BMW

BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke in German, or Bavarian Motor Works in English) is a Germany-
based company which currently produces automobiles and motorcycles, and also produced aircraft
engines until 1945.
The company was founded in 1916 and has its headquarters in Munich, Bavaria. BMW produces
motor vehicles in Germany, Brazil, China, India, South Africa and the United States. In 2015, BMW
was the world's twelfth largest producer of motor vehicles, with 2,279,503 vehicles produced.[3] The
Quandt family are long-term shareholders of the company, with the remaining stocks owned
by public float.
Automobiles are marketed under the brands BMW (with sub-brands BMW M for performance
models and BMW i for plug-in electric cars), Mini and Rolls-Royce. Motorcycles are marketed under
the brand BMW Motorrad.
The company has significant motorsport history, especially in touring cars, Formula 1, sports
cars and the Isle of Man TT.

History[edit]
Main articles: History of BMW and History of BMW motorcycles

1916—1923: Aircraft engine production[edit]

BMW IIIa aircraft engine

BMW's origins can be traced back to three separate German companies: Rapp Motorenwerke,
Bayerische Flugzeugwerke and Automobilwerk Eisenach. The history of the name itself begins
with Rapp Motorenwerke, an aircraft engine manufacturer. In April 1917, following the departure of
the founder Karl Friedrich Rapp, the company was renamed Bayerische Motoren Werke
(BMW).[4](p11). BMW's first product was the BMW IIIa aircraft engine. The IIIa engine was known for
good fuel economy and high-altitude performance.[5] The resulting orders for IIIa engines from the
German military caused rapid expansion for BMW.
After the end of World War I in 1918, BMW was forced to cease aircraft-engine production by the
terms of the Versailles Armistice Treaty.[6]To maintain in business, BMW produced farm equipment,
household items and railway brakes. In 1922, former major shareholder Camillo
Castiglioni purchased the rights to the name BMW, which led to the company descended from Rapp
Motorenwerke being renamed Süddeutsche Bremse AG (known today as Knorr-Bremse). Castiglioni
was also an investor in another aircraft company, called "Bayerische Flugzeugwerke", which he
renamed BMW. The disused factory of Bayerische Flugzeugwerke was re-opened to produce
engines for busses, trucks, farm equipment and pumps, under the brand name BMW. BMW's
corporate history considers the founding date of Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (7 March 1916) to be
the birth of the company.

1923—1939: Motorcycle and car production

BMW model 3/15PS (BMW Dixi) from 1930

As the restrictions of the Armistice Treaty began to be lifted, BMW began production of motorcycles
in 1923,[7] with the R32 model.
BMW's production of automobiles began in 1928, when the company purchased the Automobilwerk
Eisenach car company. Automobilwerk Eisenach's current model was the Dixi 3/15, a licensed copy
of the Austin 7 which had begun production in 1927. Following the takeover, the Dixi 3/15 became
the BMW 3/15, BMW's first production car.[8][9][10]
In 1932, the BMW 3/20 became the first BMW automobile designed entirely by BMW. It was
powered by a four-cylinder engine, which BMW designed based on the Austin 7 engine.
BMW's first automotive straight-six engine was released in 1933, in the BMW 303. Throughout the
1930s, BMW expanded its model range to include sedans, coupes, convertibles and sports cars.

