Editors:
This is not a familiar journal historical article "by versham", but a real historical story, collected from a number of unknown in Russia of German-speaking sources. The story is long and, perhaps, it will be difficult to read immediately - we recommend you get a job more comfortably and add an article to bookmarks to return to it later, if you want to take a break. But get to the end - this amazing and complete drama story is worth it.
In the photo: Borgward Hansa 1500 2-door "1949-54
History of confrontation: secret and explicit
Two German automotive companies. One currently knows the whole world, the other is separate fans. One is the incarnation of style, quality, drive and a lot more. Another - even difficult to say: for example, there were problems with quality, with a style - also, and about the drive and other things it is not clear. However, innovations, interesting solutions, nontrivial designs, advanced technologies, exemplary production, a wide range of model range - this list is far from always corresponding to BMW, but very often - Borgward.
The simple placement on the rankrier in the postwar years until 1961 also did not put the current cargoant from Bavaria above the manufacturer from Bremen, on the contrary, he confidently held at the fourth place in an unfavorable fourth place after Mercedes-Benz, Opel and Volkswagen, and not going to take positions.
But the turbulent events of 1961, who led to bankruptcy one of the largest automotive companies in West Germany, in the fall of 1962 received a completely concrete response to a sacramental question: QUI Prodest ("Who is profitable" - ed.)? All this, very mildly speaking, the ugly action, in fact, the real manner, today I remember extremely reluctantly. And that is, the reasons: to dry the unpleasant pages of the past, probably, would not give anyone to joy. Especially those who are now on top of glory and power.
BMW Today is one of the largest automotive firms in the world. Powerful, successful company that produces a wide range of models of the highest quality and considerable price. It is only worth saying: "BMW", and any will immediately say what it means. But if you say the word "Borgward", then only a few will not ask: what is it? But in the 50s everything was wrong. Then what was?
Germany after World War II. Car industry is rather alive than dead
Let's in order. What was Germany, exhausted by wars, revolutions and nutrition, is quite understandable. This gigantic anthill needed by numerous contradictions needed the revival of the former industrial power. Even recent enemies perfectly understood that the former merits of the Germans in the production of cars are not an empty sound. The occupation regime was gradually softened, the notorious "Marshall Plan", designed to restore the country from the ruins, began to bring the first fruits, and the country's economy began to come to themselves. Auto plants came toval, production has been established.
It was worse with demand: the new German stamps of the 1948 sample in large numbers were not that not everyone, but in general, who has few. Universal prosperity in the form of gorgeous limousines and all sorts of sports accumulations with convertibles was postponed until better times, since even modest 4-5-seater cars for Germany were still a matter of luxury. About trucks Talking separate: It is clear that the restoration of the destroyed country was unthinkable without the participation of a large number of trucks.
Be that as it may, and passenger cars gradually launched into production. European Ford Köln and Opel, using the support of the overseas owners, were among the first car companies that resumed work. However, to new, post-war models were still far away - until the end of the 40s, they did not appear in essence.
Daimler-Benz, the real car symbol of pre-war in Germany, for the most part lying in the ruins. Destroyed on average at least 70%, his factories immediately after the war spawned an unpleasant statement of shareholders: "We are forced to recognize that physically there is no concern." They, of course, exaggerated, and humanly them can be understood. Soon, however, Daimler-Benz earned - and one of the first, but in the first years of the cars almost did not.
Auto-Union or BMW lost their factories in the eastern area of \u200b\u200bthe occupation. It was doubly insulting, since these plants suffered significantly less than Western. The grandiose pre-war project with the personal participation of Hitler, the "folk car", he is Volkswagen, under the closer and not to say that the caring observation of the British occupation troops unexpectedly quickly got his continuation: the huge factory was affected by about 60% (after the war to Wolfsburg) Pretty quickly restored practically on the bare enthusiasm and launched into production now already the legendary car KDF, it is also Käfer ("Beetle"), in an amount of at least 1000 pieces per month. Such was the requirement of the British, threatened otherwise to close the enterprise.
So known before the war firms like Adler, about the production of cars I had to forget forever. Several new automotive companies also arose in the post-war years (for example, Porsche). But all this has acquired some tangible view only after removing the prohibition on production - for many it happened no earlier than 1948. Up to this point, the occupying troops graciously allowed bicycles, cheap motorcycles and repair their technique, the fact and the case faced. After the removal of sanctions, this production began, although not everyone was in an equal situation. They came out of this state who could. It turned out not everyone, what further will be said.
Whoever spoke to, and Germany in a break between two wars managed to get used to cars. German auto plants until 1939 were marked by a number of wonderful designs and a large number of technical innovations developed by talented German autocontstructors. Many firms offered the population of cars for every taste and wallet.
The Germans slept and saw themselves behind the wheel, but in the mass of their own, there were no opportunity to move on a motorized vehicle and before the war, and after 1945, even the German middle class nothing more expensive than 1000 with little brands just could not afford. What to say about more deprived layers of the population! Their purchasing power allowed to calculate the maximum only on something, sizes a little more bicycle. Motorcycles? Yes, and they too. But where to give the eternal habit of burgers to warmth and satisfaction? If you make a roof and doors to the motorcycle, it will be already a motorcycle. The number of wheels at the same time still not two, but three or four. It remains even more or less a decent sedentary place (or even two!), Less resembling a motorcycle saddle - and the wagon of new Germany is ready. Such "self-chains" produced a lot of German firms, one of which became BMW. And then not immediately.
