Seeing a BMW M3 ute is nothing new, but still, seeing this E46 version competing in a drift comp is sure to put a smile on your face!
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Tag: M3
BMW has released a series of official test videos showing the new M3/M4 prototypes being put through their paces around the Nürburgring. Also along for the ride was reigning DTM champion Bruno Spengler. Amazingly for a BMW driver Spengler says he’d never been to the Ring before. He is Canadian so we’ll be kind and cut Spengler some slack.
We sourced these videos via BimmerPost and the BMW blog network brings us another preview of the new F80/F82 hero models in the form of an audio soundtrack we first heard over at BimmerFile.
The audio track was published by Road & Track and is said to be an M4 being revved while at standstill. It sounds alright too.
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BMW M4 technical animation
If you missed Wednesday’s release of technical guff for the new BMW F82 M4 you can see it all presented here in this whiz bang animation.
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BMW teases technical details for M3/M4
The new BMW M3/M4 will have “approximately” 320kW (430hp) and “substantially more” than 500Nm of torque. It will be powered by a “high-revving” 3.0 litre inline six cylinder engine with two mono-scroll turbochargers.
A 6-speed manual gearbox will be available, along with an optional 7-speed DCT featuring launch control. The M4 coupe will weigh less than 1500kg, around 80kg less than the E92 model.
Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic has been used throughout and will be used for the roof of the M3 (sedan) for the first time. Even the pro-shaft is made from CFRP, which saves 40% in weight compared with the old M3’s prop-shaft.
These are some of the key highlights for the new F80 M3/F82 M4 and you can read more detail after the break.
Thankfully, we can strike out yesterday’s article which suggested the forthcoming F80 M3 and F82 M4 would be available exclusively with a 7-speed DCT. Turns out an optional manual gearbox will be available in some markets, as BimmerFile explains:
We typically don’t answer rumors from other sites but today’s M3/M4 rumor on Autoblog was so out of left field and straight-up wrong that we have to mention it. Yes the M3 and M4 will have a six speed manual transmission option for certain markets. We’ve seen it in spy shots as well as VIN data leaked earlier this year.
While we welcome this correction as though our left foot and left hand depended on it, we’re not filled with confidence that the manual box will be available for Australian buyers, based on the lack of manual option for the M5.
[Source: BimmerFile]
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M3 watch: First official teaser
They’ve not given us much to go on but this 18 second video from BMW’s M people is the first official preview of the upcoming M3/M4. Well, we’re saying it’s for the M3, BMW just says they’re “preparing something new”.
It’s expected BMW will release details for the F80 M3 and F82 M4 in the next few months. Hmm, there’s only a few weeks until the Frankfurt Motor Show. Too soon?
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M3 watch: It’s gonna be a lightweight
More news from BMW on the new F80 M3/F82 M4 comes to us via Top Gear who interviewed Matt Collins, BMW UK Product Manager for the 3 Series (among other things), at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The good news is Collins confirmed the dietary plans for the new M icon, which will start life as a coupé and therefore debut the M4 naming. “What we’d like is more focus on lightweight engineering,” he said. “The philosophy will be around delivering performance through improved used of materials—lightweight alloys, lots of carbon fibre etc—rather than simply trying to make the engine more powerful to move the same kind of car, or scaling it back too far so that it loses its M3 roots.”
While there are no current plans for BMW to make another CSL, Collins did offer some insight into how serious they are with this new lightweight approach. “I think we’re really focusing on making this car as light as we can,” he said. “We’re not going to go halfway house with the ‘real’ car, because we’d like to get it as low as possible in the first place. The proper car will showcase a real reduction in weight.
“There are no plans at the moment to build a lightweight CSL version of the M4, but there weren’t any plans to do the last generation CSL either. We have to see what the customers think, and if there’s potential for an even more lightweight version, we’ll do it.”
We like the sound of all that. Although, it has to be said the outgoing E92 was around 1580kg, so there is scope for some weight loss. And pencil in a CSL-inspired model at some stage. It wouldn’t be like BMW to miss out on the chance of exploiting a niche market opportunity.
