LEGENDARY BMW models of both two and four wheel persuasions will be running at full throttle at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed when the Bavarian car company takes centre stage to mark its centenary.

In its 100th anniversary year, BMW will be Goodwood's featured marque for 2016 with some of its most famous creations dominating the festival skyline in a sculpture created by Gerry Judah.

The giant attraction which will stand outside Goodwood House for the four day event in June will feature the famous BMW 328 Mille Miglia Roadster, the Gordon Murray-designed Brabham-BMW BT52 and the Le Mans-winning BMW V12 LMR.

Visitors to the festival, which opens on June 23, will be able to see and hear vehicles from BMW's past that continue to make their mark on the German brand today.

Cars negotiating Goodwood's famous 1.16-mile hill climb course will include a 1957 BMW 507, the Mille Miglia-winning BMW 328 Touring Coupe from 1940 and a 1965 BMW 1800 TiSA - an early example of BMW's success in touring car racing.

Motorbike enthusiasts will be treated to an array of classic and modern bikes including a 1966 BMW R50 S Kaczor, a 1976 BMW R90 S 76 and the famous WR 750 Kompressor from 1929.

BMW will also be putting on a display highlighting its high performance M models with a special ‘M Avenue' celebrating iconic BMW M cars from the past 40 years alongside the hottest new M products, including the new BMW M2 - the latest compact sports coupe in a long line of road and racing BMWs.

Meanwhile, visitors to the BMW Pavilion will see some of its newest models, including the special edition BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition as well as getting the chance to witness the latest 500bhp BMW M4 GTS making its Goodwood debut both on the hill and on static display.

Other models from BMW-owned brands MINI and Rolls-Royce - which has its factory nearby - will also be making an appearance.

Graeme Grieve, BMW Group UK's chief executive officer, said: "Throughout our 100-year history, BMW has always proved to be a highly innovative company which has defined change and looked to the future. "From our first racing success in 1924 through to our plug-in hybrid model BMW i8, BMW Group has played a pioneering role in the automotive world.

"I am delighted that we will be celebrating our landmarks and achievements at Goodwood this year."

The Earl of March, chairman of the Goodwood Group of Companies which runs the festival, added: "In its 100-year history, BMW has created many landmark cars, and has an exceptional motorsport heritage in Formula 1, Formula 2, at Le Mans, and in a variety of touring car series around the world. BMW has been one of the Festival's most loyal and enthusiastic partners for 19 years.

"I am thrilled to be celebrating their centenary, and our long-standing relationship, with a BMW Central Feature. The sculpture will feature three cars which epitomise BMW's competitive instincts and pursuit of technology in creating the ultimate driving machine."

Staged every summer since 1993 the Goodwood Festival of Speed has established itself as the world's largest automotive garden party in the historic grounds of Goodwood House in West Sussex.

More than 600 cars and motorcycles spanning the history of motoring will be taking part with some of the most legendary figures from the world of motor sport as well as international celebrities attending.