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In the photo: Daimler-Benz DB 7 "1934-35, Auto-Union logo, Volkswagen Käfer, Adler logo,Adler TrumpF Junior Sport Roadster "1935-37
BMW. Raised from hell. Triumph is postponed due to the proximity of the collapse.
After the war, the BMW position was, as they say, a little more than hopeless. The plants destroyed or remaining in the Soviet zone, the prohibition of production for 3 years for the production of military products (aircraft engines in the first place). What is there, even motorcycle motors over 250 cubic meters. CM Volume also could not be done for a long time. In such conditions, the shareholders of BMW showed the miracles of devotion to the once blossom in the entire Europe and retained at least a small proportion of production.
Bicycles and motorcycles with low-power single-cylinder engines were the only BMW products, which was also engaged in the repair of the occupation troops. But the victims of Glory did not give rest to the Bavarian Motor Lockers. I barely fastened, the Bavarians returned to return their own: It is so born completely illogical for the then state of the company's affairs a car with an index - in the current table of ranks would be referred to as the E-class, a 4-door and five-send sedan with a 6-cylinder engine. What to say? What did this car immediately become enough like hot cakes? By no means. The first year of production is generally marked by a meager edition of several dozen pieces. Then something has shredded, and ... and nothing special. The story ordered that the most valuable in the history of the BMW 50s is a completely different car.
Is it? "Iretta" - just that was the name of the development of the Italian company ISO. From vehicles, this company produced scooters, and she also did refrigerators! Cheerful Italian engineers, connecting these two devices together, got a completely unimaginable result! As soon as an unusual machine has become in their homeland, its creators dreaming about the creation of a real Italian sports car, immediately hurried to get rid of her, selling a license at once to several companies in different countries of the world and on the revenue money, finally, were finally their dream.
This strange tender refrigerator on wheels, the number of which was inexorably approached three - due to the lack of an inter-axis differential distance between the rear wheels from the machine much less - had a motorcycle motor of 9.5 horsepower. BMW gave him almost 13 - the motor in 247 "cubes" from the superpopular motorcycle BMW R24 accelerates "Ietta" to almost 85km / h! However, do not forget about the ridiculous mass of 360 kg! Frightening external similarity with the refrigerator was aggravated by the fact that the "isetta" went into the only door forward! The controls had to be done quite original, so the steering column, in fact, opened up with her! The gearbox lever was placed on the left of the driver, who was sitting on the sofa with a passenger, if you become both trifles (for example, a young family with a little baby). Of course, the engine was located at the back. The rear transmission of this strange wagon was completely completely.
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In the photo: BMW 501, Isetta and under the hood isetta
Approximately 160000 babes were made in Munich for all the years of release, starting from the 1955th. In favor of BMW, there were traditions of production, not yet completely dead, knowledge and skills in the establishment of the technological process, thoughtful-aggressive marketing and is the very halo of brand, received by the glory of the oldest achievements and sports records, confidence in which, although on a hemisselectar basis, but also existed. "The company with the name must make us well" - about this could reason the good burghers, after the catastrophe of the 40s the beginners fill the bedside tables and the "Deutshe Bank" the first decent savings. And BMW did.
However, it would be unnecessarily to argue that this Italian-German wagon put Germany on the wheels, since Volkswagen-Zhuk became a genuine hero of that time, the release of which in 1955 passed over a million copies. But the market demanded, at the same time, and a large number of Erzats-cars like "isette", so one BMW did not limit the case - in one Germany, several firms, at the Messerschmith and Henkel, and former aircraft facilities also produced similar Designs.
Runing "Ietta", Soon, BMW sighed freely and ... Again it all grave: Models 502 are created with an 8-cylinder engine (the first post-war unit of this kind in Germany), 502 coupe, 503 coupe and cabriolets with a modern body shape and finally , stunning roadster BMW-507. All this took away so many funds that it was almost nothing to take away. The development of new models was carried out, but for the developing BMW market has not yet slept.
"Ietta" enlarged by adding a side door and a couple of places behind, putting a more powerful motor from the R67 motorcycle. It turned out the model "600", in the profile already removed by something like Fiat Multipla, and in 1959 the model "700" was released, a small two-door with a normal body of quite modern outlines of the authorship of the Italian designer Giovanni Mikelotti. But the threat of bankruptcy became so apparent that all this threatened to go to the rush. Soon quite reasonable rumors about the merger of BMW with ... Daimler-Benz. Very beautiful would be a finale, you will not say anything! But the facts are a thing not only stubborn, but also ruthless: the financial situation of the Bavarian firm almost did not leave her choice.
In the photo: BMW 502 with an 8-cylinder engine
Bremen manufacturer. Borgward is serious.
In early 30s, a group of automotive companies was finally formed in Bremen, who owned the talented engineer Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Borgward. Before the war, they marked several interesting developments. A special fame was acquired by three-wheeled trucks of the Goliath brand, but Borgward built his company so that she made machines of almost any class: from utilitarian three-wheeled machines to full-size prestigious models.
