BMW M celebrates 50th anniversary

BMW M will mark 50 years of involvement in motorsport and producing fast cars with the reintroduction of the performance brand's original M sport roundel.

First used on a BMW M race car back in 1973, the badge previews the famous tri-colour stripe that would become synonymous with M sport from 1978 onwards.

That was when the blue, violet and red stripes were used on the BMWs competing in the legendary M1 Procar one-make race series that saw Niki Lauder win in 1979 and Nelsen Piquet crowned champion in 1980.

From January 2022, if you order any BMW M model buyers will be able to tick the box for the special commemorative bonnet and wheel badges as well as order exterior paint colours from BMW M's back catalogue.

These include Dakar Yellow and Fire Orange that were an option on the E92 BMW M3, and Macao Blue that could be specified on the first M3 (E30).

Classic colours like Daytona Violet, Imola Red and Ray Blue all return.

As well as the new badge and celebratory hues, BMW M has already announced that it will use its 50th anniversary as an excuse to introduce a BMW M3 Touring wagon for the first time, an M2 replacement, its first pure-electric model and a "special version" of the BMW M4 Coupe that could be a follow-up to the most extreme track-bred M4 GTS.

Commenting on the new badge and paint colours, BMW M chairman Franciscus van Meel said: "With the classic BMW Motorsport emblem, we would like to share our joy about the anniversary of BMW M GmbH with the fans of the brand.

"We have a great year ahead of us, which will be celebrated with unique product highlights and exciting performances. The M has long been considered the strongest letter in the world, and in our company's anniversary year it is stronger than ever."