When players unlocked the M3 GTR, they were presented with a unique dilemma. Do they keep the iconic livery that represents the "Hero Car" status, or do they strip it down and apply the garish, neon-laden style of Bayview’s street racing scene? Many chose the former. The M3 GTR in Underground 2 represented a level of maturity in design. While the other cars looked like show-floor tuners, the BMW looked like a weapon. Its presence in the game elevated the stakes; it signaled that street racing wasn't just about looks—it was about serious, high-stakes competition. How did the BMW M3 GTR handle on the sprawling map of Bayview? In a word: Superior .
However, Need for Speed Underground 2 (2004) was released a year prior to Most Wanted . It was a game strictly focused on the tuner culture—JDM icons like the Nissan Skyline, Toyota Supra, and Honda Civic. There were no exotics, no Ferraris, and no Lamborghinis. Yet, despite the game’s "tuner-only" philosophy, the BMW M3 GTR exists within the code of Underground 2 . need for speed underground 2 bmw m3 gtr
Technically, the M3 GTR is not available in the standard career mode garage. Instead, it is unlockable via special events or cheat codes, serving as a "teaser" for the upcoming Most Wanted title. For eagle-eyed players, seeing the wide-body, aggressive aero of the GTR in a game dominated by Civics and Integras was a shocking glimpse into the future. It stood out like a wolf among sheep, offering a driving experience that was vastly different from the high-revving, turbo-charged four-cylinders that defined the game. Need for Speed Underground 2 is celebrated for its visual customization. The "Star" of the game is the Nissan Skyline R34, driven by the antagonist Caleb. But the BMW M3 GTR offered something the Skyline couldn't: a factory-built wide-body race car aesthetic that required no aftermarket bumpers or side skirts to look aggressive. When players unlocked the M3 GTR, they were