It has been known for some time that LEGO is working on an anniversary set for BMW fans.

The set in question is LEGO Speed Champions 77263 BMW M3 E30, a special edition of the BMW M3 E30 in honor of the 40th anniversary of the BMW M3. It is the first time that designers from LEGO and BMW M have developed a unique livery for a Speed Champions model together. BMW has already shared a first look at the set via an extensive interview with LEGO Head of Design Will Thorogood and BMW M Head of Design Michael Scully. The presentation of the model is scheduled for May 22, 2026.

LEGO Speed Champions 77263 BMW M3 E30 – 40th Anniversary Edition consists of 292 bricks and will be released on August 1, 2026, for AED 120. The set has not yet been fully presented, but some details and images have already been revealed via BMW. The car will feature a unique racing livery that references forty years of BMW M Motorsport history. According to Michael Scully, the design consists of diagonal red, blue, and black graphics on a white base, combined with a large number 40 on the hood as a reference to the BMW M3 anniversary. The designers wanted not only to recreate a classic race car but also to incorporate the typical LEGO style into the design. Below you can see part of the design on the real car.

Set number: 77263

Name: BMW M3 E30 – 40th Anniversary Edition

Theme: Speed Champions

Number of bricks: 292

Number of minifigures: 1

Release date: August 1, 2026

Recommended age: 10+

According to LEGO designer Will Thorogood, the design process took about four months. LEGO and BMW started with online meetings, after which both teams met in Munich to extensively study a real BMW M3 E30. During that workshop, they looked at key proportions, recognizable details, and, of course, the model's livery. Thorogood indicated that the subtle shapes of the BMW M3 E30 were particularly difficult to recreate to scale. According to him, angular cars are often harder to translate well into LEGO form without looking too blocky.

As is often the case with LEGO Speed Champions, creative building techniques are incorporated into this set as well. One of the details is the famous BMW kidney grille. For this, LEGO simply uses two fork elements. According to the designer, these kinds of unexpected parts are actually an important part of the charm of LEGO Speed Champions. The well-known topic of stickers versus prints also came up during the interview. LEGO confirms that the set will use a combination of both. Due to the complex anniversary livery, various stickers seem necessary, although it is not yet clear how many stickers will ultimately end up on the model.

The original BMW M3 E30 appeared in the late 1980s as a homologation model for motorsport and grew into one of the most beloved BMW M models ever. The car was known for its wide wheel arches, compact proportions, and direct link to racing. BMW M designer Michael Scully says that it is precisely that motorsport history that still forms the basis of the M3 DNA. According to him, that makes the BMW M3 E30 the perfect choice for an anniversary model within LEGO Speed Champions.