Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About BMW. In the world of automobiles, BMW is perhaps the most well-known brand name, having enjoyed a significant amount of success since its introduction.
It has become virtually synonymous with high-performance automobiles that are stylish in their design and easy to drive.
BMW produces a wide variety of vehicles, some of which are geared at the upper-end of the market while other models are accessible to the average Joe.
This is in contrast to the majority of luxury automobile brands, which only cater to the highest end of the market.
Even though this firm has been around for a very long time and has built a very large number of automobiles, the majority of people are aware of its existence.
However, not everyone is familiar with the specifics of this company and the automobiles that it has produced over the years.
Even the most dedicated auto fans might be surprised to learn how little they know about this German automobile manufacturer.
Keeping this in mind, below are twenty intriguing facts about the BMW automobile manufacturing that you might not be aware of.
Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About BMW 2024
1. They Were Founded in 1916
The Munich, Germany-based corporation was established in 1916 by Franz Joseph Popp, Karl Rapp, and Camillo Castiglioni.
Its headquarters are located in Munich. The name of the corporation was originally Bayerische Motoren Werke, however it was reduced to BMW in later years.
Because the original name is so difficult to say, it was a good idea to change it. By 1917, Rappe had already parted ways with the company, and it wasn’t until the following year that they produced their first item.
This particular engine belonged to the BMW Illa aircraft. In the early years of the company, they produced a wide variety of goods, such as railway brakes, household items, and agricultural equipment, among other things.
They also produced engines for use in buses, trucks, agricultural machinery, and pumping stations. Due to the fact that World War I was going on at the time, this was a need.
Not only did this make it difficult for BMW to discover their niche in the market, but at the same time, it was a necessity of the time for BMW for reasons related to their finances.
In addition to this, by producing such a diverse selection of goods, they were able to fulfill the requirements of the community that they were located in.
2. They Originally Manufactured Aircraft Engines
Despite the fact that BMW is currently best known for manufacturing automobiles, this was not the company’s primary objective when it was founded; rather, they developed engines for airplanes.
During the time that the company was initially established, the world was engaged in the First World War. At this time, there was a significant increase in the demand for military aircraft engines.
An aircraft manufacturing firm was formed as a result of the merger of Rapp Motor and Otto Werke. Red Baron said that the engines of the planes that these manufacturers manufactured were the best in all of World War I.
Their airplane engines quickly gained a reputation for their superior efficiency and performance at high altitudes. Because of the enormous demand for the aircraft from the German military, BMW was compelled to rapidly grow their business in order to keep up with the demand for their products.
They had initially stopped manufacturing planes after World War I, but in order to continue producing aircraft engines for the Luftwaffe, they were forced to start manufacturing warplanes again during World War II.
This was despite the fact that they had initially stopped manufacturing planes after World War I. The BMW 132 and the BMW 801 were the most successful of the several engine designs produced during World War II.
Another one of their pioneering engines was the BMW 003, which included an axial-flow turbojet. BMW continued to manufacture aviation engines until 1945.
3. The Treaty of Versailles is the Reason BMW Began Making Cars
Surprisingly, the Treaty of Versailles is to blame for BMW’s decision to start producing automobiles. The company’s history includes the production of aircraft engines during World War I.
Following the conclusion of World War I, the conditions of the Treaty of Versailles placed restrictions on the ability of German firms to manufacture either airplanes or the engines that powered warplanes.
Because of this, BMW was compelled to broaden the scope of their organization in order to continue being successful.
Initially, they turned their concentration to motorcycles before beginning manufacturing of cars in 1929. Motorcycles were their primary product.
It wasn’t until after they signed the Treaty of Versailles that they started producing automobiles, though.
If the First World War had not occurred, the story of BMW’s history might have taken a completely different path. Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About BMW
4. Their First Car Was the Dixi
Since the beginning of the corporation, they have produced a plethora of distinct automobile models. The name “Dixi” was given to the very first vehicle that they produced.
They made their debut in the automotive sector by purchasing Automobilwerk Eisenach in 1928, marking their entry into the market. Because of this, they were granted permission to manufacture the Dixi automobile.
