Munich. The BMW Museum opened its doors to more than 847,000 guests last year – a new record. Highlights included the arrival of the exhibition “Belle Macchine. Italian Automotive Design at BMW” and the “50 Years of BMW Art Cars and the BMW 3 Series” special exhibition, which was replaced by a 50th anniversary celebration for the BMW 6 Series. Since the market launch of its founding father in spring 1976, the 6 Series has grown into a trailblazing design classic. And the original car can still claim the longest production run of any BMW model series – at 13 years. The new exhibition, which explores every aspect of the car fondly known as the “sharknose”, will be open to visitors in the BMW Museum’s Rotunda until the end of January 2027. It is accompanied by a “floating” body-only model of the 6 Series outside the Museum building and by a selection of cars in the Art Car Gallery and the permanent exhibition’s “car tower”.

One of the BMW greats, then as now.
The BMW Museum is recalling 50 years of BMW 6 Series history through a selection of hand-picked exhibits. BMW set new standards in automotive construction with the introduction of the 6 Series in the mid-1970s. “For five decades now, the BMW 6 Series has been a paragon of elegance, sporting potency and long-distance comfort,” says Helmut Käs, Head of BMW Group Classic and BMW Museum. “This iconic design has established itself as one of the most influential in BMW history and is highly valued by fans and collectors around the world.”

From 1976 to 1989, the original BMW 6 Series was produced exclusively in coupé form. The new model borrowed its technical underpinnings from the BMW 5 Series and took its cues stylistically from the sumptuous luxury coupés of the 1960s. Its bodies were initially made by Karmann, then produced at BMW Plant Dingolfing from 1982. The line-up featured five engine variants and a US-specific model. Chief designer Paul Bracq oversaw the creation of a dynamic, timeless shape: the pointy “sharknose”, eye-catching side profile and generously sized windows come together into an unmistakable visual whole. It took a while for a successor to the original 6 Series to emerge. The BMW 8 Series occupied the “large coupé” slot in the range from 1989, and it wasn’t until 2003 that a new generation of the BMW 6 Series – the E63 – arrived. The 6 Series also made a name for itself in motor sport. In 1983, BMW joined the fray in close-to-series Group A touring car racing with the 635CSi – and duly won the European Touring Car Championship in 1984 and 1986 and the German Production Car Championship in 1984.

The BMW 6 Series becomes a movie star.
As they approach the entrance to the Museum, visitors are greeted by an apparently floating BMW 6 Series, inspired by the “Flying Cars” series by French photographer Sylvain Viau. The aesthetic employed here recalls the futuristic visual language of classic science fiction films and previews the special exhibition in the Rotunda, where the role of the BMW 6 Series in movie and TV history is highlighted. Indeed, the BMW 6 Series Coupé carved out a space for itself on screens big and small, featuring in international productions such as Dallas and Back to the Future II, as well as German TV shows including Tatort and Der Bulle von Tölz.

“The BMW 6 Series remains a popular movie car to this day, especially in more avant-garde productions,” explain the curators of the special exhibition, Anna Schleypen and Klaus-Anton Altenbuchner. “It is no ‘off-the-peg’ solution, and neither could it be described as a typical action machine or pure luxury cruiser. Rather, the 6 Series is a car rich in character. The special exhibition pays tribute to its show-business side with a film set lifted straight from the 1970s against the Munich skyline. As such, it quite literally shines the spotlight on the movie star BMW 6 Series’ iconic connection to the silver screen.” The BMW 628CSi (1982) and BMW M635CSi (1985) strike a dynamic pose against this atmospheric film backdrop, while fictional movie posters showcase the car from different angles on the way up through the Rotunda.

The BMW 628CSi is one of the most successful of all 6 Series variants. Its 2.8-litre fuel-injected engine represented a high-tech upgrade on its arrival in 1979, replacing its carburettor predecessor. The 628CSi was in production until 1987, winning over drivers with its masterful blend of grace, sportiness and high comfort. The BMW M635CSi, available from 1984 with the 286 hp engine from the M1 and capable of a top speed in excess of 250 km/h (155 mph), was considered the fastest four-seater in the world at the time. 5,655 examples were built up to 1989, making this rare M model a modern BMW legend.

Two iconic 6 Series: the BMW 635CSi and BMW 633CSi
As well as the cinematic history of the BMW 6 Series, the special exhibition also focuses on the model’s cultural significance. The BMW Museum’s Art Car Gallery is (alternately) presenting two examples of the BMW 635CSi from the BMW Art Car Collection, which has been celebrating its 50-year anniversary since last year with the BMW Art Car World Tour. In 1982, Austrian artist Ernst Fuchs created the fifth BMW Art Car in the collection – the first based on a series-produced model. Fuchs’ Art Car, which he called “Firefox on Harehunt”, is a homage to mythology, speed and spiritual symbolism. Four years later, pop-art luminary Robert Rauschenberg added a sixth car to the collection, transforming the 635CSi into a black-and-white collage of art history, photography and everyday culture.

