Motor Authority - blog Category: M3

We've seen the rumors, speculation and spy shots on BMW's M3 GT4-type car for months now. We were even one of the first sites to confirm the car for production with our interview of M Division head Kay Segler. But today BMW has gone official, unveiling the M3 GTS, as the new car will be called. Unfortunately, it's not currently planned for the North American market. Today, BMW released higher-resolution photos and more detailed info about its new track-special M3.

The car is a focused, no-compromises M3 in a way that recent M vehicles haven't been. Putting the track first and creature comforts--and possibly even aesthetics--second, the M3...

We've seen the rumors, speculation and spy shots on BMW's M3 GT4-type car for months now. We were even one of the first sites to confirm the car for production with our interview of M Division head Kay Segler. But today BMW has gone official, unveiling the M3 GTS, as the new car will be called. Unfortunately, it's not currently planned for the North American market. Today, BMW released higher-resolution photos and more detailed info about its new track-special M3. The car is a focused, no-compromises M3 in a way that recent M vehicles haven't been. Putting the track first and creature comforts--and possibly even aesthetics--second, the M3 GTS goes the extra mile for performance. Power is delivered by a special 4.4-liter version of the V-8 that powers the current M3, rated at 450 horsepower in this application. They also add race-derived technology including a crankcase made of a special aluminum-silicon alloy and constructed in bedplate design, individual throttle butterflies, anti-knock sensors with "ion flow technology" and a wet sump oil supply. That power is piped to the rear wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The transmission was specially engineered to withstand the power output of the beefed-up V-8, and the DKG Drivelogic shift points programmed to precisely extract the maximum from the engine. Extensive use of honeycomb grillework, a prominent adjustable rear wing, adjustable front splitter and reworked front-end aero pieces all reflect the car's speedy genes. Unique black alloy 19-inch wheels wrapped in 225/35 front and 285/30 rear tires ensure track-friendly understeer-bias with a high level of grip. Lightweight carbon fiber is used for the roof to help reduce weight and lower the center of gravity, much like previous M3 CSL versions. The result of the weight savings strategy sees over 400 pounds culled from the standard car's 3,700-pound curb weigh, with the GTS version weighing in at a scant 3,289 pounds. A fully adjustable set of race dampers sits at the corners of the car, allowing owners to tune to the track and conditions with both bump and rebound adjustments. The brakes for the car are also custom-built pieces, with six-piston calipers up front and four-piston units out back. Inside, race seats and five-point harnesses complement abundant matte-black surfaces and Alcantara for a decidedly sporty look. Like the Porsche GT3, the rear seat is sacrificed for a roll cage and a fire bottle, all in the interests of on-track safety. Despite all of this, the M3 GTS is still completely road-legal. So far, there are no plans to bring the car to the U.S., however. This appears to be a track-day special for the European enthusiast. Expect it to cost about €115,000, or around $171,000--roughly three times the price of a "normal" M3. Ouch. [BMW M Division] Read More

Just as the BMW 3-Series Coupe and Convertible are due for a facelift, so are the high-performance M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, both of which have been captured for the first time testing in prototype form.

The only noticeable difference is the slightly revised tail lamps, which get new LED elements. Most of the visual changes will take place inside, and will include improved trim, a new center armrest and a second-generation iDrive system with four selector buttons for commonly used features such as the stereo. The iDrive system should also feature a new 8.8 inch LCD display and an optional 80 GB hard drive music and navigation system.

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Just as the BMW 3-Series Coupe and Convertible are due for a facelift, so are the high-performance M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, both of which have been captured for the first time testing in prototype form. The only noticeable difference is the slightly revised tail lamps, which get new LED elements. Most of the visual changes will take place inside, and will include improved trim, a new center armrest and a second-generation iDrive system with four selector buttons for commonly used features such as the stereo. The iDrive system should also feature a new 8.8 inch LCD display and an optional 80 GB hard drive music and navigation system. Power levels will remain unchanged, meaning the high-revving 4.0-liter V-8 from the current model will carry over with a peak output of 420 horsepower. One possibility is the addition of fuel-saving engine stop-start system, though BMW is yet to make any announcements of such a move for its M cars. Expect the facelifted M3 range to debut as 2010 models at December’s 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show or possibly at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show the following month. Read More

BMW's M3 has undergone a huge evolution since its birth with the E30 3-series. Growing in size, power and cylinder count, the latest M3 hardly bears any resemblance to its forbears. And soon BMW may push the envelope even further with a new high-performance version of the already extreme car possibly on the way.

