BMW Group PressClub Global

Home game: German quintet looking forward to the BMW International Open 2026.

Wed, 3 Jun 2026 11:25:46 +0200

+++ Another five local pros tee off at the BMW International Open (1 – 5 July 2026) +++ Freddy Schott, Nicolai von Dellingshausen, Marcel Siem, Marcel Schneider and Max Kieffer are looking forward to their home tournament +++

Munich. The BMW International Open will once again present an attractive mix of top international players and the best local pros this year. The home game, at the only DP World Tour event in Germany (1 to 5 July 2026, Golfclub München Eichenried), is a special experience for the national elite and a highlight of the season. Fans can once again look forward to seeing numerous compatriots, as Freddy Schott, Nicolai von Dellingshausen, Marcel Siem, Marcel Schneider and Max Kieffer will also be taking part in the 37th edition of the iconic tournament.

25-year-old Freddy Schott celebrated his first victory on the DP World Tour this year when he defeated Patrick Reed (USA) in a play-off at the Bahrain Championship in February. He will now face the Major winner again in Munich.

Nicolai von Dellingshausen has been an integral part of the BMW International Open for many years. The 33-year-old triumphed for the first time on the DP World Tour last year at the Austrian Open and achieved his best result in Munich in 2022 with a tied fifth place.

Marcel Siem has not yet realised his dream of winning in his ‘nursery’ – he spent his childhood at GC München Eichenried. The 45-year-old will make another attempt to win his seventh title on the DP World Tour in his home country.

Marcel Schneider made his debut at the BMW International Open in 2011 and is a permanent fixture in Munich as well as one of the most consistent German players on the DP World Tour. The 36-year-old has yet to win a DP World Tour title, but has come very close on more than one occasion. Perhaps he will clear that hurdle this year in Munich?

Max Kieffer has also not missed his home game for many years. The 35-year-old has already won on the DP World Tour and been in contention for the win at the BMW International Open deep into the final round several times, most recently in 2023; this tournament would mean so much to him and all the German players.

The only local pro to have already achieved this goal will also tee off in Munich is Martin Kaymer, who in 2008 went down in the history books as the youngest winner (23 years and 177 days) of the BMW International Open to date. Last year's best German player, who finished tied for seventh, will also be back as Regensburg-born Matti Schmid will be travelling from the USA walking tall, having recently caused a stir at the second major of the year, the PGA Championship, where he finished tied fourth.

Tickets for the BMW International Open are available at:
www.bmw-golfsport.com/tickets

Discounted tickets are available for young people (15-17 years), students and people with disabilities. The ticket price includes a free shuttle bus service between Ismaning S-Bahn station and the golf club from Thursday to Sunday, as well as free parking at the tournament site, subject to availability. Admission to the Pro-Am tournament (Wednesday, 1 July 2026) is generally free. Children and young people up to and including the age of 14 also have free admission on all other days. For the first time, the BMW International Open 2026 will offer an after-work ticket for Thursday or Friday, which is valid from 3 pm and is available at half the price of a day ticket.

BMW M Motorsport News, 2nd June 2026.

Wed, 3 Jun 2026 10:53:00 +0200

Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport:

"The past two weeks have once again brought outstanding results with both the BMW M4 GT3 EVO and the BMW M4 GT4 EVO. Congratulations to Ceccato Racing and FK Performance Motorsport on their impressive victories in the Italian GT and the ADAC GT Masters! What impresses me most is the large number of cars in both race series. Five BMW M4 GT3 EVOs in Italy, four in the ADAC GT Masters – this shows how sought-after our products are. With the BMW M4 GT4 EVO, our teams are fighting hard to achieve top results in the leading racing series of this category. That does work out very often this season, but not always. The competition in the GT4 category is simply enormous. I will continue to keep my fingers crossed for all BMW M Motorsport teams and drivers in the coming weeks."

Italian GT (22nd-24th May): Victories and championship leadership in the Sprint Cup.

Two out of four season events in the Sprint Cup of the Italian GT Championship have been completed, and the BMW M Motorsport teams have clearly left their mark on the first half of the season. With two wins and a second place in the four races so far, BMW M works driver Jens Klingmann (GER) leads the drivers’ standings with 55 points. During the weekend of 22nd to 24th May, the 2023 and 2024 Sprint Champion won the Sunday race at Vallelunga (ITA) in the #7 BMW M4 GT3 EVO of BMW Italia Ceccato Racing together with his works driver colleague Max Hesse (GER). On Saturday, the duo dropped out of the points due to a tyre failure shortly before the end. “Despite the bad luck on Saturday, which cost us some points, I am overall very satisfied with the Vallelunga weekend. The victory on Sunday allowed us to strengthen our lead in the championship,” said Klingmann. “Overall, the first half of the Sprint Cup season was very good. The goal for the rest of the year is clear: after a year’s break, we want to bring the title back to BMW M Motorsport and Ceccato Racing.”

BMW Italia Ceccato Racing also performed excellently in the Pro-Am classification. Anthony McIntosh (USA) and Parker Thompson (CAN) enjoyed a perfect weekend in the #8 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, winning their class in both races – the ideal preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA), where they will compete together with BMW M works driver Dan Harper (GBR) and Team WRT for victory in the LMGT3 class in less than two weeks. On Saturday, the duo completed the Vallelunga race with third place on the overall podium.

Pedro Ebrahim (BRA) and Jasin Ferati (SUI) also celebrated on the podium. On Sunday, they finished second overall in the #55 BMW M4 GT3 EVO of Nova Race. In Saturday’s race, the duo finished sixth – directly behind Giuseppe Forenzi (ITA) and Ian Rodriguez (GUA) in the #77 BMW M4 GT3 EVO from Faems Team. On Sunday, the duo finished eighth. A fifth BMW M4 GT3 EVO was fielded by Team Gino Motorsport with Mathias Villadsen (DEN) at the wheel. He finished 13th in both races.

ADAC GT Masters (22nd-24th May): Strong Zandvoort weekend.

The BMW M Motorsport teams FK Performance Motorsport and Schubert Motorsport put on a great show for the fans at the second event of the ADAC GT Masters at Zandvoort (NED). In the end, there was a win, a pole position, and three further podium finishes. The winners of the weekend were Leyton Fourie (RSA) and Tim Zimmermann (GER) in the #11 BMW M4 GT3 EVO of FK Performance Motorsport. They won the first race and fought their way to second place on Sunday despite success ballast. In the championship, they are second with 67 points. “We knew our race pace would be good here,” said Fourie. “Our difficult weekend at the Red Bull Ring was a tough experience, but I never doubted us or the team and knew we would come back strong at Zandvoort. I am very happy with the result and want to thank the team for the great car.” Fabio Rauer (GER) and Storm Gjerdrum (NOR) finished third on Sunday in the sister car #10.

Schubert Motorsport had a very good Saturday race. First, Sandro Holzem (GER) in the #56 BMW M4 GT3 EVO secured his first pole position in the series. In the race, he and his twin brother Juliano (GER) finished second. “I am very happy that we got the pole,” said Sandro Holzem. “It was a fantastic lap and the car was extremely good, the team did a great job.” The Sunday race ended with the Holzem brothers in ninth place.

M News compact: More victories and podium finishes.

GT4 European Series (28th-31st May): Victor Bouveng and Joakim Walde (both SWE) once again celebrated two class podiums at the second round of the GT4 European Series at Monza (ITA). Both on Saturday and Sunday, the duo from Team Schubert Motorsport finished second in the Pro-Am category. This allowed Bouveng and Walde in the #98 BMW M4 GT4 EVO to confidently defend the overall lead in the Pro-Am drivers’ standings. In the first race, Paolo and Davide Meloni (both SMR) from Team W&D Racing Team completed the double podium for the BMW M Motorsport teams by finishing third.

All results at a glance.

British GT Championship (22nd-24th May): Jack Collins and Branden Templeton (both GBR) won the second round of the British GT Championship in the GT4 category. The British duo triumphed at Oulton Park (GBR) in the #24 BMW M4 GT4 EVO from Team Century Motorsport.

All results at a glance.

BTCC (23rd-24th May): Charles Rainford (GBR, Team WSR) won the first race of the British Touring Car Championship at Snetterton (GBR) in the #99 BMW 330e M Sport. His teammate Daryl De Leon (GBR) finished third on the podium in both the first and third races.

All results at a glance.

The new BMW M2 with M xDrive.

Wed, 3 Jun 2026 00:01:00 +0200

Munich. With its combination of extremely agile handling, M-typical performance and compact dimensions, the BMW M2 embodies unadulterated driving pleasure in its ultimate expression. The new BMW M2 with M xDrive (fuel consumption, combined: 10.4 – 10.3 l/100 km [27.2 – 27.4 mpg imp]; CO₂ emissions, combined: 235 – 233 g/km according to WLTP, CO₂ class: G)* sees BMW M GmbH expanding the breadth of the M2 model line-up. Here, the all-wheel-drive system M xDrive will be available for the compact high-performance sports car for the first time. M xDrive splits the power developed by the 353 kW/480 hp six-cylinder in-line engine with BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology between the front and rear axles according to the situation at hand. Also in play is the Active M Differential, which distributes drive fully variably between the rear wheels as required, maximising traction and delivering the driving dynamics normally associated with a rear-wheel drive model.

These enhanced traction levels increase the car’s agility, dynamism and directional stability once again – and further improve its acceleration figures. The new BMW M2 with M xDrive therefore offers drivers the inimitable M feeling through all four seasons of the year, in almost any road conditions and in all weathers – without any trade-off in performance. The car showcases its optimised traction (which is also the product of specially developed chassis tuning) with sublime assurance in fluctuating grip conditions such as ice and snow as well as on the track. The market launch of the BMW M2 with M xDrive will begin in late summer 2026.

Superior traction and further enhanced dynamics thanks to M xDrive and Active M Differential.

The M xDrive all-wheel-drive system employs an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the transfer case to ensure fully variable and super-smooth division of the engine’s power between the front and rear wheels of the new BMW M2 with M xDrive. The system’s rear-wheel bias fits the familiar M blueprint. In normal driving, power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels. Only when they cannot feed any more power to the road does the all-wheel-drive system bring the front wheels into play.

M xDrive links up with the Active M Differential including M-specific traction control and DSC (Dynamic Stability Control). Together, they adapt the car’s responses precisely to the situation in order to deliver a driving experience of unsurpassed dynamism with a noticeable increase in directional stability and traction.

The transfer case features a model-specific control unit and integrated wheel slip limitation. This allows it to compensate for any differences in rotational speed between the front and rear wheels. It can do this without having to involve the central DSC management, which makes the process extremely quick and further intensifies the M-typical sense of unshakable poise in highly dynamic driving situations.

The M xDrive system’s responses can be configured via the M Setup menu. This means the driver can adapt the characteristics and performance attributes of the all-wheel drive system to both the driving situation at hand and their personal preferences. One of the options the driver can select is 2WD mode with DSC deactivated, whereby torque is sent to the rear wheels only. This unlocks a driving experience of remarkable purity.

A development with roots in racing car design: pre-chamber combustion.

The 3.0-litre straight-six engine powering the new BMW M2 with M xDrive uses BMW M Ignite technology – a new pre-chamber combustion process patented by BMW. This innovation is an example of the successful transfer of technology from racing cars to production models and will be introduced into all straight-six engines from BMW M as of mid-2026. The pre-chamber combustion process significantly reduces fuel consumption under high loads. At the same time, this new engine technology helps to meet the requirements of the EU7 standard. As before, the engine in the BMW M2 with M xDrive offers the performance characteristics for which M models are renowned, such as instantaneous response and linear power development into the higher reaches of the rev range. And this spirited power delivery is accompanied by an emotionally stirring soundtrack. The lower fuel consumption under high loads brought about by BMW M Ignite technology will be particularly appreciated by customers who like to use their car on track days, allowing them to keep lapping for longer with the same amount of fuel.

The BMW M2 with M xDrive is fitted as standard with an M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, which ensures the engine’s power is harnessed to maximum dynamic effect. Standard-fit M light-alloy wheels (19-inch at the front axle, 20-inch at the rear) transfer the power onto the road surface. Track tyres can be specified as an option.

Optimum stopping power on road and track is provided by M Compound brakes with six-piston fixed callipers at the front and single-piston callipers at the rear.

