For more than 70 years, memorable automobiles have rolled out of Bayerische Motor Werke. This sprawling photographic history spans the entire range, from the 1927 Dixi 3/51 PS to the James Bond Z8 roadster. The story of BMW's genesis in the aircraft industry is followed by complete series and model histories and overviews of BMW forays into motorsport. Gorgeously illustrated with rare archival imagery and modern color photos, this lavish treatment features classics like the mystically elegant pre-war 328, post-war 502 luxury saloons, the curious single-cylinder Isetta, hand-built 507 sports cars, the revolutionary 2002 Turbo, the M1 supercar, the Z3 roadster and much more.

The Complete Book of BMW is a master work. The word 'definitive' is a bold claim but this book should be viewed in this light. It is the most comprehensive survey of BMW Group models from the 501 right up to this year's 1 and 6 Series published in the English language. Data tables covering specifications, production volumes and prices will be invaluable to the BMW enthusiast and the layout and production volumes are second to none. Tony Lewin deserves high praise for this outstanding book. - Chris Willows, Corporate Communications Director, BMW Great Britain BMW is the most remarkable phenomenon to hit the auto industry in a generation. Celebrated for its luxury sports cars, motorcycles and aero engines in the pre-war era, it squandered its glamorous heritage in the 1950s; on its knees and near-bankrupt, it was rejected as a lost cause when offered by desperate banks to Mercedes-Benz. But thanks to a wealthy German aristocrat, a brilliant engineer and a young and inspirational manager, Mercedes would soon regret not having scooped up the once-glorious firm: pioneering the concept of the compact, high-quality sports saloon, the visionary new team systematically built BMW into the spectacular success we know today. Through the most expressive medium of all - the cars themselves - The Complete Book of BMW tells the story of one of the most remarkable turnarounds of the century. From the iconic 2002tii of the 1960s through the mighty M3 of the 1990s to today's born-again MINI and the crowning glory of the Rolls-Royce Phantom.- Every model since 1962- Technical specifications and performance data- Production and sales data- Key decisions that made BMW great- Von Kuenheim's brilliant template- Taking technology leadership- 1,600 color photographs- The new focus: premium at every levelAbout the AuthorTony Lewin is an automotive writer and commentator specializing in the business and design sides of the auto industry. He has reported on the automobile sector for more than two decades as editor of industry publications such as What Car?, Financial Times Automotive World and World Automotive Manufacturing, and as a regular columnist in magazines and newspapers in Europe, Japan and the United States.General AudienceThe Complete Book of BMW tells the remarkable story of the company and its cars. From the luxury sports cars and motorcycles of the pre-war era through its rebirth at the hands of a wealthy German aristocrat, a brilliant engineer, and an inspired manager during the past two decades, the book uses the most expressive medium of all-the cars themselves-to illustrate the story of one of the most remarkable turnarounds in automotive history.

An exclusive look at one of the world's most successful and controversial companies, and the mysterious family behind it. BMW is arguably the most admired carmaker in the world. It's financial performance is the envy of its competitors, and BMW products inspire near-fanatical loyalty. While many carmakers struggle with falling sales, profits and market share, demand for BMWs continues to grow, frequently outpacing production. Now, David Kiley-Detroit Bureau Chief at USA Today and author of Getting the Bugs Out, which covered Volkswagen's demise and rebirth, goes inside the fabled German automaker to see how it does what it does so well. With unprecedented access to BMW executives, Kiley goes behind the walls of BMW's famed "Four Cylinders" headquarters in Munich at a time when the company is in its most aggressive, and some say riskiest, expansion in its history and when some of the company's new products, like the 7 Series sedan and Z4 roadster, are for the first time drawing as many barbs from critics as bouquets. Kiley covers intimate details of the boardroom drama surrounding the company's nearly disastrous acquisition and subsequent sale of the British Rover Group and its expansion into selling MINI and Rolls Royce cars. Besides being a world-class carmaker, BMW is also considered one of the smartest consumer marketing companies and Kiley explores the extraordinary value and management of the BMW brand mystique. He also takes a revealing look at the mysterious and ultra-private Quandt family of Bad Homburg Germany, which owns a controlling stake in BMW: Johanna and Susanne Quandt, two of the wealthiest women in Europe and Stefan Quandt, one of the wealthiest bachelors on the continent. David Kiley (Ann Arbor, MI) is the Detroit Bureau Chief at USA Today who has covered the auto industry for 17 years. He has been featured on Nightline, CNBC, CNN, MSNBC, NPR and the Today show. He is also the author of Getting the Bugs Out: The Rise, Fall, and Comeback of Volkswagen in America (0-471-26304-4), also available from Wiley.

Twelve years after the first Benz patent motorcar Number 1 made its first journey in July 1886, a car raced across the image in Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's lithograph, The Automobilist. La 628-E8, a novel named after the license plate number of its author, Octave Mirbeau, was published in the early twentieth century. In his Futurist Manifesto, Filippo Tommaso Marinetti rated the beauty of a racecar's revving engine and speed higher than the aesthetics of the Nike of Samothrace. Ever since its invention, artists have been examining the automobile, and the BMW Art Cars have played a central role here. Alexander Calder's BMW 3.0 CSL from 1975 was the first in a series brought to life by Hervé Poulain, lover of auto racing and works of art, in collaboration with BMW's head of motorsports, Jochen Neerpasch. Seventeen artists have since designed BMW models, and the "rolling sculptures" have not only proved themselves in museums, but also on the race track at Le Mans. ARTISTS FEATURED (selection) John Baldessari, Alexander Calder, Sandro Chia, Ken Done, Olafur Eliasson, Cao Fei, Ernst Fuchs, David Hockney, Jenny Holzer, Michael Jagamara Nelson, Matazo Kayama, Jeff Koons, Roy Lichtenstein, Esther Mahlangu, César Manrique, A.R.Penck, Robert Rauschenberg, Frank Stella, Andy Warhol

The intriguing story of this popular German marque's rise from almost certain bankruptcy in the late 1950s to its present, much vaunted, position. Topics include: background and history of BMW road and race cars from the 1930s to the 1970s; 4- and 6-cylinder cars; full specifications; and the full racing history of such classic cars as the 1500, 2800cs, 2002 and 2002 Turbo. An inspiring story.

This book invites for a fascinating tour of BMW's unique car style.