Having bid farewell to Formula One, BMW will reportedly strengthen its involvement in GT and touring car racing for 2010 and beyond. In light of the news, we profile one of their more famous production cars that became a race car – the BMW M1 Procar. The BMW M1 Procar...
BMW Race Cars
From Formula 1 to GTM and rally racing, BMW has been an active participant in motor racing from the beginning of the company's history. Below, we take a look at some of our favorite and most iconic BMW racing cars of all time. Below, we take a look at all the iconic race cars from BMW.
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Every BMW Race Car
You can’t credibly build the Ultimate Driving Machine if you don’t race (and win). Pure and simple. BMW Motorsport has produced several landmark cars in its 50 years of competition across several different motorsport disciplines. Below, we have tried to get as many of the BMW race car models listed as possible. You can tell from the list, BMW motorsport division has been producing fantastic, competitive cars. It’s main areas of success have been on the road and in touring car racing, but it’s also taken big victories in sportscar competition and Formula 1.
Current BMW Race Cars
2023 BMW M Hybrid V8
2022 BMW M4 GT3
2023 BMW M4 GT4
2021 BMW M2 CS Racing
BMW 328
BMW 328 Berlin-Rome Roadster (1941)
BMW 328 MM “Berlin-Rome” Roadster (1940)
BMW 328 Mille Miglia 'Bügelfalte' (1937)
BMW 328 Mille Miglia Roadster (1940)
BMW 328 Mille Miglia Coupé (1939)
BMW 328 Mille Miglia Kamm Coupé (1940)
BMW 328 Mille Miglia ‘Büegelfalte’ (1937)
BMW M1
BMW M1 Procar (1979 - 1980)
March-BMW M1/C (1981)
BMW M1 (Group 4)
BMW M1 (Group 5)
BMW M1 (Group B)
BMW M1 Rallye (Group B)
BMW M1 GTX
BMW M1 IMSA
BMW M1 IMSA GT
BMW M1 IMSA GTX
Misc BMW Race Cars
BMW 3.0 CSL Group 2 (1972)
BMW 3.0 CLS/T (1973)
BMW 3.0 CLS/H (1973)
BMW 3.0 CLS/P (1973)
BMW 3.0 CSL (1973)
BMW 3.0 CSL Group 2 (1973)
BMW 3.0 CSL Group 5 (1976)
BMW 3.5 CSL IMSA (1975)
BMW 2002 TI (1970)
BMW 1800 TI/SA (1965)
BMW 700 RS (1960)
March 85G-7 (1985)
March 86G (1986)
BMW GTP (1986)
BMW GTP - Buick Hawk (1986-1988)
BMW V12 LM (1998)
BMW V12 LMR (1999)
Formula BMW (1998 - 2013)
BMW 320i WTCC (2005)
BMW 320si WTCC (2006)
BMW 320d (1998)
BMW 635CSi (1984)
BMW 320 Turbo Group 5 (1978)
BMW 325is IMSA (1987)
BMW 635CSi (1984)
BMW E30 M3 DTM (1986)
BMW M Hybrid V8 (2023)
BMW M3 (E30) DTM (1987)
BMW M3 (E30) Touring Car (1987-1994)
BMW M3 (E36) GTR (1990-1993)
BMW M3 (E36) GTR (2001-2005)
BMW M3 (E36) GTS-2 (1992)
Misc BMW Race Cars
BMW M3 (E36) M3-R (1994)
BMW M3 (E46) GTR (2001)
BMW M3 (E92) (2012)
BMW M3 (E92) DTM (2012-2013)
BMW M3 (E92) GT (2010)
BMW M3 (E92) GT2 (2010)
BMW M3 (E92) GT4 (2009)
BMW M3 DTM/B (2012)
BMW M3 Group A (1990)
BMW M3 GT IMSA (2011)
BMW M3 GT2 (2009)
BMW M3 GT4 (2009)
BMW M3 GTR (2001)
BMW M3/R (1987-1989)
BMW M3/W (1987)
BMW M4 DTM (2014 - 2018)
BMW M4 DTM Turbo (2019-2020)
BMW M4 DTM/M (2014-2016)
BMW M4 GT3 (2021 - 2023)
BMW M4 GT3/S (2022)
BMW M4 GT4 (2017 - 2021)
BMW M4 GT4 (2023)
BMW M6 (F13) GT3 (2016)
BMW M6 GT3 (2016)
BMW M6 GT3 (2021)
BMW M6 GT3/A (2018)
BMW M6 GTLM (2016-2017)
BMW M8 GTE (2018-2021)
