Mercedes history / История на Мерцедес

Всичко започва от две различни компании с различни идеи, различни коли и двама мъже с големи познания за колите. Двете фирми работят по отделно, като конкуренти близо 30 години. Икономически промени довежда до сливането на двете комапании, които днес всички познаваме като Мерцедес Бенц. Колите, които са прозилезли от обикновени мотоциклети.

1871,

27 годишния Карл Бенц, заедно със свой сътрудник основават първата си компания "Леярна и магазин за машини". По-късно двамата се разделят и Бенц продължава работата си сам, като създава двуктактовия двигател (1880).

1885.

Първият мотциклетен кръг. Готлиб Даимлер прави подобрения на четиритактовия едноцилиндров двигател и го прилага в свое изобретение, машина на две колела.

1886.

В Даимлер гаража /The Daimler Motor Carriage. създава четириколестно превозно средство с двигател от 1,1 конски сили. 29 Януари 1886, в Берлин е патентована първата моторна кола/автомобил от Карл Бенц с патентен номер No. 37435. Неговият двигател е 0,7 к.ц, който е монтиран в задната част на колата, която е на три колела. Вече Карл Бенц има 50 служители, скоито разработва единствено моторни превозни средства.

1893.

През 1893 година излиза на пазара първият автомобил за масова употреба, Бенц Вело/The Benz Velo.
1898.

Името Мерцедес идва от името, с което участва в състезания Емил Джелинек (продава и купува продукти на Даимлер), името на дъщеря му. Печели състезанието.

1909.

Звездата на Даймлер като символ идва от сина на Даймлер, Готлиб. Символа с трите клона на звездата, означават - по суша, по вода, по въздух. Поглед в бъдещето.

1919.

Продукти на мирното време. След като е използван в Първата световна война, supercharging, сега се прилага в автомобилните двигатели.
1921.

Първите модели ЛУКС. През 1921 г. Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft представя два нови модела превозни средства в Берлин на автомобилно изложение. Това са първите луксозни автомобили в следвоенната епоха.

1923.

Първата състезателна кола в света, разработена специално за състезания на Еввропейско състезания в Монца.

1924.

Сливането. Двете комапнии се сливат и след две години дават името Мерцедес Бенц, познато и до днес.

1926.

Малко след сливането, Daimler-Benz създават легендарния "К Тип" турбо модел. Той има максимална скорост от 145 км / ч, което го прави най-бързия туристически автомобили в света.

1929.

Първитя автомобил 6 цилндров, след сливането, който е с 38 к.с. се нар. Щутгард.

1934-1936.

Колите мечта на 30-те години. Тези коли са 500К и 540 К. те са най-търсените коли на света. А спортната 540 К до днес е сред най-известните спортни коли.

1934.

Новата състезателна кола - "Сребърната стрела". Разработена , за да спечели безборй състезания. Олекотена и с много подобрения, компанията я разработва и е известна и с името W 25.

1945.

Ново начало. След Втората световна война, компанията произвежда много мотоциклети, както и ремаркета.

1946.

Производство само на пикапи. За момента в Германия е забранено производството на лични автомобили.

1949.

Първият следвоенен проект на компанията - дизелов вариант на модел 170. Става известен и до днес.

1954.

Колата мечта на 50-те години. Моделът 300 SL, произведен 1954, става колата мечта от момента, когато е произведен. Има 215 к.с., 3 литров 6 цилиндров двигател, който му дава шеметната скорост от 250 км/час.

1955. Новият велосипед. 190 SL е по-популярната форма на 300 SL. Цената му е на половина на 300 SL. Има 4 тактов двигател, модернизиран до 105 к.с. Над 26000 броя са продадени в целия свят.

1958.

Стартиране на серия SE. 220 E серията е по-икономична от 300 SL. С по-голяма гъвкавост, по-висока мощност и значително подобрение на теглителната сила, тя консумира около половин литър по-малко гориво на сто километра от 220 S.

1961. По голяма сигурност на пътя с Мерцедес-Бенц. От 1957 година компанията прозивеждаколани, които се слагат по желания. От 1961, започват да се слагат в колите още с производството им.

1963. Създаването на новия Гранд-Мерцедес. През 1963 г. Daimler-Benz представят нов модел: 600, колата на суперлативите по всякакъв начин, оборудван с широк спектър от електрически, пневматични, хидравлични и вакуумни управляеми системи.

1974. Новите кабриолети. Имат подчертана елегантност.

1977.

Изцяло нов Мерцедес - W 123 T- моделът е представен през 1977 . Буквата "Т" означава "туризъм" и "Транспорт.

1979. Новият клас S се появява на пазара. Хромирани части и дизайн, невиждан до момента.

1982.

Мерцедес в нов формат. В края на 1982 г., новата W 201 серия видя светлината на прожекторите. С новото си тяло и ходова част, тези компактни автомобили предизвикват оживена дискусия.

1984.

Daimler-Benz представя нова "среда на серията" автомобили, W 124, включващи-бъдещен напредък в пасивната безопасност. В него са включени колан-обтегачи за водача и пътника отпред като стандартно оборудване и въздушната възглавница на волана.

1989. Сребърните стрели се завръщат на сцената. Печелят 7 от 8 състезания.

1993.

Mercedes-Benz е първият производител в света на четири клапановия дизелов двигател в кола. Новият двигател е монтиран в новата E-класа модели. Има засилено защита и гладкост, заедно с изключително дълголетие.

1994. Възраждането на колите. Появява се SLK на изложение в Торино. иницаилите идват от SLK "sportlich", "leicht" and "kurz = short". Има 4 цилиндров двигател, с мощност от 150 до 250 к.с., в зависимост дали има компресор.

Въпреки че компанията е известна предимно със своите луксозни автомобили, също така произвежда висококачествени спортни автомобили. Един такъв автомобил е SSK и 300SL. Докато е Mercedes-често се смяташе за една компания, която произвежда автомобили само за богати, през цялата си история е имало моменти, когато тя е произвеля висок обем автомобили, които не са много скъпи. Един добър пример за това е Мерцедес А-клас, линия на превозни средства, които са достъпни в сравнение с други модели. Фирмата е изградила репутация с бизнес акцент, която е качеството и инженеринг. Мерцедесът е известен със своята надеждност.

Volkswagen history

Today, Volkswagen is the largest automaker in Europe. However, it has not always been this way...

Literally, the word "volkswagen" means "people's car." In Germany, the idea of a people's car wasn't exactly a new one. Before the 1930's, there had been many efforts to create simple cars that everyone could afford, but none met with profound success. Almost all cars before 1930, even if they were designed to be simple enough for the average person, ended up costing more than the average worker's yearly wage.

Meanwhile, the year is 1930, and Ferdinand Porsche had just set up an automotive design company, which became known as the Porsche Büro. The company patented a sophisticated independent front suspension system, which consisted of transversely mounted torsion bars connected to two trailing arms on each side. At the time, this was lighter than most other common types of suspension. In 1931, a German motorcycle company, Zündapp, asked Porsche if he could design a suitable car for them. Porsche came up with a streamlined 2 door sedan, which had lines similar to the Beetle. It was designated the Type 12. Zündapp wanted to put in a 1.2 liter radial engine from one of their motorcycles...this was the end of the line for this design, as it didn't make it any further.

Porsche then designed a car for NSU in 1933 that was known as the Type 32. This car looked even more similar to the upcoming KdF Wagen than the Type 12 did. This car looked similar to the Tatra V570, and shared many mechanical similarities. After World War II, the Volkswagen company paid Tatra for compensation, since Tatra believed its technology and design was pirated in development of the KdF Wagen. Eventaully, NSU dropped the Type 32 project.

Later in 1933, Adolf Hitler met with Ferdinand Porsche to discuss Hitler's idea of a volkswagen. Hitler proposed a people's car that could carry 5 people, cruise up to 62mph, return 33mpg, and cost only 1000 Reich Marks. This was an opportunity for Porsche to push his idea of a small car foward, as was it to help Hitler get a real people's car for the citizens of Germany.

Initially, Porsche designated this design the Type 60, but it was soon changed to the V1 (experimental 1). Hitler also proposed to have a convertible version produced: it was designated V2. Porsche was not able to make the deadline to finish the first two prototypes, as there was not enough time to physically design the cars and to built them. In any case, they were completed and driving by 1935. Soon, the V1 design was updated, and three cars were produced. This new design was the VW3. These cars were put through rigorous testing in 1936.

These cars looked very similar to the KdF Wagen, that was to appear later. Eventually, the VW3s had metal floors, swing axle rear transmissions, Porsche's front independed suspensions, and backbone floorpans. Several engines were tested, and eventually a flat four cylinder aircooled four stroke engine was chosen. Surprisingly, the engine that was chosen was cheaper and more reliable than some of the four cylinder two stroke engines that were tested. This 22.5 hp four cylinder "boxer" engine was roughly the same as the engines that would later be incorporated into Volkswagen Beetles that are still produced today.

After data was collected from the tests of the VW3s, the next version, the VW30 was created, and in all, 30 were produced. Due to Hitler's regime, control of the company and testing of the VW30 was given to a government organization called the DAF. Now, members of the SS were required to drive the VW30s to confirm that all the problems of the V3s were fixed. For the most part, these tests showed that most of the problems in earlier cars had been fixed.

In 1938, construction began on the KdF Wagen factory, and on the town that was going to be next to the factory. In 1939, several VW38s (pre-production) and VW39s (demonstration cars) were produced just to show that the factory did work, and to show what the final version of the car would look like. These cars were different from their predecessors in that they had front hinged doors (all the VW designs before had "suicide" doors), split windows in the rear, larger hoods, and many other minor differences. This edition of the car was the basis of the Beetle after the war was over.

When the V38s were introduced, Hitler abruptly changed the name of the car to KdF Wagen. KdF stood for "Kraft durch Freude" which meant "Strength through Joy." This upset Porsche, as he was not a member of the Nazi party, and he didn't support Hitler's use of propaganda when advertising the car.

