BMW

BMW AG (an abbreviation for Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, or in English, Bavarian Motor Works), is a German company and manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles. BMW is the parent company of the Mini and Rolls-Royce car brands, and, formerly, Rover.

Models

Current and near future products

The current BMW model line-up is split into what they call "Series", traditionally identified by a single digit - e.g. the 3 Series.

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In 2004 BMW announced plans to make odd-numbered models sedans and estates or wagons (BMW calls its estates/wagons Touring models), while even-numbered models will be two-door coupes and cabriolets. This convention started informally in 1976 with the introduction of the 6 Series and later continued in 1989 with the 8 Series, but died off when the latter was discontinued in 1999. This practice was revived as the Z4 replaced the aging Z3 roadster in 2003 and continues as the new 6 Series augments the existing BMW 5 Series.

Related Topics:
Sedans - Estates - Coupe - Cabriolet - 6 Series - 8 Series - Z4 - Z3 - BMW 5 Series

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Coupe versions of the 3 Series sedans have always been named 3 Series vehicles, as well. The company had considered renaming future 2-door derivatives of the 3 Series as 4 Series cars, but this plan has reportedly been shelved.

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The M letter was used prior to the shift to Series-named cars to designate special "Motorsport" models, beginning with the M1 supercar. Later the M letter was used as a prefix to top-of-the-range models which had received special treatment by the BMW Motorsport division. The first such car was the M535i of 1979. As these models started gaining popularity the Motorsport division was split into a separate company. BMW M GmbH now makes sporty models based on the production cars with very extensive chassis and engine upgrades. The M3 and M5 are based respectively on the 3 and 5 Series and are recognised by enthusiasts all over the world as truly excellent sports cars while retaining the practicality of the models they extend.

Related Topics:
M1 - BMW M

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With the advent of the SUV, BMW also added the X5 - and in 2004 the X3 - to their model range to capitalise on this growing market. BMW calls its SUV models Sports Activity Vehicles. A possible future V Series will offer MPV practicality for large families, similar to the Renault Scenic.

Related Topics:
SUV - MPV - Renault

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• 1 Series: a new, small car designed to compete with the VW Golf, launched in autumn 2004 in Europe; autumn 2006 in the USA
• 2 Series: a coupe/convertible based on the 1 Series platform
• 3 Series: the successor to the 2002; a compact, entry-level, luxury sedan, now in its fifth generation (E90). The E90 line (starting with the 2006 model year) is availible now in the United States. The E90 is currently availible in the 325i (with a detuned 3.0 liter in-line 6 engine producing 215bhp) and the 330i (with a 3.0 liter in-line 6 engine producing 255bhp). Currently the 3 series coupe is only availible in the fourth generation E46 body style (with a 2.5 liter in-line 6 producing 184bhp for the 325ci and a 3.0 liter in-line 6 producing 225bhp for the 330ci) until the middle of 2006 when the E90 coupes will be availible. Also availible in the middle of 2006 will be the all wheel drive touring (wagon) model, the 325xi. Other models, including diesel models, are availible outside of the United States.
• M3: The motorsport division's race-inspired version of the 3 Series. Currently availible only in the fourth generation E46 body style and with a 3.2 liter engine producing 333bhp. A new revision is expected in 2007.
• X3: a small SUV with emphasis on practicality and affordability
• Z4: a two-seater roadster that succeeded the Z3. Availible in 2.5 liter and 3.0 liter models.
• 5 Series: a mid-size sports/luxury sedan. This series has is available with three different engines: the 525i with the same engine as the 325i, the 530i with the same engine as the 330i, and the 545i with a 4.4 liter V8 producing 325bhp. For the 2007 model year, the 545i will be phased out in favor of the 550i, with a 4.8 liter V8 producing 360bhp. Other models, including diesel models, are available outside of the United States.
• M5: The motorsport division's version of the 5 Series. The new M5 (E60) is powered a F1-inspired V10 engine producing 507bhp and mated with a 7-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) transmission.
• X5: BMW's first SUV (called SAV or Sports Activity Vehicle by BMW) competing against the Porsche Cayenne and Mercedes M-Class.
• 6 Series: The coupe verson of the 5 series, the 6 series is currently availible only in the 645i version with a 4.4 liter V8 producing 325bhp. For the 2007 model year, the 630i (with the same engine as the 530i) and the 650i (with the same engine as the 550i) will be availible.
• M6: A high performance version of the 6 Series. Developed by BMW's M Division, it powered by the same 5.0 L V10 507bhp engine seen in the BMW M5.
• 7 Series: a full-size, executive-class, luxury car competing with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8, and Jaguar XJ. The 7 series comes in the 750i and 750li with the same engine as the 550i, and in the 760i and 760li, with a 6.0 liter V12 producing 438bhp. The 760li is also made in a bulletproof version for clients who need the extra protection.

