McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

BMW News

BMW news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated daily with model reveals, first drives, M division launches and electric range developments. Our coverage runs from the 7 Series through the M cars and across BMW's growing electric line-up, alongside the earlier models that still trade strongly. Reporting comes from first-drive access and from the auction results that determine collector values. Many sites carry performance car news, but few carry it beside live inventory. A great many of the BMWs covered here are listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, so a review and an asking price appear together. For BMW news today, and the luxury car news around it, start below.

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 12, 2026

BMW Unveils New Concept 7 Protection

The BMW 7 Series is one of the world’s most iconic luxury sedans, with several generations of the model representing the height of elegant looks, driving joy, and sumptuous features. The latest generation of the 7 Series is the most diverse yet, with an all-electric variant and several other powertrains showcasing power and innovation coming together. Along with that, the latest BMW 7 Series features a stunningly luxurious interior, with features like the Theater Screen for the rear seats and more. Now, BMW has unveiled a new concept based on the 7 Series, the new Concept 7 Protection, which envisions a protected luxury sedan that retains discretion, comfort, and driving dynamics without compromise. The concept would complement the BMW 7 Series Protection, which offers VR9-level protection and VPAM 10 optionally, and the BMW X5 Protection VR6. Made to be positioned below the vehicles with higher protection classes, the new BMW Concept 7 Protection expands BMW’s portfolio of vehicles with protection. Made for everyday usability and dependability alongside its protection, the BMW Concept 7 Protection retains the trappings of the luxury flagship, like fine materials, luxury craftsmanship, and more. Based on the BMW M760e xDrive, the Concept 7 Protection features a hybrid-assisted 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, with a total of 612 horsepower. The concept’s interior features Smoke White BMW Individual Merino leather upholstery, with a BMW Individual rear console that features a folding table and cool box. During the second half of 2027, the rear console will be available for the BMW 7 Series. <- Gallery -> The vehicle is also tuned to retain its signature driving dynamics even with the added protection, compensating for the modifications to make the driving dynamics of the protected sedan as close as possible to the series model. The protection features include thick bulletproof glass, ballistic steel and fiber-reinforced composites in the doors, armor protection in the rear triangle windows, and protection beneath the standard panoramic glass roof. To maintain the appearance of the standard vehicle, the sunroof remains visible from the exterior, but for protection, it is permanently closed inside. Complying with the new BayB standard, the Concept 7 Protection is designed to resist handgun ammunition, protecting occupants against everyday, situational, or unpredictable risks, whether those be during road travel or in hazardous situations. Offering protection, discretion, and a dynamic driving character, the new BMW Concept 7 Protection envisions an even further expanded portfolio of protected BMW luxury vehicles. View All BMW 7 Series For Sale Image Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 09, 2026

BMW Celebrates 40 Years Of The M3

BMW’s M division is over 50 years old, and one of the most iconic models to emerge from the performance arm of BMW is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year: the M3. It wasn’t the first BMW M model. Rather, that was the legendary BMW M1 supercar. However, the M3 was first showcased at the IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt in 1985, entering the fold shortly thereafter. For the past 40 years, the BMW M3 has set the standard for a luxury sports car with agility, style, and compelling power. The first generation of the BMW M3 was powered by a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, boasting 200 horsepower. Its 0-60 time was 6.7 seconds, and it reached a top speed of 146 mph. Global race wins solidified the first-generation M3’s status as a respectable performance car, and the original coupe was complemented by a convertible. Arriving in 1992, the second generation featured a six-cylinder engine, along with a four-door sedan body style alongside the coupe and convertible. The second-generation M3 also featured the option of a SMG transmission for the first time. <- Gallery -> After that, the iconic third generation featured a dramatic, performance-focused design with flared wheel arches and a power dome. Its 3.2-liter inline-six engine boasted 343 horsepower, and the CSL variant offered reduced weight and an increased 360 horsepower. Meanwhile, the third generation’s racing GTR variant quickly achieved icon status. Introducing a new personality to the M3, the fourth generation of the performance icon featured a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine. With 420 horsepower on tap, the fourth-generation M3 coupe boasted a 4.8-second 0-60 time. With the fourth-generation M3, BMW also triumphantly returned to DTM racing. The fifth generation of the legendary model came with a change in nomenclature, giving the M3 name to the four-door sedan, and the M4 name to the coupe and convertible. An inline six-cylinder engine with an M TwinPower Turbo powered the fifth generation, offering greater power and reduced fuel consumption. That generation’s BMW M3 Competition, with 450 horsepower, delivered a record 4.0-second 0-60 time for the M3. The latest generation of the M3 still features a turbocharged inline-six. Launched in 2020, the newest BMW M3 features xDrive all-wheel drive and, for the first time, a Touring variant. The new BMW M3 CS is the fastest BMW M3 yet, with a 3.4-second 0-60 time and a top speed of 188 mph. One of the most important cars to ever bear the M badge, the BMW M3 is paramount to BMW’s performance history. After 40 years, the iconic model is not only still successful and celebrated, but continues to define luxury sports car engineering and design. View All BMW M3 For Sale Image Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 07, 2026

