Bmw

Essential step in BMW history came in 1994 the purchase at $2.3 billion of German marques of Rover Group as well as of Britain-scale biggest factory producing cars of Rover, land Rover and MG. With that deal BMW gained necessary experience and examples of midget and off-roader class models.

1995 became the reference point of including airbag for front passenger and engine anti-theft blocking system to all BMW model as default. In March, 1995 BMW launched famous Touring 3-series version. This car stood out not just for up-to-date exterior design but for completely innovative maintenance, in particular it was the first example in car manufacturing history when the model’s chassis was made of aluminum.

Again in 1995 BMW unveiled new 5-series which had been developed under the concept of harmony: new 5-series was excelling in both – stylish design and advanced technologies engaged. New materials used in the model manufacturing enabled to increase utilization rate up to 85%. At the same time exclusively rigid body of 5-series provided for high safety level.

In 1996 debuted BMW Z3 – the first sportive BMW equipped with diesel engine. It was a genuine synthesis of dynamics and classical design making that model purely excellent. Additional popularity BMW Z3 obtained due to “Golden Eye” film with James Bond agent and Z3 cast. As a result Z3 became a bestseller and orders overloaded BMW factory in Spartanburg (USA, South Caroline).

In 1997 BMW history was marked by motorcycle R1200 C model issuing – the model that as its contemporaries assured could not leave untouched. This motorcycle brought principally new interpretation due to sensational design combining traditional elements with futuristic ones, as well as to the biggest in cubic displacement ever constructed BMW opposite engine (1170 cc and 61 h/p). In 1997 BMW also introduced one more dream-car – M Roadster which the best way was embodying pure-blooded sportive car.

The spring of 1998 in BMW history brought 5th generation of popular 3-series sedans. Refined in many aspects new BMW 3-serie offered not modern exterior only but ultra innovative engines as well, high auto suspension technological features and highest safety level in its class.

Early in 1999 BMW constructed X5 model – the first Sports Activity Vehicle (SUV) model I the world. BMW X5 owing to elegancy and practicality set new car mobility standard.

Another victory in BMW history connected with Z8 model construction in 1999. This sportive car delighted all car specialists and enthusiasts.
In 1999 BMW surprised the auto world by introduction to Frankfurt International Motor Show its concept Z9 Gran Tourismo.

Nowadays BMW Company that started its history from a small factory manufacturing air-craft motors owns 5 plants in Germany and 12 throughout the world. In fact, BMW is one of few car manufacturing companies that does not use robots in automobiles assembling procedure – all BMW cars are hand made while computers are entrusted just perform final diagnostics of cars assembled.

Carl Rapp and Gustav Otto being in spite of all prohibitions still faithful and devoted to their love towards motors decided to start the way from zero level. The first post-war model issued by BMW came 1-cylinder R24 motorcycle assembled handicraft in work shops nearly primitively. In 1951 appeared the first post-war automobile in BMW history though it brought neither popularity nor financial profit to BMW.

In 1955 BMW commenced R50 and R51 motorcycle model production – new generation with fully sprung chassis. Additionally BMW issued midget Isetta – strange symbiosis of motorcycle and automobile. BMW Isetta had three wheels, one door opening frontward and had an immense success in postwar exhausted and poor Germany. But suddenly constructors applied to inventing large expensive limousines that could hardly gain considerable market demand given economic situation. The financial losses of this production strategy put BMW on the verge of failure. It was the only occasion in BMW history when the market conjuncture was not examined properly and finally this raised the question of company selling.

Mercedes-Benz hurried to express its readiness to purchase BMW but the deal was prevented by ordinary shares holders, BMW labor and trade agents. After the capital restructuring BMW managed to continue its functioning and for the third time in its history BMW began everything from nothing, from the start line.

In 1956 Count Albrecht Goertz who lived in New York created the sensational sportive automobile – BMW 507. In 1956 newspapers were reporting: “BMW 507 excelled even Italian cars..”. 507 was offered in roadster version as well as classical with hardtop. Its 8-cylinder 3.2 150 h/p engine was bringing this car to 220 km/h speed. The entire number of BMW 507 manufactured between 1956 and 1959 amounted to 252. Today it is one of the most scarce and expensive collectible car.

