Classic BMW M emblem returns for 50th year

From next year, customers can spec a seventies-era BMW Motorsport logo for their new M car

By John Howell / Wednesday, November 24, 2021 / Loading comments

BMW’s come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1928. Back then it was building Austin Sevens under licence but now it’s a multinational that, ironically, ended up owning the Austin brand under during its tenure of the Rovers Group that ended in 2000. Even the Motorsport brand is 50-years old next May (the 24th May if you want to be exact), and the celebrations are starting early. From January 2022, you will be able to order your BMW M car or M Sport trim with retro roundels featuring ‘shifted semicircles in blue, violet and red.’

And today’s anorak fact: although BMW Motorsport GmbH was founded in 1972, that badge design didn’t actually appear on its racing cars until 1973, and it wasn’t until 1978, when the BMW M1 was born, that those colours were first displayed as three tilted stripes and developed into the Motorsport logo that we know so well today.

If you want to know what the colours mean, then we can answer that, too (sort of). The blue stands for BMW, the red symbolises racing and the violet expresses the connection between the two. That’s as clear as mud, then. And the violet has since morphed to a dark blue.

In addition to the celebratory roundels, during 2022 you’ll also have the opportunity to make your M product even more distinctive with the reappearance of a selection of famous Motorsport paint finishes that have all been used across BMW M’s 50-year history. These include Dakar Yellow, Fire Orange, Daytona Violet, Macao Blue, Imola Red and Frozen Marina Bay Blue.

BMW M GmBH Chairman, Franciscus van Meel, said “With the classic ‘BMW Motorsport’ emblem, we would like to share our joy about the anniversary of BMW M GmbH with the fans of the brand. We have a great year ahead of us, which will be celebrated with unique product highlights and exciting performances.” Amen to that.

A year of celebrations centred around M cars sounds top drawer to us, which will include next year’s the Festival of Speed. However, he also said, “The M has long been considered the strongest letter in the world.” Hmmm, we think you U might disagree with that.


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