With the BMW 633CSi, the BMW Museum is showing another key member of the 6 Series family in its “car tower”. Unveiled at the same time as the 630CS, the 633CSi was initially fitted with the then state-of-the-art Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection system. In September 1979, it then gained DME digital engine electronics, which brought further reductions in pollutant emissions and fuel consumption. However, the engine did experience a slight dip in output – from 200 hp to 197 hp.

An overview of the cars on display.
BMW 6 Series body-only model. / outside the BMW Museum
BMW 628CSi (1982). / BMW Museum, Rotunda
BMW M635CSi (1985). / BMW Museum, Rotunda
BMW 633CSi (1976). / BMW Museum, “car tower”
BMW Art Car #5 by Ernst Fuchs, BMW 635CSi (1982). / BMW Museum, Art Car Gallery (exhibition duration: 17 March – 13 July 2026)
BMW Art Car #6 by Robert Rauschenberg, BMW 635CSi (1986). / BMW Museum, Art Car Gallery (exhibition duration: 7 September – end of 2026)

The exhibition “Belle Macchine. Italian Automotive Design at BMW” will continue to run alongside the 50‑year anniversary celebration for the BMW 6 Series until the end of 2026. All the exhibitions are open to visitors during the BMW Museum’s usual opening times: Tuesday to Sunday, 10.00 a.m.–6.00 p.m. (last entry at 5.30 p.m.). Further information can be found at BMW Museum.

BMW Museum.

The BMW Museum in Munich takes its visitors on an impressive journey through more than 100 years of car and motorcycle history shaped by wonderment, innovation, dynamism and the joy of the open road on two wheels and four. It charts a course from the early days to the present day, and in so doing paints a comprehensive picture of the BMW brand’s talent for innovation. Good news about the Museum has travelled fast: with over 840,000 visitors in the past year, it is one of Munich’s most popular. The BMW Museum is part of BMW Group Classic – the wing of the company charged with nurturing the history of BMW and everything that involves.

History and Architecture.

Summary.

• The Rotunda, popularly known as the “Bowl”, is the signature feature of the BMW Museum and houses the temporary exhibition. Its roof is adorned with the BMW logo.
• The BMW Museum opened its doors on 18 May 1973.
• In 2004 the Museum closed temporarily to allow a comprehensive redesign and significant expansion of the building. In June 2008, the BMW Museum re-opened with five times the exhibition space.

In Detail.

BMW has always demonstrated a keen awareness of its history. A factory museum was opened at the Munich plant back in 1966, and in the late 1960s the BMW Board of Management decided to build a museum to reflect the company as a whole. Viennese architect Karl Schwanzer won the competition to design the building, and the Museum was duly created according to his plans. His was the inspiration behind the Rotunda, also known informally as the “Bowl” on account of its distinctive appearance. The Museum concept was presented in 1973 under the heading “Streets and urban squares in the renovated exhibition space”. A central ramp within the Rotunda connects a system of apparently floating platforms.

Design firm Atelier Brückner took the concept to the next stage with the renovation and expansion of the Museum from 2004 to 2008, since when the low-rise section of the building has been part of the overall complex together with the “Bowl”. “Bridges and houses” have been added to the architectural concept, which has expanded the surface area of the Museum to five times its original size. A system of ramps shapes the inner structure of the Museum. It reaches dynamically into the space and appears to be almost weightless. The modern facades of the seven exhibition houses, unusual lines of sight through the interior, asphalt floors and upward-spiralling pathways through the exhibition areas create a lively urban setting.

Exhibition and Experiences.

Summary.

• The BMW Museum has 5,000 square metres of exhibition space.
• A tour through the 25 areas of the permanent exhibition extends for around one kilometre.
• A particular highlight of the exhibition are the renowned BMW Art Cars. Alternating examples from the collection are shown in the BMW Museum at varying intervals.
• At least three guided tours through the permanent exhibition are offered per day in German and English.
• Tickets can be purchased online or at the Museum. An online ticket gives visitors entry to the exhibition area without having to wait.
• Refreshments during a visit to the BMW Museum can be enjoyed at the “M1” bistro. Operated by acclaimed caterers Feinkost Käfer, “M1” welcomes guests with a wide variety of lunch options.

In Detail.

The permanent exhibition represents the core of the BMW Museum and takes visitors on a themed journey from the past into the future. The route leads guests through seven exhibition houses. The “House of Design” is all about the design process and charts the progression from idea brainstorming to style-defining product; the “House of the Company” explores the history and company culture of BMW; and the “House of the Motorcycle” studies the development of motorcycle design and engineering at BMW. The “House of Technology” displays the technical innovations BMW has employed to meet the evergrowing demands of car and motorcycle design. In the “House of Motorsport”, the history of BMW in race competition commands the spotlight. Here, we showcase the full spectrum of technical possibilities, turned into reality with no effort or endeavour spared.