In 1959 was constructed BMW 700 model attached by air cooing system. This model played an important role in BMW history as enabled the company to consolidate its financial situation, establish basis for further make’s success and achieve sportive victories.

In 1962 came out BMW 1500 – light compact sportive 4-door car was so rapturously accepted by customers and gained so great popularity that BMW manufacturing facilities could hardly follow market demand for 1500.

In 1966 debuted BMW 1600-2 – a 2-door model which served a basis for successful series of models creation meaning 1502 up to 2002 turbo supercharged ones. Their success in car market enabled BMW to revive 1930s tradition of constructing 6-cylinder models. With 2500 and 2800 model BMW history second time was marked by entering big sedan segment entering. In fact, 1960s became the most prosperous even assuming all the previous BMW history periods.

In 1969 BMW moved motorcycle manufacturing facilities to Berlin and right after launches new “opposite series”. In 1976 on R100 RS motorcycle was pioneered with full-size cowl attachment. In 1983 K100 motorcycle with 4-cylinder in-line arrangement was manufactured. This model also equipped with water cooling and fuel injection became very popular. In the year of 100th anniversary of motorcycle invention (1885) BMW motorcycle production volume amounted to 37 000 units. 1989 was marked by debut of K1 model.

In 1970 BMW history brought first model of its famous series – 3-serie, 5-serie, 6-serie and 7-serie. After the company introduced its 5-serie it discovered for itself basically new market segment – business-class sedans adding this to traditional sportive model specialization.

Coupe 3.0 CSL which starting with 1973 brought BMW six European champion titles allowed the company to make one more serious step ahead. This model was containing an array of important and effective technical innovations: 6-cylinder engine with 4 valves per cylinder, ABS-attached brakes system – uncompromising novelty of the time.

In 1977 BMW history could celebrate one more important event – 7-serie launch crowned total model line-up renewal.

In 1986 the world car stage was honored as it later proved by debut of BMW M3 – the most successful road-circuit racing model. This compact 2-door car was developed for both – serial manufacturing and auto sport events. This entailed for BMW a great triumph as in 1987 Roberto Raviglia with BMW M3 won world road-circuit racing championship. But not only as the following 5 years BMW M3 was dominating the autosport stage.

In 1987 BMW issued new roadster first destined as experimental model but as it occurred later BMW Z1 manufactured in 8 000 number continued the tradition of BMW 30s and 50s roadsters. At the same time Z1 had uncompromising ultra-modern technologies and outstanding aerodynamics. As well in 1987 BMW one of the first began to apply engine power electronic regulation.

In 1990 BMW manufactured dream-coupe – 850i model. This de luxe car was powered by V12 engine endowed with outstanding and uncompromising speed launching BMW 850i from any gear impetuously. Basically new rear integral axle of BMW 850i quite uniquely combined sportive capabilities with high-level comfort.

The same 1990 year when Germany united BMW established BMW Rolls-Royce GmbH Company and revived its early days manufacturing tradition of air-craft motor, so next 1991 BMW introduced new BR-700 engine. In addition at the beginning of 90s BMW issued third generation of 3-serie compact sportive cars and 8-serie coupe.

BMW, Bayerisch Motoren Werke AG, German automobile company specializing in cars and sportive automobiles manufacturing, as well as high passability cars and motorcycles. Headquarters located in Munich.

Really BMW history began in 1913 in Munich outskirts when Carl Rapp and Gustav Otto, the son of Nikolai-August Otto’s – internal combustion engine inventor, founded two small air-engine companies. WW I that started soon in 1914 brought demand for their production – aircraft engines.

Rapp and Otto decided to unite their companies into one air-motor factory. So in Munich appeared air-motor factory that in July, 1917 was registered under Bayerische Motoren Werke – BMW name marking the beginning of BMW history as an official make. This date is considered the birth of BMW while its founders – Carl Rapp and Gustav Otto.

