Right before Christmas, German magazine Autobild gave themselves a little present: they took all of the current BMW M models and tested them on the circuit to see which one was the fastest. All of the tests were done on the Sachsenring circuit in Germany and, surprising or not, the fastest model turned out to be the M3 CRT (E90). In fact, according to Autobild, not only was it the fastest from all the models tested, it was also the fastest M Car they have ever tested on the Sachsenring.
The M3 CRT lapped the circuit in 1:38.87 , closely followed by the M5 with a lap time of 1:38.90 and the 1-Series M Coupe with a time of 1:40.18. The list continues with the M3 in coupe, sedan, and convertible forms and ends with the X6M and X5M. Both SUVs were faster than the old E60 M5.
Manhart Racing achieved the dramatic boost in power by replacing the M3’s standard 4.0 liter V8 engine with the 4.4 liter V8 used in the X6 M. The X6M’s engine already delivers 555 HP, but after adding a biturbo system, it can now pump out 750 HP and 671 lb-ft of torque. This final output is even more impressive considering the standard M3 "only" delivers 420 HP. As a result, the modified M3 will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 217 mph.
In order to handle the extra power, the engine was updated with modified turbochargers, a larger charging air cooler, and reinforced pistons and rods. The car was also equipped with a new titanium-produced exhaust system with two racing catalysers and four 80 millimeter end tubes, and a new brake system.
As if the insane power boost wasn’t enough, Manhart Racing also worked on the exterior, adding in-house carbon car body parts, a cowl made of ultra-light but highly resilient composite material, a new trunk lid in CSL design, an adjustable front spoiler with sword, carbon fiber wheels, side sills, and a tail diffuser. The final touch for the exterior was provided by a new set of 20" wheels with 255/30ZR20er Continental Sport Contact 5 high performance tires.
The interior was also given a few touches here and there with a BMW performance steering wheel with illuminated switching rockers, in-house carbon full-shell seats, a carbon fiber package, and a Wiechers roll cage with back and flank protection.
The orange and black color combination may be off-putting to some, but the BMW MH3 V8 RS Clubsport by Manhart Racing could be painted puke green and we’d still rock it. It’s just that cool.
In the past few months, BMW has unveiled a number of "M3 Frozen" editions - the M3 Frozen Black Edition and the M3 "Frozen Silver" Competition Edition are the most recent - and now they’ve unveiled one more, this time for the German market. The BMW M3 Frozen Dark Blue will be priced at 95,555 euro, or about $125,000 at the current exchange rates. By comparison, the M3 "Frozen Silver" Competition Edition offered for the US market is priced at $81,060.
The M3 Frozen Dark Blue will be offered with a double-clutch transmission and Competition Package that adds a lowered suspension (ride height is reduced 10mm), light alloy wheels, a specially developed ’sport’ mode (part of the Electronic Damping Control), and a revised stability control program. The car has also received a new set of 19" wheels in styling 359M.
If anyone is interested in the cost of the Frozen Blue paint, that alone is priced at 3,050 euros ($3,984), while the other options add up to about 25,830 euro ($33,750).
The next generation BMW M3 sedan has been caught testing around the Nurburgring race track a couple of times, but the folks over at BMW have now moved on to public roads. These latest spy shots reveal even more details, including those wide fenders.
The future M3 may still be heavily camouflaged, but we already know that it will feature a new design language leaning more towards aggressiveness and sportiness. The wider fenders stand out, as do the big air intakes in the front bumper. BMW have also added bigger brakes and quad exhaust pipes in typical M fashion.
As far as power goes, we’ve heard a number of rumors surrounding the engine for the future M3. Four different engine were rumored, including both V6 and V8 variations, but the most interesting is the tri-turbo theory. BMW recently filed a new patent for electric-powered turbocharger technology, which suggests the future M3 will be powered by a fresh 3.3-liter six-cylinder engine equipped with three turbos – one powered by electricity, rather than the exhaust gases. This new engine could deliver up to 450 HP.
Anytime you can combine two sports cars like the Audi RS5 and the BMW M3 with five minutes worth of classical orchestra, then it becomes a definite must-watch.
The video, which has been titled, "Mechanical Synfonica", is exactly that. Directed by filmmaker Daniel Michealis and produced by Alexander Sperr, it takes us on a five-minute, high-octane action featuring two hot ladies racing the RS5 and the M3 on the background of some picturesque, "postcard-worthy" locale while also burning some serious rubber on the road. Mix that with the always-enchanting sounds of a classical orchestra playing in the background and it just drives up the adrenaline to a whole new level.
Working with Michaelis and Sperr to create this video are the boys over at Format67.net and Reiger Tuning, who, incidentally, had a hand in tuning both the RS5 and the M3.
We’ll spare you the suspense now. Just go ahead and press play and enjoy the best five-minute wake-up call you’ve had in a while.
