1. BMW 303 from 1933
BMW
BMW models only had normal grills. Then came the two-part, not only at BMW: Due to the aerodynamics, the grill was now pointed, which was easier with the middle bar. At BMW, however, the double grill remained from the 303, coined the legendary 328 and was nicknamed: Kidneys. Most of the time they say – like us – only kidney.
2. BMW 507 from 1956
BMW
Bayern were only able to sell 254 of the 507. The first horizontal kidney was a hit, the grandiose roadster a flop: With the (kidney-free) Isetta licensed Isetta and the outdated “Baroque Angel” 501/502, the too expensive 507 dug the bankruptcy grave, and in 1959 BMW almost had been bought by Mercedes.
3. BMW 700 from 1959
BMW
Nanu? The savior of BMW – had no kidney! Because the BMW 700 competed as a Beetle opponent with a rear engine, it didn’t need a grill: form follows function. Kidney irony: The brand would not have survived without the successful type, which is wrongly almost forgotten – then there would be no kidney as a trademark today.
4. BMW 1500 from 1962
Hardy Mutschler / BMW
The so-called New Class was great: the 1500, 1600, 1800 and 2000 types created a reputation as a sports sedan brand. The ancestor of the 5 series established the kidney as a prestige symbol for ambitious pilots. No wonder: the 2000 tii had 130 hp. For comparison: the basic 911 Porsche (T) had 110 hp at the time.
5. BMW Garmisch from 1970
BMW
Ouch! At Garmisch in 1970, the Italo design forge Bertone wanted to show what was possible in terms of kidney technology. BMW was enthusiastic, bought the study and was inspired by the first 5 Series (E12, 1972). Just not in terms of kidney technology, it stayed with the individual piece. The car in the picture is a replica of a BMW, the original has been lost.
6. BMW M1 from 1978
BMW
With the M1, BMW proved: Even in miniature, this kidney remains unmistakable. The M1 (developed by Lamborghini according to BMW specifications!) Was pure future: The 460 built M1 were technology carriers and dream cars with 277 hp for 262 km / h. As an “Art Car”, Andy Warhol’s (1928–1987) M1 became an art.
7. BMW 750i from 1987
BMW
The XL kidney of the modern era (see 10.) is not a new idea: Already on the first V12 of the post-war period, the Top-7 Series 750i (and later also on the V8), it was allowed to be more kidney. With this 7 Series, BMW fully caught up with the Mercedes S-Class (still without V12) for the first time. The kidney said: “300 HP, get out of my left lane!”
8. BMW 3 Series from 1990
Uwe Fischer / BMW
With the third 3 Series (E36), BMW further developed the kidney grille: The lights were under a glass, the kidney in between was framed in the color of the car. Whether the 5, 7, Z3, the first X5 or the subsequent 3: They all had their successful kidney transplanted (here on an M3) in the 1990s.
9. BMW i3 from 2013
Timothy pancakes
Form follows function – the engineering motto has to bow to design in the electric age: The electric i3 was (and still has) a closed kidney because electric motors don’t suck in air and there’s not much left to cool. A design element, here with blue electrician accents.
10. BMW X7 from 2019
Daniel Kraus / BMW
Why are the radiator grilles getting fatter from Audi to Lexus to Mercedes? Because you want to show how much you have in China, the largest car market. The XXL kidney on the XXL SUV X7 looks like you can grill sausages on it. Shortly afterwards, the 7 Series followed, with the title “kidney failure”.
11. BMW 4 Series from 2020
Martin A. Bartholdi
As soon as we had digested the XXL grill (see 10.), the «buck teeth» followed. The current 4 Series Coupé (picture) carries them, also the M3 and M4. But like on the X7, so here: In reality, this (kidney) stone of the bump looks much better than in photos. And suddenly we think: Did the idea of the 1970 BMW Garmisch come from (see 5.)?
12. BMW iX from 2021
BMW
The iX, which will be shown to the public for the first time at Auto China in Shanghai, will finally anchor BMW entirely in the electricity segment from the end of 2021. The almost five-meter-long electric SUV is supposed to travel 600 kilometers and interprets the kidney boldly to say the least. Vertical, large – almost like the 303 once did (see 1.). Back to the Future.