Photo: BMW
In 1933, BMW introduced a new model that would mark the brand's history like no other. It was called the 303 and it was the first BMW fitted with a 6-cylinder engine and the legendary front kidney grilles.
Even though the 303 stayed in production for only one year, few cars can equal its importance in the brand's history and legacy. The kidney grilles and the 6-cylinder engine went on to become BMW trademarks for almost 100 years.
The engine had a 1.2-liter displacement even though it had 6 cylinders. Its power output reached 30 HP and the torque levels rose up to 50 lb-ft (68 Nm). It wasn't much and most customers complained about the fact that the car felt heavy and it had a lot of understeer. That was to be expected since the kerb weight measured 820 kg (1,808 lb).
There were 2 models of the 303 available. You could either go for the 2-door saloon or the 2-door cabriolet but both of them were fitted with the same engine and the 4-speed gearbox, so the difference was only the roof.
Between 1933 and 1934 only 2300 BMW 303s were produced but that was enough to create a legacy that would last for the rest of the century, inspiring the production of cars like the 315, 319 and 329, all of which had the same kidney grille at the front and 6-cylinder engines.
The engine had a 1.2-liter displacement even though it had 6 cylinders. Its power output reached 30 HP and the torque levels rose up to 50 lb-ft (68 Nm). It wasn't much and most customers complained about the fact that the car felt heavy and it had a lot of understeer. That was to be expected since the kerb weight measured 820 kg (1,808 lb).
There were 2 models of the 303 available. You could either go for the 2-door saloon or the 2-door cabriolet but both of them were fitted with the same engine and the 4-speed gearbox, so the difference was only the roof.
Between 1933 and 1934 only 2300 BMW 303s were produced but that was enough to create a legacy that would last for the rest of the century, inspiring the production of cars like the 315, 319 and 329, all of which had the same kidney grille at the front and 6-cylinder engines.
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