Founded in 1972, BMW Motorsport, or simply BMW M since 1993, will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year in 2022. To commemorate a half century since its inception, BMW M cars produced starting in March of 2022 will feature the classic BMW Motorsport clock roundel with semicircles in the M tricolor pattern surrounding the classic blue and white emblem. This roundel design was used staring in 1973 on the team’s race cars before it was replaced by an initial version of the current M logo on the M1. Additionally, the classic BMW Motorsport roundel will also be optionally available on BMW’s line of M Performance models such as the M340i, X3 M40i, M440i, and the M550i, among others.
“With the classic BMW Motorsport emblem, we would like to share our joy about the anniversary of BMW M GmbH with fans of the brand,” says Frank van Meel, chairman of the board of management of BMW M. “We have a great year ahead of us, which will be celebrated with unique product highlights and exciting performances. The M has long been considered the strongest letter in the world, and in our company’s anniversary year it is stronger than ever.”
The classic BMW Motorsport roundel will be offered as standard equipment on BMW M cars including those such as the M3, M4, M5, and others. The roundel will be optional on M Performance models. The classic BMW Motorsport roundel replaces the conventional roundel on the front and rear of the vehicles, in addition to the center caps of the wheels. Production availability starts in March 2022, and orders can be placed starting at the end of January. According to BMWBlog, the classic motorsport roundels and center caps will also be offered as standalone accessories with genuine BMW part numbers.
In addition to the roundel, BMW M will also be offering 50 special M colors from different eras of the brand’s history for the 2022 model year. Some examples include iconic finishes such as Daytona Violet, Dakar Yellow, Imola Red, Macao Blue, Fire Orange, and Frozen Marina Bay Blue.
BMW sold more M and M Performance models in 2020 than ever before, and the brand is looking to further capitalize on this success in 2021 and beyond. Upcoming M models in the pipeline include a special variant of the M4 coupe, the M3 Touring we won’t get here in the U.S., the second-generation M2, and the first high-performance electrified vehicle from the brand. BMW M will also be celebrating its 50th anniversary at BMW’s usual yearly haunts which include the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on Lake Como in Northern Italy, the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Great Britain, and the Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach, California.—Alex Tock
[Photos courtesy BMW AG.]