When production of the vehicles first began, BMW Dixi was the name given to them by the automaker. The name “Dixi” was taken off of the automobile in 1929, and a newer model was produced in its place.
The BMW 3/15 DA-2 went on sale for the first time in 1929 with this name. Even though the Dixi was their very first automobile, they were not responsible for its design.
It turned out to be an English Austin, and the exact same vehicle had been manufactured in Japan under the name Datsun and in the United States under the name Bantum.
5. The Colors Used in the Logo Represent Bavaria
The emblem for BMW is instantly identifiable because to its uniqueness and simplicity. It is a circle that is black on the outside and has a white inside that is quartered off into four portions.
The sections within the circle alternate between blue and white. Many individuals are under the impression that the logo is designed to depict a rotating propeller, although this is not the case at all.
The emblem was developed, and its colors were selected, to be emblematic of the state of Bavaria, which is home to BMW’s primary administrative and production facilities.
Although the colors blue and white are Bavarian national colors, it is not the only reason this log was made the way it is.
The roundel was originally a component of the logo for the Rapp Motor firm, which was one of the companies that contributed to the establishment of BMW.
As a result, the logo was a significant and meaningful tribute to both of them and the part they played in the development of BMW.
6. BMW Was Ahead of the Times with the Production of Electric Cars
Many people have the misconception that electric automobiles are a recent development. However, this is not the case, and automobile manufacturers have been experimenting with variations of this idea as far back as the early 19th century.
The very first electric car was manufactured in 1828, but after that, demand for electric automobiles had a precipitous drop that wasn’t really reversed until the 1990s.
During this decade, the larger automakers started producing electric versions of their own models, marking the beginning of the electric vehicle era.
However, BMW were much ahead of the game and had already created their first electric vehicle in 1972. This vehicle, which was dubbed the BMW 1602e, was introduced to the market. Sadly, this product was never released to the public.
This was due to the fact that it could only keep a charge for a total of twenty minutes and had just half the performance of the other models produced by the manufacturer.
It was determined that this particular standard did not meet the requirements necessary to launch the car onto the market.
Despite the fact that it was never commercialized, it was crucial in preparing BMW for its subsequent production of electric vehicles. Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About BMW
7. BMW Owns Rolls-Royce and the Mini Brands
Because it is normal practice for one manufacturer to take over another and then continue to build models in the name of the old company, it is frequently difficult to determine which automobile manufacturer is responsible for producing particular automobile.
As a prime illustration of this, consider BMW’s acquisition of not one but two British companies: Rolls-Royce and Mini Cooper. In 1994, BMW completed the acquisition of the British Rover Group.
This indicates that they are now producing all of the automobiles that were originally manufactured by that company.
These automobiles include the Mini Cooper, the Rover MG, and the Land Rover. After that, BMW acquired Rolls-Royce and in 2003 launched their first vehicle under the Rolls-Royce brand.
This was a Rolls-Royce Phantom, if you were wondering. People are frequently taken aback when they learn that a German corporation is now responsible for the production of two of the most well-known automotive brands in the United Kingdom.
8. The Headquarters is Designed Like a BMW Four-Cylinder Engine
The corporate offices of BMW are located in Munich, Bavaria, and they boast an interesting architectural layout.
They are designed to look like the iconic four-cylinder engines that BMW is known for producing. The BMW brand is well-known for its four-cylinder history, and the architects who designed the headquarters sought to pay homage to this.
An Austrian architect professor was responsible for the design of the headquarters. In recent years, a number of BMW models have been updated to include six-cylinder engines.
In 1972, just in time for the Olympics, the tower was added to the headquarters of the organization. This provided it with a unique appearance and let the headquarters stand out as an essential landmark against the scenery of the area in which it was located.
9. They Built a Lamborghini
People might be taken aback to find that BMW manufactured a Lamborghini because the two companies are not affiliated with one another in any way, and one is located in Germany while the other is located in Italy.
However, both parties came to an understanding that BMW would construct the vehicle. During the 1970s, the two businesses came to an agreement to collaborate on the construction of a race car.
Giugiaro was the designer of the vehicle, and BMW was responsible for a portion of the suspension as well as the engine.
