Although BMW's current fame and reputation as one of the largest car manufacturers can mostly linked to models produced in the last two decades, the story of the tent stretches back almost 90 years and contains numerous achievements that have established it as a benchmark.
Context of BMW trace back to 1913 when Karl Friedrich Rapp, a Bavarian who had been a well-known engineer in a German aircraft company, formed Rapp Motoren Werke in a suburb of
Because of the faulty engines, Rapp Motoren Werke secured a contract with Austro-Daimler, who was unable to meet its demands, to build V12 engines under license. The company grew too quickly, however, and by 1916 Rapp resigned from the company because of financial problems. In his place Franz Josef Popp and Max Friz, two Austria
ns, took over the company. In March of that year merged with Rapp Motoren Werke Gustav Flugmaschinefabrik to form Bayersiche Flugzeungwerke. It was shortly after renamed Bayersiche Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Works), or BMW, Formation costs we know today.
In 1917, was BMW's first aircraft engine in production, 6 cylinders Type IIIa. In 1919, by means of an aircraft operated by its successor, the Type IV, Franz Zeno Diemer an altitude record of 9,760 meters (32,013 feet). After the Treaty of Versailles was signed in the same year that prohibits the BMW from building aircraft engines, production switched to air brakes for railway wagons. When BMW began to build aircraft engines in 1922 no fewer than 29 world records in aviation were set with them. The current BMW logo, introduced in 1920, was based on the circular design of an aircraft propeller.
The first BMW motorcycle, R 32, went into production in 1923 at the newly constructed
It was 1928, that history in the form of BMW cars. Produced at the Eisenbach factory, the Dixi 3 / 15 PS marked the beginning of BMW automobile production. It was built under license from
1932 was the year the BMW AM 4 (Ausführung Munich 4 Ganges - Munich Version 4 Speeds) - aka BMW's first "real" car - went into production. AM 4, also called 3 / 20 PS, was the successor to the Dixi and the first production vehicle to be built entirely in-house by BMW. Power was a 782cc 4-cylinder unit, appearing suspended valves and a double chain driving the camshafts, producing 20 hp at 3500 rpm and offers lounge with a 50 km / h top speed.
The next year mark ed the introduction of the 303 sedan and the first BMW inline-six cylinder engine, a configuration that remains BMW's typical choice even in contemporary cars. The 303 was also the first BMW to use the double-kidney shaped radiator grilles, another cur rent trademark. Using a welded steel pipes, independent front suspension and rack and pinion steering system, the 303 was a benchmark in technological achievements. Its 1173cc engine provided 30 horsepower and a top speed of 56 km / h (90 km / h).
3 years later, in 1936, was the BMW 328 introduced. It was the most popular and remains BMW's most famous pre-war sports car, the successor to the 315 / 1 (1934-36). The 328 was built mainly for motor sport where it proved successful by winning the Mille Miglia in
In 1935 BMW into the record books once again, this time on two wheels. Rider on a streamlined 500cc compressor machine developing 108 hp and an incredible power-to-consider-ratio (282 pounds curb weight), which Ernst Henne a world speed record for motorcycles of 173.7 mph (279.5 km / h) in 1937 . It stood for nearly two decades.
BMW's success was unfortunately short lived. After the Second World War the company was in ruins. Its factories have been destroyed or dismantled and a three-year ban on any production activities was imposed by the Allies in the production of aircraft engines and rockets by BMW during the war. The first postwar model V8 equipped 501 luxury sedan produced in 1951, was a poor production choice for a country that was also devastated by war. Demand was low and the 501 does not even com e close to meeting BMW's expectations.
It was an entirely different approach that started to bring BMW back on its feet. In 1955 Isetta 250 was launched and participated very successfully in the mini-car era of the 1950s. It was built under license from the Italian manufacturer Iso and used a motorcycle engine and a single door on the front. The engine was a single cylinder 245cc unit producing 12 hp at 5800 rpm and a top speed of 53 km / h (85 km / h). During its 7 year production run totaling 161,728 Isettas was built.
A few years later, with BMW still has no secure financial foothold, one of the most memorable models in its history was introduced. Launched in 1956, the BMW 507 quickly became famous. Light-alloy 2-door body with a retractable soft top, designed by Albrecht Graf Foertz, has remained timeless as evidenced by the newly introduced Z8, which draws unmistakable traces, its overall shape of it. A big 3168cc V8 engine uses double downdraught carburetors power the 507 and provided 150 hp at 5000rpm, enough for an impressive 124 mph top speed (200 km / h), but not enough to topple its main competitor, the Mercedes 300SL. While only 252 examples of the instantly recognizable 507 were ever produced, it remains a symbol of BMW's struggles and ultimate triumphs during the fifties after the war.
The next step in BMW's development and the predecessor of cars we know today was launched in 1962. 1500, which had been developed during the crisis in the 50s, was another of BMW's saviors. The excellent suspension and striking design for its time, employing a low waistline with a low-slung engine compartment and rear lid characterized the 1500th A 1499cc 4-cylinder engine producing 80 hp at 5700 rpm and gives a top speed of 92 km / h (148 km / h) powered it. During its two year production run sales amounted to only 23,807 units, but between all the models in its range (1500, 1600, 1800 and 2000) production totaled 334,165 cars. Based on these cars were the first generation 5-series, E12, launched 10 years later in 1972. The 3-series was introduced 3 years and 7 series 2 years after that, in 1977.
In 1990, BMW re-entered the aircraft engine manufacturing business after forming BMW Rolls-Royce GmbH jointly with Rolls Royce. In 1998, after prolonged negotiations for the sale of Rolls Royce, BMW officially bought the rights to the Rolls Royce name and logo from Volkswagen with the transition expected to take place in 2003. 1994 brought another buyer, which BMW acquired the Rover Group PLC. After heavy losses the company was eventually sold in 2000, with Rover being split up from Land Rover which was purchased by Ford. BMW had the rights to the new Mini and the hot-hatch goes on sale in early 2002.
Today, Z3, Z8 and all of the 3, 5, 7 and Motorsport series models continue the BMW tradition of building excellent cars with special emphasis on performance, style and technological progress. 1992 was another year-to-be-remembered for BMW, where for the first time, outsold Mercedes in
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