Exactly 100 years ago, BMW was founded. We remembered the top ten coolest Bavarian cars that made competitors stay awake at night and admirers lust.
Yaroslav Marshalkin
bmw 507
It is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful models in the history of the brand. Introduced to the public in 1955, the sports roadster was conceived as a competitor to the Mercedes-Benz 300SL and aimed at North American buyers. The desire to make the best car of its time put BMW on the brink of bankruptcy.
The double body was made of lightweight aluminum alloy, a V-shaped "eight" was placed under the hood, which allowed the owners to reach speeds of 220 km / h. A little later, the car got effective disc brakes, but this did not make the proper impression on buyers.
The high cost scared away even wealthy customers. Despite the fact that the owners of the premium BMW were the stars of the first magnitude (for example, Elvis had two 507s in the garage), in its short century this model, like many geniuses, did not receive fame "during its lifetime." But after a while it was recognized as a classic. Today it is a real rarity, for which auction visitors pay millions of dollars.
BMW M1
Another tidbit for collectors. Model sold from 1978 to 1981. BMW decided to release a mid-engine supercar (a model with a mid-engine layout) in conjunction with Lamborghini. But the cooperation did not work out, and the idea was embodied only in BMW.
The design of the prototype was developed by the legendary Paul Braque. As a result, he had a powerful influence on the DNA of the brand. It was then that the layout of the instrument panel first appeared, deployed towards the driver and became the hallmark of BMW.
The M1 was a breakthrough not only in design, but also in terms of engineering. The modest four-cylinder engine was equipped with a rare turbocharger for those times, which made it possible to squeeze out more than 270 hp from two liters. They even made a separate racing series for the M1, in which Formula stars Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet performed. Unlike the road versions, the M1 for the track was boosted to an incredible 850 hp.
BMW Nazca
The generation of 1976-1982 must remember the Turbo gummies with the corresponding image, in addition, this model is familiar to us from the game Need For Speed. However, in reality, the concept car from maestro Giurjaro was destined to remain an exhibition exhibit. The Nazca, first shown at the 1992 Tokyo Motor Show, was too bold, too complex, and too expensive to be made into a series.
For the first time, energy-absorbing bumpers were used in the car, which guaranteed collisions with obstacles without any financial consequences for the owner. In total, several unique cars were produced, one of which was intended for a member of the Arab royal family. By the way, Nazca recently showed up at a car auction, so if you have an extra million dollars, there is still a chance to put this car in your garage.
BMW M5
The first generation of the car saw the light in 1984. Since then, he, like Batman, in each new series becomes cooler and cooler. But we will remember the E34 generation from the 90s - the last M-ku, which absorbed the warmth of manual assembly. The production of subsequent generations has become automated. King of the Autobahn dressed as a civilian sedan, and for the first time in the BMW Motorsport lineup with a station wagon. Depending on the modification, the power of the M5 engine ranged from 311 to 335 hp, while a rich list of additional equipment and the possibility of a comfortable ride with the family made the model a universal machine that can take children to school and go to the track.
bmw 850
Gran Turismo class coupe, produced from 1989 to 1999, costing about 100 thousand dollars. The car competed in Europe and overseas with the Mercedes-Benz SL and Ferrari 348. The most powerful version of the 850 CSI developed 350 hp. (by the way, it was this V12 that was installed on the unique McLaren F1), equipped with advanced electronic assistance systems and adaptive suspension. Today, in the lineup, the role of a GT class coupe is performed by the 6th BMW series, and the G8 has settled in the hands of grateful fans.
BMW Z8
Henrik Fisker and Chris Bangle, who later set the direction for a good ten years, had a hand in creating the machine. The ideological successor to the famous 507 was warmly received by the public at the 1997 auto show. As a result, BMW decided to make a limited series of cars based on the show stopper, priced at $170,000 each. The Z8 easily reached an electronically limited speed of 250 km / h, but was not created for drag racing. The car looked much more organic on the sea coast or in the garage of an eastern sheikh. A logical touch, emphasizing the special status of the BMW Z8, was the role of the bondmobile in the film "The World Is Not Enough".
BMW X5
If we assume that the prim Range Rover (which belonged to the Bavarians at the time of the creation of the X5) cut a window into the luxury SUV segment, then the X5 ennobled this window and put a modern double-glazed window into it. Emphasizing the German marque's core value of driving pleasure, the X5 first became famous after setting a record at the Nürburgring race track, where testers accelerated the prototype to over 300 km/h.
But in Russia, "boomer" is firmly entrenched in the minds of the masses, being associated with the film of the same name. Fortunately, with updates, the X5 is slowly losing the halo of the calling card of the leader of the organized crime group. Today, in the authorities, judging by the scandalous news about the cortege of graduates of the FSB Academy, another German brand, a close competitor to BMW. Well, to health!
BMW 3.0 CSL
Despite the fact that this is not a production model, we included it in the top ten most beautiful BMWs. The successor to the glorious sporty family, originating from the 1968 3.0 CS coupe, which at one time competed with the Porsche 911.
