BMW New Six

BMW New Six (E3)
BMW 2500
Overview
Manufacturer	BMW
Also called	BMW E3
Production	1968–1977
Assembly	Germany: Munich
Designer	Wilhelm Hofmeister[1]
Body and chassis
Class	Executive car (E)
Body style	4-door sedan/saloon 4-door extended wheelbase sedan/saloon
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Platform	E3
Related	BMW E9 (coupés)
Powertrain
Engine	2.5 L M30B25 I6 2.8 L M30B28 I6 3.0 L M30B30 I6 3.2 L M30B32LE I6 3.3 L M30B33V I6
Transmission	4/5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,692 mm (106.0 in) (sedan) 2,794 mm (110.0 in) (extended sedan)
Length	4,700 mm (185.0 in) (sedan) 4,953 mm (195.0 in) (US sedan) 4,801 mm (189.0 in) (extended sedan)
Width	1,750 mm (68.9 in) (sedan)
Height	1,450 mm (57.1 in) (sedan)
Curb weight	1,334 kg (2,941 lb) (sedan) 1,470 kg (3,240 lb) (extended sedan)
Chronology
Predecessor	BMW 501/502
Successor	BMW 7 Series (E23)

The BMW New Six (also known as the BMW E3) is a line of mid-size luxury sedans and grand tourer coupés produced by the German automaker BMW from 1968 to 1977. All models used the then-new M30 straight-6 engine. It marked BMW's return to the full-size luxury sedan market after a hiatus of 5 years and was introduced as a response to growing market segment dominated by Mercedes-Benz. It was important in establishing BMW's reputation as a maker of sporting luxury sedans.

The BMW New Six coupés (better known as the BMW E9) are built on a shortened version of the E3 platform. The E9 coupés share engines, transmissions, some suspension and many other features with the E3 sedans.

A total of 221,991 sedans and coupés were built.^{[citation needed]}