| | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 BMW M3 GTS by G-Power
 
The BMW M3 GTS is no doubt one of the most impressive M3s ever: lightweight body parts, carbon aerodynamic parts, titanium exhaust, racing suspension, roll cage, and racing bucket seats with six-point seat-belts. However, according to G-Power, the GTS is missing one important thing - ultimate output - and the German tuner is ready to offer it. In order to increase the car’s output, G-Power is offering a "Sporty Drive" supercharger system, adapted specifically for the BMW M3 GTS. The new system will increase the car’s output from a standard of 450 HP to 635 HP and 464 lb-ft of torque. The new "Sporty Drive" supercharged system is combined with a lightweight, all-titanium exhaust system that delivers the necessary reduction in exhaust back pressure. The exhaust, developed specifically to suit the requirements of the SK II supercharger system, is equipped with 100 cpsi metal catalytic converters. With the new output, the G-Power M3 GTS will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and to 124 mph in 11.9 seconds. Top speed is 200 mph. If you are interested in obtaining the new "Sporty Drive" system, G-Power is offering it for a price of €23,500 - or about $33,500 at the current exchange rates - not including taxes or installation. 2011 BMW M3 Performance Package
After quite a bit of speculation over the German automaker, BMW’s, upcoming enhancement for everybody’s favorite track day weapon and whether or not they would be downsizing their power train options along with the rest of the automotive market, we can now bring you some official details regarding the updated and environmentally conscious 2011 BMW M3 Performance Package. Don’t worry because the new car won’t be losing any grunt like we all expected when it goes on sale this spring with pricing to be announced at a later date. Thankfully the BMW M3 Performance Package is powered by the same high revving 4.0 Liter V8 sending a total of 420 HP straight to the rear wheels, with only one minor difference. The power plant is now equipped with an innovative Auto Start Stop function as well as an optional M dual clutch transmission with Drivelogic as well as the standard six speed manual. The Auto Start Stop Function works like most traditional mild hybrids by killing the engine whenever the car is at a stop, this is said to reduce both consumption and emissions quite effectively. As the name suggests, the Performance Package adds a lowered suspension that brings the chassis 10 mm closer to the asphalt and stiffens things up with a newly developed set of electronically adjustable dampers as well as an all new set of lightweight mesh alloys measuring 19 inches in diameter that dress up the new M3’s appearance along with the functional aero package. UPDATE 05/11/2011: TheSmokingTire got behind the wheel of the BMW M3 Competition Package and had all the fun in the world on the Pacific Coast Highway north of San Simeon. Hit the jump for the video. Press release after the jump. Full story 2011 BMW M3 Lightweight Concept
BMW is rolling out the special editions today, and just because some or all of them may just be the butt end of a good April Fool’s joke, doesn’t mean we can’t revel in the ideas behind these machines. The first was an M3 pick-up that we know was absolutely an April Fool’s joke, the second was the BMW M3 Royal Edition that we hope is, and now the third which we want to believe is actually true. The M3 Lightweight Concept is said to debut at the M Festival at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring race later this year and we are happy to report that many don’t believe this is a joke at all. We think it looks more like a reincarnation of the limited edition BMW M3 CSL with the same limited weight focus. The new BMW M3 lightweight concept is a sedan alternative to the M3 GTS Coupe. BMW’s focus for this sedan is weight reduction, but no details have been released on its actual weight. So far, we know that the future M3 will sit between the standard M3 and the M3 GTS, but power will be closer to the standard 420 HP with tweaks made to the brakes, suspension, and exhaust for maximum performance. So far, these are the only details provided for the lightweight M3. More details will be revealed when the vehicle is revealed this June at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Stay tuned! UPDATE 04/27/11: In an interview with M3Post at the New York Auto Show, M Brand and Alpina Manager for the US, Matt Russell, took the time to explain a few things about the M3 GTS. He said that there are no plans to bring the production version of the M3 Lightweight to the US market. Apparently, there just isn’t that much time left to build the E90 M3 and then there’s that little thing called homologation that is a tad difficult on our side of the pond. BMW just couldn’t get the M3 certified in the U.S. The good news is that BMW is still trying to find parts and supplies that will fit into the U.S. regulations, so we may still get our M3 GTS after all. Hey, we can always dream, can’t we? Video: Fifth Gear takes the BMW M3 GTS out for a spin on a wet track