The “House of the Series” details the development of individual model ranges, such as the BMW 5 Series. BMW’s lines of communication with the people who use its vehicles is the theme for the “House of the Brand”, which looks at customers’ personal experiences with BMW cars. This house also examines the subject of sustainability at BMW. In addition, the temporary exhibitions in the “Bowl” each have their own theme and are dedicated to particular subject areas at the company. Examples have included the BMW i brand and the overall sphere of electric mobility. Since the BMW Museum re-opened in 2008, it has used special exhibitions like these to present topics in which the BMW brand is deeply engaged.

The hour-long guided tour through the permanent exhibition gives visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the Museum’s wealth of exhibits and gain some fascinating background insights into the development of the BMW brand. The tours are led by recognised experts, who are more than happy to incorporate specific topics or areas of interest on request. The BMW Museum can also be explored digitally via accompanying content on smartphones or tablets. Here, visitors can find out more about the history of the BMW brand and have a lot of fun in the process. The BMW Museum uses cashless purchase options only – i.e. credit card, contactless methods or mobile wallet – for entry tickets, Museum tours and souvenirs. Entry tickets can be paid for online, using the ticket payment machines or at the cash desk. Guided tours, kids’ birthday parties and school holiday activities can also be booked online – up to six months in advance.

BMW Junior Museum.

Summary.

• The BMW Junior Museum was developed in cooperation with renowned education experts.
• As well as ensuring a generous dose of fun, the BMW Junior Museum also focuses on skills such as visual perception, communications, creativity, joined-up thinking, historical awareness and aesthetic development.
• Various workshops designed specifically for the age group at hand give the children insights into the world of mobility.

In Detail.

The BMW Junior Museum is designed specifically for younger guests. The BMW Junior Museum programme invites children and teenagers on a journey of discovery through the world of mobility and is available all year round. Workshops designed for the age group at hand allow young visitors to delve into interesting topics from different angles. The workshops feature fascinating content on topics such as design, architecture, art and sustainability, and fuel the creativity of the kids. The tour through the BMW Museum included as part of the workshops is designed to respond to the youngsters’ interests and meet their needs. Interactive elements allow them to explore mobility from a variety of perspectives and cast an eye over more than 100 years of car and motorcycle history. The workshops are held in German and English. The programme offered by the BMW Museum reflects its vision of an extracurricular place of learning for interdisciplinary educational experiences. The main objective of the BMW Museum’s educational offering is to encourage active engagement with the exhibits on display. The various workshops are geared to preschool, primary-school and secondaryschool children respectively.

The following workshops are offered at the BMW Junior Museum for groups and school classes:

• The Design Workshop
• The Film Workshop
• The Detective Workshop

These workshops can also be held as birthday celebration events, which include the option of either bringing your own food or booking refreshments from renowned caterers Feinkost Käfer. Several times a year, the BMW Museum also adds a Family Sunday with its own particular motto to the calendar. Here, the Museum lays on a wide range of attractions, such as arts & crafts, face painting and much more besides, and also invites guests to visit the exhibition areas of the BMW Museum. Along the way, the kids explore topics around mobility, design and sustainability. As part of its special school holiday programme, the Museum now also allows places to be booked individually for the Design Workshop held on every Thursday of the holidays. Here, children aged between 7 and 13 can develop their own vehicle designs under the guidance of our experts and with special tools.

Munich. The BMW Museum in Munich is using a special exhibition taking place as part of the international BMW Art Car World Tour to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of both the legendary BMW Art Car Collection and the iconic BMW 3 Series. The exhibition will open its doors to visitors from 17 June, hot on the heels of the Le Mans 24 Hours race weekend. Fittingly, it was at Le Mans in 1975 that the first BMW Art Car – created by Alexander Calder – staged its glittering premiere. The exhibition, which runs until 1 February 2026, will see the BMW Museum present a trio of Art Cars based on the BMW 3 Series: Sandro Chia’s BMW M3 GTR and the BMW M3 (Group A) cars designed by Michael Jagamara Nelson and Ken Done respectively.

The exhibition at the BMW Museum – the home of the BMW Art Cars when they are not on display at destinations around the globe – is one of the attractions of the ongoing BMW Art Car World Tour, the largest exhibition project yet in the 50-year history of the collection. The Tour has so far visited 12 markets on five continents, and will continue to showcase the legendary BMW Art Cars across numerous art and car platforms, and at institutes worldwide, over the coming year. The BMW Museum will use the special exhibition to provide insights into the artistic brilliance and history of the BMW Art Car Collection, as well as inviting visitors to explore the technical excellence of the 3 Series and the innovative power of the BMW brand.

