also features the M braking and suspension systems.

M series

• M3
  
  • The M3 is the smallest M series available with a new V-8 420 hp
    that can reach 62 mph in 4.8 seconds. The newest version will be
    available fall of 2007
  
  

Future

• Z10: A supercar to succeed the Z8, to be produced in 2008 (Update: The new BMW supercar may in fact be called the Z9, and not the Z10.)

• BMW V/F3 : An MPV (Sports Tourer) based on the BMW 3-Series/X3 to
  compete with Mercedes-Benz B-Class. This vehicle could also possibly be
  the rumoured X1, or called the F3.

• BMW V/F5 : A MPV (Grand Sports Tourer) based on the BMW 5-Series/X5
  to compete with Mercedes-Benz R-Class. This vehicle could also possibly
  be called the F5.

• BMW Z2 : A Roadster and Coupe positioned under the Z4 as an entry
  level sports car, more than likely powered by a 4 cylinder engine. This
  model may come out in 2009, however it is still an unconfirmed rumour.

• BMW F01/F02 7-Series : The F01 and F02 will be the replacement for
  the 7-Series for either 2008 or 2009. The F02 is the longer wheelbase
  version.

• BMW X6: A SUV built to compete against Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, the X6 has been spotted testing.

• BMW 8-Series: Unrelated to the original; a four-door coupe grand tourer car to be based on the BMW CS Concept.[8]

Prototypes

• 1999 Z9: a concept car
  designed by Adrian van Hooydonk marked a departure from BMW's
  traditional conservative style, and has caused some controversy among
  BMW enthusiasts.
• BMW 750hL showcased at Expo 2000
  at the BMW World exhibit. As one of the world's first autos to use an
  engine propelled by liquid hydrogen, the 750hL produces 2 by products:
  electricity and water. There are as of March 2007, 100 750hL vehicles
  in the USA for testing purposes.See the BMW website.
• 2001 xCoupe
• 2007 BMW CS Concept[9] - BMW has expressed interest in producing the vehicle under the 8 Series name.

Out of production

• M1: a 1970s mid-engine sports car, designed in conjunction with Lamborghini. As Lamborghini went into bankruptcy the production was shifted to the German Karmanwerke.
• Z3: a 2-seater roadster.
  
  • M coupĂ© and roadster: high-performance hard-top and soft-top
    versions of the Z3, very popular among enthusiasts. The Z3 was first
    shown on the big screen in the James Bond film GoldenEye, marking the first time Pierce Brosnan played Bond and the first time the MI6 agent's gadget-laden car wasn't British.
  
  
• 8 Series:
  a fast, high-technology coupé of the 1990s. Unconfirmed rumors suggest
  that this may be revived to compete against the globally acclaimed Mercedes-Benz CL-Class.
• Z1:
  a late 1980s two-seater with innovative modular construction; only
  8,000 were made. Best known for the feature of the vertically sliding
  doors.
• Z8: a roadster with design based on the classic 507 roadster from the 1950s. Debuted in the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough,
  marking the last time Bond would drive a BMW. Only 5000 were built, the
  last 500 being a special edition built by Alpina but sold directly from
  BMW. This exciting halo car was built on an aluminium space frame design.

Classics

BMW made many cars over the years which have had great impact on the world of motoring.

• 3.0 CSL
• M1
• M3
• M5 (first sedan to be considered a sports car)
• M6 (e24) First production line M car. Supercoupe capable of over 150 mph.
• Dixi, 3/20, 303, 309, 315, 319, 320, 321, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 335
• Isetta, 600, 700
• 501, 502, 503, 507
• 3200 CS, 2000 CS
• New Sixes (2500/2800/Bavaria/2.5/2.8/3.0/3.3): Predecessor to today's 7 Series
• New Class (1500/1502/1600/1800/1802/2000/2002): Acknowledged as the first modern sports saloon[citation needed] and the predecessor to BMW's core product, the 3 Series

Series Generations

Internally, BMW associates an "e-code" for each generation of a series ("E" stands for Entwicklung, German for development or evolution). These "chassis codes" only change to signify a major redesign of a series, or the introduction of a new series. BMW AG reported in September 2006 that BMW will switch to the letter "F" for their future models, beginning with the F01 7 Series replacement.

