BMW New Class (Neue Klasse) model series

The sales figures for the model series BMW 700 demonstrated the prospects for success of a sporty small car. BMW then transferred this concept to the middle range. The commitment of the subsequent main shareholder Dr Herbert Quandt in 1959 put in place the financial opportunities necessary for this success. At the beginning of the 1960s, development work was proceeding at full swing. The result was the "New Class" ("Neue Klasse") and BMW succeeded in achieving an economic breakthrough from the start of production in 1962. The model series laid the foundation stone for the enduring success of the marque embellished with the blue-and-white emblem right up to today. Alongside the sedan as the standard body, BMW also supplied a coupé from 1965. In 1972, the model series was replaced by the first BMW 5 Series (E12).