One of these pre-war models - Hansa 2000/2300 has already gained some fame; In addition to the closed body, the sedan or limousine on its base was made by a coupe and convertible, including well-known body firms that have worked very beautifully! Then the war began. Upon her graduation, Borgward even landed for 2 years in prison for the Nazis. Unfortunately, it was for that: During the war years, the company supplied the army of its production technique, entering the so-called "Shell program" (however, they would try not to enter there!), And the owner himself even joined the Nazi Party - True, more Parts due to him behind, and not because of some kind of flame love for national socialism.
In the photo: Goliath and Hansa 2000
His plants for the release of military products were subject to massive bombardments and were destroyed no less than the same Daimler-Benz, but after the war, about 400 people continued to work on surviving production facilities, so some production was carried out even in the absence of the owner: these were pre-war models Trucks and spare parts for them, and the passenger cars were temporarily not produced.
Returning, Borgward instantly took up the development of the first truly post-war passenger German car. Hansa 1500 in 1949 became the first German car with the body, forever lost the protruding wings and received the nickname "Pontoon" that even larger and rich companies were able to do only after two or three years. The legend states that Borgward, being in prison, "spied" the idea of \u200b\u200ba continuous body in American magazines, which sometimes fell into prisoners.
Little, but four-wheeled and four-bed lloyd L300, which appeared in 1951, also looked pretty interesting - suffice to say that all subsequent development of mini-cars. General outlines borrowed from this car. In addition, a wide range of bodies was offered. The wooden body frame was covered with some kind of artificial leather, for which the baby got a joking, but rather terrible nickname - LeukoplastBomber, that is, the "leukoplastbust", forever it is glued to it (later modernized models began to do metal).
Goliath, getting rid of the image of the manufacturer of Three-Charters, has developed a larger than Lloyd, the model - GP700, which was also released in several versions, including a small-seine sports coupe, reminding Porsche (or vice versa?). This machine in size was classmate "Beetle", although the motor here was a two-stroke and less powerful than that of his eminent competitor.
But the car had a promising front-wheel drive, and for the first time in the world, the world was equipped with direct fuel injection! Already mentioned machines of middle class Hansa 1500 (and later 1900, which meant the volume of the engine in cubic centimeters) was produced in a two-and-four-door version, cabriolets, universals, vans and even sports coupe were also offered.
At the top of the model range, Hansa 2400 was located with Fastbak Body, reminded English Standard Vanguard, our "victory" or French Ford Vedette (yes, Ford then had his own branch), being in size closer to the latter (4, 5 meters long). In the German market she had to compete (alas, unsuccessfully) with BMW 501/502. In addition, several series of trucks, vans and minibuses under the Borgward brand were produced, as well as rather interesting on design and externally minibuses and vans Goliath and Lloyd - the last, in the six-bed version of the LT600, in fact, became the prototype of all modern compact minivans.
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In the photo: Hansa 1500, Lloyd L300, Goliath GP700, Hansa 2400,Standard Vanguard, "Victory",Ford Vedette, Lloyd LT600
Gradually, Charles Borgward entered the 4th place in Germany. The products were actively exported, and they were well bought at home. A real bestseller was replaced by the "gansu-1500/1900" model Isabella 1954 - until the end of the issue, it was separated by more than 200,000 copies (202 862 produced in Germany). She was produced with the bodies of a two-door sedan and a three-door wagon, as well as a coupe and a convertible. An even more beautiful coupe and convertibles were ordered at Karmann, which are still considered recognized by the classics of the genre. Of all the Borgward models, this is still perhaps the most recognizable. Isabella referred to class similar to the current D. She had a lot of competitors both among German and foreign cars. However, the proposed in addition not at the lowest price, it consistently found sales everywhere, where it was sold.
This could not be said about Borgheldov top model. The price and some unpleasant features of the design of Hansa 2400 did not attract the crowd of enthusiastic buyers to the car - so, many complaints caused the doors that opened against the movement. Buyers were afraid that at high speed they would simply cut down with the root, and the passengers will immediately fly out of the car (the safety belts were not even). In general, interesting in design and pretty comfortable inside, Hansa 2400 could not boast a powerful engine. 82 hp For such a car, it was not enough.
Borgward could not help but understand this - nevertheless, he tried to first change appearance. The outlines of the machine have become quite three-ways, and the rear doors began to open in the "desired" side. It did not help - in 1958, production stopped, releaseing only 1032 pieces - Madly little! Is it now in the car antiques market surviving specimens cost very good money.
By 1959 began to prepare a new prestigious car. Initially, a 100-strong 6-cylinder engine was scheduled, but more powerful options were developed. The main trump card was still waiting for its o'clock - it was the prototype of a powerful 8-cylinder engine of its own design. But in Frankfurt in 1959 the newest Borgward P100 appeared in a 6-cylinder version. The novelty came out with a rather formidable competitor to a new Mercedes 220, the ancestor of the current E-class ...
Fate knocks on the door. Merger and absorption - the nightmare of the capitalist economy.
