Full Throttle: Taking a Joyride Through BMW’s Rich History from Planes to Automobiles
Full Throttle: Taking a Joyride Through BMW's Rich History from Planes to Automobiles - Early Days: How BMW Got Its Start as an Aircraft Engine Company
BMW’s origins can be traced back to 1916, when the company was founded in Munich as Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW). At the time, Germany was ramping up aircraft production in preparation for involvement in World War I. BFW specialized in building inline 6-cylinder aircraft engines, a logical starting point given the engineering expertise in the region.
One of BFW’s early successes was the BMW IIIa aircraft engine. Capable of generating up to 230 horsepower, it became the powerplant of choice for many German fighter planes during WWI. By the end of the war in 1918, over 30,000 units had been produced. This early high-volume manufacturing experience laid the foundation for BMW’s future mass production of automobiles.
The Versailles Treaty that ended WWI severely restricted Germany's ability to manufacture military aircraft. To survive, BFW had to pivot to building industrial and automotive engines. In 1922, it diversified by purchasing the Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach car company and began automobile manufacturing under the BMW name.
Interestingly, BMW’s famous logo symbolizes this aviation heritage. The emblem represents a spinning propeller against a blue sky background. It's often claimed that the logo represents the colors of the Bavarian flag, but this color scheme was chosen specifically because blue and white are the traditional colors of aircraft propellers to easily see them spinning.
What else is in this post?
- Full Throttle: Taking a Joyride Through BMW's Rich History from Planes to Automobiles - Early Days: How BMW Got Its Start as an Aircraft Engine Company
- Full Throttle: Taking a Joyride Through BMW's Rich History from Planes to Automobiles - Wings Clipped: BMW's Forced Pivot to Automobiles After WWII
- Full Throttle: Taking a Joyride Through BMW's Rich History from Planes to Automobiles - Pedal to the Metal: BMW's Postwar Sports Coupes Take Off
- Full Throttle: Taking a Joyride Through BMW's Rich History from Planes to Automobiles - Ultimate Driving Machine: The 2002 Turbo Ushers in a New Era
- Full Throttle: Taking a Joyride Through BMW's Rich History from Planes to Automobiles - M Power Arrives: The First M5 Sedan Revamps BMW's Image
- Full Throttle: Taking a Joyride Through BMW's Rich History from Planes to Automobiles - Going Green: BMW's Early Forays into Electric Vehicles
- Full Throttle: Taking a Joyride Through BMW's Rich History from Planes to Automobiles - Setting the Pace: BMW's Innovations in Motorsport
Full Throttle: Taking a Joyride Through BMW's Rich History from Planes to Automobiles - Wings Clipped: BMW's Forced Pivot to Automobiles After WWII
Though BMW had transitioned from aircraft to cars in the 1920s, its aviation ties remained strong right up until World War II. The company produced engines like the BMW 132 that powered many of the Third Reich's fighter planes, including the legendary Fw 190. At the BMW plant in Allach, as many as 16,000 forced laborers were tasked with building aircraft engines.
The Allied bombing campaign dealt a heavy blow to BMW's manufacturing capabilities towards the end of the war. Its facilities in Munich and Eisenach were badly damaged. After Germany's defeat in 1945, the Allies banned the country from future aircraft production altogether.
BMW's aviation operations were effectively shut down. The company had no choice but to focus entirely on automobiles. However, the automotive side was also struggling. During the war, BMW had produced mostly military vehicles like the R75 motorbike. There was hardly any demand for passenger cars.
In the immediate postwar era, Germany's economy lay in ruins. Basic survival was the priority, not buying new automobiles. BMW survived through this difficult period by manufacturing pots, pans, and bicycles. It also repaired airplane engines and industrial equipment as there were no new orders.
It wasn't until 1951 that BMW was able to launch its first passenger car built from scratch after the war - the BMW 501 luxury sedan. However, the 501 and its Baroque styling were not a success. The car was too big and expensive for postwar Europe. BMW was in danger of going out of business.