BMW Z4 M Coupe Motorsport (2006)
BMW Z4 GT3 (2010-2015)
BMW Z4 GT3 (2010-2015)
BMW Z4 GTLM IMSA (2015)
BMW Formula 1 & Formula 2 Race Cars
BMW has a history of success in Formula One, both as an engine supplier and as a factory team. BMW only became an official F1 constructor in 2006, but this followed two spells as an engine supplier. The first, in the 1980s, saw it break ground with the first turbo engine to power a driver to world championship success in 1983. It returned in 2000 with Williams and was winning Grands Prix the following year. But the partnership failed to deliver a championship, so the Munich marque took over the ailing Sauber team at the end of 2005. Robert Kubica scored BMW’s first win in the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix. However after an unsuccessful 2009 BMW pulled out of F1, though its name remained officially attached to the team in 2010. In Formula Two, BMW pilots used the sporty pre-war BMW 328 model as the basis for early post-war efforts in the Formula Two series, a stepping stone to Formula One; the 328 occasionally participated in F1 races. BMW ran its own team, but other smaller teams such as Veritas, AFM, Jicey and EMW also used cars derived from the 328.
BMW Engined F1 & F2 Cars
AFM 50–5 (1953)
AFM 6 (1952)
AFM 8 (1952)
AFM U8 (1953)
Arrows A10 (1987 - 1988)
Arrows A10B (1988)
Arrows A7 (1984)
Arrows A8 (1985 - 1986)
Arrows A9 (1986)
ATS D6 (1983)
ATS D7 (1984)
Balsa Spécial (1952)
Benetton B186 (1986)
Brabham BT50 (1981 - 1982)
Brabham BT52 (1983)
Brabham BT52B (1983)
Brabham BT53 (1984)
Brabham BT54 (1985)
Brabham BT55 (1986)
Brabham BT56 (1987)
Frazer-Nash 421 (1952)
Greifzu Eigenbau (1953)
Heck Eigenbau (1952)
BMW Engined F1 & F2 Cars
Heck Eigenbau (1953)
Klenk Meteor (1954)
Krakau Eigenbau (1952)
Ligier JS29B (1987)
Ligier JS29C (1987)
Lola T100 (1967)
Lola T101 (1968)
Lola T100 (1967)
Lola T102 (1968)
Lola T450 (1976)
Lola T850 (1981)
March-BMW 782 F2 (1978)
March-BMW 812 F2 (1981)
March-BMW 822 F2 (1982)
Nacke Eigenbau (1952)
Reif Eigenbau (1952)
Williams FW22 (2000)
Williams FW23 (2001)
Williams FW24 (2002)
Williams FW25 (2003)
Williams FW26 (2004)
Williams FW27 (2005)
BMW F1 & F1 Cars
BMW 269 (1969)
BMW 269 (1969)
BMW 270 (1970)
BMW HH (1947 - 1950)
BMW Sauber F1.06 (2006)
BMW Sauber F1.07 (2007)
BMW Sauber F1.08 (2008)
BMW Sauber F1.09 (2009)
Best BMW Race Cars Ever Created
We Pick The Thirteen Greatest BMW Race Cars
It is no surprise then that BMW has a long history of racing success across all forms of motorsport. Apart from the factory efforts, many privateer teams enter BMW road cars in Touring car racing. Given its connection to road cars, it is clearly an area where BMW focused a lot of effort. Cars like the Schnitzer M3 (E30) Sport Evo and CSL Batmobile (E9) as well as the entire Procar M1 series added a lot of credibility when buyers showed up to showrooms to see BMWs they could buy. Over its storied history, BMW also entered cars or provided engines in Formula One, Formula Two and sportscar racing. It is also no stranger to endurance racing with its epic BMW V12 LMR (still a favorite here at the Supercars.net office).