However, it's not one thing: the BMW 502 Angel Baroque is the nicknamed BMW 502 sedan, a few years ago, a preferable "Ganza-2400", because of more powerful engines and other structural solutions, was not impressive at the end of the 50s. It was necessary that something new, but how? For the Bavarians, everything rested, as we have already found out, in the enchanting lack of funds. Not only means, but also words explaining their absence. It remains to wait for a short time - until the end of 1959 ...
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In the photo: Isabella, Hansa 2400,Borgward P100.
What happened to the craftsmen from BMW? Breaking yourself, like Baron Münhhausen, for the hair from the quags of forties, by the mid-50s they stabilized their position. A motorcycle story was successfully promoted - and on the highway, and on racing highways, BMW motorcycles practically did not know equal. The forced romance with the "wasetta" was far from completion, because everything was not bad here.
Worse was with the rest. The company, once made a name for the production of comfortable and high-speed cars, could not return to the prestigious market segment. As a result, several expensive developments with 6-8-cylinder engines were appeared: sedans, coupe, cabriolets and roadster 507, as quintessence of unreasonable waste of money for the wind.
While Mercedes released more affordable "pontoons" and a luxurious model 300 "Adenauer", BMW actually "gave birth" something average, but one. Lost the nose "Mercedes" did not work: just over 14,000 sedans and a meager amount of all other cars for so many years - it was a failure. And falling in the abyss "Angel Barochko" was already ready to entail with all his creators - from the designers to the last utility worker.
Thunder did not roll suddenly, he was preceded by a certain art preparation. A bank lending to BMW could not not be aware of all the company's rowings, as it was a major shareholder. The growth of debts, thus, did not slip out the attention of the Lord Bankers. Trying somehow not to stay in the red, Deutsche Bank - And it was he who began to look for an optimal solution: I really didn't want to have such an unpleasant ballast in the face of the company standing in a step from full collapse.
Here, how did the concern Daimler-Benz AG, which had already had a full moral right to compare herself with an unacceptable moral right to compare himself with an unacceptable volkswagen: Stuttgart highway on the second line of the rating with a huge annual turnover of 3 billion grades. "Treaten", perhaps, would be very not against getting rid of long-standing rivals, eating them with guts. In Munich, they were preparing for the worst, the most nervous already wrote the wills ...
Instead, at first, the insatiable Stuttgart Gargantua in 1958 swallowed a completely different game, namely the auto-union company, which after the war did cars under the DKW brand (earlier, to the war "Union of Four" released cars Wanderer, Horch, DKW and Audi. Company emblem - Four rings famous for the whole world - and symbolized these four stamps). It seems that in Stuttgart, the lack of a company in a huge segment of the market of more compact cars, which they are not going to do at all, but they still did not reach their incarnation.
The DKW model, called Junior, under the wing of new owners seems to be not sleepy, but not too confidently tried to push off the stubborn "beetle" from the first place. Optimism about the new acquisition in Stuttgart initially persisted, and the head of Daimler-Benz, Walter Hitzinger (also, who was the chairman of the Supervisory Board of AUTO-UNION), in 1961 he could say with pride, "that we are one family" and that "Mercedes drivers and Auto-Union already greet each other on the road. "
In the photo: DKW Junior
But really good new developments appeared too late, and Mercedes, realizing that it was laughing, in 1964 sold the concern a competitor - all the same "Volkswagen". In Wolfsburg, pleasant troubles began to create their super-empire, and the Stutgartians themselves were still not knowing, became the creators of the current premium-triumvirata of the German car industry: Mercedes-Benz - BMW - Audi.
December 1959 came. The next reporting shareholder meeting of BMW threatened to become the latest in the history of the company. Deutsche Bank, who also owned both Daimler-Benz shares (what coincidence, Bravo!), I wanted to finally get rid of BMW shares. How? Very easy - sell them Daimler-Benz!
Those, if they objected, somehow reluctantly. For example, doubt caused a model range: such as the then BMW, Mercedes was completely nothing! Therefore, cessation of the release of BMW models and the beginning of the production of some car under unclear while the brand (but exactly - not the development of BMW!) It was the only way for Mercedesovs, buy them and this is a hut. Such options were also voiced at the meeting, and this has plunged the company's patriotic shareholders in shock: BMW will produce ... Mercedesa? Here, it seems, patience has dried up with the most patient, and the baur was ready to overthrow, absorb everything and everything. Instead, a break was announced in the meeting.
Culuars, sidewars ... What questions only did not solve them! How many destinies it was necessary like this, in private conversations in the midst that neither there is noble meetings! So now something similar happened. A renewed meeting of shareholders gained a completely unexpected continuation. If you describe this a couple of words, then most of all it resembled a gypsy with access: on stage appeared - no, not new, but from now on and forever the main acting person. His His Herbert Quandt called. Later to his behalf, no reason began to add more test "Savior BMW". Why, tell a little later.
So far, it is important for us that BMW has launched new forces to develop new models under its own brand. The effect of Deutsche Bank has decreased significantly, and they no longer make any sense to sell their BMW shares. In Munich, an epochable work begins, and what about Stuttgart? It seems that the Daimler-Benz's absorption is completely profound this, the second - maybe even more interesting. However, then there would be no Audi. Or would it be?
