For which one could have on their new electrified BMW M car that is also to come next year.
While there is still a couple months to go before the 24th May 2022 date in which BMW M will officially celebrate its 50th anniversary, the performance arm of the Bavarian automaker seems however to have got bored waiting till that long, and has since revealed some retro roundels that buyers can spec on their cars to mark this momentous milestone.
A design that draws inspiration by the classic ‘BMW Motorsport’ logo that first saw use in 1973, these special emblems with their blue, dark blue, red, outer semicircles will be available as an option adorning the bonnet, wheel hubs, and boots of both full-fat M cars and BMWs equipped with the M Sport packages that are manufactured from March of next year. The prices of these options have unfortunately not been announced yet, but it should be known by the end of January when the order books are open.
Now aside from these old school emblems, it was also announced that a selection of ‘historically significant’ paint finishes that are synonymous to the performance arm will be on offer to selected models next year too. These colours include the Dakar Yellow (that is perhaps most synonymous with the E36 M3), the E92 M3 GTS’ Fire Orange, Daytona Violet, Macao Blue, Imola Red and Frozen Marina Bay Blue.
And on the topic of colours meanwhile, there is apparently a deeper meaning to the hues on the semicircle surrounding the roundel, with blue supposedly standing for BMW, while red symbolised racing. Even more interestingly too, the dark blue used to be a violet shade in its original application way back when, and expressed the connection between the two aforementioned concepts. The change in colour occurred when BMW Motorsport GmbH merged with BMW to become BMW M GmbH back in 1993.
Rather unsurprisingly, a couple of retro roundels won’t be all that BMW M will be rolling out ahead of their anniversary year. The performance marque has already announced that the first-ever M3 Touring is slated for launch in 2022 after all, with the much-rumoured track focused M4 CSL probably to arrive next year too. In addition to that, a new M2 will is all but certain to be coming within the next 12 months. Though the spotlight in terms of upcoming arrivals is currently on the XM flagship SUV, which will be its first-ever electrified high-performance that will be unveiled in concept form come the 29th of November.
PRESS RELEASE: May 24, 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the foundation of BMW M GmbH. Almost a quarter of a year earlier, the BMW Group subsidiary is already demonstrating a sense of tradition and anniversary spirit on its current products. Customers who opt for a BMW M automobile or a BMW model equipped with an M Sport package with a production date from March 2022 can have their vehicle’s front, rear and wheel hubs decorated with emblems inspired by the classic “BMW Motorsport” logo. As an alternative to the conventional BMW emblem, it signals passion for racing and for the roots of the BMW M brand. This unique offer in the history of BMW M will be available for order from the end of January 2022.
In addition to the emblems, 50 iconic and historically significant BMW M paint finishes will be offered for selected models in the anniversary year 2022. Style-defining colors such as Dakar Yellow, Fire Orange, Daytona Violet, Macao Blue, Imola Red or Frozen Marina Bay Blue refer to the various eras of BMW M’s 50-year history.
The BMW logo with the shifted semicircles in blue, violet and red was first used in 1973 on the racing car of BMW Motorsport GmbH, which had been established a year before. In 1978 and with the debut of the BMW M1 the three color stripes slanted to the right and leaning on the letter M followed. Even beyond the motorsport scene it became a trademark with particularly high recognition value and identification power. The legendary BMW M1 was the only BMW M high-performance production vehicle to bear the historic motorsport emblem in addition to the logo with the three color stripes. In both logos, the blue stands for BMW, while the red symbolizes racing and the violet expresses the connection between the two. In the meantime, the violet has given way to a dark blue, and BMW Motorsport GmbH has been operating under the name BMW M GmbH since 1993. Nothing has changed the high symbolic power of the brand and logo. In its 50th year of existence, the company is more successful than ever as the world market leader in the performance and high-performance automotive segment.
“With the classic ‘BMW Motorsport’ emblem, we would like to share our joy about the anniversary of BMW M GmbH with the fans of the brand,” says Franciscus van Meel, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW M GmbH. “We have a great year ahead of us, which will be celebrated with unique product highlights and exciting performances. The M has long been considered the strongest letter in the world, and in our company’s anniversary year it is stronger than ever.”
BMW M GmbH is also aiming for another sales record in 2021. Its performance and high-performance automobiles are enjoying steadily growing popularity worldwide, which will be fueled once again with new product highlights in the anniversary year. For the first time, the company is launching a BMW M3 Touring in the course of 2022. In addition, particularly performance-oriented fans of the brand can look forward to a spectacular special model of the BMW M4 Coupé series. The successor model to the successful BMW M2 is also already at an advanced stage of its series development process. In parallel, the electrification of the BMW M brand is also being driven forward. In the anniversary year, the first electrified high-performance model in the history of BMW M GmbH will be launched.
BMW M GmbH will not only celebrate its anniversary with attractive new products, but also with numerous events. Anniversary performances are planned in May 2022 at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on Lake Como in Northern Italy, followed by the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Great Britain and the Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach, California. The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is also a welcome occasion for BMW M GmbH to review its own successful history together with fans and to thrill them for the future of BMW M GmbH.