1. Brabham BT52
Powered by a BMW M12/13 4-cylinder turbo engine, which was capable of producing over 1,000 horsepower in qualifying trim.
Why Is This The Best BMW Race Car?
The Brabham BT52 was a Formula One car designed for the Brabham team by longtime Brabham designer Gordon Murray for the 1983 season. The car ran on Michelin tyres and was powered by the massively powerful BMW M12/13 turbocharged engine which in 1983 produced a maximum of approximately 800 bhp (600 kW) in qualifying trim, detuned to around 640 bhp (480 kW) for the races proper. Its drivers were 1981 World Champion Nelson Piquet and Riccardo Patrese.
Renault started Formula 1’s first turbo era, but it was BMW that powered the first turbocharged world champion. The Brabham-BMW combination had a difficult 1982 but did start winning, Nelson Piquet taking a crucial victory in the Canadian GP.
After ground-effects were banned at short notice ahead of 1983, Gordon Murray penned the BT52, with its weight distribution moved back for better traction. Despite a Piquet win in the season opener, Renault’s Alain Prost built up a championship lead before Murray made a B version and BMW introduced its infamous ‘rocket fuel’, solving detonation problems with its M12/13 straight-four engine and boosting power.
Piquet won two of the final three rounds – with team-mate Riccardo Patrese taking the other – to snatch the drivers' crown, though Ferrari won the constructors’ title. BMW failed to provide another championship winner, but its turbos were often considered the most powerful and racked up nine wins in the 1980s.
2. Schnitzer M3 (E30) Sport Evo
The Sport was the third and final special edition Evolution M3 and by far, the most radical of the street-going M3’s.
Why Is This The Best BMW Race Car?
The E30 M3 was constructed by BMW for a predominate purpose – to homologate a race car suitable for the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC). To accomplish this, BMW was required to construct 5,000 street-bound examples. The E30 3-series was the best suited automobile in BMW’s product line to undergo this transformation.
Certain rules in the racing series heavily influenced characteristics of the production M3. For example, the shape of the body of an ETCC entry could not be altered from the homologated version. The deep front spoiler, rear windscreen “cap”, rear trunk lid and spoiler were incorporated for high speed aerodynamic performance. The wide fender flares allowed large race tires and wheels to fit under stock bodywork.
In 1990, with an already successful agenda on the track, BMW introduces the Sport Evolution. The Sport is the third and final special edition Evolution M3 and by far, the most radical of the street-going M3’s. Production reaches 600 to surpass the 500 models required for homologation in Group A DTM.
While there are many specific alterations to the Sport Evo which vary from the standard M3, several modifications focus on achieving maximum competitive advantage in Touring Car racing. Rules of the time require that racing models (a) run the same engine and displacement as the homologated car and (b) no sheet metal or aerodynamic aids can vary from the homologated model.
For this reason, the Sport Evolution displaces 2467cc, nearing the 2500cc Group A limit. The Sport Evo is equipped with a multi-position adjustable front splitter and rear lip spoiler so that downforce can be dialed in on a per track basis. Wider fender wells allow clearance of larger 18″ racing wheels.
3. BMW M1 Procar
The racing cars, designed to meet Group 4 technical regulations, shared only some basics from the M1 road cars.
Why Is This The Best BMW Race Car?
The BMW M1 Procar Championship, sometimes known simply as Procar, was a one-make auto racing series. The racing cars, designed to meet Group 4 technical regulations, shared only some basics from the M1 road cars. All cars were identical.
A deep spoiler was added under the nose of the car, while an adjustable wing was added on two mounts at the rear of the engine cover. The Procar M1s were extensively modified engine wise. In race spec they produced 470 horsepower at 9000 rpm.
The suspension was entirely new, adding adjustable anti-roll bars. The brakes were redesigned to adapt the use of a driver-adjustable brake pressure balance, while the servo-activated braking system was removed. A racing steering rack was used in place of the standard power steering unit.
The performance of the Procar M1s was increased to a top speed of 311 kilometres per hour (193 mph) dependent upon gear ratios, and acceleration from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.3 seconds.