New BMW iX4 Unveiled

BMW’s Neue Klasse has been steadily transforming the German luxury manufacturer’s lineup. Starting with the iX3, an all-electric new generation of BMW’s iconic SUV, and continuing with the new 3 Series, the third Neue Klasse model has just broken cover: the new BMW iX4. The X4 nameplate was first introduced in 2014 as a smaller SUV coupe to sit alongside the X6. Combining sporty character with SUV practicality, luxurious appointments, compact agility, and striking coupe style, the X4 has remained one of the most celebrated BMW nameplates, and it returns as part of the growing Neue Klasse lineup. Launching in March 2027, the new BMW iX4 will launch as the iX4 50 xDrive, with a fully electric powertrain and the design and technological improvements that have characterized the burgeoning Neue Klasse cohort. The iX4 50 xDrive features dual-motor all-wheel drive, and with a total of 463 horsepower and 475 lb/ft of torque, it will accelerate from 0-60 in just 4.7 seconds, reaching a top speed of 130 mph. Meanwhile, its 112.2-kWh battery offers an estimated driving range of up to 428 miles, with 800V charging capable of adding 184 miles of range in as little as ten minutes. <- Gallery -> The coupe design of the new iX4 continues the model’s legacy of distinctive design. Short overhangs and a long wheelbase evoke luxury, while a standard panoramic glass roof brings light into the cabin. As aerodynamics are paramount in EV engineering, the new iX4 boasts a 0.23 drag coefficient. The standard M Sport package includes features like exterior design touches and 21-inch wheels. Inside, Neue Klasse design shines with features like Panoramic iDrive on the dashboard, and upholstery options in Veganza and leather, both in several colors. Driving is also enhanced by the technology in BMW’s Heart of Joy system, enabling features like bidirectional charging and hands-free driving at speeds of up to 85 mph. Alongside the iX4 50 xDrive, the upcoming flagship of the lineup is the iX4 M60 xDrive, which is coming later in 2027. With an added dose of M performance, the M60 model features 603 horsepower and 645 lb/ft of torque, and is capable of a 3.7-second 0-60 time, sprinting to a governed top speed of 149 mph. The M60 xDrive also features several available design touches that evoke performance, like 21-inch wheels, painted brake calipers, yellow lights inspired by the M Hybrid V8 racing hypercar, sport seats, and more. Bringing the iconic SUV coupe to the Neue Klasse family, the new BMW iX4 is an exciting addition to the high-tech, futuristic Neue Klasse lineup of BMW luxury cars. With coupe style, compelling performance, luxurious features, SUV practicality, and boldly innovative technology, the new BMW iX4 is BMW’s newest Neue Klasse offering. View All BMW For Sale Image Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 07, 2026

