Happy Birthday, BMW!
Earlier this year, our favorite German automaker kicked off a months-long celebration in honor of the company’s 100-year anniversary. 2016 marks a full century since BMW was created, and we’ve been following their announcements and new releases as closely as we can (in between working on your cars, of course.)
We thought it would be a good idea to bring you a brief history of BMW’s work over the past century, and to highlight the new offerings coming out of the BMW brain trust in Munich.
A Brief History of BMW’s Work Over the Past Century
Bavarian Motor Works (BMW) was founded in Germany in 1916. Since then, they have made cars, motorcycles, engines and other stuff.
(Hey, we said it would be brief. If you want a history lesson, click here.)
Celebrating 100 Years of BMW
In March, BMW hosted the Centenary Event, a gathering at the Munich Olympic Hall that included a presentation on key moments in BMW’s history and the company’s vision for the future.
Also at the event, a “Vision Vehicle” concept (right) was unveiled as a preview of the company’s direction for the next 100 years. A video of the event is available here.
The BMW Museum in Munich is bringing a century of automotive history to life with an exhibition called 100 Masterpieces. The showing is subtitled “Innovative Strength and Entrepreneurial Courage,” and will run until September 2017. Museum-goers will learn about important vehicles and motorsport successes in BMW’s history as selected “masterpieces” take visitors through the past century to the present day.
In addition to BMW’s own celebrations, the automotive world has tipped their collective cap to the German manufacturer with a variety of tributes. For example, the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK has announced that BMW will be their “Honored Marque” during this year’s festival, and a lineup of exclusive and historical BMWs should be on display at the event. Even Hot Wheels has gotten in on the fun with a special set of commemorative figures.
New Releases
BMW isn’t using the 100-year anniversary as an opportunity for a victory lap, however. The company has already announced four new models for 2017, which will be rolling out in showrooms over the next few months.
BMW’s new releases, which include two BMWs and two MINI Coopers, are below.
Image: Alpina Automobiles
BMW Alpina B7 xDrive
BMW M760i xDrive
Image: BMW Group
Image: Car Revs Daily
MINI Clubman All4
Mini John Cooper Works Convertible
Image: Car & Driver
(Suave security guard not included.)
All four of these 2017 models will hit showrooms later this year during BMW’s 100th birthday party. Keep it up, BMW! Here’s to another 100 years.
