Tag: M3

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BMW

BMW Australia announces limited-run M3 Pure Edition

BMW M3

BMW Australia brings some great news to M3 fans. They’ve been able to secure a limited-run of 100 unique models which will be called the M3 Pure Edition.

The Pure Edition is available in coupé and sedan form—50 models of each—and has been designed specifically for the Australian market. There’s no changes to the engine at all, so the 309kW free-revving V8 remains the peach it has always been. Perhaps giving a nod to the “pure” nomenclature the limited edition model will only be available with a manual transmission. In addition, there are a number of cosmetic enhancements to help you stand out from the M3 crowd.

Big, black and glossy 19″ wheels are standard trim, fitted with 245/35/19 tyres at the front and 265/35/19 at the rear. High-gloss black trim has been added to air intakes on the bonnet. While subtle dark chrome adorns the front grille, side gills and exhaust tips. On an Alpine White car, especially, these highlights look superb.

The M3 Pure Edition is available standard in Alpine White or Black. However, the following optional colours can also be specified; Le Mans Blue, Silverstone, Space Grey, Melbourne Red, Jerez Black, Mineral White and Interlagos Blue. Quite the choice, really.

Inside a special anthracite cloth complements the standard leather trim. The Novillo leather headreasts have been embossed with the M symbol.

This is all sounding pretty good, right. Well, here comes the best part. The price; yep, these cars, in relative terms are a bargain, with list prices starting at $135,000 for the sedan and $148,300 for the coupé. Sure, that’s still a lot of money, but it represents a very healthy list price saving of around $17K for the sedan, with a more modest, but still very welcome $10K over the regular models.

What’s not to like! The official press release from BMW Australia is available below. Also included is a press release from May last year in which Munich announced the M3 Edition. It’s important to note there are quite a few specification differences, but it would appear the Australia-only Pure Edition has been loosely based on this previous model.

[Thanks to John for the tip]

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BMW Past master

25 years of the BMW M3 in pictures

BMW E30 M3

Last week BMW brought us news about the iconic M3 celebrating 25 years. There’s been just four generations of M3s in that time; if you compare the original E30 to the current E92 you begin to appreciate how long 25 years is in the life cycle of the modern car.

At launch the E30 hit the market with a 2.3 litre four cylinder engine. Peak power was rated at 147kW at 6750 rpm, with 240Nm of torque available from 4750rpm. The feisty pocket rocket tipped the scales at 1200kg. In contrast, the E92, released in 2007, has twice as many cylinders in its engine and almost twice the capacity. Maximum power from the 4.0 litre V8 is 309kW at 8300rpm, while torque has increased to 400Nm from 3900rpm. The listed weight of the manual equipped E92 is 1580kg. One interesting side note is the capacity of the fuel tank; 70 litres in the E30, reduced to 63 litres in the current model.

After the jump you can see a selection of images from all four generations of M3; E30, E36, E46 and E92. You get a good insight at the presence the M3 has made on racetracks around the world too. Basic specs will be given and a more comprehensive list is available for download (700kb PDF).

The only thing left to discuss is to let us know which M3 is your favourite. Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

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BMW

25 years of the BMW M3

BMW E30 M3

It doesn’t matter what criteria you judge it against, the BMW M3 is a genuine motoring icon. The M3 nameplate is about to turn 25. Four generations on the reputation carved by the original E30 M3 has been upheld at every step.

AUSmotive will be adding a large image gallery soon. In the meantime you can download BMW’s full press release and engine specs for every car to wear an M3 badge over the last 25 years. You might also enjoy reading over our previous Past Master article on the E30 M3, which includes images of an early M3 sales brochure from the United States.

UPDATE: Dr Kay Segler, AUSmotive’s new best friend has been busy announcing the 1 Series M Coupé, but he has also said a few things about the M3. You can read those words at the end of this article.

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BMW

BMW M3 GTS – Technical specifications

BMW M3 GTS

A couple of weeks ago BMW released news saying the M3 GTS was ready for its market launch. Overnight they released a set of technical specifications. You can download those specs after the break.

The GTS has an increased capacity 4.4 litre V8 producing 331kW. It has BMW’s latest 7-speed DCT transmission, to offer lightning quick gear changes. BMW say it can reach 100km/h in 4.4 seconds, that it can cover the standing kilometre in 22.5 seconds and go on to reach a v-max of 305km/h. To break it down further the M3 GTS asks each kilowatt to carry around 4.6kg. Its engine produces 75.9kW per litre.

