BMW

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Bayerische Motoren Werke Aguninene
Type	Aktiengesellschaft
Founded	1913
Headquarters	Munich, Germany
Key people	Norbert Reithofer, Chairman & CEO
Industry	Automotive
Products	Automobiles Motorcycle Bicycles
Revenue	? €56 billion (2007)
Employees	107,079 (2007)
Subsidiaries	MINI Rolls-Royce
Website	bmw.com

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (info) (BMW), (English: Bavarian Motor Works) is an independent German automobile manufacturer founded in 1913. BMW is a worldwide manufacturer of high-performance and luxury automobiles and motorcycles, and is the current parent company of both the MINI and Rolls-Royce car brands.

Beginning with aircraft engines, BMW AG produced a variety of products in its early years, eventually shifting to motorcycle production in 1923 and automobiles in 1928. Since 1928, 96% of all BMW's produced still remain on the road today.^{[citation needed]} The circular blue and white "BMW logo hearkens back to BMW's early days as a manufacturer of airplane engines. It portrays the movement of an airplane propeller agains a clear blue Bavarian sky." ^[1] The BMW roundel badge is believed to have been partially derived from the logo of its predecessor company Rapp Motorenwerke, while ultimately taking on the colors and checkers from the arms of Bavaria (fusilly in bend argent and azure).^[2][3] BMW's first significant aircraft powerplant was the outstanding BMW IIIa inline-six liquid-cooled engine of 1918, much preferred for its high-altitude performance, and among its successful WWII engine designs were included the BMW 132 and BMW 801 air-cooled radial engines, and the pioneering BMW 003 axial-flow turbojet.

BMW AG bought the British Rover Group (which at the time consisted of the Rover, Land Rover and MG marques as well as the rights to defunct marques including Austin and Morris) in 1994 and owned it for six years. By 2000, Rover was making huge losses and BMW decided to sell the combine. The MG and Rover marques were sold to the Phoenix Consortium to form MG Rover, while Land Rover was taken over by Ford. BMW, meanwhile, retained the rights to build the new MINI, which was launched in 2001.

[edit] Production

Total world production in 2006 was 1,366,838 vehicles produced in 5 countries. ^[4]

[edit] Automobiles

[edit] Project i

Further information: Mini

Project i is a special division of BMW, dedicated to building low emission city cars ^[5].

[edit] 1 Series

Main article: BMW 1 Series

The 1 Series was launched globally in Fall 2004 and shares many structural, chassis, powertrain, hardware and electronic elements with the larger 3 Series. The model was started to provide a lower point of entry into the BMW range as the 3 Series moved gradually up-market. Initially launched as a 5-door hatchback, a 3-door version was also launched in July 2007. The 1 Series is priced between the MINI and the current E90 3 Series. Because the coupe is the only rear wheel drive vehicle in its class, it is somewhat considered the successor to the BMW 2002.

The 1 Series coupe and convertible went on sale in the United States in model year 2008 as the 128i and the 135i. The convertible, unlike the 3 Series convertible, uses a soft-top instead of a folding hardtop. This is lighter, cheaper to manufacture and preserves more trunk space than the folding hardtop would allow.

[edit] 3 Series

Main article: BMW 3 Series

The BMW 3 Series is a compact executive car manufactured since model year 1975. The 3 Series is currently in its fifth generation, the E90 Current models include the sport sedan (E90), station wagon (E91), coupe (E92), and convertible (E93).

The 3 series is one of BMW's most important models, as it accounts for a majority of its worldwide sales.

2007 3-Series Coupe

2006 3-Series Touring

2006 3-Series Sedan

BMW E46 Generation with ZHP Performance Package

[edit] 5 Series

Main article: BMW 5 Series

A mid-size executive car. For model year 2008, BMW has revised the 5 Series with a slightly redesigned interior, subtle exterior details, and new motor options.

• The M5 is the Motorsport division's version of the 5 Series. The new M5 (built on the E60 5 series chassis) is powered by a F1-inspired V10 engine, producing 507 hp (378 kW) and is mated with a 7-speed sequential manual gearbox (SMG) transmission, which is capable of a top speed of about 330 km/h (production variants are restricted to 250 km/h, or 155 mph). BMW has also recently added a 6-speed manual transmission for 2007 and newer models.

2005 5 Series with M Sport Package

2007 5-Series Touring with M Sport Package

2007 M5

E39 BMW M5 (previous generation)

[edit] 6 Series

Main article: BMW 6 Series

The 6 Series is BMW's grand touring luxury sport coupe, based on the 5 Series' platform. Currently available as the 650i in coupe and convertible models in the U.S., the 6 Series returned in 2004 after a 15-year absence from BMW's model lineup.

