It’s been 30 years since the original Need for Speed changed racing games forever. BMW is celebrating this important milestone in the NFS lineage by bringing to life an iconic car. Yes, the M3 GTR from Most Wanted (2005) is now real. Better yet, you can check it out at the BMW Welt in Munich from November 27 until January 6.
The track-only machine seen here boasts a nostalgia-infused wrap reminiscent of the hero car from Most Wanted. It’s worth noting that this exact car was the foundation for the game’s artwork nearly 20 years ago. Since it debuted in Most Wanted, the M3 GTR was subsequently featured in other NFS titles. Relevant examples include Carbon (2006), Heat (2019), and Unbound (2022), but there were others.
You can now enjoy the special M3 GTR in the Need for Speed Unbound Vol. 9: Prepare for Lockdown, launching today. The new release comes along with the first-ever bike included in a NFS title, the 2019 S 1000 RR. The No Limits mobile game also receives the GTR-spec E46’s special wrap. It’s also coming to the Need for Speed: Mobile title in China.
As you can easily tell from the side exhaust and giant rear wing, it’s the race car version. BMW also made the elusive Strassenversion for homologation purposes. BMW built only 10 examples of the street-legal model as the only M3 E46 with a V8 engine. The road-going model was the only BMW to ever get the 4.0-liter P60B40 unit. Compared to the race car’s sequential transmission, the Strassenversion had a six-speed manual gearbox instead. The GTR was faster than any other M3 E46, hitting 183 mph (295 km/h).
The History of NFS and BMW M3 GTR
The BMW M3 GTR, introduced to gamers in Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005), has become one of the most iconic vehicles in gaming history. Its unique design, unmatched in-game performance, and connection to BMW’s motorsport legacy have cemented it as a fan favorite. In Most Wanted, the M3 GTR is the protagonist’s car, introduced in the opening sequence as a dominant racing machine. However, a sabotage during a critical race leads to its loss to the game’s antagonist, Razor, setting the stage for the player’s journey up the Blacklist to reclaim the car. Once recovered after defeating Razor, the M3 GTR lives up to its reputation as a near-perfect vehicle in the game.
What’s The E46 M3 GTR?
In early 200s, to meet the stringent American Le Mans Series (ALMS) regulations, BMW developed a road-legal version of its M3 GTR, designed to comply with homologation requirements. The race car made its official debut at the Sebring 12 Hours in March 2001, securing a podium finish with JJ Lehto and Jörg Müller behind the wheel. Later that year, the M3 GTR also took part in the Petit Le Mans event in Braselton, Georgia, further cementing its racing credentials. Production of the road-going version, known as the M3 GTR Strassenversion, began in January 2002.
Often hailed as the ultimate “race car for the road,” the M3 GTR Strassenversion was a technical marvel. BMW ensured it remained as close as possible to the track-spec version, resulting in a lightweight build with a dry weight of just 1,350 kilograms (2,976 pounds)—a significant 185 kg (408 lbs) lighter than the standard E46 M3. With a price tag of approximately €250,000, it was not only the lightest but also the most expensive M3 ever sold. Only 10 units were built, each featuring a two-seat configuration and powered by a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter V8 derived from the race car.
This unique V8, the P60B40, was slightly detuned for road use but still delivered an impressive 346 horsepower (258 kW) and 365 Nm (269 lb-ft) of torque. Unlike the race car’s sequential gearbox, the Strassenversion was equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, paired with a variable limited-slip differential to deliver power to the rear wheels. This setup enabled the road-legal GTR to achieve a top speed of 183 mph (295 km/h), outpacing the standard M3 of its era by 10 mph (15 km/h). Notably, the P60B40 V8 was exclusive to this model, making the M3 GTR the only BMW street car to ever feature this engine.
Every M3 GTR Strassenversion was built to the same specification. Each car was finished in Titan Silver Metallic, complemented by extensive carbon fiber bodywork and equipped with 19-inch wheels wrapped in 225/40 front and 255/35 rear tires. The combination of advanced aerodynamics, motorsport-grade engineering, and a limited production run solidified the M3 GTR Strassenversion as a rare and extraordinary machine—truly a race car brought to the streets.
Now Let’s Make It Happen, BMW!
If you can’t make it to the BMW Welt to see the real thing, there might be a second opportunity to check out the car in the metal. A little bird has told us it could be publicly displayed elsewhere in 2025, possibly at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. If it gets built, so let’s do it, BMW! [ Photos provided by BMW / Credit: SpeedHunters / Mark Riccioni @mark_scenemedia]