They are some tidy numbers, but the only number that counts for Australian readers is 0. That is the total amount of M3 GTS models BMW have assigned for our market. It’s not a lot is it! Especially when you consider Car Advice reports around 30-40 M3 GTS examples will now be built in right hand drive. This is in contrast to original news that said the M3 GTS would be left-hand drive only.

However, we can thank our wonderful Australian Design Rules for ensuring the M3 GTS will not be sold down under. BMW Australia spokesman Piers Scott told Car Advice, “unfortunately, Australia’s ADRs prevent us from being able to licence it here,” explaining, “that it’s too loud and too low.”

This is rather disappointing given the aim of BMW M GmbH, according to its CEO, Dr Kay Segler, was to, “develop a model variant that would prove its outstanding potential both on the road and at club sport racing events.”

Bureaucracy strikes again! C’est la vie. More pics, words and a video can be seen below.

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BMW

Orange juiced

BMW M3 GTS

Despite BMW Australia showing an interest in the feisty BMW M3 GTS, the latest word on the street says it will not be coming to Australia. Actually, there are currently no plans from BMW at all to even build the car in a right hand drive configuration. The news has been confirmed by BMW’s Corporate Communications Manager, Tim James. So, if you do happen to see a GTS down under, chances are it will be a track-only private import.

That’s it then kids, you’ll just have to enjoy these videos instead.

[Source: CarAdvice]

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BMW Motorsports

BMW Z4 GT3 official images emerge

BMW Z4 GT3

Some official images of the BMW Z4 GT3 racecar have emerged and it looks pretty damn impressive, don’t you think. Okay, in a road car sense it’s actually a bit naff with all those wings and diffusers at the back. But, in a purpose built track car sense, bring it on!

If you’re a real BMW anorak you will probably recall that BMW have said they would never fit a V8 engine to the current Z4. Well, they lied. To be fair, the Z4 GT3 will never see full series production, so raiding the parts bin to make a kick arse racing machine can be excused.

Anyway, that engine, yep, it’s pretty much the same 4.0 litre V8 found in the M3 GT2. That means power is around 485hp and peak torque should be nudging 500Nm. There’s also a race-toughened 6 speed sequential transmission to help move things along.

I get the feeling some very wealthy men around the world (and possibly women too) are going to get a little bit excited about driving this car. More details as they come to hand.

[Source: Car]

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BMW

BMW Australia wants to secure M3 GTS

BMW M3 GTS

BMW Australia is getting excited about selling its 1000th V8 powered M3. So, the press release below says, anyway. But here at AUSmotive we can grab a minor comment and make a screaming headline out of it as well as anyone else.

And so it was the closing comment from BMW Australia managing director Stavros Yallouridis that grabbed my attention.

“If it is available for our market and sufficient customers are interested we will make every endeavour to bring the M3 GTS to Australia.”

Go on BMW fans, get down to your local dealer and demand the M3 GTS comes to our shores. You know it makes sense.

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BMW

BMW M3 GTS video – you’ll like this

BMW M3 GTS

BMW have been overwhelmed by to the response to their original teaser video for the M3 GTS, so much so, that they wrote to AUSmotive asking to ease the burden by showing you two new clips.

The first starts off with a bit of track action before going into to full PR mode. The second, however, could be straight out of a Top Gear film, with lashing of super slo-mo and trick focusing effects.

Well, what are you waiting for, check the vids out now after the jump.

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BMW

Clockwork Orange

BMW M3 GTS

If you’re in the mood for a bit of the old ultra-violence at your next track day, then perhaps you might like to engage yourself in BMW’s latest weapon—the M3 GTS. You can watch a teaser clip after the jump, and I’m sure you’ll agree it would have been better if the soundtrack featured a bit of Ludwig Van.

But never mind all that, what does this M3 have that others don’t? Well, actually, it’s more a case of what the GTS doesn’t have, given that the interior has been stripped out. There’s lightweight seats, plastic windows and a half cage for starters.

BMW’s M boffins have also played around under the skin offering coilover suspension and serious braking power, with six-pot calipers up front, and four-pots at the rear. A very tidy titanium exhaust will be found underneath the car, as well.

