BMW has recreated the iconic M3 GTR from the game “Need for Speed Most Wanted” as part of the celebrations for the 30th anniversary of the Need for Speed franchise.
The car, known for its blue and silver paint, became a symbol in the 2005 game, which was famous for its arcade style, tuning, and police chases that were popular at the time.
In the game’s story, the M3 GTR is stolen by the main antagonist, motivating the player to defeat him and recover the car. Now, BMW has brought this classic back to life, using a 2021 ALMS-winning model as its base, with a 460-horsepower V8 engine.
The project faithfully recreates the game’s look, with identical wrapping and photos set in environments reminiscent of the game’s garages. The M3 GTR used is a race version, just like in the game, and not one of the 10 street versions known as Straßen Version. These road-legal versions had more moderate specifications, including a 350-horsepower engine and a six-speed manual transmission, while still retaining elements from the ALMS category for which the model was originally designed.
The M3 GTR replica will be on display at the BMW Center in Munich until January 6, 2024, before the location closes for renovations. Those who can’t visit in person can see it in *Need for Speed Unbound*, where it was added in the “Vol 9” update.
This recreation not only brings back the nostalgia for a generation but also celebrates the history of cars and video games.
Photo: Instagram @bmw | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team