---BMW E30 Turbo Gr.A EVO test car Spa 24 Hours '89---
What-If Racing/Livery Concept
The E30 M3 in Group A guise was, and even still today, is a very potent machine. Powered by the S14B23 engine, and in race trim hitting over 350 BHP, the sub-1000kg M3 drove to many wins in it's almost 10 year career, with highlights winning the Spa 24 Hours four times (1987 1988, 1990 and 1992) and Nurburgring 24 Hours five times (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1994). However, with the turbocharged threats that of the Ford Sierra and Nissan GTS-R R31, as well as arch-nemeses Audi and Mercedes in DTM gaining further ground, an alternative to the N/A engine in the M3 was thought to be needed.
With the orders given, the Schnitzer team went to work. Boring out the engine to 2.8 Liters, an addition of a turbocharger from BMW’s F1 program, rear-mounted radiators, BOSCH fuel injection and an water-to-air intercooler, the now christened 'M3 Turbo Group A Evo' was pushing almost 460HP, an almost 100HP jump from the normal M3. A beefed up ZF 5-speed was added, as well as bigger brakes and sturdier Independent Rear Suspension w/ Bilstein shocks to deal with the hefty power increase as well as the now 1125kg minimum weight on account of the turbo. When tested around the Hockenheimring, factory driver Emanuele Pirro clocked a time 6-seconds faster than the Naturally-Aspirated version.
With testing going well, the thought was to bring it to the ultimate touring car endurance test: that year's Spa 24 Hours. Picked to drive the new car were past Spa winner, and modern BMW dealer Belgian driver Jean-Michel Martin, Englishman Steve Soper and DTM driver German Christian Danner. The car was under the 'BMW M Technic Team Schnitzer' banner, and had a giant T on the door to signify that it’s a test car (but haggled by the official to let it race). Sadly the car was plagued with fuel pump issues all weekend, an unstable rear end, and the heavy weight of the car which wore the brakes and tires way more than thought on long runs. The car was pulled and never made the race start, and has been locked away in the BMW M storage ever since. Never seen from that race on, the higher ups chose to continue with the normal N/A M3 from then on.
Photo Credit: @24HuresdeLoL/Gran Turismo 7
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BMW Motorsport
Schnitzer Motorsport
FIA
Yokohama
BBS
Eibach
ZF Sachs
Wintershall Motor Oil
SECA 100 Octane
Gran Turismo
