BMW, short for Bayerische Motoren Werke, is an iconic symbol of German engineering. This beloved car company is a standard bearer for luxury automobiles and is an embodiment of sheer driving pleasure. You might know them for their incredible sports cars or perhaps for their innovative electric vehicles. But there is so much more to this amazing automobile giant that is yet to be uncovered. If you’re a big fan of BMW, fasten your seatbelt because we’re going to go through 20 incredible facts about the brand that will take you beyond what you already know.
1. Born from Aircraft
No, BMW wasn't always a company for cars. In fact, BMW’s roots can be traced back to the production of aircraft engines, not cars. They initially kicked off their operations in 1916 during World War I, meeting Germany’s growing demand for aircraft engines.
2. Baptism by Racing
BMW’s first car, the 3/15, won a gold medal in its debut race in 1929 at the Alpine Rally. With a true racing pedigree, BMW stamped its authority on the motorsport arena right from the get-go, signaling the high-performance machines it would continue to create in the future.
Photo by Lothar Spurzem on Wikimedia Commons
3. Luxury Sedans and the “New Class”
In the 1960s, BMW launched the “New Class”, which was a series of compact sedans and coupes. The 1500 sedan, the first of the New Class line, was instrumental in establishing BMW’s identity as a producer of sporty, luxury vehicles.
Photo by Charles01 on Wikimedia Commons
4. An Emblem Misconception
Here's a fun fact! Contrary to popular belief, BMW’s emblem does not represent a propeller (though a 1929 ad did depict that), but the colours of the Bavarian Free State. The iconic blue and white colour scheme is a tribute to its birthplace in Bavaria, Germany. Did you also accidentally mistake the logo?
Photo by Philippe Oursel on Unsplash
5. The M-Division Magic
The M-Vision or M GmbH, established in 1972, is BMW’s high-performance subsidiary responsible for cars that have left an indelible mark on automotive history, like the legendary M3 and M5. The M stands for “Motorsport”, representing the division’s initial purpose - facilitating BMW’s racing program.
Photo by Sentoan on Wikimedia Commons
6. First Electric Venture
BMW’s interest in electric vehicles isn’t anything new; as early as 1972, they developed an electric version of the 1602 model for the Munich Olympics, marking their first step into the realm of electric mobility. Now that electric cars are all the buzz, BMW continues to explore this field, producing various hybrid and electric options for consumers.
Photo by MrWalkr on Wikimedia Commons
7. Pioneer in Art Cars
In 1975, BMW started a tradition of turning cars into canvases for famous artists. The first of these “Art Cars” was a 3.0 CSL painted by American artist Alexander Calder. Since then, artists like Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Jeff Koons have all lent their creativity to BMW cars. The result is something truly magnificent!
Photo by NaBUru38 on Wikimedia Commons
8. Rescued by Quandt Family
During the post-war period, BMW almost went bankrupt and was on the verge of being bought out by Mercedes-Benz. Thanks to the Quandt family, they stepped in and invested heavily, saving BMW from this fate. To this day, they continue to own a significant stake in the company.
Photo by Rodan Can on Unsplash
9. Forbidden Fruit: M8 Prototype
There’s a mysterious car in BMW’s history, the M8 Prototype, which never reached production. Designed in the early 1990s, it boasted an estimated 550-650 horsepower, but it was never officially revealed to the public until 2010.
Photo by Pittigrilli~commonswiki on Wikimedia Commons
10. Birth of X-Models
BMW’s foray into the Sports Activity Vehicle segment started with the X5 back in 1999. These X-models combine the attributes of an SUV - high ground clearance, all-wheel drive, and all-weather ability, along with the luxuries and performance BMW is known for. The X-models have become a favourite among car owners.
Photo by Arteum.ro on Unsplash
11. Turbocharged Comeback
Despite its love for high-revving, naturally aspirated engines, BMW introduced turbocharging in their mainstream cars after almost three decades with the 2007 335i model. What was the last turbocharged car before this? The 2002 Turbo from 1973. That's quite the long wait!
Photo by Leon Seibert on Unsplash
12. Largest Plant in the World
BMW’s biggest manufacturing facility isn’t in Germany but in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Producing the X-models for the global market, it showcases BMW’s significant footprint in the U.S. automobile industry. It just goes to show you, these cars are beloved across the globe.
Photo by Lenny Kuhne on Unsplash
13. 3D Printing Pioneer
BMW is at the forefront of using 3D printing in automobile manufacturing. They’ve used this revolutionary technology to produce parts for the i8 Roadster and also offer customers 3D-printed personalized upgrades. It's pretty amazing watching companies incorporate the newest technology into their development and creation of automobiles.
Photo by Minku Kang on Unsplash
14. Motorcycle Maestros
Aside from being a car giant in the industry, BMW is also surprisingly a leading producer of motorcycles under the BMW Motorrad division. The R32, launched in 1923, was their first-ever motorcycle, preceding even their car production.
Photo by Bjørn-Magnus Kristiansen on Unsplash
15. Reinventing the i-Series
In 2013, BMW launched the i-series with the i3 and i8 models, a testament to their commitment to sustainable mobility. The i-series focuses on electric and plug-in hybrid technology, both reshaping the perception of what electric cars can be and offering their customers a wide plethora of options.
Photo by Dietmar Rabich on Wikimedia Commons
16. M3: A Legend
The M3, launched in 1986, has earned the reputation of being one of the best-performance cars ever. Though it was developed as a race car first, the road versions came later to meet certain requirements. Stylish and sleek, the M3 is certainly a fan favourite.
Photo by JamesYoung8167 on Wikimedia Commons
17. Safety Innovators
BMW has always been known for its safety innovations - it was the first manufacturer back in 1988 to introduce ABS (anti-lock braking system) in a motorcycle, the K100 model. After all, safety should always come as the main priority for any car (and motorcycle) manufacturing company.
Photo by Александр Бендус on Unsplash
18. Unique VINs
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in BMW cars is unique because it carries information about the car’s country of manufacture, engine type, body style, and more. It’s a secret code that can tell a lot about your BMW. While it's not a huge necessity, it's a pretty cool fact that showcases BMW's attention to detail.
Photo by Fernando Marques on Unsplash
19. Promoting Clean Energy
These days, going green is an important transition and step that we must all take. For large companies, it's important that they set the bar, acting as role models for everyone else that follows. As such, BMW has made a significant investment in hydroelectric power. Their production plant in Moses Lake, Washington, which makes carbon fiber for the i-series, runs entirely on locally-sourced hydroelectric power.
Photo by Nicholas Doherty on Unsplash
20. A Sound Investment
BMW employs a sound engineer who composes engine noises for their electric cars. The company believes in delivering a complete driving experience, even if that requires creating synthetic engine noises for quieter electric vehicles. That sure is some dedication to their craft, demonstrating how the company cares about giving customers the best possible vehicles.
Photo by Artiom Vallat on Unsplash
After reading all these facts, it’s safe to say BMW is not just a car manufacturer - it’s a beacon of innovation and design excellence that continues to leave a significant impact on the global automotive landscape. Here’s to another 100 years of BMW creations! Did you learn something new today?
.jpg){kind=link}
