Happy 100th, BMW
Munich automaker blows out the candles on its first century as it looks ahead to the future
MUNICH, GERMANY— Some companies just build cars. Others inspire passion, pursue performance and cultivate enthusiasts around the world.
BMW is among the latter. Its 100th anniversary, which is being celebrated this year, is an opportunity for the German icon not only to celebrate its past, but to hone in on its vision for the future.
Perhaps you didn’t know, but the entire BMW Group also includes Mini, Rolls-Royce and a motorcycle division, BMW Motorrad.
Throughout this centenary year, concept cars will be unveiled for each of the company’s brands to showcase BMW’s vision for the future of motoring.
If the BMW Vision Next 100 concept is an indication of what’s to come, these vehicles will be bold, unapologetic and unrelenting.
The first concept, a futuristic sedan, was unveiled at the centenary kickoff ceremony in Munich.
The sedan looks like something out of a Terminator film and demonstrates a potential balance between autonomous capability and a passion for the open road.
In “boost mode,” the driver is in control and the car becomes a tool to hone his craft. The entire windshield becomes a head-up display that looks like a video game, showing sta- tistics such as ideal lines through curves and warnings of imminent obstacles. In “ease mode,” the steering control folds away and the car’s autonomous technology takes over.
The marque’s glance 20 to 30 years into the future includes articulating wheel covers that can be fully replicated via a 3D printer. Interior materials are either already recycled or 100-per-cent fully recyclable. The materials are also almost entirely vegan, being intentionally built out of Alcantara instead of leather.
Mini and Rolls-Royce will have vision concept cars unveiled in London in mid-June — the latter has never shown a concept car in its history — and a Motorrad vision vehicle will be revealed in Los Angeles in October. The BMW Museum, housed underneath the iconic four-cylinder building at BMW Group headquarters in Munich, is featuring a special exhibit called 100 Masterpieces that will be on display for the next 18 months.
The exhibit highlights key moments from the company’s first 100 years, including vehicles and other points of pride such as key facilities and cultural and historical moments.
Also, as part of the centenary kickoff, the BMW Classic division hosted its first-ever event at its new headquarters just down the street from company headquarters.
The Classic division, which acts as the guardian to decades of archives and historic vehicles, is now centralized under a single roof for the first time.
Its new home was built on the site of BMW’s original manufacturing plant using refurbished original structures. Enthusiasts can have their classic BMWs refurbished to exacting standards using original or replica parts while enjoying an onsite café and access to a selection of archives.
Further events will take place throughout the coming months to give enthusiasts from all corners of the globe a chance to come together and celebrate the Bavarian Motor Works.
In addition to locally planned events with BMW Club chapters around the world, fans and VIPs will descend on Munich yet again for the BMW Festival on Sept. 10. Munich’s Olympic Park will transform into a massive celebration featuring car corrals, driving experiences, concerts and much more.
After 100 years, BMW is seizing its chance to shout its greatest attributes to the world: passion, performance and pride.