VIDEO: More Powerful and Lighter BMW M3 Sedan in the Works

During the M5 Concept and M3 Pick-Up presentation held by BMW's M division in Munich, the Bavarian carmaker also showed the M3 Sedan Concept, a more powerful track-focused version that could signal the return of the CSL badge, albeit in four-door trim.

Official details are not out yet, but according to Car Magazine, the car's power rating is somewhere in between that of the standard M3 Sedan (420HP) and the M3 GTS (450HP) special. It is not clear yet if the car uses the 4.0-liter or the 4.4-liter version of the V8 engine. The lightweight M3 Sedan also uses several parts from the GTS, such as the larger brakes, the front splitter (slightly smaller though), a modified suspension and a lighter exhaust.

Styling cues such as the black kidney grilles and the dark 19-inch wheels are also sourced from the M3 GTS, while the rear bootlid spoiler is specially designed for this model. The car will be produced in limited numbers and BMW plans to race it at the Nurburgring 24 Hours race in June.

By Dan Mihalascu

Source: Car & M5board

VIDEO

BMW M3 GTS Sedan Concept

The M3 GTS Sedan is, of course, derived from the M3 GTS Coupe but this model is still a concept and is not sporting the full GTS assortment yet.

According to Car Magazine, power is unspecified but said to be below the 450 PS (331 kW / 444 bhp) mark of the M3 GTS Coupe and somewhere above the 420 PS (309 kW / 414 bhp) of the standard M3. Whether it's packing the 4.4 liter V8 of the GTS or is simply sporting an up-tuned 4.0 liter from the series M3, we don't know.

This M3 GTS Sedan Concept does get some parts from the production GTS, including the 19-inch alloy wheels, larger brakes, rear boot lid spoiler and the black kidney grills. The front splitter is less wide than on the GTS and the car is said to be sporting a lighter exhaust and a tuned suspension too - perhaps identical to the M3 GTS Coupe.

The M3 GTS Sedan will go to production - in limited numbers - and may ultimately come to be closer to the GTS Coupe than this concept is hinting at.

BMW M3 Pick Up Truck 420 HP

The sport ute packs the same 420-horsepower 4.0-liter V8 engine under the bonnet as the rest of the M3 range, which includes the Coupe, Convertible and Sedan models, adding a rear-axle load capacity of up to 450 kilos or 992 pounds.

The load bed itself is clad in high-grade structured aluminium sheeting and provides the biggest cargo capacity ever offered on a M vehicle – up to 20 standard 46-inch golf bags, according to BMW. It’s also the first M3 to be equipped with a trailer tow hitch.

BMW said the kerb weight of the pickup undercuts that of the M3 Convertible by around 50 kilograms or 110 pounds. Interestingly, BMW’s designers also fitted the M3 Pickup Truck with a Targa top, which shaves another 20kg or 44 pounds and at the same time, lowers the car’s centre of gravity when removed.

Despite the removal of the rear passenger compartment, the company says measurements in the wind tunnel at the BMW Group’s Aerodynamic Test Centre showed a Cd factor on a par with that of the BMW M3 Coupé.
Official lap times have not yet been released, but BMW pointed out that the needle in the dial vouched for a top speed of 300 km/h or 186mph.
Of course, the M3 Pickup Truck won’t be heading for production, but BMW said the one-off model is earmarked for use as a workshop transport vehicle for BMW M GmbH.

BMW M3 Tiger Edition

In 2010, to celebrate the year of the tiger in China, BMW launched a special Chinese-market ‘M3 Tiger Edition’ sporting some added visual content. It appears that limited production coupe model was well received in China so BMW decided to create yet another special M3, this time called the Matte Edition.

It's created by combining a metallic finish with a silky matte clear coat. Other cosmetic tweaks include the black chrome side air intakes and exhaust tail pipes, the red brake calipers and the lightweight 19-inch high-gloss alloy wheels.


Inside, BMW’s designers opted for carbon fiber decorative trim and matching special black carbon fiber leather for the seats along with contrasting red seams for the seat edges and door armrests.
The Chinese-market BMW M3 Matted Edition is powered by the same naturally aspirated 4.0-liter V8 engine found across the standard M3 lineup that churns out 420 horsepower and 400Nm of peak torque.

BMW Releases Performance Exhaust System for Latest M3 Models [with Video]

Do you happen to own a fourth generation BMW M3 Coupe, Sedan or Convertible model, and if so, do you crave for a throatier sound from its exhaust? If you answered yes to both questions and can justify spending $4,374 plus labor for installation for a performance exhaust system, then you may want to take a look the Bavarian firm's new M Performance offering.

BMW said the new exhaust system is crafted from an extremely heat-resistant and lightweight chrome-nickel alloy called Inconel, which allowed the firm's engineers to reduce the thickness of the tubing from 1.5mm to 0.8mm. This resulted in a weight reduction of approximately 40%, or about 20 pounds when compared to the M3's stock exhaust system. So basically, you're getting a much lighter exhaust system with a more powerful sound

The M Performance Exhaust also comes with perforated inner pipes and polished titanium tips, which are laser engraved with the M logo.