The combination of the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system and Active M Differential gives the new BMW M2 with M xDrive further improved sprinting power. Indeed, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds, 0.3 seconds faster than its sister model with pure rear-wheel drive. The figure recorded using the “one-foot rollout” method¹ is 3.4 seconds. The BMW M2 with M xDrive reaches the 200 km/h (124 mph) mark from rest in 12.8 seconds – or 12.5 seconds with the “one-foot rollout” method. The sprint from 80 to 120 km/h (50 to 75 mph) is covered in 3.7 seconds. The M2 with M xDrive has a limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph), rising to 285 km/h (177 mph) if the optional M Driver’s Package is specified.

BMW Individual Borusan Turkish Blue is available for a BMW M2 model for the first time.

The selection of exterior colours customers can choose from includes five metallic and three solid variants, plus six options from the BMW Individual range. For example, the BMW Individual Borusan Turkish Blue special paint finish will be available for a M2 for the first time, accentuating the visually expressive exterior design of the BMW M2 with M xDrive to particularly striking effect.

The BMW M2: a successful model, built in Mexico.

The BMW M2 Coupé (fuel consumption, combined: 10.2 – 9.7 l/100 km [27.7 – 29.1 mpg imp], CO₂ emissions, combined: 230 – 221 g/km according to WLTP, CO₂ class: G)* was the biggest-selling high-performance model from BMW M GmbH in 2025. The new BMW M2 with M xDrive – like the other M2 models – will be built at BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí in Mexico. Production will begin in August 2026. The most important sales markets for the BMW M2 with M xDrive are the USA, Germany and China.

Alexander Karajlovic, Vice President for Development at BMW M GmbH, says: “The new BMW M2 with M xDrive opens the next chapter in the story of an icon. It breaks new ground in blending the strong, uncompromising character of the BMW M2 compact high-performance sports car with the superior traction and precision of M xDrive for the first time. This fundamentally upgraded car lays down the performance generated by its straight-six engine with even greater poise and assurance, and adds maximum control, stability and acceleration in any conditions to its dynamic repertoire. Like its stablemates, the BMW M2 with M xDrive is therefore very much a driver’s car, but it also elevates its high-performance abilities to a new level and redefines sporting prowess in the compact M segment.”

GT World Challenge Europe: Chaotic race in Monza.

Mon, 1 Jun 2026 08:32:00 +0200

Monza. The BMW M works drivers experienced an unfortunate second Endurance Cup round of the season in the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza (ITA). In a race defined by numerous full-course yellows and accidents, Augusto Farfus (BRA), Raffaele Marciello (SUI), and Jake Dennis (GBR) finished fifth as the highest-placed BMW M Motorsport trio in the ROWE Racing #98 BMW M4 GT3 EVO. Kelvin van der Linde, Jordan Pepper (both RSA), and Charles Weerts (BEL) were for a long time on course for victory thanks to strong strategic decisions from Team WRT, but had to drop out of the fight for the podium shortly before the end due to an unfortunate Full-Course Yellow at the wrong moment.

Their teammates, including local hero Valentino Rossi (ITA), also endured a bitter race. In a chaotic opening phase, in which several frontrunners were eliminated in a major multi-car crash, the Italian initially gained several positions. Shortly afterwards, however, he had to retire the #46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO due to a clutch failure.

The #998 BMW M4 GT3 EVO of ROWE Racing initially crossed the finish line in fourth place in the Gold Cup but benefited from a post-race penalty imposed on a rival. As a result, Jens Klingmann, Tim Tramnitz (both GER) and Ugo de Wilde (BEL) were retrospectively classified third in class, securing a podium finish just as they had at the season opener in Le Castellet (FRA).

There was also reason to celebrate for Oman Racing by Century Motorsport: Ahmad Al Harthy (OMA), Javier Sagrera (ESP), and Calan Williams (AUS) secured third place in the Bronze Cup category with the #42 BMW M4 GT3 EVO finishing on the class podium.

The race ended with an unfortunate incident. At the restart after a Safety Car period shortly before the end of the three-hour race, Kelvin van der Linde misjudged his braking point into Turn 1 and collided with the Porsche ahead. The Porsche spun and collected several other cars. Two of the drivers involved were subsequently checked at the Medical Center. Following the race, the stewards issued a penalty to van der Linde and the #32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, resulting in the loss of their seventh-place finish.

Reactions after the race.

Kelvin van der Linde (#32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Team WRT): “A big apology to all the drivers involved in the accident. It was a very unfortunate situation. I misjudged the braking into Turn 1 on the Safety Car restart and tried to avoid contact. Unfortunately, there was another car on my left, which meant I made contact with the Porsche and caused it to spin. The outcome is very bad and something no one wants to see. I am truly sorry, and I am relieved that both drivers were okay when I saw them at the Medical Center.“

Raffaele Marciello (#98 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, ROWE Racing, 5th place): “It was a crazy race with far too many accidents. Considering our bad luck today, finishing P5 is a good result in the end. Even if it is not particularly meaningful, we compare quite well to the other Pro-class cars.”

Ugo de Wilde (#998 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, ROWE Racing, 3rd place Gold Cup): “Considering we started from 46th on the grid, it was a strong recovery. It was a race with many incidents, lots of strategic decisions and, of course, you needed a bit of luck. In the end, we still picked up important points for the championship in the Gold Cup. As a team we worked very well together and will take the lessons learned to be as well prepared as possible for Spa.”

WorldSBK: BMW Motorrad Motorsport uses Aragón for intensive development work.

Sun, 31 May 2026 18:54:29 +0200

Alcañiz. Productive work in scorching summer temperatures characterised the sixth round of the 2026 FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) for BMW Motorrad Motorsport and the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. At MotorLand Aragón (ESP), the team was forced to compete without both regular riders due to injury. Miguel Oliveira (POR) sustained shoulder injuries during the race weekend in Hungary, while Danilo Petrucci (ITA) suffered a fractured coccyx two weeks ago in Most (CZE). As a result, BMW Motorrad factory riders from the FIM Endurance World Championship (FIM EWC), Michael van der Mark (NED) and Hannes Soomer (EST), took over riding duties on the team's BMW M 1000 RRs.

Oliveira’s recovery process is progressing very well, and the Portuguese rider used the race weekend to support the team on site and exchange information with the engineers. Petrucci remains under treatment in his home country of Italy and is also reporting steady progress. However, it is still unclear what the situation will be for the next WorldSBK round in two weeks’ time at Misano (ITA).

The focus at MotorLand Aragón this weekend was on development work for the second half of the 2026 WorldSBK season. Van der Mark, after five years as a BMW WorldSBK rider and now serving both as an FIM EWC rider and test rider for the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Test Team, and Soomer gathered valuable data and information to further optimise the bike’s setup. The progress was reflected in the lap times: for the first time, van der Mark lapped the circuit in under 1:48 minutes, confirming the positive development throughout the weekend. Seventh place in Superpole qualifying provided a solid foundation for the races for van der Mark. He finished 11th in both race one and the Superpole race, before securing a top-ten finish with tenth place in race two.

Soomer also adapted quickly to both the team and the WorldSBK-spec BMW M 1000 RR, contributing solid testing work. After qualifying 18th in Superpole, the Estonian retired from race one following an unfortunate crash. He finished 15th in the Superpole Race. In Race Two, he had another small crash, but was able to remount and take the chequered flag in 18th position.

Van der Mark and Soomer will already be back in action next weekend at the second round of the FIM EWC season, the 8 Hours of Spa Motos at Spa-Francorchamps (BEL).

Reactions after the MotorLand Aragón round.

Sven Blusch, Head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport: “Of course, it was a somewhat unusual weekend for us, but we made the best of the situation. Our objective here was not to fight for the podium – for us, this was a test under race conditions. The three days with two riders on track were extremely important for our preparation for the second half of the season. Mickey did a very good job once again, just as he did in Most, and extracted the maximum from the package in every race. It was great to see him consistently improve on his previous best lap times at this circuit throughout the weekend. That shows we have taken another step forward with the overall package. In addition, he scored valuable points for us in the championship standings. Hannes was also a great asset. His previous WorldSBK appearances were several years ago, but he integrated himself into the team with great commitment and contributed valuable development work, although he unfortunately suffered unlucky crashes in both feature races. We also had fantastic support in the garage this weekend. It was great to have Miguel with us and to see how much better his shoulder is already feeling. We are also in close contact with Danilo, who is likewise reporting steady progress in his recovery. We will wait and see how things develop over the coming week before deciding on our line-up for Misano. Naturally, we want to see both of our regular riders back on the BMW M 1000 RRs as soon as possible, but the top priority is that they return only when they are fully fit. That is more important than any premature comeback.”

Miguel Oliveira, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “It’s not easy to be on the outside, but I felt it was a good moment for me to come and show up for my crew. It’s been a couple of tough weekends not having both me and Danilo, so I thought it could be a good opportunity to be here, to show that I’m doing well, and to give them a little boost. My recovery has been progressing quite well and quite fast – not to the point where I can come here and ride, but I definitely feel more ready than I did last week. Last week we started doing some exercises with elastic bands and tried to get some mobility back in the shoulder. That’s where we’re at, and hopefully within two weeks I’ll be fit enough to get back on the bike and compete. I think it’s realistic to think about Misano. I don’t know what condition I’ll be in when I get there, but that’s definitely the main target.”

Michael van der Mark, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “Aragón is done, and I think it ended on a positive note. On Friday we started with some issues, but luckily we solved them and made good progress. Honestly, I’ve been very happy with my Superpole this weekend. In race one, we made the wrong decision with the front tyre, but we still scored some decent points. On Sunday in the sprint race, I couldn’t keep the pace of the group in front of me, which was a shame, but it was still quite a good race. For race two, we made a small change on the bike and I felt much better. It wasn’t enough to stay with the guys in front, but we made a big step in regards to pace. So I’m really happy with the race, and we had a good weekend without any mistakes. It was also nice to see Miguel back in the box, helping us and giving some advice. It was good to have him here, and I can’t wait to see him back on the bike again. Now Spa is coming, so there aren’t many days off, but I’m enjoying it. I’m looking forward to Spa, and hopefully we can get back on the podium there.”

Hannes Soomer, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “It was an interesting weekend. It was my first time in the World Superbike paddock as a factory rider, so there was a lot to learn and a lot to take in, but I enjoyed it. Sunday’s Superpole race wasn’t too bad. I finished 15th, but in the second race I had another crash. It was just a small mistake again – I couldn’t save it. Luckily, I could at least finish after that. So I finished two races and didn’t finish one. But, overall, it was an enjoyable time. I loved working with the team and the bike, and I hope to have another chance in the future. But I also hope the chance doesn’t come because somebody is injured, so best wishes to Miguel and Danilo.”

Facts and figures.

Superpole.

Air temperature: 25°, track temperature: 39°, humidity: 46%, conditions: dry.

Pos.	Rider	Team	Manufacturer	Time
1.	Nicolò Bulega (ITA)	Aruba.it Racing - Ducati	Ducati	1:46.836*
2.	Iker Lecuona (ESP)	Aruba.it Racing - Ducati	Ducati	1:47.312
3.	Alberto Surra (ITA)	Motocorsa Racing	Ducati	1:47.349
4.	Sam Lowes (GBR)	Elf Marc VDS Racing Team	Ducati	1:47.405
5.	Alex Lowes (GBR)	Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team	Bimota	1:47.775
7.	Michael van der Mark (NED)	ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team	BMW	1:47.834
18.	Hannes Soomer (EST)	ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team	BMW	1:48.494

* New all-time lap record

Race 1.

Air temperature: 30°, track temperature: 48°, humidity: 36%, conditions: dry, laps: 18.

Pos.	Rider	Team	Manufacturer	Gap
1.	Nicolò Bulega (ITA)	Aruba.it Racing – Ducati	Ducati	-
2.	Iker Lecuona (ESP)	Aruba.it Racing – Ducati	Ducati	1.274
3.	Sam Lowes (GBR)	Elf Marc VDS Racing Team	Ducati	8.078
4.	Alex Lowes (GBR)	Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team	Bimota	16.177
5.	Thomas Bridewell (GBR)	Superbike Advocates	Ducati	18.619
11.	Michael van der Mark (NED)	ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team	BMW	34.069
DNF	Hannes Soomer (EST)	ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team	BMW	-

Fastest race lap: Nicolò Bulega, lap 5, 1:48.681

Superpole Race.

Air temperature: 23°, track temperature: 37°, humidity: 51%, conditions: dry, laps: 10.

