BMW (BMW) is a legendary Bavarian concern whose products are invariably famous for their impeccable quality and high reliability. Cars of the brand are an indicator of the special, privileged status of their owner.

The history of the concern dates back to 1913, when two engineers Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto founded two small aircraft engine firms. With the onset of the First World War, the demand for aircraft engines rose sharply, and the number of orders from the Rapp and Otto firms increased significantly. In this regard, it was decided to merge into one aircraft engine plant. So in 1917 the newly formed company was registered as Bayerische Motoren Werke ("Bavarian Motor Plants") or BMW for short.

After the end of the war, the company experienced its first crisis. Moreover, the manufacturer was on the verge of bankruptcy, since according to the Versailles Peace Agreement, Germany was forbidden to produce aircraft engines, which at that time were the only products of the company. As a result, Rapp and Otto decide to redesign production, first to produce motorcycle engines, and then the motorcycles themselves. In 1923, the first BMW R32 motorcycle was released, which immediately gained a reputation as a reliable high-speed car at the Paris Motor Show.

The automotive history of the brand begins in 1928, when BMW becomes the owner of an automobile plant in Thuringia, and with it the license for the production of the Dixi subcompact car, which was a copy of the British Austin Seven car, also goes to the company. Subsequently, it was this model that became the first car to enter the market under its own brand - BMW 3/15, this happened in 1929.

In 1933, the model range of the company was replenished with a new car with the index 303, which became the first model of the brand with a six-cylinder engine. The main feature of the BMW 303 is the characteristic radiator grille with two elongated ovals - "nostrils", by which you can now unmistakably identify a BMW car in the stream.

In 1936, the German concern produces one of the fastest sports cars - BMW 328, thanks to which the company has gained a reputation for making cars of the highest quality and reliability.

During the Second World War, the assembly of cars was discontinued, and the company again switched to the production of aircraft engines. At the end of hostilities, some of the BMW factories were destroyed, and some fell into the Soviet zone of occupation. So, finding itself in the Russian-controlled zone, the Eisenach plant continued the production of pre-war models, which now became known as EMW.

Rebuilding after the war was very difficult, Rapp and Otto literally had to start from scratch. The single-cylinder R24 \u200b\u200bmotorcycle, released in 1948, became a symbol of the brand's rebirth. In 1951, the first post-war passenger car appeared - the sedan model 501. However, its serial production turned out to be too expensive and laborious. As a result, by the end of the 50s, the company again found itself in a crisis situation and almost lost its independence, merging with rival Mercedes-Benz.

The compact BMW 700 helped the company survive the hard times. The car was well received by the public and laid the foundation for the continued success of the German brand. And the BMW 1500 compact sports sedan released in 1962, which was an overwhelming success, finally brought the company out of the crisis and ensured its prosperity. The top speed of the new model was 150 km / h, and acceleration to 100 km / h took 16.8 seconds. To cope with the record number of orders for the 1,500 model, new factories are opening, which is helping to boost production.

In the 70s, the third, fifth, sixth and seventh series, which form the basis of today's models of the brand, were developed and launched into production. It was during these years that the concern firmly established itself in the niche of sedans with increased comfort. In the late 70s, the company began developing digitally controlled engines, and in the early 80s, it introduced the ABS system.

Another incredibly successful model of the brand was the roadster from 1987-88 called the Z1, which became the embodiment of cutting-edge technology. The car possessed amazing aerodynamics, and the unusual roadster doors were retracted into the car's doorstep at the touch of a button. You can evaluate the originality of the design and get acquainted with the technical characteristics of the BMW Z1 in the catalog of models on the website auto.dmir.ru.

The beginning of 1999 saw the debut of the BMW X5, which became the world's first Sports Activity Vehicle. Combining elegance and practicality in a unique way, this vehicle opens up a new dimension of mobility. Currently, the series includes models: X1, X3, X5, X6, and soon they will be joined by the debut of the Shanghai Motor Show 2013 BMW X4.

Summing up, we can say that the corporation's cars are a symbol of a vehicle of the highest quality, and the brand itself has long been a trendsetter in the automotive world. All the latest news from the concern, as well as reviews from the official premieres of new products, can be found in the BMW Automobile Club on the website auto.dmir.ru.

