Hugo Becker

Hugo Becker is our resident curmudgeon and technology maven. Having had a driver’s license for over 40 years, he also has seat time in a large number of cars, from the silly to sublime. He brings a Sputnik era emphasis on science and technology to BMWBLOG, along with a passion for automotive history. Did we mention he’s old and crotchety?

Purgatory – Chapter 5 of the History of BMW

The German economic miracle, the ‘Wirtschaftwunder’, was predicated by the western allies currency reform – the replacement of the old Reichsmark with the new Deutschmark, tax reform, and the Marshall Plan. It aided Germany in…

Expansion: History of BMW - Part 3

Expansion: History of BMW – Part 3

On the southeast edge of Eisenach, Germany, there is a steep hill. On top of that hill sits a fortification, a castle. It is not one of those popular fairy tale castles like Neuschwanstein in…

Intermezzo – Chapter Two of a History of BMW

New BMW X1 builds on success of its predecessor

New BMW X1 builds on success of its predecessor

With the new F48 X1 BMW of North America will launch an all-wheel drive vehicle based on a front wheel drive (FWD) platform. While that smacks of heresy to the fanboix, it is the way…

Tech Tidbit: Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Tech Tidbit: Hydrogen Fuel Cells

BMW, during its most recent Innovation Day, displayed a Hydrogen Fuel Cell version of its i8 sports car. The German word for hydrogen is wasserstoff, roughly translated ‘water stuff’. And the English word for water…

Best BMW Engines of All-Time: An Alternate Take

Nico DeMattia got the ball rolling with his list of ‘Five Best BMW Engines of All-Time’ and I thought I’d give an alternate view. The history of superior BMW engine designs originates at the very…