During the mid-1990s, BMW released a special version of the M3 Coupe called the M3 GT. The cars were essentially a homologation series special built to allow the E36 M3 to compete in the FIA-GT class II, IMSA GT and other international long distance races.

These latest spy shots depict an M3 Coupe packing some race car elements,...

BMW's M3 has undergone a huge evolution since its birth with the E30 3-series. Growing in size, power and cylinder count, the latest M3 hardly bears any resemblance to its forbears. And soon BMW may push the envelope even further with a new high-performance version of the already extreme car possibly on the way. During the mid-1990s, BMW released a special version of the M3 Coupe called the M3 GT. The cars were essentially a homologation series special built to allow the E36 M3 to compete in the FIA-GT class II, IMSA GT and other international long distance races. These latest spy shots depict an M3 Coupe packing some race car elements, such as the front bumper with bigger air intakes and the oversized rear wing. This is not a race car, however, as indicated by the Munich registration on the car’s number plate. Furthermore, this isn't a new CSL model as BMW has already ruled that possibilty out for the current M3. Back in July, the head of BMW's M Division, Dr. Kay Segler, hinted on a production version of the current M3 GT4, so this could be the first prototypes of that vehicle. The M3 GT4 contested this year's 24 Hour Nurburgring endurance race through BMW's Customer Racing program, and the M Division was previously considering the car for limited production so that more entry-level race teams could use it for competition. Read More

Sitting down to dinner with Dr. Kay Segler, head of BMW's M Division and former chief of Mini, is an engaging prospect for any performance and luxury car enthusiast, but this dinner proved not only entertaining, but enlightening.

There's no better source for what's planned behind the scenes at BMW's famed performance haus, and Segler gave us a few enticing hints of what might be on the way over the next several years. First on the list is the M3 GT4.

The car contested this year's 24 Hour Nurburgring endurance race through BMW's Customer Racing program, and the M Division is now considering the car for limited production so that more... Sitting down to dinner with Dr. Kay Segler, head of BMW's M Division and former chief of Mini, is an engaging prospect for any performance and luxury car enthusiast, but this dinner proved not only entertaining, but enlightening. There's no better source for what's planned behind the scenes at BMW's famed performance haus, and Segler gave us a few enticing hints of what might be on the way over the next several years. First on the list is the M3 GT4. The car contested this year's 24 Hour Nurburgring endurance race through BMW's Customer Racing program, and the M Division is now considering the car for limited production so that more entry-level race teams can compete, according to Segler. He emphasized the importance of grass-roots participation in motorsport and the M Division's interest in helping to preserve and promote that aspect of competition. And that's a sentiment any enthusiast can appreciate. Segler also discussed the possibility for a diesel M-car, but dismissed it as unrealistic until America embraces diesel more deeply since the U.S. is a key market for building any business case for a luxury or performance car. This is a familiar response when dealing with European automakers, and you can clearly see that the desire to put the cars out there exists, but without a market that's willing to pay the diesel premium it simply doesn't make for good business. Finally, the M Sports line of vehicles was mentioned as a potential in-between line to bridge the gap between BMW's standard vehicle range and the M Division's offerings - sportier and offering an improved level of performance, but not as focused and dedicated as the M vehicles tend to be. While many might say BMW already has too many models and variations, there is a certain logic to the idea that means it could just see implementation.BMW M3 GT4 race car Read More

Though it's often overshadowed by the fantastic E30, the E36 M3 has become a favorite of aficionados, and no color showed off that M3's pavement prowess as well as the brilliant Dakar Yellow. Now IND Distribution has taken that familiar color and laid it over the newest M3, and it's sure to stir a nostalgic feeling in every Bimmer-lover's hearts.

