BMW cars, BMW history, BMW news, BMW logo and so much more

How many times searching the web did you find anything you wanted in one place? If you are a BMW enthusiast, a BMW owner or you are just curious to find out about BMW cars, BMW history, BMW news and latest technology on BMW M cars or just the story behind the BMW logo then you have arrived to the right place: Welcome to BMWDrives


BMW concept cars: BMW Concept 5 Series GT

With the future still offering sufficient room for an exciting new driving experience, BMW has once again defined a brand-new vehicle segment: The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo is the series-based adaptation of the Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS) in the upper midrange segment, offering an impressive outlook on the extension of the BMW 5 Series by a new, additional concept. With its stylish appearance and comfortable driving experience, the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo transfers the characteristics of a classic Gran Turismo to a very special four-door vehicle with four seats. These features so typical of a Gran Turismo are then enriched by the highest standard of intelligent, versatile functionality. More about BMW Concept 5 Series GT >>


BMW concept cars: BMW Concept X1

BMWDrives offers you a new section: BMW concept cars. Some remained only as prototypes others entered to production but each and everyone has an interesting story to be told and seen. The BMW Concept X1 offers all the thrill of agile and versatile mobility in a new segment of vehicles. BMW is offering an outlook at the world’s first Sports Activity Vehicle in the premium compact segment. Through its design alone, this new concept model clearly expresses all the strengths and qualities of such a vehicle, the BMW Concept X1 exuding a strong touch of agility and versatility both in its driving qualities and practical use. And at the same time the Concept Car clearly reveals the stylish elegance of this five-door as well as its modern function. More about BMW Concept X1 >>


BMW Performance

BMW Performance accessories is officially online with 32 upgrades Bimmer drivers, ranging from carbon fiber dress-up stuff to more serious bits like six-piston brakes with cross-drilled rotors or a carbon fiber suspension cross brace. Accessorizing BMW enthusiasts can also purchase form-fitting racing seats, a short-throw shifter, or even a steering wheel with an LED display that tracks lap times, acceleration, and top speed. BMW created a video that you can see after the jump. Turn on on the speakers to hear the addictive noise coming from the new sport muffler! More about BMW Performance >>


The all new 2009 BMW Z4 E89 Roadster

The classic roadster is back – more powerful and more stylish than ever before. It is the BMW Z4 E89 Roadster, the only car in its segment combining classic roadster proportions with a seating position moved close to the rear axle, rear-wheel drive, with a retractable hardtop.The new BMW Z4 offers all the driving pleasure of a BMW Roadster with particularly refined and stylish flair. Driving with the roof down, this two-seater offers a refreshingly intense experience of the sunshine and the wind rushing by – and driving with the hardtop closed it provides all the comfort of a sporting coupe in the premium segment. So through this diversity and wide range of qualities, the new BMW Z4 is the re-birth of the roadster. More about BMW Z4 E89 Roadster >>

2008 BMW 3 Series Sedan and Touring facelift

It is the epitome of sporty flair in its segment and for years it has maintained the leading position as the mostly widely sold premium vehicle in the world. Now the BMW 3 Series sets out to extend its lead even further. Specific design modifications, a further refined interior design, the new generation of the optional operating concept BMW iDrive, new services provided by BMW ConnectedDrive, a revised range of engines and innovations in the areas of drive technology, safety and comfort make both the new BMW 3 Series Sedan and the new BMW 3 Series Touring more attractive than ever before. With rear-wheel drive, harmonious axle load distribution, outstanding steering precision and highly sophisticated chassis technology, the BMW 3 Series sets unsurpassed standards for driving dynamics in its segment. More about 2008 BMW 3 Series E90 Sedan and E91 Touring >>

2008 BMW 7 Series F01 Luxury Sedan
The launch of the new 7 Series means the entire BMW range now comes equipped with EfficientDynamics technologies as standard. With its roof, doors, bonnet and side panels all made from aluminium to dovetail with the principle of lightweight engineering, the BMW 7 Series also has other innovative class-leading technology which improves engine performance, while cutting fuel consumption and emissions. The latest generation BMW 7 Series is the first to have Drive Dynamic Control featuring Variable Damping Control as standard. Drive Dynamic Control is the umbrella function that lets a driver customise the characteristics of his or her car. As part of this Variable Damping Control can bet set in comfort, normal, sport, sport + modes. More about BMW 7 Series F01 Luxury Sedan >>


BMW M3 E46 Coupé
BMW M3 E46 Convertible

One of the most successful M models was the BMW M3 E46. Based on the standard E46 3 Series, it features a multi-awarded straight-six cylinder engine, developing 343 hp. With wider fenders both and rear, four exhaust pipes, special rims and other cosmetics, the BMW M3 E46 coupe and BMW M3 E46 convertible are set apart from the normal 3 Series E46. A Getrag Type D six-speed manual gearbox or a Sequential M Gearbox (SMG II) are also available.


