The impressive development of automotive gaming in recent years has long since confirmed this forward-looking assessment. BMW M Motorsport is a credible partner for the diverse gaming community and reaches a young and digital target group with its commitment. Impressive vehicles, thrilling racing and emotional moments: This is what BMW M Motorsport stands for on both the real and virtual race track.
BMW M Motorsport's presence in the virtual space begins with the development of virtual racing cars and extends through the three virtual BMW M teams and high-quality hardware for racing simulators to the organisation of virtual racing events such as the BMW M Power Tour.
VIRTUAL BMW M MOTORSPORT CARS.
For years, BMW M Motorsport has been working hand in hand with the leading simulation platforms to offer the community virtual racing cars that are as close as possible to their real-life BMW M Motorsport cars. In collaboration with iRacing, BMW M Motorsport 2023 was the first manufacturer whose new LMDh prototype, the BMW M Hybrid V8, could be driven virtually by fans from all over the world. Together, they also launched the virtual BMW M4 GT3 and previously the BMW M4 GT4, the BMW M8 GTE and the BMW Z4 GT3. The developers at iRacing received a large amount of real data for this, which was also used for the development of the real vehicles. BMW M Motorsport vehicles are also integrated into simulations and games such as Assetto Corsa Competizione, Forza Motorsport, Le Mans Ultimate, Rennsport and rFactor 2 in a similar way.
BMW M POWER TOUR.
AUTOMOTIVE GAMING TEAMS.
BMW AUTOMOTIVE GAMING MENTORS.
BMW M works drivers Jens Klingmann and Max Hesse act as mentors in Automotive Gaming and spend a lot of time on the virtual track themselves. With their experience from both worlds, they are available to the drivers as competent contact persons. In addition to their numerous racing commitments, Jens Klingmann and Max Hesse are also involved as mentors for the BMW M Racing Academy's young talent programme.
BMW AUTOMOTIVE GAMING HARDWARE.
The development of high-quality hardware for automotive gaming is an important area of BMW M Motorsport's commitment. At the forefront of these developments is clearly the steering wheel for the BMW M4 GT3, which was designed jointly with hardware manufacturer Fanatec. It can be used both in the real racing car and in the simulator without any modifications and thus offers a completely authentic racing feeling.
FUSION SL.
Another hardware highlight is the ‘Fusion SL’, a unique combination of sim racing rig and lounge furniture. The idea was to develop a piece of furniture to save space and integrate aesthetically into a modern living environment, which can be converted into a rig in a few simple steps, but when folded up also serves as a work table, coffee table or seat. This idea was realised in a collaboration between BMW Group Designworks and the office furniture manufacturer Klöber.