When you think of Bavarian cars, images of vintage BMWs probably come to mind. BMW’s signature vehicle is often referred to as the Bavarian Touring Car. And with good reason. Designwise, these sedans and coupes from BMW are some of the most iconic vehicles globally. Each of these models offers a different riding experience, depending on your preferences. If you’re a purist, BMW may not be for you. But if you’re looking for a high-end, coupé-style car that’ll impress even the most jaded colleagues at the office. This detailed book will teach you all you need to know about this Bavarian vehicle manufacturer.
What is a BMW?
The BMW brand is a worldwide leader in the automotive industry, known for building high-quality vehicles that are attractive to look at and perform well in the driving environment. The brand is also known for its lineup of luxury vehicles, with names like the BMW X3, BMW X4, and BMW X6.
What’s different about the Bavarian-made model?
All three models in the BMW X4 lineup feature an impressive “M” badge on the front end. This distinctive mark is a stylized BMW logo, which means that BMW’s design and engineering team put their heart into this model. The M badge also shows up on the tail end of the X3, X6, and the Grand Touring Car, the name the Bavarians give to the Gran Turismo Roadster.
BMW’s history
In its early years, BMW was a garage-based enterprise. In 1916, a Bavarian engineer named Alpendorf spotted a problem with the design of the Mercedes-Benz race cars and conceived the idea of a lightweight, four-cylinder racing car. He planned to produce a single-seater with an aluminum body that would be specially designed for racing. As a result of the war and difficulties in finding suitable metal, Alpendorf could not make the car a reality. But the plan lived on in the mind of another engineer, who later worked for BMW and became the managing director of the Munich Motor Works.
The lineup
In the early 1930s, Bavarian Motor Works finished developing the BMW car and registered it as a trademark. The first model, the BMW 1/2 liter, was released in 1933. It was a small, two-cylinder car with a top speed of around 25 mph (40 km/h).
The BMW 3 liter, also known as the M30, was released in 1936 and was the first model to feature an internal-combustion engine. As demand for the BMW cars grew, the company set up a factory in England to produce the vehicles. This move made sense in terms of international trade at the time, as the BMW and Mercedes-Benz brands were almost synonymous.
The future
The popularity of the BMW brand has been growing steadily throughout the decades. In the 1960s, the company started to develop a luxury model, the BMW 3 Series, which would fast become known for its quality and beauty. During the same decade, the Mini brand was developed as a competitor to the iconic Rolls-Royce automobiles. Both of these brands are still very much with us today, and their Bavarian origins have influenced them to a great extent.
When will we see new BMWs?
BMW released its first plug-in hybrid car, the i3, in 2014. Two years later, the automaker released its first all-electric car, the i3s, and it’s scheduled to be followed by a range of plug-in hybrid models and electric models.
With such a wide range of models to choose from and a growing lineup, it’s difficult to predict when or if BMW will release a new model. But if you’re a bit of a petrolhead, you won’t be disappointed by the lineup of the latest and most excellent models.
And if you’re more of a diesel person, the BMW iPerformance series offers six different engines with different power ratings for world-class driving fun.
Final words
The BMW brand has a long and storied history, and it’s easy to see why it’s become a worldwide success. The Bavarian Cars are some of the most elegant, advanced, and technologically advanced cars globally, and they offer an incredible riding experience. Several BMW models are available if you’re looking for a new premium vehicle. And if you’re not sure what kind of car you want, check out our guide on what to consider when buying a car.
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