The one and only: BMW M3 E30

The BMW M3 E30 is the BMW Motorsport-developed version of the E30 3 Series. Its S14 four-cylinder powerplant is a further development of the M10 unit and was chosen because of its compact dimensions. The chassis is based on the basic E30 3 Series design but has been thoroughly reworked by BMW Motorsport in every significant area. The BMW M3 E30 convertible combines the drivetrain, chassis and much of the bodywork from the BMW M3 E30 Coupe with the open-top body style of the E30 3 Series convertible. Only 786 were built.

BMW M5 E39

The BMW M5 E39 is the BMW M-developed version of the E39 5 Series sedan. It is powered by the S62 V8 engine, a high-performance development of the standard production M62 unit. It also features an M-tuned chassis as well as M-designed interior and exterior cosmetic items. The E39 M5 was first introduced at the 1998 Geneva Motor Show. Unlike both previous iterations of the M5 (which were hand-assembled at BMW M GmbH in Garching), the E39 M5 was produced on the normal E39 5 Series assembly line at the Dingolfing factory, outside of Munich.


BMW Z3 M Roadster / Coupé

The BMW Z3 M Roadster is the BMW M-developed version of the Z3 roadster. It uses one of three 24-valve six-cylinder engines originally developed by BMW M for the E36 M3 and E46 M3. It also has an M-tuned chassis and several unique cosmetic parts. The M roadster was first unveiled at the 1996 Geneva motor show and later on the BMW Z3 M Coupé. Like all Z3-based cars, every M roadster and M Coupé was assembled at the Spartanburg, South Carolina factory.

BMW World - BMW History

After World War I, BMW were forced to cease aircraft (engine) production by the terms of the Versailles Armistice Treaty.[2] The company consequently shifted to motorcycle production in 1923 once the restrictions of the treaty started to be lifted[3], followed by automobiles in 1928.[citation needed]
The circular blue and white BMW logo or roundel is often alleged to portray the movement of an airplane propeller, to signify the white blades cutting through the blue sky--an interpretation that BMW adopted for convenience in 1929, which was actually twelve years after the roundel was created.[4][5] In fact, the emblem evolved from the circular Rapp Motorenwerke company logo, from which the BMW company grew. The Rapp logo was combined with the blue and white colors of the flag of Bavaria to produce the BMW roundel so familiar today. The early success of the outstanding BMW IIIa inline-six aviation engine, from 1917-18 in World War I, with the Luftstreitkräfte in a limited number of Fokker D.VII fighters, as well as a number of prototype "inline-six" fighters from various manufacturers, might have actually influenced the BMW logo's design.
BMW's first significant aircraft was the BMW IIIa inline-six liquid-cooled engine of 1918, much preferred for its high-altitude performance.[citation needed] With German rearmament in the 1930s, the company again began producing aircraft engines for the Luftwaffe. Among its successful WWII engine designs were the BMW 132 and BMW 801 air-cooled radial engines, and the pioneering BMW 003 axial-flow turbojet, which powered the tiny, 1944-45-era jet-powered "emergency fighter", the Heinkel He 162 Salamander, and was tested in the A-1b version of the world's first jet fighter, the Messerschmitt Me 262.[citation needed]
By 1959 the automotive division of BMW was in financial difficulties and a shareholders meeting was held to decide whether to go into liquidation or find a way of carrying on. It was decided to carry on and to try to cash in on the current economy car boom enjoyed so successfully by some of Germany's ex-aircraft manufacturers such as Messerschmitt and Heinkel. Therefore the rights to manufacture the tiny Italian Iso Isetta were bought using a modified form of BMW's own motorcycle engine. This was moderately successful and helped the company get back on its feet. The dominating shareholder of the BMW Aktiengesellschaft since 1959 is the Quandt family. Stefan Quandt, Johanna Quandt and Susanne Klatten (born Quandt) together own about 46% of the stocks. The rest is in public float.
BMW AG bought the British Rover Group[6] (which at the time consisted of the Rover, Land Rover and MG brands as well as the rights to defunct brands including Austin and Morris) in 1994 and owned it for six years. By 2000, Rover was making huge losses and BMW decided to sell the combine. The MG and Rover brands were sold to the Phoenix Consortium to form MG Rover, while Land Rover was taken over by Ford. BMW, meanwhile, retained the rights to build the new MINI, which was launched in 2001.
Chief designer Chris Bangle announced his departure from BMW after serving on the design team for nearly seventeen years. He will be replaced by Adrian van Hooydonk, Bangle's former right hand man. Bangle was famously (or infamously) known for his radical designs such as the 2002 7-Series and the 2002 Z4.



BMW LOGO


The BMW logo is symbolic of a white propeller blade, against a blue sky. It reflects the origins of BMW as a maker of military aircraft engines during the first world war.
It is a good example of a strong brand-led company retaining the best of its heritage in the form a of distinctive logo design, without placing too much emphasis on the origins of the logo itself.