The automotive industry has always suffered from the fact that the relationship between manufacturers was very difficult to understand. After the global financial crisis thoroughly crippled it in almost all countries, European and American auto giants began to frantically resell their brands. In this confusion, it became unclear who is now responsible for the famous brands. Online812 has traced the complex history of relationships between major automotive brands.Few manage to maintain their independence in a competitive market. Basically, these are the largest brands that are still in the hands of the families of their founders. For example, the Peugeot Citroen automaker is still 30.3% (45.1% of voting shares) owned by the Peugeot family. The shares are also owned by employees of the concern (2.76%), there are also treasury shares (3.07%). The remaining shares are in free float.
By the way, Peugeot SA acquired a 38.2% stake in Citroën back in 1974, and two years later brought this share to 89.95%. So today, Peugeot almost completely controls the formerly independent Citroen.
The Bavarian concern BMW, which in 1959 actually single-handedly saved Herbert Quandt from the sale, still depends on his family. At the end of the 1950s, the rival company Daimler-Benz became interested in the unprofitable German brand, but Quandt did not sell it, and invested himself. Today, his widow Joanna Quandt and children Stefan and Susanna control 46.6% of BMW shares and live quite well. Stefan Quandt even served as vice chairman of the company's board for some time. Despite the fact that Ford, General Motors, Volkswagen, Honda and Fiat offered very lucrative deals at various times, Quandt's heirs refuse to sell, as they consider keeping the brand a matter of honor for the family.
Ford Motor is run by William Ford Jr., great-grandson of the famous Henry Ford. Henry Ford himself always dreamed of being the sole owner of the company. In 1919, Henry and his son Edsel bought out the company's shares from other shareholders and became the sole owners of their offspring. There is no doubt that the shares were sold to them without any problems, because the first shareholders were: a coal merchant, his accountant, a banker who trusted the coal merchant, two brothers who had an engine workshop, a carpenter, two lawyers, one clerk , owner of a haberdashery and a man who produced wind turbines and air rifles.
Later, the business was always inherited. So the father of the current director, leaving the board of directors, handed over the reins of government to his son, while remaining the largest shareholder. In January 1956, the Ford Motor Company again became a public company. In the 21st century, the company has about 700,000 shareholders. At the same time, the Ford family owns 40% of the voting shares, which determines the main policy of the company, and the remaining shares are in free float.
A little earlier than others, in 2007, Ford experienced a serious crisis. He lost $12.7 billion in a year. The Ford family tried to overcome the situation, and was even forced to sell the family estate and move to a smaller estate. Nevertheless, in order to somehow get out of the debt hole, the concern had to sell Aston Martin (which was 100% owned by Ford) to a consortium of investors for $925 million. Until 2008, under the pressure of Japanese competitors, the situation only worsened. Shareholders began to get rid of Ford shares. So did one of the largest investors, billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, who reduced his stake in the company to 4.89% (107 million shares).
Until recently, Ford boasted two more British brands - Jaguar (Ford bought Jaguar for $2.5 billion in 1989) and Land Rover (in 2000 it was bought by Ford for $2.75 billion). dollars from BMW). In 2008, both brands were put up for sale due to huge debts. In June 2008 they were bought by the Indian Tata Motors.
In March 2010, Swedish auto giant Volvo reached an agreement with China's Zhejiang Geely to sell Volvo Cars for $1.8 billion. In August of this year, Ford, as the former owner of Volvo, received $1.3 billion in cash and $200 million in credit notes from Geely. By the end of the year, the Chinese will also transfer another $300 million to Ford's accounts.
Today, in addition to cars with its own name, Ford Motor owns the Lincoln and Mercury brands. Ford also owns a 33.4% stake in Mazda and a 9.4% stake in Kia Motors Corporation.
German Porsche is owned by the Porsche and Piech families, the heirs of company founder Ferdinand Porsche and his sister Louise Piech. The family clan owns shares of the company, giving the right to make key decisions, and a small part of the preferred shares listed on the German stock exchanges. By the way, the cunning family has a very significant impact on the German car market. So, for example, Ferdinand Piech (grandson of Ferdinand Porsche), from 1993 to 2002 headed Volkswagen.
In 2009, the family concern acquired its first major foreign shareholder. It was the Qatari emirate, which bought out 10% of the holding's shares.
By the way, Volkswagen itself is actually owned by Porsche, and vice versa - since 2009, Volkswagen has owned 49.9% of the shares of Porsche AG.
Initially, Volkswagen was a state-owned automaker. It was reorganized into a joint-stock company only in 1960, and the federal government of Germany and the government of Lower Saxony each received 20% of the shares in its capital. For 2009, the main shareholders of the concern were: 22.5% - Porsche Automobil Holding SE, 14.8% - Lower Saxony, 30.9% - private shareholders, 25.6% - Foreign investment institutions, 6.2% - German investment institutions. In August 2009, Porsche SE and the Volkswagen Group reached an agreement whereby Volkswagen and Porsche AG would be definitively merged by 2011.
In addition to its own production, the divisions of the Volkswagen Group are currently: Audi (acquired from Daimler-Benz in 1964), Seat (since 1990, the Volkswagen Group owns 99.99% of the shares), Škoda, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini (the company was acquired by subsidiary of Audi in 1998).
