Episode 3 of the Official BMW Group SA Chronicles has gone live and this week we feature the incredible 745i, powered by the engine of the M1 supercar.
The BMW 745i was created almost in secret by BMW South Africa. The decision to use the special BMW M1 engine was a bold move. It required some serious custom engineering just to make the 745i work.
BMW built only 255 units of this sport luxury sedan. Decades later, it remains a proud example of South African engineering excellence. The project also gave birth to the 745i racecar, driven by the legendary Tony Viana.
Born in the ’80s, a particularly difficult period in South Africa’s history, the 745i also represents a time when BMW worked closely with South African political activists. To keep the Rosslyn plant operational, and to contribute positively to South Africa’s history.
Keen on buying the BMW book mentioned in the video? Buy it here!
Order a 1/18 scale model of a BMW from SentiMETAL
Order a A2 or A3 print of a 745i or other unique-to-SA BMWs
Other ‘BMW 50 Years’ series episodes:
Mzansi’s love for BMW M cars – BMW Group SA Chronicles (Ep 6)
The story behind BMW’s iconic TV adverts + BMW SA exports – BMW Group SA Chronicles (Ep 5)
BMW 333i and 325iS – BMW Group SA Chronicles (Ep 4)
How BMW’s SA race cars were born – BMW Group SA Chronicles (Ep 2)
Celebrating 50 years of BMW in SA – BMW Group SA Chronicles (Ep 1)