In Frankfurt, the crowds of the people were dismissed at the premiere of the car. This may not have been a revelation from revelations, but it was for Borgward Gruppe that finally became the most flagship model that was not ashamed to put at the head of his manufacturing program. And now many, not detraining the merit of "Isabella", call it the best model of the company in history. No, there was nothing such a gorgeous in it, which could provoke a massive drop in the jaws to the floor, but there was no more correct, timely and advanced model.
Beautiful? Yes, but rather, Elegance. Nothing causing, but the abyss of one's own dignity. Interior, design - everything, well, just all on the topic! A 6-cylinder 100-strong unit that accelerate a solid five-sedan sedan to 160 km / h, a bunch of useful trifles, including such as heating of the rear window or adjustable backrests of the front seats, and options up to an automatic transmission and pneumatic suspension of their own design - this is Without exaggeration, there was a masterpiece. And at the same time, the new Mercedes 220, which did not differ much on the better, cost, besides, almost 1000 brands are more expensive. Yes, there was a powerful company behind him, so there was nothing to compare sales, but the "big Borgward" definitely began to like buyers. Its production gradually increased, and it was only for the benefit of Bremen.
Not good, however, went different. Problems, as it happens most often, it does not arise from scratch. All that could be called profit in 1959, one way or another closed the huge funds spent on the development of new models. In addition to the R100, in 1959 a new Lloyd Arabella started. I must say, started rising. The successful design of a small car plus undoubted technical innovations and even "beams" attracted close attention to the novelty.
And immediately came the first disappointment: the complexity of the design revealed a rather imaginary list of flaws. The quality of the execution of the first copies was not at the height, and the first one thousand cars were withdrawn to eliminate defects. Until the design was finalized and treated "childhood diseases", buyers were bred by their hands. They say, we thought ... A thousand brands on the improvement of each instance, in the amount of Million - and Arabella returns to the market.
But the moment was very missed: sales strongly stalled, and it was necessary to somehow revive them. Then there was a strong dependence of the price of "Arabella" from the number of options offered, and it turned out that the most topical version cost almost as much as the cheapest car from the next market segment: the price is the simplest Ford Taunus 12M, a competitor "Hanza-1100", He kept just above the plinth, for Ford could afford it.
Borgward could not. Yes, he rather wanted to bring a novelty to the market in order to get ahead of competitors. It turned out so-so. This new Anfan-theribl of the Bremen company, the entire next year demanded interference in the establishment of the lost demand for him. Borgward and his company well remembered a recent failure with Goliath, who in the name of saving sales made a hurry rebranding (and this is in addition to correcting design deficiencies!), Renameting in Hansa 1100!
In this case, the Lloyd brand was replaced by Borgward, which, as it were, demonstrated the personal responsibility of the maestro behind the corrected model. Soon the sale of the "daughter of the Pirate - Arabella" grew on ... 5%, which at least somehow justified the time spent on time and money. But the return of the previous interest in the car has not yet come, and it was far from the only problem that contributed to the sound of the Bremen Quartet.
In the photo: lloyd arabella andFord Taunus 12m.
Four independent brands under the sole leadership of Kaizer Borgward, as it was sometimes called, in more and more surrounding their reality looked like strange anachronism. Nothing bad in the variety of brands, of course, no, but the fact that it has not yet been a corporation, in the near future, Borgward did not eat anything good. He was persuaded, and he, referring to employment, then in the lack of interest, everything was postponed and postponed the solution to this problem. Therefore, therefore cases of force majeure circumstances with sudden losses of some branches (as it was with Goliath) quenched in manual mode due to the profits of others. Corporation could more flexibly distribute financial flows; In addition, on the example of salvation, all the same BMW has already been shown how shareholders can support their company.
In addition to this opportunity, Borgward penetrated another: corporations were provided with significant tax benefits to Earth under their enterprises. But after 1960, it was canceled, and even the creation of a new Borgward AG Corporation already did not succeed. I realized that he missed the moment, Borgward was started in long and tedious disputes with the Bremen Senate. It was about the amount of 12.5 million brands, which he now needed to give actually just like that! And then when each brand was on the account!
The new coupe shaped crossover Borgward BX6 (Borgward BX6) entered the Chinese market after more than two years after the debut show of the BORGWARD BX6 TS prototype in March 2016. In our review, the Borgward BX6 crossover 2018-2019 - photos and videos, the price and configuration of the Voltformar brother of the Parketnik with the original coupe with a leafbeck-shaped body. The third model (crossovers Borgward BX5 and) Borgward Borgward Bargward Bargward BX6 Parcotnik are already sold in the Borgward BX6 Parcourt, with a powerful 224-strong engine 2.0 Turbo on price 182800-199800 yuan (about 1161-1267 thousand rubles).
Borgward's innovations called genuine interest among Chinese motorists, but the sale of Borgward BX5 and Borgward BX7 crossovers in Middle Kingdom is difficult to call successful. At the end of 2016, only just over 30,000 copies sold, but the situation in 2017 became better, and the company managed to implement 44380 cars. The speaker is clearly positive, and the output of the third model - Borgward BX6 will allow the company to significantly increase the amount of crossovers implemented.