BMW Unveils The New iX3 M60 xDrive

BMW’s new iX3 arrived to the iconic German luxury manufacturer’s lineup as the first Neue Klasse production model, introducing a new cohort of BMW’s with a revised design language, alongside boldly innovative technology and a new approach to driving dynamics and performance. When the iX3 launched, an M Performance variant was sure to follow, and it’s finally arrived: the new BMW iX3 M60 xDrive. Combining the futurism and technology-forward design and engineering of the Neue Klasse SUV with an athletic, performance-oriented twist, the new iX3 M60 xDrive features agile handling and impressive power in addition to the iX3’s high-tech features, luxury, and practicality. With dual-motor all-wheel drive, the new iX3 M60 xDrive boasts a total of 603 horsepower and 645 lb/ft of torque, reaching 0-60 in just 3.9 seconds towards a top speed of 149 mph. Honed for performance, BMW’s Heart of Joy system controls braking, steering, and powertrain functions in milliseconds, as much as ten times faster than its predecessors, in conjunction with BMW M Dynamic Performance Control. The new iX3 M60 xDrive features optional M Yellow Lights, giving the headlights a track-inspired design twist directly inspired by BMW’s top-class endurance racing hypercar, the M Hybrid V8. Meanwhile, the performance luxury electric SUV features standard 21-inch wheels, with a 22-inch set available. <- Gallery -> The interior features Neue Klasse tech and luxury along with M-specific functions, including a steering wheel with dedicated Boost Mode and M Mode controls, available M Sport seats, and an M-specific display. Combining ride comfort with performance-oriented confidence, the new iX3 M60 xDrive features Adaptive M Suspension with electronically controlled dampers. Several driving modes help tailor the driving experience, and the system calculates the optimum damping force, making adjustments in milliseconds. Orders open for the new M Performance variant of BMW’s new iX3 at the end of January 2027. Bringing elevated performance into BMW’s growing Neue Klasse lineup, the new 603-horsepower iX3 M60 xDrive combines innovation with serious driving spirit for those who want a futuristic luxury SUV without compromising enthusiast-focused performance. View All BMW For Sale Image Source: BMW

By Khris Bharath – September 29, 2026

2027 BMW 3 Series Makes U.S. Debut With Gas And Electric Power

Since its 1975 debut, the BMW 3 Series has evolved from a little two-door into the Bavarian automaker's definitive compact sport sedan, spawning coupes, wagons, convertibles, and generations of potent M3s along the way. With more than 18 million examples produced, the eighth-generation G50 is launching in the U.S. for the 2027 model year, as its biggest transformation yet: four- and six-cylinder gasoline power remains, now sharing the stage with the first fully electric 3 Series, the i3. Despite reviving a familiar badge, this new i3 is not the successor to BMW’s pioneering carbon-bodied electric hatchback from a decade ago. duPont REGISTRY has followed the Neue Klasse story from the outset, from pre-series i3 production in Munich, to the electric sedan's reveal, testing of combustion prototypes and more recently a first look at the upcoming M3. The production car finally brings those threads together with a common design and digital architecture. The design is radical by 3 Series standards and a big departure from the outgoing G20 seventh-gen 3 Series. While the side profile appears conventional, the biggest changes can be found upfront and at the rear. A low and sleek sharknose flows into horizontal kidneys available with illumination, while a long wheelbase, short overhangs, flush door handles, set-back greenhouse, and muscular rear shoulders preserve familiar sport-sedan proportions. Sculpted surfaces replace visual clutter, and the wide, three-dimensional taillights reinterpret BMW's L-shaped signature. The M350 xDrive adds quad exhaust outlets, a rear spoiler, and optional yellow running lights inspired by BMW's endurance racers. <- Gallery -> Inside, the traditional gauge cluster has made way for BMW Panoramic Vision, which spans the lower windshield, working with an available 3D head-up display and a driver-angled 17.9-inch central touchscreen running Operating System X, but physical controls remain for essential functions. A panoramic glass roof is standard, and buyers can choose Veganza or Merino leather. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, while available Harman Kardon audio supports Dolby Atmos. The powertrains give the new 3 Series real breadth. The rear-wheel-drive 330 and all-wheel-drive 330 xDrive pair a 255-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance. Above them, the M350 xDrive combines a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 48-volt technology to produce 437 horsepower, capable of 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, and unlocks a rear-wheel-drive Drift Moment mode through a software update during 2027. The all-electric dual-motor i3 50 xDrive produces 463 horsepower and can do 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, while BMW estimates 446 to 468 miles based on preliminary testing using EPA procedures. Its 800-volt system can accept 400-kW DC charging, adding a claimed 191 to 208 miles in 10 minutes. Bidirectional charging, over-the-air upgrades, and available SAE Level 2 hands-free highway driving at speeds of up to 85 mph further define the technological leap of the new generation 3 Series. One of the key attributes that sets the 3 Series apart from its competitors is its driving dynamics. Underneath, wider tracks, revised suspension geometry, available adaptive dampers, and a Driving Stack all aim to protect the athletic balance that made the badge famous. The electric i3's Heart of Joy computer coordinates its motors, regenerative braking, and steering functions up to ten times faster than earlier control systems. Gas models retain an eight-speed automatic, near-balanced weight distribution, and model-specific chassis tuning. As for pricing, the entry-level 330 starts at $49,900, the 330 xDrive from $51,900, the M350 xDrive from $65,900, and the i3 50 xDrive from $61,500, excluding a $1,350 destination charge. That positions the gasoline-powered 3 Series against the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A5 Sedan, Alfa Romeo Giulia, and Cadillac CT4, while the electric i3 faces the Tesla Model 3, particularly the Performance, in an increasingly competitive electric sport-sedan market. The complete launch lineup is scheduled to reach the U.S. in the first quarter of 2027. View All BMW 3 Series for Sale Images: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 28, 2026