50 years of driving pleasure: the BMW 3 Series 
Since it first hit the roads in 1975, the BMW 3 Series has served as a byword for driving pleasure and a cornerstone for the success of BMW. Across five decades, it has reimagined the concept of the sports sedan, set new standards for performance and put smiles on the faces of millions of drivers around the world. From the groundbreaking first generation to today’s innovative models, the 3 Series has been an enduring, style-defining feature of the automotive landscape.

50 years of “rolling sculptures”: the BMW Art Car Collection
Since 1975, renowned artists from countries the world over have gone to work creating BMW Art Cars. The idea was the brainchild of French racing driver and art lover Hervé Poulain, who teamed up with BMW’s then Head of Motorsport Jochen Neerpasch to invite friend and artist Alexander Calder to paint a design onto a car. The result was a BMW 3.0 CSL that competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1975, becoming a darling of the crowd – and marking the birth of the BMW Art Car Collection. Famous names including Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Esther Mahlangu, David Hockney, Jenny Holzer and Ólafur Elíasson have since added further BMW Art Cars bearing their own individual style to the collection. More recently, the American John Baldessari and Chinese multimedia artist Cao Fei used the BMW M6 GTLM and BMW M6 GT3 respectively as a canvas for their takes on the BMW Art Car concept in 2016 and 2017. They therefore joined Jeff Koons and Julie Mehretu in applying their creativity to dynamic racing cars in the last 15 years.

BMW Art Cars at the BMW Museum from 17 June
BMW M3 Group A by Ken Done (1989):
Australian artist Ken Done created a vibrant and richly coloured design that captures the energy and dynamism of motor racing. His work represents a homage to the speed and power of the BMW M3.

“It was a great honour to be asked to be part of this fabulous Art Car collection. I wanted to express the joy of speed and the brilliance of the machine itself.” Ken Done

BMW M3 Group A by Michael Jagamara Nelson (1989):
Michael Jagamara Nelson, also from Australia, brought the traditions of Aboriginal art to the bodywork of the BMW M3. His complex motifs using dot painting techniques tell Dreaming stories that are deeply rooted in the culture of his people.

“A car is a landscape as it would be seen from a plane – I have included water, the kangaroo and the opossum.” Michael Jagamara Nelson

BMW M3 GTR by Sandro Chia (1992):
Italian artist Sandro Chia transformed a BMW M3 GTR into a painting on wheels that depicts human figures and emotions in vivid colours. His work symbolises the connection between man and machine, and invites us to reflect on the role of the car in modern society.

“I have created both a picture and a world. Everything that is looked at closely turns into a face. A face is a focus, a focus of life and the world.” Sandro Chia

The 10th BMW Art Car, a BMW 730i designed by Spanish artist César Manrique in 1990, is also on show at the BMW Museum as part of its permanent exhibition.

For more information, please visit:
BMW Art Cars im BMW Museum
BMW Art Car World Tour

If you have any questions, please contact:
Lisa Meindl
BMW Group Corporate and Governmental Affairs
Spokesperson BMW Museum und BMW Welt
Phone: +49-89-382-31668 
E-Mail: Lisa.Meindl@bmw.de

Ilya Baryshev
BMW Group Corporate and Governmental Affairs
Spokesperson, BMW Art Car World Tour
Telefon: +49-151-601-544-36
E-Mail: Ilya.Baryshev@bmwgroup.com

Munich. On 7 June, the “Belle Macchine. Italian Automotive Design at BMW” exhibition will open its doors at the BMW Museum. With its famed sense for timeless aesthetics, Italy has set standards in fashion, interior and product design for as long as anyone can remember. And Italian designers have also left an enduring mark on the automotive world. This exhibition explores the influence of Italian design at BMW and provides a fascinating retrospective on the evolution of coachbuilding and body design over the past few decades.

BMW has drawn inspiration from Italian coachbuilding culture since as far back as the 1930s. Collaborations with renowned designers such as Giorgetto Giugiaro, Giovanni Michelotti and Marcello Gandini produced icons that have made a lasting impression on the brand. “BMW has harnessed Italian influences to create automotive design that blends class and elegance with modern forms and functionality. The combination of Italian design and German engineering excellence was a key driver of BMW’s growth into a premium manufacturer,” explain curators Anna Schleypen and Klaus-Anton Altenbuchner. The exhibition illustrates this development with a variety of design sketches from the BMW Design Archive, a selection of exhibits and 23 historic vehicles, and provides a captivating insight into the design history of BMW.

A tour of the exhibition
“Belle Macchine. Italian Automotive Design at BMW” extends over five platforms and ramps within the BMW Museum’s iconic “Bowl”. It starts with a general introduction into the world of Italian design, citing examples of the country’s endeavours in the fields of fashion and product design. The impact of noted Italian studios on the design of bodies for BMW vehicles occupies much of the exhibition space. For example, the BMW Garmisch concept car penned by Marcello Gandini represents the essence of Italian style and played a major role in the design of the original BMW 3 Series and 5 Series of the 1970s. As is clear from the numerous production cars on display, such as the popular BMW 1800 TI/SA, the stylistic influence of Italian designers was leveraged to successful effect by a large number of models. BMW’s acquisition of fellow carmaker Glas is also brought under the spotlight with a three-strong line-up including the BMW 3000 V8, affectionately known as the “Glaserati”. The exhibition continues with a showcase of perfectly formed one-offs like the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé, BMW 2800 GTS Frua and BMW Nazca M12 designed by Fabrizio Giugiaro. These models were commissioned by the company to serve as sources of creative inspiration or put forward by the Italian designers themselves to ensure they were part of the conversation when BMW was scouting for partners. 

