Sunday 13 June 2010

BMW History

Karl Friedrich Rapp is the name of the founder of BMW - one of the biggest world wide car manufacturing companies. BMW or Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Works) was founded in 1916 as a successor to the Rapp Motor.

Many people think that the logo of BMW comes from a spinning white propeller seen in the background of the blue sky. This may be so but in fact it is known that it also comes from the white and blue flag of Bavaria - the largest state of Germany. The capital city of the state is Munich and this is the place where even today we can find the BMW Headquarters.

In 1916 with the foundation of the company a contract was secured for building V12 engines. These engines were about to be used in the creation of the automobiles from Austro-Daimler. These 12 cylinders V engines were at first used in aircrafts which is the original plan of the BMW Company. Taking in account the time when the company was founded it was very likely for them to continue like that.

However in 1919 after the World War I and the Treaty of Versailles the production of aircraft in Germany was prohibited and that quickly changed the politics of BMW. They began making brakes for the Rail transport. Soon after that BMW was able to design a motorcycle engine which was used for the creation of a motorcycle called with the model name Victoria. However Victoria was not built by BMW but by another company in Nuremberg.

In 1924 BMW made a model of a motorcycle which was the first one they built - the R32. This was a turning point in the BMW history because it was a major achievement and for decades they used its technology - 500 cc engines cooled down by the air. Soon after that BMW added one new innovation - the driveshaft. It came to replace the chain for driving the rear wheel and became a mark of BMW for quite some time.

In the German city Eisenach in 1927 began the production of Dixi - under license but only a year after that the Dixi Company was bought by BMW and they began mass production together with the model Austin Seven.

When the World War I began BMW took its place in it because of the German army's motorized division. They used BMW R75 together with BMW R12. Because of the high need of engines BMW note that period as highly profitable. BMW was the main supplier and even today words like Luftwaffe and Wehrmacht brings many memories. Some of the best planes in that historical time used the BMW aero-engines and till the 1945 more than 30 000 planes with these engines were manufactured.

BMW even made researches which enabled the company to make different jet engines for weapons. With the use of some men power consisting mainly by prisoners of the war BMW made many rocket-based weapons that were used in the war.

Soon after the creation of the rocket-based weapons parts of the company were bombed. Soviets razed to the ground most of the company located in eastern Germany and the base factory in Munich was almost completely destroyed.

After the war BMW was not able to quickly recover because of the need to rebuild the factory in Munich. After that when the restrictions from the Allies applied BMW was banned for three long years in which the company was forbidden from producing motorcycles until 1948 and cars until 1952.

In 1951 the Bavarian company was able to regain all trademarks and it looked like it was finally able to recover and start again from what was left. In 1959 Herbert Quandt became the "wheel" which turned the BMW around because he denied a deal with Daimler-Benz and soon after that he increased his share in the BMW Company up to 50%.

The name of Kurt Golda is stated as the man who incited Quandt to do this step and in the same year BMW began production of the BMW 700 which was based on the BMW 600. This small car used 2-cylinder, air-cooled engines and some years later it was renamed to "LS". Coupe and some cabriolet series were also manufactured.

In 1963 BMW offered dividends to the shareholders of the company and in 1966 the factory in Munich reached its maximum capacity and BMW bought Hans Glas GmbH. This deal enabled BMW to use factories in Landshut and Dingolfing.

With some new style provided by Bertone in 1972 BMW began production of 5 new series and in the years to follow the company made a big progress in the market. For 6 years under the leadership of Bernd Pischetsrieder BMW was able to expand its deal in the market by buying from British Aerospace the Rover Group. Rover Group's history starts in 1986 and till the moment when BMW owned it this company was able to achieve many things like for example the Rover 400 in 1990.

However the Rover was sold to Phoenix Venture Holdings and Ford Motor Company because of some years of losses for BMW. Jokingly the press called the Rover "The English Patient" after the release of the namesake film. This however was not very hard on BMW and they were spared from taking the blame. It looks like that even the British press was not very enthusiastic about the Rover.