I would like to emphasize that the stylish novelty Borgward BX6 is positioned by the manufacturer as a car class GT and is equipped with the highest category. In stock The most powerful motor from the company's reserves is 224-strong turbo Four 2.0 T-GDI, a 6-speed robotic gearbox from BorgWarner, a four-wheel drive with a coupling that provides connecting rear wheels, and a very generous equipment of the car with a leather interior trim, electrical adjustment driver's chair, multimedia system with an 8-inch screen, two-zone climate control, and this is already in the basic configuration.
At the same time, the Borgward Chefic Designer Swedish designer Anders Warming, who has previously operating in companies and, comparing his creation to the crossover Borgward BX6 crossover with an expensive coupe with a premium crossover, and hints that a novelty Borgward looks outwardly no worse crossovers of famous companies.
It is difficult to disagree with the opinion of the Swedish designer, because really Borgward BX6 looks very not bad. When looking at the body of a new Chinese crossover, a hand of the master of the European Designer School is immediately visible. The novelty demonstrates modern, original and stylish appearance. At the same time, the brightest details are a chic roof dome, lush wheeled arches, decorated with athletic emptying, compact and neat headlamp headlights, and wound oven lights with LED filling.
- External dimensions Borgward BX6 2018-2019 body sizes are 4601 mm in length, 1877 mm wide, 1656 mm in height, with a 2685 mm wheelbase and 184 mm of road lumen.
- By default, the crossover is equipped with large 19-inch alloy wheels with Rubber Goodyear EfficientGrip 225/55 R19 for the front and rear axle.
- BORGWARD BX6 with identical sizes of the wheelbase in 2685 mm and body widths in 1877 mm with the Borgward BX5 ratio model noticeably larger than the ratio of a rat permanent brother 111 mm and below 19 mm.
A five-seater salon BX6's new merchant crossover got from the BX5 model, but ... more quality materials are available for finishing the interior, and even the basic configuration is impressive.
In the arsenal of a pair of frontal and side airbags for the driver and front passenger, fastening ISOFIX for children's armchairs, ABS with EBD and BAS, TCS and ESP, rear parking sensors, rear view camera, electric parking brake, leakage system with a hill, hatch With an electric drive, a baggage compartment door, an incinless access system with a start / stop-stop button, multi-power, instrument panel with an on-board computer screen, electric drive driver, armrests in the first and second row, multimedia system with 8-inch color touch sensory Screen and audio system with 6-speakers, double-zone climate control, electrical windows on all doors, rear-view mirrors with electric drive and heated, leather interior decoration.
In the maximum configuration, the side safety curtains are additionally present in the first and second rows, tire pressure sensors, front parking sensors, passenger armchair adjustment electric drive, heated front seats, audio system with 9 speakers, navigator, adaptive headlights, rear-type mirrors Automatic folding, rain and light sensors.
It remains only to add that stylish and chic externally roof dome, turning on the trunk door with a highly diluted glass, is sadly reflected on the convenience of placing passengers on the rear seats and the useful volume of the luggage compartment. Passengers literally support the ceiling with top, and the trunk is able to take the funny 380 liters of luggage in the hiking state. If desired, the volume of the luggage compartment can be increased by folding a separate 40/60 reverse back.
Specifications Borgward BX6 2018-2019
At the heart of the new merchant crossover Borgward BX6 contemporary platform with a fully independent suspension (Front of McPherson's rack, rear of a multiple). The system of the connected full drive with a coupling that provides thrust transmission with rear wheels is used.
Under the hood of the novelty, non-alternative four cylinder gasoline turbo Motor 2.0 T-GDI (224 HC 300 nm), working paired with a 6-speed robotic BorgWarner gearbox. According to the manufacturer, the turbocked crossover engine with a bodied body weight in 1655-1670 kg is content with an average of 7.1 liters of fuel per 100 km of mileage.
Borgward BX6 2018-2019 Video Test
Actually, the Russian branch of the latter and was engaged in certification of the Borgward BX7 crossover, which is positioned by the company as a ... an affordable alternative to premium Audi Q5. Machines are similar in size, and the stylistics intersects in many respects.
In the rosstandard appeared in the database, approval of the vehicle type (FTS) states that the car will be supplied to us in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions in two body configurations: five and seven-seed.
The engine is only one, it is a 2-liter 4-cylinder gasoline power unit in two options for forsing: 201 and 224 hp The certification of the first power unit looks like a slightly illogical: Machines with engines just from 200 hp Russia is subject to higher transport tax. Both options are adapted to the AI-92 fuel. Transmission is a non-alternative 6-speed AISIN machine.
BORGWARD BX7 is 4715 mm, the wheelbase is 2760 mm, so only children can fit on the third row of seats.
In Borgward, quite rich equipment is considered the main visa at an affordable price. However, it cannot be said that the car that received the FTS can boast an extended complete set. It has power windows, electric mirrors, two front airbags, air conditioning, alarm, hatch, tire pressure monitoring system and emergency service system of ERA-GLONASS. Wheel size size: 17 and 18 inches depending on the version.
