BMW is one of the more iconic badges in the luxury car market - and for good reason. Since it expanded into car production in 1928, it has been a standard bearer in the industry., offering well-made cars with plenty of performance.
With almost 90 years of car production under their belt, BMW is one of the key manufacturers that contribute to the German automotive industry’s image as the leaders in luxury.
Where is BMW based?
BMW’s headquarters are based in a striking tower in Munich, Germany, which is designed to look like the cylinder head of a four-cylinder engine. Production is primarily handled in Germany (Munich, Leipzig, Dingolfing and Regensburg), though some UK market cars are also built in Greer, South Carolina, USA.
BMW’s current models
To cater to every premium market, BMW offers 14 model lines –they vary in size, performance and purpose. Here are ten of them to show the depth and breadth of the brand’s range…
BMW 1 Series
The 1 Series is the baby of the current range, targeted at the premium hatch market and rivals such as the Audi A3 and Mercedes A-Class. As with most BMW models, it is rear-wheel drive, and comes in both 3 and 5 door variants. Three diesel engines and five petrol engines are available, with a wide range of power outputs going from the 114bhp 116d through to the 335bhp M140i.
BMW 2 Series
The 2 Series is slightly more performance oriented than the 1 Series it is based on, with all engines weighing in at over 130bhp, and a full-blown M model – the M2 – providing an extreme 365bhp option. It also comes in the guise of the Gran Tourer – the brand’s only MPV in the current line-up.
BMW 3 Series
In the practicality stakes, the 3-Series is nearly identical to its rivals such as Audi’s A4 and Mercedes C-Class. The iconic M3 tops the range, with 425bhp being produced by the standard straight-six motor, and a further 18bhp unlocked with the ‘Performance Package’.
BMW 5 Series
With the latest generation unveiled at the end of 2016, the 5 Series is designed to take on the recently updated Mercedes E-Class, and the aging Audi A6. With the new M5 on the way in 2018, the current range-topper is the 335bhp 540i, while most would look to the more manageable 261bhp 530i for everyday performance.
BMW 7 Series
The 7 Series is the big brother among BMW’s premium saloons. While it is a less popular option than the Mercedes S-Class, it is a very strong car, particularly from within the masterfully luxurious interior. The M760Li is home to an increasingly rare sight on spec sheets; a 600bhp V12.
BMW X3
A new BMW X3 is on its way to showrooms shortly. We’ve already driven it and were impressed with how it handled on the road – particularly when we were on the rough roads of Morocco. If you can’t wait for your new X3 to arrive, you can always go for the old model which remains a well-built and competent mid-size SUV. You might save yourself some money, too.
BMW X5
The X5 marked BMW’s debut on the SUV scene, and has been refined and modernised since the first-generation model debuted in 1999. If you seek the size of a Range Rover Sport, but desire a more luxurious streak, the X5 could be your SUV of choice.
BMW X6
The X6 is based on the X5, and again serves as a sleek-styled alternative to the car it’s based upon, though the lower-powered engines from the X5 fail to make the cut. It is currently BMW’s biggest and most expensive SUV and is even available with a 4.4-litre V8 that produces 567bhp – in the X6 M.
BMW i3
The i3 is the smallest BMW on the market, and is available as both an all-electric and a range-extended hybrid. Thanks to its compact platform and strong economy, the i3 is a good choice if you’re in the market for a city car. It also allows you to pay less road tax thanks to the low emissions.
BMW i8
The i8 is the first true supercar seen from BMW since the ‘70s M1. The M1 pioneered the M Division cars that are iconic today, and BMW hopes the i8 will do the same for the ‘i’ badge. A 129bhp electric motor is combined with a 229bhp turbocharged 3-cylinder motor, allowing for 0-60 in 4.3 seconds, and a top speed of 155mph.