• BMW E3 — (1968–1977)

2.5, 2.8, 3.0, 3.3 "New Six" sedans

• BMW E9 — (1969–1975) 2800CS, 3.0CS, 3.0CSL "New Six" coupĂ©s
• BMW E12 — (1972–1981) 5 Series
• BMW E21 — (1975–1983) 3 Series
• BMW E23 — (1977–1986) 7 Series
• BMW E24 — (1976–1989) 6 Series
• BMW E26 — (1978–1981) M1
• BMW E28 — (1981–1988) 5 Series
• BMW E30 — (1982–1991) 3 Series
• BMW E31 — (1990–1999) 8 Series
• BMW E32 — (1986–1994) 7 Series
• BMW E34 — (1988–1995) 5 Series
• BMW E36 — (1991–1999) 3 Series
• BMW E36/5 — (1995–1998) 3 Series Compact (US market known as "318ti")
• BMW E36/7 — (1996-2002) Z3 Series Roadster
• BMW E36/8 — (1998-2002) Z3 Series CoupĂ©
• BMW E38 — (1994–2001) 7 Series
• BMW E39 — (1996–2003) 5 Series
• BMW E46/5 — (2000–2004) 3 Series Compact
• BMW E46/4 — (1998–2005) 3 Series Sedan
• BMW E46/3 — (1999–2005) 3 Series Touring/Sports Wagon
• BMW E46/2 — (1999–2006) 3 Series CoupĂ©
• BMW E46/C — (1999–2006) 3 Series Convertible
• BMW E52 — (2000–2003) Z8
• BMW E53 — (2000–2006) X5
• BMW E60 — (2004–present) 5 Series
• BMW E61 — (2004–2007) 5 Series Touring/Sports Wagon
• BMW E63 — (2004–present) 6 Series coupĂ©
• BMW E64 — (2004–present) 6 Series convertible
• BMW E65 — (2002–2007) 7 Series short wheelbase
• BMW E66 — (2002–2007) 7 Series long wheelbase
• BMW E67 — (2002–2007) 7 Series Protection
• BMW E70 — (2007-present) X5
• BMW E81 — (2007-present) 1 Series (3-door)
• BMW E83 — (2004–present) X3
• BMW E85 — (2003–present) Z4
• BMW E86 — (2006–present) Z4 CoupĂ©
• BMW E87 — (2004–present) 1 Series (5-door)
• BMW E88 — (2008) 1 Series Convertible
• BMW E89 — (2009) Z4 roadster
• BMW E90 — (2005–present) 3 Series
• BMW E91 — (2005–present) 3 Series Touring/Sports Wagon
• BMW E92 — (2006–present) 3 Series CoupĂ©
• BMW E93 — (2007–present) 3 Series Convertible
• BMW F01 — (2008) 7 Series
• BMW F02 — (2009) 7 Series long wheelbase
• BMW F03 — (2008) 7 Series Protection
• BMW F04 — (2009) 8 Series Light Base
• BMW F10 — (2010) 5 Series
• BMW F11 — (2012) 5 Series Touring/Sports Wagon
• BMW F12 — (2011) 6 Series CoupĂ©
• BMW F13 — (2011) 6 Series Convertible
• BMW F25 — (2011) X3

