BMW produce a number of high-performance derivatives of their cars developed by their BMW M GmbH (previously BMW Motorsport GmbH) subsidiary. Some models have „M“ appearance packages that are not performance-enhanced.
The current M models are:
The BMW M1 (BMW type code E26) is a sports car produced by German automotive manufacturer BMW from 1978 to 1981. In the late 1970s, Italian automobile manufacturer Lamborghini entered into an agreement with BMW to build a production racing car in sufficient quantity for homologation, but conflicts arose that prompted BMW to produce the car themselves. The resulting car was sold to the public, from 1978 to 1981, as the BMW M1.
In October 2015, BMW unveiled the new flagship 2 Series, the M2. It is an indirect successor to the 1 Series M Coupé. The M2 Coupé began production at the end of 2015, and went on sale in the United Kingdom during April 2016.
With the 6-speed manual gearbox, the M2 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.5 seconds, or 4.3 seconds if equipped with the 7-speed DCT automatic gearbox.[ The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), but the limiter can be raised to 270 km/h (168 mph) as an option.
The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the 3 Series, developed by BMW’s in-house motorsport division, BMW M GmbH. M3 models have been derived from the corresponding generations of the BMW 3 Series.
The initial model was available in a coupé body style.
The BMW M4 is a high-performance version of the BMW 4 Series automobile developed by BMW‘s motorsport division, BMW M GmbH. Part of the renumbering that splits the 3 Series coupé and convertible models from the 4 Series (to further differentiate it from the 3 Series), the M4 replaced the M3 coupé and convertible models. Upgrades over the standard BMW 4-Series include: a very powerful and responsive, twin turbocharged engine; improved handling, suspension and braking systems; aerodynamic body enhancements; interior/exterior accents with the tri-colour „M“ (Motorsport) badging; the significantly reduced weight compared to the standard 4 Series and its predecessor with an all-new stiffer chassis and extensive use of carbon fibre, especially on the roof of the car.
The BMW M5 is a high performance variant of the BMW 5 Series marketed under the BMW M sub-brand. It is considered an iconic vehicle in the sports sedancategory. The majority of M5’s have been produced in the sedan (saloon) body style, however in some countries the M5 was also available as a wagon (estate) from 1992–1995 and 2006–2010.
The first M5 model was hand-built in 1986 on the 535i chassis with a modified engine from the M1 that made it the fastest production sedan at the time.[ M5 models have been produced for every generation of the 5 Series since 1986.
The BMW M6 is a high-performance version of the 6 Series coupé/convertible, designed and developed by the motorsport division of BMW. The BMW M6 was based on the subsequent generations of the 6 series.
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