The German government sold special stamps that could eventually be used to purchase a real KdF Wagen. In theory, as soon as 200 stamps were collected, they could be redeemed for a car. However, the KdF Wagen was not to be, and it never progressed beyond the prototype/demonstration stage. In later years, many people who collected these stamps took Volkswagen to court seeking compensation, since VW never made good on the KdF stamps. The KdF Wagen factory was busy pumping out Type 82s: Kübelwagens. The Kübelwagen was a simple looking military vehicle that basically used the same parts as the KdF Wagen, but had a flat-sided body, and increased ground clearance. It was essentially the Germany's "jeep" in WWII. During the war, the company also produced an amphibious vehicle, which was known as the Type 128, and later as the Type 166: the Schwimmwagen. This vehicle was powered by a 25hp engine, and had a retractable ducted propeller in the rear for water use. In the water, the Schwimmwagen could achieve up to 5mph, and surprisingly steered in the water with its front tires. There were over 50,000 Type 82s produced, and less than 16,000 Schwimmwagens produced during the war. There were several military off-shoots of the KdF Wagen produced during the war:

Kommandeurwagen: KdF Wagen with ragtop sunroof, four-wheel drive, increased ground clearance

Papler: The Papler company built several four door versions of the KdF Wagen for use in parades and for police

Hebmüller: Hebmüller produced hundreds of custom two seat KdF Wagen convertibles Porsche even experimented with very unusual powerplants, such as a wood-gas engine, compressed CO2 engines (very short range), and more.

The KdF Wagen factory was a prime target for allied forces during the war, and before long, it was partially destroyed. After the war was over, the British Army took over the factory. The British were interested in the factory, because they needed light transportation: what else could they do? The factory was brought back up (it was still damaged, however) with leadership provided by Major Ivan Hirst of the British Army, and by the end of 1945, had produced more than 2000 cars. Most of them were produced from spare parts that were left in the factory. Within a year, the factory had produced over 10,000 cars, all thanks to assistance from the British government. Sometime after 1945, the company was named Volkswagen by the British, who also renamed the town at the factory "Wolfsburg", which was the name of a local castle. The British sought to give control of the company to able hands: the Ford company turned the offer down because it thought it would be a waste of money, the French government refused; nobody seemed to want the company. In 1949, the British government was finally able to relinquish control of the company to the German government. Heinrich Nordhoff was appointed as the senior executive of Volkswagen, a move which proved to be a very good one.

After 1949, production at Volkswagen steadily increased. Nordhoff's experience and knowledge proved invaluable for the company. Late in 1949, an idea for a utility/transport vehicle was developed, and by 1950, the VW transporter was born.
Volkswagens were being exported to neighboring European countries such as Denmark, Sweeden, Luxemburg, Belgium, and Switzerland. As early as 1950, Volkswagen began producing Beetles in South Africa (They were now known as Beetles) as well. Volkswagen comissioned an old German coach building company, Karmann, to build their Beetle convertibles. Every single convertible Volkswagen Beetle was completed by Karmann: hence the special badges on VW convertibles. In 1952, a Volkswagen dealership was opened in England: which was the first there. A few Volkswagens were imported into the United States in 1949 by Ben Pon, but they didn't immediatley gain popularity. Very few were sold in their first year in the US.
The Hoffmann company of New York, which imported Beetles in the early 1950s, eventually abandonded Volkswagen, and imported Porsches instead. Volkswagen did not sell many cars in the United States until later in the mid-1950s.
In 1951, Volkswagen began to export a deluxe version of the beetle. There was already a "standard" Beetle, which was only available in a dull gray color. These standard Beetles were spartan: they lacked synchromesh transmissions, exterior and interior chrome, and other special extra options that one might expect to have as standard in cars today. There were also regular export cars, that were available in several colors. The export cars also had chrome and more options as standard, such as a radio. The American export cars had even more chrome than regular export cars, and were generally the most elaborate with options and features. The American deluxe Beetles got hydraulic brakes in 1952, and lost their semaphores (flag-like turn signals) in 1955.
Volkswagen transporters were not as popular as Beetles, and in the first 5 years of production, there were 4 times fewer Buses built as Beetles. The Buses (and all other transporters) produced before 1955 had characteristically large engine access doors. Today, they are largely known as "barndoor" buses. Some people think that barndoor is supposed to be a reference to the side doors, but it is a misconception. These early barndoor transporters are very rare today.
Still in the 1950s, Volkswagen had already acted on its global goals by building factories in several countries. A factory began building Beetles in England, the plant in South Africa was building them, and a plant in Brazil provided a South American connection. Later, in 1960, a plant in Australia opened up, but never ended up being as successful as the other factories.

Beetles built before 1953 (and some during that year) looked almost identical to the KdF Wagen designed before WWII. Midway in 1953, Volkswagen changed the rear split windows of the Beetles, and added a slightly larger oval window. This oval window was said to increase visibility out of the rear of the car up to 33%. By 1955, Volkswagen came out with a new model called the Karmann Ghia. It used many parts from the Beetle to keep production cheaper, and less complex. The Karmann Ghia was a joint venture by companies Karmann (builds VW Beetle cabriolets) and Ghia.
Volkswagen production kept increasing through the late 1950s. In 1958, the larger rear window that most people see in Beetles today (Ovals and Splits are much more rare than the larger window Beetles) was adopted. In each year, minor changes were made to the Beetle, and the other cars in Volkswagen's lineup, but nothing very drastic. Different turn signals were added, slightly improved engines, and other small things were common in the year to year changes. Volkswagen also had a very successful advertising campaign in the 1960s which helped contribute to its success in the United States. The Disney movie, Herbie, also helped promote the Beetle. The Herbie movies portrayed the Beetle as a "love bug." Later in the 1960s, Volkswagen produced over one million Beetles each year. 1969 was the most productive year for Volkswagen.
After the Beetle's boom years in the late 1960s, its sales began to decline. In 1967, the transporter underwent major design changes, and in 1969 on US Export Beetles, VW added CV joints in the rear of the car in an effort to improve high speed stability on American highways. The traditional swingaxle system worked Ok, but at high speeds tended to lose stability. In 1971, Volkswagen developed a *new* car called the Super Beetle. The Super Beetle had modern MacPherson struts in the front instead of the older transverse beam arrangement it had since the 1930s: this new suspension allowed the trunk to be deeper, thus creating more luggage space in the front trunk. The Super Beetles of '71 had the same windshields as the standard Beetles did, but from '72-'74, a wrap around curved windshield was implemented. These were the only Beetles to have anything in the way of a real dashboard. Super Beetles were smoother cruisers on the highway, but did not make good Baja Beetle platforms. Ever increasing US government regulations on safety and emissions controls pushed the Beetle to its limits. The Beetle could not be adapted to keep up with the other cars in the industry. Volkswagen stopped production of the Beetle sedan in 1977, and stopped production of the cabriolet in 1979.
However, the Beetle was still thriving in Mexico and South America. Volkswagen of Brazil continued building Beetles and VW Vans until 1993. Volkswagen of Mexico still hasn't stopped building Beetles! In fact, the Beetle is by far the most popular car in Mexico.

The modern cars BEETLE:

from: http://www.designercars.net/

http://lethistorylive.com/

http://people.westminstercollege.edu/staff/bknorr/html/history.htm

Maserati review 2009

2009 Maserati Quattroporte

Introduction
Suppose you're a well-heeled automotive aficionado who wants a new ride, and you can't resist the allure of fine sporting cars from the country shaped like a boot. You're convinced there's nothing quite like Italian four-wheeled conveyances, with their sonorous engines, sumptuous interiors and character-rich personalities. But here's the thing -- you need four doors. You know the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti has a usable backseat, but ingress and egress are kind of a pain, not to mention that $270,000 base price. You, sir or madam, are about to be the proud owner of a 2009 Maserati Quattroporte.
The Quattroporte sedan looks like nothing else on the road, a delectable aesthetic cocktail of classic sport-sedan proportions and inimitable Italian flair. It also features impressive handling and a choice of two soul-stirring V8s. The base 4.2-liter engine is a treat, belting out an addictive wail at full throttle that befits its origins with corporate sibling Ferrari. New this year is a larger 4.7-liter V8, which is found on the new S and Sport GT S. First debuting on the GranTurismo S, the 4.7 tacks on 25 horsepower (33 hp in the GT S) and delivers slightly improved acceleration as well as better tractability around town. The new S and Sport GT S also benefit from larger and more powerful brakes and sportier exterior styling cues. Put it this way -- if Ferrari had applied a prancing horse logo instead of the Maserati trident, the Quattroporte would have fit right in as Modena's first production four-door.
In spirited driving, all Quattroporte models deliver sharp handling that belies the car's 4,400-pound curb weight, though the S and the Sport GT S are the ones to have if frequent visits to curving mountain roads are your cup of tea. There are extensive customization options for the finely crafted interior, and the new Bose multimedia integration and navigation system is a vast improvement from the car's earlier center-stack layout. Certainly, the 2009 Quattroporte isn't the cheapest or fastest performance luxury sedan on the block. But if you like to drive and enjoy ample doses of Italian character and panache, the Quattroporte will speak to you like few other four-doors can.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2009 Maserati Quattroporte is a performance luxury sedan offered in base, S and Sport GT S trims. Standard equipment on the base Quattroporte includes 18-inch wheels, adaptive bi-xenon headlamps, foglamps, heated exterior mirrors, rear park assist, a power tilt and telescoping steering column, leather upholstery, rosewood interior trim, 14-way power-adjustable heated front seats with driver memory, four-way power-adjustable rear outboard seats, a refrigerated storage compartment in the front armrest, dual-zone automatic climate control and a power rear sunshade. Also standard is a Bose multimedia integration system with a 30-gigabyte hard drive, a voice-activated navigation system, satellite radio, an iPod jack, a USB port and a nine-speaker surround-sound audio system.
The S model adds the 4.7-liter V8, 19-inch wheels, larger brakes, adjustable suspension dampers, a sport steering wheel with shift paddles and Wenge wood interior trim. The Sport GT S is similar but has a sport-tuned (nonadjustable) suspension and its own exclusive wheels and interior and exterior styling details.
The options list is as long as the average waiting time for an Italian train. At least one option also comes with its own waiting time -- eight months for the $8,800 Bianco Fuji pearlescent paint. Suffice it to say that if you want a particular feature on your Quattroporte, Maserati can probably figure out a way to make it happen.
Powertrains and Performance
The 2009 Maserati Quattroporte is powered by one of two V8s: a 4.2-liter and a 4.7-liter. The 4.2 cranks out 400 hp and 339 pound-feet of torque. The 4.7 in the Quattroporte S ups the ante to 425 hp and 361 lb-ft, while the Sport GT S promises 433 hp. The only available transmission is a six-speed automatic with manual shift control. Maserati says the base engine is good for a 0-60-mph run in the mid-5-second range, with the 4.7-liter mill trimming a few tenths off that time.
Safety
The Quattroporte comes well stocked with safety features. Front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, stability control and antilock brakes are all standard.
Interior Design and Special Features
The Maserati Quattroporte's cabin can be customized like few other production vehicles at its price point, offering a vast array of cabin trims and leather colors. Want a hideous combo of Cuiuo burnt orange and Bordeaux red? Maserati will set you up, although the word stupido may be overheard during production in Maserati's Modena factory. Seating is comfortably supportive, but taller drivers might find the Quattroporte a bit lacking in headroom. Also, the Quattroporte is clearly designed for only four, as indicated by the aggressive contours of the power-adjustable outboard rear seats.
The handsome dash and console receive more logical controls for 2009, though they aren't likely to challenge Toyota for ergonomic supremacy anytime soon. The previous navigation system was one of the worst in the business, but the new Bose multimedia system makes it a distant memory. The Bose setup includes hard-drive-based satellite navigation, a CD/MP3/DVD player, satellite radio, digital music storage, iPod integration, Bluetooth and voice activation. It works reasonably well, though unlike competing systems such as MMI and iDrive, this one makes do without a control knob -- instead, there's a dual-mode dial on each side of the display screen and buttons lining the top and bottom. One interesting feature of the Bose system is its infrared proximity sensor: Move your fingers close to the right-side knob and the system will automatically bring up the proper audio or navigation menu on the screen.
Driving Impressions
The 2009 Maserati Quattroporte's automatic transmission is perfect for the American performance luxury sedan market, offering crisp downshifts and seamless operation. Ride quality is on the firm side in the performance-biased Quattroporte S and Sport GT S, but those who find it objectionable should be quite content in the supple base model. Despite its 4,400-pound curb weight, the Quattroporte is in its element on serpentine roadways, evincing excellent steering feel and body control for a luxury sedan. Straight-line performance isn't world-beating, but the Quattroporte is plenty fast, and either V8 sounds soulful enough to make concerns about 0-60 times fade away.