At this desperate, do-or-die moment, BMW found its savior in the small, affordable Isetta microcar built under license from Italy. With its motorcycle-derived engine mounted in the rear, the quirky, egg-shaped Isetta was cheap to build and operate. It became an improbable hit for the company.
The sales from the Isetta allowed BMW to develop its next groundbreaking model in 1959 - the tiny but mighty 700 coupe. This modest little rear-engined machine would lay the groundwork for BMW's identity as a maker of sporty, nimble driver's cars in the decades to come.
Full Throttle: Taking a Joyride Through BMW's Rich History from Planes to Automobiles - Pedal to the Metal: BMW's Postwar Sports Coupes Take Off
After finding its footing again in the 1950s with models like the Isetta and 700, BMW was ready to revisit its sporting roots. In the early 1960s, the company debuted two new model lines that would cement its reputation for building driver-focused sports coupes – the 02 Series and the New Class sedans.
While modest family sedans like the 1500 accounted for much of BMW’s sales in the postwar era, the 02 Series appealed directly to the demand for stylish, performance-oriented coupes coming from the sizable population of “baby boomers” reaching driving age. When the 02 Series arrived in 1966, models like the Ford Mustang were taking America by storm. BMW aimed to capture the same youthful spirit.
The 02 Coupes were loosely based on BMW’s utilitarian economy sedans but infused with sporty design cues. They had a lowered, firm suspension for agile handling. Under the hood, the enlarged 2.0L engine displaced nearly twice that of a standard 1500 sedan. Later, the 2002 Turbo model boosted power further to an exhilarating 170hp.
This little 2-door coupe could outrun bulkier American muscle cars. Road & Track dubbed the 2002 “the world’s most perfect car” and Car and Driver named it their first ever “Import Car of the Year” in 1968. The 2002 became the defining sports coupe of its era and established BMW as a maker of ultimate driving machines instead of stodgy sedans.
The New Class sedan line also contributed to BMW’s burgeoning reputation for performance and luxury. Launched in 1962, these models featured crisp, modern styling inside and out. They had powerful engines, four wheel disc brakes, and excellent chassis dynamics.
While roomier and more practical than the 02 coupes, the New Class models were still clearly driver’s cars at heart. The 1800 and later the 2002 found success in brands like the 3.0 CS coupe. These elegant but sporty sedans and coupes spoke to a new generation that wasn’t interested in the baroque, ornate luxury of the 1950s.
Full Throttle: Taking a Joyride Through BMW's Rich History from Planes to Automobiles - Ultimate Driving Machine: The 2002 Turbo Ushers in a New Era
BMW reached a turning point in 1972 with the debut of the 2002 Turbo. While the standard 2002 coupe earned the brand recognition for nimble handling and sporty flair, the 2002 Turbo took performance to another level entirely. Engineers started with the standard 2.0L four-cylinder 2002 and added Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection and a KKK turbocharger. The turbo boosted output from 120 to 170 horsepower while soundtrack added an exhilarating rush of power.
This was an earth-shattering amount of power in 1972, especially from a relatively small 2.0 liter engine. The 2002 Turbo could rocket from 0-60 mph in just 7.0 seconds. It topped out at a heady 125 mph, unthinkable velocity for the era. All the major performance benchmarks - horsepower per liter, power to weight ratio, top speed - put the 2002 Turbo in elite supercar territory when it debuted.
Yet unlike fragile, temperamental supercars of the day, the 2002 Turbo remained civilized enough to work as daily transportation. It retained the 2002's practical 2+2 seating layout, excellent outward visibility and relatively compact footprint. This duality captured the essence of BMW's rising reputation for combining sheer performance with equal measures of luxury and refinement in the same package.
The 2002 Turbo presaged BMW's "Ultimate Driving Machine" ethos perhaps better than any model before or since. Sure, earlier BMW sports sedans and coupes like the 1800 TI and 2002 tii handled nimbly and offered willing engines. But they were more sporty than Sports Car with a capital S. The 2002 Turbo delivered true supercar performance accessible to the common man.