In the underground in the basic configuration, there are also side airbags, a leather interior, a multimedia system with an 8-inch screen and rear parking sensors. The top-end versions are equipped with 3-zone climate control, safety curtains, the electric drive of the luggage compartment, the circular video closure system and many others.
In September last year, the St. Petersburg United Automobile Group (UAK) announced that it was she who would sell Borgward cars in Russia. Plans for this year - 200-250 cars. Moreover, in the Russian company, they even promised to bring an electric vehicle in the future, which will be made based on the Borgward Isabella concept.
- On the European market, the main competitor of the Borgward Machines created by Geely Sanbrend Lynk & Co.
- Borgward may also appear the third crossover - merchant BX6 TS, as a concept in 2016.
This year, the Borgward brand is coming to the Russian market. She herself is German, but belongs to the Chinese concern Baic, and collect cars in the factory at the facilities of the Foton Motors plant.
New "Chinese" in Russia: all the details about Borgward BX7Borgward on the Shanghai Auto Show announced that it was going to start selling its cars in Russia. This is primarily about, which is produced at the plant in the suburbs of Beijing and is sold in China since July last year. However, this spring Borgward presented and more compact (on the title photo), which is about to enter the Chinese market - and which in the future should also get to Russia.
According to the author, the firm has already begun the process of car certification in our country, but General Director Ulrich Volker during an interview in Shanghai confirmed only that the Russian market is being studied and the formation of a promotion strategy. According to the Volcker, Borgward refers itself to the segment of the "affordable premium", and the Competitors at the global level see the Volkswagen first. True, the head of the company refused to outline the price segment. In Russia, Borgward first plans to sell only import cars, but if the sales volume will grow confidently, the company will start working on localization.
Borgward BXI7 with electric motor
Recall that Borgward is a German brand, which was founded in 1919, but in 1961 the firm went broke and was revived only in May 2015. The second birth project is the Chinese company Foton, which is included in the BAIC concern and is engaged in the release of commercial vehicles, but in 2010 it began to develop passenger cars, inviting managers, engineers and designers from Mercedes, BMW and Porsche.
However, only in 2013 Foton concluded an agreement on buying a brand with Christian Borgward, who owned the rights to Borgward and was looking for the opportunity to revive the family brand for almost ten years. Another two years later, the company was registered in Stuttgart as a German enterprise and arranged his debut on.
Since 2016, the main designer was the former stylist MINI Anders Warming, however, the BX7 and BX5 models, of course, were completed before his arrival, with the participation of Einar Hereyide, the former SAAB designer and the author of the second-generation Saab 900 cars and Saab 9-5. In the development of the Borgward platform, collaborated with global contractors: a two-liter turbocharger helped create a FEV company, predatory "robot" and four-wheel drive brand BorgWarner, and an electromechanical variator for hybrid versions - AISIN.
The models hierarchy is simple: BX7 acts an analogue of Audi Q5, almost identical to him in size and equipped with a turbo engine 2.0 (221 hp). Since July last year, 30 thousand such cars managed to sell in China - not the most outstanding result. But Borgward places hopes for a more compact BX5 with turbo engine 1.8 (190 hp) is a classmate of such golf crossovers, like Volkswagen Tiguan or Hyundai Tucson. In addition, the BX5 basis also created a merchant crossover (he has not yet reached the conveyor), and in the development there are two more platforms - for a shortened crossover and for an electric vehicle, which will be presented in a year.
The modest result in the domestic market stimulates Borgward to activity on the export front: according to Ulrich Volker, at the moment the car certification process has been launched in almost 30 countries. Russia in the list of priorities is not in the first place: the Volker explained that the company is now concentrated on the launch of sales in the countries of the Middle East and the contract with the importer in Qatar has already been signed. The next priority market is South America, and in 2018 Borgward will begin the construction of the plant in Germany. Thus, the appearance in Russia should be expected no earlier than the next year.
Borgward is a German brand that survived the rise, popularity, ruin and attempts to revive. And now, after several decades, Borgward "is raised" by the modern stylish crossover BX7, the release of which is not adjusted in Germany, but in China.
Borgward - History of growth, fall and conspiracies
Borgward was established in 1919 and produced initially solid-caliber cars - passenger cars, cargo and even buses. The company's founder was the German engineer Karl Borgward, whose name was bored.
Special popularity has earned a light model Borgward Isabella, which received a 1.5 liter motor in its time with a capacity of 75 hp The production of the model began in 1954 and by 1962 reached its apogee - during that year more than 200 thousand cars of this lineup were created. As for the body part, Borgward Isabella was produced on the basis of several body types. Among them is a sedan, a convertible, a sports type compartment and a wagon.
The car was so loved by the consumer that her import was carried out not only to European countries, but even in Australia. And in 1959, the company showed the first car with a pneumatic suspension in Germany. Plus, the adjustment of the body part occurred automatically, which was also innovation.
Closer to the 1961th year, articles on the unstable financial condition of the Borgward plant began to appear in the media - rumors and warmed the press. According to one of the versions, such a policy was provoked by competitors of the firm who wanted to push it from the market. Now there are disagreements about this - many believe that the financial difficulties of Borgward were not so catastrophic and a small investment infusion could easily save the company.