2009 Maserati GranTurismo

Introduction
The 2009 Maserati GranTurismo is quite possibly the well-heeled enthusiast's dream car. It looks like nothing else on the road -- in a very good way. It sounds like the Italian purebred it is, particularly when the S model's exhaust baffles open up to let the 4.7-liter V8 sing. Its interior is adorned with opulent materials, and customization possibilities are seemingly endless. The GranTurismo isn't just another car: it's a living, breathing testament to the passion of Italian automotive design.
Well, all right, let's not get carried away. The GranTurismo only lives and breathes, of course, when you turn it on; otherwise, it's a collection of metal and rubber like any four-wheeled conveyance. But there's something uniquely visceral about the way a Ferrari-influenced V8 roars to life; likewise, the styling has a certain élan that the less exuberant German competition simply can't match. The GranTurismo feels as if it was designed and built by people who love cars, and that's a big part of what makes it worth the substantial price of admission.
Of course, there's more to the GranTurismo than just sights and sounds. The base 4.2-liter eight-cylinder is wonderfully smooth, and its explosive high-rpm muscle enables the GranTurismo to accelerate like a sports car. The new 4.7-liter V8 in the S model is quicker still, as well as more tractable around town. While the 4,100-pound-plus GranTurismo won't set any record lap times, it strikes an agreeable balance between capable handling and long-distance cruising comfort -- just as a proper GT car should. Those who buy a GranTurismo for its beauty will be pleased to discover that it's more than sheet metal deep.
With the addition of a Bose multimedia system this year to compete with iDrive and other such German contrivances, the 2009 Maserati GranTurismo is now the complete package. The BMW M6 is quicker and cheaper, and the Jaguar XKR and Mercedes-Benz CL550 and CL63 AMG are also worthy rivals, but only the Maserati delivers the grand touring goods in such a winsome fashion.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2009 Maserati GranTurismo is a four-passenger grand touring coupe available in two trim levels -- base and S. The base GranTurismo comes standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, Brembo brakes, the electronically adjustable "Skyhook" suspension, adaptive bi-xenon headlamps with washers, foglamps, heated exterior mirrors, rear parking sensors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with column-mounted shift paddles, leather upholstery, heated power front seats with memory and dual-zone automatic climate control. Also standard is a voice-activated Bose multimedia system with a 30-gigabyte hard drive, a navigation system, satellite radio, an iPod jack, a USB port and a nine-speaker surround-sound audio system. The GranTurismo S includes a larger engine, an automated manual transmission, 20-inch wheels, a sport-tuned (but nonadjustable) suspension, a sport exhaust, trim-specific styling cues, Alcantara interior trim, aluminum pedals and a digital tachometer in the instrument cluster.
The options list is notable for its dizzying customization possibilities. The Skyhook suspension can be added to the S for a price, while a full-leather interior is a no-cost option. The brake calipers can be painted any of five additional colors (black is standard on the base model, red on the S), and there are three optional wheel designs for each trim level. Moreover, seemingly endless combinations of interior hues and trim pieces are available, with three different kinds of wood, six paints that can be applied to the wood, an Alcantara headliner in your choice of five colors, et cetera.
Powertrains and Performance
The base 2009 Maserati GranTurismo is propelled by a 4.2-liter V8 that pumps out 405 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The engine is designed and built by Ferrari, but its unique crankshaft and cylinder heads distinguish it as a Maserati mill. A six-speed conventional automatic transmission with steering-column-mounted shift paddles routes power to the rear wheels. The GranTurismo S steps up to a 4.7-liter V8 rated at 433 hp and 361 lb-ft of torque, as well as a six-speed automated manual transmission or the automatic. Maserati expects 0-60-mph sprints of 5.1 seconds from the base car and 4.8 seconds from the S.
Safety
The GranTurismo comes standard with antilock brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags.
Interior Design and Special Features
The 2009 Maserati GranTurismo's leather-encased interior is warm, inviting and highly customizable, thanks to an extensive selection of colors and materials. Controls are mostly where you'd expect them to be, and the driving position is first-rate. Note that the GranTurismo's well-bolstered rear seat actually accommodates two adults, which cannot be said of the M6 or XKR, despite their four-passenger pretensions.
The GranTurismo's previous navigation system wasn't exactly a highlight of the car, but the new Bose multimedia system makes it a distant memory. This setup includes hard-drive-based satellite navigation, a CD/MP3/DVD player, satellite radio, digital music storage, iPod integration, Bluetooth and voice activation. It's a versatile and generally user-friendly system that brings the GranTurismo technologically into line with its chief rivals.
Driving Impressions
Thanks to its well-sorted chassis and capable-yet-compliant suspension, the 2009 Maserati GranTurismo is equally at home on winding roads and interstates. It's not a hard-core sports car, but that should probably suit most buyers just fine. The Ferrari bloodlines are most evident under the hood, where either V8 does a fine impression of a prancing-horse product. We'd still like to row our own gears with one of those iconic Italian gated shifters, but the S model's crisp automated manual has placated us to some extent.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
There are no Consumer Reviews for the 2009 Maserati GranTurismo.

from: http://www.edmunds.com/

Ferrari model reviews 2009

2009 Ferrari 599

Introduction
The V12-powered 2009 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is the automotive equivalent of flying first class: It's astoundingly expensive, but it's so much better than the norm that it almost seems worth it. This sinuously styled two-seat supercar outperforms the legendary Ferrari F40, yet it also provides the compliant ride and rich appointments of a grand touring coupe. Yes, you could buy five BMW M3s for the same $300,000-plus price, but that's not the point. The 599 GTB is pure automotive excellence, and those privileged enough to experience its first-class virtues will have a very hard time going back to coach.
Styled by longtime Ferrari aesthetician Pininfarina, the 599 bears a clear resemblance to the four-seat 612 Scaglietti in front, but the rest of the car is a better-looking blend of rising haunches, flying-buttress roof pillars and purposeful air intakes and extractors. We still don't think the 599 deserves a place in Ferrari's pantheon of classically beautiful sports cars, but its aura is unmistakably exotic. Underneath, the 599 shares the 612 Scaglietti's platform architecture -- not a bad choice as organ donors go.
Thanks to its mellifluous 612-horsepower V12, the 3,722-pound 599 GTB Fiorano can sprint from zero to 62 mph in a claimed 3.7 seconds, en route to a top speed in excess of 200 mph. The sophisticated suspension features magnetic dampers that firm up in milliseconds in response to aggressive cornering, yet ease off for relaxed interstate cruising, allowing the 599 GTB to serve up thrills and comfort as needed. New for 2009 is the Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione (HGTE) package, which tacks on a variety of suspension and other performance upgrades as well as some sporty aesthetic touches. We weren't aware that the 599 GTB Fiorano needed help in the handling department, but extremists who found last year's model soft should be pleased by this development.
Naturally, the 599 GTB Fiorano doesn't come cheap. And previously, it also didn't come easy, either, with waiting lists rumored to be months (if not years) long. The recent world recession has taken care of the waiting lists, we suspect, leaving the issue of having $300,000 or so to spend on an exotic as the sole barrier. Of course, there are other exotics one could consider, too, from the striking Aston Martin DBS to the thundering Lamborghini Murciélago. Yet, for those able to purchase such a car, you're not going to do any better than Ferrari's 599 GTB Fiorano.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2009 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is a two-seat coupe available in one trim level. Standard equipment includes xenon headlights, 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels wearing 245/40 front and 305/35 rear performance tires, an adaptive suspension system with magnetic dampers, leather upholstery and interior trim, automatic dual-zone climate control, power front seats, a power-adjustable steering wheel and an eight-speaker Becker CD/MP3 audio system.
The optional Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione (HGTE) package specifies stiffer springs and a beefed-up rear antiroll bar along with revised shock-absorber calibration, a lower ride height, a unique high-performance tire compound, quicker shifts from the F1 automated-clutch manual gearbox, more immediate throttle response and a throatier exhaust note. HGTE also adds unique exterior and interior styling cues.
Optional features include front and rear park assist, a six-CD changer, a navigation system, heated front seats, carbon-fiber interior accents, a space-saver spare tire kit, run-flat tires, carbon-ceramic racing brakes and a six-piece fitted leather luggage set. Those seeking further distinction may request special interior and exterior colors.
Powertrains and Performance
The 599 GTB Fiorano's 6.0-liter V12 sends a colossal 612 hp and 448 pound-feet of torque to the rear tires via either a traditional six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed "F1" transmission. The F1 is an automated-clutch manual transmission with a single clutch, allowing drivers to choose between automatic and manual modes, the latter being controlled by shift paddles mounted on the steering column. Ferrari claims the 599 Fiorano is capable of hitting 60 mph in less than 3.7 seconds and running up to a top speed of around 205 mph.

