If you were a car enthusiast growing up in the 1990s or early 2000s, there’s a good chance that Need for Speed: Most Wanted left a lasting impression on you.
The racing video game had a profound influence on many, especially thanks to the iconic 2005 BMW M3 GTR hero car.
Who could forget that memorable moment when the car slid into view on the box cover? Now, after years of E46 M3 owners privately recreating the vehicle, BMW has decided to build its own version.
The custom M3 GTR race car features the instantly recognizable blue-and-silver livery from the 2005 video game.
The real-life vehicle is modeled after the #42 Team BMW Motorsport E46 M3 GTR, which was driven by Jörg Müller and J.J. Lehto in the 2001 ALMS GT Series.
That year, the duo achieved significant success, securing the team championship after winning seven out of ten races. Müller also earned the drivers’ championship.
The recreated car has remained true to its racing roots. The interior has been completely stripped of any unnecessary components, and it is equipped with a single racing seat and a full roll cage.
On the exterior, the car is outfitted with wide fenders, center-locking wheels, a side-exit exhaust, and a massive fixed rear wing.
BMW didn’t create this homage simply out of nostalgia, but to celebrate two important anniversaries.
It has now been 30 years since the first Need for Speed game was released, and 2025 will mark the 20th anniversary of the release of Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The real-life car will be on display at the BMW Welt Museum in Munich until January 6, 2025.
In 2003, Car and Driver tested a competition-spec M3 GTR. One of the most significant developments was BMW’s decision to replace the 3.2-liter straight-six engine with a more powerful 4.0-liter V-8.
This engine swap contributed to the car’s success during the 2001 season, leading to championships for both the team and the drivers.
The V-8 engine produced 444 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, which not only made the M3 GTR more competitive in the GT class but also allowed it to outperform the Porsche 911 GT3s.
However, the M3’s dominance was short-lived, as the success led to new production regulations that BMW could not meet, ultimately preventing them from competing in the 2002 season.