BMW M Celebrates Nürburgring Centenary With Six Special Editions

BMW M is getting an early start on the Nürburgring’s 100th birthday celebrations, launching six special editions dedicated to the German circuit ahead of its centenary in 2027.

Dubbed 100 Jahre Nürburgring Edition, the treatment extends from the M2 through the M3 saloon and Touring, M4 Coupé and both versions of the M5. Three similarly themed BMW Motorrad models take the anniversary range to nine, with 100 examples each of the M 1000 RR, M 1000 R and M 1000 XR planned worldwide. Curiously, BMW has announced no equivalent production limit for the cars.

Nürburgring Green provides the obvious common thread, but these aren’t six cars wearing an identical sticker pack. Anniversary graphics combine the circuit outline and centenary insignia with light grey, green and black roof stripes, while Black Sapphire metallic provides a more subdued alternative. Individual treatments vary between models, right down to the placement and colour of the badging.

Inside, BMW has resisted turning the cabin into an overt tribute. Black upholstery is broken up by green and white stitching, with further anniversary detailing on the centre console and door sills. The six-cylinder M2, M3 and M4 receive an Alcantara M steering wheel carrying the same colours and a 12 o’clock marker; the M5 pair use a leather M wheel with equivalent detailing.

The timing also means the M2, M3 and M4 benefit from BMW M Ignite, introduced to the straight-six M cars during July and August this year. Derived from motorsport, the patented pre-chamber ignition system improves combustion efficiency under sustained high loads and helps keep the S58 Euro 7 compliant without sacrificing power output.

Few manufacturers have a relationship with the Nürburgring to rival BMW’s – Porsche being the obvious exception. BMW Motorrad won there in the circuit’s inaugural year, while the Nordschleife has since become as much a development tool as a race track for the M division.

That connection remains firm today. BMW has 21 Nürburgring 24 Hours victories to its name, while the M3 CS Touring recorded a 7:29.490 Nordschleife lap in 2025 – a time BMW claims makes it the fastest estate ever around the circuit. At this year’s N24, the M3 Touring 24H – built around the M4 GT3 EVO’s mechanical package – became the unlikely star of the race, running as high as second before finishing fifth overall and winning its SP-X class.

Against that backdrop, six largely cosmetic anniversary editions feel almost restrained. If ever there were an excuse to revive the CRT badge, this is surely it: an M3 Touring Carbon Racing Technology inspired by the M3 Touring 24H would neatly connect BMW M’s past and present at the Nordschleife. There’s a small Nürburgring link, too – the original E90 M3 CRT was unveiled around the 24 Hours in 2011.

The M3 saloon and Touring, M4 Coupé and both M5 variants are available to order from this month, with the M2 following in January 2027. BMW has yet to announce UK pricing for the cars.