4. BMW 3.0 CSL Batmobile
Concept reincarnates ’70s ‘Batmobile’
Why Is This The Best BMW Race Car?
To meet constrictive homologation regulations of the Group 2 racing class, BMW engineers developed a limited production run of ‘homologation specials.’
Based on the 3.0 CS coupe production car, the CSL (‘L’ is for lightweight, referring to the aluminum doors and hood) began an assault on European touring car racing that would make it one of the most successful production racers of all time.
The trim was removed and thinner steel was used for the main body shell. Aluminum alloy was used for the doors, bonnet, and boot lid. Perspex was used for the side windows. These efforts resulted in a reduction of weight by 300 lbs. Initially, they were powered by an over-bored engine enabling it to compete in the over 3-liter class.
The 3.0 CSL was powered by a 206 horsepower for road use and over 300 horsepower for the track. The engine’s stroke was increased in 1973, upping the capacity to 3,153cc. From mid-season forward, the racing CSLs used the so-called ‘Batmobile’ aerodynamic package, developed at Stuttgart University. This package consisted of a front chin spoiler, large rear wing and various other modifications. The boot was illegal for road use in Germany and left in the boot for final installation after purchase.
5. BMW 328 Touring Coupe
In 1940, made a clean sweep at Mille Miglia scoring the overall victory, the team victory and third, fifth and sixth places.
Why Is This The Best BMW Race Car?
Spring 1940. In Italy all attentions are focused on bringing the Mille Miglia back to life with a new course. Two 328 Touring Coupe’s were entered by BMW.
Fritz Huschke von Hanstein and Walter Bäumer would drive the Touring Coupé, while two outstanding Italian drivers – Count Giovanni Lurani Cernuschi and Franco Cortese – had been recruited to pilot the works Kamm Coupé.
Almost immediately, the 328 Touring Coupé, reeled off the fast laps. They set the fastest time ever recorded in a sports car race with an average speed of 174 km/h. The Coupé was gradually building up an unassailable advantage over the chasing pack.
In the end, it was Walter Bäumer who had the privilege of driving the Touring Coupé across the line to claim overall victory. In a race dominated by the Italians, this was an epic victory.
But even before this, the BMW 328 was racking up wins – such as its first race triumph at the 1929 “Alpenfahrt” and the 1936 “Eifelrennen”. At the Mille Miglia six years later, the BMW 328 cemented its reputation as the most successful sports car in Europe at the time. The winning car was driven by Fritz von Hanstein and Walter Bäumer, both from Germany. After 8 hours and 55 minutes and an average speed of about 105 miles an hour, they won the race by a wide margin.
6. BMW M3 GTR (E46)
The BMW M3 GTR was a dominant competitor throughout the single season that it contested.
Why Is This The Best BMW Race Car?
It was originally fitted with a 3.2L inline-six engine based on the engine of the standard E46 M3. The car first entered the GT class of the American Le Mans Series in 2000, in which it only took a single victory and was beaten on several occasions by the Porsche 911 GT3-R. The new engine gave the BMW M3 GTR a competitive edge over the Porsche 911 GT3-R and allowed the M3 GTR to win seven out of the ten events in the GT category in the 2001 season.
A newly developed P60B40 V8 engine was quickly placed into the race car before the beginning of the 2001 season. It was developed alongside the BMW V10 engine that was used to power Williams Formula 1 cars during the 2001 F1 season.
The old engine was ditched as BMW’s engineers couldn’t squeeze any more horsepower out of it. The BMW M3 GTR was a dominant competitor throughout the single season that it contested.
7. 1999 BMW V12 LMR
In 1999, BMW took on Toyota, Mercedes, Audi, Nissan and Panoz at Le Mans, securing BMW's first overall win at the race.
Why Is This The Best BMW Race Car?
The BMW V12 LMR had a bumper year in 1999. BMW won its debut event with the new sports car – the Sebring 12 Hours in Florida, USA. The triumphant team numbered Tom Kristensen (DK), JJ Lehto (FIN) and Jörg Müller (D).
In June, Yannick Dalmas (F), Pierluigi Martini (I) and Joachim Winkelhock (D) won the Le Mans 24 Hours against arguably the most powerful rivals in the history of this event. With co-driver Steve Soper (GB), Lehto went on to claim three further victories in the ALMS.