Safety
Antilock disc brakes, stability control and traction control are standard. Notably, side and side curtain airbags are not available.
Interior Design and Special Features
Unlike supercars of old, the 2009 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano offers much more than a cramped cockpit with minimal accoutrements. The well-shaped seats are finished in premium hides, while aluminum accents enrich the ambience. Buyers can even choose a carbon-fiber steering wheel with integrated LEDs that move in lockstep with engine revs. The car's many interactive systems (such as stability control, suspension settings and F1 gearbox response) can be adjusted via a knob on the steering wheel called the "manettino" -- Italian for "little manager."
Driving Impressions
In addition to predictably brutal acceleration -- that's what 612 hp will do for you -- the 599 GTB provides a soundtrack to savor. The unmistakable shriek of the V12 under hard acceleration changes to a guttural hum at part throttle and nearly disappears at high cruising speeds, where wind noise is practically the only indication of pace. The F1 gearbox provides instantaneous gearchanges that no human could hope to match, but its single-clutch design prevents it from being as smooth as the newer dual-clutch units.
In tight corners, the 599 GTB remains so flat and composed that the usual indicators of fast-approaching limits, such as body roll and tire squeal, are absent. It's hard to imagine improvement here, but the HGTE package does sharpen the 599's character a touch. On the downside, the 599's steering leaves a bit to be desired -- it's too light at higher speeds, where reassuring heft is desirable. The steering ratio also seems a touch slow for an exotic sports car, as tight cornering requires more hand movement than we'd expect. The adaptive suspension damping works miracles on nearly any surface, swallowing bumps without drama while keeping the car planted in all situations.

2009 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

With the launch of the so-called "Dino" entry-level Ferrari set for the Paris Motor Show this September, Ferrari used this year's Geneva show to redirect attention to its 612 Scaglietti. The two-plus-two-seater, V-12 flagship grand touring coupe has been overshadowed the past two years by the 599GTB sports coupe, so the 612 was chosen as the debut vehicle for Ferrari's new customization program, called Ferrari Atelier. This is a new, organized marketing effort to allow Ferrari customers to have their 612s tailor-made to their specific tastes.
Yes, of course it's true that you've always been able to get things done your way at the Ferrari factory, but it was not part of an official program. Now, the factory will have a special salon where you can sit down with a specialist to discuss your specific needs and desires, look at samples of leathers, try out different seating styles, choose your matching handmade luggage, and in general get the white-glove treatment.
Ferrari set up a mini version of the Atelier on the second level of its opulent stand at the Geneva show, where we sat in a gorgeous chocolate brown 612 whose every interior surface was swathed in the most exquisite brown stitched leather we've ever seen. Even the trunk, including the underside of the trunk lid, was covered in these hides! How much do these baubles cost? If you have to ask...
In other 612 Scaglietti news, the car has been fitted with the latest version of the F1 SuperFast automated manual paddle-shift transmission, so 612 drivers now enjoy the same gearshifting times - about 100 milliseconds - as 599GTB drivers. The 612's steering wheel now has the Ferrari manettino switch, which controls stability control and other chassis systems, on the right spoke, plus a red engine start button on the left spoke. (You can still get a manual transmission for the 612, in theory, but virtually no one does.) Carbon ceramic brakes are now standard, as they have been on all other Ferraris since October 2007 production. The 612 also gets a new, standard, full-glass roof with electrochromatic tinting.

2009 Ferrari F430

Introduction
The 2009 Ferrari F430 is neither the most expensive nor the flashiest Ferrari available, but it might just be the best. Thanks to the inherent balance of its midengine layout, the relatively compact F430 is one of the sweetest-handling cars on the planet. It's also one of the sweetest-sounding -- sports cars come and go, but the soul-stirring soundtrack of the F430's 4.3-liter V8 will turn heads until filling stations stop selling gas. With the advent of the new Ferrari California retractable-hardtop roadster, the F430 has some stiff in-house competition, but the F430's lower curb weight and sharper-edged nature make it the enthusiast's choice of the two. If you can stomach the near-$200,000 base price, sports cars don't get much more rewarding than the 2009 Ferrari F430.
A large part of that reward comes in the form of 483 horsepower from the above-mentioned V8, which enables the F430 to hit 60 mph from rest in about 4 seconds flat. There are far cheaper cars with marginally better numbers -- the Chevrolet Corvette Z06/ZR1 tandem and the Nissan GT-R, to name three. That's where the F430's other charms come in, among them a sublimely balanced chassis, telepathic steering and the exotic wail of that gloriously free-revving V8. Sure, it costs more, but for the discerning sports car shopper, the F430 is totally worth the extra coin.
Like any modern-day Ferrari, the F430 is packed to the gills with advanced go-fast technology. Notably, the "manettino" (Italian for "little manager") steering wheel knob cycles through five driving modes that adjust suspension settings, stability and traction control thresholds, and the F1 automated-clutch manual gearbox's shift speed and quality. Of course, you can still order your F430 with the conventional, gated six-speed manual shifter, too. However you order your F430, though, rest assured that contemporary Ferraris, unlike their elemental forebears, are very much children of the 21st century in terms of engineering.
At the end of the day, there's a primal, unencumbered character to the F430 that sets it apart from other cars of its ilk. Of course, that's not to say that there aren't able competitors in this lofty league. Porsche's 911 GT2 and GT3 deserve a close look, as do the related Audi R8 V10 and Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. But if you want a car that will keep seducing you with its song till the oil runs dry, the 2009 Ferrari F430 might just be in a league of its own.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2009 Ferrari F430 is available as an ultra-high-performance two-seat exotic coupe or convertible (the latter is known as the Spider). Standard features include 19-inch wheels with high-performance tires, carbon-ceramic brakes, bi-xenon headlights, auto-dimming mirrors, automatic climate control, power seats, leather upholstery and a stereo with a CD player.
There is a long list of options for the F430, the priciest of which include carbon-fiber exterior and mechanical components. Among the more run-of-the-mill options are run-flat tires, front and rear parking sensors, a fire extinguisher, Bluetooth, a non-graphical navigation system with a very limited screen that makes do with voice prompts, and an upgraded sound system. There is also a long list of exterior and interior personalization options.
For track rats and those whose egos are not adequately inflated by the regular F430, Ferrari offers the hard-core F430 Challenge coupe. The Challenge is identical to the base F430 in most mechanical respects, but is 220 pounds lighter. This trick was accomplished through the liberal use of carbon fiber, a Lexan windshield and windows and a lighter, center-mounted exhaust. Other features include a removable racing steering wheel, a firmer suspension with a lower ride height, center-locking ("knock-off") wheels, white exterior graphics and a unique rear fascia. Not surprisingly, the track-biased Challenge comes at a stiff price premium, listing for $50,000 more than a standard F430.
Powertrains and Performance
The 2009 Ferrari F430 is powered by a mid-mounted 4.3-liter V8. This naturally aspirated engine produces 483 sonorous hp at 8,500 rpm and 343 pound-feet of torque at 5,250 rpm. Thrust is sent to the rear wheels via a conventional six-speed manual transmission with an old-school gated shifter. Optional is the F1 gearbox, a single-clutch automated manual transmission controlled by paddle shifters mounted on the steering column. The F430 also has an electronically controlled rear differential called "E-Diff" that helps to improve acceleration and vehicle balance during cornering. Under full whip, this Italian stallion will gallop to 60 mph in around 4 seconds and top out just shy of 200 mph.
Safety
The F430 comes standard with antilock brakes and stability control, but there are no side airbags -- it's the Ferrari way.
Interior Design and Special Features
Unlike Ferraris of yore, the F430's interior is slathered in soft leather and high-quality materials, though it's still more of a focused high-performance driving capsule than a luxurious place to lounge. Aggressively bolstered seats are boons in spirited driving, and weekend racers can go one better by selecting the optional carbon-fiber racing seats. Buyers may also opt for "Daytona" seats, so called because their perforated upholstery design mimics that used in the classic 365 Daytona of the early 1970s. Interior accents can be specified in aluminum or carbon fiber. Although the Spider's fully automatic top lowers in just 20 seconds, its rear window is plastic, a lamentable sin in an exotic drop top.
Driving Impressions
The 2009 Ferrari F430 accelerates with the gusto that only a true exotic can provide. Forget about the numbers -- one run through the gears and you'll be hooked for life on the V8's high-rpm wail. The F1 transmission boasts lightning-quick gearchanges, but its automatic mode isn't as smooth as those provided by more advanced dual-clutch automated manuals. The conventional manual is still very impressive, clinking through the exposed metal gates with loads of old-world charm. Handling is about as good as it gets for street-legal cars, with perfect fore-and-aft balance and precise steering that all but speaks to you in real-time Italian about what's going on below. The suspension is undoubtedly firm, but that shouldn't be an issue for most F430 owners, as we're confident they've got a few other options in the garage for daily driving.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
There are no Consumer Reviews for the 2009 Ferrari F430.

