Thoughts from the Boardroom

thoughts from the

boardroom

Racing has always played a major part in BMW’s genetic makeup and over the years we’ve tasted success in just about every motorsport sphere you care to mention. Innovations filter down from the track to the road leading to improvements in our model range – witness our first use of ABS with the racing 3.0 CSL Batmobile or the lessons we’re learning with our Formula E campaign bringing insights into electromobility.

Of all the circuits in the world the legendary Nürburgring could be considered our spiritual home – the original 328 won its first race there the day it was unveiled and it’s still used to fine-tune our production cars, too. It’s also home to one of the world’s toughest 24 hour endurance races and I was delighted when the M6 GT3 triumphed there at the end of September to record BMW’s 20th overall victory 50 years after we won the inaugural race in a 2002Ti.

Traditionally held in May, this year’s event was postponed until September but this change made little difference to the circuit’s weather pattern which was as challenging as ever. Indeed, the race was stopped during the night for the best part of ten hours thanks to torrential rain that saw some of the front runners come to grief. While the M6 GT3s had a tough first part of the race, after the restart on a drying track they were able to scythe through the field. The weather hadn’t finished adding to the drama though, and the closing stages were incredibly nerve wracking as the rain came down again Graeme Grieve, CEO BMW (UK) Ltd.

but an inspired tyre choice and some flawless driving saw the M6 GT3 cross the line 13 seconds ahead of the chasing Audi. Congratulations to all involved at Rowe Racing, BMW Motorsport and, of course, the drivers, Nick Catsburg, Nick Yelloly and our very own Alexander Sims.

Past winners read like a who’s who of BMW performance legends with the 3.0 CSL, 635CSi and five different generations of M3 all making it to the top step of the podium over the years. And perhaps in the years to come our new M4 GT3 race car will join those illustrious machines as it’s time to welcome two new M car icons to our lineup, the M3 Competition Saloon and M4 Competition Coupe. I’ve been eagerly awaiting their unveiling as I’ve been dying to talk about these stunning machines.

It seems apt that I’ve been discussing motorsport as this latest generation of M cars really do fuse track focused performance with everyday usability. Both models offer scintillating acceleration thanks to their 510bhp twin-turbocharged

straight-sixes with the zero to 62mph sprint being dispatched in a scant 3.9 seconds, and if the optional M Pro Package is specified they have a top speed of 180mph.

Of course, there’s always been far more to an M car than straight line performance and neither the M3 Competition nor M4 Competition will disappoint in the driving dynamics department. I’ve been fortunate enough to drive pre-production examples of both cars and I can confirm they are utterly sublime. The engine is phenomenal and it feels as if every aspect of the chassis has been finely honed to deliver trademark dynamics that really involve and reward the keen driver.

You don’t just have to take my (possibly biased!) word for it though as the motoring press has also sampled the new M3 in prototype form. Autocar commented; “It’s extraordinarily agile… changing direction incisively and with a very direct feel to the way it turns in to corners,” while also praising its engine, chassis, grip and fluidity. In its summing up it said; “You might just be looking at the most dynamically accomplished M3 yet.”

The debuts of the new M3 Competition and the M4 Competition highlight the synergy between road and track – add a roll cage and pop some numbers on their sides and they’ll almost be ready for next year’s Nürburgring race. I can’t wait to see if the M4 GT3 can add to our tally of overall race wins, after all M is still the most powerful letter in the world!

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