1939—1945: World War II

BMW 801 engine

With German rearmament in the 1930s, the company again began producing aircraft engines for
the Luftwaffe. The factory in Munich made ample use of forced labour: foreign civilians, prisoners of
war and inmates of the Dachau concentration camp.[11] Among its successful World War II 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, 1944–1945–era jet-powered "emergency fighter",
the Heinkel He 162 Spatz. The BMW 003 jet engine was first tested as a prime power plant in the
first prototype of the Messerschmitt Me 262, the Me 262 V1, but in 1942 tests the BMW prototype
engines failed on takeoff with only the standby Junkers Jumo 210 nose-mounted piston engine
powering it to a safe landing.[12][13] The few Me 262 A-1b test examples built used the more developed
version of the 003 jet, recording an official top speed of 800 km/h (497 mph). The first-ever four-
engine jet aircraft ever flown were the sixth and eighth prototypes of the Arado Ar 234 jet
reconnaissance-bomber, which used BMW 003 jets for power. Through 1944 the 003's reliability
improved, making it a suitable power plant for air frame designs competing for
the Jägernotprogramm's light fighter production contract. which was won by the Heinkel He
162 Spatz design. The BMW 003 aviation turbojet was also under consideration as the basic starting
point for a pioneering turboshaft powerplant for German armored fighting vehicles in 1944–45, as
the GT 101.[14] Towards the end of the Third Reich, BMW developed some military aircraft projects
for the Luftwaffe, the BMW Strahlbomber, the BMW Schnellbomber and the BMW Strahljäger, but
none of them were built.[15][16]

1945—1959: Post-war rebuilding

BMW Isetta with a front opening door

During World War II, many BMW production facilities had been heavily bombed. BMW's facilities
in East Germany were seized by the Soviet Government and the remaining facilities were banned by
the Allies from producing motorcycles or automobiles. During this ban, BMW used basic secondhand
and salvaged equipment to make pots and pans, later expanding to other kitchen supplies and
bicycles.
In 1947, BMW was granted permission to resume motorcycle production and its first post-war
motorcycle - the R24 - was released in 1948. BMW was still forbidden from producing automobiles,
however the Bristol Aeroplane Company (BAC) was producing cars in England based on BMW's
pre-war models, using plans that BAC had taken from BMW's German offices.
Production of automobiles resumed in 1952, with the BMW 501 large sedan. Throughout the 1950s,
BMW expanded their model range with sedans, coupes, convertibles and sports cars. In 1954,
the BMW 502 was BMW's first to use a V8 engine. To provide an affordable model, BMW began
production of the Isetta micro-car (under licence from Iso) in 1955. Two years later, the four-
seat BMW 600 was based on a lengthened version of the Isetta design. In 1959, the BMW 600 was
replaced by the larger BMW 700 coupe/sedan.

1959—1968: Near bankruptcy and New Class

New Class sedan

By 1959, BMW was in debt and losing money.[17] The Isetta was selling well but with small profit
margins.[18] Their 501-based luxury sedans were not selling well enough to be profitable and were
becoming increasingly outdated.[19] Their 503 coupé and 507 roadster were too expensive to be
profitable.[19] Their 600, a four-seater based on the Isetta, was selling poorly.[20] The motorcycle
market imploded in the mid-1950s with increased affluence turning Germans away from motorcycles
and toward cars.[21] BMW had sold their Allach plant to MAN in 1954.[22] American Motors and
the Rootes Group had both tried to acquire BMW.[23]
At BMW's annual general meeting on 9 December 1959, Dr. Hans Feith, chairman of
BMW's supervisory board, proposed a merger with Daimler-Benz. The dealers and small
shareholders opposed this suggestion and rallied around a counter-proposal by Dr. Friedrich
Mathern, which gained enough support to stop the merger.[18][23] At that time, the Quandt Group, led
by half-brothers Herbert and Harald Quandt, had recently increased their holdings in BMW and had
become their largest shareholder.[23] In 1960, the development program began for a new range of
models, called the "Neue Klasse" (New Class) project. The resulting New Class four-door sedans,
introduced in 1962, are credited for saving the company financially and establishing BMW's identity
as a producer of leading sports sedans.
In 1965, the New Class range was expanded with the 2000 C and 2000 CS luxury coupes. The
range was further expanded in 1966 with the iconic BMW 02 Series compact coupes.
BMW acquired the Hans Glas company based in Dingolfing, Germany, in 1966. Glas vehicles were
briefly badged as BMW until the company was fully absorbed. It was reputed that the acquisition was
mainly to gain access to Glas' development of the timing belt with an overhead camshaft in
automotive applications,[24] although some saw Glas' Dingolfing plant as another incentive. However,
this factory was outmoded and BMW's biggest immediate gain was, according to themselves, a
stock of highly qualified engineers and other personnel.[25] The Glas factories continued to build a
limited number of their existing models, while adding the manufacture of BMW front and rear axles
until they could be closer incorporated into BMW.[26]

