BMW roared into Monterey Car Week 2025 with a celebration of speed, sophistication, and soul, delivering an unforgettable showcase that fused automotive excellence with high art and historical reverence. From the North American premiere of the 2026 BMW M2 CS to a world-exclusive reveal of a limited-edition 8 Series, and a rare public appearance of two legendary BMW Art Cars at Pebble Beach, the brand once again affirmed its dual legacy in performance and culture.

 BMW M Hybrid V8 by Julie Mehretu

 

Unleashing the Beast: 2026 BMW M2 CS Debuts at Legends of the Autobahn®

At the iconic Legends of the Autobahn® Concours d’Elegance, held at Pacific Grove Golf Links on August 14, BMW pulled back the curtain on the adrenaline-charged 2026 BMW M2 CS. Born from Nürburgring dominance, this performance coupe delivers a blistering 523 horsepower from a 3.0-liter M TwinPower Turbo inline-6—50 hp more than the standard M2. Weighing nearly 100 lbs less thanks to advanced carbon fiber engineering, it blazes from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, topping out at 188 mph with the standard M Driver’s Package.

Performance enthusiasts were dazzled not just by its raw power, but by its refined handling. The M2 CS features model-specific Adaptive M Suspension, recalibrated M Servotronic steering, and an updated integrated braking system, all fine-tuned to maximize control and confidence at breakneck speeds.

 BMW M1 Group 4 by Andy Worhol
 Stephan Bauer 

The 8 Series Reinvented: World Premiere of a Limited-Edition Icon

Later that evening, BMW hosted an exclusive, invite-only event to unveil a special edition 8 Series—a refined masterpiece that builds on a legacy of power and precision. With roots in the acclaimed second-generation 8 Series introduced in 2018, the new iteration honors its lineage with design flourishes and cutting-edge enhancements. While full specifications remain under wraps until its global reveal, anticipation runs high among collectors and design aficionados.

Art in Motion: BMW Art Cars Make History at Pebble Beach

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the BMW Art Car program, Monterey Car Week welcomed the return of two iconic Art Cars to the show field at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®:

• 🎨 Andy Warhol’s 1979 BMW M1 Group 4: Hand-painted in just 28 minutes, this kinetic masterpiece raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and remains a vivid expression of Warhol’s interpretation of speed.
• 🎨 Julie Mehretu’s 2024 BMW M Hybrid V8: A modern marvel, this 20th BMW Art Car combines digital mapping, abstract painting, and motorsport tech to deliver a striking visual narrative. Fresh from its Le Mans debut, it now makes its first North American appearance.

 BMW M1 Group 4 by Andy Worhol

 

Track Legends Reign Again: Celebrating 50 Years of the BMW 3 Series at Laguna Seca

The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion was a high-octane tribute to five decades of the legendary BMW 3 Series, with historic racing models thundering down the tarmac at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca:

• 🏁 2004 BMW Team PTG M3 GTR (E46): A championship-winning beast with 10 wins in 12 races in 2004 alone.
• 🏁 2011 BMW M3 GT ALMS (E92): A technological leap that swept ALMS championships in 2011.
• 🏁 1977 BMW 320i Turbo IMSA Group 5: The turbocharged pioneer whose engine laid the foundation for BMW’s 1983 F1 World Championship.

BMW Group USA: A Force of Innovation and Economic Impact

With a robust U.S. footprint that includes the Spartanburg, South Carolina plant—the largest BMW production facility in the world, and strategic centers in California and New Jersey, BMW contributes $43.3 billion annually to the U.S. economy and supports over 120,000 American jobs.

BMW’s deep involvement in Monterey Car Week 2025 was more than just a showcase—it was a full-throttle tribute to its legacy, its vision for the future, and its commitment to performance, art, and innovation.

Catch more highlights from Monterey Car Week and exclusive updates from the world of luxury performance at stylemagazine.com