50 years of BMW Motorsport has a lot to offer!

We celebrate the 50th anniversary of BMW M by taking up the baton from BMW Motorsport and ten of its most important milestones. As you know, throughout all this time the technology applied to racing has made its way into road cars.

BMW 3.0 CSL

With the CSL, the foundation stone was laid for a great tower of success in competition and road models at BMW M, which was born in 1972 as BMW Motorsport, and created this racing version based on the 3.0 CS. Built by Karmann, the addition of the L to the name signified greater lightness, with a thinner body and aluminium used for the doors and bonnets, and a bespoke aerodynamic package was designed, featuring that spoiler which earned it the nickname “Batmobile”. The engine’s displacement grew over time, and with it its power, until reaching nearly 210 CV.

BMW M1 Procar

Designed to be a competition car from the outset, the mid-engined BMW M1 soon became a legend for breaking the mould. The M88 six-cylinder inline engine with 3.5 litres went from producing 277 CV to 500 CV in the M1 Procar with Group 4 specifications. It was lighter, weighing just 1,020 kg, required special aerodynamics, and its performance was already phenomenal in 1978, with 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 300 km/h.

BMW M3 E30

The first BMW M3 was built to homologate a competition touring car, a compact coupé that soon began to win titles. The 2.4-litre naturally aspirated engine produced 300 CV, rising to 380 in its final versions. The suspension was fully adjustable, and the powerful brakes ensured precision on track for the drivers.

BMW M3 E46 GTR

Since its arrival, the BMW M3 E46, like its predecessors, became a competition car. However, BMW Motorsport created a special version to win the ALMS championship in North America, the BMW M3 GTR. This version replaced, among other elements, the traditional six-cylinder inline engine with a V8, a block designated P60B40, derived from the Formula 1 V10 block, which reached up to 500 CV.

BMW Williams F1, Sauber F1 and BMW iFE.18

BMW Motorsport has not only been nourished by touring cars; its history includes successes in single-seater categories, such as the queen of them all, Formula 1, and also its electric sister, Formula E. Between 2000 and 2005, BMW was responsible for manufacturing the engines for the BMW Williams F1 Team. The BMW E41 powerplant was a 3.0-litre naturally aspirated V10 and debuted at the Australian Grand Prix with a third-place finish in the race. It was the best debut of an F1 engine manufacturer in 30 years.

After several years as an engine supplier, in 2006 BMW Sauber was born, the brand’s first official team. It started in the era of naturally aspirated V8s, competing with the BMW F1 0.6, F1.07, F1 0.8 and F1 0.9 until 2009, achieving, with drivers such as Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica, a total of 17 podiums, including victory at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix.

V12 LMR and McLaren F1

BMW was an engine supplier in Formula 1, and had also given its heart to the innovative and excellent McLaren F1 in 1992. The engine is the renowned S70/2, a 12-cylinder V with 6.1 litres of displacement delivering 630 CV and 650 Nm, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. Three years after its debut, the F1 made its début at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in GTR form, with 600 CV under the regulations, and after an intense and eventful race, the F1 GTR #59 with a BMW engine won on its debut following a display of driving skill and reliable mechanics.

BMW Z4 GT3, M6 GT3, M4 GT3

BMW Motorsport and GT3 are synonymous with victories. In 2010, the BMW Z4 GT3 was unveiled, the weapon for endurance racing and GT championships. It featured a hard top and the 4.4-litre V8 engine producing up to 535 CV, leaving the six-cylinder for the road model. It was lighter and shorter than its rivals, with a transaxle configuration and very carefully studied aerodynamics. It won the Dubai 24 Hours, finished second at the Spa 24 Hours, won in Japan’s Super GT, and was widely used by private teams even after its replacement arrived.

BMW M Hybrid V8 LMHD

In 2023, BMW M Motorsport returns to a favourite territory, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, with the BMW M Hybrid V8, but not only that: this powerful hybrid hypercar will also fight for the top-category crown of the WEC in 2024, in the Hypercar class, including the race of races, Le Mans.

Designed to be recognised as a model of the brand while making the most of championship regulations, the M Hybrid V8 is an imposing competition car that also honours 50 years of BMW M with its test livery. It uses a twin-turbo V8 derived from the DTM, integrated into an efficient and forceful hybrid system to reach the category’s maximum power, nearly 700 CV.