Pre-Orders Open for BMW's $50K M 1000 RR Isle of Man TT Superbike

Recognized as one of the fastest and most dangerous motorcycle races on earth, the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy welcomes professional riders from around the world to a race course made of public roads closed for competition. Since its first run in 1907, it’s challenged riders with high-speed mountain sections, tight village streets, and a long history that has made it an iconic test of skill and bravery. GALLERY-EMBED Commemorating the 115th running and the participation of its RR motorcycles, BMW Motorrad just unveiled the M 1000 RR Limited Edition Isle of Man TT. Limited to just 115 worldwide, it’s made exclusively for riders and collectors who want something directly connected to BMW’s two-wheel racing DNA. GALLERY-EMBED The exterior comes finished in British Racing Green and features TT Mountain Course graphics that map sections of the legendary circuit across the fairings. Details include a carbon fiber airbox cover with TT branding, an Alcantara seat, a satin-chrome aluminum tank, and a black swingarm that gives it an actual motorsport look and feel. GALLERY-EMBED Left- and right-side fairings reference the direction of TT corners as a small and subtle nod. Add milled numbering on the top yoke, a certificate of authenticity, and M carbon pieces, and the result is a superbike that’s both a collectible display piece and a performance-focused motorcycle built on the M platform. GALLERY-EMBED The Isle of Man TT heritage behind it runs deep, and BMW Motorrad is incorporating decades of road racing success into one motorcycle. BMW’s connection to the Mountain Course has only grown stronger in more recent years, with the S 1000 RR and M 1000 RR participating as competitors. Riders like Peter Hickman, Michael Dunlop, and Davey Todd have helped shape that legacy, pushing BMW superbikes to record-breaking speeds on one of the world’s most demanding road circuits. With just 115 bikes slotted for production, and a small percentage of them destined for the U.S., pre-orders are now open for the M 1000 RR Limited Edition Isle of Man TT, starting at $50,000 plus destination. Check out all BMW inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. All BMW Inventory

