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?