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In which year was the BMW 3-series (E21 body style) introduced to the US market?

1977. The BMW-series replaced the BMW 2002 and was first introduced to the European market in 1975 and to the US market in 1977. The first few years of the 3-series, only coupe body styles were produced.

Mercedes-Benz's most affordably-priced model was the very successful and popular C-class until the introduction of which model line in the year 1997/1998?

A-class. Mercedes-Benz first introduced the C-class in 1993 as a replacement for its 190 range of automobiles. The A-class has helped Mercedes-Benz, since the model line's introduction in 1997/1998, to break into the very in-demand market for supermini automobiles.

What is Mercedes-Benz's all wheel drive system branded as?

4Matic. Quattro is Audi's all wheel drive system, X-drive is BMW's, while 4Motion is Volkswagen's all wheel drive system. Mercedes-Benz first introduced their all wheel drive system in 1986 on the W124 series (E- class).

BMW AG (Bayerische Motoren Werke or Bavarian Motor Works) was most famous in its inception for making engines for which types of vessels?

Aircraft. BMW AG (to which the company's name was changed from BMW GmbH in 1918) was most famous for making engines for aircraft and motorcycles. The company did not produce any automobiles until 1928.

In which city (famed also for beer) was BMW GmbH established?

Munich. BMW GmbH was established in Munich and was originally founded as the Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke (Bavarian Aircraft Works).

Stuttgart is known for being the home city for two of Germany's most famous automobile manufacturers. Which of the following is one of them?

Porsche. Both Mercedes-Benz and Porsche call Stuttgart, in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg (famous also for the Black Forest), home.

Funny little tid-bit: Porsche AG's emblem (shield) contains a figure in the center. It is the silhouette of a horse galloping on a yellow field in the shape of a shield. What other famous automaker has a similar emblem (also a horse galloping on a yellow field)?

Ferrari. Coincidence?

Many automobile companies have become subsidiaries of Volkswagen Group. Which of the following is NOT a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group?

Alfa Romeo. You would never think it, but, yes, the Volkswagen Group owns such well-known brands as Audi, Bentley, Skoda, Lamborghini, SEAT, Bugatti, and, of course, Volkswagen. Alfa Romeo has been a part of Fiat SpA since 1986.

More automotive conglomerates: Vauxhall, Opel, Saab, Holden, Hummer (and several more)... all these automobile brands are owned (or controlled) by which corporation?

General Motors. That's right, all those brands you may have thought otherwise about... they're all GM.

And, of course, you cannot have a quiz about European cars without mentioning the diesel power... Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz are (as of the 2006 model year) the only company which offers diesel engines in passenger cars (that does not include trucks) for the US market. What is the three letter acronym which identifies a Volkswagen with a diesel engine?

TDI. TDI stands for Turbocharged Direct Injection and it is the technology used by VW in their diesel-powered cars. There is also SDI - which represents the non-turbocharged version, but those are generally not seen in the US market. CDI is the acronym for Mercedes-Benz's models and it stands for Common Direct Injection (synonymous for common rail direct injection).