29 July 2019

The title of the Film was "Star" and starring was Madonna, but also Clive Owen – and the BMW M5. Directed by Madonna's then-husband Guy Ritchie, "Star" is one of the eight-part short film series "The Hire," with which BMW set new standards for "branded content" in 2001/2002 and again in 2016. It was all about star power, both with the people (Clive Owen starring in all eight films, directors like Ritchie, Ang Lee and Wong Kar Wai) and with the technology (BMW 740i, BMW M5, BMW Z4 and more). The cinematic visionaries were given a virtually free hand – a bold step that goes a long way to explaining the success. Anybody who doesn’t know the films can enjoy more than an hour of sophisticated cinematography “firing on all cylinders”.

The bright orange “Jägermeister” design is as provocative today as it was in the year 1979. But aficionados are well aware that this BMW 320 Turbo represents a turning point in motor-sport history. BMW Group Classic is presenting the automobile in the Classic Days at Castle Dyck from 2 to 4 August 2019. After all, the racer built in conformity with the Group 5 regulations was the first turbo car from BMW to compete in touring-car racing. There is a direct line from this automobile to the iconic race-winning engine in the 1983 Formula 1 season. And as far as the “Jägermeister” paintwork is concerned, this livery is also found in various other racing cars featured at the Classic Days. However, the crucial factor was the powerhouse under the bonnet.

In 1983, Brazilian driver Nelson Piquet drove the Brabham BMW BT52 to victory as Formula 1 World Champion – he was the first champion to race in a car with a turbo engine and this was just 630 days after BMW had become the engine supplier. In 2013, this motor-sport icon was comprehensively restored at BMW Group Classic so that it could appear once more at classic events. The engine of the Brabham BMW BT52 is currently being reconditioned at the same place. After this rather extended “pit stop”, the autumn will once again see it recalling the glory days in the blue ribband class.

“What’s on the speedo?” This is the classic question from teenagers when they start to get interested in dream cars and peer in from the outside through the side windows. Quite a lot, is the answer in the case of the BMW 8 Series, which is celebrating its 30th birthday. After all, the exclusive wedge-shaped coupé had a profile positively embodying the principle of acceleration in its dynamic contours. And the design was by no means promising too much. The speedometer provides more precise information and it is now supplied as a replacement part at the BMW Group Classic Parts Shop.