It is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful models in the history of the brand. The sports roadster, introduced to the public in 1955, was conceived as a competitor to the Mercedes-Benz 300SL and was aimed at North American buyers. The desire to make the best car of its time put BMW on the brink of bankruptcy.

The two-seater body was made of light aluminum alloy, a V-shaped "figure eight" was placed under the hood, which allowed the owners to reach speeds of 220 km / h. A little later, the car got effective disc brakes, but this did not make the proper impression on buyers.

The high cost discouraged even wealthy clients. Despite the fact that the owners of the premium BMW were the stars of the first magnitude (for example, Elvis had two 507s in his garage), during its short life this model, like many geniuses, did not receive fame “in life”. But after a while it was recognized as a classic. Today it is a real rarity, for which auction visitors shell out millions of dollars.

Bmw m1

Another tidbit for collectors. Model sold from 1978 to 1981. BMW decided to launch a mid-engined supercar (mid-engined model) in partnership with Lamborghini. But the cooperation did not work out, and the idea was embodied only in BMW.

The prototype was designed by the legendary Paul Braque. As a result, he had a powerful influence on the brand's DNA. It was then that the instrument panel layout first appeared, deployed towards the driver and became the hallmark of BMW.

The M1 was a breakthrough not only in design but also in engineering. The modest four-cylinder engine was equipped with a turbocharger, which was rare for those times, which made it possible to squeeze more than 270 hp out of two liters. For the M1, they even made a separate racing series, in which Formula stars Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet competed. Unlike the road versions, the M1 for the track was boosted to an incredible 850 hp.

BMW Nazca

The 1976-1982 generation should remember the Turbo chewing gum insert with the corresponding image, and this model is also familiar to us from the Need For Speed \u200b\u200bgame. However, in reality, the concept car from maestro Giurgiaro was destined to remain an exhibition exhibit. The Nazca, first shown at the 1992 Tokyo Motor Show, proved to be too daring, too complex and too expensive to make a series.

For the first time, energy-absorbing bumpers were used in the car, guaranteeing collisions with obstacles without any financial consequences for the owner. In total, several unique cars were produced, one of which was intended for a member of the Arab royal family. By the way, Nazca recently appeared at a car auction, so if you have a million dollars to spare, there is still a chance to put this car in your garage.

Bmw m5

The first generation of the car was released in 1984. Since then, he, like Batman, in each new episode becomes cooler and cooler. But we will remember the E34 generation from the 90s - the last M-ku, which absorbed the warmth of hand-built. The production of subsequent generations became automated. The king of the autobahn in a civilian sedan suit, and for the first time in the BMW Motorsport lineup with a station wagon. Depending on the modification, the power of the M5 engine ranged from 311 to 335 hp, while the rich list of additional equipment and the possibility of a comfortable ride with the family made the model a universal car, on which you can take your children to school and go to the track.

BMW 850

Coupe Gran Turismo class, produced from 1989 to 1999, costing about 100 thousand dollars. The car competed in Europe and overseas with the Mercedes-Benz SL and Ferrari 348. The most powerful version of the 850 CSI developed 350 hp. (by the way, it was this V12 that was put on the unique McLaren F1), equipped with advanced electronic assistance systems and adaptive suspension. Today in the lineup the role of a coupe of the GT class is performed by the 6th series BMW, and the "eight" has settled in the hands of grateful fans.

Bmw z8

Henrik Fisker and Chris Bangle had a hand in the creation of the machine, who later set the direction for a dozen years. The ideological successor to the famous 507 at the 1997 Motor Show was welcomed by the public. As a result, BMW decided to make a limited series of cars on the basis of the show stopper at a price of 170 thousand dollars each. The Z8 easily picked up the electronically limited 250 km / h speed, but was not built for drag racing. The car looked much more organic on the seaside or in the garage of an eastern sheikh. The role of the bondmobile in the film “And the whole world is not enough” became a logical touch, emphasizing the special status of the BMW Z8.

Bmw x5

If we assume that the prim Range Rover (which during the creation of the X5 belonged to the Bavarians) cut a window into the luxury SUV segment, then the X5 refined this window and put a modern double-glazed window into it. Focusing on the main value of the German brand - driving pleasure, the X5 first of all became famous after setting a record on the Nürburgring race track, where testers accelerated the prototype to more than 300 km / h.

