BMW M Motorsport has taken a fan-favourite April Fools’ joke from 2025 and turned it into one of the most exciting spectacles in motorsport: the BMW M3 Touring 24H. Set to make its racing debut at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring 2026, this unique racing variant of the BMW M3 Touring promises thrills for fans in the legendary “Green Hell.” Scheduled for 16th and 17th May, the car will compete at the second round of the Nürburgring Langstrecken Serie (NLS), marking a historic moment for both BMW and its community.
The journey from jest to reality began shortly after the market launch of the BMW M3 Touring road car in 2022, when BMW M Motorsport began exploring the idea of a racing version. The concept remained on the drawing board until 1st April 2025, when an April Fools’ post showcasing a supposed BMW M3 Touring GT race car went viral. With over one million users reached and 1.6 million views, the fan and media response transformed a playful idea into a serious project.
By summer 2025, the engineering team at BMW M Motorsport had committed to making the M3 Touring 24H a reality. Built on the same technical base as the BMW M4 GT3 EVO, the car features a longer body by 200 millimetres and, including the rear wing, is 32 millimetres taller. Despite its roots in the Touring road car, the BMW M3 Touring 24H offers race-ready performance and shares identical technical specifications with the M4 GT3 EVO. A detailed Media Guide and walkaround video with BMW M works driver Jens Klingmann provide all technical insights and behind-the-scenes explanations.
Designed with fans in mind, the car celebrates its community roots. Early preparatory races feature a livery inspired by social media comments from the original April Fools’ post, with a new special design planned for the 24-hour race itself. The car, entered by Schubert Motorsport, will be driven by four BMW M works drivers: Jens Klingmann, Ugo de Wilde, Connor De Phillippi, and Neil Verhagen. Competing in the SPX class, the M3 Touring 24H will not directly challenge the SP9-class BMW M4 GT3 EVOs but aims to impress with its unique character and performance.
Partnering with BMW M Motorsport, Yokohama will provide tyres for this one-of-a-kind project. Takayoshi Omae, Deputy Head of Consumer Tyre Product & Marketing Planning Div., highlighted the collaboration as a historic milestone in Yokohama’s motorsport history, expressing pride in contributing to the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, reflected on the project’s unprecedented nature: “A project like the BMW M3 Touring 24H has never existed at BMW M Motorsport before… I promise all fans a great show and look forward to an event of superlatives.” Jens Klingmann echoed the sentiment, noting the car’s journey from joke to competitive race car and emphasising the team’s goal of delivering a thrilling spectacle for fans while aiming for a top result on track.
This project underlines BMW M Motorsport’s commitment to innovation, fan engagement, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in racing. The BMW M3 Touring 24H isn’t just a car—it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and motorsport passion, now ready to roar into the Nürburgring limelight.
