{"id":12859,"date":"2026-03-16T15:27:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T14:27:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/slickpix.de\/?p=12859"},"modified":"2026-03-16T15:27:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T14:27:12","slug":"bmw-macht-aprilscherz-zur-realitaet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/slickpix.de\/en\/news\/bmw-macht-aprilscherz-zur-realitaet\/","title":{"rendered":"BMW turns April Fool\u2019s joke into reality"},"content":{"rendered":"

M3 Touring starts at the 24h N\u00fcrburgring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What began as an April Fools\u2019 joke in 2025 will actually become a reality in 2026: The BMW M3 Touring<\/strong> is getting a race version and will compete in the 24 Hours of N\u00fcrburgring<\/strong>. At the race on May 16 and 17<\/strong>, the BMW M3 Touring 24H is set to be a spectacular highlight for fans on the Nordschleife. This unusual race car will face its first test as early as this coming weekend at the second round of the N\u00fcrburgring Endurance Series (NLS)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From social media gag to real racing car<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The idea of building a racing version of the BMW M3 Touring had already been discussed internally shortly after the production model\u2019s launch in 2022. However, the decisive impetus came from a social media post on April 1, 2025<\/strong>: BMW M Motorsport published images of a purported M3 Touring GT race car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The response exceeded all expectations. The post reached more than one million users, and 1.6 million views<\/strong> were recorded. Engagement levels were also significantly higher than usual for BMW M Motorsport\u2019s channels. The overwhelming support from the community ultimately tipped the scales in favor of actually implementing the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Development in just eight months<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the summer of 2025, the decision was made to move forward with the project\u2014and within eight months<\/strong>, the BMW M3 Touring 24H<\/strong> was born. Technically, the vehicle is based on the BMW M4 GT3 EVO<\/strong>, but it uses the body structure of the M3 Touring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compared to the M4 GT3 model, the touring car is approximately 200 millimeters longer<\/strong> and, with its rear wing, about 32 millimeters taller<\/strong>. However, the underlying technology is the same as that of its GT3 sibling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fan project for the Nordschleife<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The BMW M3 Touring 24H is primarily intended as a special highlight for spectators at the N\u00fcrburgring. The design for the preparatory races picks up on numerous comments from fans that were posted on social media under the original April Fool\u2019s joke. Another special livery is also planned for the actual 24-hour race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four BMW works drivers in action<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The car will be entered by Schubert Motorsport<\/strong>. Four BMW M works drivers take turns at the wheel:<\/p>\n\n\n\n