BMW M3 GROUP A
1990
At the end of 1986 group B rally cars were banned by the FIA, leading to group A becoming the top class. Prodrive had to find a competitive group A car and teamed up with BMW.
The rear wheel drive car first competed in 1987 and proved very competitive on tarmac rallies, where it was not at a traction disadvantage to the other four wheel drive group A cars like the Lancia. In the four years Prodrive ran the cars, they won numerous national rally championships in Europe and it was in 1987, that a Rothmans liveried BMW took victory at the Tour de Corse and with it Prodrive's first World Rally Championship event win.
Prodrive also created a touring car based on the BMW E30 which had success in the British Touring Car Championship. 37 race and rally cars were built and the one in the display is the penultimate chassis used in the French Rally Championship.
BMW M3 GROUP A
Results
Boucles de Spa – BRC/ERC, Belgium
15 - 17 February
De Mevius/Lux 3RD
Circuit Ardennes – BRC/ERC, Belgium
16 - 18 March
De Mevius/Lux 2ND
Haspengouw – BRC/ERC, Belgium
25 - 26 May
De Mevius/Lux RETIRED
Ypres – BRC/ERC, Belgium
30 June - 1 July
De Mevius/Lux 3RD
Condroz – BRC/ERC, Belgium
2 - 3 November
De Mevius/Lux 5TH
Specification
Engine
Longitudinal 2.3 litre 6 cylinder DOHC 16v
Bore/stroke: 94/84 mm
Compression ratio: 12
Induction type: Bosch Motronic Inj.
Power 275 BHP @ 8000rpm
Torque 286 Nm @ 6500 rpm
Drivetrain
Rear wheel drive
Six speed H pattern Prodrive geabox
Limited slip rear differential
Suspension
Heavy duty dampers, reinforced strut brace and larger torsion bar
Helicoidal springs
Brakes
Dual circuit with servo
Body
Standard BMW E30 steel chassis
Steel roll cage
Dimensions
Length: 4360 mm
Width: 1675 mm
Height: 1365 mm
Wheelbase: 2562 mm
Front track: 1412 mm
Rear track: 1434 mm
Weight: 1025 kg