The BMW 1600 was launched at the International Motor Show in Geneva in spring of 1964. After production of the BMW 1500 came to an end in December 1964, the sedan took over the role of entry-level model within the successful New Class (Neue Klasse) model series until 1966. There was nothing to distinguish the outside from its immediate predecessor, with strategic improvements to the detail of the engine being the main features to impress. This now generated 83 hp, ran smoothly and offered a better torque than the BMW 1500. During the three-year production period until 1966, a respectable total of 9,728 vehicles rolled off the production line at the Milbertshofen plant in Munich.