But in Russia "boomer" is firmly entrenched in the minds of the masses, associated with the film of the same name. Fortunately, with the updates, X5 is slowly losing the halo of the gang leader's business card. Today the authorities, judging by the scandalous news about the motorcade of the FSB academy, are another German brand, a close competitor to BMW. Well, to your health!

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage

Despite the fact that this is not a production model, we have included it among the ten finest BMWs. The successor to the glorious sporty line that originated from the 1968 3.0 CS coupe that once competed with the Porsche 911.

The concept, presented last year at the "Contest of Elegance" at Villa d "Este in Italy, pleases the eye with its aggressive design and the roar of an in-line 6-cylinder engine.

BMW AG is a car, motorcycle, engine and bicycle manufacturer headquartered in Munich, Germany. The company owns the Mini and Rolls-Royce brands. It is one of the three German premium car manufacturers that are leading in terms of sales worldwide.

In 1913 in Munich, Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto founded two small aircraft engine firms. After the outbreak of the First World War, the demand for their products increased dramatically, and the owners of the two companies decided to merge. So in 1917, a company called Bayerische MotorenWerke ("Bavarian Motor Plants") appeared.

After the end of the war, the production of aircraft engines in Germany was banned under the Treaty of Versailles. Then the owners of the company were redesigned to manufacture motorcycle motors, and later motorcycles. However, despite the high quality of the products, the company was not doing well.

In the early 1920s, businessmen Gothaer and Shapiro bought BMW. In 1928, they acquire the Eisenach car plant, and with it the right to manufacture Dixi cars, which have been redesigned by the British Austin 7.

The subcompact Dixi was quite progressive for its time, with a four-cylinder engine, an electric starter and four-wheel brakes. The car immediately became popular in Europe: 15,000 Dixi were produced in 1928 alone. In 1929 the model was renamed BMW 3/15 DA-2.

BMW Dixi (1928-1931)

During the Great Depression, the Bavarian automaker survived by releasing a licensed small car. However, it soon became clear that the world-renowned aircraft engine manufacturer could not be content with the production of British cars. Then BMW engineers started working on their own car.

BMW's first self-developed model was the 303. It immediately got a head start on the market thanks to its 1.2-liter, 30-hp six-cylinder engine. Weighing only 820 kg, the car had excellent dynamic characteristics for that time. At the same time, the first design sketches of the brand's characteristic radiator grille in the form of elongated ovals appeared.

The platform of this car was then used for the production of models 309, 315, 319 and 329.

BMW 303 (1933-1934)

In 1936, the impressive BMW 328 sports car appeared. Among the innovative engineering developments in this model were an aluminum chassis, a tubular frame and a hemispherical combustion chamber of the engine, which provided more durable and productive pistons and valves.

This car is considered the first in the popular CSL line. In 1999, he entered the top 25 finalists of the International Car of the Century competition. 132 automotive journalists from all over the world voted.

The BMW 328 won numerous sports competitions, including the Mille Miglia (1928), RAC Rally (1939), Le Mans 24 (1939).

BMW 328 (1936-1940)

In 1937, the BMW 327 appears, notable for the fact that it was produced intermittently until 1955, including in the zone of Soviet occupation. It was presented in coupe and convertible bodies. Initially, a 55-horsepower engine was installed on the cars, later an optional 80-horsepower power unit was offered.

The model received a shortened frame from the BMW 326. The brakes were equipped with hydraulic all-wheel drive. The metal body surfaces were attached to a wooden frame. The doors of the convertible opened forward, the coupe - back. To achieve the required angle of inclination, the front and rear glass were made of two parts.

Behind the front axle was a six-cylinder in-line engine from the 328 model with two Solex carburettors and a double chain drive from a BMW 326. The car accelerated to 125 km / h. Its price ranged from 7,450 to 8,100 marks.

BMW 327 (1937-1955)

During the Second World War, the company did not produce cars, but focused on the production of aircraft engines. In the postwar years, most of the enterprises were destroyed, some fell into the zone of occupation of the USSR, where cars continued to be produced from the available components.

