BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

[Mockngbrd]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

The mysterious BMW M3 with a massive wing spied testing on the Nurburgring a couple of weeks ago has now been identified. It was this brand new M3 GTS, the most extreme 3 series-based factory car of the current E92 generation.

Installed into the engine bay is a 4.4-litre V8 based on the 4.0-litre engine found in the standard M3. Maximum power is 450bhp (an increase of 36bhp) and the transmission is the 7-speed M dual clutch transmission (M-DCT) with adapted shift characteristics. The exclusive 19-inch aluminium wheels come wrapped inside 225/35 front and 285/30 rear tyres.

Suspension upgrades include the utilisation of yellow springs for a threaded suspension while the rear axle support is said to be bolted in place. Most notable in previous spy materials was the big rear wing which generates high levels of downforce. It is adjustable as well as the front splitter for increased cornering precision and handling.

Despite the factory car having weight-saving pieces like the carbon fibre roof, BMW saw it fit to reduce body mass even further. After all, the GTS aims to beat the old M3 CSL's Nürburgring lap time. Measures thus taken include employing light body-contoured seats, a new titanium rear silencer whose work can be heard on the video as well as the removal of air conditioning and the rear seat. Rollover protection mounts were bolted on from the B column while a fire extinguisher and a battery master switch/emergency shut-off preparation ensure safety.

BMW will only manufacture the M3 GTS to order and sell it at about €115,000 (US$170 614) per unit. German deliveries begin in May 2010 while other countries are scheduled for the summer.


PRESS RELEASE

Even when you see it from a distance, you are instantly electrified. As a BMW M enthusiast, every step you take towards the orange painted concept vehicle of the BMW M3 GTS with its numerous matt black applications raises your adrenaline level a little more.
Exclusive 19-inch wheels with ample 225/35 tyres at the front and 285/30 at the rear catch your eye.

All this is certainly nice looking and sensible, but what you glimpse through the spokes of the aluminium wheel rims is even more exciting: a generously sized fixed caliper brake system with six pistons at the front and four at the rear.

The wheels almost fill out the wheel arches, but if you look closely you discover the next highlight. Yellow springs with a small M logo provide the crucial clue: a threaded suspension, adjustable in compression and rebound. "The rear axle support is bolted in place," adds the responsible engineer.
The expert will also spot the adjustable front splitter and rear wing. One thing is clear: this car is serious stuff. Not only can a high level of downforce be generated but it also precisely adjustable at front and rear. Fast bends can look forward to welcoming the BMW M3 GTS - but they won't get to see it for long.

Which brings us to the next question: what does it weigh?
"The serial production BMW M3 is already weight-optimised with a whole range of measures reserved for the BMW M3 CSL in the last model - the striking carbon lightweight roof, for example."

So the engineers had to get back to work again to come up with more. Light body-contoured seats are a must.

A cluster of lightweight construction measures such as optimisation of the insulation, the use of lightweight parts in the interior, the use of Macrolon for the car's windows in the back, the lack of air conditioning, navigation and radio and the entire rear seat also gets the scales the down.
And the new titanium rear silencer not only looks great and contributes to the thrilling sound of the BMW M3 GTS, it is also much lighter than its serial production counterpart.

Indispensable for safety reasons: the lightweight construction body has been prepared for installation of the 6-point seatbelt included for use on the race track. There are also mounts for the roll-over protective structure bolted on from the B column. A fire extinguisher and a battery master switch/emergency shut-off preparation do not make the car lighter either - but safer.

So the BMW M3 GTS concept vehicle puts the scales up to around 1490 kilograms - causing the engineer to give an appreciative nod.
And the drivetrain? The heart of the BMW M3 GTS?

The car is fitted with a 7-speed M dual clutch transmission with adapted shift characteristics. But an absolute highlight is to be found under the bonnet. Exclusively for the BMW M3 GTS, the engine builders of BMW M - recent winners of the Engine of the Year Award once again - have developed a power unit based on the M high-performance engine of the current BMW M3: with a capacity of 4.4 litres and an output of some 450 bhp, it will catapult the light BMW M3 GTS into a whole new sphere.

After all, the aim is to clearly beat the lap time of the legendary M3 CSL on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. And test runs certainly give grounds for optimism.
The BMW M3 GTS is manufactured to order on an individual basis at the BMW M production workshops.

The price of the BMW M3 GTS with the features shown is expected to be EUR 115,000.- for delivery in Germany, including 19% VAT.
The first vehicles are due to be supplied in May 2010. For technical reasons relating to registration, the first vehicles to be produced will be those for individual registration in Germany. According to current planning, registrations in other countries will be possible from summer 2010.

