There’s always talk of flagship vehicles for luxury carmakers. Flagship cars are vehicles that represent the best of what the brand has to offer, whether that be in terms of technology, performance, luxury or a combination of all three. The BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S Class and the Audi A8 are all famous flagship vehicles for their respective brands.
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BMW is celebrating its centenary this year, as 2016 marks 100 years of the Bavarian brand’s existence. That’s one hundred years of amazing vehicles that have helped to define the automotive landscape that we know today. So much of the current market has been determined by vehicles that came from Bavaria. But with so many excellent cars, which BMW would best represent BMW as a company over the past 100 years?
Over this century of BMW vehicles, there have been so many incredible ones. There have been countless cars that could best represent what BMW stands for. But which car would be the best brand ambassador for BMW’s 100 year history?
There’s a good argument for many different cars. One car that many fans would quickly point to is the E30 M3. The E30 BMW M3 is easily one of the most famous BMWs and one of the most famous cars of all time from any brand. It represents what it means to be a driver’s car. It’s the epitome of fun and its steering gives the definition of feel. There are few cars that represent the idea of a driver’s car like the E30 BMW M3.
One could also make the argument for the BMW M1. The M1 practically invented the famous BMW M Division and helped create the idea of an everyday supercar. The M1 was a mid-engine supercar that offered incredible performance but was also easy to live with. Up until then, supercars were always compromised in their comfort, ease of use and practicality. Its engine was also a legend, as the 3.5 liter straight-six was developed for the race track and was later then used in the E28 BMW M5, which was the very first actual M Division car.
There’s one other car that I think might make a great argument for BMW’s all-time flagship. Stick with me here, because this might not be the most popular option, but might be a good one. The BMW i8 could be the ultimate flagship for BMWs 100 year history. The i8 is the pinnacle of BMW’s technology throughout its history. It uses state-of-the-art carbon fiber technology in its chassis construction, uses a small turbocharged engine paired with an electric motor and can run on pure electric drive alone. It’s also very fast, very fun and very efficient. It’s the absolute top of the mountain of what BMW’s been able to achieve in its illustrious history. It also looks freaking dynamite.
What BMW do you think would make the best car to represent BMW over its 100 year history during its centenary?
Unless they surprise everyone BMW missed the boat with a centennial car. They should have built an uber i8, with a 350+hp turbo gas engine and 200+hp electric motor rolling on carbon fiber wheels and proper tires. Charge $200k for it and watch the line form for a true collectors car.
Wait a couple of months and something will show up, I promise. You won’t be disappointed
There will be 4 concepts this year, hopefully the i concept will be good.
I hope so. They keep cancelling everything exciting. With Mercedes enjoying a renaissance with every new model and Audi vulnerable, BMW needs to grab the spotlight.
Forget $200k. They need to make it ridiculous and special. $500K – $1M. :P
BMW has had a good number of cars that for me are iconic. I have owned several 2002’s, an M1, M3’s, and currently an i3. The cars of the past are just that. Each one of the fifteen or so BMW’s I’ve owned have reinforced my enthusiasm. That said the i brand is the future. Volume assembly of light carbon structure, sustainable manufacturing, and innovative drive-trains. While my i3 is the ultimate (city) driving machine the i8 is the car that best represents the road ahead.
I’d say either the 2002 Turbo (first euro turbocharged car. Now it’s the norm.), E28 M5 (first real super sedan, now it’s the norm), i8 (first Hybrid Sport car, soon will be the norm) or M3 CSL (first mainstream use of CF, only Lexus understands and have taken 10 years to do so).
These cars represent what BMW means: an innovative brand that promotes driving dynamics and enjoyment. They have made crucial steps in their history, and this tendency for BMW to innovate is why they are so powerful right now.
BMW 2002 would be it. Everyone has a story about them, the car is credited with saving BMW, defined what a sports sedan is, and has a cult following and is affordable for many. It is not the fastest, it does not have a ton of technology but it is what made the BMW ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’