Since 1994, the Want for Velocity collection has captivated avid gamers worldwide, unearthing a whole lot of automobile makes, fashions and customs in each title.
However in the event you might select only one car that completely sums up Want for Velocity – no matter its value, rarity and age – what mannequin involves thoughts, and why is it the BMW M3 GTR from Most Needed again in 2005…?
Alright, we’re leaping the gun right here. A few of our extra established avid gamers is perhaps drawn to the Lamborghini Diablo from Scorching Pursuit or Eddie’s R34 Skyline made well-known in Underground. However whether or not you’re a beginner or a veteran of this collection, the BMW M3 GTR ’05, in its iconic blue and silver livery, will all the time scream Want for Velocity.
This specific automobile first appeared in Most Needed practically 20 years in the past; it’s arguably among the finest racing video games of all time and a real pioneer again in 2005. Such was its success and enchantment that the now iconic M3 GTR has made appearances within the likes of NFS Carbon, No Limits and Warmth, amongst others.
Such is its affiliation with Want for Velocity that it’s estimated practically 75% of all Google ‘M3 GTR’ searches now take you to NFS-related content material. However earlier than we get into the NFS x BMW collab above, we first want to provide you a fast run-down on what makes the M3 GTR so particular exterior of Want for Velocity…
The story begins again in 2000 with the launch of BMW’s E46 M3. BMW and racing go hand-in-hand, so naturally, the E46 M3 featured closely throughout the varied European racing collection, yielding quick success.
On the similar time, the M3 was additionally launched within the USA, and given this market being one among their largest, the plan was to embark on racing within the States, too. Nonetheless, the American GT and Le Mans collection have been fiercely aggressive, and the M3’s straight-six S54 motor was considered much less formidable in comparison with these rivals from the likes of Porsche, Chevrolet and extra.
The answer? Whip it out in favour of a brilliant compact, tremendous light-weight V8 as an alternative. The issue? This may classify it as a prototype relatively than a manufacturing automobile as a result of the P60B40 V8 engine wasn’t accessible in any E46 M3 on the time. So, to satisfy homologation wants, a small collection of street-legal M3 GTRs have been produced (albeit with a barely detuned model of the P60B40).
Enjoyable truth: This engine has solely ever been within the BMW M3 GTR road model; it’s by no means appeared in anything since.
We’ve acquired a full deep-dive historical past lesson on the M3 GTR hitting Speedhunters very quickly, nevertheless it’s protected to say the now V8-powered M3 GTR dominated. Over the 10 races in 2001, it competed, it completed both first or third in seven of them. Naturally, that led to some sad rivals, so, for the 2002 season, the variety of automobiles required for homologation rose from 10 as much as 100, which means the M3 GTR could be withdrawn from racing… throughout the US a minimum of.
Regardless of its comparatively brief racing profession within the US, the M3 GTR left an enormous impression globally and remains to be repeatedly celebrated over 20 years later. Even on BMW’s web site devoted to this iconic racer, its (later) look inside Want for Velocity is acknowledged as a part of its continued acclaim. And that acquired us all pondering…
With 2024 being the thirtieth anniversary of Want for Velocity – and the newest Quantity 9 replace adopting a Most Needed-fashion sport mode – isn’t it about time we made probably the most iconic NFS automobile an precise actuality?
Now, through the years, we’ve seen many superior M3 GTR tribute builds from all around the globe, so this specific one wanted to be slightly bit completely different. It couldn’t simply appear like an M3 GTR… it truly needed to be one. And that’s no simple activity given the restricted numbers that existed again in 2001, not to mention 23 years later.
Fortunately, our good associates over at BMW had slightly ace up their sleeve…
What you’re taking a look at right here is the #42 Workforce BMW Motorsport E46 M3 GTR as raced by Jörg Müller and J.J. Lehto again in 2001. The very automobile that really received the ALMS GT Collection that season with Müller taking the drivers’ championship and BMW Motorsport first within the workforce standings.
A automobile already steeped in historical past, able to make slightly bit extra in 2024. However earlier than you begin twitching with outrage over legacy and heritage, don’t fear; its unique identification (in paint) nonetheless lives beneath – one thing you may see when peering carefully on the new livery.
Why this specific M3 GTR? Properly, that is the precise M3 GTR that will’ve impressed the art work for Most Needed again in 2005. When BMW withdrew from the ALMS collection, the M3 GTR continued racing in Europe as much as 2005, however these specific automobiles – though P60 powered – featured revisions to the bodywork, aero and wheels.
Further enjoyable truth: Within the Most Needed field artwork, the M3 GTR sits on ADR M Sport wheels relatively than the BBS RE594 wheels fitted to the race automobile. Nonetheless, within the precise sport, it’s again on the BBS race wheels.
All of this couldn’t have been doable with out the help from BMW and BMW Group Traditional. Asking to remodel such an iconic race automobile – even with simply vinyl – appeared just like the type of request that ought to’ve been met with shouting and despair. However BMW accepted and embraced Want for Velocity as a part of the M3 GTR’s legacy and was honoured to wheel out the #42 automobile from storage for its makeover.
Why unveil it now? Other than being the thirtieth anniversary of Want for Velocity, right this moment additionally marks the launch of Unbound: Quantity 9 – nicknamed Lockdown – which attracts inspiration from Most Needed and even options the Customized M3 GTR ’05 together with 14 different iconic automobiles impressed by Most Needed’s Blacklist.
You may see the complete breakdown of this mega replace by clicking this hyperlink, however there’s additionally one last cherry on the cake we have to let you know about…
It is a actual M3 GTR, however what’s the purpose in doing all of this if it’s solely to finish up being pushed again into storage once more? Properly, from right this moment till early January 2025, this very automobile might be on show in all its Want for Velocity glory on the BMW Welt in Munich, Germany. For the primary time ever, you may stay out that 2005 nostalgia in actual life.
It’s a correctly particular factor, and it’s been massively thrilling to see it come collectively simply in time for the Quantity 9 launch. Tell us what you concentrate on the BMW M3 GTR and the Lockdown replace within the feedback beneath.
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