BMW M3 GTR from NFS: Most Wanted just became reality

See the M3 GTR hero car from NFS: Most Wanted at BMW Welt until Jan 6, 2025

Readers of a certain group of age probably already know what we're talking about. But as a refresher for those unfamiliar, the hero car from the 2005 video game Need For Speed: Most Wanted is a BMW M3 GTR finished in a unique blue and silver hue.

While the developers might have only thought about how the car looks cool in the video game, the M3 GTR featured in Most Wanted became an icon for both video game and car enthusiasts. Not only was it the protagonist's car, but in almost every shape and form, the track-only M3 GTR easily beat other cars. Combined with a storyline that involves the player having to get his M3 GTR back from the villain adds to the vehicle's unique aura.

And now, BMW themselves have brought the M3 GTR from NFS: Most Wanted to reality. From November 27, 2024 – January 6, 2025, those who want to check out the vehicle up close can visit the BMW Welt in Munich.

Just like the M3 GTR featured in Most Wanted, the E46-based track car features the iconic blue-silver wrap along with the signature alloy wheels, wide body kit, massive rear wing, and bumpers. It became so famous that it was later featured in future NFS games like Carbon, (2006), Heat (2019), and Unbound (2019). In addition, the M3 GTR will also be making a comeback in NFS: Unbound Vol. 9: Prepare For Lockdown.

But where and how did the BMW M3 GTR come about before NFS: Most Wanted? Well, BMW wanted to meet the stringent requirements for the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). To make that possible, BMW made a road-legal version of the M3 GTR to meet homologation regulations. That car ultimately became the M3 GTR Strassenversion.

Weighing just 1,350 kg, it was 185 kg lighter than a standard E46 M3. More importantly, it was powered by a unique 4.0L naturally-aspirated V8 called the P60B40. It's essentially the slightly detuned version of the race-bred M3 GTR which made 346 PS and 365 Nm of torque. Instead of a sequential transmission, the road-going M3 GTR came with a 6-speed manual gearbox that comes with a limited-slip differential. Don't expect to find any other M3 to come with the 4.0L V8 as only 10 examples of the M3 GTR Strassenversion were ever made.

If you happen to be in Germany and want to see the M3 GTR from NFS: Most Wanted up close, you better book a ticket to Munich to see it for yourself.