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BMW New Class coupé

BMW New Class
BMW 1600 (5457428606).jpg
BMW 1600
Overview
Manufacturer BMW
Production 1962–1977
Assembly Munich, Germany
Jakarta, Indonesia ()
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door sedan
2-door GT coupe
Layout FR layout
Related BMW 02 Series
Powertrain
Engine 1.5-2.0 L M10 4-cyl
Chronology
Successor BMW 5 Series for sedans
BMW E9 for coupes
BMW New Class sedan
BMW1500FrontSeit.JPG
BMW 1500
Overview
Also called 1500,
1800, 1800 TI, 1800TI/SA,
1600,
2000, 2000 TI, 2000 tilux, 2000 tii
Production 1500: 1962–1964
1800: 1963–1971
1600: 1964–1971
2000: 1966–1972
Designer Wilhelm Hofmeister
Giovanni Michelotti, consultant
Body and chassis
Class Mid-size luxury / Executive car (E)
Body style 4-door sedan
Powertrain
Engine M10 4-cyl
1500: 1,499 cc
1800: 1,773 cc (1964–1968),
1,766 cc (1968–1971)
1600: 1573 cc
2000: 1,990 cc
Transmission 4-speed manual
5-speed manual on 1800 TI/SA
3-speed automatic optional on 1800/2000
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,550 mm (100 in)
Length 4,500 mm (180 in)
Width 1,650 mm (65 in)
Height 1,420 mm (56 in)
Chronology
Successor BMW E12 (BMW 5-Series)
BMW 2000 C
BMW 2000 CS
BMW 2000 CS 1.jpg
BMW 2000 CS
Overview
Manufacturer BMW
Production 1965-1969
Assembly by Karmann at Osnabrück
Designer Wilhelm Hofmeister
Body and chassis
Class Grand tourer (S)
Body style 2-door coupé
Layout FR layout
Platform BMW New Class
Related BMW New Class
BMW E9
Powertrain
Engine 2.0 L OHC I4
2000C: single carburettor, 100 hp (75 kW) at 5500 rpm
2000CS: two carburettors, 120 hp (89 kW) at 5500 rpm
Transmission 4 speed manual
3 speed automatic (available on 2000C only)
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,550 mm (100 in)
Length 4,530 mm (178 in)
Width 1,675 mm (65.9 in)
Height 1,360 mm (54 in)
Chronology
Predecessor BMW 3200 CS
Successor BMW 2800CS

The BMW New Class (German: Neue Klasse) was a line of sedans and coupes produced by German automaker BMW between 1962 and 1977. These models ensured BMW's solvency after the company's financial crisis of the 1950s and established the identity of BMW automobiles as sports sedans.

The first New Class vehicle was the 1500, a 4-door compact executive car with the new M10 (at the time called M115) OHC 4-cylinder engine. In 1965, the 2000C and 2000CS luxury coupés were added to the range.

Replacement of the New Class models began with the larger 2000C and 2000CS coupés, which were replaced by the 6-cylinder E9 2800CS in 1969. In 1972, the 4-door sedans were replaced by the larger E12 5 Series.

The New Class coupes introduced the Hofmeister kink, which has been used on most BMW cars since. Another legacy of the New Class is the iconic 02 Series, which are a shortened version of the New Class sedans.

During the 1950s, the BMW line-up consisted of luxury cars with displacements of two litres or greater, economy cars powered by motorcycle engines, and motorcycles. With their luxury cars becoming increasingly outdated and unprofitable and their motorcycles and economy cars becoming less attractive to an increasingly affluent society, BMW needed a car in the 1.5 to 2 litre class to become competitive. Prototypes powered by a 1.6 L engine based on one bank of the BMW OHV V8 engine were built and evaluated without a convincing result.

In 1960, Herbert and Harald Quandt invested heavily in BMW, and gained a controlling interest in the company. That year, the "Neue Klasse" project was begun. Led overall by Fritz Fiedler, the project had Eberhard Wolff in charge of chassis design, Wilhelm Hofmeister in charge of styling and body engineering, and Alex von Falkenhausen in charge of engine design. The team was to produce a new car with a new engine, which BMW had not done since the 303 in 1933.


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