Ever since G-Power->ke1323 was founded in 1983, the German tuner has been responsible for some of the most impressive BMW->ke178 tuning programs. Along the way, G-Power has also established itself as a perennial record-breaker, having collected seven world records under its belt, including the fastest LPG-powered car (207 mph) with the 660-horsepower M5 Hurricane GS; the fastest 1 Series->ke313 (205 mph) with the 600-horsepower G1 V8 Hurricane GS; and the fastest BMW sedan (224 mph) with the 730-horsepower M5 Hurricane.

As the calendar flips to 2016, G-Power is celebrating the new year with the introduction of its latest tuning masterpiece, the M3 RS E9X. The program itself is not based on the current generation M3->ke2366 sedan, but rather the departed coupe model that has since been replaced by the M4.->ke4183 But, even if the model is already out of production, the German tuner still created an impressive aerodynamic and performance modification program for the scores of owners still holding on to their beloved M3s.

Like most of G-Power’s kits, the M3 RS E9X program focuses on cutting down the model’s weight and giving it an significant engine tune. The former was accomplished by the installation of a carbon fiber aerodynamic kit while the latter got its massive performance improvement thanks to the tuner’s renowned SK III supercharger system. The results gives the M3 the kind of power and performance that only a tuner like G-Power can provide.

You can’t really go wrong with 740 horsepower on tap, can you?

Continue reading after the jump for the full review of the BMW M3 RS E9X by G-Power

2016 BMW M3 RS E9X By G-Power

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 BMW M3 RS E9X By G-Power
  • Horsepower: 740
  • Torque: 516
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Exterior changes made to the BMW M3 mainly involve the addition of an aerodynamic kit to make the car lighter and more agile than its standard configuration. In this instance, G-Power developed an in-house CAD development program to create its own set of bespoke carbon fiber components. The highlight of this program is the vented Carbon Venturi “RR” hood that was built to create a more efficient dispersal of heat that comes out of the modified engine. Not only that, but the carbon fiber hood also weighs just 18.5 pounds, 5.7 pounds lighter than the normal version. Moreover, G-Power is also offering a body-colored “RS” version of the lightweight hood.

Other carbon fiber components include an “RS” front spoiler that’s available with or without air intakes. There’s also a GTS-style rear wing that’s mounted on a boot lid. The wing helps reduce lift over the rear axle and saves as much as 11 pounds. Likewise, the boot lid’s CNC-machined aluminum struts allows it to weight just 2.6 pounds.

Rounding out the exterior modifications is a set of the tuner’s own Hurricane RR forged alloy wheels. Measuring 9.0x20-inches in the front and 10.5x20-inches in the back, the wheels are shod in 245/30ZR20 and 295/25ZR20 Michelin tires, respectively. Like most wheels in G-Power’s portfolio, these versions are made from lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum and come in a choice of three colors:Jet Black, Gun Metal Grey & Stardust Silver. As an extra option, G-Power is also offering a polished version of these wheels with a “Diamond Cut” high-sheen surface finish. Potential customers also have the freedom to personalize these wheels upon request.

Interior

As extensive as the exterior modifications are, the opposite holds true as far as the interior is concerned. Simply put, there are no notable interior upgrades made to the BMW M3. That’s not all that surprising considering that the German tuner isn’t known for its fancy cabin dress ups.

Drivetrain

The unquestioned highlight of this program is G-Power’s very own SK III supercharger. With this system in place, the M3’s output shoots up to 740 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. These numbers represent an incredible output increase of 320 horses and 221 pound-feet of torque that was made possible courtesy of an increased displacement in the engine from 4.0-liters to 4.6-liters. G-Power also installed an ASA T1-724 supercharger to complement the bigger engine capacity. From there, the German tuner also uprated the engine by using a set of forged pistons the tuner commissioned from tech partner Mahle. G-Power also installed an oil and water cooler package. This helps the temperature of these fluids stay within limits, even in less-than-stellar weather conditions. The last bit of the engine modification puzzle is a hand-made titanium exhaust system that not only features a pair of 100-cell metal sport catalysts, but also provides a weight savings of 57 pounds.

The result of this massive engine tune helps the M3 sprint from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds and 0 to 124 mph in a tidy 9.5 seconds. Top speed has also increased to 211 mph.

Price

The full price of the program is € 60,318, which is about $65,700 based on current exchange rates.

The pricing breakdown is as follows:

Item

Euro (€)

USD ($) Conversion

M3 Supercharger SK III

€41,650

$45,363

Venturi “RR” hood in visible carbon

€4,000

$4,356

Front spoiler “RS” in visible carbon

€2,450

$2,668

Carbon decklid “RS” in visible carbon

€3,000

$3,267

Carbon rear wing “RS” in visible carbon

€2,500

$2,722

20-inch Hurricane RR forged wheels

€6,718

$7,316

Total

€60,318

$65,702


Competition

BMW M3 "RS-M3" by RS Racingteam

Understand that this new program by G-Power covers past versions of the M3 and not the current sedan version. Knowing that makes it easier to line up competing tuners who have offered their own programs for the high-performance coupe. One such tuner was RS Racingteam, which presented its program for the M3 E92 back in 2013.

As dated as it is, that kit actually turned the M3 into a full-blown race car, complete with a stripped down interior and a nice engine upgrade. The latter involved tweaking the M3’s 4.0-liter V-8 engine to 450 horsepower and 318 pound-feet of torque, slight improvements from the coupe’s standard output of 420 ponies. The rather muted engine modification was made up for by the loss of the M3’s interior creature comforts. In their place, RS Racingteam installed sport bucket seats with six-point harnesses, a full-on roll cage, a new racing steering wheel, racing brake pads, and splashes of carbon fiber added in various parts of the cabin. The result is a weight savings of 190 kg, or close to 420 pounds.

With the modifications in place, the RS Racingteam-tuned M3 was able to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds to go with a top speed of 186 mph. Those numbers fall short to what G-Power’s new kit for the M3 offers, so it’s fair to say that the latter’s program has more bite in it.

Read our full review here.

BMW M3 GT500 by Leib Engineering

It’s fair to say that G-Power is well and truly considered as one of the best, if not the best, M3 tuners on the market. But, other firms are equally capable of producing impressive programs for the old coupe, including Leib Engineering, which introduced its own power-packed kit in 2013.

Just like G-Power, Leib Engineering’s program for the M3 was made up of an extensive aerodynamic upgrade and a significant engine tune. It also dressed up the interior with fine Alcantara, something G-Power didn’t do with its new kit for the M3.

Aesthetics aside, Leib Engineering’s work on the M3 mainly focused on the engine upgrade. There were no superchargers in play so Leib Engineering focused its attention on adding a high-grade steel in-house valve exhaust. This system came with a 100-cell HJS catalyzer, an X-pipe with middle silencers, and an end muffler with vacuum-controlled Pierburg valves, helping to improve the M3’s 4.0-liter V-8 engine output to 470 horsepower. That’s a solid 50-horsepower bump from the standard figure.

Read our full review here.

Conclusion

As impressive as other tuners have been with their respective tuning kits for the previous-generation M3, G-Power is still considered as one of the best in the business. It’s no surprise that G-Power has the distinction of buliding the world’s most powerful versions of the M3. That’s no different this time around as the German tuner has once again showcased its ability to turn an already powerful sports coupe into a certifiable world-beater.

The M3 RS E9X may not be available for the current-generation M3, but owners of the old sports coupe can still take advantage of the program and use it on their old M3s. That in itself is the beauty of G-Power’s ability to continue building kits for old models and still make them more powerful than a lot of current road-runners that are out in the streets today.