The remaining factories, according to the plan of the Americans, were to be demolished. However, the company began producing bicycles, household goods and light motorcycles, which helped maintain production capacity.

The first post-war car begins production in the fall of 1952. Design work began before the war. It was a model 501 with a 2-liter in-line six-cylinder engine with 65 hp. The maximum speed of the car was 135 km / h. According to this indicator, the car was inferior to its rivals from Mercedes-Benz.

Nevertheless, he gave the automotive world some innovations, including curved glass, as well as lightweight parts from light alloys. The model did not bring the firm a good profit at home and sold poorly abroad. The company was slowly approaching a financial divide.

BMW 501 (1952-1958)

The Bavarian automaker decided to focus on mass production. The first of these was the Isetta model with an interesting appearance. It was a very small class car with a door that opened at the front of the body. It was a very cheap car, ideal for fast travel over short distances. In some countries, it could be driven with only motorcycle rights.

The car was equipped with a 0.3-liter single-cylinder engine with a power of 13 hp. The power plant allowed her to accelerate to 80 km / h. For those who like to travel, a small trailer for one and a half berths was offered. In addition, there was a cargo version of the model with a small trunk, which was used by the police. Until the early 1960s, about 160,000 vehicles were produced. It was he who helped the company to withstand the period of financial difficulties.

BMW Isetta (1955-1962)

In 1955, the BMW 503 debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The abandonment of the central pillar made the car body especially stylish, under the hood was a 140-horsepower V8, and a top speed of 190 km / h finally made you fall in love with it. True, the price of 29,500 German marks made the model inaccessible to the mass buyer: only 412 units of the BMW 503 were produced.

A year later, the stunning 507 Roadster appears, designed by Count Albrecht Hertz. The car was equipped with a 3.2-liter V8 engine, which developed 150 hp. The model accelerated to 220 km / h. She is also known for the fact that out of 252 issued copies, one was bought by Elvis Presley, who served in the Federal Republic of Germany.

BMW 507 (1956-1959)

By 1959, BMW was on the verge of bankruptcy again. Luxury sedans did not bring in enough cash, and neither did motorcycles. The buyers who recovered after the war no longer wanted to hear about Isetta, and the financial situation was so deplorable that on December 9, at a shareholders meeting, the question of selling the company to a competitor, Daimler-Benz, arose. The last hope was the release of the BMW 700 with the body of the Italian company Michelotti. It was equipped with a small 700 cc two-cylinder engine. cm and a power of 30 hp. Such a motor accelerated a small car up to 125 km / h. The BMW 700 was well received by the public. During the entire production period, 188,221 copies of the model were sold.

Already in 1961, the company was able to channel the proceeds from the sale of the "700" to develop a new model - the BMW New Class 1500. However, the most important thing was that the car made it possible to avoid an unfriendly merger with a competitor and helped BMW stay afloat.

BMW 700 (1959-1965)

At the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1961, a novelty was shown, which finally consolidated its future high status in the world of auto for the brand. It was the 1500. In design, it featured the distinctive Hofmeister Curve on the C-pillar, the aggressive front end and the distinctive grille “nostrils”.

The BMW 1500 was equipped with a 1.5-liter engine with a capacity of 75 to 80 hp. From the start to 100 km / h, the car accelerated in 16.8 seconds, and its maximum speed was 150 km / h. The demand for the model was so overwhelming that the Bavarian automaker opened new factories to satisfy it.

BMW 1500 (1962-1964)

In the same 1962, the BMW 3200 CS was released, the body of which was developed by Bertone. Since then, almost all BMW two-doors have had a C in their name.

Three years later, a coupe with an automatic transmission appears for the first time. It was the BMW 2000 CS, and in 1968 the 2800 CS surpasses the 200 km / h mark. Equipped with a 170-horsepower in-line six, the car managed to accelerate to 206 km / h.

In the 70s, 3-series, 5-series, 6-series, 7-series cars appeared. With the release of the 5-series, the brand stopped focusing only on the sports car niche and began to develop the direction of comfortable sedans.

In 1972, the legendary BMW 3.0 CSL appears, which can be considered the first project of the M division. Initially, the car was produced with a six-cylinder in-line engine with two 180 hp carburetors. and a volume of 3 liters. With a car weight of 1 165 kg, it accelerated to "hundreds" in 7.4 seconds. The weight of the model was reduced by the use of aluminum in the manufacture of doors, hood, hood and trunk lids.