Drivers lucky enough to get their hands on a 2002 Turbo discovered visceral turbocharged torque previously unattainable in production cars. David E. Davis, founder of Automobile Magazine, called it "the first turbocharged car that really worked." The 2002 Turbo proved Germany could develop turbos as well as exotic Italian supercars twice the price. No other automaker came close to matching this power from a small displacement engine for the price.
Yet the 2002 Turbo was much more than just an uber-powerful engine in a small shell. The entire package showcased BMW's rapidly evolving sophistication in chassis tuning, suspension design and drivetrain development. For instance, early turbocharged cars were notoriously tricky to operate smoothly. BMW engineered one of the industry's first effective turbo anti-lag systems to virtually eliminate lag.
Full Throttle: Taking a Joyride Through BMW's Rich History from Planes to Automobiles - M Power Arrives: The First M5 Sedan Revamps BMW's Image
The original M5 launched in 1984 stands as a seminal moment for BMW. While the 2002 Turbo previewed the brand's future performance aspirations, the M5 delivered on that promise emphatically. It established the coveted BMW M sub-brand dedicated to track-inspired road cars. The M5 took BMW's understated executive sedan aesthetic and injected a massive dose of Motorsport adrenaline.
This first M5 took the existing 5 Series (E28) platform and made it intensely driver focused. BMW contracted acclaimed racing outfit Alpina to hot rod the straight-six engine until it pumped out 286 horsepower. This was Porsche 911 Turbo territory, a shocking amount from a luxury sedan. Engineers equipped a rear anti-roll bar and revised suspension tuning for eager turn-in and tenacious grip. Inside, the luxuries remained while a thick steering wheel and race bucket seats embraced the driver.
The original M5 looked discreet enough at a glance. No massive wings or tacked-on body kits announced its performance. But unleashing the fury of that inline-six with the accelerator pedal floor mat depressed brought the M5 alive. This was a proper "Q-Car" or "wolf in sheep's clothing" - rocketship acceleration with four doors and room for five.
That duality encapsulated the emerging M brand ethos perfectly; understated yet brimming with Motorsport spirit. Other luxury brands like Mercedes-AMG existed but the M5 redefined just how blurred the line between luxury and performance could become.
This first M5 holds an outsized place in BMW history because it expanded the brand's appeal significantly. Before M, BMW attracted driving enthusiasts seeking luxury coupes and sedans with a secret fun side. The M5 showed buyers BMW could deliver uncompromising supercar performance and track precision, merely hidden beneath a cultured veneer.
Everyman luxury ceased being boring with M in the picture. One could now indulge in spacious, well-appointed cabins and technology without sacrificing passion. The M5 delivered exotic thrills once reserved for Italian mid-engine exotics, neatly bundled into a practical package. BMW granted drivers license to release their inner racing driver on the way to the symphony or ballet once the valet handed over the keys.
The M5's success highlighted demand for accessible high-performance vehicles long overlooked. Virtually every luxury brand soon followed BMW's lead in releasing sporting sub-brands; Mercedes-AMG, Audi S/RS cars, Cadillac V-Series, even Lexus F models. But BMW M retains its crown for building the original high-performance sedans and coupes normal drivers could live with daily.
Full Throttle: Taking a Joyride Through BMW's Rich History from Planes to Automobiles - Going Green: BMW's Early Forays into Electric Vehicles
BMW has long been synonymous with performance and driving enjoyment, qualities not always associated with green vehicles. Yet the German automaker has consistently pioneered early electric vehicle technology since the 1970s. While these initial efforts failed to reach mass production, they provided an important foundation that enabled BMW to emerge as an EV leader today.
Back in 1972, the tumultuous oil crisis sparked BMW to begin developing its first production EV, the 1602e. Slipping electric motors into a modified 02 Series coupe chassis, the 1602e provided a real-world test platform for BMW to evaluate the potential of EVs. BMW engineers worked extensively to maximize range from the lead-acid batteries, achieving around 20 miles per charge.