If you are interested in the BMW M3 GTS, we recommend registering for our competition, in which you can win a place to attend the exclusive vehicle presentation.

 

[AC Schnitzer]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

hmmmm....... 225/35 Front ?

Just picked up the M3 last month and some how I feel shortchanged. :thinking:

Why can't all M3s come like that.

 

[totoseow]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

u telling me this car will cost 500+ to 600+? screw it. i go buy a used 430....or a gt3 RS no less

 

[TripleM]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

typo
front tires 255/35 PZero Corsa

 

[axl]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

u telling me this car will cost 500+ to 600+? screw it. i go buy a used 430....or a gt3 RS no less

Liar! You can't drive stick.

 

[ACS6]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

https://www.m-power.com/_open/b/home.jsp?lang=en

Vital Stats:

1490kg. (more than 150kg lighter than E92 M3) 4.4litres V8. 6pot front 4 pot rear brakes. fully adjustable front and rear wings and adjustable suspension in compression and rebound. Slurp Slurp

Other than the 4.4litre, sounds like any of the regular M3s on our forum. Ours even better, akraprovic full titanium cat back exhaust! ROOOOOAAAAARRRRR!!!!!

 

[Breyton]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

Dun like the rear wing. Other than that - looks good....

 

[Carcinogenic]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

A cluster of lightweight construction measures such as optimisation of the insulation, the use of lightweight parts in the interior, the use of Macrolon for the car's windows in the back, the lack of air conditioning, navigation and radio and the entire rear seat also gets the scales the down.
And the new titanium rear silencer not only looks great and contributes to the thrilling sound of the BMW M3 GTS, it is also much lighter than its serial production counterpart.



Can u live with that?

 

[TripleM]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

Other than the 4.4litre, sounds like any of the regular M3s on our forum. Ours even better, akraprovic full titanium cat back exhaust! ROOOOOAAAAARRRRR!!!!!

U hv no idea what you are comparing...

 

[totoseow]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

errr theres a big big difference what 100kg drop in weight does to a cars balance. add that to sharper throttle, suspension, stiffer chasis(roll cage).....

 

[acupunch]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

this is car for trackies. don't buy this to impress your girlfriend.

 

[VolanteDB9]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

BMW badge better than Nissan mah...some char bors like that one

 

[kenntona]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

I still think for that kind of price, a GT3 makes more sense.

 

[Racebred]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

actually this again ties in with the previous discussion on whether it makes sense in singapore to buy so called limited editions versions of mass produced cars.

To create a GTS, us regular modheads can easily clean out some interior trim, change to lightweight CF sparco or recaro seats, put in a set of coilovers (aka threaded suspension), new lightweight DPE rims, juice up the car for another 50bhp, or SC the car for another 150bhp, go Garage R buy a GT wing, put in our own Rotora BBK, change to aftermarket titanium exhaust, add in vorsteiner CF everything, go Tomo Leather and wrap all your interior in Alcantara, go Robson and CF wrap everything, etc, and you get roughly the same car, maybe even better, and have 100k in the money.

These cars are good for people who do not know how/wish to mod their cars. You can get even better products than what they put into this GTS.


So for starters, any M3s want to go and weld their rear suspension together? Performance mod leh.

 

[totoseow]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

agree but to a lesser extent. 80-100k premium...i will do it. doing what u suggested maybe i save 40k....

as a stretch 100k over a normal m3 ya i will. but from the pricing above which seems to suggest north of 550k. its nono. heck u can likely get a PI GT3RS.

 

[Terry]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

Buy normal m3 strip and mod to become gts can or not

 

[axl]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

Buy normal m3 strip and mod to become gts can or not

Did you read RB's post just 2 posts above yours?

 

[totoseow]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

Buy normal m3 strip and mod to become gts can or not

Did you read RB's post just 2 posts above?

 

[hitmee]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

Buy normal m3 strip and mod to become gts can or not

parrot.......
u have no creativity

 

[TripleM]

Re: BMW M3 GTS: Less Weight, More Power, More M

it's all in the pricing....
IMO, 100k over the regular M3 is stretching it at the border line.

Like what I hv said before in some old posts....
From G to G SL , F430 to Scud...price jump is 25% there about

Give and take, the same logic can be expected to apply in this GTS..say 30% more
and voila, shud be max at 450k !!

Crossing 500k mark is dumb IMO....GT3 is a no brainer choice once near that price bracket....