BMW M3 GTR commemorates 30 years of "Need For Speed" franchise
The most iconic vehicle from "Most Wanted" comes to life thanks to the team at BMW.
Iconic cars often come from movies and TV shows, but rarely do they come from video games. In stark contrast to that, the “Need For Speed” franchise has it in spades. There’s the Nissan Skyline GT-R in “Need For Speed: Underground,” the Nissan 350Z in “Underground 2,” and the Mazda RX-7 in “ProStreet.” But arguably the most iconic vehicle comes from “Most Wanted.”
Having the BMW M3 GTR, wearing its graceful blue and silver livery, is a flex every time gamers fire up their twenty-year-old copy of what’s arguably considered the greatest iteration of “Need For Speed.” The best new is that it just got brought to life.
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Born for racing, back for glory
BMW
BMW has officially made the "Most Wanted" hero vehicle a reality. The best part is that gamers and enthusiasts alike can now see it at the company’s Welt location in Germany.
This particular M3 GTR is the actual race car that won the ALMS GT Series in 2001, painted in tribute to the video game that made it famous. It’s based on the E46 generation, which came with an inline-six in stock form. The car retains its 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated V8 geared for race duty, producing roughly 450 horsepower.
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It also retains the stripped interior complete with a roll cage, golf ball shifter, as well as a blue steering wheel and racing seat to match the exterior aesthetic. Side exhaust pipes add to the schnell vibes to go with the M3 GTR’s massive body kit complete with flared wheel arches, a massive front splitter, and an equally massive rear wing. Since “Most Wanted,” the BMW M3 GTR has made multiple appearances in the franchise, including the latest update for the most recent installment that is “Need For Speed: Unbound.”
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Final thoughts
In addition to celebrating 30 years of a racing game series, 2025 will mark 20 years since the release of “Most Wanted.” With ports of classic video games becoming more rampant, Criterion Games has been re-releasing iconic titles such as “Burnout Paradise” and “Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered” for the most up-to-date game consoles. Can it remaster and release “Most Wanted” next? This is one instance where a throwback can provide the greatest rush of nostalgia.
In the meantime, let us remind ourselves of the first time the BMW M3 GTR made it to box TV sets, now in 4K glory:
If you wish to relive your youth, the tribute car will be on display at BMW's Welt location in Germany until January. If you live in the U.S. and are unable to make the journey, throw it back with us instead!
What's your favorite "Need For Speed" memory? Let us know in the comments below.
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