Hyundai Motor "raised from its knees" a single person - Chung Mong Koo, the eldest son of the founder of the Hyundai industrial group. In the late 90s, he seriously took up the quality of cars. For some 6 years, the Korean was able to increase sales in the US market by 360% and take fourth place among imported brands.
Today, 4.56% of Hyundai's shares are owned by the National Pension Service of South Korea, which hates Chung, and every time in every possible way prevents him from being re-elected. In principle, their doubts are understandable - in 2007, 72-year-old Chung was sentenced to three years in prison for embezzling 90 billion won ($77 million) through fraudulent schemes. An appeals court later suspended this sentence and transferred Chung to community service, but his reputation was irretrievably lost. In 2010, the Seoul District Court still ordered the ex-chairman of the board of directors to pay compensation in the amount of 70 billion won (about $60 million) for business decisions he made that were unfavorable for Hyundai.
Kia Motors is currently the second largest South Korean manufacturer and the seventh largest in the world. It is part of the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, and is mostly owned by Hyundai Motor Co. (38.67% of shares), Ford Motor (9.4%), Credit Suisse Financial (8.23%), employees (7.14%), Hyundai Capital (1.26%).
Another major Asian manufacturer, Suzuki Motor Corporation, has only 16.9% of shares on its own balance sheet. The rest are owned by: Millea Holdings - 3.86%, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group - 3.28%, General Motors - 3%, another 16.24% of the shares are in free float. In January of this year, Volkswagen AG joined the largest shareholder of Suzuki Motor, which bought out 19.9% of the shares for 222.5 billion yen ($2.5 billion). In the deal, Suzuki was entitled to half of that amount to acquire shares in the German corporation.
Concern "Reno" over the past 60 years is gradually getting out of state control. Until 1945, Renault was 100% privately owned. However, during the war, the company's factories were destroyed, and Louis Renault himself was accused of collaborating with the Nazis and convicted. A major businessman died in prison, and his company was successfully nationalized. However, over the years, the state share began to decline. And if in 1996 Renault was state-owned by more than half, then in 2005 it already owned only 15.7% of the shares. In 1999, Renault and Nissan entered into perhaps the most enduring automotive alliance. Nissan is 44.4% owned by the French manufacturer, and Renault, in turn, gave 15% of the shares to the Japanese.
The fifth largest automobile concern, DaimlerChrysler, was very fond of the Arabs. The owner of the top brands Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG and Smart, has the Arab investment fund Aabar Investments (9.1%) as the main shareholder, the government of Kuwait owns 7.2% of the shares, and about 2% belongs to the emirate of Dubai. Next to such brands, it is surprising to see our KAMAZ, a 10% stake in which Daimler acquired in 2008. The German automaker paid $250 million immediately for KAMAZ shares and left $50 million until 2012. As a result of the deal, Daimler received one seat on the board of directors of KAMAZ. In February of this year, the concern bought another 1% stake in the truck manufacturer.
By the way, DaimlerChrysler owns a large block of shares in other companies: 85.0% of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus, 50.1% - Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation, 19.9% Chrysler Holding LLC (in 2007, 80.1% of the division's shares were sold for $7.4 billion to private investment fund Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.), 10.0% Tesla Motors, 7.0% Tata Motors Ltd.
The Japanese Toyota Motor Corp., whose president is the grandson of the founder of the company Akio Toyoda, is 6.29% owned by The Master Trust Bank of Japan, 6.29% by Japan Trustee Services Bank, 5.81% by Toyota Industries Corporation, 9% are treasury shares.
General Motors, which has long occupied a leading position in the automotive market, today is controlled by the state (61% of the shares). Its main shareholders are: the Government of Canada (12%), the United Auto Workers Union of the USA (17.5%). The remaining 10.5% of the shares were divided among the largest creditors.
The famous automaker still owns the Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, Cadillac and Opel brands. More recently, he also owned a controlling stake in the Swedish company Saab (50%), but after the crisis, in January 2010, he sold the company to the Dutch sports car manufacturer Spyker Cars.
In the summer of 2008, General Motors decided to sell the Hummer brand, and for almost a year tried to sell it to the Chinese, then Russians, then Indians. As a result, the only promising deal with the Chinese Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co fell through, and on May 26, 2010, the last SUV of the brand rolled off the assembly line of the General Motors plant in the US city of Shreveport.
In addition, General Motors was a major shareholder in several companies. For example, until recently, he had 20% of the shares of Japanese companies Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru cars) and Suzuki Motor Corporation, as well as 12% of Isuzu Motors.
Today, BMW is a modern, dignified and popular vehicle manufacturer. However, the history of the BMW company clearly reflects its path, passed in order to gain the trust and respect of its fans.
Currently, the BMW logo adorns cars, motorcycles, bicycles, engines of the best quality. The company's turnover is about 170 billion euros per year, of which about 9 billion is net profit. Major subsidiaries of the brand specialize in the production of small cars, luxury cars and electric vehicles.
Company `s logo
Geographically, the head office of the company is located in Germany, in the city of Munich. Production facilities are located both in some cities in Germany and in other countries. BMW cars have been successfully competing with Mercedes Benz products for many years. Originally founded for the production of aircraft engines, the company has firmly entered the automotive industry and is one of the flagships in this industry.