Of course, you can’t miss the bright orange paintwork, which is complemented by matt black detailing in the form of aerodynamic plastic bits. And all this is set off nicely by gorgeous 19″ alloys. Perfect!

Well, almost, despite all the dieting, the car still tips the scales at 1490kg, some 165kg lighter than a regular M3 coupé. But with 450bhp available, through a 7-speed M dual clutch transmission, the car is sure to get along quite rapidly without too much bother.

The M3 GTS will be built to order, with initial deliveries for Germany only commencing in May 2010. Customers wanting to indulge themselves in this lovely bit of kit will have to swap €115,000 with the BMW M production workshop.

Apparently there’s going to be more on this car from BMW over the weekend, so set your clocks and stay tuned for the next update. If you can’t wait to read the latest on AUSmotive, there’s plenty more to keep you occupied at the M-power website.

[via BimmerFile]

UPDATE: Press release from BMW added below.

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BMW Past master

Past master: BMW E30 M3

The BMW E30 M3—the most successful touring car ever.

The festive season is a time to reflect and enjoy the company of loved ones. So what better time, then, to reflect on one of BMW’s finest motoring achievements. There wouldn’t be too many motoring enthusiasts that don’t go weak at the knees when they see an E30 M3 on the road today. It’s all about respect—from its classic 1980s styling, to its racing heritage and, of course, to its place in the history books as one of BMW’s best ever road cars.

The opening paragraph makes a bold claim, but it is one made by many and the little M3’s honour roll makes for impressive reading. Four consecutive wins in the Nürburgring 24 hour race (1990–92), four wins in six years at the Spa 24 hour race (1987, 1988, 1990, 1992) are impressive enough. But add those to a list of series wins, including the inaugural World Touring Car Championship (1987), two British Touring Car crowns (1988, 1991), two European Touring Car Championships (1987, 1988), two German DTM titles (1987, 1989) and even an Australian Touring Car Championship for ‘Gentleman’ Jim Richards (1987) to name just a few, and what you have is a serious race car, with some genuine pedigree.

Of course, this pedigree translated very well to the road-going version as well. The original M3 had a 2.3 litre four cylinder and kicked off with 143kW, before various updates took the power well beyond 160kW. It loved to rev and was described by Classic & Sports Car as recently as 2002 as having a “beautifully balanced chassis, razor sharp steering, and sweet singin’ twin-cam four”.

Bona fide E30 M3s are a rare sight in Australia, but included below are some images of one I saw at Wakefield Park earlier this year, complete with US licence plates and all! If you know anything more about the history of this car I’d love to hear it.

In addition to those pics, and the clip above from BMW-web.tv, I have also included links to related reading and a selection of pages from a US-spec M3 brochure.

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BMW

BMW M3 Sedan launches down under

BMW M3Sedan

The BMW M3 Sedan was recently launched to the Australian market at Phillip Island. I guess the AUSmotive invitation must have accidentally been sent to CarAdvice. That tends to happen a lot. C’est la vie. Here’s the pics all the same.

BMW M3 Range

  • BMW M3 Sedan: $145,000
  • BMW M3 Coupé: $162,901
  • BMW M3 Convertible: $176,142

More info can be read HERE and the release from the launch is shown below.

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BMW

BMW M3 Sedan & Convertible – Australian pricing

E90 BMW M3 Sedan

With the imminent arrival of the M3 Sedan and Convertible, BMW Australia has announced pricing for all three models in the M3 range. Those in the cheap seats will need to start with the Sedan where pricing begins at $145,000. The iconic Coupé starts at $162,901 and only captains of industry need apply for the Convertible—for the wife, of course—with a list price of $176,142.

The Sedan comes with quite a list of goodies, such as, an 8.8″ screen Satellite Navigation system (with TV), voice recognition, bluetooth mobile phone prep, LOGIC7 hi-fi, heated leather seats and adaptive xenon headlights.

Formula 1 technology boffins will delight at the M3’s Brake Energy Regeneration system which channels energy from overrun and braking to recharge the battery, thereby allowing maximum power to be applied. Which is just what you want when you have 309kW of power and 400Nm or torque willing you on to 100km/h in under five seconds.

The M3 Convertible shouldn’t be too hard to find in Australian showrooms as you read this, and the Sedan will be available from 22 November.

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