In addition to the BMW 3-Series Carbon Sport Edition, the German automaker is rolling out another special edition Beamer, this time courtesy of BMW->ke178 North America.

The car is called the M3->ke2366 "Frozen Silver" Competition Edition and will be distinguished by a number of exterior and interior enhancements that will make this 40-piece edition a unique version from the rest of the M3 lot.

The special edition M3 is limited to only 40 units and was built to commemorate the 40th anniversary of BMW's world famous M Division. Each model will come with a Frozen Silver Metallic exterior paint, which, according to BMW, is a special BMW Individual matte paintwork that adds a rare metallic luster to the vehicle. The silver paint finish is combined with complementary exterior treatments and black leather and palladium silver accessories in the interior.

As far as power goes, the BMW M3 "Frozen Silver" Competition Edition will be working with the same 4.0-liter, M V8 engine found in the standard model mated to BMW’s M Double Clutch transmission. This setup delivers 414 horsepower and a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 4.5 seconds.

The fact that a special edition model of the car is being offered in limited quantities - and that it's expected to sell out faster than the time it takes for you to reach for your wallets - is proof enough that 40 years in existence has flown by that fast. And knowing how people go loco over the M3, we certainly expect BMW to hold more celebrations for their M Division in the coming years.

Find out more about the BMW M3 "Frozen Silver" Competition Edition after the jump.

2011 BMW M3 "Frozen Silver" Competition Edition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2011 BMW M3 "Frozen Silver" Competition Edition
  • Engine/Motor: M V8 engine
  • Horsepower: 414
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior and Interior

Each of the models will carry a Frozen Silver Metallic exterior paint, which, according to BMW, is a special BMW Individual matte paintwork that adds a rare metallic luster to the vehicle. When you put it next to a car with a gloss finish, the matte paintwork comes with a kind of luster that was developed using silk matte clear coat that's applied over the car's Silver Metallic base coat.

Moving past the snazzy paint finish of the M3 "Frozen Silver" Competition Edition, we also learned that the car will carry an M-Performance Package and plenty of complementary exterior treatments, including black hood intakes, a Dark Chrome exterior trim on the kidney grilles, M side gills, and exhaust tips, and a new set of 19" Black M3 GTS wheels.

Inside, the special edition M3 was fitted with black Extended Novillo Leather mixed in with unique palladium silver accents and palladium silver-contrast stitching on front seats, headrests, door trim panels, handles, and center console. The steering wheel was also covered in Alcantara and comes with a matching M3 Checkered Flag logo inlay, which can also be found on the door sill finishers. Rounding out the interior dress-up for the car are genuine carbon fiber trims on the dash and center console.

Performance

It appears that the Frozen Silver M3 Competition Edition doesn't come with any engine tweaks so you can expect the model to still carry the 4.0-liter, M V8 engine. That powertrain is still good for 414 horsepower with BMW’s M Double Clutch transmission going with it, thereby lowering the sports car's 0-60 mph acceleration time from 4.7 seconds to 4.5 seconds.

Packages

In addition to having the M Performance Package, this special edition BMW M3 will also carry a host of other unique add-ons from BMW, starting with the Competition Package. This package comes with a competition package suspension that lowers the sports car's ride height by 20mm. It also has modified programming for the M Dynamic mode, Dynamic Damper Control, and a the aforementioned new set of 19" M3 GTS light alloy black Y-spoke wheels.

Then there's the Cold Weather Package, which the "Frozen Silver" Competition Edition also has in its sleeve. The added goodies that are a part of this package include heated front seats, retractable headlight washers, and a ski bag.

Finally, there's the Premium Package, which comes with another host of unique features, highlighted by power folding auto-dimming mirrors, a universal garage-door opener, power front seats with driver seat memory, an interior rear view mirror with its own compass, a power rear sunshade, and Rear Park Distance Control.

Pricing

The BMW M3 "Frozen Silver" Competition Edition was released to celebrate the 40th anniversary of BMW's M division with each of the 40 units being allocated to the first 40 US authorized BMW centers to become M Certified Centers. The price for a piece of this M3 beauty is $81,060.