Related companies

• Automobilwerk Eisenach
• Isetta
• Glas
• Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited
• Rover: briefly owned by BMW, which retained the Mini after selling off the rest of the company (see MG Rover Group).
• Land Rover: sold to Ford; the current Range Rover was developed mostly by BMW during their ownership of the company and until recently was powered by their 4.4 L V8 petrol (gasoline) engine and continues to use the BMW 3.0 L I6 diesel engine
• MINI: a small hatchback; inspired by the original Mini, which was the British competitor to the Volkswagen Beetle.
• Wiesmann: A company making sporty 2-seater roadsters and coupĂ©s for which BMW supplies the engine and transmission components.
• DesignworksUSA:
  Design studio founded in 1972 by Charles W. Pelly, and owned by BMW AG
  since May 1995. DesignworksUSA has worked on various designs for BMW
  and other companies, not just automobile. One of the latest designs is
  computer keyboard and mouse, which were sold by BenQ as x700 Pro keyboard, x730 Pro wireless keyborard and mouse combo, M306 wireless mouse.
• Bavaria Wirtschaftsagentur GmbH: BMW Group subsidiary that offers insurance services.
• Softlab GmbH: IT consulting and systems integration.
• Alpina: A Motor Manufacturer in its own right, who creates vehicles based on BMW cars.
• Breyton: A tuning manufacturer specialising in BMW cars.
• Hartge: A tuning company specialising in BMW, MINI and Range Rover cars.
• Hamann Motorsport: A Motor Styling and Tuning Specialist who creates vehicles based on BMW cars.
• MK-Motorsport: A tuning company specialising in BMW cars.

Motorsport

BMW has been engaged in motorsport
activities since the dawn of the first BMW motorcycle. BMW has competed
and won many of the most coveted and prestigious races and motoring
events.

• Formula One
  
  • BMW Sauber F1 Team - current BMW works Formula One team
  • WilliamsF1 - former Formula One partner, and designer of BMW's Le Mans winning sports car
  • Brabham - Former Formula One partner, winning the Drivers Championship in 1983
  • Arrows, used BMW engines from 1984 to 1986
  
  
• McLaren F1 - Successful mid-1990s GT racing car with a BMW designed engine. It won BPR Global GT Series in 1995 and 1996 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995.
• Touring car racing
  - BMW have a long and very successful history in this category. Since
  1968 BMW won 24 drivers championships in European Touring Car
  Championship along with several manufacturer and team titles.
• The World Touring Car Championship was won twice.
• DTM successes:

1. 1988: Roberto Ravaglia, BMW M3
2. 1987: Winfried Vogt, BMW M3
3. 1983: Dieter Quester, BMW 635 CSI
4. 1982: Umberto Grano, Helmut Kelleners, BMW 528i
5. 1981: Umberto Grano, Helmut Kelleners, BMW 635 CSI
6. 1980: Siegfried MĂĽller Jr., Helmut Kelleners, BMW 320i
7. 1979: Carlo Facetti, Martino Finotto, BMW 3.0 CSL
8. 1978: Umberto Grano, BMW 3.0 CSL
9. 1977: Dieter Quester, BMW 3.0 CSL
10. 1976: Pierre Dieudonné, Jean Xhenceval, BMW 3.0 CSL
11. 1975: Siegfried MĂĽller, Alain Peltier, BMW 3.0 CSL

• Also BMW won the British Touring Car Championship in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993.
• Le Mans 24 Hours - BMW won Le Mans in 1999 with the BMW V12 LMR designed by Williams Grand Prix Engineering. Also the Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing team won the 1995 24 Hours Le Mans in a McLaren F1 GTR race car.
• Mille Miglia - BMW won Mille Miglia in 1940 in with a 328 Touring CoupĂ©. Previously in 1938 the 328 sport car also obtained a class victory.
• NĂĽrburgring - BMW won the 24 Hours NĂĽrburgring 18 times.
• RAC Rally - The 328 sport car won this event in 1939.
• Paris Dakar Rally - BMW motorcycles have won this event 6 times.
• Kumho BMW Championship - A BMW-exclusive championship run in the UK.

Motorcycles

BMW started building motorcycle engines and then motorcycles after
WWI. Their first notable motorcycle, the "R32" came in 1923. These had
a "boxer twin"
engine, in which an air-cooled cylinder protrudes into the air-fllow
from each side of the machine. Other than a few post-war singles
(basically to the same pattern), all their motorcycles had used this
distinctive, unusual (but well-regarded) layout until the early 1990s.
Many BMWs are still produced to this pattern, which is designated the
"R series".

In 1983 came the "K Series" (affectionately known as "The Flying
Brick"), still shaft drive but now water cooled and with the 3 or 4
cylinders on one side. Shortly after, BMW also started making the
chain-driven F and G series with single and parallel twin Rotax engines.

