BMW M3 GTR: first V8-powered M3

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Like most of you already know, the new E92 BMW M3 was not the first BMW M3 powered by a V8 engine, but it is actually the first mass-produced M3 with a V8 engine. A V8-powered M3 existing in the past in a very limited 10-unit run that costed 250,000 Euros a piece back in 2001, probably worth more now as with all collector cars. That car was the E46 BMW M3 GTR. Check out the full story and video after the jump.

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The M3 GTR was produced because the American Le Mans Series required at an entry to be a production car, that can be bought by the public. Homologation rules stated that at least 1 unit must be sold, but the Germans decided to go ahead and make 10. Once that was over and done with, they entered their own race M3 GTR into the competition, and went on to win both the Drivers’ Championship and the Constructors’ Championship in the very year they entered the race.

Now, this pissed all the other participants because a 10-unit run is treading on a very fine line between production and prototype, so in 2002 the ALMS changed the rules to require at least a 100-unit run. If the car did not meet these regulations, it would receive a weight penalty of 450kg and 20% larger air restrictors. BMW had their fun, and so they pulled out of the race once these new rules were in place.

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The BMW M3 GTR based was a two-seater, and used carbon fiber body parts including the front and rear skirting, rear spoiler, as well as the roof. All form of comfort equipment was stripped off, this means no heater or air conditioner. All the weight reduction resulted in an empty weight of 1,350kg. The track version entered into the ALMS had an even lower weight – 1,100kg, which was the minimum weight in the rulebook.

On the track, it was powered by a 4.0 litre V8 engine with a 90 degree cylinder bank angle made over 450 horsepower, but road-legal specification called for reduced emissions and noise levels so the V8’s power was detuned to about 350 horsepower. Gearbox was a 6-speed manual unit with a twin-disc sports clutch, and there as also a Variable M Differential. The suspension was exceptionally low and was set up for pure track usage.

After the BMW M3 GTR’s exit from the ALMS, private teams continued to race the M3 GTR on the Nurburgring. It remained the most powerful M3 to come out of BMW’s factories until 2003, where the more powerful and lightened 360 horsepower inline-6 based E46 BMW M3 CSL took that throne.

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Video: BMW M3 GTR 4.0 V8

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Paul Tan

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.

 

Comments

  • Initial D (Member) on Apr 09, 2007 at 3:28 am

    wow, a powerful car……………

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  • myviRS (Member) on Apr 09, 2007 at 3:28 am

    Wow~!! Awesome!!! Truly GTR.. E46 M3 GTR rulez!!

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  • w_lighter (Member) on Apr 09, 2007 at 4:47 am

    Wah.. when the car is at full speed the engine sounded as if it going to blow… like there is a chunck of metal in there thts loose or something… ur head keeps telling u… DUDE.. SLOW DOWN OR U GOING TO BURST UR ENGINE… scarry thought… hahaha. but cool car…..

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  • mystvearn (Member) on Apr 09, 2007 at 5:03 am

    haha, BMW pawned the competition. Well they can win by meeting that 100 units and still win the race, but who will buy the other 90?

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  • cbljkkj (Member) on Apr 09, 2007 at 5:18 am

    myvstvearn:

    If BMW had met the ALMS regulations and produced 100 units instead of just 10, the other 90 units would have probably been snapped up by private owners or tuning organizations for race track use.

    Although not as powerful as the CSL, it is far more track-worthy than it because of the racing chassis and like stated above, draws a very fine line between production and prototype.

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    • bawan hamali on May 25, 2010 at 3:27 pm

      ilik the is car vere mach it is a pawar car it is a machen of germane

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  • Grey_Fox (Member) on Apr 09, 2007 at 5:19 am

    This is what i call a REAL MAN's car. WOoohoo. Too bad i can only live my dreams of driving one in GT4. Fav car in the game btw.

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  • aesthari (Member) on Apr 09, 2007 at 7:49 am

    My favorite BMW, most aggresive looking one, been liking it since I saw the one in NFS Most Wanted.

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  • jazz1011 (Member) on Apr 09, 2007 at 4:51 pm

    No matter how many times I look at the E46, she still takes my breath away.

    She's truly a gem.

    Cheers!

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  • motherker (Member) on Apr 09, 2007 at 9:25 pm

    paul, i have another vid of the exact same M3 GTR which runs for 8mins and 37 secs..

    u want it?

    i can send it to ur mail add if u wan.. (i duno ur mail add btw..)

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  • mitlanevo (Member) on Apr 09, 2007 at 11:54 pm

    No comment about performance, but the older M3 is better looking than E92 M3, anyone agree with me? Or u guys like the new M3?

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  • layman (Member) on Apr 10, 2007 at 12:36 am

    SHOCK and AWE !!!

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  • Paul Taylor on May 22, 2015 at 3:54 am

    Hi,
    Here’s a question, does this car have a homoligation number?
    We’re going to be racing one thi year and are curious if it has one?
    Cheers
    Paul Taylor.

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