From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bayerische
Motoren Werke AG (info)
(BMW), (English: Bavarian Motor Works) is an independent German automobile
manufacturer founded in 1913. BMW is a worldwide manufacturer of high-performance
and luxury automobiles
and motorcycles, and is the
current parent company of both the MINI and Rolls-Royce car brands.
Beginning with aircraft engines, BMW AG produced a variety of products in its
early years, eventually shifting to motorcycle production in 1923
and automobiles in 1928. Since 1928, 96% of all BMW's produced still remain on
the road today.[citation
needed] The circular blue and white "BMW logo hearkens back
to BMW's early days as a manufacturer of airplane engines. It portrays the
movement of an airplane propeller agains a clear blue Bavarian sky." [1] The BMW
roundel badge is believed to have been partially derived from the logo of its
predecessor company Rapp Motorenwerke,
while ultimately taking on the colors and checkers from the arms of Bavaria
(fusilly in bend argent and azure).[2][3] BMW's first
significant aircraft powerplant was the outstanding BMW IIIa inline-six
liquid-cooled engine of 1918, much preferred for its high-altitude performance,
and among its successful WWII engine designs were
included the BMW
132 and BMW
801 air-cooled radial engines, and the
pioneering BMW
003 axial-flow turbojet.
BMW AG bought the British Rover
Group (which at the time consisted of the Rover, Land Rover
and MG marques as well as the
rights to defunct marques including Austin and Morris) in 1994 and owned it for
six years. By 2000,
Rover was making huge losses and BMW decided to sell the combine. The MG and
Rover marques 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.
[edit] Production
Total world production in 2006 was 1,366,838 vehicles
produced in 5 countries. [4]
| Country |
Make |
Cars (2006) |
Models |
| Germany |
BMW |
905,057 |
Others |
| United Kingdom |
Mini |
187,454 |
All Minis |
|
Rolls-Royce |
67 |
All Rolls-Royce |
| Austria |
BMW |
114,306 |
BMW X3 |
| USA |
BMW |
105,172 |
BMW X5, X6, Z4 |
| South Africa |
BMW |
54,782 |
BMW 3-Series |
| Total |
|
1,366,838 |
|
[edit] Automobiles
[edit] Project i
- Further information: Mini
Project i is a special division of BMW, dedicated to
building low emission city cars
[5].
[edit] 1 Series
-
Main article: BMW 1
Series
The 1 Series was launched globally in Fall 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 and convertible went on sale in the
United States in model
year 2008 as the 128i and the 135i. 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.
[edit] 3 Series
-
Main article: BMW 3
Series
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).
The 3 series is one of BMW's most important models, as
it accounts for a majority of its worldwide sales.
|
|
|
|
BMW E46 Generation with ZHP Performance
Package |
[edit] 5 Series
-
Main article: BMW 5
Series
A mid-size executive
car. 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 sequential manual gearbox (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.
2005 5 Series with M Sport
Package |
2007 5-Series Touring with M Sport
Package |
|
E39 BMW M5 (previous
generation) |
[edit] 6 Series
-
Main article: BMW 6
Series
The 6 Series is BMW's grand
touring luxury sport coupe, based on the 5 Series' platform.
Currently available as the 650i in coupe and convertible models in the U.S., the
6 Series returned in 2004 after a 15-year absence from BMW's model lineup.
- 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 Europe, North America, South America,
Australia and South Africa.
2004 6 Series Convertible(645i) |
|
6 Series Convertible (645i) |
|
BMW 7-Series (E65, pre-update)
[edit] 7 Series
-
Main article: BMW 7
Series
BMW's 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 combustion engines, is fueled by liquid
hydrogen and emits only water vapor. Since the infrastructure for refueling a
hydrogen internal combustion 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.[citation needed]
BMW X3 (current generation)
-
BMW's second crossover SUV debuted in 2004 (called SAV or Sports
Activity Vehicle by BMW) and is based on the E46 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.