Pos.	Rider	Team	Manufacturer	Gap
1.	Nicolò Bulega (ITA)	Aruba.it Racing - Ducati	Ducati	-
2.	Iker Lecuona (ESP)	Aruba.it Racing - Ducati	Ducati	0.594
3.	Sam Lowes (GBR)	Elf Marc VDS Racing Team	Ducati	1.240
4.	Alberto Surra (ITA)	Motocorsa Racing	Ducati	2.640
5.	Alex Lowes (GBR)	Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team	Bimota	3.219
11.	Michael van der Mark (NED)	ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team	BMW	6.936
15.	Hannes Soomer (EST)	ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team	BMW	17.296

Fastest race lap: Nicolò Bulega, lap 10, 1:47.709 (new record)

Race 2.

Air temperature: 30°, track temperature: 49°, humidity: 38%, conditions: dry, laps: 18.

Pos.	Rider	Team	Manufacturer	Gap
1.	Nicolò Bulega (ITA)	Aruba.it Racing - Ducati	Ducati	-
2.	Iker Lecuona (ESP)	Aruba.it Racing - Ducati	Ducati	0.786
3.	Sam Lowes (GBR)	Elf Marc VDS Racing Team	Ducati	6.506
4.	Alex Lowes (GBR)	Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team	Bimota	12.413
5.	Axel Bassani (ITA)	Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team	Bimota	14.351
10.	Michael van der Mark (NED)	ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team	BMW	19.824
18.	Hannes Soomer (EST)	ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team	BMW	1:21.427

Fastest race lap: Nicolò Bulega, lap 7, 1:48.971

Current riders’ classification (R06/12, after 18 of 36 races).

Pos.	Rider	Team	Manufacturer	Points
1.	Nicolò Bulega (ITA)	Aruba.it Racing - Ducati	Ducati	371
2.	Iker Lecuona (ESP)	Aruba.it Racing - Ducati	Ducati	264 (-108)
3.	Sam Lowes (GBR)	ELF Marc VDS Racing Team	Ducati	142 (-230)
4.	Alex Lowes (GBR)	Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team	Bimota	132 (-240)
5.	Yari Montella (ITA)	Barni Spark Racing Team	Ducati	131 (-241)
9.	Miguel Oliveira (POR)	ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team	BMW	85 (-287)
15.	Danilo Petrucci (ITA)	ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team	BMW	46 (-326)
19.	Michael van der Mark (NED)	ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team	BMW	16 (-356)

Current manufacturers’ classification (R06/12, after 18 of 36 races).

Pos.	Manufacturer	Points
1.	Ducati	372
2.	Bimota	160 (-212)
3.	BMW	108 (-264)
4.	Yamaha	96 (-276)
5.	Kawasaki	85 (-287)
6.	Honda	14 (-358)

IMSA: BMW M Team WRT continues podium streak – second place for Philipp Eng and Marco Wittmann in Detroit.

Sun, 31 May 2026 03:02:54 +0200

Detroit. BMW M Team WRT remains on a successful path with the BMW M Hybrid V8. In the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA Series) race on the streets of Detroit (USA), Philipp Eng (AUT) and Marco Wittmann (GER) drove the #25 car to a second-place podium finish. It was the duo’s second consecutive podium after taking third place in Laguna Seca (USA). For the team, following the celebrated 1-2 finish at the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) race in Spa-Francorchamps (BEL), this marked its third success within just a few weeks – right before the major season highlight in June, the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA).

Wittmann and Eng initially lost several positions from fourth on the grid in Detroit, but regained them thanks to the strategy of a late and, therefore, shorter pit stop. From that point on, closing driver Eng held second place and confidently defended it to the finish. In the #24 sister car Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) and Dries Vanthoor (BEL) also showed strong pace, but a forced early pit stop, due to low tyre pressure and two drive-through penalties following collisions on the tight street circuit, cost them a possible podium. In the end they finished ninth. In the GTD PRO class, Connor De Phillippi and Neil Verhagen (both USA) drove the Paul Miller Racing #1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO to fourth place, narrowly missing out on a podium in a turbulent final phase.

Comments after the race:

Vincent Vosse (Team Principal, BMW M Team WRT): “Congratulations to the #25 crew on a perfectly executed race with a very good strategy and strong pace. The podium is a well-deserved reward! Unfortunately, with car #24 we had to pit earlier than planned and got stuck in traffic. That’s a problem, especially on a tight street circuit like Detroit. As a result, there were some contacts and subsequent penalties.”

Philipp Eng (#25 BMW M Hybrid V8, BMW M Team WRT, 2nd place GTP): “Many thanks to the entire team. That was a strategic masterpiece! Marco drove a strong first stint and, after our pit stop brought us up to second place, I just had to bring the result home. That’s easier said than done on a tight circuit like Detroit, but in the end it worked out. I’m very happy for the whole crew.”

Marco Wittmann (#25 BMW M Hybrid V8, BMW M Team WRT, 2nd place GTP): “The second consecutive podium feels really good. I had a difficult start to the race and lost a few positions. At that moment it was clear that we could only move forward if we tried something different with the strategy. So I saved as much energy as possible to attempt an overcut. That worked perfectly, and the team managed to get us past the others during our pit stop and up to second place. Philipp did a great job afterwards. Many thanks to everyone!”

Sheldon van der Linde (#24 BMW M Hybrid V8, BMW M Team WRT, 9th place GTP): “We had the potential to fight at the front, but didn’t make the most of our pace. In qualifying we were unlucky with a red flag just before our fastest lap, so we had to start further back than hoped. Still, things went well at first and we were already up to third place when everything started to go wrong. First the early pit stop, due to tyre pressure, then contacts and penalties that set us back a long way. Ultimately, it was a race to forget. We urgently need to improve the flawless execution of our races.”

Connor De Phillippi (#1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Paul Miller Racing, 4th place GTD PRO): “Fourth place is pretty much the best we could achieve with the race pace our car had this weekend. These are important points for the championship. Still, we need to take a close look at why we couldn’t fight for the podium on our own here. Because at the next race in Watkins Glen we want to be right at the front again.”

The 7 millionth Vehicle Rolls off BMW Brilliance’s Shenyang Production Base: Advancing into the Neue Klasse Era with Innovation and Intelligent Manufacturing

Thu, 28 May 2026 14:00:00 +0200

Munich/Shenyang. BMW Brilliance’s Shenyang Production Base reached another significant milestone with the official roll-off of its 7 millionth vehicle. This achievement not only reflects the BMW Group’s long-standing commitment to the Chinese market and its continued investment in Shenyang, but also marks a new phase in intelligent manufacturing, local innovation, and future production capabilities.

“For more than 30 years, we have been deeply rooted in China. The seven-millionth BMW vehicle from our plant in Shenyang is a significant milestone in this success story: it demonstrates the strength of our local production – and it reflects the high level of expertise, the great dedication, and the exceptional commitment of our Chinese team,” says Raymond Wittmann, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Production.

“With the start of local production of the Neue Klasse later this year, we are opening the next chapter and starting a new era for BMW in China.”

“Seven million vehicles are far more than just a number — they represent seven million times that Chinese customers have chosen and trusted BMW. Beyond excellent products, we have also built in Shenyang a future-proof production system, strong local competences, and an exceptional team whose expertise drives our innovation and success in China. Building on this strong foundation, we are accelerating into a new era through innovation, deeper localization, and intelligent manufacturing, opening the next chapter of BMW’s development in China.” said Ms. Birgit Boehm, President and CEO of BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd.

The milestone vehicle that rolled off the line is the BMW 3 Series Horse Edition. It not only showcases BMW’s agility in responding to the Chinese market but also highlights the outstanding cross-functional collaboration across R&D, purchasing, and manufacturing at the Shenyang Production Base, as well as its ability to deliver stable, high-quality output in a highly competitive market environment.

Deeply Rooted in China: Building a New Benchmark for BMW iFACTORY

From the roll-off of the first locally produced BMW vehicle in 2003 to today’s 7 millionth milestone, BMW has established a comprehensive system in China covering complete vehicle and powertrain manufacturing, localized R&D, and a localized supply chain, making it one of BMW’s most important production and innovation hubs worldwide.

The vision of the BMW iFACTORY serves as a powerful guiding principle for the BMW production worldwide. BMW’s long-term commitment to Liaoning Province and Shenyang continues to translate into a future-oriented, high-quality production system and strong local innovation capabilities, further strengthening the company’s long-term development foundation in China.

Digitalization and AI Driving the Next Level of Smart Manufacturing

As a key practice hub for BMW’s global intelligent manufacturing, digitalization and AI technologies have been widely integrated across all production processes at the Shenyang Production Base. Through intelligent applications, the base continuously enhances production efficiency, quality management, and operational coordination, achieving more efficient, stable, and high-quality manufacturing operations.

This development direction is also highly aligned with China’s ongoing efforts to advance new industrialization and foster new quality productive forces. Leveraging its Shenyang Production Base, the BMW Group continues to drive the deep integration of intelligent manufacturing, digitalization and sustainability, setting a benchmark for high-quality development in the premium automotive manufacturing sector while also contributing to local supply chain upgrading and the cultivation of highly skilled talent. This demonstrates BMW’s long-term confidence in China and its continued commitment to supporting the high-quality development of China’s manufacturing industry.

Building Core Capabilities for the Neue Klasse, Accelerating Toward New Era

BMW Shenyang Production Base continues to promote employee upskilling and capability transformation, fostering a professional workforce tailored to the future of the automotive industry. This provides sustained support for new technologies, new products, and new production models, while continuously contributing “China experience” to the BMW global production network.

At the same time, centered around the local production of the Neue Klasse models, BMW Shenyang Production Base is comprehensively advancing upgrades in its production system, digital architecture, and supply chain collaboration capabilities. Leveraging a higher level of flexible manufacturing, AI-powered quality management, and a highly connected digital production network, the Shenyang Production Base is laying a solid foundation for the local production of Neue Klasse models while further strengthening BMW’s overall competitiveness in electrification, digitalization, and sustainability — continuing to lead the future of premium automotive manufacturing.

BMW Group and Mistral AI advance AI in crash simulation

Thu, 28 May 2026 10:45:00 +0200

Munich / Paris. The BMW Group and Mistral AI are partnering to advance the use of AI in crash simulation. The aim is to improve quality, accuracy and speed in complex engineering tasks. The collaboration marks a first step towards scaling domain-specific AI across further areas of vehicle development and the BMW Group value chain. 

“For the BMW Group, the use of industrial data is a key factor in translating artificial intelligence into value creation,” said Dr. Franz Decker, CIO and Senior Vice President of the BMW Group. “By combining our engineering datasets with Mistral AI’s model training capabilities, we are building specialized AI which supports complex development tasks.”

Complexity and Data Volume in Crash Simulation

The scale and complexity of crash simulation at the BMW Group underline the need for domain-specific AI. Each week, the company runs thousands of virtual crash simulations, generating vast amounts of engineering data. Over time, this has resulted in a historical dataset of over one petabyte of crash simulation data. It provides highly detailed insights into vehicle structures and material behaviour, forming a unique foundation for training an industrial AI model.

“As Industrial AI becomes the new frontier for AI, we are proud to partner with the BMW Group” said Marjorie Janiewicz, Chief Revenue Officer of Mistral AI. “This collaboration shows how industry specific AI models can help solve complex engineering challenges such as crash simulation.”

Large Industry Model as technical foundation

To scale this approach, the BMW Group is focusing on so-called Large Industry Models (LIM). These are AI systems trained on industry specific engineering and simulation data from vehicle development and safety testing. Unlike general‑purpose AI systems, LIMs embed domain‑specific knowledge directly into the AI model. This requires not only industrial data, but also deep domain expertise and technical environments that allow AI systems to learn directly from BMW’s development processes.

The partnership highlights the importance of industrial data for the next phase of data‑driven value creation and strengthens the BMW Group’s AI and innovation ecosystem.

BMW model updates, summer 2026.

Thu, 28 May 2026 08:00:00 +0200

Munich. Summer 2026 is set to bring new items of standard and optional equipment as well as innovations in digitalisation and powertrain technology and practical features that will make the current BMW model range even more attractive. The optional new Black Package will lend the top models of the BMW 3 Series, BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé and BMW i4 Gran Coupé even more sporting appeal. And the BMW iX3 will in future be available with optional heated rear seats.

Dynamic and black: New Black Package for the M Performance models of the BMW 3 Series, BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé and BMW i4 Gran Coupé.

The new Black package makes the M Performance models of the BMW 3 Series, BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé and BMW i4 Gran Coupé look even more dynamic. It is only available in conjunction with the M Sport package Pro, which includes M Sport brakes in red.

