The 50th anniversary of BMW has been spoken about on many occasions in recent months, particularly because BMW will reveal the BMW M4 CSL to celebrate. The German automaker's performance division will be celebrating in other ways too, with the M division announcing that for 2022, BMW M or M Performance vehicles produced from March onwards will receive a special BMW roundel badge inspired by the classic BMW Motorsport colors. In the US, full M cars like the M3, M4, M5, and M8 will get the badge as standard, while M Performance cars like the M340i will make the badges optional.

The celebrations won't stop at a special logo, as BMW has also announced 50 iconic and "historically significant" BMW M paint finishes that will be available for selected models in the anniversary year.

The logo roundel that will be used features the typical blue, white and black roundel, but surrounded by shifted semicircles in the official BMW M colors of blue, violet, and red. The logo dates back to 1973 when it was used on BMW Motorsport GmbH's first race car. Those colors were used again in 1978 on the BMW M1 when it debuted, albeit in the form of slanted stripes, and the colors have since become synonymous with the M brand.

While the origins of the iconic livery had much to do with an attempt at attaining sponsorship, the colors have come to represent a few things. Blue represents BMW, red represents motorsport, and violet - which has since evolved into a darker blue - showcased the connection between the two.

BMW Motorsport was officially changed in 1993 to BMW M GmbH as we know it, but high power, enhanced dynamics, and track-biased performance have remained hallmarks of the M brand.

Fans of the brand will be able to look forward to iconic paint colors making a comeback. Among the 50 finishes that will be available, enthusiasts will be able to spec a modern M car in Dakar Yellow, which was made famous by the E36 M3, Fire Orange, Macao Blue, Imola Red, Daytona Violet, and Frozen Marina Bay Blue.

"With the classic 'BMW Motorsport' emblem, we would like to share our joy about the anniversary of BMW M GmbH with the fans of the brand," says Franciscus van Meel, Chairman of the BMW M board. "We have a great year ahead of us, which will be celebrated with unique product highlights and exciting performances. The M has long been considered the strongest letter in the world, and in our company's anniversary year it is stronger than ever."

BMW M is predicting record 2021 sales, but 2022 will be even more spectacular. The M3 Touring will be a first for the brand - albeit not for fans in the USA - and there's a new M2 to look forward to as well. Perhaps the most enticing piece of information in BMW M's special anniversary announcement is that a "special model of the BMW M4 Coupe" is coming, which serves as confirmation of the M4 CSL.

We've already seen test mules sporting CSL-style logos and unique bodywork, and the former BMW M boss all but gave away some of the most important details, but this is the first official confirmation we've had from BMW.

Expect special reveals to come at a number of events, including the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on Lake Como in Northern Italy, Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Concours d'Elegance Pebble Beach, and the 24-hour race at the Nurburgring where BMW M has enjoyed particular success.