BMW M Overview

THE MOST POWERFUL LETTER

Packed with power and made to maneuver, BMW M excels on the track and in the street. And after four decades of thrills, it’s still pushing the limits. Grip the wheel of any of our M vehicles and elevate your adrenaline rushes to a higher level.

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BMW M Series
History
Engineering
Technology
Design
FAQs

BMW M SERIES

THE UNSTOPPABLE M

High Performance

Legendary vehicles fully developed and engineered for performance-obsessed drivers.

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Electrified Performance

Electrified visionaries pushing the limits of power and innovation.

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Performance

Road-ready vehicles enhanced with the epic engineering of BMW M.

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HISTORY

FIVE DECADES OF POWER

It may have started on the racetrack, but BMW enthusiasts took M for their own joyride – bringing high performance engines and aerodynamic design to everyday roads.

1972

BMW M IS BORN.

Created as a division of BMW’s racing teams, BMW Motorsport roars onto the scene. Only one year later, the BMW 3.0 CSL wins the Nürburgring 24 Hours.

1978

BMW M1.

As the namesake of BMW M vehicles, the BMW M1 launches the career of the letter “M” that is destined to be a synonym for top performance and success.

1984

BMW M5.

Making history, this sportscar becomes the first street-legal high-performance sedan.

1997

BMW M ROADSTER.

With its larger track width and low center of gravity, the BMW M Roadster grips the road like a beast.

2000

BMW M3 COUPE.

With the world’s most powerful naturally aspirated 6-cylinder engine, an impressive front spoiler, and classic coupe design, the BMW M3 delivers a thrilling driving experience.

2015

BMW X6 M.

Combining the athletic characteristics of a coupe with the motorsport DNA of BMW, the X6 M is the ultimate Coupe SUV.

2022

50 YEARS OF BMW M

On our 50th anniversary, we celebrated five decades of thrilling history. This milestone was dedicated to our avid fans, drivers, and all M enthusiasts. As we race into the future, we start a new era of emotion, electrification, and powerful technology.

The 2022 M4 Competition Coupe, M4 Competition xDrive Convertible, M3 Competition Sedan parked along side one another

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ENGINEERING

TRACK-LEVEL PERFORMANCE

BMW M delivers power and torque that’s only matched by next-level performance handling and braking.

Images shown may depict optional equipment. Some features mentioned may not be available on all models or may require additional packages.

Detail shot of the powerful BMW M TwinPower Turbo Engine

Epic engines.

Legendary engineering from the most respected engineers in the world. Innovative M TwinPower Turbo technology generates all the power of a turbo without the lag – for exhilarating acceleration that takes you from 0-60 mph in as little as three seconds.

Dynamic transmissions.

Performance purists will love the standard 6-speed manual transmission in the BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe, while drivers who choose a model with the 8-speed M Sport transmission with Drivelogic will enjoy instantaneous shifts and quicker acceleration.

Intelligent control.

Experience significantly faster 0-60 mph times and exceptional control with M xDrive, BMW’s most performance-centric all-wheel drive system, which features adjustable modes for power distribution.

The BMW M xDrive system, BMW's intelligent all-wheel drive system

Detail shot of the available M Carbon Ceramic Brakes with eye catching calipers finished in gold

Serious stopping power.

The M-specific Integrated Brake System lets you configure brake performance and pedal feel for personalized control. M Compound brakes with ventilated and drilled brake discs come standard, while available Carbon Ceramic Brakes with eye-catching gold calipers deliver improved fading stability, high heat resistance, and impressive weight savings.

Detail shot of the three-spoke and leather-wrapped M Sport Steering wheel

Precision steering.

Precision is power in every BMW M. The M-developed electric power steering with Servotronic lets drivers select their own modes – comfortable for everyday jaunts or sporty for dynamic drives. The steering system is matched with lightweight aluminum suspension components which deliver precise road feedback and lightning-quick maneuvers.

Illustration of the Adapative BMW M Suspension and Active M Differential

Superior stability.

This is the high-performance handling that turns M drivers into enthusiasts: the Adaptive M Suspension with electronically controlled dampers ensures stability and control in all scenarios. Suspension modes let you adjust the rigidity and responsive of the chassis. The Active M Differential ensures the optimal degree of lock between the rear wheels for optimal agility and traction.

Dynamic shot of the BMW iX M60 driving through a desert with headlights illuminated

Pioneering power.

M engineering meets cutting-edge electrification. With dual high-performance electric motors that provide instant torque, BMW i innovation delivers enthralling dynamics and exceptional horsepower.

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TECHNOLOGY

WINNING INNOVATION

With intelligent operating systems, advanced driving assistance, and performance-oriented displays, BMW M technology lets you dial right into what really matters: the road.

01

Dynamic Displays.

With a bold design found only in M vehicles, the M Digital Instrument Cluster dynamically adapts to your drive mode and preferred display setup.

02

Performance Projection.

The available M Head-up Display projects essential performance info – like speed, shift points, and gear indicator – so you never need to take your eyes off the track.

03

M Modes.

The available M Drive Professional package includes three dynamic modes. Road mode is ideal for everyday drives. Engage Sport for serious performance. Or unleash Track, the most driver-centric mode.

04

Customizable Presets.

BMW M vehicles let you adjust every aspect of performance from steering response to pedal feel. And when you find the perfect combination, save your settings to one of two M driver presets.

Three colorful BMW M vehicles are parked near each other. A large BMW M3 kidney grille is in the background

DESIGN

A SIGHT TO BEHOLD

From the sweeping rooflines to the bold wheels, BMW M vehicles are packed with performance-improving details and scene-stealing style.