In the interior, the Black Package adds striking accents with motorsport-inspired carbon fibre details. In addition to the Carbon Fibre M interior trim, the M leather steering wheel with carbon decorative trim further emphasises the car’s superb sporting appeal. On the exterior, the Black Package includes exclusive model badges in black on the rear and sides, as well as black 19" M light alloy wheels. The BMW M340i xDrive Sedan (WLTP combined (EnVKV): fuel consumption 7.5 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions 172 g/km; CO₂ class: F), like the BMW M340i xDrive Touring (WLTP combined (EnVKV): fuel consumption 7.8 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions 176 g/km; CO₂ class: G), comes with 19" M light alloy wheels Double-spoke style 995 M Jet Black with mixed tyres. Additional M light alloy wheels and sport tyres are available as options for the Black Package.

The BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé (WLTP combined (EnVKV): fuel consumption 7.9 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions 179 g/km; CO₂ class: G) and the BMW i4 M60 xDrive Gran Coupé (WLTP combined (EnVKV): energy consumption 20.9 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km; electric range: 434 km (WLTP); CO₂ class(es): A) feature an additional black model badge in the BMW kidney grille. For both models, the Black Package comes with 19" M light-alloy wheels Double-spoke style 861 M Jet Black with mixed tyres.

These BMW M light alloy wheels will now also be available as a separate option for all M Performance models of the BMW 4 Series Coupé, BMW 4 Series Convertible and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, optionally with sport tyres.

Debuting in the new BMW iX3: German-language version of the AI-based BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.
BMW is adding AI features to the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. With completely natural-sounding conversations, the AI-based assistant takes voice interaction between humans and vehicles to a whole new level. The new BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant understands natural language and recognises context. Using Amazon Alexa+ AI technology, it becomes a smart assistant for everyday driving. The German language version was introduced in the new BMW iX3 from mid-April 2026 production onwards. Vehicles of this model series produced prior to this date are due to receive the feature via a software update from the end of May 2026. Further BMW models featuring BMW Operating System 9 and BMW Operating System X will follow from the second half of 2026. At the same time, availability will be extended to other markets.

BMW iX3: New entry-level Neue Klasse model takes driving pleasure to a whole new level.
The BMW iX3 model series will include a second powertrain version from summer 2026. The new BMW iX3 40 (WLTP combined (EnVKV): energy consumption 17.3–14.5 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km; electric range: 534–637 km (WLTP); CO₂ class: A) adds an entry-level model to the series. It features the radically new sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology (Gen6) developed specifically for the Neue Klasse. All components are designed for 800-volt technology. A highly efficient electrically excited synchronous motor (EESM) is integrated into the rear axle. This 235 kW/320 hp electric motor generates 500 Nm of torque and drives the rear wheels. The BMW iX3 40 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and has a top speed of 200 km/h. Its high-voltage battery has a usable energy capacity of 82.6 kWh and can be recharged at up to 300 kW. Its maximum range is 637 km on the WLTP cycle. Thanks to state-of-the-art electronics and software architecture, the Neue Klasse technology in the new BMW iX3 40 delivers an unprecedented level of driving pleasure.

New exterior colours and equipment options for the BMW iX3.
From summer 2026, a total of nine particularly attractive BMW Individual special paint finishes will become available for all BMW iX3 engine variants. In addition to Orinoco pearl effect, Sepang Bronze Metallic, Twilight Purple pearl effect, Grigio Telesto pearl effect metallic, Java Green II metallic, Purple Silk metallic and Malachite Green metallic, the range also includes Voodoo Blue and Urban Green solid. New options also include 21" M Aerodynamic wheels 1051 M Jet Black, as well as the Contemporary Agave bicolour interior design. Heated rear seats are another new option, available in conjunction with the optional Innovation package.

Debut for a patented innovation: BMW M Ignite technology introduced for all BMW M six-cylinder engines.
All BMW M six-cylinder in-line engines will feature the innovative BMW M Ignite technology from summer 2026. This highly efficient new technology consists of a pre-chamber ignition system for petrol engines patented by BMW. Derived from motorsport, it enables a significant reduction in fuel consumption under high loads. In addition, BMW M Ignite technology plays a key role in meeting the stringent requirements of the Euro 7 standard. All variants of the BMW M3 and BMW M4 will come with this new technology from July 2026, with the M2 to follow from August 2026. All models’ displacement and power outputs will remain unchanged from those of the corresponding outgoing engines.

Quick help when you need it most: Tyre repair kit Plus.
The BMW 2 Series Coupé, the BMW 4 Series Coupé and the BMW 4 Series Convertible will come with the tyre repair kit Plus (Seal & Drive Tire Kit) as standard from summer 2026. It makes for particularly quick and reliable help.

A sporty look for car keys.
All BMW X3 models with the M Sport package or M Sport package Plus will in future feature car keys with BMW M stripes.

BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant: Create and use routines.
From July 2026, BMW Operating System X will offer new options for creating routines. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant analyses daily usage patterns to suggest routines, thereby simplifying recurring tasks in everyday driving. Users can also create their own custom routines by specifying the conditions under which they are to be executed and which actions are to be performed automatically.

New BMW model for summer 2026

BMW iX3

Max. output (kW/hp)

Energy consumption

WLTP combined

(EnVKV) (kWh/100 km)

CO₂ emissions

WLTP combined

(EnVKV) (g/km)

BMW iX3 40

235/320

17.3–14.5

All descriptions of model variants, equipment, technical data, consumption and emission values are for vehicles as offered on the German market.

British collaboration, reinterpreted: The MINI Paul Smith Edition.

Thu, 28 May 2026 00:01:00 +0200

Munich. MINI and Paul Smith bring together what defines both brands: iconic form, meticulous detailing, and the freedom to reinterpret classic design with unexpected twists. The MINI Paul Smith Edition translates the designer’s signature style into a distinctive edition for the MINI Cooper family—recognisable through characteristic accents both inside and out. The edition is now readily available for the MINI Cooper 3‑Door (electric and petrol), the MINI Cooper 5‑Door, and the MINI Cooper Convertible.

Details with a British twist

Three exterior colours are available for the edition, including two exclusives. Statement Grey reinterprets the 1959 Mini Austin Seven shade in a contemporary way - a clean grey with a subtle blue hue. Inspired White echoes the beloved beige of the classic Mini in a modern tone. Completing the palette is Midnight Black Metallic, an elegant black from the current MINI colour range.

Defining the look are striking contrasts between body, roof, and accent colours, combined with the signature Paul Smith stripes. Door mirrors, the radiator grille surround, and wheel hub caps stand out across all models in Nottingham Green - a nod to the British designer’s hometown.

For the hard-top models, two edition-specific roof finishes are available: Nottingham Green or a more understated black with matte and gloss tone-on-tone striping.

Inside, the MINI Paul Smith Edition pairs British understatement with creative details. Vescin/knit upholstery in Nightshade Blue meets black knitted surfaces with subtle tone-on-tone stripes. A “Hello” projection when opening the door, the “Every day is a new beginning” inscription on the door sill, and the signature stripe textile element on the 6 o’clock spoke of the sport steering wheel add distinctive touches. A hand-drawn “Rabbit” graphic on the floor mat completes the characteristically British sense of humour.

Key highlights of the MINI Paul Smith Edition

Available for the MINI Cooper 3‑Door (electric and combustion), MINI Cooper 5‑Door, and MINI Cooper Convertible
Exclusive exterior colours: Statement Grey, Inspired White, or Midnight Black Metallic
Roof options: Nottingham Green with signature stripe on the driver’s side, or Jet Black with tone-on-tone striping
Nottingham Green as accent colour (mirrors, grille surround, hub caps)
Distinctive details such as the “Hello” light projection, "Rabbit"-graphic on the floor mat, and “Every day is a new beginning” on the door sill
Three exclusive Paul Smith backgrounds in Personal Mode for the circular display

In case of queries, please contact:

Corporate Communications

Franziska Liebert, Spokesperson MINI
Phone: +49-89-382-28030
E-mail: franziska.liebert@mini.com

Micaela Sandstede, Head of Communications MINI
Phone: +49-176-601-61611
E-mail: micaela.sandstede@bmw.de

DTM: Kelvin van der Linde wins at Zandvoort, podium for Marco Wittmann after magnificent comeback.

Mon, 25 May 2026 15:06:26 +0200

Zandvoort. First DTM victory for Kelvin van der Linde (RSA) with BMW M Motorsport! On the second weekend of the season at Zandvoort (NED), the BMW M works driver triumphed on Sunday in the #3 Shell BMW M4 GT3 EVO, breaking the spell after a disappointing start to the season. He retired from the race on Saturday. Marco Wittmann (GER) delivered a magnificent comeback on Sunday in the #11 Schaeffler BMW M4 GT3 EVO, moving up from 13th on the grid to third place thanks to a good strategy and strong overtaking manoeuvres. As a result, after four out of 16 races, he is now third in the drivers’ standings.

Van der Linde bounced back strongly after a setback on Saturday and celebrated all the more exuberantly on the podium. On Saturday, his car suffered an oil leak in qualifying, forcing him to start the race from the very back. Although he managed to make up a few places, he ultimately had to retire the car early due to a technical problem. Sunday, however, went perfectly. With a very strong lap, he secured his second pole position of the season. He initially defended the lead in the race but temporarily dropped to second place. Thanks to an excellent final pit stop, he regained first place and confidently brought home the victory. The fans voted him “Driver of the Day.”

Wittmann had claimed that title at the Red Bull Ring (AUT) – and he would have deserved it again for his performance on Sunday. After collecting a few points with a twelfth-place finish in a difficult race on Saturday, things didn’t look promising for a podium on Sunday, starting from 13th on the grid. However, in the race, he worked his way forward place by place with some impressive moves in the final stages and was able to celebrate third place in the end.

With 52 points, Wittmann is in third place in the drivers’ standings, while van der Linde, after his victory, is seventh with 41 points. In the team standings, Schubert Motorsport is second with 87 points.

ADAC GT Masters: Celebration among BMW M Motorsport teams.

There was also reason to celebrate for the BMW M Motorsport teams in the ADAC GT Masters. In Saturday’s race, FK Performance Motorsport and Schubert Motorsport secured a one-two finish. Tim Zimmermann (GER) and Leyton Fourie (RSA) won ahead of brothers Sandro and Juliano Holzem (both GER). On Sunday, FK Performance Motorsport managed to get two cars onto the podium. Zimmermann and Fourie finished second this time, ahead of their teammates Fabio Rauer (GER) and Storm Gjerdrum (NOR). In the overall standings, Zimmermann and Fourie are in second place.

Quotes after the race weekend:

Torsten Schubert (Team Principal, Schubert Motorsport): “The race on Sunday went smoothly and just as we had hoped from our side. I’m especially happy for Kelvin, after he had some unlucky races at the Red Bull Ring and here on Saturday. I’m even more delighted that we were able to celebrate a double podium with Marco as well. To move up from 13th to third place is excellent. The team did a great job and kept calm, delivering all the pit stops flawlessly. This result is a huge step for us in the team standings.”

Kelvin van der Linde (#3 Shell BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Race 1: DNF, Race 2: 1st place): “It’s fantastic. My first win with BMW M Motorsport in the DTM is just something special, it was a great race. After the retirement on Saturday, it was also necessary. We knew we had to start collecting points if we wanted to have a say in the championship fight. That’s why this victory was an important sign that we’re in the game. We want to attack and be up front. Now it’s important to build the necessary consistency for the rest of the season.”

Marco Wittmann (#11 Schaeffler BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Race 1: 12th place, Race 2: 3rd place): “The Sunday race went perfectly. To go from 13th to third place is a great success. We got everything right in terms of strategy and tyre management and worked our way forward step by step. Overall, we achieved a strong team result with Kelvin’s win and me on the podium behind him. Nevertheless, we need to improve our Saturdays. It was similar in Spielberg: we struggled on Saturday, but were strong on Sunday. I hope that in the future we can have better performance on Saturdays as well. Ultimately, though, we’re satisfied with the outcome and have picked up important points.”

“Staatsoper für alle” 2026: More than 30,000 visitors attended the live screening of “Nabucco” and the open-air concert by the Staatskapelle Berlin on Bebelplatz. An unforgettable weekend to mark the 20th edition – free admission thanks to BMW.

Sun, 24 May 2026 16:43:00 +0200

Berlin. Under sunny skies, Berlin’s Bebelplatz was once again transformed into a musical festival venue at the weekend: more than 30,000 visitors attended the 20th edition of “Staatsoper für alle” – the premier open-air event organised by the Staatsoper Unter den Linden and its long-standing partner BMW. With the live broadcast of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Nabucco” and the concert by the Staatskapelle Berlin under Christian Thielemann, the audience was treated to two extraordinary open-air musical events – with free admission.