But IND doesn't stop with the color. To ensure the new Dakar Yellow M3 - the first in North America - gets the respect it commands with its loud visual presence, IND added up-rated Brembo racing brakes, 18in HRE Monoblock racing wheels, a software upgrade from AA, a front, side and rear body kit,... Though it's often overshadowed by the fantastic E30, the E36 M3 has become a favorite of aficionados, and no color showed off that M3's pavement prowess as well as the brilliant Dakar Yellow. Now IND Distribution has taken that familiar color and laid it over the newest M3, and it's sure to stir a nostalgic feeling in every Bimmer-lover's hearts. But IND doesn't stop with the color. To ensure the new Dakar Yellow M3 - the first in North America - gets the respect it commands with its loud visual presence, IND added up-rated Brembo racing brakes, 18in HRE Monoblock racing wheels, a software upgrade from AA, a front, side and rear body kit, new mirror caps, and painted or tinted lights and reflectors. A custom exhaust by Eisenmann kicks up the audio accompaniment from the high-revving V8 under the hood. Pricing and availability of the IND Distribution E92 M3 with the E36 vibe haven't been released yet, but in the mean time you can check out the video below to hear the results of IND's exhaust tuning. Via: Autoblog.nlIND Distribution Dakar Yellow E92 M3IND Distribution Dakar Yellow E92 M3 with custom Eisenmann exhaust Read More

When it comes to BMW tuning, there is one company that stands head and shoulders above the rest in cranking out the ultimate driving machines. The company we are referring to German outfit G-Power, which has been in the business of creating the world's fastest BMWs for a quarter of a century, including the recently unveiled 228mph M6 Coupe. Now, G-Power has finally unveiled a new performance upgrade for the M3, and with some serious performance mods in place the new car promises to be even more sublime than the standard model on which it’s based.

While a M3 bought from the dealership already has a fairly potent 420hp (312kW) under the... When it comes to BMW tuning, there is one company that stands head and shoulders above the rest in cranking out the ultimate driving machines. The company we are referring to German outfit G-Power, which has been in the business of creating the world's fastest BMWs for a quarter of a century, including the recently unveiled 228mph M6 Coupe. Now, G-Power has finally unveiled a new performance upgrade for the M3, and with some serious performance mods in place the new car promises to be even more sublime than the standard model on which it’s based. While a M3 bought from the dealership already has a fairly potent 420hp (312kW) under the hood, G-Power's engineers have taken the car into true supercar territory with a new supercharger system that raises the final power output to a heady 500hp (373kW). Using relatively soft charging of just 4.4psi (0.3bar) boost from the T1-518 ASA centrifugal supercharger (the same system used in certain Alpina models), G-Power claims that its M3 constantly provides around 20% more torque than the standard model. The sueprcharger system also uses a large volume air box, including eight lightweight integral resonance induction pipes, which are responsible for improved throttle response and creating an optimal torque curve. Finally, the supercharger system is completed by the large air-to-air intercooler that is located up front and cools the boost temperature down for added performance and reliability. The result of the new performance system gives the G-Power M3 a top speed in excess of 200mph, while the sprint to 124mph is dispensed within just 13.5 seconds - more than two seconds quicker than the stock M3. Custom wheels and Michelin sport tires help put the power down onto the road, along with a new continuously height-adjustable G-Power coil-over suspension system with nine settings to help the BMW more effectively use that extra power. Additionally, G-Power offers a new sports rear muffler to give the M3 a deeper roar, and also lighten the car's final weight by close to 15kg. Capping off the upgrades is a new interior, decked out in carbon-fiber panels, a custom G-Power speedo that goes up to 223mph, aluminum pedals and tailor made leather seats.G-Power Tornado based on the BMW M3 Read More