The BMW History
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG or Bavarian Motor Works in English is commonly known throughout the world as just BMW. Another German luxury car conglomerate that has branched out over the decades into the manufacturer of high quality luxury-performance motorcycles and cars, including the subsidiaries of the ever poplar and unique MINI, and super luxury car brand Rolls Royce.
BMW has come a long way in maintaining a reputation of class and distinction that for a time no one could surpass and they were deemed as the ones to beat. They emerged in the early 1900’s when every other automobile manufacturer was also entering the race for the top.
The current headquarters of the company is in Munich, Germany, in an architectural masterpiece of a structure that stands with poise and prominence, very much like what BMW exudes.
BMW can officially trace its beginnings all the way back to the trailblazer days of the German air transportation all the way to 1913 and later became a public company in 1922.
The men from these initial days were accredited as being the “founding fathers”, Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto, but the actual men that were part of the founders party were the ones with it from the beginning: Max Friz, Josef Popp, and Camillo Castiglioni. They were the ones responsible for taking the company through many rough times in the beginning, and also the ones to take the company public too, finally forming “BMW AG”.
The logo of the company has been stagnant since the start of the business; the blue and white checkers were derived from and symbolizes the Bavarian flag, whereas the circular badge is somewhat taken from the logo of its forefather company “Rapp Motorenwerke”.
BMW first major endeavor was radio flyer engines, but their engines the BMW 132 and the BMW 801 both air cooled radial engines, and the innovative BMW 003 axial-flow turbojet were included into pre World War II and World War II aircrafts. They also began experimenting with a number of various products in the earlier years, but in 1923, BMW finally moved into the stream of major motorcycle manufacturing, and subsequently on to car production 6 years later.
BMW were having some trouble with the motorcycles and their engines with the unsuccessful Helios and Flink, but decided to push on with the development, ultimately securing their first distinguished motorcycle, the R32.
It had a “Boxer” twin engine with an ICCE cylinder sticking into the airflow from both sides of the engine. Up until 1980s, BMW basically kept to the same design effect with huge success, and the pattern is still used on some level today, which is clearly showcased in the R Series motorcycles.
Other motorcycles and engines that BMW has produced are: R75 (sidecar), K Series (water cooled with 3/ 4 cylinders running from front to back), F Series, G Series (both with parallel twin Rotax engines), R1100S (“hexhead” engine), R1200GS (“oilhead” engine), and the latest the K1200S. BMW also pioneered many safety features for motorcycle usage, both on the road and on the racetrack.
The production of BMW’s cars came with strong skepticism, and their own internal critics kept them an their toes at all times. BMW had a strong perception for potential and stature, and even their first set of automobiles were appealing to both the imagination and the eye example their BMW oldtimer, 319/1, 936 BMW Model 319 4- Window Cabriolet, and last but not least Model 507 roadster.
BMW created many, many cars and most of them were given the “e-code” branding (Entwicklung, meaning development or evolution), and BMW recently stated that the naming would switch over to an “F” for future models, starting with F01 7 Series.
The care and time BMW put into their vehicles allow for a personal connection with each one, and this kind of personalization goes a long way with the business’ public. BMW also made a couple James Bond cars; the Z3 M Coupe, and the Z8 roadster, becoming the first non-British car to ever be featured in the film franchise.
BMW has relationships with other companies besides its two subsidiaries Rolls Royce and MINI, which include but not limited to Glas, Isetta, Automobilwerk Eisenach, Land Rover, Wiesmann, AC Schnitzer, Bavaria Wirtschaftsagentur GmbH, Alpina, G-Power, Breyton, Hartge, MK-Motorsport, and Hamann Motorsport.
The partnerships and alliances with these companies have made BMW, a very resourceful entity, with situations covered from all angles. The Motorsport aspect of the BMW lineage has been essential over decades, as history shows that they have a definite stamp of approval in performance, and speed. Some of the motoring cars are the 3.0 CSL, M1, M3, M5, M6, M Roadster, 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 etc.
BMW also has its own wide range of Motorsport cars, and teams with the BMW Sauber F1 Team being their first ever Formula One racing team, but having many other partnerships with Williams F1, Brabham, and Arrows.
As BMW have won about 19 grand prix as engine builders, but not under their newly formed F1 racing team, but the company has risen to may heights in the racing arena, winning titles, championships, immense accolades over time, and has improved their technology especially in quality and performance. They also have done a lot for sponsoring with Formula BMW, a junior racing Formula category, and the Kumho BMW Championship.
They also have a rich history with Sports car racing, winning approximately 25 different tittles and races, also with their touring cars with strong drivers, and incredible performance since as far back as 1940.
They also have two major rallying cars in their records with RAC Rally race 1939 winner 328 sports car, and Paris Dakar Rally, which BMW motorcycles won about six times.
BMW models are put into Series format and with a lot of them still in production: the 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series with the M5 model, 6 Series with M6, 7 Series, X3, X5, X6, Z4, BMW M, M3, M5, M6, and Z4 M. And there are many more future models on the way, signaling the movement of the direction of the company in the right direction: Z10/ M10, X1, PAS, CS, X5 M etc.
BMW also has a number of prototypes and concept cars on the way as well, with their sights set on keeping the distinction and excellence throughout everything they put their name on. They are set on keeping that strong unshakable history stronger and the years roll by and technology becomes the main player, as they strive in the aspect of acceleration, majesticness, and safety all in one comfortable ride.
Source: BMW. Thank you
