The M1-engined 745i - The secret South African creation - Official BMW Group SA Chronicles (Ep 3)

The BMW 745i was created almost in secret by BMW South Africa. The decision to use the special BMW M1 engine was a bold move and required some serious custom engineering just to make it work. Pre-order the book here! Only 255 units of this sports luxury sedan were ever built, and it remains a shining example of the prowess of South African engineering. It also gave birth to the 745 racecar, which became a highlight of the South African race scene, in the hands of the legendary Tony Viana. Born in the ’80s, a particularly difficult period in South Africa’s history, the 745i also represents a time when BMW worked closely with South African political activists to keep the Rosslyn plant operational and to contribute positively to South Africa’s history.