On the ramps between the platforms, visitors are taken on a visual road-trip with stop-offs including the legendary Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on the shores of Lake Como – a beauty contest for historic vehicles of unparalleled tradition. The design drawings on show here provide further evidence of the artistic signature of Italian designers. The exhibition finishes on a high with a model of the BMW Vision Neue Klasse – the modern successor to the Italian-flavoured original Neue Klasse of yesteryear – and special study vehicles such as the BMW M1 Hommage. These cars see BMW recognising the achievements of the Italian designers of the time and re-interpreting its own design history as a source of inspiration for its latest creations.

In another visual highlight, the exhibition area is enveloped in a 360-degree display – projected onto the walls of the “Bowl” – that showcases the work of Italian artist Giorgio de Chirico, who studied for a time in Munich.  

Munich. BMW M – the most powerful letter in the world – is celebrating its 50th birthday, and the BMW Museum in Munich is joining in the celebrations: the new BMW M exhibition opened on 24 May 2022, marking the very day that BMW Motorsport GmbH was founded on 24 May 1972. It is dedicated to the hugely successful BMW M brand, which emerged from BMW Motorsport GmbH.

Little could anyone have known how much of a unique success story BMW Motorsport GmbH would grow into when it was founded half a century ago – bundling and further professionalising all of BMW’s racing activities. The newly developed BMW 3.0 CSL won the 1973 European Touring Car Championship. Since then, BMW M has passed many unique milestones in the fields of motorsport, technology and design. This is embedded in the BMW Group’s corporate history in a lively and exciting new exhibition at the BMW Museum.

The race track as a museum circuit.

Visitors walk through large sections of the museum on a specially created BMW M circuit, modelled on a racetrack: “We have consciously integrated the eight BMW M stations into our permanent exhibition to highlight the BMW M anniversary everywhere,” says Helmut Käs, Head of BMW Group Classic, explaining the concept: “It is not your usual temporary exhibition. Instead, we are adding special highlights within the museum. For example, the ‘Visions’ room is actually all about future topics. We have set up a stage for the most successful racing touring car in the early days of BMW Motorsport – the BMW 3.0 CSL – flanked by the BMW 2002 turbo. That is also a symbol: both vehicles are an integral part of the tradition which is shaping our tomorrow.”

  The motorsport gene is still at the heart of BMW M today.

The special exhibition flowing through a further seven rooms highlights various aspects such as the history of racing touring cars, the manufacture of the BMW Individual, the complete M Story with background information on the distinctive colours, the logo and the anniversary logo launched in 2022. Special aspects such as the BMW Art Cars and BMW driver training, which would not even exist without BMW M, are also showcased. The exhibits include the iconic BMW M1 and BMW M3 as well as design concepts, prototypes, BMW M classics and winning racing cars such as the BMW V12 LMR, all combining to give a sense of what the brand is all about: “This motorsport gene from the early days still thrives in BMW M today,” says Jochen Neerpasch, co-founder and first Managing Director of BMW Motorsport GmbH from 1972 to 1980: “The brand owes its dynamism, passion and performance to motorsport. Innovations such as lightweight construction, aerodynamics, optimised engine performance or a reinforced chassis still feature in M vehicles today.”

Guided tours and workshops for children bring racing history to life.

When you know a lot, you see more. The one-hour guided tour through the permanent exhibition, which currently has a special focus on the BMW M stations, fully lives up to this motto and gives a wealth of information. The BMW Junior Museum has come up with something special that will get even 9- to 14-year-olds thrilled about BMW M. Entitled “Join the M Team!” it offers exclusive, two-and-a-half-hour BMW M anniversary workshops. The young participants meet up-and-coming talents from the BMW Junior Team, experience genuine motorsport passion and team spirit, learn about historic victories and landmark vehicles. They complete small challenges and create their own airbrush BMW M designs, which can be exhibited in the museum and taken home.

The BMW M motorsport exhibition at the BMW Museum runs throughout 2022. All dates, further information – including about guided tours – and the online ticket shop are at https://www.bmw-welt.com/en/experience/guided_tours.html

BMW Museum tours

The BMW Museum presents a fascinating look at the corporate, brand and product history of BMW. More than 120 of the brand’s most valuable and eye-catching cars, motorbikes and engines are on display in the 5,000 m² exhibition area. Information on exhibits and background information is given in German and English.