Marketed in Europe as an off-roader, it benefits from
BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system.
-
The BMW X5 (E53) is a mid-size luxury SUV (SAV) sold by
BMW since 2000. It features all-wheel drive and a line of straight-6 and V8
engines. For non-U.S. models there is a 3.0 L diesel engine.
The BMW E70
automobile platform replaced the BMW E53 as
the X5's underpinnings 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.
The current generation incorporates safety innovations
for the crossover segment, such as a unique rear framing
section to protect 3rd row occupants from injury due to an impact.
The U.S. E70 features either a 3.0si(253 hp)or a
4.8i(350 hp) powertrain. In most parts of Europe, either a 3.0d(232 hp)or a
3.0sd(282 hp) powertrain is available. It has been announced that the X5 M will
be released in 2008. It will feature the V12 engine from the 7 Series, which
will provide the car with 432 hp (322 kW). The X5 M will feature a
full body kit, new alloy wheels, and generally a revised look.
-
A crossover coupe SUV released by BMW in December
2007.
An all new version of the 550i/650i's engine is being
used in the X6 with twin turbo technology from the 135i/335i. The standard
engines 340 bhp will be increased to 410 bhp.
-
A 2-seater roadster
and coupe which succeeded the Z3. From
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 (190 kW), a
2.5si with a 2.5 I6 with 218 bhp (163 kW) or a 2.0i with a
150 bhp (112 kW) 2.0 L I4. The Z4 coupe is available only in the
high-performance 3.0si trim powered by the 3.0 L 255 hp (190 kW) I6.
The Z4 is currently built at the Spartanburg plant.
- Z4
M The new Z4 M roadster and coupe have been released with an E46 M3 motor
(3.2 L, 333 hp) and also features the M braking, suspension, and styling
characteristics.
-
-
Based on the 3
Series, the M3 defined an entirely new market for BMW: a race-ready
production vehicle. Since its debut, the M3 is heralded in enthusiast circles,
in large part due to its unique geometry and award winning engines. The newest
platform became available fall of 2007 in Europe, and second quarter of 2008 for
the U.S. in Coupe (E92), and later the Cabriolet (E93), and Sedan (E90)
variants.
-
Based on the 5
Series, the M5 is the M division's 507 hp (378 kW) V10-powered version of
the E60 5 series which accelerates to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.7
seconds.[6] The M5 was at one point the fastest
production sedan ever produced.[citation needed]
-
The M6 is the M division's version of the 6 Series. The
M6 shares its drivetrain with the M5. The V10 produces 508 hp (379 kW)
and 383lb/ft (520Nm) of Torque. The production M6 debuted at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. It is currently available in a coupe
and a convertible version. There is speculation that an M6 CSL version is to be
released in the future.
The vehicle is based on the 6 Series coupe and
convertible, which were launched in 2004.
Carbon fiber and other light materials are used in
places like the bumpers and roof that are far from the centre of gravity and/or
high up, so that they not only reduce the overall weight but improve the
handling by reducing the moment of inertia and the centre of mass height.
The previous generation was launched in 1983, but ended
in 1989 with around 5,855 sold.
-
The Z4 M is powered by the same 3.2-litre straight-six
engine featured in the BMW M3(E46), detuned slightly to fit in the Z4's smaller
engine bay. The engine’s performance figures are: 3,246 cc displacement,
333 bhp (248 kW) at 7,900 rpm, 262 lb·ft (355 N·m) of torque
at 4,900 rpm, 8,000 rpm redline.
Output per litre is 103 bhp (77 kW), and power-to-weight ratio is 9.9
lb/bhp. Acceleration to 60 mph (100 km/h) comes in 4.8 seconds and top
speed is limited electronically to 155 mph (249 km/h).
