Refined and elegant (the design was by Michelotti), the BMW E series debuted in 1968 and for about a decade was the representative sedan of the German brand. At first the engines were 2494 and 2788cc, then, in 1971, the 2986cc engine was added for the 3.0S, 3.0Si, 3.0L versions, the latter with a longer wheelbase. In 1974 the 3.3-liter engines arrived, characterized by considerable power for the time (197 horsepower) and refinements such as the Bosch L-Jetronic injection. Production of the E3 series ceased in 1977.