The BMW Museum, together with the BMW Plant and BMW Welt, impressively showcases the brand experience in Munich, providing deep insights into the tradition, the present and the future of the BMW brand. Founded in 1973 as one of the first brand museums, it was redesigned and expanded in 2008.

BMW Museum opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Last admissions at 5.30 p.m.

Guided tours can be booked via the BMW Welt info service on + 49 (0)89 125 016 001. Tickets are available via the online ticket shop at https://ticket.bmw-welt.com/Exhibitions/Register?refresh=y&id=75026459-1499-e911-9104-02e0ec439a41&shop=D1C6FD86-4613-4437-A931-F2CC660641ED&language=EN.

Munich. On 23 March 2018, the new temporary exhibition opens in the BMW Museum focusing on the BMW i brand and its protagonists BMW i3 and BMW i8. The title of the exhibition is “BMW i. Visionary Mobility.” and it will present visionary mobility and vehicle concepts over a period of 18 months. The exhibition pays tribute to the performance of this brand, which initially set benchmarks with the BMW i3 and BMW i8 and revolutionised individual local traffic in big cities with a large number of mobility services. A theme park of some 30 stations now demonstrates the diversity of electromobility, the aspects of sustainable choice of materials and the challenges of future, emission-free mobility. This takes the BMW Museum on new routes – for the first time, the history, the present and the future of mobility are united under one roof.

The story of the future.

The thematic pathway through the new temporary exhibition begins at the origin of the need for alternative mobility concepts and its biggest sphere of action so far: in the urban space, particularly megacities. Impressive installations on the topic of resources and emissions highlight the challenges confronting our modern society and indicate the opportunities offered at the present time by electrification of mobility. A journey through history and the tradition of electromobility at BMW is also presented, starting with the modified BMW 1602 used during the summer Olympic Games in Munich through to today’s BMW i brand. An overview of the entrepreneurial milestones foregrounds the pioneering work that the BMW Group has carried out in the area of sustainable mobility. The exhibition has been staged on five platforms and it conveys a varied and informative impression of all the key focuses and facets of the BMW i brand.

Sustainability in every fibre.

In the “Architecture and Power Unit” zone, visitors are initially introduced to the fundamentally new basic structure in vehicle construction – the LifeDrive cell. They are also provided with an introduction to the electric motor and high-voltage energy storage. The centrepiece for this is the “Megacity Vehicle” concept car first presented at the IAA International Motor Show. The BMW i3 was developed from this concept car. Following a 360° tour round the topic of sustainability, the visitor’s roadmap continues to the second platform that presents the fascinating BMW i design: drawings and information panels bring the process of creation to life. The issue of “sustainable design” also plays a role here, as does the associated design philosophy of the brand. The material platform follows on from this and visitors are astonished if they have never heard of terms like olive-tree leaves, eucalyptus, kenaf and PET in connection with vehicle construction. The recycling and dismantling process of these vehicles is also presented at this point to give fascinating insights into environmental protection measures at the BMW Group.

Urban mobility in transformation.

The penultimate thematic area takes our focus back to the urban living environment where car-sharing concepts, charge networks and app solutions for mobility services have long been established. The everyday lives of many people are inconceivable without these adjuncts. The latest developments such as BMW Connected highlight the trend towards networked and personalised driving. The Urban Lounge showcases various projects which will complement the product range of large service providers in big cities in future. The exhibition closes with an outlook on the future. The top platform entitled “Visionary Mobility” is dedicated to the further alignment of the BMW i brand and its pioneering performance in the area of autonomous driving. Aspects of artificial intelligence are also addressed here and particular emphasis is placed on the role played by employees in this transformation. After all, this is the key factor for success in advanced development of the innovative BMW i brand.

The new temporary exhibition “BMW i. Visionary Mobility.” will be presented in the bowl of the BMW Museum from 23 March 2018 to the scheduled likely finishing date of September 2019. Entry to the temporary exhibition is included in the standard ticket price.

Additional information can be found at: www.bmw-museum.de

Attached please find all single texts of the press kit "The overall BMW Welt experience" for download.

Summary – The overall BMW Welt experience

The BMW Welt “ensemble” – formed by the BMW Welt, the BMW Museum and the BMW Plant – has quickly become one of Bavaria’s top attractions. This is where the past, present and future of the world’s most successful premium automobile manufacturer come together to create a comprehensive brand experience. Together, the BMW Plant, the BMW Museum and the BMW Welt form a whole: the complete BMW Welt experience. The complete BMW Welt experience is an important interface between the company, the brand, its products and the visitor. The proximity of this unique building with its futuristic architecture to all major areas of the BMW Group’s Munich location, combined with the opportunity of visiting the Museum and taking a guided tour of the Plant on the same day, makes this a unique three-pronged brand experience. The ensemble of the BMW Welt, the BMW Museum and the BMW Plant represents the clear commitment of the BMW Group to its home city of Munich.

