BMW has unveiled a real-life version of its iconic M3 E46 GTR, famously featured in the 2005 video game Need For Speed: Most Wanted.
The one-off recreation celebrates the gaming franchise's 30th anniversary and was developed in partnership with global automotive hub Speedhunters.
A Gaming Legend Brought to Life
“The [BMW] M3 GTR model is one of the most recognizable cars in the history of Need for Speed, so for the 30th anniversary we wanted to do something special,” said John Stanley, Senior Creative Director of Need For Speed: Unbound, in a statement.
The car, displayed at the BMW Welt Museum in Munich since November 27, 2024, pays tribute to its original inspiration: the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) race car.
BMW based this recreation on a race-tested M3 GTR, the #42 car driven by Jörg Müller and JJ Lehto in the 2001 ALMS championship.
Authentic Details and Performance
The M3 E46 GTR features the P60B40 4.0-liter V8 engine, which powered BMW Motorsport to seven victories in 10 races during the 2001 ALMS season. The car also won first and third in the drivers’ championship that year.
The racing version produced 400 brake horsepower (bhp) and 540 Nm of torque at 5500 RPM, making it a formidable force on the track.
For compliance with ALMS regulations, BMW produced 10 road-legal versions of the M3 GTR, dubbed the ‘Strassenversion.’ These cars featured a slightly detuned V8 engine producing 350 bhp, a six-speed manual gearbox, and a top speed of 295 km/h.
At its launch in 2001, the Strassenversion was priced at €250,000.
Where Are the Originals Now?
The fate of the original 10 M3 GTR road cars remains a mystery.
“The sports coupé is as legendary as a unicorn and highly sought after by collectors. It's not entirely clear where the 10 vehicles produced back then actually are or if they were ever licensed for road use by their owners,” BMW stated.
A race-tested version of the M3 GTR, chassis #005, competed in legendary events like the Daytona 24 Hours and Bathurst 24 Hours before being sold to a private owner in 2004. It was later listed for sale in Melbourne, though pricing was not publicly disclosed.