Out of production

• M1: a 1970s mid-engine sports car, designed in conjunction with Lamborghini
• Z3: a compact two-seater roadster.
• M coupé and roadster: high-performance hard-top and soft-top versions of the Z3, very popular with enthusiasts
• 8 Series: a fast, high-technology coupe of the 1990s meant to replace the older 6 Series.
• Z1: a late 1980s two-seater with innovative modular construction; only 8,000 were made.
• Z8: flagship sports car; design based on the classic 507 roadster from the 1950s. Only 5000 were built, the last 500 being a special edition built by Alpina but sold directly from BMW.

Classics

BMW made many cars over the years which had great impact on the world of motoring.

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• Dixi, 3/20, 303, 309, 315, 319, 320, 321, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 335
• Isetta, 600, 700
• 501, 502, 503, 507
• 3200 CS, 2000 CS
• New Sixes (2500/2800/Bavaria/2.5/2.8/3.0/3.3) - Predecessor to today's 7 Series
• New Class (1500/1502/1600/1800/1802/2000/2002) - Acknowledged as the first modern sports saloon and the predecessor to BMW's core product, the 3 Series

Series Generations

Internally, BMW associates an "e-code" for each generation of a series ("E" stands for Entwicklung, German for development or evolution). These "chassis codes" only change to signify a major redesign of a series, or the introduction of a new series.

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• BMW E3 - (1968-1977) 2.5, 2.8, 3.0, 3.3 "New Six" sedans
• BMW E9 - (1969-1975) 2800CS, 3.0CS, 3.0CSL "New Six" coupés
• BMW E12 - (1972-1981) 5 Series
• BMW E21 - (1975-1985) 3 Series
• BMW E23 - (1977-1986) 7 Series
• BMW E24 - (1976-1989) 6 Series
• BMW E26 - (1978-1981) M1
• BMW E28 - (1981-1988) 5 Series
• BMW E30 - (1983-1993) 3 Series
• BMW E31 - (1990-1999) 8 Series
• BMW E32 - (1986-1994) 7 Series
• BMW E34 - (1988-1995) 5 Series
• BMW E36 - (1990-1999) 3 Series/Z3 (as E36/7)
• BMW E38 - (1994-2001) 7 Series
• BMW E39 - (1997-2003) 5 Series
• BMW E46 - (1998-2005) 3 Series
• BMW E52 - (2000-2004) Z8
• BMW E53 - (2000-present) X5
• BMW E60 - (2004-present) 5 Series
• BMW E63 - (2004-present) 6 Series coupe
• BMW E64 - (2004-present) 6 Series convertible
• BMW E65 - (2002-present) 7 Series short wheel base
• BMW E66 - (2002-present) 7 Series long wheel base
• BMW E70 - future X5
• BMW E83 - (2004-present) X3
• BMW E85 - (2003-present) Z4
• BMW E87 - (2004-present) 1 Series
• BMW E90 - (2005-present) 3 Series
• BMW E91 - (2005-present) 3 Series Wagon