Didn’t we just feature a BMW M3 that was tuned by the boys over at European Auto Source?
Jump back a few weeks to the middle of March 2012 and you’ll see a similar BMW M3 that was treated to a comprehensive tuning program from VF Engineering and EAS. But while that particular M3 - billed as "Orange Fever" - sported a stealthy matte black carbon fiber look, this M3 is dressed with a custom Matte Estoril Blue Paint finish by C&C Collision. Fancy color notwithstanding, the M3 also gets an aerodynamic kit from Vorsteiner that includes a carbon fiber GTS3 front bumper, a carbon fiber aero boot lid, an aero rear diffuser, and a carbon fiber roof. Matte black kidney grilles and fender gills are also part of the exterior program, as are the carbon fiber mirror caps and the new set of 19" 360 Forged Spec 5 Wheels with Brembo TG BBK brakes.
Under the hood, European Auto Source provided the M3 with a VF620 Supercharger System with its own Vortech V3Si Compressor and 6.0-7.0psi manifold boost pressure, shooting the sedan’s overall output to an impressive 700 horsepower, around 80 more ponies than the Orange Fever M3.
In 2011, the US market received a special edition M3 "Frozen Silver" Competition Edition and now it’s the Brits turn to get in on the Frozen paint job action. BMWwill be providing UK customers with a special edition M3 Coupe Frozen Silver Edition as part of BMW M GmbH’s 40th anniversary, and while US customers only got 40 units of the special M3, British customers will get 100 units to fight over.
On the exterior, the M3 Coupe Frozen Silver Edition features a Frozen Silver metallic paint and a new set of 19" matte black alloy wheels. These features are joined by a new exhaust, side gills, and kidney surrounds in carbon fiber and Jet Black bonnet intakes. The car’s ride has also been lowered by 10mm for an even sportier look. For the interior, BMW has added Black Novillo leather with contrast stitching and Palladium leather armrests and inserts, a new steering wheel sheathed in Alcantara, and plenty of carbon fiber to finish off the look.
Under the hood, the BMW M3 keeps its usual 420 HP V8 engine with power transferred to the road via the standard seven-speed M DCT transmission.
German tuner Vorsteiner and their proverbial partners-in-crime, Wheels Boutique, have come out and released another tuning program that’s sure to warm the hearts of BMW M3 E93 owners everywhere.
The program, which features Vorsteiner parts and built by Wheels Boutique, takes the M3 E93 and effectively converts it into a GTRS3 that’s ripe and fit for some serious action.
Among the carbon fiber GTRS3 aero parts that have been added to the M3 are a new front bumper, front fenders, side skirts, a new rear bumper, rear fenders, a boot lid, a vented hood, and an aero boot lid. All the carbon fiber goodness fitted into the M3 is complemented by a new set of 20" Vorsteiner VS-350 Forged Concave wheels wrapped in Michelin PS2 tires.
We’re not ones to be easily awed by tuning programs, but we have to give some serious props for this one made by Wheels Boutique and Vorsteiner. We know how awesome the M3 is, but for these guys to make it look like a GTRS3 is taking it to a whole new level.
The only thing left is a performance upgrade...right?
The 2012 racing season has already begun and we’re now seeing participants of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters - that’s DTM, in case you didn’t know - show off their vehicles in the past couple of weeks.
BMW Motorsports has been a regular supplier of race cars in DTM for the past couple of years. This season, the German automaker’s racing division is back in DTM with six BMW M3 DTM race cars, including the recently unveiled Castrol EDGE BMW M3 DTM.
The racer will carry the design livery of Castrol EDGE, considered as Castrol’s strongest and most advanced range of engine oil, and Aral Ultimate, Germany’s largest network of gas stations.
As far as powertrain is concerned, the race car will be powered by a V8 engine that was fitted with its own air restrictor to adhere to racing regulations. With the air restrictor in place, the M3 DTM is capable of producing 480 horsepower, while hitting 0-60 mph in just three seconds, and carrying a top speed of 186 mph.
Say you already have a BMW M3 that packed serious tuning enhancements in the form of VF Engineering’s VF620 program; that doesn’t mean that your car can’t have any else done.
This particular M3, re-dubbed as the "Orange Fever," was initially given the aforementioned VF620 Supercharger System, one that gave it an astounding 620 horsepower. But now that the car has logged over 70,000 miles, it’s only fitting for it to be re-tuned. Thanks to VF Engineering and European Auto Source, the Orange Fever was given an updated ECU unit, an LCI taillight conversion, and Macht Schnell Competition spacers, resulting in an increased output of 643 horsepower.
Additionally, the car was given matte black carbon fiber aerodynamic panels from noted German tuner Vorsteiner that includes a carbon front bumper, trunk diffuser, and exhaust system. Last, the Orange Fever was fitted with a new set of 20" Radenergie R7 wheels.