The remainder was under Lamborghini’s purview of obligation. After that, Lamborghini decided to withdraw from the project due to financial concerns, leaving BMW to finish what they had started.
They engaged the private coachbuilder Baur to take over the portion of the project that had been assigned to Lamborghini.
This resulted in the development of the very first BMW M1 sports vehicle. Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About BMW
10. BMW Almost Became Mercedes
Mercedes came dangerously close to acquiring BMW in the 1950s, when the company was going through a particularly challenging time in its history.
By 1959, BMW was on the verge of going out of business, and one reason for this was the ongoing Cold War.
The Mercedes-Benz parent corporation, Daimler-Benz, made an attempt at a hostile acquisition of the BMW company. The stockholders of BMW, on the other hand, campaigned against the takeover and mounted a counterattack by purchasing back their own shares.
As a result, the attempt to take control failed. Eventually, Quandit was the one to acquire the business and run it.
Mercedes and BMW have been engaged in competition with one another for a very long time, and the attempted takeover is still regarded as one of the highlights of their ongoing conflict.
11. The Signature Grille is Called a Kidney Grille
The grille of a BMW is known to be one of the brand’s most recognizable characteristics. When people see a BMW vehicle for the first time, this is one of the characteristics that jumps out at them as immediately identifying the vehicle as one that was produced by BMW.
Even more recognized than the BMW logo, according to some individuals, is this particular characteristic.
This particular grille is known as a kidney grille, and unlike what you may believe, it actually has a longer history with this particular brand of automobile given that it was initially debuted in 1933.
The BMW 303 was the first model on which it was offered for purchase and sale. There aren’t many other automobile brands that can say they are instantly recognizable just by looking at their grilles.
12. They Built the World’s Fastest Motorbike
Although most people identify BMW with automobiles, the company has also produced bikes in the past. In point of fact, in 1937 they produced what is considered to be the world’s fastest motorcycle.
The name of their motorbike manufacturing section was BMW Motored, and they are known even now for producing high-quality bicycles.
In 1937, while they were designing their bicycle, they had the goal of making it as aerodynamic as possible.
It came equipped with a turbocharged engine that could achieve top speeds of 173.7 kilometers per hour when properly tuned. Because of this, it was the quickest motorcycle available at the time.
In this day and age, the motorcycle division is consistently expanding the number of motorcycles it sells, and in 2016, they established new sales records. Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About BMW
13. The BMW CSL Has a Stand Out Design
The BMW CSL is widely regarded as one of the brand’s most recognizable automobiles ever produced.
The distinctive look of it has led many people to draw parallels between it and the Batmobile, which appears in the Batman movie franchise.
The spoilers and arches on this sports vehicle are not only an important component of the car’s appearance, but they also play an essential role in the model’s dynamics.
This automobile’s design prioritizes performance over aesthetics. This BMW model is widely regarded as one of the brand’s all-time best-looking and most desirable automobiles.
14. Many Celebrities Own a BMW
Rich people and famous people often choose BMW vehicles because the brand is known for producing various models that are synonymous with high quality and luxurious living.
The luxury SUV known as a Range Rover is a product of BMW, and Kim Kardashian is the proud owner of one.
When it comes to the world of celebrities, she is not alone in the fact that she drives BMWs. Jessica Alba is frequently seen driving around in her BMW X6, but Scottie Upshall, who plays for the NHL, is the proud owner of a BMW i8.
Both Halle Berry and Jerry Ferrara drive BMWs; Halle drives a BMW i3, and Jerry drives a BMW X5. Clive Owen, Heidi Klum, and Reese Witherspoon are a few more famous people that are proud owners of BMW vehicles.
15. BMW Are Involved in Both the Aerospace and Train Industries
BMW’s primary concentration remains on automobiles, despite the fact that the company also operates a highly profitable motorbike segment.
However, despite the fact that they haven’t manufactured an airplane engine since 1945, they have not lost sight of where they came from in the aerospace sector.
They will continue to design the interiors of airplanes, including those that are operated by Singapore Airlines.
Once you step foot inside a Singapore Airline plane, it is highly unlikely that you will ever want to leave because the cabins are designed to provide such a high level of comfort and luxury that you will never want to leave.