• M6: A high performance version of the 6 Series. Developed by BMW's M Division, it is powered by the same 5.0 L V10 507 hp (378 kW) engine seen in the BMW M5. It is currently available in Europe, North America, South America, Australia and South Africa.

2004 6 Series Convertible(645i)

6 Series Coupe (650i)

6 Series Convertible (645i)

6 Series Coupe (645i)

BMW 7-Series (E65, pre-update)

[edit] 7 Series

Main article: BMW 7 Series

BMW's full-size flagship executive sedan. Typically, BMW introduces many of their innovations first in the 7 Series. For example, the somewhat controversial iDrive system debuted in the 7 Series. The 7 Series Hydrogen, featuring one of the world's first hydrogen fueled combustion engines, is fueled by liquid hydrogen and emits only water vapor. Since the infrastructure for refueling a hydrogen internal combustion engine is not widely available, the V12 engine also runs on gasoline. Numerous engines power the 7 Series worldwide. BMW offers diesel, straight 6, V8 and V12 motors, as well as the Alpina tuned supercharged V8. It is also available in a bulletproof version.^{[citation needed]}

BMW X3 (current generation)

[edit] X3

Main article: BMW X3

BMW's second crossover SUV debuted in 2004 (called SAV or Sports Activity Vehicle by BMW) and is based on the E46 3 Series platform. For 2007, the X3 is powered by the N52 inline 6 cylinder engine that debuted on the 2006 E90 3 Series. In 2007 a face lift was given to the X3, including an X-drive update, suspension adjustments, an engine upgrade, and aesthetics inside and out.

Marketed in Europe as an off-roader, it benefits from BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system.

[edit] X5

Main article: BMW X5

2007 E70 BMW X5

The BMW X5 (E53) is a mid-size luxury SUV (SAV) sold by BMW since 2000. It features all-wheel drive and a line of straight-6 and V8 engines. For non-U.S. models there is a 3.0 L diesel engine.

The BMW E70 automobile platform replaced the BMW E53 as the X5's underpinnings in November 2006. The E70-based X5 SUV features many new technological advancements including BMW's iDrive system as standard equipment and, for the first time in a BMW, an optional third row seat.

The current generation incorporates safety innovations for the crossover segment, such as a unique rear framing section to protect 3rd row occupants from injury due to an impact.

The U.S. E70 features either a 3.0si(253 hp)or a 4.8i(350 hp) powertrain. In most parts of Europe, either a 3.0d(232 hp)or a 3.0sd(282 hp) powertrain is available. It has been announced that the X5 M will be released in 2008. It will feature the V12 engine from the 7 Series, which will provide the car with 432 hp (322 kW). The X5 M will feature a full body kit, new alloy wheels, and generally a revised look.

BMW X6

[edit] X6

Main article: BMW X6

A crossover coupe SUV released by BMW in December 2007.

An all new version of the 550i/650i's engine is being used in the X6 with twin turbo technology from the 135i/335i. The standard engines 340 bhp will be increased to 410 bhp.

[edit] Z4

Main article: BMW Z4

A 2-seater roadster and coupe which succeeded the Z3. From 2006 the Z4 Roadster is available as a 3.0i (3.0 L I6 with 215 hp), a 3.0si available with the new generation 3.0 L I6 with 255 hp (190 kW), a 2.5si with a 2.5 I6 with 218 bhp (163 kW) or a 2.0i with a 150 bhp (112 kW) 2.0 L I4. The Z4 coupe is available only in the high-performance 3.0si trim powered by the 3.0 L 255 hp (190 kW) I6. The Z4 is currently built at the Spartanburg plant.

• Z4 M The new Z4 M roadster and coupe have been released with an E46 M3 motor (3.2 L, 333 hp) and also features the M braking, suspension, and styling characteristics.

2006 Z4 Roadster

2006 Z4 Coupe

2007 Z4 M Roadster

[edit] BMW M

Main article: BMW M

[edit] M3

E92 M3 Coupé

Main article: BMW M3

Based on the 3 Series, the M3 defined an entirely new market for BMW: a race-ready production vehicle. Since its debut, the M3 is heralded in enthusiast circles, in large part due to its unique geometry and award winning engines. The newest platform became available fall of 2007 in Europe, and second quarter of 2008 for the U.S. in Coupe (E92), and later the Cabriolet (E93), and Sedan (E90) variants.