All told, the project looks spectacular, especially when you can combine the matte black finish on the aero kit with those 20’s and the re-upped engine credentials - even if it’s got some serious mileage under its hood.
It’s time to take a short break from all the news surrounding the Geneva Motor Show to talk about a car that won’t be making its debut in Switzerland. This car is the next generation BMW M3 sedan which has been caught testing one more time in Sweden.
When it comes to the engine powering the next M3, rumors have stated two possibilities. The first is a fresh 3.3-liter six-cylinder engine equipped with three turbos for a total output of 450 HP. This engine will sprint the M3 from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, while top speed is still electronically limited to 155 mph. The second possibility is a new 3.0-liter, six-cylinder engine that is currently under development. The future M3 will feature a more aggressive design to help distinguish it from the standard 3-Series sedan.
The new generation BMW M3 will be unveiled in 2013 and will only be offered as a sedan. Coupe and convertible models will go on sale under the 4-Series badge.
The words "BMW M3" and "Special Editions" have really become synonymous with each other. So much so, in fact, that a new special edition M3 is being released in another part of the world a week before a similar special ed model was released in Singapore.
Taking the reins from the M3 Competition Edition is the M3 Limited Edition 500, a UK-exclusive release of the M3 Coupe and Convertible models that comes in three different color finishes: Imola Red, Mineral White, and Santorini Blue.
The Union Jack-inspired colors are complemented by the characteristic M-car signature details, including the kidney grille surround, side gills and twin double exhaust pipes that have been finished in dark chrome. On top of that, the models will also come with a high-gloss Shadowline exterior trim that’s further given some extra shine courtesy of a new set of 19" high-gloss black light-alloy wheels.
Inside, the M3 Limited Edition 500 comes packed with plenty of fancy trimmings, highlighted by an extended Novillo leather and contrast stitching on the sports seats and door panels. Each of the aforementioned colors will come with complementing interior stitching with the Imola Red models having Black leather and Mugello Red stitching, whereas the Mineral White models come with Fox Red leather with Black Stitching while the Santorini Blue model features Black leather with Tobago Blue stitching. Finally, each of the 500 available models will comes with a laser-cut edition designation that reads "One of 500" into the left-hand side of the inlay on the dashboard.
As for power, there aren’t any changes to the car’s 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces 420 horsepower. Prices vary between the coupe and convertible models with the former fetching a price of £55,690 ($88,784) and the latter carrying a sticker of £59,785 ($95,317).
If anyone was given the opportunity to choose between the BMW M3 and the BMW X5M, many would probably choose the M3. That is, of course, unless they had a bunch of kiddos and groceries to haul around. For those that don’t, or have a second car for that, the M3 is enough to thrill with its sportiness and agility, and the fact that it looks great.
With those features going for the M3, the X5M would seem to have very little going for it, but BMW is out to prove that’s not the case. They grabbed up both vehicles and planted them in Laguna Seca for a little one on one action. With its all wheel drive system and 555 HP Twin Turbo V8 engine delivering exceptional performance on the road or the track, the X5M may have a few tricks up its automotive sleeve to outdo the M3.
Take a look at the video to see for yourself. You may change your answer if ever given the choice between the two.
You know how BMW M3 always seem to have ways to make special edition models? Apparently, these guys don’t get tired of it as they’ve added another one to their ever-growing list: a M3 Coupe Competition Edition developed especially for the Asian market. The car has been built as a commemoration of the BMW M’s 40th anniversary and is now available in Singapre.
Just like the M3 "Frozen Silver" Competition Edition that was announced last year for the US market, the M3 Coupe Competition Edition will also be painted in Frozen Silver Metallic combined with a dark chrome trim for the kidney grills, BMW M side gills and new exhaust tips. The car’s suspension set-up was also tweaked and lowered by 10mm while receiving the same 19" heels found on the BMW M3 GTS.
For the interior, BMW added black extended Novillo leather with palladium silver accents and stitching on front seats, headrests, door trim panels and handles, center console, and center armrest, along with an Alcantara-covered steering wheel and a BMW M3 Chequered Flag logo inlay featured on the door sills.
If you remember the BMW M3 GT3 RS by VF Engineering we brought to you last year, you will like the new package coming from the tuner even better. Whereas the first one delivered a total of 620 HP, VF Engineering made some minor tweaks to the program, resulting in a new total output of 700 HP.
The BMW M3 package includes a new VF Engineering VF620 supercharger system that has been combined with a new titanium exhaust system from Akrapovic. All these changes have increased the total output to a total of 700 HP. On top of that, VF Engineering also added a new suspension kit and a racing brake system.
As for aesthetics, the exterior package includes a carbon fiber hood, a new front splitter, matte black kidney grilles and a new set of 19" wheels also painted in matte black. For the interior, the tuner added shell seats and a new roll cage for a better protection.
Hit the jump to watch Matt Farah driving the 700 HP BMW M3.
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