The BMW 3 Series debuted in 1975. It wasn’t immediately recognized as a sports car. It lacked the sporty image of the BMW 2002. BMW aimed to change this perception. They tasked their motorsport division, led by Jochen Neerpasch, the founder of BMW M, with transforming the E21. Remarkably, the BMW E21 320 Group 5 race car emerged just three months later.
BMW Motorsport already had a winning pedigree. The BMW 3.0 CSL, nicknamed the “Batmobile,” dominated European and American races. It conquered tracks like Spa, Nürburgring, and the European Touring Car Championship. As the 3.0 CSL aged, BMW sought a successor. The M1 project, a collaboration with Lamborghini, held promise. However, Lamborghini’s 1978 bankruptcy disrupted these plans.
Alt: A classic BMW 3.0 CSL race car on the track, showcasing its iconic “Batmobile” design.
Neerpasch took decisive action. Legend says his team retrieved BMW’s M1 prototypes from Lamborghini’s locked-down factory. With the M1 delayed, Neerpasch needed a quick solution. The first-generation E21 3 Series provided the answer. The resulting BMW 320 Group 5 utilized BMW’s powerful 2.0-liter, four-cylinder Formula 2 engine. Despite its rapid development, the project presented complex challenges.
Jochen Neerpasch, the founder of BMW MAlt: Portrait of Jochen Neerpasch, the visionary founder of BMW’s legendary motorsport division, BMW M.
The 320 Group 5 debuted in the German Racing Championship (DRM). BMW simultaneously launched the BMW Junior Team. This program trained young drivers for professional motorsport. Critics questioned giving rookies such powerful cars. However, the strategy proved successful. The juniors, including Marc Surer, Eddie Cheever, and Manfred Winkelhock, delivered impressive performances. Surer won their very first race. All three drivers eventually raced in Formula 1. Neerpasch later replicated this successful model at Mercedes, fostering Michael Schumacher’s early career.
Alt: The BMW 320 Group 5 race car in action, highlighting its dynamic design and racing prowess.
BMW expanded its racing efforts to the US. Neerpasch and engineer Paul Rosche sent three 320 Group 5 cars to compete in the IMSA championship. They partnered with McLaren, who turbocharged the Formula 2 engine. This boosted power from 300 to over 600 horsepower. While reliability issues plagued the turbocharged 320, its speed captivated fans. Over three seasons, it secured eight wins and six podiums, injecting excitement into a Porsche-dominated series.
BMW 320 Group 5 Race Car close-upAlt: Close-up view of the BMW 320 Group 5, showcasing its powerful engine and aerodynamic features.
Amidst the M1’s challenges and aspirations for Formula 1, Neerpasch left BMW in the late 1970s. He joined Peugeot to pursue his Formula 1 dream, aiming to revitalize the Talbot brand through Formula 1 racing. He envisioned partnering with Brabham and using a turbocharged version of BMW’s Formula 2 engine. This effort ultimately failed, and Talbot abandoned its Formula 1 ambitions.
Alt: Jochen Neerpasch, a key figure in BMW Motorsport’s history, pictured here in a thoughtful pose.
However, BMW adopted Neerpasch’s idea. They collaborated with Brabham and designer Gordon Murray, developing a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This engine produced astonishing power, exceeding 1,300 horsepower. BMW achieved its goal of victory in 1983, with Nelson Piquet winning the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship.
Alt: The powerful BMW M12/13 1.5 liter turbocharged Formula 1 engine, known for its incredible horsepower.
Murray’s talent led him to McLaren, where he designed the iconic MP4/4. Ayrton Senna’s 1988 victory solidified the MP4/4’s legendary status. After leaving Formula 1, Murray designed the McLaren F1 road car. Powered by a Paul Rosche-designed V12, the McLaren F1 featured a 627 horsepower engine, the most powerful production engine BMW had ever created. This record stood for decades.
Alt: The iconic McLaren F1, a hypercar that redefined speed and engineering, showcasing its sleek design.
The McLaren F1 excelled both on the road and the track. Owners drove their cars extensively. The McLaren F1 GTR won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995, securing 1st, 2nd, and 4th place. This victory inspired BMW’s return to Le Mans in 1999 with the V12 LMR, leading to BMW’s only overall victory at the famed race. BMW’s motorsport triumphs in Formula 1 and Le Mans stemmed from partnerships, bold decisions, and a unique connection with McLaren.
McLaren F1 GTR Race CarAlt: The McLaren F1 GTR race car in action, showcasing its racing prowess and aerodynamic design at Le Mans.
Lamborghini’s bankruptcy, initially a setback, became a catalyst for this incredible journey. Neerpasch even suggested BMW acquire Lamborghini, a notion dismissed due to concerns about inheriting Italian instability. While BMW’s hesitation might have been justified, the potential impact of such an acquisition remains a fascinating thought experiment.