2009 Ferrari 430 Scuderia

Introduction
The 2009 Ferrari 430 Scuderia is what happens when a serious performance-car company decides to weed out the wannabes. Let's start with two features it doesn't have: a radio or anything worthy of being called "sound-deadening material." If you're a Beverly Hills weenie, Ferrari seems to be saying help yourself to the regular F430, preferably in convertible form. But if you want arguably the most exhilarating driving experience Ferrari has to offer, bring your racing shoes and get your name on the 430 Scuderia waiting list. Oh, and bring money, too -- the Scuderia costs (gulp) $100,000 more than the F430 on which it's based.
So what do you get for your extra $100,000? Well, if you have to ask about value, you probably shouldn't be shopping for a Ferrari in the first place. But the Scuderia does give you a lot of upgrades for your 65-percent-greater financial contribution. By ditching the sound insulation, replacing some significant components with carbon-fiber versions (door panels, central tunnel, seats), ripping out the carpet and making the floor aluminum, Ferrari shaved about 450 pounds off the F430's already svelte 3,196-pound curb weight. The 4.3-liter V8 also came in for revisions, albeit minor ones, resulting in a 20-horsepower gain for a total of 503 hp. The result isn't what we'd call refined, exactly, but it sure is fast -- the 0-60-mph sprint drops from 4 four seconds to a shade over 3, making the Scuderia one of the quickest cars in the world.
The 430 Scuderia also employs the services of E-Diff2, an electronic dream team that combines the F430's E-Diff electronic limited-slip differential with the 599 GTB Fiorano's F1-Trac traction control system. E-Diff2 offers 40 percent more acceleration out of corners than a traditional traction/stability control system, so it won't just save your bacon -- it'll also make you look like a better driver. Ferrari's single-clutch automated manual F1 gearbox is mandatory on the Scuderia. Some may wish for a conventional manual transmission instead, but Ferrari says the F1's quicker shift times make it ideal for racetrack duty.
The limited-production 2009 Ferrari 430 Scuderia is an unparalleled track day toy or look-at-me accessory for folks with a roster of more comfortable daily-driver options. We'd rather have a 599 GTB Fiorano for just $20,000 more -- but then, that's because we don't already have one in the garage.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2009 Ferrari 430 Scuderia is an ultra-high-performance two-seat exotic coupe available in one trim level. Standard equipment includes 19-inch wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes, five driver-selectable settings for suspension, throttle and transmission calibrations, numerous carbon-fiber body panels and interior components, carbon-fiber racing seats available in three sizes, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, xenon headlights, full power accessories and automatic climate control.
There are numerous personalization options available, including special paint and trim items for both the exterior and interior. While the standard Scuderia comes without a stereo, you can add one as an option, and it includes Bluetooth and the availability of a six-CD changer with iPod connectivity.
Powertrains and Performance
The Ferrari 430 Scuderia is powered by a massaged version of the F430's 4.3-liter V8 that produces 503 hp and 347 pound-feet of torque. The only transmission available is the F1-SuperFast 2 automated-clutch manual, which is controlled by carbon-fiber paddle shifters mounted on the steering column. Gearchanges are accomplished in 60 milliseconds, or a quarter of the time needed to change a gear the old-fashioned way.
The estimated 0-60-mph time for the Scuderia is 3.4 seconds, with a quarter-mile time of around 11 seconds at 126 mph. The standard carbon-ceramic brakes haul the Scuderia down from 60 mph in just 95 feet, which is about as good as it gets.
Safety
The 430 Scuderia comes standard with antilock brakes, stability control and the E-Diff2's combination of a limited-slip differential and traction control. There are no side airbags.
Interior Design and Special Features
The Scuderia's interior is quite literally a shell of its former F430 self. Carbon fiber is used throughout the cabin to save weight, while Alcantara faux suede fills in the blanks. The optional stereo is worth considering, but the unadulterated V8 howl might be the only music you'll ever need. The driver and passenger are kept in place by carbon-fiber seats, which are available in three sizes and include street-friendly manually adjustable seatbacks.
Driving Impressions
With five driving settings controlled by the steering wheel's "manettino" (Italian for "little manager") knob, not to mention E-Diff2's magical power management, the 2009 Ferrari 430 Scuderia seems designed to make even the average Giuseppe feel like Ferrari F1 legend Michael Schumacher in the twisties. Not coincidentally, Schumacher himself was supposedly involved in the Scuderia's development. Even without the electronic gadgetry, the 430 Scuderia is still a delightfully elemental embodiment of the midengine sports car concept.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
There are no Consumer Reviews for the 2009 Ferrari 430 Scuderia.

from: http://www.edmunds.com/

BMW history

To better understand BMW today you have to know and understand BMW history. The last century gives the “flavor” of today’s BMW cars, the ingredient that makes them so special. This “special” can be almost seen as the soul of a person. BMW cars have an unmistakably personality and an obsessive care about the feeling of driving, thus their slogan "the ultimate driving machine". This creates a bond between the car and the driver that may last for a lifetime.
These three magic letters stand for Bayerische Motoren Werke, or in English, Bavarian Motor Works. The "Motor" is the core of this acronym and is the foundation; the key part around which BMW builds every product.
BMWDrives invites you to be part in this amazing trip and you will find out the story that lies behind BMW.
1913
The man who started all was Karl Friedrich Rapp in October 1913. Not everybody knows that BMW started as a manufacturer of aircraft engines. Rapp establishes "Rapp-Motorenwerke" in a former bicycle factory near Munich. He starts manufacturing his own aircraft engines but unfortunately they suffered form problems with vibrations. Close to Rapp´s factory, Gustav Otto, the son of the inventor of the four-stroke internal combustion engine, sets up a business building small aircrafts. Otto enjoys great success with "Gustav Flugmaschinefabrik".
1916
Rapp Motoren Werke had problems with the reliability of the engines. They have secured a contract with Austro-Daimler, who was unable to meet its demands that of building V12 Aero engines under license. The company expanded too quickly, and by 1916 Karl Friedrich Rapp resigned from the company because of financial troubles. The company was taken over by two Austrians Franz-Josef Popp and Max Fritz backed by a Vienna financier, Camillo Castiglioni. They managed to convince Gustav Otto´s "Gustav Flugmaschinefabrik" to merge with "Rapp-Motorenwerke". Together they formed Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke or BFW, in English "Bavarian Aircraft Works". Shortly afterwards the company was renamed BMW and in 1918 becomes BMW AG (The German term Aktiengesellschaft means a corporation that is limited by shares, i.e., owned by shareholders. It may be traded on the stock market. The term is used in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The U.S. equivalent term is "public company", source Wikipedia) the company that we know and admire today.
1917
In 1917, BMW's first aircraft engine, the Type IIIa, goes into production. It is a water-cooled six-cylinder inline engine, it features a unique "high-altitude carburetor" developed by Fritz that allows it to develop full power at altitude.
BMW 3.0 CSL - Alexander Calder 1975 photo gallery
1918
In 1918 this engine powered a biplane to 5,000 meters altitude in just 29 minutes. It was an impressive performance for those days, one that led to strong demand for BMW engines.
1919
In 1919 a successor for this engine is born. It is named naturally Type IV. With this engine, Franz Zeno Diemer sets an altitude record of 9,760 metres (32,013 ft).
1920
The current BMW logo, introduced in the early 1920, was based on the circular design of an aircraft propeller.
World War I comes to an end and the Treaty of Versailles was signed prohibiting BMW from building aircraft engines. Production is switched for building air brakes for railway cars.

The rotating aircraft propeller - inspiration for the BMW logo.

In these conditions, the company had to think to other products and so BMW starts building motorcycle engines. In 1920, Martin Stolle and Max Friz design the M2 B 15 engine for the "Victoria" motorcycle from Nürnberg. This was the first BMW motorcycle engine and it was produced between 1920 and 1922.
1921
BMW's first motorized bicycle is called "Flink" and sees the light in 1921. They were powered by a Kurier two stroke engine.
1922
1922 is another milestone in BMW history. The first BMW factory is built on Neulerchenfeldstrasse -- the site of Otto's old aircraft factory -- near the current day Olympic complex in Munich.
1923
Because the earlier BMW motorcycles had suspension problems they were not able to sell much. So they start to develop the "R32" motorcycle, which was the first BMW bike sold at an amount worth to mention (3100 bikes until 1926). The BMW R32 motorcycle causes a strong impression at its world premiere at the Berlin Automobile Show in 1923. With the R32, BMW succeeds in moving into vehicle construction even before the development of automobiles. This is the moment when the history of the BMW boxer engine begins and will continue until the present day. The top speed of this 2-cylinder 494cc motorcycle was around 59 mph (95 km/h).
1924
In 1924 we can witness the first intercontinental flight to Persia powered by BMW engines.
1925
One year later, 1925, the R37 motorcycle outputs twice the power of it's predecessor: 16bhp from a 500ccm engine. This motorcycle provides the basis for the BMW racing machines and makes the brand well known throughout the whole motorcycle world. The result: from 1924 to 1929, all German Championships in the 500 ccm category are won by BMW.
1926
BMW keeps a leading position in the aeronautical industry. The same commitment to innovation and perfection is rewarded with five world records for the The Rohrbach Ro VII seaplane with a BMW VI engine.
1927
BMW keeps the same pace and they break other world-flight records the next year, 1927. From a total of 87 world records in aviation, 29 of them were set with BMW engines.
1928
1928 marks the beginning in terms of the BMW car. BMW buys the car factory at Eisenach/Thuringia and with it the license to build a small car called the Dixi 3/15. The BMW Dixi was the competition for the Austin 7. The BMW Dixi DA/1 (DA standing for Deutsche Ausfuhrung) is essentially the german version. The first Dixis used an open roof and were powered by a 743cc 4 cylinder engine producing 15 horsepower. Top speed was in the neighborhood of 50 mph (80 km/h). The Dixi 3/15 PS was built under license from Austin and was essentially the same model as the US Bantam and the Japanese Datsun. In 1929 a new improved version was launched, the DA/2, which employed an all-steel body and 4-wheel brakes, and in 1930 the Dixi scored its first wins in motor racing. Total production: 18,976 units.
1929

1929 is the year when Ernst Henne riding a 750 cc BMW sets a new motorcycle record on September 19, 1929, reaching a speed of 134.65 mph (216.75 km/hr). This surpasses the existing world record by 10 kph.
The first BMW car saw the light in 1928 - the Dixi 3/15

