BMW M3: The Evolution.

1986: E30
After completing its brief career in Formula 1, BMW’s Motorsport arm focused all its energy on touring car racing. The BMW M3 E30 was born. The first edition came with a 195hp, four-cylinder 16-valve power unit. Right from the start, the car was a success and in 1987 Italian driver Roberto Ravaglia won the World Touring Car Championship at the wheel of a BMW M3. In the following five years, the M3 was the uncontested leader in the international touring car scene, bringing home two European Touring Car Championships and winning the DTM twice. But the M3 was, of course, an equally successful road-going car. Sales reached a heady volume of 17,970 units, including 600 units of the 2.5-litre M3 Sport Evolution version, as well as 765 hand-built convertibles.

1992: E36
The E36 M3, launched in 1992, was voted car of the year in Germany two years on the trot – and in France even gained the questionable moniker ‘car of the century’. Between 1992 and 1996, M-sport built more than 85 four-door racing 3 Series based on the E36 M3 GT, with Johnny Cecotto at the wheel winning the ADAC GT Championship in 1993, and next setting out to conquer the US motorsport market. In 1995, the car received even more power – 321hp from 3.2 litres, to be precise – and for the first time, the M3’s grunt exceeded 100hp per litre. Double variable timing was also used for the first time, as well as a six-speed gearbox.

2000: E46
Making its debut in the year 2000, the E46 M3 turned up the gauge in all departments. 343hp. 365Nm. 5.2 seconds. And the design, in turn, reflected the increased attitude. One year later, the M3 GTR lined up on the starting grid of the American Le Mans Series with a four-litre eight-cylinder under the bonnet for the first time. The racing car with the characteristic air scoops in the bonnet and the powerful rear aerofoil proved superior on the race tracks of the USA and won the Championship in the GT Class. 2003 saw the return of the CSL with its roof, centre console and door panels made of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic. This lean beast was powered by an engine tuned to 360hp, which gave it an astonishing Nürburgring lap time of 7.50. In 2003. All 1,800 units were sold before they hit the forecourt.

2007: E90-series
For the E90, with that marmite design that put quite a few folk off, BMW went with an eight-cylinder engine for the first time in the coupé and the saloon launched shortly afterwards. The new V8 engine generated power of 420hp from a displacement of 3,999 cubic centimetres. Around 85% of the maximum torque of 400Nm could be called up over the enormous rev range of 6,500rpm. Power was transferred to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox and a completely new rear-axle differential. Particularly in the coupé, the design engineers once again used lightweight construction. The positive experiences with other M models led to the roof also being made of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic, and the engine bonnet was made of aluminium.

2014: F80 Generation

By 2014, the M3 had changed once again – this time swapping out the V8 for a twin-turbocharged straight-six. It was a return to tradition in some ways, but also a clear sign of things to come. The new 3.0-litre engine pushed out 431hp and brought with it a wall of torque and real-world usability that made the F80 a more versatile M3 than ever. It was quicker, sharper and more efficient, with a raft of modern tech under the skin – including adaptive suspension and, for the first time, electric power steering. The dual-clutch gearbox made lightning-fast shifts, though a manual was still available for those who preferred things old-school. This was also the point where BMW split the M3 name – coupés became M4s, while the M3 badge stayed with the saloon. Some saw it as the beginning of a more corporate M car, but out on the road, the F80 still had that raw edge where it counted.

2020: G80 Generation

Then came the G80. If the M3 had ever tried to play it safe, this wasn’t it. The styling alone caused a stir, those giant kidney grilles becoming the talk of the car world almost overnight. But behind the drama was a seriously capable machine. The G80 launched with up to 510hp in Competition trim and, for the first time ever, offered all-wheel drive. It could grip, it could launch, and it could devour back roads or autobahns with equal ease. And after decades of rumours and teasers, BMW finally gave us the M3 Touring, an estate with all the pace of the saloon and space for the dog, too. With more screens, modes, and tech than ever before, the G80 felt like the most grown-up M3 yet. But it still knew how to let loose when you asked it to. For some, it’s the end of an era. For others, it’s the start of a new one.