1.   Tradition and future at the Munich location  

The Munich location is both heart and brain of the BMW Group. The BMW Plant Munich, the main plant for the BMW brand, is located right next-door to the BMW Building, also known as the “Four Cylinder”. Also close by is the BMW Group’s Research and Innovation Centre, where around 9,000 employees work on solutions for the future.

The history of BMW’s Munich location is a story of continuity, flexibility and innovation. Over a period of more than 90 years, the company has evolved from a manufacturer of aircraft engines to a producer of upmarket motorcycles, to one of the world’s leading suppliers of premium vehicles and premium services for individual mobility. The founding stone for this success story was laid with the establishment of the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG (BFW) in 1916 and the formation of the Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH in 1917. Since 1922, BMW’s main plant has been in Munich, in the heart of the city – open to visitors, neighbours and customers alike.

When BMW decided to build its own experience and delivery centre in the late 1990s, there was no question about the perfect location: The centre could only be built close to the Group headquarters, main plant and museum – because this is the home of the brand, where its successful history began.

2.   The BMW Welt. Home of the brands.  

All customers who purchase a new BMW vehicle have the option of collecting their car from the BMW Welt, the very heart of the brand. Many BMW customers and fans – who often travel from farther afield – take advantage of this opportunity to spend an unforgettable day at the BMW Welt. The BMW Welt is so much more than just a delivery centre: As a brand experience forum, it invites guests to immerse themselves in the company’s world. This is where the BMW Group really comes to life: As home to the brands, the BMW Welt presents the BMW Group and its four brands together under one roof. Rotating product exhibitions, as well as all automobile series and motorcycles and a large number of interactive exhibits, open up the world of BMW, BMW M, BMW i, BMW Motorrad, MINI and Rolls Royce to the visitor. Each brand has its own experience area, which distinctly captures the essence of each brand. The BMW Group company also has its own exhibition for the first time.

The design of the different areas reflects the individual brand identities and the corresponding corporate identity. Interactive exhibits provide numerous points of contact and allow each visitor to experience the brands hands-on. All vehicles are open and unlocked and can be appreciated with all senses from the driver’s seat. A so-called “Product Genius” – a highly-qualified BMW Welt technical expert – is always on hand to answer more in-depth questions and provide detailed information on vehicles and technologies on a personal, one-to-one basis. The BMW Welt’s unique brand experience is rounded out with a new event concept, which allows the different brands to host their own events. Events like the BMW Jazz Award or MINI Clubbing highlight brand values and are geared towards each brand’s target group. In addition, the Junior Campus Portal provides the BMW Welt’s younger visitors with an introduction to the world of mobility, which they are invited to discover with a passion. The BMW Welt is also a popular venue and event location.

Around 2.5 million people visited the BMW Welt in 2012. On 4 July 2012, the BMW Welt welcomed its ten-millionth visitor. It is, and intends to remain, Bavaria’s most popular attraction.

3.   The BMW Museum. History up close

The BMW Museum was built in 1973, together with the BMW headquarters, commonly known as the “Four Cylinder”. The BMW Museum concept focuses on the fascination of the BMW brand. Its display of historical automobiles, motorcycles, race car and aircraft engines invites visitors to discover BMW’s technological horizons and design history: from the very beginnings, early last century, all the way into the new millennium. With its wide variety of original exhibits, the BMW Museum appeals to guests from all over the world and welcomes up to 480,000 visitors a year. Visitor numbers are steadily increasing, and the BMW Museum has established itself as one of Munich’s most popular museums.

Since reopening in 2008, the BMW Museum has occupied a new space, with new content: With five times the exhibition space, the BMW Museum’s new approach highlights BMW’s competence and innovative strength. Over an area of 5,000 m2, vehicles, themes, architecture, design and media concepts combine to form a modern composition of exhibits from past, present and future, thereby creating a memorable brand experience.

The range of topics covers the history of the BMW company, its brands and products, combined with a broad range of developments in design, technology and motor sports. Passing through 25 focus topics, visitors meander along “museum roads” and become part of an intense brand experience. The permanent BMW Museum exhibition is supplemented by fascinating temporary and special exhibitions, as well as a wide range of different cultural events. Special programmes for children and young people complete the offering.

4.   The BMW Plant Munich. Innovative. Creative. Flexible.

The BMW Plant Munich is the BMW Group’s main plant. Located in the north of Munich, directly next to the Group headquarters, it builds more than 900 BMW 3 Series models (Touring and Sedan) and engines per day – four and eight-cylinder petrol engines, six-cylinder diesel engines, high-performance engines for BMW M models, as well as twelve-cylinder engines. Each of the six generations of the BMW 3 Series was built at this location steeped in tradition.