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1930
Until 1932 BMW manages to sell very well its air-cooled radial engine thanks to its excellent power to weight ratio. They also win the 6000 mile Alpine Rally through four countries.
1932
A new car model from BMW is launched in 1932. It is called the 3/20PS. The powerplant was a 782cc 4 cylinder unit which featured suspended valves and a double chain driving the camshafts, producing 20 horsepower at 3500 rpm and providing the saloon with a 50 mph top speed. It is the first model to be developed entirely by BMW in Munich also known as the BMW AM 4 (Ausfuhrung Munchen 4 Gange - Munich Version 4 Speeds). With this car BMW wins the Concours d'Elegance in Baden-Baden.
1933
The next year, 1933, marked the introduction of the 303 saloon and the first BMW inline-six cylinder power unit, a configuration that will remain even to the contemporary BMW cars. Designed by Fritz Fiedler, the 303 engine had a chain driven camshaft, with pushrods and rocker arms to vertical overhead valves. The crankshaft of the new BMW 303 6-cylinder engine was designed by Rudolph Schleicher. The 303 was also the first BMW to use the twin-kidney shaped radiator grilles, another current trademark. Using a welded tubular steel frame, independent front suspension and rack and pinion steering, the 303 was a benchmark in technological achievements. Its 1173cc engine provided 30 horsepower and a top speed of 56 mph (90 km/h).
1934
Based on Pratt&Whitney design, BMW makes the air-cooled radial engine in 1934. Three of these engines power the famous JU52 airplane, who served both civilian and military service during the 1930s and 1940s.It's the year when the 315/1 roadster appears on the market. It had a beautiful sleek design for it's time with low cut doors. The engine was a 1.5 liter, in-line 6 cylinder developing 40bhp. The top speed was around 125km/h making the 315/1 one of the most competitive sports car of the era winning the international Alpine Trials. It was also a clear winner in the 2000km race across Germany.
1935
1935 marks another innovation from BMW in the motorcycle industry. The K12 is the first motorcycle with a hydraulically damped telescopic front wheel fork. It replaced the old leaf spring fork. The 315 roadster becomes the undisputed champion in the 1.5 liter sports car category.
The successor of the 315 was the 326. The development of this car began in late 1934 by Fritz Fiedler and chief designer Alfred Böning. The design was Peter Schimanowski's work. The engine had an output of 50bhp. It featured also some advanced technical innovations for that time like hydraulic braking system and rack and pinion steering. The 326 was available as a saloon, a two-door or four-door convertible.
1936
BMW comes up with the amazing 328 roadster in 1936. This car is a legend in the racing history, one of the best and one of the most beautiful cars that BMW has ever created. As recognition, the 328 roadster was nominated for the Car of the Century. The car makes its competition debut at the famed Nürburgring racetrack in June 1936, and proved unbeatable in international sportscar races in the two-liter class. The beautiful lines, like the integrated headlamps set a trend which was to survive well into the fifties. In 1940 it wins the famous Mille Miglia race. The engine was a 2 liter, in-line 6 cylinder with 80bhp.
1937
Although the numbers are not in a regular succession, the 327 appeared on the market in 1937, one year after the 328. The styling had the same signature, Peter Schimanowski, which meant that it looked stunning with two-tone paintwork. It came with a coupé or cabriolet body. The 327 had a short version of the 326's chassis. The top engine developed 80bhp. A total of 1396 cars were made.
A new world speed record is set by BMW in 1937. Ernst Henne becomes the fastest man on two wheels riding a 500 ccm compressor machine developing 108bhp. This bike had an aerodynamic body to better pierce through the air at high speeds. On the Frankfurt-Darmstadt motorway, Henne attends 173.686mph (279.508 km/h), a record that will stand for the next 14 years.
1938
1938 sees more motorsport wins for the 328 roadster.
1939
George Meier is the first foreigner to win the Isle of Man Senior TT in 1939 - the world's toughest motorcycle competition of its day. Shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, BMW takes over the Brandenburgische Motorenwerke in Berlin-Spandau and factories in Basdorf and Zühlsdorf near Berlin.

1940
Shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, BMW takes over the Brandenburgische Motorenwerke in Berlin-Spandau and factories in Basdorf and Zühlsdorf near Berlin.
Driving a 328 with a streamlined body made from ultra-light aluminum and magnesium alloy, Baron Fritz Huschke von Kanstein wins in 1940, the famous Mille Miglia race with an average speed of 103.4mph. Following on from the BMW 132 and the Bramo engines, series production of the BMW 801 aircraft engine starts in 1940. By the end of the war, over 20,000 of these 14-cylinder double radial engines will have been built in Munich, Allach, Berlin and Dürrerhof, all of which are fitted with a type of mechanical computer for automatic tuning.
1941
In 1941 all motorcycle production facilities and design documentation are transferred to Eisenach due to the war. The production of the BMW cars is stopped. BMW begins production of the R57 Wehrmacht military motorcycle. It had a 750cc engine with seven forward and two reverse gears. The engine was bolt-on frame allowing easy dismantling and maintenance. The sidecar version drives with differential lock and joint hydraulic brakes for sidecar and rear wheel.
1942
To satisfy wartime demand, the production of rocket engines begins in the Basdorf and Zühlsdorf plants in Berlin in 1942. Although only a small number of these engines are used, rocket construction is one of the reasons why, in 1945, Bayerische Motoren Werke are closed and later dismantled.
1943
BMW works simultaneously on the groundbreaking 109-003 jet engine, one of the first mass-production jet engines in the world, and on the largest ever aircraft piston engine, the BMW 803. A 28-cylinder, four row radial engine, the BMW 803 basic strength of 4,000 hp at 85.5 l displacement; the 003 jet engine has a diesel-powered gas turbine. Its maiden flight is in October 1943 in a Ju 88.In the early 1940s, BMW develops the 28-cylinder, four-speed 803 engine with two contrarotating propellers and also starts work on jet engines. Tests on the 003 engine begin in October 1943 followed, on 4th February 1944, by the maiden flight of the Arado 234 V long-distance reconnaissance plane with four BMW 003 engines.
1944
Air raids destroy the Munich plant in 1944, but the Allach plant is virtually unharmed at the end of the war. BMW begins plans to rebuild its Munich production plant. Meanwhile they test rockets for the war effort in Basdorf and Zühlsdorf.At the end of the Second World War, BMW lies in ruins. The works in Eisenach and Dürrerhof, Basdorf and Zühlsdorf are lost. The factory in Munich is dismantled. The victorious Allies impose a three-year ban on production because of the company's involvement in constructing aircraft engines and rockets.
1945
In mid-1945 BMW receives permission to start repairing US army automobiles in Allach. It can also make spare parts for farming machinery and bicycles. Thatâ,"s how the first BMW bicycle with a lightweight aluminum frame comes to life.Motorcycles can also be made again, but BMW is initially not in a position to do so.Initially using spare parts, the Eisenach plant continues to build BMW cars for Soviet use, but in 1951 the brand name Eisenacher Motorenwerke (EMW) is introduced. A Soviet joint-stock company called Awtowelo is set up as backer. The factory is nationalised in 1952, and from 1955 it starts production of the 'Wartburg' car brand.In October 1945 the US military orders the dismantling of the BMW plants in Munich and Allach. This deprives BMW of its control over its possessions in Munich until 1949 - US control lasted until 1955 in Allach. Almost all intact machinery is removed and shipped as reparations all over the world, hitting the Milbertshofen plant in Munich especially hard.There is almost no activity for BMW in the following years.
1948
At the Geneva Motor Show in 1948, British car companies Arlington-Fraser-Nash and Bristol develop licensed models based on earlier BMWs, since BMW is neither able, nor allowed, to manufacture after the war. There is though a high demand for the BMW's R24 motorcycle, equipped with a four-gear, single-cylinder with a 247 cc, 12 HP engine. Construction designs for the first post-war BMW motorcycle are ready by summer 1947, and the first R 24 is raffled to the employees shortly before Christmas 1948. The first standard-production model sells spectacularly in a country long-deprived because of war and its after-effects.
1949
BMW is back again: presenting its first motorcycle since 1941 in New York.

1950
The 250 cc limit imposed by the Allies has been lifted. BMW is producing the first motorcycle with a Boxer engine; the 500 cc R51/2. This is followed in 1951 by the R51/3 and the R 67, with variants /2 and /3 boasting 600 cc engines. With demand far outweighing supply, these motorcycles are a roaring sales success.
1951
The first post war car model, the V8 equipped 501 luxury sedan produced in 1951 was a poor production choice for a country that was also devastated by the war. Demand was low and the 501 did not even com e close to meeting BMW's expectations. With the Eisenach plant now under Soviet control, it is also the first BMW automobile to be built completely in Munich. The 500-series cars may not have been BMW's most glamorous products, but these big and sturdy middle-class machines were the mainstay of the company's car division from 1951 up until 1964. They were nicknamed Barockengel - Baroque Angels - because their shape and flowing lines looked like the carved wooden figures in South German and Austrian churches back in the Baroque period. From 1954 onwards, it is joined by the 502, which possesses the world's first V8 light-alloy engine.
1952
Between 1952 and 1954, BMW produces the exceptionally fast BMW R68, capable of doing some 160 km/h in top gear. This 600 cc motorcycle with 35 hp, it sets a new standard for international motorcycle makers. Selling at 4,000 DM, exclusivity is also part and parcel of this motorcycle as well, as only 1,452 were ever built. BMW's motorcycle production has risen from 10,000 to 30,000 units.
1953
BMW's 100,000th motorcycle, an R67/2, comes off the assembly line.
1954
Three years after BMW resumed car production, the world's first all-aluminium V8 engine goes into production in Munich in 1954. This smooth-running piece of machinery combines strength and silence; it initially produces 100 hp and can propel the BMW 502 to a speed of 160 km/h. The BMW 507 can later even reach up to 220 km/h.In 1954, BMW establishes a research facility for engine construction in the Allach plant, which survived the war undamaged. In 1957, this becomes BMW Triebwerkbau GmbH. The company MAN buys 50% of the firm in 1960. Under license from Lycoming, the firm starts production with a 264 horsepower six cylinder boxer engine. It also develops a small gas turbine for light aircraft, and for stationary use.
BMW is the World Motorcycle Sidecar Champion and stays so for the next twenty years.
1955
In 1955 BMW Isetta won the hearts of the public. Just 2.29 m long, the company obtains the licence to build the motocoupé from ISO in Italy. Powered by a 12 or 13 hp BMW motorcycle engine, over 160,000 people buy an Isetta in the Fifties, making it the best-selling BMW of the decade and a symbol for the boom years after the war.

The full swing-arm suspension on the R50, R60 and R69 takes the market by storm. Sliding swing-arm front-wheel suspension and long-arm rear-wheel suspension afford BMW motorcycles previously unattained levels of stability. But the motorcycle bubble appears to have burst: the number of BMW motorcycles produced slumps from 30,000 in 1954 to a mere 5,400 in 1957.Wilhelm Noll sets a new world record at 280.2 km/h. From a standing start, he reaches 139 km/h after one kilometre and 166 km/h after one mile. His average speed after five miles clocks in at 266 km/h.
1956
The 507 is probably the most widely recognised classic BMW of the 1950s. Like it's great rival the Mercedes-Benz 300SL, it was inspired by the US importer Max Hoffmann, who told BMW that he could sell a high-performance sports car in large quantities if the company could deliver. Designed in less than a year by Albrecht Goertz, the BMW 507 is a very exclusive sports car: only a total of 252 are built. Most of the work is carried out by hand, customised to meet each buyer's wishes. Its timeless good looks, with a sleek silhouette, supple curves and expansive bonnet, guarantee that it remains the embodiment of the dream car to this day. The power unit was the then new 150 hp V8 of the 502 3.2-liter super, with an additional 10 hp.
1957
Designed by Willy Black, the BMW 600 was intended as an enlarged Isetta three-wheeler with more power and a more conventional four-wheel configuration. The front end of the 600 was virtually unchanged from the Isetta, but the 600s wheelbase was stretched to accommodate four seats.