Company head office
How it all began
The history of the company's creation began with the fact that in 1916 Karl Friedrich Rapp registered his company for the production of aircraft engines. The headquarters of the future leader of the automotive industry is located in Munich, pursuing certain goals - to be closer to the production facilities for the production of aircraft owned by Gustav Otto, a friend and later companion of Rapp.
Carl Friedrich Rapp, company founder
Almost immediately, the newly created enterprise was lucky in the form of a lucrative contract for the production of engines for Austro-Hungarian aircraft. Along the way, there was also a difficulty - a lack of finance. To solve the latter problem, the company was able to expand by hiring co-founders who provided cash flow. Unfortunately, such an expansion brought a series of setbacks that led to the departure of the founder of the company. The reins of government passed to Franz Joseph Popp, thanks to whom, since 1918, history has continued as a BMW company.
During the historical events of that time, after the conclusion of the Versailles Peace Treaty, the production of aircraft in Germany became impossible - it was prohibited, and the history of the company turned in a different direction - the manufacture of brake systems for trains and trains.
But for a short time, the BMW brand had a connection with railway transport - already in 1923, the first motorcycle was produced under this brand. BMW motorcycles immediately captivated the public with their level - the cars were well thought out, ideal for racing use and spectacular in appearance.
Having made an excellent impression on buyers with motorcycles, the founders of the company did not stop at this achievement and in 1928 the first production facilities for the production of automobiles were acquired. Since that time, along with motorcycles, the first car has received the right to life.
Automotive history
The history of BMW cars began with small cars. At that time (and this is the 20-30s of the XX century), small cars were at the peak of popularity due to their fuel economy, maneuverability and ease of control. So, the first developed and produced BMW car was the Dixi 3/15 PS. It had only 20 horsepower, but a number of its advantages were complemented by the ability to reach speeds of up to 80 km / h, a four-cylinder engine and impeccable workmanship. This model was largely copied from the famous English brand, so in 1933 the model range was replenished with a small-capacity in-house design: the BMW 303.
303
A small engine capacity was comfortably combined in it with a relatively light body and not a bad power of 30 horsepower. It was already a real representative of the brand, with a characteristic appearance of the radiator grille in our time.
In 1936-1937, the BMW 321 and 327 were produced - cars of full overall dimensions, with a two-liter engine. Beautiful, high quality and very affordable. Thus, the history of BMW, as a brand that guarantees the highest quality of products, began in 1927 and continues today.
Post-war recovery
The forced break in the automotive industry due to hostilities and their consequences also affected BMW. Factories located in Germany were not able to produce cars and motorcycles. Permission to manufacture them was obtained only in 1948.
The first BMW 501 produced after the war was notoriously unsuccessful. Firstly, while work was underway to develop it and obtain permits for release, the machine was already morally and physically outdated - the engine did not have good power, and the appearance did not attract buyers. Secondly, the price of the 501 was too high for post-war Germany, a fact that has never boosted sales.
501
Swallowing failure, the Bavarians set to work, which brought great results. In 1954, the release of the 502 took place, which, outwardly, seemed to be one of the versions of the 501, but had a clear advantage - an all-aluminum V8 engine. Prior to this, the history of automotive engines has never known such a motor.
502
A good profit was provided by the mass production of a new model manufactured under an Italian license - BMW Isetta. This is a small machine with one door and a motorcycle engine. Such little ones were very popular; they were collected more than sixteen thousand copies.
Isetta
Hard times
In the mid-50s of the twentieth century, the history of the company's development was marked by the development and release of two chic BMW models: the 503 and 507 Roadster. The first was immediately noticed at the motor show in 1955 due to the original body structure called hartop.
507 roadster
A powerful engine and the ability to reach speeds of almost two hundred kilometers per hour are guaranteed to make this model the main participant in the show in Frankfurt. The 507th BMW immediately after the release was recognized as one of the most beautiful cars in the world. It combined a 3.2-liter engine with an elegant body design designed by Count Albrecht Hertz. By the way, one of these roadsters became famous after being bought by Elvis Presley.
Unfortunately, although these BMW cars were created stylish and of high quality, they also had a very expensive cost, which could not but affect the financial condition of the company. Motorcycle production remained at an average level, expensive sedans were bought little, and small cars were no longer in such demand as they used to be. The history of the BMW brand is again faced with the possibility of a premature end.
Renaissance
In December 1959, a possible sale of the company was announced. The crisis was helped to resolve the 700 model. It was decorated with a Michelotti body, and the functionality was provided by an engine of 700 cubic meters and a power of 30 horsepower. A feature of this model is the location of the motor at the rear. The 700 was well received by the public and orders poured in one after another.
700
Having experienced a slight upsurge, the brand already in 1962 not only got on its feet confidently, but also gained fame, known to this day. BMW 1500 - it was this model that brought worldwide fame to the Bavarian company. Rear-wheel drive, with a recognizable body deflection and grille, it was equipped with a four-cylinder engine - so excellent in every respect that even Soviet engineers paid tribute to it, copying it for their creation - Moskvich.