1968—1978: New Six, 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series

E9 3.0 CSL

In 1968, BMW began production of its first straight-six engine since World War II. This engine
coincided with the launch of the New Six large sedans (the predecessor to the 7 Series) and New
Six CS large coupes (the predecessor to the 6 Series).
The first 5 Series range of mid-size sedans were introduced in 1972, to replace the New Class
sedans. The 5 Series platform was also used for the 6 Series coupes, which were introduced in
1976. In 1975, the first model of the iconic 3 Series range of compact sedans/coupes was
introduced. The 7 Series large sedans were introduced in 1978.
1978—1989: M division

E30 M3

The 1978 BMW M1 was BMW's first mid-engined sports car and was developed in conjunction with
Lamborghini. It was also the first road car produced by BMW's motorsport division, BMW M. In 1980,
the M division produced its first model based on a regular production vehicle, the E12 M535i. The
M535i is the predecessor to the BMW M5, which was introduced in 1985 based on the E28 plaftorm.
In 1983, BMW introduced its first diesel engine, the M21. The first all-wheel drive BMW -
the E30 325iX - began production in 1985, and in 1987 the E30 was BMW's first model produced in
a wagon/estate body style.
The 1986 E32 750i was BMW's first V12 model. The E32 was also the first sedan to be available
with a long-wheelbase body style (badged "iL" or "Li").
The BMW M3 was introduced in 1985, based on the E30 platform.

1989—1994: 8 Series, hatchbacks

E31 8 Series

The 8 Series range of large coupes was introduced in 1989 and in 1992 was the first application of
BMW's first V8 engine in 25 years, the M60. It was also the first BMW to use a multi-link rear
suspension, a design which was implemented for mass-production in the 1990 E36 3 Series.
The E34 5 Series, introduced in 1988, was the first 5 Series to be produced with all-wheel drive or a
wagon body style.
In 1989, the limited-production Z1 began BMW's line of two-seat convertible Z Series models.
In 1993, the BMW 3 Series Compact was BMW's first hatchback model (except for the limited
production 02 Series "Touring" models). These hatchback models formed a new entry-level model
range below the other 3 Series models.
In 1992, BMW acquired a large stake in California-based industrial design studio DesignworksUSA,
which they fully acquired in 1995.
The 1993 McLaren F1 is powered by a BMW V12 engine.

1994—1999: Rover ownership, Z3

Z3 roadster

In 1994, BMW bought the British Rover Group[27] (which at the time consisted of the Rover, Land
Rover, Mini 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 incurring huge losses and BMW decided to sell off
several of the brands. 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.
In 1995, the E38 725tds was the first 7 Series to use a diesel engine. The E39 5 Series was also
introduced in 1995, and was the first 5 Series to use rack-and-pinion steering and a significant
number of suspension parts made from lightweight aluminium.
The BMW Z3 two-seat convertible and coupe models were introduced in 1995. These were the first
mass-produced models outside of the 1/3/5 Series and the first model to be solely manufactured
outside Germany (in the United States, in this case).
In 1998, the E46 3 Series was introduced, with the M3 model featuring BMW's most powerful
naturally aspirated engine to date.

