The Goodwood Festival of Speed will pay tribute to half a century of BMW’s M division with this year’s Central Feature.
The Central Feature is due to celebrate 50 years of the iconic division with a sculpture positioned at the centre of the Sussex festival.
First established in 1997, the Central Feature has been used to celebrate a variety of different car manufacturers and milestones over the years.
At this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, we’re celebrating 50 years of BMW M.
Join us for 4 days of iconic M cars on display and in action on the iconic hill climb. The Central Feature in front of Goodwood House will also be honouring the exciting anniversary. pic.twitter.com/FIM8EDNGjn
— BMW UK (@BMW_UK) May 5, 2022
Since launching in May of 1972, BMW M has gone on to create some of the best-known sports and racing cars ever produced and plans to make several new announcements at Goodwood.
It’s expected that the much-anticipated M3 Touring – an estate version of the performance-orientated M3 – will make its formal debut at Goodwood, with a strong chance that it’ll be used to take on the famous hill.
Frank van Meel, CEO of BMW M said: ‘As BMW M, we feel honoured to play a very special role at this year’s Festival of Speed. For our 50th anniversary, we couldn’t imagine a better place to celebrate our products with fans of the brand.
‘I am particularly looking forward to unveiling a certain vehicle to the world’s public for the first time – a vehicle we have been waiting a long time for.’
Visitors to the show – which takes place from June 23 to 26 – will be able to see some of BMW M’s latest models at its Trackside and Stable Yard locations. Full details of the firm’s presence at the Festival will be announced over the next few weeks.
The Duke of Richmond said: ‘We are delighted to be celebrating 50 years of BMW’s hugely successful Motorsport division at this year’s Festival of Speed, and it is especially fitting as we prepare to honour The Innovators – Masterminds of Motorsport.
‘BMW M’s success can of course be attributed to half a century of innovation and we look forward to honouring the marque’s past, present and future achievements at Goodwood in June.’