The main plant within the city of Munich is the heart of the BMW Group. Vehicles and engines have been produced at this location since 1922. The BMW Plant Munich’s multi-layered infrastructure, which has developed in parallel with the urban residential area that surrounds it, is reflected in its sophisticated plant facilities and innovative production processes. The smooth interaction between production, logistics, transport and administration in such a confined area is one of the most impressive achievements in modern automobile construction worldwide.

The BMW Plant Munich employs a workforce of around 9,000 people from more than 50 countries, including more than 700 apprentices. The Plant houses all automobile production technologies – Press Shop, Body Shop, Paint Shop, Engine Production and Assembly, as well as a Tool Shop, Production of Equipment and Seats, and a Laboratory – in an area of 500,000 m2. It belongs to the BMW Group’s global production network of 29 sites in 14 countries, and as part of the BMW Welt, also serves as a “window on the world of BMW production”. Individual tours provide a unique and authentic insight into automobile production today.

The BMW Plant Munich is the “lead plant” for production of the current BMW 3 Series, and serves as an internal competence centre: Process and technology know-how and the experience that comes from almost 90 years of automobile construction are transferred from here to the BMW Group’s other production locations.

If you have any queries, please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications

Martina Napoleone

Spokesperson BMW Welt

Phone: +49 89 382-14908

mailto: martina.napoleone@bmw.de

Stefan Behr

Spokesperson BMW Museum

Tel.: +49 89 382-51376

mailto: stefan.behr@bmw.de

Martina Hatzel

Spokesperson Production Network and BMW Plant Munich

Tel.: +49 89 382-11966

mailto: martina.hatzel@bmw.de

Internet: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

Munich. From 28 October 2011 until the end of September 2012, the BMW Museum is devoting a special exhibition to the development of the big BMW Coupés and Convertibles. Entitled “The Line of Beauty”, it features 14 outstanding exhibits that span the years 1937 to 2011 and take visitors on a historical journey through the world of elegant sports cars. Preliminary design studies and original hand sketches from the BMW Group Archives recall the longstanding design tradition and leading international stylists that have left their profound imprint on the image and identity of the BMW brand to this day.

The curtain is raised by the BMW 327 Sports Convertible and BMW 327/28 Sports Coupé, both of which rank among the most attractive automobiles of the pre-war era. The BMW 502 Coupé and the Convertible of the same name, along with the BMW 503 Coupé, reflect the luxury and elegance spawned by the economic miracle of the 1950s. The 1960s are ushered in by the Bertone-designed BMW 3200 CS, before the BMW 2000 CS – with its formal language firmly in the mould of BMW’s “New Class” – signals a turning point in the history of BMW Coupés and Convertibles. The 1970s are launched under the banner of the elegant BMW 3.0 CSi, followed in 1976 by a second milestone in the shape of BMW’s first 6 Series range. The journey through time leads visitors to the BMW 8 Series of the 1990s en route to the second 6 Series range, which rings in the new millennium. Rounding off the exhibition are the new BMW 6 Series Convertible and the new BMW 6 Series Coupé, which was unveiled to the public this year.

Creating a special bridge between past and future is a project initiated by the BMW Museum in the summer of 2011 and featuring design classes held by three renowned design and art schools. With its historical and contemporary exhibits, “The Line of Beauty – The big BMW Coupés and Convertibles” has inspired students to fashion new forms and forge new ideas. In a series of workshops, the young designers analyse historical styles of automotive design, the BMW heritage, and their own national tradition.

When:            From 28th October 2011 until the end of September 2012

Where:         BMW Museum

                        Am Olympiapark 2

                        80809 Munich

Admission:   Entry for person: 12.00 €
                        Entry for individual person, concession: 6.00 €

For further information please have a look on: www.bmw-welt.com

If you have any questions please contact:

Loesch HundLiepold Kommunikation GmbH

On behalf of BMW Welt

Sabine Eigen

Phone: +49-89-720187-19

mailto: S.Eigen@lhlk.de

Corporate Communications BMW Group

Manfred Grunert

Spokesperson Heritage

Phone: +49-89-382-27797

mailto: Manfred.Grunert@bmw.de

Internet: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

BMW Group Classic.

BMW Group Classic is responsible for all activities within the BMW Group associated with the history of the company and its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce. This ranges from the Group Archives, which are available to anyone as a centre of expertise for all the facts and figures surrounding the history of the company, the brands and the products, through the BMW Museum, which receives more than 400,000 visitors each year, to the BMW Classic Centre where all the facilities are provided that drivers require to satisfy their passion for classic BMW vehicles from spare parts to full restoration. Another aspect is planning and implementation of participation in all the classic events attended, and administration and expansion of the vehicle collection with more than 1,000 exhibits.

The BMW Group.

The BMW Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI, Husqvarna Motorcycles  and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 25 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.  

During the financial year 2010, the BMW Group sold 1.46 million cars and more than 110,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for 2010 was euro 4.8 billion on revenues amounting to euro 60.5 billion. At 31 December 2010, the BMW Group had a workforce of approximately 95,500 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last seven years.