1999—2006: SUV models, Rolls-Royce

E53 X5

BMW's first SUV, the BMW X5, was introduced in 1999. The X5 was a large departure from BMW's
image of sporting "driver's cars", however it was a very successful and resulted in other BMW X
Series being introduced. The smaller BMW X3 was released in 2003.
The 2001 E65 7 Series was BMW's first model to use a 6-speed automatic transmission.
In 2002, the Z4 two-seat coupe/convertible replaced the Z3. In 2004, the 1 Series hatchbacks
replaced the 3 Series Compact models as BMW's entry level models.
The 2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom was the first Rolls-Royce vehicle produced under BMW ownership.
This was the end result of complicated contractual negotiations that began in 1998 when Rolls-
Royce plc licensed use of the Rolls-Royce name and logo to BMW, but Vickers sold the remaining
elements of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars to Volkswagen. In addition, BMW had supplied Rolls-Royce
with engines since 1998 for use in the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph.
In 2005, BMW's first V10 engine was introduced in the E60 M5. The E60 platform is also used for
the E63/E64, which reintroduced the 6 Series models after a hiatus of 14 years.

2006—2013: Shift to turbocharged engines

F01 ActiveHybrid 7

BMW's first turbocharged petrol engine was the six-cylinder N54, which debuted in the
2006 E92 335i. In 2011, the F30 3 Series was released, with turbocharged engines being used on all
models. This shift to turbocharging and smaller engines was reflective of general automotive industry
trends. The M3 model based on the F30 platform is the first M3 to use a turbocharged engine.
BMW's first turbocharged V8 engine, the BMW N63, was introduced in 2008. Despite the trend to
downsizing, in 2008 BMW began production of its first turbocharged V12 engine, the BMW N74. In
2011, the F10 M5 became the first M5 model to use a turbocharged engine.
In 2007, the production rights for Husqvarna Motorcycles was purchased by BMW for a reported 93
million euros.
The BMW X6 SUV was introduced in 2008. The X6 attracted controversy for its unusual combination
of coupe and SUV styling cues.
In 2009, the BMW X1 compact SUV was introduced. The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo fastback
body style was also introduced in 2009, based on the 5 Series platform.
Controversial designer Chris Bangle announced his departure from BMW in February 2009, after
serving on the design team for nearly seventeen years.[28]
BMW's first hybrid-powered car, the F01 ActiveHybrid 7, was introduced in 2010.

2013—present: Electric/hybrid power

BMW released their first electric car, the BMW i3 city car, in 2013. The i3 is also the first mass-
production car to have a structure mostly made from carbon-fibre. BMW's first hybrid sportscar (and
their first mid-engined car since the M1) is called the BMW i8 and was introduced in 2014. The i8 is
also the first car to use BMW's first inline-three engine, the BMW B38.
In 2013, the BMW 4 Series replaced the coupe and convertible models of the 3 Series. Many
elements of the 4 Series remained shared with the equivalent 3 Series model. Similarly, the BMW 2
Series replaced the coupe and convertible models of the 1 Series in 2013. The 2 Series was
produced in coupe (F22), five-seat MPV (F45) and seven-seat MPV (F46) body styles. The latter two
body styles are the first front-wheel drive vehicles produced by BMW. The F48 X1 also includes
some front-wheel drive models.
The BMW X4 compact SUV was introduced in 2014.
The 2016 G11 740e and F30/F31 330e are the first plug-in hybrid versions of the 7 Series and 3
Series respectively.