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 10, 2026

Meet the $250K E90 BMW M3 You May Have Never Heard Of

From a $130,000 launch price to quarter-million-dollar listings, the BMW E90 M3 CRT has had one of the quietest yet most dramatic climbs in the collector car market. At first glance, it’s just a four-door BMW M3 with some lightweight parts, but peel back the spec sheet, and the story is far more interesting. Produced in ultra-low numbers, never sold in the U.S., and overshadowed by its orange, winged E92 GTS sibling, the CRT almost flew under the radar. So how exactly did this carbon-clad sedan become one of the rarest, most sought-after M cars ever made? BMW Group What Is the BMW E90 M3 CRT? CRT stands for “Carbon Racing Technology,” and that wasn’t just a marketing line drafted up in a boardroom. Limited to just 67 chassis worldwide, the CRT took the E90 M3 sedan platform and upgraded it with the heart of the GTS, a 450-hp 4.4-liter S65 V8 paired with BMW’s 7-speed DCT. Weight-saving carbon fiber panels (including the hood and front seats), improved cooling, and suspension adjustments made it a sleeper track weapon disguised as a four-door luxury car. A 0-60mph time came in just over four seconds, and thanks to those lightweight carbon upgrades, it came in roughly 220lbs lighter than a standard M3 sedan. BMW Group Why It Was Overlooked When the CRT first launched in 2011, it wasn’t exactly headline news, especially for U.S. enthusiasts who couldn’t get their hands on one. Priced higher than a GTS, offered only in left-hand drive for select markets, and styled conservatively in Frozen Polar Silver, the CRT didn’t scream “collector car” at the time. However, as the E92 M3 era matured, enthusiasts started paying closer attention to its exclusivity and purpose-built design. The CRT’s rarity, motorsport DNA, and early use of carbon tech started making it look less like a quirky limited production model and more like a legitimate halo car. BMW Group The Current Market Over the past few years, the CRT has quietly climbed from cult status to investment grade among purists looking to preserve one of the best eras of motoring. Examples have surfaced at top-tier auctions with upwards of $200K in sales and private listing prices at the $250K mark. It’s now mentioned in the same breath as the E46 CSL and E92 GTS, only with fewer examples and arguably more usability. Collectors love its low-key exterior, daily-drivable layout, and ties to a golden era of naturally aspirated M power. The CRT may have been underappreciated at launch, but today, it’s finally getting the spotlight it deserves. Source: BMW Group All BMW M3 Inventory

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 08, 2026

BMW Teases New Combustion-Powered 3 Series Variants

The BMW 3 Series was recently reimagined in the form of the newly revealed i3, which, unlike the former bearer of that nameplate, is a Neue Klasse reimagination of BMW’s legendary 3 Series sedan with a powerful all-electric powertrain. However, that new generation of the 3 Series isn’t going to be exclusively available as a BEV. Combustion-powered variants of the new BMW 3 Series are coming soon, and the manufacturer is showcasing them in their final round of summer testing. That testing has taken place in Miramas, France, and BMW Group’s test tracks in the area were where high-intensity tuning drives for the new combustion-powered models, which will feature four and six-cylinder engines. With 48V mild hybrid technology, the new variants feature similar technology and innovation to the all-electric i3, combining spirited performance with precise handling and comfort on longer drives. Offering elevated performance with combustion power is the upcoming BMW M350 xDrive. It features a chassis tuned for performance, improved stiffness, a six-cylinder engine with mild hybrid power, adaptive M Suspension, variable sport steering, and more. With 443 horsepower in total, the new M350 xDrive will get from 0-60 in less than 4.1 seconds. In addition, the Drift Moment feature for the car offers the option of rear-wheel drive and the possibility of making the car more tail-happy. <- Gallery -> Alongside the four-cylinder variants of the new 3 Series, as well as the all-electric BMW i3, the new BMW M350 xDrive is set to begin production at the end of 2026, with a 3.0-liter BMW TwinPower turbo six-cylinder engine powering it, and an eight-speed BMW Steptronic transmission. With the exciting new generation of the BMW 3 Series featuring electric and combustion-powered variants, the exciting design and innovation of the Neue Klasse 3 Series is available to all manner of enthusiasts and drivers. View All BMW 3 Series Image Source: BMW

