Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (info) (BMW), is an independent German company and one of the world's leading manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles. BMW is the parent company of the MINI and Rolls-Royce car brands.

BMW was officially founded as a public company in 1922, but traces its origins to the pioneering days of German aviation all the way back to 1913. Two of these pioneering men, Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto, are credited by BMW as the "founding fathers". However, BMW owes its actual founding by three men- Josef Popp, Max Friz, and Camillo Castiglioni.

These men brought BMW through many turbulent times in the company's early life as well as taking the company public in 1922 to form BMW AG. BMW stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke.

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 1929. The circular blue and white BMW logo, which has not been altered throughout the company's history, does not in fact symbolize a spinning propeller according to a BMW spokesperson (although the imagry did apear in post-WWI advertisements).

The BMW roundel badge is believed to have been partially derived from the logo of its predecessor company Rapp Motorenwerke[citation needed], while ultimately taking on the colors and checkers of the Bavarian flag. Significant aircraft powerplants of pre-WWII and WWII included the BMW 132 and BMW 801 air-cooled radial engines, and the pioneering BMW 003 axial-flow turbojet. BMW's factories were damaged badly in the war, and many surviving machine tools were confiscated by the victorious Allies.

Current
The current BMW model lineup is split into what is referred to as "Series", traditionally
identified by a single digit - e.g. the 3 Series. In 2004 BMW announced plans to make odd
numbered series saloon/sedan and estate/wagon models (BMW calls its estates/wagons Touring
models),while even-numbered series 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 8Series 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.

BMW 1 Series
The 1 Series was launched globally in Fall 2004 and shares many structural chassis and electonic elements with the 3-series.

The model was started to replace the aborted Rover R30 hatchback following the sale of Rover and Land-Rover, the car will be available in North America for the 2008 production year.

A 3-Door version was also launched in July 2007 on the BMW International website. Because it is the only rear wheel drive vehicle in its class, it is considered the heir apparent to the original 2002 sport.

Sedan from the 1960s A Coupe has been announced for late 2007, and there is also a convertible. U.S. introduction for the 1 series is expected in MY 2008as a coupe and convertible, in the 128i and the 135i. The 135i is slated to receive the 300 horsepower (220 kW) twin turbo 6 cylinder engine from the 3 series. The 1 series pricing fits neatly between MINI and the current E90 3-series.

The new 1 series convertible will share the looks of its coupe brother and uses a softop unlike the 3 series convertible's hard top. This is cheaper to manufacture and preserves more trunk space than the folding hardtop would allow.

BMW 3 Series

The BMW 3 Series is a compact executive car manufactured since MY 1975. The E90 is the 5th generation 3 series.Available from MY 2006 to present, it is offered as the sport sedan(E90), sport wagon(E91), sport coupe(E92) and sport coupe convertible(E93).The E90 series is completely re-engineered from the E46, including changes to motor choices, transmission,the passenger compartment comfort.

suspension technology, as well as a host of High-Tech features and options. The 3 series is not only one of BMW's most important models, it also accounts for a majority of worldwide sales.- 2007 3-Series Convertible - 2007 3-Series Coupe - 2006 3-Series Touring







 BMW M5


Based on the 5 Series, the M5 is the M division's 500 hp (373 kW) V10-powered version of the E60 5 series which makes 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.1 seconds,[1] impressive for a 4 door saloon car.The M5 was the first 4-door sedan to be considered a sports car, and at one time was the fastestproduction sedan ever produced.The M5 engine won the best enginein its category three years in a row.






 BMW M6


The M6 is the M division's version of the E63. The M6 shares its drivetrain with the M5.The V10 produces 500 horsepower (370 kW) and 383 ft·lbf (519 N·m) of torque.This new engine is mated to a seven-speed SMG transmission.






 Z4 M
BMW’s two-seater is powered by the same prize-winning 3.2-litre straight-six M engine also
featured in the BMW M3(E46) and the BMW Z4 Roadster.The engine’s performance figures are: 3,246 cc displacement, 343 bhp (256 kW) maximum output at an engine speed of 7,900 rpm, maximum engine speed of 8,000rpm.





No less than 80 per cent of the engine’s maximum torque of 262 ft·lbf (355 N·m) is available at the driver’s request from just 2,000 rpm. Output per litre is 103 bhp (77 kW), giving the Z4 M Coupe a power-to-weight ratio of just 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).

Future
Z10/M10: A supercar to succeed the Z8, will likely compete with the Audi R8 and forthcoming Mercedes-Benz SLC; in late September 2007 BMW Group registered the M10 name.

BMW X1 : An SAV 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[attribution needed] say it is based on a 7 Series platform in a 5-seater hatchback-style car. Competing against Mercedes R-Class.

BMW F01/F02 7-Series : The F01 and F02 will be the replacement for the 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 "Baby Rolls-Royce" based on this platform that will compete with the Bentley Continental series.

BMW CS: Possibly will revive the 8-series nameplate. A four-door grand tourer/coupé to be
based on the BMW CS Concept, competing against the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, and Porsche Panamera[2] BMW X5 M- a 432 bhp (322 kW) version of the current X5, may be powered by
the V10 from the M5.

Prototypes

BMW CS Concept1990 BMW M8 Prototype A prototype designed as a "Ferrari killer". 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 marked a departure from BMW's traditional conservative style, and has caused some controversy among BMW enthusiasts.

BMW 750hL showcased at Expo 2000 at the BMW World exhibit. As one of the world's first
autos to use an engine propelled by liquid hydrogen, the 750hL primarily 1 emission: water.
There are as of March 2007, as many as 100 750hL vehicles worldwide for testing & publicity purposes.See the BMW website.

2007 BMW CS Concept - BMW has expressed interest in producing the vehicle possibly under
the 8 Series name.

2008 Concept 1 series tii

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.

M coupé and roadster: high-performance hard-top and soft-top versions of the Z3, very popular among enthusiasts. The Z3 was first shown on the big screen 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.

8 Series: a fast, high-technology coupé of the 1990s. Unconfirmed rumors suggest that this may
be revived, see BMW CS Concept, to compete against the globally acclaimed Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class.

Z1: a late 1980s two-seater with innovative modular construction; only 8,000 were made. Best
known for the feature of the vertically sliding doors.

Z8: a roadster with design based on the classic 507 roadster from the 1950s. Debuted 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. This exciting halo car was built on an aluminium space frame design.

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 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 — (2002–2007) 7 Series short wheelbase

BMW E66 — (2002–2007) 7 Series long wheelbase

BMW E67 — (2002–2007) 7 Series Protection

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 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

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. All BMW dealers in the United States and Canada are now forbidden from printing vehicle history reports that list warrantee work that has been performed as well as the status of any safety recalls and supplying this document to the legal owners of the vehicles. Owners of BMW vehicles are considered to be a "third party" to information regarding the safety of BMW products. 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.

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