Also pleasing, although not surprising to hear is the lengths BMW is going to protect its enviable position in the high-powered mid-szie sports coupé market. “It’s not something we’re in a rush to market just to get it out, because it’s got to be as good as it can possibly be,” Collins added. “We think the M3 is the benchmark car; it’s the iconic car, and it’s the one that really defines the segment. It’s about making what we think is the best car in the segment even better. It’s not a competitor-focused development.”
[Source: Top Gear | Rendering: Wild Speed]
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Jealous, much
Chris Harris has just filed a video that must remind him, and certainly us, what a lucky sod he is sometimes. Never mind he has awoken his own Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 from its winter slumber to take part in this three-piece fantasy; the other two cars are just as fine and just as desirable. Well, almost.
The BMW M3 GTS indulges in some ultra violence with its bright clockwork orange paintwork, while the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series is not backing away from the dark side of the force with a matt black exterior.
Look, like us, you could probably save yourself from the bother and take the RS 4.0, leave the other two behind, and just be done with it. After all, it will be the one genuinely true icon from the three cars assembled. But, life is about the journey, not the destination, and so of course we’d grab the opportunity to test all three on road and empty race track.
We doubt you’ll have your opinions altered with this video, but we think you’ll enjoy the ride. We’re just jealous we weren’t there to experience it too!
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Drive Thru: 1M v Cayman R v M3
The BMW 1 Series M Coupé is the ‘it’ car of the moment. Everyone is talking about it and everyone, it seems, cannot praise it enough. We’ve already had one drive of the 1M and quickly learnt why it has been creating so much fuss. It really is a cracking car. Overseas, it’s even been compared against the Porsche Cayman R; a genuine sportscar with a sharpened focus.
We’re not sure why that comparison is being made, to be honest. They’re at different price points (especially here in Australia) and they don’t really sing from the same hymn sheet, either.
But when a long-time AUSmotive reader offered us a drive of these two cars who were we to say no. For good measure, the owner decided to throw us the keys to his 2008 BMW M3 as well. Lucky us!
All wearing black wheels with white paint, the trio were tailor made for a mini group-test. So, out to the favoured AUSmotive test route we headed. I drove the 1M on the outward journey and this provided a good chance to get reacquainted and develop a better sense for its daily capabilities.
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25 years of the BMW M3 in video
Back in July BMW released a press statement to acknowledge the 25th anniversary of their almighty M3. AUSmotive followed by trawling through BMW’s press archives to bring you an image gallery befitting such an occasion. Now, BMW has just released a new video to its official YouTube channel which celebrates, yep, you guessed it, 25 years of the BMW M3.
Check it out after the break.
Here’s a new rumour that’s likely to polarise opinions. The next generation M3 will no longer be made available in sedan form, but, assuming the rumour is correct, you will be able to buy an M3 version of a new 3 Series Gran Turismo. At least that’s the theory offered in Roundel, the official magazine of BMW Car Club of America.
An M3 GT would likely follow in the path of the current 5 Series GT, which is even more niche than an X6, if that’s possible. Here’s the deal, though. To AUSmotive, at least, if these half-arsed suburban warriors have to be made, then we’ll take a 5 Series GT over an X6 every time. Don’t tell anyone, but we actually quite like the 5er GT.
So, an M3 GT will most probably get a big thumbs up from us as well.
[Source: M3Post]
Think German Touring Car racing and you immediately think BMW v Mercedes. Such is BMW’s legacy on the sport, this is still the case, even though they have not competed in DTM since 1994. In 2012 BMW will finally put things right.
BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen has been twiddling his thumbs since BMW quit F1, but he’s excited about this new project, “The entire team at BMW Motorsport is approaching this exciting project with absolute commitment. We began making technical preparations following our declaration of intent in April, and established parameters for a high-performance vehicle concept for deployment in the DTM. The positive decision of the BMW Board of Management means we can now shift up a gear and give the green light for development.”
BMW will be using the E92 M3 as the base for its DTM entry. A car that has already proven its track capabilities with the M3 GT2 claiming victory in this year’s Nürburgring 24 hour race.
So, now we can look forward to a new era of Audi v BMW v Mercedes. It should make for great viewing. To help get you in the mood there’s a great clip after the break showing highlights of classic old skool DTM.