1958
Ernst Hiller, riding a BMW, wins the Austrian Grand Prix.
1959
Financier Herbert Quandt acquires a large number of BMW shares and subsequently initiates the reorganization of the company, leading to its independence. The majority shareholder, Quandt is first a member of the advisory board and later sits on the supervisory board, thus contributing greatly to BMW's rise as a company of global importance.After sustaining heavy financial losses in the big limousine sector, a merger with Daimler-Benz is planned. But Board Chairman Kurt Golda together with the workforce and trade unions, convinces majority shareholder Herbert Quandt that BMW has a future. Quandt rejects Daimler-Benz’s offer at the last minute.The 700 model was the car that put BMW back on its feet again. It is the first vehicle to have a unitary body: floor, side walls and roof are welded to the occupant cell.

1960
By July 1960, 20.000 BMW’s 700 are produced. It had the engine of the R67 motorcycle and was mounted in the rear. The styling of the 700 model was provided by the Italian Giovanni Michelotti. It came as a 2+2 coupé and as a 2-door sedan. A racing version called the 700RS was also used mostly in German hill-climb and rally events. From 1960 onwards, the top BMW motorcycle is the R69, with 42 bhp. After BMW withdraws from track racing, the company turns its attention to collecting a plethora of cross-country victories and titles in the sixties. The results: twelve German championships wins between 1960 and 1966, no less than five of them by Sebastian Nachtmann and four going to the team efforts of Ibscher/Hintermaier and Ibscher/Rettschlag.
1961
It’s the year when BMW launches the BMW 1500, developed by Hofmeister, Fiedler, Wolff and von Falkenhausen. It is the first BMW “sporty sedan” marking a turning point in the Bavarian company. The excellent suspension and striking design for its time, employing a low waistline with a low-slung engine compartment and rear lid characterized the 1500. It is the first modern BMW with a four-cylinder engine developing 80bhp. Wilhelm Hofmeister introduces the forward curve at the base of the C column: this feature today bears his name. Along with the front air grille, it is one of the unmistakable characteristics that define BMW automobiles. Paul G. Hahnemann joins the BMW board of directors. The talented head of the sales department introduces professional marketing strategies at BMW and restructures the company's product range to appeal to promising market niches. Under his leadership, BMW undertakes systematic expansion into markets outside Germany.
1962
Alexander von Falkenhausen, a motorcycle design engineer at BMW from the mid-Thirties on, founds the motorsport brand AFM after WWII. Upon his return to BMW, he develops the engine of the New Class, unveiled in 1962. Later, as head of BMW engine development, he is the man behind BMW engine's legendary successes in the world of Formula Two racing.
1963
BMW 1800 comes as an evolution for the 1500 model. It is ten horsepower stronger. High-performance models produced many racing victories.
1964
Different versions of the original 1500 are launched. BMW 1600 used the 1500 engine and the 1800s pistons to produce 83bhp. The 1800ti (ti stands for touring international) has a power output of 110bhp. Hubert Hahne wins the German Circuit Championship driving an 1800ti.
1965
BMW's engine plant in Allach, founded in 1955, is sold. BMW withdraws from jet engine construction for 25 years, focusing instead on car and motorcycle production.
1966
BMW buys the crisis-ridden Hans Glas GmbH with its factories in Dingolfing and Landshut. Both plants are restructured, and over the coming decades the world's largest BMW plant takes shape in Dingolfing. Frameless side windows, two doors and smooth, unadorned surfaces: the hallmarks of the BMW 1600, unveiled on 9th March 1966 to mark the 50th anniversary of BMW. This will form the basis for the 3 Series. Head of BMW Motors, Alexander von Falkenhausen, creates a new engine: based on the 2 litre engine of the BMW 2000 TI, the 16-valve powerplant produces 260 hp. Known as the Apfelbeck engine, it propels a modified Brabham Formula Two car through eight world records in 1966 alone. This engine is the Formula Two ticket for BMW and drivers such as Hubert Hahne, Dieter Quester, Jacky Ickx and Jo Siffert.
1967
BMW decides to make a convertible version for the 1600 model. They were built by Baur and only 1682 were ever produced. Very few were exported to the United States.
1968
BMW launched its large "New Six" sedans, the 2500, 2800, and American Bavaria, and coupés, the 2.5 CS and 2800 CS. At the wheel of a BMW Bergspider Monti, Austrian racing driver Dieter Quester claims several victories in Formula Two racing. He also wins the European touring car title three times: in 1968, 1969 and 1977.
1969
BMW follows up the 1600ti and 2002ti with the 2000tii. The second 'i' stands for injection and the engine now develops 130bhp. Car production needs more space in the Munich plant, so in 1969 BMW transfers motorcycle production to Spandau in Berlin. This plant becomes the new home of BMW motorcycles.

1970
By the 1970’s BMW was a commercial success. Construction of a new HQ begins in Munich. The building is architecturally modeled after four cylinders.
1971
In December 1971 BMW stuff moves into the new HQ. It is still in use today and became a true icon for BMW. As early as 1971, the BMW 3.0 Si reaches the 200 km/h mark effortlessly. Six-cylinder engines are also incorporated in the new line of coupés. Continuing this development, the BMW 3.0 CSL light construction coupé causes furors in 1971, when it debuts on the racetrack and the streets with 180 to 206 hp.
1972
It is the year of the Summer Olympics in Munich. Paul Bracq, head of design at BMW, is the creator of the Turbo prototype. It had futuristic interior, a sleek exterior design with gullwing-doors. The car was powered by 4-cylinder, 1990cc turbocharged engine developing 280bhp.
The first BMW 5 Series (so-called because it was the fifth new series after the V-8 and Isetta era) model is presented. Code name E12 ("E" stands for "Entwicklung", the German word for development) this car was mainly targeted at the American market, an important source of profits for BMW. The 520 and the 520i were 4 door Sedans with carbureted and fuel injected four-cylinder engines.
BMW Motorsport is founded, initially created to facilitate BMW’s racing program, which was very successful in the 1960s and 1970s. In the next years they will give us some of the most amazing cars in the world.
BMW builds a new factory in South Africa.
1973
Introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show, BMW 2002 Turbo was one of the first mass-produced turbos in the world. It had a KKK (Kuhnle, Kopp & Kausch) turbocharger. BMW wins the European Formula 2 Championship, European Touring Car Champion and World Sidecar Champion for the twentieth time.A proof of BMW’s global expansion is the opening of two more subsidiaries in France and in the United States.
1974
The 3.0 CSL race cars were the first cars to be developed under BMW Motorsport GmbH. They were also the first to sport the newly designated official colors of BMW Motorsport - red, blue and purple - and the first to use ABS. CSL stands for: coupé, sport, lightweight. Because of the aerodynamic wings, the 3.0 CSL was nicknamed “the Batmobile”.
1975
BMW launches the car that will gather the biggest sales in the years to come: the 3 Series. It is the BMW’s answer for an entry-level luxury sedan. The first model was the E21 as a successor to the 2002 model. At the time of the launch it the E21 had four versions: 316, 318, 320 and 320i. More powerful versions were avialable from Alpina.
Alexander Calder, a well known artist especially for his abstract “mobiles”, which are described as the most innovative American sculptures of the 20th century, is the author of first BMW "art car". He turns a 3.0 CSL into a work of art on wheels.
1976
BMW launches a luxury coupé, the 6 Series, codename E24. The high built quality, the luxury, the sporty engines; the technical innovations remain a standard even in today’s market of luxury coupés. The 6 Series was equipped with a series of sensors that ran a check on oil pressure, windshield washer level, brake fluid level, brake lights, brake pad wear, tail lights, and coolant level thus helping the driver. This concept of the "check control" test panel has been used widely in BMW models ever since.
With the 100 RS, BMW build the first motorcycle in the world with full fairing. The development of this focused primarily both on aerodynamic considerations and on the protection of the rider from wind and weather. At the same time, the R100 RS is first BMW with 1 liter capacity. With this model, BMW thus establishes the category of the sporty touring bikes - a segment in which BMW sets standards to this day.
1977
A full-size luxury sedan comes in the body of the BMW 7 Series. The E23 was BMW's replacement for the E3 2500-3.3Li. The first cars were the 728, 730 and the 733i with the advanced Bosch fuel injection. In 1977 BMW is the first vehicle manufacturer in the world to offer professional driver training. BMW has consistently improved and developed driver training programs in the years since that time.
1978
BMW competes in the Procar Series with Hans-Joachim Stuck and Niki Lauda driving the BMW M1. In order to get the homologation, BMW produced 450 M1’s street versions making it the rarest of modern BMW’s and a dream for many collectors. The M1 was the first car produced by BMW Motorsport.
1979
BMW is one of the pioneers in developing car’s electronics and computers. They keep investing in research and development for new technologies. The result is the Digital Motor Electronics (DME): a microcomputer synchronizes ignition and fuel injection for fuel savings, lower emissions and better engine performance. The Bavarians also start the research on the hydrogen engines as an alternative solution for the engines of the future. They start supplying armored cars for exclusive customers and institutions.

