The BMW 3 Series Part #1

Az E21 BMW 3 Series, produced between June 1975 and December 1983, was the successor to the BMW 02 series.g, and was the first generation of the now legendary 3 Series. The E21 was not just a new model, but a defining element of a completely new car class, the premium compact. The model was presented at the Munich Olympic Stadium and immediately met with a positive response with its precise handling, sporty character and unique quality.

BMW's management, led by majority shareholder Herbert Quandt, consciously sought to break with the previous mold and offer a sportier, more dynamic, and still everyday-useable car. Thanks to the success of the E21, BMW strengthened its position in the premium car market, selling 1,36 million units, which brought the Bavarian brand an incredible amount of money.

The appearance of the E21 Paul Bracq The work of a German designer who was BMW's head of design at the time. The car's design was revolutionary for its time and included several elements that would become defining elements of BMW's image over the decades:

The traditional BMW kidneys stand out in the middle of the front section and are one of the most striking features of the model.

Double round headlights were found on more heavily motorized models, while the small-engine versions were equipped with simpler, double headlights.

The Hofmeister curve has been a fundamental feature of BMW's design philosophy ever since. Side view of the car aggressive "shark nose" gives the car a sporty look, with a low hood and sporty proportions.

The interior was driver-centric, with a center console tilted towards the driver, which is still a hallmark of BMWs today. The cabin was characterized by functionality and simplicity, with quality materials, and all control surfaces were rounded for comfortable and safe use.

The range of engines was very wide: there were a good number of M10 4-cylinder and M20 6-cylinder engines. The top was the 323i with its fuel-injected, 2,3-liter six-cylinder engine, which took the E21 from 0 to XNUMX km/h. It accelerated to 100 km/h in 8,7 seconds and reached a top speed of 190 km/h. 

The E3 was available with three transmissions: a 21-speed automatic and two manual transmissions (a 3-speed and a 4-speed).

The BMW 320 Group 5 version, introduced in 1977 as the successor to the BMW 3.0 CSL and nicknamed the “flying brick” in reference to its cube-shaped bodywork, was equipped with a Formula 225 engine tuned by BMW Motorsport to produce 302 kW (2 hp). The car was developed in just over 12 weeks, without any technical drawings. BMW Motorsport engineers simply made the modifications directly and the car gradually took on its final form.