BMW South Africa hosted its largest M Fest yet this past weekend celebrating 50 years of the iconic M badge.
Taking place at the Kyalami Gran Prix Circuit, the 2022 M Fest played host to a number of exciting attractions for any motoring enthusiast, ranging from an extensive vehicle gallery to hot laps around the track, self-driving areas, drifting performances, and various other entertainment offerings.
If you missed it, we’re confident in saying you wouldn’t want to do so again.
BMW M Fest 2022
The event kicked off in style on Thursday last week with exclusive reveals of BMW’s latest models.
This gave South Africa its first glimpse at several new sportscars starting off with the new M2 sporting a frameless kidney grille with horizontal slats, twin exhausts, and an interior fitted with blue-and-red sports seats.
Also making its local debut was the XM SUV, the first vehicle in 44 years to be entirely developed by the brand’s M department – a title not held since the original M1.
It’s also the first M car to feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain and is aligned to compete in the highest of luxury segments alongside the likes of the Lamborghini Urus.
Finally, South Africans were also given a rare opportunity to see the M4 CSL up-close and in-person – a limited edition of the existing M4 Competition of which only 1,000 examples have been produced.
Only 15 of these were earmarked for South Africa, unsurprisingly all of them already being sold at a starting price upwards of R3.5 million.
Moving on to the main event, Kyalami opened its doors to the public on Saturday and the real fun began.
The first of many attractions was a large vehicle gallery inside the main building, allowing enthusiasts to check out their favourite BMWs in person.
Just about every vehicle currently being built by the German automaker was here, including the X-badged SUVs starting all the way from the X1 going up to the iX.
Newer models such as the recently-launched 3 Series were also on display, as was the Z4 convertible with its top retracted, in addition to the ultra-luxurious X7 and 7 Series ranges.
An exciting line-up of cars all bearing the M badge, such as a bright-green M4 with a big rear spoiler and an M2 on its own pedestal, then completed the impressive showcase of BMWs.
One exciting feature of the gallery was that every vehicle on display was on sale, with locals being able to purchase their favourite cars right then and there, and every time a car was sold a siren would go off to mark the event.
Nearby, guests were also able to try their hand at a collection of racing simulators, and outside a large stage became the gathering point for crowds and performances from various artists including Mafikizolo, Black Motion, Desmond and the Tutus, Mango Groove, and more as the day went on.
There were several shops on hand to provide visitors with BMW-branded memorabilia, and a number of food vendors and beer gardens ensured that everyone had enough fuel to keep them going for hours on end.
Meanwhile, those looking to experience what the automaker’s cars are capable of for themselves queued for hot laps around the main circuit or got behind the wheel themselves on the smaller handling track with an instructor in the passenger seat.
Throughout the weekend several driving performances were also taking place intermittently, including a number of deafening laps around Kyalami from BMW cars both old and new, as well as drifting and spinning performances put on by Red Bull professionals.
Roughly 20,000 tickets were available for this year’s M Fest and they were already sold out before the event even started. For 2023, we recommend you act fast to secure your entry.
BMW M Fest 2022
@topautosa A closer look at the new BMW M2 😍🔥 #bmw #m2 #bmwm2 #bmwmfest #southafrica #carsoftik #bmwmotorsport #southafricafyp #foryoupage ♬ POPSTAR ANTHEM (ATTITUDE DANCE POP ANTHEM) – Matt Eriksson
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