BMW began production outside of Germany in 1994. New factories were made in South Carolina and even today the manufacturing of BMW X5 and BMW Z4 is made there. There are factories in some other places too like Oxford, Goodwood and others. After some time of assembly BMW began production in South Africa. Today BMW exports more than 50 000 3 Series vehicles yearly to Japan, USA, Africa, Australia and the Middle East.

In order to serve the market in Eastern Europe and Middle East BMW are planning to begin construction of a new plant located in Cyprus or Greece. A plant in Chennai, India already opened production in 2007.

More information on BMW Parts And Accessories

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kalin_Staikov

Tuesday 8 June 2010

BMW F10 5 Series Launch Video

New BMW 5 Series

According to BMW, the new BMW 5 series brings life to the phrase "joy is dynamic in its most beautiful form: the new BMW 5 Series sedan". The car has also been referred to as fantastic, "an exploration of beauty" and incredible.

The BMW 5 series has always been the car that comes to mind when people think of luxury cars in the executive saloon class. And this little car is about more than just luxury. In fact, it's the most important car on the BMW line. The car was first introduced to the BMW lineup in 2004 and has become increasingly important to the car company ever since.

But luxury is exactly what this car is. And with the new BMW 5 series coming out in 2010, it's not important to only test drive one around the lot, but to test drive it at home with a leasing option. When you're in the market for a BMW, the cheapest option is always to lease, to avoid getting stuck for too long with a top heavy car payment that you can't hope to take care of each month. For business owners and salespeople, contract hire is the way to go when you're looking into BMWs. The new BMW 5 series is an excellent car to drive when you're attempting to impress clients whether you're picking them up for lunch or just parking in their lot and pointing to your car out the window. But what's more impressive is owning your new BMW 5 series the right way-contract hire will not only help you avoid a costly purchase for luxury but will also allow the option to upgrade when newer models appear on the market, like this year, with the unveiling of the 2011 5 series.

Critics consistently say that a new BMW 5 series will not be able to top the previous version, but according to reviews of the car found far and wide across the internet, BMW consistently tops the marker for a car that meets and beats the technological threshold for automobile manufacturing and is still able to maintain a sleek, sexy look for their vehicles.

While the E60 BMW had a look and a style that drive customers away, the look and feel of the new BMW 5 series is much more appealing to both the high class and middle class consumer, giving all consumers something to look forward to when they get behind the wheel of this car.

Unlike previous 5 series, the new BMW 5 series is built off of an entirely new chassis, so its exterior has little in common with the previous models. Like the new x5, the new 5 series features a double wishbone in front and the new model also comes equipped with Flex-Ray protocol, shock absorbers and active steering to provide drivers with the most pleasurable on-road experience possible.

The new BMW 5 series comes packed with programmable buttons and now features 8-speed automatic transmission, making it a top contender in the fight against Lexus for the top notch spot of best luxury car on the market.

Like all BMWs, the new BMW 5 series not only comes packed with buttons and other nifty features, but also has all of the bells and whistles you would expect from the newest thing on the BMW lineup. You can choose from leather or fabric seats, a variety of "luxury" colors-just don't ask for it in black and white-and you can even choose how deep and what color to get your windows tinted, depending on the dealer.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services by John Eva
Car Leasing - BMW Contract Hire

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Eva

Wednesday 2 June 2010

The New BMW 5-Series, the BMW F10

The new BMW 5-series (BMW F10) aims to change or better yet - revolutionize the limousine sedan concept. At first sight, you can't help notice that the new 5-series BMW has a much better design that the previous generation 5-series. The design is classic, elegant and dynamic at the same time and it looks like it's inspired from the famous 5-series E39 model of the 90's which some say it's the most loved and appreciated 5-series generation.