BMW motorcycles tend to be relatively light for their size, and they
have a range of models that give an off-road, sporty or relaxed and
comfortable ride.

In the early 1990's, BMW updated the airhead
boxer engine which became known as the Oilhead. In 2002, the Oilhead
engine had two spark plugs per cylinder. In 2004 it added a built-in
balance shaft, an increased capacity to 1200 cc and enhanced
performance to 100 hp (75 kW) for the R1200GS,
compared to 85 hp (63 kW) of the previous R1150GS. More powerful
variants of the oilhead and hexhead engines are available in the R1100S
and R1200S, producing 98 hp and 122 hp, respectively.

In 2004, BMW introduced the new K1200S Sports Bike which marked a
departure for BMW. It is both powerful (the engine is a 167 hp unit
derived from the company's work with the Williams F1 team) and
significantly lighter than previous K models. It was BMW's latest
attempt to keep up with the pace of development of sports machines from
the likes of Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Suzuki.
Innovations include a unique electronically adjustable front and rear
suspension, and a Hossack-type front fork BMW calls Duolever.

BMW was one of the earliest manufacturers to offer anti-lock brakes
on production motorcycles starting in the late 1980's. The generation
of anti-lock brakes available on the 2006 and later BMW motorcycles
pave the way for the introduction of sophisticated electronic stability control, or anti-skid technology - a first for production motorcycles - later in the 2007 model year.

BMW has always been an innovator in motorcycle suspension design,
taking up telescopic front suspension long before most other
manufacturers. Then, when other makers caught up, they switched to Earles Forke,
front suspension by swinging fork (1955 to 1969). Most modern BMWs are
truly rear swingarm, single sided at the back (cf the regular swinging
fork usually, and wrongly, called swinging arm).

Some BMWs started using yet another trademark front suspension
design, the Telelever, in the early 1990s. Like the Earles Fork, the
Telelever largely obviates dive under braking.

During WWII BMW produced the BMW R75 motorcycle with a sidecar attached. Unusually, the sidecar's wheel was also driven. Combined with a lockable differential, this made the vehicle very capable off-road, an equivalent in many ways to the Jeep.

Motorcycle Clubs

Fanfare of the BMW motorcycle has invoked the interest in clubs, or
groups of people who share the same passion for their Bavarian bikes.
The two largest BMW motorcycle clubs in the world are headquartered in
the United States. They are the BMW Riders Association (BMW RA) and the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (BMW MOA).

Culture

The term "beemer" started as an acronym for the abbreviation "BMW,"
adapted from the early-20th century British pronunciation of BSA
(as "beeser" or "beezer"), whose motorcycles were often racing BMWs.
Over time, the term became closely associated with BMW motorcycles.

In the United States, the term "bimmer" was later coined to refer
(exclusively) to BMW automobiles. As such, use of the word "beemer" to
refer to a BMW automobile is frowned upon
by some BMW enthusiasts, because it is the term used for motorcycles.
Although the distinction is completely arbitrary, to this day, the
media, movies, and most people still use the term "beemer" to refer to
the automobiles.

The initials BMW are pronounced "beh emm veh" in German. The model
series are referred to as "Dreier" ("Three-er" for 3 series), "FĂĽnfer"
("Five-er" for the 5 series), "Sechser" ("Six-er" for the 6 series),
"Siebener" ("Seven-er" for the 7 series).

Nomenclature

BMWs follow a certain nomenclature in the naming of their vehicles; a 3 digit number is followed by 1 or 2 letters.

The first number is the series number. The next two numbers is the engine displacement in liters multiplied by 10

The system of letters is as follows:

d = diesel i = fuel-injected x = all wheel drive l = long wheel base
c = coupe t = hatchback (Referred to as an Estate in countries such as
the UK)

For example, a BMW 760li is a fuel-injected 7 series with a long wheel base and 6.0 litres of displacement.

However, there are exceptions. The current BMW 328i has a 3.0 liter engine, as does the 335i (turbocharged).

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