If you thought that women couldn’t hack it as test drivers for high-performance cars, you obviously haven’t met Vickie Butler-Henderson. One of the hosts of Fifth Gear is highly accomplished sitting behind the wheel of a sports car, having gotten her feet wet racing karts as a young damsel before moving on as an instructor at Silverstone and occupying her current gig as one of the foremost automotive journalists on the planet. Suffice to say, her standards are very high and it takes a really good sports car to get her stamp of approval. Fortunately, the 2011 BMW M3 GTS is just that kind of car. In this video, Ms. Butler-Henderson takes the M3 GTS for a spin around a wet race track. Putting her unquestioned talents to good use, the host of Fifth Gear shakes down the M3 GTS the only way she knows how. At the end of all the hooning and spraying water, Ms. Butler-Henderson only had good praise for the car, describing it as one "amazing car". If you get two thumbs up from an esteemed auto journalist like Vickie Butler-Henderson, then you must have done something really, really good. Video: 3 BMW M3 GTS in action at Nurburgring
One BMW M3 GTS looks amazing and two of these babies are even more impressive. Now get three of them at the same place at the same and it’s like your wildest dreams have come true, and this is exactly what happened the other day on the famous Nurburgring race track. Three beautiful and sparkling BMW M3 GTS models were on the Nurburgring taking a few laps together solely for the amusement of the people watching them because, let’s face it, other than driver technique, the competition is pretty dead on. As a reminder, the BMW M3 GTS is powered by a 4,400 cc V8 engine that delivers a total of 450 HP. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is made in 4.4 seconds and top speed goes up to 189 mph. Lots of the interior parts have been removed which allows for a reduction in weight to 3284 lbs. 2011 BMW M3 Royal Edition
It seems that BMW is in a feisty little mood today as we may be looking at their second April Fool’s Day prank. Earlier we reported on the new M3 Pick-up which was an obvious prank and now the German automaker is using the popular M3 once again as the base of another special edition model. BMW UK has unveiled a special M3 Royal Edition as a tribute to the wedding of Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton. The new M3 Royal Edition will be offered in a choice of three exclusive colors – Regal Red, Bridal White and Imperial Blue. It is exquisitely upholstered in Windsor White Dakota leather and features commemorative "Will" emblems. Yeah, that’s the best part. Good one BMW! Joe Kerre, BMW Junior Operations Kindle Executive at BMW’s Forschungs und Narren division in Munich, spoke passionately about the latest M car: "The Royal Wedding has captured the people’s imagination so we thought that it would be a fitting tribute to offer an exclusive edition of one of our most majestic models. Given the Windsor’s German heritage, the BMW M3 Royal Edition should make for the ideal wedding gift." UPDATE 04/04/2011: If you haven’t guessed already; this special edition was another April Fool’s joke by the German automaker. It seems BMW was feeling rather frisky this year! 2011 BMW M3 Pickup