On Saturday evening, the live broadcast from the Staatsoper of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Nabucco”, conducted by Francesco Lanzillotta and featuring Ariunbaatar Ganbaatar, Lidia Fridman, Tareq Nazmi, Elena Maximova, Andrés Moreno García, Clara Nadeshdin, Junho Hwang und Hanseong Yun in the title roles, thrilled audiences both in the auditorium and on the open-air big screen on Bebelplatz. On Sunday morning, the Children’s Opera Orchestra, together with members of the International Opera Studio and the Staatsoper’s Youth Choir, opened the musical programme under the baton of Giuseppe Mentuccia with works by Jacques Offenbach and Jules Massenet. Afterwards, the Staatskapelle Berlin, conducted by General Music Director Christian Thielemann, drew enthusiastic cheers from the audience on Bebelplatz with Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 (“Pastoral”), as well as his overtures to “Coriolan” and “Egmont”.

“Now in its 20th year, 'Staatsoper für alle' demonstrates just how unifying music can be and the special power that lies in making opera and concerts freely accessible to everyone right in the heart of Berlin. It fills me with great joy that Bebelplatz has once again been transformed into a vibrant venue for shared cultural experiences and has delighted so many Berliners and visitors from all over the world. My heartfelt thanks go to all the artists, staff, our partner BMW and our wonderful audience,” said Intendant of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden Berlin, Elisabeth Sobotka.

Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, People and Real Estate: “The 20th 'Staatsoper für alle' weekend has once again transformed Bebelplatz into a stage for shared experiences. Thousands of music lovers came together to celebrate the timeless relevance of opera with 'Nabucco'. Moments like these reveal the true power of culture: it inspires, connects and brings joy. This special experience reinforces our commitment at BMW – and we are already looking forward to the coming anniversary year with you all.”

As in previous years, the open-air event was held under the patronage of Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Kai Wegner, who, on Saturday evening, joined Elisabeth Sobotka, Intendant of the Staatsoper, and Nina Englert, Head of the BMW Group’s Berlin branch, in welcoming the audience to the 20th edition of this major musical event on Bebelplatz. On Sunday, the State Secretary for Culture, Ms Cerstin Richter-Kotowski, together with Elisabeth Sobotka and Nina Englert, addressed the tens of thousands of spectators from Berlin and around the world. Journalist and presenter Petra Gute guided the audience through the programme on both days with her knowledgeable and charming commentary. Numerous prominent guests from the worlds of culture and society were also among the audience at “Staatsoper für alle”, including Kostja Ullmann (actor), Michael Michalsky (designer) and Klara Lange (actress).

The opera performance was broadcast live on rbb radio3, whilst the concert by the Staatskapelle Berlin was streamed live on staatsoper-berlin.de and aired on rbb television. Both the radio broadcast of “Nabucco” and the television broadcast of the Staatskapelle concert are available in the ARD media library.

Save the date: On 4 July 2026, “Oper für alle” will take place in Munich, featuring a live broadcast of Richard Wagner’s “Die Walküre”, directed by Tobias Kratzer and conducted by Vladimir Jurowski.

Next year, “Staatsoper für alle” will take place on 12 and 13 June 2027 at Bebelplatz.

The BMW Group's Cultural Engagement, with exclusive updates and deeper insights into its global initiatives can be followed on Instagram at @BMWGroupCulture.

BMW Motorrad presents the M 1000 RR Limited Edition Isle of Man TT.

Fri, 22 May 2026 17:00:00 +0200

Munich. With the BMW M 1000 RR Limited Edition Isle of Man TT, BMW Motorrad introduces a special model limited to 115 units to mark the 115th running of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy in 2026. The edition is based on the BMW M 1000 RR M Competition and combines exclusive TT design elements with carefully selected equipment features and collector attributes.

Markus Flasch, CEO of BMW Motorrad: “Racing is part of BMW Motorrad’s DNA. The BMW M 1000 RR Limited Edition Isle of Man TT is therefore the logical evolution of a special model based on the BMW M 1000 RR. This model bridges our successful
TT heritage and our M models, and is a strong expression of racing DNA, technical precision and exclusivity.”

With this edition limited to 115 units, BMW Motorrad pays tribute to one of the most historic and demanding road races in the world. Key features include the British Racing Green Uni Matt paint finish, selected Mountain Course graphics, and sequential numbering with a certificate of authenticity.

Design: distinctive, precise and authentic

The design of the Limited Edition is consistently aligned with TT DNA: British Racing Green Uni Matt meets specific TT graphics featuring selected sections of the TT Mountain Course – left-hand turns on the left, right-hand turns on the right fairing side. A carbon airbox cover with TT course and TT logo, further carefully placed details, and a seat in Alcantara finish underscore the motorsport character. The aluminium tank with graphic accents completes the premium appearance.

Equipment of the Limited Edition

The special edition is based on the BMW M 1000 RR with M Competition package (without pillion package). In addition, it features exclusive edition-specific elements:

Milled numbering on the top yoke
Certificate of authenticity
British Racing Green Uni Matt paint finish including specific TT graphics:
- selected left-hand turns on the left fairing side
- selected right-hand turns on the right fairing side
Aluminium tank painted in Satin Chrome including tapes
Black Alcantara seat
Matt-finish M carbon airbox cover, complemented by Mountain Course graphic and TT logo
M Race Cover Kit
Black swingarm
TT branding and lettering on the rear frame
Rear workstand
Assembly stand mounting
M motorcycle mat (250 x 105 cm) with M logo and TT logo

The BMW M 1000 RR Limited Edition Isle of Man TT is aimed at customers who combine uncompromising performance with a clear focus on exclusivity and collector value.

Homage to the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy

For decades, the Tourist Trophy has stood for outstanding rider skill, maximum precision and exceptional technical performance. BMW Motorrad has a close connection to this history – from Georg Meier’s legendary TT victory in 1939 to current successes on the
S 1000 RR and M 1000 RR. The Limited Edition takes up this heritage and translates it into a distinctive, exclusive production model.

BMW Motorrad and the TT: historical milestones

In 1939, Georg Meier won the Senior TT on the BMW RS 255 Kompressor. In 1976, another major TT success followed: Helmut Dähne, together with Hans-Otto Butenuth, won the 1,000 cc Production class on the BMW R 90 S. In the modern era,
BMW Motorrad has continued this tradition on the Mountain Course with the S 1000 RR and later the M 1000 RR.

Successes since 2014

Since the introduction of the RR models in the modern TT era, BMW Motorrad has repeatedly demonstrated its competitiveness on the Mountain Course. Michael Dunlop achieved a breakthrough in the 1,000 cc class on the BMW S 1000 RR in 2014.
Peter Hickman shaped the more recent period of success with multiple victories, including a hat-trick in 2022 in the Superbike, Superstock and Senior TT races on
BMW motorcycles. In 2025, Davey Todd further underlined the performance of the
BMW M 1000 RR with a Superbike victory and additional strong results in the 1,000 cc classes. A particularly striking testament to current performance is the overall all-time lap record on the TT Mountain Course set in 2023: 16:36.115 minutes with an average speed of 136.358 mph (approx. 219.4 km/h), achieved by Peter Hickman on a
BMW M 1000 RR in Superstock specification.

Limitation and availability

The M 1000 RR Limited Edition Isle of Man TT will be produced in a strictly limited run of 115 units, further emphasizing its exclusive collector character.

You will find press material on BMW motorcycles and BMW Motorrad rider equipment in the BMW Group PressClub at www.press.bmwgroup.com.

BMW Group and LEGO Group celebrate the BMW M3 E30 – a legend born on the racetrack. Co-created for generations of fans.

Fri, 22 May 2026 16:00:00 +0200

Munich. To mark the 40th anniversary of the BMW M3 E30, the LEGO Group and the BMW Group have come together to extend their collaboration with a special project. For the first time in their history, the two companies have teamed up to co‑create a unique LEGO^® Speed Champions BMW M3 E30 kit with a livery jointly designed by BMW Group and LEGO Group design teams.

This collaboration elevates the two companies’ successful partnership to a new level. The distinctive livery pays tribute to the car’s legendary heritage and draws inspiration from the BMW M Motorsport division. Besides the visually captivating forms and colours of the livery, it is unique in that it is applied not only to the scaled-down replica LEGO^® Speed Champions BMW M3 E30 version, but also to the actual BMW M3 E30. Accordingly, the launch of the small-scale version will be accompanied by an authentic showcar.

The LEGO^® Speed Champions BMW M3 is characterised by special attention to detail in its design, faithful to the original vehicle. Among the recreated design features are the BMW kidney grille, the rear spoiler and the front end with its four round headlights, characteristic of the first-generation BMW M3. The set contains 358 pieces and is 17 centimetres long and 7 centimetres wide. Builders will be able to enjoy endless racing fun, with functional wheels and a realistic driver minifigure wearing a BMW M T-shirt.

For added excitement, fans around the globe will soon be able to match their outfits with their beloved minifigure. A scaled-up version of the minifigure T-shirt will be available from 1 August 2026 onwards from BMW dealers and on lifestyle.bmw.com. Made from organic cotton, it features a high-quality print on the front and back.

Driven by the goal of reproducing iconic racing cars with LEGO bricks, the LEGO^® Speed Champions line has been delighting car enthusiasts and collectors of all ages. The iconic BMW M3 E30 sits perfectly within this tradition, allowing generations of fans to experience BMW Group culture and engineering excellence. This latest edition is sure to ignite racing passion as builders assemble the legendary touring car featuring a one-of-a-kind livery.

The LEGO^® Speed Champions BMW M3 E30 is now available for pre-order at LEGO.com and will be released in LEGO stores and at BMW dealers on 1 August 2026, €27.99 RRP. Available through BMW dealers in the EU/UK, as well as from lifestyle.bmw.com, LEGO shops, and LEGO.com worldwide.

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the BMW M3 E30, the product launch on 1 August 2026 will be highlighted by a public presentation in Berlin. At the event, fans will be able to experience the BMW M3 E30 showcar with the co-created livery among many other highlights – marking another exciting milestone in this collaboration with the LEGO Group.

BMW Group Plant Landshut to produce key component for hydrogen drivetrain.

Thu, 21 May 2026 16:05:00 +0200

Landshut. BMW Group Plant Landshut has started pre-series production of a key control unit for the BMW Group hydrogen drivetrain. The so-called “Energy Master” will in future be used in the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen. At the same time, the site is commissioning a second production line for the control unit used in the battery-electric vehicles of the Neue Klasse (BMW iX3 and BMW i3).

The Energy Master is the central control unit of the high-voltage system. In battery-electric vehicles, it is mounted on the high-voltage battery. In the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, a modified version performs a central control function within the drivetrain system and is installed on the BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage system. The control unit combines energy and data flows, manages the power supply for the e-machine and on-board electrical system, and ensures safe, intelligent operation of the overall system. This makes it the key interface between the fuel cell system, the innovative high-voltage battery and the electric drive machines.

Josef Hochreiter, Vice President Hydrogen Vehicles at the BMW Group: “Our ambition for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is clear: a genuine BMW – with sheer driving pleasure. To achieve this, a perfectly coordinated overall system is crucial. The Energy Master is a key component in this: it intelligently controls the innovative high-voltage battery and, together with the third-generation fuel cell system, delivers assured driving dynamics.”

The plant’s expertise creates synergies between battery-electric and hydrogen-based drivetrain technologies. The close integration of electrical/electronics expertise and industrial series production makes the plant ideally suited to manufacture components for both technology paths. At the BMW Group, the development and production of the Energy Master are being carried out fully in-house for the first time.

Thomas Thym, Head of BMW Group Plant Landshut: “With the start of pre-series production of the hydrogen-specific Energy Master, we are reinforcing Plant Landshut’s role as a centre of expertise for innovative drivetrain technologies. Here we combine development, manufacturing expertise and industrial scaling – for battery-electric vehicles as well as hydrogen fuel cells.”

Landshut’s role in electromobility
BMW Group Plant Landshut is home to two production areas for the Energy Master. For battery-electric vehicles (BEV), the highly complex control unit has already been in series production since last year – currently for the BMW iX3 and BMW i3 models of the Neue Klasse. With the commissioning of the second production line, capacity for this will almost double. At the same time, pre-series production of the hydrogen-specific Energy Master for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is now beginning.

In addition, Landshut plays a central role in the BMW Group hydrogen drivetrain network: the media distribution plate and the fuel cell stack housing for the current pilot fleet of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen were already produced here and have since been further refined. The media distribution plate ensures the precise distribution of hydrogen and air within the fuel cell, while the stack housing structurally integrates and protects the cell stack.

