What WWII planes had BMW engines?
By the outbreak of World War II, the BMW 801 radial engine powers one of the premier German Nazi fighters, the Focke Wulf FW190,” said Kinney. Once again, BMW is a major player in aircraft fighter development and performance during the Second World War. Struggling to Survive Post-War (1920s) After WWI, the Treaty of Versailles banned Germany from producing aircraft engines. BMW was forced to pivot. The company began manufacturing brake systems, motorcycles, and small engines for household items like farm equipment and tools.Many famous car companies played a huge role in WWII aviation! GM, Mitsubishi, BMW, and Rolls-Royce weren’t just making cars — they powered iconic warplanes like the Wildcat, Zero, Focke-Wulf, and Spitfire. From engines to full aircraft designs, their engineering shaped the skies of history.
What is BMW’s best engine?
Easily the N52 engine (naturally aspirated of course). This 3. L, Inline Six engine is probably one of the best engine’s that BMW has ever manufacturered. It produces 231–260 brake horsepower and 200 lbs of torque. The best model for the N52 engin. Models equipped with inline-six engines like the M54, N52, or B58—and diesel workhorses like the M57 or B57—frequently reach 300,000 miles or more. From million-mile E30s tested under lab conditions to 500,000+ mile M5s driven daily, the high-mileage BMW isn’t a myth—it’s a well-documented reality.