Detail shot of the iconic BMW M kidney grille finished in high-gloss black

M Double-slat Kidney Grille

The Double-slat kidney grille with M badging takes a signature of BMW design one step further.

Detail shot of the quad exhaust system on a BMW X4 M in Sao Paolo Yellow

M Quad Exhaust Pipes

Four rear exhaust pipes distinguish BMW M as a pure-bred performance vehicle.

Detail shot of the bold mirror on a BMW M4 Competition xDrive Convertible

M Mirrors

M Mirrors extend the bold lines of the body for seriously sporty style.

Detail shot of the BMW M forged wheels in bi-color

M Wheels

Lightweight and high-performance, M forged wheels boast bold designs, including dramatic jet-black options.

M Side Gills

The iconic M side gills featuring the M badge complete the vehicle’s powerful profile.

Dynamic shot of three M3 Sedans finished in BMW Individual paint on a racetrack

M Exterior Paint Colors

Steal the show with a vibrant range of exterior colors. Or take your pick from more than 165 custom colors with BMW Individual.

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Detail shot of the M Sport Seats with an illuminated M4 badge

Detail shot of the BMW M Pedals and the standard three-spoke M Sport Steering wheel

Sporty sophistication.

Surround yourself with performance-centric design in the luxurious interior of BMW M.

M Sport Seats

Designed for comfort, these seats provide optimal support during aggressive driving maneuvers. Meanwhile, an illuminated M badge adds that extra sporty touch.

M Pedals

Crafted out of stainless steel with rubber treads, M Pedals embody the professional finishes that set BMW M vehicles apart.

M Steering Wheels

A thick 3-spoke M steering wheel optimizes control, while an available M Performance steering wheel takes it one step further with track features like Alcantara grips and a centering stripe.

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M Gear Shifters

Whether you opt for a manual or automatic transmission featuring Drivelogic buttons, you’ll appreciate the M gear shifter’s bold shapes and colorways.

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EXPLORE BMW M

Side shot of a BMW M4 Competition x Kith Limited Edition

BMW Limited Editions

Enter the exclusive, extraordinary world of BMW Limited Edition Vehicles.

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BMW M Motorsport

Discover cutting-edge, purpose-built track-ready race cars engineered by BMW M.

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BMW Individual

From exclusive paint colors to the finest materials and intricately personalized details, BMW Individual lets you design your personal vision.

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BMW Performance Driving School

Two locations. Epic BMWs. Pro instructors. And you behind the wheel. Prepare for an adrenaline rush.

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Detail shot of the BMW M wheel with gold wheel spokes

BMW Performance Parts & Accessories

M Performance Parts represent uncompromising quality, special aesthetics, and dynamic perfection.

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BMW Motorrad

Explore the pinnacle of racing motorcycles – designed with the daring DNA of BMW.

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FAQs

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT BMW M

What does the M mean in BMW M?

M stands for motorsports. BMW M started as a division of BMW’s racing teams in 1972. After racking up wins on the track, BMW engineers and enthusiasts wanted to bring the high performance of M to everyday roads – and the BMW M1 did just that when it debuted as the first road-ready high-performance sedan in 1978. Since then, BMW M has delivered track-level power and performance to drivers around the world.

What makes BMW M special and unique?

BMW M vehicles are specifically engineered and designed for performance driving. Every aspect is optimized with performance in mind – the aerodynamics, suspension, exhaust, brakes, seats, steering, wheels, and more. The iconic M TwinPower Turbo engine, capable of delivering up to 617 hp, can only be found in BMW M vehicles. Inside the cockpit, M-specific intelligent operating systems, advanced driving assistance, and performance-oriented displays keeps drivers engaged and focused on the road ahead.

Which BMW M vehicle is the fastest?

The 2025 BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupe is the fastest M vehicle on the market. It features a prolific 4.4-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo V-8 engine that delivers 617 hp with a 0-60 mph time of just 3.0 seconds.

What exterior paint colors do BMW M vehicles come in?

Like every aspect of BMW M, the exterior paint colors were designed to be bold. A vibrant array of colors, including Sao Paulo Yellow and Toronto Red Metallic, complement the sporty curves of BMW M vehicles. Drivers looking to stand out can also choose from more than 165 custom colors with BMW Individual, a unique division of BMW M that focuses on creating bespoke BMW vehicles.

What do the colors in the BMW M logo represent?

The tricolor BMW M logo was created by a team of BMW exterior and interior designers back in 1972. The Bavarian Blue represents the ubiquitous BMW, the red stands for motorsports, and the violet is the combination of the two. To this day, the BMW M logo is recognized and revered by car enthusiasts everywhere.

Which BMW M model has the largest cargo capacity?

As the largest BMW ever built, the X7 M60i SUV also boasts the largest cargo capacity with 48.6 ft³ and 90.4 ft³ including seat area.

X1

X2

X3

X4

X5

X6

X7

2

3

4

5

7

8

Z4

M Models

iX

i4

i5

i7

XM

X1

X2

X3

X4

X5

X6

X7

X4 M

X5 M

X6 M

iX

XM

2

3

4

5

7

8

M3

M5

M8

i4

i5

i7

2

4

8

M2

M4

4

8

Z4

M4

M8

M5 Touring

iX

i4

i5

i7

550e xDrive

X5 xDrive50e

750e xDrive

M5

M5 Touring

XM

M2

M3

M4

M4

M5

M5 Touring

M8

M8

X4 M

X5 M

X6 M

XM

M235 xDrive

M240i

M340i

FIVE DECADES
OF POWER