They have also branched into the train sector, and the BART system in San Francisco is in the process of replacing parts of the train interiors on some of their trains with ones designed by BMW.
16. They Were at the Forefront of Aerodynamics Design
BMW was significantly ahead of its time in terms of its designs, particularly with regard to aerodynamics, which is a crucial component of automotive design.
Wunibald Kamm, an aerodynamicist, inspired the design of the 1940 328 Kamm Coupe, which bore his name.
It is the excellent illustration of how BMW was at the forefront of aerodynamics and inventive design when they chopped off the back end of the automobile in order to boost the straight-line speed by up to thirty percent.
A Kammback is the name given to the shape that is utilized at the back of the vehicle, and this design has been adopted by a great number of different manufacturers and is still utilized today.
There are many examples of this, such as Priuses and Corvettes. Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About BMW
17. They Have Been Involved in Motorcycle Racing
Since the beginning of time, sidecar motorcycle racing has been a well-attended and competitive sport.
BMW was a company that worked in the automotive business and also had a motorcycle branch; hence, they fielded a team of drivers that competed in sidecar motorcycle competitions.
When going through turns, it was usual practice for the driver of the sidecar to lean out of the car in order to increase the vehicle’s aerodynamics.
As a result, the driver would be able to get around the corner more quickly and without causing as much disruption to the vehicle’s forward momentum.
They would lean out of the sidecars so far that their faces were almost touching the ground, all while wearing little more protection than a pair of goggles.
The BMW crew was comprised of a group of really adventurous individuals. Because of more stringent restrictions regarding health and safety, such methods are not permitted in motor racing anymore.
18. Georgetta Giugiaro Designed the M1 Car
The M1 was the automobile that Lamborghini ought to have created but didn’t, and BMW took complete control of production in order to develop the M1 supercar.
However, BMW has Georgetta Giugio to thank for the outstanding design of this vehicle. He was responsible for it.
Giugiaro is considered somewhat of a legend in the automotive business due to the fact that he is the designer behind some of the most stunning automobiles that have ever been manufactured.
He was the designer of the DeLorean, the Lotus Esprit, the Beretta U22 Neos, and the Volkswagen Golf. Those who respect the genius of this man often wonder how he could also be the person responsible for the design of the Yugo.
This is something that will likely never be explained. It’s possible that nobody will ever know the solution to this question.
Giugiaro was recognized as the best car designer in 1999 and was admitted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2002.
In addition, Giugiaro won the award for best car designer in 2002. Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About BMW
19. They Were Involved in a Formula One Championship Win
BMW is responsible for the development of the M10 four-cylinder engine, which was introduced to the public for the first time in 1962.
When it was first introduced, it only had 75 horsepower. The designers had toiled over the blueprints for quite some time before 1983 to get it to the point where it could produce 1,400 horsepower.
However, in order to attain that level of horsepower, they had to extensively modify what was otherwise essentially the same engine.
This engine was installed in the car that Nelson Piquet drove to victory in the Formula One World Championship. Piquet was the driver of that car.
In principle, he was able to win the championship while driving a vehicle that had a street engine that was twenty years old or older.
Piquet won the race in 1983 while competing for the Brabham racing team. At the time of his victory, Piquet was driving for Brabham. After the Grand Prix of South Africa, the season was officially over.
20. They Still Make Classic Parts
Because they are no longer produced, many people who own historic automobiles or motorcycles find that it is difficult to obtain the necessary parts for their vehicles.
As BMW continues to produce parts for their vehicles that were in use during World War II, the automaker has made it simpler for customers who possess classic models of their vehicles.
For certain types of BMWs, the owners have the option of placing an order for a brand-new part that is manufactured directly in the factory to order.
This eliminates the need for the owners to search for a used part that may or may not be in working order.
The program is known as the BNW Classic Program, and legend has it that a team of mechanics once assembled a 1976 BMW R906 motorcycle from the ground up by only ordering new parts for it from BMW.
Because the company just repurchased their old motorcycle plant in Munich, Colorado, they are now able to produce the vintage parts that consumers require.
This demonstrates a genuine commitment to serving their clients. Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About BMW
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