In August 1972, a version of the model with the Bosch D-Jetronic electronic injection system appears. Power increased to 200 hp, acceleration time to 100 km / h was reduced to 6.9 seconds, and the maximum speed was 220 km / h.

In August 1973, the volume of the engine was increased to 3,153 cubic meters. cm, the power was 206 hp. Special racing models were equipped with engines of 3.2 and 3.5 liters and power, respectively, 340 and 430 hp. In addition, they received special aerodynamic packages.

The Batmobile, as it was called, won six European Touring championships. He also distinguished himself by being the first among the brand's models to receive a 24-valve engine, which was later installed on the M1 and M5. With its help, ABS tests were carried out, which then went into the 7-series.

BMW 3.0 CSL (1971-1975)

1974 saw the release of the world's first turbocharged production car, the 2002 Turbo. Its 2-liter engine produced 170 hp. This allowed the car to accelerate to 100 km / h in 7 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 210 km / h.

In 1978, a unique road sports car with a mid-engine position appeared. It was developed for homologation: in order to participate in races of groups 4 and 5, it was necessary to make 400 production cars. Of the 455 M1s produced from 1978 to 1981, only 56 were racing cars, and the rest were road cars.

The design of the car was developed by Giugiaro of ItalDesign, and work on the chassis was given to Lamborghini.

3.5-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 277 hp was placed behind the driver's seat and transmitted torque to the rear wheels through a five-speed transmission. To "hundreds" of cars accelerated in 5.6 seconds, and the maximum speed was 261 km / h.

BMW M1 (1978-1981)

In 1986, the BMW 750i comes out, which first received a V12 engine. With a volume of 5 liters, it developed 296 hp. This car was the first, the speed of which was artificially limited at around 250 km / h. Later, other major automakers began to implement this practice.

In the same year, the fantastic Z1 roadster appears, which was originally developed as an experimental model as part of a brainstorming session. Unlimited engineers "drew" a car with excellent aerodynamics, thanks to the special design of the bottom, plastic body on a tubular frame and futuristic appearance. The doors did not open in any of the usual ways, but were pulled into the thresholds.

In its manufacture, the automaker has worked out technologies for using xenon lamps, as well as an integrated frame, door mechanism and pallet. A total of 8,000 cars of the model were assembled, 5,000 of which were pre-ordered.

BMW Z1 (1986-1991)

In 1999, the first BMW SUV, the X5, appears. His sporty character caused quite a stir at the Detroit Auto Show. The car was characterized by impressive ground clearance, traction control and four-wheel drive for off-road, as well as enough power to compete on an equal footing with passenger models of the brand on asphalt.

BMW X5 (1999)

In 2000-2003, the BMW Z8 is produced, a two-seater sports car, which many collectors of the brand call one of the most beautiful cars in history.

When creating the design, the designers tried to show the 507 model, which would be produced at the beginning of the 21st century. She received an aluminum body on a space frame, a 5-liter engine with 400 hp. and the Getrag six-speed manual transmission.

The model was used as a Bond car in The World Is Not Enough.

BMW Z8 (2000-2003)

In 2011, BMW AG founded a new division, BMW i, which specializes in hybrid and electric vehicles.

The division's first models were the i3 hatchback and i8 coupe. They debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The BMW i3 was launched in 2013. It is equipped with a 168 hp electric motor. and a rear-wheel drive system. The maximum vehicle speed is 150 km / h. Average fuel consumption in the i3 RangeExtender version is 0.6 l / 100 km. The hybrid version of the car received a 650 cc internal combustion engine, which recharges an electric motor.

BMW i3 (2013)

Official sales of the brand's cars in Russia began in 1993, when the first BMW dealer appeared in Moscow. The company now boasts the most developed dealership network among luxury car manufacturers in our country. Since 1997, the assembly of cars of the brand has been established at the Kaliningrad enterprise "Avtotor".

BMW AG is today one of the leading manufacturers of premium cars. Its factories are located in Germany, Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa, India, Egypt, USA and Russia. In China, BMW partners with Huacheng Auto Holding and produces cars under the Brilliance brand.