An April Fools Joke from BMW last year has turned into reality and will race in May’s Nurburgring 24 Hour.
BMW revealed the ‘M2 Dakar’ and ‘M3 Touring GT3 Evo’ last year as the traditional April Fools Joke, but will turn the latter into reality for one of the world’s toughest races.
Volvo famously raced a wagon body-style 850 in the 1994 British Touring Car Championship, which is still remembered and praised o this day.
The BMW Will be more heavily modified than the Volvo as hinted by the aggressive rear wing and aerodynamic package.
BMW has taken the 582bhp P58 3.0-litre turbo straight-six, suspension, brakes and driveline from the GT3 to convert this wagon into a beast.
Not only do the underpinnings make for a weapon, but the driver line-up packs a punch in Schubert Motorsport drivers Jens Klingmann, Ugo de Wilde, Connor De Phillippi and Neil Verhagen.
It will compete in the SPX Class and is not an outright contender to the other BMW M3 GT4 Evos contesting the race.
“A project like the BMW M3 Touring 24H has never existed at BMW M Motorsport before,” said M Motorsport boss Andreas Roos. “I am thrilled, and at the same time, I am certain that our fans, who are never closer to us than at our second home on the Nürburgring, will be just as excited.
“I promise all fans a great show and look forward to an event of superlatives.”
The Nurburgring 24 Hour is due to occur on May 14-17.