Company name and logo

BMW badge on a 1931 Dixi

Flag of Bavaria

"BMW AG" is an abbreviation for the German name "Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft"
(German pronunciation: [ˈbaɪ̯ʁɪʃə mɔˈtʰɔʁn̩ ˈvɛɐ̯kə] . "Bayerische Motoren Werke" translates into English
as "Bavarian Motor Works",[29] while Aktiengesellschaft signifies it is a corporation owned by
shareholders.
The terms Beemer, Bimmer and Bee-em are commonly used slang for BMW in the English
language[30][31] and are sometimes used interchangeably for cars and motorcycles.[32][33]
In the United States, some people prescribe that "beemer" should be used specifically for
motorcycles and "bimmer" should be used for cars.[34][35][36][37][38] Some of these people claim that "true
aficionados" make this distinction[39] and those who don't are "uninitiated."[40] Usage in North
American mainstream media also varies, for example the Canadian Globe and Mail prefers Bimmer
and calls Beemer a "yuppie abomination",[41] and the Tacoma News Tribune says that it is "auto
snobs" who use the terms to distinguish between cars and motorcycles.[42]An editor of Business
Week was satisfied in 2003 that the question was resolved in favor of Bimmer by noting that a
Google search yielded 10 times as many hits compared to Beemer,[43] though googling gives very
different results today.[44]
The circular blue and white BMW logo or roundel evolved from the circular Rapp
Motorenwerke company logo, from which the BMW company grew, combined with the blue and
white colors of the flag of Bavaria.[45] The BMW logo still used today was created in 1917, albeit with
various minor styling changes.[46]
The origin of the logo is often thought to be a portrayal of the movement of an aircraft propeller with
the white blades cutting through a blue sky. However, this portrayal was first used in a BMW
advertisement in 1929 - twelve years after the logo was created - so this is not the origin of the logo
itself.[47]

Motorcycles[edit]
See also: BMW Motorrad and History of BMW motorcycles

The R32 motorcycle, the first BMW motor vehicle.

The 2015 BMW R1200RT

BMW began production of motorcycle engines and then motorcycles after World War I.[48] Its
motorcycle brand is now known as BMW Motorrad. Their first successful motorcycle after the failed
Helios and Flink, was the "R32" in 1923, though production originally began in 1921.[49] This had a
"boxer" twin engine, in which a cylinder projects into the air-flow from each side of the machine.
Apart from their single-cylinder models (basically to the same pattern), all their motorcycles used this
distinctive layout until the early 1980s. Many BMW's are still produced in this layout, which is
designated the R Series.
The entire BMW Motorcycle production has, since 1969, been located at the company's Berlin-
Spandau factory.
During the Second World War, BMW produced the BMW R75 motorcycle with a sidecar attached.
Having a unique design copied from the Zündapp KS750, its sidecar wheel was also motor-driven.
Combined with a lockable differential, this made the vehicle very capable off-road, an equivalent in
many ways to the Jeep.
In 1982, came the K Series, shaft drive but water-cooled and with either three or four cylinders
mounted in a straight line from front to back. Shortly after, BMW also started making the chain-
driven F and G series with single and parallel twin Rotax engines.
In the early 1990s, 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 1,170 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 engines
are available in the R1100S and R1200S, producing 98 and 122 hp (73 and 91 kW), respectively.
In 2004, BMW introduced the new K1200S Sports Bike which marked a departure for BMW. It had
an engine producing 167 hp (125 kW), derived from the company's work with the Williams F1 team,
and is lighter than previous K models. Innovations include electronically adjustable front and rear
suspension, and a Hossack-type front fork that BMW calls Duolever.
BMW introduced anti-lock brakes on production motorcycles starting in the late 1980s. The
generation of anti-lock brakes available on the 2006 and later BMW motorcycles pave the way for
the introduction of electronic stability control, or anti-skid technology later in the 2007 model year.
BMW has been an innovator in motorcycle suspension design, taking up telescopic front suspension
long before most other manufacturers. Then they switched to an Earles fork, front suspension by
swinging fork (1955 to 1969). Most modern BMWs are truly rear swingarm, single sided at the back
(compare with 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 significantly reduces dive under braking.
BMW Group, on 31 January 2013, announced that Pierer Industrie AG has bought Husqvarna for an
undisclosed amount, which will not be revealed by either party in the future. The company is headed
by Stephan Pierer (CEO of KTM). Pierer Industrie AG is 51% owner of KTM and 100% owner of
Husqvarna.