BMW New Six
The BMW New Six is a line of full-size luxury sedans and GT coupes produced by the German automaker BMW from 1968 to 1977. All models used the then-new M30 straight-6 engine.
The E3 sedan version, which marked BMW's return to the full-size luxury sedan market after a hiatus of 5 years, 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 E9 2-door coupe version were produced alongside and racing versions of the coupé enhanced BMW's reputation in auto racing.
Development
After a long hiatus, BMW decided to develop a six-cylinder car in the early 1960s. Work on what was to become the E3 commenced in 1965. The engine was based on the existing fours, sharing their overall layout while not merely an addition of two cylinders. The design team was led by Wilhelm Hofmeister, with some detail work executed by Italy's Bertone and Michelotti studios. A goal was to allow for more passenger space and comfort than what the earlier "Neue Klasse" saloons had been able to offer. The new sedan was noticeably a "driver's car", focusing on the front-seat occupants, and the smaller coupé was only barely a full four-seater.