The new BMW iX5 Hydrogen
For the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, which will be launched in 2028, the BMW Group is introducing a new hydrogen tank concept. The arrangement and size of the tanks enable a range of up to 750 kilometres*. The BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage system makes particularly efficient use of the available installation space and is compatible with the Gen6 high-voltage battery without taking up interior space. This makes it possible to produce fuel cell models on the same production line as vehicles with other drive systems.

The BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage technology forms part of the drivetrain. Together with the fuel cell system and an innovative high-voltage battery, it delivers the brand-typical BMW driving pleasure. The latest generation of fuel cell technology (Gen3) will also be used; it is more compact, more efficient and more powerful than all previous generations and is being developed jointly by the BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation.

Series production of the fuel cell systems will begin from 2028 at BMW Group Plant Steyr; Landshut is firmly integrated as a technology and component location.

The BMW Hydrogen strategy
The BMW Group sees technological openness and a broad product portfolio as key success factors. By integrating fuel cell technology into the new BMW X5 series, the company is strategically expanding its series offering and making the advantages of hydrogen available to customers.

Hydrogen stands for electric driving with long range and fast refuelling, diversifies energy sources and reduces dependence on a single infrastructure or raw material supply chain.

Investment and funding strengthen Germany as an industrial location
Through the "HyPowerDrive" project the development of the powertrain and the tank system of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) within the framework of the IPCEI Hy2Move. The federal government is providing funding of EUR 191 million. In addition, the project is (co-)financed by the state of Bavaria with a total of EUR 82 million. The funding is implemented by the Project Management Jülich (PtJ) and coordinated by NOW GmbH.

Since 2020, the BMW Group has invested a high three-digit million-euro sum in expanding electromobility and related key technologies at Plant Landshut.

CO2 emissions & consumption.

* As this is a prototype in the development phase, the statutory WLTP consumption data (and EPA) is not yet available.

BMW M Motorsport News, 20th May 2026.

Wed, 20 May 2026 09:52:39 +0200

Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport:

“Of course, the major highlight of the past few weeks was the incredibly exciting 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. On the one hand, there was the BMW M3 Touring 24H, which captured the hearts of the fans instantly. The enthusiasm it generated was hugely rewarding for all of us at BMW M Motorsport. However, the 24 hours on the Nordschleife are above all defined by the many customer teams competing in their respective classes with passion and dedication. Congratulations to all the class winners from the BMW M Motorsport family! It was also fantastic to have the members of the BMW M Racing Academy with us at the Ring. I believe they were able to gain great insights into this very special race. And although the Nordschleife was the main focus, our customer racing teams were once again successful on various continents, celebrating further victories and podium finishes. We are now looking forward to the next exciting race events!”

24h Nürburgring: Seven class victories for the BMW M Motorsport teams .

The 24 Hours of Nürburgring (GER) was a spectacular event. From BMW M Motorsport’s perspective, the sensational fifth place overall and simultaneous victory in the SPX class for the BMW M3 Touring 24H stood out in particular. However, the endurance racing classic delivered even more positive news, as a total of seven BMW M Motorsport teams finished on the top step of the podium in their respective classes. Here is the list of winners:

SPX class: BMW M3 Touring 24H, BMW M Motorsport, Jens Klingmann (GER), Connor De Phillippi, Neil Verhagen (both USA), Ugo de Wilde (BEL)

SP10 class: BMW M4 GT4 EVO, Riller & Schnauck powered by Cerny Motorsport, Peter Cate (GBR), Joshua Bednarski (FRA), Tom Schütze (GER), Jeroen Bleekemolen (NED)

BMW class: BMW M2 Racing, SRS Team Sorg Rennsport, Maximilian Hill, Max Schlichenmeier, Darian Donkel (all GER), Tim Peeters (BEL)

BMW M240i class: BMW M240i Racing, Adrenalin Motorsport Team Mainhattan Wheels, Sven Markert, Benjamin Albers, Yannick Fübrich (all GER), Santiago Baztarrica (ARG)

BMW 325i class: BMW 325i, Pistorius by EiFelkind Racing, Oliver Frisse, Christopher Gruber, Henning Hausmeier (all GER), Markus Fischer (AUT)

VT2 Hecka class: BMW 330i, Adrenalin Motorsport Team Mainhattan Wheels, Philipp Stahlschmidt, Philipp Leisen, Daniel Zils, „Sub7BTG“ (all GER)

SP4 class: BMW 325CI, Oepen Motors Automobilsport, Ingo Oepen, Christian Koger, Henrik Launhardt (all GER)

All results at a glance

BMW M Racing Academy: “Class of 2026” visits the 24h Nürburgring .

The 24h Nürburgring was also a major highlight for the “Class of 2026” of the BMW M Racing Academy. Josh Green (USA), Ryder Quinn (AUS), and Thomi Rackl (GER) attended the event as part of the BMW M Motorsport development programme for talented customer racing drivers and experienced the massive event featuring 159 cars and 352,000 spectators up close for the first time. The trio joined the briefing sessions of the BMW M3 Touring 24H crew, gaining exclusive insights from both the drivers’ and engineers’ perspectives. BMW M Racing Academy mentors Jens Klingmann and Max Hesse (GER) gave the “Class of 2026” an inside look into their racing routines and demonstrated the level of effort required behind a BMW M Motorsport factory-supported race programme. Green, Quinn, and Rackl were also integrated into the marketing programme. They gave interviews and explained to guests at the BMW M Clubhouse what takes place at a race command stand during the event.

“It was an awesome experience”, Quinn said. “The event is fuelled by passion and has so much character. I really got to appreciate all the hard work that goes into competing at the weekend; so mentally and physically taxing for not only the drivers but the engineers, mechanics and everyone else who make the weekend possible. Having the opportunity to sit in on the debriefs and strategy meetings with Schubert Motorsport gave me the chance to learn from some of the most professional people in world of motorsport. Seeing firsthand how the drivers communicate with engineers, and the level of detail and process behind every discussion, was incredibly valuable. It was a great experience and there are definitely aspects I’ll be taking away and implementing into my own performance and preparation back home in Australia.”

M News compact: More victories and podium finishes.

Italian GT Championship (8th-10th May): In the endurance race at Mugello (ITA), Team Spirit Racing celebrated second place overall as well as second place in the GT3PR category. Sharing driving duties in the #23 BMW M4 GT3 EVO were Danish drivers Mathias Villadsen and Jan Magnussen.

All results at a glance

GT World Challenge America (8th-10th May): Celebrations for Turner Motorsport in Sebring (USA): Justin Rothberg and Robby Foley (both USA) claimed overall victory in the #29 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, also securing P1 in the PRO class.

All results at a glance

GT4 America (8th-10th May): Plenty of trophies at Sebring (USA): Auto Technic Racing secured second place overall as well as in the Silver category with the #51 BMW M4 GT4 EVO. Random Vandals Racing also reached the overall podium with the #94 BMW M4 GT4 EVO – twice finishing P3 overall and thereby winning the Pro-Am category in both races. In the Am class, BimmerWorld and ACI Motorsports claimed class victories. Additional podium finishes in various categories were also achieved by Random Vandals Racing and BimmerWorld.

All results at a glance

GT America (8th-10th May): Craig Lumsden (USA) secured one victory and one second-place finish in the GT4 class at Sebring (USA) with the #610 BMW M4 GT4 EVO from Flying Lizard Motorsports.

All results at a glance

GT4 Australia (8th-10th May): In the first of the two races at The Bend (AUS), Jay Murray (AUS) achieved third place overall and in the Silver class with the #7 BMW M4 GT4 EVO from McElrea Racing. In race two, BMW M Racing Academy member Ryder Quinn (AUS) and teammate Daniel Jilesen (AUS) won the Silver-Am class in the #3 BMW M4 GT4 from Thunder Buddies / Black Diamond.

All results at a glance

GT World Challenge Asia (1st-3rd May): At Mandalika (INA), Brian Lee (TPE) and Maxime Oosten (NED) stepped onto the podium in the Silver-Am class. They finished third in race two with the #10 BMW M4 GT3 EVO from Team KRC.

All results at a glance

Down Under: The MINI Aceman SE on the Streets of Sydney.

Wed, 20 May 2026 00:01:00 +0200

Munich/Sydney. Australia is known not only for its vast open spaces, venomous snakes, kangaroos and Uluru, but also for major metropolitan centres like Melbourne and Sydney, both of which rank among the world’s leading cities. While Melbourne proudly shows off its modern edge, Sydney manages to embrace contemporary trends without losing sight of its past. British influences, in particular, are ever-present in the city centre of the 5.5‑million-strong metropolis – the perfect backdrop for an extended drive in the MINI Aceman SE.

Located on Australia’s east coast, Sydney is renowned for its exceptional quality of life, the iconic Harbour Bridge with views of the uniquely designed Sydney Opera House, and the gleaming white sands of Bondi Beach.

At just under 4.10 metres long, the MINI Aceman SE stands out among historic sandstone buildings and modern skyscrapers alike. That’s not only due to its striking Blazing Blue paintwork, but also because it has only been on sale in Australia since last year. It neatly complements the local MINI line-up alongside the MINI Cooper and MINI Countryman.

Cruising through the vibrant Darlinghurst neighbourhood, past Hyde Park and the historic barracks, and on towards The Rocks, it becomes clear just how deeply rooted British heritage still is in Sydney. The drive continues past the lush Royal Botanic Garden towards the Sydney Opera House – a familiar sight to many from New Year’s Eve broadcasts around the world. At midnight local time, the shell-shaped landmark sends images of the Harbour Bridge and the year’s first celebrations across the globe.

Sydney Harbour is lively and far more rugged than those of many other global cities. While countless ferries depart from Warrane Cove, another cruise ship is docking at The Squire’s Landing, bringing a fresh wave of visitors into the city. Each day, hundreds of passengers disembark from the mostly white giants of the sea and head into hotels to spend a few more days enjoying Sydney before continuing on to New Zealand or returning to Singapore.

Almost silently, the 160 kW / 218 hp MINI Aceman SE glides through Barangaroo and into the energetic shopping precinct around Market, Bathurst and Kent Streets, with views of the Queen Victoria Building and the charming Town Hall. The city’s many landmarks don’t just pass by outside – they’re also announced inside the car via the circular 24‑centimetre central display.

The compact crossover’s steering is light, impressively direct, and its low centre of gravity makes quick changes of direction genuinely fun. With a maximum torque of 330 Nm available from standstill, the MINI Aceman slots effortlessly into any gap in traffic. Heads turn outside cafés and boutiques not only because of the appealing design and near-silent progress, but also because this kind of car stands out in Sydney.

As Australia’s largest city, Sydney is dominated by big Utes and ruggedized SUVs fitted with winches, chunky tyres, radio antennas and extra lights – essential gear for the unforgiving outback. In the city, however, things are very different. Here, the front-wheel-drive layout, low centre of gravity and firm overall setup shine, delivering plenty of driving enjoyment.

The battery pack mounted in the floor offers a total range of up to 405 kilometres (WLTP). With plans to head out of Sydney into the surrounding region the next day, a full charge is on the agenda. Australia – even in its largest cities – can’t match Europe when it comes to charging infrastructure. Most EV owners charge at home, so there are only a handful of fast chargers available in car parks or at selected service stations.

A short charging stop is made more pleasant with a snack and an espresso before heading south again on the Warringah Freeway (M1) towards the Harbour Bridge. Passing through the ever-busy Chinatown district, the route continues over rougher roads towards the eastern side of the city via Oxford Street, Bondi Junction and Bondi, ending at one of the world’s most famous beaches: Bondi Beach – equally popular with locals and visitors from all over the globe.

City cruising has a positive effect on both efficiency and range, meaning the Aceman, with its 49.2 kWh usable battery capacity, can comfortably cover close to 400 kilometres before the next charge. Anyone planning a longer road trip along Australia’s east coast should not only keep an eye on the many speed cameras, but also be mindful of the sparse fast

charging network. At least heading north towards the Gold Coast, there’s little temptation to speed anyway – despite the country’s vast size and low population density, the limit is firmly set at 110 km/h.

