M3

STORY

The BMW M3 is the car that made "M" a household name. The original E30 M3 of 1986 was a homologation special built to go touring-car racing: boxed arches, a steeper rear window, and a high-revving four-cylinder S14 engine. It worked spectacularly. The E30 M3 became the most successful touring car in racing history, taking the DTM title in its debut season and winning championships around the world, and is credited with more than 1,400 race wins.

Each generation raised the bar. The E36 and E46 brought silky straight-sixes; the E46 M3 CSL of 2003 added a carbon-fibre roof and stripped-out focus that made it an instant collector's car. The V8-powered E92 followed, and today's M3 uses the twin-turbo S58 straight-six with available all-wheel drive. Across four decades the M3 has remained the benchmark by which every sports sedan is judged.