1500
In the 1960s, the history of BMW rapidly developed the direction of sedans and coupes with a spectacular appearance and attractive technical characteristics. 1962 was the year of the release of the BMW 3200 CS with a Bertone body, 1965 was marked by the production of the first car with automatic transmission - it was the BMW 2000 coupe.
3200CS
The power of a car is growing rapidly every year, already in 1968 a car of this brand overcame the bar of 200 km / h. We are talking about the BMW 2800 CS.
Rapid development
This period fell on 70-90 years of the last century. The BMW 3.0 C SL is a legendary racing model capable of reaching speeds of up to 220 km / h, with an improved engine and a novelty of those times - ABS brakes.
The BMW 2000 Turbo is the pioneer of serial production of turbocharged cars.
BMW 3er - with this model, the production of the third series of bodies began. Here, a new generation engine with a cooling fan was presented, and the chassis was improved.
The BMW 6er is a sport class coupe with stunning looks and a reliable Big Six engine. In this series, the models have undergone many changes. Already by 1989, they had a sunroof, a leather interior in body color, a computer, disc brakes, and air conditioning.
The BMW 7er is a luxury sedan body. Quite a few models were released in this series. 728, 730 and 733i are among the first to have Chek-control, flow indicators and a ZF automatic in their arsenal.
733i
Subsequent models were more advanced, including turbocharging, full power accessories and leather interiors. In 1986, it was the BMW "seven" that was first equipped with a twelve-cylinder engine.
Luxurious, reliable, expensive
Observing the changes in modifications of cars bearing BMW emblems, we can say with confidence that every year the equipment of cars is becoming more and more luxurious, able to provide for the slightest needs of users, providing complete comfort and convenience in any situation.
BMW cars continue to be produced in sedans and coupes, and already in 1998, the third series model was released, which is presented both in a sedan, and in a station wagon, and in a hatchback. And 1999 was the year of birth, one might say, of the already legendary X5 crossover.
X5
The main feature of this model is equally good off-road and autobahn adaptability - so far no one has managed to combine these qualities in their offspring. She made a real sensation among motorists and became a bestseller for many years.
In 2001, the history of BMW models made another steep turn, presenting its creation from the 7er line - E65, which differs from all previously made ones by a radically new approach to controlling the mechanism. For her, the i-Drive system was developed, which allows coordinating up to 700 parameters, a six-speed automatic transmission and a servo brake.
E65
Analyzing the history of the entire BMW lineup, the principle of success of this company becomes clear. Here, the priority is intellectual technical developments, the implementation of the most daring ideas, customer focus in detail, as well as the foresight of shareholders and the correct monitoring of market demand.
History of motorcycle construction
Despite the clear priority in the automotive industry, motorcycles were, are and will be in demand. This type of transport has its own advantages, its own market and range.
The very first motorcycle in the history of the company was created by engineer Max Friz, embodying a radically new idea for the structure of this vehicle. His idea was unusual for 1922 and consisted in the possibility of installing the engine not along, but across the longitudinal axis of the motorcycle.
First motorcycle
The development led to the release of the innovative R32. It was presented at the famous motor show in 1923 and received loud publicity and rapidly growing popularity, despite the rather high cost.
Having widely presented its new product both in the form of urban transport and in the form of racing, the company began to improve the first model. Within ten years, motorcycles bearing BMW emblems have undergone significant changes. The tubular frames have been replaced by pressed metal bases, the engine displacement reaches 750 "cubes", the front wheel fork is equipped with shock absorption. The R12 and R17 models produced in 1935 looked similar.
R17
The world-wide fame of BMW as a manufacturer of motorcycles was brought by racing. It is by constantly setting new speed records that the German brand's motor vehicles have become incredibly popular not only in their own country, but also abroad. A well-known victory for the BMW brand was brought in 1939 by the racing driver George Mayer, who created a unique compressor that combines the lightness of a car and a high speed limit.
The Second World War also served as an excellent advertisement for the brand. Concerned about providing troops with equipment, the authorities gave preference to BMWs, given their previous merits in terms of speed and ease of operation and maintenance. Some models were created directly for military purposes, such as the R 75, which received a lot of positive feedback and awards from military leaders in different countries.
R75
After the war, the company set itself a more urgent goal for peacetime - ensuring the comfort of the driver and passengers of motorcycles. In 1951, the R51/3 was released with an improved Boxer engine and a smoother ride.
Over time, the manufacturer will continue to work on bringing the configuration and characteristics of their motorcycles. In the 60s, the fashion for this type of transport, both for movement and for sports, will spread throughout Europe and even America.
Motorcycles are becoming profitable to produce in series. Comfortable and reliable BMW models are widely used and world famous. The new R75/5 with 750cc engine not only excels in speed, but also in ease of handling, design and quality components.
In 1973, a jubilee, 500,000 copy of the motorcycle, the R 90 S, was released. Its distinctive features are a streamlined shape and an increased engine capacity. Soon it was supplemented by an even more updated R 100 RS. The production of motorcycles has become (and still remains) in demand.
R 100 RS
1980 was a significant year in the field of motorcycle production at BMW factories. For the R 80 G/S, a single rear wheel swingarm was developed, a design that allowed the car to tackle off-road conditions without sacrificing speed.