But be that as it may, in 1961, Borgward ruined, and in 1963 its founder of Karl Borgward died. The equipment was sold to Mexican Deltsi Georgio Gonzalez, which continued the production of models P100 and Isabella up to 1970.
Later, the grandson of Charles Christian began to revive the business of his grandfather, connecting Karlhain Knesse, his business partner. Under their leadership, specialists began the revival of the once popular car brand. We assume that the "revival" is to sell part of the rights to the brand Chinese capital and exploitation for the remuneration of the German name of the creator of the original company.
What is now a "german" model
According to official data, the new Borgward BX7 is a car of a revived German brand, which is the brainchild of the most real German developers. Although we are configured about this beautiful story pretty skeptical. In fact, the sout'ed-road base was the most Chinese car model - Baic Senova X65.
Borgward marketers (today the company fully belongs to Foton Motor - "daughter" of the Almighty Conglomerate Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation, Baic, which is mainly commercial transport) simply changed a number of cladding elements and stuck new nameplates to a popular for cloning within Baic Senova x65 crossover - and new "German" car ready for sale. Wheel base of both models - 2,670 mm.
Borgward BX7 since 2016 is produced in China, its production has been established on the facilities of the Foton Motor already mentioned. Now the car is collected in Beijing and implement in the domestic market. There, its price tag fluctuates around 170,000 yuan, which in terms of US dollars equals approximately 25 thousand.
The company planned to establish the supply of a new Borgward BX7 crossover to Middle Eastern countries and countries of South America. A little later promised to reach the Russian car market.
In early 2018, it became known that the novelty received a certificate of Rosstandart and is about to sell on the domestic market. However, there is no accurate information about this. In the fall of 2017, the Dealer Memorandum St. Petersburg United Automobile Corporation (UAC) was signed with Borgward and transparently promised sales in 2018, but it all ended. After some time, the information was leaked that the conclusion of an agreement with China was still at the negotiation stage.
Apparently, and this is that the price tag on the Sino-German crossover in Russia will be about 1 million rubles, it is also not necessary to fully trust.
Technical stuff
Borgward BX7 has a gasoline turbocharged Motor 4G20Ti1 2.0 liters, in two versions: for 201 l. s., like (True, the last unit is numbered as G420), and by 224 hp In addition, it provides a 6-speed automatic transmission and complete or front-wheel drive.
For the Russian version, the manufacturer promises the air conditioning system, a couple of airbags, hatch. Mirrors and glasses of side windows are equipped with an electric drive mechanism.
It is worth noting that in China, Borgward is equipped with four pillows, a good multimedia and voice control system. More expensive equipment, in addition to standard air conditioners, the interior with an upholstery of the skin substitute and parking sensors, are complemented by inflated curtains, xenon light light lights, electric drive for the door of the luggage compartment. Rain sensors, camcorders, internet access point and other pleasant and useful "things" are also present.
The main "chip" model is the ability to order a car of different capacity. The choice is offered a car for five, six or seven seats. Dear options offer their owners a panoramic roof and three-zone climate control. The second number of the chairs has a function of moving forward-back, also the seats have heated (both in the first and second row) and ventilation.
The steering wheel is distinguished by multifunctionality, and the steering column can be adjusted in height and depth. The on-board computer is equipped with a color monitor, a modern anti-theft system is responsible for security. Seats have a separate back, you can also change the angle of inclination.
Main characteristics and sizes
As for the dimensions, Borgward BX7 in length has 4,713 mm. Car width 1 911 mm, height 1,694 mm. As for the wheeled disks, the car is completed with the alloy 17-inch option.
The body part, and the interior of Bogwada to some extent resemble the old good crossovers of famous brands, such as Audi Q5, BMW X3, and even Cadillac XT5. Clearance of new products - 190 mm.
Appearance
The car can be described in one word - solid. This is not a catchy spectacular oscidence, from which domestic cars shake on the sides, and expensive foreign cars are respectfully inferior to the road. Borgward BX7 looks like a good reliable crossover. But not primitive. The streamlined body shape and nonsense lateral bends give it rapidness and sportiness, a little aggressive powerful radiator grille - brutality.
For such an appearance, the BX7 must say "Thank you" by the Norwegian designer Einaru Harede, who once led the design division in Saab Automobile, and now heading its own Hareide Design company, working under the contract with Volvo, Rolls-Royce Marine, Cisco and others.
The headlights of the main light have not quite the standard shape of the inner corner, and the LED Far Light makes the car even more stylish.
The salon also corresponds to the characteristic "solid". Stylish configuration of the instrument panel, high quality finishing materials and no extra "jewelry" make Borgward BX7 with a prestigious practical car, behind the wheel of which is not ashamed to sit down a business person and is not afraid of a simple Russian motorist. It is worth noting that, contrary to the applications of the manufacturer, the BX7 premium does not apply to any sideways or on the stuffing on the move qualities.
External data and technical information make it possible to rank Borgward BX7 to high-quality and practical sacrifice, without personality and excessive improvements. For those who appreciate in auto-quality and versatility, the model will become a good helper. The case is for small - revenue to sell and price tag. It remains to hope that the price of Borgward will be formed with a loan at his Chinese fellow hatchers and is available to the domestic consumer.