It all started after the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans in which both BMW V12 LMs had failed to finish due to mechanical issues (they were slow anyway due to made aero design).
BMW Motorsport made the decision to radically revamp their endurance race cars and quickly replace the V12 LM with a new car for 1999, the V12 LMR. Big aero changes, better cooling and a revised BMW S70/3 5990 cc V12 made a big difference. It was a dominant in 1999 – everywhere.
In 1999, BMW took on Toyota, Mercedes, Audi, Nissan and Panoz at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with its V12 LMR, securing the German constructor's first overall win at the race.
8. March-BMW 782
Powered by the Paul Rosche-designed BMW M12/7 engine, the works March 782 of Bruno Giacomelli dominated in 1978.
Why Is This The Best BMW Race Car?
The combination of March and BMW had already taken European Formula 2 titles in 1973 (Jean-Pierre Jarier) and 1974 (Patrick Depailler) before Renault became a serious force in the two-litre era.
Rene Arnoux won the 1977 European crown in a Martini-Renault, ahead of the Ralt-BMW of Eddie Cheever, but the response from March produced something special.
Powered by the Paul Rosche-designed BMW M12/7 engine, the works March 782 of Bruno Giacomelli dominated in 1978, marching to the title with eight wins, while team-mate Marc Surer was runner-up.
It could be argued that the real advantage of the package was Robin Herd’s chassis and aero, which helped give the car good straightline speed. But BMW was a key backer of the project, the M12/7 engine deserves recognition, and BMW used F2 for its junior programme, of which Surer was a part.
9. BMW 2002
Launched in 1968, the 2002 was BMW’s answer to its post-war woes. BMW’s Director pitched the idea to the BMW Board.
Why Is This The Best BMW Race Car?
Launched in 1968, the 2002 was BMW’s answer to its post-war woes. Originally conceived by Alex von Falkenhausen and BMW’s Planning Director Helmut Werner Bonsch, who independently carried out 2.0-litre conversions on 1600ti Neue Klasse saloons, the pair joined forces and pitched the idea to the BMW Board. And so a star was born…
There were three distinct iterations of the 2002 over its lifetime, with the first generation cars built between 1968 and 1971, the second generation, ‘model 71’, built between 1971 and 1973, and the third ‘model 73’ generation built between 1973 and the end of production in 1976.
It was in 1969 that the 2002 made its racing debut, with Group 5-spec turbocharged models entered into the European Touring Car Championship, where they saw some competition against the likes of Porsche’s 911, before Dieter Quester ultimately won Division 3 for BMW.
The 2002 also competed in the Trans Am Series sub-2.0-litre class, where it saw little success against the dominating Alfa Romeo, Porsche, and Datsun, taking just two race wins in 1970. However, that same year Hans Stuck and Clemens Schickentanz famously won the 1970 24 Hours Nürburgring in a 2002.
10. BMW 635CSi
Won the 1983, 1985 and 1986 24 Hours of Spa as well as the European Touring Car Championship title in 1981, 1983, and 1986.
Why Is This The Best BMW Race Car?
The 635 CSi quickly became a dominant force on the race tracks of Europe, as well as Japan and Australia, winning a slew of championships and forever embedding the BMW 6 Series into motor racing history.
The FIA “Group A” BMW 635 CSi was built by BMW Motorsport for top level touring car racing in Europe and around the world. Each car started out as a normal 635 CSi, fitted with a 3.4 liter M30 inline-six cylinder engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. By the time the BMW M engineers were done with it it had all new suspension, brakes, a full roll cage, a stiffened chassis, and a significantly upgraded version of the M30 engine, now producing 320 bhp – 100 bhp more than the original road car.
Over the course of the competitive life of the model it was a remarkably dominant force in both touring car and endurance racing. It won the 1983, 1985 and 1986 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps as well as the European Touring Car Championship title in 1981, 1983, and 1986.