Customers Down Under appreciate the MINI Aceman not just for its design and electric drive. For many, it’s the generous space and everyday practicality that matter most. The latest MINI offers more room than the MINI Cooper, without stepping into MINI Countryman territory in terms of size. And practical as the MINI Aceman SE may be, style certainly isn’t neglected. Comfortable seats with massage function, a head-up display and voice control all come as part of the package. Projectors, for example, cast distinctive lighting graphics in various colours onto the textile dashboard, with colours and ambient lighting changing depending on the selected driving mode. It’s an especially striking sight when taking in evening views of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

In case of queries, please contact:
Corporate Communications

Julian Kisch, Press Spokesperson, Product Communications MINI
Phone: +49-151-601-38072
E-mail: julian.kisch@mini.com

Micaela Sandstede, Head of Communications MINI
Phone: +49-176-601-61611
E-mail: micaela.sandstede@bmw.de

Neue Klasse vehicles are becoming a central component of the home energy ecosystem: BMW and SOLARWATT are expanding their partnership.

Mon, 18 May 2026 09:00:00 +0200

Munich/Dresden. BMW and SOLARWATT are further expanding their collaboration in the field of smart energy and home charging solutions.

With the launch of the first models in the Neue Klasse, the BMW iX3 and the BMW i3, BMW is beginning the rollout of its bidirectional charging technology.

Following Germany’s first commercial Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) offering - available since March 2026 - the next logical step for Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) is now being taken: BMW iX3 and BMW i3 customers can now make even more extensive use of this new technology in their vehicles.

With the increasing electrification of mobility and customer households, new opportunities are emerging for holistic energy optimization and the integration of both ecosystems.

As part of this, BMW and SOLARWATT are optimizing the integration of the electric vehicle into the customer’s household. To this end, the SOLARWATT Manager home energy management system (HEMS) will serve as the link between both ecosystems in the future.

The SOLARWATT HEMS handles the central and intelligent control and optimization of energy flows in the household via coordinated and communicating components. This efficiently optimizes the generation, storage, and consumption of energy.

The electric vehicle is seamlessly integrated into the interaction between the photovoltaic system (PV system), home storage, and consumers in the home as an additional storage unit.

This home network integration is made possible by combining BMW Neue Klasse models with the bidirectional BMW Wallbox Professional, which not only charges the vehicle but can also feed energy back into the home when needed.

The market launch for the integration of bidirectional BMW vehicles into SOLARWATT’s new HEMS for Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) applications is planned for late 2026 in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.

BMW and SOLARWATT have been collaborating in the field of electromobility since 2013. In 2021, the two partners also launched a home storage system featuring a battery module that incorporates components also used in the BMW Group’s electric vehicles. Since 2025, the successor model, SOLARWATT Battery vision, has been available, with its housing and design created by BMW Designworks USA.

Smart Connectivity: Energy Management and Home Network Integration in perfect harmony

Since the launch of the Neue Klasse, BMW has relied on Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) technology as a gateway to bidirectional charging, the use of solar energy, and the reduction of energy costs.

The offering is now being expanded to include home network integration for optimal energy management. This marks a significant advancement for V2H applications. The intelligent interaction of all components (BMW electric vehicle, BMW Wallbox Professional, HEMS from SOLARWATT, home storage, and other consumers) creates a holistic system that not only optimizes self-consumption but also takes the flexibility and efficiency of the home energy supply to a new level.

Homeowners control their settings via the My BMW App and the SOLARWATT Home app. With the V2H option, the electric car serves as additional storage for surplus solar power generated by the PV system. In addition to optimizing the interaction of all components, the SOLARWATT Manager allows for the integration of dynamic electricity rates and the incorporation of solar forecasts to further optimize charging and discharging processes, further reduce energy costs, and increase self-sufficiency.

The SOLARWATT Manager is designed to be open: In addition to SOLARWATT's product range, home storage systems from other brands can also be integrated. This creates a flexible home energy system that can be expanded in stages.

Overall Optimization: Electric Car Complements Home Battery Storage

“Drivers of a Neue Klasse electric car like the BMW iX3 can use the additional storage to make even more efficient use of self-generated solar power, increase self-consumption, and thus reduce their reliance on expensive grid electricity. For many homeowners, the prospect of expanding an existing home battery storage system with an electric car is highly attractive. This significantly increases the benefits of one’s own PV system, lowers electricity costs, and makes the home even less dependent on purchasing electricity from the grid,” says SOLARWATT CPO Peter Bachmann.

“At the same time, bidirectional charging holds enormous potential for the energy transition, as the batteries of electric vehicles collectively form a massive storage reserve. If this flexibility is intelligently integrated into energy markets and households, it can help relieve the strain on power grids, better integrate renewable energy, and make additional storage capacity available quickly and cost-effectively,” says Marcus Krieg, Vice President New Business at the BMW Group.

Market Launch and Future Strategic Direction

Following the next public milestone at Intersolar (The Smarter E), the focus is on the phased implementation of the next project milestones leading up to the market launch at the end of this year.

BMW and SOLARWATT consistently place the customer and their entire ecosystem at the center of their efforts. The partners aim to enable seamless and reliable interaction between all components in the home and in the vehicle. In doing so, they create a consistent, integrated customer experience and strengthen their position as leading companies in the field of connected vehicle and home usage.

“BEST OF SHOW”: BMW 328 “BÜGELFALTE” WINS THE TROFEO BMW GROUP. CONCORSO D’ELEGANZA VILLA D’ESTE 2026 PRESENTS A MULTITUDE OF HIGHLIGHTS AND TWO WORLD PREMIERES

Mon, 18 May 2026 02:32:00 +0200

More photographs and footages could be downloaded at the BMW Group Classic Media Download Server:

Concorso_d'Eleganza_Villa_d'Este_2026 - bmwgroupclassic-downloads.com > Events > 2026 > Concorso_d'Eleganza_Villa_d'Este_2026

Munich/Cernobbio. The participants in this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este (May 15th – 17th 2026) and the visitors to the event enjoyed an unforgettable experience amid spring temperatures on the shores of Lake Como. Assembled under the banner “Future needs Heritage”, the Concorso’s selection of motoring gems and vehicle exhibits extended from the early eras of the automobile to cutting-edge concept cars and prototypes. The result was a compelling overview of more than a century of automotive history. The stunning Villa d’Este luxury hotel provided a fitting backdrop for the world’s most elegant and prestigious contest for historic automobiles.

The only special roadster produced at the Munich plant

The BMW 328 “Bügelfalte” from 1937 was crowned the overall winner of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2026 by the Jury of distinguished experts – and therefore claimed the title of “Best of Show”. This one-off model owes its name to the eye-catching metal edging atop its front wings.

On Sunday evening, its proud owner Stefano Martinoli was honoured with the “Trofeo BMW Group – Best of Show”. The prestigious winner’s prize was presented by Helmut Käs, Head of BMW Group Classic and President of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, Wilhelm Schmid, CEO of A. Lange and Söhne, and the President of the Jury, Lorenzo Ramaciotti. Along with the impressive trophy, the winner – selected by the Jury – also received a unique example of the 1815 CHRONOGRAPH timepiece in 18-carat white gold with solid pink-gold dial and hand-engraved Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este crest on the hinged cuvette. This exclusive watch was created by A. Lange & Söhne specially for the winner of the Trofeo BMW Group. Another A. Lange & Söhne masterpiece was also celebrating its premiere at the Concorso: the Cabaret Tourbillon Honeygold, released in a limited edition of 50 pieces.

Mercedes-Benz SL 300 Roadster wins prize selected by Public Referendum

The Trofeo Coppa d'Oro Villa d'Este, awarded by public vote, was won by the Mercedes-Benz SL 300 Roadster owned by Eric Blumencranz from the USA. This 1963 car was one of the last examples to leave the factory.

In total, 54 vehicles from 13 countries took their places in this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este across eight competition classes. Out of these emerged the respective class winners. While some of the classes were dedicated to a particular era, others represented more unusual groupings – such as spectacular Ferraris from the 1950s and 60s, and cars from various decades radiating a very special aura thanks to their original condition and lack of extensive restoration.

The grand parades outside Villa d’Este on Saturday and in the parkland of Villa Erba on Sunday were each led by a BMW 328, the roadster turned legend celebrating its 90th birthday this year. Built from 1936 to 1940, the 328 – with its 2.0-liter six-cylinder in-line engine – represents a milestone in automotive history and was the most successful sports car of the 1930s. The 328 shaped the character of BMW like arguably no other model and continues to enthral to this day. All those years ago, it already embodied the attributes that continue to define the brand to this day: dynamism, aesthetic appeal and standout technology.

Two BMW world premieres on Friday evening

The first highlight of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2026 arrived on Friday evening with the world premiere of the Vision BMW ALPINA. This car combines all the elements that set the newly established BMW ALPINA brand apart: extreme driving capability, sophistication, and the mastery of both performance and comfort. The coupé roofline is long and raked, its form signalling the dynamism that accompanies an ability to accommodate four people in genuine comfort. At 5,200 mm in length, the 2+2-seater exudes an imposing presence, and its V8 engine provides a fitting choice of power source. Four elliptical exhaust tailpipes conjure the characteristic Alpina notes that are such an influence on the driving experience: sonorous and deep at low speeds, muscular and stirring at higher revs.

Helmut Käs, Head of BMW Group Classic and President of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, said: “I think the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is exactly the right place to unveil a new car; it’s very much in keeping with this year’s motto “Future needs Heritage”. A reveal of this kind at Villa d’Este is something quite special; here, we are drawing a line from the past, through the present to the future. I find the atmosphere at the Villa d’Este really fantastic. The special thing about it is this: arguably nowhere else in the world can you experience this scenario of a brand-new model among all of these historic vehicles. This is what makes the event so captivating.”

The second world premiere on Friday evening saw BMW Motorrad laying down a powerful, emotionally engaging statement. The BMW Motorrad Vision K18 stands for uncompromising passion, assured long-distance performance and outstanding visual presence. The guiding visual theme of the Vision K18 is “The Heat of Speed”. A 1,800 cc six-cylinder in-line engine is the bike’s technical and stylistic centrepiece. It steers the appearance of the arrow-shaped “Full Force Forward” bike from every angle, it encapsulates the commitment of BMW Motorrad to blending technical excellence with emotional resonance, and it makes performance not only numbers on a sheet of paper but also an experience for the eye to behold. At the same time, the straight six is showcased as an element of BMW’s DNA and flies the flag for pioneering spirit – dialling up the radicalism, sharpening character at a detail level and inspiring solutions for future series-produced machines in the process.

The two Public Days of the weekend gave BMW Group Classic the platform to appeal to a broad audience of car enthusiasts. At the heart of the programme was “Amici & Automobili – Wheels & Weisswürscht”, which has developed into a fixture of the Concorso within just a few years. Here, fans of legendary cars and enthusiasts get together in the extensive grounds of Villa Erba to compare notes on their favourites.

40 Years of the BMW M3
The big “40 Years of the BMW M3” anniversary created considerable excitement thanks to the array of cars on display. This was the model that launched a whole new category: the compact high-performance sports car. The original BMW M3 started life as a homologation special for a variety of touring car race series. To gain the necessary clearance to take its place on the grid, at least 5,000 road-legal examples of each competing model had to be sold. That figure was surpassed by some distance, as the BMW M3 quickly became a byword for driving pleasure and technical expertise. Between 1987 and 1992, the BMW Motorsport GmbH-built BMW M3 E30 won all the relevant touring car race series and today remains the most successful touring car racer of all time. Many legendary wheelmen were keen to be present at the anniversary, including BMW works drivers Johnny Cecotto, Roberto Ravaglia and Emanuelle Pirro, and brand ambassador HRH Prince Leopold of Bavaria.

At Villa Erba, BMW celebrated the 50-year anniversary of both the BMW 6 Series and the BMW Art Car Collection as part of the BMW Art Car World Tour. On display were two masterpieces from the collection – Robert Rauschenberg’s BMW 635 CSi from 1986 and John Baldessari’s BMW M6 GTLM from 2016 – that were celebrating landmark anniversaries of their own. Stopping off at 60 locations in more than 30 countries, the “on tour” BMW Art Cars have now greeted over two million visitors at leading art fairs, museums, motor sport events and cultural institutions. The BMW Art Car World Tour will reach its pinnacle in summer 2026 with the biggest exhibition yet at BMW Welt in Munich.

The spectacular parade of all the historic cars in the grounds of Villa Erba on Sunday turned into an acclaimed show-reel, with the “Concept Cars & Prototypes” class adding to the attraction by creating a bridge between the past and the future. Following the parade, Helmut Käs, Head of BMW Group Classic and President of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, handed over the receipts from ticket sales on Saturday to Enrico and Giovanni Figini, presidents of the La Cometa charitable organisation in Cernobbio. In the presence of Cernobbio mayor Matteo Monti and his deputy Mario Della Torre, Helmut Käs also presented another donation from BMW Group Classic to Elisabetta Forni, President of aid organisation Comitato Basso Lario, likewise based in Cernobbio.

