BMW Motorsport GmbH was born in May 1972 as a subsidiary of BMW AG in Munich. It was founded by Jochen Neerspach and Martin Braungart, two ex-Ford racing executives - with just eight employees. Neerpasch was formerly a factory Porsche driver, while Braungart was a rally team driver for Mercedes. Also known as M-Technik or just �M� for Motorsport, its initial objective was to facilitate BMW�s racing program. BMW Motorsport�s New Class and New Six cars in the late 60s and early 70s were very successful at racing.
BMW M first project was the 3.0 CSL. An acronym for Coupe Sport Leicht or Lightweight, 1265 examples were built from 1972 to 1975. This first M coupe won seven European Racing Car titles.
With the growing market for high performance sports cars, M introduced cars for sale to the public. The M1 debuted at the Paris Motor Show in 1978. Since then, BMW M has tweaked nearly every car on BMW�s production line (with exception of the 7 series and the X-series Sport Activity Vehicle).
This was followed by the 1979 release of the M535i which changed the direction of M division, towards high performance everyday car. Hereafter, like they always say ��And the rest is history�. To this day, BMW M offers modified engines, suspension, interior trim, enhanced aerodynamics and body works. The result is some of the most highly tuned street-legal cars. The objective of M division is to sell factory production sports cars that are comfortable enough for daily commuting while offering uncompromised driving satisfaction and performance.
In 1993, BMW Motorsport GmbH was renamed BMW M GmbH, Gesellschaft f�r individuelle Automobile. The three business groups BMW M Cars, BMW Individual and BMW Driver Training make BMW M GmbH an all-inclusive product and service company that has been developing sports and high-performance engines for more than 20 years.The M1, M3 and M5, the M635CSi and the 850CSi - to name but a few examples - have not only found a place in the hearts of automobile fans but their presence on the world's streets over the last 20 years has developed M into a legend. Not simply "old-fashioned" classics, they are living proof of the power of innovation and the fascination of BMW M.
These M classics include:
M1 1978
M635CSi 1984
M5 1984
M3 1986
850CSi 1992
M3 1992
M Roadster 1997
M Coupe 1998
M5 1998
M3 CSL 2003
Although part of BMW, the M Division charts its own direction. For example, the Z4 M Roadster/Coupe has hydraulic power-assisted steering because the M-engineers think this is better than the electric power steering of the standard Z4. Interestingly, BMW�s famed Active Steering and run-flat tyres are also not being favoured by the M-engineers for they distort the true sporting dynamics of an M car!
The development of high-performance cars that combine racing performance characteristics with absolute everyday practicality demands technically inventive acumen. At BMW M highly qualified technicians, engineers, designers and test drivers work hand-in-hand creating technological highlights where not only the high-performance BMW M sports cars benefited but the whole BMW cars program. As such, BMW M is also a synonym for BMW innovation.
Some of the notable innovations encompass:
Lightweight bumpers
SMG Drivelogic
M high-rev concept
Four-valve technology
EDR
M double-Vanos
Variable M differential lock
M compound brake system
Current BMW high-performance M models are:
M3 coupe
M3 convertible
M5
M6
At the top end of the range are the BMW M6 and BMW M5, both powered by a V-10 engine developing 500bhp @ 7,750rpm and 520Nm @ 6,100rpm. It�s a brand new motor made by BMW M division, rather than a bored-out 4.8 liter engine in the BMW 650i. This magnificent F1-inspired engine drives through a superb seven-speed sequential gearbox (SMG).
The world is now eagerly awaiting the new V8-powered M3 capable of pushing out a phenomenal 415bhp.
Related posts:
http://newbiecars.blogspot.com/2007/03/new-2008-bmw-m3.html
http://newbiecars.blogspot.com/2007/03/bmw-m5-to-dream-or-not-to-dream.html
