Originally used by McLaren as the test and development car, and would be driven by Peter Kox in 3 rounds of the 1996 British Touring Car Championship.

During 1997 the car was converted to endurance spec and fitted with BMW's new turbo-diesel engine and was entered in the 1997 24 heures de Francorchamps, finishing 3rd.

The following year, the car was one of two cars entered by BMW Motorsport in the 1998 Nürburgring 24h-Rennen, and became the first diesel-powered car to win a 24-hour race.

Since then the car has been used for promotional duties, and is part of BMW's heritage collection.