Longstanding partnerships with BMW Group Classic
“The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is much more than simply one of the most renowned events in the classic car world. Since 1929, it has also been a place where beauty, tradition, craftsmanship and passion converge to inimitable effect – and that can now look back on almost a century of history,” says Davide Bertilaccio, CEO Villa d'Este Hotels. “At Villa d’Este, the Concorso is an integral part of our identity. We don’t just host the event, we are committed to extending its legacy. We are guardians of something unique, something that doesn’t only belong to the present but also to the generations before us that created it and to those who will have the privilege and responsibility of carrying it on. Our long partnership with the BMW Group, which now stretches back over more than 20 years, has enabled this extraordinary event to continue evolving while staying true to itself. Together, we have set ourselves the aim of preserving its authenticity, refining every detail and ensuring that every edition of the event remains a celebration of timeless elegance, automotive excellence and the unmistakable spirit of Villa d’Este. Of course, the true success of the Concorso lies in the exceptional vehicles and in the emotions at play here – in the enthusiasm of collectors, experts and visitors from around the world and in the sense of wonder that this place always evokes. This makes the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este not only an event but also a legacy that must be preserved, protected and passed on,” adds Bertilaccio.

Wilhelm Schmid, CEO of A. Lange & Söhne, also highlighted the long-standing partnership with BMW Group Classic: “The worlds of fine watchmaking and automobiles have much in common: timeless design, the finest craftsmanship and utmost precision. And we have been celebrating this for 15 years now as a partner of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. But this is also about never standing still, about letting the wheels of cars roll and the hands of watches circle their dials. More than anything, though, it requires great passion to be part of these two worlds. All of this can be found both in the Best of Show winner and the specially manufactured example of our 1815 CHRONOGRAPH. And so it was a great pleasure for me to present the winner of this year’s competition with this unique timepiece.”

Bidders from 31 countries at the Broad Arrows auctions
Broad Arrow Auctions, driven by Hagerty, returned as the official auction partner of BMW AG for the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, registering a 71 percent increase in bidders over 2025 with those bidders representing 31 different countries. Over two days, Broad Arrow Auctions hosted a spectacular sale of 70 cars epitomising style, performance and desirability, with collectors from around the world treated to a superb atmosphere at Villa Erba.

A 2018 Pagani Zonda Unica was the star attraction in the sale, along with a 2023 Ferrari Daytona SP3 and one of the most iconic supercars of all, a 1990 Ferrari F40. They formed part of a superb catalogue of classic and contemporary models from BMW, Lamborghini, Maserati, Porsche and others, all of which contributed to an auction that shared the same sense of glamour and heritage as the Concorso itself. Full results of the auction are available on the Broad Arrow Auctions website.

BMW Group Classic would like to thank its sponsors and partners A. Lange & Söhne, Broad Arrow Auctions, Vranken-Pommery Monopole and Schedoni Modena.

To bridge the gap until the next edition of the event, we would like to invite all car enthusiasts to look back on the highlights of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2026 at www.concorsodeleganzavilladeste.com.

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Please open the attached file to see the complete list of winners.

24h Nürburgring: Major BMW M3 Touring 24H Show in front of a record crowd in the “Green Hell”.

Sun, 17 May 2026 21:19:00 +0200

Nürburgring. Sensational performance by the BMW M3 Touring 24H at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring (GER)! What began as an April Fool’s joke and was then built by BMW M Motorsport as a real race car for enthusiastic fans, celebrated a truly fairy-tale ending with fifth place overall and victory in the SPX class. The #99 BMW M4 GT3 EVO from ROWE Racing narrowly missed the podium in front of a record crowd of 352,000 spectators, finishing fourth. The defending champions with car #1 retired late on Saturday evening due to a technical defect.

A top-ten result had been declared by those responsible at BMW M Motorsport as a dream outcome for the BMW M3 Touring 24H ahead of the race. What then unfolded during the race caused a sensation among all fans and throughout the paddock. The Schubert Motorsport team and drivers Jens Klingmann (GER), Connor De Phillippi (USA), Ugo de Wilde (BEL), and Neil Verhagen (USA) delivered a perfect race, quickly establishing themselves in the leading group and at times even having the overall podium in sight. In the end, fifth place was a sensational result.

The BMW M3 Touring 24H originated from an April Fool’s joke in 2025 and the extremely positive response from fans. In just eight months, BMW M Motorsport engineers built the car based on the BMW M3 Touring road car and with many racing components from the BMW M4 GT3 EVO. The goal was not just to create a show car, but a vehicle capable of competing at GT3 level. However, even optimists did not expect things to go so well at the 24-hour race. As a result, the car will appear at selected events in the future.

For defending champions ROWE Racing, it was just not enough for another podium finish in the “Green Hell” this time. In the #99 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Dan Harper (GBR), Max Hesse (GER), Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), and Dries Vanthoor (BEL) finished fourth, with victory going to Mercedes-AMG. The quartet fought back strongly after an unavoidable spin shortly after the start. Fourth place overall also meant second place in the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) classification, which includes the 24h Nürburgring. The #1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO with defending champions Augusto Farfus (BRA), Raffaele Marciello (SUI), and Kelvin van der Linde as well as Jordan Pepper (both RSA) retired around 11:00 p.m. due to a technical defect in the fuel system. The #77 BMW M4 GT3 EVO from Schubert Motorsport with drivers Philipp Eng (AUT), Robin Frijns (NED), Charles Weerts (BEL), and Marco Wittmann (GER) finished ninth.

In total, the BMW M Motorsport teams celebrated eight class victories: with the BMW M3 Touring 24H in SPX, the BMW M4 GT4 EVO from Riller & Schnauck powered by Cerny Motorsport in SP10, the BMW M2 Racing from SRS Team Sorg Rennsport in the BMW class, the BMW M240i Racing from Adrenalin Motorsport Team Mainhattan Wheels in the BMW M240i class, the BMW 330i from Adrenalin Motorsport Team Mainhattan Wheels in the VT2 Rear category, the BMW 325i from Pistorius by EiFelkind Racing in the BMW 325i class, the BMW 325CI from Oepen Motors Automobilsport in SP4, and the BMW 318ti from RAVENOL Motorsport by MDM Racing in SP3.

Quotes after the 24h Nürburgring:

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “First of all, congratulations to everyone at Team Schubert, ROWE Racing, and BMW M Motorsport for their great effort. The 24 Hours is always very tough, but we had an intensive preparation and, as a result, a great race. Congratulations also to Mercedes-AMG. They set the benchmark this weekend. For car #3 with Max Verstappen, it was of course unfortunate, but it was still a well-deserved victory. Overall, it was a fantastic event here at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring – with record spectator numbers. This classic once again offered everything needed for a spectacular race. It became clear to us relatively quickly that, unfortunately, we didn’t have the speed this year to fight at the very front. That makes the result all the more satisfying: three out of four cars finished in the top ten. Our BMW M3 Touring 24H even made it to fifth place, the best car, the #99, finished fourth – just missing the podium, but that’s how it goes sometimes. I think we can take away many positives, especially that our Touring project was certainly one of the big fan favorites here at the Ring. The car definitely showed that it is a serious competitor and can run at the front. Of course, we are also proud of the many class wins – including with our BMW M4 GT4 EVO and our BMW M2 Racing. Next year, we’ll be back to go for our 22nd overall victory.”

Hans-Peter Naundorf (Team Principal ROWE Racing): “That was really not an easy race for us, a big challenge. The team still tried to make the best of it. We fought until the end and were within striking distance of the podium right up to the finish. In the end, it just wasn’t meant to be. Our car #1 retired due to a technical problem. That’s very unfortunate for the crew, who couldn’t defend the title. We’ll analyse what happened and provide them with a reliable car next time. Congratulations to Mercedes, the Winward team, and Christian Hohenadel. They did a great job, really impressive. And I think we at BMW M Motorsport can be satisfied with two cars in the top five. That was a very good performance under the circumstances we had.”

Torsten Schubert (Team Principal Schubert Motorsport): “With the BMW M3 Touring 24H, we had a very successful race. We said we wanted to finish in the top ten, and in the end, we came fifth. That’s a great result. We won the class, and I’m very happy about that. With the BMW M4 GT3 EVO, we had hoped for a bit more. We need to understand why the car didn’t perform in four stints, even though we didn’t do anything differently. We have to analyse that and look at the data closely, because we would have liked to fight for the podium until the end. We were actually lucky with the weather: there was only a brief rain shower.”

Dries Vanthoor (#99 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, ROWE Racing, 4th place): “That’s obviously not the result we were hoping for. For us, it started off a bit difficult; we were spun around in the first lap. Then we fought our way back into the top five, which was very strong. The team did an incredible job. They worked very hard all week, so a big thank you to them. It’s sad not to have given the crew a podium, but that’s how it is. We’ll be back next year.”

Jens Klingmann (#81 BMW M3 Touring 24H, BMW M Motorsport, 5th overall, 1st SPX class): “The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring was the big highlight and the climax of our BMW M3 Touring 24H project. I think we can all be extremely proud, every single person involved and also the brand, that we got the project started and then finished it successfully. We saw that the car was not just an April Fool’s joke in the end, but a competitive vehicle that was consistently in the top five. Accordingly, I am very proud of the whole team and BMW M Motorsport. We are very happy with the result; a top ten would have been a dream, and it turned into a top five finish. We are overjoyed.”

Connor De Phillippi (#81 BMW M3 Touring 24H, BMW M Motorsport, 5th overall, 1st SPX class): “Fifth place with the BMW M3 Touring 24H here at the Nürburgring – that’s an incredible result. Everyone delivered a flawless performance throughout the weekend. No one made a single mistake. The car ran perfectly. I’m just super happy for everyone involved. I think it was an emotional weekend for everyone to implement this special project. And the fact that it went so smoothly is proof of how many great people we have in this team. This is a great success for the BMW M Motorsport family today.”

Neil Verhagen (#81 BMW M3 Touring 24H, BMW M Motorsport, 5th overall, 1st SPX class): “We knew the car would be strong, but this result really shows how special this BMW M3 Touring 24H project was. Bringing the car into the top five overall and winning the class is something very special. It’s actually my best result here at the Nürburgring. In the end, it hurts a bit because we saw that the potential was there to maybe even fight for the overall podium but we didn’t have the necessary luck. Still, I’m very grateful to be part of the programme and very happy to have driven the BMW M3 Touring 24H. I think it will definitely go down in history as one of, if not the coolest car ever to race on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife.”

Ugo de Wilde (#81 BMW M3 Touring 24H, BMW M Motorsport, 5th overall, 1st SPX class): “I’m super happy that we made it into the top five. I don’t think we even dared to dream of such a good result. What a project! I feel so honoured and grateful to have been a part of it. I get a bit emotional when I think that the whole story is now coming to an end and we won’t be driving our baby on the Nordschleife anymore. But we really did a great job. The car was incredible to drive. We stayed out of all the chaos that can happen on this track, and the team did a really good job. That’s why I’m very proud of everyone.”

Philipp Eng (#77 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Schubert Motorsport, 9th place): “As always, it was a very intense race here. Unfortunately, we lost quite a bit of time at the beginning in the mixed conditions and were twice on the wrong tyres at the wrong time. After that, the package was really very fast. Especially with the Yokohama tyre, it was incredibly fun. I drove two stints at night and then finished with both slick compounds. We really have a strong partner on our side and a lot of potential in the whole package. Thanks to Team Schubert, thanks to BMW M Motorsport.”

Jordan Pepper (#1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, ROWE Racing, DNF): “This was my first 24h Nürburgring as a BMW M works driver, and I’m very proud to have been part of the #1 crew. We would have liked to defend this starting number, but technical defects happen in motorsport. That’s very unfortunate, but no one is really to blame. I think we would have had a good chance to at least fight for the podium again, because we were especially strong in mixed conditions. The problem with refuelling occurred quite early in the race and set us back. I would love to come back with this crew next year.”

Media Contact:

Andrea Schwab
Spokesperson BMW M GmbH and BMW M Motorsport
Phone: +49 (0) 151 601 60988
Email: Andrea.Schwab@bmw.de

Laura Claesgens
Spokesperson BMW M GmbH and BMW M Motorsport
Phone: +49 (0) 151 601 47299
Email: laura.claesgens@bmw.de

Christophe Koenig
Head of BMW M GmbH and BMW M Motorsport Communications
Phone: +49 (0) 176 601 56097
Email: christophe.koenig@bmw.de

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