By Khris Bharath – August 12, 2026

BMW Brings Two Concept Premieres and 40 Years of M3 to Monterey

BMW has laid out a four-day program for Monterey Car Week 2026 that spans two North American concept premieres, four decades of M3, and the next chapter of its Kith collaboration. The schedule opens Thursday, August 13, at Legends of the Autobahn, where BMW marks 40 years of the M3 with a display running from the E30 to the new 2027 M3 CS Handschalter. It runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Pacific Grove Golf Links, and admission is free. The timing is fitting, since an E30 M3 Sport Evolution set a world auction record at £404,375, or roughly $541,000, last month. <- Gallery -> Following its world debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse is headed to the House of M for its North American premiere tomorrow evening. The all-electric concept previews where M performance goes next, with M-specific programming for the Heart of Joy control unit governing a four-electric-motor drive system, which already underpins production cars including the iX3 and the i3. BMW will also show a manual-gearbox M3 and an electric M concept with a motor at each corner. Friday, August 14, belongs to the spectacular Vision BMW ALPINA concept, which makes its North American premiere at The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering after first appearing at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, back in May this year. The design study pairs a coupe roofline and shark nose with an interior of full-grain leather, fine metal surfaces, and crystal controls. The press conference at the ALPINA stand begins at 11:25 a.m. Saturday, August 15, moves to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, where four generations of M3 race cars will run on track, from the 1992 E30 M3 DTM to the 2011 E92 M3 GT. Mike Skeen, Bill Auberlen, and BMW M chief Frank van Meel are among the drivers. Saturday evening turns to fashion, with an invitation-only panel featuring BMW design leadership and Kith founder Ronnie Fieg. The session unveils bespoke automobiles and previews the 2026 "Kith for BMW" collection, the fourth chapter of that automotive-inspired collaboration. Both concepts close the week on the Concept Lawn at the 75th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on Sunday, August 16, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at The Lodge at Pebble Beach. duPont REGISTRY will be on the ground throughout Monterey Car Week to bring you exclusive coverage. Watch this space. View All BMWs for Sale Images: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 14, 2026

$542K E30 BMW M3 Sport Evolution Sets New Auction World Record

The M3 has long been recognized as one of the most influential sports cars ever built, not just for BMW but for the automotive world as a whole. Starting with the original E30 BMW M3, introduced in 1985, it helped revolutionize the homologation special, bringing race-bred cars from the track to public roads. Since then, six generations have defined BMW M and the evolution of a true icon, making some of the earliest M3 examples soar in popularity and value among collectors and enthusiasts. Receiving its much-deserved recognition as a timeless, analog icon, RM Sotheby’s recently sold a 1990 BMW M3 Sport Evolution for a jaw-dropping £404,375 GBP ($541,427), setting a new world auction record for the model.The sale came following a strong bidding between interested buyers at The Woodcote Park Auction, where the seven-figure E30 BMW joined other cult classics like a 1990 Ferrari F40 ‘Jean Sage’ by Michelotto, a 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.8 ‘Strassenversion’, and a 1966 Aston Martin DB5 Shooting Brake by Radford. Limited to just 600 examples in the world, the M3 Sport Evolution holds its own as one of the rarest BMWs ever, allotting production to 100 customer race chassis and 500 road-legal chassis. In comparison to the standard E30 M3, the Sport Evolution proved its track worth with a lightweight body, upgraded aero, and a larger, more powerful engine. This specific example started life as a newly delivered car in Hamburg, Germany, by BMW Niederlassung. Completed on February 20th, 1990, the car was optioned from the factory in Black over Black, with special requests including a sliding roof, electric front windows, and air conditioning. The M3 Sport Evolution later found its way to Asia in the early 2000s, where it was purchased and re-imported into Europe (UK) by the selling owner. Major services and road preparations were performed by the BMW specialist at Munich Legends in 2024, following a later inspection and overhaul completed in July 2025 by Everything M3s, the renowned BMW M Power specialist founded by an ex-Formula 1 engineer.Today, the record-setting E30 BMW M3 Sport Evolution attributes much of its high-dollar sale to its incredible condition, showing just 4,503 kilometers (2,798 miles) on the odometer, one of the lowest-mileage examples offered on the open market. Add in its provenance, detailed documentation, and persistent services and restorations, and it's easy to see why someone, with the funds available, would want to preserve one of the greatest eras of motoring through this example. All BMW M3 Inventory Source: RM Sotheby's/Images by Neil Fraser

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