Though crude by modern standards, the 1602e gave BMW vital hands-on experience engineering electric drivetrains and battery-powered vehicles. This know-how fueled development of the BMW E1 in 1991. Ahead of its time, the E1 seated the driver front and center inside a futuristic plastic body optimized for slipperiness. Underneath lay advanced nickel-cadmium batteries powering a burly 42 hp electric motor.
The ultra-efficient E1 achieved an unprecedented 124 miles per charge in real-world testing. With its slick aerodynamics and lightweight construction, the E1 delivered over 100 mpg equivalent fuel economy. Yet range anxiety, high production costs, and lack of charging infrastructure doomed the E1 to concept car status only.
Undeterred, BMW kept at it and launched the first produced model bearing the "i" sub-brand in 2013, the i3. With its zippy 170 hp electric motor and optional range extender, the i3 brought EV motoring into the mainstream. Its fast charging capability and 80-100 mile range reduced range anxiety dramatically.
The i3's futuristic styling and extensive use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic demonstrated BMW's commitment to innovation with EVs. Though not cheap, the well-equipped i3 made green luxury mobility achievable. Global sales topped 250,000 units, proving a viable market existed for premium electric vehicles.
BMW's decades of persistence with EVs provided the experience required to successfully master battery technology, motors, and next-generation connected features. As the automaker rolls out new EV models on dedicated platforms like the iX3 and i4, BMW finds itself leading the luxury EV segment rather than playing catch up.
Full Throttle: Taking a Joyride Through BMW's Rich History from Planes to Automobiles - Setting the Pace: BMW's Innovations in Motorsport
BMW’s deep roots in motorsport represent a core element of the brand’s DNA. Since the 1930s, BMW has campaigned its sports coupes and sedans in events worldwide. This racing pedigree directly feeds innovations that make road-going BMWs so satisfying to drive.
Motorsport competition provides the ultimate pressure test for evaluating and refining new technologies in real world conditions. Engineers must constantly push the envelope to stay ahead, directly benefiting BMW owners.
BMW Motorsport GmbH was established in 1972 to consolidate racing activities. Early involvement in European touring car championships and the 24 Hours Nürburgring endurance race helped hone the brand’s reputation for performance and reliability.
The iconic BMW 3.0 CSL homologation special of the 1970s demonstrated lightweight materials and potent six-cylinder power could make BMW a winner. More recent racing efforts include Formula One, the World Touring Car Championship, and a return to DTM (German Touring Cars) starting in 2012.
Through programs like BMW M Motorsport, the company passes down key lessons from the crucible of racing into road cars we can buy. Nowhere is this more apparent than BMW’s success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
BMW celebrated its 20th anniversary of racing at Le Mans in 2018. In that time, BMW teams have stood on the overall winners podium a total of 19 times, taking outright victory in 1999 with the open-top V12 LMR.
Stunning EfficientDynamics clean diesel technology in the BMW V12 LMR that won Le Mans previews today’s advanced turbo-diesels. When the McLaren F1 GTR took the checkered flag in 1995, its naturally aspirated V12 engine and carbon fiber construction pioneered technologies that still aid BMW’s M Division.
BMW Motorsport worked tirelessly to evolve drivetrain systems, aero dynamics, and energy management through its Le Mans prototypes. Much of that know-how filtered down to production M models over time. Owners benefit from the hard-won lessons when blasting down their favorite back roads.
The safer, more reliable, and more powerful road cars BMW sells today owe much credit to the company’s racing endeavors. Motorsport also keeps BMW’s workforce passionate. For design and engineering staff, racing provides opportunities to experiment creatively at the limits without normal restrictions.
Wins on the track, especially challenging events like Le Mans, validate BMW’s commitment to building Ultimate Driving Machines. The company’s competitive spirit and pursuit of innovation in motorsport set the pace for developing new performance technologies we enthusiasts crave. If BMW ceased participating in racing, that intangible connection with history and passion would fade.