Well speaking of jokesters and pranks, so far the best April Fool’s joke comes from BMW with their new M3 - the world’s fastest pickup. A prototype was "caught testing" recently and BMW couldn’t even hold out until April 1st before they confirmed that it was indeed just a prank. But staying true to their powers of pranking, the German automaker still released full details on their new M3 pick-up. The M3 Pick-up is powered by a V8 engine and features a generously sized load area in the back and a removable Targa roof. The pick-up, which is only 110 lbs heavier than the convertible M3, offers a maximum load capacity of 992 lbs. The best part? The M3 pickup can hit a top speed of 186 mph (as a reminder, all of the other M3 models are limited to 155 mph). The official BMW statement states: "the BMW M3 Pickup will not be heading for the golf course or series development, but will retain its status as an exclusive one-off. It is earmarked for use as a workshop transport vehicle for BMW M GmbH. With this in mind, the current BMW M3 Pickup – unlike a similar predecessor built back in the 1980s – has gone through the requisite procedures to earn its road certification. Which makes it officially a truck – but one that puts a whole new spin on the meaning of the word." The idea behind this is absolutely fascinating and just the sheer curiosity of it all would have made this the best April Fool’s joke ever, had BMW lasted long enough to make it to April 1st. 2011 BMW M3 Convertible by Vorsteiner
The BMW M3 Convertible is getting a new carbon fiber aerodynamic dress-up courtesy of US tuner Vorsteiner, proving yet again that when it comes to high-performance BMWs, the US tuning company certainly knows what its doing. By releasing their new carbon fiber bootlid and making it available for the BMW M3 Convertible, Vorsteiner is giving the high-performance Beamer not only a more aggressive aerodynamic upgrade, but also a performance boost that should give the car an even more powerful bite to go with its imposing bark. The car’s new carbon fiber "duck bill" bootlid bears some striking similarities to what you can find in the BMW M3 CSL in that it has the "latest pre-preg autoclave construction with a high gloss automotive lacquer". According to Vorsteiner, the material is one of the lightest of its kind among all others available in the market today. Despite the talks surrounding it, the bodywork is still in its final stages, but you can expect it to be available at Vorsteiner dealerships in the coming months. 2011 BMW M3 Coupe Matte Edition
Back in 2010, the M3 was celebrating its 25th anniversary, which was a perfect opportunity for BMW to begin launching a bunch of special editions all over the world. China, for example, received the cool Tiger Edition, and since the Chinese market is flourishing, BMW has decided to throw them yet another special edition called the M3 Coupe Matte Edition. Compared to a standard M3, the M3 Matte edition will be distinguished by two unique exterior paints: gunmetal gray and black. Both of these colors have been obtained by combining a metallic finish with a silky matte clear coat that allows for the special luxury gloss to glisten in the sun. Next to this, the special edition has also received new 19" black high-gloss alloy wheels, black chrome side air intakes and exhaust pipes, and red brake calipers. The interior also get splashes of black and red in the black carbon fiber insertions and leather on the front and rear seats, and the door armrests. These are further decorated with red accent stitching. In terms of power, the special edition M3 will still come packing its usual 4.0L V8 engine producing 414 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to the M3’s six-speed manual transmission with a seven-speed dual-clutch automated-manual transmission (M DCT)as an option. 2010 BMW M3 V8RS by Manhart Racing
A standard BMW M3 is powered by a V8 liter engine that delivers a total of 420 HP. This may be rather impressive for a sports coupe, but take it to an experienced tuner and it can get even better. This was Manhart Racing’s goal as they prepared an impressive update package for the most powerful model in the 3-Series line-up. The BMW M3 V8RS by Manhart Racing is no chump. The standard V8 engine has been replaced by the S63 engine from the X6M SUV mated to the X6M automatic transmission and, thanks to some ECU mods and a new exhaust, can now deliver an unbelievable 724 HP and 641 lbs-ft of torque. Manhart Racing has yet to announce what this tremendous boost in power has done to the performance of the sports coupe, but with that much extra horsepower, we can just imagine the mind-bending improvements it can deliver. Further aiding in the performance of the BMW M3 is the addition of carbon fiber elements aiding in keeping the weight as low as possible. Hit the jump to watch the BMW M3 V8RS by Manhart Racing in action. Appreciate the sights, because the audio is completely in German. We can’t have everything all of the time.. Full story | featured reviews: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|