BMW USA has released details on the production version of the new BMW M3. This new model will be released in the US in mid-2008 as a 2009 model year, but it will probably reach the European market sooner. More details after the jump.
On the exterior, only the two doors, the bootlid, the windows, the headlights and the rear lights have been carried over from the standard E92 3 Coupe. The rest are unique for the M3, which should have given the car a more aggressive wider stance but somehow, well, not that aggressive. Many have commented that the new M3 looks too much like the standard 3 Coupe, despite most of the body panels being different. The tell-tale signs that the car is an M3 would be the powerdome on the front bonnet, the two air intake openings on the sides, as well as a roof made of clearly visible carbon fiber plastic, or CFP. Wheels are some lovely 18 inch alloys as standard with an option for larger 19 inch alloys.
Under the hood is a new 4.0 litre V8 engine which has already been explained in detail in a previous post. To recap a little, it makes 420hp and reaches peak power at 8,300rpm before revving abit more all the way up to 8,400rpm. It makes 400Nm of torque achieved from as low as 3,000rpm, which is amazingly low for such a high revving engine. 85% of this peak torque remains available for a wide range of 6,500rpm. This 105hp per litre engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox with integrated oil cooling, and a mass inertia-optimised double-plate clutch. Of course, the difference that sets the 335i and the M3 apart is the Variable M Differential Lock, which can transfer power from the left rear wheel to the right rear wheel up to 100% each side, ensuring optimum traction.
Driving dynamics can be controlled via MDrive, where you can set and retrieve the driver’s configuration of the engine control map, suspension, Servotronic power steering and also DSC set-up. The suspension involves using special weight-optimised components, forged aluminium track control arms, and there is optional Electronic Damper Control (EDC) that has three different damper settings to choose from – Normal, Comfort, and Sports.
On the interior, the meter panel incorporates the classic variable redline warning, which slowly increases up to the maximum of 8,400rpm as the engine warms up. You steer the car gripping a BMW M leather steering wheel, which also house audio system controls, mobile phone controls, and the MDrive button. For larger people, which I suspect I will need, there is an option for special seats with adjustable backrest width to ensure you are snugly fit into the seats comfortably.
The windscreen has intentionally been surrounded by dark colours to help the driver focus on the road in front of him. The interior leather used is black, and all the other trim are dark coloured, creating a sporty interior ambiance. Not like that’s needed when you can easily be reminded this is an M3 with a tap of the brushed aluminium accelerator pedal. Other optional trims are Palladium Silver, Bamboo Beige and Fox Red.
As for colour, there will be 4 special M Metallic paintwork options – Melbourne Red, Jerez Black, Interlagos Blue, and Silverstone. Silverstone is already available on both the M5 and M6 – it’s basically a lovely shade of light silver with a tinge of blue. Melbourne red is the colour you see in these photos. Jerez Black has slight blue pearl pigments to it, and Interlagos Blue has some red pigment in it, which causes an interaction of blue and violet especially when combined with Chris Bangle’s trademark “flame surfacing” effect on the body panels. There are also other colours available – Alpine White and Black, as well as Sparkling Graphite and Space Grey.
[PHOTO GALLERY: Head on to the 2009 BMW M3 Coupe Photo Gallery for more high res photos, courtesy of the BMW Press Club.]
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
I agree that previous M3,err…E46 rite….are more aggressive looking.But just give me one of this,I don't mind…hehehe….better than the new subaru impreza though!
I would like to see this go head to head with Audi R8
I was expecting alot from this car, now it seems so…plain jane. Interior wise, I have never been so disappointed. Even the E46 M3 had a more luxurious interior than this!
The chassis, balance and engine had better make up for its shortcomings, otherwise it will drown in the sea of competitors.
Agree with the bloke above…looks a bit plain, apart from that pathetic attempt at a "power" bulge which looks idiotic, like something someone did in his own garage.
And, the worst bit is, and I've said it before, it is a fatty. Just look at that profile shot, not a hint of muscular athleticism. Unlike the E46 M3 which looks like an Olympic athlete, this new M3 looks like some overweight bloke from middle management trying to look sporty.
nearest rival…..audi R8
Umm…should be the Audi RS4 not the R8.
Aw..comon guys..it's not THAT bad. Mayb it's the red colour. Hm..doesn't look right for a M3. I agree the bulge looks weird but..i still prefer a beemer over the Audi.
y almost all bmws have the same interior……it gets boring after a while,.thy should do sting very diff..jus like their exterior design…bt u jus cant go wrong with a bmw…the spec itself is to die for….and do u notice that the tyre hav slightly a higher profile than a car of this caliber?? usually its paper thin 19'
I kinda like the car this way, apart from the bonnet bulge, the car looks very discreet. It's a sleeper. Nice.
I'm sorry but, not considering which is the better car (we don't know that yet), the Audi RS4 is better looking both outside AND inside. Unless of course, you have some kind of bias for the blue and white propeller.
Speaking of the colour, the old E46 M3 looked great in just about any colour (including red) except that garish bio-waste yellow. Same goes for the RS4 which looks smashing in any colour.
This new M3 would look better in darker hues, because it'll help hide a lot of the dodgy looking bits.
420 hp.. @.@
Looks BORE to me!
Damn nice car, I can only watch and admire from far…
One more in wishlist.
strange.. the previous gen M3 or even the e90 looks more muscular, especially from the side view. one more serious drawback, the wheels are tiny mannnnn!!!
Good in darker hues?
http://www.classicdriver.com/upload/images/_de/38…
No BMWs had actually ever strucked me love at first sight, and i don't really like bangle, and i don't like (i even puke at) the E92. But this M3 is …… contrary to what i believe i shoudln't think so…… A-W-E-S-O-M-E
well, to be frank, it's so freakin awesome to me because of the utter dissapointment i got from E90 and E92.
Oh by the way, M3 E46 had a power bulge as well. But not as prominent as this'
nice looking car..damn nice..but i'll go for japanese sport car..
i've an announcement…i got one f1 parking sticker for race day…i've used it once..but i cant go for the race day..
if anyone want to buy it from me..juz sms me at 017-3765530…the parking sticker is at the PG1, near the G hillstand…the free shuttle bus will be available every 5 minute…
i also seat at the tower2..i've used the free bus for free..dont worry..
sorry paul for the ads..this will be the 1st and last time…
The E46 does looks more appealing in all respects.
It was stunner and still IS – until today.
The E92 though possess more power – but I personally feel it's just not enough to make the cut when it comes to looks.
It still looks bland.
Cannot understand with a price tag like that how they can make money selling it in Malaysia. Huge engine and OMG price of fuel going through the roof!!