The ‘BMW New Six’ was a line of full-size luxury saloons and GT coupés produced from 1968 to 1977. All models used the then-new M30 straight-six engine, an engine that would become renowned for silky smooth power delivery which punched far above what its litre capacity should have allowed. The E3 version, which marked BMW’s return to the full-size luxury saloon market after a hiatus of five 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 saloons.

The E3 was introduced at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show, and it was available in three different models: the 2500, the 2800, and the 3.0. The 2500 was powered by a 2.5-litre straight-six engine that produced 150 horsepower, while the 2800 had a 2.8-liter engine that produced 170 horsepower. The 3.0 model had a 3.0-liter engine that produced 180 horsepower.

In 1971, BMW introduced the E3-based 3.0CS and 3.0CSi coupes, which were designed by Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina. These models were the first BMW coupes to feature a pillarless design, and they were also the first BMW models to feature fuel injection. The 3.0CSi had a top speed of 134 mph (215 km/h), which made it one of the fastest coupes of its time.

In 1974, BMW introduced the E3-based 3.0S and 3.0Si models, which featured larger engines and improved performance. The 3.0S had a 3.0-litre engine that produced 180bhp, while the 3.0Si had a fuel-injected 3.0-litre engine that produced 200bhp. These models also featured improved suspension and braking systems, which made them even more fun to drive.

The E3 was replaced by the BMW E23 7 Series in 1977, which was a more modern and sophisticated car that featured many advanced features, such as a digital dashboard display and a sophisticated climate control system.