Year: 1979
Engine type: Inline
Cylinders: 4 Turbo
Displacement: 1,422 cc
Power output: 330 kW / 450 hp at 9,000 rpm
Top speed: 290 km/h
Drivers: Markus Höttinger, Jochen Dauer

If you are a racing driver during the seventies and also brave enough to drive some of the “wildest beasts” with four wheels and an engine, Group 5 offers a fair share of thrills. The “Special Production Car” category in particular allows extensive modifications to the standard road cars, changing them practically beyond recognition. Hardly any brand wants to miss out on this opportunity, especially since some of the most important sponsors are also involved in the racing series. Among these cars, the BMW 320 in Jägermeister colours becomes an icon.

In 1977, BMW comes up with the plan to enter Formula 1 with its own turbo engine as soon as possible. BMW's engine specialists initially opt for a 2-litre, 4-cylinder engine and fit it with a turbocharger. The engine tuned in this way now easily achieves 600 hp, but can “hardly run due to sheer power”. The racing car is difficult to control, the turbo lag much too big. Therefore, a turbocharged 1.4-litre engine is deployed during the 1979 racing season. The potential of this engine is an important step towards the development of the legendary BMW Formula 1 turbo engines. The BMW 320 Turbo is the link between the long touring car tradition and the successful appearance in the top class of motorsport.