1982 BMW 635 CSi Group A
1982 BMW 635 CSi Group A
Brand
BMW
Year
1982
Country
Germany
Generation
6-Series I (E24)
1982 BMW 635 CSi Group A
Brand
BMW
Year
1982
Country
Germany
Generation
6-Series I (E24)
About this car
Discover the history
The 1982 BMW 635 CSi Group A is a legendary motorsport variant of the BMW E24 6 Series, developed to compete in touring car championships under the Group A regulations. Based on the road-going 635 CSi, this race car was engineered to meet the exacting standards of Group A racing, which required manufacturers to base their race cars on production models with limited modifications allowed for competition. The 635 CSi Group A became an icon of the 1980s, showcasing BMW’s engineering prowess and cementing the marque’s reputation in touring car racing.
The BMW 635 CSi was already an impressive grand tourer on the road, known for its blend of luxury, performance, and striking design. However, the Group A version took the performance of the car to a new level. BMW Motorsport, the company’s performance division, focused on optimizing the car for endurance and touring car racing, where it would face off against rivals such as the Jaguar XJ-S, the Ford Sierra, and the Holden Commodore.
The 635 CSi Group A was powered by BMW’s famous M30 inline-six engine, with a displacement of 3.5 liters. In racing trim, the engine was tuned to produce between 290 and 310 horsepower, depending on the specific configuration and regulations for each race. The engine used a Bosch fuel injection system and a custom exhaust for improved airflow and performance, helping the car achieve impressive top speeds on long straights, a critical factor in endurance races like the Spa 24 Hours and the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC).
To comply with Group A regulations, the car retained much of its original production chassis, but it was significantly lightened by stripping out the interior and replacing body parts with lightweight materials like fiberglass. The suspension was modified for racing, with stiffer springs, adjustable dampers, and reinforced components to handle the increased stress of racing. The car also featured larger brakes for better stopping power and wider wheels and tires for increased grip.
The BMW 635 CSi Group A was extremely successful in the European Touring Car Championship and other touring car series throughout the 1980s. It won the ETCC title multiple times, often piloted by some of the era’s best drivers, such as Dieter Quester and Hans-Joachim Stuck. The car’s combination of powerful performance, reliable engineering, and agile handling made it a formidable competitor on circuits around the world.
Visually, the 635 CSi Group A retained the elegant, shark-nosed design of the production E24, but it was enhanced with aerodynamic modifications like a front splitter and a rear wing to improve downforce. The racing liveries that adorned the car throughout its competition years, particularly those featuring BMW Motorsport’s iconic tricolor stripes, added to its status as an icon of 1980s touring car racing.
In summary, the 1982 BMW 635 CSi Group A is a motorsport legend that brought the performance of BMW’s 6 Series to the race track with remarkable success. Its powerful inline-six engine, competitive handling, and aerodynamic design helped it dominate in Group A racing, establishing the 635 CSi as a symbol of BMW’s dominance in touring car racing during the 1980s.
