BMW M

BMW M GmbH (name until August 1993: Motorsport GmbH) is a subsidiary of BMW AG. Created in May 1972. BMW M, also known as M-Technik or simply "M" (for Motorsport), was originally created to support BMW's racing program, which was very successful in the 1960s and 1970s.

The division, named BMW Motorsport GmbH, was created in May 1972 as a result of the election of the shareholders of the BMW concern. the emergence of the situation was due to various episodes of serial illness and the reasons for the emergence of partnerships with private clients due to the dominance of events specially designed for this car, such as the Ford Capri RS. The first racing project was the BMW 3.0 CSL, which was sold to individual owners in the amount of about 1100 copies; In the late 1970s, the first modified cars were produced for the personal use of racing drivers signed to BMW.

In parallel with the creation of cars, BMW M engineers worked on engines for Formula 2 and Formula 3 racing cars. In 1977, the BMW Driver Training and BMW Junior Team divisions are opened. In 1978, the BMW M1 supercar, replicated in 400 copies, enters small-scale production. In 1981, partnerships were established with the Brabham Formula 1 team, in 1983 the Brabham BT52 car appeared, on which Nelson Piquet won his second championship title in the same season.

The division's own plant near Munich was opened in 1988. The name of BMW Motorsport GmbH was changed to BMW M GmbH in 1993.

• M2 Competition – F87 coupé (2018–2021)

• M3 – G80 saloon, (2021–)

• M4 – G82 coupé, G83 Cabriolet (2021–)

• M5 – F90 saloon (2017–)

• M8 – F92 coupé, F91 convertible, F93 gran coupé (2019–)

• X3 M – F97 (2019–)

• X4 M – F98 (2019–)

• X5 M – F95 (2020–)

• X6 M – F96 (2020–)

• i4 M50 xDrive - G26 BEV gran coupé (2021–)

• M135i xDrive – F40 five-door hatchback (2019–)

• M235i xDrive - F44 gran coupé (2019–)

• M340i/M340i xDrive and M340d xDrive - G20 saloon and G21 estate (2019–)

• M440i xDrive and M440d xDrive - G22 coupé and G23 convertible (2020–)

• M550i xDrive and M550d xDrive - G30 saloon and G31 estate (2017–)

• M760Li xDrive - G12 saloon (2017–)

• M850i xDrive - G14 convertible, G15 coupé, and G16 gran coupé (2019–)

• X2 M35i - F39 (2019–)

• X3 M40i and X3 M40d - G01 (2018–)

• X4 M40i and X4 M40d - G02 (2018–)

• X5 M50i and X5 M50d - G05 (2019–)

• X6 M50i and X6 M50d - G06 (2019–)

• X7 M50i and X7 M50d - G07 (2019–)

• Z4 M40i - G29 (2019–)
• BMW M ("M" for "motorsport") was initially created to facilitate BMW's racing program, which was very successful in the 1960s and 1970s. As time passed, BMW M began to supplement BMW's vehicle portfolio with specially modified higher trim models, for which they are now most known by the general public. These M-badged cars traditionally include modified engines, transmissions, suspensions, interior trims, aerodynamics, and exterior modifications to set them apart from their counterparts. All M models are tested and tuned at BMW's private facility at the Nürburgring racing circuit in Germany.
• BMW M also provides M packages for the BMW S1000RR motorcycle, with a limited-production 2021-onwards homologation-special, race-type machine designated M1000RR.
• Audi's RS models, Mercedes-Benz's AMG models, and Lexus F models are often reviewed in direct competition to a similarly sized BMW M car, such as the Lexus IS-F vs. Audi RS4 vs. Mercedes C63 AMG vs. BMW M3.
• In contrast to aftermarket tuners, Alpina BMW-based cars are currently mostly built by BMW on its production lines and are more comfort-oriented. Alpina is recognized as a car manufacturer and works very closely with BMW, sometimes participating in the development of BMW models and engines. Some Alpina models are even sold in North-America by BMW and either compete with the BMW M6 Gran Coupé, in the case of the Alpina B6 Gran Coupé, or replace them, in the case of the Alpina B7 as there is no M7 variant of the 7 Series to compete with the model.
• BMW M also faces competition from several independent companies offering their own performance versions of BMW models; some performance packs can be retrofitted to existing cars while others are applied to new cars bought directly from BMW AG and converted prior to first registration. Such companies include Hamann Motorsport, Dinan Cars, G-Power, AC Schnitzer and Hartge.

The racing subsidiary initially created to facilitate BMW’s motorsport program during the 1960s and 1970s, BMW Motorsport GmbH went on to be responsible for some of the most celebrated road cars of all time.

M division was founded in May 1972 with 35 employees to supplement BMW's road car portfolio with specially enhanced models. By 1988, the company had grown to 400 employees and swiftly became a fundamental part of BMW’s market presence.

The first car to be sold with an M badge was the BMW M1, designed by Paul Bracq with final touches by legendary designer Giorgetto Giugaro. Launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1978, the mid-engined coupé featured a 277bhp six-cylinder engine taken from the 3.0 CSL and was capable of 165mph.

In 1979, the car regarded as the first proper M car for the road was launched. The BMW M535i was the predecessor to the E28 M5 and was a high-performance variant of BMW’s popular 5-series saloon. Powered by the 215bhp 3.5-litre M30B34 engine, it incorporated Recaro seats, bigger brakes, a limited-slip differential and a close-ratio transmission.

Four years passed and the M635CSi was launched. M applied its magic to the 6-series, fitting the new M88/3 engine which developed 282bhp and made the M635CSi good for 158mph. Just 5,859 models were built, although plenty of lesser models gained M badges fitted by owners - a trend that continues today.