With the 30th Anniversary of Need For Speed, Electronic Arts have partnered up with BMW to bring the iconic Most Wanted BMW M3 GTR to real life
The build had been revealed on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Need for Speed and coincides with the launch of Need For Speed Unbound’s Volume 9 expansion/update inspired by Need for Speed Most Wanted. Featuring the custom M3 GTR ’05 alongside 14 iconic cars taking inspiration from the Blacklist in Most Wanted.
THE HISTORY OF THE ICONIC M3 GTR
The BMW E46 M3 debuted in 2000, celebrated for its balanced chassis and high-revving S54 straight-six engine. While successful in European racing, it struggled when it entered the competitive scene in the U.S, particularly against rivals like Porsche in the American Le Mans Series.
To stay competitive, BMW replaced the S54 engine with a compact, lightweight V8, significantly enhancing the car’s performance. To meet ALMS production requirements, BMW produced a limited number of street-legal M3 GTRs equipped with the same high-revving V8. These cars featured advanced lightweight materials and aerodynamic upgrades, bridging the gap between road and race cars.
THE LEGACY OF M3 GTR WITH NEED FOR SPEED
The BMW M3 GTR is more than just a high-performance racing machine. It’s a cultural icon in the world of gaming, thanks to its unforgettable introduction in Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005). The title propelled the car into the spotlight, transforming it from a niche motorsport legend into one of the most recognizable
vehicles in gaming history.
In Most Wanted, the M3 GTR wasn’t just any car-It was the car. With its silver body, bold blue stripes, and aggressive wide-body design, and on the cover art of the game, it symbolized the need for speed and defiance.
Such is its association with Need for Speed that it’s estimated nearly 75% of all Google ‘M3 GTR’ searches now take you to NFS-related content.
The BMW M3 GTR has become a recurring tradition in the Need for Speed franchise, appearing in nearly every title since its debut, solidifying its status as one of the most iconic cars in the series. Appearing in titles such as
- Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005)
- Need for Speed: Carbon (2006)
- Need for Speed: ProStreet (2007)
- Need for Speed: Shift (2009)
- Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010)
- Need for Speed: The Run (2011)
- Need for Speed: Rivals (2013)
- Need for Speed (2015)
- Need for Speed: Payback (2017)
- Need for Speed: Heat (2019)
- Need for Speed: Unbound (2022)
THE M3 GTR IN REAL LIFE
From November 26th 2024, until early January 2025, this exceptional car will take center stage at the iconic BMW Welt in Munich, Germany.
Visitors from around the globe will have the unique opportunity to witness this masterpiece up close, showcased in all its glory within the heart of one of the world’s most renowned automotive hubs. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or simply curious to experience beauty.
THE UNBOUND UPDATE
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Need For Speed with style, Volume 9 drops with a Most Wanted theme. With a new Lockdown mode gearing 5 squads of up to 3 players pitted against each other and the Lakeshore police department. Not only this but volume 9 comes with Extraction Play. Where you Claim the Extraction Truck with your crew before your rivals do to safely escape the Lockdown Zone with your loot and Hot Rides.
Not just that but Volume 9 for the first time ever brings motorbikes to Need For Speed.With its first ever motorcycle being the 2019 BMW S1000 RR.
The update is now available for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC,
Written by Huzaifa Makhdoom