Further developments made it possible to equip the K100 with electronic fuel injection and provide it with 90 horsepower. Also in 1993, another novelty conquered women's hearts - the F650 single-cylinder bearer of the blue and white brand badge.
The heyday of the production of motor vehicles fell on the 90s of the last century. In 1996, the company suspends the production of three-cylinder models (K75) and switches to four-cylinder - 1200 RS with an engine of 1171 cubic centimeters and a power of 130 horsepower. Perfectly tuned suspension and drive make the new product a sales star, it is popular both for tourism and for traveling around cities and autobahns.
Currently, motorcycles are presented in a huge assortment, there are also touring models that pass on any road or even in its absence, high-speed sports bikes that can satisfy the most sophisticated drivers, and, of course, classic city riding options - elegant or extravagant.
BMW motorcycles are constantly being improved, their quality has long been confirmed by years of successful operation, reliable design and the authority of this brand.
History of engines
BMW was originally formed as an engine company, and it is not so important that the engines were planned to be produced for the aircraft industry! Be that as it may, when establishing production, the founders relied on the quality of this particular part of the machines - the company has always designed, assembled and improved engines for its cars and motorcycles on its own, achieving stable operation and maximum performance.
Produced at the very beginning, the engines were mainly for military purposes and were made to order for the German army. But after the end of World War II and the conclusion of the Treaty of Versailles, which prohibited the production of military equipment, the plant had to direct its activities in a slightly different direction.
The first engines produced by the company were the primitive M10-M50, this was the first generation of engines that did not yet have special requirements, their repair was frequent and how simple, which at times was carried out independently by the owners of the cars.
Engines improved over time had an intake valve timing control mechanism - VANOS. They can already be attributed to the new generation of motors. Here, the wear resistance of the engine is significantly increased and environmental parameters of operation are taken into account.
The next step is the thermostat, which opens at 97 degrees, this made it possible to perfectly adapt the motor for driving in urban conditions. In such engines there is a function of complete combustion of fuel. Such engines (and these are M54, M52TU) work with an electronic gas pedal, the sensitivity of which is increased tenfold. This device is very whimsical to the choice of brand of fuel. The quality of the product being poured directly affects its proper operation and service life.
Sport in BMW history
Releasing such a huge variety of models of cars and motorcycles, the history of BMW could not ignore such a popular field of application of technology as sports. Often it was sports models that brought popularity to the brand and ensured sales growth!
The first BMW sports car was made in 1936 and instantly made a splash in the world of motorsport. It was a BMW 328, its design ideally combined light weight of the car and good power with an engine capacity of only two liters. In subsequent years, based on this model, other, faster ones were also released.
First sports car
The shareholders of the company, seeing a successful trend in the development of production in the sports direction, in 1972 created a subsidiary - BMW Motorsport GmbH. It was designed specifically for the development, production and refinement of racing models.
In 1973, the BMW 3.0 CSL received dizzying fame after participating in circuit races. This model also had a corresponding racing look - trunk spoilers, enlarged wings, and besides this - a lot of advantages in technical equipment. The first turbocharged variant, the BMW 2002 turbo, had a similar career, and a unique engine was developed for it, adapted specifically for the race track.
It was at this time that BMW confidently became a leader in the sports series, releasing racing news with light weight and high power. Both automobiles and motorcycles are produced in this area. In the automotive industry, the CSL series continues to develop, a six-cylinder engine, an ABS brake system, and a body made of special lightweight alloys appear.
BMW motorcycles are developing very rapidly in the racing business - the main focus of the company's designers is in this direction. Engines for racing cars are being developed. The acclaimed Boxer series of motorcycles has undergone many improvements, including special racing engines, wheel dampers and off-road capability. In particular, it was on a BMW motorcycle (it was R 90 S) in 1976 that the Superbike Championship in America was held.
R90S
All these successes led to the opening in 1988 of the special production facilities of BMW Motorsport GmbH in Munich.
For more than 50 years, there has been a separate racing program from BMW Motorsport, which provides for the production and sale of cars for racing sports.
origin of name
The name BMW logically comes from the original purpose of the company: Bayerische Motoren Werke, namely the "Bavarian Motor Works". The history of the brand began shortly before the First World War, when this enterprise for the production of aircraft engines was created.
Officially, this happened in Munich on July 20, 1917 - from this date the history of BMW begins. The founders of the Bavarian motor factories were Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto - having opened their two small companies, they subsequently merged them into one, which just became the world-famous BMW.
Creation of a logo
No less interesting is the history of the brand logo. Known to every modern person, the blue and white BMW emblems were developed at the very beginning of the founding of the enterprise and symbolized the white propeller of an airplane against a blue sky background.
The creation of the logo was directly influenced by the history of the creation of this brand. Since the company was founded as the Bavarian Motor Works and produced aircraft engines. It is quite natural that the history of the logo began with the design in the sky style.
First emblem
The very first version in the history of the emblem, approved in 1917, depicted the propeller of a flying aircraft. The idea was great, but the execution of such a logo turned out to be complicated and visually the details were small. In a small badge, it was not at all clear what exactly was depicted on it. Therefore, in 1920, the shareholders of the company decided to improve it.
