As 40,000 units sit idly by waiting for their chance at asphalt freedom, the current M3 continues its run as a sports car icon, racing to defend its 2012 DTM title in Germany’s touring car championship. In the American Le Mans Series, the M3 has already been swapped for the equally-dominant Z4 GTE, but it’s record cannot be ignored.

In 38 ALMS starts, the M3 has claimed seven victories and five titles for BMW Team Rahal Letterman Lanigan (RLL).

As the coupe awaits its final exit from the factory, production continues for the soft-top version until this September. To date, nearly 16,000 convertibles have made their way to suntanned customers worldwide.

From the GTS to the CRT (Carbon Racing Technology) and the recent DTM Champion Edition – honouring Canadian driver Bruno Spengler on his success – the M3 has always carried with it a heritage of pure drivability and sports car handling in a timeless package.

Here’s to another generation of performance perfected, and many more to come.