BMW M’s next major event will be next year the all-electric four-motor M3obtained from New class i3. Unfortunately, we can’t imagine a three-pedal version of this is in the works.
M3 I i really want
BMW’s briefing materials for the M3 CS Handschalter note that the 3.0 L S58 engine is also used in modified form in the BMW M4 GT3 Evo, which won the Rolex 24 at Daytona this year. BMW has had quite a bit of success with the M4 GT3 Evo, as it won last year’s Nurburgring 24, among other races. But at this year’s N24, the one and only S58-powered M race car everyone was interested in started life as a car. April’s joke.
As 24-hour races go, the N24 is certainly unique. Among the Le Mans and Daytona GTs are the faster prototypes. Spa-Francorchamps is just GT3, but more than 70 of them are on the track together. But the N24 combines everything from GT3 cars to Volkswagen Golfs, and does so not only on the modern F1-grade GP Circuit, but also on the entire Nordschleife, with its tight straights, crests, dips and dozens of blind corners. Given the speed differentials, it’s downright terrifying to watch in the driver’s seat.
BMW M3 Touring in N24.
Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images
BMW M3 Touring in N24.
Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images
I wonder if the car handled a little differently thanks to the higher, more distant center of gravity.
Image credit via Silas Stein/Getty Images
I wonder if the car handled a little differently thanks to the higher, more distant center of gravity.
Image credit via Silas Stein/Getty Images
The M3 Touring looked amazing in racing style.
Image credit via Silas Stein/Getty Images
The M3 Touring looked amazing in racing style.
Image credit via Silas Stein/Getty Images
I wonder if the car handled a little differently thanks to the higher, more distant center of gravity.
Image credit via Silas Stein/Getty Images
The M3 Touring looked amazing in racing style.
Image credit via Silas Stein/Getty Images
This year’s race featured a pair of stars. Max Verstappen took a sabbatical from Formula 1, got his Nürburgring license and then showed he can absolutely cut it with the world’s best sports car drivers on the world’s toughest race track. Even if you’re a Verstappen hater, it’s worth checking out some of his in-flight footage from the race just to see a master at work.
But the Max wasn’t the only headline attraction, as it had to share much of the spotlight with the BMW M3 Touring. Originally thought of as a joke last year, the overwhelmingly positive feedback was that BMW would make it a reality in 2026. The powertrain is the same as the M4 racing car, but the M3 Touring body is unique. And just look at it!
Although the M3 Touring only finished 22nd, it quickly progressed and spent most of the race in contention – if not for the win, then on the podium.
