On May 24, 2024, BMW M celebrated its 52nd anniversary. “M” has become a powerful symbol in BMW’s history, embodying innovation and the spirit of pushing limits. BMW M, born on the track, is the epitome of pure driving pleasure. Global sales doubled from 2018 to 2023, surpassing 200,000 units last year, setting a new annual record. In China, sales also surged, with a 46% increase in 2023 compared to 2022, achieving a new annual record since entering the Chinese market. Truly the car for driving enthusiasts.
In 2024, BMW M will launch nearly 10 high-performance and performance models in China, including the all-new BMW M5. By the end of this year, the number of M models in China is expected to expand to 23, covering compact to midsize and large luxury cars, with three driving forms to meet different users’ highest expectations for extreme driving pleasure. M, a legend from the start BMW M was born in 1972 as the predecessor of BMW Motorsport Limited Company, officially becoming BMW M GmbH in 1993, focusing on the development, products, and services of high-performance cars. “M” is the middle letter of BMW, representing “engine” and “courage,” symbolizing the most powerful expression and pursuit of ultimate performance. Upholding the original intention of “becoming better, being the best, and competing with the best opponents,” BMW M has continuously pushed the limits of engine and vehicle speed through challenges, proving its innovative technology and superior craftsmanship.
In major global racing events, BMW M Motorsport team continues to demonstrate amazing strength, winning championships in international FIA GT World Cup, Le Mans 24 Hours Endurance Race, IMSA Daytona 24 Hours Endurance Race, Indianapolis 8 Hours Endurance Race, Japan Super GT Championship and other world-class events. Particularly at the famous Nürburgring 24 Hours Endurance Race, they have won 20 total championships, showcasing BMW M’s spirit of pushing the limits in racing, making “M” the most powerful letter in the world.
In 1973, BMW M debuted the iconic “blue, purple, red” livery on its first racing car, the BMW 3.0 CSL. This marked the beginning of a racing legend that has spanned over half a century. The powerful BMW 3.0 CSL dominated the European Touring Car Championship six times. The birth of the first supercar under the M name, the BMW M1, followed. Today, the BMW M Hybrid V8 race car continues to impress with its performance. The iconic M stripes now feature a deep blue instead of purple, symbolizing the connection between BMW and racing. The forward-leaning M logo embodies the brand’s eternal drive forward, representing the passion for racing that is deeply rooted in the brand.
In the late 1970s, BMW M closely linked racing sports with production models to satisfy driving enthusiasts’ desire to extend track experience to the road. The high-performance legendary models born in this context not only dominated the track but also led the trend on the road. BMW M3 was once named “Car of the Century,” showcasing M’s attention to design details inside and out. In the 1980s, the first generation BMW M5 proved that power and luxury can coexist in the luxury high-performance sedan market, demonstrating BMW’s perfect integration of luxury sedans and driving pleasure. On the occasion of the brand’s 40th anniversary, BMW M introduced BMW M Performance models representing “sportiness, powerful daily usability, and outstanding efficiency,” aiming to further expand the luxury performance car field. Models such as BMW M240i and BMW X2 M35i belong to this category. BMW M, legendary starting again.
Now, BMW M embraces the future of electrification, responding to new consumer demands and embodying the development concept of the BMW Group “sustainability without luxury”. In the Chinese market, BMW M has launched 4 pure electric models and 2 plug-in hybrid models, including the pure electric BMW i4 M50, pure electric BMW iX M60, innovative pure electric BMW i5 M60, pure electric BMW i7 M70L, as well as BMW M760Le and BMW XM. These models have set a benchmark in the electric performance car segment with outstanding electric performance and cutting-edge intelligent technology. With the advancement of electrification, it is expected that by 2027, half of BMW M’s models will be new energy models. BMW M, the most powerful work of art.
BMW M not only attracts those who are dedicated to the racing culture, but also countless fans with unique appreciation for design, technology, and artistic innovation. With a consistent spirit of change and innovation, BMW M pushes the boundaries of imagination, continuously making racing design burst with more brilliant artistic brilliance. Since the birth of the first BMW Art Car BMW 3.0 CSL designed by artist Alexander Calder in 1975, the BMW Group has successively launched 20 BMW Art Cars, 11 of which are related to BMW M models. A few days ago, the 20th BMW Art Car designed by world-renowned contemporary artist Julie Mehretu made its global debut, vividly transforming the BMW M Hybrid V8 race car into a speeding aesthetic masterpiece. BMW M Art Cars bring art into the field of engineering, giving new life to BMW M race cars with the unique perspective and exquisite techniques of artists, conveying the passionate and innovative qualities of the M brand. Looking towards the future, BMW M will continue to focus on “passionate performance” and “electrified driving enjoyment,” expanding its product lineup, offering a variety of driving forms to meet the diverse needs of customers for extreme driving pleasure. With a glorious 52-year history, the BMW M brand always holds onto the desire for ultimate performance. No matter where the future of cars may lead, BMW M will not rest on its laurels, accelerating with creative imagination, breaking traditions, and refreshing the highest realm of driving pleasure.