After WW I was over BMW got into the verge of fiasco as under Versailles treaty Germany was obliged not to manufacture engines for air-crafts. But motors for air-crafts were the main and only BMW production. The company days were saved by its sharp-witted founders – Carl Rapp and Gustav Otto – their factory manufacturing was retrained to motorcycle engines first, and motorcycles afterwards.

In 1923 BMW manufactured first non-military transport mean in its history – R32 motorcycle model. At Paris Motor Show 1923 this motorcycle immediately obtained recognition and reputation of fast and reliable unit that was proved by absolute speed records it set in the frames of international motorcycles races.
Concurrently “Motor-4” engine model was developed though final assembling procedures were completed in other European countries. In 1919 Franz Dimmer in air-craft equipped with this engine flew up to 9 760 meters height and set first BMW world-scale record. Additional impetus to BMW production growth was given by secret agreement with USSR government which provided that BMW supplied newest air-craft engines. In fact, most USSR record flies of 1930s were performed in aircrafts powered by BMW motors.

In 1928 BMW purchased automobile factories in Eisenach (Thuringia) as well as license for manufacturing Dixi midget automobile – licensed version of British Austin 7. Dixi – the first car model that launched new era in BMW history course. Its manufacturing was commenced in 1929. Economic depression of early 1930s led to great popularity of BMW Dixi in Europe. By the moment of WW II start BMW posed to be one of the most runaway car companies worldwide specializing in sportive model line gamut. Among its achievements there were several world records; Wolfgang von Gronau in Dornier Wall open hydro air-craft powered by BMW motor crossed Atlantic Ocean from East to West; Ernst Henne in R12 motorcycle constructed involving drive shaft, hydraulic shock absorbers and telescoping bracket (BMW invention) set motorcycle world record at 279.5 km/h unbroken for further 14 years.

1933 year in BMW history was marked by construction of 303 model – the first one arranged with 6-cylinder engine. And one more issue featured this car out and placed at a special place at all – with this model nostrils-like radiator grate guise forever entered the BMW history as unattainable trait of all its cars and models.

In 1936 appeared the famous model – BMW 328 – one of the most successful sportive cars that due to its outstanding innovations including pipe-frame, 6-cylinder engine with light-alloy head, new valve-timing system with bars – marked golden age in BMW history. With BMW 328 the company became so famous and authoritative in 193-s’ second half that all the subsequent BMW models were regarded by customers as high quality, extra reliability and beauty symbol. More to say BMW 328 model laid the BMW ideology focusing on the idea of – “Automobile – for the driver” while BMW’s main competitor – Mercedes-Benz was sticking to another principle – “Automobile – for the passengers”. It was the moment when these two great car brands started developing their own different car manufacture ideologies each proving the correctness of own one.

BMW 328 – the winner of multitude of competitions – ring circuit races, rallies, uphill racing – was destined for all real sportive car aesthetes and left far behind all serially manufactured sportive car of the time.

In 1938 BMW purchased production license for Pratt – Whitney engines The next step in BMW history connected with appearing 132 motor model that gave power to famous German aircrafts – Junkers 52. The same time BMW invented the motorcycle that occurred the fastest in pre WW II period having 60 h/p engine and 210 km/h of top speed. Using this motorcycle German driver George Maier became the champion of British "Senior Tourist Trophy" motorcycle race; it was the first time when a foreigner won that racing competition.

The WW II started in 1939 led to BMW cars manufacturing cease. It came second time in BMW history when the company had to start producing air-craft motors.

In 1944 BMW first in the world launched 109-003 jet engine model manufacturing. Concurrently the check-out of rocket motors were being held. But the end of WW II became a catastrophe for BMW. Four factories than were located in Eastern occupation area were ruined and demounted. Prime Munich located plant was demounted by the English side. Given BMW was manufacturing during the war air-craft motors and rockets the allies-winners forbade any kind of production.