1980
BMW it’s also successful in the motorbike off-road racing winning the toughest race in this field, the Paris to Dakar rally. As a result their experience goes also on the road version models like the R80 G/S, G for "Gelände" (off-road), S for "Strasse" (road). This bike is bike is the first to be equipped with BMW's single swing-arm "monolever". BMW establishes the segment of the large, comfortable travel Enduro bikes, a key category in the motorcycle trade to this day.
They begin the development of the Formula 1 engines.
1981
The Bavarian carmaker is already a global player but they want to expand on other continents. BMW is the first European carmaker that sees the opportunity of the Asian market. As a result they establish a subsidiary in Japan, the most powerful economy in Asia.
1982
The successor of the E21 model is the E30 3 Series. The E30 was more of an upgraded E21 than an all new car and it used some of the same engines. Major changes included improved front and rear suspension design, more modern interior design, and a deeper front spoiler.The E30 3-Series was produced in four body styles, a four door saloon, a two door coach, a five door estate (marketed as the "touring"), and a two door convertible.
The fifth BMW plant is the Steyr facility and the next plant will be built at Regensburg showing the German automaker’s financial success.
For the sixth time BMW wins the Formula 2 European Championship.
1983
It’s time for the 5 Series to renew itself. The new one is called the E28 and had more engine choices but minor styling updates. For the U.S. market the 528e version or ‘eta’ (the Greek letter eta stands for the engine's efficiency) was available.
BMW starts to incorporate diesel engines for cars in its range.
Driving a Brabham powered by a BMW four-cylinder turbo engine, Nelson Piquet wins the Formula 1 World Championships.
The idea of the BMW motorcycle development engineer Josef Fritzenwenger to mount a longitudinally positioned in-line engine horizontally goes into serial production in 1983. The newly developed K Series joins the popular two-cylinder flat twin "boxer".
1984
The E28 receives new engines: the entry level 518i and the powerful M535i.
The 6 Series receives the top version: the M635CSi, essentially an E24 powered by the powerplant of the BMW M1. In the US market was simply called M6.
BMW Technik GmbH is founded. Computers and robots revolutionize work in planning and production. The first European models with catalytic converters appear.
1985
Based on the E28 5 Series, BMW launches the phenomenal M5 at the Amsterdam Motor Show in February 1985. It had the looks and the capacity of a family sedan but the performance of a sportscar. The M5 uses the 535i chassis and a revised version of the M1’s engine. The total output was 286bhp making the M5 the fastest production saloon (sedan) in the world.
The BMW 325 iX is the first BMW with four-wheel drive.
BMW Z1 prototype is one of the first products made by BMW Technik GmbH.
1986
BMW gives birth to the M3, a car that will become an icon and an etalon in the sportcars market. The first version produced 195bhp and later models were upgraded up to 238bhp. Soon, the E30 M3 scored thousands of victories granting the title of one of the most successful touring cars in history. 786 cabriolets were also produced, all by hand in BMWs Garching plant.
The 7 Series E32 was the next BMW luxury 4-door sedan. Originally equipped with the M30 6-cylinder engine, the E32 soon evolved with an 8 and later a 12 cylinder engine with up to 300 hp.Long wheel base models with more rear cabin space were designated L.
The BMW 745i with direct fuel injection is the first European car with a liquid hydrogen tank and internal fuel preparation.
BMW also celebrates its most successful year in the market in the United States of America - 96,800 registrations.
1987
Investment and care for research and development continues: the Research & Development Center in Munich (FIZ) employs some 6,000 people.
The E30 M3 wins the World Touring Car Championship.
The 3 Series is now available also as an estate version, called “Touring”.
1988
It’s time for the next 5 Series, the E34. It had a traditional straight six engine, providing the smooth engine and optimal weight distribution BMW customers had come to expect. Along the production years the 5 Series was available in large variety of engines from the 518i to the 540i.An M5 version was also available. The first versions developed a stunning 315bhp. Later on the M5 came with a Touring body version but only 891 cars were made.
The E30 M3 is now available as a cabriolet version.
Introduced at the 1987 Frankfurt Auto Show, the BMW Z1 was a very expensive car for its time. Only 8000 were made. The Z1 was one of the first BMWs to have multi-link rear suspension.
BMW is the world's first motorcycle manufacturer to use an electronic-hydraulic antilock braking system (ABS) for bikes.
1989
BMW aims at the luxury sport coupé market and launches the 8 Series. The first available was the E31 850i. It had a 5liter v12 engine developing 300bhp.
In the motorcycle business BMW launches the K1 bike.
BMW breaks the production records by making half a million cars. The Bavarian car maker has a healthy economical situation with a turnover of 20 million Deutsche Marks.

1990
In November 1990 the 3 Series is renewed by the E36 model. If the E30 was first available as a coupé, the E36 is launched as a sedan first. There were four models available: 316i, 318i, 320i, and 325i. The six cylinder models all had a new 24 valve engine from the E34 5 series.
A four-valve modified version of the K100 RS motorcycle is launched this year. It will go on to be named motorcycle of the year five years running. ABS is now standard on all K-Series machines.
1991
New diesel engines are available for the 3 Series and the 5 Series. The 525tds had the new M51 six cylinder diesel engine which had 143bhp. The same engine but without the intercooler equipped 325td. Turbo models carried the "td" badge, while intercooler models are coded "tds".
On March 18, 1991 the one millionth BMW motorcycle rolls off the factory production floor. It is a three-cylinder K75 RT that is eventually donated to the Red Cross.
1992
BMW presents the new E36 3 Series coupé. It was available as 318is, 320i and 325i. The 318is had the same 16 valve engine as the E30 318is but now had 140bhp.Introduced in Europe at the 1992 Paris Auto Show, replacing the E30 M3, the original E36 M3 featured a six cylinder engine with 286 hp and a top speed of 250 km/h. The engine was designated the S50.
The E34 M5 has now a bigger displacement engine, increased from 3.5l to 3.8l, developing 340bhp.The Touring version for the 5 Series E34 is launched and also the four wheel drive version for the 525, named “ix”.
The new 730i and 740i eight cylinder replaced the 735i and 735iL. The eight cylinder models received the same wide kidney grille as the 750i.
1993
The 3 Series E36 receives new body versions like the convertible and the compact. The compact version is essentially a 3 Series coupé with a chopped off boot lid. To make it affordable only small engines were available like the 316i and the 318i.
Meanwhile the 5 Series grows bigger in terms of engines with the 530i and the 540i. Both the E34 BMW 530i and 540i shared the M60 engine. The 530i developed 218bhp while in the 540i it developed 282bhp.
The ultra luxurious 8 Series receives a v8 engine in the 840Ci model developing 286bhp. Top of the line 8 Series was the 850CSi. It’s v12 engine developing a staggering 380bhp.
The R1100 RS sports tourer motorcycle is fitted with both Paralever rear suspension and the new Telelever front suspension.
1994
The convertible and the sedan versions of the E36 M3 model are revealed.
The E38 7 Series was introduced in August 1994 replacing the E32. Almost all 7 Series models are automatic with a five speed adaptive transmission. The iL models have an extra 140mm of wheel base, which provides more rear leg room. BMW’s flagship sedan became the 750iL with its v12-cylinder engine the same fitted in the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph.
Under the leadership of Bernd Pischetsrieder, BMW acquires the Rover Group. This brought the active Rover, Mini and Land Rover brands as well as rights to other brands such as Austin, Morris, Riley, Triumph and Wolseley under BMW ownership.
BMW finished the building of a new plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina in the United States.
1995
The E36 3 Series receives the Touring version, the 4th body style after the sedan, coupé and convertible making it the most complete series from the BMW range.
With a more streamline body and a fresh design the E39 5 Series replaces the old E34. The base model was the 520i, which developed 150bhp in the earlier models and developed 170 hp in later models. Most parts of the chassis are made from aluminum, giving precise and responsive handling for more rewarding driving.
BMW revives the roadster market with the Z3 model. It is the first car produced in the Spartanburg plant. The Z3 was developed from the E36 platform of the 3 Series. The resulting platform is sometimes referred to as the E36/7(roadster) or E36/8(coupé). This model also featured in the famous James Bond movie, “Golden Eye”.
McLaren F1 GTR wins the famous Le Mans 24 hours race. What not everybody knows is that this impressive car was powered by a BMW engine. The road version of the F1 had a BMW 6.1 Liter V12 engine producing 627 hp. This engine was initially designated for an M version of the 8 Series but it never went into production.
1996
It is time for the E39 5 Series to receive the Touring version. New engines are available for the 5 Series: 535i and 540i. The 540i was powered by the 282bhp 4.4l v8.
A long version (L) is now available for the entry level 7 Series, the 728i.
BMW introduces the company's most powerful motorcycle to date, the four-cylinder liquid-cooled K1200 RS.
1997
Because the Z Series had only small 4cylinder engines a larger straight-6 2.8l engine is now available. This engine, similar to the 3 Series except with an all aluminum block and head, was especially desirable with its 189bhp.In response to a drop in demand for sporting machines, BMW markets it’s first-ever chopper/cruiser the R1200 C.
1998
With a complete new design with a nice looking interior and some updated engines. The higher price of the new E46 3 Series did not matter; it sold well from the start. The following engines were available from the start: 318i / 320d and 320i / 323i / 328i.
BMW introduces the E39 M5 at the Geneva Motor Show. Unlike its predecessors, the E39 M5 was not handbuilt at the BMW M GmbH factory; it was produced on the same assembly line as the normal E39 5-series at the Dingolfing factory in Germany. The E39 M5 was also the first M car powered by a V8 engine. The S62 engine with 400bhp made the new M5 the world's most powerful sedan.The top versions of the Z Series were of course the ones wearing the M badge. The two body versions (roadster and coupé) had a 240bhp, 3.2l engine.
In 1998, both BMW and Volkswagen tried to purchase Rolls-Royce Motors. Volkswagen outbid BMW and bought the company for £430 million, but BMW outflanked its German rival. Although Volkswagen had bought rights to the "Spirit of Ecstasy" mascot and the shape of the radiator grille, it lacked rights to the Rolls-Royce name. Rolls-Royce plc (the aero-engine business) retained the rights over the Rolls-Royce trademark and wished to strengthen its existing business partnership with BMW which extended to the BMW Rolls-Royce joint venture. Consequently, BMW was allowed to acquire the rights to the grille and mascot, and licensed the name and "RR" logo after 2003 for £40 million. Volkswagen was permitted to build Rolls-Royces at its Crewe factory only until 2003, but quickly shifted its emphasis to the Bentley brand.
After a 12-year absence BMW returns to the Paris-Dakar Rally with F650 competition motorcycles.
1999
The E46 3 Series range receives the coupé and the touring versions.
The next car that came out of the BMW’s plant in Spartanburg South Carolina was the E53 X5 SUV. BMW called it a SAV, Sports Activity Vehicle because the X5 had limited off-road capabilities but a sporty handling and feel very similar with one from a BMW sedan. Two engines were available at the start: the 4.4 liter v8, producing 286bhp and the 3.0 liter straight six with 231bhp.
BMW presents a successor for the famous 507. It is called the E52 Z8. The car combines perfectly the classic lines of the BMW roadsters together with modern design. The appointments are superb, from the soft leather interior, the art deco steering wheel, to the sculptured rear view mirror and brushed metal trim. The roadster had an all aluminum chassis and body. The power plant was the E39 M5 engine giving it a sprint from 0 to 60mph in under 5 seconds.The car was featured in the James Bond movie “The World Is Not Enough” in late 1999.
Once again the Bavarians win the Le Mans 24 Hours race with the BMW V12 LMR car running in the LMP 900 (Le Mans prototype) category.
BMW returns to Formula 1. The German manufacturer signs a long term agreement with Williams F1 Team to supply engines and expertise for a period of 6 years.
BMW's motorcycle division had the strongest sales year in its entire history.