Logo evolution
The image of the propeller was simplified to the form that is known in our time: blue and white diamonds. The white quarters of the circle symbolize the propeller of the engine, the blue ones are the sky background. Such an image is doubly relevant, since it is in white and blue colors that the flag and coat of arms of Bavaria go.
The history of the BMW mark is simple and uncomplicated, and the logo of this brand is known all over the world and is recognizable at first sight.
A look into the future
A company that has survived more than one crisis, has made many technical discoveries and the right marketing moves, and is firmly on its feet, is simply doomed to a successful career. Celebrating its centenary, BMW set itself the goal of "The Next 100 Years".
Market research and customer needs are currently being researched. A careful analysis of the data will lead to the development and production of the latest types of machines, taking into account modern digital technologies. Active development includes additive technologies and total process automation, digital intelligence, the possibility of robotic vehicle control and other innovations.
BMW also pays special attention to environmental protection; it was the first in the world to introduce requirements for compliance with environmental standards for its production facilities. In the future, it is planned to focus on this problem, taking into account new types of fuel, electric vehicles and similar measures.
BMW has been, is and will remain one of the leaders in the global automotive industry. Quality, exterior, technical data and ease of operation, which invariably accompany absolutely all products of this brand, have been speaking for themselves for more than a hundred years.
BMW company(Bayerischе Motor Werke AG) appeared in 1913 on the outskirts of Munich, as a result of the merger of two mini-companies founded by Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto. The second is the son of the famous inventor of the ICE (internal combustion engine), Nikolaus August Otto.
At the beginning of World War I, BMW received many orders for the production of aircraft engines, after which the founders decide to reunite into one aircraft engine company. After that, an aircraft engine plant appeared in Munich, registered in 1917 under the name - Bayerische Motoren Werke ("Bavarian Motor Works"), that is, in the abbreviation - BMW. A little later, this date was called the date of birth of the BMW company, and Carla and Gustava were called its founders.
Today there is quite a lot of controversy regarding the date of the founding of BMW, automotive historians are constantly arguing about this and cannot come to a consensus. All due to the fact that the official registration of the company is dated July 20, 1917, but long before this date, organizations successfully existed in the same city that also produced engines for aircraft engines. So, in order to find out the true origin of the "roots" of the Bavarian BMW brand, you need to teleport to the last century. The involvement of the current BMW in production was first noticed on December 3, 1886, in the city of Eisenach, where from 1928 to 1939. was the headquarters of the company.
Wartburg
The name for the first car called "Wartburg" was one of the local attractions, the car saw the world in 1898. The appearance was driven by a range of 3 as well as 4 wheel concepts. The first Wartburgs were a car with a 3.5-horsepower 0.5-liter engine, the body was primitive without the slightest hint of front or rear suspension. This primitive car served as an impetus for the creation of a more advanced model, which appeared a year after the first Wartburg. The successor could accelerate to an incredible 60 km / h at that time, and already in 1902 the Wartburg was born, equipped with a 3.1-liter engine and a 5-speed transmission, which turned out to be enough to win the car competitions in Frankfurt.
Max Fritz, who previously worked at the Daimler plant, became the chief designer of the Bayerische Motoren Werke. Under Fritz, the BMW IIIa aircraft engine was born, which successfully passed bench tests in 1917. After the test, the aircraft aggregated with this engine set a world record by climbing to a height of 9760 m.
It was this event that became the impetus for the appearance of the BMW emblem - a circle divided by two blue and two white sectors, personifying a spinning propeller that spins uncontrollably against the sky.
After the First World War, the BMW company was on the verge of collapse, according to the Versailles Treaty, the production of engines for aircraft was forbidden to the Germans, and the engines, as you understand, were the only type of product that BMW produced. However, the enterprising Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto were smart enough to get out of this situation, and they decide to convert the plant to the production of motorcycle engines first, and after a while the motorcycles themselves. So in 1923 the first BMW R32 motorcycle rolled off the assembly line, which in the same year won public recognition and a reputation as a reliable and fast motorcycle at the Paris Motor Show. Over time, this sympathy was confirmed by absolute speed records in motorcycle races held in the 20s and 30s.
The beginning of the 20s was marked by a new era for BMW, two influential businessmen appeared in its history - Shapiro and Gotaera, who later became its owners, pulling it out of the crisis and getting rid of debts. The main reason why the company was going through difficult times was the lack of its own automotive production. A way out was found by Shapiro, who had connections with influential English car manufacturers in essence - Herbert Austin. Shapiiro agreed on joint cooperation and mass production of "Austin" at the plant in Eisenach. Serial production in those days was a rather rare phenomenon, only Daimler-Benz could afford it.
The first "hundred" thoroughbred "Austins", which enjoyed incredible popularity in Britain, were "right-hand drive", which was a rather outlandish phenomenon for the Germans. A little later, the car was tailored to "local" preferences and produced under the name "Dixie", which by 1928 rolled off the assembly line about 15,000. In 1925, Shapiro became seriously interested in the production of his own cars, which would be built according to an individual design, after which he began to negotiate with the designer-designer - Wunibald Kamm. The negotiations were successful and the designer accepted the invitation to participate in the development of a new car, thus inscribing his name in the history of a world-famous company. For several years in a row, Kamm has been developing units and new powertrains for BMW.