[edit] M5

BMW M5

Main article: BMW M5

Based on the 5 Series, the M5 is the M division's 507 hp (378 kW) V10-powered version of the E60 5 series which accelerates to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.7 seconds.^[6] The M5 was at one point the fastest production sedan ever produced.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] M6

BMW M6 Coupe

BMW M6 Convertible

Main article: BMW M6

The M6 is the M division's version of the 6 Series. The M6 shares its drivetrain with the M5. The V10 produces 508 hp (379 kW) and 383lb/ft (520Nm) of Torque. The production M6 debuted at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. It is currently available in a coupe and a convertible version. There is speculation that an M6 CSL version is to be released in the future.

The vehicle is based on the 6 Series coupe and convertible, which were launched in 2004.

Carbon fiber and other light materials are used in places like the bumpers and roof that are far from the centre of gravity and/or high up, so that they not only reduce the overall weight but improve the handling by reducing the moment of inertia and the centre of mass height.

The previous generation was launched in 1983, but ended in 1989 with around 5,855 sold.

[edit] Z4 M

BMW Z4 M Roadster

Main articles: BMW M Coupe and BMW M Roadster

The Z4 M is powered by the same 3.2-litre straight-six engine featured in the BMW M3(E46), detuned slightly to fit in the Z4's smaller engine bay. The engine’s performance figures are: 3,246 cc displacement, 333 bhp (248 kW) at 7,900 rpm, 262 lb·ft (355 N·m) of torque at 4,900 rpm, 8,000 rpm redline. Output per litre is 103 bhp (77 kW), and power-to-weight ratio is 9.9 lb/bhp. Acceleration to 60 mph (100 km/h) comes in 4.8 seconds and top speed is limited electronically to 155 mph (249 km/h).

[edit] Future

• Z10/M10: A supercar to succeed the Z8, will likely compete with the Audi R8 and Porsche 911; in September 2007 BMW Group registered the M10 name. It will likely have a front engine/rear wheel drive drivetrain setup. It is also likely to feature the V10 found in the M5 and M6 models, but producing around 550 horsepower. It is expected to weigh less than 3000 pounds.
• BMW X1 : A sports-activity vehicle based on the BMW 1-Series to be positioned below the X3. Likely to be built at Magna Steyr in Austria, where X3 production will be phased out.
• BMW PAS : the BMW Progressive Activity Sedan has been officially announced, yet it is unclear exactly what this will be conceptually. Sources^[who?] say it is based on a 7 Series platform in a 5-seater hatchback-style car.
• BMW F01/F02 7-Series : The F01 and F02 will be the replacement for the current 7-Series for either 2008 or 2009. The F02 is the longer wheelbase version, which will get a more differentiated design than before. In addition, there will be a Rolls-Royce sedan based on this platform that will be positioned below the flagship Phantom and compete with cars such as the Bentley Continental Flying Spur.
• BMW CS: May revive the 8-series nameplate. A four-door grand tourer/coupé to be based on the BMW CS Concept, competing against the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class and Porsche Panamera^[7]
• BMW X5 M- A high-performance version of the current X5, may be powered by the V10 from the M5.

[edit] Prototypes

BMW CS Concept

• 1990 BMW M8 Prototype: A high-performance version of the 8 Series coupe that was designed to compete with Ferrari and other exotics. It was never put into production because of the lack of a market for such a car.
• 1999 Z9: a concept car designed by Adrian van Hooydonk that marked a departure from BMW's traditional conservative style, causing some controversy among BMW enthusiasts. This later on became the 6-series.
• BMW 750hL: showcased at Expo 2000 at the BMW World exhibit. A 7 Series sedan powered by a hydrogen fuel cell engine. As of March 2007, there are as many as 100 750hL vehicles worldwide for testing & publicity purposes.See the BMW website.
• 2001 BMW X-Coupe
• 2007 BMW CS Concept: BMW has expressed interest in producing the vehicle possibly under the 8 Series name.
• 2008 Concept 1 series tii: A high=performance tuned version of the 1 Series. "tii" references the 2002tii model.
• 2008 BMW GINA: concept based on the structure of a Z8 with a light fabric skin and hydro-electric technology to allow the shape to change.^[8]

[edit] Out of production

• M1: a 1970s mid-engine sports car, designed in conjunction with Lamborghini. As Lamborghini went into bankruptcy the production was shifted to the German Karmanwerke.
• Z3: a 2-seater roadster. Appeared in the James Bond film GoldenEye, marking the first time Pierce Brosnan played Bond and the first time the MI6 agent's gadget-laden car wasn't British.
  • M coupé and roadster: high-performance hard-top and soft-top versions of the Z3.
• 8 Series: a fast, high-technology coupé of the 1990s. The upcoming BMW Gran Turismo can be seen as a revival of the model.
• Z1: a late 1980s two-seater with innovative modular construction; only 8,000 were made. Best known for its vertically sliding doors.
• Z8: a roadster and halo car with design based on the classic 507 roadster from the 1950s. Appeared in the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough, marking the last time Bond would drive a BMW. Only 5000 were built, the last 500 being a special edition built by Alpina but sold directly from BMW. It was built on an aluminum space frame design.
• BMW Z4 a roadster coupe and convertible available with a range of engines from 2 litre to 3 litre twin turbo and a M with a 3.2 as used in the previous M3.

