Derived from the potent 5.0L V10 engine used in the larger M5 and M6, the new V8 unit will displace 4.0L and produce its peak 420hp output at a lofty 8,300rpm, while maximum torque is 400Nm at 6,500rpm. Though this latter figure might not seem impressive, 85% of twist will come from just 2,000rpm. Yes that’s right. Thanks to the Double Vanos valve technology, the new V8 engine delivers up to 340Nm of torque from only 2,000rpm. This means the new bahn-stormer will have an almost perfectly flat torque curve and a smooth power band stretching more than 6,000rpm. Because of the use of aluminum and composite materials in its construction, the mighty motor weighs in at just 202kg. Amazingly, this is 15kg less than the 6-cylinder engine found in the previous M3.The M3 will also feature brake regeneration technology, which charges the car’s battery without tapping on engine power.
First sales will be for the coupe model, which are expected to start in September this year, followed by the convertible, sedan and touring variants soon after.
Click ahead for a run-down of all the specs.
•First eight-cylinder for the BMW M3 sports car.
•Supreme performance ensured by 309 kW/420 hp from 4.0 litres.
•Maximum torque of 400 Newton-metres (295 lb-ft) at 3,900 rpm, 85 per cent of maximum torque over a speed range of 6,500 rpm.
•Unique thrust and muscle ensured by consistent implementation of the M high-speed engine concept, maximum engine speed 8,300 rpm.
•Consistent lightweight construction of engine and ancillary units, new V8 power unit one of the lightest eight-cylinders in the world, lighter than the straight-six power unit in the former model.
•Variable camshaft control, low-pressure double-VANOS for an optimum charge cycle, system offering full power and performance even with normal engine oil pressure.
•Eight individual throttle butterflies for spontaneous engine response.
•Consistent and reliable oil supply with longitudinal and lateral acceleration up to 1.4 g ensured by two oil pumps and wet sump oil lubrication optimised for supreme dynamic behaviour.
•Exhaust system optimising cylinder charge, optimised for weight and function by means of internal high-pressure remoulding, exhaust emissions fulfil EU4 and LEV 2 standards.
•Upgraded MSS60 engine control unit for optimum coordination of all engine functions with the various control systems in the car.
•Ion flow technology recognising and distinguishing engine knocking phenomena as well as misfiring and miscombustion by measurement of ion flow in the combustion chambers.
•Brake Energy Regeneration with intelligent alternator control.
Reader Comments
Thu Mar 22 2007 4:52 AM
John says
8300 rpm? Excuse me while I change my pants, I seem to have made a mess!
Thu Mar 22 2007 7:14 AM
Gus says
Me too.
The new M3 cabrio just became my new dream car.
Thu Mar 22 2007 7:28 AM
surok says
thats only 200rpm shy of a 430!!!!
Thu Mar 22 2007 10:53 AM
Just_me says
te new M3 V8 redline starts at 8400 rpm, not 8300 rpm. In the german pressrelese is sas the engine develop 420hp at 8300rpm but redline starts at 8400 rpm.
for more information about the engine, go here:
Thu Mar 22 2007 11:36 AM
PirateTaco says
always though the previous M3(and the one before that) had a straight 6?
Thu Mar 22 2007 12:24 PM
raj says
don't mean to be picky, but the last M3 was an in-line 6, not a V6...
more to the point.. I'm curious what this vehicles 'pounds per hp' ratio is as well as 'pounds per Nm' ratio is... these are the only measures that really matter in terms of comparing performance of any vehicle....
Thu Mar 22 2007 1:05 PM
admin says
Sorry, you're 100% correct. Sometimes we just get so used to writing V6 it becomes a habit. I've scolded the person that wrote it :)
Tue Apr 3 2007 10:16 PM
Mike at BMW OC says
This new engine is crazy. BMW does it again.
Tue Apr 10 2007 8:00 AM
zhe says
it sounds like a phenomenal thing with 420 rampaging German stallions under the bonnet... the sheer mass of the engine should help to reduce overall burden, but i wonder with the extra oomph, what do they have to do to the chassis and suspensions in order for them to remain stiff under all conditions?!??! No doubt, since this is a V8 (as oppose to the straight 6) it's going to take up a lot more room, in which direction would they mount it?!?! Lastly, fingers crossed, if they can keep the weigth down (hence a favourable power-to-weight ratio), so can the price...
traditionally this is a direct competitor to the SLK and Boxter S (the Z4 is a roadster... which is in some ways different...), so if they can keep it just above the Boxter and below the Cayman - i think BMW just might have a winner in their hands!
PS: i don't really like BMWs much for a start, but i've always respected their engineering... and i m besotted with this one!
Tue Apr 10 2007 2:33 PM
JMP says
A competitor to the slk and boxster s?
I thought its competitors would be the rs4, maybe the evo or wrx sti, other fast saloons. The slk and boxster s are nowhere near as practical as an M3.
That aside, the new styling on the BMW M3 is very nice indeed. The sedan 3 series was a little bit disappointing but thankfully they altered the backlights and sharpened up the front for the mighty M3
Wed Apr 11 2007 6:08 AM
zhe says
JMP:
The RS4 is a saloon, so are the Evo and WRX - but as far as I can tell, the M3 is a sports COUPE/Cruiser (unless of course if they release a four-door 'saloon' version.
You may also argue that the Boxter S isn't really a 'coupe' and you'd be right - it's more of a cruiser. In terms of practicality? Em... I wouldn't really say spending $120,000+ AUD on a two-seater with little to no boot-space as practical - but then i guess each to their own?
RS4 on the other hand, is good, but it's also another price point up from the Boxter S/SLK/M3 trio - and until this new Bee-Ma comes out, ALL of those 3 cars have 6s - so i don't think you are comparing apples to apples.
cheers
Thu May 24 2007 9:17 AM
mark says
i get tired of seeing the performance times listed as 0-60 and 0-62 by different sources given as the same numbers - which is correct 0-60 or 0-62 ?
i often see the e46 M3 as 0-60 (4.8 sec) and also 0-62 as (4.8 sec) Grrr
thank in advance for any info in this
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