The new 5-series offers a wide range of engine options, such as the 8-cylinder engine, three 6-cylinder gasoline engines, two diesel engines and one turbo-diesel 4-cylinder engine. The most powerful is the 8-cylinder engine which will power the BMW 550i and benefits from BMW's TwinPower Turbo and High Precision Injection technologies for a maximum power of 407 hp. The most efficient is the 4-cylinder turbo-diesel which powers the 520d and promises a fuel consumption of 5 liters per 100 kilometers while offering 184 hp.

The 6-cylinder diesel engines offer 258 hp for the 530d and 204 hp for the 525d BMW.

Transmission options include the new, 8-speed BMW automatic transmission as well as the standard 6-speed manual gearbox.

The interior features an elegant design and has certain similarities with the 7-series. The dashboard is driver oriented which guarantees an unique driving experience, which is definitive for a BMW.

The new 5-series comes with new technologies such as Surround View which assists the driver, Collision Warning - a new speed limiting technology, Lane Change and Lange Departure Warning, the now-usual HUD (Head-Up Display) and the BMW Night Vision system.

The BMW 5-series' price on the European market starts at 40,000 EUR in Germany for the 520d version and can go as high as 70,000 EUR for the 550i version.

Will the BMW Z10 conquer the Audi R8? Find out everything about BMW's latest supercar effort!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_B._Edwards

A Look Under the Hood at the BMW Parts That Transform a Car Into a Driving Machine

Known for its impressive engineering and dynamic performance, the BMW has made its mark on the automotive industry. There are specific characteristics that make a BMW one of a kind. These are standard BMW elements that cannot be found on other cars.

All BMW parts are made with precision and care, to ensure that its commitment to quality is unparalleled. BMW owners are proud of their purchase, and enjoy the unmatched craftsmanship for which BMW cars are famous.

Distinctive BMW Parts and Features

One of the most distinguishing BMW parts is the double kidney grilles. This stylish grille sets the BMW apart from other cars, giving it a handsome finish as it glides down the highway. The double kidney grilles also give the BMW optimal cooling, allowing air to reach the internal parts. This improves performance and reduces wear and tear on the interior parts.

Another one of the outstanding BMW parts is the four headlight setup. These provide optimal lighting no matter the driving terrain, as well as an eye catching display. It is readily apparent that when four headlights are coupled with double kidney grilles that a classic BMW is on the road.

Handling and Safety

There are additional BMW parts that are not as obvious to the naked eye that create the unique driving conditions that BMW cars are known best for. BMW engines are finely tuned to deliver smooth yet powerful handling under any conditions. Owners know that the BMW is more than a reliable vehicle - owning a BMW is a way of life.

BMW parts are also crafted with safety in mind. From the brakes to the air bags, BMW has always strived to give owners peace of mind while driving their vehicles. The entire structure of the BMW has been honed to deliver security and comfort, as well as a flawless ride. All BMW parts are made of the highest quality materials to appeal to an audience that demands quality over the lowest price.

Driver Responsiveness

Perhaps the most famous attribute of the BMW is its responsiveness to its driver. When operating a BMW, the separation between the driver and the road is blurred. Every direction the car is given is performed seamlessly, thanks to the careful construction of every part underneath the hood. The attention to detail and beauty of a BMW is difficult to match.

With the exceptional craftsmanship and marvelous performance, BMW cars are one of a kind. From the stylish parts on the outside of the car to the durable interior parts, every detail of the BMW is designed for the ultimate driving experience. Any owner of a BMW would not be disappointed with the quality and style of every part of this fine driving machine.

Owning a BMW is an exhilarating experience for any car connoisseur, as well as for the new car lover who is learning the meaning of an unmatchable driving experience for the first time.

Cyril Joseph is an author for Above All Motorwerks, an online auto parts retailer that educates visitors about BMW parts and other car topics. Above All Motorwerks is a solid resource for BMW owners and other car lovers who want to learn more about how to maintain their car.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cyril_Joseph