BMW is taking a joke seriously, and will compete in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring with an M3 Touring race car born from an April Fool’s Day stunt. The company’s social media prank last year generated over 1.6 million views from over a million users, leading to an unexpected development: a real race-ready wagon.
From Joke to Reality in Eight Months
The decision wasn’t entirely spontaneous. BMW had already explored a racing version of the wagon back in 2022, which accelerated the project when fan reactions proved overwhelming. Within just eight months, the M3 Touring 24H was born.
The car is based on the M4 GT3 EVO, adapted with a Touring body. This means it’s 7.9 inches longer and 1.3 inches taller than the coupe, presenting aerodynamic challenges solved with a new swan-neck rear wing design. The body is reinforced with carbon fiber, a roll cage is installed, and the rear doors are purely aesthetic. It rides on 18-inch wheels with high-performance brakes.
Power and Performance
Under the hood, a 3.0-liter M TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder engine delivers up to 590 hp (440 kW / 598 PS) and 516 lb-ft of torque, channeled through a six-speed X-Trac transmission. The car will compete in the SPX class, fielded by Schubert Motorsport, with a driver lineup including Jens Klingmann, Ugo de Wilde, Connor De Phillippi, and Neil Verhagen.
A Response to Fan Demand
Jens Klingmann summed it up, stating that the decision to turn a joke into reality “speaks to our closeness to our community and our enthusiasm for motorsport.” The team aims to deliver a strong performance at the Nürburgring, leveraging the unexpected development of a racing wagon driven by social media engagement.
This move highlights how automakers are increasingly responsive to fan feedback, even when it originates from a lighthearted prank. The M3 Touring 24H is a testament to the power of social media and its ability to shape automotive projects.