[edit] Future
- Z10/M10:
A supercar to succeed the Z8, will
likely compete with the Audi R8
and Porsche 911; in September 2007 BMW Group registered
the M10 name. It will likely have a front engine/rear wheel drive drivetrain
setup. It is also likely to feature the V10 found in the M5 and M6 models, but
producing around 550 horsepower. It is expected to weigh less than 3000
pounds.
- BMW
X1 : A sports-activity vehicle based on the BMW 1-Series to
be positioned below the X3. Likely to be built at Magna
Steyr in Austria, where X3 production will be phased out.
- BMW PAS : the BMW Progressive Activity Sedan has
been officially announced, yet it is unclear exactly what this will be
conceptually. Sources[who?] say it is based on a 7 Series
platform in a 5-seater hatchback-style car.
- BMW F01/F02 7-Series : The F01 and F02 will be
the replacement for the current 7-Series for either 2008 or 2009. The F02 is
the longer wheelbase version, which will get a more differentiated design than
before. In addition, there will be a Rolls-Royce sedan based on this platform
that will be positioned below the flagship Phantom and compete with cars such as the Bentley Continental Flying Spur.
- BMW
CS: May revive the 8-series nameplate. A four-door grand tourer/coupé to
be based on the BMW CS
Concept, competing against the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class and Porsche Panamera[7]
- BMW X5 M- A high-performance version of the current
X5, may be powered by the V10 from the M5.
[edit] Prototypes
- 1990 BMW
M8 Prototype: A high-performance version of the 8 Series coupe that was
designed to compete with Ferrari
and other exotics. It was never put into production because of the lack of a
market for such a car.
- 1999 Z9: a concept car designed by Adrian van Hooydonk that
marked a departure from BMW's traditional conservative style, causing some
controversy among BMW enthusiasts. This later on became the 6-series.
- BMW 750hL: showcased at Expo
2000 at the BMW World exhibit. A 7 Series sedan powered by a hydrogen fuel cell engine. As of March 2007, there
are as many as 100 750hL vehicles worldwide for testing & publicity
purposes.See the BMW website.
- 2001 BMW
X-Coupe
- 2007
BMW CS Concept: BMW has expressed interest in producing the vehicle
possibly under the 8 Series name.
- 2008 Concept 1 series tii: A high=performance tuned
version of the 1 Series. "tii" references the 2002tii model.
- 2008 BMW
GINA: concept based on the structure of a Z8 with a light fabric skin and
hydro-electric technology to allow the shape to change.[8]
[edit] 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. Appeared 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.
- M coupé and roadster: high-performance hard-top and
soft-top versions of the Z3.
- 8
Series: a fast, high-technology coupé of the 1990s. The upcoming BMW Gran Turismo can be seen as a revival of the
model.
- Z1: a late
1980s two-seater with innovative modular construction; only 8,000 were made.
Best known for its vertically sliding doors.
- Z8: a
roadster and halo car
with design based on the classic 507 roadster from the 1950s. Appeared 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. It was built on an aluminum space
frame design.
- BMW Z4 a
roadster coupe and convertible available with a range of engines from 2 litre
to 3 litre twin turbo and a M with a 3.2 as used in the previous M3.
[edit] 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 would switch
to the letter "F" for their future models, beginning with the F01 7 Series replacement.
