History
From the past decade-and-a-half, BMW AG has been expanding rapidly inorganically. It first bought the British Rover Group, consisting the Rover, Land Rover and MG, along with Austin and Morris in 1994. After owning it for six years, BMW sold Rover, which was incurring losses to the Phoenix Consortium to form MG Rover. Land Rover, meanwhile, was taken over by Ford. Since 2001, BMW has been building MINI. There is an interesting pattern by which BMW names its vehicle: a 3-digit number is first chosen, and then followed by 1 or 2 letters. While the first number is the series number; the next two usually represent the engine displacement in cubic centimeters divided by 100.

Expansion
If luxury automobile is to be known by another name, it is Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (Bavarian Motor Works) or BMW. Not for nothing considered the Ultimate Driving Machine, it is a leading performance-luxury automaker. It also manufactures motorcycles. BMW AG, the parent company, started off as an aircraft engine manufacturer in Germany. Its focus shifted to motorcycle production in 1923 and to automobiles in 1929. Popular folklore has it that the circular blue and white badge, BMWs logo, is taken from the logo of its predecessor company Rapp Motorenwerke. The colors and checkers are derived from the arms of Bavaria. Another distinction BMW holds is that it owns two premier brands, MINI and Rolls-Royce.

Models

BMW 1-Series
The 1-Series is a healthy combination of agile handling; sporty rear-wheel-drive dynamics and powerful engines. This four-seat Coupe debuted in 2008. A 3.0-liter, 230 horsepower inline 6-cylinder engine powers the128i Coupe, while the 135i Coupe comes with BMW's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine and generates 300 horsepower and just 300 lb-ft of torque. The 2009 BMW 1-Series adds two new options, a heated steering wheel and BMW's 4th generation iDrive controller; the iDrive controller is available with an optional navigation system. A new exterior color Space Gray Metallic replaces Sparkling Graphite Metallic.
BMW 3-Series
The BMW 3-Series is the considered the sport sedan in the world. The sedan and coupe versions are available as 328i, all-wheel-drive 328xi, and 335i models. The two-door convertible and AWD 335xi sedan in 328i or 335i versions are midseason additions. Wagons come in 328i or 328xi versions. All 3-Series models are powered by a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine. The 2009 BMW 3-Series gets a minimally restyled front fascia, new headlights and taillights; upgraded materials and new power window switches. A new-generation of BMW's iDrive and an enhanced navigation system offer more functionality. A new 335d with an inline 6-cylinder 265 hp twin-turbo diesel engine with a torque of 425 lb-ft, has also been added to the 3-Series lineup.
BMW 5 Series
5 Series models come with the all-new 3.0-liter inline, while the 550i comes with a 4.8-liter V8. The 5-Series sedan has an impressive lineup consisting of 528i, 528xi, 535i, 535i xDrive, and 550. The wagon comes in only one trim the 535xi. The 2009 BMW 5-Series receives new standard wheels for the 528i (17-inch light alloy double-spoke wheels with all-season tires) and 535i (17-inch light alloy V-spoke wheels with all-season tires).
BMW 6-Series
The 2009 BMW 6-Series is largely unchanged. A two-door, four-passenger luxury sports car or convertible sports car, the BMW 6-Series comes in two trims the 650i Coupe and the 650i Convertible. The 6-Series stands out with its chiseled exteriors, plush interiors, extraordinary performance and sound stability. The 650i coupe and convertible models are equipped with a standard 4.8-liter, V8, 360-horsepower engine.
BMW 7-Series
The 2009 BMW 7-Series is redesigned, featuring improved styling, enhanced power, and a new version of BMW's iDrive control system. The 7-Series is BMW's most important luxury sedan. The 7-Series come in 750i sedan and 750Li sedan versions. The four-door, five-passenger luxury sedan, and luxury sports sedan will be powered by a 4.4-liter twin turbocharged V8 that makes 400 hp. The sole transmission is a 6-speed automatic, mounted on the steering column. New for 2009 are blind-spot alert, lane-departure warning, a head-up display, sideview and rearview cameras; a 40-gigabyte hard drive for the audio and navigation systems.
BMW M-Series
The BMW M badge stands for Motorsport and these cars are the finest showpieces of BMW's precision engineering. The 2009 M-Series include the M3, M5 and M6. BMW's 2009 lineup offers super-car handling, luxurious accommodations and brilliant everyday driving characteristics that are hard to beat. The M3 comes in coupe, sedan, or convertible body styles, powered by a 414-hp 4.0-liter V8. The high-performance M5 has a 500-hp 5.0-liter V10 with a 6-speed manual transmission. The M6 has a 500-hp 5.0-liter V10 that comes with a 7-speed automated manual transmission.
BMW X3
The 2009 BMW X3 is largely unchanged for what may be the final model year in its present design. The BMW X3 is a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury sport-utility. It is available in one trim the xDrive30i with standard all-wheel drive. The sole engine is a 260-hp 3.0-liter 6-cylinder, offered with manual or automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity is 3500 lb.
BMW X5
The 2009 BMW X5 lineup gains a new diesel model, as well as new trim-levels. The X5 gets a wheelbase that is longer by 4.5 inches. This premium midsize SUV seats seven and is offered in three trims: xDrive30i, xDrive48i, and xDrive35d, each with standard all-wheel drive. The xDrive30i has a 260-hp 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine; the xDrive48i has a 350-hp 4.8-liter V8; and the xDrive35d has a 265-hp 3.0-liter turbodiesel, and is due in calendar 2009. All X5s come with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity is 6000 lb.
BMW X6
The 2009 BMW X6 line-up continues largely unchanged following its introduction for the 2008 model year. It is expected to gain a new gas/electric hybrid model dubbed X6 ActiveHybrid. This four-door hatchback is a shade bigger than the 5-Series midsize cars. It is equipped with a raised suspension that the midsize SUV X5 has. The X6 is available in two trim levels. Each has a twin-turbocharged engine and standard all-wheel-drive. The SAV is spacious, can carry itself, its passengers and cargo effortlessly, and has the power expected of an SUV without its heaviness.
BMW Z4
The BMW Z4 Roadster is offered as a rear-wheel-drive, two-door sports car with convertible and hatchback coupe body styles. While the Z4 Roadster replaced the Z3 for 2003, the Z4 coupe was introduced in 2006. It comes in two trims, the 3.0i and 3.0si. The si is a high-performance M version that comes with greater power. Standard on the sDrive30i is a 3.0L 255 hp with Valvetronic variable valve timing and torque of 220 lb-ft; a 3.0L direct-injected twin-turbo powers the sDrive35i. The 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster is 5.8 in. longer, 0.4 in. wider, 0.3 in. lower, and has gained 200 to 300 lb across all models. Some of the weight is ascribed to the new aluminum retractable hardtop, the first for a BMW Z roadster.
BMW Z4M
The Z4 M comes in both coupe and roadster forms, and has a rear-wheel-drive. The Z4M is vastly different from base cars both in terms of interiors and exteriors. The M has a powerful 3.2-liter inline-six-cylinder engine that generates 343 hp, redlines at 8,000 rpm and does 0 to 100 km/h in 5 seconds. It is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The BMW Z4 M Roadster has a standard automatic soft-top which opens and closes in just 10 seconds. The soft-top features a heated scratch-resistant mineral-glass rear windscreen as standard.