The company said the new exhaust may be installed at any Authorized BMW Center at a price of $4,374 plus installation.

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Bill Caswell to Convert E30 BMW into Baja Racer During SEMA Show

E30s seem to be popping up everywhere lately. After the impressive electric 3-Series from VST Conversions, we now have word that one Bill Caswell and his late 1980's E30 will be at SEMA thanks to Miller Electric Mfg. Co.

The "rally racer and ultimate DIY enthusiast" made news in March when he took on $100,000+ competition in an old 318i during Rally Mexico. While at SEMA, Bill will be converting a 1989 BMW 3-Series coupe [E30] into an off-road Baja blaster in order to compete in the SCORE Baja 1000's Sportsman class (starting November 17th). Now that's hardcore.

Here's a breakdown of Bill's SEMA welding schedule prior to tackling the rally: roll cage on day 1, front cage/suspension on day 2, rear cage/suspension on day 3, and "accessories" on day 4. Day 4's work will include finishing the main cage and crafting other Baja racing necessities such as a front brush guard, fuel cell, light bar, and more.

Miller Electric Mfg. Co.'s marketing VP Tim Swanson says, "Bill's passion for racing combined with his desire to create fits nicely with our vision...Rally and Baja racing requires a diverse skill set, from detailed fabrication and welding to high-speed driving. We're looking forward to watching Bill build and race the Miller car."

If you're interested, definitely follow the live updates on Bill's build during SEMA (which can be found at the link below).

By Phil Alex

About Bill Caswell (from Miller Electric Mfg. Co.):

Formerly a finance banker from Chicago, Caswell left his job in 2009 to focus on rally racing, competing in several races in the U.S. in cars that he built, modified and fabricated himself. Caswell made a name for himself in March of this year by placing third in the Rally America class of Rally Mexico, an FIA-sanctioned event run concurrently with World Rally Championship in Corona, Mexico.

Link: Miller

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Video: 2008 BMW M3 E92 caught on tape -Plus Spec & Price Info

Bimmer lovers over at M3Post got a hold of a spy video of the upcoming E92 M3. The long awaited top spec 3 Series was caught on tape during tests in the desert. Too bad though that the video was uploaded in 16:9 and not in 4:3 format, bad get a load of that new 4.0 V8 engine that produces 419 Hp and 420 Nm of torque, rumble !

Now, you may ask how do we know the exact specs of the engine? Well, the boys over M3post have done their best to please our bimmer-hungry appetite as they have got their hands on a leaked paper that features the US base price, extras and specs of the 2008 BMW M3. Check them out after you look at the video. via: M3post

Major Standard Equipment

• 4.0L V8 307kW 420Nm (bi-VANOS 3rd gen.) engine
• Adaptive Xenon Headlights
• Carbon Fiber Roof
• SMG III 7-Speed transmission with DRIVELOGIC
• 18" M Double Spoke Alloy Wheel
• 18x8F/18x9R with P235/45ZR18 Front, P265/40ZR18 Rear Performance tires

Invoice: $49,117
Base Price USA Port of Entry: $53,975
Vehicle Options List

• Metallic paint $475
• Napa leather $1,450
• Carbon fiber trim $300
• Aluminum trim NC
• Comfort Access $500
• M Multifunction Seats with Active Width Adjustment $1,900
• Front Heated Seats $500 / ZCW
• Power Rear Sunshade $350
• Head-Up Display $1,000
• Navigation System w/I-Drive $2,100
• Power Rear Sunshade $350
• Rear Park Distance Control $350
• 19" M Double Spoke alloy wheel $1,750
• 19x8.5F/19x9.5R with P235/40ZR19 Front, P265/35ZR19 Rear Performance tires
• Logic 7 sound system $1,200
• SIRIUS Satellite Radio $595
• High Definition Radio $500
• Premium Package (ZPP) $3,100
• Cold Weather Package (ZCW) $750
• 6-speed manual transmission NC
• Rear Spoiler Deletion NC

BMW Confirms Return to DTM from 2012 with M3 after 18 Years Hiatus

BMW has officially confirmed its return to the German Touring Car Masters (DTM) starting from 2012, almost two decades since its departure from the series in 1994. The Munich-based marque said it took the decision after the positive nature of discussions in recent months with the DTM umbrella organization ITR e.V. and the other manufacturers represented in the touring car series on issues regarding the future technical regulations, and the long-term internationalization of the championship.

The company said it plans to make its racing comeback to the series with the M3 model as the firm's basic DTM vehicle.

Dr Klaus Draeger, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG with responsibility for development, says: "The return of BMW to the DTM is a fundamental part of the restructuring of our motorsport activities. With its increased commitment to production car racing, BMW is returning to its roots. The race track is the perfect place to demonstrate the impressive sporting characteristics of our vehicles against our core competitors in a high-powered environment. The DTM is the ideal stage on which to do this."

BMW has won the touring car series twice in the past with Eric van de Poele (BE) and Roberto Ravaglia (IT) who celebrated two DTM titles with the original E30 M3 back in 1987 and 1989, while before that, Volker Strycek (DE) won the DTM premiere in 1984 in the 635 CSi.

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