2.5, 2.8, 3.0, 3.3 "New Six" sedans
- BMW E9 —
(1969–1975) 2800CS, 3.0CS, 3.0CSL "New Six" coupés
- BMW E12 —
(1974–1981) 5 Series
- BMW E21 —
(1976–1983) 3 Series
- BMW E23 —
(1977–1986) 7 Series
- BMW E24 —
(1976–1989) 6 Series
- BMW E26 —
(1978–1981) M1
- BMW E28 —
(1981–1987) 5 Series
- BMW E30 —
(1984–1991) 3 Series (1982-1983 E30 sold in Europe)
- BMW E31 —
(1989–1997) 8 Series
- BMW E32 —
(1986–1994) 7 Series
- BMW E34 —
(1988–1995) 5 Series
- BMW E36 —
(1992–1999) 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 Coupé
- BMW E38 —
(1994–2001) 7 Series
- BMW E38/2
— (1994–2001) 7 Series long wheelbase
- BMW E38/3
— (1998–2001) 7 Series Protection
- BMW E39 —
(1995–2003) 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 Coupé
- 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 coupé
- BMW
E64 — (2004–present) 6 Series convertible
- BMW
E65 — (2001–2007) 7 Series short wheelbase
- BMW
E66 — (2001–2007) 7 Series long wheelbase
- BMW
E67 — (2001–2007) 7 Series Protection
- BMW
E68 — (2005–2007) Hydrogen 7
- BMW E70 —
(2007-present) X5
- BMW E71 —
(2008) X6
- BMW E72 —
(2008) X6 Hybrid
- BMW E81 — (2007-present) 1 Series (3-door)
- BMW E82 — (2007-present) 1 Series Coupé
- BMW E82/2 — (2010) Z2
- BMW E83 —
(2004–present) X3
- BMW E84 — (2011) X1
- BMW E85 —
(2003–present) Z4
- BMW E86 —
(2006–present) Z4 Coupé
- 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 Coupé
- BMW E93 —
(2007–present) 3 Series Convertible
- BMW E99 — (2009) V5 Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS)
- 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 Coupé
- BMW F13 — (2011) 6 Series Convertible
- BMW F25 —
(2011) X3
- BMW F30 — (2012) 3 Series Sedan
Recently BMW has become concerned with the rising number
of their vehicles being imported from the United States into Canada and with the
cooperation of the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (a private contractor to the
federal Government of Canada) has placed impediments to the importation of BMW
vehicles into Canada. BMW now requires owners importing their cars into Canada
to pay a fee of $300 (CDN) for a document guaranteeing the vehicle's
admissibility into Canada and $500 (CDN) for a letter advising the Registrar of
Imported Vehicles that there are no outstanding recalls on that vehicle.
[edit] References
- ^ "Uniquely BMW," Vol. 1, 2006, BMW North
American
- ^ "BMW Roundel Celebrates 90 Years", Motorcycle.com (2007-10-12). Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
- ^ History of BMW motorcycle logo, emblems, roundel picture,
badge, enamel, cloisonne, high mileage, stick on, glue on
- ^ World Motor Vehicle Production, OICA correspondents
survey
- ^ http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=101846&topicId=104970025&docId=l:819957245
- ^ "Equipment and Technical data" (PDF). BMW AG. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
- ^ "BMW Concept CS revealed at Shanghai Motor
Show". paultan.org. Retrieved on 2007-06-23.
- ^ Greg Migliore (2008-06-10). "Future vision? BMW reveals fabric-skinned
concept after six years". www.autoweek.com.
Retrieved on 2008-06-11.
- ^ "Bimmer vs. Beemer". boston-bmwcca.org. Retrieved on 2007-06-23.
- ^ Grahl, C: “Green finishing”, page 35(4).
Industrial Paint & Powder, 2006
- ^ Bird, J and Walker, M: “BMW A Sustainable
Future? ”, page 11. Wild World 2005
- ^ BMW
Online Shop
- ^ BMWonline - 1-888-BMW-ONLINE (888-269-6654)
BMW, clothes, clothing, shirts, sweaters, polos, models, miniatures, shirt,
tee, tees, sweater, polo, model, miniature, jewelry, motorcycle, leathers,
boots, gloves
- ^ http://www.bmwplant.co.za/Content/frame_content.jsp@content=http-3a-2f-2fhaf0gau02~5.htm
- ^ http://www.bmw.in/in/en/index_narrowband.html
- ^ http://www.testdriven.co.uk/news.cfm/bmw-opens-china-factory
- ^ http://www.chinacartimes.com/category/bmw-china
Basket
) 