It also won the 1984 and 1985 Nürburgring 24 Hours, the German Production Car Championship, the 1984 Belgian Touring Car Championship, the 1985 Australian Touring Car Championship, the 1985 and 1986 Australian Endurance Championship, the 1985 Australian Manufacturers’ Championship, the 1985 AMSCAR Series title, the 1985 European Hill Climb Championship, the 1985 and 1987 New Zealand Touring Car Championship, the 1985 Japanese Touring Car Championship, and a significant number of other victories.
11. BMW F1.08
“...2008 we missed an opportunity, because we had all the ingredients on the table....fight for the championship".
Why Is This The Best BMW Race Car?
After its semi-successful relationship with Williams soured, BMW bought Sauber to continue its F1 quest. BMW Sauber went from finishing fifth in 2006 to third in the 2008 standings, via an inherited second in 2007 following McLaren’s exclusion.
The 2008 F1.08, which technical director Willy Rampf described as “an aggressive development” arguably should have achieved more than its famous 1-2 at the Canadian Grand Prix. After that win in round seven of 18, Robert Kubica led the drivers’ standings and the team was only three points behind leader Ferrari.
But thereafter BMW’s developments didn’t bring the expected gains and it slipped further behind Ferrari and McLaren. The team switched its focus to the new F1 rules for 2009 as soon as possible, a gamble the failed and the F1.08 remained BMW’s high-water mark before it sold the team.
Kubica, 2008 Canadian GP winner and fourth in points with F1.08, says: “It was good to see how things progressed after BMW took over Sauber and in 2008 we had a competitive car, one that suited my driving style. I think that car had so much more potential and it was a shame that we didn’t chase development.
“My feeling is that in 2008 we missed an opportunity, because we had all the ingredients on the table to at least fight for the championship. The focus of development switched early on to the 2009 because new regulations were coming.”
12. 1960 BMW 700 RS
Only two units of the BMW 700 RS were ever built, making it one of the rarest and most exclusive BMW race cars.
Why Is This The Best BMW Race Car?
The BMW 700 RS is a notable vehicle in the history of motorsports, particularly for BMW. This car was a significant departure from BMW's mainstream production models of the time, being specifically designed for racing. Introduced in 1960, the 700 RS was a lightweight, open-top race car that showcased BMW's engineering prowess and commitment to motorsport, despite the company's financial struggles during that period.
The 700 RS featured a tubular space frame chassis, which was a departure from the monocoque design used in many race cars of the era. Its body was made of lightweight aluminum, and the car's overall design focused on aerodynamic efficiency, with its sleek, low-profile shape. It was powered by a highly tuned version of the 697 cc flat-twin engine, which was also used in the BMW 700 production car but significantly modified for racing.
In the 700 RS, this engine produced around 70 horsepower, an impressive figure for such a small displacement and significantly more than the street version. The engine's placement behind the driver (mid-engine layout) contributed to the car's excellent balance and handling characteristics.
The BMW 700 RS achieved considerable success in hill climb races, a popular motorsport format in Europe. Its lightweight construction, potent engine, and superior handling allowed it to excel in these short, intense races, which often featured steep gradients and challenging turns.
13. 1987 BMW M3 (E30)
The DTM (German Touring Car Championship) was clinched with aplomb, as were championships in France, Italy and England.
Why Is This The Best BMW Race Car?
A direct descendant of the 2002, the E30 M3 is BMW’s most successful racing car, with a huge 18 titles to its name, across 10 rally and touring championships.
Created for the inaugural 1987 World Touring Car Championship, the E30 M3, in the hands of Roberto Ravaglia, took two races and clinched the title. Elsewhere on the grid, M3s took five of the remaining 10 races, with Goodwood regular Emanuele Pirro among the campaigning drivers.
Powered by a 2.3-litre naturally aspirated engine, making 300PS (296bhp) at 8,200rpm, the E30 M3 competed against much larger-engined and turbocharged cars to win the 24 Hours Nürburgring five times (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1994) and the Spa 24 Hours four times (1987, 1988, 1990 and 1992). It took the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft title twice, in 1987 and 1989, and the Italia Superturismo Championship four times, in 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1991.
Over the channel, the E30 M3 saw huge success at the British Touring Car Championship, with BMW winning the drivers' championship in 1988, 1991, while further afield, titles were taken in AMSCAR Series in 1987 and 1991.