The original 6 Series was the successor to the E9 coupés, namely the 2800CS, 3.0CS and 3.0CSi. The new E24 chassis was safer than that of the E9, meeting new United States federal crash and rollover standards. The original 6-Series was first launched in August 1976. This car had a 3210 cc engine with 197 PS (145 kW). In 1980 debuted the 635CSi, with a 3453 cc SOHC, 218 PS (160 kW) engine and a top speed of 222 km/h (138 mph). The 635CSi could reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.4 seconds. A luxury version, known as the L6 arrived in 1987 with leather headliner and trim and other accoutrements.

In 1983 BMW took the M88/3, a modified version of the M88/1 from the BMW M1 and put it in the E24 chassis, creating the M635CSi, or M6. This had a DOHC 24-valve 3453 cc, 286 PS (210 kW) engine, taken from the BMW M1 with a top speed of 255 km/h (158 mph). The M6 reached 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. (more…)

Of course, Bangle has had the last laugh: the styling revolution that BMW started under his direction has influenced car design throughout the car industry over the last five years and he is now seen as one of the most influential voices in contemporary car design.

BMW has now moved from a period of revolution in its designs to a phase of evolution. Recent cars have looked less radical, a theme that is continued in the new 7-Series, which was unveiled at an event in Munich on July 3, in advance of the start of sales in November.

The design of the new 7 has been overseen by Bangle (director of BMW Group Design) and the chief designer for BMW’s car division, Adrian van Hooydonk, with the aim of combining the sporty character of BMW’s rear-wheel drive cars with the elegance that buyers of luxury barges demand. Have they been successful? The answer is a qualified yes.

The 5 Series got its name by being the fifth of the “new series” cars after the V-8 and Isetta era. The preceding models were the 700, the “New Class”, the “New Six” 2500/2800/Bavaria and the CS. The 5 Series was intended to replace the smaller New Class sedans, leaving the coupes as the company’s low-end model.

The body was styled by Marcello Gandini, based on the Bertone 1970 BMW Garmisch 2002ti Geneva show car. Gandini also did the Fiat 132 and Alfa Romeo Alfetta, two other cars that have a similar design.

There have been five generations of the 5 Series to date. To differentiate between them, they are referred to by their unique chassis numbers (EXX). (more…)

Being an accessible prestige-badge car, the 3 Series’ reputation grew from its humble beginnings, winning numerous awards and honors throughout the automotive world. By the early 21st century, the E46 3 Series was the best-selling car of its segment (premium middle class cars),^[2]as commonplace in Asia and America as in Europe, while maintaining its prestigious brand and image.

The 3 series has also maintained BMW’s racing heritage. The M version of the 3 series, M3, debuted in the 1980s as an industry first “track ready” luxury sports car (FIA Group A racing).^[3] Marketed as a daily driver and a track ready race car, the M3 grew in popularity quickly; this has furthered the 3 series brand awareness as a class-leading sport sedan. (more…)

The 1 Series convertible (E88) officially debuted on September 29, 2007. The new 1-Series Cabriolet offers four petrol models ranging from the 118i’s 143 hp 2.0-litre unit to the 306 hp 3.0-litre six-cylinder 135i, while a 177 hp (132 kW) four-cylinder turbodiesel will also be available.

The convertible will be available with a fabric top, to differentiate it further from the now steel-roofed 3-series convertible E93. It is now in size and spirit very close to the original 3-series convertible.

The fourth variant of the 1-Series, and the fourth open-top car from BMW, the 1-Series Convertible arrives in the nick of time. Compact exec convertibles with the right badge are thin on the ground, but as soon as the 1-Series Convertible debuts, Audi will roll out its A3 convertible. (more…)

BMW launched the latest addition to the 1 Series line-up, the 1 Series Coupé (E82), at the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) 2007. The car went on sale on 24 November 2007. The flagship of the range will be the 135i with a 3-litre twin-turbo petrol engine, generating 225 kW/306 hp (DIN) with its six cylinders. This model also comes with a modified M sports package as standard. The 123d (150 kW/204 hp(DIN)) heads up the range of diesels and is the first ever 4-cylinder diesel engine to come with variable twin-turbo technology. In terms of fuel consumption, the 123d and 120d rate between 4.8 L/100 km (59 mpg imp/49 mpg US) and 5.2 L/100 km (54 mpg imp/45 mpg US). (more…)

The 1 Series was first offered to the market in 2004 as a five-door hatchback and is the only rear-wheel drive in its class. It replaced the BMW 3 Series Compact range and is currently the smallest and most affordable vehicle (depending on the engine model) in the BMW range. Unlike its predecessor, the new vehicle is built on its own platform (E87); however, it shares many components with the E90 3 Series. Shared parts include MacPherson struts in the front of the car and a trapezoidal-link rear axle. BMW has stated that it shares over 60% of components with the current E90 BMW 3 Series.^[1]

The 1 Series is built in Regensburg and Leipzig, Germany, with the 4 cylinder petrol/gas engines coming from the Hams Hall plant in Coleshill north east of Birmingham, England. (more…)