The premiere of the first thoroughbred "BMW" took place on April 1, 1932, which, after several years of existence, won public recognition. The model itself has become - the result of experience gained while working with "Dixie", as well as the embodiment of their own ideas and developments. Under the hood of the new car is a 20-horsepower engine capable of accelerating the car up to 80 km/h. The role of the transmission was performed by a mechanical "four-step", which was not equipped with any model until 1934.
Before the outbreak of World War II, BMW became one of the fastest growing companies in the world specializing in the production of sports equipment. Among the records of the company: the record of Wolfgang von Gronau, who traveled across the North Atlantic from east to west in an open Dornier Wal seaplane equipped with a BMW engine, as well as the record of Ernst Henne, who set a world speed record for motorcycles on a R12 motorcycle with cardan drive equal - 279.5 km / h. The last record was broken only 14 years later, before that no one had been able to achieve such results.
In 1933, the production of the 303 model starts - which became the first BMW car with 6 cylinders, its debut took place at the auto show in Berlin, and became a real sensation. An in-line six-cylinder engine with a volume of 1.2 liters allowed the car to reach a speed of 90 km / h. Subsequently, it formed the basis of many BMW sports projects. In addition, the unit was installed for the first time on the new "303" model, which for the first time was equipped with a branded radiator grille in the form of two oblong ovals. bmw-303- was designed at the factory in Eisenach and was distinguished by: a tubular frame, excellent handling, independent front suspension, and remarkable dynamics.
The result of the two-year production of the BMW 303 was 2300 cars, after which new cars appeared, which already featured more powerful engines with different designations - "309" and "315". From these models, the logical system for designating BMW models actually went. For example, the number "3" is the series, and 09 is the engine size (0.9). By the way, the system is still in use today.
The most striking and remarkable models of that time were "BMW-319" and "BMW-329", which were more sporty than just everyday, their "maximum speed" was about - 130 km / h.
In 1936, the BMW 326 is shown to the public, it looks simply gorgeous, and the public immediately falls in love with this novelty. The premiere of the model took place at the Berlin Motor Show, the design could hardly be called sporty, it was rather made in the style of that time and taking into account all the trends in the auto world. A chic interior, an open top, a lot of innovations and improvements made this car an object of desire, after which it could already boldly compete with Mercedes-Benz models.
The BMW-326 model had a weight of 1125 kg, while it had a maximum speed of 115 km / h. and consumed a hundred km. path of 12.5 liters of fuel, thanks to these characteristics and its attractive appearance, the car has become one of the company's bestsellers. The BMW 326 was taken out of production in 1941, with a production volume of almost 16,000 at that time, which made the BMW 326 the best pre-war model.
1936 was for BMW the year of the appearance of the famous "BMW-328" - which became one of the most successful sports cars of the company. After the appearance of the "326" BMW's ideology was defined, the concept: "Auto for the driver" is still relevant today. As for the main competitor, Mercedes-Benz, it pursues a goal called: "Auto for passengers." Each of the companies is true to its ideologies and has been rigorously following them for several hundred years.
Over the years of its existence, the BMW 328 has become a multiple winner of various rallies and circuit races, surpassing its competitors in all respects. Under the hood of the car was a six-cylinder engine capable of accelerating to 150 km / h.
With the outbreak of the war, the production of cars was suspended, and aircraft engines again became priorities. The Second World War was a turning point for most German automakers, and BMW was no exception. The Milbertshofen plant was completely bombed by the liberators, and the enterprise, which was located in Eisenach, now belonged to the Russians. Part of the equipment was confiscated by Russia as repatriations, the rest of the equipment was used for the production of BMW-321 and bmw-340, followed by shipment to the USSR.
The factories in Munich remained almost untouched, around which BMW shareholders concentrated their main forces, with the support of the German National Bank, which helped the company bring the sports BMW-328 back to life. From 1948 to 1953, BMW produced new sports cars based on it.
In 1951, the First Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Konrad Adenauer, was shown the newly minted BMW "State Sedan", which was based on the 501 platform.
BMW was going through hard times, but despite this, in 1951 it demonstrates a prototype of a new car - the BMW-501. The main differences of the model were: drum brakes, a large four-door body (sedan) and a new power unit with a capacity of 65 "horses" with a volume of 1.97 liters. The car was perceived in two ways, the surprise was caused by the financial inability of the company to ensure the serial production of the BMW-501 model, but despite this, in 1952, 49 copies left the assembly line. Two years later, the number reached 3410 units, the buyers were mostly true fans of the BMW brand.
After some time, BMW began to think more and more about the lack of engines, weak, low-torque engines contributed to a decrease in interest in cars. The designers begin the development of a new eight-cylinder engine, the first samples of which appeared in 1954. The engine had a volume of 2.6 liters, its power was 95 hp, after which in the 60s it was increased to 100 hp.
With the advent of the new eight-cylinder engine, the appearance of the BMW-501 changed: chrome moldings appeared on the body, which added some chic and elegance to it. In addition, the new engine allowed the "501" to accelerate to 160 km / h, of course, and fuel consumption increased significantly, which could not but worry the designers, as well as the BMW management.