[edit] 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. BMW AG reported in September 2006 that BMW would switch to the letter "F" for their future models, beginning with the F01 7 Series replacement.

• 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 — (1974–1981) 5 Series
• BMW E21 — (1976–1983) 3 Series
• BMW E23 — (1977–1986) 7 Series
• BMW E24 — (1976–1989) 6 Series
• BMW E26 — (1978–1981) M1
• BMW E28 — (1981–1987) 5 Series
• BMW E30 — (1984–1991) 3 Series (1982-1983 E30 sold in Europe)
• BMW E31 — (1989–1997) 8 Series
• BMW E32 — (1986–1994) 7 Series
• BMW E34 — (1988–1995) 5 Series
• BMW E36 — (1992–1999) 3 Series
• BMW E36/5 — (1995–1998) 3 Series Compact (US market known as "318ti")
• BMW E36/7 — (1996-2002) Z3 Series Roadster
• BMW E36/8 — (1998-2002) Z3 Series Coupé
• BMW E38 — (1994–2001) 7 Series
• BMW E38/2 — (1994–2001) 7 Series long wheelbase
• BMW E38/3 — (1998–2001) 7 Series Protection
• BMW E39 — (1995–2003) 5 Series
• BMW E46/5 — (2000–2004) 3 Series Compact
• BMW E46/4 — (1998–2005) 3 Series Sedan
• BMW E46/3 — (1999–2005) 3 Series Touring/Sports Wagon
• BMW E46/2 — (1999–2006) 3 Series Coupé
• BMW E46/C — (1999–2006) 3 Series Convertible
• BMW E52 — (2000–2003) Z8
• BMW E53 — (2000–2006) X5
• BMW E60 — (2004–present) 5 Series
• BMW E61 — (2004–2007) 5 Series Touring/Sports Wagon
• BMW E63 — (2004–present) 6 Series coupé
• BMW E64 — (2004–present) 6 Series convertible
• BMW E65 — (2001–2007) 7 Series short wheelbase
• BMW E66 — (2001–2007) 7 Series long wheelbase
• BMW E67 — (2001–2007) 7 Series Protection
• BMW E68 — (2005–2007) Hydrogen 7
• BMW E70 — (2007-present) X5
• BMW E71 — (2008) X6
• BMW E72 — (2008) X6 Hybrid
• BMW E81 — (2007-present) 1 Series (3-door)
• BMW E82 — (2007-present) 1 Series Coupé
• BMW E82/2 — (2010) Z2
• BMW E83 — (2004–present) X3
• BMW E84 — (2011) X1
• BMW E85 — (2003–present) Z4
• BMW E86 — (2006–present) Z4 Coupé
• BMW E87 — (2004–present) 1 Series (5-door)
• BMW E88 — (2008) 1 Series Convertible
• BMW E89 — (2009) Z4 roadster
• BMW E90 — (2005–present) 3 Series
• BMW E91 — (2005–present) 3 Series Touring/Sports Wagon
• BMW E92 — (2006–present) 3 Series Coupé
• BMW E93 — (2007–present) 3 Series Convertible
• BMW E99 — (2009) V5 Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS)
• BMW F01 — (2008) 7 Series
• BMW F02 — (2009) 7 Series long wheelbase
• BMW F03 — (2008) 7 Series Protection
• BMW F04 — (2009) 8 Series Light Base
• BMW F10 — (2010) 5 Series
• BMW F11 — (2012) 5 Series Touring/Sports Wagon
• BMW F12 — (2011) 6 Series Coupé
• BMW F13 — (2011) 6 Series Convertible
• BMW F25 — (2011) X3
• BMW F30 — (2012) 3 Series Sedan

Recently BMW has become concerned with the rising number of their vehicles being imported from the United States into Canada and with the cooperation of the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (a private contractor to the federal Government of Canada) has placed impediments to the importation of BMW vehicles into Canada. BMW now requires owners importing their cars into Canada to pay a fee of $300 (CDN) for a document guaranteeing the vehicle's admissibility into Canada and $500 (CDN) for a letter advising the Registrar of Imported Vehicles that there are no outstanding recalls on that vehicle.

[edit] References