Need For Speed Unbound: An epic BMW collaboration is officially happening

Low-key? I am going Team BMW over any other luxury vehicle options - always. So it’s a no-brainer seeing buzz about Need for Speed Most Wanted teaming up for a huge Vol. 9 launch? Oh yes.

It’s all in the details but needless to say - a special edition vehicle to toast to the franchise’s 30th anniversary? Pure epic.

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) and Criterion Games™ announce an exciting partnership with the BMW Group in Need for Speed™ Unbound Vol. 9: Prepare for Lockdown*, launching today. This collaboration centres around the iconic M3 GTR '05 from Need for Speed Most Wanted, featuring additional content and activations co-created with BMW. As Need for Speed celebrates its 30th anniversary, this partnership bridges the real and virtual worlds, offering players a unique opportunity to get behind the wheel and reconnect with the fan-favourite vehicle. 

To commemorate the launch, BMW has wrapped an M3 GTR to mirror the in-game Custom BMW M3 GTR '05, originally owned in-game by the player but has eternally been chased down and sought after by Razor, the infamous Most Wanted character. From November 27 to January 6, this special vehicle will be showcased at BMW Welt, the renowned brand experience space in Munich.

"Partnerships with manufacturers like BMW have been crucial in evolving the franchise and delivering authentic experiences to our players over the past three decades," said John Stanley, Senior Creative Director for Need for Speed Unbound. "The M3 GTR is one of the most recognisable and beloved cars in Need for Speed history. For the 30th anniversary, we wanted to do something a little different and offer three versions of the M3 for players to celebrate it fully."

BMW and Need for Speed have been close partners for years, collaborating to deliver thrilling driving experiences both in-game and in the real world. The brands have consistently pushed boundaries in automotive gaming, from the first BMW appearance in 1997 to the groundbreaking 2017 reveal of the all-new BMW M5 in Need for Speed Payback.

Players can enjoy other BMW-themed content in the new volume, including the BMW S 1000 RR 2019, the first-ever motorbike included in a Need for Speed game. The motorbike plays a key role in the new Lockdown mode and can be used in some special PVP/Free Roam motorbike playlists. The Custom BMW M3 GTR will also be available as a car wrap on Need For Speed No Limits and the Need For Speed Mobile game available in China.

Volume 9 is available on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, featuring Lockdown, the franchise's highest stakes mode, a PvPvE multiplayer extraction-based gameplay. Players can currently purchase Need for Speed Unbound and the Need for Speed Unbound Ultimate Collection at discounted rates of up to 80% off the standard retail price on Epic, Steam, Origin, PlayStation and Xbox**.

For more information about the game and Vol. 9’s new and returning features, please visit Need for Speed’s website and follow @NeedforSpeed on X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates.